At this moment, the waiter came up carrying several books, walked to the wine shelf behind Jingrong, and prepared to stuff the books in his hands beneath the leg.

Ji Yunshu noticed!

“Wait.”

She spoke out to stop him.

The waiter’s hand paused. He turned his head and asked: “Does the guest need something?”

“Are you going to stuff books under there?”

“Yes! The corner of this shelf has always been unstable. The master hasn’t come to fix it, so I can only make do with books for now!”

“How can sacred texts be stuffed under bottom corners? Wouldn’t it be better for you to go outside and find a stone?”

“Ah?”

“Give me the books.”

The waiter was stunned for a moment, then gave the several books in his hands to Ji Yunshu.

Then he went down to find a stone.

Ji Yunshu held the books in her hands. Looking at the paper’s darkened color, they were probably several years old. All four corners were also worn down, and there were places scorched by smoke.

She flipped to the title page and saw a name written there.

She froze for a moment!

Seeing her dazed, Jingrong took another book to look at.

He also paused briefly and read aloud: “Song Zhi?”

That’s right—these books were poetry collections Song Zhi had published five years ago.

Bai Yin was curious: “Song Zhi? The Song Zhi who treated us to a meal?”

That couldn’t be possible!

Ji Yunshu flipped to the first poem and read it aloud: “Wild beginning, cattails and clouded mountains, near yellow mulberry connecting branches, old friend gazing from western tower, tea and wine thinking one inch.”

“Good poem, truly a good poem.” Jingrong was filled with admiration. “That someone can compose such a poem shows remarkable literary talent.”

“Who would have thought that Young Master Song from yesterday was a great poet!”

Bai Yin interjected again: “But looking at his condition, he was clearly quite destitute. Where is there a scholar like that?”

Disbelief!

The waiter happened to return with a flat stone he’d picked up.

Ji Yunshu raised the books in her hands and asked: “May I ask if these poetry collections belong to a poet here called Song Zhi?”

The waiter nodded: “Yes! But that was before.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“This Song Zhi used to be a poet, but later he stopped writing poetry.”

“Why?”

The waiter said regretfully: “Don’t know how it happened, but he went to become a storyteller, specifically writing plays for theater troupes. It’s really strange—a perfectly good poet who stopped being one to do that kind of thing.”

In Yiwu, being a storyteller was an extremely ill-regarded profession!

Even somewhat lowly!

Ji Yunshu thought for a moment, then pulled out some broken silver and stuffed it into the waiter’s hand, saying: “I’ll take these poetry collections.”

“Ah?”

“What, won’t you sell them?”

“Not that.”

“Then consider me having bought them.”

“Alright!” The waiter happily stuffed the silver into his bosom and said, “Guest, do you want more? I still have several more here.”

“No need.”

“Then I won’t disturb you all during your meal.”

The waiter left cheerfully.

Ji Yunshu quite liked the poems Song Zhi wrote. Each one was astonishing.

But why would a perfectly good poet stop being one and switch to becoming a storyteller?

After finishing their meal, the group went to the Zhao Family Troupe’s theater. By this time, the sky had already darkened.

Many people had come to the theater.

The stage built in the theater was very large. The first floor was filled with stools and tables. The second floor was semicircular architecture wrapped around the stage—specially designated premium seating.

The three of them, Jingrong, found their seats on the second floor in the best positions according to their ticket stubs and sat down.

The theater troupe’s people served a pot of good tea and three small dishes of peanuts.

A curtain hung on the stage, so they couldn’t see inside.

Everyone was very expectant.

Ji Yunshu looked around and happened to see Song Zhi carrying a package as he walked in. That thing was tied with rope—at a glance, one could tell it was kitchen items.

Song Zhi, holding his ticket, found his seat—at the very front on the first floor.

Jingrong followed Ji Yunshu’s gaze and also saw Song Zhi.

He said: “What fate indeed.”

“Indeed fateful!”

