Chapter 142 Opera Troupe
At that time, she was taken out by Yuan to watch operas, and she was often praised by the ladies who accompanied her for being well-behaved and sensible. Because she showed her face in front of the ladies, Yuan liked to take the little girl out to watch operas for a long time.
This was the only time Cui Qingyi did not mind traveling with Yuan, because the other party's mind was not completely focused on her. In most cases, she would place Cui Qingyi on a chair, ask the old woman or maid to look after her, and she would walk among the ladies and socialize.
After the relationship was well established, Yuan would reluctantly take Cui Qingyi back home and praise her, "Be so well behaved next time. Don't embarrass the Cui family in front of outsiders."
Every time at this time, Cui Qingyi would nod obediently, because she also wanted to go out to watch a play. Compared to staying in the Cui family's small courtyard, even listening to the humming opera and enduring the long wait became more interesting.
Over time, Cui Qingyi went from not understanding what was being said at first to being able to understand it clearly and even hum a few lines along with the tune.
For her, drama is no longer just a tool to pass the time. She can immerse herself in it and feel the world of drama.
Perhaps it was because the environment was different, or perhaps it was because the people watching the show with her were different, Cui Qingyi did not just watch the show quietly. She ate the dried fruits on the table and exchanged a few words with Fan Hui beside her from time to time.
Of course, most of the audience do this, so it’s not out of place for them to do so.
In the next few days, Cui Qingyi took Konjac to other places to listen to operas. Even during the New Year, not all opera troupes had good business.
For example, when Cui Qingyi went to Fanjiazhuang to listen to this performance, Fan Hui knew that Cui Qingyi had recently become obsessed with listening to operas, and when she knew that there was an opera troupe setting up a stage in Fanjiazhuang, she invited Cui Qingyi to go with them.
As soon as she sat down in the audience, Cui Qingyi realized the difference between the Jiang family troupe and other opera troupes. No matter what form of opera, it should first bring people a joyful atmosphere, but the Jiang family troupe exuded a sense of dejection from the inside out, and the tune of the drums and music was a bit low.
No wonder they didn’t dare to go to the city and could only set up a stage to perform in a nearby village.
Cui Qingyi watched several plays seriously and waited for them to end, then she went backstage to the troupe.
She arrived at an untimely moment. Several actors who had just come on stage and hadn't even taken off their costumes were arguing about something. Cui Qingyi didn't want to listen, so she coughed lightly in the corner.
The arguing inside suddenly stopped. A short while later, a young girl came out and asked quietly, "Which actor would you like to see? I'll go and invite him right away."
This is treating Cui Qingyi as a drama fan.
Cui Qingyi smiled and shook her head. "Excuse me, is the troupe owner here? I'm expecting a baby in my family soon, and I'd like to invite a troupe to entertain us for a few days."
The little girl's eyes lit up and she nodded hurriedly, "The boss is here, please follow me, sir." It seems that the Jiang family troupe is quite lucky, and they can even meet a noble person in this village.
Cui Qingyi stepped forward to catch up. No one knew what had happened to the troupe. Apart from the previous argument, there was no life in the backstage at all.
Jiang Bailing was sitting behind the stage sulking, his aura even gloomier than the winter sky that was about to snow.
The little girl didn't care whether her troupe owner was in a good mood or not, she ran over happily, "Troop owner, a guest wants to invite us to perform at his house, come and take a look."
Cui Qingyi stood there and did not move forward. She waited for Jiang Bailing to turn around and look at her before smiling at her.
Jiang Bailing had never expected to meet a distinguished person in this farm who wanted to invite her Jiang family troupe to perform. She hurriedly stood up, tidied her clothes, and walked towards Cui Qingyi.
Jiang Bailing has been going out to theaters since he was a child. During the heyday of the Jiang family troupe, he had met many dignitaries.
Cui Qingyi went out today wearing a fur cape made by Konjac herself. The red fur collar made her lips and teeth look red and white, making her look very noble.
Jiang Bailing suddenly began to doubt herself. Could it be that she was wrong? Even though several mainstays of their Jiang family troupe had passed away, the remaining ones were not that bad at singing. Otherwise, why would an important person invite them to sing in his mansion?
Jiang Bailing approached Cui Qingyi and bowed to her like the old boss did before. Then he said in a mature and experienced manner:
"My lord, I am Jiang Bailing, the owner of the Jiang Family Troupe. May I ask where your residence is located, and how long will it take to set up the stage? The Chinese New Year is coming up, and we are busy performing all over the place. If we take too long, I'm afraid it will delay the Chinese New Year..."
Cui Qingyi listened to her quietly before saying, "Excuse me for being blunt, but I'm afraid your troupe won't get any business during the New Year holidays."
Jiang Bailing was stunned by Cui Qingyi's words, and then subconsciously wanted to get angry, but the person who said such hurtful words had a calm face without any malice or sarcasm. She seemed more like she was stating a fact.
Jiang Bailing's anger was stuck in her chest, unable to escape. She took a deep breath and tried her best to control her temper.
"What are you talking about, sir? Our Jiang family troupe performs everywhere all year round, so naturally we set up a stage wherever we go." At worst, they can just sing on the streets, and there will always be people to support them.
Cui Qingyi raised her hand and pointed at the messy backstage. "The morale of your troupe has been dispersed. Once the morale is dispersed, it will be difficult to gather it again."
When someone pointed out the current problems of the Jiang family, a look of surprise flashed across Jiang Bailing's face.
The Jiang family troupe was in a state of disarray. All the powerful actors had gone elsewhere, and most of those left except her were apprentices who had not yet completed their apprenticeship. She and these people were now struggling to make ends meet, unable to even fill their stomachs. How could they be united?
But can she tell this to others? Can others care about it?
Cui Qingyi didn't continue to say anything that would hurt her heart. She had been listening to operas for so long just to find a suitable troupe to cooperate with. After searching for a long time, only the Jiang family troupe met her requirements.
She first showed her sincerity and tried her best to persuade the Jiang family troupe to stay and perform in her teahouse.
"Would you like to stay in Dongping County with your opera troupe? I have opened a teahouse in Dongping County and I'm in need of a troupe to perform on stage.
I have many newly-arranged plays here, which I guarantee are unique in the entire Dongping County and even Qinghe County.
Instead of going out to explore the world with these young children, why don't you stay in Dongping County for a while? I can provide you with a stable living environment. How about you leave when you have enough experience and want to explore the world?"
Cui Qingyi's straightforward words once again made Jiang Bailing's eyes widen, but her first reaction was not joy but vigilance.
Their troupe has nothing left, and the only valuable people left are them. What is this man thinking in coming to them for no reason?
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