Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 78 Let’s Learn to Meow Together
Qu Jianlei scolded, "You are engaged to that girl Luxi, why didn't you tell your uncle about it?

"Luckily I listened to Old Song's suggestion, otherwise I would have missed it. Don't refuse this small token of your appreciation."

After hearing this, Yang Yuan stopped being polite with him.

When Yang Yuan told the story to Mr. Qu, he was much more concise. After Qu Jianlei wrote down the main points of the plot, he went back and enriched it himself.

Generally speaking, what Yang Yuan talked about with him for half a day, after being polished and refined by Mr. Qu, was enough for him to talk about seven or eight times.

Therefore, he didn't need to come to see Yang Yuan every day.

After Yang Yuan finished speaking, Qu Jianlei closed the notebook with satisfaction and said with a smile:

"Wonderful! It's really wonderful! Even though what you said was simple, I've already imagined a lot after listening to it!

"Where on earth did you hear all these fascinating stories?"

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "This is nothing. I also have "A Mortal's Journey to Immortality", "Battle Through the Heavens", "Devouring the Stars", "Pulling Out the Candles and Blowing Out the Lamps"... I can't finish talking about them. I can't finish talking about them at all."

Mr. Qu's eyes lit up as he listened. He didn't know whether the stories were good or not, but just hearing the names of these stories was very attractive.

Mr. Qu seemed to see mountains of gold waving handkerchiefs at him, and called out with seductive eyes: "Uncle, come and play~~"

Mr. Qu swallowed his saliva, suppressed the urge to listen first, and said with a smile: "Okay! After I finish talking about this Sui and Tang Dynasty, I will ask Erlang for advice one by one.

"Erlang has worked hard all morning. Uncle Qu should leave too. Let's go to Dawazi first to finish reading the first chapter of the day."

Yang Yuan said, "Dawazi? It's not far, we can make it in time. Uncle Qu, don't worry, I still have something to ask you."

Qu Jianlei sat down again: "What's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?"

Yang Yuan asked: "Uncle Qu is a storyteller, I wonder if he also knows some of the skills of 'Next Door Opera'?"

"The play next door" refers to "ventriloquism".

Because the performers use an eight-foot screen to hide themselves, the ventriloquist sits inside the screen.
You can only hear the sound but not see the person, so it is called "the play next door".

At this time, Mrs. Li and Dan Niang were walking towards the room where the two were.

Dan Niang had been practicing with Madam Li for the whole morning and was just about to take a break.

Ever since Mr. Qu came, Yang Yuan went into the room with him and has not come out yet. Dan Niang couldn't help feeling curious.

What is there for two grown men to talk about, especially an old man?

She wanted to go downstairs to relax, and was about to pass by this door.
So when he reached the door, he deliberately slowed down his pace and passed through quietly.

She also smiled and waved to Madam Li, indicating that she should come over and eavesdrop as well.

Mrs. Li just smiled and stopped.

What does it have to do with her if Dan Niang wants to eavesdrop on her lover's conversation?
Besides, Mrs. Li, who has always tried hard to act like an elder, would never behave like a child.

Not only did she not approach him, but she took two steps back to avoid suspicion, stood by the railing, and looked at the clear waters of West Lake...

In the room, Qu Jianlei heard Yang Yuan's question and said with a little complacency: "Although your uncle Qu didn't learn the 'next door play', he knows a little about this technique."

After saying that, Qu Jianlei covered his mouth with his hands and began to imitate.

First there was a series of snoring and grunting sounds, and Yang Yuan immediately imagined a group of pigs fighting over a trough.

Then there was the chirping of insects, and suddenly there was the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.

After a while, the sound of horse hooves came from far away...

The sounds of fierce fighting, the clashing of weapons, and the neighing of war horses mixed together.
It's as if one is suddenly on the battlefield.

Yang Yuan was overjoyed and asked quickly, "Can Uncle Qu imitate the meow of a cat?"

"Hmm~hmm~"

"Where's the kitten?"

"Meow~meow~meow~"

"When the cat sees the bird?"

“Ka-ka-ka-ka~”

Mr. Qu began to speak, and without waiting for Yang Yuan to ask any more questions, he made a high-pitched sound like a baby crying.

