He reported to Daoist Mingzhang that he would be spending the New Year in the northern domain at Tushan this year, then strolled leisurely down the mountain while his master stared in shock.
It was deep winter, the ground frozen hard.
Lu Zheng wore a wolf-fur jacket, a tiger-fur hat, and pigskin boots. Instead of returning to the county town, he made his way straight to Peach Blossom Flat.
“Young Master!”
“Young Master!”
“The immortal lady has not returned for several days. We have tried calling to her with our divine souls, but there has been no response. Do you know where she has gone?”
The Eighteen Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens all hurried forward to greet him.
Though Shen Ying had said she was going into seclusion, the Eighteen Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens had discovered that their connection to her had been completely severed.
If not for the ancient peach tree still standing strong in Peach Blossom Manor, and the incense offerings of Peach Blossom continuing to accumulate steadily, they would probably have feared something had happened to her.
Even so, having never encountered such a situation before, the Eighteen Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens still felt a slight unease.
“Rest assured, Shen Ying is fine.” Lu Zheng quickly comforted them. “She is in secluded cultivation. When I have time, I will go and ask her, and see when she can return for a visit.”
…
In the Blue Star world, Shen Ying, sprawled on the sofa drinking white peach soda and watching a drama, rubbed her nose and shifted into a more comfortable position.
…
Hearing Lu Zheng’s words, the leading Peach Qing and Peach Zhen finally relaxed.
After enquiring and learning that nothing much had happened recently at Peach Blossom Manor, Lu Zheng fled in embarrassment under the fiery, enthusiastic gazes of the Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens.
On the way, he ran into Bi Xinyu and Mo Lan, who were heading to Tonglin County.
“Master Lu, is Qingyan at home?”
Bi Xinyu approached with graceful, swaying steps, her figure alluring. With a slight curtsey, she revealed a expanse of snowy white at her chest.
“It is the depths of winter. Are you not cold?”
“Not cold at all.” Bi Xinyu gave Lu Zheng a playful wink and giggled. “Even if I stripped completely, this concubine would not feel cold. Would you like to see? This concubine is ready anytime~”
Lu Zheng shook his head. “I do not wish to see, though I am not sure whether Lingxi would like to.”
Bi Xinyu, “…”
“Master Lu, you only ever frighten people.” Bi Xinyu formed an orchid finger gesture, half coquettish, half reproachful. “I am at least your friend. You cannot truly let your woman devour me. And whatever you want, I can give it to you~”
Mo Lan folded her arms and said coldly, “I suggest you find a night when he has no one else with him and climb straight into his bed.”
Bi Xinyu sighed helplessly. “The problem now is that I cannot find a night when he has no one else.”
Lu Zheng could not help rolling his eyes, unsure whether this counted as praise.
“Qingyan is at home, but with the cold weather there are many patients, so she may not have time to accompany you to Yuling Garden.” Lu Zheng said.
“No hurry. I heard that an opera troupe from Rongzhou is touring the counties of Yizhou. When I went to Dingshan County, the troupe had already left, so I have come to Tonglin County to enquire.” Bi Xinyu said.
Lu Zheng shrugged. “Why not just go to Rongzhou to watch?”
“After all, it is unfamiliar territory. If I encountered demon-subduing cultivators, I would have no one to help me.” Bi Xinyu leaned closer to Lu Zheng with a mischievous smile. “How about it? When you have a free day, accompany me?”
“Heh heh.”
Ignoring the female demon who clearly coveted his body, Lu Zheng took the two women back to Tonglin County. By then it was already nearing the end of the shen hour.
The three entered the city through the south gate, first making a circuit of Yuling Garden. They saw a notice posted outside announcing that the Golden Swallow Opera Troupe from Rongzhou would perform in Tonglin County in seven days for three days, presenting six classic plays, all established masterpieces.
Then the three went to Renxin Hall, just in time to meet Liu Qingyan finishing work. Together with Du Yueyao, they fetched Liu Qingquan as well, returned home, and had Aunt Liu prepare a grand feast.
