Family Has a Concubine

It was a hot day in June, and people were restless.

The Chu family only had two carriages, a big Zhulun canopy carriage that could seat six people, and a small carriage that could seat four people. Mrs. Qin took Chu Miaoshu and sisters in a big carriage, while Ye Tangcai took a small carriage.

Chu Yunpan was riding a horse outside, walking unsteadily on the East Street in the city.

Ye Tangcai lifted the curtain and looked at Chu Yunpan: Third Master, Deming's class is in front.

Chu Yunpan was startled, then turned to look at her: Well, that's right.

She squinted her eyes and said with a smile: Isn't the third master fond of listening to operas? I have been listening to them in Huaifang Building, but Huaifang Building is not as famous as Deming Class. Let's go to Deming Class to listen.

Chu Yunpan suddenly remembered that when she first married, she hadn't found out that he was working with King Liang. At that time, in order to deal with her, he had dinner with her every day. Once she came back from her mother's house and saw him on the street. where. He said that he likes to listen to operas and go to Huaifang Building, but she said that the Deming class is better, and we will go together next time if we have a chance.

He knew that she wanted to promote the relationship between husband and wife, that's why she was always warm to him.

Then a lot of things happened. She found out that he was doing things with King Liang, and she made it clear that she would not be a husband and wife...

She never thought that she still remembered the matter of listening to the opera.

Chu Yunpan felt very delicate in his heart, and the corners of his lips could not help but slightly raised: Okay.

Then he reined in the reins, and drove the horse to the side of the big Zhu Lun canopy carriage where Qin and sisters Chu Miaoshu were sitting in front.

Mother, Tang'er and I will go shopping. Chu Yunpan said.

Qin's face was heavy, and she didn't bother to care: Yes.

Thank you mother. Chu Yunpan said.

Big sister, we... Chu Miaohua also wanted to go shopping with Ye Tangcai and the others, but she didn't dare to get too close to Chu Yunpan in front of her aunt, so she dragged Chu Miaoshu into the water.

Chu Miaohua was about to tell Chu Miaoshu to go shopping, but when she looked up, she saw Chu Yunpan looking at her coldly, Chu Miaohua's face froze, and she swallowed the words that reached her throat, not daring to make a sound.

What are we doing? Chu Miaoshu stared at Chu Miaohua, shaking his fan in the heat.

Let's... go home and eat iced watermelon. Chu Miaohua whispered more and more.

You don't need to say it! Didn't someone put the watermelon in the well to freeze before going out? Chu Miaoshu gave her a hard look, the heat made her feel irritable.

Ye Tangcai's green-covered carriage had already stopped in front of Deming's class. Chu Yunpan walked over and got off the horse.

Ye Tangcai had already supported Qiuju's hand and jumped out of the carriage: Qiuju, you lead the third master's horse to stop. Didn't you say that the tooth of the nanmu comb was broken last time, so go buy it for me? Bar!

Yeah. Qiu Ju pouted, she also wanted to go to the theater, but the girl asked her to buy a comb, so she could only buy a comb.

Let's go! Chu Yunpan said.

Ye Tangcai smiled and nodded: Okay.

Qing'er was driving the carriage, and Qiuju led Chu Yunpan's horse, and together they went to the stable where the carriages and horses were parked in Deming class.

Deming Troupe is the most famous theater troupe in the entire capital, and there are two extremely powerful Huadans in it. Today's Empress Dowager loves to listen to operas, and Deming Troupe is invited to the palace every year for her birthday banquet.

From the outside, I saw that it was a three-room high building, with dark tiles and black pillars, cornices and corners, and a large ink-painted plaque with the words Deming Class hanging in front of the gate, which was quite elegant.

When the two walked into the gate, they saw a big pear garden screen wall with black and red faces painted on it. Bypassing the screen wall was the lobby of Deming class.

There are eight immortal tables in the lobby, which are already full of people. Some people are drinking and chatting, some are listening to the opera seriously. On the big stage, singing has already started, and the singing is unknown.

Guest officers, where do you want to sit? At this time, a delicate and handsome little girl aged seventeen or eighteen stepped forward with a smile.

He turned his eyes to the faces of Chu Yunpan and Ye Tangcai, marveling at their appearance, but immediately bowed his head, not daring to look any further.

The private seat on the second floor. Chu Yunpan said.

Okay, this way please. Xiao Er hurried to the front to lead the way.

The two of them followed the boy through the lobby, and finally walked up a staircase, which was the second floor.

It is said to be an elegant seat, but it is not a wing room, but a semi-private space separated on three sides by a large screen, and the last side is naturally facing the stage. There is a long table inside, which can be used to put drinks or snacks. Behind the long table is an ink lacquered couch with folded branches and plum patterns, and there are four armchairs on both sides.

Ye Tangcai and Chu Yunpan sat on the couch with a small kang table between them.

