Chapter 561 Opera Troupe
On the day when Dong Lanxin's coffin was buried in the imperial mausoleum, everyone in and outside the capital wore mourning clothes.
Yan Ning finally knelt before the coffin and kowtowed heavily, tears in her eyes.
Where no one could see, a layer of gloom floated in the tender eyes of the eight-year-old prince.
The truth behind the queen's death was revealed, and the news was finally announced to the world, quickly spreading to every inch of Daliang.
The whole country mourns.
…
In a village in the northwest, the first snow of the year is falling.
Master Qian and his disciples packed up the equipment needed for setting up the stage, such as tiger-head plaques, dragon and phoenix flags, unsharpened swords and halberds... and folded them one by one and put them into a wooden box.
The group returned to the courtyard in the village where they were temporarily staying.
A handsome man in coarse linen clothes was fetching water. When he saw them coming back, he nodded slightly to Mr. Qian.
Mr. Qian's youngest son appeared from behind his father, wearing a thick winter hat and holding two prop knives in his hands. He did four or five backflips like a little monkey and came in front of the handsome man.
"Brother Xiao, your injury hasn't healed yet, I can do this kind of work!"
"It's okay." Xiao Yuan pulled the bucket out of the well and smiled faintly at Qian Xiaotong.
Qian Xiaotong didn't insist and continued practicing somersaults in the yard with a smile on his face.
Troupe leader Qian walked up to Xiao Yuan and complained that the troupe had found him by the river and had gone to great lengths to bring him back from the brink of death, so he had to take good care of his injuries so as not to let everyone down.
Xiao Yuan knew that this troupe was originally going to the capital, but because they found him on the road and wanted to treat his injuries, they temporarily came to this village to settle down. They sang for two days but did not make any money.
At this time, Qian Xiaotong was doing somersaults beside Xiao Yuan, but unexpectedly the ground was frozen and his feet slipped.
Xiao Yuan was quick to act. He grabbed his clothes and dropped him to the ground steadily.
When everyone in the troupe saw this scene, they looked at Xiao Yuan with some surprise.
Qian Xiaotong was a little adoring, his eyes shining.
"Brother Xiao, you know Kung Fu? Then can you use a knife?"
Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment, nodded slightly, and the next second the unsharpened knife was stuffed into his hand.
Xiao Yuan's injuries had recovered by 70% to 80%, and he saw Qian Xiaotong looking at him with burning eyes.
The gaze of a seven or eight-year-old child made him think of Yan Ning.
Xiao Yuan's heart moved, his eyes softened a little, and he made a few simple chopping movements.
The moves are simple, but elegant, neat and imposing.
Everyday the troupe members practiced the postures for stage performances, which looked fancy, but no one had ever actually chopped anyone down.
Seeing Xiao Yuan's posture, everyone was stunned.
Even Boss Qian was a little surprised.
Dinner was ready and more than a dozen people gathered together, it was very lively.
Boss Qian came up to Xiao Yuan with a bowl in his hand and asked, "Little brother, your injury seems to be almost healed. Have you thought about where you are going in the future?"
Xiao Yuan's expression darkened and he shook his head slowly.
He didn't expect that he was so lucky that he didn't drown in the river.
But even if I survive... I'm afraid I'll never be able to return to the capital.
Boss Qian was somewhat pleased. "From the few moves you showed us just now, we can tell that you must be a martial artist. We, the wanderers, don't care what you've been through in the past, but if you want to make a living, why don't you follow us from now on? How about that?"
Xiao Yuan didn't say anything, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your agreement!" Boss Qian laughed and patted Xiao Yuan on the shoulder. They were so familiar with each other that they seemed like a family.
Qian Xiaotong was even happier than him and said:
"That's great. Brother Xiao can go to the capital with us. I haven't even seen the houses in the capital yet!"
"Why go to the capital? Didn't you hear from the people who came back from outside today that something happened in the capital?" A fat man said vaguely while eating.
Xiao Yuan looked up subconsciously, and Qian Xiaotong asked curiously.
The man wiped his mouth and said:
"The Queen has passed away. For three months, the capital is forbidden to set up stages for performances. If you go to the capital now, you will be out in the cold..."
With a "bang", Xiao Yuan's bowl fell to the ground.
…
Two years have passed in a flash. The spring breeze once again blows through the streets of the capital, and the willow trees are sprouting new buds, as if nothing has changed.
However, the hustle and bustle in the streets is no longer the same as before. People on the streets mostly talk about the cabinet's implementation and the emperor's wise decisions.
After the morning court session, the ministers gathered in groups of two or three to discuss the details of the cabinet system. The debates and oppositions from two years ago had long since disappeared, and now there was more anxiety and expectation.
The cabinet is only in its infancy now, and the candidates for the cabinet have not yet been finalized. This is also the most worrying thing in the minds of the ministers at this moment.
Once you enter the cabinet, you will be a close minister to the emperor, and your every word and action can reach the emperor's ears directly.
It would be good if we could know in advance the candidate that Your Majesty favors and make some advance visits.
…
As soon as Yan Xiuyun stepped into Changyu Palace, he heard the sound of two children reading aloud.
Under the peach tree, two tables were facing each other. Yan Ning and Yan Jing sat on each side, taking turns reciting books.
The two children have grown a lot taller. Yan Jing just celebrated his seventh birthday, and his eyes and eyebrows can already show some of Qin Yuwei's graceful beauty.
Yan Ning spoke even less and was serious, but he had the demeanor of a crown prince.
Yan Xiuyun smiled faintly, did not disturb him, and went straight into the bedroom.
Qin Yuwei knew he was coming and prepared medicinal food early. After Yan Xiuyun sat down, she asked with concern:
"I heard a few days ago that the Imperial Hospital changed the prescription for treatment. Your Majesty, do you think it is better than before?"
Yan Xiuyun smiled, her lips looked a little pale.
He knew his physical condition himself, and the Imperial Hospital had gathered together many of the best doctors in the world, and had barely managed to keep him alive for the past two years.
If you take good rest, you may be able to extend your life by a few more years.
But as an emperor, he holds the hopes of millions of people on his shoulders, so how dare he slack off for even a single day?
Yan Xiuyun avoided the topic and said to Qin Yuwei:
"I came here today because I want to discuss something with you."
Yan Xiuyun paused for a moment, looked at the pair of extremely beautiful eyes, and said solemnly:
"Now that the throne is vacant, I have decided to make you the queen."
Qin Yuwei couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly, not very surprised, just a little "fearful" said:
"Your Majesty, every dynasty has chosen a suitable woman as the empress from among the important officials of the previous dynasty or from aristocratic families.
I am of humble origin, and I am afraid that... it will be difficult for me to convince others."
"You don't have to worry. I have already shut up those old ministers of the previous dynasty."
Yan Xiuyun glanced outside.
"Ning'er is the crown prince of Daliang, the future heir apparent. You are his mother, so there is nothing wrong with making you the queen.
Besides, apart from you, I really can’t trust anyone else in the harem now.”
Qin Yuwei stood up and saluted, "I thank you."
Yan Xiuyun said that she was going back to the study room as she had some things to deal with. As for the preparations for the ceremony of conferring the title of Queen, the Ministry of Rites had already started to handle them.
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