The Sang family's entertainment district was reached in no time as they chatted.
Upon disembarking, Wang Qingyao took one look and exclaimed, "Wow, it's a large outdoor commercial district, with several domed tents erected inside, much like the performance stages at a zoo."
These tents were called *goulan*, and they varied in size, with the largest capable of accommodating over a thousand spectators. Numerous vendors weaved through the crowds, creating a sea of people as far as the eye could see.
Even as a modern person, Wang Qingyao was dazzled and amazed.
She had never imagined that commerce in the Great Sheng Dynasty could be so prosperous!
Her "Liu姥姥 entering the Grand View Garden" demeanor exposed her naivete. Xiao Yun, catching a glimpse of this, asked in surprise, "You haven't been to the Sang family's entertainment district before, have you?"
Wang Qingyao: "Hehehe, Your Highness, you guessed correctly."
Xiao Yun felt even more sympathetic towards her.
At some point, Yuan Bao produced a flyer detailing the programs, times, and performers for each *goulan*.
Xiao Yun took it, and Wang Qingyao leaned in to look. "Wow, storytelling, novels, miscellaneous dramas, acrobatics, shadow puppetry, and even beast taming performances and female sumo wrestling!"
"Are there performances here every day?" she asked.
"Yes, every day, rain or shine, without interruption, unless business is so bad that they go bankrupt." He paused, then asked, "Which one do you want to see first?"
Wang Qingyao wanted to take a picture to post on her social media.
"Whatever you decide, I want to experience it all."
Xiao Yun looked at her and smiled with affection.
Wang Qingyao asked, "What are you smiling about?"
Xiao Yun: "I'm smiling because you're so easy to please. You're fine with anything for breakfast and anything for entertainment, unlike other ladies from noble families who are demanding and overly sensitive."
The boss truly knew his stuff, realizing so quickly that she was different from those flashy, attention-seeking women.
Wang Qingyao glanced around and replied with a casual smile, "If I were like other girls, pampered and doted on by my parents since childhood, I would make you so fed up you'd want to die!"
She laughed with a carefree air, showing no trace of the shadows of her past. Xiao Yun, however, felt a pang of sadness.
He rarely felt sorry for others; most of the time, it was others who felt sorry for him, pitying him for his short lifespan.
But at this moment, in this bustling entertainment district, he found himself feeling sorry for this girl with a tragic past and a lonely life, yet who remained optimistic and resilient.
However, he soon felt more sorry for himself. It was better to live a pathetic life than to die. This girl would outlive him, so she didn't need his pity.
He sighed inwardly, "Let's go listen to the storytellers first."
Storytelling was like what they saw in TV dramas, recounting historical tales.
Although the storyteller was skilled at creating atmosphere, Wang Qingyao, having been exposed to modern film and television, found it a bit boring.
Next was the novel, which was slightly more interesting than the storytelling. It spoke of the scheming and infighting among wives and concubines in a wealthy household. But it was only slightly more interesting than the storytelling.
Having read so many palace and household intrigue novels, Wang Qingyao knew all the tropes and started yawning halfway through.
Xiao Yun: "Not interesting?"
Wang Qingyao: "I can write it better than him."
Xiao Yun chuckled, "If you could really write it, you could make a lot of money."
He was joking, but Wang Qingyao's eyes lit up at the suggestion. She excitedly patted his shoulder, "As expected of the boss, this is a great idea! Haha, I've found another path to wealth and prosperity!"
Seeing her serious demeanor, Xiao Yun also became excited.
"Hey, are you really planning to write? I'm telling you, if you write novels and make money, don't forget to tell people it was my idea."
"Of course. You're the boss, you call the shots."
By the time the novel session concluded, it was nearly time for lunch.
Xiao Yun led Wang Qingyao to a restaurant within the entertainment district when a person suddenly blocked their path.
"Do you two want your fortunes told?"
Xiao Yun exclaimed in surprise, "Guo..."
