The opera ended with thunderous applause throughout the hall.
Some wealthy and leisurely patrons gave special rewards, either to the entire troupe or to specific performers.
“Master Liu Shengguan Tai rewards the whole troupe with one bundle of red!”
“Young Master Zhao of Yizhou rewards the whole troupe with two bundles of red!”
“Master Zhao of Three Yellows Hall rewards Young Master Bai Yuefei with three bundles of red!”
“Second Young Master Duan of the west city rewards Miss Xiao Qingmei with three bundles of red!”
Directly giving money was too vulgar. By theatre custom, one bundle of red equalled one tael of silver.
Master Liu had always been generous. Zhao Wenrong was supporting his hometown troupe. Master Zhao and Second Young Master Duan clearly had other intentions.
Three bundles of red were just the opening move: first an introduction, then an invitation to dinner to deepen feelings, and finally, naturally…
The Silver Phoenix Troupe had travelled from Yizhou performing in counties without incident, so they obviously knew how to look after themselves. Lu Zheng had no need to worry.
“Wonderful play!”
“So beautiful to hear!”
“Four full acts all afternoon. Truly satisfying.”
The five left their private room. Zhao Wenrong and Lin Yushu emerged at the same moment, and everyone walked out together.
Just before stepping out, Lu Zheng glanced back and saw a burly middle-aged man in bright yellow robes and a young man in moon-white scholar’s robes heading towards the backstage.
…
Back at the Liu residence, they finished supper and saw Bi Xin Yu and Hu Cainiang off. Then Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan returned next door together.
“My dear husband.”
“Hm?”
“Ever since the opera this afternoon, I have felt you had something on your mind. What is it?”
Liu Qingyan spoke with both worry and shyness. “And the way you looked at me was full of tenderness, as though you pitied me because I have never seen the operas of the central capital?”
She paused, then smiled. “Before, I was only a little fox and naturally dared not visit the capital. But now I have merit from curing the flood victims, and His Majesty has bestowed a plaque upon us, so there is no longer any danger. Once Sister Shen completes her cultivation and escapes her cage, we can all travel to the capital together!”
Liu Qingyan took Lu Zheng’s hand and gently stroked it. “You are so good to me. To be favoured by you in this life is truly a blessing earned over many lifetimes.”
Beneath the lamplight, a beauty is even more enchanting, as though veiled in mist.
The moment the words left her mouth, Liu Qingyan’s heart was already stirred. Her inner core trembled lightly, and a seductive fragrance filled the room.
“My dear husband, let Qingyan help you undress.”
…
“Qingyan?”
“Yes?”
“Let me tell you a story.”
“Oh, yes please! What story?”
“What kind of story would you like to hear?”
“Surely you have many?”
“Plenty. All stories the elders of my homeland told me.”
Liu Qingyan turned, her beautiful eyes blinking up close. Her long lashes brushed Lu Zheng’s face, making him unable to resist kissing her again before sliding naturally onward.
“Hee hee, yes, yes!”
She felt ticklish, moved back a little, and laughed. “Qingyan would love to hear stories from your homeland.”
“Would you prefer a tale between ordinary mortals, or one between a human and a demon?”
“There’s a choice?”
Liu Qingyan blinked, thought for a moment, and said, “I want to hear a story between mortals.”
“Very well.”
Lu Zheng nodded and began to recount, slowly and gently, the tale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.
…
“Hee hee, what kind of bookworm is this? He can’t even tell she’s a girl dressed as a boy?”
“This Miss Zhu is a determined character. She has a touch of little Wan’s spirit.”
“Hahaha, the Eighteen Miles of Farewell. One dropping hints on purpose, the other completely oblivious. So funny, so delightful.”
“Really, this Liang Shanbo is too self-conscious about being poor. Whether passing the autumn examinations, doing business, or even painting and writing letters, he could still support a family, couldn’t he?”
“What! This Ma Wencai is utterly hateful. I’ve never met anyone so hateful!”
Liu Qingyan started out happy, grew angry, then gradually sensed something wrong. When Zhu Yingtai resisted the marriage and Liang Shanbo died, she finally burst.
“Waaah… If we cannot share the same quilt in life, let us share the same grave in death. So moving!”
“Liang and Zhu in one grave, transformed into butterflies flying together.” Liu Qingyan clung to Lu Zheng, tears and snot flowing freely. “Why are they so pitiful!”
Perhaps because the land had long been at peace, almost every opera she had heard ended in family reunion and joy. Hearing the tragic ending of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai for the first time overwhelmed her.
“Waaah…”
She sniffled. “Why did no Daoist adept or Buddhist master come to help? They just watched them die? Butterflies only live a few days!”
At this, she gripped Lu Zheng’s hand tightly, her tear-filled eyes looking up at him. “After they became butterflies, they met a transcendent being, didn’t they? The being taught them a cultivation method so they could live together forever.”
Lu Zheng shook his head, shattering her fantasy. “The story ends there.”
“Waaah, you’re so cruel, husband! Why is there no more?”
“There is more.”
“More?” Liu Qingyan sat bolt upright.
Lu Zheng nodded. “There is also a piece of music written specially for the story of Liang and Zhu.”
Her eyes shimmered. A story that made her cry so much. Would the music be just as sad?
For a moment she was almost afraid to hear it.
“Shall I play it?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Play it!” Liu Qingyan answered at once. If she didn’t hear it, she wouldn’t sleep all night.
Lu Zheng rose, put on his inner robe, patted the gourd beside the bed, and took out the guzheng stored inside.
Then, the music of Liang Zhu flowed like running water, gentle and clear.
“Waaah…”
A timeless, heartbreaking story paired with the classic Liang Zhu melody. The effect was devastating.
Liu Qingyan wept the whole way through, tears streaming, nose bubbling, too overcome to care.
“Her tear threshold is so low… Well, not really low. Liang Zhu truly is moving, and since she has never been exposed to tragedy before, crying like this the first time is understandable.”
The operas of Great Jing were not weak, only rather formulaic and lacking depth, but still above average. Since Lu Zheng had decided to bring something out, he naturally chose a weapon of mass destruction.
Liang Zhu, no matter the world, was among the very finest stories. Paired with its music, it stood in a class of its own, even surpassing the tale of the White Snake.
“Waaah…”
When the piece ended, Liu Qingyan gradually stopped crying. One by one she took tissues, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose.
Still sniffling as she wiped, she said, “I have never heard such a moving story.”
“There, there. It’s only a story. If you like them, I’ll tell you more in future.”
“There are more?”
“Of course. Your husband may not have many skills, but his belly is full of stories.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I was afraid you’d cry.”
“Waaah… Did I look ugly just now?”
“Not at all. You looked beautiful!”
“Waaa—”
