Chapter 309 Opera
In the palace, the women admired the flowers, and some went out to play. The palace had never invited anyone else since it was renovated. Because Su Qingwan was born in Huainan and loved peonies, the palace specially built two peony gardens. Although it was not the peony season, many precious peonies were still cultivated. The courtyards all had Huainan style, quiet and elegant, different from the heavy and grand style of the palace in the capital. They were as soft as water and very gorgeous, pleasing to the eye, and others could also see the regent's care for the princess.
There were many female relatives and many topics to talk about. Although the Marquis's wife and Mrs. Chen intended to guide public opinion, the female relatives were guests in the palace and would not dare to say anything in front of Su Qingwan. However, they talked about her and Lu Jing's scandal behind her back without restraint. The matter between Li Xueying and Lu Feng was also brought up and became a topic of conversation after dinner. They talked about it with great relish.
Several girls from the Lu family were very angry. Others were talking about Su Qingwan, Lu Jing, and Lu Feng, and putting such charges on them would ruin the reputation of the Lu family. Although they had expected this, they did not expect it would be so uncomfortable to actually hear the dirty words.
Especially since Su Qingwan did not invite the women from the Anping Marquis's Mansion, the entire Kyoto ignored the Anping Marquis's Mansion, and public opinion became even more outrageous and could not be stopped.
Lunch was held in the outdoor garden, and it was not a buffet. The garden was large, and dozens of tables could be set up without being crowded. Su Qingwan smiled and picked up the wine glass, first toasting everyone who had the honor to attend the banquet, and then humbly said that it was the first time she had hosted such a large banquet, and if there were any shortcomings, she hoped that the ladies and girls would forgive her.
How could anyone dare to really blame the host? Besides, Su Qingwan had done a great job, so it was hard for others to criticize her. Su Qingwan said, "In order for all the ladies and girls to have fun in the mansion, I have also arranged a drama. You can enjoy it while you dine. This drama originated in Huainan and is well-known to every household. I hope you will like it."
This opera is not of the Kyoto style. There are many types of opera in Dayuan, including those from Kyoto, Jiangnan, and Northwest, each with its own merits. Kyoto is located at the foot of the emperor, the most prosperous place, with the most complete categories of opera. Whether it is from the Northwest or Huainan, famous opera troupes are invited to perform in various prefectures, and they are all familiar with the choreographed repertoires.
Several ladies felt that Su Qingwan was inexperienced as she actually set up a stage during a meal, which was inappropriate. Most people would arrange opera programs after the banquet while chatting.
"Perhaps it's the style of Huainan. The princess doesn't know the customs of the capital. Although it's a little indecent, it's harmless."
"People from the border areas are ignorant. Oh, she is not from the border areas. She was raised in Jiangnan and has hosted banquets in the Lu family for several years. How could she make such a big mistake?"
"A merchant's daughter is a merchant's daughter. Even if she is given the identity of the Princess of Huainan, she is not presentable. She doesn't talk while eating or sleeping. Who would watch opera while eating? It's really ridiculous."
They only dared to talk in a low voice, for fear that Su Qingwan would hear.
The drama began.
Su Qingwan was sitting at the main table, very close to the stage, eating calmly and watching the performance.
This is a famous opera troupe in Beijing. They have arranged a new story. A scholar who was going to Beijing to take the imperial examination passed by a town and met a young lady. The two promised to be together forever. The scholar went to Beijing to take the imperial examination. Two years passed, and the scholar never returned to the city. The young lady was anxious and went to Beijing secretly to find her lover. She never expected to see her lover walking with a woman who looked similar to her. The young lady was heartbroken and asked the young man why he changed his mind. The young man shouted that he was wronged and said that she was his eldest sister-in-law.
The scholar passed the imperial examination and rose to prominence, but he never went back to find the young lady. It was not because he was unfaithful, but because he had an old mother and a widowed sister-in-law to take care of at home. The widowed sister-in-law looked similar to the young lady. If he married the young lady, he was afraid that others would gossip about him and his elder sister-in-law and the young lady's reputation would be ruined. The young lady was heartbroken, and the two said goodbye and returned to their hometown. Two years later, the scholar's elder sister-in-law passed away, and the scholar was exiled to the young lady's city, where he reunited with the young lady and their old love rekindled. After leaving Kyoto, no one knew their past story. The scholar and the young lady broke through the secular prejudice and got married.
With the help of the young lady, the scholar rose to higher positions and returned to Kyoto. However, rumors spread that the scholar and his eldest sister-in-law had committed adultery. The scholar had been an official of the fifth rank and had the support of the prime minister. He used his power to arrest all those who spread the rumors about them, threw them into prison, tortured them to death, and even framed their family with false charges, executed the entire family, and blood flowed like a river.
Dear guests, "..."
Ning Yuanhou had never expected that Su Qingwan would arrange such a play, nor did he know when she asked the troupe to rehearse it. The play was not rehearsed very well, but the plot was too explosive, and it was different from the popular love stories in the capital.
In the capital, it is popular to watch operas about the happy marriage of a scholar and a lady. No one likes to watch bloody, dark and overly explicit operas.
This was clearly a warning to the guests that if anyone dared to say a word more or spread rumors, that would mean they wanted to die. It would be fine if they wanted to die themselves, but they should not implicate their families and have their property confiscated and their clan exterminated.
Absolutely!
It’s amazing!
Those who were talking behind the scenes broke out in cold sweats and the show became completely silent. At the beginning of the show, when it got to the lively part, some people were clapping, talking, and saying they liked the new plot.
The more they watched, the more complicated the matter seemed. The guests who had been discussing suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked at Su Qingwan.
Su Qingwan was calm and collected, raising her glass, "The play was well-rehearsed, are you satisfied with it?"
She has a beautiful face, her smile is more gorgeous than the flowers in bloom in the garden, her eyes are gentle, and there is a peaceful and indifferent atmosphere, but the stage is full of blood and gore.
It was difficult for them to associate the harmless princess with this opera; it seemed so abrupt and scary.
"What a great show! The capital has been filled with love dramas for many years, and finally a fresh play has been released. I really enjoyed watching it!" Madam Chen was the first to show her support, breaking the eerie silence.
No one else dared to speak and could only smile apologetically, especially the group of people who had talked about Su Qingwan, they all broke out in cold sweat.
The banquet was not over yet. Li Xueying's childhood friend Miss Fang was holding a glass of wine, her hands were shaking, and she said stubbornly, "I don't believe she really dares to kill people. Even if she is the regent princess, she can't kill people at will. Besides, we are telling the truth."
Xinyue sneered, "Then why don't you shout louder? Do you want me to help you shout?"
Miss Fang pursed her lips, unconvinced, "Why are you speaking for her? Don't you hate her too?"
"What does it have to do with you?" Xinyue sneered, "I advise you not to be so stubborn. Your hands are shaking so much that you can't even hold the wine steady. It's embarrassing!"
Miss Fang put down her wine glass indignantly and really didn't dare to speak.
No matter what, Su Qingwan stunned all the guests present. She didn't have to explain herself in words. She only needed a little drama to scare everyone.
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