Chapter 126 - 125: 400 Years Later, Sovereign and Subject Are Still of One Mind
Chapter 126: Chapter 125: 400 Years Later, Sovereign and Subject Are Still of One Mind
[Isn’t Lu Qingyuan also studying traditional opera? Did she know beforehand that Meiqu Opera had such a founding master and deliberately chose this name to clout chase?]
[If so, that’s truly repulsive. Consider me a hater.]
[I’ve always found Lu Qingyuan annoying. What she calls being genuine is clearly just acting like a diva. When she’s completely abandoned by Gu Lingyuan, she can wait to fall from heaven to hell, hahaha!]
#Qingyuan, Lu Qingyuan#
#Lu Qingyuan stole the name#
These two hashtags were unexpectedly much more popular than the newly discovered historical ruins. Besides the entertainment-focused nature of the public, it was obvious someone behind the scenes was intentionally smearing Qingyuan.
Reading the real-time trending searches, Shi Changying exhaled. "The greatest power of the internet is allowing me to witness the diversity of species without even stepping out of my house."
She didn’t need to stoop to the level of the brainless; it would only make her look unintelligent as well.
"Lord Qingyuan is a magnet for storms. There are far more eyes on her than on me," Xie Qingshi sighed softly. "But we chose this path with the thought that if you also came to the future, you would be able to see us immediately."
Shi Changying’s heart trembled. "Yes, I saw you."
Xie Qingshi smiled. "It’s getting late. Shall I escort you back?"
Shi Changying raised her hand. "Stop. I’m an ordinary person. You, step back three paces."
Xie Qingshi was speechless. He needed to have a serious talk with Qingyuan about how to resolve this. For this, they could temporarily form an alliance.
Around seven o’clock, Old Sir Xu returned to Old Xu Mansion. He paced back and forth in the living room, sighing incessantly.
Xu Yunfan rarely came home, so seeing this sight made him curious. "Dad, what’s wrong? Didn’t you go to host the delegation from the Medical Science Academy today? Did the business negotiation fail?"
"We didn’t discuss business today, but they are still quite satisfied with Xu Group," Old Sir Xu paused before continuing. "It’s just that I bumped into Changying today at Tanxiang Yin."
He recounted what happened that night.
Xu Yunfan was astonished. "The people from the Medical Science Academy treated her to a meal? Really?"
"I’m not mistaken, but I don’t know what position that Miss Ning holds in the Medical Science Academy," Old Sir Xu sighed. "Given her youth, I figure she’s probably just at the assistant level, but she’s still someone from the Medical Science Academy nonetheless."
He couldn’t wrap his head around how Shi Changying managed to get acquainted with Miss Ning, let alone have the latter play host. Old Sir Xu intended to ask Shi Changying face-to-face, but he waited and waited without seeing her return.
"Now that’s strange," Xu Yunfan said in confusion. "By the way, Dad, isn’t she learning calligraphy from Master Yan? It’s been almost a week. How is her progress?"
Old Sir Xu shook his head. "Master Yan said she’s extremely difficult to teach. He complains to Zhao Yu every day. I’m starting to think Zhao Yu shouldn’t waste money on this anymore."
Xu Yunfan pondered for a moment. "I happen to have a military exercise this week. Let her come to my place."
Old Sir Xu hesitated before agreeing. "You must know when to hold back. She is Chengli’s daughter, after all. You absolutely cannot hurt her."
"Hey, it’s just a few times stricter than military training. She definitely won’t get hurt. It’s just to temper her character." Xu Yunfan asked again, "Where’s Fourth Brother? Why didn’t I see him this time?"
"Who knows where he went. Probably something related to archaeology again," Old Sir Xu waved his hand. "I wanted him to mingle with the Medical Science Academy, but it seems there’s no need now."
Xu Yunfan chatted with Old Sir Xu for a little while longer before leaving.
Old Sir Xu continued waiting for Shi Changying. It wasn’t until half past ten that she finally returned, holding a bucket of fried chicken.
His spirit lifted, and he spoke up, "Changying, Grandpa has some things to ask you. You—"
Shi Changying went upstairs without even turning her head.
Old Sir Xu furrowed his brow. After a long moment, he muttered to himself, "Since she wasn’t raised by our side from a young age, she really isn’t close to her elders. Sigh..."
A few days later, in a private dressing room on the set of "Dragon Flying Phoenix".
