Chapter 23 Auspicious Troupe
"Stand up." Yan Xuanyu said as he walked towards the main seat.
The three concubines then stood up and looked up.
When Yan Xuanyu's eyes fell on the three of them, he was speechless for a moment——
The three concubines were all dressed as plainly as possible, especially the one in the middle, who had no makeup on. Her black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and her eyes were drooping, making her look completely free of worldly desires.
It reminded Yan Xuanyu of clear soup noodles.
It would not be wrong to say that they were disrespectful in front of the palace, because although they were wearing plain-colored silks that suited their rank, there was nothing wrong with them.
Yan Xuanyu wondered, was it possible that the fashion for "looking elegant in mourning" had also become fashionable in the Great Zhou Dynasty? Or had someone spread the rumor that he preferred simple and elegant styles? Were the three concubines trying to attract his attention by appealing to his tastes?
Even if he had great abilities, he never thought that these three concubines were trying to avoid sleeping with him.
Yan Xuanyu secretly looked at the three of them. The one in the middle had the most outstanding appearance, but was also dressed the most simply and elegantly. She must be Concubine Zhang Shufei.
The three concubines sat down one after another, their eyes looking at their noses and their noses looking at their hearts. For a moment, there was only silence in the Bi Bo Pavilion.
Yan Xuanyu thought that this was normal. The original owner seemed to have forgotten that there were these three people in the mansion and had not summoned them for several years. After the original owner ascended the throne, he filled the harem with beauties. He didn't even remember the three concubines who accompanied him from the prince's mansion to the palace. Yan Xuanyu couldn't even remember what the three people looked like from the original owner's memory.
So, what happened to these three people in the original owner's previous life? When the Turks invaded the capital, the palace was in chaos. When the original owner fled the capital in a hurry, he only took two or three untitled beauties with him.
The fate of the three concubines can be imagined.
Yan Xuanyu sighed in his heart and felt even more sympathy for the three people in front of him. He could not give them any favors, but at least he did not want to see them grow old in the palace like this day by day.
There are very few entertainment programs nowadays. Apart from inviting palace opera troupes to perform for a few days on some major holidays such as the Emperor's birthday and the New Year, there is basically nothing else in the palace. Moreover, the palace opera troupes have been the same for many years, with no improvement or change. Every year, after the ladies enter the palace, the empress dowager and then the highest-ranking concubine in the palace will order a few plays, and they will perform and sing for a whole day. It is just a formality, and many people will find the excuse of feeling unwell to leave in the middle of the performance.
Yan Xuanyu looked at the three of them and asked, "Since entering the palace, have you found any place you're not used to living in?"
"Your Majesty, no," Concubine Zhang replied.
Yan Xuanyu saw that the one who responded was the concubine sitting closest to him, and he nodded: "If there is anything, let the palace maids inform Li Zhongxian."
"Yes." The three of them answered in unison.
Yan Xuanyu raised his jade chopsticks and symbolically picked up some dishes, and the family dinner began.
Wang Liangfei, who deliberately sat farthest from Yan Xuanyu, thought to herself, what could she not get used to? She knew she was vain and loved fine clothes. As long as someone flattered her, she had a group of palace servants following her wherever she went, and her trips were all grand, she would have nothing to ask for.
Concubine Wang Liang glanced at the person sitting in the main seat and said, "It would be more comfortable if you didn't ask us to come over."
As she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a pair of eyes falling on her. She looked up and found that it was the emperor looking at her with a faint smile on his face.
Concubine Wang Liang was shocked.
Yan Xuanyu said to Consort Wang Liang, "I heard your hometown is in the south, so I've added a few more southern dishes to the family dinner. Let's see if they suit your taste."
After saying that, he asked Li Zhongxian to bring the eunuch to serve those sweet and sour dishes to Concubine Wang Liang.
Concubine Wang Liang, who usually prefers strong flavors to sweet and sour ones: ...
She has lived in the capital since she was born. When did she become a southerner of the Great Zhou?
Li Zhongxian sensed something was wrong and quickly leaned over to Yan Xuanyu's ear to whisper, "Your Majesty, that is Consort Wang Liang, a native of the capital. Consort Zhang Shu is the one sitting next to you."
