Chapter 63 Seducing "Pei Family Fourth Lady" noon. From the huge and ancient "Banfang Theater" came the melodious sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras. As the largest theater in the capital, its architectural style imitates the Baguatai, which means to open the door wide to welcome guests from all directions. But in fact, those who can come here to listen to opera are either rich or noble. For ordinary people, the ticket price alone is enough to cover a whole family's expenses for several months, not counting other expenses. There are afternoon sessions every day, and the evening sessions are the most lively, with famous actors performing. At this moment, an argument was happening at the door of the theater's VIP section. The owner of the theater, who was wearing a silk shirt, a soft hat, and an emerald ring on his thumb, clasped his hands together and looked apologetic: "The Yunshui Pavilion has been occupied by a guest and is not available this afternoon. This is due to my poor arrangement. As an apology, you can use this card to select any vacant room at any time, and all expenses will be free of charge."
Standing opposite the troupe owner was a wealthy businessman with his concubine by his side. Hearing this, he frowned: "I reserved the Yunshui Pavilion two days in advance. When has the Bafang Pavilion not followed the rules and not followed the order of arrival?" The pretty concubine next to him also snorted unhappily: "We are here just to watch the afternoon show. We won't come the next day." Then she put her arm around the rich businessman and said coquettishly: "Master~" The theater owner apologized: "I'm really sorry. It's not that I'm breaking the rules, but we just had a distinguished guest come and specifically requested the best private room. If you two want to listen to the opera, you can only sit in the lobby." The middle-aged businessman was moved: "Could it be some noble person?" The class owner hesitated and whispered: "He is more powerful than the nobleman. He is not someone you want to mess with." Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans...Trade was developed in the Dayu Dynasty, and the status of merchants was among the highest in all dynasties. But since ancient times, the people have never fought against the officials, not to mention that in the capital, too much money may not always be useful. The middle-aged businessman thought for a moment and said: "Could you please tell me which gentleman it is? I might know him and go upstairs to visit him." The class owner pointed to the sky and said: "Zhao of the White Horse." The merchants turned around and left without any hesitation, as if they were afraid that if they were a step late, they would get into trouble. The concubine looked resentful: "Master, what is White Horse Zhao? Don't you have a say over even the high officials in the six ministries? Are you so afraid of him?" The merchant's expression changed slightly, and he yelled at her to be quiet, then he explained in a low voice: "The hardest people to mess with are not the high-ranking officials who value status, respectability, and demeanor, but the ones who have power but don't follow the rules..." He silently swallowed the word "villain". Curiosity arises in my heart:
I've never heard that someone named Zhao likes to listen to operas. Why is he here today? …… On the second floor of the theater, there is the "Yunshui Pavilion" with the best view. Zhao Duan leaned back in the Huanghuali armchair, the knitted cushion behind him was very elastic. On the square table next to him, there are rare cakes and fine tea. "Sir, according to intelligence, Pei Si Niang comes here to listen to opera every afternoon." Zhu Kui, with a face full of flesh, stood with his hands behind his back. Zhao Duan said "hmm", feeling quite new about Dayu's theater. In his previous life, entertainment venues were well developed and traditional opera was declining. The only place he had been that was even slightly related to opera was crosstalk, where the actors would improvise a few lines. It was different during the Dayu Dynasty. There were theaters in every place, and some famous actors were as famous among the people as later stars. However, he was not here to try something new today, but to meet Pei Si Niang. She is the fourth daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the legal wife of the Luliang family. She is also a famous "tough woman" among the noble ladies in Beijing. "Sir, I heard that Pei Si Niang relies on her family background and is a spoiled and difficult person to get along with. What do you want from her?" Zhu Kui was curious. Zhao Duan glanced at him: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." …… …… afternoon. The gate of Lu Liang's house was wide open, and a carriage with a cloth curtain hung on it drove out and headed towards the "Banfang Theater". Pei Si Niang was only thirty years old, and had been raised in luxury since childhood, with her fingers never touching the water, and her feet never stepping on dusty roads. Although she is pregnant, her figure and skin are well maintained, smooth and delicate, and are no less beautiful than that of a young girl. She was wearing a long, double-breasted Sichuan brocade dress with floral patterns on it. Her thick black hair was tied up in a bun, and her round face was like a bright moon. It’s a pity that the resentful air between her sharp eyebrows diluted the beauty. It’s not all her fault. Pei Si Niang was a “stubborn princess” back then. Even after marrying Lu Liang, she still had a lot of smiles on her face. The real change happened after Lu Liang cheated. Although Pei Si Niang has a bad personality, she has pure fantasies about love. After getting married, not only did she observe chastity on her own, she also strictly forbade Lu Liang from having any contact with other women. As for taking a concubine... that was even more impossible.
Whenever Lu Liang was late for a social event, he would send someone to urge him. She even personally brought her maids and servants to pick up the person, thus earning the name of a "violent woman". Therefore, upon learning that her husband had cheated on her, this noble lady from the capital was devastated and went to her father to beg for help, demanding a divorce. But she didn't expect that her father, who had doted on her in the past, would reject her. He completely suppressed the matter and advised her to give Lu Liang a chance. How could Pei Si Niang agree to that? But the little arm cannot overcome the big leg, and since then the couple has completely broken up. They only maintain a "loving" persona in front of outsiders, but in fact they have no feelings for each other anymore. But at this age, Pei Si Niang can't help feeling lonely and empty, and needs someone else to fill the void. Unwilling to be close to her husband anymore, she began to try to find comfort from the outside world. However, Si Niang had high standards and ordinary men were not in her eyes. She happened to see a play performed by a "young man" at the Bafang Theater. From then on, I became interested in that actor, and whenever he performed, I would drive to watch. Well, it feels like an older rich woman chasing a young handsome guy... Today is no exception. When Si Niang was supported by her maid, she stepped down from the carriage with lotus steps. Entering the theater from the "VIP channel", going up the stairs to the second floor, and preparing to enter the "Hibiscus" box that had been reserved in advance. He was stopped by an ugly, dark-skinned man with a fleshy face who suddenly appeared from the side. "Where did this disgusting fellow come from? Where is the theater owner? Why did he let such a person go upstairs?" Pei Si Niang was startled, her beautiful eyes widened with contempt. Tell the maid to call someone. Zhu Kui smiled, clasped his hands, and said sinisterly: "Madam, please don't worry. I am here on the orders of the White Horse Prison and Envoy Zhao to invite you to come and sit in the Yunshui Pavilion next door." That Zhao Duan? He wants to see me? The noble lady from the capital was startled, and recalled that she seemed to have heard that Zhao Duan had a rough and dark old official as his follower. Moreover, she had heard that the empress's lover was handsome, but she had never seen him, so she became very curious. Besides, the guests here are either rich or noble, and those who are invited into this place are unlikely to be bad people. After a slight hesitation, he raised his chin proudly, revealing his pale jaw: "lead the way." …… After a while, Pei Si Niang, accompanied by her maid, stepped into the Yunshuijian box.
At this moment, on the stage in the lobby on the first floor, the gongs and drums for entrance sounded, and the drumbeats were as rapid as raindrops. Zhao Duan, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a handsome appearance, smiled and looked over: "Madam Lu, I'm sorry to invite you. Would you please take a seat?" dong dong dong... Pei Si Niang only felt that her heart, which had been lonely for a long time, was beating as rapidly as gongs and drums on the stage. She even ignored the appearance of the "young man" she had been thinking about. The melancholy in her eyes was like a spring breeze blowing past, thawing the glaciers. Pei Si Niang's cheeks suddenly turned red, and she thought: "Good...handsome young man..." (End of this chapter)
