Four Seasons Brocade – CH 057

Chapter 57 ☆、

Ah Wu had naturally seen Mei Changsheng in her past life. He was handsome, with refined features and an elegant demeanor. If you did not say it, someone unfamiliar with him might even guess he was a young master from a wealthy family.

“What’s so interesting about an actor?” Ah Wu advised Tang Yin. It was not that she should not go see an actor, but the Lantern Festival was crowded and chaotic, and Tang Yin had suggested they sneak away from the maids and servants to Jingyuan Garden. Ah Wu was worried about trouble.

As for Jingyuan Garden, it was the residence of the Kunyu Troupe, and their rule was not to perform on the Lantern Festival. Therefore, going to Jingyuan might be a chance to see Mei Changsheng.

“You, Ah Xuan, I misjudged you!” Tang Yin shook off Ah Wu’s hand and glared at her.

“I never imagined you were this kind of person. Was I praising an actor? You simply do not appreciate or understand the subtleties of a Kunqu opera master like Mei Changsheng, or do you view people with the sordid eyes of a worldly person? I’ve overestimated you.”

Ah Wu was now anxious. She had not expected Tang Yin to elevate Mei Changsheng to the level of a master. Although Mei Changsheng did indeed become a “master” many years later, Ah Wu currently felt he did not quite qualify.

Those who could be called “masters” in the current dynasty were all deeply loved and respected by the world.

And Ah Wu might soon have the honor of “meeting” a master. Gu Yu felt that Ah Wu’s talent for playing the qin was outstanding, and believing she could not teach her anything more, she volunteered to introduce Ah Wu to the contemporary qin master He Chunshui.

In her previous life, Ah Wu wanted to become a disciple of Master He, but she could not even get in. The noble status of Princess Kangning was utterly insignificant in front of a “master.” Even the Emperor had to choose a time to see them.

“Good sister, I am just worried about you. What if people find out…” Ah Wu tugged at Tang Yin’s sleeve ingratiatingly.

“So, are you going or not?” Tang Yin stared intently at Ah Wu.

Ah Wu could only nod. She could tell Tang Yin was determined to go. Ah Wu was afraid Tang Yin might be too bold and cause trouble, which would make her feel guilty towards her best friend. So, Ah Wu had no choice but to accompany her without hesitation.

“Ah Xuan, I knew you were capable.” Tang Yin, having received Ah Wu’s approval, completely changed her previous angry expression. Ah Wu could not do anything about it; Tang Yin had found her Achilles’ heel.

However, since Ah Wu had promised Tang Yin, she had to be responsible for both of them. Therefore, she dutifully discussed the “escape” plan with Tang Yin.

Fortunately, Jingyuan Garden was located in a bustling area, and Tang Yin had inquired about its location beforehand, so it was not a problem for someone who had lived in the capital for “many years.”

The group wandered around until they reached the vicinity of Jingyuan. Tang Xiujin was sent away by Tang Yin to recite poetry and engage in literary banter with his “friends.”

“It smells so good! Go buy me a jujube paste box, and buy a few for yourself too,” Tang Yin instructed the two old women who had come with her. The old women, seeing the jujube paste box stall was only a few feet away, did not suspect anything. Having wandered around for half a day, the aroma of the jujube paste boxes had tempted them.

After dismissing the old women, Tang Yin told the maids that she had a stomachache and needed to use the restroom. “You two wait here; do not wander off. We will be right back.”

Tang Yin then draped her grey fox fur cloak over one of the maids, making her look like Tang Yin herself from a distance. The two old women waited for their freshly made jujube paste boxes while watching Tang Yin and the others from afar. Seeing that her clothes were still there, they assumed she was still alright.

As for the two maids, one of whom had already been won over by Tang Yin and obeyed her orders, she did not say much. Their mistress was extremely willful, and persuasion was futile. She only looked pleadingly at Ah Wu.

Ah Wu nodded to them, “Do not worry, sisters.”

Tang Yin could not wait any longer and grabbed Ah Wu, running through several groups of people until they reached the entrance of Jingyuan Garden.

Jingyuan Garden was a rather complicated place. Although Tang Yin and Ah Wu had been mentally prepared, they had not expected to face such a complex environment. Behind Jingyuan Garden were the accommodations, and in front was a theater for opera performances and music. Most of the people coming and going were men; occasionally, women were seen, but they were usually accompanied by men, heavily made up and alluring—clearly not respectable women.

Tang Yin had not expected the renowned Kunyu Opera Troupe to be staying in such a place filled with the scent of perfume. Ah Wu caught a glimpse of a purple robe flashing past the garden gate. The robe’s edges were embroidered with gold honeysuckle patterns, and he wore a pair of dark purple satin boots also embroidered with honeysuckle. Ah Wu was certain she was not mistaken; in this capital, there was only one person so particular about his attire that he required a matching pair of shoes with every robe.

But why would the Fourth Prince come to such a lowly place? There had been no rumors of him frequenting operas. Although many in the capital preferred male concubines to female performers, especially wealthy young masters who were often served by male servants—a sign of status—the Fourth Prince had no such inclinations.

Based on Ah Wu’s understanding of Chu Mao, he seemed utterly uninterested in matters of the heart. Even in the Forbidden City, with its three thousand concubines, he only visited once every few months. The harem was practically nonexistent.

He showed even less interest in men.

Ah Wu felt a surge of curiosity.

