Chapter 50: Chapter 50: The Extra Child
"This first-class reward is reserved for the Toulu, the troupe leader, and Da Ti Diao, essentially the pillars of the entire opera troupe, the best-known leading actors."
"The second-class rewards go to the Er Lu Jiao, who play secondary roles to support the leading actors, as well as to the Civil and Military Manager of the troupe, and leading figures such as the Xiao Guanshi and the Xiangtou."
"The remaining third-class rewards are for the other members of the troupe: ordinary martial artists, those who manage props like flags, gongs, umbrellas, and theaters, Palace Maids and Servants, Musicians and Stagehands, Stage Inspectors, Curtain Operators, Paint Box Managers, Prompters, Errand Runners, those who hype up the plays from beneath the stage, and other miscellaneous personnel responsible for carrying large trunks."
The old accountant, who evidently attended operas frequently, effortlessly listed these details. Naturally, the head of the Bai Family Stage was the pillar, Xi Yao."
Following what the old accountant had explained, the three, including Yang Xiao, checked the records and estimated the number of people who attended. That night at the Bai Family Stage, a total of 27 people were present, among whom three received first-class rewards: Xi Yao, Master Bai, and a Da Ti Diao with the surname Wei.
Six people received second-class rewards; besides the two well-known Er Lu Jiao, the rest were identified by their positions: one Civil and one Military Manager, a leading Xiao Guanshi, and a Xiangtou.
There were many third-class rewards, which didn’t specify individuals, but merely marked some positions for the ease of accounting. They were divided into three main categories: seven base members of the troupe, five miscellaneous staff, and five manual laborers, totalling 18 people.
"Hmm? That’s not right," Kuang Hongyi pointed at the third-class rewards section. "Seven from the base, five miscellaneous, and five manual workers—that only adds up to 17 people. Why is there an extra one?"
But the old accountant just nodded and pointed to the end of the list, where a circle was drawn. However, the circle wasn’t complete; a small part was missing. "There’s also a child in the troupe. The child doesn’t perform, but Master Feng is kind-hearted and granted him a share of the silver, which was included in the third-class rewards."
At the mention of a child, Su Tingting became vigilant and probed, "There’s something peculiar about this circle, and why represent a child with a circle?"
"Each profession has its own rules. This is the custom of an opera troupe. To participate in a major play, one has to perform a ritual to honor the deities and to formally acknowledge one’s masters. One must be blessed with food by the ancestral spirits to join the profession. That child is too young and probably hasn’t formally entered the profession, so his name cannot be recorded among the troupe members. That’s why he was segregated, and also why the circle is not closed," the old accountant explained patiently.
Yet Yang Xiao and the others seemed intrigued by this child. Yang Xiao knew a bit about the superstitions of opera troupes: inviting ghosts and deities to a ghost play means dealing with beings that don’t reason like mortals. It’s easy to affect someone physically, and children, with their weaker yang energy, are especially vulnerable near a ghost play.
Moreover, bringing along the rest of the troupe might still serve a purpose, but why bring a child? Not only could he not help, he could easily cause disturbances. This was a ghost play, where the slightest mishap could lead to major trouble. Master Bai, who had traveled far and wide, would certainly understand this.
Yang Xiao wasn’t the only one thinking this way. Thus, Kuang Hongyi tentatively asked, "Old sir, is this child a relative of Master Bai?"
The old accountant’s expression darkened, "I wouldn’t dare speculate. Master Bai only has one daughter, and she’s already matched with the old master. There’s no such relative child!"
After saying that and noticing his own tone wasn’t quite appropriate, he quickly softened his demeanor, "However, although not related by blood, Master Bai truly cared for this child, always keeping him close and often cradling him. It’s obvious he was very fond of the child, and it seems there was an intention for him to inherit Master Bai’s legacy in the future, but alas..."
The old accountant didn’t finish his sentence, but Yang Xiao and the others understood. Alas, Master Bai had no future to speak of, as shortly after the ghost play, everyone at the Bai Family Stage died at the Old Bull Bay Ferry Crossing, leaving no survivors.
This old accountant was no simple character; he was a shrewd one, never speaking a word more than he should about matters he ought not to disclose, no wonder he knew so much and yet Master Feng has let him live until now.
Yang Xiao knew this child must be anything but simple; if Master Bai truly liked him, he definitely wouldn’t have brought him to a ghost play. Some children with weak life energy once possessed by ghosts or deities, even if saved by a fluke, would have their lives ruined, ending up as simpletons or fools.
Fearing he might say too much, the old accountant packed up his ledgers and was about to take his leave when Kuang Hongyi stopped him, "Old sir, might you leave the ledger and receipts with us, and we will return them after..."
"Impossible, the ledgers must be returned immediately after their use, never to be kept overnight—that is the rule of the mansion." Despite his old age, the accountant had a lively spirit; he shook his head decisively in refusal, then bowed his hands and without another word, picked up his cane and hurried off.
Once there were only the three of them left in the room, the atmosphere turned eerie, and Kuang Hongyi hesitated before speaking first, "This child probably has some serious issues; Master Bai is not that kind-hearted."
"Could it have something to do with those girls?" Su Tingting asked.
"I don’t know," Yang Xiao said, looking at the sky outside, "The weather is nice today; we should find a way to leave the mansion to look for clues. We certainly need to visit Uncle-in-Law Lord, and the Bai Family Troupe is performing at the Yingke Building to the south of the city—we should check that out as well. We can’t trust the words of the Feng Family."
"Chu is right, and we should also inquire about the families of the kidnapped children," Kuang Hongyi added.
"Da da da..."
Before he had finished speaking, a rush of footsteps came from outside. Turning to look, a servant dressed as a helper hurried over, "Three Blessing Guests, Shi Fukui sends a message. He and Old Master are getting along very well, asking you to be at ease."
Then, the helper lifted his head to look at Su Tingting, "Shi Fukui also said, let Chu Fukke and Kuang Fukke continue their investigation outside, and since Su Fuke is inconvenienced, she should stay to protect Master Feng and the Young Lady inside the mansion."
Yang Xiao nodded, "Understood, you may go back."
But upon hearing Yang Xiao’s response, the servant did not move and stared straight at Su Tingting, then after a while, turned his head toward Yang Xiao, "Chu Fukke, you may not have understood my meaning. I am supposed to take Su Fuke with me..."
"I said I understood!" Yang Xiao’s demeanor suddenly changed, startling the helper who then hurried out, apparently planning to wait outside.
When Su Tingting heard Shi Dali singling her out to stay behind, her complexion couldn’t help but pale. Shi Dali’s group only had him left, with the rest of his teammates dead.
"Don’t be afraid, we cannot let you stay." Yang Xiao consoled her for a moment before looking at Kuang Hongyi and getting straight to the point, "Shi Dali has no good intentions. Knowing he cannot extract information from you or me, he has set his sights on Su Tingting, and at the same time, he can catch another scapegoat."
"Hmm, you’re right," Kuang Hongyi showed great loyalty at that moment, glancing at Su Tingting who was still in fear and sighing, "You’re lucky to have met the two of us. This time, I’ll stay behind to deal with him. You find an opportunity to leave the mansion and gather clues."
