Page 25

Compared to listening to music, stories attracted Lin Ling more.

And this was Shi Changyuan's story!

Lin Ling found a quiet corner at the end of the corridor and leaned over the railing, listening with great interest.

Although the storyteller's language was somewhat literary, it was far easier to understand than Mushroom reading the words himself. There was even a vocal performer behind the scenes, producing all kinds of lifelike sounds that left the illiterate Mushroom utterly stunned.

The story broadly recounted how the protagonist fought across the land and united the realm. Though aliases had been used to avoid taboo, and it was emphasized that the contents were entirely fictional, all the major events matched up. Almost everyone knew it was about the current Emperor's life.

Moreover, its portrayal was impartial, which was probably why this storybook had survived to this day.

It was Lin Ling's first time hearing a storybook focused mainly on someone's career, and he found it wonderfully novel. But when the storyteller took an intermission, the audience in the hall seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

"Mr. Liu, why hasn't the other protagonist appeared yet?"

"What other protagonist?" the storyteller asked in confusion.

At that question, the hall immediately erupted with chatter. Voices rose from every direction. "How can the protagonist's love and hate, grudges and feuds, have only hate and grudges, but no love or passion?"

"Exactly, exactly! Doesn't the protagonist have some romantic scenes, with a lovely woman by his side and tender affection between them?"

When the storyteller stated that there were no such scenes, the audience below instantly became dissatisfied.

"We distinguished listeners are sick of hearing all this fighting across the land! This is what everyone likes now, isn't that right?!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

The pipa players by the second-floor windows also chimed in. "Isn't that so? Who wouldn't look forward to a war god's tender side? The best-selling storybooks in the Capital City these days are all about romances between humans and demons. Why not add a section like that, Mr. Liu?"

Lin Ling watched Mr. Liu onstage sweat under the audience's criticism. Everyone talked over one another, describing the plot developments they wanted, completely ignoring anything the storyteller tried to say. For a moment, he was dazed.

Then, still leaning over the railing, he called down toward the first-floor hall and encouraged the storyteller, "It's okay. I like your story as it is!"

"Every author wants to tell a different story. If you stick to your own style, there will definitely be many people like me who enjoy it."

After Lin Ling spoke, the small group that had remained silent in the hall also began speaking up. "That's right, that's right. You don't have to add any romantic scenes. His Majesty... that person has no one beside his pillow, after all!"

"Exactly. Maybe the protagonist simply doesn't like that sort of romance?"

Those words immediately gave the storyteller a way out. He cupped his fists toward Lin Ling upstairs in thanks.

Lin Ling's eyes curved in a smile, and the hall below instantly filled with sharp intakes of breath.

Suddenly, a maid approached from behind him and said, "Young Master Lin, my lady is friends with Princess Liuwan. She would like to invite you for a cup of tea."

Lin Ling's eyes widened round, filled with wariness. He fired off several questions in succession and only followed the maid after confirming there was no mistake.

The moment he entered, Lin Ling heard Shi Liuwan's voice. "I knew it. So it was you being so bold. What, was the Capital City too boring, so you decided to find some excitement?"

The woman beside Shi Liuwan merely gave a soft snort. When she saw Lin Ling enter, she immediately welcomed him warmly. "Come, sit wherever you like. My legs are inconvenient, so please forgive my lack of proper etiquette."

Only then did Lin Ling notice that the woman was seated in a chair with wheels.

"I heard you outside just now." The woman smiled, looking very gentle. "Do you like my storybook?"

Clever Mushroom's eyes lit up, and he immediately pieced together what had happened.

"You're the author of that story just now?"

She nodded.

"Wow—" Mushroom let out a loud, deeply heartfelt exclamation.

She was a cultured person!

The two happily complained about the recent storybook plots popular in the Capital City, as though they had met far too late.

By the time their throats were dry from talking, they both lifted their tea cups and gulped down tea with loud swallows. Watching their perfectly synchronized movements, Shi Liuwan was left somewhat speechless.

Lin Ling finished his cup first. He narrowed his eyes and smacked his lips before suddenly asking, "But I'm still a little curious. Have you ever thought about writing a spouse for His Majesty?"

"I have thought about it, actually, but I simply can't imagine what kind of person would fall for someone with that sort of personality." Liu Xiangyu, the storybook's author, looked regretful.

"Okay, I can't imagine it either." Lin Ling nodded in agreement, but Shi Liuwan, beside him, raised her brow slightly and seemed to want to say something, only to hold it back.

"But I can observe and ask around for you, help you gather material."

"Ask around about what?"

"What type does His Majesty like?" Lin Ling blurted out. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized something was wrong and abruptly opened his eyes wide.

Lin Ling suddenly turned his head and saw a familiar figure standing at the doorway.

"What, Lin Ling cares so much about this? Why not ask me yourself?" Shi Changyuan had not expected to hear such words the moment he opened the door. With a half-smile, he walked into the inner room and stopped in front of Lin Ling.

Liu Xiangyu panicked briefly and hurriedly bowed alongside Shi Liuwan. But Shi Changyuan merely waved a hand, his gaze fixed on Lin Ling from beginning to end. Just as Mushroom was about to bow, Shi Changyuan grabbed him by the back of his collar.

Liu Xiangyu paused when she saw that gesture.

Caught red-handed, Lin Ling immediately felt terribly guilty. He looked away and tried to change the subject, but his trembling eyelashes gave him away completely. "Why are you here?"

Liu Xiangyu was somewhat surprised by Lin Ling's audacious question. Yet Shi Changyuan's eyes seemed devoid of anger, while Shi Liuwan calmly drank her tea at the side, clearly with no intention of intervening. Liu Xiangyu immediately became thoughtful.

"Oh, that is something you should ask a certain person who skipped class and slipped out of the palace without permission."

People always seemed exceptionally busy when they were embarrassed, and Mushroom was apparently no exception. Shi Changyuan watched Lin Ling's little movements as he picked at this spot and tugged at that one.