Song Zhi sat there properly and gently placed the items in his hands on the ground, afraid of knocking or bumping them.

After all, they were for eating.

And at this moment, the play had already begun!

The theater staff lowered several lanterns hanging around and blew them out.

Except for the light on stage, everything around darkened.

Creating an atmosphere!

After all, this was a play about ghosts and supernatural beings.

Ji Yunshu stared at the stage with full anticipation.

Sitting and waiting for that play praised by others.

“Dong, da…” The music sounded.

Everyone’s hearts tightened along with it.

That enormous curtain was slowly pulled open.

The first act was the female lead and male lead getting married.

The female lead wore exquisite makeup and a bright red stage costume, holding in her hand a red celebration silk, the other end held by the male lead.

The male protagonist in the play was called Liang Sheng, the female protagonist called Furong.

The female lead’s red bridal veil covered her head. Her face showed bashful smiles as she sang: “Red candle enters chamber, heart longs to see, my lord beside, auspicious time arrives, love has life and death, embroidered screen person, today finally the veil covers, my lord! I wish to know spring’s dawn with my body.”

The male lead pulled the red celebration silk and sang back: “Having you now, taking moon into garments, I vow never to fail red beauty, holding red silk to reward face’s smile.”

Sung beautifully and pleasantly!

The scene was also extremely beautiful!

Below was completely quiet, watching without blinking.

All very envious.

Soon, the candles on stage were extinguished. The first act ended.

The second act: Liang Sheng and Furong were lovingly entwined, the woman weaving cloth while the man plowed fields.

The third act: The young lady Xiangxin from a wealthy family appeared and met Liang Sheng.

Xiangxin fell in love with him at first sight. Her face wore delicate red makeup as she sang: “Lord Liang’s manner like willow branch tips, this girl’s heart has no way to refuse, willing to exchange cup of wine for entwined joy, giving body at bedside for one night.”

Liang Sheng was delighted and slowly moved closer to her.

Then he reached out and embraced her.

The two were intimately entwined for a night.

The fourth act: Liang Sheng wore fierce makeup. For prospects and money, he actually drugged Furong in the food and drink, then slashed her face and pushed her down a dried-up well.

Furong let out a miserable scream!

From then on, Liang Sheng leaped through the dragon gate like a carp, marrying Xiangxin to become a wealthy man.

The people below all broke into nervous sweats.

Even more indignant.

The fifth act: The atmosphere on stage changed. The music also became eerie and chilling.

Furong crawled out from the bottom of the well, covered in blood, her face rotted, looking extremely terrifying.

She cried and sang: “Your heart cruelly pushed me to death, I hate that you disregard past affection, if you break it, take a life.”

After singing, she tore off her face skin and replaced it with an exquisite mask.

Her eyes filled with hatred.

The sixth act: Furong, with her new face, attracted Liang Sheng’s attention. Liang Sheng then met with her night after night.

As a result, Xiangxin discovered them. Liang Sheng’s heart hardened, and he killed Xiangxin, throwing her down the dried-up well.

The atmosphere was tense!

The seventh act: Everyone below held their breath.

Furong tore off her mask, revealing a fierce appearance.

Liang Sheng was frightened, extremely terrified.

Furong cruelly tore off his flesh.

The eighth act—the final act.

On stage, the ghost bride Furong wore all white, kneeling before a tomb built from yellow earth, scooping up earth while crying.

The most classic opera lyrics were about to come!

Ji Yunshu watched with emotions rising and falling.

She heard the ghost bride lying prostrate before the tomb, crying and singing: “Watching my lord shed his bones under the tree, turning to smoke, I can only… ugh!”

The voice abruptly stopped!

Everyone was confused.

Looking at each other in bewilderment.

They saw the ghost bride Furong holding the yellow earth in her hands, her hands trembling, pupils dilated.

Despite wearing makeup, one could still see the terror in her expression.

Finally—

She collapsed backward sitting on the ground, her fingers trembling as she pointed at that pile of yellow earth.