At nightfall, everyone returned to their own homes. Liu Qingyan naturally stayed at the Lu residence, then crossed over to the modern world.
…
It had to be said that a high-end latex mattress costing tens of thousands in the modern world was indeed comfortable to sleep on.
Moreover, no matter how vigorous the movement, it perfectly conformed to the body and never hindered motion.
…
“The Golden Swallow Troupe from Rongzhou is coming to Tonglin County to perform in seven days?” Shen Ying nodded. “Very well. We shall all go and watch together then.”
She and Si Lingxi had previously visited Rongzhou, but they probably had not seen all the operas.
This was a good chance to watch Rongzhou’s classic repertoire, and incidentally a gathering with Bi Xinyu and the other women.
Most likely, the five ladies from Wuxiu Manor and Yi Xiaoqian and Wang Xiaowan would also be there.
“Speaking of which… why do we not buy a video camera and record the Golden Swallow Troupe’s performances? Then we can watch them anytime we like in the future?” Shen Ying suggested with a smile.
“There is nothing special about the Golden Swallow Troupe’s performances. I think it would be better to record The Song of Everlasting Sorrow and Liang Zhu.” Liu Qingyan said.
“Yes!” Shen Ying’s eyes lit up, suddenly energised. “That is a splendid idea. Otherwise, if we want to watch them later we would have to perform them again every time. Let us go and buy one right now!”
Lu Zheng said, “Buy several. Buy professional cinema-grade cameras, film from multiple angles, and edit it into a film later.”
Thinking it, they did it. The group went straight to the electronics mall and bought a full ten cameras, along with matching audio equipment and a projector.
“What is it? Something wrong?” Lin Wan was still in her office searching for news of the sheep-head bronze statue when she received Lu Zheng’s call.
“I have bought ten cameras. I am preparing to go back and perform The Song of Everlasting Sorrow and Liang Zhu, and record everything. Do you want to come and watch live?”
“Of course!”
Lin Wan had heard Shen Ying describe how they used illusion arrays to create atmosphere and perform plays. She had always been curious, and today she would finally see it for herself.
Thus Lin Wan took half a day off, quickly joined the others, and crossed over to the ancient world.
“How will you explain the cameras to the others?” Lin Wan asked.
“Naturally, they are Lingxi’s magical treasures!” Lu Zheng declared righteously. “Besides the cameras, there is also the projector. Lingxi refined them to record and preserve memories.”
Si Lingxi, “…”
…
Arriving at Peach Blossom Manor, Shen Ying dispatched several Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens to invite the ladies from Wuxiu Manor, Bi Xinyu and her companion, and Yi Xiaoqian and Wang Xiaowan.
She then introduced Lin Wan to everyone and explained the purpose of this gathering, and the performance began!
The magnificent illusion-array scenes, gorgeous costumes, make-up, and props, stunning lines, music, and dance, together with the brilliant acting, left Lin Wan, watching for the first time, utterly astounded.
It was simply a naked-eye 3D blockbuster with special effects, extraordinarily realistic, far surpassing modern stage plays and any big-budget effects film. Lin Wan could scarcely believe it.
At the same time, Si Lingxi, whose artistic attainment was the highest, personally controlled the ten cameras from multiple angles. In a full day, they completed filming both Liang Zhu and The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.
The ladies let out a collective sigh of relief, enjoyed a small gathering, indulged their passion for performance once more, and were thoroughly delighted.
“In a few days, everyone will be able to see their own performances.” Lu Zheng clapped his hands and announced.
“Really? Really?” Bi Xinyu looked curiously at the strangely styled cameras.
“I want to see how my dancing looked!” Hu Caina said with anticipation.
Bai Ting’er nodded repeatedly. She had played a duet with Si Lingxi today and was still excited.
So Lu Zheng operated the cameras on the spot and played back a short segment for everyone. “After some editing, we can enlarge it for viewing.”
“What marvellous magical treasures!”
“There is even sound!”
“Truly incredible!”
All the ladies turned to look at Si Lingxi, their eyes filled with shock and awe.
Si Lingxi, “…”
