“Asking the obvious?” Chu Feiliang tilted her head and chuckled softly, her breath occasionally brushing against Rong Guang’s skin. Her voice was as gentle as if it were mixed with honey. “I’m this close to you. What do you think I’m smelling?”
Rong Guang’s breath was a little hot. She carefully pursed her lips, her eyes moist as she said, “What… what did you smell?”
“I didn’t smell anything.” Chu Feiliang sat back again, a look of disinterest on her face, as if she were a little unhappy. She said, “It’s the same scent as the things I’ve been using for years.”
Rong Guang blinked, saying nervously, “Then…”
“I’ll give you a different one later.” Chu Feiliang winked, a mischievous smile on her face. “This scent on you seems out of place. The scent you used to have on your own was much better.”
Rong Guang’s heart, which had just sunk to rock bottom, was slowly fished back up. She looked embarrassed. “I never used to wear perfume. What scent could I have had…”
Besides, after a full day of work, what kind of fragrance could be left?
Hopefully not the smell of sweat…
“You do.” Chu Feiliang propped her chin on her hand, her gaze serene as she looked at her. Her eyes curved as she said, “You just don’t know it yourself.”
So, not long after Chu Feiliang left, Rong Guang cautiously lifted her arm and sniffed.
The scent that greeted her was still the perfume Chu Feiliang had given her, a scent that could put one at ease.
The turmoil from just a moment ago vanished instantly. Rong Guang’s eyes curved into a smile as she prepared for the shoot.
Since Chu Feiliang said she had a scent, then she must have one.
This scene, which was originally supposed to be filmed at night, was postponed to the daytime.
Zhang Nanchuan discussed it with a few people. They had originally wanted to use the candlelight in the main hall to convey the deep night’s silence and solemnity, as well as an uncertain, flickering feeling. However, it seemed that the smoke wafting from the incense burner could achieve the same effect even when filmed during the day.
Moreover, there were more people around during the day. When the camera pulled back, the bustling palace attendants who dared not stop, and the Eldest Princess kneeling before the hall doors waiting for the emperor to release someone, would form a stark contrast.
Taking a few close-ups of the palace attendants’ faces at this moment could actually produce a better effect.
“Alright—The Eldest Princess, Scene Thirty, Take Three, Shot One—Action!”
Wen Mou was summoned into the palace alone.
The emperor was currently sitting on a cattail hassock by the window. Backlit, Wen Mou couldn’t make out his expression. She could only guess from the looks on the palace attendants’ faces on her way in that this was probably not a good thing.
Ji Ying was away inspecting the troops. It was less that she had been summoned to the palace and more that she had been forced into a sedan chair and brought directly into the palace.
Ahead, the emperor reached out and placed a game piece, a sharp ‘thwack!’ echoing heavily in the quiet room.
Rong Guang stole a glance, her eyes filled with curiosity. After a quick look, she immediately lowered her head again in a proper manner, kneeling quietly.
“Raise your head.” Ji Zheng finally finished examining the game board he had set up. Without looking up, he took the tea offered by the eunuch beside him and took a light sip.
Rong Guang blinked in slow motion, her thoughts racing. Her hands gently clasped on the thick carpet, and she slowly raised her head.
“Recently, We have heard that the Princess has a peculiar person by her side, one with considerable schemes.” The high-ranking emperor finally turned his head. Looking at Wen Mou’s youthful face, he was finally a little surprised. “We never imagined she would also be a beauty.”
Hearing this familiar line, Rong Guang laughed inwardly, thinking that Zhang Nanchuan was truly Zhang Nanchuan.
He could always use these minor details in lines and actions to let the audience connect more deeply with the characters.
The emperor was certainly brilliant, but he was also lecherous. Otherwise, his historical counterpart wouldn’t have still been selecting concubines at the age of sixty. It had to be said that the Li Dynasty’s imperial family was truly consistent, even their tastes were identical.
It was a good thing her face could withstand unflattering camera angles and was worthy of the word ‘beauty’. Otherwise, once this aired, there would probably be no shortage of people cursing her for having connections.
Rong Guang’s eyes curved, a look of naive happiness on her face as she said, “Ji Ying has said the same thing.”
“Insolent!” The head eunuch flicked his horsetail whisk, scared out of his wits. “How dare you speak the Princess’s name?!”
Rong Guang looked completely innocent. She pouted but didn’t say anything more, her childishness unconcealed.
On the contrary, this undisguised girlish demeanor actually lowered Ji Zheng’s guard slightly.
He smiled and pointed to the game board opposite him, saying, “Today, we will not distinguish between ruler and subject. You need not treat Us as the emperor. Today, We are merely a father concerned for his daughter. Sit, and play a game of Go with Us. Li Fuquan, have everyone withdraw.”
“Your Majesty…” Li Fuquan bowed, glanced back at Rong Guang with a worried expression, “This person…”
“Withdraw.” Ji Zheng frowned.
Li Fuquan immediately said no more. He flinched and led the others away.
“You’re so nice to the eunuch.” Rong Guang propped her chin on her hand and said with a bright smile, “When I used to travel with Ji Ying, I often saw people who would beat and curse their servants at the slightest displeasure. You’re much better than them.”
“Oh?” Ji Zheng chuckled lightly.
Rong Guang acted as if she couldn’t see the turbulent undercurrents, saying naively, “That eunuch just now was also very concerned about you. He was afraid I would hurt you.”
The emperor lifted his eyelids but didn’t say much.
But Rong Guang said with a serious face, “But he’s really overthinking it. I can’t even beat Ji Ying, so how could I possibly beat you.”
For some reason, these words pleased the emperor.
