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The meeting with old madam Ye was smoother than what Jiang Li thought. Though she had intentionally made use of the trouble that the Ye family was facing this time to pull herself closer to the Ye family members, in her heart, Jiang Li knew, even if there wasn't this matter, there was no misunderstanding between old madam Ye and her. As long as Miss Jiang second turned around, old madam Ye would forever be her support.
However, in the end, it was a matter of achievements.
The next thing to do was to calmly wait for the result from Tang Fan's investigation. It's just that no one foresaw that the outcome would be so unexpected.
Three days later, Tang Fan came to the Ye family's home. Once he entered, he immediately said: "We've found the person carrying tuoluo."
Ye Ming Hui asked: "Who is it?"
Tang Fan shook his head: "In the past few days, Magistrate Tong and I dispatched people to investigate and the clues led to Da Feng Medicine Shop. Every half a year, the shopkeeper of this shop would send someone out to gather some rare and precious medicinal ingredients. He has a clever servant in his hand who just came back from the Western regions two months ago. Someone mentioned that he brought back a lot of medicinal ingredients. Based on other people's statements, there seemed to be traces of tuoluo.
"Da Feng Medicine Shop?" Ye Ming Xuan muttered to himself for a moment, "the common people in Xiangyang usually collect their medicine prescription at Da Feng Medicine Shop. There aren't any disagreements with our Ye family."
"At first we wanted to arrest people as quickly as possible. Who knows, early this morning, all seven members of the Da Feng Medicine Shop's shopkeeper family, along with that servant who just came back from the Western regions were all silenced."
"Silenced?" Ye Jia Er cried out in alarm.
"Correct; it should not be killing out of hatred. I actually feel that," Tang Fan looked at Jiang Li, "the greatest possibility is that the person behind is aware that we are checking this matter and abandoned the chariot to protect the leader."
"You mean, there's still someone behind?" Ye Ming Yu asked.
"If it was just the idea of a single person from the Da Feng Medicine Shop, there's no need to exterminate the entire family. Now it seems that all the people who were familiar with the matter are all dead, so there must be someone from behind giving instructions." Tang Fan replied. He wasn't very sure at the beginning, but after seeing the suspicious Da Feng Medicine Shop people being exterminated overnight, he was certain that the trouble with the Ye family's ancient fragrant satin was truly set up by someone. It's just that the method was so vicious, not in the least fearing of the consequences. It could be clearly seen that the other person's power was not small.
But since he had already stood by the Jiang family's side, it's too late to go back, so he had no other option but to be resolute.
"Master Tang's suspicion of Da Feng Medicine shop should not have leaked." Jiang Li smiled slightly, "Silencing the people of the Da Feng Medicine Shop within such a short period of time, the possibility is that someone learned of the information ahead of time thus murder everybody in the medicine shop. If so, that means that there's a traitor inside......"
"Absolutely impossible!" Tang Fan guaranteed anxiously, "we were arranged by the Weaving Unit to come to Xiangyang for the purpose of investigating this matter, not related to Da Feng Medicine Shop at all, there's no way we are going to leak information." He was afraid Jiang Li suspected that they would disclose information to other people and consequently led to the silencing of any witnesses from Da Feng Medicine Shop.
"Master Tang does not need to be anxious. Since we've handed this matter to Master Tang, naturally we believe Master Tang would give us explanations. It's just that this thing was too strange. One moment staring at Da Feng Medicine Shop and immediately not a single person from Da Feng Medicine Shop was left alive. Don't you feel that it's very strange? There are many subordinates under Magistrate Tong, perhaps one of them was careless and divulged the news, giving others the opportunity?" Jiang Li said with a smile.
Tang Fan looked at the slight change in Jiang Li's gaze and sighed in secret. Tong Zhi Yang has thoroughly offended this Miss Jiang second. The meaning in Jiang Li's words was that she suspected that Tong Zhi Yang was in cahoots with the person who set up the Ye family. When he got the news, he immediately told the other party who then dispatched people to wipe out the whole family of Da Feng Medicine Shop's shopkeeper. Although there's possibility in this matter, it was obvious that Jiang Li mentioning this at this point was to suppress Tong Zhi Yang. Wait until Jiang Li returned to Yanjing and inform this matter to Jiang Yuan Bai, Jiang Yuan Bai could then casually look for a reason for Tong Zhi Yang to be watched carefully. Some clues could then be found out.
