Jiang Yunli found two small shovels, and the two of them carefully dug soil under the acacia tree, their mouths never stopping as they dug.
“The palace maids said that I’m of marriageable age and will be getting married soon.” She said this while watching Shen Yu’s reaction.
Shen Yu paused for a moment, then continued digging without saying a word.
Jiang Yunli continued talking to herself.
"Everyone says that princesses bear heavy responsibilities, and many princesses in our dynasty have gone to marry foreign rulers."
"It seems that's what my subjects all think. I don't think that way. I just want to marry someone I love and live a happy life together."
"I admit that I am arrogant and domineering, and only care about myself."
"What kind of man does Ali like?" Shen Yu finally couldn't help but ask.
"If I, Zhaohua, am to marry, I will marry a man of exceptional talent and ability." The little princess said with conviction, but her gaze was fixed on Shen Yu.
Shen Yu's expression dimmed, and he looked somewhat dejected.
“Just like Brother Shen Yu, a dragon among men!” Jiang Yunli changed the subject, her eyes crinkling, and Shen Yu’s gloom vanished.
“Ah Li…”
“Brother Shenyu, I love you. I don’t want to hide it, and I won’t hide it.” Jiang Yunli made up her mind. “Brother Shenyu, do you feel the same way as Ali?”
"Hmm." Shen Yu remained silent for a moment before finally speaking his mind, which was also the answer Jiang Yunli wanted. "However, the matter of marriage, which is a matter of parental consent and matchmaker's words, still needs to be carefully considered."
Shen Yu wanted to be in accordance with propriety and law; he didn't want his Ali to suffer any injustice.
"Anyway, I can't live without you. Shen Yu, will you marry me?" Jiang Yunli called Shen Yu by his full name, her face tense and her tone serious, though her eyes were filled with tears, afraid that Shen Yu wouldn't agree. Shen Yu knew she was serious.
"I do," Shen Yu said, giving his answer. If he had no feelings for her, why would he spoil her like this?
Jiang Yunli wept with joy.
“Alright, Brother Shenyu, in my entire life, Jiang Yunli has only you, and no one else.”
"I, Chen Yu, only have Ali; there is no one else."
The two made solemn vows under the mimosa tree, and the mimosa tree bore witness to their vows, as did the wine in the jar.
The two buried the jar together under the mimosa tree and made a pact.
"How about we dig out this jar of wine on our wedding day?"
"good."
On Qixi Festival, they pledged their love for each other, vowing to stay together for life.
The wine jars are covered with soil, awaiting the wedding day when the aroma of the wine will fill the air.
Immersed in practicing swordsmanship under the mimosa tree, the young man stood tall and straight, his sword dance as swift as splitting bamboo, sending petals flying everywhere.
Jiang Yunli leaned against the window of the study not far away, watching Shen Yu practice swordsmanship. Her mind was filled with the vows they had just made, and she fell asleep in bliss.
After Shen Yu finished his sword dance, he saw the girl sleeping soundly on the windowsill. The corners of her mouth were even curved in her sleep, and he wondered what interesting things she was dreaming about.
Shen Yu packed up his sword, picked her up, and placed her on the couch in the study to rest. The capital was hot, so Shen Yu found some ice and sat beside her to fan her.
Looking at her sleeping face, I felt that life was worth living.
Jiang Yunli woke up slowly as it was getting dark, her eyes still blurry with sleep.
"Want to leave the manor? I'll take you out."
"Okay." The girl's soft voice was captivating.
...
"Okay, very good, this scene is done." Director Jiang Yi looked very happy.
Lu Jingchu's stable performance was as he expected. He was able to portray a young man brilliantly, and his emotional delivery was very moving.
Shen Shiqing's performance completely won him over, dispelling his previous doubts about her.
Shen Shiqing completely immersed herself in the role, perfectly portraying the princess's innocence, charm, willfulness, and determination in the early stages, as if she had stepped right out of the script.
The director applauded the group's performance, and the entire audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
Even Wen Xinran, who was off-screen, was somewhat shocked; Shen Shiqing's acting skills made her feel dangerous.
This can't go on any longer! She has to go back to square one! She vowed to herself.