Yan Xuanyu was stunned after hearing what Li Zhongxian said. The person who was dressed the most simply and looked indifferent was the bright and flamboyant Concubine Wang Liang that Li Zhongxian mentioned?
No matter how slow Yan Xuanyu was, he realized after Li Zhongxian finished speaking that the three of them were probably dressed like that on purpose. Concubine Wang Liang was sitting the farthest away from him. It was really difficult for her to pick out such a plain dress from the colorful ones, and the simplest hairpin from the various luxurious head ornaments!
Are they afraid of the original owner?
When this thought came to mind, everything seemed to be explained.
No wonder the three of them almost never go to the Imperial Garden. It turns out that he is always there...
Yan Xuanyu's silence made the Bi Bo Pavilion even quieter. He put down his jade chopsticks, and the other three people at the table followed suit.
Yan Xuanyu said to Li Zhongxian, "Take all the palace maids away."
It was impossible for him to directly say, "Let's talk it over. Just pretend that I'm not the emperor and you're not concubines." This was simply impossible. He could only let Li Zhongxian take the palace maids away first, at least to turn the scene in front of him into a place where they could have a casual chat.
"Yes." Li Zhongxian flicked his whisk and gave a look. The eunuchs from Chengtian Hall in the pavilion lowered their heads slightly and followed Li Zhongxian. Behind them, the people from the Sanfei Palace also followed. The group retreated quietly. Li Zhongxian and a few others were guarding outside the Bibo Pavilion.
The Bi Bo Pavilion suddenly became deserted, and Yan Xuanyu instantly felt a chill. He gathered his black-patterned robe, then glanced at Concubine Zhang and the other two for a moment: "Are you afraid of me?"
As early as when Yan Xuanyu asked Li Zhongxian to take all the palace maids away, the three of them exchanged glances. Concubine Wang Liang looked at Concubine Li Xian anxiously, and the latter gave her a comforting look.
It is said that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, especially since they were people who had witnessed the Fourth Prince's behavior in his mansion many years ago. The current situation made the three of them more or less nervous, and they subconsciously ignored the fact that Yan Xuanyu said "I" instead of "I". He wanted to have a good talk with the three of them from an equal perspective.
It was still Concubine Zhang Shu who answered: "I dare not."
"You said you don't dare anymore, so you're afraid?" Yan Xuanyu chuckled. "Have I done anything to make you afraid of me?"
The three of them then realized that the person sitting in the main seat seemed very different from before, but they couldn't figure out what exactly was different.
Concubine Zhang Shu also smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty treats us very well."
"Oh? Why does Concubine Wang Liang look so afraid of me?" Yan Xuanyu asked again.
Concubine Wang Liang's heart, which had been slightly relaxed, suddenly became tense again. She didn't know why Yan Xuanyu suddenly mentioned her. Her face suddenly turned pale, which contrasted with her plain clothes.
Judging from the looks of the three of them, they are really afraid of him. I don’t know what the original owner had done before... but it’s definitely not a good thing.
Yan Xuanyu sighed and thought that he should just say it directly, otherwise they would have nothing to talk about.
"I know that I lived an absurd life when I was the Fourth Prince, and I neglected you a lot in the Prince's Palace. Now I realize that it was indeed wrong to do so, and I have changed it."
"After ascending the throne, I have been busy with government affairs and have no time to take care of the affairs of the harem. From now on, I will have to trouble Concubine Zhang to manage the affairs of the harem." Yan Xuanyu looked at Concubine Zhang beside him.
Although these words could not make them let down their guard against him, Yan Xuanyu thought that Zhang Shufei and the others should be able to understand the message conveyed in the words.
Concubine Wang Liang saw Concubine Zhang Shu and Concubine Li Xian both looking up in surprise. She was anxious but couldn't ask in front of Yan Xuanyu. What did he say? Why were Concubine Zhang Shu and Concubine Li Xian so surprised?
Isn't it just about letting Concubine Zhang Shu take charge of the affairs of the harem? Before, Concubine Zhang Shu was also in charge of the Wind Seal...
Concubine Wang Liang was shocked. Does this mean that the emperor won't take new people into the harem?
