After the excavation of the Chu emperor's tomb, Tan Xiao not only kept in touch with Mu Fei, but also added Grandpa Ji and Professor Mo on WeChat.

Although the two experts were busy with the excavation and couldn't frequently chat with Tan Xiao, a high school student, at least they had a way to contact each other.

The next day, as soon as Tan Xiao woke up, he received a voice message from Grandpa Ji:

[Tan Xiao, our excavation work is going very smoothly. We expect to hold the first press conference next week to report on the situation. We really have to thank you and your comrades at the Bureau 404. We wrote a thank you letter to the Bureau 404 and prepared a silk banner. We also plan to send a thank you letter to your unit, uh, your school, and publicly express our gratitude.]

Speaking of which, Mu Fei also applied for a payment for Tan Xiao at the Bureau 404 according to the outsourcing price, for his two previous assistances. This is a separate matter. It will take some time for the finance department to process, and the amount is not very high, but it's the thought that counts.

As for the gratitude Grandpa Ji mentioned, it's from the excavation team itself. If it weren't inconvenient to say, how could it be as simple as a thank you letter? The documentary about the Chu emperor's tomb archeology that is being filmed now would probably have to dedicate a special chapter.

This was the first time Tan Xiao and Grandpa Ji communicated after adding each other on WeChat. Grandpa Ji got up early. When Tan Xiao saw it, it was already seven o'clock. He quickly said: [Thank you, Grandpa Ji.]

He also asked: [Have you figured out how to compile the report?]

Grandpa Ji: [......]

Regarding this issue of "academic fraud", Grandpa Ji and his team have also been pondering for a long time. They now have many things that first have archaeological conclusions and then deduce them.

So whether to publish some things, whether to compile them, and how to compile them, all need to be carefully considered. These things are now much more troublesome than the on-site excavation work, and the materials can make people's heads bald from writing.

Even the thank you letter written to Tan Xiao cannot include the detailed truth.

Grandpa Ji: [...... Won't I still have to match the stories with you. In the future, for external statements, please claim that your family has an oral legend passed down.]

Tan Xiao of course had no objection: [OK OK]

As he spoke, he got out of bed and went downstairs. Tan Chunying hadn't gotten up yet. This was not unusual. As a full-time shaman, Tan Chunying's working hours have always been relatively free and lazy. Anyway, she sets the auspicious times herself. Especially now that she is not receiving tourists and has no performance invitations.

Tan Xiao has known independence since he was a child, so he went out to buy soup dumplings by himself.

When he came back, Tan Chunying was also up. She was sitting in the yard, making a conical hat while talking on the phone: "Yes, yes, he's back, but the concussion hasn't fully healed yet. I'm afraid I can't make it."

The other side said something again, and Tan Chunying said "oh" a few times, took a bite of the dumpling Tan Xiao handed in front of her, and said, "I don't want to miss this good opportunity either. Why don't you let my son go alone and see if it works?"

Tan Xiao: "?"

Where are they going to sell him to work again?

Tan Chunying hung up the phone and said to Tan Xiao, "Do you still remember the recent tourism festival?"

Tan Xiao: "Hmm."

The tourism festival was advertised every day, and everyone in Nanchu knew about it. Besides Tan Chunying's matter, what Tan Xiao remembered deeply was that the opening ceremony of the tourism festival was around the same time as the super moon.

"Originally, I was asked to perform at the opening ceremony, but you know I had a concussion and it didn't work out." Tan Chunying stomped her foot a little regretfully, thinking that she was so angry that she missed an opportunity to show her face for publicity.

"But there are still various projects later. Now they are asking me to perform again. One of the originally scheduled programs is temporarily short of people."

In recent years, Nanchu has focused on developing tourism and the nighttime economy. This tourism festival has also invested a lot. It is the peak tourist season, and the government has also organized an evening gala for the opening ceremony.

It's not over after the opening. Later, various regular street flash mobs, street folk performances and other programs are arranged.

This time, it is to hold an outdoor performance and light show in Yueshan Park, one of the so-called "Ten Scenic Spots of Nanchu", combining folk culture and popular culture in the hope of attracting tourists of more age groups.

"We can't miss it again. I didn't go to the opening ceremony. They invited other people to dance the Duan Gong dance." Tan Chunying was still a little resentful when it came to her peers. Although they didn't intentionally steal the business, the result was no different. The competition in the cultural tourism industry is also fierce these days.

