A master of comedy!

Chapter 143 The Peony Pavilion

"does it worth?"

When that voice rang out, the entire theater seemed to be enveloped in a mysterious aura, as if it were right next to our ears and in our hearts.

The lingering sound seemed to come from beyond the heavens.

"worth."

Tang Weng sighed softly and uttered those two words.

"I'm too tired to write what you want. I haven't been able to write a satisfactory piece of work in years."

"I don't want what I once loved most to become my inner demon, or even... my hatred of it."

The mysterious voice remained silent for a moment, then rang out softly.

"it is good."

The next moment, the bamboo hairpin gradually turned into a stream of light and disappeared, while Tang Weng seemed to age countless times in an instant, his white hair became dull and lifeless, and his bony hands trembled involuntarily.

But he seemed to have unloaded some kind of burden, revealing a relaxed smile.

Then, the mysterious voice rang out again.

“Xiao Huchen, your punishment is… to keep the lamp burning for seven days.”

Upon hearing this, the general's pupils constricted, and his emotions fluctuated noticeably. He wanted to explain something, but he held back.

If they were to speak up, it would probably take more than seven days.

No one knew the city lord's terror better than him.

Just as Zhou Sheng was still guessing what kind of punishment lighting the lamp was, he suddenly heard a sharp tearing sound, like tearing cloth.

A pitch-black portal appeared before the general, as if connecting to another mysterious world.

Zhou Sheng activated his divine eye and saw that on the other side of the gate, there seemed to be an ancient cave with a golden lamp shining inside.

It shone with a faint golden light, yet its brilliance was dazzling, exuding an aura of the divine.

The flame in the lamp was warm, peaceful, and vast, like the sun overhead, capable of illuminating every corner and dispelling every wisp of darkness.

The light shone on Zhou Sheng's eyes, but instead of stinging, it felt warm and comfortable.

The general sheathed his Dragon-Swallowing Blade, looked at the golden lamp with a hint of hesitation, then took a deep breath and stepped into the doorway.

The next moment, the golden lamp slowly floated down and landed in the general's palm.

With a muffled thud, the general's feet sank half an inch into the ground, and his palms, which were in contact with the golden lamp, made a sizzling sound, as if they were being roasted.

The general stood ramrod straight and remained silent.

"This is the Ruyi Golden Lamp. It is lit for seven days. Each day the lamp becomes ten thousand pounds heavier and the flame spreads three-tenths of an inch. After seven days, whether one lives or dies depends on one's own fate."

What does Mr. Tang think?

The mysterious voice explained to Tang Weng.

"Thank you, City Lord. With this, I can finally rest in peace."

Old Tang smiled and bowed in greeting.

Then the mysterious aura dissipated, but Zhou Sheng wondered if it was just his imagination, but in the darkness, it seemed as if the other party had glanced at him.

"Good, very good..."

Before the portal slowly dissipated, the general holding the lamp in the cave suddenly turned around and looked at everyone. Even though he was burned by the flames, he gritted his teeth and recited a few words despite the excruciating pain.

"In the end, there is only one Tang Xianzu in this little Fengdu."

"Run! Run like a stray dog ​​before I get out, or else..."

His crimson eyes flashed with a fierce light as he stared intently at Zhou Sheng. He didn't speak, but instead revealed a cruel smile.

His eyes held not only murderous intent, but also a hint of insane hatred.

The suffering you endure now will have to be repaid countless times in the future.

……

The crack disappeared, and the Golden Lamp Cave vanished as well.

Zhou Sheng closed his eyes, but the image of those terrifying crimson eyes flashed into his mind. He knew that after this, he and the general would be mortal enemies.

Either he escapes, or one of them must die.

"Old Tang!"

Yao Taifeng exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward to support the figure that was about to fall, while the others brought over chairs.

Old Man Tang sat down with difficulty in his chair, looking at the worried eyes of everyone, but he revealed a gentle smile.

"Don't worry, I'm not being destroyed, I'm just about to be reincarnated."

"Actually, I should have been reincarnated 160 years ago, but the city lord extended my lifespan in the underworld with that bamboo hairpin."

"I should have left long ago. If it weren't for writing the Fifth Dream, why would I have struggled to keep going?"

Zhou Sheng lowered his gaze and asked, "But Mr. Tang, have you written the Fifth Dream?"

He recalled the scene from their last meeting, with scraps of paper scattered on the floor. The old man was hunched over a dimly lit table, his expression focused and devout, yet he was never satisfied with what he had written.

"No."

Upon hearing this answer, Zhou Sheng felt a pang of guilt. "Child, it's not your fault. On the contrary, I should thank you for helping me finally make this decision."

Tang Weng lowered his eyes and sighed, "I have always been unwilling to admit that I have long since stopped writing The Fifth Dream."

He shook his head, no longer discussing the topic, and instead smiled as he took Zhou Sheng and Yao Taifeng's hands, saying, "I don't have much time left, could I listen to the Peony Pavilion one more time?"

