Ah, what a fine show

"Brother, why are you still awake?"

Gu Qingqing lifted the curtain and walked in, carrying a bowl of hot water.

Gu Zhengchen set down his brush, rubbed his aching wrist, and turned toward Gu Qingqing. "Do you enjoy watching plays, little sister?"

Gu Qingqing placed the bowl on the desk and answered softly, "I do, but I haven't seen many. I heard a little when I went to temple fairs with Mother a couple of times. Mother can even sing opera."

Gu Zhengchen imagined his mother singing opera.

The common people of Great Ming had very, very few forms of entertainment. Theater was the most widely loved, and it reached the broadest audience as a diversion for the spirit.

Variety drama had flourished during the Yuan Dynasty, giving rise to countless theatrical troupes. But the wars at the end of the Yuan had destroyed that splendor overnight, and Old Zhu's restrictions on theater had placed numerous constraints on both troupes and performers.

Still, opera was not entirely without room to survive. The Story of the Pipa, for instance, which promoted virtuous wives, filial children, and marital harmony, was highly esteemed by Zhu Yuanzhang. He had even praised it by saying, "Gao Ming's The Story of the Pipa is like delicacies from the mountains and seas-no wealthy household should be without it."

Theater had both a rich heritage and a popular foundation, so it was only natural for a few opera fanatics to emerge, especially in these early years of the dynasty, when the older generation from the Yuan era was still alive.

Gu Zhengchen chatted with Gu Qingqing for a while, told her to get some rest, and then continued compiling the lyrics for The Legend of the White Snake. In his later life, he had listened mostly to pop songs and could not remember all the opera lyrics. He would just have to fill in the gaps himself. No one would be able to tell anyway...

Early the next morning, Gu Shi got up and saw Gu Zhengchen circling the family's black ceramic vat. She could not help asking, "There's no writing on that vat. What could you possibly find in it?"

"Mother, do you know anyone who has a funnel-shaped water vat?"

Gu Zhengchen dropped the stone in his hand, abandoning the idea of smashing the vat. Even if he broke its bottom, it would never become funnel-shaped...

Gu Shi thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not a funnel-shaped water vat, but Aunt Zhang has a funnel-shaped earthenware bowl."

Gu Zhengchen's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Mother, go borrow it. Then take my sister to the river and dig up a vatful of yellow muddy water. Set our cooking pot up outside and have firewood ready. Wait until I come back."

"Zhengchen..."

Watching Gu Zhengchen wipe his hands and leave the house, Gu Shi hurried after him for a couple of steps, but he gave no answer. She turned to Gu Qingqing, who stood sleepily beside the window after waking. "What's he gone off to do?"

Gu Qingqing rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Mother, Brother's gone to make money."

"Make money? Have you ever seen anyone make money scooping up yellow muddy water? So mysterious."

Grumbling, Gu Shi took an apron and tied it around Gu Qingqing. "I'm going to Aunt Zhang's. Warm up the cornmeal buns."

Gu Qingqing had no choice but to go to the kitchen and light the fire. She hated starting fires most of all. She could click the flint for ages without getting the firewood to catch...

Gu Zhengchen entered the county town once again and headed straight for the Liang Family.

He had heard that the Liang family patriarch, Liang Heng, had held an idle official post during the Yuan Dynasty. He later surrendered to Great Ming, but because of his advanced age, he had not answered the summons to take office, choosing instead to remain in Teng County and live out his days in peace.

That was a good choice. Less trouble to get caught up in.

Arriving outside the Liang residence, Gu Zhengchen handed his visiting card and the manuscripts for two acts of The Legend of the White Snake to a gate servant. "Please deliver these to the Liang family patriarch."

The gate servant lifted his eyes and whistled softly, as if to say, You expect me to deliver something without an errand fee?

Seeing the servant's reluctance to help, and having no money himself, Gu Zhengchen added, "I am Gu Zhengchen of Dayan Village, a provincial examination graduate."

"Gu... Gu Zhengchen?"

The servant jolted, his manner instantly turning respectful. Another servant even said with a broad smile, "Please wait a moment, Candidate Gu. We'll deliver these right away."