Miss Jiang second should not be trifled with, must not be offended. With this awareness in his heart, when Tang Fan spoke to Jiang Li, he used an even more polite tone. "In the courtyard behind the servant's house, we discovered sprinkled tuoluo. Though the people of the Da Feng Medicine Shop were exterminated, it could be concluded that this matter was done by the servant. Just need for the evidence to be sufficiently gathered before the Ye family can be proclaimed innocent."
"But isn't the person behind still not found?" Ye Ming Hui spoke in a deep voice. "This time failed, then the next time, what if those people schemed against us again? It's only with great difficulty that we found a little clue this time, yet the people in Da Feng Medicine Shop were all silenced. How would the common people believe the Ye family's arguments, perhaps they might even think that the Ye family colluded with the officials and look for an excuse. The Ye family's reputation is already destroyed, no need to mention other things, just the ancient fragrant satin's business afraid could no longer be done in the future. What can we do about this?"
Ye Ming Hui's words were painful, but they weren't without any basis. Tang Fan said: "We, the Weaving Unit, can think of a way to let the common people know the actual situation....." He himself felt it was difficult to speak. Even if the people of the Weaving Unit spoke, the Ye family's ancient fragrant satin's business could not be done in the future. The Ye family's primary business was the ancient fragrant satin ah, it could be said that the Ye family's strength was greatly injured.
"Uncle Ming Hui," Jiang Li opened her mouth to speak: "Investigating the case is not something that the Weaving Unit should do. If we want to know the clues of the person behind this, we can only rely on Magistrate Tong. Let's give Magistrate Tong full authority to handle this matter and let him investigate. If Magistrate Tong could not find out, we will continue to report above, layer by layer. If even the Yanjing's Jing Zhao Yin could not find out about this, I've thought of a method, it's not impossible to let my father enter the palace and face the holy. A way forward could always be found."
She said it lightly, but Tang Fan, who was listening by the side, was alarmed. He thought, it seems that Tong Zhi Yang, this magistrate, have walked to the end. Fortunately he has stood by the Jiang family's side from the beginning. Otherwise, with Miss Jiang second's temper of counting every single thing, after all was done, he wouldn't know how many barriers he had to go through.
With his thought, Tang Fan did not dare to neglect and carefully explained the matter before leaving.
After Tang Fan left, Ye Ru Feng couldn't help saying: "Da Feng Medicine Shop did not have any animosity with us, how could they be used as a spearhead to make our Ye family stumble?"
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"Man will do anything in his means to become rich," Ye Ming Xuan taught his son. "Since they were willing to become the spearhead, it was either based on receiving benefits from others or being threatened. If this time the Weaving Unit did not undertake this task, the Ye family would only be at a dead end. Living well after trampling on other people's blood, they were bound to pay the price. You see, a perfectly fine medicine shop now no longer exists."
Because people were dead, it's futile to look into it. Ye Ming Xuan was very regretful.
"But at least it gave us a wake-up call, didn't it?" Jiang Li said with a smile.
"But the ancient fragrant satin business is destroyed," Guan-shi sighed, "sooner or later, mother will find out about this. The Ye family's properties were single-handedly built by parents, especially ancient fragrant satin, which is now destroyed in our hands....." She could no longer continue speaking.
Old madam Ye was not in good health, must not stay outdoors for long and recuperate in bed. Aside from meeting Jiang Li to chat and laugh, these everyday trivial matters would not ask and bother old madam Ye. However, would old madam Ye hear this from her subordinates? That's not known.
Thinking of the Ye family's future hardship, everyone was laden with anxiety. When they scattered, Jiang Li pulled the corner of Ye Ming Yu's shirt. Seeing this, Ye Ming Yu understood and walked inside the room to talk with Jiang Li.
"Uncle Ming Yu, are Su Qin and Tong Yu okay?" Jiang Li asked. Su Qin and Tong Yu wereTong Zhi Yang's outer room and son.
"Rest assured, I've carefully arranged a place for them. Tong Zhi Yang is like a mad dog these days, dispatching people everywhere to check for the mother and son's news. If it wasn't due to fear of being found out by He-shi, I think he would have sent all the available manpower in the government office out to look for people!"
