Chapter 533: Tales of the Opera Troupe

　　Grandma Liu's stage name was Liu Ruyan.

　　Not only was she exceptionally beautiful, but her performances in ghost operas were also unparalleled.

　　The term 'ghost opera' here does not refer to operas performed for ghosts, but rather to operas featuring ghostly characters, similar in meaning to modern ghost films.

　　However, Liu Ruyan rose to fame late.

　　Initially, she was just an inconspicuous apprentice in the Chun Family Troupe, known as Liu'er.

　　At that time, the star performer was a renowned actress named Bai Susu.

　　Bai Susu's ghost operas were also extraordinary, filled with melancholy beauty and a melodious voice.

　　Whenever she performed, the theater was invariably packed to capacity.

　　Countless young masters and wealthy merchants would spend fortunes to watch her perform, even scrambling to the point of bloodshed.

　　The entire troupe relied on her for survival, yet no one was grateful to her.

　　Because she had a terrible temper, frequently throwing tantrums and bullying others.

　　As she was the troupe's star, even the troupe leader dared not offend her, resorting to constant favoritism that filled the troupe with resentment.

　　Once, a warlord came and specifically demanded to watch Bai Susu perform.

　　This warlord was notorious for his brutality; at the slightest provocation, he would have people dragged out and shot.

　　The entire troupe prepared with utmost caution, as if facing a formidable enemy, leaving no room for error. Even the costumes were specially rushed to make a new set.

　　But just before the performance, the most crucial element—Bai Susu—lost her voice, struggling even to speak, let alone sing.

　　Bai Susu had offended too many people in her daily life, and someone likely intended to cause trouble deliberately, wanting her to provoke the warlord.

　　However, this would implicate the entire Chun Family Troupe.

　　If the performance couldn't proceed, the warlord might slaughter everyone in the opera troupe.

　　To fulfill the obligation, the troupe leader, in desperation, forced Liu'er—who had practiced ghost opera for a few days—into the newly tailored costume, publicly announcing that a new star named Liu Ruyan had joined.

　　Hoping to bluff their way through.

　　If the deception failed, they would sacrifice Liu'er to take the blame.

　　As expected, Liu'er's singing proved utterly mediocre.

　　Yet, the situation took an unexpected turn.

　　Liu'er's stage appearance was exceptionally beautiful. Clad in a flowing white opera costume, she entered with ghostly steps, embodying a sorrowful female specter.

　　The moment she appeared, the warlord became entranced.

　　Acknowledging her beauty, the warlord granted the troupe another chance, agreeing to return in half a month to hear Liu'er perform again. If she satisfied him, all would be forgiven.

　　From then on, the entire troupe revolved around Liu'er.

　　The troupe leader even hired the finest veteran masters to personally train Liu'er.

　　No one paid attention to Bai Susu anymore.

　　She had fallen from the clouds into hell.

　　How could Bai Susu endure such humiliation?

　　Days before Liu'er's scheduled performance, Bai Susu donned the white opera costume that should have been hers and hanged herself on the deserted stage.

　　Afterward, people began hearing opera singing from the stage at night, and some witnessed the white costume moving on its own.

　　Terrified, Liu'er found three days insufficient to commission a new costume.

　　Nevertheless, the troupe leader demanded she wear the garment and perform for the warlord.

　　Liu'er spoke timidly, yet her voice instantly captivated everyone.

　　Her operatic tones carried tragic beauty, weeping and lamenting like mournful sobs.

　　Liu Ruyan became an overnight sensation through her singing.

　　The young nobles and wealthy merchants who once pursued Bai Susu now flocked to worship at Liu Ruyan's feet, spending fortunes to court her favor.

　　The Chun Family Troupe grew even more popular than before.

　　The troupe leader was ecstatic.

　　But only Liu'er herself knew - that voice wasn't truly hers. It belonged to the opera costume, to Bai Susu's unquiet ghost who refused to rest.

　　Each time she sang, needles seemed to pierce her tongue.

　　Sometimes she even dreamed of Bai Susu trying to tear out her tongue.

　　Convinced the cursed costume would eventually kill her, she confided these fears to the troupe leader.

　　The leader dismissed her claims, forcing her to keep wearing the costume and performing.

　　Seeing the leader's heartlessness, she plotted her escape. Using a warlord's infatuation with her, she became his concubine to flee the miserable life at Chun Family Troupe, finally freed from opera singing.

　　After weathering turbulent times, she became the current Granny Liu.

　　Having finished recounting the ghost costume's origin, Troupe Leader Yan sighed deeply.

　　Lu Fei nodded.

　　"So Bai Susu's resentment haunts that opera costume. The spectral singer we heard last night must have been Bai Susu herself. This costume is truly an evil object. Since Granny Liu suffered so terribly from it, why did she leave it with Chun Family Troupe?"

　　"It's not that simple - she's making us repay a debt!"

　　Troupe Leader Yan smiled bitterly.

　　"What do you mean?"

　　Everyone stared at him in bewilderment.

　　"After Liu Ruyan married the warlord, she took the opera costume with her. Without its star performer, the opera troupe lost its appeal and nearly collapsed several times. Only then did the troupe leader remember what Liu Ruyan had once told him—that it wasn't her singing, but Bai Susu."

　　Troupe Leader Yan explained with a sigh.

　　"The troupe leader wondered: if the singing actually came from Bai Susu's spirit attached to the costume, would others achieve the same effect by wearing it?"

　　"So he swallowed his pride and went to beg Liu Ruyan."

　　"Surprisingly, she agreed readily—but demanded a signed loan contract stipulating the costume couldn't be returned for ninety full years, and must be properly venerated. Anyone returning it early would suffer misfortune."

　　"The troupe leader couldn't have been more eager. He signed immediately and brought the costume back."

　　"He had a young maid try it on. The effect surpassed his wildest expectations—the girl sang almost identically to Liu Ruyan. Ecstatic, he realized he no longer needed to invest in training star performers."

　　"After two days' rehearsal, he rebranded the maid as 'Little Liu Ruyan' and put her onstage. The troupe regained its former popularity overnight."

　　"But his joy was short-lived."

　　"After three performances, the maid's tongue suddenly snapped off. She choked to death, mouth filled with blood!"

　　"Only then did the troupe leader understand what Liu Ruyan meant by 'veneration'."

　　"The costume demanded human lives."

　　Troupe Leader Yan's voice tightened. He shook his head repeatedly, fear flashing in his eyes as they fell upon the old camphorwood chest.

　　A cold dread crept up everyone's spines.

　　"Wait! If the costume makes anyone sing well, why did Xiaoqiang sound worse than a slaughtered pig when he wore it last night?" Hu Zi caught the inconsistency.

　　"I don't know either. No man has ever worn that costume..." Troupe Leader Yan shook his head.

　　"It must be gender-specific. A female ghost's costume only works on women. Men would lose their tongues within days." Lu Fei speculated.

　　"Then this costume must have claimed many lives over your troupe's history?" Hu Zi pressed.

　　Troupe Leader Yan paled. "After learning its horror, my predecessors rarely used it except when survival was at stake... I... I keep it buried to avoid repeating those sins."

　　Though he claimed noble intentions, Lu Fei suspected those old troupe leaders from the chaotic era—when human lives were worthless—had cared little about sacrificing a few maids.

　　But these were no longer the main points. Once the origin and characteristics of the costume were clarified, they could consider acquiring it.