A hint of a smile appeared on Ji Zheng’s face. He said, “Indeed. The Princess’s martial arts were all taught by Us personally. We once said We would show the Princess the stars in the nine heavens, and We also said We would show her the prosperous capital of Chang’an, to let her see this world at peace.”
Every parent always has more expectations and affection for their first child.
“Mhm, Ji Ying tells me about this all the time, saying you promised her many things and fulfilled every one of them.” Rong Guang grabbed a handful of game pieces and held them in her palm, her face full of excitement. “Shall we play, Your Majesty? Ji Ying says I’m a terrible player and a sore loser, so she doesn’t like playing with me. Can I be a sore loser with you?”
The emperor burst out laughing, finally amused by the girl before him. He leaned on the table and said, “Today, We grant you special permission to be a sore loser. You can do the same with the Princess in the future. If she gets angry, tell her to come find Us!”
“That’s great!” Rong Guang was delighted. She pinched a game piece, looked left and right, found an empty spot, and slapped the white piece down with her hand, saying excitedly, “I’ve made my move, it’s your turn!”
She played on the Tengen point.
Ji Zheng’s face grew solemn, his gaze fixed directly on Rong Guang.
After a few breaths, Rong Guang blinked and said, “Aren’t you going to play?”
“I will.” Ji Zheng was unsure of Rong Guang’s intention in playing there. His gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce right through a person’s heart.
He slowly placed a piece.
Rong Guang was taken aback. “Why did you play so far away…”
Muttering to herself, she placed another piece next to the white one she had just played.
Ji Zheng frowned.
A moment passed.
Rong Guang placed all five of her pieces, her eyes shining with excitement. “I won!”
Ji Zheng frowned. “Nonsense.”
“I did win!” Rong Guang pointed to her five pieces in a row. “Ji Ying taught me that you win when you get five in a row. You’ve only played four, and they’re not in a line, so it doesn’t count!”
The game board sat on the table for a long moment, the girl’s excited face before him.
The emperor finally let out a soft chuckle and tossed the piece in his hand back into the box. “So this is the… game you two usually play?”
“Yep.” Rong Guang shook her head, looking innocent. “What else would we play?”
Ji Zheng reached up and pressed his temples.
Then he waved his hand, saying somewhat weakly, “Get out. Summon… the Eldest Princess.”
Li Fuquan entered from outside, bent at the waist. In a spot Ji Zheng couldn’t see, his expression was absolutely wretched.
Rong Guang was still unwilling to leave.
She glanced hesitantly at the game board and cautiously tested the waters, “Ji Ying said…”
The emperor looked up. “Said what?”
“That there would be a prize.” Rong Guang stood there. “Where’s the prize?”
Li Fuquan’s expression became even more contorted.
However, Ji Zheng wasn’t annoyed. He just casually toyed with a game piece, looking at the figure still kneeling under the sun outside the window, and said, “The Princess will bring it back to you herself.”
And so, Rong Guang left happily and smoothly. She performed a curtsy and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
After she left, the room returned to silence.
Ji Zheng looked at Li Fuquan beside him and asked, “Li Fuquan, what do you think of this peculiar person by the Princess’s side?”
“This…” Li Fuquan bowed and took a step forward, saying in a low voice, “I’m afraid it’s just a rumor spread among the common folk. This servant observes that the girl is not very old, and she acts erratically without any regard for etiquette. She doesn’t seem like a person with deep schemes.”
Ji Zheng didn’t respond, yet his imperial majesty was fully apparent.
Li Fuquan bowed again and retreated, stepping back into the shadows half a pace behind. A few beads of sweat quietly trickled down his face.
“Cut!”
Zhang Nanchuan called a halt. Rong Guang, who had walked off-camera after her scene, finally rushed over and helped Chu Feiliang up.
“Sister, how are your knees?” Rong Guang frowned, but was too embarrassed to lift her skirt to look.
“I’m fine.” Chu Feiliang waved her hand. “I only knelt for half an hour. You and Teacher Zhao got into character quickly. Go see the director and check if we got the shot.”
It was a long take, filmed in one shot. The dialogue, the expressions of the palace attendants, even the movements and positions during the game could cause the entire take to be scrapped.
Hearing this, Rong Guang half-supported Chu Feiliang and was about to walk.
However, after just two steps, Chu Feiliang frowned and sucked in a sharp breath.
Rong Guang froze and asked subconsciously, “What’s wrong? Is your leg bothering you?”
“No.” A speechless look crossed Chu Feiliang’s face. She said with amusement, “My leg’s asleep.”
Rong Guang thought for a moment, let go of Chu Feiliang’s arm, then bent down slightly in front of her. She looked back with a smile. “Then get on. I’ll carry you over. It’s just a few steps.”
“No, don’t.” Chu Feiliang pulled her up, then wrapped an arm around Rong Guang’s neck, pulling her into an embrace. She said, “Just help me walk. One leg is asleep, but the other one can still move.”
So Rong Guang agreed, placing one hand on Chu Feiliang’s waist and the other on her wrist, slowly helping her along.
Following behind, Wang Lujie looked at her own hands, then slowly looked up at the sky, thinking that her job as an assistant was simply worthless. Not only was she getting paid for nothing, but she had no work to do.
Then she stared at Rong Guang and Chu Feiliang’s backs and slowly tilted her head.
—Rong Guang was being leaned on by Chu Feiliang, her movements slow and even a little unsteady, as if she wanted to bear Chu Feiliang’s entire weight on her own body.
But Chu Feiliang…
Why did it look like she was deliberately pressing her weight onto Rong Guang?
Her walking movements, weren’t her legs perfectly nimble?
Was it an illusion?
Wang Lujie’s face was full of question marks.
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Fufu. Sly fox chu🤭