"Fuma, take a closer look. It says that Qin Xianglian is thirty-two years old and is suing the Emperor's son-in-law. Deceiving the king, deceiving the emperor, breaking off the marriage, killing his wife and son, losing his conscience … "
On the stage, an old man was singing passionately, and the audience was listening attentively.
This was a new play that had been released not long ago. It was called "The Case of the Beautiful Guillotine". It was about a heartless scholar who became the Zhuangyuan and was recruited as the Prince Consort. He abandoned his first wife and, for the sake of riches and fortune, he wanted to kill his wife and son.
As soon as this play was released, it became very popular in the capital. The fictional character of Justice Bao was no stranger to them. This story of how he didn't fear power and justice for the people and killed the wicked was very satisfying. It was exactly the kind of play that ordinary people living at the bottom of society liked to watch.
At this critical juncture, if there really was a heartless person who abandoned his wife and son for the sake of wealth and honor, he would probably be stabbed in half by the audience.
In the private room upstairs, Miss Zeng wiped away her tears and looked at Li Yi with some bitterness. "Why did you come up with this play?"
Needless to say, she, who was overflowing with sympathy, naturally sympathized with Qin Xianglian and her son.
Wan Ruoqing was used to such scenes. She had seen this play countless times, from the script to the arrangement to the introduction of the stage. Naturally, she would not be touched at this time. She smiled and said, "This is just a play. If it wasn't so complicated and bizarre to stir people's emotions, not many customers would be willing to watch it …"
Zeng Zuimo looked at her and curled her lips. "You only know how to speak up for him …"
Wan Ruoqing could only shake her head and smile.
Li Yi looked at the Goddess of Luo Shui and defended himself. "Art comes from life, but it is higher than life. Although it is a play, it also reflects the reality of society. Today, when I was eating in the restaurant, I saw a real-life 'Chen Shimei'. You are too naive and don't understand the ugliness of this world …"
He thought of something and said, "Oh right, if you have the chance, help me thank the madam of the Jade Courtyard. If it wasn't for her this time, there might have been some trouble."
"She has never been someone who likes to suffer losses." Zeng Zuimo shook her head and said, "I came here this morning to talk about the conditions. The new styles of the lingerie workshop will be supplied to them first …"
These were all unimportant matters. After the failure of the Imperial Astronomer, the Cui Clan was still too naive to think that they could use these scholars to stir up the storm. They were but a plate of loose sand, and their usefulness was very limited.
He just didn't know what kind of tricks they would use next time after they failed again.
It wasn't that they hadn't considered solving the problem once and for all. However, how could a family that had existed for hundreds of years in the Jing Kingdom fall so easily?
At the very least, he needed a heavy primer …
…
"Trash, all of you are trash!"
In a hall of the Cui Clan, a row of young scholars knelt down. The head of the Cui Clan, Cui Qingze, could no longer suppress the anger in his heart. His expression was ferocious, and he roared incessantly. The people kneeling in the hall lowered their heads, not even daring to breathe loudly.
All the arrangements he had made, without exception, had failed. They didn't even stir up the slightest ripple. On the contrary, because of these things, the public opinion of the people had been completely reversed. In this invisible confrontation, the Cui Clan had once again — suffered a crushing defeat!
Standing to the side, Cui Qingming looked at the trembling people, waved his hand, and said, "All of you, leave."
As if they had been granted amnesty, they hurriedly got up from the ground and disappeared from the hall in an instant.
Cui Qingze's whole body slumped on the chair. His eyes were lifeless, and his expression was dispirited.
"Big brother …"
Cui Qingming had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted.
Cui Qingze stared blankly ahead and murmured, "Qingming, do you think we're getting further and further away from that path?"
Cui Qingming clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "Her Highness is still here, and His Highness is still here. We haven't lost, and the Cui Clan hasn't lost …"
…
"We lost miserably yesterday. Chu Ping, you're the only one who won the most. No matter what, you have to pay for today's match, right?"
