Once Rong Shuang'er got the tickets, she rushed to the prince's mansion and called Song Jinyu to go to the theater together. "He Yi will come out later!"
Zhongli Mingye watched them leave with a smile and told Xing Jian to send more men to protect them.
The more freely she lived in the capital, the better her mood would be. Now, she had more and more friends. He shook his head and went to the study to meet Yu Nianbai.
"Such beauty! Tsk-tsk!"
Even Song Jinyu, a woman, was shocked by Fan Renmei's beauty.
No wonder many officials and noble young masters were willing to spend a fortune just to meet her. Her singing voice was so soul - stirring. There were many beautiful people, but Fan Renmei was different.
Her aggressive beauty made many women uncomfortable, but men could hardly take their eyes off her.
Just as the three of them were enjoying the show in the private box, there was a commotion downstairs. "One thousand taels!"
Song Jinyu was a bit confused. Fan Renmei was an actress, not a prostitute. What did this one - thousand - tael mean? Rong Shuang'er laughed and said, "It's because someone likes Fan Renmei and wants to show support."
"Later, Fan Renmei will come down in person to thank this patron."
The word "patron" was quite appropriate. Although actresses were considered of low social status, they earned money by their own skills and didn't think they were so humble.
Moreover, Fan Renmei was excellent at singing. It was worth it in many people's eyes to spend a thousand taels just to get a thank - you from her.
But the strong man was obviously not satisfied with just being thanked. "I spent a thousand taels just for a thank - you?" He frowned angrily, and the scar on his face became even more prominent.
Song Jinyu and the other two watched from the box.
Fan Renmei gave a charming smile. "Sir, you're a guest. You came here to listen to the play. There are countless dignitaries in the theater, all here to support me."
"They still want to listen to the play. If you think the thousand taels was wasted, you can take it back."
There was a hint of disdain in her words, and her peerless beauty was blooming with a smile. The strong man was obviously from out of town and was about to say something more. Unexpectedly, several people suddenly came in from outside and dragged him away.
"Sorry to make you laugh!"
Fan Renmei was generous and behaved differently from ordinary women. Song Jinyu and the other two secretly sighed that there was such a person in the capital.
After the play was over, they left a bit late. There was only one person downstairs, silently looking at the empty stage.
"That's Li Zichao!"
He looked very ordinary, even a bit timid. Did Fan Renmei like him? He Yi shook her head. "It's so strange. Why does Fan Renmei like such an ordinary person?"
Song Jinyu thought for a moment. "Maybe after experiencing the hardships of the entertainment world, she just wants to find a soul - mate." Just as she was speaking, the man suddenly got up and left.
Fan Renmei didn't even look at that man from beginning to end. It was really strange. Were they the so - called lovers?
"Mei'er, you're so beautiful that you make this young master feel dizzy."
Fan Renmei chuckled. "Then when will you propose to the theater troupe for my hand?"
"Why are you in a hurry?"
"Humph! This little girl is getting older. If the young master is not in a hurry, then this little girl will find someone else to marry."
The man chuckled. "Your words really pierce this young master's heart."
Their conversation got softer and softer. It was not until midnight that the man left the theater.
With extreme pride, he set off on his way back to the Minister of War's mansion.
"Shuang'er, after that day, did the strong man get back the one - thousand - tael silver?" Song Jinyu was very interested in Fan Renmei, so she asked a few more questions.
"Of course. The theater gave the man a one - thousand - tael silver note."
"Huh? Why not pay in silver on the spot?"
"I don't know!"
Rong Shuang'er was also a bit confused, but whether the theater gave the strong man silver or a silver note didn't really matter. As long as the silver note was valid, it was okay.
Song Jinyu still couldn't figure it out. It was already strange that the strong man carried one thousand taels of silver with him, and the theater returned a silver note instead.
This incident was just a small episode.
Fan Renmei was looking at the countless jewels, jades, and gold and silver. She felt very secure in her heart. But she didn't even look at the box of silver notes beside her.
With such a generous dowry, it wouldn't be a disgrace for her to marry into the Minister of War's mansion.
But she was a bit worried about that man's heart. Although he claimed to love her, he often showed off his closeness to her in front of his colleagues and even told the details of their intimacy.
This made Fan Renmei very uncomfortable. But unfortunately, she who had always been good at dealing with men had been deceived this time.
Although she said she didn't want to marry into a noble family, she still hoped that he would come to marry her in a grand way with an eight - sedan - chair wedding. But these days, that Young Master Li hadn't taken any action. Was it because his parents disagreed?
She promised that if she could successfully marry into the Li family, she would use her connections to help Young Master Li get a promotion.
"Sigh!" She sighed. Why not force him a bit? Her beautiful eyes shifted, and her gaze fell on the box of silver notes.
My dear Li, if you are heartless, don't blame me for being unrighteous!
A trace of hatred flashed in her eyes, which was chilling. But then, she still remembered their old feelings.
"I'm not going!"
Song Jinyu glared at Zhongli Mingye fiercely. This man still wanted to coax her to learn the zither. No way! Just thinking about the scene of them learning the zither that day, it was still vivid in her mind.
She couldn't help blushing.
Zhongli Mingye smiled wickedly. "Princess, you can't give up learning the zither halfway. It's your fortune that this king is willing to teach you."
"Throughout the capital, there are many people waiting for this king to teach them personally."
"Humph... Teach whoever you want. Anyway, I won't learn!" Did he still want to trick her? No way!
"Are you feeling guilty, my love?"
He got closer to her. "What are you thinking?" He blocked her way to escape. His absolute controlling posture made it impossible for Song Jinyu to escape.
"Where are you thinking?"
She didn't think wrongly. But although she said so, her face turned completely red involuntarily.
He pulled Song Jinyu and walked while laughing. "Don't worry. This king really wants to teach you."
"Learning the zither can't be neglected."
"If you didn't think anything, then come with this king to the Moonlit Platform to learn the zither." Learn then. Who's afraid? However, Song Jinyu looked at him warily, which made Zhongli Mingye burst out laughing. "Didn't this king teach you last time?"
Again, talking about last time. How dare he? Song Jinyu was so angry that she kicked him.
But when she was pushed down on the carpet on the Moonlit Platform again, she only blamed herself for being so trusting of him!
"My love, do you know the gift for the teacher?"
"What?"
She looked up at the sky silently. How many tricks did this man have!
Zhongli Mingye blew gently into her ear. His warm breath made her earlobe even pinker. "The gift for the teacher is the reward for the teacher. As Confucius said, 'I have never refused anyone who comes to me with at least a bundle of dried meat as a gift.' "
"This king is a prince. Teaching my love to learn the zither personally, of course, I need to receive the gift for the teacher!" After saying that, he kissed her delicate lips.
He made Song Jinyu fall into that madness with him. It was midnight when the passion ended. The weather was a bit cool. He found a thick quilt.
When did they put a quilt on the Moonlit Platform? Not only the quilt but also the pillow. The carpet was also newly replaced with soft cashmere. Song Jinyu looked at him accusingly, and that man looked very proud.
He wrapped her up together. Zhongli Mingye laughed. "Don't worry. With this good teacher here, my love's zither skills will improve by leaps and bounds."
Humph, she would be crazy to believe him!
Song Jinyu made up her mind that she would never come to the Moonlit Platform again. Being tricked by him twice was really too embarrassing.