Married in a Daze - Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Early September, the weather gradually shed its heat, turning cool. Qin Zhenzhen had suffered from insomnia for half the night and had a slight headache. She sat in the dressing room looking at herself in the mirror. Faint dark circles hung under her eyes. She reached up and rubbed at them. The dressing room door was knocked on. "Zhenzhen."
Qin Zhenzhen turned her head. Ji Lu was entering, carrying several boxes.
"You didn't eat breakfast either. I figured you must be hungry by now, so use these to pad your stomach first. We'll go out for lunch later."
As she spoke, Ji Lu placed the boxes on the counter next to the dressing table. Five or six different items, quite a variety. Qin Zhenzhen looked at them for a moment before lowering her gaze. "I don't want to eat."
"What's wrong?"
"Did you catch a cold last night and lost your appetite?"
Ji Lu, very worried, placed her hand on Qin Zhenzhen's forehead. Only after confirming her temperature was normal did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Qin Zhenzhen pulled her hand down. "Just didn't sleep well. Don't make a fuss."
Ji Lu: "How about you catch up on some sleep? I think this scene of theirs will take a while longer."
Qin Zhenzhen shook her head. "No need. Let them come in to do the makeup."
After saying this, she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. The faint dark circles against her fair skin were particularly conspicuous. Ji Lu snorted. "I don't know what you're all pushing yourselves so hard for."
"You're the same, Teacher Lu is the same. I heard they filmed all night last night and only just went back."
"Can your bodies take it?"
She chattered away. Because Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun had been getting along quite well lately, often dining together, having meals, and even attending a show together, she thought the relationship between Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun had eased somewhat. That's why she ventured a couple more sentences.
Hearing this, Qin Zhenzhen's tightly closed eyes twitched slightly, her delicate brows furrowing tightly. She didn't answer Ji Lu.
Seeing this, Ji Lu had no choice but to place the food to one side and go out to call the makeup artist in.
After changing into the costume and finishing the makeup, light powder was applied to Qin Zhenzhen's face, concealing her slightly weary appearance. The makeup artist said to Qin Zhenzhen in the mirror, "Zhenzhen, your skin is just too dewy. Even I envy it."
Qin Zhenzhen's fingers touched her cheek. "Not at all—"
Before she could finish the sentence, she remembered that night of the surprise visit. Fu Cheng had said to her, 'Zhenzhen, is your skin made of water?' She had laughed and joked back then. And what had Wang Zi said afterward?
He said Teacher Lu didn't look too good, and Lu Ruyun even cracked a dirty joke.
Lu Ruyun.
Why was it Lu Ruyun again.
Qin Zhenzhen let out a breath, brushing the images from her mind.
Waiting for Song He and Hu Jing to finish their scene, Director Hu sent someone to notify Qin Zhenzhen to prepare for the next one. Long since ready, Qin Zhenzhen lifted the hem of her costume skirt and walked toward the palace set for filming.
She was now the emperor's most favored concubine, enjoying the finest things in the world. The magnificent robe she wore was woven with gold thread, its hem embroidered with peonies. Though a concubine, she carried herself with more authority than even the empress, surrounded by numerous eunuchs and palace maids.
Qin Zhenzhen stepped onto the stone stairs, her graceful figure hidden beneath the lavish robes. Gold hairpins adorned her hair, their jade pendants swaying with her movement, eye-catching.
Her makeup was flawless, every strand of hair exuding refinement. She walked slowly, as if each step gave birth to a flower.
A crew member not far behind her whispered, "Zhenzhen!"
Qin Zhenzhen turned her head and saw He Tian clasping her hands together. "Good luck!"
She lowered her gaze and gave a faint, serene smile. The few crew members standing beside He Tian drew sharp breaths.
Truly, a single glance back, a hundred charms born; the powdered and painted of the six palaces pale into nothingness!
He Tian leaned on the shoulder of the person next to her. "Holy crap, with that one smile from Zhenzhen, my soul is gone."
"A siren! A siren!"
"I'm now incredibly looking forward to Yuan Yu after her dark turn! It's going to be absolutely brilliant!"
