Chapter 246: Fragrant Little Tower (Part 2)

Xu Yuan came out of Zhang Laoya's room, passed his stepmother's chamber, and heard a startled cry from Aunt Wang inside: "Really?!"

Xu Yuan went in to take a look; Lin Wanmo was telling Aunt Wang about the San Huo Niangniang affair.

Aunt Wang's face was full of shock.

Seeing Xu Yuan enter, she felt somewhat embarrassed: "In my youth, I was blindly reckless..."

Xu Yuan smiled; who hasn't had a youth?

"This time, it was the Hundred Illnesses Cabinet and the Heart-Measuring Scale that taught me the method, which saved you," Xu Yuan said with some emotion: "The foundation your youth left behind saved your life in your old age."

It showed quite a bit of the meaning of "reincarnation."

Aunt Wang also sighed: "Back then, I just casually took in a group of children who couldn't eat, and I never expected such blessings.

But if we really talk about it, the Hundred Illnesses Cabinet and the Heart-Measuring Scale were both made for me by your father; it should be him who saved my life."

But Aunt Wang always felt that Xu Huanyang had utterly ruined Lin Wanmo; even though she admitted Xu Huanyang's kindness this time with her mouth, she still held an opinion against Xu Huanyang in her heart.

Xu Yuan said: "The Hundred Illnesses Cabinet and the Heart-Measuring Scale miss you very much. However, those two like to cause trouble; do not go see them yourself. Wait until I finish this case, and I will take you there."

Aunt Wang waved her hand: "You go be busy with your work. I have been missing for so many years; if I suddenly appear, the San Huo Niangniang Society won't know how to respond on the other side.

I... will only secretly go see those craft objects that still have filial piety."

Xu Yuan nodded, also feeling that this should be so.

How many of the old people Aunt Wang left behind in the San Huo Niangniang Society back then are still alive is unknown.

If the "Ancestral Master" San Huo Niangniang suddenly appears, many people in the San Huo Niangniang Society probably will not be "happy."

"You go be busy with your work," Aunt Wang said: "I will go with Xiao Mo to your alchemy room to see which parts are unsuitable, and I will help you fix them.

When you return, I will instruct you on how to ascend to the Sixth Rank."

"Good." Xu Yuan agreed and went out.

To the east of Chengnan, there is a place called "Tongyun Fang."

Fish and dragons are mixed; brothels, pleasure houses, and opera troupes are all in this area.

Thirty percent of the tributes collected by the Jianghu societies on Guanlan Street come from Tongyun Fang.

The prices at the romantic venues here are affordable, incomparable to Xieliu Lane.

Roughly equal to... Widow Yang's fees.

The boatmen and laborers making a living at the canal wharf outside the South City all satisfy their needs here.

There are also five or six opera troupes of various sizes here.

The large ones build their own stage; the small ones share a stage among several families.

The wealthy families in Beicheng who want to hear opera do not come here; instead, they invite the opera troupe to their homes to perform.

Listening to opera here is not expensive either; famous actors are equally sought after.

Xiao Lou Fang was at its peak popularity ten years ago.

Now, when mentioning the stage name "Xiao Lou Fang," many opera fans no longer remember it.

But he is the chief instructor of the Liang Family Troupe; with one hand, he taught two famous actors, allowing the Liang Family Troupe to maintain its status as the city's major troupe and be virtuous and highly respected in the industry.

Because of the evil spirits, the troupe almost never performs opera at night.

So it is always the time between lunch and dinner.

Xu Yuan, taking Fu Jingyu, Song Lu, and Di Youzhi, changed into plain clothes and entered Tongyun Fang.

After asking around a little, they found the Liang Family Troupe's stage.

On the stage, they were performing "Jin Yu Nu," also called "Beating the Heartless Lover."

Xu Yuan's family had a stage, so he was quite familiar with this aspect.

The area closest to the stage has three rows of tables and chairs; behind that, everyone stands with no seats.

Ordinary opera fans pay two cash to enter, but wanting a seat requires half a tael of silver.

