I heard that Liu Baisheng was handsome and beautiful, but she played the role of a Wudan. There were very few Wudan who could sing the role of a leading role, unlike the greasy Huadan, which was just what the ladies liked.
Seeing everyone's interest, Old Lady Wei sent a housekeeper to inform the Xiangyun Society and reserve a quiet spot. It just so happened that after lunch, there was nothing to do, so instead of playing cards, she went to the opera.
After lunch, everyone took a carriage to Xiangyun Society.
Xiangyun Society, having received a letter from the Duke of Yingguo's steward, dared not neglect the proceedings. They settled on a second floor, facing the stage, offering an excellent view. Nearby stood a pomegranate tree, its branches laden with red pomegranates at this time of year. The ladies took their seats at their respective tables, and the curtains on the stage were drawn aside, revealing the actor playing Yue Fei. Gongs on either side began to thump, creating a lively atmosphere.
The play was "The Story of Loyalty". Even Yining, who didn't like watching operas, had seen it many times. However, the Wudan role was indeed graceful and flowing, and received widespread praise.
After a while, "Yue Fei" left the stage and "Qin Hui" took over, and everyone's interest waned. Yining leaned back and glanced at the private room next to him. It seemed that someone was sitting there.
The man's profile was so familiar to her that she froze for a moment. She immediately called the maid over and instructed, "...Go and find out who's sitting inside."
The maid agreed and left, but Yining saw the man being helped to stand up by the maid. She frowned. It looked so familiar... who could it be?
Seeing that it was too late, she stood up and followed him down the stairs. She thought the man had left, but she saw someone standing next to the pomegranate tree at the bottom of the stairs.
The woman wore a cape, her hair tied in a simple bun, devoid of any ornamentation. Although nearing middle age, she possessed an elegant demeanor and wore simple clothing. Two little girls stood behind her, and she was looking up at the pomegranates growing on the tree, her expression gentle and calm.
"Madam, the flowers over there are blooming so beautifully. Why don't you go over there and take a look..." The little girl behind her advised her.
Yi Ning was a little shocked when she saw her face. She heard a lady from an aristocratic family whisper behind her, "Why did this person come out..."
"Isn't it said that those who eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures are unwilling to go out now? He looks sickly, and I don't know what happened to him all these years."
"Her husband died like this, leaving her alone is really pitiful..."
"Why should I feel sorry for him? He killed someone before. This is retribution for what he's doing now."
The man seemed to hear someone talking about her and looked up through the railing. But after a glance, he turned his head away, took the girl's hand and said, "Let's go."
Yi Ning squeezed her hand slightly. This person was the one she knew best, so how could she not be familiar with him? This was Xie Min, the wife of the former Ningyuan Marquis' son, her eldest sister-in-law.
When she first married into the Ningyuan Marquisate, Xie Min was already renowned throughout the capital. She was the eldest daughter of the Xie family, immensely talented, much like Xie Yun is today. In fact, Xie Yun wasn't even as good as her; back then, she was truly unmatched. Later, Xie Min married Lu Jiaran. When Yi Ning first entered the mansion, Xie Min also looked down on her, and until her death, their relationship wasn't particularly close.
Later, Yining was murdered and died on a cliff. He was trapped in the jade hairpin for more than 20 years and witnessed all the changes in the world.
Xie Min fell from the clouds, her husband was killed by Lu Jiaxue, and she no longer cared about worldly affairs.
A wry smile played at the corners of Yining's mouth. Those days in the side courtyard, listening to the chanting, like trapped animals, seemed vivid in her mind. She gripped the railing tightly, her hands turning white. It was Xie Min!
She looked at Xie Min's back and clearly saw someone approaching from a distance. He took Xie Min's arm affectionately and said with a smile, "Aunt, the show isn't over yet. Why are you leaving without waiting for me?"
It turned out to be Xie Yun.
Xie Min smiled at Xie Yun and said calmly, "You just like these lively things. I find them boring. What's so interesting about them?"
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