Chapter 32 The Heroine Ascends the Throne: "My heart is adrift and restless; I need to travel far."
My heart is adrift and restless; I need to travel far.
When I lose myself, no one can give me a sense of security.
Jiang Yan pulled her coat tighter and walked in the cold wind.
She walked to the riverbank and suddenly remembered that the last time she came here, Qin Lan had asked her what love was.
She didn't say it aloud, but her eyes clearly showed her question, so Jiang Yan unusually talked a lot, even exposing her own pain to her, hoping that she could understand a little more.
She took out her cigarette case and stood silently on the riverbank. It was already two in the morning, but she was wide awake.
She took out her lighter; apart from the time she lost Qin Lan three years ago, she hadn't touched a cigarette in a long time.
Jiang Yan lowered her head, lit a cigarette, and then forcefully threw the lighter into the river.
She took a drag, her eyes squinting dreamily.
Jiang Yan clearly remembered how she felt after leaving Qin Lan last time.
She began to have sleepless nights, and almost any news about Qin Lan would quickly plunge her into a depressed mood. She forbade everyone around her from mentioning Qin Lan, but the most terrifying thing was that she found herself thinking about Qin Lan all the time.
She kept recalling all the sweetness she experienced during the days of her crush, and she also kept thinking about the dress Qin Lan wore when they first met.
Qin Lan was so dazzling and charming, so proud and powerful, so courageous and reckless.
Her unwavering gaze was the source of Jiang Yan's strength as she emerged from the darkness; she felt that for that gaze, she could overcome any difficulty.
She cried every day and became so haggard that she had to stop working. She lost a lot of weight and her eyes were vacant, like a walking corpse. So much so that the moment Yun Chui heard her voice, he decided to return to the country to be with her.
Yun Chui stayed with her for half a month. During that time, Jiang Yan's condition improved slightly because someone who knew her story with Qin Lan was with her, and they could talk until they naturally fell asleep at night. After half a month, Yun Chui started packing his luggage. Jiang Yan didn't say anything, but she was actually terrified.
“I can’t stay any longer. If this continues, you’ll become dependent on me.” Yun Chui gently stroked her hair. “Once I’m sure you’ve gotten out of your lowest point, I have to leave.”
“But I’m still suffering.” Jiang Yan looked at her in despair. “I can’t take it anymore. Why do all the bad things happen to me? It’s too painful. I really can’t take it…”
“You can handle it.” Yun Chui put down what he was holding and stared at her intently. “You’ve overcome the hardest part. Things will only get better from here on out.”
"But I still feel so uncomfortable, so very uncomfortable," Jiang Yan murmured, clutching her heart. "I want to take medicine. I need to see a doctor and get some..."
"You can't eat it." Yun Chui's expression turned stern. "You're not sick, do you hear me?"
She forced Jiang Yan to look up: "Look at me and repeat, 'I'm not sick, I've just been temporarily hit by a setback.'"
Jiang Yan's lips moved, and after a long while, she said, "I'm not sick, I've just been temporarily hit by a setback."
Yun Chui breathed a sigh of relief and stroked her hair soothingly: "Weren't you in so much pain that you wanted to question the heavens? Pain is certainly painful, but it can also bring things that others cannot obtain."
When you feel like you can't hold on any longer, think about how strong and beautiful you will become after your rebirth. Then, when you encounter setbacks in the future, you won't be easily defeated. Those who ultimately become as resilient as porcelain are usually not those who are unafraid of pain, but those who one day suddenly understand the whispers of suffering.
I not only want you to shatter, but I also want you to learn to mend your cracks with gold paint.
Not only will they burn you, they'll also turn your scars into glaze.
＊
Qin Lan felt like she had only slept for two hours when the alarm clock went off.
She got up with her hair all messed up and unlocked her phone haphazardly.
Group chat: [The Rich and Beautiful Sisters (5)]
Qin Lan: [We've broken up for now.]
Then she put down her phone and went to brush her teeth.
The suite was missing many things and felt quite empty.
Qin Lan walked into the washroom, and there was only one toothbrush cup left.
After they started dating, Jiang Yan couldn't sleep in her room, but she shared everything else with her.