Gu Zhengchen was in no hurry. He sat beneath the large tree outside the gate to enjoy the shade.

Clearly, beating Zhao Shun, causing a commotion at the Zhao Family, and breaking off the engagement yesterday had made him considerably more famous. But where were the officers meant to give him a flogging? Could the county office be shirking its duties?

Thank goodness for officials shirking their duties...

In the rear courtyard of the Liang Family.

Liang Heng, who had reached the ripe age of sixty-six, was drinking tea and reading. Beside him, his elderly wife, Chen Niang, hummed an opera tune, swinging her tiny bound feet.

Liang Fengyang entered the room quietly and asked with a smile, "Father, Mother, are you feeling hot and stuffy? Shall I call a couple of maids to fan you?"

Liang Heng glanced at Liang Fengyang, moistened his thumb against his lips, and turned a page. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, leave. Don't disturb our peace."

Knowing his father's temper, Liang Fengyang took out a visiting card. "Father, do you remember the amusing man and his antics I told you about yesterday?"

Liang Heng took the card and glanced over it. When he saw the name, he paused, then laughed. "Well now, isn't this Candidate Gu, who beat the Zhao Family's steward and openly broke off his engagement yesterday? What, did the county office not send anyone to flog him? And now he's come to our door today? What does he want?"

Liang Fengyang was rather surprised as well. "The Zhao family suffered quite a few indignities yesterday. The county office should have heard about it long ago, yet the magistrate doesn't seem to have sent anyone to deal with the matter..."

Liang Heng chuckled, wrinkles creasing his aged face. "The Zhao Family suffered? Hah, they're nothing but snobs. They tell everyone the Gu family broke off the engagement and play the victim. But who with eyes to see doesn't understand? Without the Zhao family forcing him into a corner, would Gu Zhengchen have dared break it off? The magistrate must know the truth. Since he hasn't dealt with it, that means he doesn't want to. It seems Candidate Gu isn't without someone protecting him, either. Now tell me, what has he come here for?"

Liang Fengyang took out a stack of manuscript pages and respectfully handed them over. "He seems to have come bearing something to suit your tastes, Father."

"To suit my tastes? Hahaha, this Candidate Gu is rather interesting. I've never heard anyone speak of his talents before. Surely he hasn't come to invite humiliation today? Here, let me see."

Liang Heng put down his book, took the manuscript, and unfolded it. After only a few glances, the playful smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by concentration and astonishment.

"What is it?"

Seeing Liang Heng so serious, Chen Niang could not help frowning.

Without taking his eyes off the pages, Liang Heng read in a low voice, "Best loved are West Lake's days in the second month, when slanting winds and fine rain escort pleasure boats. Ten lifetimes of devotion earn a shared boat crossing; a hundred lifetimes earn a shared pillow! Chen Niang, what do you think of these lyrics?"

Chen Niang was rather surprised. These simple lyrics captured the very essence of destined love. Was that not just like her and Liang Heng, who had first met aboard a boat on the lake in the second month...

"Where's the rest?"

Just as Liang Heng was becoming engrossed, it suddenly stopped. There was no more. Wasn't this heart-clawing, lung-scratching suspense enough to kill an old man?

Liang Fengyang pointed at the visiting card. "He probably still has the rest."

Liang Heng examined the script again, nodding repeatedly and praising it without end. Then he instructed, "Go invite Candidate Gu in yourself. I must have this The Legend of the White Snake!"

Liang Fengyang withdrew from the rear hall with a calm smile and glanced up at the clear blue sky.

Perhaps this wasn't merely a fine play, but a fine show directed by Candidate Gu himself?

Gu Zhengchen waited quietly.

Whether Liang Heng approved of The Legend of the White Snake would determine whether the Gu family could turn its fortunes around and escape its desperate plight. Still, an opera fanatic ought to recognize quality when he saw it, shouldn't he?

When Liang Fengyang came out through the main gate in person and introduced himself, Gu Zhengchen breathed a sigh of relief, his face lighting up with a smile.

It worked!

From this moment on, I, Gu Zhengchen, will reclaim everything the Gu family has lost, one step at a time!