Meng Huan’s good mood abruptly stopped when he heard about the court actors’* affair.
*Court actor: a performer with an official position, but because of their lowly origins, they intervened in and even controlled the imperial government and used their power for personal gain.
Meng Huan was writing in the pavilion when he heard someone had thrown themselves into the river and rushed to see why.
So that was what happened…
This group of opera court actors was too young and prone to conflict when many people gathered together. Two young actors were caught in a love affair, so they were reported.
In the courtyard, the whips were lashed on the young actor’s back, splashing out blood and flesh.
The kneeling actor was about 17 years old, having an affair with a 16 years old huadan*. One had just jumped into the lake and was fished out, while the other was kneeling on the ground with blood marks all over his back.
*Huadan: role of a vivacious young female in Chinese opera.
Meng Huan was scared witless and asked, “What happened to them?”
An actor said, “They were absent during practice and hid in a side room, secretly kissing.”
“……”
The 21st-century-pervert Meng Huan was shocked. “Just kissing, ah?”
Why did these two people look like they would be beaten to death by just kissing?
The actor was surprised by the word “just.”
The master of the Li Yuan Troupe was furious, and the actor secretly said, “That little huadan sings well, and she is also beautiful. She has to keep her body clean for the noblemen to enjoy in the future. Maybe she can also be taken as a concubine and soar to the sky. Meanwhile, the other actor performs as a laosheng*, and there is no chance of prosperity. He is not worthy of this little huadan at all.”
*Laosheng: the role of a venerable middle-aged or elderly man, usually wearing an artificial beard.
Meng Huan understood.
If the little huadan later climbed a high branch, the Li Yuan Troupe’s master could get money.
But if the little huadan was in love, and her body was defiled, it was not worth the money in this era of noblemen liking virgins.
These thoughts caused a frown, and Meng Huan looked at the teenager kneeling in the courtyard.
The teenager’s expression was unyielding, turning his head to look at the huadan beside him. The little huadan’s face was pale, and tears incessantly flowed down.
An inexplicable emotion spread in his heart.
Meng Huan muttered, “Do they both have to die?”
A male voice rang behind him, “Does Your Highness want to spare them both?”
Meng Huan turned around and saw Cui Han dressed in silk.
He did not paint his face this time. His appearance was handsome, except his eyes were glazed, slightly looking as if intoxicated.
Meng Huan tightly pursed his lips. “Just think that the crime isn’t that extreme.”
He said casually but did not expect Cui Han to be enthusiastic and said loudly, “Good. This junior will help the princess to ask for mercy.”
He walked to the courtyard, took the whip from the master, and threw it on the ground, asking, “What are you hitting for? Why do you hit and kill at the drop of a hat?”
He frowned, dissatisfied. “The two of them are not young, not the age that can’t distinguish right and wrong. If they intend to be together and not cause any trouble, you should just say it properly. If you really kill and maim them, won’t the ten years of your teaching be in vain?”
The master said solemnly, “Alas! Young Master, you do not know–”
“What do I not know? Don’t you raise these children to force them to work and earn money for you?” Cui Han clapped his hands, and the servant behind him took out a piece of gold. “Don’t hit people; talk nicely. If not, let them both redeem themselves and get married. Once the main problem is solved, all troubles are solved.”
The master took the gold and had a complicated look.
He disciplined his apprentice, and nobody could control him even if he beat them to death, but unexpectedly, Bodhisattva revealed a mercy today.
…… But in his impression, this Cui Han wasn’t such a nice young master.
Seeing Cui Han’s fight for justice attitude, although he couldn’t figure out what game the pampered sons of a wealthy family were playing, he could still discern judgments and say, “Thanking Young Master on behalf of them.”
Then, he said, “Take him back and care for the wound on his back.”
A few young actors came forward, lifted the kneeling teenager, and went to the courtyard.
These two lives were saved, and Meng Huan breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked sideways at Cui Han. His first impression of him was not good, but it slightly changed now.
Cui Han cupped his hands, pleased with himself: “Your Highness, how is it?”
Meng Huan: “Very good.”
Cui Han smiled and shamelessly said, “This junior saved a life for Your Highness. Doesn’t it mean Your Highness owes this junior a favor?”
“……?”
Meng Huan: “What?”
Taking advantage of somebody’s misfortune, aren’t you?
“This junior doesn’t mean anything else. Just want Your Highness to treat this junior to a cup of tea. Hahahahahaha.”
“……”
It looked as if this person wanted to befriend himself. Meng Huan wasn’t quite sure what he was up to, and thinking carefully, he could only nod. “Okay.”
The place to drink tea was in the pavilion. The servants fanned the fan and put some sweet cakes and rice crispies on the table.
Meng Huan initially wanted to run away after drinking a cup of tea with him. Unexpectedly, Cui Han didn’t even drink a sip of the tea, but his fingertips tapped the stone surface. His suave voice twisted and turned, smug and flirtatious, seeming to sing some kind of song.
The melody was a bit mournful. It was unlikely to say that he sang it casually because each sentence was sung distinctly, and the pronunciation was clear as if deliberately letting people notice.
After singing once, he also sang a second time.
Meng Huan finally realized that he seemed to be waiting for himself to ask, so he had to ask, “What did you sing?”
Cui Han laughed out loud. “This junior grew up mixing in Li Yuan and is quite talented. I am now singing a xiaodiao* previously taught by a master called <<Solving Father’s Injustice>>.”
*Xiaodiao: a Chinese folk song genre.
Meng Huan let out an “oh” and drank tea without reaction.
— He did not know much about opera.
Seeing him look indifferent, Cui Han pursed his lips, and his tone carried an urge. “Your Highness, there’s a story in this song.”
“Mm-hmm, say.”
“It’s about a woman whose father was framed by corrupt officials, and the woman sued all the way from the county town to the state capital, then to the capital. At last, she stopped His Majesty’s horses to sue the imperial court and finally cleared her father of any injustice.”
Cui Han’s somewhat narrow eyes stared fixedly at Meng Huan with probing as if waiting for Meng Huan’s reaction.
He had made it clear that if Meng Huan had a heart, he would remember his father.
The Meng Huan before him took a sip of tea and was scalded. Putting down the teacup, he commented half-heartedly.
“So touching.”
Cui Han: “……”
Cui Han took a deep breath, suppressing the heat in his chest, and spoke more clearly. “Your Highness, do you not remember anything? Solving father’s injustice or something like that?”
“……”
When he said that, Meng Huan turned his head, slightly widened his eyes, and looked at him with surprise.
Cui Han finally smiled wearily, “Your Highness, this junior has been rude.”
——————–
Baby Huan: Another day of a foolish performance.