Regardless of whether Tang Yin could go in or not, Ah Wu was determined to investigate. She was genuinely curious as to why Chu Mao had come to a place like this. Ah Wu was filled with curiosity about this future Emperor Zhengyuan, knowing her enemy was crucial for dealing with him. Even if she was not his match, she should at least find a way to maximize her advantage and minimize her harm.

Therefore, Ah Wu grabbed Tang Yin’s hand and rushed to the garden gate, intending to burst in, but the gatekeeper stopped them. Seeing that both Ah Wu and Tang Yin were dressed in fine clothes, especially Tang Yin, the gatekeeper did not dare to be too presumptuous, only saying, “Go away, go away. Is this a place for children like you?”

Tang Yin, flustered, unconsciously squeezed Ah Wu’s hand harder, almost making Ah Wu cry out in pain. Tang Yin was momentarily at a loss for how to react, hence her sudden action.

Ah Wu squeezed Tang Yin’s hand back, signaling her not to panic.

Ah Wu stepped forward, still holding the sour candied hawthorn in her other hand—a treat she could not throw away in front of Tang Yin. “What kind of attitude is this? My sister and I just came out to buy some candied hawthorn, and you will not let us go? Where are your eyes?” Ah Wu spoke with righteous indignation, her words arrogant and domineering, making it easy to believe they had just come from inside.

This time, the gatekeeper was stunned, wondering if the two girls had really been brought in by a customer. They were small, and Jingyuan was busy; it was possible he had not seen them. Besides, the gatekeeper had gone to relieve himself for a short while; it was also possible he had missed them. Therefore, he was half-convinced that the two girls might indeed have come from inside.

“Hurry up and let us in, or my godfather will punish you,” Ah Wu said arrogantly.

The gatekeeper quickly let them in.

As soon as they entered, Tang Yin hurriedly asked Ah Wu, “What godfather?”

“I just made it up,” Ah Wu replied, her answer a happy accident.

Tang Yin laughed. “You were really something just now. How come you were not guilty?”

Ah Wu said, “Of course, I felt guilty, but I could not let him see it.”

In fact, most people like to use a loud voice and a hot temper to cover up their guilt. But the other party always falls for it.

As for the “godfather” that came to her mind, Ah Wu was afraid that if someone recognized them later, she would not dare say her real father was inside, so she had to make up a godfather. Little did she know, this was a lucky accident. There were plenty of godfathers in the world who liked young girls. The gatekeeper, having seen so much, genuinely assumed they were such people. Seeing Ah Wu’s childlike innocence and her delicate and charming appearance, it was not impossible for her to attract the attention of a nobleman. The gatekeeper would never have imagined that a noblewoman would be so bold as to come to such a place, a melting pot of all sorts of people.

Ah Wu suffered a silent injustice, being mistaken for such a plaything.

“Stop talking; let’s find someone quickly.” Ah Wu pulled Tang Yin into the shadows, afraid of being seen. Fortunately, even in the dead of winter, despite the dazzling lights, there were still shadowy areas, and unless one looked closely, the two little people would not be noticed.

“Tell me, where does Mei Changsheng live?” Tang Yin asked Ah Wu. She had been bewildered since entering the garden and had not expected Ah Wu to be so capable, putting on such a convincing act. Therefore, she felt a growing dependence on Ah Wu.

Actually, Ah Wu overestimated Tang Yin. If Tang Yin had firmly refused, she would never have dared to come to Jingyuan on her own, which was why she had not been able to enter Jingyuan Garden for so many years.

Ah Wu was cautious but not lacking in courage. The two of them bumping into each other led to this scene.

Ah Wu stood on tiptoe and peered into the dark back courtyard. “It must be in the back courtyard. A large opera troupe like Kunyu should have rented a separate courtyard.”

“Sigh, with such a great reputation as Kunyu, why would they be staying in a place like this?” Tang Yin frowned.

“The truly wise hide in plain sight,” Ah Wu understood to some extent. Opera troupes had a strong folk flavor; if they were to become highbrow and alienate themselves from the masses, they would be losing their essence.

Perhaps that was why Kunyu had achieved its reputation in later generations. Kunqu Opera’s rise to prominence during the Great Xia Dynasty, becoming the most popular theatrical style and the orthodox form of opera in the eyes of aristocratic families, owed much to the Kunyu Troupe. Mei Changsheng, as Tang Yin had predicted, ultimately became a recognized master of opera, nurturing many disciples who became famous throughout the country.

Tang Yin fell silent. Ah Wu assessed the layout of the garden and led Tang Yin further in. Such commercial locations often emphasized feng shui. The courtyards in the northern area shared similar layouts, and those with a basic understanding of feng shui could easily locate them. Therefore, Ah Wu led Tang Yin without much detour.

After glancing at the entrances of several courtyards, Ah Wu quickly and accurately found the Kunyu Troupe’s residence.

“How did you know it was here?” Tang Yin asked Ah Wu, noting that the courtyards looked no different from the previous ones.

“This courtyard is a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the entire Jingyuan Garden. The path is shaded by trees, so even if someone comes to visit, they will not be easily seen. It’s perfect for a theatrical troupe like the Kunyu Troupe.”

Actors always needed to socialize, but the Kunyu Troupe was renowned and not an ordinary troupe; they needed to maintain a certain image. This courtyard’s location was excellent.

“Ah Wu, you are amazing!” Tang Yin thought Ah Wu was simply divine.

Ah Wu humbly replied, “It’s nothing; I just read more books.”

Ah Wu pulled Tang Yin up, not allowing her to look guilty, as if afraid others would not question her.