Jiang Li said: "Nothing, today ask someone to give a letter to Tong Zhi Yang."
"Bring what letter?" Ye Ming Yu was in doubt. He said: "I'm still worrying about how to solve this mother and son. Now that the dust of the ancient fragrant satin matter has settled, the mother and son no longer have any purpose in my hands. I was still thinking of directly informing He-shi, let her pack Tong Zhi Yang."
"At the end, we certainly have to inform He-shi," Jiang Li smiled. "But before that, we should let Tong Zhi Yang spit out the name of the person who wanted to harm the Ye family in the dark."
"He knows?" Ye Ming Yu was excited.
"I think, based on his identity as the magistrate, it can't be said as far as knowing the identity of the person. However, he can also give a bit of a clue. With this clue, when I return to Yanjing, I won't be afraid that the person couldn't be found." She looked at Ye Ming Yu, "Uncle Ming Yu, just take Tong Yu's personal clothes to threaten Tong Zhi Yang. He would say everything for the sake of this sole heir."
Ye Ming Yu said: "
"Be careful." Jiang Li said: "Don't let other people catch the handle."
Ye Ming Yu laughed: "Don't worry!"
......
The days had not been smooth for Tong Zhi Yang.
First it was the matter of the Ye family that's supposed to be a cinch, suddenly a Jiang Li came out to disrupt the overall situation. He could only look on helplessly as the Ye family escaped. Afterwards, a Tang Fan came. Relying on the name of Yanjing's Weaving Unit, he pressed him down in Xiangyang, making him lose his prestige.
Most importantly, his most beloved outer room, Su Qin and his son Tong Yu were missing until now.
Everytime he thought of this, Tong Zhi Yang felt like his heart was being twisted with a knife. Su Qin was just that, though she looked good and considerate, in the end she was just a woman. If she was not there, he could still raise another one. However, Tong Yu was not the same. He only had this one son. Since He-shi didn't seem to be able to produce a son, if Tong Yu was not there, their Tong family would be cut off with him. How could he not be anxious?
Tong Zhi Yang suspected that He-shi knew the existence of the mother and son and took them away. But after thinking carefully, according to He-shi's temper, if she knew of Su Qin and Tong Yu's existence, she would never be quiet and plot secretly. She would most likely break the door. Moreover, even if it was truly done by He-shi, Tong Zhi Yang did not have the courage to question He-shi. He could only hold it back in his heart and sit back restlessly.
The movement of the Weaving Unit was too fast. Fortunately, he immediately informed Tang Fan's suspicion about Da Feng Medicine Shop and did not let the side in Da Feng Medicine Shop become a setback. Even though he could not complete the brother-in-law's plan, as long as he did not stab the basket.
As he was thinking, his servant suddenly rushed in from outside and shouted: "Master!"
Tong Zhi Yang turned his head impatiently: "What are you doing startling people!"
The servant closed the door and gasped before saying: "Young master....... Young master......."
"There's news about the young master?" Hearing that it had something to do with Tong Yu, Tong Zhi Yang immediately stood up in excitement.
The servant handed the letter in his hand to Tong Zhi Yang, along with a longevity lock. He said: "The gatekeeper discovered this, don't know how long ago, this servant noticed that this is the young master's button, thus guessed that this has something to do with the young master." He handed the letter and the silver lock to Tong Zhi Yang.
Tong Zhi Yang looked at the silver lock and excitedly said: "It's Yu-er's!"
Tong Zhi Yang doted on Tong Yu. When Tong Yu was born, Tong Zhi Yang especially asked someone to make a longevity lock. The thing in his hand at this moment was precisely Tong Yu's. He opened the letter in a hurry, his complexion grew uglier the more he read.
The servant did not know what happened, but saw that after Tong Zhi Yang finished reading the entire letter, he ferociously threw the letter onto the ground. Tong Zhi Yang spoke while clenching his teeth: "Preposterous!"
"Master, what happened?" asked the servant.
"Someone kidnapped Yu-er and Su Qin," Tong Zhi Yang took a deep breath. "This letter serves as a threat!"
"They want silver?" asked the servant. When there's a threat, there's always a conspiracy.
