Chapter 210.1
At this moment, the path for selling Xia paper had already been opened.
Although the prices were set high for the sake of moving the product (selling the noble familys paper), there were still scholars who would come by from time to time to stroll around, hoping to find a bargain on Xia paper.
Among them, a scholar named Liu Shanhai often did this.
He came from a humble family that had fallen on hard times for two generations. With a few acres of good farmland and some income from selling calligraphy and paintings, his standard of living was not high but sufficient.
For this kind of scholar, the consumption of paper was enormous, so he needed to save where he could.
At this time, he noticed some new booklets at the counter.
They were placed right next to the paper, very eye-catching.
What are these, shopkeeper?
The shopkeeper said with a smile, These are the storybooks weve recently launched. They contain various touching stories! For example, this one, The Butterfly Lovers, tells the moving story of a down-and-out scholar and a noble familys daughter falling in love. And this one, The White-Haired Girl, is about the tragic life of a girl from the lower class
The shopkeeper introduced each storybook as if he were listing treasures.
After listening, Liu Shanhai was particularly interested in The Butterfly Lovers.
Shopkeeper, may I take a look?
Of course!
Ill take The Butterfly Lovers.'
Please, go ahead!
Liu Shanhai opened it and was captivated within just a few pages.
Although born into the lower class, he felt that the male protagonist, Liang Shanbo, did not resign himself to his fate. Instead, he was determined to improve himself, studying hard and striving for academic and official honors.
Moreover, he was handsome and dashing, sunny and charismatic, full of righteousness, and courteous to others
Isnt this about him???
He too was from the lower class and had not resigned himself to his fate. Instead, he was determined to improve himself, working hard to achieve academic and official honors.
And he was also handsome and dashing, sunny and charismatic, full of righteousness
In that instant, he felt as if he had been transported into the story!
As if he was Liang Shanbo, and Liang Shanbo was him!
Then, there was the female protagonist, Zhu Yingtai.
Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she was also well-read and sensible, a lady from a reputable family.
She was simply the embodiment of everything that is wonderful!
The wife he imagines for his future is exactly like this!
He couldnt help but exclaim, What brilliant writing! What a great story!
He was already eager to read the rest of the story, to see how it would unfold, how the characters would meet and get to know each other, how they would marry, and how they would have children
Hehe!
Since the young master likes it, why not buy a copy to take home? the shopkeeper said with a smile.
How much? Liu Shanhai asked.
Its not expensive at all, just 200 wen! The shopkeeper held up two fingers.
Liu Shanhai weighed the booklet in his hand, finding it to be around eighty or ninety pages printed on Xia paper.
If priced according to the previous rates, just the cost of the paper would be around eighty or ninety wen.
Adding the printing and other expenses, selling it for 200 wen was indeed cheap.
Alright, this young master will buy a copy to take home!
Liu Shanhai paid immediately, took the book The Butterfly Lovers home, and couldnt wait to start reading.
Reading about how Liang Shanbo led his servants to go study, encountering twists and turns along the way, even robbers, but he was valiant and unyielding, always able to solve problems with his intelligence and wit.
Liu Shanhai also felt a rush of excitement!
Awesome! Satisfying! Liang Shanbo should indeed be like this!
He couldnt help but fantasize about what it would be like if he went out to pursue his studies.
Would he be like Liang Shanbo?
Solving all difficulties with his intelligence?
Of course, and Im sure I would do even better than him!
He affirmed himself and hypnotized himself into believing it.
Liu Shanhai continued reading.
When Liang Shanbo was about to reach the academy, he finally met the female protagonist, Zhu Yingtai, who was also going to the academy to study.
However, she was disguised as a man, and no one recognized her.
Their meeting could be described as a twist of fate!
Then came the part where they entered the academy to study, and they were arranged to stay in the same courtyard, separated only by a wall
What was this called?
This was called cohabitation!
And cohabitating with a beauty at that, the sense of immersion was incredibly strong!
Liu Shanhai couldnt contain his excitement!
He couldnt help but fantasize about living together with such a fairy-like beauty.
What kind of romantic situations might occur?
Could it be that by accident, we would directly
Hehe! Hehehe! Hehehehehe
Liu Shanhai was already drooling in a lecherous manner!
If it werent for the need to maintain the dignity of a scholar, he would have already shouted out loud!
Liu Shanhai continued to read.
After Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai moved into the same academy, they began studying normally.
Because Zhu Yingtai was a woman, there were many inconveniences in her daily life.
However, Liang Shanbo was gentle and considerate, always caring for Zhu Yingtai and helping her to solve her worries and troubles. He also helped her drive away the bad students who bullied her several times, showcasing his strong, manly character.
Gradually, Zhu Yingtai gave her heart to him, and she took great care of Liang Shanbo in their daily life.
In their studies, they encouraged and supported each other.
They often composed poetry together, sang the same songs over wine, and went on outings to enjoy the spring.
Among these moments, there were many ambiguous episodes.
For example, bathing and changing clothes, sharing a bed, and huddling together for warmth in the cold
All of this thrilled Liu Shanhai wave after wave!
This damn sense of substitution!
He read through the night until dawn, restless and unable to sleep, his eyes red.
Huh?
He thought the two would continue to be happy, but a twist soon appeared.
When it came time to graduate and part ways, Zhu Yingtai revealed her true identity as a woman, and the two promised to be together for life.
However, after Zhu Yingtai returned home, her father betrothed her to the son of the Ma family, Ma Wencai.
When Liang Shanbo went to propose, he was naturally rejected by the Zhu family.
They said he was daydreaming, a toad lusting after swans flesh, unworthy of marrying a daughter of a noble family.
Then, the two great noble families joined forces to tear the loving couple apart.
Liu Shanhai was furious to the core.
Ahh!!! Why must it be like this?
They are a perfect match! Literally a match made in heaven, why cant they be together?
Wasnt it said that lovers who have true love will eventually become spouses?
They love each other so much, why do you have to tear them apart? By what right?
And Zhu Yingtais father, to tear apart his own daughters happiness so cruelly, how can you be so heartless? Youre not fit to be a father!
Liu Shanhai couldnt wait to read on.
Liang Shanbo certainly didnt give up so easily; he believed that Zhu Yingtai loved him and that they would end up together in the end!
Zhu Yingtai felt the same way; she believed in Liang Shanbos love for her, and neither of them gave up.
But they underestimated the cunning of the noble families.
To stop the lovers, they resorted to all kinds of despicable means.
They lied to Liang Shanbo, claiming that Zhu Yingtai had abandoned him.
They lied to Zhu Yingtai, claiming that Liang Shanbo had taken up with another rich girl and left her.
But still, they couldnt destroy the true love between them.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ma Wencai hired some thugs to secretly kill Liang Shanbo, physically eliminating him.
In the end, under the pressure of the two great noble families, Zhu Yingtai, who had waited in vain for Liang Shanbo, married with a heart as dead as ashes.
When she passed by the mass burial mound, she saw Liang Shanbos tombstone and finally understood everything.
Then, dressed in her beautiful wedding gown, she did not hesitate to throw herself to her death in front of the tombstone!
The souls of the two turned into butterflies, finally together, entwined forever, never to be separated.
But at this moment, Liu Shanhai was already in tears.
Why?
Why cant two people who love each other be together?
Why are you so cruel?
The sweeter it is at the beginning, the more bitter it becomes later!
The more beautiful it is at the start, the more brutal and heartless it turns out to be!
If he had the chance, he would want to rush into the book and chop all those who separated the loving couple!
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