Chapter 171: Today I Will Show You That a Single Person Can Perform Peking Opera

The play *The Female Imperial Son-in-Law* features a cast of six actors, which is a moderate size for a theatrical performance.

Shen Xian and the other five stepped onto the stage, every one of them dressed in brightly colored, vibrant costumes.

However, the theatrical outfits lacked the polish and brilliance of any established troupe, appearing somewhat faded and dull.

"Oh, there's a new face this year," Zhou Yanshi observed upon spotting Shen Xian, speaking to Zhou Xingzheng.

Zhou Xingzheng nodded.

The large screen at the back began displaying the details of the production.

Title: *The Female Imperial Son-in-Law*.

Upon seeing the title, a spark of interest lit up in the eyes of many audience members, their faces turning curious.

An imperial son-in-law is one thing, but what on earth is a female imperial son-in-law?

Zhou Yanshi, however, seemed to recall something, a trace of joy washing over his face.

Could it be...

He had previously heard a song titled *Huangmei Opera*, and judging by the name, there seemed to be a connection.

When the full details of the production appeared, several people could no longer stay seated in their chairs.

Screenwriter: Postman.

"What the hell, this play was written by Postman?"
"Start it already, start it now, I'm dying to hear this!"
"Let's hope Postman doesn't let us down!"

As the music began to play, Peach Baby took the lead and started to sing: "This humble maiden's given name is Feng Suyue, and my beloved husband is called Li Zhaoting..."

From the very first note, it was a pure, traditional operatic vocal technique. The pronunciation was impeccably standard, and the voice was remarkably melodious. Though vastly different from her ordinary speaking voice, the operatic style was simply breathtaking.

Zhou Yanshi opened his eyes wide, watching and listening intently.

Shen Xian, portraying Li Zhaoting, also chimed in with traditional operatic vocals: "My dear wife..."

The lingering notes stretched out long—a classic theatrical singing style, completely detached from his everyday voice.

Yet Qingqing pointed directly at Shen Xian and told Zhou Wan, "Mommy, Daddy!"

A shock rippled through Zhou Wan's heart as her gaze snapped sharply toward Shen Xian.

Shen Xian's face was heavily painted in bright theatrical makeup, preventing her from recognizing him immediately.

But looking closer now, that was unmistakably Shen Xian!

Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up in Zhou Wan's eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand, struggling desperately to keep her feelings under control.

As the climax approached, Peach Baby launched into that classic verse—

Leaving my home to rescue my beloved Li Lang,
Who would have thought I'd top the imperial examinations as the top scholar?
Topping the scholar's list, wearing the red robe,
The flowers pinned upon my official hat—oh, how fresh and bright!
I too have attended the grand Qionglin Banquet,
I too have galloped my horse before the imperial street.
Everyone praises me for resembling Pan An,
Only to find a delicate beauty hidden beneath the gauze hat!
I took the imperial exams not to bring glory to my name,
I took the imperial exams not to become a high-ranking official,
All for my devoted young master Li,
So that husband and wife might be blessed with eternal love and a full moon...

" 'I too have attended the grand Qionglin Banquet, I too have galloped my horse before the imperial street'—that sounds so impossibly arrogant, yet why do I love it so much?"
"I prefer 'Leaving my home to rescue my beloved Li Lang, who would have thought I'd top the imperial examinations as the top scholar'—if this isn't flexing, what is? Hahaha!"

This single passage instantly set the entire venue ablaze with excitement.

Many guests stood up one after another, their gazes locked entirely upon Yang Tao.

Zhou Yanshi sprang up in agitation, clapping his hands vigorously: "Splendid! Splendid! Splendid!"

"Truly magnificent! This production has given me a fresh and eye-opening experience!"

Shock rippled through Zhou Xingzheng's mind as well. Earlier, when Zhou Yanshi had heard the song *Huangmei Opera*, he had been pondering how to adapt it into a stage play.

Little did he know, Postman had already prepared everything in advance!

A look of gratification crossed Zhou Xingjian's eyes, and he decided that Postman was starting to grow on him.

"Holy cow, so the song *Huangmei Opera* was telling this story all along!"
"What a brilliant story! Not only is it touching, but it takes an entirely unique approach!"
"Hiss... Is this the true power of Postman?"
"How on earth is this Postman's brain wired? He can actually write such an exceptional play!"
"The key is the musical passages within it—melodious, lingering, catchy, and full of rhythm!"
"I've heard the song *Huangmei Opera* before; Postman has flawlessly fused traditional culture with modern pop elements!"

A woman impersonating her husband to take the imperial examination and ultimately placing first as the top scholar—such a plotline was inherently captivating, stirring the imagination and compelling the audience to keep listening. Combined with the melodious and enchanting vocal segments, it completely conquered every single guest present!

Even the host was clapping along to the rhythm set by Peach Baby.

On the stage, Peach Baby's long water sleeves fluttered gracefully as she carried herself with a thousand charms, her gaze fixed upon Shen Xian filled with deep, tender affection.

That kind of gaze could not simply be acted out.