In the Miaoyin Pavilion, a young man put his arm around another young man's shoulder and said with a smile.
"Of course." Chu Ping nodded, and then said in a low voice, "However, you mustn't let my grandfather know that we went to the gambling house …"
Cui Xixin patted him on the chest and said, "Of course we know that. Don't worry, if the Grand Tutor finds out, won't we also be punished?"
Only then did Chu Ping relax. He touched the banknotes in his bosom and felt a burst of joy in his heart.
The Chu family had a strict upbringing. Although he was the eldest son of the first wife, because of this, the elders were even stricter with him. Previously, he had traveled with his grandfather to broaden his horizons. Now that he had returned to the capital and was accompanied by his friends, he finally realized that there were so many fun things in this world.
"Come, come, come, let's go in first …" Cui Xixin waved his hand and pointed at Qin Yu, who was at the side. As he walked, he said, "I heard from Junliang that you also like that kind of thing, Chu Ping. You can talk more with Little Duke Qin about this. I believe you will learn a lot from him."
Chu Ping's face reddened and he hurriedly said, "Let's go in and talk …"
A well-rounded woman came out from inside and smiled. "Oh my, young masters, you came at such a good time today. Lady Shuangshuang is preparing to perform in the Heavenly Room upstairs …"
Chu Ping asked in confusion, "Lady Shuangshuang?"
Cui Xixin smiled and explained, "Lady Shuangshuang's zither skills are the best in the Wonderful Sound Pavilion. If you go up and listen, you'll know. You have a deep understanding of the zither. Perhaps you can even compare notes with Lady Shuangshuang …"
The Wonderful Sound Pavilion was one of the more famous music halls in the capital. Normally, there was an endless stream of customers. The group went up to the second floor. Under the guidance of the beautiful woman, they entered the Heavenly Room.
The room was very spacious and there were many small rooms inside. There were bead curtains hanging from the outside, forming a ring around the stage in the middle.
At this time, there was already a woman on the stage. She was about 16 or 17 years old and was very charming and lovely. However, her face was a bit pale. At first glance, she gave off a feeling of weakness. Whenever a man saw her appearance, he couldn't help but want to take her into his arms and take good care of her.
Cui Xixin stretched out his hand and waved it in front of Chu Ping's eyes. He smiled and said, "Hey, what are you looking at? You're staring straight."
"No, nothing …" Chu Ping's face reddened and he lowered his head in a panic.
"Could it be that this lady Shuangshuang is your type?" Cui Xixin looked at him in astonishment and said, "Last time Junliang told me, I didn't believe it. So it turns out that you really do like this sickly appearance …"
"But …" He shook his head with a bit of pity.
"But what?" Chu Ping immediately raised his head.
"This lady Shuangshuang is a good woman. It is said that her family isn't very well off and her body is also very weak. She only occasionally plays a song here. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed this time."
Cui Xixin's words contained a bit of regret that was difficult to conceal. Although the Wonderful Sound Pavilion was a music hall, it was also a business of secret prostitution. Of course, this place was naturally of a much higher class than the brothels outside. There were also simple musicians, and this lady Shuangshuang was one of them.
His tone changed and he said again, "A fair and graceful lady is a gentleman's desire. If you, Chu Ping, really like her, then boldly pursue her. With the Chu family's noble status, it is not impossible for you to obtain Lady Shuangshuang's heart."
At this moment, the sound of the zither rang out. Chu Ping closed his eyes and listened attentively for a while. Then he opened his eyes and said in admiration, "Lady Shuangshuang's zither skills can already be considered a master."
Cui Xixin patted his shoulder and said, "Don't be sad. In a moment, I'll arrange another one for you. Isn't she just the sickly type? As long as you have money, you can find anything … However, don't even think about the one who led us in just now. That's Young Duke Qin's …"
Chu Ping looked at the beautiful woman from just now and immediately shook his head. He sighed in his heart. This Young Duke Qin's preferences were truly unique …
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