This play had no spectacular martial arts scenes, no grand and majestic settings, and had little to do with the immortal tales people usually watch.
It was simply a rather straightforward love story.
Yet, whether it was veteran opera fans or first-time listeners of Liyue opera, everyone was captivated by it.
For the opera enthusiasts, The Butterfly Lovers had a plot full of twists and turns, fascinating and engaging, with actors who performed at a high level and with deep commitment.
From the moment the two swore brotherhood in the thatched pavilion, the audience eagerly awaited the reveal of Zhu Yingtai's true identity as a woman. Watching them, as "brothers," hold hands and promise to grow old together, while Liang Shanbo, slow-witted and oblivious, failed to understand the clever metaphors Zhu Yingtai hinted at during her eighteen-mile send-off—it made people both laugh and worry for him.
Who knew they would soon be heartbroken for Liang Shanbo for real… That hateful father of Yingtai, who tore apart a pair of lovers and turned them into a pair of butterflies!
The book lovers never imagined that a story they had read in words could become even more touching and heartfelt when brought to life on stage…
Everyone was completely immersed in the moment when Shanbo and Yingtai transformed into butterflies and flew away. Sighs and applause lingered for a long time before quieting down.
"Huachu!"
"Huachu!"
"My daughter, Huachu!!!"
Only one person, after watching the entire play in silence, cried out three sorrowful shouts before collapsing to the ground.
"Gentry De'an! Gentry De'an, what's wrong with you?"
It turned out to be Gentry De'an, the man who once ran a bank…
Ten years ago, from Feiyun Slope to every dock in Liyue Harbor, everyone had to respectfully call him Gentry De'an.
But after his bank was acquired by the Fatui and his trading company was pushed out of business, people still called him Gentry De'an—only out of habit, with no shred of respect left.
So many people in the crowd recognized him.
Later, when he opposed his daughter Huachu's marriage and drove her to jump into a well in despair, the scandal became known to all of Liyue.
The bystanders quickly supported his body upright, trying to wake him.
"He's completely passed out! Is there a doctor here? He needs emergency care!"
"I'll do it!"
Zhongli was about to step forward, but Qi Xiuming, who was closer, pushed through the crowd first and began resuscitation. After some skillful work, Gentry De'an finally stirred awake.
"Huachu… Huachu… I regret it… I never should have!" Gentry De'an's eyes, open or closed, saw only his daughter. His voice was hoarse and weak as he called her name. Seeing this, people, while blaming him for bringing it on himself, could not help but feel a twinge of pity.
Qi Xiuming advised, "Old sir, the departed are gone, and the living must go on. May she rest in peace. Don't dwell too much. Let me take you home to rest."
"Huachu… sob sob sob… My fault… all my fault…"
Qi Xiuming shook his head, hoisted the dazed Gentry De'an onto his back, and prepared to leave.
Bang! A sudden slap on the table drew everyone's attention. Gentry Maocai folded his fan with a swish, pointed at Gentry De'an, and scolded angrily: "Gentry De'an, oh Gentry De'an! Out of old ties, I still call you that! You're old now and in poor health, yet instead of going to Bubu Pharmacy for medicine, you come here to watch opera. Everyone was deeply engrossed, and you, old fool, ruined the atmosphere!"
The onlookers glanced at each other. True, the mood had been spoiled, but it seemed unnecessary to berate him for it… Some wanted to speak up but didn't dare—Gentry Maocai was now wealthier and more powerful than Gentry De'an had ever been, even at his peak ten years ago.
Gentry De'an was truly senseless now, lying limp like a puddle of mud on Qi Xiuming's back, mumbling Huachu's name with no reaction at all.
Qi Xiuming turned his head to glare at Gentry Maocai. "A gentleman's mercy for the weak diminishes no virtue, while a petty man's reliance on strength brings no honor."
"You—!" Gentry Maocai pointed with his fan again, but seeing it was a familiar face from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he restrained himself, snorted coldly, and left with his servants through the other side.
After both parties in the conflict had gone, the patrons of Heyu Teahouse turned their attention back to The Butterfly Lovers.
"Sigh~ This was a new play prepared in just two days, and yet it already made someone so sad they fainted. Once word spreads, won't its popularity explode?"
"You can't say that. Gentry De'an's case is special. Anyone who experiences such a trigger would be overwhelmed."
"Heh, if everyone were that factual, would rumors even exist? And this is undeniable truth—just a tiny misunderstanding. Can you silence the gossiping masses?"
"Hmph! Master Dust's works don't need such false publicity!"
"Young man, are you even listening? I said this has nothing to do with the people involved, and for Dust, isn't this a blessing? The play catches fire, the book follows suit, and now with Gentry De'an's scene—he's got heaven's favor, earth's advantage, and perfect timing. He should be secretly pleased~"
"I'm telling you, Master Dust is already famous. He doesn't need the play's fame to boost him!"
"You two, you two! Stop arguing! Even if you fight until your lips crack, will it change anything about this situation?"
