At this moment, everyone gradually became attracted to the play on stage. At first, none of them could understand it. But Lanqin naturally understood it. In her previous life, she often went to see plays. She never expected that after traveling back to the Qing Dynasty three hundred years ago, she could see a group of ancient people dressed in Qing Dynasty costumes and with crescent-shaped haircuts performing Western plays. It was really too exciting. Lanqin watched the amazing Mu Family Troupe perform a love triangle play with great excitement, while explaining the characteristics of Western plays to Fourth Master and the others.
As the plot unfolded, the people below gradually became engrossed, even starting to whisper about it. Only Liu Shi remained, feeling as if she were pinned to the spot! Her hand rested on her stomach, while her other hand, hidden by the wide horseshoe sleeve, was clutching a handkerchief, almost crushing it to pieces.
Why hasn't anyone reported it yet? Why hasn't anyone said they've found the stolen package? Is he lying to me? Liu stared intently at the familiar figure on the stage, incredulous yet with a deep premonition…
Sure enough, when the scene reached the point where the woman was unfaithful and constantly sowed discord between the two brothers, but in the end she didn't choose either of them and instead married a wealthy man, the people sitting below started to gossip.
"This woman is utterly disgraceful! How can there be such a woman in the world?" Old Madam Song said to the two little girls. "One cannot be so fickle and shameless, you know?"
"Hmm, no one would like a woman like that!" Namin said, seemingly enlightened. Even a six-year-old girl understood it, which shows that Mu Qingyang and the others acted in a very accessible way.
“If you ask me, those two men are incredibly foolish. How could they be so easily deceived by such a shameless woman?” Ushiha said.
"Is this woman a bad person?" Bechuk muttered.
Lanqin overheard the three girls whispering and couldn't help but smile, saying, "Master, what do you think of this kind of play? How does it compare to our Peking Opera?"
The Fourth Master pondered for a moment and said, "This kind of Western opera is easy to understand and can teach people some principles. It's easier than Peking Opera, doesn't require as many musical instruments, and the scenery is much simpler. It's a good way to educate and entertain, and to share joy with the people. However, artistically, it's not as refined and charming as our Peking Opera..."
"..." Lanqin's heart skipped a beat. "As expected of a prince, he can come up with so many insights after seeing so little..."
"Does the master like watching it? Just now the master said that it can be enjoyed by the people and can be used for education. So, can we train more people to perform such magic tricks in the future?" Lanqin suddenly remembered something. Being stuck in the inner courtyard every day was really boring. Why not find a few people to perform plays for fun and pass the time?
"If Qin'er likes it, of course she can," Fourth Master said with a smile. He had no idea what this little woman was up to this time.
Nothing that Liu had hoped for happened until the play was over. Cuizhu had returned, carrying a cloak, and walked behind Liu.
"That's enough for today. The Mu Family Troupe performed well, reward them!" Fourth Master said again, offering them a reward.
Mu Qingyang led his fellow disciples to the front of the stage to take their bows to Fourth Master and the others, a gesture also in the Western style. Lanqin explained to Fourth Master the origins, development, and changes of Western opera.
Old Madam Song was nagging the children, insisting that they go to Changchun Immortal Hall to play. Madam Song and Madam Wu were discussing whether to hold another performance at Madam Song's place, with the Mu family troupe performing. Since they had nothing else to do all day, they figured they might as well spend time together and have some fun.
Fucha glanced at Mu Qingyang on the platform, a cold smile forming on her lips. Then she looked at Liu, whose face was deathly pale, and a few glints flashed in her eyes.
Liu, supporting Cuizhu's hand, almost fell over. Looking at Cuizhu's pale face, she knew that they must not have found the thing, or that something had gone wrong!
"Princess Liu, you look unwell all of a sudden. Have you had a miscarriage?" Lanqin asked with concern, noticing Liu's pale complexion. However, Liu didn't seem to notice; instead, she felt Lanqin was deliberately asking to draw attention to her. At that moment, she was terrified by a secret she held dear and desperately didn't want anyone to see it.
"No, it's nothing, I guess I just sat for too long," Liu said quickly, bowing her head.
"Su Peisheng, immediately go and have someone bring over a sedan chair to take Princess Liu back," the Fourth Master said.
Lanqin nodded. She had thought the same thing just now, and she could tell that Liu's expression was indeed very bad.
"Thank you for your consideration, sir!" Liu was even more embarrassed to look up and let anyone see the expression on her face.
After exchanging greetings with Fourth Master Lanqin, Madam Song chatted with the three young girls for a while before returning to Changchun Immortal Hall with Madam Song. Madam Wu took Namin with her to Wuling Spring Colors, and Madam Fucha also curtsied and took her leave, leaving only Madam Liu, Fourth Master, Lanqin, and others.
After Su Peisheng summoned the palanquin bearers, Liu Shi boarded the palanquin with Cuizhu's help.
Lanqin looked at the Fourth Master and said, "If you are worried, then go and see her. I think Liu Shi has had another miscarriage. It seems she should stay home more in the future."
Fourth Master glanced at Lanqin, pinched her cheek, and said, "You're not good at being a virtuous and generous mistress. Why are you pushing me away?"
Lanqin rolled her eyes at Fourth Master and said, "I was just afraid that you wanted to go, but you were too embarrassed to say it!"
Fourth Master grabbed Lanqin's hand and said, "If the pregnancy is threatened, a doctor will take care of it. I'm just standing there, which will only delay her. Let's go back to Wan'an Fanghe."
The two little girls smiled as they watched their father and mother showing affection in front of them.
Lanqin flung away Fourth Master's hand and said, "Wuxiha, Bechuk, today's play teaches us that one must be virtuous and have no morals, especially a woman. Otherwise, she will only be despised and will not have a good ending."
“Mother, you said that the woman in the play eventually married a rich man. Logically, she should have achieved her goal, so how could she have a bad ending?” Ushiha asked.
"She only feels that she has temporarily achieved her goal, but marrying a rich man means becoming a concubine. If she encounters a fierce mistress, her future will not be easy. In addition, given this woman's character, she will likely bring trouble upon herself. Therefore, her outcome is unlikely to be good," Fourth Master added.
“Oh, does Ama mean that one must be of high moral character and not do anything immoral, otherwise one will be punished sooner or later?” Ushiha asked.
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