Chapter 8: Kunqu Opera, Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor!

Having grown accustomed to using seductive tactics to climb the social ladder while by Zhou Hechen’s side, she didn't restrain herself after returning to the Lin family. Even she could tell that Ye Wanlan’s intentions were impure.

Yet, it was precisely this demeanor that had won Lin Weilan’s favor.

Madam Lin was furious, unable to bear it any longer.

This remark plunged the already quiet dining room into a deathly silence.

Ye Wanlan slowly raised her head, her expression calm. "What did you say?"

She rested her chin on one hand, her jade earrings swaying slightly.

Even though she was smiling faintly, it felt as if Mount Tai were pressing down, with a storm brewing.

It was hard to imagine a girl of eighteen possessing such an oppressive aura, like someone who had long held a position of power.

Madam Lin’s voice was sharp, though her heart was trembling. "I said, what about it? It is only natural for an elder to instruct a junior. Could it be that you are made of glass, shattering at a touch, and cannot be spoken to?"

"Second Sister-in-law, that’s not right." Xu Peiqing, who had remained silent until now, said indifferently, "You haven't raised her for a single day, so how did you become her elder?"

Madam Lin merely gave a scornful laugh.

In the Lin family, only Lin Woyu’s household was worth her effort to cultivate, and Xu Peiqing had only given birth to one son.

Doing well in school was one thing, but no matter how well one studied, they couldn't return to the main family in Yunjing.

Lin Weilan spoke faintly, "I suppose I really am old; there are already young people looking to replace me."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s expression changed.

"Mom!" Madam Lin was startled and offered a fawning smile. "Mom, that’s not what I meant. I just wanted to help you—"

Lin Weilan didn't look at her, simply saying, "Go to the ancestral hall yourself."

Madam Lin’s smile froze. "Yes, Mom."

Her movements as she stood up were stiff; even Lin Qingwen didn't dare to speak up for her.

Lin Weilan coughed. "What are you looking at me for? Eat."

"Mom is right, everyone, let's eat." Lin Woyu hurriedly urged, "Qinqin, eat more shrimp; you have to practice the zither later. Wanlan, you eat something too."

"Good thing I didn't say anything, or it would be me kneeling in the ancestral hall," Lin Yue whispered, patting his chest. "But sister, I think Grandma must have lost her mind."

Lin Qin remained noncommittal.

After the meal, Lin Weilan called Ye Wanlan into the study.

Lin Qingwen went up to the ancestral hall on the top floor, where Madam Lin was kneeling on a cushion.

He shook his head. "You were impulsive today. Don't do that again next time."

"Was I being impulsive?" Madam Lin sneered. "With one sentence, she got the old lady to give her a company. If she keeps coaxing her, won't the old lady give her the entire Lin family?"

She and Lin Qingwen only had one son, yet the Lin family took pride in bearing daughters.

This was equivalent to cutting off her hope of returning to the main family in Yunjing; she could only try to curry favor with Lin Woyu’s family.

"That was a company on the verge of bankruptcy; giving it away is fine," Lin Qingwen said dismissively. "She’s a piece of trash that can't be molded, and my mother has old ailments—who knows when she might pass."

Madam Lin was not comforted. "I just can't stand that seductive look of hers! She couldn't cling to the Zhou family, so she came back to us to eat leftovers. A few words and she had the old lady that happy—she’s just like her mother."

Ye Wanlan’s family situation was complicated; she had heard about it six years ago when Lin Huaijin brought her back.

The eldest son of the Lin family, Lin Jiayan, had gone missing, his wife had remarried, and all that was left was this burden, Ye Wanlan.

Even after returning to the Lin family, she didn't change her surname. How was she like a member of the Lin family at all?

"About her mother..." Lin Qingwen’s expression turned serious. "Has there been any contact?"

"Is that even possible? If I had such a troublesome daughter, I’d be lucky to stay as far away as possible."

"True."

Lin Qingwen nodded.