"It's good if they want silver!" Tong Zhi Yang was furious. In the letter, it was written clearly that Tong Yu and Su Qin were in the other person's hand. The other person did not seek anything, just to let him explain thoroughly the whole sequence of the Ye family's trouble. If the other party was satisfied, they would naturally release the people. However, if the other party was not satisfied, they would wait until Tong Zhi Yang could satisfy them.
This is asking Tong Zhi Yang to betray his brother-in-law!
Tong Zhi Yang was unwilling, but looking at Tong Yu's longevity lock, he was not reconciled. If Tong Yu did not exist, no matter how powerful of an official position he held, or how ample his family properties were, he still would not have any successors. Could he just look on helplessly as his sole successor be cut off?
Thinking back and forth, Tong Zhi Yang clenched his teeth and finally made up his mind. People are selfish, moreover, he had done his brother-in-law's affair very meticulously. If they wanted to blame, just blame the Jiang family's second miss who suddenly appeared and reversed the matter.He however, must not disregard his own flesh and blood for other people.
"Bring a pen and paper here!" Tong Zhi Yang said.
The servant boy ran hastily to take the things. Tong Zhi Yang looked at the letter on the ground and grinded his teeth once again.
After the other party asked him to write a good letter, they also told him to send the letter to the back of the He residence. Originally, Tong Zhi Yang wanted to assign someone to watch and track, to find out who did this. However, the letter was sent to the back of the He residence. The He residence was He-shi's natal family's home. No matter how daring he was, he did not dare to move right in front of the He family. He was more afraid that the He family members would discover the existence of Su Qin mother and son because of him.
The other party could be regarded as having planned extensively, it's watertight, making people grind their teeth in hate.....
......
Jiang Li stood at the gate of the Ye residence.
She was waiting for the news of Ye Ming Yu's return. Ye Ming Yu went to take the letter written by Tong Zhi Yang. Although Jiang Li had roughly guessed, she still needed Tong Zhi Yang to confirm some things.
The sunlight sprinkled lazily, the winter days were approaching. The winter in Xiangyang was comfortably warm, different from Yanjing that's located in the north. It's not very cold even when it's snowing, the snow floated in the wind like pear blossoms.
The neighboring residence's gate opened. Jiang Li turned her head and glanced to see Ji Heng and the bodyguard called Wen Ji walked out from inside.
The two of them also saw Jiang Li. Ji Heng smiled when he saw her and walked unhurriedly to this end.
There were not many pedestrians in the Ye residence's gate. The people living around here were all high officials and the nobles. However, Ji Heng's appearance was too magnificent, suddenly attracting many people's attention. Jiang Li even saw a young girl leaning on the gate of a distant house, frequently looking at Ji Heng.
They did not know Ji Heng's identity, yet Ji Heng could still become the most attractive.
"Duke Su." Jiang Li saluted Ji Heng.
"It's rare to see Miss Jiang second out to bask in the sun." Ji Heng held his fan while smiling and spoke to her.
In the wintry twelfth, the folding fan had long lost its use. If it were other people, perhaps they would be said as a pretentious snob. But when he held it, it felt completely suitable. It was as if the golden thread fan should exist in the palm of this beautiful man. Of course, Jiang Li was very clear in her heart, the time when she saw the peony on the golden thread fan blocking the knife, she immediately knew that this was barely just a fan. It's also the most dangerous weapon and being concealed with such a careless manner.
Just like its owner.
Jiang Li smiled: "The duke is also in a good mood."
From a bystander's view, they would think that these two people seemed to be very familiar with each other, like old friends who had not met for a long time. However, Jiang Li would not think that Ji Heng treated her as a friend. His gentle smile hid the most unfeeling heart. As for what he wanted to do, Jiang Li was not clear, she also did not wish to know.
"What is Miss Jiang second waiting for?" Ji Heng asked. "Wait for the information from Tong Zhi Yang?"
Jiang Li lifted her eyes to look at him. As expected, her movement, even though it was small, could not be concealed from Ji Heng.
She agreed calmly: "Nothing can be hidden from your sight."
"The city of Xiangyang is small after all." Ji Heng said modestly, "no secrets can be hidden."
"That's a fact."