Zhou Sheng and Yao Taifeng exchanged a glance.

……

"The vibrant colors of spring have faded, leaving only broken wells and crumbling walls..."

"What a waste of such a beautiful day and lovely scenery! Whose courtyard enjoys such delightful pleasures?"

On the stage, Yao Taifeng slowly unfolded her hands, her fingers forming a "double crescent moon" shape from her chest, her eyes following the delicate strokes of her fingertips as she depicted a hundred flowers in full bloom.

Her eyes were red, as if she was trying hard to hold back tears. When she sang "good times and beautiful scenery", she couldn't help but add a sobbing tone, which was sad and moving.

The play "The Peony Pavilion" tells the story of Du Liniang, a noblewoman, who falls in love with a scholar named Liu Mengmei and dies of lovesickness. Three years later, Liu Mengmei summons her soul, digs up her grave, and brings her back to life. In the end, they overcome all obstacles and get married.

Its core is the sentence spoken by Tang Xianzu through the words of the Flower Goddess.

"Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with each passing moment; the living can die for it, and the dead can live for it."

As he watched the story he had written unfold on the stage, Tang Weng felt a moment of disorientation. He did not see the scholar Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang, but a familiar yet unfamiliar figure.

It was a young girl holding a book, leaning against a plum tree reciting the Book of Songs.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her moon-white dress.

In an instant, those weathered memories became clear again, and many past events flooded into my mind like a tide.

He was fourteen years old that year. He accompanied his grandfather to visit the Wu family, a prominent family in the area, where he met Wu Yuying, the daughter of the Wu family, who became his wife and companion for life.

For the next six years, he studied diligently and refused all marriage proposals.

By the age of twenty, he had already gained widespread fame, while Wu Yuying was seventeen. He mustered up his courage to propose marriage, and the Wu family readily agreed.

Unlike the many twists and turns described in the book, they got married smoothly and were extremely loving and inseparable after marriage.

While he reads and writes in his study, his wife sews and mends clothes beside him. They occasionally exchange a smile, full of tender affection.

He was naturally generous and loved to go on outings and compose poems with scholars and literati. He was often broke before the end of the month, which even made his friends laugh at him. His observant wife noticed this and would secretly put his monthly allowance into his satchel.

He once thought he had become frugal and proudly showed off to his wife, only to see her smile faintly and remain silent.

Later, he offended powerful figures and failed the imperial examinations twice. Disheartened, he would have given up if not for his wife's encouragement and support.

When he mustered the courage to go to Beijing for the imperial examination for the third time, his wife contracted tuberculosis and her cough worsened.

He wanted to give up taking the exam and stay to take care of his wife, but she gently refused.

Because the powerful figure he had offended had passed away, this imperial examination was likely his best chance yet.

Countless years of hard study have come to fruition today.

His wife told him to focus on the exam, that she would take care of her health and wait for him to come home.

He indeed passed the imperial examination with flying colors this time, but when he rushed home, he could no longer see the woman who would mend his clothes, give him a monthly allowance, and silently support him no matter what.

His wife passed away in Linchuan.

Later, when he served as an official, he achieved remarkable political success and spoke out for the people, but he also offended many powerful figures. In the end, he resigned from his post and returned to Linchuan to begin his creative work.

In "The Peony Pavilion," "The Purple Hairpin," "The Dream of Nanke," and "The Dream of Handan," every dream of Linchuan carries the shadow of his wife.

At that time, he was often completely absorbed in the world of the play, feeling both joy and sorrow for the characters' fates, and even unable to hold back his tears.

That's why the Four Dreams of Linchuan came about.

Suddenly, Tang Xianzu was struck by a realization: why, after years of hard work, he could no longer write the Fifth Dream.

Because he has gradually forgotten what the female lead looks like.

Even the deepest memories will be slowly eroded by time. First, the voice is forgotten, then the appearance, temperament, and experiences are forgotten, until they become a shadow.

Having forgotten that beautiful figure, he could no longer write the lines, "Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with each passing moment."

"You look back at my reflection on the rippling water, and suddenly we meet with a smile and a frown."

"Who dares to compare with Chang'e in the moon, or Guanyin by the water..."

On the stage, Zhou Sheng had just sung the second act, telling the story of Liu Mengmei's first encounter with Du Liniang's portrait, when his voice suddenly paused.

Because the aged figure below the stage was slowly fading away.

Tang Weng's eyes seemed to brighten suddenly, and he gave Zhou Sheng and Yao Taifeng a grateful smile.

A few breaths later, the chair was empty.

A strange bittersweet feeling welled up in Zhou Sheng's heart, and his voice trembled slightly.

But he and Yaotai Feng exchanged a glance, and neither of them stopped halfway, forcing themselves to continue singing despite their sorrow.

"Life and death, loneliness and misfortune, lovers calling out to each other but unable to respond..."

Since Tang Weng has requested this performance of "The Peony Pavilion," they will definitely finish singing it.

……

(End of this chapter)