Chapter 38: The Prodigal Son Returns

In May of 884 AD, on the official road fifty li southwest of Bianzhou (modern-day Kaifeng)At the sight of the four words "The Prodigal Son Returns," Ye Youxiao's heart sank once again. 。Needless to say, Ye Youxiao also knew that Xiangye's "scoundrel" referred to Liang Shanbo. 。Liang Shanbo is pure love, right How did he become a rogue!Zheng Zhi didn't look at Ye Youxiao's expression: "This new play has one good thing, the content is novel, compared to the play about joining the army it's just for laughs, it's much stronger." 。In my opinion, if this were used to teach and cultivate virtue, it would be very effective. 。However, as Your Highness said, this Liang Shanbo, for the sake of love, is unfilial and disregards his country, more despicable than a rogue. 。Therefore, one must go through reincarnation to realize the difficulty of being raised by parents. With the fairy master's use of magic power, he was finally able to return to the yang world. 。Afterward, he sought another virtuous woman and, having passed the imperial examination, eventually became a renowned official. 。The King of Longevity laughed: "Zheng Xiang, you are truly a brilliant man." 。Jiu'er, must diligently follow Zheng Xiang and hone oneself. 。Hearing her father agree to let her participate in the play, Li Jiuniang immediately became excited and said: “Since that’s the case, this daughter has a plan…” 。"...that woman's play……”

Zheng Zhi was unclear: "A demon woman"

Li Jiuniang gave a sheepish smile: “Don’t blame me, Zheng Xiang. I’ve forgotten the woman’s name. All I hate is that she beguiled Liang Shanbo into death, so I call her a demon woman." 。

Zheng Zhu and everyone else laughed.

Yè Niangwen, hearing Li Jiuniao insult her (character) so freely, couldn't help but be furious. Her eyes were blazing with anger, and she was about to rush forward to reason with her, but Ye Da娘 tightly grabbed her hands, preventing her from moving. Yè Niangwen could only bury herself in her mother's arms and sob.

Zheng Zhi could only clear up the misunderstanding himself: “The woman in that play is named Zhu Yingtai.” 。“Well, as you say, Zheng Xiang. Let’s call her Zhu Yingtai.” 。She glanced at Ye Ma Wen still weeping on her mother's body, and she also felt that perhaps she had been a bit too harsh. She softened her tone and said: "Ye Xiao Niang, this servant was only joking, it has nothing to do with you" 。Although it was an apology, her tone remained haughty and she showed no remorse whatsoever. 。At this moment, Shou Wang felt his legs aching from standing. He sat back down on the soft cushion and urged, "Jiu'er, when you speak, just say it all at once. Don't hesitate. " 。Upon hearing her father urge her, Li Jiuniang hurriedly apologized: "Daughter was wrong. I've finished speaking." 。She glanced at everyone and said eloquently: "My idea is to change this play into seven acts: Act One, the demon... Zhu Yingtai descends the mountain; Act Two, Zhu Yingtai seduces Liang Shanbo; Act Three, Liang Shanbo commits suicide for love, the virtuous woman Li Yinger helps Liang's father; Act Four, Liang Shanbo suffers in reincarnation, and Li Yinger finds a high monk and Taoist priest to bring him back to life; Act Five, Liang's father makes arrangements, Liang Shanbo and Li Yinger get married; Act Six, Li Yinger helps Liang Shanbo study diligently in his study room; Act Seven, Liang Shanbo passes the imperial examination, accumulates merit and is awarded the title of Prince, Li Yinger becomes a noble consort." 。At this point, she grew increasingly agitated, her face flushed crimson. After finishing her words, she grabbed the Duke of Shou's arm and shook it: “Father, what daughter has suggested, do you think is feasible” Ye Youxiao listened to all this and almost laughed until his insides twisted, but he dared not show it on his face. 。If adapted according to Li Jiuniang's design, "Liang Zhu" would no longer be a love story but a promotional one! And speaking of promotion, it's not just the imperial court, temples and Taoist monasteries, everyone wants a piece of the pie. 。At the same time, he also saw that Li Jiuniang had secretly brought some private goods—she tried her best to compress Ye Niang Wen's role and portrayed Ye Niang Wen as Zhu Yingtai as a "demon woman", a proper villainous image. 。Then, in order to flatter herself, she crammed in a character called "Li Yingniang," a so-called "virtuous woman." Good heavens, the name is only one character different from Li Jiuniang! Isn't that just her own self This Li Yingniang is portrayed as a flawless and radiant figure. She is able to assist the elderly, has an extensive network of connections, and treats both Buddhist monks and Taoist priests like their own backyards, calling upon them whenever she pleases. 。 。Now that she has arranged and revised it like this, could it be that she truly sees me as someone of value

Zheng Zhi burst into laughter and said to the King Shou, "Unexpectedly, unexpectedly, Your Highness's county princess is actually so talented! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she has extraordinary talent! It's a pity that she's female. Otherwise, with the county princess's talents, she would surely top the imperial examination and become famous throughout the capital!"

King Shou was also quite pleased, not because his daughter had spoken so highly of revising the play, but because he felt that with Zheng Zhi's help, his daughter would undoubtedly have fewer reckless actions in the future. 。His daughter, as a princess of the royal family, unexpectedly loves singing operas and playing polo. It is truly a great headache for him, her father. 。Although it's still singing and acting now, with the supervision of the current chief minister, things will hopefully be more restrained in the future. 。Immediately said:"Jiuer is lively by nature, and sometimes even Gu can hardly hold her." 。This adaptation of this little play was thanks to Zheng Xiang. 。He complimented each other, neither of them noticing Ye Ma beside them. Wen Yue became increasingly angry, unable to bear it any longer. She suddenly broke free from her mother's hand and charged towards Li Jiuniang, shouting: "Li Jiuniang! You are taking advantage of people too much!" Unfortunately, in her rage, she forgot about Si Niang who was always by Li Jiuniang's side. 。Si Niang saw her pounce towards Li Jiuniang, quickly reaching out and gently pulling at her sleeve. How could Ye Niang Wen possibly be a match for this master swordsman She was immediately pulled off course, landing headfirst on the ground in a rather pathetic state. 。Ye's mother disregarded the officials in front of her, rushed forward and hugged her daughter, crying out. 。

The King Shou looked troubled, and with a wave of his hand, Li Jun appeared before him.

