Chapter 363
Monkey Shows of the North and South
"Passionate? It's fine to be frivolous with most women, but you're an exception."
Zhou Sheng's gaze instantly became sincere and affectionate. He stepped closer and could smell the faint fragrance of spider lilies in the other person's hair.
The hand placed on the chest gently moves downwards, finally encircling the slender waist.
"You are the woman I want to marry. Before we have formally agreed to the marriage and go through the traditional betrothal ceremony, I do not wish to demean you."
As Nian Nu Jiao listened to his calm and firm words, felt the masculine aura emanating from him so close, and looked into his bright and clear eyes, her gaze stirred with emotion.
These words were like a pebble thrown into the heart of the water.
Even the scholar who had once deceived her had never uttered such enchanting words.
"You want to...marry me?"
He stared intently into Zhou Sheng's eyes, his voice carrying a hint of tension that he himself was unaware of.
Instead of answering the question directly, Zhou Sheng asked in return, "Don't you want to get married?"
Upon hearing this, Nian Nu Jiao's face showed a hint of girlish shyness, and her charming eyes seemed to be intoxicated.
"In life I was the most beautiful courtesan in a brothel, and even in death I remain a womanizer, having been with countless men. Can you really not care about any of that?"
His question clearly had a hint of probing.
But Zhou Sheng knew that He was moved.
This was the first time Nian Nu Jiao had voluntarily shared her experiences from her previous life. This woman was moving beyond simply indulging in physical pleasure to experiencing profound emotional resonance.
Love can make people stupid.
"I don't care about your past, but from now on, you can only have me as your man."
Zhou Sheng tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her into his arms. His gaze was intense and domineering, filled with possessiveness.
Nian Nu Jiao is a very controlling person, and should have felt offended, but now she didn't resist at all. Instead, her eyes were glazed over and she had a smile on her face.
"I... understand."
The voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and somewhat hesitant.
"Speak louder!"
Zhou Sheng commanded, his voice forceful and domineering.
"I understand!"
Nian Nu Jiao stroked his firm, broad chest with her hand, obediently raised her voice, and added, "From now on, I... will only have you as my man. As for those lovers, they are just fleeting affairs, and I will personally send them on their way."
He spoke these words with a smile, but the content of his words sent chills down one's spine.
It's as if those men who had shared intimate moments and tender feelings were nothing more than disposable tools.
For a moment, Zhou Sheng couldn't quite see through this terrifying woman.
Suddenly, Nian Nu Jiao gently pushed Zhou Sheng away, her eyes like water, and smiled, "This monkey show was requested by the Bodhisattva. Sing it well. I have long been orphaned and am fortunate to have been taken in and taught by the Bodhisattva. If you want to marry me, He must give his approval."
"When the monkey show is a success, the Bodhisattva will surely be pleased and, according to the rules of the Yin show, will reward you with something. At that time, it will be up to Zhou Lang whether he wants the treasure or me."
After saying these words, He gazed deeply at Zhou Sheng, as if trying to etch his handsome face into his mind.
"I have just entered the City of the Wrongfully Dead and have not yet paid my respects to the Bodhisattva. I cannot linger too long. Zhou Lang, let's meet another day."
The next moment, He transformed into a crimson light and vanished.
As Zhou Sheng watched His retreating figure, the deep affection in his eyes gradually turned cold, and within that coldness lay a chilling killing intent.
This woman is very dangerous. She seems to be completely absorbed in her love life, but Zhou Sheng always feels that she is wearing a mask, and there is always a cold outer shell between them.
Back in his room, he fetched water to wash his hands and washed them for quite a while.
It's time to stop this charade; the longer it goes on, the easier it is to expose flaws. Some debts have finally come to be repaid.
……
Inside the room, the sound of the piano flowed continuously, like a clear spring gurgling over rocks.
Jinse was dressed in white, her hair as black as a waterfall, as if she had just taken a bath, her hair still slightly damp.
The room was filled with a pleasant fragrance, and wisps of smoke drifted through the air.
As she played, she suddenly sighed softly, a hint of melancholy appearing in her beautiful, ethereal eyes.
"The piece 'Orchid in the Valley' is a masterpiece of the guqin. Its sound is like the fragrance of orchids in a secluded valley, wafting intermittently in the wind, embodying the artistic conception of 'solitary beauty without contention'."
"Unfortunately, do you really not want to compete?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out in the room. It was clearly a woman's voice, and it was very pleasant to listen to. It wasn't the crispness of a young girl, but rather a warm, ivory-colored voice, soft yet resilient.
Like an aged snow pear soaked in the moonlight of late autumn.
Such a beautiful sound should have delighted Jinse, who had mastered the guqin, but at this moment her whole body was tense, her fingertips pressing on the strings, ready to unleash a thunderous sound at any moment.
What's even stranger and more alarming is that even though the other person has started speaking, Jinse still can't sense any trace of their presence.
It was as if that person did not exist in this world at all, utterly empty and void.
"There's no need to look anymore. It's not your time to see me yet. We have some kind of connection, but whether that connection is strong enough depends on your next answer."
Jinse frowned and said, "Senior, I don't understand what you're saying."
The man didn't explain, but continued, "Let me ask you, do you really not want to fight? Don't run away, you know what I'm talking about."
Just as Jinse was about to speak, she heard that voice again.
"Think carefully before you speak. This is a matter of your fate, and you only have this one chance to speak."
Jinse remained silent, but her fingers unconsciously pressed down on the strings, even leaving a white mark.
……
"Buddha's wise eyes have shown compassion, this demon has stolen my appearance and wreaked havoc in the Western Paradise..."
On the stage of the mansion, Zhou Sheng and others were rehearsing a monkey show.
He played the real Monkey King, while Tan Sheng played the fake one. The two wore painted faces, costumes, and golden cudgels, and constantly tumbled and leaped on the stage, the cudgels whistling and clanging as they clashed.
Even within the same genre of monkey opera, there are differences between the Northern and Southern styles.
Northern-style monkey opera masks often feature "upside-down peach" and do not include a fur head covering, while Southern-style monkey opera masks feature "golden leopard spots" and include a fur head covering.
Therefore, although both of them are dressed as the Monkey King, it is obvious who is who.
Both of them were the most outstanding inheritors of the Yin Opera, having received the true teachings. Therefore, their rehearsal process was smooth and effortless, with very few mistakes. Even if they occasionally stumbled, they could quickly master the skills.
When the rehearsal ended, even the musicians cheered, and the actors from Yaotai Fenghe Juxianlou also showed amazement.
Both performers were highly skilled in monkey acting, especially the troupe leader, whose performance was even better, incredibly lifelike and vivid.
This is a wonderful monkey show that would draw applause from any audience, no matter where it is performed.
"Everyone has worked hard. Tomorrow we will officially go on stage. Everyone should get a good rest tonight and recharge your energy."
Zhou Sheng clapped his hands, dismissing the crowd, but then said something.
"Jinse, stay here for a moment."
...(End of this chapter)