Guest officers, what kind of wine do you want? Or snacks? Xiaoer said.

Chu Yunpan wanted to order tea, but blurted out: A pot of begonia is drunk. After finishing speaking, he regretted a little, wondering if she could drink?

Okay! Do you want some snacks? Xiao Er smiled.

Give me cloud cake and rose cake. Ye Tangcai said.

Add another duck cake. Chu Yunpan said.

Ye Tangcai's face froze, thinking of the duck cake that Chu Yunpan bought last time, a big table of Huang Chengcheng.

Chu Yunpan took out a small silver ingot and put it on the small kang table. It was ten taels of silver, and Xiaoer quickly accepted it with a smile.

Deming Class is the best theater building, and it costs five qian and silver per person to enter, plus the private room and the drinks that Chu Yunpan ordered just now, ten taels is too much, but the gauge of the theater building is the first time There is no change for money. Most of them are Xiao Er's tips, so Xiao Er is very happy.

Come right away! Xiao Er smiled even more, and immediately turned and went out.

Ye Tangcai looked at the stage below, and saw a danjiao in a wedding gown and a freshman in a groom's suit, babbling and babbling. Moved, and a woman wiped her tears.

Guest officer. Xiao Er came up with a tray, on which were placed a white jade jug, two cups, and three plates of snacks. He put these things on the long case one by one.

I didn't expect you to sing Crying Flowers and Hibiscus here. Chu Yunpan laughed.

Yeah! Xiao Er nodded, his face a little embarrassed: Everyone loves to listen, so we sing here too.

What is Crying Flower and Lotus? Ye Tangcai was curious.

It's a play in Huaifang Tower. Chu Yunpan said.

Huaifang Tower is the theater where the third master often goes, right? Ye Tangcai said.

Yes. Chu Yunpan nodded: Huaifang Building is a not-so-famous theater in the capital, but it has become very popular in recent months because Huaifang Building has a play called Crying Flowers and Lotus, which tells It's a drama about foolish men complaining about women.

Oh. Ye Tangcai was a little surprised, and looked down again: Why do I see all the elders so focused?

This kind of drama about men complaining about women is generally loved by women or girls, and elders don't look down on them.

Chu Yunpan narrowed his long and narrow eyes slightly, and smiled: I don't know, anyway, I don't know why Twisting Flowers and Lotuses, even the elders think it is good.

Ye Tangcai looked at Xiao Er: Since this is a play in Huai Fang Lou, why can it be sung here?

Xiaoer looked a little embarrassed: Because the play Crying Flowers and Lotus was not written by Huaifanglou, there is another author behind it, and she signed a deed when she sold the play to Huaifanglou, and Huaifanglou performed it for three months. , if other buildings want it, they can also sell it to other buildings. This is only the first episode, and the next episode has not yet been released. At that time, Huaifang Building will have to sing for the first time, and other buildings will sing again after a while. I don’t know yet What will this ending be, it must be more exciting.”

Chu Yunpan narrowed his eyebrows and smiled: What else could it be? It must be that idiotic men and women can't get together, go their separate ways, and then feel sad, otherwise there would be no such drama.

Xiao Er frowned: We are all looking forward to a happy reunion!

Chu Yunpan lowered his eyes in response, Xiaoer had no choice but to look at Ye Tangcai for a sense of approval: Young lady, do you think so?

Ye Tangcai: I don't know! But it should be divided!

The corner of Xiaoer's mouth twitched, there is no such black heart, and he doesn't look at how miserable and sad the male and female roles are, everyone is looking forward to a happy reunion, why does this good-looking young man curse others' tragedy when he opens his mouth end. This little lady who looks like a fairy opens her eyes and sings to husband and wife.

Xiaoer said again: No matter what the result is, everyone is looking forward to the next episode anyway. Our Miss Chunrong is the most famous female actress in the capital, and the second episode of Crying Flowers and Lotuses will come out at that time, please come here to listen to the two guests play.

Chu Yunpan said, I think Miss Ruolan from Huaifangguan sings better.

Xiao Er's heart was pierced instantly, so he could only retreat with a smile.

Ye Tangcai watched Xiao Er walk around the screen with sympathy.

Deming Troupe is the No. 1 theater in the capital, but because of Crying Flowers and Lotus, it was robbed of its business by the little-known Huaifang Building, and it was very uncomfortable. But in order to attract old fans, I had to buy this play, which is already a shame to follow the trend. I thought that the famous Huadan girl Chunrong could sing Crying Flowers and Lotuses better, so as to overwhelm Huaifanglou.

No, Chu Yunpan opened his mouth and said that the little-known girl Ruolan in Huaifanglou sang better, Xiao Er was naturally heartbroken.

Ye Tangcai looked at Chu Yunpan with a smile: Miss Ruolan...is she really that good at singing?

