Boss Huang knew that the scene was too big and Xiaoyu was suddenly panicked.

In fact, generally speaking, actors have strong psychological endurance, especially in the opera world, where they face countless dignitaries every day.

But the reputation of the opera house is so great, and everyone is used to the feeling of a full house.

Suddenly, the largest theater in Liyuan was booked out. Only the actors who often went to Liyuan could clearly feel this shock.

This also caused Xiaoyu to be a little confused when she first appeared.

Boss Huang was very anxious. Anyone who knew a little about drama knew that the performance had gone wrong from the beginning. However, Zhu Ying, who was sitting in the private room, did not feel much.

He has little interest in opera. After all, after all, with so much internet bombardment in later generations, most people don't know how to appreciate a classical art form like opera.

In his previous life, when Zhu Ying was watching short videos, he couldn't take his eyes off the dancing girl.

It’s not that the opera is bad, it’s just that the guy is too provocative.

Zhu Ying looked carefully at Xiaoyu on the stage, but she did not feel much disturbed.

Modern opera emphasizes thick ink and oil paint, and once the makeup is applied, the original appearance is completely invisible.

Most facial makeups have relatively fixed features, and only those who frequently listen to operas can understand them.

On the stage, Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, then she reacted immediately. However, it was impossible to start over at this time, so she had to continue.

The Moon-Baiyue Pavilion, also known as Wang Ruilan's Boudoir-Waiting-Moon-Baiyue Pavilion, was designed by Guan Hanqing in the Yuan Dynasty.

It mainly describes the joys and sorrows of marriage and love between the lady of a noble family, Wang Ruilan, and the scholar, Jiang Shilong.

Zhu Ying actually found this kind of drama quite enjoyable to watch.

The form of this Yuan Dynasty drama is very similar to a modern drama. I watched it out of boredom, but I didn't expect to finish it in one breath.

A play that can be passed down from generation to generation must have its wonderful aspects. The Liyuan Opera House gathers the best actors, and even a layman like Zhu Ying can enjoy watching it.

After the actors had left the stage, Zhu Ying finally realized that the purpose of his visit to the Liyuan Opera House was to reform the Eastern Palace.

Then he casually asked Song Zhong who was standing next to him, "When you were watching the play just now, did you feel the wonder of this theater?"

Song Zhong was an old hand at watching operas, and was not unfamiliar with Liyuan. He said, "The construction of this opera house is very different from that of ordinary houses. There is a group of special people. The opera house you built with these people can make it possible for more guests to hear clearly without too much effort on the stage."

Zhu Ying looked up at the ceiling above the theater.

The ceiling is not of an ordinary building appearance, but something called a caisson. The caisson is octagonal in appearance, and it is stacked layer by layer from top to bottom. At first glance, it looks like a big trumpet.

Obviously, someone who can design this kind of decoration with a sound amplification effect must be very knowledgeable.

Ordinary people don't even have the opportunity to access such knowledge, most of it is passed down from generation to generation.

It is even possible that the person who created this thing does not know the principles behind it. It was figured out by their ancestors and later generations copied it.

"Okay, I want to rebuild the East Palace. I plan to build a large house like a stage in the main hall, with at least a thousand seats."

"When I speak in front, the effect will be better than here, and most people will be able to hear me."

"Since you know something, you can find someone and make sure you get it done."

"I want to see the rebuilt East Palace within March. Is it possible?"

Zhu Ying instructed Song Zhong.

Song Zhong didn't understand but he knew, but Song Zhong was the Jinyiwei pacification envoy.

There are many talented people in the Jinyiwei yamen, and they have close connections with all kinds of people. After all, they need a lot of intelligence, and dealing with the lower levels naturally allows them to get intelligence quickly.

"Your Highness, rest assured. I will complete the project on time and achieve a better effect than this stage." Song Zhong immediately bowed and replied.

The Jinyiwei Yamen is the confidant of His Majesty and the Crown Prince. It is their duty to share the worries of their master in all matters.

Zhu Ying stood up and prepared to return to the palace.

Guo Zhong asked at the right time: "Your Highness, are you going to go back to the palace for dinner, or come and experience the delicious food of the Liyuan? I heard that the food of the Liyuan is very good, and they hire famous chefs from all over the country."

Don’t think that this opera theater belongs to the imperial treasury, that is, it is under the name of Zhu Ying.

In fact, the industries acquired by Zhu Ying were countless.

Zhu Ying printed all his own banknotes, and now the exchange rate between silver and treasure notes is one to one. Therefore, Zhu Ying directly arranged several investment directions and plans over the years, and then handed them over to Zhang Bo to do.

Therefore, the industries controlled by the imperial treasury throughout the Ming Dynasty are so numerous that even several boxes cannot contain all the names.

In a sense, this is equivalent to the referee himself taking the stage. Not only do other businessmen have no competitive advantage at all, but even if there are talented people who understand business, they cannot resist such tremendous power.