Everyone chattered in discussion. Not far away, Director Hu shouted, "Positions!"
Qin Zhenzhen stood at the entrance to Shufang Hall. Director Hu and Song He walked over. Director Hu pointed to a spot not far away. "Zhenzhen, you'll kneel over there in a moment."
Qin Zhenzhen nodded.
Today's scene was where Yuan Yu, having learned that Wei Yuan had caused a major disturbance in the Golden Luan Hall because of her and was imprisoned by the emperor, specially came to plead for leniency.
The scorching sun hung high. Under the camera's lens, Yuan Yu was followed not only by her maids but also several eunuchs. The group arrived imposingly at the entrance of Shufang Hall. The head eunuch in charge of the entrance, Eunuch Li, was standing there.
Yuan Yu prepared to enter without even looking at him. Eunuch Li hurriedly reached out to stop her. "Consort Yu, what are you doing?"
His voice was shrill, tinged with ill intent. This very scheme was the one he had presented to the emperor. Now that it was effective, not only did the emperor view him differently, but he also regarded him as his sole confidant. He naturally had to make the most of it.
He had long since mentioned to the emperor that Consort Yu would likely come to plead. The emperor had casually told him to send her away. That's why he dared to be so insolent.
Though furious, Yuan Yu didn't lose her composure. Her voice was low. "I must trouble Eunuch Li to announce me. This concubine has a matter to report."
Eunuch Li laughed with his shrill voice, like fine needles pricking the eardrums, the sound grating. He bowed his head, feigning respect. "Consort, His Majesty has just retired to rest."
"This slave advises you to turn a blind eye to some matters. Don't end up with nothing at all."
"This slave knows you wish to plead for General Wei. But look, from morning until now, four ministers have already come. His Majesty is furious right now. You shouldn't do something so thankless."
His attitude was arrogant, not placing Yuan Yu in his eyes at all. The expression on his face was a mocking half-smile.
Yuan Yu clenched her fists, her beautiful face wearing a look of resolve. "If His Majesty is unwilling to see this concubine, then this concubine will kneel here until His Majesty is willing!"
Besides anger, her face held the sorrow of powerless resistance.
Entering the palace was not her wish, but she had no choice. The emperor held the lifeline of her family's estate. Under myriad helpless circumstances, she entered the palace, originally intending to sacrifice herself to protect her family and Wei Yuan's safety. She never expected Wei Yuan to do something so foolish.
How could she not be anxious?
Yuan Yu knelt on the floor. This area had been covered earlier on Director Hu's orders, so the ground wasn't hot. But without the covering, it didn't take long before Qin Zhenzhen felt a slight pain in her knees.
The maids behind her anxiously hovered. "Consort, please don't do this."
"Consort, this is against protocol. If His Majesty comes out, he will be furious again!"
Qin Zhenzhen endured the heat from the ground. Fine sweat broke out on her forehead, her face tense, as if in extreme pain. "Against protocol."
"For half my life, I have strictly adhered to protocol, never once stepping out of line. At home, I obeyed my father; after marriage, I obey my husband. Yet even so, what have I gained?"
After saying this, she slowly closed her eyes. Tears mixed with sweat fell, dampening the front of her robe. Seeing her like this, the maids could no longer bear to offer a single word of comfort. They had no choice but to kneel on the ground alongside her.
Not far away, Eunuch Li curled the corners of his mouth, a cold smile playing on his lips. He pinched his throat and said, "Consort, what are you doing? Aren't you putting this old slave in a difficult position?"
He spoke of difficulty, but his eyes were full of schadenfreude, his expression faintly gleeful, haughty and overbearing.
Yuan Yu kept her head lowered, her face growing paler, her body trembling slightly. The hand resting on her maid's wrist slowly tightened. The maid endured the pain, not uttering a single sound.
Everyone was at a stalemate.
A figure in yellow emerged from Shufang Hall. Yuan Yu looked up and cried out, "Your Majesty!"
