Chapter 1: The Ink and Brush Take Center Stage

  Golden list of names, empty wealth and honor

  The bridal chamber's candlelight is but a false bond.

  Under the high-hanging red lanterns, the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, accompanied by the sweet sounds of silk and bamboo instruments. The bright lights illuminated the three-zhang-square stage, where a handsome young scholar and a charming young actress were embracing each other, singing and acting in turn. When they sang, their voices were clear and melodious, like sobbing or pleading; when they acted, their sleeves fluttered as they danced, their movements intricate and enchanting.

  Under the stage, it was a full house with many distinguished guests. The two-story theater building was packed to the rafters, both upstairs and downstairs. Although it was the coldest time of the year, with ice forming from dripping water, and several days of heavy snow had fallen, making even the streets knee-deep in snow, inside the theater the atmosphere was still lively and warm. The first floor seats were a mixed crowd, noisy and boisterous, while the upper floor VIP seats were also filled with loud applause and cheers. Frequently, the sound of "well done" could be heard, as large amounts of silver coins were thrown from upstairs onto the stage, triggering wave after wave of cheering.

  On the second floor, there was a small table separated by a railing. Although it was in a remote location, it was the only place on the entire first floor that could see the backstage area, and tickets were never sold for this spot. At this time, two middle-aged men sat down, one fat and one thin, both wearing silk and satin, dressed very luxuriously, looking like wealthy businessmen. They didn't watch the play, but instead drank tea from a covered bowl, chatting idly.

  Only then did the fat man laugh and say, "Li Ye, I'm impressed. With such a big snowfall, there isn't even a dog on the streets outside, but your theater is still packed to the brim, without a single empty seat. It's clear that 'Qingfu Troupe' has real skills, the best in Ancheng."

  That skinny old man Li held his water pipe, took a sip, and smiled: "Isn't it all of you friends who are supporting us? Today is the 21st of the twelfth lunar month, in two days it will be the Little New Year's Eve, today is the last performance before the Spring Festival, the program arrangement is also thoughtful, all are lively good shows, and specially invited Zhao and Yu two bosses to support the show, with their face, how can we not be too shabby."

  That fatty chuckled a few times, pointing to the best private room on the opposite side of the stage, saying: "The two bosses' faces are big enough, they can bring this one over, and the name is not small - just like a golden macaque jumping into an old crow's nest. Really, since it's the young master of the Taigong coming to visit, why don't you follow him to serve?"

  Old Master Li snorted and said, "Just now I went to pay my respects, he said 'Scram! Haven't you seen that this young master is discussing literature with Zhang Gongzi? Literature and national affairs are not for idle people to know. You're not needed here to attend to us.'" The last sentence was spoken in a pinched tone, clearly imitating the way a young person speaks.

  That fatty burst out laughing and said, "I've never seen anyone fall into a theater from a book bag before. That's right, this young master usually hangs out in brothels, probably thinks this place is just like his study."

  Old Li lowered his voice and said, "Honestly, if it weren't for his father, who would be willing to serve this kid? He's got a bad temper and is also stingy. He spends money like water in the brothel, but when he comes to our theater, he doesn't even give us ticket money. He wants good tea and snacks, and asks for this and that. Look at how long we've been performing, have you seen him give any tips to the other actors? This kid, tsk, not a single penny is spent, it's like heaven is blind, why did he get to die in a woman's bed yesterday?"

  That fatty was just about to speak when he suddenly shifted his gaze and saw that the corner door at the back of the stage had opened, and someone had walked in.

  That was a boy of thirteen or fourteen years old, from above, only one side of his face could be seen, and it couldn't be seen clearly. All that could be seen was that in such weather, he wore only a thin single garment, with a layer of white snow on his head, and his figure looked particularly gaunt. He carried a small package and turned into the backstage area.

  "This is...". The fatty was taken aback, saying: "Isn't this the 9-year-old Hong Nine Boss? I'm telling you, Old Li, this isn't right. Although Boss Hong can't sing now, you can't treat him like this either. On such a cold day, you just give him one thin outfit to wear, completely ruining his voice. In the future, he'll be finished for sure. If you're going to do it like this, let him come with me, I'll take care of him as a supporting actor, and I'll double the silver coins I pay you."

  He spat and said, "Give it to you? I'd rather have him sweep the floor and clean the toilet than give it to you. Besides, even if I gave it to you, you probably wouldn't be able to handle it. Do you think I'm some kind of fool? Let alone him, even a beggar on the street would get a coat from me if he kowtowed twice. But giving money and getting into trouble? No way! This kid's always been arrogant and had a bad temper. Last month, he suddenly went crazy, didn't say a word, and sold everything in the house that was worth anything, including all his clothes and bedding. I went to his place and it was empty, just walls left. He has no clothes to wear? That's what he gets for being so reckless! And I haven't even asked him for the furniture money yet!"

  That fatty laughed so hard he was almost crying, saying: "I didn't think this kid had this problem too. But don't worry about it now, just the family property you gave him is worth only a few taels of silver. How much did you take from him when he was making money? Alas... has he really gotten into gambling?" Eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, smoking - these vices are usually enough to bankrupt an ordinary family's children, let alone those in the theater business! If he really has picked up this habit, then there's no hope for him.

  Old Li said, "I'm also afraid of this, let's investigate. It's nothing, this kid has no other problem except for being crazy. If he really gambled, I would have kept him and sent him to you early."

  That fatty cursed with a smile: "Get out of here, who would want him if he's really a gambler?"

  Just then, a young servant dressed in a family uniform came over. Seeing the two people, he didn't even bother to greet them, let alone look at them straight in the eye. He drawled, "Who is Master Li?"