Not only did Dan Niang, who was standing by the door, hear it clearly, but even Madam Li, who was standing nearby, heard it.

Yang Yuan was surprised: "This is..."

Mr. Qu smiled proudly: "This is the sound of a female cat calling Yangzi..."

Outside the door, Dan Niang was bewildered. Two grown men got together just to imitate the cat’s meow?

Mrs. Li felt a little uncomfortable. How could a woman who prided herself on "the blooming of the camellia flowers, the end of spring" listen to this, not even from small animals?

She waved to Dan Niang and said softly, "Let's go practice the tea ceremony!"

The tea ceremony that Dan Niang is practicing now is a method of brewing tea that has never appeared in the world.

In fact, this was not her first time learning it, and she was already very familiar with the movements.

But Mrs. Li’s requirements were so high that just making the painting flow smoothly and presenting a graceful and elegant temperament was not enough for this famous teacher.

In the pavilion on the third floor, there was a Xiangfei bamboo couch, and under the couch was a pair of bamboo clogs.

Among straw clogs, wooden clogs and bamboo clogs, bamboo clogs have the best cooling effect and comfort.

There is a cool mat in front of the couch.

Mrs. Li was lying on the couch in a casual dress with a double-breasted blouse, with a pair of beautiful feet as crystal clear as crystal exposed.

She supported her chin with her left hand, placed her right hand lightly on her hip, made a "right willow branch seal", and pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

The posture looks casual, but it is actually a breathing technique of "Zhelong Sleeping Pill Gong".

This skill was passed down to her by an old Taoist priest.

That year she was just coming of age, and she hired a hero from the martial arts world to assassinate the then Grand Marshal Liang Shicheng with a large sum of money.

The assassination failed, and Liang Shicheng was about to deal with this arrogant young woman.

As a result, "before thinking about victory, think about defeat first". Miss Shishi had a backup plan. She immediately asked people to spread the rumor that "the official family had a private affair with Miss Shishi" among the people.

She was originally living in a brothel, so why should she just admit it openly? Why should she hide it?
Even though she was still a prostitute at that time.

What's more, with Li Shishi's straightforward and chivalrous character and her rebellious age, she doesn't care what those men think of her.

So, the rumor came out, and Liang Shicheng stopped his efforts and never dared to plot against her again.

At this time, an old Taoist appeared in front of her with a smile. The old Taoist said his surname was Chen, so she could just call him Taoist Chen.

Taoist Chen said that Shishi was only a 15-year-old girl, but she was able to donate a large sum of money twice in a row.
Donating money to reward the soldiers fighting against the Jin army on the front line, this heroic and magnanimous mind is far greater than that of many men.

Even he, the old Taoist Chen, admired Miss Shishi very much.

So, when he, who had not been involved in worldly affairs for a long time, heard that the little girl had done her best and spent a large sum of money to invite heroes from the martial arts world to assassinate Liang Shicheng who had embezzled the bounty, he hid in the "Hua Ju Yashe" where Shishi was.

He wanted to protect the little girl and prevent her from being harmed by Liang Shicheng.

Unexpectedly, the little girl had her own clever plan and was able to survive.

Taoist Chen thought that since he had come here and had no chance to take action, he passed on a set of skills to her.

The old Taoist said that his technique can strengthen the body and prolong life.

The fifteen-year-old little Shishi was skeptical at first about what the sloppy Taoist said, but after trying it, she found that her spirit and energy had indeed changed significantly, so she persisted.

At this moment, she was lying on her side on the couch, making hand seals and regulating her breathing silently.

That ageless face without makeup was rosy and fair, and it looked even more radiant.
Her graceful figure seems to have some of the immortal charm and elegance of a real Buddha.

Dan Niang sat cross-legged on the mat, on which was placed a full set of tea sets.

Since this was not the first time she had repeated the steps of the tea ceremony, Mrs. Li just watched quietly.

Only when she occasionally finds something that can be improved will she speak up and give advice.

After Dan Niang understood it, she would repeat the steps according to Mrs. Li's instructions.

Seeing that Mr. Qu imitated the cat's meow so vividly that it was indistinguishable from a real cat, Yang Yuan asked him to do him a small favor.