Her kneeling body shifted toward the yellow figure. Her face was as pale as paper, covered in sweat, her posture disheveled. She moved two steps and suddenly collapsed to the side. The maid caught her body. "Consort!"
The maid's cry made Song He look down. Seeing Yuan Yu's nearly despairing expression and pitiful state, Yuan Yu clutched the hem of his robe. Song He looked down, his gaze contemptuous. He snorted coldly, flicking his robe hem away, his face cold as he addressed Yuan Yu. "What is Consort Yu doing?"
"Surely you don't think I can tolerate you pleading for another man?"
Yuan Yu's hand was brushed aside. She grabbed onto it again, as if clutching her last lifeline, the despair in her eyes overwhelming. "Your Majesty, I beg you! I beg you! I will do anything you ask, just please release General Wei. He was only..."
Song He ignored the hand clutching his robe. He slowly crouched down, fingers pinching Yuan Yu's chin. "Only?"
"Only what?"
"Only coveting this emperor's woman? Only cursing this emperor for being untrustworthy? Only brandishing his sword at this emperor in the Golden Luan Hall, plotting treason!"
"Consort Yu, tell me, can this emperor tolerate such a man?"
His starry eyes were filled with a cold gleam, his face darkened with impatience. "Guards!"
"Cut!"
Hearing Director Hu's call, Qin Zhenzhen nearly slumped over. She rubbed her aching knees, grimacing. Director Hu walked over to them. "Song He, your expression just now was off."
"You should have anger, but also a sense of gratification, and also..."
Listening to Director Hu's critique, Qin Zhenzhen rubbed her knees. Ji Lu quickly walked over to her side, using an umbrella to shield her from the sun. After finishing with Song He, Director Hu turned to look at Qin Zhenzhen. "Get ready. We'll do it again."
Soon, the makeup artist came over to touch up their makeup. Ji Lu had a crew member hold the umbrella for her and quickly darted back to fetch something, handing it to Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen looked down. Knee pads.
For kneeling scenes, knee pads were sometimes used to protect the knees. Since the ground was hot earlier, Ji Lu had gone to find a pair. Qin Zhenzhen shook her head. "Not needed."
Ji Lu: "Why? I saw you looked uncomfortable kneeling just now."
It was quite uncomfortable, but it felt more real, and she performed more naturally. Qin Zhenzhen waved her hand. "Put them back."
Ji Lu could only nod helplessly. "Okay."
Soon, they filmed the scene again. It was cut because of a maid's mistake. The scene wasn't finished until nearly noon. While changing clothes, Qin Zhenzhen looked at her reddened knees, grateful the costume was thick. Otherwise, it wouldn't be just redness.
Ji Lu looked at her knees with heartache, wishing she could bear it for her. Qin Zhenzhen laughed at her exaggerated expression. "Alright, it'll fade soon. What's with that face?"
Ji Lu looked up at her, seeming somewhat reproachful. "Zhenzhen, an actor's most important asset is their body. What if you get bruised, bumped, or scarred somewhere? I don't want..."
Qin Zhenzhen interrupted her. "Lulu."
Ji Lu made a questioning sound, looking at her uncomprehendingly.
Qin Zhenzhen continued. "An actor's most important asset is their acting skill. If I can't act because of a minor injury or scar, then that can only mean it's my problem."
Ji Lu pouted. "Zhenzhen, that's not what I meant."
Qin Zhenzhen pressed her lips together. "Let's change out of the costume."
Although she knew Ji Lu didn't think that way, she knew that far too many people did think that way. Probably even people in the crew thought the same.
An eye candy, living off her looks, can't act, lacks spark. She knew countless people thought this. But she was grateful that Director Hu didn't think this way.
When he looked at her, he treated her as an ordinary actor, scolding and instructing her as usual, stricter than anyone else. So even if she suffered minor injuries or scars, she was willing.
This was her respect for the profession.
Knowing she had said the wrong thing, Ji Lu didn't dare speak to Qin Zhenzhen during the entire lunch, only occasionally glancing at her to see if she was angry.
