Chapter 28 The Phoenix Arrives: "Nemesis with whom I've shared a bed."

At this moment, Xiaoqing slowly woke up. In the hazy light, an enlarged face appeared, so beautiful that she took another deep breath and pressed her philtrum.

"What kind of magic do you have?" Qin Lan didn't notice Jiang Yan's expression and her tone was a little jealous: "You've tamed Yang Xingji and my assistant so well that everyone who comes into contact with you seems to have lost their minds."

That's probably how she tamed her huge group of crazy fans.

Jiang Yan took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "It's just that the persona is easier to use."

"If you're so capable, why don't you offer me tea more often?"

Qin Lan thought that if Jiang Yan used her on-screen persona to seduce her all the time, she might be bewitched even sooner.

“Because a persona is only a part of me, and it can’t completely represent the real me.” Jiang Yan smiled. “If it’s someone I like, sincerity is the ultimate weapon. Teacher Qin is so good, he deserves all my sincerity.”

"......"

Qin Lan remained silent for a moment, thinking that the treacherous ministers who brought chaos to the monarchs in ancient times were not necessarily hypocritical. There were probably many people like Jiang Yan who spoke the lines of righteous characters with a loyal face, and then the emperor was so moved that he thought the other party was a truly virtuous and good person...

Being able to talk really makes you popular. Qin Lan thought to herself, feeling defeated. Jiang Yan sat opposite her, holding the slightly crumpled script, occasionally glancing at her with a smile in her eyes.

"Director Yu asked me to inform Teacher Jiang to go on stage." The staff member walked over, secretly glancing at Qin Lan's expression, his gaze lingering on the crumpled script for a few more seconds.

Jiang Yan chuckled, put down the script openly, and got up to walk out: "Coming right away."

She passed by Qin Lan, looking at her longingly, wanting to be comforted: "We're going to be separated again, give me a hug."

Qin Lan had already made up his mind not to give her any more favors, and urged, "Hurry up and let's go, we're running late."

Jiang Yan's heart sank. She forced a smile, lowered her head, and walked out.

The behind-the-scenes footage that had just been filmed was quickly edited and released. Yu Jintang planned to subtly help everyone accept the "gradually improving" relationship between Qin Lan and Jiang Yan.

Based on the relationship they showed in the clips, netizens now know that Qin Lan and Jiang Yan can talk to each other when they're not filming. Although there's nothing ambiguous about it, it's still being widely discussed and promoted by fans in the supertopic.

What does it mean if we can chat? It means we're not enemies!

What does Jiang Yan's flirting with Qin Lan's assistant signify?

Today he flirts with his assistant, tomorrow he'll discipline him!

The solo stans called them a cult and tried to report them, but were unsuccessful.

This scene is a one-on-one duel between Feng Manhong and Jiang Yan.

Shortly after Princess Taiping refused to remarry Wu Chengsi, Empress Wu brought up the matter of remarriage again.

After the completion of the Wanxiang Divine Palace, Empress Wu worshipped the palace with the rites due to an emperor, then granted a general amnesty and changed the reign title to "Yongchang," which was highly politically significant.

With the change of dynasty imminent, Empress Wu's steps grew increasingly firm and powerful. Princess Taiping sighed; this second marriage seemed inevitable.

Feng Manhong sat behind her desk reviewing memorials, occasionally glancing up to exchange a few words with Jiang Yan. With the reforms approaching, Empress Wu clearly had many things to attend to, yet she was full of energy, her eyes bright, and she was clearly enjoying herself.

"Mother~" Jiang Yan got up and sat down, saying in a coquettish tone, "You've been reviewing documents for several hours now, and my back is aching from sitting so long. I'm so bored."

"Soon, after Mother finishes reviewing these." Feng Manhong patted her hand reassuringly, then buried herself in reviewing them again.

"Mother~" Jiang Yan pouted in dissatisfaction: "Your subject is extremely bored and wants to go out for a stroll."

Empress Wu gave her a half-smile: "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

Taiping's attempt to escape failed, and she could only sit there sadly. The scene shifts, and Empress Wu finally finished reviewing the memorials in her hand. She then patted the seat next to her, gesturing for her to sit down.

Princess Taiping walked over and sat down beside her mother. But Empress Wu took out a box inlaid with pearls and jewels, opened it under Princess Taiping's curious gaze, and took out several iron plaques.

"You rejected Chengsi last time. Take another look this time. Among these brothers of the Wu family, is there one you fancy?"

Taiping was startled. The nameplate was engraved with the names of all members of the Wu clan.

Seeing her in a daze for a long time, Empress Wu picked and chose from the plaques: "How about you think it over?"

Seeing that Princess Taiping did not respond, Empress Wu picked and chose again, and pulled out two plaques: "The two brothers Youning and Youji?"