Wen Ji, who was standing at the side, saw the two people, one big one small, conversing as if there's no one around and it was hard to hide his surprise. Ji Heng appeared gentle and affectionate when actually, he was not a person easy to get along with, treating a stranger especially callously and arrogantly. It's very seldom that he could say so many words to someone. Jiang second miss had not yet left Mount Qingcheng more than half a year, but in this half a year, aside from making huge waves in Yanjing, she had also established many contacts with Ji Heng.
Wen Ji could not tell what was in his master's thoughts. If said that Jiang Li would sooner or later be a sacrifice chess piece, Ji Heng never moved her from the beginning. If said that Ji Heng planned to help Jiang Li, Ji Heng never lifted his hand to help when Jiang Li faced schemes and dangers.
He merely watched the play delightfully at the side, not planning to help nor intending to hit the person.
And Jiang second miss was also a wonderful person. She did not have any trace of fear when facing the moody Duke Su. Let alone saying that she's a young girl, even if she was older, it's not possible to be this calm and composed when chatting with Ji Heng.
"Second miss seems to have guessed who it is." Ji Heng spoke and glanced at her with a smile on his face.
"I'm guessing it's the Li family." Jiang Li directly replied.
Probably he did not anticipate Jiang Li to just spit it out and did not even cover it. Ji Heng was slightly surprised and did not speak for a moment. He then heard Jiang Li say: "The duke has long known about it, correct?"
She flung the question back at him.
She wasn't afraid of him at all.
Ji Heng said: "Why are you asking me?"
"Because Xiangyang is too small, whatever secrets cannot be concealed from the duke's eyes." Jiang Li answered righteously. She laughed until her eyes curved, looking adorable and innocent, yet her words were sharp like daggers.
Ji Heng also laughed and asked: "You want to know?"
Jiang Li just looked at him laughing. Ji Heng shook his fan and said: "Must not say."
He said it must not be said when in fact, he said it already. Jiang Li nodded, actually, up till now, she still could not figure out which side Ji Heng was actually standing at. Not mentioning his relationship with Cheng Wang and Emperor Hong Xiao, just he and the Right Prime Minister's family's relationship was confusing. He seemed to be acquainted with the Right Prime Minister's eldest son, Li Jing, but in the matter pertaining to the Li family, he did not lend a hand upon seeing that the Li family's plan had failed. If he was an ally, he was truly an annoying ally.
As he spoke, from far away a jujube red horse rushed over. The person on the horse did not pull the reins, merely whistled and the horse abruptly stopped in front of the gate.
It's Ye Ming Yu who had returned.
Ye Ming Yu dismounted and immediately saw Jiang Li and a beautiful man standing together. This man was dressed in red from head to toe, overly gorgeous, yet did not have a feminine air. Though he had a smile on his face, there's a feeling that his pair of phoenix eyes was not smiling. He had gone through many days of dagger licking blood, Ye Ming Yu's instinct sensed danger and unconsciously wanted to pull Jiang Li behind him, away from this man.
"Uncle Ming Yu." Jiang Li called out.
"Ah Li, this is....." Ye Ming Yu looked at Ji Heng. He couldn't remember when such a person arrived at Xiangyang city.
Jiang Li hesitated for a moment before saying: "This is the son who lives in the house next door, we've met several times."
In the end, she did not say Ji Heng's identity.
Ji Heng laughed and said to Jiang Li with a somewhat meaningful look: "The secret is back, quickly go inside, second miss."
Because Ye Ming Yu was present, it's not convenient for Jiang Li to say more. She nodded at Ji Heng and followed Ye Ming Yu to enter the Ye residence.
Wen Ji saw that the two people had left and asked: "Master, do you need me....."
Ji Heng held the fan and said: "No need." Glancing at the Ye residence's tightly closed gate, he laughed. "Without seeing, I know what she's going to do. Xiangyang is going to be turned upside down."
......
Ye Ming Yu and Jiang Li returned to Jiang Li's courtyard.
Tong'er and Bai Xue brewed tea for Ye Ming Yu. Upon seeing that there's no one else, he quickly asked: "Ah Li, who's the man just now? Though you did not say clearly, I can tell that he's not mediocre. The two of you also seem to have a close relationship."
Jiang Li saw that she couldn't keep it from him and said: "He is the current Duke Su, Ji Heng."
"Duke Su?" Ye Ming Yu gasped. He had heard of Duke Su's name, however, Duke Su, this person, was too far away for them, the common people in Xiangyang, just like a legend. To personally see the legend, there's always a feeling that it's unreal.
