Chapter 36: Spring Heart

s mouth and asked, "I wonder how much grain for one year's use by an official would cost Although Luoyang had some savings last year, it might not be enough." 。Zhu Quanzhong laughed heartily in his he...Ye Haosheng was, after all, a veteran. Experienced and seasoned, facing defeat, he quickly thought in his mind and secretly decided that even if the situation was hopeless, he should try his best to minimize losses and strive for a smaller loss than a win. 。Although Li Jiuniang won the singing competition, as long as she could save face in front of her husband, their relationship would become even closer in the future. The Ye family could still use her husband as a pretense to attract more spectators. 。Thinking of this, he immediately glanced at his family members. His gaze was firm yet generous. 。Ye Youxiao supported his sister who was almost fainting, and he already understood his stepfather's meaning: no matter who the audience is, they must give it their all and try to fight for a better ending. 。Ye Muwen felt her younger brother's arm was strong, she calmed down a little, and also saw Aye's gaze. In her heart, she secretly vowed: You came just in time, let you see our new play, let you admit defeat early! Ye Youxiao had the same judgment as Aye: In this unlucky situation where the opponent is the referee, the failure of the new play has become a foregone conclusion. 。But he also discovered, God though He closed the door, opened the window for him - wasn't this what he had fantasized about when he first arrived in Chang'an As a time traveler, arriving at the imperial capital, I must stir up the winds and clouds! Now, a prince, a true aristocrat, is walking towards me to watch the new play! Wouldn't this be the starting point for climbing the pyramid of power Yes, although the new play was a failure, he had begun to climb the pyramid of power. The life of a time traveler, from this moment on, shines brightly! Although the challenge against Li Jiuniang failed, since the Ye family could blaze a new trail and perform a new play under his leadership, why couldn't they blaze another trail, leave the circle of acting, and enter the core of powerYes, I will transform from an entertainer into a political star! At this time, the friction between the guards and the royal guard had been eliminated. A tall man over six feet, resembling an iron tower, walked up to King Shou and whispered a few words in his ear. King Shou nodded slightly, and the group walked straight towards the Ye family's shed. 。

What must come will come!

Then face it calmly!

Ye Hou Sheng hurriedly led the Ye family to bow to the honored guests. The King of Longevity nodded slightly and walked past.

The tall man hurried forward and spread dragon whisker silk cushions on the seat for King Shou. 。Another maidservant poured tea for the Prince. He frowned, looking around, but remained silent. 。When Zheng Zhi saw King Shou had already sat down, he quickly told Ye Youxiao: "Good acting." 。Then, he rushed to the side of King Shou and arranged a seat for him. 。Zheng Zhu saw Master Huishen, and immediately bowed respectfully. "Master, are you here to watch the performance" he asked. However, in his heart he thought, "If a high monk indulges in the worldly excitement and extravagance, wouldn't it ruin his monastic life" He even had the thought of writing a humorous couplet to ridicule this situation, but he held back for now out of politeness. 。

Only then did King Shou discover that there was a monk among the spectators. He asked Zheng Zhi, "This eminent monk, are you the abbot of this temple"

Hui Shen hurriedly proclaimed the Buddha's name and said, "This poor monk is the layman who owns this place. Today, with such esteemed guests arriving, it would be inappropriate not to come and accompany them."

Zheng Zhi also hurriedly introduced Hui Shen to King Shou.

