Chapter Six: Ah, What a Spectacle!

"Brother, why are you still awake?"

Gu Qingqing pushed aside the curtain and entered, carrying a bowl of hot water.

Gu Zhengchen set down his brush, rubbed his aching wrist, and turned to look at her. "Little sister, do you enjoy watching plays?"

Gu Qingqing placed the bowl on the table and replied softly, "I do, though I haven't seen many. I caught bits and pieces twice at the temple fair when I went with Mother. Mother can even sing some of them."

Gu Zhengchen imagined his mother singing.

Entertainment for the common people of the Ming Dynasty was scarce. Drama was the most popular and widespread form of spiritual recreation. During the Yuan Dynasty, variety shows had flourished, giving rise to countless troupes. However, the wars at the end of the Yuan era had reduced that splendor to ashes, and the ban on theater enforced by the Emperor had placed many restrictions on troupes and performers.

Yet, there was still room for theater to survive. For instance, *The Pipa Record*, which advocated for virtuous wives, filial sons, and domestic harmony, was highly regarded by Zhu Yuanzhang, who famously remarked, "Master Gao's *Pipa Record* is like rare mountain and sea delicacies; a wealthy household must not be without it."

Drama had depth and a foundation among the people, so it was only natural for there to be theater enthusiasts, especially in these early days of the founding of the dynasty, while the older generation from the Yuan era was still alive.

Gu Zhengchen chatted with Gu Qingqing for a while, told her to get some rest, and then resumed organizing the lyrics for *The Legend of the White Snake*. Having spent his later life listening to pop songs, he couldn't remember the original operatic lyrics perfectly, but he would just have to fill in the gaps himself. It wasn't as if anyone would notice.

The next morning, Mother Gu woke up and saw Gu Zhengchen pacing around the family’s black ceramic water vat. She couldn't help but ask, "There are no inscriptions on this vat; what kind of pattern are you looking for?"

"Mother, do you know of any funnel-shaped water vats?"

Gu Zhengchen dropped the stone he was holding, abandoning the idea of smashing the vat. Even if he shattered the bottom, it wouldn't turn into a funnel.

Mother Gu thought for a moment and shook her head. "No funnel-shaped water vats, but Aunt Zhang has a funnel-shaped earthenware basin."

Gu Zhengchen’s eyes lit up. "Mother, go borrow it. Then take Little Sister to the river to fill a vat with muddy water. Bring our cooking pot outside, prepare the firewood, and wait for my return."

"Brother Zhengchen..."

Mother Gu watched him dash out the door, wiping his hands. She took two steps after him, but seeing no response, she turned to Gu Qingqing, who stood by the window, still groggy from sleep. "What is he doing?"

Gu Qingqing rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Mother, Brother has gone to make money."

"Make money? Have you ever seen someone make money by fetching muddy water? He’s acting so strange."

Mother Gu grumbled, tied an apron around Gu Qingqing, and said, "I’m going to Aunt Zhang’s place. You go heat up the steamed buns."

***

Gu Qingqing sighed, resigning herself to the kitchen. She hated starting the fire; the flint would clack for an age before the wood caught.

Gu Zhengchen entered the county town again, heading straight for the Liang residence.

He had heard that the elder of the Liang family, Liang Heng, had served as a minor official during the Yuan Dynasty. After surrendering to the Ming, he had chosen not to answer the call to serve due to his age, preferring to live a peaceful life in Teng County. That was a wise choice—fewer troubles.

Gu Zhengchen arrived at the Liang gate and handed his calling card along with the manuscript for *The Legend of the White Snake* to the gatekeeper. "Please deliver these to the elder of the Liang house."

The gatekeeper lifted his chin and whistled, implying: *Doesn't delivering things require a service fee?*

Seeing the gatekeeper’s reluctance and being truly penniless, Gu Zhengchen added, "I am Gu Zhengchen, a scholar from Dayan Village."

"G-Gu Zhengchen?"

