The third day of December of this year is the most auspicious day for the astrology. It is suitable for marriage, sacrifice, and opening of the market. As the main selection team for this new play, Shuiyunlou chose an auspicious time early in the morning, and Shang Xirui led Xiao Zhouzi and other Liyuan children to burn incense and pray to the patriarch in a grand manner. The ceremony is to simply set up a table in the yard of the commercial house and put melons and fruits as a tribute, but everyone is extraordinarily pious. Even Mr. Du Qi, in the solemn atmosphere surrounded by incense, stepped into the ranks and kowtowed twice to the patriarch.
Yu Qing couldn't help turning her head to look at Du Qi, with slight surprise and appreciation in her eyes. Also from a family of officials and eunuchs, a young man like Du Qi usually sleeps in flowers and sleeps with actors in the willows. But this obeisance almost has the meaning of becoming an actress and getting along with each other physically and mentally. She knew best how harsh it would be if it was spread to the ears of the elders in the clan. He nodded secretly. Look at Shang Xirui again, wearing a long blue cloth gown, with a white jade-like face and a bony body, standing upright, exuding such a graceful and compelling freshness. This time, he didn't need to be urged to invite him to offer incense this time. His expression was calm and solemn, and he was a bit like the leader of the troupe in the Liyuan University. But when the ceremony was over, Shang Xirui brushed his clothes, turned around and nodded to everyone with a blushing smile, and said: "Then, I'll see you in the theater later, everyone."
The actors stood there not knowing why, they thought that before the play started, there would always be some other urgent arrangements or orders, and they didn't want to let Shang Xirui owe everything to him, so they all dispersed. You must know that for this grand arrangement of theirs, every actor came under great pressure and cold eyes, and risked dissatisfaction. Not to mention the failure of the show, as long as the box office is not good enough, the road to new plays will be even more difficult in the future.
Seeing everyone's panic, Yu Qing smiled and said, "Otherwise, the actors and actresses will go to the Liyuan Guild Hall with me, and let's play in silence and go through the stage again? It will be closer to the theater when it's over." Everyone said naturally. good. Du Qi also went with them. In Shang Xirui's play, Du Qi was at ease with his eyes closed, he didn't need to stare, he just said to Shang Xirui: "Don't sleep too much after lunch, your face is swollen from sleeping, take your makeup off at night." Du Qi knew all the details. Shang Xirui nodded. After seeing off these people, the small courtyard suddenly became deserted. He went into the room and found a record of Hou Yukui, turned up the volume of the phonograph, and then moved a chair to sit in the yard to bask in the sun, listening to the play while watching Xiao Lai put away the sacrificial candles on the altar.
Xiao Zhouzi stood there just now, not knowing what to do. Today he was on stage to sing in a serious manner, giving Shang Xirui their new play, it is said that the hall was full, it was extraordinary. In contrast, his past experience on stage was just a child's play like rehearsal. Shang Xirui told him several times that an actor is either a blockbuster or worthless, there is never such a thing as a late comer. It seems that if this scene can't sing well, Shang Xirui will probably give up on him. Thinking of this, Xiao Zhouzi felt terrified, his heart was pounding, his hands and feet felt cold. Shang Xirui is the noble person in his destiny, the only life-saving straw, he has this feeling, his life became clear and bright after meeting Shang Xirui. Without Shang Xirui, depending on his situation, in what year and month can he survive in Si Xier's hands.
After packing up the things, Xiao Lai brewed a pot of piping hot Biluochun, and carried the tea pot to Shang Xirui with a towel. Looking back, I saw Xiao Zhouzi was still standing there. He lived in the commercial house for less than half a month. Although he practiced hard, he obviously ate well under her care. His arms and legs grew out, and he stood there like a big boy who got in the way. Xiao Lai smiled lightly and shoved him: "The show is about to start in the evening, why are you still in a daze?"
Xiao Zhouzi hurriedly said: "Hey, go shout your voice now." Before taking two steps, Shang Xirui called him: "Didn't you already shout when you got up early in the morning? Why are you still shouting?"
"Just start playing, I'll practice again."
Shang Xirui waved his hand, took a sip of the spout of the teapot, acted like an elderly man, and said slowly: "I'll have to sing in a long time, don't you want to improve your voice? Now practice hard, I’m going to be out of breath at night.” He thought for a while: “At best, stretch your arms and legs, and stretch your tendons a little more. The lying fish in this play is really hard work!”
Xiao Zhouzi nodded and went, stretching his arms and legs in the open space next to him, practicing without distraction. Shang Xirui stared at him blindly, pointing out a few words occasionally, and then asked Xiao Zhouzi: "What do you think of Hou Yukui's singing?"
