Chapter 143: Watching a Play at the Opera House

Before heading out, Anyi went to the Well-Fence Courtyard as usual to inform Lady Luo. Seeing Anyi dressed in a brand-new outfit with her hair styled in a graceful hanging knot, Ankang smiled and asked, "Sister, you're all dressed up so prettily. Where are you off to?"

"To the theater to watch a play," Anyi replied with a smile.

"Are you going to the Staying Garden to hear Shen Xixiu sing?" Ankang asked.

"Yes."

Ankang smiled. "I'll walk you over."

"Don't you need to go to the yamen today, Eldest Brother?"

"Today is my day off. I've arranged to meet a few colleagues at the Calligraphy and Ink Pavilion to play chess with the owner."

"Where is the Calligraphy and Ink Pavilion?"

"Right diagonally across from the Staying Garden."

Anyi pouted. "Then you aren't really seeing me off. We're just heading in the same direction."

Ankang laughed heartily. "After my chess game, I'll pick you up at the theater."

"Alright," Anyi said with a coy smile.

The brother and sister set off in a carriage, winding through the streets and lanes until the carriage stopped outside the gates of the Staying Garden. Ankang stepped down first and then reached out to help Anyi alight.

"Official An," a voice called out from across the way.

Ankang turned around, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Official Liang."

Standing beside this Official Liang was a young lady wearing a veiled bamboo hat. Without even looking closely, Anyi knew it must be Liang Xiaoyue.

Liang Xiaoyue lifted her veil and smiled, "Lady An, let's go inside together!"

"Alright," Anyi smiled. "Eldest Brother, I'm going in first."

Ankang nodded.

Anyi and Liang Xiaoyue entered the Staying Garden, while Ankang and Liang Xiaoyue's fifth brother, Liang Xiaohong, headed to the Calligraphy and Ink Pavilion.

As the hostess, Zi Wei was already waiting in the private box. A bronze brazier burned with charcoal, making the room cozy and warm. On the table sat several plates of freshly baked pastries from the Daoxiang Village pastry shop, which Zi Wei had just sent her servants to buy.

Seeing Anyi and Liang Xiaoyue enter together, Zi Wei asked in surprise, "Oh? How did you two end up arriving together?"

"We ran into each other at the entrance of the theater," Liang Xiaoyue laughed. "My, we're the earliest ones here!"

"Mm, the others should be here shortly," Zi Wei invited them to sit as a maid served hot tea.

Anyi handed her hand-warmer to Xiangqin, picked up her tea cup, and took a small sip.

"Xiao Wei, guess who will be the last to arrive this time?" Liang Xiaoyue asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Is that even a guess?" Zi Wei curled her lip. "It has to be Tang Qinian. Even when she's the host, she manages to be the last one to show up."

"This time, she definitely won't be the last," Liang Xiaoyue glanced at Anyi, smiling meaningfully.

"That's hard to say," Zi Wei shook her head. "Manru is always punctual."

"Let's make a bet!"

"A bet it is. I bet she'll be the last one here today as usual," Zi Wei eagerly accepted the challenge.

"And I bet she definitely won't be the last to arrive today."

The two looked at Anyi and said in unison, "Lady An, you shall be our witness."

Anyi smiled faintly. "Very well."

"The loser has to host an extra gathering, as per the rules," Liang Xiaoyue said with the absolute confidence of someone who believed she had already won.

"No problem," Zi Wei laughed. "The loser certainly won't be me."

Liang Xiaoyue chuckled twice. "We'll see about that."

"Wait, what if those two end up running into each other at the theater entrance like you two did and walk in together? How do we count the win or loss?" Zi Wei asked.

Liang Xiaoyue thought for a moment. "Then I lose."

Just as her voice trailed off, the elderly maid stationed outside the door announced, "Young Mistress, Miss Tang has arrived."

Liang Xiaoyue let out a light laugh. "I won!"

Tang Qinian walked in just in time to hear this and asked with a puzzled expression, "What did you win?"

"Xiao Wei and I placed a bet, and I won," Liang Xiaoyue beamed, her eyes crinkling into crescent shapes.