Taiping was annoyed by these names and knew that he would have to choose one today. He casually picked a card, but didn't forget to check if it was Wu Chengsi: "This one will do."

Feng Manhong did not look at the small iron plate.

"Does my son have a problem with his mother?"

Princess Taiping was still sulking: "Your subject dares not."

Empress Wu continued to stare at her and slowly said, "My son, you know that your mother has always doted on you. But on this matter, you must listen to your mother."

Empress Wu's gentle tone made her feel that her face would never turn cold towards her. For a moment, Taiping thought of her unrequited love for Shangguan, who loved her mother instead. A surge of resentment welled up inside her, and she blurted out, "But Mother, I have no desire to remarry..."

Why is it that everyone can like the person they like, while she, a princess, has to remarry?

"My son, I can grant you anything else, but not this one," Empress Wu said repeatedly.

Taiping angrily said, "But my husband, the Empress Dowager, still kills him whenever she wants. I came to plead with her, but did she agree? Now I don't want to remarry, but she still won't agree—"

"Shut up," Empress Wu said calmly.

"No! Why?" Taiping was about to argue again, but Empress Wu raised her head, her eyes no longer filled with affection, only endless unfamiliarity. This glance made Jiang Yan shiver, half acting, half getting into character as she avoided Feng Manhong's gaze.

The other person's gaze was indifferent and ordinary, yet it possessed an aura of authority and gloom.

Before this, when Jiang Yan and Feng Manhong filmed scenes together, the latter always deliberately restrained herself, guiding Jiang Yan into the role and never dominating her, making Jiang Yan's scenes with her always very easy. Empress Wu loved this precious little princess and always unconditionally fulfilled her requests, so this was the first time Taiping had directly faced Empress Wu, rather than her mother.

Now that Jiang Yan felt her oppressive aura, she suddenly understood why the actor who played Li Zhe had portrayed the scene of being crippled so well—he was simply terrified.

Empress Wu said nothing more, but Princess Taiping dared not utter a sound. The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes and flipped open the iron plaque that Princess Taiping had discarded, revealing the name "Wu Youji" on it.

This man was Empress Wu's cousin, and he already had a wife. But Princess Taiping could not calm down. An increasingly strong sense of unease enveloped her heart. This was the first time she had seen her mother like this, and she felt that she was no longer the most beloved Princess Taiping. She felt that she was just a name on those iron plaques, a tool that her mother could play with.

Empress Wu took out another box in front of her and put the iron plaque engraved with the name "Wu Youji" inside. The contents of the box flashed by, and she saw several other plaques among them, with the four characters "Shangguan" and "Taiping" flashing by in a conspicuous way.

She saw that the iron plaque representing "Wu Youji" was placed next to her own plaque.

＊

As the plot continues to unfold, Jiang Yan begins to suffer from insomnia again.

She woke up in the middle of the night with a start, the words "Let's break up" echoing in her ears. Startled and frightened, she jumped up, ran to the master bedroom, opened the door, rushed to the bed, and reached out to touch Qin Lan.

Qin Lan groggily opened her eyes: "Why are you here?"

Jiang Yan didn't know what to say, and Qin Lan impatiently nudged her, saying, "Go back to sleep."

She turned over, but Jiang Yan couldn't sleep at all. She grabbed her arm and wouldn't let go: "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

Qin Lan was sleeping soundly and was afraid that she would make a fuss about sleeping again after getting into bed, so she refused outright: "Don't even think about it. The contract says that you can't sleep in my bed, and you can't get into my bed either."

Jiang Yan smoked until dawn.

When her assistant knocked on the door this morning, I thought she was going to die in the house.

"Sis, are you in a bad mood?" the assistant asked cautiously.

"Go buy some more cigarettes."

Jiang Yan buried her face in the sink, and her assistant looked at her fearfully, as if worried that she would drown herself in it.

"It's nothing." She dried her face and smiled at her anxious assistant. "Don't forget to buy cigarettes."

＊

In 690 AD, Empress Wu ordered the death of Wu Youji's wife, and Princess Taiping remarried.

Previously, Empress Wu had changed the calendar and adopted the Zhou calendar. She also changed the written language and called herself Wu Zhao.

Zhao, the sun and moon in the sky.

After gaining control of the court, eliminating the Li Tang dynasty, quelling rebellions, building momentum, and cultivating her own faction, Wu Zetian was only one step away from the throne.

Wu Zetian stood in the empty hall and reached out her hand towards the golden chair.

With everything prepared, she was determined to succeed.

There's one last thing to do: abdicate.

