After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 261 The Rong Family Opera Troupe

Even though the Ma family was very wealthy, they never thought of hiring an opera troupe to perform; at most, they would just go to a teahouse to listen to a song.

Actually, Su Tai didn't know where Shen Ying got the idea of ​​performing operas, but since the person had already spoken up and the villagers were happy, she was definitely going to help.

"Sister Bai, our village's strawberry jam sold well this year, and the village has some extra money. The village chief is thinking of rewarding the villagers and the elderly. We've always had food and drink, but no one has ever seen a play before, so everyone definitely wants to see one, right?"

Bai nodded in understanding. "I do know one opera troupe in the county."

"Just one?" Su Tai was somewhat surprised.

Bai looked amused. "It's good if there's even one! Opera troupes take in orphaned and helpless children. A play needs at least seven or eight to be performed completely. Before they can go on stage, the troupe leader has to spend money to support them, put in a lot of effort to cultivate them, and also ensure that the children's appearances don't turn out badly. Just think how much effort is involved!"

Furthermore, opera singing is a craft, and not everyone possesses such a skill. As far as I know, there are only two opera troupes in the prefectural city, which specialize in performing for high-ranking officials and nobles. They only perform at the opera house occasionally when they have no other gigs.

"Sister knows so much," Su Tai praised sincerely.

Bai smiled even more brightly and said modestly, "It's not that I know a lot, but that I only found out when my father invited an opera troupe to perform at my house for three days when my grandmother was still alive and she was celebrating her birthday."

However, it is indeed surprising that ordinary people would think of opera troupes; your village chief must be quite knowledgeable.

Su Tai gave an awkward smile and said, "Sister Bai, could you tell me the locations of those opera troupes?"

After thinking for a moment, Bai said, "If you really want to invite them, my husband can pass on a message for you. It just so happens that our goods pass through the county town when they go out. However, the cost of hiring an opera troupe is not low."

"Isn't it one or two taels of silver?" Su Tai blurted out.

Bai was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "That's in the county town. If you invite people over, you'll have to cover their travel expenses! There are so many people, it'll cost at least a few taels of silver."

Su Tai suddenly realized what was going on, stood up and thanked Bai Shi, "Sister Bai, I need to go back and discuss this with the village chief. If the village chief is willing, I will give you a definite answer, is that alright?"

Bai was very understanding and agreed.

As soon as Su Tai left, she told Ma Xingteng what had happened. "This Shen Family Village is really something else. Even a village chief knows how to hire an opera troupe. How much money do you think they make!"

The Ma family was already the richest family in Moshi Town, yet her stingy father-in-law never even considered hiring an opera troupe.

Ma Xingteng pondered for a moment and said, "This year's strawberry jam should have made a lot of money. It's more interesting than just selling strawberries. I can understand why they hired an opera troupe. Do you think we should hire one too?"

Bai was somewhat tempted, but then shook her head and refused, "Let's not. There's a funeral in the family, and my father-in-law has been sullen. Plus, your stepmother is crazy. Even if we hire an opera troupe, it'll just be the two of us watching. It's not very interesting, and there might be gossip outside."

Ma Xingteng thought about it and realized that it made sense, so he gave up on the idea.

After returning to the village, Su Tai went to Shen Ying's house as soon as possible and told him about the situation. "Village chief, if we really invite him, it will probably cost two or three more taels of silver, which is too expensive."

After coming out of the house and learning the situation, Madam He gritted her teeth and said, "Our family will pay for this."

"Huh?" Su Tai exclaimed in surprise, "Auntie, isn't this inappropriate!"

Madam He waved her hand, “There’s no such thing as inappropriate or inappropriate. The word has already been spoken. If we don’t manage to invite the opera troupe, the villagers will definitely be disappointed! There are several other villages that know our village is going to invite an opera troupe, and many people are planning to come and watch the fun. If we just say we won’t invite them, where will we put our face?” Su Tai thought about it and realized that it made sense. “Alright, I’ll go and talk to them.”

A few days later, on the official road leading from the county seat to Moshi Town, an oxcart swayed and bumped along.

A couple in their forties were sitting on the oxcart, accompanied by a group of tall young men and women. They weren't necessarily beautiful, but they certainly had great figures.

Unfortunately, the beautiful young man and woman did not receive any pity from the couple. They were not only dressed in rags, but they were also starving and emaciated.

The two children beside the girl fell behind because they were walking slower, and the lady lashed them with her whip, making them cry out in pain.

The people around the child quickly pulled him away, preventing the woman from continuing her outburst.

Qiu proudly brandished the whip in her hand, not even glancing at the figures behind the oxcart, and cheerfully said to the man beside her, "I never imagined there were such wealthy villages under Zhaohua County, they even know how to hire opera troupes! Husband, do you think we haven't been out for too long? We've missed so many opportunities to make money!"

Rong Laosi grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "What's there to be afraid of? Let's take this opportunity to make a lot of money. The villagers are ignorant. We can just entertain them with opera for a few days. We can also take the chance to scout out some good stuff. If we come across any good stuff, we can't miss it."

“Yes, yes, my eldest sister is waiting! If it’s really good stuff, she definitely won’t be short of money.” Qiu said happily.

Turning back, she glared at the others with displeasure and warned fiercely, "This time you'd better sing well, anyone who dares to ruin the reputation of my Rong Family Opera Troupe, I'll teach them a lesson! Do you hear me?"

"I heard you!" came the trembling voices of the boy and girl in response.

Qiu gave a haughty snort and ignored them.

The child, who had just been whipped, fearfully pulled Chunqin's hand and asked in a low voice, "Sister Chunqin, are those two bad guys planning to do something bad again?"

Chunqin gestured for him to be quiet out of fear, "Don't talk nonsense, or you'll get beaten by the old lady again."

Little Twelve was indignant, but he dared not continue speaking. The whip hurt so much, and even though he had been whipped countless times, he was still afraid.

It took the group a whole day to reach Moshi Town.

Su Tai had already booked rooms for them.

After the group checked in, Rong Laosi and Qiu Shi couldn't wait to wander around the town.

After looking around, the two returned with long faces.

Chunxiang went over to serve them, and very attentively poured them water, asking them with concern, "Fourth Master and Madam went out for a walk, did you find anything?"

Qiu spat in annoyance, "I thought Moshi Town had become prosperous, but it's still as poor as before. More than half of the town's industries belong to the Ma family, and they never hire us to perform, so we can't make any money! It's not market time now, there's not a soul in sight, what bad luck!"

"Forget it, let's rest. We'll go to Shenjiazhuang tomorrow." Rong Laosi's tone was unfriendly, clearly indicating that he had no expectations for Shenjiazhuang.

The next morning, the group left the inn and headed straight for Shenjiazhuang.