Yan Xuanyu nodded slightly, confirming their thoughts. "Since I have ascended the throne, I will definitely focus all my energy on the former dynasty. If there are too many people in the harem, it will definitely affect the former dynasty."
Yan Xuanyu knew that many officials in the court were waiting for next year's election to fill the harem with people. Dealing with the many affairs of the previous dynasty was already enough of a headache for Yan Xuanyu.
Yan Xuanyu didn't say he wouldn't enter the harem. He just said he'd been busy with government affairs lately, and he had an idea of how to explain his absence from the harem to the court and the people of the world, but he wasn't going to do it now.
Yan Xuanyu's words left Concubine Zhang and the other two stunned. His Majesty seemed to be very different from before...
But the shadow that incident left on them was too deep, and they probably couldn't forget it.
"If you feel that there is nothing to do in the harem, I can find something for you to do."
"I live very well in Feiluan Palace every day. The palace maids are very caring. Your Majesty, don't worry." Concubine Wang Liang spoke first.
Yan Xuanyu nodded and said, "If there is anything missing in your palace, send a palace maid to the inner palace to get it."
Concubine Wang Liang agreed obediently.
She had already done this before the emperor said this, but her position was not the highest in the palace, so it was always a bit unjustifiable. Now that she has His Majesty's golden words, she has nothing to be afraid of.
The other two watched Concubine Wang Liang acting cute, but they didn't feel disgusted. They just thought that Concubine Wang Liang didn't seem to be very smart, and her words hit the mark exactly what the emperor wanted.
Concubine Li could now see that His Majesty held this family dinner today, to put it in a less appropriate way, in order to get closer to them.
Perhaps the Emperor had no such intentions, but simply didn't want the woman from the Fourth Prince's residence to hinder him in the future? Actually, the Emperor didn't need to worry about that. She had very little contact with her family. After entering the palace, her stepmother had requested an audience, but she had sent a palace maid away.
She felt that as an abandoned girl in the family, she should have the awareness of being an abandoned girl.
Thinking of this, Concubine Li decided to say something to show her loyalty.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. Starting tomorrow, I will set up a small Buddhist temple in the side hall and copy scriptures and pray for Your Majesty and the Great Zhou every day." said Concubine Li.
After hearing this, Yan Xuanyu coughed twice and said, "That's not necessary."
He reasonably suspected that Concubine Li was over-interpreting something.
"Has Your Majesty summoned anyone from the Imperial Hospital to check on him recently?" Concubine Wang Liang asked hurriedly after hearing Yan Xuanyu cough twice.
The atmosphere in the Bibo Pavilion gradually improved and was no longer as restrained as it was at the beginning.
The palace maids who were supposed to serve the dishes did not come in to wait. Yan Xuanyu saw Concubine Zhang pick up a piece of food with chopsticks.
"I haven't eaten this squirrel fish for a long time." Concubine Zhang said with a smile.
Yan Xuanyu said, "I remember there's a chef in the Imperial Kitchen who makes squirrel fish very well. It's not a rare dish. If you like it, you can transfer that chef to the small kitchen in the Purple Palace."
It is said that three women make a drama, but Yan Xuanyu found that Zhang Shufei and the other two were very harmonious - this harmony was not pretended for Yan Xuanyu to see, but was genuine from the bottom of their hearts without any hostility towards each other. Although their daily interactions were not very close, there were no disputes either.
That's good.
About an hour later, Yan Xuanyu set off to return to Chengtian Palace, and today's family dinner at Biboting was over.
Overall, this family dinner was a great enjoyment for both the host and the guests.
...
As the emperor's procession walked away, the three people sitting on the table also stood up. There were many people outside and they went to Concubine Zhang's Zichen Hall tacitly.
"If it is really as the emperor said, then I will be relieved." After sending away the palace servants, Concubine Wang Liang straightened her hair and said.
"It seems that as long as we stay well in the harem, the emperor will not treat us badly." Concubine Li said.
Concubine Wang Liang lifted her wide sleeves to look at the simple and elegant palace dress she was wearing and said with a smile, "I've never worn anything so plain before."
These words made Concubine Zhang Shu and Concubine Li Xian laugh uncontrollably.
The three of them had a brief conversation, and then Baocui took a few palace maids to light the palace lanterns outside the Zichen Hall.
