Chapter 210.1
At this moment, the path for selling Xia paper had already been opened.
Although the prices were set high for the sake of moving the product (selling the noble familys paper), there were still scholars who would come by from time to time to stroll around, hoping to find a bargain on Xia paper.
Among them, a scholar named Liu Shanhai often did this.
He came from a humble family that had fallen on hard times for two generations. With a few acres of good farmland and some income from selling calligraphy and paintings, his standard of living was not high but sufficient.
For this kind of scholar, the consumption of paper was enormous, so he needed to save where he could.
At this time, he noticed some new booklets at the counter.
They were placed right next to the paper, very eye-catching.
What are these, shopkeeper?
The shopkeeper said with a smile, These are the storybooks weve recently launched. They contain various touching stories! For example, this one, The Butterfly Lovers, tells the moving story of a down-and-out scholar and a noble familys daughter falling in love. And this one, The White-Haired Girl, is about the tragic life of a girl from the lower class
The shopkeeper introduced each storybook as if he were listing treasures.
After listening, Liu Shanhai was particularly interested in The Butterfly Lovers.
Shopkeeper, may I take a look?
Of course!
Ill take The Butterfly Lovers.'Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
Please, go ahead!
Liu Shanhai opened it and was captivated within just a few pages.
Although born into the lower class, he felt that the male protagonist, Liang Shanbo, did not resign himself to his fate. Instead, he was determined to improve himself, studying hard and striving for academic and official honors.
Moreover, he was handsome and dashing, sunny and charismatic, full of righteousness, and courteous to others
Isnt this about him???
He too was from the lower class and had not resigned himself to his fate. Instead, he was determined to improve himself, working hard to achieve academic and official honors.
And he was also handsome and dashing, sunny and charismatic, full of righteousness
In that instant, he felt as if he had been transported into the story!
As if he was Liang Shanbo, and Liang Shanbo was him!
Then, there was the female protagonist, Zhu Yingtai.
Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she was also well-read and sensible, a lady from a reputable family.
She was simply the embodiment of everything that is wonderful!
The wife he imagines for his future is exactly like this!
He couldnt help but exclaim, What brilliant writing! What a great story!
He was already eager to read the rest of the story, to see how it would unfold, how the characters would meet and get to know each other, how they would marry, and how they would have children
Hehe!
Since the young master likes it, why not buy a copy to take home? the shopkeeper said with a smile.
How much? Liu Shanhai asked.
Its not expensive at all, just 200 wen! The shopkeeper held up two fingers.
Liu Shanhai weighed the booklet in his hand, finding it to be around eighty or ninety pages printed on Xia paper.
If priced according to the previous rates, just the cost of the paper would be around eighty or ninety wen.
Adding the printing and other expenses, selling it for 200 wen was indeed cheap.
Alright, this young master will buy a copy to take home!
He thought the two would continue to be happy, but a twist soon appeared.
When it came time to graduate and part ways, Zhu Yingtai revealed her true identity as a woman, and the two promised to be together for life.
However, after Zhu Yingtai returned home, her father betrothed her to the son of the Ma family, Ma Wencai.
When Liang Shanbo went to propose, he was naturally rejected by the Zhu family.
They said he was daydreaming, a toad lusting after swans flesh, unworthy of marrying a daughter of a noble family.
Then, the two great noble families joined forces to tear the loving couple apart.
Liu Shanhai was furious to the core.
Ahh!!! Why must it be like this?
They are a perfect match! Literally a match made in heaven, why cant they be together?
Wasnt it said that lovers who have true love will eventually become spouses?
They love each other so much, why do you have to tear them apart? By what right?
And Zhu Yingtais father, to tear apart his own daughters happiness so cruelly, how can you be so heartless? Youre not fit to be a father!
Liu Shanhai couldnt wait to read on.
Liang Shanbo certainly didnt give up so easily; he believed that Zhu Yingtai loved him and that they would end up together in the end!
Zhu Yingtai felt the same way; she believed in Liang Shanbos love for her, and neither of them gave up.
But they underestimated the cunning of the noble families.
To stop the lovers, they resorted to all kinds of despicable means.
They lied to Liang Shanbo, claiming that Zhu Yingtai had abandoned him.
They lied to Zhu Yingtai, claiming that Liang Shanbo had taken up with another rich girl and left her.
But still, they couldnt destroy the true love between them.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ma Wencai hired some thugs to secretly kill Liang Shanbo, physically eliminating him.
In the end, under the pressure of the two great noble families, Zhu Yingtai, who had waited in vain for Liang Shanbo, married with a heart as dead as ashes.
When she passed by the mass burial mound, she saw Liang Shanbos tombstone and finally understood everything.
Then, dressed in her beautiful wedding gown, she did not hesitate to throw herself to her death in front of the tombstone!
The souls of the two turned into butterflies, finally together, entwined forever, never to be separated.
But at this moment, Liu Shanhai was already in tears.
Why?
Why cant two people who love each other be together?
Why are you so cruel?
The sweeter it is at the beginning, the more bitter it becomes later!
The more beautiful it is at the start, the more brutal and heartless it turns out to be!
If he had the chance, he would want to rush into the book and chop all those who separated the loving couple!
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