The First Lackey Under The Empress

It was noon.

Inside the sprawling and antique "Octagonal Opera House," melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air.

As the largest opera house in the capital, its architectural style imitated the Bagua platform, symbolizing open doors and welcoming guests from all directions.

But in reality, those who could afford to listen to operas here were all either rich or noble.

For ordinary people, the "ticket" price alone, not to mention other expenses, was enough for a large family to live on for several months.

The afternoon and evening shows were the liveliest, featuring performances by famous actors.

At this moment, a quarrel was taking place at the entrance of the opera house's exclusive VIP area.

The opera house manager, wearing a silk shirt and a soft hat, with an emerald thumb ring, clasped his hands in apology:

"The Yunshui Pavilion has already been reserved by a guest, and it will not be available this afternoon. This matter was my improper arrangement.

As an apology, please accept this token. You may choose any available private room at any time, and all expenses during that time will be waived."

Standing opposite the manager was a portly merchant, accompanied by his concubine.

Upon hearing this, he frowned:

"I booked the Yunshui Pavilion two days in advance. When did the Octagonal Opera House start disregarding the rules, not prioritizing first-come, first-served?"

The pretty concubine beside him also hummed in displeasure:

"We came here just to see the afternoon show, and we won't be coming on other days."

Then, she wrapped her arms around the merchant's arm and coquettishly pleaded:

"Master ~"

The opera house manager apologetically said:

"I'm truly sorry, it's not that we're not following the rules, but a distinguished guest came just now and specifically requested the best Yunshui private room. If you two want to listen to the opera, you can only sit in the main hall."

The middle-aged merchant's heart stirred: "Could it be some nobleman?"

The manager hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice:

"More powerful than a nobleman, someone you don't want to mess with."

Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants… The Dayu Dynasty had a developed trade, and the status of merchants was already high compared to previous dynasties.

But since ancient times, the common people do not fight with officials, especially in the capital, where money is not always useful.

The middle-aged merchant thought for a moment and said:

"Could you tell me which official it is? I might know him, so I can go upstairs to pay a visit."

The manager pointed to the sky and said:

"Zhao of the White Horse."

The merchant turned and left without hesitation, as if afraid of incurring disaster if he was even a step late.

The concubine looked resentful:

"Master, what White Horse Zhao? Don't you have connections with high officials in the Six Ministries? Why are you so afraid of him?"

The merchant's expression changed slightly, and he scolded her to be quiet before explaining in a low voice:

"The most difficult to deal with are not the high-ranking officials who value status, decorum, and manners, but those who have power and influence but don't follow the rules…"

He silently swallowed the word "scoundrel."

Curiosity arose in his heart:

"I've never heard of anyone named Zhao liking to listen to operas. Why did he come here today?"

… …

Inside the "Yunshui Pavilion" on the second floor of the opera house, which had the best view.

Zhao Du'an leaned against a Huanghuali armchair, the knitted soft cushion behind him providing excellent support.

On the square table beside him were rare pastries and top-quality tea.

"Sir, according to intelligence, Consort Pei will come here to listen to the opera every afternoon of this month."

Zhu Kui, with a face full of橫肉, stood respectfully.

Zhao Du'an grunted in acknowledgement, feeling quite novel about the opera houses of Dayu.

In his previous life, entertainment venues were developed, but traditional opera was declining. The only thing he had been to that was even slightly related to opera was crosstalk—where the performers would sing a few lines impromptu.

The Dayu Dynasty was different. There were opera houses everywhere, and some famous actors had popularity among the people that was no less than that of celebrities in later generations.

However, he was not here today to try something new, but to meet Consort Pei here.

That is, the fourth daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the legal wife of the Lü Liang family.

She was also a well-known "shrew" in the capital's noble ladies' circle.

"Sir, I heard that this Consort Pei relies on her family background and is a delicate and difficult person to get along with. What do you want from her?" Zhu Kui asked curiously.

Zhao Du'an glanced at him:

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

… …

… …

Afternoon.

The gate of the Lü Liang family mansion was wide open, and a fragrant carriage with draped curtains drove out, heading towards the "Octagonal Opera House."

