Wen Xiang Yuan shook her head. "Actually, compared to the living conditions of an average opera troupe, this is quite good. And based on your description of their clothes, that is workmanship worth a thousand gold; it is not something a mere opera performer could afford."
"There are also signs of people living in the side rooms, though it doesn't seem like they were there for long."
Gu Xiang Kai analyzed the traces. "Could it be that some of them lived over there?"
Wen Xiang Yuan said, "It's possible. Famous performers would naturally have their own perks, but competition was likely fierce. They probably only stayed there for a short time, which is why there are so few traces of personal life."
Based on the current analysis by Nan Yue and the others, the Zhou residence had, for some reason, gathered famous performers from Pingzhou and even across the country into Liping Garden.
Each opera performer had a single role they were best at. Once a newcomer took over their role, they would be discarded by the Zhou residence.
However, if they gained the favor of the Zhou family, they could temporarily enjoy the treatment of a young lady, wearing gold and silver, perhaps even with maidservants attending to them.
Yet this was only temporary, as there was always someone ready to challenge for that position.
The Zhou residence seemed to have established an ecosystem of the survival of the fittest within Liping Garden.
What was the point of this?
Furthermore, Nan Yue had previously wondered if the young master of the Zhou family was deeply infatuated with a certain opera performer, leading him to bring Liping Garden into the household.
Since such matters were easily criticized in feudal society, perhaps he had sealed off Liping Garden, leaving only a tunnel for private meetings.
This would explain why performers, who were considered part of the lowest rungs of society in that era, could wear gold and silver, with even their opera costumes woven with gold thread.
But looking at it now, the young master of the Zhou family did not seem to care for these women at all. His actions were highly contradictory and seemingly meaningless.
The livestream switched to Zhu Xi Ning. With her beauty and sweet voice, she had carved out a different path.
"I have a superpower, you know. I can sense danger."
Zhu Xi Ning looked at the screen with a smile. "Everyone can give me some options, and then we can see if I'm right."
The bullet comments naturally did not believe in such supernatural claims; Daoist Qingfeng had also been mocked by the bullet comments during her stream.
It was strange. Although these viewers watched paranormal livestreams, they did not believe in the existence of people who actually understood feng shui or ghost hunting.
【How about this, pick between the Opera Garden and the third floor of the wooden building. I'll give a 200-yuan tip.】
Zhu Xi Ning noticed this comment. She looked up; the aura of death in both places was not faint, but it was noticeably thicker in the Opera Garden.
Zhu Xi Ning winked at the screen. "I can tell, you know. The danger in the Opera Garden is a bit greater."
"Then I'll go to the Opera Garden."
【Wait, did I hear that right? Why is she going to the dangerous place?】
【But she really could tell. I feel like she's a bit more reliable than that Daoist Qingfeng from earlier.】
【But what's the use of just being able to sense it? Being able to survive is what matters.】
Zhu Xi Ning naturally knew that typical streamers were in it for the money, but they were not. Exploration missions not only raised their evaluation grade, but more importantly, while a path might look dangerous, the more clues the team gathered, the higher their survival rate would be.
Nan Yue nodded, indicating she would follow Zhu Xi Ning, while the others stayed behind to continue looking for clues.
As Zhu Xi Ning walked, she interacted with the viewers in the livestream.
"Why is this place called the Opera Garden? Is it where they perform? I thought it would be on an opera stage."
【That's just the Zhou family's sheer wealth. After they took over Liping Garden, all the performers sang only for the Zhou family.】
【The Zhou family didn't build a stage. Instead, they created a massive garden to serve as an Opera Garden. When performing, they didn't need sets; they used real scenery for everything to make it more immersive.】
Nan Yue thought to herself that it was indeed quite immersive. Rich people certainly knew how to enjoy themselves.
"So this place is actually the stage? I thought those side rooms were for living in."
【They can be, but only the performers currently in favor live there. It's just that this place is far from everyone else. Even if the environment is good, it's hard not to feel lonely.】
Zhu Xi Ning reached the Opera Garden. She looked left and right, then walked toward the area where the aura of death was heaviest.
Unexpectedly, it was a small cave. Because the rockery had been crafted so realistically, the cave was indistinguishable from a real one.
Inside was a large rock with a relatively flat surface, but upon closer inspection, one could see dark red stains that looked like blood.
Straw was scattered on the ground, along with several dried-out candles.
Zhu Xi Ning heard the sound of a woman singing opera coming from behind her, a melodic trill that was hard to hear clearly amidst the noisy clatter of gongs and drums.
But suddenly, the woman let out a startled cry, and the music outside came to an abrupt halt.
What happened?
Having the experience of the others, Zhu Xi Ning knew this was an illusion that Nan Yue could not enter.
But she did not panic. She already knew that the current difficulty of the illusions would not be fatal as long as she was careful, unless one had a special constitution like Nan Yue's...
Even if she did encounter danger, Zhu Xi Ning was now confident she could get away unscathed.
She quietly crouched in the shadows of the cave, pondering what was happening outside.
The sounds of a woman's cries and pleas for mercy rang out. Although she was begging, she clearly didn't dare to speak too forcefully, using a tone of submission and entreaty instead.
Soon, a man walked into the cave carrying a woman dressed in an opera costume.
Judging by the expensive fabric the man was wearing, this was likely the young master of the Zhou family.
Young Master Zhou had an average appearance, even bordering on ugly, which surprised Zhu Xi Ning slightly.
A family of such great wealth would surely seek out wives who were both talented and beautiful. Even if Old Master Zhou were very ugly, the genes should have been balanced out somewhat.
But this Young Master Zhou... he looked almost deformed.
His facial features were highly asymmetrical; he couldn't even be called delicate.
Not to mention the lecherous and malicious expression currently on his face, which made him look even more loathsome.
"Young Master, I beg you, please, I... I only sing opera..."
The opera performer Young Master Zhou was holding looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old. Her heavily painted face was filled with panic and desperation.
Young Master Zhou placed her on the uneven rock and, upon hearing her words, immediately dealt her a heavy slap.
Blood trickled from the corner of the girl's mouth. She began to cough violently, her saliva stained with red.
"Bullshit! Once you enter the Zhou residence, you belong to me. 'Only sing opera'? You're a performer from the lowest rungs of society, what are you doing acting like you're so pure?"
After saying that, he began to tear at her opera costume. Seeing this, the girl began to struggle desperately.
"Young Master Zhou, I beg you, at least not here... the whole troupe is outside..."
Indeed, the commotion from earlier suggested they were still in the middle of a performance. The orchestra and the other actors in the play would not have left without Young Master Zhou's command.
This was equivalent to being in public...
No wonder the girl was struggling so hard.
The sound of fabric tearing echoed. Young Master Zhou laughed and said, "I like it this way. Your sisters all went through this. Or would you rather go and join Xiang Niang?"
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