"I asked about this performance. It's on Saturday night. You don't need to have evening self-study that day either. They seem to have also invited a band. Grandma Mi's square dance team will come to accompany the dance. We'll cooperate together. We can rehearse a few times in advance when the time comes."

Tan Chunying remembered that Tan Xiao was already in the second year of high school, and hesitated a little, "Do you have a lot of homework now? If you can't finish it, I'll go by myself. I should be able to hold on for half an hour, right?"

"No, no, next Saturday? I'll go." Tan Xiao felt that it was better to let Tan Chunying rest more. Although she had a talisman on her body, he was still a little worried. His mother was a very reckless person. Homework was not a problem. It was not the first time he had assisted his mother in similar performances, but it was the first time he had to carry the burden alone.

But there was no problem with accompanying the percussion.

As soon as Tan Chunying agreed, Tan Xiao's name was immediately added to the poster.

Tan Xiao took a look. Their program was sandwiched between a children's Kunqu opera program and a song joint singing program. There were parentheses after his name, which read "Nanchu Cultural Heritage Inheritors".

He didn't take it seriously at first, but when he arrived at school, two unfamiliar classmates came to find him, stammering and not daring to talk to him.

They stood for a long time, and Tan Xiao waited patiently for them to speak. If they didn't speak, how could he know who they were?

After a long time, the two classmates finally called out to him, "Tan Xiao?"

"Hmm?" Because he was not at his seat, Tan Xiao couldn't call out the names of these two either.

"Well, we saw a poster. Are you going to collaborate with the Zhurong Band? I especially like them. Can you help me get an autograph?"

"Sorry to bother you, sorry to bother you."

"It's okay if you don't have time..."

The two looked at Tan Xiao nervously, afraid of being rejected. Didn't they see how cold Tan Xiao was to Kong Xuan?

The Zhurong Band was the band invited by Nanchu City to perform together with the shamans.

"It's okay. If they have time, I'll ask for an autograph. Write down your names." Tan Xiao was actually very easy to talk to. They were all classmates. It was easy to help ask for an autograph.

The two classmates wrote their names on his notebook, while wanting to wipe away tears. They had been in the same class with Tan Xiao since the first year of high school, but in the end, he still didn't have them in his eyes!

......

Tan Xiao usually doesn't pay much attention to bands. After chatting with his classmates for a bit, he learned that Zhurong Band is a local band from Chu Province that has been active in the provincial capital for many years. They have gained some fame both locally and among music enthusiasts nationwide.

Moreover, much of their creative content draws from local culture, which is why they were invited this time.

The band will perform three songs this time, and Tan Xiao and the square dance team will accompany them for one of the songs called "Leaving Fire".

Tan Xiao only needs to play the drums during the intro, interlude and ending to add a bit of folk atmosphere, so the rehearsal isn't really that difficult.

When Saturday came, Tan Xiao took out and cleaned the drums from his home.

The Peacock God, who now seems to reside in the human world, saw him cleaning the drums and walked down from the altar, saying leisurely, "Where are you going to perform rituals?"

"Not rituals, just going to perform," Tan Xiao said, holding the drums.

Upon hearing this, the Peacock God seemed a bit displeased. He walked around the drums with his hands behind his back and said, "All shaman music is to entertain the gods."

The Peacock God meant that in rituals, the shamans use song and dance to please the deities. The birth of music and dance are inseparable from primitive religion.

"Mm-hmm, now it's the crystallization of human art." Tan Xiao carried the drums and walked out. "May the great god bless my performance to go smoothly."

A heavy "humph" could be heard from the Peacock God behind him, but Tan Xiao couldn't help smiling.

Tan Xiao set off with Tan Chunying. Although Tan Chunying wasn't performing, she still had to be on site to take charge and communicate with the organizers.

The two arrived at the performance venue half a day early for rehearsal. The venue, Yueshan Park, is extremely large with mountains and water inside. It's open to the public for free and has always been a great place for Nanchu citizens to go on outings, take walks, and enjoy the cool breeze.

The stage was already set up, with activity trailers in the back serving as temporary rest areas and dressing rooms.

Only at this time did they meet the four members of Zhurong Band in person, consisting of the lead vocalist and keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, and drummer.

The female lead vocalist shook hands with Tan Chunying first, then looked at Tan Xiao with interest.

