On the day of the performance, the autumn sun was high in the sky, casting a warm and gentle glow upon every corner of Jinyun Bookstore. In the bookstore's backyard, the meticulously constructed makeshift stage shone like a dazzling pearl, drawing the crowd's attention. Red lanterns hung thickly around the stage, like a flock of enthusiastic spirits, swaying gently in the breeze, rustling and eagerly telling the story to come. The lanterns were meticulously painted with a variety of exquisite designs: auspicious beasts, vibrant flowers, and graceful clouds. Every stroke betrayed the artist's meticulous care, and in the sunlight, they shone with a dreamlike luster.
Su Jinli wore a pale blue brocade robe, the hems embroidered with delicate silver threads. As she moved, the threads shimmered, like twinkling stars in the night sky. She was squatting backstage, a slender eyebrow pencil in hand, intently drawing Jiang Yan's eyebrows. Jiang Yan sat upright, his posture still as straight as a pine tree, his face a look of resignation and doting as he allowed Su Jinli to unleash her "magic brushwork" on his face.
Su Jinli couldn't help laughing as she gently outlined the eyebrows. With a smile in her eyes, she said, "Lord Jiang's willow-leaf eyebrows, after I drew them like this, are even more beautiful than the ones I usually draw." As she spoke, she tilted her head, as if she was admiring a carefully crafted work of art.
"If you smile any more, Madam, the rouge will probably fade." Jiang Yan blinked helplessly, feeling the gentle strokes of the eyebrow pencil on his face, as if each stroke carried the warmth of Su Jinli's fingertips. He suddenly leaned closer to Su Jinli, lowering his voice to a whisper, "When we go on stage later, Madam, please give me some applause, so that I know you like my look."
Su Jinli's cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared at Jiang Yan in mock anger, but she couldn't help but burst out laughing and said, "I know, don't worry, I'll make sure you hear the loudest applause later."
At that moment, a burst of passionate gongs and drums suddenly rang out. The sound was like a gust of wind, instantly sweeping across the entire backyard and igniting the enthusiasm of everyone present. Su Jinli quickly put down her eyebrow pencil, patted Jiang Yan on the shoulder, and said, "It's your turn. Come on!" With that, she scurried off to the audience like a nimble deer.
Jiang Yan was draped in a soft pink gauze dress, swirling around him like clouds. As he moved with his lotus steps, the dress fluttered, like petals dancing in the spring breeze. He wore a gorgeous hair ornament, its pearls and jade swaying, framing his meticulously made-up face with a unique charm. He slowly walked onto the stage, his posture graceful and composed, as if he had truly transformed into the courtesan in the play.
The audience had been whispering to each other, discussing the upcoming performance, but when they saw Jiang Yan in this costume, they were instantly in an uproar. Exclamations, cheers, and laughter intertwined, seemingly overturning the entire backyard. Young Marquis Su was even rolling on the ground with laughter, slapping his hands and shouting, "Brother Jiang Yan, you're so funny!" Su Qingyao's eyes widened, and she instinctively pulled out a handkerchief, frantically wiping away tears. It was hard to tell if she was laughing too hard or was just being shocked by Jiang Yan's appearance.
The performance flowed smoothly. When the scene involving the oil seller saving money for the courtesan came to a close, Jiang Yan suddenly pulled a small, delicate abacus from his sleeve. The beads shimmered in the sunlight, their soft luster. He gently moved the beads, the crisp sound resonating clearly in the quietened stage. Jiang Yan said solemnly, "Ah Qi sells eighteen catties of oil every day, making three cents per catty. At this rate, he can save enough in a year..." His meticulous calculation, paired with his courtesan attire, was both comical and endearing, sending the audience into another fit of laughter. Some collapsed in laughter, others wept tears, and the entire backyard was engulfed in a sea of joy.
In a corner of the stage, Shopkeeper Qian's expression was as gloomy as the sky before a storm. He had been hoping for something to go wrong with the performance, giving him a chance to once again discredit Jinyun Bookstore, but the scene before him completely dashed his hopes. Seeing Jiang Yan's brilliant performance and the audience's enthusiastic response, jealousy and anger surged in him like a raging tide. Unable to bear it any longer, he was about to leave with a sullen face, but was stopped by the storyteller, Old Li.
Old Li had a mysterious smile on his face and said, "Boss Qian, don't go! Miss Su said there will be an Easter egg later! Don't you want to see what surprises are next?" Shopkeeper Qian frowned. Although he was reluctant, Old Li's words aroused a trace of curiosity. After hesitating for a moment, he finally stayed.
As the plot progresses, the story reaches its climax. After countless hardships, the oil seller finally saves enough money to meet the courtesan. Jiang Yan perfectly portrays the courtesan's shyness and emotion, while the actor who plays the oil seller perfectly captures his character's honesty and deep affection. Their captivating on-stage performance makes the audience feel as if they were there, completely immersed in this touching story.
Just as everyone was immersed in the story, the curtain suddenly opened on one side of the stage, revealing a group of children in vibrant costumes bounding onto the stage. They clutched a variety of homemade props, their faces beaming with innocent smiles. These children had been befriended through regular reading events at Jinyun Bookstore, and Su Jinli had specially invited them to participate in this performance to give the audience a special surprise.
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