"You two always have nothing better to do than make bets," Tang Qinian pouted in disdain. "Xiao Wei, you lose every single time, yet you still love betting with her. Aren't you tired of losing?"

"I'll win against her someday," Zi Wei said with a gambler's mentality, firmly believing that while there was gambling, defeat was never permanent.

Caring little for her, Tang Qinian walked over, sat down in the chair next to Anyi, and asked with a smiling face, "When did Lady An arrive?"

"Just a little while ago," Anyi replied with a smile.

"Official An actually escorted Lady An here, you know," Liang Xiaoyue teased, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her lips. "We just ran into them at the entrance."

Tang Qinian bit her lower lip slightly, looking somewhat vexed that she had arrived a step too late.

Catching Tang Qinian's expression, Liang Xiaoyue's smile deepened. "Lady An, after the play is over, your eldest brother will still come to pick you up, won't he?"

Noticing Tang Qinian's vexed look, Anyi's eyes shifted slightly as she smiled, "He went to the Calligraphy and Ink Pavilion to play chess with the owner. Once the play finishes, we'll head home together."

Tang Qinian's vexed expression vanished instantly, and she pressed her lips into a gentle smile.

Seeing this, Anyi realized that Tang Qinian harbored secret feelings for Ankang, though she didn't know whether her eldest brother felt the same way about the young lady. This explained why Tang Qinian had been so friendly and warm toward her upon their very first meeting—it was a case of loving the tree for the sake of its branches.

"Xiao Wei, there's no time like the present. Why don't you host today's lunch? Treat us, along with my fifth brother and Lady An's eldest brother, to a fine meal at the restaurant next door," Liang Xiaoyue said, seizing the opportunity to create a chance for Tang Qinian and Ankang to spend more time together.

"I didn't bring that much silver," Zi Wei said bluntly, failing to read between the lines.

Exasperated, Liang Xiaoyue glared at Zi Wei.

Eagerly, Tang Qinian chimed in, "Today's lunch, I'll host."

A flicker of amusement crossed Anyi's eyes.

Liang Xiaoyue had no choice but to gracefully step down. "I'll let you off this time, Xiao Wei. Let Qinian host, and you can host the next one."

"Understood. I always honor my bets and never welch on a debt," Zi Wei said, proving herself to be a good sport.

*Clang!* The opening gong sounded, but Zhuang Manru, who was always punctual, had yet to arrive.

The first to take the stage was an elderly female role. After she delivered her lines, a young male scholar stepped forward to bow to her. Zhuang Manru arrived tardily, panting slightly. "Apologies, I'm late."

"Why are you so late? Sit down quickly and watch the play!" Tang Qinian said.

"I was delayed by some matters at home," Zhuang Manru smiled at the group. When her gaze fell on Anyi, a complicated look flashed across her eyes.

Anyi didn't notice, as she was completely captivated by the young male actor playing the female role just entering the stage. Though clearly a man, adorned in colorful makeup, with a flick of his water sleeves and a gentle twist of his slender waist, he appeared even more delicate and charming than a woman, truly breathtaking.

"This humble wife's surname is Zhang, given name Qiannu, seventeen years of age. Tragically, my father has passed away. While my father was alive, he arranged a marriage with Wang Tongzhi's son..." Shen Xixiu's eyes were like autumn pools, and her voice was melodious and soft.

As a verse concluded, the surrounding spectators burst into applause and cheers, tossing small pieces of silver onto the stage as tips. Zi Wei joined in, throwing down silver pieces of her own.

After an exchange of formal bows on stage, Shen Xixiu sang once more: "He is a refined young master in a jaunty cap and light robes; I am a delicate maiden in embroidered cloaks and fragrant carriages. Our appearance and talents are a perfect match..."

These lyrics struck a chord in the hearts of Tang Qinian, Liang Xiaoyue, and Zhuang Manru. Zhuang Manru stared at Anyi once more, a tempest of emotions raging within her.

Just as Anyi turned her head to pick up her teacup, her gaze collided with Zhuang Manru's.

Seeing that Anyi had caught her looking, Zhuang Manru quickly averted her eyes.

