From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"They certainly know how to freeload."

Madam Sai's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, causing the pearl powder on her cheeks to tremble. "Just because she's changed into official attire, she's already forgotten her place." She sneered inwardly, unable to suppress her disdain.

"Go ahead and stir things up. Let your recklessness do whatever it takes. How many feet of waves can you possibly make on this White Dragon Boat?"

After thinking it over, Mother Sai suppressed her agitation and spoke softly:

"...Of course." She pursed her rosy lips into a soft, alluring curve. "If Your Excellency wishes to enjoy yourself, how could I dare to be negligent? Please sit and enjoy your tea, and I will instruct the kitchen to prepare it." As she finished speaking, she gracefully turned around, and as her skirt brushed against the threshold, the jade ring on her index finger tapped very lightly on the door frame.

The three urgent and two slow signals were the warning signals used on the boat.

There is only one meaning:

It's stalled.

Zhu Hong clearly saw this little action, but pretended not to notice and turned his gaze to the stage not far away beside him.

The location of this "Shuyu" private room is just right:

Just a few steps away from the stage, one could clearly see every smile, every turn, and even the unspoken sorrow in the eyes of the person on stage.

It was already the hour of Hai (9-11 PM).

The prelude had just ended, and the grand finale on stage was "The Palace of Eternal Life: The Small Banquet".

It's about to begin!

The servants on the side of the stage quickly removed the plain curtains and replaced them with blue satin curtains sprinkled with gold. The lamplighters added more oil and raised the four corner glass lamps to their highest positions, illuminating the stage as bright as day. The musicians returned to their positions. The flute player tested his flute with a few clear notes, which resonated throughout the hall. The string player plucked his strings to set the tone, and the clappers were lightly tapped to establish the rhythm. The drummer only lightly tapped the edge of the drum with his bamboo chopsticks, without making a loud noise.

A series of light footsteps sounded from the rear cabin.

Bai Xiuying changed into her grand finale attire. A maidservant, holding pearl hairpins and flowing sleeves, moved about, binding her hair, attaching hair ornaments, and reapplying her makeup. The troupe leader paced around the stage, dismissed the idle servants, bowed once, and asked the guests with a smile:

"Gentlemen, you are all connoisseurs of music and beauty in Jinyang. Why not offer a casual response?" He stroked his goatee, deliberately drawing out his words in a teasing tone.

"Having waited until this auspicious moment, what kind of swan song are we finally waiting for?"

"Which beauty?"

The audience erupted in a roar of cheers and laughter, a chaotic yet lively cacophony.

"The Palace of Eternal Life".

"This is naturally the 'Small Banquet at the Palace of Eternal Life'!"

"Who doesn't know Bai Xiuying's signature folding technique?"

"Yes...we chose this time specifically to come for this wonderful show."

The troupe leader nodded repeatedly and laughed loudly:

"Look, indeed a distinguished guest with keen eyes and discerning mind!" He flicked his sleeves and spoke in a booming voice: "Today, Miss Xiuying has just finished her palace makeup and is singing a delicate and beautiful new tune. I guarantee that she will sing the tender love between Emperor Xian and Consort Jin with every word so that it is stained with blood, and will not have let you all wait in vain." After saying this, he gestured vaguely from behind the curtain.

"Everyone, please be quiet, the show is about to begin—"

"Let's get started!"

Upon hearing this, the laughter and chatter instantly subsided. The young men stopped fanning themselves and fell silent, their wine cups remaining motionless on the table, waiting only for the sound of the gong to sound.

Soon after, all that was heard was:

clang--!

The stage curtains slowly slid open to both sides.

Bai Xiuying, dressed as Consort Jin, stepped out in a soft, moon-white silk palace gown and stood in the center of the stage.

"The sky is clear and the clouds are leisurely; a few new geese fly in formation across the long sky."