"Why is Duke Su here?" Ye Ming Yu asked.
Jiang Li shook her head and said: "I don't know. I met him when I followed my father to the palace's feast and spoke a few words. It can be considered as having a bit of fate. This time meeting in Xiangyang was by chance, truly unexpected, so we exchanged a few more words. However," she paused before continuing: "I still have to ask uncle Ming Yu not to tell other people. Duke Su has an unusual identity, it's not known what business brought him to Xiangyang. It's better not to speak of it to prevent any trouble."
"I know." Ye Ming Yu patted his chest. Although he didn't understand the matters in the officialdom, he knew that the movements of these high officials and noble persons were not few. Must not be drawn into other people's disputes, becoming the scapegoat without a good cause.
He took out a letter from his chest and said: "This is the reply letter found in the He residence." Then he praised Jiang Li: "You are amazing, knowing that Tong Zhi Yang fears his tigress wife and asked him to put the reply letter in the He residence. Sure enough, Tong Zhi Yang did not dare to let others follow. This letter was taken very easily, just don't know whether what Tong Zhi Yang wrote was true or false."
Jiang Li spoke while tearing the letter open: "It's true, Tong Zhi Yang will not take any chances with his son's life."
She unfolded the letter and looked through it carefully. After a short time, she handed the letter to Ye Ming Yu then signaled him to also read the letter.
Ye Ming Yu held the letter and read while Jiang Li sank into contemplation.
Tong Zhi Yang must have been very worried about Tong Yu's life as there was lots of information transmitted in the letter. Tong Zhi Yang was not very clear who specifically planned the Ye family's ancient fragrant satin trouble. However, his brother-in-law, the Zhong Guan Ling, wrote a letter and instructed him to make the Ye family suffer through the ancient fragrant satin. When the Ye family was in a tight spot, Tong Zhi Yang should give the Ye family a way to survive. For the Ye family to get out of it, they have to pay a price and Tong Zhi Yang would be the Ye family's only hope at that time.
As such, it would seem that someone made use of the ancient fragrant satin matter to force the Ye family to desperation, make a deal, and turn them into a blade for the other party. But who the other party was, Tong Zhi Yang was unclear. Even though this matter used his brother-in-law to pass through, his brother-in-law was also just a messenger. Because his brother-in-law promised if this matter could succeed, Tong Zhi Yang's official career would certainly go up a layer.
And that Zhong Guan Ling also faintly exposed the idea that there's a person with enormous power behind this matter, involving a quite influential noble and that they were all working for this person.
It was originally a surefire thing, who would have thought a Jiang Li would suddenly appear. Moreover, when Jiang Li first arrived in Xiangyang and knew of the ancient fragrant satin matter, she immediately wrote a letter to Yanjing to ask the Weaving Unit to send people over, messing up Tong Zhi Yang's plan. He had no choice but to write a letter to his brother-in-law. However, the people from the Weaving Unit came too fast, before he received the letter instructing him on his next steps, the affair had gone out of Tong Zhi Yang's control. Not only was the Ye family not forced into a dead end, on the contrary, they passed through the danger.
These were all the facts that Tong Zhi Yang knew and he did not know anymore. Jiang Li believed that Tong Zhi Yang did not say everything and still concealed a part. For example, the extermination of the entire family of Da Feng Medicine Shop. But anyway, this was not the most important thing. The most important was in the part that Tong Zhi Yang said, that powerful and influential noble, if she guessed correctly, that should undoubtedly be the Right Prime Minister, Li Zhong Nan.
From the beginning when Li Lian glanced at Ye Shijie, to Li Jing and Ji Heng's conversation afterwards, to the present conspiracy on the Ye family, the entire thing was confusing, as if there's no end.
"Ah Li," Ye Ming Yu read through the letter and said: "I know all the words in the letter, but when joined together, I can't understand what it means?"
"Uncle Ming Yu, simply said, there's a noble in Yanjing that takes a fancy to the Ye family's property and also Ye older cousin's official position. So that person deliberately made a play to invite the Ye family into the boiling pot. But then," she laughed, "the singing was too much and turned to paste."
Footnotes:
1: the play/drama in ancient Chinese drama is more of an opera with many characters singing