The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 122 Liu Xianglian, you're just a ten-year-old kid, how dare you challenge me to a sword fight?

Xia Chengzong said seriously, "Fifth Uncle, I'm here today on important business, not to watch a play."

Prince Zhongshun said, "Then tell me first, what is this important matter? If you encounter any difficulties and there is anything I can do to help you, I will certainly not refuse."

Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "What a coincidence! This matter is exactly what I need Fifth Uncle for. It's wonderful that Fifth Uncle is willing to help."

Prince Chungshun said, "Don't beat around the bush, just say it directly."

Next, Xia Chengzong recounted how he had taken on the debt collection job.

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongshun laughed loudly, "Well, so you were waiting for your fifth uncle here!"

"This debt, if it weren't for you coming to collect it, no one else could have done anything!"

"So what if the Crown Prince came back then? He still couldn't get even half a tael of silver from me!"

"Fine, since it's you, Zong-ge'er, who's come to collect the debt, your fifth uncle won't make things difficult for you. How about I pay back the total of 135,000 taels of silver?"

"However, since Fifth Uncle has already returned the money, you can't go anywhere today. You'll stay at my residence and keep me company while I listen to music!"

Fifth Uncle was indeed quick to agree; with just a word from me, he returned 135,000 taels of silver.

This also gave him a good start in his debt collection job.

He laughed and said, "How dare I disobey my fifth uncle's command?"

Prince Chungshun laughed loudly, "Come on, let's go listen to some music with Fifth Uncle!"

"The actor we've invited today is extraordinary; you're in luck!"

As they spoke, the two headed straight for the back garden.

Soon, the opera troupe was dressed up and began to sing.

This play, however, is about the Peony Pavilion.

Before long, a young actor came out from backstage.

His face was as white as powder, his lips as red as rouge, and his figure was graceful and charming, which greatly amazed Xia Chengzong.

Soon he began to sing: "Who is as startled by spring as I am? On my journey, I ask nothing else—"

"Then one sees the beauty of nature fade away, the painted wall to the west, due south, left side, the door locked, leaving behind this Wulingyuan."

Its sound is like jade falling from a stone spring, and its melody is long and melodious.

This beautiful voice is truly a gift from the gods.

Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong couldn't help but exclaim "Good!"

Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "Zong-ge'er, how about it? Your fifth uncle didn't lie to you, did he?"

"Look closely, the best is yet to come!"

Next, we'll look at his typhoon-like figure.

This wasn't the first time Xia Chengzong had seen this play, and he already had a mental image of it.

However, as soon as the young man on stage revealed his figure, Xia Chengzong felt that he was the living Liu Mengmei, and that Liu Mengmei should have such a demeanor and appearance.

Even after he finished singing that long section and stepped off the stage, Xia Chengzong kept praising him, still immersed in the play.

Prince Zhongshun then instructed, "Go and invite Young Master Liu to come and meet us."

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"Yes, Your Highness."

Prince Zhongshun then introduced Xia Chengzong, saying, "This actor is not a performer, but comes from a respectable family."

"He was a member of the Liu family, the family of Duke Liguo. His parents died early, and he did not do well in his studies, so he became dissolute and was called Cold Noodles Second Brother."

"He was a generous and unconventional person who loved opera; ordinary families couldn't easily invite him to perform!"

"When the others arrive later, if they are not polite enough, don't hold it against them; that's just how they are."

Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "This is indeed an extraordinary person. Fifth Uncle, I don't know, but I also admire such extraordinary people the most, so how could I blame him!"

With Prince Zhongshun's explanation so clear, how could Xia Chengzong not guess that this person was Liu Xianglian, a character from the novel "Dream of the Red Chamber"?

This Liu Xianglian was skilled in martial arts, loved to roam around as a chivalrous knight, and was used to a life of wandering.

Just as he was pondering this, Liu Xianglian was invited over.

Prince Zhongshun had introduced the two, and Liu Xianglian bowed to Xia Chengzong.

He was meticulous in his manners, but there was no respect on his face, which Xia Chengzong did not seem to mind.

Prince Chungshun invited him to sit down and have some wine. After thanking him, he sat down, picked up his wine cup, and began to eat and drink without any restraint.

Xia Chengzong could see a few traces of people from later generations in him.

Xia Chengzong asked, "I've heard that Young Master Liu not only sings well, but also has superb martial arts skills and excellent swordsmanship."

"I myself have been learning swordsmanship since childhood. Today, I have encountered a master swordsman, and I cannot resist the urge to learn from him. I would be grateful if Young Master Liu could offer me some guidance?"

Liu Xianglian shook his head and said, "Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise. My skills are only rudimentary; how could I possibly be a match for Your Highness?"

""

Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "Young Master Liu, why be so modest? It's just a friendly exchange between friends. Can't you even give me this much face?"

Liu Xianglian frowned slightly and turned to look at Prince Zhongshun.

This Prince Ping'an was exceptionally handsome, and Liu Xianglian initially had a very good impression of him.

His current aggressive attitude displeased him.

He couldn't very well refuse, so he passed the problem on to Prince Chungshun to handle.

Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "Second Brother Liu, you don't know, but my nephew is extremely talented in both literature and martial arts."

"He's not trying to make things difficult for you; he genuinely wants to learn from you. Why don't you use wooden swords and just keep it brief?"

After a moment of silence, Liu Xianglian nodded and said, "I shall obey your command."

The Prince of Zhongshun's residence did not have any wooden swords; it was Prince Zhongshun who had his men carve two wooden swords out.

The two men stood up and took the sword.

"Please, Your Highness!"

"Young Master Liu, please!"

Liu Xianglian didn't take Xia Chengzong seriously. How good could a ten-year-old child's swordsmanship be?

He planned to go through the motions, deal with a few moves, and then admit defeat.

However, the moment the prince in front of him drew his sword, Liu Xianglian felt his scalp tingle and the hairs on his body stand on end.

He felt a tremendous threat.

The fact that his opponent was a true master made his expression turn serious.

Xia Chengzong thrust his sword at Liu Xianglian, who quickly raised his sword to parry.

The two fought on one side.

However, Xia Chengzong had rarely engaged in actual combat since he began learning swordsmanship.

At first, he was quite clumsy, but later, his swordplay became more and more skillful and exhilarating.

On the other hand, Liu Xianglian became more and more surprised as the fight went on.

This prince's swordsmanship is truly superb.

It startled him at first, but after exchanging blows, he realized that the prince's swordsmanship had no killing intent whatsoever.

I really just wanted to spar with him.

And the swordsmanship of this Prince of Ping'an was not much worse than his.

If he hadn't lacked experience and wasn't weaker than me, we really wouldn't know who would have won in the end!

The two fought for three hundred rounds. Xia Chengzong laughed loudly, launched two quick attacks, forced Liu Xianglian to retreat, and then retreated himself.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Excellent! Excellent! Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Liu!"

Liu Xianglian also clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness is so young, yet your swordsmanship is already on par with mine. I admire you greatly."

After exchanging a few more modest words, the two took their seats again.

After this exchange, Liu Xianglian found Xia Chengzong increasingly pleasing to the eye.

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