The fortune-teller, a man in his forties or fifties with a goat beard and dressed in Taoist robes, lacked any semblance of immortal dignity.
Hearing Xiao Yun speak, he placed his index finger to Xiao Yun's lips and said gently, "Hush, don't reveal this National Preceptor's identity."
Wang Qingyao: "..."
She knew who he was now; he was the National Preceptor of Fengfu, the one who had decreed Wang Qingyao's "noble destiny."
In a way, he was also her benefactor.
Wang Qingyao immediately smiled at him, "Daoist priest, would you like to join us for a meal? My treat."
"How could I possibly impose?"
"It's fine, Young Master Xiao will pay."
Young Master Xiao: Utterly speechless.
After a satisfying meal, the National Preceptor of Fengfu finally remembered his original intention—fortune-telling.
As a successor of socialism, Wang Qingyao initially didn't believe in such things. However, the very act of transmigration was full of mysteries, and she found herself half-believing.
After examining her face and palm lines, the National Preceptor's expression shifted to one of surprise and confusion. Stroking his goat beard, he murmured, "Strange, strange! From your facial features, Miss Wang, you are destined for great fortune and eminence. However, from your palm lines, Miss Wang should be dead."
Wang Qingyao's eyelids twitched: This National Preceptor had some skill.
Xiao Yun frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about? The New Year hasn't even passed yet!"
He then took Wang Qingyao's hand and pulled her away, "Ignore him, let's go watch the beast taming performance."
Wang Qingyao glanced back at the National Preceptor of Fengfu. He was stroking his beard and looking at her with a thoughtful expression.
In fact, there was one thing he hadn't dared to say.
This girl was destined to be the Phoenix, but this Phoenix destiny was not innate...
Moreover, she was clearly destined to marry Prince Ding'an...
In short, it was very complicated.
The National Preceptor of Fengfu, feeling his own skills were insufficient, pondered for a while, then dismissed the matter.
Then he remembered that Miss Wang hadn't paid him for the fortune-telling yet! Alas, all that effort for nothing!
Meanwhile, Xiao Yun led Wang Qingyao to watch the beast taming performance and the puppet show. Winter days grew dark early, and as the sky turned completely black, Xiao Yun prepared to escort Wang Qingyao back to her residence.
Wang Qingyao: "I haven't seen the sumo wrestling yet!"
She wasn't very interested in the other performances, but the female sumo wrestling was something she had never seen live, even in modern times.
Xiao Yun looked troubled, "The sumo wrestling doesn't start until the precise hour of Hai."
Hai hour is nine o'clock in the evening. The Great Sheng Dynasty had no curfew, so one could wander outside all night without issue.
Wang Qingyao didn't understand.
Xiao Yun explained, "At the Hai hour, the three meridians connect to all the other meridians. Sleeping at the Hai hour allows all the meridians to rest and recuperate, which is very beneficial for the body."
Wang Qingyao was stunned for a moment, then burst into a loud, boisterous laugh.
"Hahahaha!"
Xiao Yun looked at her, utterly bewildered.
Tears were almost streaming from her eyes as she laughed, explaining, "I'm not... I'm not laughing at you... I just think... haha, you're so young and already focused on health preservation... it's very... very rare and precious... Hahaha, you don't eat cold food, only drink hot water, and add goji berries, do you? Hahaha..."
Yuan Bao looked at her admiringly, "How did you know, Miss?"
Wang Qingyao's laughter grew even louder.
Her explanation only made Xiao Yun realize he had been mocked.
He, the dignified Prince Ding'an, had been mocked!
Xiao Yun's face rapidly changed color, from red to dark, then from dark to red again, finally turning ashen. He left Wang Qingyao behind and haughtily walked ahead.
Wang Qingyao gasped for breath, holding her waist. Yuan Bao now also detected a hint of mockery in her tone and whispered, "Miss, His Highness won't live past twenty-five, so he cherishes his life more than most people..."