Dongshan City Theater.

Recently, the renowned Huizhou troupe, the Three Elements Troupe, has been performing on stage.

The leading figure of this troupe is Ruan Qingsi, who excels in capturing the essence of certain bygone theatrical performances, forming today’s popular performing style, known as: Li Tune.

Truth be told, as I got older in my past life, I gradually became fond of traditional opera. These art forms, which had been popular for hundreds or even thousands of years, seem to be etched in one’s blood. When the time comes, they are naturally awakened.

Among many types of operas, Lin Miao favored Huangmei Opera the most. In contrast, the national treasure of Peking Opera was not his preference. It’s not that Peking Opera didn’t sound good; it was simply personal taste.

In the past life, due to my limited vocal conditions, I could only hum a few lines when no one was around. Mostly, I just listened.

Pop songs are pleasant to listen to, but after a while, they become tiresome. They lack the rich storytelling that traditional operas possess.

Honestly, I have never been to the theater to watch a play. I only heard from others about how beautiful Ruan Qingsi was, how exquisite her costumes, and how graceful her mannerisms were—all first-class, surpassing the leading courtesans of Dongshan City’s major brothels.

Once she took the stage, even the oiran of Dongshan’s brothels paled in comparison.

However, she truly performed for art, not for her body. After all, Ruan Qingsi was the precious daughter of the troupe master, Ruan Fu. Her mother had once been the leading star of the troupe, and now she seldom performs.

With such a daughter, they naturally cherished her.

That was beside the point.

The next morning, Lin Miao, along with Sun Youwei, Lianxin, Liansuo, and Yuzhu, took the family’s carriage to the theater.

The Three Elements Troupe had many performances, and the "Baochai Chronicles" was the most popular one, selling out as soon as tickets were released.

Lin Miao’s status as a physician afforded him some convenience; one of the theater’s managers was once his patient, giving him a connection.

Lin Miao managed to secure seats in the private box close to the stage.

After all, for such performances, the organizers naturally reserve one or two private boxes for special guests, just in case they’re needed.

Of course, reservations had to be made in advance, otherwise, they would be unavailable.

The performance was scheduled to start at six quarters of the hour in the morning. Lin Miao and his party arrived at the theater around halfway through the appointed time, then had their tickets checked before entering.

Since they had booked a VIP box, they were naturally escorted there by a guide.

Upon entering the box, they found it spacious enough. There was an octagonal table that could seat three, facing the stage, with space for extra chairs, accommodating up to five people.

Lin Miao’s group numbered exactly five.

Tea, pastries, and seasonal fruits were all provided, fitting the VIP treatment of the box. After all, the cost of one box was many times that of seats downstairs.

With Lin Miao’s assets, he could afford to come every day. But aside from those obsessed with opera, who would do so?

Pei Jian’s box was even closer to the front.

Upon seeing this, Lin Miao leaned down to whisper a few words to Sun Youwei before heading over. Pei Jian had invited him to watch the play, likely as an excuse to discuss matters.

Once the conversation was over, he naturally wouldn’t linger.

...

"Knock, knock..."

Two guards in fitted uniforms stood at the door of Pei Jian’s box, evidently recognizing Lin Miao. One of them turned and knocked on the door even before Lin Miao approached.

"Enter." Zhuo Qingfeng’s voice came from inside.

The guard pushed open the door, gesturing for Lin Miao to enter.

"Greetings to Prefect Pei and Mr. Zhuo."

"Mr. Lin is here, please have a seat!" Pei Jian and Zhuo Qingfeng simultaneously rose to welcome him. Although Pei Jian, a fourth-grade prefect, outranked Lin Miao significantly, this was a gesture of respect—a courtesy typical in official circles.

"Thank you."

Lin Miao sat down on the chair to Pei Jian’s left as a warm-up act featuring juggling and such was happening on the stage.

For ordinary people, watching performers endlessly tumbling and executing complex maneuvers might be fascinating, but for martial artists, such acts were rather routine.

"Mr. Lin must be puzzled why Pei suddenly invited you to the play, right?" Pei Jian initiated the conversation.

"Indeed, I was a bit curious."

"Are you aware, Mr. Lin, that His Majesty has conferred the title of King Qi upon the Fifth Prince?"

"That, I didn’t know." Lin Miao shook his head. Holding a leisure position, he seldom visited the Medical Bureau. Government documents or correspondence didn’t capture his interest.

He wasn’t truly part of the officialdom, merely holding an official title.

"The Crown Prince has been ill for a month now, currently under house arrest within the palace. No one knows the real situation. The people of Li Jing are anxious and uncertain about the Emperor’s intentions." Pei Jian sighed.

"Prefect Pei, isn’t this a matter outside the concern of someone like me, a minor Chengde Official? Why don’t you directly express your purpose in inviting me?"

"I wish to recommend you to go to Li Jing to treat the Crown Prince’s illness?" Pei Jian slowly said.

Lin Miao exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Pei, there are many famous doctors in the capital. Moreover, there are two great masters in both the Imperial Pharmacy and the palace. I’m just a minor physician, probably won’t even get to see the Crown Prince, let alone the court hasn’t decreed for a doctor for the Crown Prince."