Throughout history, the Chinese have placed great importance on the art of ascending to power, forming an unwritten tradition. For example, Emperor Xian of Han abdicated due to the political situation, and Cao Pi had to refuse three times before accepting; Zhao Kuangyin's yellow robe was forced on him by his subordinates, and he himself was completely unaware of it; even the Yongle Emperor, who rose to power through a blatant act, wanted to revise history after ascending the throne, even denying his own mother and insisting that he was born to Empress Ma.

Therefore, Wu Zetian, who rose to power as a woman, needed to put on a good show. She not only had to repeatedly refuse the throne, but also had the people "spontaneously petition" and repeatedly urge her to take the throne, so as to show that the Mandate of Heaven had arrived and that the people's hearts were with her.

Whether the people acted spontaneously and sincerely is unclear, but a great spectacle at the time, the "Phoenix Arrives," was clearly seen by a large group of people who rushed to spread the news and sing praises.

"The Phoenix Arrives? Where is it?" Princess Taiping stood up anxiously.

“It’s right at the top of the Mingtang Hall,” Shangguan Wan’er said. “If the princess goes there now, she should still be able to make it in time.”

"Prepare the carriage!" Princess Taiping shouted, hurriedly changing her clothes.

Such auspicious omens should not be missed.

After the two boarded the carriage, Taiping finally turned her gaze to Shangguan Wan'er: "Lord Shangguan, has graced us with your presence just to inform me of this auspicious omen?"

"I remember the princess used to love watching excitement the most." Shangguan Wan'er lowered her head and belittled her in order to mend their relationship.

"It's kind of Lord Shangguan to remember such a small matter of mine despite his busy schedule every day."

Taiping was in a state of wanting to create opportunities to provoke her even when there were none. But Shangguan Wan'er once again patiently endured it.

Taiping remembered that she wasn't like this before.

The Shangguan Wan'er she knew bore a striking resemblance to her mother. The difference was that Shangguan Wan'er was adept at disguise and had a fondness for poetry and literature, appearing more cultured than the Wu family.

There is indeed a phoenix above the Mingtang, but it is a statue that Xue Huaiyi painstakingly placed there; the real phoenix is ​​nowhere to be found.

Taiping alighted from the carriage and stood among a group of chattering commoners, looking at Shangguan with questioning eyes.

Shangguan Wan'er: "We're still a step too late. The phoenix must have flown away."

Princess Taiping: "?"

Shangguan Wan'er stepped forward and chatted with the people around her. After a while, she returned and smiled calmly: "The phoenix has flown to Shangyang Palace. Let's get in the carriage."

Taiping boarded the carriage with some skepticism. After a long journey, they arrived at Shangyang Palace. This time, there wasn't even a fake phoenix, let alone a real one.

Shangguan Wan'er inquired further.

The ministers said that the phoenix perching on the parasol tree was an auspicious omen, and that the phoenix must be on the parasol tree in the Left Censorate.

Taiping was already very impatient, but since she had already come all this way, she patiently boarded the carriage for the third time.

No phoenix was seen on the parasol tree, but officials gathered beneath it, their voices clamoring.

Taiping turned to look at Shangguan: "Where's Fenghuang?"

"It probably flew away again."

Princess Taiping: "..."

The leading official repeatedly claimed to have seen a phoenix, symbolizing the Empress Dowager's incarnation. At that moment, a shout rang out from the court, "A phoenix!"

In an instant, the people left and the trees swayed, and Empress Wu's entourage could be seen in the distance.

"Even the Empress Dowager is here, we can't fake it this time, can we?" Taiping said irritably. But when the two arrived, only tens of thousands of Vermilion Birds flew in from the east...

"A hundred birds pay homage to the phoenix! This is an auspicious sign! The arrival of all the birds means that the Empress Dowager is the true phoenix!" The officials excitedly knelt down and protected Empress Wu's procession.

Princess Taiping: "..."

Who says men are insensitive? They're quite perceptive, and they can spout all sorts of flowery nonsense without batting an eye.

A very auspicious sign, very suitable for ascending the throne.

As she was pondering, she suddenly felt Shangguan Wan'er grab her wrist, her voice low and excited: "The Empress Dowager is about to succeed."

Surprisingly, Taiping neither showed jealousy nor retorted. She too gazed at the elderly woman, now appearing as if a phoenix had descended to earth, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She saw the dignified smile on the woman's face, the lines etched by time around her eyes, and the unwavering determination in her gaze…

She couldn't help but ask, "Is that seat really that comfortable?"

“Of course,” Shangguan Wan’er said softly, “The princess asks this because she never lacks anything, nor is she ever powerless to help…”

"Who said I don't have any?" Taiping retorted, "Would you give me what I want?"

“...It’s not about that.” Shangguan Wan’er remained silent. “The princess hasn’t experienced it, so she doesn’t understand.”

"You understand perfectly?"

“Of course.” Shangguan Wan’er stared intently at Empress Wu and said softly, “Has Your Highness forgotten? I am a criminal slave of the Yeting Palace.”