"Oh, it's getting late. I'll go back first." Concubine Wang Liang stood up and bowed to Concubine Zhang Shu hastily.
Concubine Li Xian also bowed and said, "I will take my leave."
They still follow the rules very well in front of outsiders.
After the two left, the Zichen Hall returned to silence, with only the candle flames in the palace lanterns flickering. Concubine Zhang did not immediately call Baocui and others to come in and serve, but sat on the chair and stared blankly at the palace lanterns in the hall.
This was a rare moment for her.
Concubine Zhang Shu seemed to be thinking of nothing, and just used her eyes to follow the movement of the candle flame under the palace lantern.
Won't they be treated unfairly?
Concubine Zhang Shu didn't care. Whether she was the head empress in the Purple Palace or a minor concubine in the Fourth Prince's palace, she didn't care much. Concubine Wang Liang loved fine clothes, and Concubine Li Xian could spend an entire afternoon with a book in her arms. But she didn't know what to do. She had been twenty-eight when she entered the palace, and now she was twenty-four. The last time Bao Cui combed her hair, she noticed a few gray hairs.
After a long time, a barely perceptible sigh was heard from the Zichen Hall.
...
"Old boss..." Chen Ya, a small girl, walked up to the old boss of the Jixiang Opera Troupe and tugged at his sleeve.
In her hand she also held a thin stick with some freshly twisted sugar cubes on it.
The old troupe owner saw this but didn't say anything. He gently touched Chen Ya's head and said, "I'm not the troupe owner anymore. Our Jixiang Opera Troupe has a new troupe owner..."
"Hmm." Chen Ya was busy licking the candy and didn't have time to speak.
The old troupe owner observed the man who bought the Jixiang Opera Troupe for a few days. The man called himself Yu Xuan and looked like a rich young man.
But he didn't understand why, if he was really a rich young man, he would come to take over their Jixiang Opera Troupe.
The old troupe owner didn't agree immediately at that time, but after getting to know each other, he found that Yu Xuan, a man of unknown origin, seemed to be a good person, so he agreed - it was becoming increasingly difficult to run a drama troupe these days, and he could no longer afford to support such a large group of people.
The old troupe leader sighed. This was a good thing. He could now entrust the Jixiang Opera Troupe to him with confidence.
Moreover, if Yu Xuan had not come to the rescue two days ago, a girl in their troupe would have been kidnapped by a bully in the street.
"Come, this is the play our troupe is going to rehearse next. Let's all take a look first." Yu Xuan took out a new play after taking over the Jixiang Opera Troupe. "Forget it, I'll tell you about the play!"
It stands to reason that everyone would not be so willing to listen to him when he just became the new troupe owner, but the fact that he saved Ruxin a few days ago alone convinced the people in the Jixiang Troupe - he is the benefactor of the entire troupe.
Yu Xuan, also known as Yan Xuanyu in disguise.
Yan Xuanyu deliberately avoided government affairs during this period. It was a rare time for him to rest, but he was not idle. After changing his appearance, he left the palace.
There are too few entertainment activities nowadays, and the opera troupes are always the same. Yan Xuanyu wanted to create one himself, and once he has a play he will perform it in the palace first.
But they encountered the first difficulty right as they started rehearsing the play - most of the people in the troupe could not read, and they had to be taught one line at a time.
Yan Xuanyu almost forgot that this was the Great Zhou Dynasty where the lower class people were illiterate.
He held his forehead in frustration at his own stupidity. "Then let me tell you this story first."
There were more than ten people in the troupe, and they were crowded around Yan Xuanyu.
The first play Yan Xuanyu chose was a story that was very familiar to everyone in his world - "The Legend of White Snake".
Before choosing "The Legend of White Snake", Yan Xuanyu also thought about the current situation. There are legends of spirits in the Great Zhou Dynasty now, just like the stories of fox spirits and scholars in some secular novels, so they should be able to accept the story of "The Legend of White Snake"; another reason is that when rehearsing the play at the beginning, Yan Xuanyu had to avoid all sensitive issues. The story of "The Legend of White Snake" is simple, and there is only one "villain" Fahai in it, and there is no problem of alluding to current politics.
