The most touching part of this episode came to the stage.
Du Yinglang was beaten by a boy from a rich family until his nose was bruised and his face was swollen. He lay on the stage and sang miserably:
"The good spring breeze can't blow into the deep palace garden, the good spring dream can't dream of the pink-sleeved green shirt, look at the broken white jade bracelet, look at the lonely man sleeping alone in the cold water, my bracelet, my dear green lady, who knows
My liver and intestines are broken, my body is haggard and my clothes are wide."
Those who heard it were sad and those who saw it shed tears.
The whole hall kept cheering.
Gu Yu also imitated others and threw money on the stage.
Once the play was over, the guests left one after another.
King Xiaoyao invited Gu Yu to get on the carriage and take her home, but she declined on the grounds that it was not convenient.
King Xiaoyao didn't insist, so he got on the carriage and left.
Gu Yu looked at the direction where King Xiaoyao left, feeling a sense of suffocation arise spontaneously.
How could she not understand opera? She wrote this story herself and secretly handed it over to the most famous opera troupe in Kyoto for rehearsal. She even modified some of the lyrics herself to make it touching.
"Mandarin Duck Dream" became popular in Kyoto as soon as it was released on the market, causing countless ladies to shed tears in the theater.
Today is the birthday of Concubine Jiang who was raised in the harem. Concubine Jiang was a theater fanatic. The Holy Emperor always respected this concubine who did not make trouble. He specially summoned a troupe from the Liyuan Garden to the palace to sing operas for her. He also agreed to go there in person in the evening to congratulate Concubine Jiang on her birthday.
Gu Yu's heart was heavy, this play was her "gift" to Zhou Baolin.
After all, she is also a person who will retaliate against others. Her sister is walking on thin ice in the palace, and she cannot let her take risks.
Just because she didn't mention the poisoning, it doesn't mean she forgot. The situation at that time was too dangerous. If you made a single mistake, the entire Zhenguo Palace would fall into an abyss of eternal destruction.
She can't touch the people behind Zhou Baolin now, but since Zhou Baolin dares to take the lead, he must bear the consequences.
She thought the whole plan was rigorous enough from planning to implementation, but she didn't expect that King Xiaoyao would still get a glimpse of it.
But he saw through it but did not expose it, and allowed her plan to proceed.
What exactly does this person want to do?
The sun was setting in the west, and Concubine Jiang's Shou'an Palace was just starting to get busy.
Concubine Jiang sat at the top like an old birthday girl, enjoying the compliments and amusements of the young concubines. There were many concubines in the former emperor and harem, and almost all of them except her did not die well.
Even the Holy Sage's adoptive mother, the current Queen Mother, was sent to Mount Wutai to pray for the late Emperor because of the death of Empress Xiao Ming.
The fact that she was able to fight her way out from a crowd of femme fatales was not only due to luck, but also due to her wisdom.
She was the only one left in the late emperor's harem, so the Holy Emperor was happy to hold her high as a sign of benevolence and filial piety.
"This play keeps appearing like this over and over again. Today's opera theater is really inferior to every generation, and there is nothing new."
Concubine Jiang flipped through the playbook in her hand, "The same old ones like "Havoc in Heaven", "Magu Presents Her Birthday", "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea", and "The Phoenix Returns to the Nest", I'm tired of watching them every year."
Concubine Gu and the empress sat next to Concubine Jiang, and said proactively: "There is a new play in Kyoto recently called "Mandarin Duck's Dream". Concubine Concubine Gu can listen to it later."
Concubine Jiang became interested: "Is it a new play? What is it about?"
Concubine Gu turned her head and smiled: "It's boring to say it. It's definitely a good show."
The performance of "Ma Gu's Birthday" on the stage was over, and the Holy Father came belatedly. After delivering the congratulatory gifts, he also took his seat.
"Fortunately, I was in time to give the concubine a birthday gift."
"The Holy One has everything in mind, just ask Fuhai to send it over." Mrs. Jiang smiled like a Maitreya Buddha.
All the concubines also presented birthday gifts. When it was Zhou Baolin's turn, she presented a picture of a hundred years of longevity and said:
"This is my concubine's body illuminating the words "longevity" written on the saint, one by one. It is not as precious as the birthday gifts given to you sisters. I hope the concubine will not dislike it."
