"Thank you, Princess," Ziyan immediately knelt on the ground to thank Ye Qingcheng.
"No need, you can take these clothes back."
Watching Ziyan leave with Huang Li, Ye Qingcheng lay back in her chair.
"Princess, you've been sitting on this chair in the courtyard all day," Bixi sat down on a stone stool next to Ye Qingcheng, holding a handkerchief belonging to Ye Qingcheng.
Taking advantage of the downtime, Bixi had embroidered several handkerchiefs in different styles for Ye Qingcheng.
"Isn't this fine?" Ye Qingcheng returned to her languid state, "I can't go anywhere anyway."
Ziyan, holding the bag of clothes given by Ye Qingcheng, was filled with emotion.
Inside the troupe, upon seeing Ziyan return, the troupe leader flew into a rage. "Ziyan, what is the meaning of this? You disappeared as soon as you arrived at the Prince's manor."
Seeing the bundle in her hand, he narrowed his eyes. "What is this?"
"It's... some stage costumes. I accidentally dropped them and took them to the well to clean them," Ziyan stammered.
"So careless, are the costumes alright?" He moved to open the bundle.
"N-no, they're fine. I'm going to find a place to hang them to dry so they'll be ready for tomorrow," she said, quickly taking the bundle and walking away.
He considered pursuing her, but given that they had just arrived at the Prince's manor and had a performance the next day, he decided to reprimand her properly later at the troupe.
"Sister Ziyan, you're finally back!" As soon as she entered the courtyard where the troupe resided, a group of young girls surrounded her.
Seeing only these young girls and a few minor actresses in the courtyard, Ziyan asked curiously, "Where are the others?"
"The Prince's manor has arranged two courtyards for us. Brother Qiangzi and the others are living in the courtyard next door," said one of the minor actresses.
"Sister Ziyan, what's in the bundle you're holding?"
"It's nothing, just some scraps of fabric. I'm planning to do some handiwork," Ziyan replied evasively.
Ziyan carefully hid the dress she had managed to bring back in her luggage, then stuffed some torn fabric scraps inside.
These were clothes gifted to her by the Princess. If anyone else in the troupe found out, they would surely be taken away.
The next morning, the troupe began its preparations. The Prince's manor had a stage set up in the rear garden for their performances.
Everyone crowded into a small makeshift shed behind the stage, busily changing clothes and applying makeup.
Ye Qingcheng also had the opportunity to see the legendary concubines of the Prince's manor.
Spotting Ye Qingcheng sitting in her wheelchair from a distance, they all came over to strike up a conversation.
"Thanks to the Princess, we sisters have the opera to watch today," said a young woman in a pale blue dress, bowing slightly.
"Princess, I heard you injured your foot. Are you still in pain? I have some family-made ointment here, would you like to try it?" This was another concubine, dressed in a purple gown.
Listening to the chatter of a large group of women, Ye Qingcheng said with a sigh, "My dear sisters, the opera is about to begin. Let's watch the performance first."
With that, she signaled for Bixi to push her to the viewing platform.
Beside the stage, many servants who were resting gathered around, awaiting the start of the performance.
"How arrogant," the concubine in purple muttered, feeling slighted by Ye Qingcheng's dismissive attitude.
"I heard the Prince himself carried the Princess back. As soon as the Princess expressed her desire to watch the opera, the steward immediately made arrangements."
"I never expected the Princess, who used to be invisible, to be so favored in the manor now," the woman in the pale blue dress, Huang Liuting, gritted her teeth.
With the sound of gongs and drums, the opera officially began.
Few of the manor's servants had ever seen an opera troupe, and soon the news spread, drawing all the servants from the Prince's manor to witness the spectacle.
Initially hesitant to applaud or cheer, they gradually relaxed as they saw Ye Qingcheng's nonchalant demeanor. They began to offer loud cheers as they watched the actors' spirited performances on stage.
Ye Qingcheng sat on the second tier opposite the stage, watching the troupe perform. It was, as expected, a masterful performance, and she couldn't help but cheer along with the spectacular show on stage.
The morning's performance was drawing to a close, leaving everyone wanting more.
"Steward, have you arranged for lunch for these troupe members?" Ye Qingcheng inquired.
"Everything is arranged, Princess, no need to worry," the steward replied from his side.
Ziyan returned backstage and shed her heavy costume. Aside from the jeweled crown, her hair was soaked in sweat.
However, they couldn't remove their makeup yet, as the afternoon performance was approaching, and they would only have a chance to rest by a table after eating.
"Sister Ziyan," Er Ya called out excitedly as she saw Ziyan approaching, "The Prince's manor has meat in their food today!"
Two large barrels, half as tall as a person, were filled with fried rice, emanating a delicious aroma.
"Sister Ziyan, look, there's white rice, vegetables, and meat inside," Er Ya exclaimed.
Everyone stared at the wooden barrels as if they hadn't eaten in days.
"The steward also said it would be quite sunny this afternoon, so we can come out to watch a little later."
Ziyan's heart filled with gratitude towards Ye Qingcheng.
"Sister Ziyan, this Prince's manor is truly wonderful," Er Ya sighed with emotion as she stuffed rice into her mouth.
In all their years of performing, big and small, they had never encountered such a benevolent benefactor.
After eating their fill, everyone rested for a while longer, and the afternoon performance was even more spirited.
Ye Qingcheng, sitting on the stage, could feel the passion of the performers.
The day's performances concluded quickly.
Ziyan watched as everyone packed up, knowing that they would be leaving the Prince's manor that night.
Although exhausted from the day's performance, the thought of a potential opportunity reignited her resolve.
Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, she quietly slipped out of the troupe's courtyard.
Relying on her memories from the day, she stumbled her way to Ye Qingcheng's courtyard.
Gathering her courage, she knocked on the courtyard door.
After a moment, Huang Li opened the door. Seeing Ziyan, she looked surprised. "Why have you come? Shouldn't the troupe be leaving now?"
"I have something I need to discuss with the Princess."
Huang Li had no choice but to ask her to wait outside for a moment.
Ziyan waited anxiously outside for a while before being led inside by Huang Li.
Ye Qingcheng was drinking soup at a tea table in the main hall. Seeing Ziyan enter, she looked up at her.
"Princess, Ziyan intrudes unannounced. I beg your pardon."
"Speak, what is it you need me for?" Ye Qingcheng surmised that she needed help with something.
"Princess, we were all part of Troupe Leader Wan's troupe before. But since Troupe Leader Wan passed away from illness three years ago, Steward Zhang has been the troupe leader," Ziyan recounted.
"Troupe Leader Zhang is a harsh man. He orders us around daily, and he also withholds our wages, leaving my brothers and sisters hungry."
Ziyan bowed her head to the ground. "Princess, you are kind and benevolent. I implore you to help us."
"Is that so? Bring me there to see," Ye Qingcheng said.
"Princess, it is already late," Huang Li stated.
"It's alright, I have nothing much to do these days."
Bixi and Huang Li had no choice but to accompany her.
The Princess's arrival clearly caused a stir.
She saw children of all ages, men and women, prostrating themselves on the ground in the courtyard.
Among them were many thin children carrying boxes. Upon seeing Ye Qingcheng, they quickly bowed their heads.
"Rise," Ye Qingcheng said, observing the children's frail forms, and began to understand Ziyan's words.