Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 141: Life is hopeless
accident!

This was truly a complete accident!
Although Wang Xi knew Li Linfu's ambition in this matter, he did not expect that the Japanese envoy came to him that day because of a scheme set up by Li Linfu. As a result, by a twist of fate, he was the one who got the reward.

At this moment, Wang Xi and Hongxiu were rehearsing "The Butterfly Lovers" in the academy's main hall.

Almost all the students watched from the sidelines.

Only now did Cui Gu'er and the others realize that Wang Xi's acting and singing skills were so superb that he could hold his own against Hongxiu in a scene together.

They went from initially envying and resenting each other to now seriously observing and learning.

They initially just didn't like reading and were curious about it, but as they learned more and more, they gradually became fascinated by it and began to take opera seriously.

Just as he was getting into the swing of things, Wang Xi suddenly waved his hand and yelled, "Cut! Cut! Cut!"

Watching from the side, Li Jieman finally couldn't help but ask, "What exactly does this 'card' mean?"

"It means it won't work. Let's take a break first."

Wang Xi shook his head and sat back down in his seat. His junior sisters immediately served him hot tea and candied fruit. Although Wang Xi was not old, with his makeup skills and acting skills, he had become the senior brother in the eyes of his junior sisters.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

In their opinion, the performance was excellent, so why couldn't it be good?

Hongxiu, left standing to the side, saw Wang Xi frowning and remaining silent. For some reason, she felt a little apprehensive and asked nervously, "What's wrong with him?"

Wang Xi glanced at her, then remained silent.

Upon seeing this, everyone wondered if it was the teacher's fault.

Hongxiu was also puzzled, and simply said, "If there's a problem, just say it. How will we know if you don't tell us?"

Li Jieman nodded and said, "That's right, what's wrong with it? Just tell me!"

The other students nodded in agreement.

Wang Xi sighed and said, "Actually, I've already told you, but the teacher won't listen. What can I do? Maybe...maybe we should just find someone else."

Everyone was taken aback by these words.

Li Jieman said, "Are you crazy?"

Wang Xi said, "I'm not crazy. Of course I want to act with the teacher, but the teacher simply doesn't have the talent for it. If I embarrass myself on stage, it will only damage the teacher's reputation."

Cui Gu'er said, "But I think it was a very good performance."

Wang Xi immediately retorted, "What good is it if you think it's useless?"

Cui Gu'er lowered his head in embarrassment.

Since Wang Xi took the stage, he immediately displayed his talents, acting as director, lead actor, screenwriter, and producer. Gradually, Wang Xi became the core of Wuming Academy. When he got angry, the atmosphere in the entire hall would drop to freezing point, and the junior sisters would not dare to breathe.

Hongxiu was the first Duzhi of Chang'an. Although she had always hoped to leave Pingkangfang and did not want to perform on stage again, she was still quite proud. The key was that this was her area of ​​expertise. She was a little displeased when Wang Xi said this, so she said, "What exactly is wrong with you? Tell me the reason."

Wang Xidao said, "The students can't feel the teacher's love at all."

Upon hearing this, Cui Gu'er and his companions immediately started to jeer.

Come again?

It's enough!
"Stop stirring up trouble."

Wang Xi said with a very serious expression: "You half-baked actors don't know anything about acting. What is acting? At the very least, it has to be convincing. If we can't even move ourselves, how can we move the audience? You might as well buy a book and read it."

After saying that, he asked again, "Think about it, what did you see just now—the teacher or Zhu Yingtai? Did you see Wang Xiaoque or Liang Shanbo?"

Upon careful consideration, everyone realized that there was some truth to it.

Wang Xi is a completely different person on and off stage, but Hongxiu is the same person.

Wang Xi then said to Hongxiu, "Teacher, you neither showed Zhu Yingtai's innocence nor expressed the feelings of a girl just beginning to fall in love. You were just reading from the script. The reason everyone thought it was okay was only because of your singing skills, not your acting skills. But this is not storytelling, it is acting. Why don't you play Zhu's mother instead, and choose someone else to play Zhu Yingtai?"

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly said, "It might be too late to change people now."

Wang Xi said, "If we put in some effort, we should still be able to make it in time. As for His Majesty, I'll talk to him myself. I don't think there will be any major problems, since His Majesty is after all interested in opera."