Li Jiuniang did not follow King Shou into the shed, but instead smiled and looked at Ye Niangwen: "I didn't expect you, little lady, to have such divine powers. You actually invited my father to come and watch your play"Although she had known that Li Jiuniang and King Shou were close, hearing Li Jiuniang say they were father and daughter personally still shocked Ye Niangwen as if struck by lightning. 。There was still a sliver of hope, expecting that noble person to see the gem and perhaps turn the tide. 。Now even this last fantasy has turned into a mirage. 。Li Jiuniang did not wait for Ye Niangwen to answer, but looked at Yè Hòushēng and said: "Mr. Ye, haha, I heard that you still want to compare with my family in a play It's really ridiculous!" 。“And Sìniang laughed and said, “Jiuniang did promise that if they won, she would give them two hundred taels of silver.” 。Li Jiuniang laughed and bent over, just then the big man came to invite her to take a seat. She then said to Si Niang, "Si Niang, do you know this Li Jun, Li Dutou" Si Niang looked at Li Jun and shook her head, "The servant girl doesn't know..." 。Li Jiuniang: “Li Dutou is also highly skilled in martial arts” 。When you have some free time, the two of you could spar with each other. 。Li Jun glanced at Si Niang and didn't speak, only making a gesture of "please". 。Li Jiuniang and Siniang then walked slowly to their seats. 。As all the esteemed guests had arrived, Ye Hou-sheng addressed his family, "Remember well, you must perform brilliantly! This is the duty of the Ye family!"The Ye siblings felt a surge of determination and nodded in unison. 。Ye Dalian also tried her best to drive away the worry clouds on her face and followed the head of the household towards the stage. 。After all, the couple Ye Hou Sheng and his wife have many years of performing experience. Once they begin to perform, they immediately become immersed in their roles. 。Although "performing as soldiers" had been downgraded to a mere warm-up act by Ye Haosheng, the couple still put their heart and soul into it. After all, they were accustomed to performing in front of dignitaries, so they weren't fazed at all. 。

Ye Dalian was the first to appear, she quickly flipped her lip with whiskers, reading lines in a loud voice: "At three o'clock in the middle of the night, ghosts cried and souls called, drunk ghost husbands were still not home. It seems that if he wants to return as a prodigal son, little wives are helpless, they can only resort to strong medicine!"

Ye Hou Sheng heard his wife finish her lines, immediately twisting his hips to mimic a circle leg, but then took large strides and rushed out. Just these two steps already showed his skills.

Luo Quan Legs are characterized by their extremely small steps. However, Ye Hou Sheng is able to both portray Luo Quan Legs with those tiny steps and take strides that exceed three feet in length. It's truly astonishing. 。However, at this moment, Granny Ye suddenly swept her leg and hit Ye Housheng's foot. Ye Housheng saw his mother-in-law's leg coming and immediately exerted his spirit, flipping over in the air like a bird.

Although there were half as many spectators today as usual, all those who dared to take the risk and come to watch the performance were a group of bold and discerning old audience members. Seeing Ye Youxiao fly into the air, someone immediately cheered, and then cheers continued until Ye Youxiao landed and suddenly hugged his knees and cried out: "Oh, my poor basket lid! With this fall, it's become a garlic clove!"

His line of dialogue truly won thunderous applause. Seeing him frown and hold his knees and cry, everyone immediately shouted and cheered incessantly. 。The noise from the spectators made Li Jun involuntarily furrow her brows, and her eyes immediately turned to King Shou. However, she saw that the prince was also smiling slightly. He often watched military plays in the palace, but he had never seen such a performance before. This Ye Housheng's skill is indeed excellent. 。Seeing that Shouwang was not troubled at all, Li Jun finally felt relieved. 。But Song Xiong, the steward of the Xiangfu, couldn't hold back. Seeing Zheng Zhi only watch the play, he turned his head and gave a sinister look to the audience. 。One by one, the audience members made eye contact with him and suddenly remembered that there was an honored guest watching the play today. They realized their own boisterous behavior might upset the esteemed visitor and bring trouble. 。Those who knew better kept quiet. 。Song Xiong only then turned his head back to watch the play. 。But I heard Li Jiuniang say coldly, "Not bad." 。"That was supposed to be a compliment, but when Li Jiuniang said it, her face was expressionless and her eyes held mockery. It was clearly just sarcasm." 。At this time, Aunt Ye, playing the role of a nagging wife, had already started chasing after Ye Hou Sheng. Ye Hou Sheng took a step back, and Aunt Ye followed with one step. Seeing that there was nowhere to retreat, Ye Hou Sheng rolled over again, leaping high and landing on one side of the stage. 。Ye Daniu made a furious gesture and immediately chased after him. This time, she didn't slap Ye Hou Sheng in the face, but with lightning-fast hands, she struck his waist. Ye Hou Sheng shook himself up, swaying left and right. His kung fu was beautiful, but his appearance was ugly. In contrast, it made the audience burst into laughter, and for a moment, they forgot that today they were watching a play with officials and nobles. 。

Ye Da's attacks grew faster and faster, like a raging wind. Ye Hou-sheng also dodged more and more quickly, just like a fallen leaf in the wind. Ye Da was unable to hit him all along.