Even with Lin Weilan protecting her, Ye Wanlan wouldn't last long.

**

It was eight o'clock in the evening when Ye Wanlan came out of the study, and the Lin family members had all dispersed.

Xu Peiqing had also taken Lin Wenli and left the old mansion.

"You were really reckless today. Fortunately, your grandmother was in a good mood," Lin Huaijin said, feeling a headache coming on. "What do you want with that company that’s about to go bankrupt? Do you even know how to do business?"

Ye Wanlan asked him, "Uncle, do you look forward to the day when Shenzhou becomes the center of world culture, economy, and art, and reclaims the throne of being number one?"

Lin Huaijin was stunned. "What?"

Ye Wanlan looked at the sky and smiled silently. "I am looking forward to it."

"The more you talk, the stranger it gets." Lin Huaijin frowned. "By the way, avoid your Second Aunt in the future. She has a fiery temper and is very competitive. I suspect your cousin has been putting her in a bad mood lately. Don't let a conflict arise and upset your grandmother."

Ye Wanlan gave a soft "um," indicating she had heard him.

Her phone vibrated at that moment, and a text message came in.

[Qingchen Bar, the usual spot. Come pick me up.]

There was no signature.

Ye Wanlan clicked delete and blocked the number.

"What's wrong?"

"Scam text."

Lin Huaijin nodded and didn't ask further.

**

The next day, Sunday morning.

For the first time in a long time, Lin Weilan had a dreamless night. She was in high spirits. "Woyu, you and Qinqin help me take some things to Yan Tingyue in Nancheng."

"Alright, Mom," Lin Woyu agreed. "You must get plenty of rest and don't overexert yourself."

Lin Weilan was in a good mood. "I know what I'm doing."

Lin Woyu smiled. "It seems Wanlan really has been a help to your health."

Lin Weilan sighed, "This child has suffered so much..."

Lin Woyu was a bit confused but didn't ask further. After changing, she took Lin Qin and drove toward Nancheng.

Nancheng was a small city adjacent to Jiangcheng, reachable in an hour and a half by car.

Though small, Nancheng had a rich cultural atmosphere and a developed tourism industry, home to many artisans and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage.

Lin Qin didn't like it here; every time Lin Woyu brought her to find Yan Tingyue, they had to walk a long stretch of wild path.

She had specifically worn rain boots today to keep from dirtying her pants.

"Aunt Yan, I'm here to bring you some things from my mother," Lin Woyu said, setting down the box. "How is your health lately? You look very happy today."

Yan Tingyue smiled. "I have found a successor, so naturally, it is a rare occasion to be this happy."

Lin Woyu was startled. "A successor?"

She knew that Yan Tingyue, like Lin Weilan, was an inheritor of Shenzhou’s intangible cultural heritage.

The difference was that Lin Weilan specialized in the guqin, while Yan Tingyue specialized in Kunqu opera.

In the war three hundred years ago, Shenzhou’s civilization was destroyed, and its heritage was lost.

After rebuilding from the ruins, the focus shifted to the economy and heavy industry following the impact of the Industrial Revolution, while culture was left far behind.

Even though Kunqu was hailed as the "ancestor of all operas," it had declined significantly.

Yan Tingyue was a disciple of the "Saint of Music" and held a very high status in the cultural world. She was only temporarily living in seclusion here, and there were rumors that she was a descendant of the Xiaoyao King, one of the four great princes.

Her standards were so high that finding a successor was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

"Yes," Yan Tingyue smiled even more deeply. "I underestimated the young girls of today. One song was astonishing. If it weren't for the fact that it was my first time meeting her, I would have thought she had been studying with me for a long time."

Lin Woyu was even more surprised. "A young girl? That’s truly impressive."

Lin Qin pricked up her ears.

How young could she be?

"Yes, she said she would come over at noon," Yan Tingyue nodded. "If you aren't busy, you can sit down for some tea and meet her in a while."