After hearing this, everyone realized that Wang Xi was serious. They couldn't help but look at Hongxiu again, noticing that a blush had crept onto her face, gradually spreading to her ears.

Li Jie said in a low voice, "Brother Que, calm down. After all, he is your teacher."

Wang Xi was taken aback, looked up at Hongxiu, and said, "Teacher, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to blame you. Actually, I can understand you. After all, there is an age gap between you and Zhu Yingtai. It might be difficult for you to portray a young girl's mentality again. It might be more suitable for Linglong and the others to play the role."

Upon hearing this, Hongxiu's face turned even redder. Her pride began to take over, and she thought, "I didn't want to act in this play in the first place, but if I back down now, will they still respect me as before? I'm afraid they'll all look down on me."

She really enjoys being a teacher now. Either don't come up with the role, or if you're going to do it, do it well. If she steps down and is replaced by her students, who will listen to her in the future?

You yourself act like that, so what right do you have to teach us?

Hongxiu gently bit her lip, glanced at Wang Xi, and said, "You don't need to apologize. It was the teacher's fault for not being prepared enough. Give the teacher some more time to think it over."

Wang Xi frowned, seemingly hesitant. Just then, someone came to the door and said, "Young Master Wang, Li Zhongyun has arrived."

"I'll be right there."

Wang Xi took a deep breath and said, "Let's rehearse the other actors' scenes first."

After saying that, he got up and left.

But the atmosphere was still very awkward. Huangfu Sengnian said, "We've been rehearsing for so long, let's take a break first."

Everyone nodded.

This atmosphere is impossible to fake.

"Uncle Li, what brings you here?"

Upon arriving at the back hall, Wang Xi asked Li Linfu with a curious expression.

Li Linfu laughed and said, "Uncle Li is here to take orders from you."

He is not the kind of person who gives up when faced with setbacks.

Since we've already done all the work for someone else, there's no harm in offering our congratulations.

Wang Xi was taken aback. "Uncle Li, what are you talking about?"

Li Linfu said in a low voice, "You're still pretending to be stupid with Uncle Li. The Prince came to me before, saying that His Majesty entrusted you with the entire arrangement of the charity banquet."

"Oh yes, yes!"

Wang Xi slapped his forehead, "I've been so busy with rehearsals lately that I almost forgot about this."

forget?

Li Linfu felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart.

I worked so hard to create this opportunity, and you snatched it away. Fine, I'll accept my loss, but how could you forget it?

Seeing that Li Linfu remained silent, Wang Xi asked, "Uncle Li, are you angry?"

Li Linfu was taken aback, but then he thought to himself, "If he doesn't care, then I'll have to take care of everything." He chuckled and said, "Uncle Li, why are you angry with me? The most important thing about this charity banquet is the opera, so naturally we have to rehearse it well."

He paused slightly after saying this, "However, other matters also need to be arranged as soon as possible."

Wang Xi said, "But I don't have time. Why don't you arrange it, Uncle Li?"

Li Linfu said, "I can help you make arrangements, but His Majesty has appointed you to handle this matter, so you should at least tell Uncle Li how to arrange it."

"Oh."

Wang Xi then informed Li Linfu about the auction.

Upon hearing this, Li Linfu's eyes lit up. "Was this your idea?"

Wang Xi nodded, then said with a hint of delight, "Uncle Li thinks it's brilliant too, right?"

"Brilliant! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Li Linfu nodded with a smile, but he was quite frustrated inside. He suddenly understood why Li Longji had entrusted this matter to Wang Xi, and said, "Why didn't you tell Uncle Li about this good idea sooner?"

Wang Xi sighed, "Don't even mention it. Luckily I'm quick-witted, otherwise I would have been scolded to death by my Empress Aunt."

Li Linfu asked, "What do you mean?"

Wang Xi looked around and whispered, "Uncle Li, you don't know this, but a few days ago, for some reason, the Japanese envoy suddenly wanted to give me a gift, saying that he hoped I would arrange a seat for them at a charity gala."

