Immortality begins in Goose City

Chapter 45 Lan Xiaodie's Wrongful Soul

The troupe leader was stunned, staring blankly at Huang Shujian who walked up to him, forgetting his lines for a moment.

Huang Shujian, however, remained calm and composed. He clasped his hands in a salute to the troupe leader, who was playing the role of Bao Gong, and then turned to the trembling black basin on the ground.

He cleared his throat, his voice clear and bright, carrying the youthful vigor unique to young people, yet containing an undeniable strength, and said loudly:

"Reporting to your Excellency! Your subordinate Zhan Zhao is here!"

His voice was clear and resonant, and it even carried a hint of the charm of a theatrical performance!

The troupe leader was taken aback by his sudden outburst and, instinctively following his usual habit, blurted out:

"What...do you think?"

This question is rather nonsensical and doesn't fit the original script; it's just the troupe leader rambling incoherently after being confused.

But Huang Shujian reacted extremely quickly!

He immediately replied, his eyes sharp as he stared at the black basin on the ground, his voice steady and powerful:

"My lord! In my opinion, although Miss Lan Xiaodie speaks with great certainty, pointing the finger at Huang Shujian as the murderer..."

He paused, then emphasized:

"But she didn't see the assailant's face with her own eyes!"

"To conclude that Huang Shujian was responsible based solely on a set of clothes is... far too arbitrary!"

"Not many people in Goose City might wear that outfit, but Huang Shujian is definitely not the only one who owns it!"

"It's not impossible that someone would deliberately impersonate someone and frame them!"

His voice echoed in the empty theater, clear and logical, with a hint of courtroom debate.

"This case concerns human lives, and even more so, the lifelong reputation of Judge Bao!"

"If we hastily conclude a case based on only one side's account, wrongly convicting an innocent person, wouldn't that allow the real culprit to go unpunished and tarnish your reputation?"

Huang Shujian stepped forward, facing the black basin, and as if facing the unseen, wronged spirit of Lan Xiaodie, solemnly said:

"Lord Bao is incorruptible and impartial, executing both imperial relatives and demons; he is a paragon of justice throughout history! How could he possibly show favoritism because of the criminal's family background?"

"Please rest assured, Miss Lan! Now that Judge Bao has accepted this case, he will do everything in his power to find out the truth!"

"If the evidence is conclusive, proving that it was indeed Huang Shujian who did it..."

Huang Shujian's eyes sharpened, and his voice was resolute:

"Even if he were a member of the imperial family, let alone a young master of the Huang family, the tiger-headed guillotine in Lord Bao's hand would surely fall!"

"We will restore your true injustice and deliver justice!"

These words were reasonable and well-founded. They not only appeased the resentment of the wronged soul, but also elevated Bao Gong's status, gave her hope, and subtly pointed out the possibility of being framed.

The buzzing vibration of the black basin on the ground gradually stopped.

The mournful voice rang out again, but the overwhelming resentment and impatience seemed to have dissipated considerably.

"Guard Zhan...you make a good point..."

"It was I who acted rashly in the heat of the moment..."

"How could I, a mere woman, dare to question Lord Bao's reputation..."

"I only beg Lord Bao... to find out the truth, to catch the real culprit... so that I may die in peace..."

"I will return in a month to plead my case, begging only that Lord Bao will redress my grievances..."

The sound gradually faded, eventually fading into silence.

The black basin on the ground remained motionless, as if it were truly just an ordinary prop.

Only then did the troupe leader breathe a sigh of relief, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from his body, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

His gaze toward Huang Shujian was filled with gratitude and lingering fear.

However, he hadn't even caught his breath yet.

The troupe leader's gaze swept across the empty seats below the stage, over the actors around him who were terrified, and finally landed on his own Bao Gong costume, which he had not yet taken off.

A more practical problem has emerged.

The story of the black basin... is not finished yet!

According to the play, after Bao Gong has cleared up the injustice, he must order the arrest of Zhao Da and his wife, and finally hold court to deliver a verdict before the play is over.

Now... the audience has all left, the backstage area is in a panic, and he's the only one left standing on stage.

How can this play be performed?

The troupe leader gritted his teeth, a bitter look on his face, yet also a stubborn glint in his eyes.

He straightened his back, which had been slightly hunched due to fear.

Even if there's only one ghost left watching from below the stage.

Even if he's the only one left on stage.

He will also finish singing this entire opera, "The Story of the Black Basin"!

……

The last few lines of the opera echoed lonely in the empty apricot and pear orchard.

The troupe leader, having exhausted almost all his strength and last bit of courage, single-handedly played multiple roles and finally finished singing the ending of "The Story of the Black Basin".

As the last note faded, his body went limp, and he almost collapsed onto the stage.

Cold sweat had soaked through several layers of costume, and the paint on his forehead mixed with sweat, running down and leaving several disheveled marks on his face.

A few crisp applause rang out from below the stage.

Huang Shujian put down his teacup, stood up, and clapped softly.

"Good. Master Cui has great courage and composure." His voice broke the silence.

Although Xiuer and Zhao Ming were still shaken, they quickly clapped along with their young master when they saw him clapping.

Upon hearing the applause and words, a glimmer of light appeared in the troupe leader's weary eyes.

He composed himself, walked to the front of the stage, and bowed deeply in Huang Shujian's direction.

Huang Shujian took out a ten-dollar silver note from his sleeve and handed it to Xiuer beside him.

Xiuer understood and ran up to the stage to deliver it to the troupe leader.

tips.

The troupe leader took the light yet heavy silver dollar note, and the fatigue and fear on his face were instantly dispelled by the great joy!

Ten silver dollars!

This is several days' worth of water from Xingliyuan!

Young Master Huang is as generous as ever!

"Thank you so much, Young Master Huang! Thank you so much for your generous reward, Young Master Huang!" The troupe leader bowed repeatedly, his voice trembling with excitement.

These ten silver dollars are not just money, but also a signal—it seems that Young Master Huang has not completely given up on Xingliyuan!

Huang Shujian waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite, and then walked towards the backstage area on the side of the stage.

The troupe leader hurriedly began removing his makeup, haphazardly wiping the paint off his face with a wet towel, and followed him.

The backstage area was a complete mess.

The actors who had just fainted from fright were slumped in the corner, their eyes glazed over.

The others who were awake also huddled together, whispering among themselves, their faces filled with lingering fear.

The troupe leader caught up with Huang Shujian and thanked him again: "Young Master Huang, it was truly... truly all thanks to you!"

"If you hadn't stepped on stage in time and picked up Zhan Zhao's lines, stabilizing...that thing, we'd all probably be dead here today!"

He knew that in that situation, the slightest mistake could have led to a vengeful ghost claiming his life. Huang Shujian's words had saved the entire opera troupe.

Huang Shujian simply nodded: "Just a coincidence."

Just then, a young man with a pale face, dressed in the casual clothes of an actor, walked over with a mournful expression.

He was the actor who was supposed to be backstage singing the dirge for the wronged spirits in the black basin.

"Teacher..." his voice trembled with tears and filled with grievance, "Just now... just now it really wasn't my fault!"

He pointed to his throat and said urgently, "I've been waiting! But just as I was about to speak!"

"I was about to speak when I felt... I felt an icy hand gripping my neck tightly!"

"I...I can't make a sound!"

As he spoke, he suddenly ripped open his collar, revealing his neck.

Below his Adam's apple was a dark, bluish-black handprint!

The five fingers were clearly defined, with distinct knuckles, as if they had been branded on with a red-hot iron, a shocking sight!