Xiao Zhouzi was splitting a straight leg, with his hands on the soles of his feet, his chest stuck to his legs, and his legs stuck to the ground. The air in his lungs was compressed until there was only a little bit of air left, and he replied with difficulty: "Boss Shang likes...of course." It's good..." Shang Xirui shook his head: "He actually didn't sing as well as my master." After a pause, he said: "My master's name is Shang Juzhen. When he sang in the capital, your master Sixi He's not popular yet. It's said that the two of them have played together. Have you ever heard your master talk about him?" Si Xi'er usually beat and scolded Xiao Zhou Zi, so she never had a friendly gossip. Xiao Zhouzi shook his head, Shang Xirui said nothing more.
After listening to a set of records in his collection, Xiao Lai had already cooked the dishes and was ready to serve dinner. At this time, the door was pushed open with a creak. It was Lao Ge who opened the door for Cheng Fengtai. Cheng Fengtai was dressed in a light beige suit, a black wool overcoat, sunglasses, and walked in with a civilized stick. Lao Ge nodded and followed two steps forward, said with a smile: "Second Master, you are resting at Boss Shang's place. I'll make arrangements for the evening, and I'll pick you up later." Cheng Fengtai nodded. Lao Ge took off his hat again and put it on his chest, bowed to Shang Xirui before he left.
Cheng Fengtai first saw Xiao Lai's small square kang table in the yard, served two dishes one after another, said with a smile: "It's such a cold day. Boss Shang is still eating outside?" Then he saw Shang Xirui looking up and down with a smile He couldn't help asking: "What's the matter? Look at me silly?"
Shang Xirui shook his head: "Second Master's clothes, paired with these round sunglasses and walking stick. Reminds me of our emperor coming."
In the early years, Xiao Lai went to Tianjin with Shang Xirui to enter the theater, and he also saw the emperor, so he raised his eyes and quickly walked away to Cheng Fengtai. In terms of dress, they are indeed very similar. However, the facial demeanor is completely different. Xiao Zhouzi only heard Si Xier brag about the scene where he had acted for the Empress Dowager, yearning for it in vain, he went to see him while he was practicing.
Cheng Fengtai simply opened his arms and showed them his figure on the spot: "Like Pu Yi? I said Pu Yi looks like me!"
Cheng Fengtai had seen Puyi's photos in the newspaper, in his world there was never the concept of monarch, subject and people, so he smiled to Shang Xirui: "Puyi has a sallow complexion, how can he be as handsome as the second master! Isn't he?"
Shang Xirui was born in the Republic of China, once the emperor and the courtiers, he also left the past behind, only saw the romantic emperor in front of him, nodded vigorously: "Second Master is the most handsome!"
Xiao couldn't see the two flirting openly, set the table for Shang Xirui and went back to the kitchen. Cheng Fengtai turned politely at her back: "Miss Xiao Lai, let's sit down and eat together!" Of course Xiao Lai ignored him. Xiao Zhouzi had always been timid, so he went to the kitchen with Xiao Lai to have dinner. Cheng Fengtai didn't see him, he raised his chopsticks and said, "Is there any wine here, Boss Shang?"
These two days because of entertaining actors, Shang Xirui happened to have a few bottles of Huadiao here for the old students, so he yelled at the kitchen. Xiao Lai knew Cheng Fengtai wanted it, so it took him a long time to warm up the wine and bring it over. At this time, Cheng Fengtai was already steaming from eating vegetables, and the water steam covered the lenses of the sunglasses, and when he took them off, he saw a pair of red eyes. I don't know where he went to play all night last night. Shang Xirui got upset, took a piece of food with chopsticks and ate it in his mouth, staring into his eyes. Cheng Fengtai said with a sneer: "It's almost the end of the year, I've been busy with accounts all night." Even Shang Xirui couldn't fool him with such nonsense. Shang Xirui picked up the rice and muttered twice: "I don't believe you."
