Song Yunzhao quickly brushed aside the thought—whether the Emperor visited the harem or not had little impact on her. Seeing how composed the three other consorts were, there was no reason for her to be anxious.
She decided to focus on her career instead. Complaining to the Emperor about her struggles could only be done occasionally—trying to milk him dry all the time would only backfire.
Relying on yourself is better than relying on others.
Han Jinyi had a point—favor was the most unreliable thing.
In her past life, she didn’t have expertise in infrastructure, wasn’t a chemistry genius, and certainly wasn’t a weapons expert. She was completely clueless about these hard skills. Assisting the Emperor in eliminating his enemies, strengthening his army, improving weapon quality, or even crafting cannons capable of launching into the sky? She’d be utterly lost.
People should really learn more skills—otherwise, if they ever find themselves in a situation like hers, they’d be completely helpless.
Fortunately, even though she lacked hard skills, she could still work on soft skills.
For example, she could help improve the country’s cultural industry and provide entertainment for the people.
Song Yunzhao began writing a letter to Xie Linlang. Since the Xie family’s Yuquan Pavilion was already well-known in the capital, it was time to capitalize on its momentum. She decided to collaborate with them to establish a touring theater troupe.
She would provide scripts and act as a consultant to oversee the overall direction, while the Xie family handled the actual operations. Profits would be split evenly—fair for both sides.
She couldn’t produce endless masterpieces just by relying on her own creativity. Since this was a world within a book, she decided to borrow from the essence of China’s vast 5,000-year history. To put it bluntly, she’d shamelessly adapt existing works.
Sigh, in the pursuit of profit, she had tossed aside all dignity.
But she had her principles—she would never claim others’ works as her own.
The first play she planned to introduce was Romance of the Western Chamber. Its theme—that lovers should ultimately be together—aligned well with the youthful, romantic ideals of teenagers. Moreover, the play’s gripping plot, vivid characters, poetic beauty, and refined artistic expression made it a perfect choice.
The story of Romance of the Western Chamber originated from Yingying’s Tale by Yuan Zhen of the Tang dynasty. Later, during the Jin dynasty, Dong Jieyuan’s Romance of the Western Chamber further refined and artistically enhanced it. Compared to Yingying’s Tale, where Zhang Sheng ultimately abandoned Yingying, Romance of the Western Chamber had a richer plot, more dynamic characters, and a structure that made it far more likable to audiences.
In Yingying’s Tale, Zhang Sheng is obsessed with pursuing fame and fortune, unwilling to defy Madam Cui’s feudal authority, and even abandoning Yingying after winning her heart—an act that makes him utterly despicable. But in Romance of the Western Chamber, Zhang Sheng is instead brave in his pursuit of love, carrying a pure and sincere heart that makes him both endearing and moving.
After developing feelings for each other, Cui Yingying disregards societal judgment and actively approaches Zhang Sheng. When she sends him off to the capital for the imperial examination, she cares little about whether he achieves a top rank—all she wishes for is his swift return.
Such a view of love, entirely devoid of material motives, is truly touching. And perhaps, the more something is lacking, the more people will seek it. Could love even exist in a feudal society?
Maybe—but for most, it did not.
Song Yunzhao spent several days transcribing Romance of the Western Chamber by memory. Loving dramas and theater was hardly a useless indulgence—wasn’t it proving useful now?
She instructed Xiang Xue to bring a redwood brocade box and carefully placed Romance of the Western Chamber inside, marking the name “Wang Shifu” on it.
- That’s the name of the real author. Above she also called him Dong Jueyuan. She’s referring to the same person
It wasn’t her work, so she could never claim ownership. Even though this timeline lacked those literary figures, she could ensure their names were remembered once more.
“Summon Anshun,” Song Yunzhao said to Xiang Xue.
“Yes, mistress,” Xiang Xue quickly went to call him.
Soon, Anshun arrived. “Your servant greets you. What are your instructions?”
“Deliver this box to Miss Xie Linlang of the Xie family,” Song Yunzhao ordered. “The Xie family are cloth merchants from Xuanzhou, and they run Yuquan Pavilion in the capital.”
Anshun immediately responded, “I will remember it.”
“Make sure it goes directly into Miss Xie’s hands—no one else.”
“Understood,” Anshun said solemnly, handling the box carefully before bowing and leaving the room.
***
Xie Linlang had just returned from Yuquan Pavilion. At home, the family was busy preparing for her elder brother’s wedding. Because of this, Madam Xie had traveled all the way from Xuanzhou to the capital.
Madam Xie had chosen the legitimate eldest daughter of the Xuanzhou county magistrate as her son’s match. Initially, the marriage proposal had seemed unlikely. But after the Song family produced a favored imperial concubine, the magistrate’s wife—who had once been indifferent to the Xie family—suddenly became enthusiastic.
Madam Xie, named Yao Shi, had only been in the capital for a few days and was busy managing household affairs. Seeing her daughter return, she couldn’t help but remark, “What kind of young lady spends all day running around like you, with no regard for propriety?”
- It’s the same type of name as Cai Shi. The Shi just shows that the previous character is the maiden name of the person
Xie Linlang playfully wrapped her arms around her mother’s arm, whining, “Whose daughter? Of course, yours! If not for you, would I have such good fortune? Other girls must envy me so much.”
Yao Shi lightly tapped her daughter’s forehead. “You’re just trying to provoke me.” Then she added, “Your brother’s wedding is settled. In a few days, I’ll take him back to Xuanzhou—you and your younger brother will come with me.”
Xie Linlang quickly objected. “Mother, why should we go back? Who will manage everything here in the capital? Yuquan Pavilion is finally gaining traction, and my brother is laying the groundwork for our other businesses. A trip back and forth will delay so many things.”
Hearing her daughter talk so much about business, Yao Shi was both exasperated and frustrated. “A proper young lady was completely corrupted by her father and brothers! You must come back with me. If you stay any longer, who knows what kind of mess you’ll create? You’re impossible to keep in check.”
Xie Linlang was determined not to return. Just as she was about to argue further, Hua Zhi rushed in, panting. “Miss, Miss! There’s an eunuch waiting for you outside.”
An eunuch?
Yao Shi’s expression stiffened. She was about to grab her daughter for questioning but only saw her dash out like a gust of wind, leaving her utterly infuriated.
From the palace? Yao Shi’s heart clenched. Could it be someone from the Song family?
If it really was her, Yao Shi wouldn’t dare interfere. But not knowing what was happening filled her with unease.
She had only learned upon arriving in the capital that both her son and daughter had close ties to Noble Concubine Song. While it was reassuring, it also brought its own worries. Hearing that someone from the palace had come searching only heightened her anxiety.
Xie Linlang retrieved the item and, rather than going straight to her mother, turned toward her own courtyard, dismissing her attendants before opening the box. The first thing she saw was a book, and her heart surged with joy.
Below the book was a letter. She quickly unfolded it and read.
Theater troupe?
Yunzhao wanted to establish a theater troupe, and Romance of the Western Chamber would be their first performance. Xie Linlang had heard of opera troupes, but a theater troupe? That was new. And Yunzhao wanted her to come up with a name?
What kind of name could she possibly come up with?
However, Xie Linlang’s heart pounded—Yunzhao trusted her so much, and she couldn’t let her down.
With that thought, she carefully stored away the box and turned to find her second brother for advice.
In Yunzhao’s letter, she had written that one day, their theater troupe would become the most renowned in the country. Just imagining it filled Linlang with excitement.
But before she could step out, her mother stopped her in her tracks—her sharp gaze instantly landing on the box in her hands.
