activa-t Chapter 9: Qi Guan Jiang Yuhan
Chapter 9: Qi Guan Jiang Yuhan
Although the children were still too young to understand romance, they could already distinguish between beauty and ugliness, and their gazes toward Jiang Yuhan gradually became infatuated.
Xia Chengkun couldn't help but say, "This older sister is so beautiful. I wish she could sing for me every day."
Xia Chengzhi said, "If I had this sister, how could I bear to let her suffer like this? I would let her eat well, dress well, and play with me every day."
Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong couldn't help but laugh and said, "This 'older sister' you're talking about is older than you all!"
The two little ones, unaware of the connection to later generations, asked blankly, "What's wrong with being older? Does being older mean you'll know how to care for others?"
Xia Chengzong chuckled and said, "Is it possible that this older sister is actually a man?"
Xia Chengkun's negative emotions +1 +1 +1
夏承志负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
Xia Chengkun: "You're talking nonsense! How could this woman possibly be a man?"
Xia Chengzhi: "Exactly! Where in this world can you find a man who is this handsome?"
The two little ones, excited, raised their voices, disturbing Prince Zhongshun, who was engrossed in the opera.
He asked curiously, "What are you arguing about?"
Xia Chengkun said, "Fifth Uncle, Third Brother said this sister is a man. Isn't that ridiculous? He's clearly talking nonsense."
Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "This time your third brother is right. He is a male actor playing female roles, but he sings female roles. He is a man dressed as a woman."
"He was only eight years old, which would normally be difficult to detect, but your third brother, being observant, saw through it at a glance."
Upon hearing this, the two children turned ashen-faced and lost all their luster.
In modern terms, it means feeling like you'll never love again.
The fact that Qi Guan was a man dressed as a woman was quite a blow to the two little ones.
Not to mention the two of them, even Xia Chengzong was somewhat lost in thought when he saw Xia Chengqian.
This is only natural, much like the contrast felt by men in later generations when they witness the true nature of Thai ladyboys.
After this part of the play was performed, during the scene change, Prince Zhongshun called over Qi Guan and introduced him to everyone.
Qi Guan hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble subject greets Your Highness, the Heir Apparent, and the three young masters."
When his gaze fell on Xia Chengzong, he couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Prince Zhongzheng nodded slightly and said, "At such a young age, to possess such grace and singing voice is truly remarkable! Xia Shouzhong, please accept this reward."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xia Shouzhong, who was following behind Prince Zhongzheng, immediately took out a gold bean and gave it to Qi Guan Jiang Yuhan.
Jiang Yuhan quickly replied, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness."
Seeing this, Xia Chengzong frowned slightly.
The Prince Zhongzheng Mansion has been sealed off for seven years, cutting off many of its sources of income, and is now in dire financial straits.
However, as long as there is social interaction, a grand display is inevitable.
Such rewards are indispensable. No matter how empty the contents are, the palace must maintain its dignity; otherwise, it will be ridiculed.
The Rongguo Mansion in the novel *Dream of the Red Chamber* is in a similar situation.
Over the course of a year, these extravagant displays alone amount to a considerable expense.
With the current economic income of the Prince's Mansion, it is probably not enough to support it.
These things can't be rushed; we can only try to find a solution slowly.
Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "Since Third Brother likes him so much, how about I give him to you?"
Upon hearing this, the children's eyes lit up.
These young guys, although they initially harbored resentment towards Jiang Yuhan for not seeing through his true nature as a man.
But they still really liked this actress who was about their age and dressed even more like a daughter than their own.
If we can keep them at home, that would be an excellent thing.
Prince Zhongzheng asked with a smile, "I saw that my fifth brother cherished him very much, but now you're willing to give him away?"
Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "Of course I would be reluctant to give it to someone else, but if it is for Third Brother, let alone Qi Guan, as long as my Prince's Mansion has it, as long as Third Brother likes it, just take it."
Prince Zhongzheng laughed and said, "Never mind, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. Besides, you know I'm not as obsessed with opera as you are, Fifth Brother."
Seeing that Prince Zhongzheng did not want it, Prince Zhongshun did not force him, after all, he really liked Qi Guan.
If Prince Chung-cheng really wanted to give it to him, he wouldn't refuse, but he would certainly feel a pang of regret.
The crowd resumed listening to the opera. To accommodate the children, Prince Zhongshun ordered several more lively plays, such as Sun Wukong's havoc in the Heavenly Palace and Jiang Ziya's slaying of generals and conferment of titles upon the gods.
This is the first time these little ones have ever watched a play, especially such a lively one.
They listened with great interest, cheering loudly and exclaiming how much they enjoyed it. Even Xia Chengzong, a modern person who was used to watching short dramas, got engrossed in it.
The operas of this era were similar to the spoken dramas of later generations.
Opera troupes in this era did not receive stipends; they relied entirely on their skills to make a living.
Therefore, each of them possesses genuine talent, and the plays they choreograph are all excellent and captivating.
It's no wonder that noble families kept opera troupes. In this era without electronic products, those noble ladies relied on opera troupes to watch dramas.
The banquet at Prince Zhongshun's mansion was extremely lavish and extravagant, and the little ones ate until their bellies were round.
Even Xia Chengzong couldn't help but eat a few more bites.
In his previous life, he had been wealthy and had experienced riches, but a dinner at the Prince's mansion shattered all his previous understanding.
He was truly amazed to discover the extent of the imperial family's wealth and extravagance.
After the banquet ended and he returned to the palace, Prince Zhongzheng got drunk again, and his wife helped him to bed.
Xia Chengzong then took out a thin crystal sheet and began polishing it.
The traditional method of hand-polishing crystal involves using sandpaper that progresses from coarse to fine, polishing it step by step.
In this era, sandpaper was naturally unavailable, so other tools had to be used instead.
Fortunately, in his previous life he was a retro handicraft content creator who specialized in imitating the technology and material conditions of ancient times to create various modern products or crafts.
Therefore, this was not a problem for him.
The three little ones were very curious when they saw him polishing the crystal.
They swarmed around, chattering and asking all sorts of questions.
Xia Chengzong was too lazy to explain to them. If he told them the truth, he would only ask more questions.
So he put on a stern face and asked, "Have you all finished memorizing the assignment I gave you?"
"I will continue to check tomorrow morning. If it is not completed, there will be a beating."
The three little ones, who were originally excited, were immediately dampened by his words.
They walked out dejectedly and listlessly.
Xia Caiwei's negative emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Chengkun's negative emotions +1 +1 +1
夏承志负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
The world is finally peaceful.
Xia Chengzong sneered, "You little punks, I don't believe I can't deal with you."
Crystal is quite hard and not easy to polish.
He was only seven years old, but he was not picky about food and paid attention to exercise, so his body was better than that of an average seven-year-old child.
But he was just a seven-year-old child and didn't have much strength.