Mrs. Jiang did not know that she was using her birthday to invite favors. She had seen these tricks many times and was not annoyed. She praised her and said: "You are thoughtful."
Concubine Jiang was old and her eyesight was not very good. Under the candlelight, she saw something dazzling in Zhou Baolin's hair, so she asked, "What is that on Baolin's head?"
Like a victorious rooster, Zhou Baolin couldn't help but show off: "This is the glazed hairpin awarded by the Holy Spirit."
As he spoke, he glanced at Concubine Gu, and saw that her face was gloomy, which made her even more proud.
Some time ago, the imperial concubine rewarded several new concubines with glazed hairpins. Those short-sighted people took them with them every day to show their favor, so she asked the Holy Master for them after one of her bedtimes.
The one given by the Holy One is naturally much more gorgeous than theirs. In addition, she is young and wears it on her head with a beauty that outshines all the other girls.
"Zhou Baolin is young and pretty, and it fits him perfectly," said Concubine Jiang.
Empress Xu frowned slightly, feeling that something was not right. She glanced at Concubine Gu, suppressed her uneasiness, and said to Zhou Baolin: "Sit back quickly, the show is about to begin."
The opera actor appeared on stage, and Du Yinglang on the stage said: "People from Zhezhou who are born in China come to Kyoto to find relatives."
Concubine Gu seemed to interject inadvertently: "I remember that Zhou Baolin is also from Zhezhou. It's a coincidence."
As the actors performed, the general outline of the story was revealed.
Zhou Baolin gradually realized that something was wrong and what was going on in this story. She quickly looked at the saint, who had a cold expression on his face and was staring at the actor on the stage.
At this time, Concubine Gu sighed: "What a pair of hard-luck mandarin ducks."
Empress Xu saw Zhou Baolin's pale face. For some reason, she felt extremely uneasy and said, "On such a beautiful day, I shouldn't order this play. It will make the Dowager Empress sad, so please stop it."
Concubine Jiang wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "No, it's been a long time since I've seen such a wonderful show. Just watch it."
Queen Xu forced a smile and continued reading.
Zhou Baolin was sweating coldly. Unknown to others, the Holy Master knew that her nickname was Cuicui, and he called her so affectionately in the bed.
This is not the worst thing. The worst thing is that a few days ago, her father sent a message and asked her to plead for her cousin in front of the Holy Emperor. Although she hated her cousin for causing trouble for her, she still brought it up with the Holy Emperor in a more jealous manner.
It deviated from the truth and accidentally coincided with the drama on stage.
What Cui Niang, Du Yinglang, is clearly alluding to her and her cousin Zhang Xiangrong.
At this time, Du Yinglang on the stage sang the miserable famous verse again: "Oh my bracelet, my good Cui Niang..."
Zhou Baolin took off the glazed hairpin from her bun with trembling hands. When she raised her eyes, she saw that the Holy Emperor was looking at her, as cold as ice. She was so frightened that her legs and feet went limp, and she wanted to kneel down and defend herself with the Holy Emperor.
The Holy One took the lead and said: "It's a good show. Zhou Baolin, just sit back and watch it." His tone was full of coercion.
Zhou Baolin came to his senses. He was congratulating Concubine Jiang on her birthday tonight. Many concubines were here. If she suddenly defended herself and disturbed Concubine Jiang's birthday party, more people would laugh.
After finally finishing the song, His Majesty said goodbye to the Dowager Empress: "My son and I still have political matters to deal with, so we should take the first step."
After that, he left without looking back.
Zhou Baolin wanted to catch up, but Zheng Liangyuan said: "Zhou Baolin, didn't you hear that the Lord has to deal with political affairs? Even if you invite favors, you have to wait and see."
Zhou Baolin's feet stayed in place and he reluctantly said: "Liangyuan misunderstood, I just stood there with numb feet."
Zhou Baolin didn't listen to the rest of the play at all.
It was not until Concubine Jiang felt sleepy and wanted to return to the palace that the concubines dispersed one by one.
Queen Xu saw Zhou Baolin sitting motionless on the chair, as if he had lost his soul, so she walked over.
When Zhou Baolin saw her, he seemed to be grasping at straws and said with horror: