Chapter 155: Beginning of Winter

In the blink of an eye, winter had arrived, marked by the season’s first snow as expected.

Dense snowflakes drifted down gracefully, while the biting cold wind swept through the streets and alleys.

In the “Shouzhou Prefecture,” a region with a naturally cold climate due to its unique geographical location, the first snow often came as a heavy snowfall.

In just one night, the entire prefectural city was blanketed in white. From a distance, it seemed as though the ancient city had been draped in a coat of white felt.

For traveling merchants, the fur and hides they painstakingly transported to this region could now fetch a good price.

Sure enough, upon entering the city, the traveling merchant, along with Han Yong, didn’t even bother finding a place to stay. They headed straight to a market to start selling their goods.

Since they were all traveling together, Gu Ning’an and his companion couldn’t simply leave them behind to find lodging on their own.

So, they followed the merchants to the market, planning to search for a place to stay once the merchants finished their business.

It had to be said, despite the freezing cold and heavy snowfall, the bustling market in the prefectural city was still remarkably lively.

On a wide ancient street that could accommodate four carriages side by side, merchants gathered in droves, and the voices of hawkers calling out their wares formed a continuous chorus.

With nothing to do, Gu Ning’an bought a few steaming hot roasted sweet potatoes along with Mu Sheng, delivering two to the merchants before leisurely strolling through the market, sweet potatoes in hand.

Though the market appeared chaotic, the various vendors were largely grouped by trade.

Blacksmiths and tailors specializing in repairs clustered together. Their area constantly rang with the clanging of metal, and thanks to their furnaces, it was the warmest spot in the market.

Many passersby gathered around these stalls, not necessarily to buy anything but to warm themselves while deciding where to head next.

The food stalls, on the other hand, attracted the most traffic. After all, the saying “people live for food” wasn’t just an empty phrase.

The snacks prepared by these vendors were not only appealing in appearance, aroma, and taste but also welcomed by the locals, whose wallets were now fuller as the year-end approached. Naturally, they wouldn’t skimp on treating their appetites.

However, the busiest and liveliest spots were undoubtedly the stalls where performers showcased their skills.

Those with money supported with coins, while those without supported with applause. For the common folk, who had few sources of entertainment, watching performances and feats of skill was a favorite pastime.

Amid the dazzling array of tricks being displayed, Gu Ning’an suddenly caught the sound of a melodious and lingering opera tune amidst the cheers and applause.

“I hear someone singing opera. Do you want to come along to watch, or stay here to continue enjoying the chest-smashing rock performance?” Gu Ning’an turned and asked.

Mu Sheng swallowed the sweet potato in her mouth and mumbled, “I’ll go with you, Sir.”

“Alright.” With a nod, Gu Ning’an followed the sound of the opera.

Weaving through the dense crowd in the market, they finally reached the source of the tune after distancing themselves from the bustling noise.

The stage was simple: four low tables formed the base, two bamboo poles as thick as an arm served as pillars, and a faded dark red curtain created a three-sided open performance area.

On the stage stood a performer dressed in light green opera attire. The “young scholar” had a straight posture, and the ethereal opera tune flowed effortlessly from their throat.

“Ah～～ The bright moon shines on the western chamber～～”

“Ah～～ Leaving love songs to spread across the land～～”

“May all lovers in the world be united～～”

“May all lovers in the world be together forever and ever~”

“Forever and ever~~~”

The young male actor on stage was singing the Romance of the West Chamber, and his voice, so melodious, could rival that of even the most famous actors.

However, aside from Gu Ning’an and Mu Sheng, no one else lingered.

The snow in front of the stage was untouched, which proved that no one had stopped there before.

“Master Gu, he sings so beautifully, why is no one listening?” Mu Sheng’s words had barely left her mouth when a child suddenly ran up from out of nowhere, crying out “Woo woo!”

Behind the child, a woman was shouting “Come back!” while chasing after him.

Thud!

The child was just about to reach the stage when a pair of large hands grabbed him from behind.

“Ah~ Watch the play~ Ah ah!” The child kicked his legs, babbling excitedly.

The woman turned around and scolded, “What are you watching? You’re so bold, you see that ‘cursed face’ and you’re not afraid of having nightmares tonight!”

Her voice was loud enough for both the stage and the audience to hear clearly.

“Sir, is it because of the dark spots on the young actor’s face that the long-tongued woman called him a cursed face?” Mu Sheng’s voice, usually soft, was a bit too loud, almost harsh.

It seemed like a question to Gu Ning’an, but in fact, she was insulting the woman, and it was her intention for the woman to hear.

Sure enough, the woman, who had walked a few steps away, immediately turned back, holding the child.

“You brat! Who are you calling a long-tongued woman?” The furious woman glared at Mu Sheng with a fierce attitude.

Mu Sheng remained calm, replying lightly, “To whoever responds to me.”

“You! You! You!” The woman was so angry that her nose scrunched, pointing at Mu Sheng but couldn’t find words.

Mu Sheng was small, around fifteen or sixteen years old, so she looked much younger than her actual age.

The woman was around forty, so she didn’t want to argue directly with a child. Instead, she turned her anger toward Gu Ning’an, who looked like Mu Sheng’s older brother. “Hey! Do you not have any family discipline?”

“This brat is bound to grow up to be a bad thief!”

“Hey! Are you deaf…”

“Ah~ Ah ba~”

In the middle of her scolding, the woman suddenly realized she couldn’t make a sound anymore, her face filled with fear as she made an “ah ba” sound.

Gu Ning’an looked at her and smiled, “In such cold weather, with too much hostility, it naturally results in losing your voice… Just go back and drink some hot water, and you’ll be fine.”

“Harsh words are like sharp swords. Speak less of those hurtful things in the future, or you might really lose your ability to speak.”

The woman wasn’t stupid. Gu Ning’an’s words indirectly confirmed that he had caused her to lose her voice.

Having such power to silence someone was not something an ordinary woman like her could handle, especially when she couldn’t even argue the way she was best at, by scolding and making a scene.

“Ah~ Ah ba! Ah ba!” She bowed repeatedly toward Gu Ning’an before quickly leaving with the child.

The naive child, still oblivious to what had happened, happily flailed his arms, shouting an unclear laugh: “Bad words~ bad words~ hurt people!”

“Sir, I’ve caused trouble for you…” Mu Sheng felt guilty and cupped her hands toward Gu Ning’an.

Gu Ning’an smiled and said, “What trouble? You were just speaking out of righteousness… Relax and enjoy the play, don’t let it affect your mood…”