The King of Longevity said from his mouth, “Reward her five guan” 。"But he turned to Zheng Zhishi and said: “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Prime Minister Zheng. When the play is revised, Your Majesty will come again to watch it.” 。After saying this, he was about to leave. As he reached the entrance of the shed, he stopped and beckoned to Ye Hou Sheng. Ye Hou Sheng hurried over. Only then did Shou Wang say, "Ye Laozhang, you wait patiently for the script to be revised and performed. If you fulfill my wishes next time, I might even bring you into the palace to perform for His Majesty." 。"This is a serious matter, you all must not be careless!"Ye Hou Sheng nodded repeatedly in agreement. Seeing Shou Wang lead Li Jiuniang away 。He was worried about his daughter's injury, but he didn't dare to neglect the Grand Master and Abbot. He could only respectfully walk to the side of the Grand Master. 。"Only listen to the old man Xiang said: "Old Man Ye, your daughter is so fierce. She fights when she disagrees! Quickly go see if she's hurt"

This sentence hit Ye Hou Sheng's heart, and he rushed over to check Ye Niang Wen's injuries, asking, "My son, where did you get hurt Even the old man Xiang cares about you" 。"She had lost face in public, the sharpness in her demeanor vanished. After being comforted by Mother for a while, she gradually recovered. Hearing Father's question now, she immediately struggled to her feet. Though she was a young woman, falling down was indeed undignified, but she was already unharmed. She then bowed respectfully to Uncle and replied: "Thank you, Uncle, for your concern. This little one is not seriously hurt." 。Ye Youxiao hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Sister, are you really not hurt" Ye Ma glared at him angrily and ignored him. 。Thinking to myself, that seductive woman was the center of attention just now, boasting and belittling me. Where were you then Now that everything is calm, who needs your fawning attentions

At this moment, Li Jun had already written the voucher. He beckoned Ye Hou Sheng over: "Take this voucher to Hong Ji's pawnshop at the street corner and collect five taels of silver to comfort your daughter>>> 。“Ye Housheng thanked him profusely, and then Li Jun ran out of the shed without looking back to chase after King Shou.” 。Zheng Zhuan wasn't truly worried about Ye Ma's well-being, he was just afraid that if she got hurt, the new play would be difficult to stage. 。Even for the Li Jiuniang version of "The Legend of the Butterfly Lovers," wouldn't Ye Ma's warm voice open the play Thinking about this, my heart moved and I said: "Youxiao, so this play is called 'Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.' Now that there's an added role of Ying'er, the title should be changed as well." 。Ye Youxiao saw that his elder sister ignored him, and was feeling a bit embarrassed. Hearing the old master say this, he blurted out: “Changing the name of the play, naturally it's up to the master to decide.” 。Zheng Zhin nodded and said, "In that case, why not simply rename it 'Liang Shanbo: The Reclusive Lover Returns' It's concise and clear. When the common people hear this title, they will understand the general plot of the play." 。Ye Housheng saw that Ye Youxiao was not very enthusiastic, and immediately bowed: "Thank you, Your Lordship, for giving me my name." 。“The temple also has several monks with loud voices and proficient in Buddhist scriptures, about a dozen or so. If needed, I will ask them to assist you.” 。Zheng Zhu slightly frowned, thinking to himself, "Although the Tang Dynasty is inclusive of all schools of thought, after all, it was founded on Taoism. This play is meant to rectify customs and restore social order. This monk is so clueless about propriety that he even wants to add monks to the performance. It's really troublesome." 。Ye Hou-sheng, however, knew that Huishen's intention was not only to promote Buddhism but also to take this opportunity to make Yongshou Temple famous. When the time came and there were crowds of pilgrims and abundant incense, he, as the abbot, would have a great merit. 。His own shed was right under Master Hui Shen's nose. The abbot usually ignored it, but now he was in a hurry to participate in the play, adding fuel to the fire. 。But I sensed that Xiang Ye wasn't enthusiastic about the monk's participation. Today, he didn't say a word about Yongshou Temple getting involved. Now, hearing the abbot's statement, there seemed to be a hint of displeasure on Xiang Ye's face. 。If one could stay out of it, that would be best. But people are talking about the Ye family's opera within the Ye family's own shelter. As the head of the Ye family, to remain silent is likely to offend both parties! Even though Master Huishen rarely concerns himself with worldly matters, if he loses face, it's hard to say whether he would send that attendant monk to cause trouble. 。As for the old master, let's not mention him. If he gets angry, I fear there will be no place for the Ye family to stand anywhere in the world. 。This kind of dilemma, he was fortunate to have a wealth of experience in the Jianghu. He immediately came up with a solution, thinking that this was the only way to deal with it for now. He smiled and said:"What merits does the Ye family have, to trouble the monks in the temple It's just that this old man has an unreasonable request, I wonder if Master Huishen would agree"Hui Shen first heard him decline, his heart was a little displeased, but he was a high monk of virtue, and it was not good for him to get angry about this. 。e sons dismount" 。Li Ke used naturally knew that Shi Jingcun staying behind was a perilous gamble, but time was of the essence. To ensure his survival and avoid total annihilation, he had to abandon c...