Chapter 79: The Opera Enthusiast Chun Sanniang and the Clingy Luo Jin’an

As Xu Nian and her companions were leaving the teahouse, the shopkeeper eagerly escorted them to the door. He only returned inside after watching them board their carriage.

Even now, the shopkeeper was still in disbelief. Who would have thought that a mere tea guest would suddenly become his new boss? Fortunately, he hadn’t shown favoritism toward the magistrate’s daughter earlier—otherwise, he might have lost his position as shopkeeper. Thinking of the salary raise he had just received, he hummed a little tune in satisfaction as he went back to serving customers.

In the back courtyard, Chun Sanniang was removing her stage makeup in a private room when she turned to ask the troupe master in confusion,

“Master, have we really sold ourselves to Jingxin Pavilion? Does this mean I can no longer perform elsewhere?”

Without her elaborate makeup, Chun Sanniang’s youthful face was revealed. No one would have guessed that the graceful and charming opera star on stage was, in reality, just a sixteen-year-old girl.

The troupe master sighed as he looked at his dedicated disciple. “This may not be a bad thing.”

Chun Sanniang devoted herself entirely to practicing and performing opera, but as her master, he had noticed the increasing number of greedy eyes fixated on her. He knew there would come a day when he could no longer protect her.

Now, a powerful benefactor had taken an interest in their Four Joy Troupe—and, more importantly, their new patron was a woman. This was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss. Losing a bit of freedom was a small price to pay if it meant keeping his disciple safe. Even if it meant selling himself along with the troupe, he was more than willing.

Chun Sanniang had been orphaned from a young age and was raised by the troupe master. Because of this, she never questioned any of his decisions. Even when he decided to sell their troupe to a teahouse, she simply accepted it without complaint.

Meanwhile, Xu Nian, the new owner of the teahouse, was still unaware of the situation with its staff. Instead of continuing her outing with Luo Jin’an, she returned to the county office. Since they had eaten quite a few pastries and drunk plenty of tea earlier, they decided to skip lunch.

After their meal, the Xu family gathered in the Shouzhu Courtyard for a chat. Xu Nian and Luo Jin’an joined in to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

“Ah, Nian Nian, you’ve come at the right time,” said Old Madam Xu. “Your mother was just talking about attending a flower appreciation banquet and wants you to go with her.”

Xu Nian turned to Tian Shi with a puzzled look. “What flower appreciation banquet?”

“It’s being hosted by the magistrate’s wife,” Tian Shi explained. “She’s invited many noblewomen from official families, and the invitation specifically mentions bringing along one’s children. It just so happens that Ji’er and the others will be on break that day, so I thought we could all attend. It would be a good opportunity for the boys to make some friends.”

Xu Nian nodded in agreement. Unlike her, the three Xu brothers were on the path of the imperial examinations. Isolating themselves in their studies would not be beneficial to their future careers.

“Does Aunt know where the banquet will be held?”

Seeing that Luo Jin’an was interested, Tian Shi’s excitement grew. “The invitation says it will be at Huifeng Manor. According to Nian Nian’s second uncle, it’s not far from her medicine shop. Does Your Highness the Commandery Prince wish to visit as well?”

Actually, Luo Jin’an had no interest in attending banquets. His mother consort hosted countless banquets, big and small, every year, yet even attending one or two of them was already considered a lot for him.

However, as he listened to the invitation, he couldn’t help but notice how similar it sounded to the Mid-Spring Banquet his mother consort held, which was specifically intended for matchmaking between young men and women from noble families. Luo Jin’an’s interest was suddenly piqued.

“Aunt, I have been weak since childhood and have rarely attended banquets. If it’s convenient, I would like to go and join in the festivities as well.”

Xu Nian glanced at him skeptically. No matter how she looked at it, Luo Jin’an did not seem like someone who enjoyed lively gatherings.

Tian Shi was delighted. “Why would it be inconvenient? If the magistrate’s wife knew that Your Highness the Commandery Prince was attending the flower appreciation banquet, she would be overjoyed! Even if you do not wish to reveal your identity, that’s not a problem. I can simply introduce you as my husband’s nephew. It would only be a small grievance for Your Highness.”

