Just as the four of them mustered their courage and stepped inside, a voice suddenly came from within, languid and nonchalant, asking, "Have you come to take me on my journey?"
Meng Hong and the other two were taken aback, because they recognized the voice as Chu Meibo's, yet it didn't quite sound like Chu Meibo's.
Xu Anqi, however, could no longer contain herself and walked over to the sound. The camera followed her direction and quickly revealed the scene inside the Buddhist hall.
Beneath the solemn Buddha statue, a woman dressed in plain clothes knelt on a prayer mat. Hearing the sound, she slowly turned her face to the side.
All four of them were stunned.
An even more inappropriate thought popped into Meng Honghe's mind: "If you want to look good, wear mourning clothes."
The woman before them was not dressed in rich attire as they had imagined. Her long, black hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, and her face appeared to be without makeup. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and even in such dim lighting, her eyes were as captivating as flowing water. Her slender and delicate body was wrapped in a plain dress, and a belt was used to cinch her slender waist, making her appear even more frail and charming.
There was absolutely no trace of Chu Meibo on that face.
While the group was still in a daze, the other person stood up, raised her delicate chin slightly, and said to Xu Anqi as if it were the most natural thing in the world: "Come here and help me change my clothes."
She gave the order so naturally, as if it were a daily routine.
Xu Anqi walked over almost subconsciously, but after taking two steps, she suddenly came to her senses and her face immediately turned red. She had actually gotten into character for a moment and subconsciously followed the other person's instructions to help her change her clothes.
Hsu An-chi was both angry and annoyed, so she simply refused to respond out of spite and let her perform a one-woman show.
Rong Qi looked at the palace maid, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, as if she wanted to teach the maid a lesson, but she also felt sorry for her own current situation, and finally just gave a self-deprecating laugh.
Meng Honghe had been secretly watching her. When he saw this scene, he felt as if he had been pricked by a needle. Without thinking, he said, "We are here on orders to take Madam away."
The other three: "???"
When was this plot arranged? How come we didn't know?
Director Yu, who had been watching in front of the monitor, was also dumbfounded: "What's going on with Lao Meng! Why did he suddenly add scenes for himself!"
Previously, only Qiu Jie had this problem. When did the most composed Meng Honghe also catch it?!
Director Yu could only frantically give orders to try and cover up the flaw, since they were filming a single take and it was best not to break character.
Meng Honghe, who was in the Buddhist hall, also realized what had happened and almost hit himself on the head. For a moment, he was as if he were possessed. He didn't want to see the woman in front of him suffer, so he blurted out the rest of the story without thinking.
Qiu Jie was a little gloating and secretly nudged Meng Honghe's arm, only to be glared at fiercely by him.
Rong Qi, however, seemed oblivious to their subtle exchange and asked calmly, "Who gave this order?"
Meng Honghe and Qiu Jie were immediately stumped, but fortunately Yan Zhenxiong said in time, "It is the General's order."
"General?" Rong Qi lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before raising her head. "I understand. Let's go."
Meng Honghe then gestured for Xu Anqi to help her leave.
Xu Anqi reluctantly helped Rong Qi walk out of the Buddhist hall.
The shouts of battle outside had ceased, and the previously gloomy weather had cleared, revealing bright sunshine.
The four guests suddenly emerged from the dim environment and squinted uncomfortably. However, Rong Qi looked up at the sunlight and slowly revealed a smile.
Qiu Jie happened to turn his head and saw the smile on her face, and almost blurted out "Holy crap".
Is this really Sister Mei?! Did you get a head transplant?!
☆, Chapter 103
Shen Huai stood behind Director Yu, quietly watching Chu Meibo in the camera lens.
He watched her get her makeup done and change her clothes step by step. When she walked out of the dressing room, Director Yu and the others were stunned. The makeup artist hadn't deliberately changed her appearance, but when she stood in front of everyone, she looked like a completely different person.
Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes seemed to be brimming with spring water. Her skin was somewhat pale, which only accentuated the exquisiteness of her features. She stood there, frail and thin, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
Chu Meibo has always presented a bright and elegant image. The roles she played before, whether it was Kui Ji, Wen Nan, or Yun Zhuoyi, were all relatively strong female characters. So much so that Shen Huai forgot that Chu Chu's face was originally delicate and pitiful.
At this moment, Chu Meibo completely changed her temperament, thus perfectly highlighting the advantages of her face.
Regardless of what people fantasize about Rong Qi's appearance, Chu Meibo, who appears before everyone at this moment, absolutely deserves the title of the most beautiful woman.
Shen Huai could already imagine the uproar Chu Meibo's performance would cause after this episode aired.
Shen Huai watched her on camera, from her initial bewilderment and fragility to the Grand Tutor's reminder that she was surrounded by wolves, a wake-up call. She began to study late into the night, learning those difficult and obscure government decrees, and actively sought cooperation with several important ministers. These ministers looked down on her, a dancer-turned-empress dowager, but she went from feeling wronged to learning to endure. Finally, when she held real power, her face remained delicate, but her gaze was no longer weak.
Chu Meibo's portrayal of Rong Qi's every change and every stage of her performance was extremely vivid.
Compared to her, Xu Anqi's radiance was much dimmer.
Aside from being a little temperamental at the beginning, Hsu An-Chi was very proactive later on. She also did a great job of joking around with Qiu Jie a few times. However, these little tricks backfired in front of such an outstanding actor.
Xu Anqi seemed to realize this as well, and then stopped avoiding being drawn into the role by Chu Meibo. She is a very talented actress, and once she stopped getting stuck on the details, her understanding of the character made her role immediately stand out.