Xing Jianan's expression was also off. Lu Jingchu and Shen Shiqing's acting in this scene was too natural, making him unable to help but think about some possibilities.
It might not be a good thing for him.
Once off-screen, Shen Shiqing returned to her original self, completely different from the character she portrayed in the play.
Lu Jingchu and Lu Jingchu exchanged a knowing glance, then the two went to the director's side. They were both very satisfied with the scene, and it seemed that the director was as well.
The director seems to be in a somewhat excited state right now.
Lu Jingchu reassured Shen Shiqing with her eyes, indicating that this was a normal phenomenon, and Shen Shiqing was finally relieved.
The director, of course, showered him with praise.
"You two acted very well, just like a real couple, without any trace of acting."
Lu Jingchu liked hearing this and smiled without showing any emotion.
Xing Jianan, standing to the side, immediately turned pale.
Lu Jingchu looked in his direction, her eyes like a wolf's, fierce and provocative.
"You two are in great shape, why don't we film the scene where you first met?" The director suddenly came to his senses again. "Never mind, I guess you're not ready yet."
"I remember all the lines."
"I've already read the script."
The director knew it was a done deal!
So they rushed to the next scene to prepare, dragging Shen Shiqing and Lu Jingchu to change clothes and do their styling and makeup.
This time, the makeup was done to make her look younger. Shen Shiqing closed her eyes to rest and let the makeup artist do her thing. When she opened her eyes, she looked completely different in the mirror and really looked like a teenage girl.
Of course, Lu Jingchu was the same, just like a genuine young man.
They filmed this scene very smoothly, and it was another one-take success. The director was speechless with amazement.
In his opinion, Shen Shiqing's acting skills are comparable to Lu Jingchu's, although there's no need to compare them.
He seemed to understand why Lu Jingchu insisted on recommending Shen Shiqing for the role; the character was practically made for her. He had to admit that Lu Jingchu had a discerning eye.
The director moved on to film other scenes, and Shen Shiqing and Lu Jingchu returned to the dressing room to remove their makeup.
There's another scene tonight, filming a storyline set on the night of Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day). Of course, the costumes and styling will still be the same as in the first scene.
There's not much else to prepare. The lines are already memorized and the layers are clear. Shen Shiqing has nothing to do now and can relax.
Having just finished filming and not eaten anything, Shen Shiqing realized it was already past 3 PM. He had intended to go out for a meal, but before he could even step out, Lin Man arrived.
She was also carrying several lunch boxes and milk tea drinks.
Shen Shiqing opened it, and inside were all sorts of things: two boxed meals, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, a fruit platter, and a chilled milk tea to cool you down.
Lin Man also brought a portion for Lu Jingchu. Lu Jingchu thanked him and ate with Shen Shiqing without being polite.
Looking at the scene, Lin Man felt it was incredibly pleasing to the eye, making the hard day's work worthwhile.
That's when the uninvited guest arrived.
"Hello, I've come to see you all~ I had some free time today, so I came to visit the set. Hope you're happy~"
When Du Hewen arrived, he was warm and cheerful. In his own words, he was a sunny and cheerful big boy.
The kind that's radiant and dazzling.
Lu Jingchu ignored him.
Shen Shiqing said he was unhappy.
Lin Man didn't speak.
"Who comes to visit the set empty-handed, Mr. Du?" Shen Shiqing teased him, giving him a way out.
"Oh dear, this is just my first time and I'm inexperienced. I'll get better with more practice." He said with a grin, but he seemed quite serious.
Lin Man answered a phone call and went outside.
Immediately afterwards, Du Hewen also slipped out without saying a word.
"He's leaving already? Wasn't he just here to visit the set?" Shen Shiqing asked.
"Right, I don't know whose set they're visiting," Lu Jingchu replied.
"Anyway, they're not here to see me."
"They're not here to see me anyway."
“But he will come often in the future,” Lu Jingchu said confidently, as if he was very sure.
"Why?" Shen Shiqing asked, puzzled.
"Probably... because of one person."
...
Outside, Lin Man, who was on the phone, was cornered by Du Hewen in a secluded corner.
In the panic, the phone fell to the ground.
No one picked it up.
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