The tea on Yi Shuyuan's table was Mistgreen as well, its fragrance as refreshing as ever. Exquisite pastries and porridge had also been set beside it to replenish his strength.
Storytelling the way Yi Shuyuan did was certainly physical work, but he was not actually tired. He had simply found the Tan residence's food delicious after tasting it, and naturally would not let it go to waste.
While Yi Shuyuan rested, some listeners who had been holding their bladders seized the chance to relieve themselves.
Once the hosts and guests, young and old, had all returned to their seats, Yi Shuyuan brought his break to a timely end. He picked up his Folding Fan again and looked at the listeners opposite him.
"Picking up where we left off, when next we speak of the river god, several hundred years had passed. The age of great strife was long over, the new dynasty flourished, and the Grand Canal bustled. Yet on this day, a golden-red carp arrived in the river."
This was the second part, "Trapping the Carp."
As this part began, some of the younger listeners grew visibly excited. Although they had listened attentively to the first part, their emotions had mostly been fear, and the mood had been rather oppressive.
From the Carp Demon's appearance onward, however, the second part took a turn toward genuine myth and wonder. It met everyone's expectations, and naturally suited the children's hopes even better.
With nowhere left to turn, the Carp Demon deliberately allowed herself to be caught at a river bend and brought aboard a boat, hoping to use it to escape to Heaven-Bearing Prefecture.
Then came the funny part: after being caught, she was actually going to be slaughtered and eaten, leaving her no choice but to flee back into the