"Ha! Look at you pretending to be neutral. So, are you a play fan or a book fan?"
"I'm a complete bystander. But if Yun-Han Opera Troupe and Dust can work together, it shows they have a good relationship. You fans fighting only brings negative impact to your own side."
"See? See! Took a stance, didn't you? Once you take a stance, you're not a neutral bystander. Real bystanders keep their mouths shut. Besides, I didn't even insult Dust—it was his fans who got upset first."
Master Fan Er'ye stepped in to mediate:
"Alright, alright, let's all mind our tongues. If you don't want to talk about the play, drink more tea. But surely there's still something to discuss about it, isn't there?
"If you ask me, this kind of love story really strikes hard for older folks. Made me recall my youthful days. Back then, Ruo Xin and I also performed on this very stage… If The Butterfly Lovers had existed then, I—I would have confessed right away! No way I'd have let that green-clad adventurer steal her away!
"The Butterfly Lovers came too late, too late!"
"Master Fan Er'ye, you're mistaken. If the heart is willing, it's never too late." A young man grinned.
"You brat!" Master Fan made a show of striking him, then sighed. "It's all in the past… She has someone she's waiting for, and I have a daughter now. In the future, I'll definitely let Xing Yan choose her own love. As long as the man's character is good, even if he's poor, I won't stop her!"
"…Gentry De'an is truly pitiful."
Master Fan waved his hand.
"Let's not speak of sad matters. Let's talk about the play.
"This Butterfly Lovers has plenty worth mentioning, like 'If flowers are to be picked, pick them while they bloom; wait not until they are gone to pluck bare branches' and 'Though life and death part us, I have made my vow; I hold your hand, and with you grow old.' Aren't those lines wonderful?
"And another thing—you've been sitting here a while, and yet no one's mentioned it. You must have been truly absorbed."
"What thing?" A crowd leaned in curiously.
"The immortals, of course! Heh, this play's truly something—made you old folks forget even that."
"Hiss! You're right… The Butterfly Lovers never mentioned Archons or immortals!"
"This is a story belonging to humans. Rather fitting, isn't it…"
"Tomorrow's the Rite of Parting. The Geo Archon… Would this play count as a sign of an era's end?"
"If you're talking about signs, Ningguang's smashing blow already was."
Everyone nodded in silent agreement.
At a nearby table with Granny Ping and Yaoyao, a middle-aged man had been quietly listening, occasionally stroking his beard in thought.
Granny Ping sighed. "To become butterflies… that's not so bad. Back then, many old friends simply had their souls scattered into nothingness…"
She glanced toward the table closest to the stage, toward Zhongli, watching him calmly refill her teacup and drink it down in one smooth motion.
Beside Zhongli, Xiangling pumped her small fists. "That Gentry Maocai is really awful, saying such hurtful things when the man was already like that!"
"If mere hurtful words count as good deeds for him, then that says enough about what else he's done."
"Huh?" Xiangling looked at Xingqiu in suspicion.
"It's nothing. Just a little grudge with Gentry Maocai… Ah, Hu Tao!" Spotting Hu Tao and Yun Jin emerging from backstage in costume, Xingqiu seized the chance to change the subject. "Shouldn't we be getting ready?"
Even Zhongli was caught up in the mood, and when Hu Tao approached, the Bubblegum Squad sang together: "Rainbow skies and blooming flowers, butterflies come in pairs; till the end of time, hearts unchanged, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai!"
Then they gave Hu Tao and Yun Jin a warm round of applause.
"Hu Tao, I was watching from below. You were just as clever, lively, and brave as Zhu Yingtai herself. It didn't even feel like you were acting—just putting on a costume and stepping onto the stage. This role is perfect for you!"
"Hehe, of course—this is the Hall Master we're talking about!" Hu Tao accepted Xiangling's praise without the slightest modesty.
"Yun Jin's Liang Shanbo was wonderful too, especially your reaction when you found out Zhu Yingtai was a girl, and your performance before dying—those emotions were so genuine, it felt real!"
"As long as you're satisfied, I'm happy."
Yun Jin smiled, then turned to the only stranger present—Victor Wang. "Ah, so this must be Mr. Victor?"
"Master Yun," Victor Wang cupped his fists. "This was truly rushed, but thanks to your troupe's skill… and Hu Tao's tireless effort, the performance was so flawless."
"Not at all. It's our honor to work with you. If you think of me as a friend, just call me Yun Jin.
You probably don't know how I got this 'Master Yun' title—'A woman can be called master too?', 'Men and women are equal by nature.' If we had been performing The Butterfly Lovers back then, that amusing incident might never have happened."
"Then please call me by my full name too, no more formal titles."
As they exchanged compliments, Hu Tao turned to Zhongli. "Zhongli, from your professional perspective, how was the performance?"
Yun Jin perked her ears at his response.
"Excellent. Liang Shanbo was excellent, Zhu Yingtai was excellent, and to have written such a play is also excellent."
Victor Wang counted silently in his heart—praise from the Geo Archon twice.