Anyi frowned slightly, calmly picked up her cup, took a few sips of tea, and redirected her gaze back to the stage.

Shen Xixiu sang with such poignant beauty that the avid theater fan Zi Wei became utterly engrossed. When tossing down more silver coins, she accidentally threw her embroidered pouch along with them. "Oh, no! My pouch!"

"You clumsy girl!" Liang Xiaoyue was sitting closest to Zi Wei. "What are you going to do now?"

The pouch had fallen from above, landing right at Shen Xixiu's feet.

Noticing this, the audience burst into hearty laughter and jeers. Standing by the railing, Zi Wei shrank back into her chair, burning with embarrassment.

Having experienced all sorts of situations, Shen Xixiu remained completely unruffled. Continuing to sing her lines, she lowered her gaze to find the owner of the pouch. Taking advantage of a bow she made to the young scholar actor, she swiftly scooped up the pouch and tucked it into her sleeve.

With the first act concluded, the actors retired backstage to change their makeup during the intermission.

"We need to find a way to get that pouch back," Liang Xiaoyue said anxiously.

"I know, but I don't dare go," Zi Wei stammered, twisting her hands nervously.

"Weren't you quite bold just a moment ago? Why are you losing your nerve now?" Liang Xiaoyue asked, nearly driven to exasperation by Zi Wei.

"Alright, stop scolding her. We can just send a servant to ask the actor for it," Tang Qinian suggested.

Zi Wei instructed her personal maid to go backstage and retrieve the pouch.

The maid returned shortly. "Young Mistress, the troupe manager wouldn't let me enter the backstage area. He said Master Shen still has to perform the second act and must not be disturbed."

"What do we do now?" Zi Wei panicked. If an unmarried young lady's personal pouch fell into the hands of an actor and word got out, it would severely damage her reputation.

"Xiao Wei, I'll go with you to see the troupe manager. We must get that pouch back," Liang Xiaoyue said, standing up.

"Qinian, Xiaoyue is hot-tempered and Xiao Wei is terrified. Since you speak clearly and eloquently, you should accompany them," Zhuang Manru suggested.

Tang Qinian and the other two, accompanied by their maids, headed backstage to retrieve the pouch.

Waiting until they had left, Zhuang Manru turned back to look at Anyi. "I wonder if Lady An has ever read the *Spring and Autumn Annals* and the *Zuo Zhuan*?"

"No, I haven't," Anyi replied. Seeing that Zhuang Manru had deliberately engineered a way to send Tang Qinian and the others away, she knew Zhuang Manru had something to say, though she hadn't expected such an opening gambit.

"That explains it," Zhuang Manru sneered.

"If Lady Zhuang has something to say, please speak plainly instead of beating around the bush," Anyi said calmly.

"In the *Zuo Zhuan*, under the twenty-fifth year of Duke Ai, in the sixth month, the Duke arrived from Yue. Ji Kangzi... The Duke said: 'He has eaten his words many times, can he help but grow fat?' Does Lady An know this event, and what does it mean?"

Anyi frowned. "I don't understand what Lady Zhuang is implying. When did I ever break my word to you?"

"That day when we left the grand banquet at the Princess's Manor, what did you say to me in the carriage? Do you not remember?" Zhuang Manru demanded angrily.

"I remember. I said that I harbored no improper thoughts toward him whatsoever," Anyi replied.

Zhuang Manru glared at Anyi. "That's what you said, but how have you been acting?"

"What have I done?"

Zhuang Manru's eyes reddened slightly. "A few days ago, you rode in the same carriage with him."

"Lady Zhuang, you've misunderstood. I did not ride in the same carriage with him. It was raining heavily that day, and my carriage collided with his. His carriage was badly damaged and he was injured. With no other choice, I used my carriage to take him to the medical shop for treatment," Anyi explained.

"Is that true? You aren't lying to me?" Zhuang Manru asked skeptically.

"I have no reason to lie to you."

"Then—then swear an oath."

"What?" Anyi looked startled. "Swear an oath?"

"Swear an oath, and I will believe you," Zhuang Manru stared at Anyi with a stern expression.