"You two are very much in love, not enemies. Do you have to act so hostile?"
The director was puzzled; the atmosphere should clearly have been one of confrontation between the general and the emperor.
How could you get it backwards!
"One more time!"
" Consort Li's second audition, begin."
Consort Li sat gracefully in the pavilion, enjoying the flowers and feeding the fish, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Suddenly seeing His Majesty's figure walking towards the Imperial Garden, she was somewhat surprised. She quickly patted Cuizhu, gracefully rose, and bowed her head with proper poise.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, what brings you to visit me today?"
Si Yan reached out and helped his beloved concubine up, then led her to the edge of the fishpond. His gaze remained fixed on the koi carp in the pond, which were kept but never truly free. His eyes were dark, as if he were thinking of his own situation.
Consort Li was incredibly clever; even without His Majesty's words, she could guess what was going on. She lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and said softly, "But the general has come to threaten you again."
For a concubine to say such things, it was quite disrespectful, but Si Yan did not deny it, only nodded indifferently.
"He... tells me not to interfere too much in politics, how ridiculous."
"I wonder whose court this really is."
Thinking about what happened in the Imperial Study today, the high and mighty emperor felt even more dejected.
Consort Li seemed to have finally made up her mind. She grasped Si Yan's hand, her voice very soft, as if afraid of being overheard.
"If Your Majesty is willing, I will have someone secretly contact my family in Jiangnan. At that time... perhaps we can lend you a helping hand."
"Kakaka!"
Jiang Nuo clapped her hands, "Well done!"
"Good my ass!" the director roared.
Jiang Nuo was almost caught off guard by the shout and looked over with a frown.
The director simply stood up and read the script over and over again.
"Yes... there's nothing wrong with the script."
What was supposed to be a heart-to-heart talk about safety turned into Consort Li revealing all her secrets to the Emperor, thus beginning her journey to becoming the Emperor's most favored concubine.
How come the two of them are portraying a revolutionary friendship this time!
The producer's lips twitched; he suddenly couldn't see a future for this production team.
They could all see that it wasn't a problem with the actress playing Consort Li, Si Yan also had a problem... It wasn't a problem with her acting skills either, it was just that the atmosphere was off.
"Director, regardless of whether you ultimately decide to cast me, I'd like to offer a suggestion."
The actress Consort Li, who plays Xi Zi Li, raises her hand in greeting.
"You say."
The director has a very good attitude towards good actors.
"I want to ask the screenwriter, for a male-centric power struggle novel, is the concubine really necessary as an embellishment?"
So everyone in the room turned to look at the screenwriter.
The screenwriter sitting on the sidelines slacking off:?
He put down his crossed legs, the cushion he was hugging, and the fruit.
He coughed a few times, then said in a serious tone, "With both power and beauty, how can that not be awesome?"
In fact, he himself realized that the character of the beloved concubine was a bit too thin. Separated from her childhood sweetheart at a young age and forced into the palace by her father, she did not have enough love to support her in helping the emperor, nor did she have a goal. It seemed that her appearance was only to give the emperor a cheat code.
However, most dramas on the market have this kind of embellishment, so he added it subconsciously.
Xi Zi, however, interpreted it from a different perspective. "The emperor ascended the throne at a young age and was not capable of confronting the powerful and ruthless general. At this time, his forbearance and bearing heavy burdens must have been extremely difficult, and every wrong step could lead to utter ruin."
"I've read the entire script. Every time the concubine appears, it instantly transforms the story from a political intrigue drama into an idol drama, and the way the 'golden finger' is given is also quite bizarre."
The screenwriter and director exchanged a glance and then nodded.
He felt that Xi Zi's words made sense.
director. "..."
Now you're offering hindsight advice! Thank goodness filming hasn't even started yet!
"So how do you think this character should be changed?" the screenwriter asked again.
Si Yan listened attentively. Xi Zi 'Xi Zi were spot on. The reason he couldn't get into character was because he lacked a basis for the character to believe in this person without reservation.
Although Jiang Nuo couldn't understand, she rested her chin on her hand and listened attentively.
He knew he overheard Xi Zi say, "Instead of having so many scenes between the Emperor and his beloved concubine, why not focus the emotional entanglements on him and the General?"
His eyes widened immediately. Why were they adding more scenes for him?! Memorizing all those lines was already exhausting!
Placed in the general's...
"Who should it be about???"
The director yelled.
He frowned, as if he had heard something offensive.
I think it's okay.
Si Yan responded, seemingly having understood Xi Zi's meaning, but also harboring some of her own selfish motives.
What was the Emperor's relationship with the general like before he ascended the throne?
He asked the screenwriter.
The screenwriter chuckled, wondering why he was involved.
"They had a very good relationship. Although the general was much older than the crown prince, they often went hunting together. However, later the old emperor began to fear the power of the general's family and killed the general's father... Ah, I understand!"
The screenwriter slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing the key.
"Although the emperor and the general are now rivals, their past friendship cannot be faked. Therefore, the emperor must be conflicted. On the one hand, the general is an elder brother he once respected and loved, so he will subconsciously trust him in times of great importance."
"On the other hand, their status is no longer what it used to be. The emperor is afraid that the general can really manipulate the court and completely overthrow the country that belongs to their family."
Xi Zi looked relieved; she had finally found a screenwriter who could understand human speech—it wasn't easy.
"Therefore, I suggest filming the emotional entanglement between the emperor and the general, commonly known as brotherhood."
"As for my role, how about we arrange for me to be the emperor's ally? As the daughter of the prime minister, I would enter the palace using my status as a concubine, secretly passing messages to the emperor and securing help from the prime minister's faction. After the emperor seizes the throne, he could pardon Consort Li, allowing her to leave the palace and reunite with her childhood sweetheart."
"Great idea! Excellent idea!"
The screenwriter clapped his hands in praise.
The producer's eyes lit up after listening to the whole thing; he suddenly felt like he could see the future again.
"Yes, I agree."
The director, who couldn't even get a word in edgewise. "..."
Let's chat, who can out-talk you guys?
It's actually not bad. There's a serious problem with political intrigue movies these days. It was a risky move, but what if it turned out well?
"Alright! That's the plan! Screenwriter Song, you go and work with the scriptwriting team to revise the script today."
If they lose money... it won't be his money that gets lost.
The director glanced at Si Yan and suddenly felt relieved.
Are there any other auditions today?
"Yes," Assistant Director Jia glanced at the list, "The later auditions won't affect the changes to this storyline."
"Then let's continue."
The director waved his hand dismissively and sat back down.
"Director, something terrible has happened!"
The staff member who was using their phone in the room suddenly stood up, pointing the phone screen at everyone.
"Our movie's auditions today are trending on social media."