Chapter 391 Kunqu Opera Amazes the Audience, Publicly Declaring the Shen Family Dead
Su Wantang took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
Each step was taken steadily and firmly.
Li Xiue whispered from behind, "What is this girl up to?"
Division Commander Zhang's wife shook her head, but her eyes lit up: "I don't know, but there's definitely going to be a good show."
Su Wantang walked onto the stage and stood in the center.
Backstage, Shen Qing hadn't gone down yet. When she saw Su Wantang come up, her expression changed.
What is she going to do?
No one answered her.
On stage, the lights came back on.
But this time it wasn't a blinding white light, but a soft, warm yellow.
The sound of a flute began.
Clear and melodious, it captivated people's hearts with just one sound.
Su Wantang stood there, her water sleeves hanging down at her sides.
She raised her hand, and her sleeve fluttered as she moved her arm.
Then she spoke.
"The flowers were blooming in vibrant colors everywhere..."
The moment the sound came out, the entire room fell silent.
That was the singing style of Kunqu Opera, melodious and beautiful, each word like a pearl falling on a jade plate.
The people in the audience were stunned.
This is the scene from "The Peony Pavilion" where Du Liniang is strolling in the garden.
Su Wantang's body was incredibly supple; with a slight slump of her waist and a flick of her sleeve, she moved like a fish swimming in water.
She walks with cloud-like steps, her toes barely touching the ground, leaving no trace as she moves.
Her fingers were bent into a delicate orchid shape, and her gaze followed the direction of her hand.
Every frown and smile was part of the performance.
The soldiers in the audience were stunned.
They usually see violent things: guns, training, blood and sweat.
Where have I ever seen such exquisite beauty?
Old Chen stood up, his hands trembling.
"She looks so much like her mother back in the day..."
Lu Zhenguo was also stunned. He turned to look at Meng Wan.
Meng Wan's eyes reddened, but she smiled.
"This child is learning very well."
On stage, Su Wantang was already in character.
She plays Du Liniang, a young girl who grew up in seclusion and yearns for the outside world.
Every movement was filled with a young girl's shyness and longing.
The water sleeves were flicked out and then gently pulled back, as if caressing unseen flower petals.
She turned around, her skirt billowing up and drawing a perfect arc in the air.
Then she stopped and looked into the distance.
There was sorrow, expectation, and an indescribable emotion in his eyes.
An old soldier in the audience shed tears.
"This is art...real art..."
The people next to him nodded, unable to utter a word.
Shen Qing stood backstage, watching Su Wantang on stage.
Her hands were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh.
"Impossible... How could she..."
But the facts are right in front of us.
The dance Su Wantang performed was on a completely different level from the one she had just performed.
One is an over-the-top emotional appeal, the other is beauty that shines from within.
The difference in quality is immediately apparent.
On stage, Su Wantang sang the last line.
"All of this has been given to broken wells and crumbling walls..."
The sound was drawn out, carrying endless sorrow.
Then she stopped, her water sleeves drooping down, her whole being like a still flower.
The lights slowly dimmed.
The entire room fell silent.
It was so quiet that I could hear my own heartbeat.
Three seconds.
Five seconds.
Then, applause erupted.
The deafening applause seemed to lift the roof off the auditorium.
Everyone stood up and clapped until their hands turned red.
Old Chen walked to the front of the stage, tears streaming down his face.
"Okay! Okay!"
Grandpa Lu also stood up, his face full of pride.
Lu Zhenguo and Meng Wan exchanged a glance, both of them looking relieved.
Su Wantang bowed gracefully on the stage.
He bent over, his sleeves hanging down to the ground.
She raised her head, her gaze passing over the crowd below the stage and landing backstage.
Shen Qing stood there, her face deathly pale.
Their eyes met.
Su Wantang smiled at her.
There was no provocation, no smugness in that smile, only calmness.
But this calm is more unsettling than any provocation.
Shen Qing took a step back, staggering.
Just then, Lu Jingyan stood up.
He walked onto the stage and took the microphone from the host.
The people in the auditorium fell silent and looked at him.
Lu Jingyan's voice echoed in the auditorium.
"Comrades and leaders, I have something to announce."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience.
"Traitor Zhao Dong has been brought to justice."
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
"The truth behind Comrade Gao Jianjun's sacrifice has been ascertained. Zhao Dong colluded with the enemy and leaked the whereabouts of our reconnaissance team, leading to the sacrifice of the entire team."
Lu Jingyan's voice was cold, each word like a knife.
"The mastermind behind it all, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff Shen Weimin, has been placed under investigation."
The moment those words were spoken, the auditorium erupted in chaos.
Everyone was talking about it, the noise was deafening.
Backstage, Shen Qing's face turned completely pale.
She swayed and almost fell.
People nearby quickly helped her up.
"Chen Qing, are you alright?"
Shen Qing pushed the person away and ran outside.
She ran out of the auditorium and into the night.
The cold wind blowing on her face made her realize that she was crying.
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
She lost.
We lost completely.
Inside the auditorium, Lu Jingyan was still speaking.
"All of Comrade Gao Jianjun's belongings have been recovered and will be returned to his family."
He turned around and looked at a certain spot in the audience.
Li Xiue sat there, tears streaming down her face.
Lu Jingyan saluted her.
Li Xiu'e stood up and returned the greeting, trembling.
The applause rang out again.
This time it's for Gao Jianjun, and for those soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
Su Wantang stood on the stage, looking at the people below.
Looking at Old Chen, looking at Old Master Lu, looking at Lu Zhenguo and Meng Wan.
Looking at the soldiers who were moved by her dance.
She took a deep breath.
She won this round.
Lu Jingyan walked to her side and extended his hand.
Su Wantang placed her hand in his palm.
The two walked off the stage together.
The people below the stage automatically made way for them.
All eyes were on them.
There was admiration, curiosity, and envy in their eyes.
Lu Jingyan held her hand and walked back to the first row.
The old man looked at them, his eyes full of smiles.
"Okay, all is well."
Meng Wan grabbed Su Wantang's hand.
"Wantang, you danced so well."
Su Wantang smiled: "Thank you, Mom. It's all thanks to your excellent teaching."
Old Chen also came over and patted her on the shoulder.
"Your mother would be very proud to see you like this today."
Su Wantang's eyes felt a little hot.
"Thank you, Grandpa Chen."
The performance continues.
But everyone knows who the real protagonist is tonight.
Not the overly forceful Shen Qing.
Instead, it was Su Wantang who captivated the entire audience with a Kunqu opera performance.
......
The news spread throughout the compound the day after the performance ended.
Shen Qing was transferred to a frontier outpost without even having time to pack her things.
Shen Weimin was placed under quarantine for investigation, and all the nannies and orderly in his household were dismissed.
The once grand Shen family mansion became deserted overnight.
Li Xiue sat in the courtyard of No. 1 Courtyard, listening to Wang Ma talk about this matter, and stopped doing her needlework.
“This is retribution,” she said, her eyes a little red. “If Jianjun is watching from heaven, he can rest in peace.”
Su Wantang brought out a cup of hot tea from inside the house and handed it to her.
"Sister-in-law, have some water."
Li Xiue took the teacup, held it in her hand, but didn't drink it.
“Sister, I dreamt about Jianjun last night.” Her voice was a little choked up. “He was wearing a military uniform, smiling at me, saying he was fine and that I shouldn’t worry.”
Su Wantang sat down next to her and patted the back of her hand.
“Brother Jianjun is relieved to know that you are doing well.”
Li Xiue nodded, tears falling down her face.
"I just miss him..."
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