Chapter 167 I Hate Li Nanke

Marquis Anping said, "These people are the best actors in the Desheng Opera Troupe. I have invited them all today. I will take them outside the city to perform a grand opera in a little while."

Song Yi looked completely bewildered.

"Go outside the city to perform a grand opera?"

Marquis Anping nodded and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the direction of the palace.

"Since you have already agreed to put on a grand opera, and His Majesty is aware of this, it is only natural that arrangements must be made."

I thought about it and decided that since I was ordered to perform, it would be better to perform outside the city for the refugees than to perform at the entrance of the Marquis's mansion.

Firstly, it would demonstrate His Majesty's benevolence towards the people, and secondly, it would reassure the refugees.

Song Yi looked completely bewildered.

Performing by imperial decree?

This is truly a case of using someone else's name to make a big deal out of nothing!

He was the one who, in a fit of rage, declared that if he really made money, he would put on a three-day opera.

Once she actually made money, Marquis Anping never mentioned it again.

Ke'er deliberately mentioned it to His Majesty, but unexpectedly it became Marquis Anping's legitimate excuse!

She subconsciously looked at Li Nanke.

Li Nanke's eyes darted around, and he lowered his voice, saying, "By imperial decree, you're performing? When did His Majesty issue an order to my grandfather?"

Marquis Anping's face stiffened.

Song Yiyi understood.

"If Your Excellency does not have His Majesty's decree, you should not speak lightly of the words 'performing an imperial decree'."

If this were to reach His Majesty's ears, it would likely bring disaster upon the Marquis's household!

Marquis Anping looked sullen.

"His Majesty already knows about this matter and said he would send Eunuch Ding to listen, which shows that he has agreed to it. This... this doesn't count as deceiving the emperor!"

In short, I've already arranged everything; you don't need to worry about it.

Song Yi opened her mouth, as if to say something, but Li Nanke gently tugged at her and shook his head at her.

Song Yi said nothing more and gave a curtsy.

"My daughter-in-law has to go distribute porridge, so she must take her leave now."

The mother and daughter got into the car, and Song Yi couldn't help but frown.

"How dare he utter those four words, 'performed by imperial decree'? At his age, he's only getting more absurd."

Song Yi now finds no part of Marquis Anping pleasing to the eye.

If it weren't for the constraints of etiquette, she wouldn't even want to call him "father-in-law."

"Ke'er went to perform in the opera outside the city. Won't that bring some trouble to our family?"

Song Yi asked Li Nanke.

Li Nanke rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment.

"Mother, don't you think Grandfather is acting strangely?"

"What?"

“When my grandfather first found out that I had deliberately brought up his opera performance in front of His Majesty, he was very angry.”

He's a very proud man, extremely concerned about his reputation; how could he possibly agree to perform on stage with actors?

Song Yi realized what was happening.

"Yes, actors are considered a lowly profession. He was clearly very angry and didn't want to perform, so how come he suddenly agreed?"

"Ke'er, what do you think he's trying to achieve by orchestrating this whole thing?"

Li Nanke couldn't figure it out for a moment.

"Never mind, since he's not home, Father can go to his study to investigate."

After thinking for a moment, he gave Zilan another instruction.

"Once we reach the refugee camp outside the city, keep a close eye on your grandfather and the Deshengban people. If anything seems unusual, come and tell me and your mother immediately."

"Don't worry, young lady, leave this to me."

Zilan readily agreed.

The carriage soon arrived at the refugee camp outside the city.

After two days of busy work, and with the support of the Ministry of Revenue, the distribution of porridge went more smoothly than ever.

Li Nanke had an injury on her hand, so she could only help distribute the bowls.

Just as the first pot of porridge was finished being distributed, Marquis Anping arrived with the Desheng Class.

It was learned that the Marquis's residence had invited an opera troupe to perform for the refugees, and that it was with His Majesty's permission.

The refugees were in an uproar. They all knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the palace before rushing over in a swarm.

Marquis Anping had a simple stage set up in an open space, and soon the sounds of gongs and drums and the melodious strains of opera filled the air.

The refugees have been gathered here for more than ten days, and it's rare to see such a lively scene.

Soon, they all rushed up and surrounded the stage in layers.

Li Nanke didn't like listening to opera; he would doze off whenever he heard the lilting tunes.

He then told Song Yi that he was going to visit several nearby porridge stalls and review the assignments Huang Sheng had given her.

After turning to the last porridge stall, she saw that the front was surrounded by people watching the play, so she simply went around to the back to prepare to go back.

As soon as I turned around, I heard a sobbing sound coming from the woods.

Huh?

It sounds like a girl crying.

Li Nanke stopped and listened carefully. He could indeed hear intermittent sobbing sounds coming from the woods.

She hesitated for a moment, then quietly walked toward the direction from which the crying was coming.

Behind a boxwood tree that was about waist-high, stood a young boy and girl.

The boy was tall and slender with thick eyebrows and big eyes, staring blankly at the girl opposite him.

The girl lowered her head, half-covering her face, her shoulders heaving, as if she were crying very sadly.

Li Nanke recognized the two as Xie Xuanxiao and Xue Shu at a glance.

She pouted and was about to turn and leave when she heard Xue Shu choke out, "You know perfectly well that our two families are discussing marriage, so why are you still siding with Li Nanke?"

Upon hearing his name called, Li Nanke blinked and quietly withdrew the foot that had stepped out.

Xie Xuanxiao's voice sounded somewhat anxious and a little sullen.

"I already said, I'm not on Li Nanke's side."

Xue Shu: "If you go to the Empress and expose Zhao Ning for abandoning Li Nanke, then you are siding with Li Nanke."

Because of those few extra words you said, His Majesty punished Zhao Ning with twenty slaps on the hand, making Zhao Ning's palms swell up like steamed buns.

She also had a high fever for two days, and was delirious with fever. The Empress was so frightened that she almost fainted.

Xue Shu's voice was low and tinged with resentment.

“If you don’t tell anyone about this, the Imperial Guards will never say anything, and no one will know that Zhao Ning made you abandon Li Nanke. In this way, Zhao Ning will not be punished.”

Xie Xuanxiao blurted it out.

“But the princess did do it. Just because I don’t say it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I’m telling the truth and I haven’t wronged the princess.”

“The truth must be told in the right context. If you had said it under those circumstances, wouldn’t you have been forcing the Empress and His Majesty to punish the princess?”

"Shouldn't the princess be punished for doing something wrong?"

Xie Xuanxiao's words made Xue Shu's chest tremble with anger. She stomped her feet, twisted her waist, and tears fell one by one.

"Look, you still say you're not on Li Nanke's side? Every single word you say is on her side!"

The usually dignified and gentle girl shed tears, which almost burned Xie Xuanxiao's eyes.

He wanted to reach out and wipe away her tears, but he was afraid of being impolite to the beautiful woman.

She stretched out both hands in mid-air and then pulled them back, explaining urgently, "I really didn't side with Li Nanke. I hate Li Nanke."

Moreover, the princess was indeed wrong. My Xie family army never bullies women and children. No matter who the princess abandoned, I will tell the truth.

Upon hearing this, Li Nanke, who was squatting behind the boxwood tree, rolled his eyes dramatically.