"When does Farewell My Concubine start?"
Someone began to urge, their voice fragmented.
In this city of Willow Creek, there was a tradition during the Lantern Festival: the play Farewell My Concubine was the highlight of the evening, performed by almost every establishment with red walls and tiled roofs.
The Nanfeng Pavilion and the Tianwaitian Restaurant, as the city's renowned establishments, were the most lively.
Farewell My Concubine was, naturally, indispensable.
The brothel madam hurried out, "Everyone, please wait a moment! The show will begin shortly!"
In a certain room, a melodious zither could be heard.
*Bang!*
A string snapped!
Shen Tingchi's fingertip drew blood. The young man's ears were filled with the sounds of slaughter and shouts.
That was his nightmare!
Although two years had passed, it was a past he could never forget!
The previous dynasty had fallen just two years ago, and the massacre had also occurred two years ago.
"Who are you people?"
"We are officials, who dares to obstruct us?"
The familiar voices again. Shen Tingchi's lifeless face revealed intense hatred.
This group of people, with the same old excuses!
Had the massacre from the imperial city chased them all the way to Willow Creek?
Shen Tingchi's eyes welled with blood. Like a trapped beast, his thin frame trembled faintly.
He kept his head bowed low, feeling the gaze of the people above him.
"Look up!"
Shen Tingchi was stunned for a moment, then, under the impatient glares of the soldiers, he raised his head.
He was trying his best to suppress the hatred within him!
Gritting his teeth, Shen Tingchi did his utmost not to make a sound.
"Let's go!"
After the soldiers withdrew, the people in the room finally felt at ease.
In a place no one could see, Shen Tingchi's hand clenched, drawing blood.
The door was closed again, but the voices from outside could be heard.
"What do you think the Emperor is looking for?"
"He's been searching for two years, and he's still so relentless!"
"Don't say anything more. Just do your best to search. I heard that someone failed to do their job before, and the Emperor ordered their entire family to be executed!"
"Ah?"
"..."
The voices gradually faded.
Shen Tingchi's tightly clenched hand suddenly relaxed.
"Shen Tingchi, come out quickly!"
A young girl stood at the doorway. She was a dancer but also sang.
Upon hearing this, Shen Tingchi stood up and walked towards the door.
"I heard you can sing Farewell My Concubine? There's a problem now, the person who was supposed to play Yu Ji can't come, and Mama wants you to take over!"
Looking at the girl's worried expression, it was clear she was in a hurry.
Shen Tingchi had no choice. Even though he said he hadn't sung in years, he was still pulled onto the stage.
He knew that from two years ago, he was no longer considered a person…
Just a useless wretch surviving in this world.
"Farewell My Concubine is starting!"
Someone below shouted.
On the second floor, Lu Mingcang sat in a private room, sipping tea.
His mission in Willow Creek was to find the former dynasty's little princess, Yun Yaoyao!
This kind of trivial matter shouldn't have required a general to act, but the current Emperor was unusually fixated on the princess, turning a small affair into a significant one.
And from an unknown source, the Emperor had learned that the princess had once appeared in Willow Creek's Nanfeng Pavilion.
However, after a sweep tonight, there was not the slightest trace of the princess.
He figured he would be able to return to the imperial city soon.
His gaze fell upon the stage.
Yu Ji made her entrance.
The moment she opened her mouth, the entire venue erupted.
Lu Mingcang felt a sense of familiarity, his breathing even growing heavy.
His cold eyes locked onto the Yu Ji on stage. Every movement, every gesture, was just like the person in his memory.
A young man with a face like jade, who didn't like martial arts but was fond of musical instruments and opera.
Although his chosen path was looked down upon, he was utterly devoted to it.
"Good!"
He suddenly exclaimed loudly. His powerful inner force carried his voice throughout the entire floor, and everyone's attention turned to the second floor.
Shen Tingchi paused, his movements faltering for a moment.
It was him!
The intermission ended.
"Come and have a drink with me!"
"Gentlemen, he only performs, he doesn't sell himself!"
But no one listened!
*Bang!*
"Who are you?"
"Lu Mingcang!"
...
Everywhere he looked was a blur of white.
That winter, the Crown Prince of Yun Dynasty was imprisoned.
Then came the news of his death.
Shen Tingchi, as the Crown Prince's attendant, spat out a mouthful of blood upon hearing the news.
Just two days prior, the Crown Prince had spoken of impeaching the Emperor, attempting to persuade him to favor wise officials and distance himself from sycophants.
And then, he had met his tragic end in prison.
After years of friendship, Shen Tingchi couldn't even see him one last time.
Shen Tingchi fell into a coma for half a month. When he awoke, the matter of the Crown Prince was settled.
Everyone was in fear for their lives, and no one dared to mention the Crown Prince.
Externally, it was claimed that the Crown Prince had harbored rebellious intentions and had been executed.
But how could such a wise Crown Prince, such a filial son, harbor rebellion?
Even Yun Yaoyao, the little princess who loved to follow her brother around, never mentioned her elder brother again.
It was thought that Yun Dynasty would thus decline under the rule of a foolish Emperor, but a change occurred.
The Yun Dynasty's royal family and even its high officials were all massacred.
And all of this was done by Sheng Huaizhi, who had been so obedient to the little princess of Yun Dynasty.
And their Shen family, as high officials, naturally suffered a devastating blow in this purge.
The inferno that night drowned all the blood of the Shen family.
"Father! Mother!"
Shen Tingchi's eyes were tightly shut, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He suddenly sat up with a gasp.
He panted heavily until his senses gradually returned.
The world before him was dark.
So, he had that dream again.
This time, it was because of Lu Mingcang.
The deputy general by Sheng Huaizhi's side.
It was he who had rescued Shen Tingchi from that great fire.
Two years had passed, and seeing an old acquaintance again intensified Shen Tingchi's nightmare.
...
"General Lu? What a distinguished guest!"
The brothel madam's eyes lit up at the sight of Lu Mingcang and quickly went to greet him.
Everyone knew that a General Lu had arrived in Willow Creek, highly favored by the Emperor.
The madam dared not be negligent and immediately ordered her staff to prepare a private room.
"Does the General require service? We have beautiful girls here..."
Before her words were finished, Lu Mingcang interrupted her.
"Find me the person who played Yu Ji yesterday!"
A flicker of surprise crossed the madam's face, but not daring to offend the esteemed guest, she could only agree.
"Shen Tingchi only performs, he doesn't sell himself. General, you..."
"You said his name is Shen Tingchi?"
"Yes, he insisted on it. Originally, everyone here was supposed to change their names, but because he was so insistent, we made an exception for him..."
...
Inside the private room.
"What would the General like to hear?"
"The zither."
"Yes!"
Shen Tingchi's hand clenched, and his gaze finally softened.
He had to remain calm!
The zither music began to flow, but it was inexplicably rapid.
The heart of the player was not at peace at this moment.
With a *clang*, a string snapped.
"Are you very nervous?" Lu Mingcang asked from behind the screen.