第3章 · 第1节

In 1945, Japan surrendered, marking the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. The city of Beiping erupted in jubilation. The Nationalist army took control of the city, and life temporarily returned to a semblance of peace. Duan Xiaolou and Juxian appeared to have a blissful married life, while Cheng Dieyi continued to immerse himself in his artistic world.

The officers of the Nationalist army also enjoyed watching operas, but their behavior was even ruder than that of the Japanese. During one performance, a group of soldiers began to heckle and cause a disturbance from the audience. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Duan Xiaolou rushed off the stage to confront them, only to be severely beaten.

During this period, Cheng Dieyi began to fall into the grip of opium addiction. Initially, it was due to the temptation from Master Yuan, but soon it became a habit. The opium allowed him to temporarily forget the pain of reality, immersing him in a world of illusion. Juxian watched this unfold with deep concern.

In 1949, the People's Liberation Army entered Beiping. The new China was established. The new government advocated for art to serve the people, and traditional Peking opera needed reform. Cheng Dieyi and Duan Xiaolou were required to perform newly adapted revolutionary plays, rather than the traditional tales of emperors and generals.

Cheng Dieyi was strongly opposed to this. He believed that Peking opera was a pure art form that should not be influenced by politics. He stubbornly insisted that classic plays like 'Farewell My Concubine' should not be banned. This attitude made him feel out of place in the new society.

Master Yuan was arrested by the new government on charges of 'historical counter-revolutionary' and was ultimately executed by firing squad. During a public trial, Cheng Dieyi was compelled to come forward and denounce Master Yuan's crimes. He watched in agony as his former confidant was led to the execution ground, filled with confusion and fear.

During this time, Juxian discovered that she was pregnant, but she lost the child due to an accident. This blow made her character more sensitive. She began to doubt Cheng Dieyi's feelings for Duan Xiaolou, and the relationship among the three became increasingly tense.

Cheng Dieyi resolved to quit opium. The process of withdrawal was excruciating; he tossed and turned in bed, struggling, and came close to death several times. Duan Xiaolou and Juxian took turns caring for him, finally helping him through the most difficult period. This experience brought a brief respite to the tensions among the three.