The story is easy to understand and can be launched as something that everyone likes.
"...Fahai of Jinshan Temple told Xu Xian that his wife was a snake demon who had cultivated for a thousand years. Xu Xian didn't believe him. Fahai said he only needed to give it a try and let Bai Niangzi drink realgar wine..."
"After drinking the wine, White Snake was forced to reveal her true form. Xu Xian was so frightened when he saw that the White Snake he was sleeping with was actually a snake demon..."
"Ah..." A pretty woman standing at the front listening to the story covered her mouth with a handkerchief in surprise.
This woman is Ruxin from the Jixiang Opera Troupe. She has become more and more beautiful now, which is why she was targeted by street bullies some time ago.
The others also held their breath, waiting quietly for Yan Xuanyu to continue.
Someone couldn't wait and said anxiously: "Even though Bai Niangzi is a snake demon, she has a kind heart and saved many people..."
They were all rough people who just listened to stories and didn't think too deeply about them. Some people even despised Xu Xian for being so timid that he was frightened to death.
Yan Xuanyu then told the rest of the story, about stealing the Ganoderma lucidum, flooding Jinshan Mountain, being suppressed under Leifeng Pagoda, and finally the happy ending of Xu Xian and White Snake.
After listening to the story, everyone in the Jixiang Opera Troupe had different reactions, but Yan Xuanyu knew one thing from their various reactions - that is, he had chosen the right story.
"Let's rehearse 'The Legend of the White Snake' now. It's different from the operas you usually sing. Many parts of this play are spoken in vernacular, that is, spoken lines. At some parts, we start singing..."
There are more than a dozen people in the Jixiang Opera Troupe. Ruxin is the goddaughter of the old troupe owner and the only woman in the Jixiang Opera Troupe. She will play the role of White Snake.
There are also some random passers-by, who are easy to pick, Xu Xian...
Yan Xuanyu glanced back and forth among the dozen or so people in the Jixiang Opera Troupe, and finally pointed his finger: "It's you!"
He looks rather thin and tall, and dressing up does fit his character.
"Me? I'm going to play Xu Xian?" The person who was called couldn't believe it. He had been doing odd jobs since he was brought to the Jixiang Opera Troupe by the old owner!
"No, boss, how can Dashun sing in the opera?" Others said one after another. It was not that they were excluding Dashun, but after Dashun joined the opera troupe, he was not doing the job of singing opera!
Yan Xuanyu waved his hand and asked someone to bring a piece of clothing he had prepared for the person who would play Xu Xian.
"Put it on and try it on."
After a while, Dashun came out.
Yan Xuanyu modified Xu Xian's clothes into a version suitable for Da Zhou, tightening the waist and abdomen, and making the neck look longer with a stand-up collar. Dashun originally had a human appearance, with a nose and eyes, and in the dark blue robe he looked somewhat forcedly elegant and handsome.
Yan Xuanyu nodded in satisfaction. This wasn't a big deal. Tomorrow, he would bring the secret guard who had disguised him to them and give them a makeover. He was guaranteed to look about 80% like him.
"Hey, you know what, this Dashun looks a lot better after taking off his shorts!"
“This dress is so beautiful…”
Dashun came over and hesitantly said to Yan Xuanyu, "Boss, do you know that when we perform opera, we hold a bowl under the stage and say, 'Those with money, please support us with money, and those with people, please support us with your presence'?"
Yan Xuanyu nodded and said inexplicably: "I know."
Everyone knows this. Even if they haven't seen ancient folk opera troupes, they know how it's performed in TV dramas.
The tall, thin man chosen by Yan Xuanyu to play Xu Xian said, "Boss, that's what I do."
Yan Xuanyu was speechless for a moment.
The man the others called Dashun said, "Boss, why don't you find someone else? My voice isn't suited for opera."
"Actually, you don't have to sing." Yan Xuanyu flipped through the thin book in his hand that was filled with densely written small characters. "Then let White Snake and Fahai sing, and you just speak in plain language."
This is even possible?! Everyone in the Jixiang Opera Troupe was dumbfounded.
Xu Xian and White Snake were confirmed, and the other miscellaneous passers-by were easy to play, including Fahai. At this time, the old owner came out and said that he could play the role.
