Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 76 Welcome back
Nighttime, the Grand Theatre in Tingen.

As the industrialization of Ruen progressed, the city's cultural and entertainment industry also developed rapidly, giving rise to performing arts forms that appealed to all social classes.

The lower classes tend to watch folk songs, acrobatics, and farces. They don't maintain proper etiquette while watching; instead, they laugh, shout, and curse. If they like something, they applaud and cheer; if they dislike it, they immediately jeer and chase people away, using it to relieve the fatigue of a day's work.

The middle class and upper class prefer to watch plays in grand theaters. However, the former see it as a status symbol, while the latter see it more as a means of social interaction.

Thus, in a large theater that can accommodate thousands of audience members, there is often a scene like this: the audience in the lobby tries to appear sophisticated, while the nobles in the boxes are more casual, and while watching, they also interact with their peers in other boxes.

As for how many of them are actually paying attention to the play itself, only God knows.

"Sir, here is your ticket."

The waiter in the red uniform respectfully handed the ticket back to Lu Ze, his gaze involuntarily falling to the side of him, a look of amazement in his eyes.

Not only him, but everyone who passed by the door subconsciously turned their gaze to the girl next to him.

Cecilia wore an elegant pale purple gown with a layered sweetheart neckline that revealed her fair, rounded shoulders and delicate collarbones. The gown was perfectly tailored, beautifully accentuating the girl's graceful curves, as sculpted as a spring mountain range.

Her face was so beautiful that it took one's breath away. What was most captivating was the hint of shyness on that exquisite face, which evoked a sense of pity in everyone present.

"Lu Ze, am I dressed inappropriately? Why are they all looking at me?"

Cecilia hid behind Luze and asked in a low voice. Although she usually appeared very mature, she couldn't help but get nervous in this situation, revealing the typical demeanor of a young girl.

"It's nothing, it's just that my sister is so beautiful that they were mesmerized."

Lu Ze chuckled, glancing around to notice that the ladies were all wearing necklaces or earrings, and a pang of regret shot through his heart. He had forgotten all about it; he hadn't prepared any jewelry for his sister.

What kind of jewelry would suit Cecilia? I'll take her to a jewelry store in a few days.

As Lu Ze thought this, he reached out to his sister, "Alright Cecilia, straighten your back, we're going in."

Although it is not uncommon for women to watch theatrical performances, in the relatively conservative social environment of Ruen, it is generally necessary for them to be accompanied by a man.

Entering the fan-shaped theater seating area, the scene was lively and chaotic. A curtain separated the stage from the audience, and only the messy sounds of setting up could be heard from inside. The audience members were also talking to each other—the middle class solemnly maintaining their dignity.

After an unknown amount of time, the theater gradually quieted down, and it seemed that the performance was about to begin.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out near the private room, and then spread to the regular seats.

"Mrs. Sharon is here too!"

Someone in the audience shouted excitedly.

The crowd erupted in commotion, with many craning their necks to look towards the private room.

Mrs. Sharon?

Luze seemed to have heard of this name before; she was supposedly the most famous and beautiful widow in Tingen, sought after by nobles and wealthy merchants, and her fame was widespread in high society.

So, she must be very beautiful?
Lu Ze also looked over to join the fun, and saw a richly dressed lady, her face covered by a veil, entering a private room accompanied by servants. Not only did she conceal her renowned face, but her arms and neck were also covered with black veils.

Although her skin was covered, her graceful figure still attracted the infatuated gazes of countless men.

Lu Ze felt Cecilia staring at him, so he shook his head and said, "He doesn't even dare to show his face. He must know he's not as pretty as my sister, so he's deliberately covering it up." "Don't talk nonsense, brother!"

Cecilia, who was initially a little unhappy, was immediately amused by him.

After a brief incident, the curtain was drawn back, and the performance was finally about to begin.

This classic comedy by Emperor Roselle was originally titled "The Merchant of Backlund," intended to satirize the greed and folly of the merchants of Loen. However, after it reached Loen, local playwrights renamed it "The Merchant of Trier," and the villains became merchants from Trier, the capital of Intis.

But Luzer knew that Russell's play was plagiarized from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, one of his four great comedies.

One of the most classic scenes in this show is in court, where the villain, citing the description in the contract, demands that the debtor, the male lead, cut off a pound of flesh as compensation. The female lead, disguised as a judge, however, uses the rules to her advantage, demanding that the flesh cut off be exactly one pound, without any blood or error, or else he will pay with his life.

In the end, the female protagonist defeated the villain with her wisdom, and everyone lived happily ever after.

Luze had enjoyed various forms of entertainment in his previous life, so he wasn't particularly interested in theater. Cecilia, however, was different. It was the little girl's first time watching a play, and the magnificent set, the actors' dedicated performances, and the classic storyline captivated her. She admired the love between the couples, worried about the predicament brought by the villains, and was overjoyed at the happy ending, clapping enthusiastically.

Lu Ze felt that watching his sister's reaction was more interesting than watching the play itself. Seeing her so happy made the night worthwhile.

"Ms. Portia is truly remarkable! Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable about the law, but she's also so clever; she completely outmaneuvered that despicable businessman from Intis."

On the carriage ride back, Cecilia continued to talk about her experience watching the play, clearly having a deep impression of the evening.

Lu Ze smiled at his beautiful younger sister and suddenly said, "What's the big deal, Cecilia? As long as you graduate from high school with good grades, you can also go to your ideal university and become someone like her. I've looked into it, and there are several good grammar universities in Backlund."

"Go there without worry. Your brother here has plenty of wealth, enough for you to live comfortably in the capital."

To Lu Ze's surprise, Cecilia didn't become happy when she heard his arrangement; instead, she was stunned.

“But then I’ll have to leave Tingen, and leave you.”

She murmured.

Lu Ze's heart softened. He reached out and took his sister's soft hand, smiling as he said, "Cecilia, you should have your own life, instead of staying by my side all the time. In the past ten years or so since I got sick, you've wasted so much of your youth taking care of me. I can't be so selfish as to keep you in Tingen forever. Otherwise, years later, the resentment between us might outweigh our feelings."

The carriage arrived at No. 6 Narcissus Street, and Lu Ze alighted. He felt he had been a bit too sentimental, but then, thinking about it again, he laughed.
"Besides, you're so smart and have a bright future. Your brother might need you in the future."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked forward, took out his key and opened the door.

Behind him, Cecilia, who was out of his sight, wore a complex and pained expression. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Luze, brother."

"what happened?"

Lu Ze asked casually, pushing open the door.

A warm and familiar fragrance wafted towards him, and someone was waiting for him on the living room sofa. The lights came on, and the person stood up with a stunning smile.

"Welcome back."

Ms. M said gently.

(End of this chapter)