The two of them ate a piece of fruit after lunch, and then they both got on their gums and hugged each other to take a nap. Shang Xirui was full and tired, too sleepy, nestled in Cheng Fengtai's arms, rubbed his eyes and shouted: "Xiao Lai! Wake me up at 4:30!" Xiao Lai answered crisply across the room. Cheng Fengtai had already put one arm on Shang Xirui's back, and fell asleep, Shang Xirui's cry didn't wake him up, it seems that last night he played very crazy. Shang Xirui curled his lips in dissatisfaction, but his lips moved as if kissing Cheng Fengtai's chest through the thin fabric. When Cheng Fengtai was doing business, he left a few good bolts of Hangzhou silk to make clothes for his family, and he also made two boxes for Shang Xirui of white, blue, silver, gray, kudzu and water green gowns, jackets and jackets. Shang Xirui said with a smile, these are enough for him to wear until he is thirty. But Cheng Fengtai said: Young people, just make your clothes look brighter, and make new ones when you get tired of wearing them, don't you have to wear them until they are worn out? Pointing to a fabric as soft and delicate as an eggshell garment, he said: The silk of this weave does not freeze the skin, and it is best for making obscene clothing close to the body. Find a good tailor later, don't waste the material, and we will make two pajamas each.
The pajamas are ready, with the same fabric style, and the remaining Cheng Fengtai asked Xiao Lai to make two plain handkerchiefs. Careful to the point of this mother-in-law, it is very unlike his handwriting. It was only later that I found out that this was an out-of-print palace artifact, not sold on the market. The female family members of the Cheng family were able to make two obscene clothes, but the young masters didn't have any. Cheng Fengtai's pajamas were placed here with Shang Xirui, and then when he was sleeping, he forced Shang Xirui to change into pajamas together, very Western style. Because they take off and change in one place, they often mix up each other's pajamas. Shang Xirui was not used to it at first, thought it was troublesome, then he thought of the two lines of poem Du Qi told him: How can it be said that there is no clothes, and the same robe as the son. It seems that is what they mean.
This time Shang Xirui wanted to recharge his batteries, so he slept deeply and had a short dream. When it's time, Xiao Lai comes over to call him, making a noise for Cheng Fengtai, Cheng Fengtai's sleepiness gets deeper, and he hugs him tightly, as if he hasn't woken up.
Shang Xirui rubbed his eyes and pushed Cheng Fengtai: "Second Master! The time is almost here!"
Cheng Fengtai followed his shoulders all the way down to the suede watch on his wrist, held it up to look at it, and said vaguely: "It's still early, we'll go there in a car later, it will only take ten minutes Lu, what's the rush." After saying that, she put her arms across his chest, leaned over to sniff his neck deeply, and took another small mouthful. Shang Xirui giggled and started fighting with him on the bed.
Xiao Lai yelled twice but nothing happened, hated that Shang Xirui didn't learn well from Cheng Fengtai, even this advantage of punctuality was ruined. What day is it today? Is it a joke to be late? After a while, Xiao Zhouzi sent Shang Xirui a starched gown and a small leather jacket, the meaning of urging him to get up was obvious. Xiao Zhouzi stood outside the bedroom with his clothes in his hands, wondering if he was going to help Shang Xirui get dressed. When he was in Yunxi's class, under this circumstance, he had to serve Si Xi'er to dress, wash and have tea.
Shang Xirui said in the room: "Just put it on the table."
But Cheng Fengtai said: "Do you want to go out to get the ones in the cold weather? Be careful of freezing." He raised his voice and said, "Come in, kid!"
Xiao Zhouzi walked in staring at the tip of his shoe all the way in, so ashamed that he didn't dare to lift his eyes. Shang Xirui sat on the bed and put on his clothes, the clothes were thicker in cold weather, he was panting like a clumsy child. But there was no one to serve him, and with Cheng Fengtai lying beside him, Xiao Zhouzi didn't dare to rush forward. Occasionally he couldn't stop glancing at them, seeing Cheng Fengtai's arm around Shang Xirui's waist, Shang Xirui struggled to move his hand away, and he put it around again. Shang Xirui oops, laughed and said, "How can I wear clothes like this!" But he didn't move his arm anymore. All the top buttons on Shang Xirui's chest are undone.
When Shang Xirui finished putting on his clothes and came down to the ground, he turned around to call Cheng Fengtai, Cheng Fengtai lazily stretched out a hand to Shang Xirui from under the quilt, asking him to pull him up. Shang Xirui pulled hard a few times like a tug-of-war, Cheng Fengtai still didn't move at all, the last effort pulled Shang Xirui back to the bed, the two played around for a while, Xiao Zhouzi stood beside him, couldn't help laughing too . At this time, Lao Ge finished the tasks entrusted by Cheng Fengtai, gave the soldiers a good meal, rewarded each with five oceans, and set them up in the theater. After returning to the commercial house, he said in a low voice through the window lattice: "Second Master, everything is settled, let's go."
Hearing the words, Cheng Fengtai stretched his waist, and sat up straight with a carp, completely relieved of sleepiness, full of energy: "Boss Shang, wash your face, let's set off now, today is a good day for Boss Shang!"