Shaving my head is definitely not possible, so I can just make a big hat and wear it to achieve the same effect.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Yan Xuanyu suddenly had another idea, "After the show, we can all go up and sing a song. Let's sing that..."
Who isn't familiar with the melody of that song?!
The people in the troupe were confused at first, but then they all looked at Yan Xuanyu and started to jeer:
"The leader of the group sings a song!"
"The leader of the group sings a song!"
Yan Xuanyu looked at the dozen or so people surrounding him. Anyway, he was Yu Xuan here, and they were just a dozen people in a small courtyard, so they didn't have to worry about embarrassing themselves.
Yan Xuanyu cleared his throat: "That's it——"
"Bai Suzhen, at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, has been cultivating her body in the cave for thousands of years..."
Yan Xuanyu had never sung anything since he came to this world, but suddenly when he was singing, he found that his voice was not bad.
It turned out to be unexpectedly good.
The members of the troupe also slowly gathered together. Yan Xuanyu was surprised that they remembered almost everything after listening to it once.
The members of the Jixiang Opera Troupe gathered together and sang the song that Yan Xuanyu taught them.
"Bai Suzhen, at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, has been cultivating her body in the cave for thousands of years..."
They were a traveling opera troupe, the "actors" who were looked down upon in that era. They wore the most ordinary coarse linen clothes, sat together, and everyone had a smile on their face.
Perhaps the lives of the lower class people bring them a lot of pain, and life is not easy, but at this moment, they are happy from the bottom of their hearts.
This happiness was brought to them by the new owner.
...
After the play "Legend of the White Snake" was staged, people from the Jixiang Opera Troupe became the first wave of audiences.
Yan Xuanyu felt that one of the most exciting parts was Bai Suzhen's transformation into a snake. He used a visual illusion. If you look from the front of the stage, Bai Suzhen would slowly turn into a snake, but in fact, it was just a core that slowly fell into the depression and then retreated, and the paper snake slowly turned up.
Even though the people from the Jixiang Opera Troupe knew about it in advance, they still couldn't help but exclaim in surprise when they saw it.
After the performance, the old troupe leader, still in his costume, took the exaggerated hat in his hand and, while the people from the Jixiang Opera Troupe were still talking animatedly, pulled Yan Xuanyu aside and asked, "Where are you going to perform this play?"
At first the old troupe owner thought it was nothing, it was just staging a new play!
But once the play was staged, the old troupe owner was both delighted and terrified. Where could such a play be performed? The younger members of the troupe were only interested in watching the excitement, while the old troupe owner was worried about the play being seen and taken away by those in higher positions.
After hearing the old troupe owner's concerns, Yan Xuanyu smiled and said, "Don't worry, this play won't be performed outside."
He lowered his voice and said, "I am rehearsing this play to perform in the palace."
boom!
It was like a bolt of thunder hitting the top of his head. The old boss' eyes widened. He lost his balance and tilted his body, knocking over the long chair next to him.
But he ignored the pain: "What did you say?!"
The old troupe leader's suddenly raised voice attracted the attention of those nearby, and people from the troupe came over to ask him what was wrong.
The old master waved his hand to send them aside, lowering his voice and saying tremblingly, "In the palace? Are you... are you serious? Or are you lying to an old man like me?"
"Really." Yan Xuanyu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He knew the old boss would be surprised, but he didn't expect him to react so strongly.
The old troupe owner's lips trembled as he said, "I'll give the Jixiang Opera Troupe to you, and you..."
If he couldn't sing this one well, he would be beheaded! He knew that Yan Xuanyu must be a capable person to have connections with the palace, but he didn't want to worry about anything when he spoke now!
Yan Xuanyu had no choice but to say: "Old troupe owner, that's the palace. As long as our troupe performs a play, we will become rich."
"Get rich? Don't let the emperor chop off your head!" said the old boss.
Yan Xuanyu: "...How could the emperor chop off someone's head so casually?"
The old boss's lips trembled with anger: "How do you know it can't be done?"
"...I really do know."
Yan Xuanyu really didn't expect the old boss's reaction to be so big, so big that he didn't know what to say.
