"Wu Han, also one of the Yun Tai generals, assisted Liu Xiu and fought bravely on the battlefield, achieving the cause of revitalization. He is truly renowned for eternity, a light in the annals of history!"
"My father was originally a minister of Han, killed by Wang Mang. Wang Mang, fond of Wu Han's youthful handsomeness, married him to Princess Nan Ning and appointed him General Commander of Tong Guan, entrusting him with important duties as a trusted confidant."
"At that time, chaos erupted. Wang Mang unearthed an inscription with Liu Xiu's name, deeming him an 'evil person' and ordering his capture..."
Yan Shouyi and the others bought tickets, waited in a long line, and finally entered Yuelu Academy.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, they heard the voice of a spirited female storyteller from within.
The voice was indeed powerful and resonant, with a perfect cadence. Even Yan Shouyi, an outsider, immediately recognized the skill of this female storyteller.
Long Feicheng exclaimed in surprise, "The academy's doors are wide open, yet we heard nothing from outside. But as soon as we step in, we can hear perfectly clear?"
"That is the core of a storyteller's skill," Yan Shouyi mused. "To make people in the back hear clearly, one must project their voice. But if the voice is too loud, it becomes jarring for those in the front, and it can also affect the storyteller's own performance. Therefore, the most crucial skill a storyteller must hone is voice training."
They must be heard clearly by those in the back, yet not sound jarring or noisy to those in the front.
This ability alone would take at least a decade of practice.
Looking around, the entire hall of the academy was filled with guests. Tea was served before them, but no one took a sip, all utterly captivated by the female storyteller on stage.
The female storyteller sat cross-legged on stage, with a low table before her holding only a cup of water and a wooden clapper. Her hair was tied back, and she held a folding fan. Without consulting any notes, she vividly narrated the story of "Wu Han Kills His Wife" from the "Romance of the Eastern Han Dynasty."
And this female storyteller did not disappoint. Fair skin, beautiful features, long legs, a shapely figure, and a short skirt – her striking appearance commanded attention wherever she went. Coupled with her profession as a storyteller, she exuded a subtle literary aura that ignited endless imagination.
Who wouldn't want to befriend a cultured young woman?
Long Feicheng whispered to Xu Qian, "The night watchman, what do you think?"
Xu Qian frowned and said regretfully, "What a shame."
"No way, and you think this is a shame?" Long Feicheng was surprised. "Are you that picky? No wonder you didn't fancy Xuanxuan."
Weng Qianxiang also looked surprised, thinking the female storyteller was quite impressive.
The next moment, Xu Qian said, "What a shame, we're too late. The story is already halfway through."
"I'm speechless!"
Long Feicheng and Weng Qianxiang were speechless. How could Xu Qian's focus be so peculiar?
Didn't everyone come to the academy to admire the legs? Who, a decent person, would focus on the storytelling?
Long Feicheng and the others made a slight commotion, drawing annoyed glares from nearby guests. Yan Shouyi quickly told the two to be quiet, and they found a corner to sit.
The female storyteller on stage took a sip of water and continued.
"Wu Han, while inspecting those entering and exiting the pass, captured Liu Xiu. He informed his mother. His mother, her heart unwavering in loyalty to the Han dynasty, knowing Liu Xiu was of Han descent, forbade him from harming Liu Xiu. She ordered Wu Han to release him and recounted to Wu Han the tragic history of their father's death, stating that they bore an irreconcilable enmity with Wang Mang..."
Yan Shouyi had heard the story of Wu Han killing his wife before. It was about the founding general of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Wu Han, sacrificing himself to prove his loyalty. However, he killed his own wife, and later his mother also hanged herself.
While this story might have been considered noble in ancient times, it seemed rather extreme from a modern perspective, reflecting feudalistic thinking and brutal behavior. Most storytellers no longer told this tale, yet this female storyteller dared to.
After a segment, Yan Shouyi came back to his senses and couldn't help but glance to the sides.
The guests were all engrossed, remaining silent. Xu Qian was listening intently, and even Long Feicheng, who disliked studying the most, was listening with keen interest.
He muttered to himself, "If my teachers back then were like this female storyteller, I wouldn't have dropped out of junior high school!"
Weng Qianxiang asked doubtfully, "Your teachers didn't speak as well as her?"
"No, they weren't as pretty as her!" Long Feicheng chuckled. "If my teachers were even half as pretty as her, I would die in the classroom!"
Weng Qianxiang: "..."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
It seemed that even if the Primordial Heavenly Venerable himself intervened, he couldn't change Long Feicheng's incorrigible lecherous nature.
The female storyteller cleared her throat and concluded, "Esteemed audience, do not overthink the stories. The tales are but the vicissitudes of the world, and everyone forms their own judgment. After listening to this segment, please take it with a smile."
"Well said!"
The guests rose and applauded, expressing their approval of the female storyteller.
"Mr. Yin's storytelling was good before, but he always repeated the same few stories. Today, you've truly delighted our ears!"
"Liu Ying truly hasn't disappointed us. We definitely came to the right place today!"
"This is my first time listening to a storyteller. May I ask timidly, are all storytellers this visually appealing?"
"It's too competitive, truly too competitive. Now, if a storyteller isn't as beautiful as Miss Liu, they probably wouldn't even be allowed on stage!"
From the guests' praises, Yan Shouyi learned that the female storyteller's name was Liu Ying.
It was indeed a beautiful name, and her voice was as pleasing as that of a golden oriole.
Liu Ying stood up, offered tea to the guests, preparing to conclude and rest.
However, at that moment, a wave of frivolous laughter erupted from the audience.
Liu Ying couldn't help but frown and look towards the source of the sound.
She saw three young men gathered at a table in the audience. Judging by the luxury watches on their wrists and the sports car keys on the table, these three were likely idle rich second-generation heirs.
One of them had a large butterfly tattoo on his profile. He even propped his leg on the tea table, adopting an air of superiority, and addressed Liu Ying:
"I've been idle these past few days and heard that a female storyteller has come to Yuelu Academy. Not only is her storytelling excellent, but she's also stunningly beautiful. We came to see for ourselves today, and you haven't disappointed us! Miss Liu, would you do us the honor of joining us for a few drinks?"
The other guests were infuriated by these words.
This was Yuelu Academy, not a nightclub. Were these guys drunk and expecting to accompany Miss Liu?
However, these thoughts remained only in their minds, as no one dared to voice them. The identities of these rich second-generation heirs were quickly recognized.
They were the young masters of local real estate companies in Qiantang. These companies had made their fortunes through various means in their early years. Now, they wielded influence in both the legitimate and illegitimate spheres in Qiantang. Not only did they have extensive connections, but they were also incredibly wealthy. In Qiantang, there was nothing they couldn't handle.
Furthermore, these three were notoriously decadent, lacking any semblance of wealthy decorum. If even an ordinary citizen displeased them in the slightest, they would seek ruthless revenge!
It was said that one of these young men, the one with the butterfly tattoo, had a conflict with someone in a karaoke bar. Afterward, he not only broke the other person's leg but also forcibly took his wife and sent people to beat his parents so severely that they died. In the end, the victim jumped off a building at the young man's father's new development. The young man, however, faced no repercussions whatsoever, completely unfazed and continuing to live his life freely!
Infamous was an understatement for these three rich second-generation heirs.