The troupe gives a pot of tea, two plates of dried fruits, and two stacks of pastries as a gift.

If you want to drink good tea, you must pay extra.

Xu Yuan only listened for a while, then shook his head: Not as good as what his stepmother sings.

But the audience below the stage was very enthusiastic, constantly shouting praises along with the singing.

Some people also kept throwing red silk ribbons at a certain "star" on the stage.

Right next to the stage, a row of chairs was placed, and on each chair was written the stage name of a star.

For one tael of silver per red silk ribbon, guests could at any time call over an opera boy walking below the stage, say who they wanted to throw red silk to, and how many ribbons.

After paying the silver, an official would chant in response, announcing which master is throwing red silk to which star.

The opera boy would then take the red silk and hang it on the corresponding chair.

When the wind blows, the silk ribbons can flutter and dance.

The quantity of red silk thrown represents the size of the star's fame.

The star can also get a share of this money.

Song Lu has loved listening to opera since childhood, but this is the first time he has listened from below the stage.

He felt it was very fresh, and felt this troupe's standard was quite good; he was listening somewhat absorbed when Fu Jingyu pulled him, only then noticing that my lord had already walked toward the backstage.

Song Lu hurriedly chased after: "Listen for a little longer, we are just at the exciting part..."

Xu Yuan snorted: "You call this exciting? If there is a chance, let Lin Wanmo sing a piece for you, so you will know what skill is."

Song Lu didn't believe it: "I believe the Old Lady can sing, but to say it is better than what this city's famous stars sing... hehe."

Xu Yuan pouted: "You will know when you listen."

The crowd squeezed out of the people, found an opera boy, and secretly showed the Purification Bureau's waist badge.

The child actor's face turned pale with fear, his lips trembling as he led them backstage.

Song Lu patted his head and comforted him, "We aren't here to arrest anyone; don't be afraid."

She also took out a candy and gave it to the child actor.

Upon hearing his subordinate's report that an official from the Purification Bureau had arrived, the owner of the Liang Troupe hurried out, bringing along two other famous performers from the troupe.

These two had beautiful faces and graceful figures.

Whenever the Troupe Master Liang discussed business, he would always bring them along.

Matters would naturally proceed more smoothly when they were present.

"Your lordship has arrived; we failed to welcome you from afar..."

Xu Yuan waved his hand, indicating such formalities were unnecessary.

"We are here to find Xiao Xiao Lou Fang."

Troupe Master Liang immediately sent someone to fetch Xiao Xiao Lou Fang, then invited Xu Yuan and the others to sit, asking anxiously, "May I ask what business your lordship has with him? Our Liang Troupe has always obeyed the laws and regulations; did Xiao Xiao Lou Fang cause some trouble outside..."

Xu Yuan frowned.

He had heard that Xiao Xiao Lou Fang had trained two famous performers for the Liang Troupe, yet this Troupe Master, upon seeing him, was the first to try to distance himself from Xiao Xiao Lou Fang.

Di Youzhi shouted, "We have official business to attend to regarding him; do not meddle in the affairs of the yamen!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Troupe Master Liang hurriedly smiled in apology, dared not speak further, and secretly signaled with his eyes; the two famous performers then stepped forward with smiles to pour tea for Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan did not even touch the tea bowl.

Troupe Master Liang's expression grew even more unpleasant.

"Hurry and send someone to urge him; why hasn't Xiao Xiao Lou Fang arrived yet, making several lords wait idly? Does he think he is still at the height of his fame?"

Several child actors ran straight back to urge him.

A while later, a child actor ran back as if flying, shouting, "He's coming, he's coming..."

Behind him, two robust Wu Sheng were supporting a person on either side.

That person was as limp as a noodle, his mouth crooked and eyes askew, with drool streaming down.

"Drunk?" Song Lu looked at him in confusion, yet felt it was somewhat unlike that.

Troupe Master Liang flew into a rage and questioned the two Wu Sheng, "Did he take that thing again? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him?"

(End of this chapter)