"Old troupe owner, I'm the owner of the Jixiang Troupe now. How could I do anything that would harm our troupe?" Yan Xuanyu said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything I'm not sure of."
After saying that, Yan Xuanyu walked directly into the crowd and told them that they were going to the palace to perform this play. This news immediately made them explode.
"In the palace?"
"Does the troupe master know any eunuch in the palace?"
"We can actually go to the palace to perform operas. Doesn't that mean we have become a palace opera troupe?"
No one seemed to be concerned. The old boss almost fainted from anger.
Fortunately, the old troupe leader calmed down after a while after his strong reaction. Yan Xuanyu said that he had already contacted the palace, and if their troupe ran away, they would really be caught and beheaded.
...
Purple Palace.
"Sister, what's the matter that you called us here?" Concubine Wang Liang's voice was lazy. She had lost interest in everything recently. She didn't know why the color of the Impatiens faded so quickly on her hand. It happened that she had indulged herself in it enough in those few days and didn't want to dye it again.
Concubine Zhang Shu sighed: "Something really happened."
"Your Majesty has asked me to invite the ladies of the imperial court to the palace to listen to opera in a few days."
Concubine Li Xian frowned: "It's not a special day, why did Your Majesty want to allow ladies to enter the palace?"
Before she finished speaking, she nodded as if she had thought of something. "It seems that he wants Concubine Zhang to establish her authority among the ladies of the imperial court... Is His Majesty intending to let the ladies of the imperial court know that His Majesty values Concubine Zhang?"
"But although I hold the Wind Seal, my rank is still that of a concubine. I'm afraid I don't have this power." This is exactly what Concubine Zhang was worried about. Those ladies in the court all have ranks, and she was afraid that she could not suppress them.
"Your Majesty will definitely give you a promotion." Concubine Wang Liang covered her mouth and laughed, "If I had known that Your Majesty would treat us this way, you would never have been the concubine."
"I invited you here today to arrange the invitations and arrangements. You know I'm not good at this." Concubine Zhang was originally the daughter of a merchant. Although she had been in the capital for eight or nine years, she had never been involved in a banquet for ladies of high rank.
"What arrangements are you making? Aren't we just inviting them to a play?" Concubine Wang Liang said in a harsh tone, "After all, they are the wives of officials, and we are His Majesty's concubines, the empresses of the palace. Why should we be so cautious?"
Seeing that she couldn't convince Concubine Wang Liang, Concubine Zhang had no choice but to turn to Concubine Li Xian.
Concubine Li Xian pondered for a moment and said, "We should definitely do this. The Former Dynasty is still unstable. If we establish good relations with the ladies of the Imperial Court and gain their respect, we can also help relieve His Majesty's worries."
"Then I'll write the invitations."
Concubine Zhang Shu looked at Concubine Wang Liang again, and the latter looked away: "Then what should I do? I dress nicely when I go to the opera to give you face."
Concubine Zhang Shu smiled and said, "I am afraid that..."
Just as Concubine Wang Liang was about to speak, Concubine Li Xian spoke first, "You are now in charge of the harem. Such matters will only increase in the future. If you are unsure, why not ask His Majesty?"
Concubine Zhang Shu thought for a while and said, "You are right. This is the only way."
The two people over there were discussing serious matters. Concubine Wang Liang was looking around idly. She saw a plate of strange-looking things on the table in Concubine Zhang Shu's palace, so she reached out and grabbed one. "What is this?"
Concubine Zhang looked over at the sound and explained, "This is sent by His Majesty. It's called 'melon seeds'. You're taking the salty ones."
"How do I eat this?" Concubine Wang Liang put the melon seeds in her palm and looked at them left and right.
Concubine Zhang came over and took one and peeled it open with her fingers: "When Xiao Xiaozi brought it to me, he said that His Majesty allowed me to eat it when I have nothing to do. I can peel the shell and eat the seeds inside."
She peeled it and put it into Wang Liangfei's hand. "There is another way to eat it, but I don't think it's very elegant."
"Eat it and show me." Concubine Wang Liang looked at her curiously.
Concubine Zhang had no choice but to pick up one and gently crack it between her lips. When she took it out again, only a melon seed shell was left.
