Chapter 168: Who is Shendu?

And as the influence of White-Haired Girl spread, another person's name also gradually came into people's view.

It was the mysterious playwright—Shendu.

"This Shendu can depict folk hardships so minutely, his insight into human nature so profound—who exactly is he? If we could recruit him into the court, he would surely devise plans for the livelihood governance of our Great Han."

Discussing the playwright Shendu has become the most frequent topic among court officials before and after their audiences.

At the same time they began to inquire about Shendu's news within their own social circles, trying to find clues to the author's identity from the slightest traces.

Meanwhile, among the populace, the audience's curiosity about Shendu evolved into heated discussions, and seeking Shendu became a popular topic after meals.

Liu Xijun, as a strong promoter of White-Haired Girl, found her curiosity about Shendu growing day by day.

She opened a dedicated column in the Great Han Women's Daily, which she hosted, soliciting clues about Shendu from readers.

"Mr. Shendu, with his wonderful pen, has written the world's joys and sorrows, making countless women empathize. Our paper urges all readers: if you have any news about Mr. Shendu, please share it with us, so we may together lift the veil of this mysterious author."

Once this column was launched, it received a large number of letters from readers, some recounting similar stories they had heard, attempting to find connections to Shendu from them;

others provided some possibly related personal information about Shendu, although most could not be confirmed, yet this shows the public's enthusiasm for seeking Shendu.

Sima Qian was even more fascinated by Shendu.

Behind a work capable of evoking such widespread resonance, the author must possess extraordinary experience and insight.

Sima Qian took advantage of his convenience in writing history, perusing a large amount of documentary material, trying to find among past scholars someone whose style resembled Shendu's.

He also visited many folk literary societies, communicating with reclusive scholars, hoping to obtain some clues about Shendu from them.

Sima Qian firmly believed that Shendu's appearance was no accident; his works reflected contemporary social reality, and finding Shendu might perhaps provide more material on folk life for his own historical writing.

Shi Liangdi, as the performer of Xi'er in White-Haired Girl, harbored a special gratitude and curiosity toward Shendu.

During rehearsals and performances, she deeply felt the script's charm and grew ever more eager to know what kind of person the author was.

Shi Liangdi used her opportunities to perform in the folk to interact with audiences, listening to their opinions on White-Haired Girl, while also asking whether anyone knew Shendu's identity.

She also launched an initiative among the acting troupe to seek Shendu, hoping everyone could use their personal connections to contribute to uncovering his identity.

Under everyone's push, a craze for seeking the playwright Shendu arose in the streets of Great Han.

Whether it be the common folk in the streets and alleys, or the officials at court, all actively participated.

People posted notices and spread messages, hoping that one day they could find this mysterious author, so his talent would gain more recognition, and also so the story behind White-Haired Girl would become known to more people.

One day, Shi Liangdi was tidying books in Liu Ju's study, preparing to put some old papers back in their places.

When she moved a heavy wooden chest, she accidentally knocked over a stack of papers beside it, scattering the papers across the floor.

Shi Liangdi hurriedly crouched to pick them up; suddenly, her gaze was caught by the handwriting on one of the papers.

That familiar brushstroke, vigorous and powerful yet not lacking in agility, and the content on it was actually an extremely crucial passage from White-Haired Girl, exactly matching the script she rehearsed daily, yet this handwriting was clearly Liu Ju's.

Shi Liangdi's heart tightened sharply, her hand trembling slightly as she brought the paper close for careful examination."

"Could it be… Your Majesty is the playwright of White-Haired Girl, Shendu?"

This thought flashed through her mind, leaving her both shocked and excited. To verify her guess, Shi Liangdi decided to test Liu Ju discreetly.

That evening, after dinner, Shi Liangdi deliberately brought up White-Haired Girl, speaking as if casually: "Your Majesty, I have recently performed in White-Haired Girl, and I increasingly feel this script is splendid; the author Shendu, I wonder who he is, to have such profound insight into folk hardships."

Liu Ju listened, merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.

Seeing this, Shi Liangdi continued: "I have heard that Shendu must have endured many trials to be able to write such a moving story; Your Majesty, what do you think?"

A flicker of something hard to detect passed through Liu Ju's eyes; he lightly sipped his tea and said slowly: "Perhaps. To write such a work, one must surely have rich life experience."

Shi Liangdi keenly caught Liu Ju's subtle reaction, and her suspicions grew stronger.

Thereafter, Shi Liangdi often mentioned the plot of White-Haired Girl in front of Liu Ju, observing his response.

Once, she deliberately misspoke a detail in the play; Liu Ju instinctively corrected her and then elaborated on the profound meaning behind that episode.

Watching Liu Ju's focused expression, Shi Liangdi already had the answer in her heart.

Finally, on a tranquil night, Shi Liangdi could no longer contain her excitement; she leaned into Liu Ju's embrace, her eyes full of admiration and reverence, and said: "Your Majesty, I now know that you are the author of White-Haired Girl, Shendu. With such exquisite words you have written the people's suffering, and through my performance you have let more people see the injustice of this world. Your Majesty, you not only harbor the world, but also possess such outstanding talent."

Liu Ju looked at Shi Liangdi, his eyes bearing a fond smile, gently helped her up, and said: "Lady, your wisdom surpasses ordinary; I originally wanted to conceal it, but now that you know, it's no problem. I hid my name and used the pen name Shendu to write White-Haired Girl simply because the emperor's status entails many inconveniences."

"If everyone knew this play was my work, first, there would be fear that someone would speculate on my intentions and twist the script's true meaning, turning it into a tool of flattery; second, I hope this play can, in its purest form, reach the populace, allowing the common people to feel real life without reservation, evoking the deepest resonance in their hearts, rather than creating distance because of my status. I only wish this White-Haired Girl could truly bring change to the people."

Shi Liangdi listened attentively to Liu Ju's words, her admiration growing ever stronger.

She slightly raised her head, looked at Liu Ju, and said: "Your Majesty, you have considered everything so thoroughly—not only to let the people face the world's truth directly, but also to let White-Haired Girl exert its maximum value. I truly cannot imagine that, amidst handling state affairs, you would still devote such careful thought to creation, seeking the people's welfare. Such breadth of vision and foresight, I can only admire you wholeheartedly."

As she spoke, Shi Liangdi firmly nodded, secretly making a resolution: from now on she would devote herself even more earnestly to performing White-Haired Girl, repaying Liu Ju's devotion with the most perfect performance.