Zhu Ying really had no idea what the opera world was like.

"Okay, now that we're here, it's time for dinner, let's make arrangements here."

"I obey your command."

Guo Zhong turned around and winked at the eunuch behind him, who immediately slowly backed away.

The steward of the front yard who was waiting outside saw the eunuch coming out and immediately said respectfully, "Eunuch, does the master inside have any arrangements?"

In front of Zhu Ying, he was just an insignificant official, but outside, it was completely different.

"Well, the master said that we will have dinner here. Go and get a portion of the best dishes here."

"And call the famous players here to play music for you, young master."

The eunuch gave the order.

The steward of the front yard bowed his waist, hesitated for a moment and asked, "I wonder if you have any comments on the actor who just went on stage."

"That Hua Dan's musical skills are also well-known in the opera world. I wonder if we can let her go."

Xiaoyu was extremely famous in the opera world. Many noble sons were bewitched by her, and many even spent huge sums of money to redeem her.

However, although Xiaoyu is an actor, her household registration is in the Jiaofangsi, which makes her very different from other actors in the folk.

Even the Jiaofangsi cannot make the decision. Although there are few people in charge of the Jiaofangsi now, it is still under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites and Ceremonies.

This is not a matter of money, it requires connections in the Ministry of Rites.

Anti-corruption is the most popular campaign in the capital right now. Even if someone is willing to do such a thing for a prostitute, the Ministry of Rites will not help.

There is no need as you have less money.

Now that I have a lot of money, I'm afraid.

Therefore, even if Xiaoyu wanted to redeem herself, she had no way to do so and had to stay in the opera house.

The Jiaofangsi first originated in the Tang Dynasty. In the beginning, it was an official group engaged in music, mainly responsible for important ceremonial performances such as royal banquets and sacrifices.

There is a line in Bai Juyi's Pipa Song: At the age of thirteen I learned to play the pipa, and was ranked first in the teaching troupe.

I'm talking about the Jiaofang.

However, a big change took place when Zhu Yuanzhang came to power.

Zhu Yuanzhang changed Jiaofang into Jiaofangsi, which was specifically used to accommodate criminal officials, prisoners of war, and their female relatives who were implicated.

After they entered the Jiaofangsi, they would be trained in music by special people, and then the place would be used as an official brothel and sold at a fixed price.

Of course, brothels and brothels are two different things.

But it also depends on price and power.

In the capital, outside Jubao Gate, there were dozens of brothels opened by the imperial court, all of which were affiliated with the Jiaofangsi. On the bank of Qinhuai River, there was the historically famous Fourteenth Floor of Huayue Chunjiang.

In fact, not all female members of the imperial family had to be sold in the Jiaofangsi.

It is divided into the entertainment register and the criminal register.

Being a musician is just a performance, but being a criminal is much more serious.

It depends on how the court convicted the person when he was implicated.

In fact, if it is not a serious mistake, even if you are implicated, you may not be charged with a crime. Most of the time, you are charged with entertainment.

However, in the eyes of outsiders, the crimes of musicians are all similar, and they are all from the Jiaofangsi.

If you can’t get it, it may be because you don’t have enough money or power.

For example, Xiaoyu was also implicated by her father, so she was sent to the Jiaofangsi when she was young.

Xiaoyu's family was considered wealthy back then, and her father had passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi.

Unfortunately, when Zhu Yuanzhang was investigating corruption, he was exiled. Xiaoyu was only in her teens at the time, so she was left in the Jiaofangsi in the capital.

The eunuch felt a little hesitant when he heard what the manager of the front yard said.

He didn't know whether the Crown Prince was interested in this actor.

But since she is also an oiran, she should be able to catch the Crown Prince's eye.

"Let's choose her and make good arrangements."

"Yes, father-in-law."

The manager of the front yard hurried to the back yard.

At this time, Mr. Huang and a group of people had already started removing their makeup.

Seeing the front yard manager coming over, Huang Banzhu hurriedly stepped forward to greet him and said, "Manager Li, I wonder if the Moon Worship Pavilion just now satisfied you, my Lord."

When asking this question, Boss Huang felt a little uneasy. He had been very nervous just now, fearing that he would be punished.

Needless to say, this person, with such power, must be a noble in the palace. From a distance, he looks relatively young, so he might be a prince or grandson of the emperor.

Just one sentence could bring an entire troupe to an end.

He knew clearly that Xiaoyu had messed up her performance at the beginning.

"The distinguished guest is quite satisfied. You performed well. Let Xiaoyu take off her makeup quickly, and we will play music to entertain the distinguished guest while he is having dinner."

Having said this, Manager Li paused slightly, then looked to both sides and found no one nearby.

He took a small step forward and whispered, "Boss Huang, tell Xiaoyu that this is an opportunity. I can't say who said this, but with just one word from him, Xiaoyu can escape from the sea of ​​suffering. When the time comes, you better be smart and seize the opportunity."