"A Yuan, tomorrow’s event is extremely important," Sister Xu urged. "Director Cheng will be there. If he takes a liking to you, your path into the international market will be much smoother."
Qingyuan nodded. Having already achieved her goal of leaving her name in history, she now wanted to bring Jiuzhou’s arts and culture to the pinnacle of the world.
"Director Cheng absolutely loves classical music, which happens to be your strong suit," Sister Xu said happily. "And Mr. Yu has already partnered with you for several performances. This time will definitely be—"
A knock on the door interrupted her. "Teacher Lu, Sister Xu."
Sister Xu turned and smiled. "Mr. Yu, you’re just in time. I was just talking to A Yuan about your joint performance tomorrow."
"What a coincidence indeed," Mr. Yu said helplessly. "But I’m sorry. I received orders that I cannot take the stage with Teacher Lu tomorrow."
The smile on Qingyuan’s face faded bit by bit. "What do you mean?"
"I’m sorry, Teacher Lu," Mr. Yu pursed his lips. "It’s Mr. Gu’s decision. As you know, I’m just an employee. I can’t go against the investors’ wishes. I have to put food on the table. I can’t exactly live on thin air."
He gave the two of them an apologetic nod and left.
"I was wondering why that bastard surnamed Gu didn’t react at all after you slapped Xingyi and Bai Shuyi in the face last time and blocked him," Sister Xu said, her face flushing with anger. "It turns out he was waiting for you right here!"
Qingyuan lazily reminded her, "Didn’t you call him Mr. Gu before?"
"Why should I respect him when he’s targeting you like this?" Sister Xu took a deep breath. "Are you really not anxious at all? Don’t think that just because there’s only half a year left on your contract, it’s fine. Six months is more than enough time for him to turn you into a complete pariah!"
Qingyuan’s expression cooled slightly. "Then let him try."
"That bastard surnamed Gu is telling you that if you go against him, you can forget about surviving in the entertainment industry." Sister Xu felt both angry and wronged. "You’re supposed to go on stage tomorrow. Where are we going to find an ancient zither accompanist now?"
The door to the dressing room was pushed open once again. Shi Changying’s gaze swept across the room, sensing the tense atmosphere. "What’s wrong?"
Qingyuan sprang to her feet. "Sister Ying, you actually came to see me on your own! I’m so—"
Her voice came to an abrupt halt when she saw Xie Qingshi standing behind Shi Changying.
Xie Qingshi was wearing a mask and a hat, his eyes brimming with a smile.
Qingyuan gave a cold snort. She was starting to agree with Pei Xuan’s claim. A bewitching seductress who beguiled the sovereign!
"Sigh, Miss Shi. A Yuan’s contract with Xingyi is about to expire, so they’re finding every possible way to mess with her," Sister Xu said, her eyes red. "I... my heart aches for her."
Shi Changying wasn’t too familiar with how the modern entertainment industry operated. She asked, "How much is the penalty for breach of contract?"
"One point eight billion," Qingyuan replied.
Shi Changying was speechless. Three seconds later, she asked again, "I think taking him out would be faster. What do you think?"
Sister Xu jumped in fright. "Miss Shi, you mustn’t! He’s a member of the Mingjing Gu Family!"
"Mingjing Gu Family?" Shi Changying truly didn’t understand the current power dynamics in Mingjing. She looked thoughtful. "Surnamed Gu? A descendant of Gu Qingjin?"
"Ah?" Sister Xu was bewildered, not understanding why she had brought up a historical figure. Moreover, she remembered that this historical figure didn’t have a very good reputation; he was a notorious traitor.
"Definitely not. Lord Gu had no descendants," Qingyuan said.
Sister Xu was even more confused. She looked at Shi Changying, then at Qingyuan, feeling as if she had become a total outsider.
Xie Qingshi suddenly asked, "You only need an ancient zither performance?"
"That’s what they say, but with Gu Lingyuan giving the word, no Ancient Zither Master in the industry would dare collaborate with A Yuan." Sister Xu pulled at her hair in frustration. "Unless it’s an independent artist who isn’t afraid of the Gu family. The only person I can think of is Xie Lin, but Xie Lin never meddles in entertainment industry affairs, nor has he ever been seen collaborating with anyone."
Shi Changying raised her eyebrows. "Well, he intends to meddle now."
Sister Xu was stunned. "Wh—What do you mean?"
Xie Qingshi took off his mask and smiled faintly at Sister Xu. "Hello. I am Xie Lin."