Chu Yunpan said: In terms of singing skills and voice line, Miss Ruolan is naturally inferior to Miss Chunrong, but this Crying Flowers and Lotus is tailor-made for Miss Ruolan, with that slightly hoarse voice, that sad and melodious tone. All my emotions were sung.

Ye Tangcai was taken aback: Really? When the second volume comes out, I'll go to Huaifang Building to enjoy it.

It's going to be the end of labor and swallows. I advise you not to watch it! It's not uncomfortable. Chu Yunpan said with certainty.

Why, the third master knows the author of this play? Did you know the next episode in advance? Please introduce me to the third master.

It's considered acquaintance, but I don't introduce it. Chu Yunpan said.

Third Master goes to the theater all day long...couldn't he be working? Ye Tangcai said suddenly.

Chu Yunpan was startled, and said coldly, Yes. Don't ask too many questions.

Ye Tangcai was very obedient, and stopped asking about the theater building, but asked others in a disobedient way: Does the third master have to work for His Royal Highness Liang Wang? Why... choose Liang Wang?

Chu Yunpan felt that Ye Tangcai was a little different today. In the past, she would take the initiative to avoid these things, but today she moved forward.

Chu Yunpan said: Since you know, it's okay to tell you. His Royal Highness King Liang is to me...you will find it strange to say it. To me, he is also a father, a teacher, and a friend.

Hearing this, Ye Tangcai was really surprised. Liang Wang was only around twenty-three or four, seven or eight years older than Chu Yunpan, but Chu Yunpan had a crush on him.

When I was young, my family was still in decline. At that time, almost all the men of the Chu family were in Yingcheng, and my grandmother and several powerful aunts were also in Yingcheng. My mother didn't like me. Others were learning to ride and shoot, but I was in Yingcheng. Punishment for kneeling or copying scriptures. When I was nine years old, my family suffered great changes, and I couldn't learn anything. My father forced my brother to go to school all day long, but I didn't want to do it. However, my family was ruined, and I was a bastard. There are no ladders to go up, and I am muddled all day long.

I first met the King of Liang when I was twelve years old. I was just an inconspicuous child in a dilapidated family. I was humiliated in front of the academy, but he took me back. From piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, to abacus, riding and shooting, everything is perfect. He taught it himself.

Having said that, he stopped talking.

But Ye Tangcai understood that without King Liang, there would be no Chu Yunpan now. Between them, they are no longer ordinary subordinates. No matter what the king of Liang is, what the future is, how life or death is, Chu Yunpan will definitely stand by the king of Liang. If King Liang's life was in danger, he would even step forward to block it.

Chu Yunpan picked up the chopsticks, picked up a duck cake and put it on her small plate: Eat it!

Ye Tangcai was preoccupied, looked down and saw the yellow duck cake on the plate, looking at her with round eyes.

Ye Tangcai was so stared at by it that she was in a bad mood, picked it up with her chopsticks, groaned, and bit off the duck cake's head in one bite! It was sweet and glutinous in his mouth, but Ye Tangcai felt that there was no taste in his heart.

Is it delicious? Chu Yunpan asked.

tasty.

Pack up when you go.

The corners of Ye Tangcai's mouth twitched.

The play on the stage downstairs was still babbling, and Ye Tangcai had been talking to Chu Yunpan just now, so she didn't know what was going on up there, but the female and male characters sang with their sleeves flicking sadly and Joyful, affectionate, and full of meaning.

The women in the audience covered their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs and were crying! Even the elders had tears in their eyes.

Wow, so powerful? Next time, you must take a closer look at what it is, it is so magical!

The scene on the stage came to an end, Chu Yun poured down two glasses of wine, he gently took a sip, and murmured: It's delicious.

Seeing this, Ye Tangcai picked up the wine glass and took a sip, only to feel that the taste was spicy, and then the mouth was full of pure fragrance, which was long and lingering.

Still watching? Chu Yunpan asked.

Don't read it, let's go!

The husband and wife went downstairs, and Xiao Er rushed to meet him. Chu Yunpan really asked him to pack duck cakes. Xiao Er asked if the Yunpian cakes and rose cakes on the table were also packed. Chu Yunpan said no, only duck cakes.

Ye Tangcai was speechless.

The two left the theater lobby and walked to the stable where the carriages and horses were parked.

She saw her small green-covered carriage parked in a corner, Qing'er was dozing off on one side, while Qiuju was sitting on the other side of the shaft dangling her feet.

Seeing them coming, Qiuju jumped up quickly: Girl, you are down. Then she took out a mahogany comb inlaid with pearls from her bosom: Do you like this one?

I like it. Ye Tangcai nodded with a smile.

The two masters and servants got into the carriage, Chu Yunpan rode on the horse, left the stable, and headed towards the north of the city.