"It must be a great honor for this noble man to come here. This is the only chance. If you miss this opportunity, you will never get it again."

"Xiaoyu is already seventeen this year, and her beauty is well-known in the opera world. If she can... then she will be able to climb up the tree and become a phoenix."

Huang Banzhu said quickly: "Don't worry, sir, I will go and tell her immediately."

Xiaoyu was able to join his troupe because of Manager Li's favor, otherwise Mr. Huang would never be so polite to Xiaoyu.

Manager Li watched Boss Huang leave and sighed in his heart: Zuo Wending, Zuo Wending, this is all I can do to help.

Zuo Wending is Xiaoyu's father and also a classmate of Manager Li.

Compared to Zuo Wendi's status as a Jinshi, Manager Li was much worse. He barely got the title of Juren, and only with the help of some connections could he get a job at the Jiaofangsi.

Therefore, Manager Li has been secretly taking care of Zuo Xiaoyu over the years.

He knew that the person who came today was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was known to be fond of beautiful women, so he used his power to directly designate Mr. Huang's troupe to take over the play.

In fact, the delay in changing the makeup is also closely related to this.

There are numerous opera troupes in many opera houses, and every troupe can perform famous operas like Bai Yue Ting, so accidents like this will never happen.

After all, it was Manager Li's arrangement.

Xiaoyu is a top-card girl, but there are more than a hundred top-card girls on the 14th floor of Huayuechunjiang under the Jiaofangsi, and each of them has her own merits in beauty, so there is no question of who is better or worse.

Manager Li has worked in the Jiaofang Bureau for a long time and is well aware of the contrast in appearance. After reaching a certain level, it all depends on others.

As the saying goes, everyone has their own preferences and it is difficult to tell which is better.

In the backyard.

Boss Huang told Xiaoyu everything that Manager Li had just said.

Then he hesitated for a moment, fearing that Xiaoyu would not take it seriously, and added: "This is what Manager Li told me to do."

"Uncle Li?"

Xiaoyu paused, and then replied: "Xiaoyu is a lowly person, so it is inconvenient for me to meet Uncle Li. Please ask the class owner to thank me on my behalf."

When Xiaoyu heard that it was Uncle Li who delivered the message and thought about what happened in the theater today, how could she not understand what was going on today.

He gritted his teeth and turned to Xiaoyu and said, "Change your clothes."

…

Liyuan Villa.

Strictly speaking, this is not the opera house, but the backyard of the restaurant next to it.

It's just a combination so that the distinguished guests from the Liyuan can also have a place to dine.

The garden style of Jiangnan courtyard.

The small bridge, flowing water, rockery, and a faint mist rising nearby clearly show that a lot of effort was put into the design.

Compared with the grandeur of the palace, this place has a bit more gentleness.

Meals are not eaten in the house, but in a pavilion beside the bamboo forest and flowing water, which has a certain literary and artistic flavor.

"Your Highness, the woman who plays music to entertain the audience is here. Can you let her in?" Guo Zhong asked in a low voice.

Zhu Ying nodded: "Okay, let her play a song."

The eunuch hurried to summon him.

Not long after, Xiaoyu walked in with her head slightly lowered.

Just one glance and Zhu Ying's attention was attracted.

It was probably because Xiaoyu was wearing a green gauze, through which her jade-like skin could be vaguely seen, which was very bold.

Zhu Ying rarely saw this kind of dress in the Ming Dynasty, but it was very common in the Western Regions.

It is somewhat similar to the national style dress of later generations.

"Can you dance?" Zhu Ying asked.

Xiaoyu was holding the zither, and bowed when she heard it, "Sir, I know a little bit, I wonder which one you would like to see."

Feeling the slightly aggressive gaze, Xiaoyu knew that she was right to change her clothes.

Zhu Ying thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know how to perform the Colorful Feather Dance?"

This was all he could think of, after all, he was very famous.

Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Please appreciate it, sir."

She immediately put down the guzheng and danced without music.

In fact, when dancing, someone needs to play music, but Xiaoyu knew that the opportunity was rare, and she also understood something from the look in his eyes just now, so she started dancing directly.

The graceful dance showed off her beautiful figure to the fullest, and the fluttering gauze made Zhu Ying feel as happy as watching short videos in the future.

As the dance progressed, Xiaoyu became bolder and she slowly approached Zhu Ying with the help of dance steps.

Guo Zhong next to him frowned slightly. This was considered as seducing the crown prince, a serious crime in the palace.

But he had not revealed his identity yet, and this was the Liyuan Theater, and the Crown Prince was in high spirits, so he did not dare to say much.

When Xiaoyu approached, Zhu Ying smelled a fragrance, and four words immediately popped up in his mind: a beauty that is a feast to the eyes.

Seeing that it was getting dark, he waved his hand.

Of course Guo Zhong knew what this meant, so he immediately left with a group of eunuchs to guard the door for the crown prince.