Pei Si Niang was only in her thirties. Because she had been pampered since childhood, she had grown up in a honeypot.

Her ten fingers never touched spring water, and her feet never stepped on dusty roads.

Although she had already given birth to children, her figure and skin were extremely well maintained, smooth and delicate, not inferior to that of a young girl.

She wore a wide-sleeved, hundred-flower long dress woven from Shu brocade, and her thick black hair was styled into a married woman's bun. Her round face was like a bright moon.

It was a pity that the melancholy and resentful air between her sharp eyebrows diluted her beauty.

It wasn't entirely her fault. Pei Si Niang used to have a "spoiled princess" persona.

Even after marrying Lü Liang, she smiled quite often.

The real change happened after Lü Liang cheated on her.

Although Pei Si Niang had a bad temper, she had a pure fantasy about love.

After marriage, she not only kept herself virtuous, but also strictly forbade Lü Liang from contacting other women, and as for taking concubines… that was absolutely impossible.

Whenever Lü Liang went out for social engagements, she would send people to urge him to return if he was even a little late.

She even personally brought maids and servants to drag him back, thus earning the name of "shrew."

Therefore, upon learning that her husband was cheating, this noble lady of the capital broke down, sobbing and seeking her father's help to take charge and "divorce him."

But she didn't expect that her father, who had always doted on her, would refuse her.

He completely suppressed the matter and even advised her to give Lü Liang a chance.

How could Pei Si Niang agree?

But a small arm couldn't twist a big thigh. Since then, the couple had completely broken up, only maintaining a "loving" facade in front of outsiders, but in reality, they had long lost their feelings.

But at this age, Pei Si Niang inevitably felt lonely and empty, needing outsiders to fill the void.

Unwilling to be intimate with her husband anymore, she began to try to find comfort from the outside world.

However, Si Niang had high standards. Ordinary men couldn't catch her eye. By chance, she saw a certain "young actor" perform at the Octagonal Opera House.

Since then, she had kept that actor in mind. Whenever that "young actor" performed, she would drive over to watch.

Well, it felt like an older rich woman chasing a young idol…

Today was no exception.

When Si Niang, supported by her maid, stepped off the fragrant carriage.

She entered the opera house through the "VIP passage," and walked up the stairs to the second floor, preparing to enter the "Hibiscus" private room that she had reserved earlier.

She was suddenly stopped by a man with a face full of 橫肉, ugly, and crude, who flashed out from the side.

"Where did this eyesore come from? Where is the opera house manager? How could you let this kind of person come up to the second floor?"

Pei Si Niang was startled, her beautiful eyes wide open, her expression disdainful.

She ordered her maid to call for someone.

Zhu Kui grinned, clasped his hands, and said in a sinister tone:

"Madam, don't worry. I am under the orders of Zhao Shijun of Baima, to invite madam to do us the honor of sitting in the Yunshui Pavilion next door."

That Zhao Du'an?

He wants to see me?

The noble lady of the capital was stunned, recalling that she had indeed heard that Zhao Du'an had a crude and dark old servant by his side.

Moreover, she had long heard that the male favorite of the Empress was good-looking, but she had never seen him before, and she was immediately very curious.

In addition, the guests here were either rich or noble, and those who could be invited into the Yunshui Pavilion were unlikely to be evil people.

After a slight hesitation, she raised her chin arrogantly, revealing her white and delicate jaw:

"Lead the way."

… …

Soon after, Pei Si Niang, accompanied by her maid, stepped into the Yunshui Pavilion private room.

At this moment, on the stage in the main hall on the first floor, the entrance gongs and drums had already sounded, the drumbeats as rapid as raindrops.

Zhao Du'an, dressed in gorgeous clothes and with a handsome appearance, looked over with a smile:

"Madam Lü, I have taken the liberty of inviting you. May I have the honor of inviting you to take a seat?"

Dong, dong, dong…

Pei Si Niang only felt that her lonely heart had been beating as rapidly as the gongs and drums on the stage.

She even forgot about the appearance of the "young actor" she had been thinking about. The melancholy in her eyes was like a spring breeze blowing over, thawing a frozen river.

Pei Si Niang's cheeks suddenly flushed red, and she thought:

"What a… handsome young man…"