"Fuling—" Watching as Fuling and Yue Ning grew farther away, Qin Guan frowned helplessly. The crowd surged uniformly in one direction, forcibly carrying her along until she found herself increasingly off course.
Meanwhile, Fuling and Yue Ning were also growing anxious. Fuling whimpered, "We've been separated from the young mistress—what should we do?"
Yue Ning quickly reassured her, "Don't panic. These two alleys converge at the end. If we follow the crowd, we'll reach the same place. Your mistress will likely be waiting there."
Fuling nodded hurriedly, her mind racing with worry. Her young mistress was alone—what if she got jostled or hurt?
On her end, Qin Guan finally understood the crowd's destination from the surrounding chatter.
"The Double Purity Troupe last came to Jinzhou ten years ago."
"Indeed! Among Southern Opera troupes, they're the most renowned. I heard only noble families in the capital could attend their performances. Now they've returned to Jinzhou—showing their roots and blessing us common folk."
"True, their shows are usually beyond our means."
Listening to these exchanges, Qin Guan was swept further forward by the tide of people. Suddenly, it dawned on her: the Double Purity Troupe had come to perform for Jinzhou's Autumn Festival, hence the excitement. Over a decade ago, the troupe had risen to fame in southern Jinzhou and Jianzhou prefectures as a genuine Southern Opera troupe. Their popularity had only grown since, their reputation in the capital now rivaling even established Northern Opera troupes. While tickets weren't impossibly scarce, their shows attracted countless dignitaries.
She wondered what spectacle had drawn the other half of the crowd toward Fuling's direction.
Puzzled, Qin Guan peered ahead and realized this street likely merged with the previous one at its end. Reassured, she let the current carry her forward until the vibrant beats of drums and music reached her ears—the Double Purity Troupe had begun their pre-show!
Her fearsome-looking mask kept others at a slight distance. Glancing around, she noticed most wore masks too, though theirs bore auspicious beasts and birds in elegant designs. Unconcerned, Qin Guan pressed on until the troupe's setup came into view.
The Double Purity Troupe had commandeered an entire teahouse, cleared for their use. Their stage extended from indoors to the street. On the left side, musicians were already positioned, while the central stage remained veiled by curtains. Faint singing drifted from behind—performers rehearsing. Though Qin Guan had never been an opera enthusiast, her mother adored it. Recognizing the melody and vocal patterns, she guessed the upcoming performance.
"Will Master Qingli perform today?"
"It's 'Meeting at the Immortal Bridge'—her signature piece!"
"Unlikely. Master Qingli became the troupe's leader long ago. She only sings when capital nobles specifically request it. The troupe now has two famous younger performers—Qinglan and Qing Xian, both her disciples. Today it's Qing Xian's turn."The people standing around Qin Guan were likely supporters of the Double Purity Troupe, casually calling out the names of the troupe's star performers. Qin Guan, however, knew nothing of this. If Fuling and Yue Ning had been with her, she might have stayed to listen to a bit of Meeting at the Immortal Bridge . But with Fuling missing, she would surely be worried, so Qin Guan pushed her way forward through the crowd. She had barely taken a few steps when a familiar figure caught her eye.
Among the crowd to her left, someone was also trying to make their way out. The blue robe was unmistakable—it could only be Yue Qing! Qin Guan frowned. Had Yue Qing come looking for them after escorting the Grand Princess?
She shook her head. Impossible. The Anyang Marquis Manor's boat had come from a different direction. If it really were Yue Qing, there was no way he could have gotten ahead of her. But if it wasn’t him, then who was it?
The question had barely formed in her mind when her feet were already moving. She followed the figure, squeezing through the crowd until she finally broke free—only to see the person dart into a narrow alley beside the street, vanishing in an instant.
Qin Guan pressed her lips together, hesitated for only a moment, then went after them.
Fuling and Yue Ning had no idea why the crowd was surging forward, but before long, they found out. At the end of the street, wealthy households were distributing relief grain and blessing coins!
Fuling glanced around. Most of those pushing forward were plainly dressed commoners, while the well-dressed had all gone toward Qin Guan’s side. Fuling pursed her lips, lowered her head, and hurried forward, wishing she could reach the end of the street in just a few strides.
Fortunately, the line for the relief moved quickly. By the time Fuling and Yue Ning reached the end of the street, less than half a cup of tea had passed. Yue Ning crossed a side street and looked toward Qin Guan’s direction, immediately spotting the Double Purity Troupe’s stage. She gave a wry smile. "So the Double Purity Troupe has started their performance. Let’s wait here—she’s probably still stuck in the crowd."
Fuling was familiar with the Double Purity Troupe. Though actors and performers held low status in the Great Zhou, those who became stars with patrons still wielded considerable influence. A troupe like the Double Purity Troupe only had to announce their name, and countless nobles would flock to see them.
"Everyone’s gathered around the stage—why hasn’t the young lady come out yet?" Fuling twisted her sleeves anxiously.
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes and took a few steps forward. Her brows furrowed as she saw the crowd packed tightly around the street entrance. Qin Guan would have a hard time getting through.
"Don’t worry. She’ll find us. Come, let’s stand somewhere more visible."
With most of the crowd drawn to the troupe’s performance, the street entrance had emptied out. Yue Ning led Fuling a few steps to the side, where they would be easily spotted. She was confident that with Qin Guan’s sharp mind, she’d know how to find them quickly.
Yue Ning and Fuling had moved fast, but by Yue Ning’s estimate, Qin Guan should have emerged within half a cup of tea’s time. Yet after nearly a full cup of tea, there was still no sign of her.
"Why hasn’t the young lady come out yet? Did she take the wrong path?" Fuling fretted. "Please wait here, my lady. I’ll go look for her."
Yue Ning grabbed Fuling’s arm to stop her, about to say something, when a light voice called out from behind.
"Little sister, have you also come to listen to the Double Purity Troupe?"Yue Ning turned around to see Yue Jia and the others approaching. Yue Jia and Yan Chi were empty-handed, while Wei Yanzhi carried a lantern and a small peachwood sword in his hands. Yue Jia called out, but upon scanning the scene, he sensed something amiss. Just as he was about to ask, Yue Ning spoke gravely, "Brother, Qin Guan is missing..."
As her words fell, the expressions of all three men opposite her changed instantly.
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