Catching this sight, Zhou Wan's heart skipped a beat, filling her with a sinister premonition.

This woman was in love with Shen Xian!

Without a shadow of a doubt!

That kind of look could never be faked!

Looking closer at Peach Baby, despite wearing heavy stage makeup and traditional theatrical costumes, one could still discern her exquisite, slender figure with its alluring curves, paired with flawless, delicate facial features.

An indescribable sense of crisis and panic began to sprout within her heart.

The opera quickly came to an end, and the performers bowed deeply to the audience below.

Zhou Yanshi took the microphone and repeatedly praised, "Wonderful! This play is simply breathtaking! Was this written by Postman?"

Peach Baby accepted the microphone and replied, "Yes, it was!"

"This Postman is truly a source of constant surprises and delight, hahaha!" Zhou Yanshi laughed heartily. "Tell me everyone, wasn't *The Female Imperial Son-in-Law* magnificent?"

"Magnificent!"
"Bravo!"
"Utterly brilliant! Postman is a legend!"

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue. A look of delighted surprise appeared on Peach Baby's face, and she could not resist glancing toward Shen Xian once more, her eyes brimming with endless tender threads of affection.

This was the man she loved: gentle, low-key, talented, kind, and polite.

Seeing Peach Baby's expression, panic struck Zhou Wan's heart all over again.

If there wasn't still one more theater troupe yet to perform, she would have rushed over to find Shen Xian right then and there.

She was completely unable to sit still; holding Qingqing, standing felt wrong, and sitting felt wrong.

Having lost contact for over a month, how could she possibly remain calm?

Another theater troupe took the stage next, but overshadowed by the brilliance of *The Female Imperial Son-in-Law*, the reception was decidedly lukewarm.

Soon, all the performers from the various troupes stood upon the stage, awaiting Zhou Yanshi's critique.

"First of all, the costumes, attire, and musical instruments of the Peking Opera troupe were very much in place, fully expressing traditional operatic cultural elements, but the plot content and performance rhythm were quite chaotic."

"The Henan Opera troupe was standard and conventional, but their vocal delivery had certain issues, and the storyline was far too dated without any innovation."

"The modern drama troupe let me witness the gap between domestic operatic culture and modern theatrical culture; the presentation form of modern drama was direct, and its stage style was concise and elegant."

"However, what astounded me the most was none other than today's Huangmei Opera troupe!"

"Both the storyline and the musical arrangements offered a fresh and eye-opening experience. The plot content was novel, the sense of rhythm was superb, and the actors delivered solid performances—especially the female lead's gaze toward the male lead, overflowing with deep, tender affection as if it weren't acted at all!"

"It has been a very long time since I heard such a magnificent piece of opera. I thank today's Huangmei Opera troupe, and I also thank Postman. I hope your troupe will engage in more exchanges and cooperation with Postman to write even more dazzling theatrical works!"

The host handed the microphone to Peach Baby, who suppressed the turmoil in her heart and said, "Thank you, Elder Zhou, for your encouragement. We will continue to work hard!"

Hearing Zhou Yanshi lavish such high praise on the Huangmei Opera troupe immediately left Huang Qinian feeling disgruntled.

How are we any inferior to Huangmei Opera? The only reason our performance was somewhat chaotic was because our time had been compressed!

No, I must clear Peking Opera's name!

"Are there any others among you who wish to say a few words?" The host passed the microphone to the lead actor of the Henan Opera.

The lead actor offered only a single sentence: "We will strive to improve. Thank you, Elder Zhou!"

When the microphone was handed to Huang Qinian, he blurted out directly, "Elder Zhou, the reason our troupe's performance was somewhat disorganized is that our performance time was compressed, which messed up our rhythm. In fact, personally speaking, I feel that both in terms of content and costumes, we are by no means inferior to Huangmei Opera!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Huang Qinian as if he were an idiot.

Who do you think you are?

How dare you talk back to Zhou Yanshi right here?

The manager of the Peking Opera troupe was pacing anxiously backstage, desperately wishing to shut Huang Qinian up, but Huang Qinian grew only more impassioned: "Our staging is grander, and our costumes are even better at showcasing traditional cultural elements, but our content is definitely not inferior to Huangmei Opera!"

Zhou Yanshi did not get angry; instead, he chuckled and said, "Actors of the Huangmei Opera troupe, why don't you share your thoughts?"

Good grief.

What on earth is Zhou Yanshi trying to pull here?

Is he trying to provoke Huangmei Opera to make them pull out another masterpiece?

The microphone was passed to Peach Baby, who for a moment had no idea how to respond.

Her heart was filled with anxiety.

Noticing this, Shen Xian reached out his hand: "Give me the mic."

In an instant, Peach Baby felt enveloped by an overwhelming sense of security.

Taking the microphone, Shen Xian turned his gaze toward Huang Qinian: "Grand staging and expensive stage costumes are enough to showcase Peking Opera elements?"

"Naïve!"

"Today, I'll show you that even a single person can sing Peking Opera!"