Although Mr. Qu didn't understand why Yang Yuan wanted to do this, he thought it was just a matter of bringing a cat and learning a few cat meows, so what was the difficulty? So he agreed immediately.

After seeing Mr. Qu off, Yang Yuan went back upstairs and came to the pavilion.

When Mrs. Li saw him coming, she immediately changed from lying to sitting position.

Her feet, with smooth lines and graceful curves like mutton-fat jade, also quietly reached into the bamboo clogs under the couch.

The skirt then fell down, covering the legs and feet tightly.

Ever since Yang Yuan made a joke to her last time, Madam Li has been more wary of Yang Yuan than Chuan.

When Dan Niang saw Yang Yuan coming over, she just smiled at him and continued with her hand movements.

Yang Yuan nodded to her, and seeing Madam Li sitting upright, he also bowed.
Then he took off his boots, sat cross-legged in a corner of the mat, and watched Dan Niang make tea.

He didn't dare look at Madam Li. He swears to God that he had just said that casually yesterday.

Half compliment, half praise.

Who in his day would have found that offensive?

If those aunts heard him call them sister, which one of them would not be overjoyed?

But Mrs. Li felt it was an offense...

She didn't say anything, but her eyes, which were so expressive, said it all, making Yang Yuan feel embarrassed.

Now when he saw Madam Li again, Yang Yuan actually had a guilty feeling, as if he had really had some dirty thoughts about her.

Today, Dan Niang changed into a set of double-breasted, folded-breasted gown that Yang Yuan had a famous tailor tailor to take her measurements and carefully make for her.

The dress was tailored very well, and when she wore it, her curves from shoulder to waist were soft and graceful.

From her slender waist down, her folded skirt is flowing, without showing any curves of her body, which makes her look more dignified, elegant, gentle and quiet.

Seeing Yang Yuan watching her make tea, Dan Niang immediately became very alert.

Yang Yuan found it pleasing to the eye when he saw her making tea.

The beauty adds color to the tea, and the tea adds fragrance to the beauty. It is truly a feast for the eyes and smell.

Afterwards, Dan Niang picked up the teacup, poured a cup for Madam Li first, then poured a cup for Yang Yuan, and with a wave of her hand, signaled the two of them to drink tea.

Mrs. Li sat down at the table, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. The tea tasted delicious on her lips.

Madam Li raised her eyebrows and praised, "The taste of Qingming is indeed unique. It is thanks to Erlang that I now know the taste of real tea."

Yang Yuan said: "Madam, you are too kind. The tea ceremony I have been thinking about has become like a Midas touch after your improvement.

"It's also fortunate that a woman like Dan Niang is here to make tea, which makes people's mouths, noses, and hearts all smell wonderful.

"If it were someone as reckless as me, it would never have had this effect."

Dan Niang was delighted to hear this.

Mrs. Li gave him a sidelong look. This boy is so talkative and sweet-talking!

Yang Yuan drank two cups of tea and said to Madam Li, "Madam, can you take a rest for a while? I have something to say to Dan Niang."

Madam Li stood up and said, "You guys chat, I'll go back to my room and rest for a while."

After watching Madam Li float away, Dan Niang withdrew her gaze, smiled sweetly at Yang Yuan, and began to settle the bill for him again.

"Sir, the box of gold you asked me to deposit in the bank has now been redeemed..."

Yang Yuan was afraid that she would conjure up an abacus out of thin air and show him her superb abacus skills.

Yang Yuan waved his hands and said, "There's no rush. May 19th is coming soon, and I'm preparing for everything.

“It now seems that the event will be even better than I expected.

"Such a scene should be able to create a big stir and make you famous.

"In the next few days, you should concentrate on learning various skills from Madam Li.

"In a few days, I will bring back the custom-made furniture and toys to decorate your bedroom.

"But tomorrow, I have something to do, so I won't come. You can just study with my wife."

Dan Niang had been accustomed to being with Yang Yuan day and night, so she felt a little lost after hearing this.

Dan Niang said, "What do you want to ask tomorrow, sir? Ah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

Dan Niang covered her mouth with her hands, revealing only a pair of apologetic eyes: "Sir, you are a government official, I shouldn't say anything."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "It's okay, it's just a private matter. I have to go to perform the betrothal ceremony tomorrow, so I can't come."

(End of this chapter)