vrcanaries Chapter 156: Sorrow and Sigh
Chapter 156: Sorrow and Sigh
"In the original story setting, Ma Wencai was not a flesh-and-blood individual with a distinct personality. He was just a symbol endowed with a specific meaning. He represented the descendants of the feudal gentry who were of the same social status as the Zhu family."
"Even if Ma Wencai hadn't existed, given the social environment at the time, someone else would have surely emerged to act as an obstacle. After all, Liang Shanbo came from a humble background. Given his family background, his marriage to Zhu Yingtai would have been impossible under the strict feudal hierarchy."
"Liang Shanbo, Zhu Yingtai, and even Ma Wencai, in that era, didn't have the right to decide their own marriages. To put it bluntly, they weren't individuals with independent wills who could freely choose their life partners. Instead, they were more like objects to be manipulated at will, used as tools for the aristocratic families to cling to each other and collude."
"Under the prevailing feudal ethic, their personal feelings and wishes were of no consequence. Their fates were firmly controlled by the aristocratic families, and their every move was like a puppet being pulled by strings, with no control over their own destiny."
Hearing Cheng Yuntao's answer, Jing Zimo was stunned, and then a smile of interest appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Miss Cheng's perspective is truly unique and refreshing. In the past, when I attended operas, I often saw the audience indignantly scolding Ma Wencai for ruining other people's marriages, regarding him as a heinous criminal. But after listening to what you said today, I realized there was such a deeper meaning in it. It turns out that he, too, is a pitiful person caught in the same situation."
Jing Zimo frowned slightly, his eyes deep, as if lost in thought, and continued, "In the story of Liang Zhu, everyone says that Ma Wencai stole the love, but who has ever thought that he might also be swept forward by the tide of the times."
"Born into an aristocratic family, he was instilled with the values of equal status and the supremacy of family interests. In his mind, pursuing Zhu Yingtai was simply following his family's expectations and fulfilling his responsibilities. He believed that relying on his family's power would give him what he wanted. However, he never anticipated that his actions would not only fail to win Zhu Yingtai's heart, but would instead become the executioner of this tragic love."
Cheng Yuntao shrugged helplessly and continued.
"At first glance, the timeless story of 'Butterfly Lovers' seems to celebrate a touching love story, but a deeper analysis reveals that its core is a realistic story of lovers bravely resisting feudal oppression and striving for freedom."
"What Liang Zhu rebelled against wasn't just the irrational feudal system of arranged marriage, but also the corrupt, outdated, filthy, and bloody power of the aristocratic families behind it. They wanted to break the shackles of the 'cannibalistic' feudal ethics and escape a dark age where ordinary people had no dignity and were deprived of their basic human rights."
As if she felt that the topic was becoming increasingly serious, Cheng Yuntao changed the subject: "By the way, Master Jing, I can't come to the stall tomorrow. I need to rest for a day. Don't make a wasted trip."
When Jing Zimo heard this, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and he couldn't help but ask, "Why? Isn't your business booming right now?"
Cheng Yuntao thought that the affairs of the Ji Mansion involved many secrets and it was difficult to speak openly, so she answered vaguely: "It's just some private matters. Once they are dealt with, it won't be a problem."
Seeing that she was unwilling to talk more, Jing Zimo didn't want to ask any more questions. He nodded to show his understanding, then stood up and straightened his clothes. "I apologize for the offense. Thank you for letting me know. It was a very pleasant conversation today. We'll meet again someday if we have the chance."
"Mr. Jing, you're too polite." Cheng Yuntao seemed to recall something, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes as she jokingly asked, "I wonder how the story of the White Snake's rebirth is going, Mr. Jing?"
Jing Zimo was slightly stunned, then smiled gently: "I'm still thinking about it. The structure of this story is huge, and the characters and plot need to be carefully considered. But don't worry, young lady, I will share it with you as soon as I finish it."
Cheng Yuntao responded with a smile, "Then I look forward to Master Jing's masterpiece." After that, she picked up the empty bowl used by Jing Zimo and turned to walk towards Jiang Yu next to the stall.
At this time, Jiang Yu was wearing an apron and carefully washing dirty dishes with hot water. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his strong and powerful arms. A few drops of water dripped down along the smooth lines, sparkling under the dim light.
Seeing Cheng Yuntao coming, he didn't even look up, but reached out to take the empty bowl very naturally, and continued to wash it skillfully, not feeling that there was anything wrong.
Cheng Yuntao stood quietly beside him with a gentle look. After glancing at a strand of hair hanging from Jiang Yu's temple, she raised her hand and tucked it behind her ear, her movements gentle and natural.
This scene happened to be seen by Jing Zimo who was turning around to leave. He paused and a hint of envy flashed in his eyes.
After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward, looked at Jiang Yu and said, "Brother, I want to talk to you alone."
When Jiang Yu heard this, his hands paused, and he looked up in surprise. He looked at Jing Zimo and began to wonder. He was not familiar with Jing Zimo, so why was he looking for him for no reason?
Cheng Yuntao was also a little surprised. Although they had not been in contact for a long time, she felt that Jing Zimo was a very sensible person and must have his own plans, so she did not interrupt him rashly.
The other party invited him in a nice tone, and Jiang Yu couldn't do anything to show his displeasure in public. He exchanged a glance with Cheng Yuntao, exchanged a glance, nodded, and followed Jing Zimo to a quieter place nearby.
He wiped the water stains from his hands vigorously on his apron, frowning slightly, and said with a hint of impatience: "What on earth are you calling me for? I don't understand your plays, stories, etc., and we have nothing in common. I have to go back and wash the dishes, so don't waste my time."
Jing Zimo sensed the jealousy hidden in his words and found it a little amusing, but he maintained a gentle smile on his face and explained, "Brother, to be honest, I only admire Miss Cheng and have no romantic feelings towards her. What I said yesterday was just a teasing thought, not a provocation. I apologize here."
Jing Zimo bowed slightly and saluted. After standing up straight, he continued, "Judging from what happened today, you and Miss Cheng have a very deep relationship. You don't have to worry about anything else, and you don't have to worry about me either."
After his secret was exposed, Jiang Yu coughed twice in embarrassment, and his eyes flickered for a moment. Fortunately, the lights in the night market were dim, so people couldn't see it too clearly.
Then he puffed out his chest slightly and said with a serious face, "Yun Tao and I have known each other for a long time, and our feelings are naturally very deep."
However, after Jing Zimo explained the matter clearly, Jiang Yu felt that he was much more pleasing to the eye, and his tone of voice was not as stiff as before. After a few polite greetings, Jing Zimo bowed and said goodbye.
Cheng Yuntao stood not far away, looking back and forth between the two of them. Although she was curious about what they said, she did not ask any more questions since she saw that they both looked relaxed.
In the end, Jiang Yu could no longer hide the truth, and she found out the reason, and couldn't help but laugh.
While women are often described as thoughtful, sentimental, and prone to jealousy, she believes men are no less capable in this regard. When faced with someone or something they truly love, they often abandon reason. In the face of emotion and desire, everyone is like this. What's the difference between men and women? It's simply human nature.