Empress in her second playthrough: Something's not right with this plot!

Li Yunsheng looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Empress, dressed as a man, holding a string of candied hawthorns.

Since we've run into this, we should naturally try to squeeze out some more emotional points.

"Young Master Jiang, I never expected to run into you here."

Jiang Qingying smiled faintly, then nodded towards the stall.

"Pay the money."

Upon hearing that he had to pay, Li Yunsheng looked at the shop owner.

"I'm not familiar with her."

After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave.

"stop!"

Jiang Qingying blocked Li Yunsheng's path, pointing with the candied hawthorn in her hand.

"I'm truly astounded. All the money I have deposited with you isn't even worth this string of candied hawthorns in interest alone?"

Li Yunsheng's rebuttal was reasonable and well-founded.

"That's wrong. You have to pay interest to the bank when you deposit money in their bank."

Jiang Qingying stared wide-eyed, tears welling up in her eyes.

"You stole my private parts and now you expect me to pay you back!"

Seeing the Empress with tears streaming down her face, Li Yunsheng waved his hand and instructed Wei Xiang to give her the money.

After paying, Wei Xiang ordered two more strings of candied hawthorns.

He took a big bite of a hawthorn and handed a bunch to Li Yunsheng at the same time.

Li Yunsheng didn't think much of it when he saw the candied hawthorn being handed to him.

To be honest, he hadn't eaten this in a long time, and he really missed its sweet and sour taste.

Seeing him take the string of candied hawthorns, Jiang Qingying's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

His thin lips moved slightly, but he didn't speak.

In the end, the extra string of coins ended up in Shangguan Xuanran's hands.

At this moment, the sound of gongs and drums grew louder as they approached.

A long formation of several hundred people came in a grand procession.

They wore masks, colorful clothes, and carried golden spears and dragon flags, playing the roles of various gods.

Wei Xiang's eyes lit up.

What are they doing?

Li Yunsheng explained from the side.

"This is called Nuo opera, which symbolizes driving away disasters and evil spirits."

This was originally a major royal ceremony at the end of the year called "Guonu".

The most elaborate ritual is the Guo Nuo, in which boys aged ten to twelve wear bear skins, four-eyed masks, black shirts, and red pants.

Wielding halberds in one hand and shields in the other, they formed a large procession, leaping and shouting from a corner of the palace to drive away the plague.

They were driven out of the palace and 'buried' in the river in order to ensure a year of peace and good fortune; the event was quite spectacular.

The folk performances called "Nuoxi" have a strong entertainment element.

Jiang Qingying was somewhat puzzled.

"Isn't this a ceremony that should be held on New Year's Eve?"

The man selling candied hawthorns craned his neck to watch the various deities wearing masks and hopping and skipping along the way.

"Isn't this to celebrate the lifting of the curfew? I heard that Nuo opera will be performed every night from today until New Year's Eve."

Li Yunsheng knew that this Nuo opera was organized by Madam Cui.

Because at the very front of the procession, next to the twelve divine beasts being carried by the crowd, stood a sign.

The sign reads – Shangpin Shop.

That year, Madam Cui made a fortune.

Moreover, after the abolition of the market system, Liu Quan said that the person who acted the fastest to take advantage of these houses facing the street was Madam Cui.

Fortunately, it was he who proposed abolishing the market system.

Therefore, they sent Liu Quan to buy some vacant houses in the best locations early on.

Whether you rent or sell it, this will be a prime location.

This Mrs. Cui, putting aside everything else, is truly a shrewd businesswoman.

Li Yunsheng had never seen Nuo opera before, so he just watched the spectacle.

Wei Xiang asked from the side.

"Is it really effective?"

Li Yunsheng smiled.

"It's just for show. If it really works, it will snow."

After saying that, he picked up a candied hawthorn and took a bite.

He hadn't finished chewing the hawthorn in his mouth when he suddenly felt a cool sensation on the tip of his nose. He looked up.

Snowing.

My throat bobbed, and the sweet and sour juice entered my stomach.

When he looked down, he found that Jiang Qingying, Wei Xiang, and Shangguan Xuanran were all looking at him.

Even the man selling candied hawthorns looked at him differently.

Li Yunsheng didn't even bother to finish the candied hawthorn in his mouth.

"It's just a coincidence."

Wei Xiang faced the sky, clasped her hands together, and bowed.

Then he quietly pointed a finger at Li Yunsheng and muttered something.

"He said it, it has nothing to do with me."

cough cough.

This little trick didn't escape Li Yunsheng's notice at all.

However, the timing of the events was so coincidental that he really couldn't explain it.

"What people do is seen by Heaven. Heaven is watching everything you've done!"

The Empress looked at Li Yunsheng, pointed to the sky, and continued speaking.

"Your disrespect for heaven and earth will surely bring you retribution sooner or later."

After swallowing a hawthorn, Li Yunsheng nonchalantly pointed to the sky with the candied hawthorn in his hand.

"If you're so capable, then make him come down and find me."

I am the Creator God, and even the Heavenly King himself has to call me "Father" before leaving.

Chapter 73 We've been tricked!

Once Jiang Qingying had her sights set on Li Yunsheng, she wouldn't let go.

After visiting several shops, Shangguan Xuanran behind him soon found himself carrying large and small boxes full of things.

Meanwhile, the emotional value in Li Yunsheng's mind kept rising.

Without even looking, it was obvious that the Empress felt she had tricked him and was delighted.

Soon, Li Yunsheng finished the entire string of candied hawthorns.

Jiang Qingying and Wei Xiang would steal glances at him every now and then, before continuing their stroll as if nothing had happened.

However, the Empress was too young and could not hide her true nature as well as Wei Xiang.

Therefore, Li Yunsheng still saw through the clues.

Just as the Empress was stealing another glance at him, their eyes met.

The empress immediately looked away guiltily and pointed to an antique shop.

Let's check this place out!

Li Yun Sheng was confused. He activated his talent skill and looked at the Empress's back, only to see—

Doubt, fear...

He was also puzzled. Shouldn't he be happy?

Why should we feel doubt and fear when we see ourselves?

He began to ponder where things went wrong.

"Li Xiang!"

Not far away, he heard greetings. Li Yunsheng had run into an acquaintance, Cui Yan, the Minister of Justice, and his wife.

Since Madam Cui had arranged the Nuo opera, she naturally wanted to come and see the results.

At the same time, I also wanted to see what untapped business opportunities might be waiting to be discovered in the capital at night.

Li Yunsheng's thoughts were interrupted, and he turned to look at the Cui couple.

"Minister Cui, Madam Cui."

In the Great Chu, officials had a seven-day holiday for the New Year.

This is a genuine seven-day holiday, not just a forced seven-day break.