At the emperor's command, the resources of the entire palace began to operate at unprecedented speed around Lin Wanwan's script, "The Emperor's Benevolent Heart Moves the Goddess."
Wang Dequan, the chief steward of the imperial court, personally took action under the guise of "procuring new plays for the palace," and quietly made contact with the largest opera troupe in the capital, "Qingfengnian," as well as the most famous storytellers in various teahouses.
He didn't give any orders, but "casually" "gifted" them the script and storytelling manuscript that the Empress herself had "polished," along with several boxes of gold and silver that would ensure their livelihood for the rest of their lives.
These clever people, who have spent their lives struggling in the city, how could they not understand the deeper meaning behind it?
Holding the script, with its dramatic plot and easy-to-understand language, they were overjoyed! It was practically a "heavenly book" for the storytelling and drama world! It contained the mysterious and fantastical tales of gods and ghosts, the righteous cause of an emperor saving his people, and the tender love stories of heroes and beauties. If it were told or performed, wouldn't every show be packed to capacity?
And so, just a few days later...
A "media storm" targeting the entire capital city, orchestrated behind the scenes by Lin Wanwan, has quietly begun.
...
Yuelai Teahouse in Beijing.
As the most popular and well-informed teahouse in Beijing, Yuelai Teahouse is even more bustling than usual today.
Inside the main hall, the place was bustling with activity, every seat filled. Groups of tea drinkers chatted excitedly, cracking melon seeds and sipping fragrant tea, their faces showing a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
"Have you heard? Today, Mr. Zhang, the 'living encyclopedia,' is going to tell a brand new story!"
"I've heard about it for a long time! It's said that this story was written by Mr. Zhang after several days of seclusion, with painstaking effort, and it's called 'The Legend of the Goddess'!"
"Goddess? Could she be the one His Majesty dreamt of in the Golden Palace a few days ago?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! How dare you discuss matters of the imperial family!"
Just as everyone was discussing this, on the second floor of the teahouse, in an elegant private room facing the street.
Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che were sitting at an eight-immortal table, looking with great interest at the lively scene downstairs through the openwork window.
To avoid attracting attention, both of them dressed in the attire of ordinary wealthy people. Xiao Che wore a moon-white brocade robe and held a folding fan, looking every bit the elegant and refined gentleman. Lin Wanwan wore an elegant pale yellow dress and light makeup, making her appear even more beautiful and ethereal.
"Your Majesty, do you think they will like our story?" Lin Wanwan picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and a sly smile appeared in her eyes.
Xiao Che couldn't help but chuckle at her confident demeanor. He discovered for the first time that "traveling incognito" was such a novel and interesting thing.
“I don’t know if they’ll like it,” he lowered his voice, leaned close to her ear, and said in a teasing tone, “I only know that if they knew that the prototype of the ‘goddess’ in this story is sitting upstairs right now, the roof of this teahouse would probably be blown off.”
Lin Wanwan blushed at his teasing and glared at him reproachfully.
Just as the two were chatting and laughing in hushed tones, the noise in the lobby downstairs suddenly stopped.
On the high platform in the center of the teahouse, a sprightly storyteller dressed in a blue cloth robe slowly made his entrance, holding a gavel. He was none other than Zhang Yishuo, hailed as the "living encyclopedia" and the foremost storyteller in the capital.
He bowed slightly to the sea of tea drinkers below the stage and said in a strong voice, "Thank you all for your support. Today, I, Zhang, will present you with a brand new story. This story will not be about kings and generals, nor about talented scholars and beautiful women. What we will tell is the legendary tale of our Great Liang Dynasty's current emperor and a Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden!"
"Smack!"
A crisp sound of the gavel echoed throughout the teahouse!
"It is said that the great flood in Jiangnan caused widespread famine and death. A memorial written in blood was submitted to the emperor, reaching his ears! Our young emperor was worried day and night, and his hair turned white with sorrow! His concern for the people moved the heavens, and thus, that extraordinary encounter took place—a goddess appeared in his dream and personally gave him three strategies!"
Zhang Yi's eloquence was indeed well-deserved. He didn't start speaking directly, but first used a few highly infectious words to vividly depict the background and tone of the entire story.