However, Shen Huai sighed inwardly.
In the past, he might not have been moved by Xu Anqi's performance at all, but perhaps because he had spent a lot of time with Ye Cang and Chu Meibo, their passion for art had also infected him.
Therefore, he could see Chu Meibo subtly guiding Xu Anqi, and he could also see the pure dedication to acting in Xu Anqi's eyes.
-
The recording session ended at 11 PM.
In the final scene, as Empress Dowager Rong lay dying, Chu Meibo acted behind a curtain, while the camera focused on the supporting actor playing the young emperor and several guests.
Empress Dowager Rong, though weak, almost forcefully demanded that the young emperor not abolish the cabinet, but the young emperor refused.
His eyes gleamed with ambition, and his voice was impassioned as he declared that he had had enough of being controlled by the cabinet and that he would bring imperial power back into his hands.
The figure behind the curtain remained motionless for a long time, finally letting out a deep sigh.
The supporting actors all wore expressions of sorrow. Even though they knew it was all fake, they felt as if they had really seen the woman who had single-handedly led most of the dynasty, but all her efforts would ultimately come to naught.
And these bystanders, even if they know the outcome, can't do anything about it.
This is the cruel and helpless aspect of history.
When Director Yu called "Cut," the three regular guests slowly came to their senses, rubbed their sore spots, and joked with each other, while Xu Anqi remained kneeling on the ground in a daze, as if she had not yet come out of the scene.
During the final scene, she cried so hard she almost fainted, and even after it was over, her face was still streaked with tears.
Meng Honghe, who always admired dedicated people, became even more gentle when he saw Xu Anqi like this: "Anqi, wake up, you're back."
Xu Anqi turned her face, seemingly startled awake, and wiped the tears from her face in a somewhat disheveled manner.
Several guests assumed she was still immersed in the emotions of the play, so they jokingly started teasing her. Xu Anqi smiled, but her expression remained somewhat dazed.
She wasn't still immersed in the play; rather, she was reflecting on everything that had just happened. (anan casually pushed)
In the second half, she completely let go of herself and immersed herself in the role. Only when it ended did she realize that she hadn't experienced such a fulfilling performance in a long time.
Over the past two years, the repetitive performances have gradually eroded her passion for acting and her original aspirations for entering this industry.
She recalled the joy and immersion she felt when performing in plays on the school stage. She thought she had forgotten it, but her scene with Chu Meibo suddenly brought her back to reality.
Xu Anqi pursed her lips, but when she looked up, she saw Shen Huai.
She didn't glare at him like before; instead, she was surprisingly calm.
The two walked out of the studio, and Shen Huai said casually, "I heard that you are interested in starring in Director Lü's new movie."
It wasn't a question, but a statement of fact. The news hadn't been revealed yet, but he seemed to have already confirmed the outcome.
Xu Anqi was not surprised. When she was still working for Shen Huai, she found that he was incredibly resourceful and well-informed. He knew that this matter was nothing.
But Xu Anqi was surprised that Shen Huai would meddle in her affairs.
Xu Anqi chuckled lightly: "I want to change my career path, and Director Lü wants to try something new. It's a win-win situation."
“I’ve read Director Lü’s script, it’s very good, and this role is very suitable for you,” Shen Huai said slowly. “I’m glad you can understand it.”
Xu Anqi was momentarily lost in thought, as if she had returned to three years ago, when Shen Huai was still her manager.
She stared intently at Shen Huai, then suddenly said, "Shen Huai, you've changed."
Shen Huai was taken aback.
"You...are starting to show some humanity."
After saying this, Xu Anqi seemed a little uncomfortable, but she stubbornly added, "However, I won't take advantage of you. I'll give you some information in return."
"Hua Rong seems to have been sending people to investigate Chu Meibo, and there seems to be new progress recently. You should be careful."
Shen Huai had received a message from the person monitoring Chu's parents that someone had indeed been secretly investigating Chu Chu's past, and it turned out to be Hua Rong.
Although Shen Huai had already taken precautions, he still sincerely thanked Xu Anqi.
Xu Anqi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but she still wouldn't let it go: "I'm just returning a favor. I, Xu Anqi, never owe anything to anyone, especially not to you, Shen Huai."
"I've said it before, I'll definitely be better than when I worked under you! I will definitely do it!"
After Xu Anqi finished speaking, she raised her chin and walked away.
Shen Huai felt somewhat helpless, but recalling her words "more humane," he couldn't help but touch his cheek, and unexpectedly thought of Ye Cang.
Ye Cang always said that the person he wanted to thank the most was himself, but for Shen Huai, the same was true.
Just then, Ye Cang, who had come to pick up Shen Huai, brushed past Xu Anqi. Both of them paused for a moment, then gave each other a look of disdain.
Xu Anqi snorted coldly, then walked away with a "thump thump thump".
Shen Huai looked up and happened to see this scene. Ye Cang looked puzzled and walked over to Shen Huai, complaining, "Why is she here? Is she here to cause you trouble again?"
Shen Huai: "..."
He could only tell Ye Cang the purpose of Xu Anqi's visit.
Ye Cang asked in surprise, "She's actually being so kind?"
Shen Huai paused for a moment, then finally couldn't help but ask, "I've never understood why you have such a strong hostility towards Xu Anqi?"
Ye Cang glanced at him with a quiet look: "Perhaps, this is the intuition of a love rival."
Shen Huai: "..."
Just as Shen Huai was about to say something, his phone rang. He saw the number and his gaze darkened.
The owner of this number is the person he sent to investigate the girl he met in Songjing Town. Now that she's calling, there must be news.
He turned slightly to the side and answered the phone.