The gatekeeper jolted, his attitude shifting instantly to one of respect. Another attendant even smiled and said, "Scholar Gu, please wait a moment. We will deliver this right away."

Gu Zhengchen wasn't in a hurry. He sat under a large tree outside the gate to enjoy the shade. It seemed that beating Zhao Shun yesterday, causing a scene at the Zhao house, and breaking off the engagement had raised his profile significantly. But where were the bailiffs with their wooden staves? Was the county office too lazy to act?

*Well, thank goodness for lazy officials.*

In the back courtyard of the Liang residence, sixty-six-year-old Liang Heng was sipping tea and reading. Beside him, his wife, Madam Chen, hummed a tune, her small bound feet swaying.

Liang Fengyang entered the room softly and asked with a smile, "Father, Mother, does it feel stifling? Shall I have the maids bring some fans?"

Liang Heng glanced at his son, licked his thumb to turn a page of his book, and said, "If you have something to say, say it. If not, leave and don't disturb our peace."

Knowing his father's temperament, Liang Fengyang produced the calling card. "Father, do you remember the interesting person and events I mentioned yesterday?"

Liang Heng took the card, glanced at the name, and paused, then burst into laughter. "Oh? Isn't this the Scholar Gu who beat the Zhao family's steward and publicly broke off his engagement? Why? The yamen didn't send men to cane him, so he’s come to our doorstep? What does he want?"

Liang Fengyang was also surprised. "The Zhao family suffered quite a grievance yesterday. By rights, the county office should have heard of it, yet the Magistrate seems not to have sent anyone to deal with it..."

Liang Heng chuckled, the wrinkles on his aged face deepening. "The Zhao family was aggrieved? Hah, they are just snobs. They tell everyone the Gu family broke the engagement to play the victim. Any clear-eyed person knows that without the Zhao family’s pressure, Gu Zhengchen wouldn't have dared to break it off. The Magistrate must know the truth. Since he hasn't acted, it means he doesn't want to. It seems this Scholar Gu has someone protecting him after all. Well, tell me, why did he come here?"

Liang Fengyang produced a stack of manuscripts and respectfully handed them over. "He likely came to appeal to your tastes, Father."

"Appeal to my tastes? Ha! This Scholar Gu is quite interesting. No one has ever spoken of his talent before; could this be a case of self-inflicted humiliation? Let me see."

Liang Heng set his book aside, took the manuscript, and unfolded it. After just a few lines, the playful smirk on his face slowly faded, replaced by seriousness and shock.

"What is it?" Madam Chen asked, frowning at his sudden gravity.

Liang Heng kept his eyes glued to the page, reciting in a deep voice, "‘I love the West Lake best in the second month, where slanting wind and fine rain accompany the pleasure boats. It takes ten lifetimes of cultivation to share a boat, and a hundred to share a pillow!’ Madam Chen, what do you think of these lyrics?"

Madam Chen was astonished. These simple lines captured the essence of fate perfectly. Wasn't this just like their own meeting on a boat in the second month?

"What happens next?"

Just as Liang Heng was getting hooked, the text stopped. This cliffhanger was agonizing—was it meant to be the death of him?

Liang Fengyang pointed to the calling card. "The rest should still be in his hands."

Liang Heng re-examined the manuscript, nodding repeatedly in admiration. "Invite Scholar Gu in personally. I must have this *Legend of the White Snake*!"

Liang Fengyang left the room with a calm smile, looking up at the clear blue sky. This was likely more than just a good play; it was a drama orchestrated by Scholar Gu himself.

Gu Zhengchen waited quietly. Whether Liang Heng approved of *The Legend of the White Snake* would determine if the Gu family could rise from their desperate situation. But for a theater fanatic, surely he knew quality when he saw it?

When Liang Fengyang stepped out the gate to greet him personally, Gu Zhengchen let out a long sigh of relief, a smile blooming on his face.

It was done.

From this moment on, he, Gu Zhengchen, would take back everything the Gu family had lost, step by step!