The tea drinkers below the stage were instantly drawn into the heavy atmosphere of concern for the country and its people, and they all listened attentively.
The story officially begins.
According to Zhang Yi, Emperor Xiao Che was no longer the aloof and indistinct ruler, but a "sage ruler" who spared no effort for his people and was even willing to sacrifice himself for them.
The "goddess" who appeared in his dream was described vividly. She was "dressed in a phoenix robe and wore a dragon and phoenix crown," possessing both divine compassion and wisdom, as well as feminine gentleness and resilience. Her image bore a striking resemblance to the virtuous empress of today!
This subtle hint instantly sparked endless imagination and whispers among the audience.
Inside the private room, Xiao Che listened to himself being portrayed as such a virtuous and righteous figure. Even with his thick skin, he felt a little embarrassed at this moment. He could only pick up his teacup and use drinking tea to cover up the smile on his lips.
Lin Wanwan listened with great interest, nodding inwardly to herself.
This storyteller is truly a talent! He not only fully grasped the spirit of the script, but also carried out secondary creation on this basis, making the characters more vivid and relatable.
As the story progresses, it reaches the most crucial and sensitive part—the fundraising at the Golden Palace.
Zhang Yi's expression suddenly became extremely solemn.
"The divine decree has been issued, but the national treasury is empty. What can be done? Our emperor, without hesitation, made the decision on the spot! Pointing to his private treasury, he addressed the assembled officials and declared loudly: 'What belongs to me is what belongs to the people! I am willing to give my all for the sake of the people and the nation!'"
This passage is truly epic and full of heroic spirit!
The people below the stage were instantly impressed by the emperor's "benevolence" and erupted in thunderous cheers!
"Excellent! Your Majesty is wise!"
"Having such a wise ruler is a blessing for our Great Liang!"
However, just as the atmosphere reached its climax, Zhang Yi's tone suddenly changed, and his face showed a hesitant and regretful expression.
"If even the emperor is like this, then logically we, his subjects, should be even more eager. However, there is a high-ranking and powerful prince in the court..."
He deliberately didn't name names, but the word "Your Highness" had already made everyone's hearts leap into their throats.
"...This prince, after hearing the divine decree,...looked troubled." Zhang Yi said, using his most proficient technique of "subtle writing."
"He hesitated repeatedly, sighing deeply. Under the dual influence of His Majesty and the divine decree, he finally... 'reluctantly' donated a sum of money. Alas, although he did donate, the 'reluctance' on his face...tsk tsk, compared to His Majesty's magnanimity, it was clearly inferior!"
Whoosh—!!!
If the praise just now was enthusiastic applause, then at this moment, the entire teahouse completely erupted!
"What?! Is that so?!"
"With the nation in peril, even the emperor has exhausted his personal wealth, yet this prince is still making excuses?"
"What a heartless rich man! He has no sense of proportion!"
"Which prince is it? Mr. Zhang, please tell me quickly!"
The people's emotions were instantly ignited! Although they didn't know which prince it was, that didn't stop them from venting all their contempt and curses on this "inconsiderate" prince!
What was originally an objective account of an event was transformed into a silent trial of public opinion against the Regent by the storyteller's artistic embellishment and emotional manipulation, which was full of praise and criticism!
Inside the private room, Xiao Che's hand, holding a teacup, froze in mid-air.
He listened to the indignant curses from the people downstairs, and was completely dumbfounded.
He realized for the first time that... the art of language can truly kill without leaving a trace!
He turned his head and looked at Lin Wanwan beside him with the eyes of someone looking at a monster. She was calm and composed, as if none of this concerned her.
At this moment, in his eyes, his empress was no longer some delicate woman who needed his protection.
This is clearly a war goddess who holds the reins of public opinion and can ruin the reputation of a powerful prince with a few words...
He subconsciously looked at the emoji area above her head.
There, the little man in sunglasses who had been showing off his cool style had vanished.
Instead, a similarly chibi-style cartoon figure was prostrating itself in reverence towards Lin Wanwan, with a line of large, glittering golden characters floating above its head—
【Wife, my war goddess of public opinion! .gif】
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