Let's go out for a walk.
As he spoke, he led his maid out, and on the right side of the courtyard, they saw a pile of firewood.
"So much firewood?"
"Princess, this was bought from the common people by the steward."
Su Muyao nodded, looking at the large amount of timber in front of her, which was enough for the entire household to get through the winter.
Changning Street
The streets were bustling with activity, not at all deserted despite the cold weather.
The wide street was paved with dark red bricks, and customers were coming and going from the shops on both sides.
The vendors at the stalls displayed their goods and greeted customers who came to look at them.
The most eye-catching place on the main street is the two-story study at the very front.
The black plaque prominently displays the words "Zhu'an Study".
The bookstore was doing very well, and at that moment it was surrounded by many people, three layers deep.
When Su Muyao and Xia Xia got closer, they discovered that there was actually a storyteller inside.
The second floor has private seating areas and also sells tea. A table has been added in the middle of the first floor.
A man dressed in a dark blue long gown sat on a stool and spoke enthusiastically.
No wonder it attracted so many people to watch. In ancient times, there were few forms of entertainment, and listening to storytelling was considered the primary form of pastime.
People of all ages and genders enjoy listening to it.
Especially a good storyteller, which is something you can only come across by chance.
A good story is not only about a captivating plot, but most importantly, about a captivating storyteller.
Only in this way can they complement each other and create a good story.
"This storyteller's name is Chen Changqing, and he is one of the top storytellers in the capital."
No matter the story, he could tell it in a way that captivated everyone.
Su Muyao nodded as Xia Xia explained the situation.
"Looks like he's quite capable."
An old man standing nearby saw that Su Muyao was very young and had a maid with her, so he could tell that she was from a wealthy family.
Looking at the baby's chubby little face and innocent appearance, I couldn't help but introduce the storyteller.
"Miss, you probably don't know how amazing this storyteller is."
"Oh, I hope you can tell me something, sir."
Upon hearing the sweet, childlike voice speaking to him, the old man instantly beamed with joy.
"Well, there was once a wealthy man who loved listening to stories. He invited this storyteller to his home to tell stories, but unexpectedly, he stayed for a full seven days!"
The servants in that wealthy man's household said that the storyteller's tales were so captivating that the master was completely engrossed and refused to let him leave, wanting to keep him in his mansion.
The old man had just finished speaking when he was interrupted by a woman standing next to him.
"I've heard about it too. It caused quite a stir back then and even ended up in the government office."
Hearing this, Su Muyao became even more curious, "What happened? How did it escalate to the yamen?"
The woman said excitedly, "What else could it be? It's just that the rich man thinks the storyteller's storytelling is so good that he doesn't want to let him go."
Later, it was the local magistrate who ordered the wealthy man to release the storyteller.
It was after this that someone recognized the storyteller's talent and specially opened this study for him.
As soon as the woman finished speaking, she looked at Su Muyao and her servant.
"Look at your attire, you look like a rich family's child. How can you stand at the door like us common folk? You should go up to the private room on the second floor."
Hearing this, Su Muyao smiled gratefully and led Xia inside.
The waiter was quite perceptive; seeing Su Muyao arrive with a maid, he quickly guided her upstairs.
The waiter served the tea and left in a hurry. Xia listened to the storyteller below, but didn't find the story particularly interesting.
"Princess, I don't think it's as good as the story you told."
Su Muyao nodded, agreeing that the story was just so-so.
The stories I usually tell at home are all historical allusions.
The storytellers of ancient times told tales of poor scholars who met wealthy young ladies but were looked down upon by their masters. Later, they went to the capital to take the imperial examinations, became the top scholar, and then sought to marry the wealthy young lady.
"Xia, go downstairs and tell the waiter to bring some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones."
"yes"
Then Su Muyao was seen carefully writing "Monkey King" on the paper.
Only after several sheets of paper were filled with writing did he hand them to Xia, saying, "Xia, go and give this to the storyteller, along with some silver, and tell him to tell this story for today."
"yes"
Su Muyao was sitting on the second floor when she saw the waiter go up to the storyteller and say something. The storyteller apologized to the people below and then left in a hurry.
The storyteller quickly took a stack of papers and returned to his original spot.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the new story we have today will certainly not disappoint you."
As soon as Xia came up, she saw her young mistress holding a teacup in both hands, her little face puffed out as she drank.
She looked so adorable. If it weren't for the master-servant relationship, she would definitely want to touch the little princess's cheek.
"Princess, everything has been explained."
Then, the story of the Monkey King began to be told below.
"This stone monkey found a stone cave called Water Curtain Cave on Flower Fruit Mountain, and was hailed as king by the monkey troop, who named him the Great Sage Equal to Heaven..."
Three to five hundred years later, the stone monkey, feeling the impermanence of life and the inability to live long, wept bitterly…
As the crowd grew larger, people would throw silver coins at the platform as tips whenever the story reached an exciting point.
Just by listening to the continuous sound of coins falling into the basin, you can imagine how exciting this story must be.
How popular is it? (?▽?)
"To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment."
With a "thud," the storyteller slammed down his gavel.
The onlookers were still eager for more.
At this moment, a dissatisfied voice came from below: "What? It just stopped right when it was getting interesting."
"Yes, keep going! I'll keep tipping you."
"Yes, we'll all tip you and you can keep talking, don't keep us hanging."
The storyteller shook his head and put his things away.
"I'm really sorry, everyone. It's not that I don't want to talk about it, but this book isn't finished yet."
"What happened after that? I'm also very curious to know."
Upon hearing this, the onlookers below all sighed.
The storyteller tidied the papers in his hands and said to the crowd below, "This book may be sold in the bookstore later. You can pay attention to the follow-up then."
After saying this, he shouldered all his belongings, left the crowd, and headed to the second floor.
The waiter by the stairs exclaimed to the storyteller, "Sir, today's story is more wonderful than usual, so the reward will be much higher."
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