They had lunch out with the crew, at the nearby Tianquan Hotel. Qin Zhenzhen hadn't eaten breakfast and had filmed all morning. Logically, she should have been very hungry, but she had no appetite. She merely forced down a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.
Sun Qin sat beside her. Seeing her put down her chopsticks, she turned and asked, "What's wrong? Not to your taste?"
Qin Zhenzhen shook her head. "The weather's too hot. Can't eat."
Sun Qin nodded. "Exactly, it's still not cool. But you have two more scenes this afternoon. You'll get hungry if you don't eat."
Hearing this, Qin Zhenzhen forced herself to take several more bites. Before she could put her chopsticks down, He Tian, sitting next to Ji Lu, held up her phone and said, "Hey, the show preview is out!"
As soon as she spoke, everyone's attention turned to her. Song He asked, "What show preview?"
He Tian stared at her phone, not looking up as she replied. "It's Star Showdown! The show Miss Qin and Teacher Lu were on. It's so short, only three minutes."
Hearing this, Qin Zhenzhen put down her chopsticks. She saw about half the people at the table picking up their phones. The two girls next to He Tian also leaned in to look at her phone screen.
"So sweet?"
"Teacher Lu's look here is so warm!"
"Zhenzhen looks so well-behaved, hahaha."
Intermittent comments reached Qin Zhenzhen. Even Ji Lu picked up her phone to watch the video. Qin Zhenzhen lowered her gaze, put down her chopsticks, and also picked up her phone.
The video was a preview, only three minutes long.
Two minutes of program content preview, one minute of bonus clip preview.
When she saw the words "pink, pink romance" attached next to the bonus clip, her gaze grew deep. The program content preview only captured a small, essential segment. The bonus clip was full of her and Lu Ruyun.
She saw the program team had also @-mentioned all six of them. Many fans had already gone to show support.
—Finished. I think I'm about to switch sides. I watched the bonus clip and think Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun look so warm! They're super sweet, ahhh! I swear I'm not a fan of either!
—Tsk, this is what romance feels like. So much better than those two who were just putting on a show before.
—Upstairs, are you talking about Chen Mo? Hahaha, announced they were in love four years ago, show off affection daily to chase clout, but fall silent whenever media asks about marriage. Look at Qin Zhenzhen, openly admitting it, showing affection with proper justification!
—Zhen-fan here!!! Ahhhh goddess I want to have your babies! You're too beautiful! You make my auntie blood boil with awesomeness!
—Can't take it. After watching these two's bonus clip, I actually kinda want to fall in love?
Once this preview came out, everyone's focus was fixed on the bonus clip, while the program content itself was neglected. This was Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun's first variety show after marriage. Not only the media, but netizens' sharp eyes were also glued to it, wanting to dig up some sign of discord, some secret reason for their marriage. They were even prepared to analyze Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun's movements, glances, and expressions.
But they didn't expect that after the bonus clip came out, as they watched, they unconsciously started grinning like fond aunties, sharing in the happiness.
What analysis, what sharp eyes, what wanting to see the real reason for their marriage.
Heck, what else do you need to see? It's love.
The more netizens wanted to discover the truth, the more they stared at the video. In the end, they all forgot their original purpose, typing away: When is the full episode coming out!
—I just want to see the complete show! Heard they filmed for three days and two nights. Can you release three days and two nights for us?
—Even if not three days and two nights, I wouldn't mind two days!
—Why are Star Showdown episodes so short! Strongly suggest the director add more time!!!
Within half an hour of the preview's release, the internet was already bustling. Netizens and fans gathered under the program's official Weibo. In no time, the show preview was trending.
The dining table was also lively. Qin Zhenzhen was surrounded. Unable to drink alcohol, everyone made merry with beverages. He Tian laughed the happiest, wishing she could see the full program right now. Her gaze lingered reluctantly on her phone. Before putting it away, she saw a Weibo push notification.
[Link] @StarShowdownOfficial: Is this enough to satisfy you? The bonus clip will also have a night visit to the bedroom!
Looking at this message, He Tian tugged on the girl next to her and whispered in awe, "Holy crap! The bonus clip will actually have a bed scene!"
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