Chapter 50: The Extra Child

"This first-tier reward is for the lead role, the troupe leader, and the Da Tiaodiao. The lead role is the pillar of the entire opera troupe, the famous actor who performs the best."

"Those who can receive the second-tier reward are the secondary roles, those who support and accompany the famous actors, as well as the civil and martial managers in the troupe, and the minor managers and prop masters below them."

"The remaining third-tier reward is for everyone else in the troupe: ordinary martial artists, stagehands, flag and gong carriers, palace maids and servant girls, musicians, prop keepers, curtain pullers, box managers, stage callers, errand runners, those who shout and cheer from below to support the performance, and the laborers who carry the large trunks."

The old accountant looked like someone who listened to opera often and rattled these things off casually. As for the lead role of the Bai Family Gatehouse, it was naturally the pillar, Xi Yao.

According to what the old accountant said, Yang Xiao and the other two compared the accounts and calculated the approximate number of people. That night, a total of 27 people came to the Bai Family Gatehouse, among whom 3 received the first-tier reward: Xi Yao, the Bai troupe leader, and a Da Tiaodiao surnamed Wei.

There were 6 people for the second-tier reward. Aside from two secondary roles who had names and titles, the rest were referred to by their positions: one civil manager, one martial manager, one lead minor manager, and one prop master.

There were many for the third-tier reward; it didn't specify individuals at all. It was just marked with some positions for the convenience of bookkeeping, divided into three major categories: 7 troupe members, 5 miscellaneous staff, and 5 laborers, totaling 18 people.

"Hmm? This isn't right." Kuang Hongyi pointed to the third-tier reward section, "7 troupe members, 5 miscellaneous staff, 5 laborers; that only adds up to 17 people. How did one extra person end up at the end?"

But the old accountant just nodded and pointed to the end, where a circle had been drawn separately, though it wasn't fully closed and was missing a small piece. "There was also a child in the opera troupe. Small children don't perform, but the master was kind-hearted and also granted a share of money, so it was all counted in the third-tier reward."

As soon as Su Tingting heard the words "small child," she became vigilant and asked tentatively, "Why does this circle feel strange to me? And a child... why use a circle to represent them?"

"Every trade has its rules; this is the rule of the opera troupe. To participate in a grand opera, one must open the door, pay respects to the gods, and declare one's lineage. One must be granted a meal by the patriarchs to enter this trade. That child was too young and likely hadn't officially entered the trade yet, so their name couldn't be written among the troupe members. That is why it was marked separately, and it is incomplete," the old accountant explained very patiently.

Yet, Yang Xiao and the other two were clearly interested in this child. Yang Xiao also understood a little about the taboos of opera troupes. Singing Ghost Opera means inviting ghosts and gods, and these things do not reason; it is very easy to collide with a person's body. A child has weak Yang energy, and appearing near a Ghost Opera is very dangerous.

Moreover, bringing the rest of the troupe could still be considered helping the performance, but what was the point of bringing a child? Not only could they not help, but they were also likely to cause trouble. This was a Ghost Opera; the slightest mishap would lead to big trouble. The Bai troupe leader had traveled far and wide; he couldn't be unaware of this principle.

What Yang Xiao thought, Kuang Hongyi also thought, so he probed, "Old sir, is this child a relative of the Bai troupe leader?"

The old accountant's expression changed abruptly, "Don't you dare speak nonsense! The Bai troupe leader only has one daughter, and she is already matched with the old master. Where would a relative's child come from!"

After saying this, he seemed to realize his tone wasn't very good and immediately added in a kind tone to make up for it, "However, although they are not blood relatives, the Bai troupe leader was truly good to this child. He always kept him by his side and often held him. It was clear he liked this child very much. I suppose he had the heart to let this child inherit his mantle in the future, but unfortunately..."

The old accountant didn't finish the rest of his words, but Yang Xiao and the others all understood. Unfortunately, the Bai troupe leader had no future to speak of. Not long after the Ghost Opera, everyone from the Bai Family Gatehouse died at the Laoniu Bay Ferry; not a single living soul remained.

This old accountant was also no simple person; he was a shrewd one. He didn't say a word more than he should. No wonder he knew so many things and Master Feng still let him live until now.

Yang Xiao knew this child definitely wasn't that simple. If the Bai troupe leader really liked him, he would never have brought him to a Ghost Opera. Once children with weak horoscopes are struck by ghosts or gods, even if they are luckily saved, the rest of their lives are ruined; they would become fools.

Seemingly worried about saying too much and letting something slip, the old accountant put away the account book and prepared to take his leave. Kuang Hongyi stopped him, "Old sir, could you leave the account book and the receipts? After we finish using them, we will..."

"No, the account book must be returned as soon as it is used; it must never be kept overnight. This is the rule of the manor." Although the old accountant was elderly, his spirit was very strong. He shook his head and refused directly, then cupped his hands, stopped talking, picked up his cane, and left in a hurry.

After only Yang Xiao and the other two were left in the room, the atmosphere became strange. After hesitating, Kuang Hongyi spoke first: "This child probably has a big problem. The Bai troupe leader wasn't that kind-hearted."

"Could it be related to those girls?" Su Tingting asked.

"I don't know." Yang Xiao looked at the sky outside, "The weather is nice today. We must find a way to leave the manor to find clues. We must go to the Yixu Ye's place. Also, the Bai opera troupe performed at the Yingke Lou in the south of the city; we must go there to take a look too. The words of the Feng Family cannot be trusted."

"Brother Chu is right. And we must also go and inquire about those families whose children were abducted," Kuang Hongyi added.

"Da, da, da..."

As soon as the words fell, a rush of footsteps came from outside. Turning to look, a servant-dressed clerk hurried over from outside the door, "Three Lucky Guests, Lucky Guest Shi asked me to bring a message. He and the master chatted very well, so he wants you to rest assured."

Then the young clerk raised his head and looked at Su Tingting, "Lucky Guest Shi also said, let Lucky Guest Chu and Lucky Guest Kuang go out to continue the investigation. Lucky Guest Su is inconvenienced, so stay behind with him in the manor to guard the house and protect Master Feng and the Second Young Mistress."

Yang Xiao nodded, "Understood, you go back."

But after hearing Yang Xiao's words, the servant didn't move at all, staring straight at Su Tingting, before turning his head to look at Yang Xiao, "Lucky Guest Chu, you might not have understood what I meant. I need to take Lucky Guest Su with me..."

"I said I understood!" Yang Xiao's attitude changed suddenly, which gave the young clerk a fright. He turned and went out, looking like he intended to wait outside.

Hearing that Shi Dali had specifically named her to stay behind, Su Tingting's face turned pale. Only she remained from Shi Dali's group; all the other teammates had died.

"Don't be afraid, I can't let you stay." After comforting her a few words, Yang Xiao looked at Kuang Hongyi and explained straightforwardly: "Shi Dali has no good intentions. He knows he can't extract information from you or me, so he set his sights on Su Tingting, and by the way, he can catch another scapegoat."

"Hmm, you're right." Kuang Hongyi acted very righteously at this moment. He glanced at Su Tingting, who was still in fear, and sighed, "You have good fate to have met the two of us. This time I will stay to deal with him; you two find a chance to leave the manor and collect clues."