As everyone was intently watching, Granny Ye suddenly swept out with a powerful leg kick. Ye Housheng, caught completely off guard, was kicked high into the air and flew outward. 。Hui Shen was so frightened that he exclaimed a Buddha's name. 。Before the words could even leave her mouth, Ye Hou Sheng had already hit the ground. He shouted loudly, "What a vicious woman!" Although it was part of the married couple's act, this kick was meant to be real and land on Ye Hou Sheng. Only then would the audience cheer and give them money. 。Even though Ye Hou Sheng was prepared, he would still often get hurt when taking advantage of the situation. 。Ye Dalian's heart went out to her husband, so she searched everywhere for a secret recipe. She even managed to make an extremely effective liniment and gold sore ointment. 。

Grandmother Ye immediately chimed in: “This drunkard, still not going home to farm! Where did he run off to!” She suddenly rushed forward, but despite her best efforts, she couldn’t catch Ye Hou-sheng. Ye Hou-sheng shouted and ran as they both exited the stage.

Zheng Zhuang often watched military dramas, but he thought today's performance was the best.

Look at King Shou, he also nodded frequently. Suddenly he asked: "Sir Xiang, you invited this king to watch the play, is it this military parade"

Zheng Ziheng was about to answer, but King Shou continued to say: "Enjoy" 。Li Jun immediately took the money and went to find Ye Hou Sheng's couple. 。At this moment, a woman's singing voice suddenly came:

"The wind and the sun are pleasant, flowers like brocade, dressed as a man to travel far away"

Avoid neighbors and acquaintances, and conceal yourself from those you meet on the road. 。After walking five miles across the green pines of Qingsongling, I have arrived at Caobiao Pavilion. 。The woman's singing voice is clear and refreshing, forming a stark contrast to the just-past vigorous and comical "Nong Cangling": if the previous performance was like blazing sunshine, now it's like verdant bamboo; if the previous one was strong liquor, now it's soothing tea. 。By comparison, her beauty and freshness become even more apparent, as does her gentle and approachable nature. 。Li Jiunian instantly frowned, puzzled. As a renowned actress herself, she knew every aspect of the performers' art. Yet this particular song left her astonished. She pondered to herself: If it were sung by a master performer, it must be a masterpiece. Perhaps Liu Yuxi, Du Mu, Wen Tingyun, or Luo Yin had penned it 。

Ironically, what he sings is a vulgar and common song.

But if it's a folksong, yet there is no sign of anyone, I wonder which celestial being it might be. 。Such a manner, truly extraordinary. 。She has always loved acting. Today, seeing this new play, she was immediately engrossed, her eyes wide with focus, determined to understand every detail of it. 。

The Prince Shou by the side, seeing his daughter had heard the singing and was already listening intently, couldn't help but smile inwardly. He asked, "Jiuer, what do you think"

Though she didn't want to be disturbed, since it was her father asking, Li Jiuniang could only give a perfunctory reply: "Let me listen for a few more sentences..." 。At this moment, Ye Niangwen finally appeared, but she startled Li Jiuniang: This Ye Niangwen had abandoned her makeup and dressed up as a handsome scholar! Even her two faint eyebrows were painted into two thick ones, resembling Li Jun by quite a bit. 。Li Jiuniang couldn't help but glance back at Li Jun, but as if she was guilty, she immediately turned her head to look at Ye Niang Wen again. Suddenly, she understood. The song she had just sung "a woman disguised as a man" meant that she was dressed in men's clothing. It seemed like a cross-dressing performance. 。

Both the esteemed guests, Zheng Zun and King Shou, were now fixated on Ye Niangwen with wide eyes, their hearts filled with amazement.