Li Linfu felt as if someone had stabbed him in the heart. This should have been mine, mine!
Then Wang Xi sighed, "I saw that the gift was very precious and I liked it. I also thought that it would be good for more people to donate money, so I accepted the gift. But who knew that His Majesty and my Empress Aunt would find out about it that very day."

"Then I can only say that I accepted the gift intending to give it to my Empress Aunt, but she resolutely refused to accept it. So, I had a brilliant idea: I said it was for charity, and I asked my Empress Aunt to accept the gift first, and then I would auction it off later. That way, I could kill two birds with one stone."

It would have been better if he hadn't listened; after listening, Li Linfu felt utterly hopeless.

That’s okay too.

He had no doubts, because that was what he had heard as well.

Composing himself, Li Linfu nodded with tears in his eyes and said, "So that's how it is."

Wang Xi said dejectedly, "This is really just making trouble for myself." Then he pleaded, "Uncle Li, you have to help me."

Originally, this was all my credit, but now it's turned into me helping you! Li Linfu wanted nothing more than to kick this kid out, and then said, "Uncle Li would also like to help you, but now envoys from various countries are sending you gifts, so how should we arrange this?"

Wang Xi shook his head and said, "I don't know."

"You do not know?"

"Hmm. I originally accepted those gifts thinking I could ask Uncle Li for a favor and get the Japanese envoy in. Now that everyone's bringing gifts, how am I supposed to know what to do?"

After saying that, he said pitifully, "Uncle Li, would you be willing to help me with this?"

Li Linfu took a deep breath and said, "Alright then, I... I'll make the arrangements."

Wang Xi was overjoyed. "Thank you, Uncle Li! Thank you, Uncle Li!"

Li Linfu nodded, but tears welled up in his eyes.

Although the matter ultimately fell on his shoulders, the nature of it had completely changed; he was now dealing with the envoys in Wang Xi's name.

People naturally remember Wang Xi; he was just someone who handled things.

You have to understand that he orchestrated this whole thing!
He was burning with rage.

But faced with Wang Xi, this hothead, he could only endure it. He could only blame the Japanese envoy for actually thinking of going to find Wang Xi and setting a bad example. He really didn't know if these Japanese people had any brains.

After discussing the matter, Li Linfu left. He really didn't want to see Wang Xi again; just looking at him made him angry.

No sooner had he left than Huangfu Sengnian appeared beside Wang Xi and asked, "Can this man be trusted?"

"Trust him?"

Wang Xi smiled and said, "Then let's buy the coffin first."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Then why did you tell him everything? And why did you entrust the matter of the envoy to him?"

Wang Xi looked at Huangfu Sengnian with suspicion.

Huangfu Sengnian said, "I just happened to be passing by."

"Just want to hear it, huh?"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "This person is very shrewd. I must mix lies with the truth so that he will think I am easy to control. This way, I can maintain the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to him."

As for why he was chosen, it's actually quite simple. Our father has to do something big, but in the imperial court, you can't survive without using dirty tricks. Some dirty things always have to be done by someone, and right now, he's the best candidate.

I entrusted him with handling the matter of receiving gifts, just to see if he could manage it.

Huangfu Sengnian nodded slightly and said, "I haven't had much contact with him, but I can sense that he has considerable ambition. Moreover, don't you find this matter a bit suspicious?"

Wang Xi frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Huangfu Sengnian asked, "Why did that Japanese envoy suddenly seek you out?"

Wang Xi said, "This should be a coincidence. At the time, no one knew that I would go to Baihualou and have a conflict with that Tibetan."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "That's not what I meant. It's that this charity banquet was suddenly added this year, but many envoys are flocking to it. There must be a reason for this."

Wang Xi was taken aback and said, "You mean, this was actually Li Linfu's doing, but I took over it?"

Huangfu Sengnian nodded. "Wasn't this idea his idea?"

Wang Xi thought for a moment, "That's really possible. No wonder his smile wasn't as natural as usual."

He chuckled and said, "That's interesting."

Huangfu Sengnian then asked, "By the way, were you angry just now?"

"Pretending."

"Pretending?"

Huangfu Sengnian was startled.

Wang Xi nodded and said, "That's right! This is a rare opportunity, and I must seize it to transform myself from a student into a man in the teacher's eyes. Wasn't it a good performance? Even you didn't notice."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "But how can you be sure that the teacher won't just withdraw from this position?"