The flute melody begins, followed by a gentle, flowing melody: "Autumn colors abound in the garden: willows turn yellow, duckweed fades, and red lotus petals fall..."

The deep green waters flowed around the corridor.

But as soon as that line was uttered, the singing, which should have been gentle and tender, abruptly changed tone. The strings suddenly became heavy and somber, the flute melody took on a cold and astringent feel, and the warmth in the ears vanished in an instant, replaced by a chilling desolation that went straight to the bone.

"No need for you to trouble yourself with such elegant etiquette."

"I only await a small drink with you in Meishan, where we can take turns sipping and singing softly, a few cups to pass the time." As she sang the last line, the last syllable lingered, and Bai Xiuying, her sleeves veiling her face, recited in a mournful voice:

"Flowers in abundance, their vibrant beauty evokes images of a beautiful face—"

The clouds seem to reflect the shimmering light of her garments; her new makeup is unparalleled. How pitiful, so delicate and languid, is the swallow in flight!

Her voice was melodious and graceful, full of charm. When she finished reciting the last word, her water sleeves suddenly fell off, revealing her pitiful tears and sorrow.

"color!"

This single appearance alone demonstrates her skill.

The young men on the barge pounded on the wooden railings and shouted, throwing coins and silver coins onto the platform like raindrops. Some even leaned half their bodies out, nearly falling from the second floor.

"This milk art!"

At one table, a wealthy merchant in a brocade robe embroidered with the character "福" (fortune/blessing) was already half-drunk, slurring his words, "White as the first snow, soft as tender lotus root."

He shook his head and said:

"I love you so much, sir."

"Hahaha... Brother Shoushan's art..." Before he could finish speaking, the man next to him tapped his hand with an ivory chopstick.

Are we talking about the words, or the people?

Upon hearing this, Chi Shoushan was not annoyed at all. Instead, a deep, guttural laugh rolled down his throat. "Art is too broad..." His slick gaze was fixed on the pale figure on the stage, a sly smile spreading from the corners of his mouth to the corners of his eyes, his tone filled with undisguised greed.

"What can compare to a beautiful woman, vibrant and alluring?" With that, he leaned back, glancing sideways at the man at the next table, and said mockingly:

"This is the kind of refined taste I have."

"I can't compare to you, Jiang Jingtang."

Jiang Jingtang didn't hide it, a sly glint flashing in his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow and looked up, the tip of his ivory chopsticks tapping against the edge of the plate: "What's the matter tonight?" He leaned forward half a foot: "If I were to host, would Brother Chi be willing to do me the honor of playing a game of 'Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl'? I guarantee..." He trailed off meaningfully:

"Returning home satisfied."

"Oh?" Chi Shoushan's eyes suddenly lit up, his drunkenness instantly dissipating, and he abruptly straightened up: "Who is superior, Jing Tang?"

Jiang Jingtang didn't rush back, but turned to the waiter waiting at the door of the top-tier private room and called out:

"You, come here!"

The servant quickly bowed and stepped forward: "Your Excellency, what are your orders, sir?"

"Call the mothers from your boat."

Jiang Jingtang picked up his wine cup and took a sip. His tone was casual, but his eyes were full of arrogance: "Just tell them that I've booked Bai Xiuying tonight. After her performance, I'll send her over to drink with me."

"Yes, I understand!"

The servant dared not ask any more questions, bowed repeatedly, and hurriedly backed out of the beaded curtain.

Chi Shoushan watched the servant disappear outside the curtain, then turned to look at the stage, where Bai Xiuying was singing—"Slow songs and gentle dances accompanied by strings and bamboo flutes, the emperor can watch all day long without getting tired of it." Her water sleeves fluttered, and her sorrowful eyes were about to shed tears.

"Brother Jiang is truly straightforward!" He rubbed his thick palms together, licked his lips, and chuckled softly.

"We're going to have a blast tonight!"

Before he finished speaking, he took a pill from his waist and dropped it into the cup.

……