“…”

Seeing that the arrangements had been settled, Wang Shi finally asked about Luo Jin’an’s outing that day.

“Changsheng, how was your day? I heard you all went to watch an opera. Did you enjoy it?”

“Grandmother Xu, with Nian Nian accompanying me, I had a wonderful time today.”

“As long as you’re happy. Our eldest girl is the best at taking people sightseeing and having fun. Back when we were traveling to Wansheng County, she made sure her grandfather and I had our fair share of fun along the way. She should take you out more these next few days.”

Luo Jin’an immediately agreed. “I’ll do as Grandmother Xu says.” As he spoke, he looked at Xu Nian with a silly grin.

Xu Nian couldn’t bear to look at him any longer. She took the wooden box from Xiu’er’s hands and announced to everyone in the room, “This is the deed to the Jingxin Pavilion Teahouse. Luo Jin’an bought it.”

The family was surprised, but the most excited of all was Xu’s father. He eagerly opened the wooden box and examined the documents. When he saw the deed of sale for the Four Joy Troupe, he clapped his hands in delight.

“Does this mean that from now on, I can drink tea and watch opera without paying? Oh, you don’t know, eldest girl! Every time I wanted to watch a performance by the Four Joy Troupe, I had to endure the heartache of spending money. The tea there is also ridiculously expensive!”

Xu Nian chuckled. “Grandfather, you can go without worry from now on. Your granddaughter is now the new owner of the teahouse. You can watch as many performances as you like.”

“Good, good, good! Then I’ll help you manage the teahouse from now on, hahaha!”

Wang Shi rolled her eyes at the old man who was grinning from ear to ear. He made it sound so noble, claiming he would help his granddaughter look after the teahouse. In reality, wasn’t he just planning to eat, drink, and watch performances for free?

Tian Shi had always felt that the gifts the commandery prince gave to Nian’er were too extravagant. But now, this was even more outrageous—he had directly gifted her a whole teahouse!

“Your Highness, this gift is far too generous. May I ask how much silver you spent on this teahouse?”

Luo Jin’an answered nonchalantly, “This is a gift for Nian Nian. Aunt, there is no need to worry. Besides, Nian Nian has given me plenty of wonderful gifts before.”

Tian Shi’s smile stiffened slightly. The “wonderful gifts” the commandery prince was referring to—could he mean the vegetables and wild herbs?

Wang Shi, however, did not dwell on it. A relationship should be one of mutual exchange. She turned to Xu Nian and said, “Eldest girl, didn’t you say the medicinal herbs from your pharmacy have exceptional effects? Take Changsheng to have a look someday. If there are any herbs he can use, make sure to set some aside for him in the future.”

Xu Nian readily agreed, though she had already set aside a batch of medicinal herbs for Luo Jin’an. Not only that, but they were all harvested from her space, making them even more potent.

“Alright, that’s enough for now. Changsheng and eldest girl should go and rest. Today, Nian’er’s third uncle brought back a whole lamb. We’ll have roasted lamb for dinner tonight.”

Although the Northern Frontier bordered Mo Bei, mutton was not something they could easily get their hands on. The lamb had been a gift from a merchant who had come to buy medicinal herbs from Xu Youliang.

Xu Nian’s eyes lit up. “Grandmother, since Luo Jin’an is visiting, how about I prepare a new way to cook the lamb for dinner?”

Wang Shi laughed heartily. “That sounds wonderful! But you’ve been out all morning. Aren’t you tired?”

“Hehe, I’m young and full of energy.” The truth was, Xu Nian had been craving barbecue.

Instead of going back to Qingteng Courtyard to rest, she went straight to the small kitchen to prepare the ingredients for the evening meal. Luo Jin’an followed her closely.

“Why are you following me? Aren’t you noble gentlemen supposed to stay away from the kitchen?”

Luo Jin’an smiled. “Nian Nian, the saying ‘A gentleman stays away from the kitchen’ is meant to advise gentlemen against taking lives needlessly. It never said we cannot enter a kitchen. Besides, I am no gentleman. It seems Nian Nian still has a lot to learn about me.”