Qin Lan regretted complaining about the cramped space before. Now, she stared blankly at the empty reflection in the mirror, experiencing the taste of "loss" for the first time in her life.
She listlessly climbed into the van. Ye Wei knew they didn't leave together in the morning, so she didn't raise the partition.
Qin Lan wanted to take a nap, but couldn't fall asleep, so she took out her phone and started scrolling.
The group chat is still being bombarded with messages.
Yang Xingji: [? ? ?]
Song Man: [? ? ?]
Yu Jintang: [“Let’s Talk for Now”]
Yang Xingji: ["We've Temporarily Broke Up Again"]
Yang Xingji: [Old Qin, did you bully Yanyan?!]
Yang Xingji: [Aaaaaah, Lao Qin, you're inhuman! Yanyan loves you so much, how could you betray her!]
Song Man: [Seriously, are you having a whirlwind romance, sis?]
Song Man: [Have you two been dating for a month?]
Yang Xingji: [Old Qin, tell me honestly, did you agree to Jiang Yan's request just to film a romantic scene?]
Qin Lan wearily rubbed her forehead: [Am I really that much of a jerk in your eyes?]
Yang Xingji: [You're not a muddle-headed person, but nobody really knows what you're like in a relationship.]
Yu Jintang: [Old Qin is clueless when it comes to interpersonal communication and emotional exchange. Most of the time, she doesn't even realize that she's hurting others. Although it's not intentional, it's certainly hateful in the eyes of the other person.]
Qin Lan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "Have I ever done this to you before?"
Yu Jintang: [Your boyfriend isn't in the group. Get this straight, dating and making friends are two different things. We grew up together, your little quirks are nothing.]
Yun Chui: [When you're in a relationship, there are many more details to consider, and both people need to work on every aspect. You might have made her lose confidence.]
Qin Lan sighed.
Yun Chui: [What are your thoughts?]
Qin Lan: [I don't know, my head hurts so much]
Yu Jintang: [Just tell me if you want to win her back or not.]
Qin Lan was silent for a moment: [I'm kind of thinking about it.]
The others started a lively discussion, some laughing at Qin Lan, some offering bad advice, and some both. Only Yun Chui was seriously listing points and making suggestions. Her efforts were taken seriously by Qin Lan, while the rest of the group were almost kicked out of the chat by the annoyed Qin Lan.
Song Man remained incredibly quiet throughout the entire interview, never offering any opinion on the topic of "how to win back love."
Even amidst her busy schedule, Yu Jintang still finds time to stan her beloved BeCP.
Yun Chui switched out of the group chat and replied in Jiang Yan's chat window: 【I think your choice is right】
Jiang Yan's message was displayed above: "We broke up. Maybe we shouldn't have started dating in the first place. I hesitated for a long time, but in the end, I couldn't resist the temptation."
Yun Chui: [It's not too late. Think it through before you pursue her, but I think Lao Qin might come after you later.]
Jiang Yan marked three points: 【I can't imagine what it would be like for her to pursue someone.】
Yun Chui thought about the scene for a moment and couldn't help but feel a chill.
Jiang Yan then asked, "How have you been feeling lately?"
Yun Chui briefly stated: "Things have been relatively stable recently."
Jiang Yan: [Take care of yourself, we're waiting for you to come back]
Yun Chui did not return.
Jiang Yan sighed, staring at her phone screen as it gradually went dark. She didn't have any scenes to film right now, so she planned to catch up on some sleep.
She's already moved back to her room. She hasn't had time to unpack her suitcase yet, but her assistant will come and help her.
The woman projected on the screen looked exhausted from staying up all night, but her eyes were bright and her brows were firm; she was clearly much better than last time.
＊
On the film set.
Yu Jintang lay back in the office chair, holding her phone in both hands: "Lu Xi, Lu Xi, Lu Xi, send teleport, send teleport, send teleport!"
The little figure on the screen spun around under the enemy's crystal, quickly devouring two waves of minions. The crystal began its attack, and just as the health bar was about to be depleted, Yu Jintang's screen turned blue, and she instantly used Da Qiao's teleportation to return to her own crystal.
