That day, Yu Jingming worked overtime with the screenwriters to finalize the plot of the “marriage alliance princess” storyline. Within two days, the scriptwriting team had completed the script.
After confirming the script, Yu Jingming sent the contract to Chi Yan. Then, he asked her to coordinate with the production team regarding her work schedule.
With this entire process, a week had passed. Meanwhile, the auditions for The Road of an Actor were already two-thirds completed, leaving Chi Yan with little time.
Chi Yan received the script the day before officially joining the crew. Yu Jingming told her to study it carefully.
She immediately skimmed through the script, getting a general idea of her character’s personality.
During this period of inactivity, she had been staying with Yu Jingming’s production team, getting familiar with the female lead and the staff. The initial sense of unfamiliarity had faded.
Seizing a moment when Qiu Sisi was free from filming, Chi Yan asked, “Sisi, can we run some lines together?”
It had been a long time since she last acted, and she was itching to get back into it.
Qiu Sisi readily agreed. “Sure! Which scene do you want to practice?”
“The one where Princess Jiayin enters the palace for the first time and visits the Empress.”
Chi Yan flipped open the script and pointed at a section, passing it to Qiu Sisi.
Qiu Sisi quickly skimmed through it, found the corresponding page in her own script, and began reading.
“Let me go over the lines first. Just a moment.”
Chi Yan also studied her lines.
Before long, Qiu Sisi asked, “I’m done reading. Shall we start?”
Chi Yan nodded. “Alright.”
Sitting across from each other on two small stools, they quickly got into character.
Since this scene was from later in the story, Qiu Sisi hadn’t fully memorized her lines yet. They performed with their scripts in hand.
Initially, Qiu Sisi assumed that Chi Yan would be as reserved as she was during their first scene together. However, to her surprise, Chi Yan had a solid grasp of her lines. The moment she spoke, she was already in character.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Qiu Sisi composed herself and responded, “Attend to the Noble Consort. Offer her a seat.”
…
This scene was relatively simple, without major emotional shifts. However, the simpler the scene, the more it tested an actor’s foundation.
Qiu Sisi was completely impressed by Chi Yan.
“Chi Yan, you’re amazing! Acting with you feels like working with a veteran!”
“No way,” a passing Ou Yang overheard and interjected dryly. “Qiu Sisi, you’re too easily impressed.”
Chi Yan had come to understand Ou Yang’s personality over time. Though he seemed cold, he was easy to talk to once familiar. His comment likely stemmed from a concern that veteran actors might take offense at excessive praise.
She smiled and said, “I’m not that great. Sisi, you must be seeing me through rose-tinted glasses.”
A veteran supporting actor nearby snorted and glanced at the three of them. “Such naive kids. Is this even worth bragging about?”
Qiu Sisi, her back to him, rolled her eyes dramatically.
Chi Yan, however, simply replied, “Yes, of course, we’re no match for an experienced senior like you.”
Unexpectedly, the man became even more arrogant. “That’s right! Back in the day, I acted alongside Film Emperor Chu! You kids should practice more.”
With that, he strutted away proudly.
Qiu Sisi muttered, “He keeps bragging about acting with Film Emperor Chu, but the guy never even acknowledges him.”
“Alright, he’s gone. Let it go,” Ou Yang said.
“Ignore him. Just focus on your own acting.”
“You’re right,” Qiu Sisi nodded. “Next up is my scene with Ou Yang. Chi Yan, we’re off to touch up our makeup.”
Chi Yan nodded and watched them leave.
The so-called “veteran actor” played the role of a general in the drama. He was always arrogant, so hearing Qiu Sisi’s praise for Chi Yan must have rubbed him the wrong way.
Since she had a scene with him the next day, Chi Yan didn’t want unnecessary trouble. That was why she had gone along with his words.
While she wasn’t afraid of people trying to sabotage her, constant friction could be annoying.
The next morning, Chi Yan woke up much earlier than usual.
Her mother, surprised, asked, “Yan Yan, why are you up so early today? I haven’t even started making breakfast.”
“Mom, I forgot to tell you yesterday. I have scenes to film today, so I need to leave early. I’ll just grab a couple of buns outside.”
Yu Jingming was quite reasonable. Since Chi Yan’s home was in the same city and taking a taxi to Henghai Film City didn’t take long, he allowed her to stay at home on days she didn’t have scenes.
Chi Yan picked up her bag from the entryway cabinet and waved to her mother. “Mom, I’m heading out!”
Her mother reminded her, “Be careful on the road!”
Chi Yan exited the neighborhood, turned right, and walked straight toward the bun shop.
The buns from this shop were large and filled generously—just the way Chi Yan liked them. Lately, when her mother didn’t feel like making breakfast, Chi Yan would come here for her morning meal.
She ordered two three-flavor buns and a cup of soy milk, then stood nearby, waiting for a ride.
Days of this quiet and comfortable ordinary life were numbered, and Chi Yan cherished them.
Because she had trended on social media twice, people often recognized her when she shopped on the street, greeting her and asking if she was a celebrity.