But half of the good feeling, it was like drinking strong liquor then tasting light tea, feeling exceptionally refreshing and pleasant. 。

The audience members who had seen this new play shouted out, "Liang Shanbo!" The shout startled Zheng Zhi and the others, who looked at each other in confusion. They were unaware when such a phrase as "Liang Shanbo" appeared in common slang, nor did they know its meaning. Zheng Zhi even pondered secretly, could it be a good response to the new play

But the mystery was quickly solved. When Ye Youxiao, playing Liang Shanbo, appeared on stage, he had sword eyebrows and tiger eyes, with a dashing appearance. Although his height was only a little over five feet, every gesture he made revealed his elegance and chivalry. Especially his loud declaration, "Leaving my hometown to study in Hangcheng," was powerful and soared into the sky, fully displaying the heroism of a young man. At that moment, Zheng Zhi was deeply moved and involuntarily remembered his own youthful years when he studied with the ambition to serve the country. Unknowingly, his eyes were filled with moisture.

When this voice reached Li Jiuniang's ears, she suddenly felt a surge of masculine energy, overwhelming her and striking her heart unexpectedly. Her small heart skipped a beat, leaving her stunned: She had always only seen male actors playing soldiers in dramas, often being harassed by the director, ending up with disheveled hair and dirt on their faces, becoming the unfortunate target of the audience's merciless ridicule. When had she ever seen such a dashing and upright image of a real man This was a male actor Li Jiuniang didn't know, she could only say that this was a type of male actor she had never imagined or witnessed before. 。But a strange feeling of intoxication came from her heart, making the one who had always enjoyed polo and opera suddenly discover that this feeling brought her a comfort she had never experienced before - not the coziness of winter sunshine, not the freshness of spring willows, not the coolness of summer breeze, nor the relaxation of autumn cranes... That's right, it was the lazy feeling of lying on a soft, big bed! It was the feeling of security and comfort being wrapped in a thick quilt and nestled in a soft mattress!

She began to feel a kind of desire slowly awakening in her heart, and she liked this feeling of awakening. 。

Amazing!

But as the plot developed, a wave of anger arose in her heart: That man-disguised Ye Niang Wen, actually became sworn brothers with Liang Shanbo over a bridge They even studied together for three years How come It's simply unreasonable! Too bad!

"Ten Gifts to Yingtai" segment, Li Jiuniang clearly felt her anger was about to overwhelm her: No, Ye Niang Wen certainly doesn't deserve (what is that servant's name) Liang Shanbo, but how could Liang Shanbo not see through Ye Niang Wen's ugly face! It's outrageous!

Luckily, Ma Wenci played by Ye Dajiao appeared

Her comical appearance almost made Li Jiuniang burst into laughter (her anger thus dissipated greatly) — Ye Dajiao was tall and imposing, and although she cross-dressed as a male character, it didn't feel out of place. 。Especially her upper lip's whiskers, further emphasize masculine features. 。Ma Wencai proposed to Zhu Gongyuan, played by Ye Housheng! That's right, Ye Nuan should only marry a man like this! Li Jiuniang widened her eyes and watched the plot unfold. When she saw that Zhu Gongyuan agreed to the marriage, and Ye Nuan was forced to accept Ma Wencai afterwards, she finally smiled with relief. 。Huang Si Niang timely offered snacks, Li Jiu Niang savored them with delight, tasting the pleasure. 。But her mouth soon fell silent: seeing Liang Shanbo die in despair, she couldn't help but shed tears: Poor fellow, was it worth it for this woman She didn't notice at all that in this half hour, her own emotions had already been completely swept up by the plot. 。The final scene, "Butterfly Transformation," took place. Ye Niangwen threw herself into Liang Shanbo's embrace, and the two became a pair of graceful butterflies dancing in the air! Although there were no special effects, Ye Housheng actually brought real butterflies, which he released at this moment. The butterflies fluttered inside the tent, adding to the beauty. Ye Niangwen also held a transverse flute, playing "Liang Zhu" as she took the stage, and with Ye Youxiao, they bowed to the audience, which immediately sparked thunderous applause. 。Seeing that Liang and Zhu had actually transformed into butterflies and were flying together, Li Jiuniang could no longer control her emotions. She suddenly stood up and shouted, "This play needs to be changed!" is a modern Chinese coin!Even if I drown myself and become a white bone in the Song Dynasty, it's better than being a lowly person now, or even being eaten alive!But... just my heart pounding, and I'...