The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 8: Listening to Music at the Prince Zhongshun's Residence

Xia Chengzong, however, was not in a hurry; he had already figured out where to find the crystal.

He picked up a book at random and started flipping through it.

It wasn't that he particularly enjoyed reading; it was simply that entertainment was so scarce in this era.

Besides reading, there are no better forms of entertainment.

We can't let him play childish games like hide-and-seek and house with those little guys, can we?

After reading only a few pages, the three little guys came running in, all excited.

"Third Brother, Third Brother, Fifth Imperial Uncle is here! He's invited us to a banquet at his house!"

"Third Brother, hurry up! Fifth Imperial Uncle said he has over a dozen opera troupes and wants to invite us to watch an opera all day!"

"Third Brother didn't see it, but Fifth Uncle sent us several cartloads of things, including two large cartloads of various silks and fabrics. We're all going to have new clothes to wear!"

"There's so much delicious food! There are hundreds of pounds of all kinds of meat alone! We're in for a treat! *slurp*"

"Third Brother is truly a prophet! He said yesterday that we could go out and have fun today, and it turns out he already knew Fifth Uncle would be treating us!"

"Third Brother, hurry up and change your clothes so we can go to Fifth Uncle's mansion for a delicious meal and to watch the opera!"

Seeing the three little ones' excited faces and their chattering chatter, Xia Chengzong smiled slightly.

Prince Chungshun and his father are the closest of friends, so how could he not pay a visit today?

However, their household has only just been unsealed and they are very strapped for cash, unable to afford a decent banquet.

Therefore, he had long guessed that Prince Chungshun would visit with gifts today and invite his family to a banquet.

Today it's Prince Zhongshun, tomorrow it'll probably be the Crown Prince himself coming to visit, right?

After all, the reason their palace was sealed off was because his father had taken the blame for the Crown Prince, so the Crown Prince should at least make some kind of gesture.

Urged by the three children, Xia Chengzong changed into his outdoor clothes.

The three children pulled him along, heading straight for the front hall.

The children paid their respects to Prince Zhongshun, who chuckled and said, "Everyone's here. Let's go to Fifth Uncle's residence today."

"Uncle Wu has prepared fine wine and food, and the opera troupe is all ready. Please come and enjoy a day of opera."

Prince Chung-jung said, "Your fifth uncle sincerely invited us, so let's go and bother him for a day today."

Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "Third Brother, what are you saying? We brothers haven't drunk together for seven years. Today we must drink to our hearts' content and not leave until we're drunk!"

The princess said with a smile, "Fifth brother, don't mention drinking again. You don't know, your third brother was happy yesterday."

"After returning from the palace, he took a few kids out for drinks. After drinking too much, he insisted on becoming sworn brothers with Zong Ge'er."

"If it weren't for Brother Zong's insistence on declining, they would have been sworn brothers by now!"

Prince Zhongshun laughed loudly, "Only a great hero can be true to his nature, and a true scholar is naturally unrestrained. I never expected my third brother to be so carefree!"

Prince Chung-jang was so ashamed that he covered his face with his sleeve.

The group chatted and laughed as they boarded the car and headed straight for the Prince Zhongshun's residence.

Before long, they arrived at the Prince Zhongshun's residence.

Outside the Prince Zhongshun's Mansion, carriages and horses were everywhere, creating a lively scene that far surpassed that of the Prince Zhongzheng's Mansion.

Princess Chungshun personally came out to greet them. This princess was the daughter of Vice Minister Su of the Ministry of Rites, and she had a natural air of elegance in her dealings with others.

After exchanging pleasantries, Princess Zhongzheng and Xia Caiwei were led into the inner courtyard.

The little ones, however, followed Prince Zhongshun to listen to a play outside. There were also opera troupes inside, though they weren't as famous as those outside.

Prince Chungshun asked first, "Yesterday, Zong-ge was complaining about Fifth Uncle, saying that he didn't give you a gift when you first met."

"Now that you've arrived at my residence, I'll make up for it. Tell me, what gift would you like?"

Xia Chengqian said, "Whatever Fifth Uncle gives us, we'll take it. There's no reason for us to be picky."

The little ones nodded repeatedly.

Only Xia Chengzong said, "How about Fifth Uncle gives me two pieces of crystal as a gift?"

Crystal was a rare and precious item in ancient times, but it was nothing special in the prince's mansion.

Prince Zhongshun, curious about what the little fellow wanted the crystal for, asked, "Zong-ge'er, what do you want the crystal for?"

Xia Chengzong chuckled and said, "Fifth Uncle, I have my reasons. You'll find out in a few days. Just tell me whether you'll give it to me or not."

Prince Zhongshun laughed loudly, "You little rascal, you're even playing riddles with your fifth uncle! Fine, your fifth uncle won't ask. How about I send someone to find you the two largest crystals?"

Xia Chengzong shook his head repeatedly and said, "Fifth Uncle, I don't want a big one. How about I choose one myself?"

Prince Chungshun laughed and said, "Very well, you may choose for yourself."

After saying this, Prince Zhongshun summoned the steward and asked him to lead Xia Chengzong to select crystals.

Before long, Xia Chengzong followed the steward to the storeroom.

The storeroom was filled with all sorts of rare and exotic items, leaving Xia Chengzong speechless and unable to help but marvel at the wealth of the Prince Zhongshun's mansion.

He went to the area where the crystals were displayed and began to select them carefully.

After a long selection process, two very thin crystal pieces were chosen.

Among the entire pile of crystals, these two pieces are among the smallest.

The manager found it strange, but didn't ask any further questions.

After Xia Chengzong made his selection, he brought him back to Prince Zhongshun's side.

Prince Zhongshun, seeing that Xia Chengzong had selected two thin, small crystal pieces, said helplessly:

"Brother Zong, why did you choose two such small pieces? It's as if your Uncle Wu is stingy and doesn't want to give them to you. Go and exchange them for two bigger ones."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong rolled his eyes.

He needs crystals for grinding lenses, so naturally the smaller and thinner the better.

Crystal is extremely hard, and he didn't have any automatic cutting and polishing tools with him.

He took two large crystals back with him. How long will it take to polish them?

Xia Chengzong then said, "I need the crystal for something, and these two pieces are just right, so these two pieces will do."

Prince Chungshun had no choice but to let him go.

Next, they followed Prince Chungshun to watch a play.

Once everyone was seated, Prince Zhongshun boasted, "Third Brother, you've really come at the right time today."

"This year I have taken on a new performer named Qi Guan. His stage presence and singing style are so captivating that everyone who has heard or seen him loves him."

"Several brothers have asked me for them, but I couldn't bear to give them to them. You can have a good look at them today."

Qi Guan?

Isn't that Jiang Yuhan? He was involved with Jia Baoyu, had an ambiguous relationship with Prince Bei Jing, and in the end married Xi Ren, an actress?

With a wave of his hand, Prince Zhongshun officially began the opera performance.

Before long, a pretty and lovely woman came up on the stage.

She had a slender figure, and her waist was as supple as a willow branch, seemingly boneless, as if it could twist and bend at will.

Her face was charming and affectionate, capable of both anger and joy, captivating the soul.

She began to sing: "The vibrant colors of spring have faded, leaving only broken wells and crumbling walls."

"Such a beautiful day, such a lovely scene, yet what a pity! Whose courtyard enjoys such delightful pleasures? Morning birds fly and evening birds fly, amidst the rosy clouds and verdant pavilions;"

"Rain threads and wind fragments, misty waves and painted boats—the people of Jinping take this fleeting beauty for granted!"