Wang Xi said, "If the teacher quits like this, how will she teach students in the future? If there hadn't been so many people around, I wouldn't be angry."

After hearing this, Huangfu Sengnian was speechless for a moment. "Perhaps you and Li Linfu have truly met a match of equals!"

Wang Xi asked uncertainly, "Are you praising me or criticizing me?"

Huangfu Sengnian thought for a moment and said, "If we're talking about treacherous officials, then it's an exaggeration."

Thank you so much.

Meanwhile, Li Linfu was extremely frustrated.

It's like you've meticulously prepared a feast, only to have others enjoy it while you end up eating a mouthful of excrement.

Uncomfortable!

It's really painful!
Back home, he drank alone, feeling sullen.

Suddenly, a servant reported that Wu Xin requested an audience.

Li Linfu's heart skipped a beat. These were turbulent times, and since he was now considered Wu Xin's spy within the Wang family, Wu Xin wouldn't normally come to his door in person. He wondered if something had happened, so he quickly went out to welcome Wu Xin into the house.

"Li Zhongyun, are you drinking alone?" Wu Xin asked as he entered the room, glancing at the food and wine on the low table.

Li Linfu said casually, "I've got nothing to do, so I'll have a drink to relieve my boredom."

"Nothing much to do?"

Wu Xin asked curiously, "With New Year's Day approaching, how could Li Zhongyun be idle?"

Li Linfu sensed something was amiss in his words and asked, "Please speak freely, Grand Master Wu."

Wu Xin said, "I've heard that the young master of the Wang family used the guise of a charity banquet to lavishly accept gifts from envoys. Is this true or not?"

So that's why he came here too. Li Linfu nodded and said, "It's true."

Wu Xin immediately said, "Since Li Zhongyun knew about this, why didn't he tell me?"

Li Linfu said, "I only just found out about it myself."

Wu Xin said, "He is openly accepting bribes."

Li Linfu roughly guessed why he had come, so he said, "This was all granted by His Majesty."

Wu Xin was shocked. "This was His Majesty's permission?"

Li Linfu nodded and said, "Moreover, not long ago, he entrusted this matter to me."

Wu Xin asked uncertainly, "You're being asked to help him collect gifts?"

Li Linfu nodded.

Upon hearing this, Wu Xin exclaimed excitedly, "Li Zhongyun, you're confused! That kid is deliberately trying to frame you. Now that this matter has spread, even if I don't say anything, those censors will still submit memorials to impeach you."

Li Linfu said, "This is His Majesty's permission."

Wu Xin said, “His Majesty has granted many requests, but that doesn’t mean the court officials will agree. Accepting gifts like this violates the rules and is against etiquette. Even the Court of State Ceremonial wouldn’t dare to do this. How could you be so foolish?”

Upon hearing this, Li Linfu was furious. He felt that he hadn't even received any credit yet, and he was already being blamed. Did they really think he was easy to bully?

But he was Li Linfu after all, and soon he found an opportunity in this matter, saying, "Grand Master Wu, do you know that His Majesty will have Wang Xiaoque in charge?"

Wu Xin sighed, "His Majesty now dotes on that boy very much."

"The Grand Master of Ceremonies only knows one side of the story, not the other."

"Secondly?"

"Ah."

Li Linfu immediately informed Wu Xin about the auction.

After hearing this, Wu Xin said, "I see."

Li Linfu said, "He initially accepted the gifts out of greed, but since His Majesty caught him red-handed, he claimed that he was doing it for charity. Even if the censor impeaches him, I don't think it will be of much use. After all, it is a charitable donation, and at most the gifts will be returned."

Wu Xin nodded slightly and then asked, "So what does Li Zhongyun mean?"

Li Linfu said, "We can use this to gain the Wang family's trust while simultaneously undermining the Wang family's relationship with the outer court."

Wu Xin asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Li Linfu said, "Since His Majesty has permitted it, I might as well accept it openly and in accordance with the rules. Moreover, I will not only accept gifts from foreign guests, but also gifts from ministers. Anyone who wants to participate in this charity banquet must pay money."

Wu Xin was shocked upon hearing this.

(End of this chapter)