"Your medical skills are evident to all. If I recommend you, naturally, there will be a way for you to meet the Crown Prince," Pei Jian said.

"Mr. Pei, what do you want me to help you with?" Lin Miao couldn’t help but notice that Pei Jian had other intentions in his words.

"What exactly is the Crown Prince’s condition, and is it really true that the Crown Prince cannot have children, and is it the Crown Prince’s fault?"

"Is Mr. Pei looking for a way out for himself?"

"No, Mr. Lin misunderstood. I myself came from the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, the mark on me can’t be washed off. Even if I had thoughts, I’m afraid no one would dare to believe me," Pei Jian said solemnly.

"Mr. Pei, are you really the Crown Prince’s man?" Lin Miao asked with deep meaning.

Pei Jian was instantly shocked. How could this young man be so calm and composed like a veteran official of decades, without any flaws?

"Don’t blame me, Mr. Pei, I was just asking casually. If you recommend me and the court decrees me to go to the capital, there’s no problem. I can go."

"Truly?"

"Naturally."

"Good, then it’s settled. There’s still a month and a half before the New Year. I have already written a memorial and sent it to the capital by carrier pigeons. We should have news within two days," Pei Jian said with a steady smile.

Lin Miao just slightly nodded. The Crown Prince had already arrived at Dongshan; what use would it be for him to go to the capital again?

The Crown Prince had arrived at Dongshan but hadn’t informed Pei Jian. How could he not suspect whether Pei Jian was really the Crown Prince’s confidant?

"Mr. Lin, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask," Zhuo Qingfeng said.

"Please go ahead, Mr. Zhuo."

"Recently, many martial artists have come to Dongshan, and there have been many fighting incidents in the city. Each district official and the Arresting Department are strictly investigating outsiders to ensure the security of Dongshan City. Mr. Lin, did you take in a couple from Li Jing and let them stay at your inn?"

"That’s true, what’s the matter? Is there a problem with them?" Lin Miao asked back.

"Currently, it’s not clear, but they have a group of more than ten people, all carrying weapons with martial arts cultivation. Reports from South City District said they are your patients, and when sent for registration, they did not cooperate and even drove the government people out..."

"About that, I’ve only dealt with the couple. As for the people under them, I don’t know them well. They came to me for treatment and had nowhere to stay. I happened to want to short-term lease the inn, it just matched their needs, so I rented it to them. That’s all registered with the yamen. After renting the inn to them, it’s none of my business anymore."

"I checked the lease agreement filed with the yamen. It’s signed by someone named Zhao Si. Such a person of status would not use such a name, right? It should be his subordinate who signed the lease. Mr. Lin, do you know the identity of this couple?"

"I do know, the man is named Zhao Ze, and the woman, as introduced by the man, has the surname Yua, which is quite rare, Mrs. Zhao..."

"Zhao Ze, Mrs. Zhao?!" Zhuo Qingfeng repeated, frowning slightly. Pei Jian, who was beside, couldn’t help but react with shock upon hearing these names. Although he quickly concealed it, such a slight change of expression was still caught by Lin Miao.

It turned out they had long suspected Zhao Ze’s identity. Earlier, Pei Jian recommended Lin Miao to go to Li Jing purportedly to treat the Crown Prince was likely a test of his attitude, or a purposeful attempt to prevent him from suspecting their questions to follow.

If Zhao Ze’s identity was confirmed, Pei Jian didn’t want him to know...

Or perhaps Pei Jian had another motive.

This is something that one must guard against.

Pei Jian claimed to be the Crown Prince’s man, yet the Crown Prince secretly came to Dongshan and did not tell him, the confidant. Is something amiss?

Pei Jian came from the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, and it was the Crown Prince who recommended him to Dongshan. This is not difficult to verify, but in officialdom, who knows how many faces one might have.

His invitation to watch opera was evidently with his mind not on the opera itself.

The time reached the sixth hour of the morning, with a sound of the drumbeat, the splendid performance finally began.

The curtain of the stage opened, revealing a table and a lamp.

A young woman in a plain dress slowly walked out from backstage, her gaze like a clear pond in a deep valley, gentle yet tinged with a trace of sorrow.

This woman’s figure was graceful, like willow branches swaying in the wind. Every movement radiated natural charm, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

Her hair was tied at the back of her head, adorned with a simple wooden hairpin. Her slender eyebrows were like gently ascending willow leaves, and her flowing eyes seemed to convey a thousand unsaid words.

This stage setting and the appearance of the character left Lin Miao slightly astounded.

This was Ruan Qingsi, the lead actress of the Huizhou San Yuan Troupe, indeed a rare beauty.

She walked slowly to the front of the stage, facing the audience below, her almond eyes shimmering with tears, as if recounting the unresolvable sorrow in her heart.

"I was originally..."

A passage of recitation, mournful and plaintive, described a tragic life story, bringing the audience below into deep emotion.

Many, after hearing it, could not help but tear up.

Then the red lips parted, and a melodious yet sorrowful tune emerged. It was like the gentle spring breeze carrying the sadness of peach blossoms, or like the fine rain of an autumn night containing the sorrow of moonlight, striking directly at the heart.

"Bravo!"