He lifted the red silk to reveal a wooden tray on which sat several small jade bowls, accompanied by a pair of silver chopsticks. "What is Phoenix Blood doing this for?" "Just wait and see, I’m curious too." Picking up the silver chopsticks, with a ’ding’, he lightly tapped a jade bowl. Each jade bowl contained some water, and the water levels varied with each different bowl. His eyebrows raised, and then a series of melodious sounds followed, calling to mind the flowing motion of clouds and water, and the music was like pearls falling onto a jade plate, clear and delightful. "So it turns out that when myriad flowers bloom resplendent, they all eventually succumb to desolate wells and broken walls. What good is a beautiful day, when pleasant sights and joyous affairs belong in someone else’s courtyard. Morning clouds and evening skies, gorgeous pavilions adorned with rosy clouds, silk rain and wind slices, painted boats on misty waves, the beauty behind the brocade screens cheaply viewed in this disdainful light..." He truly had a fine voice. As soon as he began to sing, he dazzled the audience, with a vocal range that was extremely broad and a tone that could shift dramatically, now soaring like a dragon aloft, now flowing like gentle waters, like clouds in a clear sky or the endless starry night. Even in the bustling Sky Blue Building, there was complete silence when he sang. Accompanied by the ethereal melody, his rendition of "Peony Pavilion" exuded an unparalleled charm. Simply through his timbre, he painted scene after scene of indescribable beauty. Below the stage, Dong Huiying was utterly enchanted. This was the first time she had seen Liang Shujun ; it was as if she was meeting him anew. The voice was beautiful, the tune was beautiful, and the person even more so! After the song ended, he looked up, his eyes brimming with intoxicating tenderness. "For this past year, I thank everyone for their company. Alas, starting today, Phoenix Blood can no longer sing." He rose to his feet, and bent forward once more, his glossy, jet-black hair cascading down his shoulders. However, the words he uttered were like thunderclaps, exploding in the hearts of the audience. How could he not sing? They hadn’t listened enough!! Dong Huiying’s seat was not very conspicuous—in fact, it was hardly noticeable at all. At this moment, Brother Bao ushered in a few men wearing bamboo hats, and Dong Huiying glanced at them only to hear someone whisper, "Ah, it’s too late, it’s too late. Has Young Master Feng finished singing? My mother sent me to learn the tunes; Young Master Feng is the star attraction of Sky Blue Building. Even if I could learn just a fraction, it would be enough for me to use in the future." "When I entered just now, I heard that Young Master Feng said that after today, he will never sing again? What’s this about?" Brother Liubao chuckled upon hearing this. What else could it be? This youngster was looking for a scene. He cast a meaningful look toward He Su, pondering that a few days ago, Lady He had left the Brothel, and her husband, Gao Jian, had caused trouble at Sky Blue Building. Not only did he injure Phoenix Blood, but he also smashed Phoenix Blood’s lute. Phoenix Blood was harboring resentment. As for not singing anymore? That... couldn’t be possible, could it? Phoenix Blood had a twin brother at home, a sickly person who required a substantial amount of money for treatment every year. The reason Phoenix Blood had come to Sky Blue Building and abandoned the reputation of a man was to earn more money to treat his brother’s illness. But Brother Liubao’s heart still couldn’t settle, mainly because Phoenix Blood seemed too earnest. Brother Liubao clenched his fists, and the audience below was already in an uproar; he quickly signaled to Phoenix Blood with his eyes. Phoenix Blood’s eyes were filled with sorrow. Clearly, he saw the signal but ignored it, which only made Brother Liubao more anxious. Did he truly not want to sing anymore? "Phoenix Blood owes his success today to everyone’s appreciation. A few days ago, Mr. Gao barged into Sky Blue Building and destroyed my means of livelihood, leaving me with two knife wounds on my back that have yet to heal. But if that were all, I, an actor of humble station, would have borne it. However, I, Phoenix Blood, have a family too. This morning, Mr. Gao went to the fiancee of Phoenix Blood’s household, accused Phoenix Blood of impropriety, and if it weren’t for my beloved’s magnanimity, I fear Phoenix Blood would not have survived this ordeal."