"Really is a little bro, hello, I'm Ah Mao, you can also call me Sister Mao Mao." The lead vocalist wanted to pinch Tan Xiao's face, grinning as she said, "We can be considered half-fellow townspeople. My grandma's family is in Nanchu and many relatives still live here. Which school are you from?"

"Nanchu No. 1 Middle School," Tan Xiao quietly noted their facial features. Fortunately, because they were all wearing performance outfits, they were extremely distinctive and easy to remember.

"I have a younger cousin who's also a freshman at Nanchu No. 1 Middle. Maybe you've seen each other before," Mao Mao said with a grin.

Unfortunately, the number of people Tan Xiao knows at school is really limited. He's not familiar with many classmates, let alone those in different grades. On one hand it's because of face blindness, but more likely it's because his spare time is all spent working at home and studying. One person only has so much energy after all.

"By the way, little bro, do you know why we're collaborating?" Mao Mao took off her jacket, revealing the tattoo sleeves on her body.

Wasn't it because the previous collaborator didn't have time? So they found us as a replacement. Tan Xiao really wanted to say this, but after thinking about it, he said:

"The ancestors of the Chu people, Zhong Li, served as the Fire Rectifier and was named 'Zhurong'. 'Zhu' means shaman priest, belonging to the same shaman culture as shamans. This song also writes about many ancient fire myths, and shaman drum music can enhance the atmosphere."

The four band members: "..."

"Wow, when you explain it like that, I'm starting to feel like we're a match made in heaven," Mao Mao said in shock. "Hahaha, but actually I wanted to say, before coming I watched videos of Ms. Tan's performances and felt it matched well."

Tan Chunying smiled and nodded on the side, indeed having the air of a folk artist.

Hey, she's performed for so many years that her traces are all over the internet, and she even has her own accounts.

"Let's practice together." Mao Mao seized the time to lead Tan Xiao in singing and testing the sound system.

The drums Tan Xiao brought are also vertical, with phoenix-catching-snake patterns carved on the sides, which can be said to be of the same lineage as the "phoenix bird hanging drum" in the Chu emperor's tomb, very much possessing the Chu local flavor. This is also why Tan Xiao was able to recognize the phoenix bird hanging drum at a glance before.

"This is an antique? Looks very aged," Mao Mao couldn't help touching the drum body.

"It's a replica. The original indeed has many years of history and my mom donated it to a museum," Tan Xiao explained. Their family used to have quite a few old antiques passed down, especially the essential ritual tools for shamans like drums and bows. "It's just that the production method is still handmade, and this one has probably been used for over a decade."

"No wonder, that's still quite a long time in use." Mao Mao really liked the phoenix bird patterns and even took a photo with her phone.

There were already many performers on site, and everyone had to come early for makeup and rehearsal. Tan Xiao also saw a group of children who were probably only in the lower grades of elementary school running around. They were likely the previous children's Kunqu opera program.

Kunqu opera originated in Kunshan, but this art form has long spread to various places. Chu Province can also be considered a major opera province with dozens of local opera types. Because Kunqu is well-loved, there are also Kunqu opera troupes in Nanchu that have absorbed some characteristics of local opera types. They regularly perform and hold classes, and have some renown among local opera fans.

This time, the kids will be performing a scene from the Kunqu Judge Bao play "Judge Bao Compensates Feelings". Judge Bao plays feature Bao Zheng, or Judge Bao, as the main character, such as "The Story of Qin Xianglian" and "Chi Sang Town".

Tan Xiao reached out to steady a child who bumped into his leg while running and jumping, picking the child up and handing him to the parent.

"Sorry about that." The parent took the child with fluid motions. "Come on, time to paint your face."

The child was chubby and quite cute. He turned his head and mischievously squinted at Tan Xiao.

Tan Xiao found it amusing. He watched as the child was grabbed and sat on a stool, and the makeup artist quickly outlined a yin-yang face with face paint, drawing a slanted crescent on the forehead.

Judge Bao's face painting has always been a black and white yin-yang face with a crescent, corresponding to the legend that Bao Qingtian judges yang cases during the day and yin cases at night.

After the makeup artist finished painting, he hurried to his next job at another place. But as soon as he left, the stage manager for this event came to check.

"I say, isn't this one face painted crooked." The person in charge didn't know much about opera face painting, only knowing that this crooked look made him very uncomfortable, almost triggering his OCD.

The child's parent said timidly, "The makeup artist already left. It does seem, a bit crooked..."

