CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 312: WINTER BREAK

After Zhuang Meiyin finished singing a song, Yu Xiaolian did not hesitate to applaud and praise her.

"Practice more when you have time. I plan to open a Music Workshop after the New Year, and then you can move there."

After speaking to Zhuang Meiyin, Yu Xiaolian turned to Sun Mancang and said, "Write down her name!"

Sun Mancang, having learned quite a few characters from his younger brothers, could manage simple tasks like noting down names.

By the time Yu Xiaolian had screened all forty-four girls, it was already noon.

Fortunately, the hard work paid off, and among the forty-four girls, twenty with potential were selected.

Yu Xiaolian planned to focus on training these twenty. As for the others, she assigned them different tasks.

Ten went to work at the rouge workshop, another ten went to learn clothes-making with the seamstresses, and four remained in the courtyard to help Granny Gao with errands.

In no time, the twelfth lunar month arrived, and Zhao Zhiquan finally returned from the Capital to Luocheng.

Musical instruments turned out to be cheaper than Yu Xiaolian expected. The 2000 taels she gave him weren’t all spent; over 300 taels were left, which Zhao Zhiquan insisted on returning to Yu Xiaolian.

How could Yu Xiaolian accept it? It’s not right to use someone for nothing. Besides, many escort agency guards are waiting for Zhao Zhiquan to pay their monthly salaries.

Under Yu Xiaolian’s persistent urging, the remaining 300 taels were considered as escort fees.

With musical instruments ready, musicians were needed. Thus, Yu Xiaolian spent a significant sum to recruit a knowledgeable musician.

This musician was somewhat famous in the Yu State opera circle, and Yu Xiaolian had poached him from another opera troupe by offering a high salary.

Logically, a slightly famous musician wouldn’t be let go by the opera troupe, but it so happened that the troupe had two well-known musicians who had not gotten along for many years, constantly clashing with each other.

The troupe leader had been troubled by this for years, but each musician had his own talents, making it hard to discard either.

The only reason Yu Xiaolian could recruit one was because broker Zhao Zhijie mediated, which convinced the troupe leader to part with one.

This musician was named Song Qingrui. He wasn’t very old, just thirty, but he was a genuine music enthusiast.

After Yu Xiaolian recruited Song Qingrui, she spent her days with him, singing modern songs for him, seeking his help in composing and revising.

Initially, Song Qingrui had some resentment towards his former boss for not recognizing his true talent and selling him off, but after discussing opera with Yu Xiaolian for a few days, he felt fortunate to have been the one sold off.

The new owner’s songs were completely new to him, with outstanding lyrics and tunes he’d never heard before.

Song Qingrui sighed inwardly, this new boss truly was a talent. With her writing the lyrics and him composing, once the Music Workshop opened, it would surely cause a stir in the opera circle. Thinking of this, Song Qingrui was immersed in composing scores, unable to extricate himself.

Such good lyrics deserved the best tunes, and he wanted to work even harder and more diligently.

Yu Xiaolian chose songs with a rich ancient flavor, not pop songs. The first song she taught her female disciples was "Sound of Slow."

This was one of Yu Xiaolian’s favorite songs, not only pleasant to the ear but also beautifully written. The fusion of Peking Opera and pop music gave it a unique flavor. For a long time, Yu Xiaolian would have this song on repeat.

Green bricks, white horses, banana leaves, eaves’ raindrops, and curling cooking smoke. The catchy tune paired with its ancient opera-like harmony gave the song a layer of delicate yet expansive charm.

When sung with an operatic tone by Zhuang Meiyin, it was truly moving and had a lingering aftertaste.

After hearing Zhuang Meiyin sing, Yu Xiaolian felt a sense of self-shame. She merely sang, while Zhuang Meiyin could use her unique voice to tell a beautiful yet sad story.

Every melody and tune was a poignant release of emotion.

Yu Xiaolian believed she couldn’t reach such a realm.

In the blink of an eye, the tenth day of the twelfth month arrived, and all academies went on vacation. Yu Xiaolian took Sun Hu and a few little ones to Taohua Village in a carriage driven by Sun Mancang.

The road’s snow had been compacted, and aside from some overly slippery spots causing the horse’s hooves to occasionally slip, the rest of the path was manageable.

Old Master Sun’s house was built next to Yu Changhe’s house. As soon as Sun Manzhi and the little ones got off the carriage, they ran wildly home.

"Wow, the snow in the village is so thick. Let’s come out and make snowmen later," Sun Manzhi shouted.

"Okay, I’ll find you after lunch!" Sun Hu replied from afar.

After speaking, Sun Hu turned to Yu Xiaolian, "Sister Xiaolian, I’m going home!"

Yu Xiaolian responded, "Go ahead, run slowly, the road is slippery, don’t fall!"

"Got it!" Sun Hu agreed while running towards the Sun family direction.

Sun Mancang drove the carriage into the courtyard and Yu Xiaolian jumped off, "Brother Mancang, once you’ve unloaded the carriage, you should head home too.

When I need the carriage, I’ll call for you again!"

Sun Mancang responded, "Will you go back to the city before the New Year?"

Isn’t it normal to stay home for the New Year?

Yu Xiaolian said, "Not sure yet!

But even if I don’t return, you’ll still have to make a trip to bring Manjiao and the rest back."

Sun Mancang replied, "Got it!"

"Bring them back on the twentieth day of the twelfth month. Don’t forget Zhao Erya and her siblings, too." Yu Xiaolian decided to close the shop and workshop on the twentieth for the New Year’s holiday.

Yu Xiaolian had just entered the cozy living room, taking off her thick coat and sitting by the fire when she saw Yu Ziqian and Yu Zixuan running over, each hugging one of her legs.

"Sister, I missed you so much!" Yu Zixuan said in a childish voice.

Yu Xiaolian pinched Yu Zixuan’s cheek, "Oh, where did you miss me?"

"In my heart, Xuan’er missed sister from the bottom of her heart!" Yu Zixuan’s soft, childish voice was irresistibly cute, and Yu Xiaolian had no resistance to such little ones.

"Then how about a hug from sister?"

Upon hearing Yu Xiaolian wanted to hug her, Yu Zixuan happily extended her small arms.

Once Yu Xiaolian had Yu Zixuan on her lap, Yu Zixuan looked out with an adorable fierce expression at Yu Ziqian, "Sister hugged me first, you lost. You’ll have to be the little brother and listen from now on, got it?"

"That’s not fair! I clearly hugged sister’s leg first, you... Wah... Anyway, I don’t want to be a little brother. Mom said you were just born a moment before me, wah... why did you come out first?

Why are you competing with me? It should have been me who came out first.

I don’t care, I want to be the big brother, this doesn’t count, let’s compete at something else!" Yu Ziqian, pointing at Yu Zixuan with his chubby finger, started crying sadly.