After this topic was over, the two sat on the big rock in front of the courtyard gate, looking at each other in silence for a while. Tang Chen saw that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, and a thought flashed through his mind, and he jumped down from the rock: "By the way, Huahua, let me introduce someone to you!"
"Who is it?"
"You'll find out when you come."
When Tang Chen excitedly brought Zhang Xiaohua to the door of the west wing, the doors and windows were closed, and only Aunt Lin was sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground in front of the door.
"Hey, why are all the doors and windows closed?"
"Sir, he just took some medicine and said he needed to rest. He said if you came, there would be no need to go see him."
Zhang Xiaohua nodded slightly. She remembered that the person living here was a man with a disabled leg. She had heard from the person who came to deliver something that the person living in this house seemed to have some background. "What a coincidence! I went to see it when someone delivered something a few times before, but I never saw anyone living in this room."
"I'll definitely let you meet him when I get the chance. He's amazing and knows a lot."
After Tang Chen finished speaking, he thought that he had been here for quite a long time today. Now that Zhang Xiaohua was back, she had a perfect plan and needed her friendly sponsorship.
The voices gradually faded away. Ouyang Ming gently opened the window and smiled gently at the two teasing figures that gradually disappeared from his sight.
At the same time that the Forbidden Palace received the secret report from the General's Mansion, the person mentioned in the secret report was planning another matter with another woman.
...After Tang Chen told Zhang Xiaohua her thoughts, she didn't see the surprised expression on her face that she had expected. Or rather, after Zhang Xiaohua knew her thoughts, her entire way of speaking became a little strange. It was as if she was reaffirming her, but also as if she disagreed with it: "...Have you not asked him about anything related to him?"
Tang Chen shook his head, somewhat confused. "No, firstly, I was too scared to ask. Secondly, he wouldn't tell me even if I asked, so I didn't ask."
"Then how did you know about this?"
Tang Chen wanted to celebrate Wang Yanzhou's birthday, and Zhang Xiaohua had no objection to this idea. However, since she hadn't asked him, how did she know that his birthday was coming up? Moreover, for Wang Yanzhou, his birthday might not be a day worth celebrating.
Zhang Xiaohua clearly remembered that in all the years she had known him, Wang Yanzhou had never held a birthday party. Even on this day, the murderous aura he exuded was enough to scare anyone to death. It had to be said that Tang Chen's flattery this time might have been a case of patting a tiger.
"You're trying to trick Chen Xin into coming here." Tang Chen had no idea what Zhang Xiaohua was thinking. She only knew that she had put in a lot of effort to get this information. For example, Chen Xin now took a detour when she saw her, and even if they had to run into each other head-on, she would no longer speak to her.
Zhang Xiaohua burst out laughing: "Chen Xin is the most strict-mouthed person. I underestimated you."
Tang Chen snapped his left fingers and brought the topic back on track: "Let's not talk about this. The theme of our meeting is, do you think you can do this? Show some appreciation."
Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "So what do you want me to think about this?"
Tang Chen grinned and said that as long as the sponsor was secured, everything would be fine. "Well, I've already made preparations for this."
Tang Chen put the plan he had prepared early in the morning in front of Zhang Xiaohua.
"This is?"
"Proposal."
After Zhang Xiaohua skimmed through the pages, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Clearly organized, well-structured. Not bad, not bad."
It's certainly gratifying to hear praise, but there's the issue of funding: "Look at what's required here..."
"I'll try my best to find it for you. However, I must remind you of one thing: no matter what the effect is, don't be too sad."
"Huh?"
Zhang Xiaohua's efficiency was astonishing. Within three days of receiving the list, the backyard of the Liuxiang Tavern was piled high with items.
"I've already invited the person you requested. I estimate he'll be here later."
Tang Chen, who was counting things with a list, was shocked: "Fuck, Jiangdu is not that close to this. How did you do it? Did you airfreight it?"
Zhang Xiaohua explained, "You're lucky. The opera troupe was just about to arrive in Qinghe. I just asked them to go faster."
"My sister is awesome!"
Just as Zhang Xiaohua had said, after Tang Chen's anxious wait, she finally saw the man who had captivated her at first sight. Even without makeup, he looked quite heroic: "Ah, every time I see him, I feel like I'm in love!"
Dancer Li Shen felt somewhat embarrassed when he heard such explicit words, "...Thank you for your kindness, young lady."
"Ah, so handsome!"
"Be more reserved."
In reality, Li Shen hadn't been part of the plan from the beginning. His arrival with the troupe was simply Tang Chen's desire to satisfy his own selfish desire to flatter Yan. Honestly, while Li Shen was quite good-looking, he was still far behind Yan Shaoqing, Yue Sheng, and Wang Yanzhou. What attracted Tang Chen so much to him was the natural aura and grace he exuded while dancing on the stage.
Urged by Zhang Xiaohua's repeated letters, Wang Yanzhou rushed to Qinghe County overnight. Arriving at his room, he discovered someone hiding on the beam. Just as he grasped a chess piece, ready to give the thief a last ditch blow, a sudden, inexplicable shower of petals began to fall from the room. Before he could react, the door behind him, which should have been tightly closed, flung open.
From within the pitch-black courtyard, the sound of stringed instruments drifted closer, seemingly from afar. As the sound drifted in, it seemed to carry a special magical power, whether intentionally or not, lighting up the lanterns hung atop the giant tree in the center of the courtyard. At the same time, sky lanterns slowly rose into the night sky, carrying a group of dancers in ink-wash celestial dresses from the darkness to this spot.
Amidst the melody of stringed instruments and under trees filled with lanterns, the bells swung from the dancers' waists, tinkling as their sleeves fluttered. What should have been a flawless song and dance was unexpectedly amplified by the stiff-limbed Mr. Dongguo, who tried to take advantage of the situation.
The ringing of the bells faded, and after a song and dance ended, the musicians, who had been waiting on the branches of the ancient trees, plucked the strings of their pipa. This familiar tune brought Wang Yanzhou back to reality.
As he came back to his senses, he felt a mixture of surprise, sadness, and an indescribable feeling lingering in his heart, gradually overflowing his entire chest. The musician played one of Wang Yanzhou's favorite pieces. As the piece reached its climax, the candles placed on the ground around the courtyard all lit up, and the entire courtyard suddenly became as bright as day.
The sudden brightness in front of him was a bit dazzling. When Wang Yanzhou adjusted to the brightness, the mastermind of all this appeared in front of him, holding a long box: "I wish you a happy birthday every year, boss!"
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