Mid laner Milady and top laner Li Xin stood under the turret, seemingly lost in thought.
A series of angry curses came from Lu Xi's phone.
“Sister…” Lu Xi covered her ears pitifully.
Yu Jintang used her skill to teleport to her own tower to farm the minion wave, and took a moment to reply to her: "I forgot to tell you, you have to turn off the team chat when you duo queue with me."
Lu Xi silently turned off the receiver, while Yu Jintang went across the entire map to farm the enemy's minion wave.
Milady and Li Xin couldn't get any farm in lane, so they started frantically farming the jungle.
The jungler Li Yuanfang has the lowest economy, having only received one buff since the start of the game.
Our marksman Marco Polo has an incredibly high economy and a level that's far ahead of others.
"Alright, now let me save my teammates from this predicament!" She directed Lu Xi to the top lane tower: "Use your ultimate!"
Lu Xi requested to join the group on the way.
Yu Jintang turned on his microphone: "Comrades, listen to my command, all troops attack the top lane turret!"
Apart from her, the other four went to the top lane. Milady threw a bunch of kids into the tower, and the rest rushed in and started attacking the tower like crazy.
The first tower fell incredibly quickly, but the enemy also swiftly arrived to reinforce it. Da Qiao escorted Li Xin back home, and the rest of the team fell one after another in battle.
The remaining opponents stayed in the top lane to clear the minion wave, along with Milady, who was running away with low health and a large group of children behind her.
Yu Jintang made a miraculous entrance, unleashing her ultimate skill and securing a triple kill with only one life.
Da Qiao diligently went to the bottom lane, and Li Xin and Milady began clearing the bottom lane after they were revived. As soon as Da Qiao's ultimate was ready, she summoned everyone again and forcibly destroyed the second bottom lane tower.
The opposing team rushed to the bottom lane, and Yu Jintang entered with a wicked smile, securing another triple kill.
Words such as "disgusting," "***," and "****" began appearing in all channels.
Yu Jintang marks the enemy's bottom lane high ground on the minimap.
Teammates died one after another, Yu Jintang got a double kill, a triple kill, and a quadra kill.
The opposing marksman was swearing wildly in all chat: "Why are they so disgusting, especially Marco? What kind of game is that?"
Yu Jintang chased after him and fired a burst of bullets. After killing him, she turned and said, "You don't need to feel inferior for losing to me."
"Take it down!" With the final blow shattering the crystal, Yu Jintang whistled and winked smugly at Lu Xi: "How about that? Guaranteed C and guaranteed win, right?"
Lu Xi hesitated for a moment before praising her, "Sister, you truly don't follow the usual path..."
Yu Jintang glanced up at Qin Lan, who had just walked in, and tossed her a pack of cigarettes. "You're here?"
Qin Lan tossed it back: "I won't smoke."
Yu Jintang took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth: "How are you feeling now? Any unusual emotions?"
Qin Lan was speechless: "Should I be sad or happy?"
"It's normal for you to maintain your usual arrogance and wildness."
Lu Xi went to help move things, and Qin Lan plopped down in the empty spot she had made, propping her legs up high.
After a while, she said sullenly, "I feel a little unhappy."
Yu Jintang looked at her with surprise: "Tell me why?"
"I don't know." Qin Lan thought for a moment, "I was very sad to see her cry, and I was also very sad when she said she was leaving. She said a lot last night, and I realized that my behavior had hurt her so much."
"It is of utmost importance to admit one's mistakes and correct them." Yu Jintang said earnestly, "As long as you don't make the same mistake again, that will be fine."
"You mean you want me to win Jiang Yan back?" Qin Lan lowered her voice.
“No, who taught you to understand it that way?” Yu Jintang gave her a strange look.
"So you mean for me to admit my mistakes and correct them?" Qin Lan was a little annoyed.
"Oh, so you like her?"
"Why do you all have to ask me this question?!" Qin Lan said angrily. "I don't want to hear that again!"
"The more you fear something, the more you try to avoid it." Yu Jintang glanced at her sideways: "I suggest you think about this issue carefully."