"It's so convenient to eat like this." Concubine Wang Liang grabbed some and began to learn the "inelegant" way of eating that Concubine Zhang Shu mentioned.
Concubine Li Xianfei and Concubine Zhang Shufei continued to talk about the banquet for the ladies of honor.
"The wife of the Duke and the Crown Prince should sit..."
"Knack, knock."
"Then we can have the ladies of the third rank sit on the sides..."
"Knack, knock."
By the time Concubine Zhang Shu and the others had finished speaking, Concubine Wang Liang had already been able to crack a melon seed shell skillfully.
Concubine Zhang Shu said helplessly, "Concubine Wang Liang, you come from a family in the capital, how can you be less attentive to etiquette than me, who comes from a merchant family?"
Concubine Wang Liang curled her lips and said, "Why did Your Majesty send such delicious food to the Purple Palace alone?"
"There are still some left. Please ask someone to follow Baocui to get them later." Concubine Zhang Shu had no choice but to say.
Melon seeds are the fruit of the chrysanthemum. Now the Great Zhou has chrysanthemums imported from Southeast Asia, but they are only used for ornamental purposes. A few days ago, Yan Xuanyu saw these carefully cared-for chrysanthemums in the Baicao Garden and felt that the melon seeds inside them had been wasted.
So he quickly asked someone to get all the melon seeds out and tried to fry them into original and salty flavors. He thought that Concubine Zhang Shu had nothing to do in the palace and might be able to eat some, so he had them sent to the Zichen Palace. It was not intentional that he forgot Concubine Wang Liang and Concubine Li Xian.
Concubine Wang Liang took away all the melon seeds sent to the Zichen Palace, and couldn't help but eat them all before dinner, and she got a sore throat the next day.
"I don't want to eat it either, but I can't help it." Concubine Wang Liang said to Concubine Li Xian who came to visit her in the palace while drinking the heat-removing tea with tears in her eyes.
Yan Xuanyu was in a state of confusion when he learned about this. It was true, for those who like to eat sunflower seeds, they really can't stop. Sunflower seeds can really be used as a new snack.
There are now large areas of chrysanthemums in the Baicao Garden. Yan Xuanyu plans to wait until the new chrysanthemums planted in the Baicao Garden grow out, so for now he will just eat them in the palace.
...
When Li Zhongxian came to report to Yan Xuanyu that Concubine Zhang Shu wanted to see him, he was stunned. Concubine Zhang Shu finally stepped out of the Purple Palace?
He quickly asked Li Zhongxian to bring the person in. After Concubine Zhang Shu said a few words, Yan Xuanyu realized that she came to discuss the matter of the ladies entering the palace.
"How should we treat them?" Yan Xuanyu was puzzled. "Just treat them as you should."
Seeing Concubine Zhang's embarrassment, Yan Xuanyu knew that she was overthinking the matter. "I'll write it down for you later, and you can follow my instructions."
Concubine Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, but still expressed her worry that she would not be able to control the group of ladies.
But Yan Xuanyu seemed to see through her thoughts. He sat at the desk and dipped his brush into the ink. "I will issue an edict to appoint you as a noble concubine tomorrow. How about that?"
Concubine Zhang Shu was suddenly startled. She quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have no such intention."
Yan Xuanyu felt a little powerless seeing her like this. He always felt that Concubine Zhang was too cautious and too rule-abiding. Even if he just said something casually, Concubine Zhang would treat it as a big deal.
He said, "Get up. Since you don't want to be a noble concubine, then confer the title of noble concubine on Consort Wang Liang."
Yan Xuanyu suddenly remembered the incident where Concubine Wang Liang got a sore throat from eating too many melon seeds, and felt that it was easier to get along with someone as simple-minded as Concubine Wang Liang.
Concubine Zhang Shu said "yes".
As expected, Concubine Wang Liang was very happy when she knew that she had become Concubine Wang, and she gave many rewards to the palace maids.
Concubine Wang Liang suddenly became the highest-ranking person in the harem, but the wind seal was still in the hands of Concubine Zhang Shu.
After Concubine Zhang Shu left, Yan Xuanyu sighed. How could he know what someone was thinking? Perhaps Concubine Zhang Shu Shu really liked quietness and didn't want to be involved in the affairs of the harem.
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