Once she stepped onto The Road of an Actor stage, this would surely become even more frequent. By then, she wouldn’t be able to stroll around leisurely anymore.
When Chi Yan arrived at the set, it was only 7:30 AM. Yu Jingming was busy adjusting the cameras.
“Good morning, Director Yu! Good morning, everyone!”
“You’re early today,” Yu Jingming glanced at her while working. “Don’t mess up your first scene. No more than three NGs (no-goods).”
Chi Yan smiled. “Got it, Director Yu. Should I head to makeup now?”
With Yu Jingming’s approval, she walked toward the dressing room.
Chi Yan’s costume was much simpler than the male and female leads’. During the fitting, she had only worn the outer robe, but this time, she had to wear the full set. Fortunately, two staff members helped her change, making the process much easier than before.
Her makeup artist today was the same one as before. Chi Yan thought she was highly skilled, so after checking with the production assistant, she asked her to do her makeup again.
“Xiao Chi, doing your makeup is so easy,” the makeup artist said.
“Teacher Fang, you’re too kind,” Chi Yan replied, holding her script. “I need to review my lines while you do my makeup. Sorry for the trouble.”
“No problem,” Fang Ke gently combed her hair. “A lot of actors go over their scripts while getting their makeup done. As long as you don’t move too much, it’s fine.”
Hearing that, Chi Yan relaxed and focused on her script.
She memorized lines quickly and had already learned most of them. Yesterday, she had also fully memorized the scene she rehearsed with Qiu Sisi.
The more she studied, the more she felt that Princess Jiayin was a tragic character.
Once a carefree princess, cherished by her family, she was sent into the deep, treacherous palace by an imperial decree. She disregarded palace rules, but no one dared to challenge her. She wasn’t even afraid of the emperor. Yet, this bold and passionate princess was ultimately killed by the emperor himself.
Her death marked a major turning point in the film—shifting the tone from joy to sorrow. It was the moment the empress realized that the man she once loved had become a ruler who valued power above all else.
However, the script hinted that Princess Jiayin had realized she was being poisoned by the emperor.
Why did she still go along with his plan? That was something Chi Yan had to figure out herself.
She had a feeling that Princess Jiayin was far from naive. Though she died, her family gained the highest honors after her death. That, perhaps, was one of the reasons she was willing to sacrifice herself.
“Xiao Chi, your makeup is done.”
Chi Yan looked up from her script and into the mirror.
The reflection showed a woman dressed in foreign attire—it was as if Princess Jiayin had stepped out of the script and into reality.
She was satisfied.
“Thank you, Teacher Fang. I’ll head over now. It’s almost time for my scene.”
Princess Jiayin’s first appearance was at the coronation ceremony of the new emperor. With envoys arriving from all directions to pay tribute, her father presented her as a gift to the emperor.
Chi Yan adjusted her mindset and quietly waited for the previous scene to wrap up.
“Action!”
At Yu Jingming’s command, the actors stepped onto the set one after another.
Chi Yan followed the actor playing her father onto the grand hall.
While her father delivered congratulatory remarks and presented tributes, Jiayin took the opportunity to sneak a glance at the new emperor, curious about his appearance.
However, just as her eyes landed on his face, their gazes met. Startled, she quickly lowered her head, silently praying that the emperor wouldn’t take offense.
Perhaps her prayers worked, as the emperor said nothing, allowing her to sit beside her father.
During the banquet, as her father toasted and exchanged pleasantries with the emperor and ministers, Jiayin paid little attention to their flattery. She focused on eating pastries while mentally recalling the emperor’s appearance.
She rated him a seven—handsome, but his imposing aura was overwhelming. As a husband, he could only score a seven.
“Your Majesty, to show my loyalty, I am willing to present my most beloved daughter, Jiayin, to you!”
Hearing her name, Jiayin froze. Before she could react, her father pulled her to the center of the grand hall, both kneeling before the emperor.
Jiayin’s mind was in chaos. She hadn’t even had time to process what was happening before her father had made the offer!
But strangely, she remained kneeling for a long time, yet the emperor said nothing.
Just then, a general stepped forward and objected. “Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider! Princess Jiayin may be beautiful, but she is not one of us—”
At home, Jiayin always spoke her mind, and here was no exception. She kowtowed and declared, “Your Majesty, I have something to say!”
“Speak.”
Jiayin stood, turning slightly toward the general. “General, I do not recall ever offending you. While it is true that I was not born in the capital, I was still raised within the borders of the Great Sheng Dynasty. May I ask, what do you mean by ‘not one of us’?”
The general faltered, struggling to find a response.
Silence fell over the hall. Even the maids serving dishes moved more cautiously.
After a long pause, Jiayin heard a light chuckle from the throne.
“Come forth. I bestow upon Princess Jiayin the title of Noble Consort. She shall reside in Changchun Palace.”
Jiayin had been clueless about what was happening, yet she suddenly became the emperor’s consort.
She had no choice but to kneel and express her gratitude.