"The Empress Dowager was once imprisoned in Ganye Temple, and her journey was fraught with difficulties. Because she was once powerless, her desire for power became exceptionally strong."

Taiping's heart stirred. So this was why Shangguan Xinyue was attracted to the Empress Dowager? Similar people are always more likely to come together, finding their own reflections in each other, the parts they lack. She lowered her eyelashes wistfully, her expression breaking the hearts of countless young women watching from the sidelines—

"Waaaaah, it looks like Teacher Jiang is about to cry..."

"Teacher Jiang portrayed unrequited love so well! That sense of heartbreak is absolutely amazing!"

"I can't take it anymore, Teacher Qin, please look at her, your prince is about to break."

"Why is no one praising Teacher Qin! The way she looks at Actress Feng is amazing! It's full of admiration and respect. I declare Wu Wan is the best shipper!"

"Wanping is the true love! Wu Wan was just an accident!"

"Wan'er started having a crush on Wu Zetian when she was thirteen, okay? Taiping would have to wait in line."

Yu Jintang remarked to Lü Xi, who was sitting on a small stool, "Look at their love triangle, it's quite a spectacle. Everyone seems really invested..."

Lu Xi looked closely and saw that Qin Lan was staring intently at Feng Manhong, her bright and flamboyant face now filled with respect, without a trace of arrogance.

Qin Lan started acting in films and television dramas during high school. The entertainment industry is a place where capital matters, but Qin Lan herself was capital. Bai Ai gave Qin Lan a suspense film produced by Qin's Group. That year, Qin Lan's performance in the film made her an instant hit, earning her a nomination for a major domestic award.

However, the following year she took on another role in a modern romance drama, which was met with widespread online criticism after its release.

During that time, Qin Lan couldn't go to class. The male lead's fans attacked her relentlessly, accusing her of bullying their brother because she had powerful connections.

Bai Ai immediately changed her strategy, no longer giving Qin Lan romantic roles. After providing her with more resources for a while, Qin Lan took off again, rising steadily to where she is today. But how many TV dramas don't involve romance? Every time she had to play a couple with a male actor, she would be singled out and criticized. To the point that Qin Lan got used to it, and she felt uneasy if there weren't haters throwing bottles at her when she went out to work.

When Qin Lan said she wanted to participate in "The Era of Red Powder", Bai Ai advised her to keep her talents to herself, but she underestimated her own stubbornness. This time, Qin Lan insisted on challenging herself.

Qin Lan doesn't have much romantic experience to draw out, but thankfully, for now she only needs to swoon over Wu Zetian. Feng Manhong is the only star she's ever idolized. Although Qin Lan isn't good at acting out unrequited love, she still knows what it looks like for a fan to look at their idol. At this moment, she adopts the fan's perspective, gazing earnestly at Feng Manhong with the same genuine emotion in her eyes as Jiang Yan.

She was completely absorbed in the scene, only feeling a chill run down her spine after it ended. Feeling uneasy, she glanced at Jiang Yan, sensing the wolf's gaze fixed on her.

"Why are you staring at me?" Qin Lan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Jiang Yan's expression was indifferent, but her presence was so strong that Qin Lan could not ignore her.

The makeup artist came over to touch up Qin Lan's makeup, and she could only say in a muffled voice, "What kind of look is that? It's like you're going to eat me alive."

Jiang Yan, as if she didn't understand, asked her in return, "What kind of look am I giving you?"

Qin Lan, mindful of the other people present, thought for a moment and then changed her words: "I feel like they hate me to death."

Jiang Yan grinned and raised an eyebrow meaningfully: "Yeah, I really hate Teacher Qin, after all, we don't get along."

Qin Lan's makeup artist was so curious that her hands were trembling slightly. She tried to restrain herself but couldn't, so she pretended to turn her head to get a powder puff and quickly glanced at Jiang Yan. As a result, she met the eyes of Jiang Yan's makeup artist, who was crouching down furtively, her eyes peeking at Qin Lan from behind the chair.

The two makeup artists looked at each other and couldn't hold back any longer; they both turned their heads and burst into laughter.

Qin Lan looked at the mirror, puzzled: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Yan's makeup artist couldn't stop laughing, clutching her stomach and convulsing. Qin Lan glanced at them, puzzled, and could only speak to the only sane person left present: "How did these two suddenly go crazy?"

"Who knows?" Jiang Yan shrugged. "Maybe they're just curious about our relationship?"

"Nemesis, what other relationship could there be?" Qin Lan's voice was a little weak, but his face was as fierce as could be.

“Mmm,” Jiang Yan agreed, “Nemesis who’s slept together.”

With a loud crash, Qin Lan's makeup artist fell to the ground, knocking over two chairs.