"But I can control his puppets." Ji Shuhe said, looking at the three of them with worried expressions. "My magical artifact is on par with his, and it should be able to hold out for a while. You can use that time to find his weakness."
That's all we can do now.
"Jingyao sent word that Minghuan is still in Nanyu City." Upon receiving Jingyao's message, Lou Mu quickly informed Tang Nian.
Tang Nian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The moment the sun fully rose and sunlight streamed into the room, the once quiet city suddenly became lively.
The group was startled by the sudden noise and quickly got up.
Tang Nian opened the window, and the street outside was full of vendors and people rushing to the market.
Lou Mu opened the door wide, walked into the corridor and looked down. The lobby on the first floor was full of people dining, and waiters kept moving between the tables.
It's as if nothing ever happened.
Even the opera house that was burned down yesterday still stands there intact.
"Is this an illusion?"
The group looked at each other, and finally shook their heads.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the wooden door of the inn.
The innkeeper, carrying an exquisite invitation, said in a low voice, "This was sent by Young Master Wangshu, who specifically requested that Miss Tang sign for it."
Tang Nian accepted the invitation, frowned slightly, but still politely saw the shopkeeper off.
She opened the invitation, which stated that only Tang Nian was invited to attend.
Lou Mu stood to the side, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "Are you really going?"
"Do I have any other choice now?"
The group could only watch helplessly as Tang Nian left the inn and headed to the theater alone.
The area in front of the opera house was familiarly crowded with people. Tang Nian wasn't in a hurry and joined the last person in line.
Suddenly, someone patted Tang Nian on the shoulder.
Tang Nian turned her head and saw a rich young man she didn't recognize looking her up and down.
His eyes gleamed with lust, and a wicked smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Young lady, you can't enter this theater without an invitation."
She gave the spoiled brat a cold glance.
Although it was most likely a puppet, Tang Nian still dared not gamble.
Just as she was about to speak, the other person grabbed her wrist.
A smug look appeared on his face, and he chuckled softly, "You're quite pretty, why don't you come with me and become my bed warmer? I'll take you to the theater."
A flash of anger crossed the female protagonist's eyes. She suddenly raised her hand and delivered two crisp slaps to the纨绔子弟 (a spoiled, dissolute young man).
The young master was stunned by the beating, then became enraged and reached out to attack the woman. His servant behind him was also eager to join in.
"stop!"
As the voice faded, a figure emerged from the opera house; it was Wang Shu.
His gaze was piercing, and his imposing presence shattered the wealthy young master's aura.
He bowed respectfully to Wang Shu, ignoring Tang Nian beside Wang Shu: "So you are a distinguished guest of Young Master Wang Shu. I have been disrespectful."
Tang Nian stared at Wang Shu in shock.
Even though Wang Shu had turned to ashes before dawn, he now appeared before her more like a living person than before.
"you……"
"Miss Tang, please."
Wang Shu led Tang Nian into the theater and arranged for her to sit in the first row.
The theater was bustling with noise, and the opera began after everyone was seated.
Tang Nian was surprised by the play Wang Shu chose—it was a tragic story about two sisters from the common people.
They're not going to act in Song Shiyi's story anymore?
Tang Nian dared not relax.
On the stage, the two sisters shared a deep bond, but fate led them down different paths.
The younger sister fell in love with a man, unaware that the man only had eyes for his older sister.
In order to get a man, the younger sister killed her own older sister with her own hands.
Watching the two sisters constantly pulling at each other on stage, Tang Nian felt a sense of unease.
The familiar drumbeats sounded, but Tang Nian's mind was clearer than ever before.
Fortunately, the beads Lou Mu gave her worked, otherwise she would have been deceived again.
Before she could think much about it, just as the play reached its climax, Wang Shu's face on stage suddenly transformed into her own.
He reached out his hand on stage, inviting Tang Nian to come up and perform with him.
The audience members sitting next to Tang Nian were all staring intently at her, as if they would tear her apart if she dared to refuse.
She suppressed her discomfort but had no choice but to bite the bullet and go on stage.
However, after going on stage, she did the opposite and insisted on playing the role of her younger sister, successfully turning the tide of the plot.
Wang Shu was clearly not prepared for Tang Nian's actions, and his performance faltered slightly, a crack appearing in his otherwise perfect expression.
Tang Nian remained unmoved and continued to follow her own ideas.
The more she acted out the scene, the more alarmed she became.
The main characters in the opera seem to be the two Ye sisters.
In the original song, Ye Liunian falls in love with a young master, but that young master only has Ye Liusi in his heart.
Ye Liusi is aloof and doesn't compete or fight for anything, while Ye Liunian will stop at nothing to get this man.
She killed her sister and took her place.
From then on, Ye Liunian ceased to exist in the world; only Ye Liunian disguised himself as Ye Liusi.
In order to seek revenge, Ye Liusi found the masked man, signed a contract, and became a puppet in human skin under his control.
So, all of this makes sense.
Tang Nian took a deep breath and subtly changed the ending for the two characters in the play.
Since the outcome is already set in real life, let's give the two sisters a perfect ending in the play.
Tang Nian already had the answer in her heart, although she still didn't know why Ji Jingyu wanted her to know these things.
But she did not hesitate. At the moment the opera ended, she suddenly subdued Wang Shu.
She lifted the human skin mask, revealing the true face of the puppet inside.
Looking at the empty, lifeless wooden puppet, Tang Nian felt a ripple in her heart.
In that empty gaze, she seemed to glimpse a remnant of Wang Shu's rationality.
Desiring to see the real Wang Shu whom she had met in her dream that day, Tang Nian decided to take a gamble.
She bit her fingertip, and blood dripped onto the ground.
She smeared the blood inside the puppet's eye sockets and gently closed her eyes.
When she opened her eyes again, the puppet in front of her had transformed back into Wang Shu.
Wang Shu was smiling gently at her.
"You are very smart and capable. Unfortunately, I won't live to see you arrive."
Although Wang Shu felt regretful, the smile on her face remained unchanged.
"I have never regretted leaving the capital and coming to Jingning to take over this opera house. It has shaped my life."
"But my conscience is always bothered by my years of aiding and abetting evil. Fortunately, Miss Tang was able to release my remaining soul, giving me a chance to atone for my sins."
He stretched his arms and legs and couldn't help but exclaim, "It feels so good to be free from constraints."
"Let's go. While I can still do something for you, I'll take you to see the secrets of the theater."
Tang Nian looked at the back of the gentle and refined man in front of her, and her eyes felt a little sore.
She nodded and followed.
The two arrived at the depths of the opera house, and Wang Shu pushed open a large door.
"Miss Tang, this way please."
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