The filming time flew by. During the shoot, Wen Jiu recorded two singles, gave several interviews, and visited several locations during the location shooting.
The young emperor in the drama also went through the bloody battles for the throne, dodged assassination attempts one after another, and even led the army to defend the Northern Frontier border and protect the people.
This allowed the Great Yan to initially establish a firm foothold amidst the turbulent and unpredictable world.
"Ready—Scene 9, Shot 21, Action!"
Wen Yan sat upright on the dragon throne, his peach blossom eyes hidden beneath the crown's tassels, making it impossible to discern his expression from the distance.
"The situation is still uncertain; how can I take a wife?"
The ministers knelt in a sea of kneeling, begging the emperor to reconsider.
Wen Yan's gaze fell on the leading man, his tone calm yet authoritative. "Does the Regent also insist on this?"
The man remained expressionless, enduring the scrutinizing gazes of the assembled officials, his tone respectful yet aloof, leaving no room for criticism.
" The Great Yan needs an empress."
Wen Yan's hand, resting on the dragon throne, gradually tightened. After a long silence, the eunuch flicked his whisk and called out, "Court adjourned—"
The young emperor eventually married his empress.
The daughter of the Minister of Rites, she was virtuous and kind, a model for the nation.
Mu Xiao personally chose his wife.
However, on his wedding night, the emperor did not stay in the bridal chamber, but instead went to the imperial study to discuss military and political affairs with the regent.
Mu Xiao hesitated several times, his expression pained and conflicted.
The boy seemed not to notice.
As the moonlight deepened, the young emperor finally rose, the pale moonlight shining on his magnificent, fiery red wedding robe, making him look radiant and beautiful.
Wen Yan turned around and asked softly, "Do I look good in this wedding dress?"
His fists, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched tightly. His eyes scanned the distance between them. After a long silence, Mu Xiao finally managed a weak smile.
"Your Majesty is as radiant and clear as the moon, unrestrained and bright; he is undeniably beautiful."
The boy's red lips curved slightly, and he chuckled softly, "That's good then."
The new emperor had achieved such success in just over a hundred days since his ascension to the throne, and quickly won the love and respect of the entire State of Yan.
The kings of the enemy states all said, "If Wen Jingyao is not eliminated, he will surely become a major threat in the future."
But before they could make a move, Wen Yan was killed by the remnants of the former crown prince's faction.
A long knife pierced through his abdomen, and blood soaked through his white clothes.
With all hope lost, the boy's eyes filled with sorrow. He struggled to turn around, trying desperately to see who had taken his life.
Veins bulged on his neck as he gripped the blade with his blood-soaked hands, tearing flesh apart.
"Yes, it's you..."
The anger in the boy's eyes was almost tangible. Wu Qingshan, who played the Grand Tutor, subconsciously let go, took a few steps back in a panic, and fell to the ground.
Wen Yan's eyes were bloodshot. Extreme resentment and unwillingness made him support his frail body, which was already weakened by illness, and he staggered half a step before kneeling heavily on one knee.
"Teacher... you're so silly, so confused..."
Wen Yan spat out a mouthful of blood, as if he had used all his strength to try to survive, but the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
Wu Qingshan's pupils contracted slightly; he was still somewhat incredulous upon hearing this title.
He was the Crown Prince's tutor, personally appointed by the late emperor, and a complete member of the Crown Prince's faction.
He only taught a few lessons to the other princes.
Wen Yan actually... still remembers?
An indescribable emotion welled up inside him, and the Grand Tutor, flustered, crawled over on his knees to help the man up.
Wen Yan coldly brushed his hand away, and then fell to the side like a kite with its string cut.
Tears slid down from the corners of his eyes, mingled with blood, a stark and unsettling sight.
He suddenly felt a chill.
The Grand Tutor's urgent voice gradually faded, and in a daze, he seemed to hear Mu Xiao's gentle calls, calling him " A-Yan " again and again.
The boy's blood-stained lips parted as if trying to respond, but this only caused more blood to gush out.
In the darkness of night, no one knew.
News of the emperor's death quickly reached the military camp, and the regent, who had been a towering figure on the battlefield and had killed countless enemies, almost instantly bent his back.
In the blood-red sunset, banners stained with blood flutter in the evening breeze.
After Wen Yan's death, Mu Xiao led his army to conquer the nomadic tribes of the Northern Frontier, fought in the east and west, and quelled the rebellion in the Southern Frontier.
Walk the paths he walked, read the memorials he reviewed, and you'll find his presence everywhere—in the red bricks and green tiles of the palace, amidst the green trees and peach blossoms.
Another year, the flowers bloom, and black hair turns gray.
His life was summed up in the last sentence he left for the censor before his death:
" Emperor Shengzhi, Wen Jingyao, was a true Prosperous Age ruler of a prosperous era. Without him, there would have been no regent who devoted himself to the Great Yan."
The final scene shows Mu Xiao dying on his bed.
When the man died, there was no pain in his eyes, only the joy and relief of having his wish fulfilled.
It was as if he could see the young emperor in his red armor, standing atop the beacon-scorched city walls, turning back to smile sweetly at him:
" A-Xiao, I will definitely become a wise and benevolent ruler of Prosperous Age era!"
The young man possessed a refined and outstanding character, displaying remarkable talent and unrestrained spirit.
He heard the boy's familiar call, a very soft voice calling him, " A-Xiao."
Mu Xiao suddenly turned his head to look at the doorway. Outside, there was a warm, white light, and his young emperor, dressed in red, walked towards Against the Light.
With a bright smile, she reached out her hand to him and said, " A-Xiao, would you like to come with me?"
Mu Qingye, the regent of the Great Yan Dynasty, who had served three generations of court officials and served two dynasties, and who was high above everyone else, was instantly moved to tears.
She cried like a child who had suffered countless injustices.
How could he not know that this was an illusion, a trap?
It had been too long, so long that he was almost forgetting his lover's features and her unrestrained, bright smile.
The man smiled through his teary eyes, offering his wrinkled, withered, and unsightly hand before slowly closing his eyes.
"I do."
I am willing to go with you to the ends of the earth, to reach your side.
Just like the war-torn years when I followed you.
Throughout my life, I have never failed the Yan Dynasty, nor have I failed my sovereign.
"Cut!"
Filming is over!
The director's voice choked with emotion, Wen Jiu almost instantly bent over, crawled two steps, and tightly grasped the man's hand.
Wen Jiu broke down in tears.
The boy trembled as he hugged the strong yet fragile man tightly, tears streaming down his fair face and quickly soaking their clothes.
Feng Chi, fighting back tears, hugged him back with red-rimmed eyes, comforting him again and again.
His voice was hoarse and choked with sobs. "It's alright, it's alright..."
The photo shows an illusion, but during the filming, the boy was truly standing in front of him.
You can hug him, you can touch him, and you can feel his temperature.
Warm and scorching, like a small sun.
The force in his arm gradually tightened, then suddenly loosened.
Feng Chi cupped his tear-streaked face and kissed him deeply and intensely.
For Mu Xiao, Wen Yan was the sun in his heart, blazing, dazzling, and captivating.
It was also the unattainable moon, leaving only its light to shine upon him.
It is sacred, yet inviolable.
In Feng Chi's heart in his previous life, wasn't Wen Jiu the same way?
A young person is the sun, the moon, and the Star.
It is his whole world.