  Li turned his head and looked back, but didn't recognize him. He still forced a smile and asked: "I am he, what instructions do you have for me, sir?"

  That Ding looked arrogant and said: "Our young master - that is, the great commander's son, Master Ma Dajia, has ordered you to hurry over and attend to him. Our lord has something to ask you."

  "What a thing!" Old Li cursed secretly. On his face, he smiled and said: "Yes, yes, I'll go now."

  Backstage. Because today's play is almost over, only two acts are left, many actors have removed their makeup and packed up neatly, but because it's a closed-box performance, everyone hasn't left yet, chatting and talking in twos and threes, also making a mess. At this time, the door curtain was lifted, and a young man came in, without attracting any attention.

  That young man didn't speak to anyone, sitting alone on a trunk in the corner of the wall, took out his bundle and placed it across his knees, just as he was about to untie it, someone called out: "Jiu Ge."

  The young man turned his head and saw a bald-headed boy standing in front of him, who had already removed his travel hat, with the greasepaint still not washed off his face. He recognized that it was Xiao Hou, the little actor from their class who often did flips, and nodded at him with a smile.

  Xiao Hou was secretly delighted, although they were about the same age, but Jiu Ge was the most promising in their class. Because he got angry the fastest, had a bad temper, and was arrogant, not even having one friend, Xiao Hou didn't dare to talk to him before. Only this month, accidentally discovering that Jiu Ge's temper seemed to have improved, did he go up to say a few words, unexpectedly they hit it off. For this, he was secretly proud, more willing to find Jiu Ge to talk. Not for anything else, just to satisfy his small vanity.

  "Brother Jiu, it's freezing outside, what are you going out for?" Little Hou sat beside him and said: "Today is the day of sealing the boxes, nobody goes out, everyone is waiting for that good meal tonight. You didn't go on stage, but staying here with us to chat is fine too, after all there's nothing else to do. Later we'll all go eat a big meal together."

  The young man said: "I won't go tonight."

  Xiao Hou exclaimed, "Huh? Why? Today is the only day in a whole year that we can have a good meal, even better than New Year's Eve dinner. Last year we had roast duck at Shang Bao Lou, this year it's hot pot, and there's plenty of mutton, why aren't you going?"

  The young man smiled and said: "The class leader won't let me go."

  Xiao Hou was speechless for a moment. When Jiu Ge was in good favor, Li Ban Zhu treated him better than his own son. But later on, things gradually took a turn for the worse. In the past month, it had gotten even more severe, not only making him do many odd jobs but also starting to cut back on food and drink. Although Xiao Hou was young, he knew that this was just how human relationships worked. After thinking about it, he got up and left, then came back with a bowl after a while.

  The young man was taken aback, and then he saw Little Hou pushing the bowl over to him, holding it under his nose. A fragrant aroma wafted up, and all he heard was: "You have a bowl of noodles first, and I'll bring you some good dishes when you get back tonight."

  The young man took it and said, "Thank you." He didn't even use chopsticks, he just drank the whole bowl in one gulp. The noodle soup was originally a snack for actors during intermissions, a big bowl of plain noodles without any oil or water, but steaming hot with extra vinegar and chili peppers. After eating it all in one breath, from his stomach to his heart felt warm.

  "Brother Jiu, what's this?" Little Hou saw that the young man had an open package on his knee, with a colorful and mysterious content inside. He leaned in, took out a small box, opened it, and looked at the bright red powder inside. "What is this thing? Paint? Rouge?"

  In the opera house, there were some boys who played the role of dan (female) and sang so well that they couldn't tell what was real or fake. They easily got addicted to being like girls, liking to dress up and put on makeup, but he remembered that Ninth Brother didn't have this hobby.

  The young man put down his bowl and said, "Cinnabar."

  Xiao Hou exclaimed, "Is this cinnabar? I've seen the cinnabar in the medicine shop, grain by grain, but the color isn't as bright as this. Such fine and vibrant cinnabar is comparable to high-quality rouge... it must be very expensive?"

  The young man reached out and took back the box, saying: "Yes. The best cinnabar after grinding, one or two silver coins."

  Xiao Hou looked at the box and clicked his tongue, saying: "Strange... no wonder you sold everything in the house just to buy this?" He also pointed to a stack of yellow paper next to the box and said: "What's that? It looks like the paper money burned during Qingming Festival."

  "That young man said, 'It's just that yellow paper. One knife for one string of money, it's not expensive.' He said, tying up his bundle and leaving only a yellow paper behind, suddenly turning his head and saying, 'Little Hou, help me with something.'"

  Xiao Hou was taken aback, and then he saw the young man use a brush to write a few words on the table with oil paint, fold it up, hand it over to him, and say: "You go to Zhou's shop on West Street, find the young master, and give this to him. Tell him that the debt I owed him the other day is due." With that, he got up, holding his bowl and left.

  He looked at his back, then at the crumpled yellow paper in his hand, and couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. He had no intention of going, but it wasn't easy to say so. After some deliberation, he thought that West Street wasn't too far away, and he should be able to make it there and back within the allotted time. Finally, he stamped his foot and said, "I'll go for you this once, after all, you're the living ancestor!" With that, he took the yellow paper and left through the back door.

  That young man seemed to have completely ignored whether Xiao Hou had left or not, and was listening intently to the sound of gongs and drums on stage, calculating the time with his fingers, thinking: The grand finale has already passed halfway, the second half is a reversal play, it will be over in half an hour.

  Then you will know what he is waiting for.

  He is waiting, waiting for an answer.

  After an hour, the answer will be revealed.