Actually, the children only performed in full makeup a few times. Usually they sing without makeup, and the parents have never really observed what the details of the facial patterns look like, whether the crescent is crooked or not. It was fine until it was mentioned, but indeed, the crescent was a bit awkwardly crooked.

"It's making me uncomfortable. Sigh, the person just left. Please take the trouble to fix it for him." The person in charge hastily instructed before rushing to the next group of people.

The parent scratched his head. There were no more paints, but fortunately his wife had a white eyeliner pencil. After borrowing some eyeliner cream, he started drawing and painting by himself.

The little actor playing Judge Bao pouted, "This is how our teacher always draws it."

"Well, that's your teacher." The child's father tried to control his hand from shaking as he corrected the crescent.

...

At 7:30 in the evening, the program officially began, starting with the landscape light show at Yueshan Park, which immediately attracted a large crowd of tourists and locals.

While waiting for his turn, Tan Xiao no longer stayed in the activity room. He went outside with Tan Chunying to watch the light show and the program.

After about half an hour, Tan Xiao saw a group of little kids in full costume running onto the stage. When the little Judge Bao passed by, he patted the little guy's head.

With the makeup on, he found it unusually easy to recognize him. Ah, if only everyone had different facial patterns.

The little Judge Bao looked back, recognized Tan Xiao, and stuck his tongue out at him.

"Hey, this kid." Tan Chunying glanced over unintentionally and exclaimed, "Why is the crescent drawn crooked?"

"Huh?" Tan Xiao had watched him put on the makeup and knew the reason behind it. He was a bit puzzled. "No, it was originally drawn crooked. Later, the person in charge had his parents correct it."

"No, according to the old customs of Nanchu, regardless of the troupe, the crescent on Judge Bao's face should be drawn upside down." Tan Chunying said amusingly, "The legend is that in the past, opera troupes drew it correctly, and as a result, the ghosts thought it was the real Judge Bao and came to file complaints."

"There's such a custom?" Only then did Tan Xiao understand why Tan Chunying pointed at the clearly correct facial pattern and said it was crooked. It turned out that the crescent was supposed to be drawn at an angle.

"Mm-hmm, but they're just kids, it doesn't matter." Tan Chunying took two steps forward indifferently, "Don't you think it's quite cute for these kids to perform opera?"

Accompanied by the dense drumbeats, the little actors had already taken the stage with their mics fully on. They stepped in a lifelike manner, staring wide-eyed as they recited their lines: "Righteous aura shakes heaven and earth, the bronze guillotine flashes, startling gods and ghosts!"

The audience below enthusiastically shouted, "Good!"

The little actor had no stage-fright at all. With the cheers from the audience, his performance became even more steady as he sang, recited, acted, and fought meticulously.

The little Judge Bao took rounded steps on stage. As he turned around to face the audience again, his eyes caught sight of two people almost pressed against the edge of the stage below, a man and a woman, both relatively short in stature and wearing Hanfu.

Nowadays, it's not uncommon for people to wear Hanfu as everyday clothing, especially near many scenic spots in Nanchu where there are Hanfu photo studios. Tourists wander around in Hanfu, and it's not unusual to see gentlemen and ladies all over the streets.

Even in the little Judge Bao's class, many little girls wear modified Hanfu dresses, so the attire of these two audience members didn't feel out of place to him. It's just that they were staring straight at him while clinging to the stage, which felt a bit strange.

Logically, the audience shouldn't be allowed to get this close. There were security guards down there, but they didn't stop these two people.

The little Judge Bao found it odd and couldn't understand as he continued to perform.

Just at that moment, as he slammed the gavel and ordered the execution to conclude the case, the two people below, upon hearing it, had their eyes light up. They actually started climbing onto the stage, "It's our turn, it's our turn!"

Tan Xiao had also noticed the two people in front of the stage, but since the security guards didn't say anything, he thought they might also be performers.

However, when the two climbed onto the stage, Tan Xiao felt something was off. Not only did no one stop them.

—As the two climbed up, their entire bodies were exposed, including the soles of their shoes with peony paper-cuts pasted on them.

Taking a closer look, all the ribbons on their "Hanfu" were untied. In the scorching late summer weather, they were wearing five layers of tops. The bottom was unclear, but obviously more than one piece, with the color being blue on the outside and red on the inside.

Five collars, three layers, flowers pasted on the soles - if Tan Xiao still couldn't recognize it, that would be strange.

What these two were wearing were burial clothes.