If Xiao Lai was here, he would definitely scold him again. How many of these good days were delayed by him
Cheng Fengtai drives, Shang Xirui sits beside him, Xiao Lai and Xiao Zhouzi sit in the back, Lao Ge is the one who doesn't matter, let him call the rickshaw to follow. But the road was not as smooth as Cheng Fengtai thought, half a mile away from the opera garden, both sides of the road were densely packed with people, cheering and applauding. From a distance, I saw a few showy actors from Shuiyunlou coming slowly in a rickshaw, and thanked the surrounding crowd along the way.
What kind of movement is this, Cheng Fengtai thought to himself, before the show even started, how could it be as if they had won a battle and greeted him? It reminded him of the scene when Commander Cao bragged about their first entry into Beijing, when Commander Cao and his wife stepped off the train , the authorities also sent such an overwhelming warm welcome from the students. But that was planned, this was spontaneous, Shang Xirui is still better. So he said with a smile to Shang Xirui: "Why, does Boss Shang also take a rickshaw to make his debut?"
Shang Xirui was always impatient, looked at his watch from time to time on the road, yelled that it was too late, and blamed Cheng Fengtai for staying in bed for wasting time, how could he be in the mood to joke with him at this time, he kept urging with a straight face: "You Look! The traffic jam is like this! How can this car get through! If I go on foot... all the fanciers will recognize me! I can't get through! It's all your fault!" In fact, he didn't expect such a battle. He sang a lot at the Qingfeng Theater, and walked quietly in the backstage alleys, almost forgetting that the fanciers chased and blocked him.
Cheng Fengtai also felt that there was nothing he could do, he thought otherwise he would put a hat on his head and protect him to break through the encirclement. Xiao Zhouzi once served Si Xier to sing here, hesitantly said: "I know there is an alley to pass through, and this theater has a back door. But it will take a while."
There is nothing to discuss about this. Several people got out of the car and ran quickly. When they got to the backstage, it was a little late, and everyone was due. The room was dimly lit and smoky, the color of the oil paint was the color of the costumes, and someone put a gorgeous cheongsam and a pair of silk stockings on the back of the chair. And smoky, perfume, wine, food. The female actors laughed loudly, and a male actor said a few words of confession in a strange way, which made them laugh even harder, and the owner of the theater was also joking around. This is the backstage of Shuiyun Tower. Wherever they went, they brought the hustle and bustle, which really opened the eyes of the actors from other troupes. They gathered silently in the corner and put on their makeup solemnly. Like this.
Cheng Fengtai smiled and said to himself: "It's like a circus..."
Shang Xirui also felt a little outrageous, after all today's play is more important, after all there are guests here who are part of the cast. Standing at the door and coughing twice, Xiao Lai rushed in quickly, picked up the butts of the actors' cigarettes one by one with the ashtray, and threw away some of the leftover wine and food packaging, so that he tidied up a little. Yuan Lan and the others just smiled and shouted at Shang Xirui: "Don't just stand there, leader, what are you waiting for! It's time for you to put on your makeup! Second Master, you're here too! But I haven't seen you for a long time!" Cheng Fengtai smiled reservedly Smile and say nothing.
Nineteen eyes were sharp, Xiao Zhouzi was dragged out from behind Shang Xirui, he staggered a few steps, and she dragged him under the light in front of others, with his head lowered. Nineteen smiled and said, "This kid has lived with our class leader for a few days, and he has become fatter and juicier. I don't know if "Zhaojun's Out of the Fortress" will be coming soon!"
Yuan Lan answered: "The people trained by the head teacher can be wrong! Xiao Zhouzi, this is a boy who worships Maitreya and has learned the scriptures!"
Yuan Lan and the others are actually very dissatisfied with Shang Xirui's promotion of an outsider like this, they have many children in their troupe, and they have never seen Shang Xirui treat anyone with such care. What's more, this little Zhouzi will still have to return it to Si Xi'er after he becomes popular. What is the purpose of making wedding clothes for others.
Xiao Lai heard that they were going to make sharp-tongued jokes on Xiao Zhouzi, and hurriedly took him away and arranged him in a sheltered place, pointed to La Yuehong to help him with makeup, and then went to serve Shang Xirui. At this moment, Shang Xirui still flirted with Cheng Fengtai reluctantly: "Aren't you coming with me?"
Cheng Fengtai squeezed his hand, said with a smile: "I have to go ahead and have a look, for the emperor—" In Shang Xirui's new play, Shang Xirui plays an emperor: "The emperor protects the king!"
Shang Xirui smiled happily, Xiao Lai took him to a separate dressing room for the protagonists, and the two said goodbye with regret.