"I've been thinking about this for a long time!" Qin Lan said, pulling her hair in frustration. "Yesterday, Jiang Yan asked me if I was reluctant to leave her by my side or if I was reluctant to leave her. After thinking about it carefully, I felt that both were true. You know I'm not interested in romantic relationships at all!"
"Sigh, I feel bad for you, Lao Qin." Yu Jintang nodded seriously. "But dating is such a troublesome thing. If you want to kiss, you always have to pay a sweet price. I still suggest you think it through."
Qin Lan's eyes suddenly lit up: "I've got it! Why don't I find someone else to flirt with for a while and see what happens?"
Even Yu Jintang opened his mouth this time: "...Old Qin, when you find a phase goal, you really don't care about the lives of others."
"Oh, that seems a bit unethical."
"And if you do this, you might lose Jiang Yan completely."
"Oh," Qin Lan said listlessly.
The shoot was about to begin, and she tried her best not to think about it, then followed the makeup artist.
Standing behind the camera again, Qin Lan felt her slight frustration vanish. This was her home turf, where she could always unleash her full potential. Qin Lan walked out of the dressing room with her head held high, standing beside Feng Manhong in her battle attire.
Empress Wu, dressed in the emperor's crown, was fully prepared to depart.
In half an hour, she will transform from Empress Wu into Empress Wu.
Shangguan Wan'er will also transform from the Empress Dowager's close attendant into the Emperor's right-hand woman.
Qin Lan took another deep breath and immersed herself completely in the story.
Wu Zhao was dressed in her finest clothes today and looked radiant.
She is 67 years old this year, but thanks to her youthful appearance, she doesn't look old at all. Feng Manhong herself is 55 years old, an age when wrinkles are just beginning to appear, but with proper daily care, she doesn't look old either. Nowadays, makeup technology is so advanced that it can help Feng Manhong look years younger.
Wu Zetian's coronation ceremony was grand and extravagant. On that day, the streets were deserted as everyone flocked to witness the empress's glory. The entire production crew had been preparing for this pivotal scene for a long time, with elaborate costumes and sets, making filming exceptionally slow.
As Wu Zetian ascended the steps and sat firmly on the dragon throne, the first female emperor in Chinese history was officially born, and the Wu Zhou Revolution was declared complete.
Wu Zetian sat high on the dragon throne, looking down at the people below. Her gaze swept over the ministers who were shouting "Long live the Empress!", over the dancing common people, over all the people of the Great Zhou Empire, and finally settled on the sun in the sky.
Wu Zetian narrowed her eyes, tears already glistening in the corners.
On this day, the sun and moon were high in the sky.
She had waited many years for this day.
Empress Wu Zetian's significance lies not in achieving great deeds. As a woman, she powerfully challenged the patriarchal ideology of feudal society, carving a bloody path to imperial power from the rigid, millennia-old rituals and social norms. She refused to accept fate, refused to yield, and redefined herself, from a lowly concubine to Empress Wu Zetian, then to Empress Wu Zetian of the Wu Zhou dynasty. Step by step, she rose from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of power, effortlessly shaping her vast empire. This miracle of defying destiny was created by her own hands, and she deserved the glory she was given. What did the deluge of later generations matter? Countless envious and jealous gazes etched her coveted achievements on the wordless stele.
The entire crew was so shocked by the scene that they remained speechless for a long time. The cameras worked frantically, striving to fully record this historical moment.
The play went on, take after take, the plot gradually unfolded, and in the blink of an eye, the Wu Zhou revolution came to an end, and Wu Zetian's reign as empress had been long overdue. The timeline was dragged forward at an accelerated pace.
Qin Lan was too busy to think about her relationship with Jiang Yan. She threw herself into the film crew, which had become like an overheated engine, with work taking up all her available time during the day. She was deliberately keeping herself busy.
Otherwise, once she returned to the hotel, she would often think of Jiang Yan smoking on the balcony.
She kept busy, filling her mind with work, and had almost no extra energy to think about Jiang Yan. Fortunately, she hadn't had any scenes with Jiang Yan yet, and hadn't seen her face for a whole week. Until one noon, she suddenly had a new idea, grabbed her lunch, and ran to the director's studio to find Yu Jintang. She had only said a few words when the curtain was lifted, and Jiang Yan walked in.
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