Chapter 45 Feng Yinghou's Wrap-up Party: "Sister, what's wrong? Did you see something you shouldn't have?"
“I don’t care about age,” Shangguan Wan’er said seriously. “It’s just that time flies, and I’ve already seen your face, so I’m content…”
She gave a bitter smile and said, "His Majesty disregarded past grievances and promoted me out of the inner palace, showing me great favor. Over the years, he has trusted me implicitly and bestowed upon me power and status. How could I betray him?"
“I know you value this favor, Shangguan.” Taiping remained silent. “Do you truly have no feelings left for the Empress?”
"Perhaps." Shangguan looked wistfully toward the Mingtang.
"And what about me?" Princess Taiping asked tentatively, reaching out to take Shangguan's hand.
Shangguan Wan'er remained silent.
She was no longer the little girl who would blush. Faced with Princess Taiping's overtures, she simply let her hold her finger without expressing either affirmation or denial.
This has always been her principle: to avoid offending anyone and to do her best to repay those who are good to her. Moreover, she has always had mixed feelings about Taiping.
Yu Jintang called "cut," and Princess Taiping immediately relaxed her body, shifting her weight onto her good leg.
All her scenes that morning involved standing, and she also had to walk around with a commanding presence.
Qin Lan reached out and helped her to a chair nearby, asking, "Can you still hold on?"
“No problem.” Jiang Yan smiled. “Teacher Qin, I’d like some lemonade.”
Xiaoqing was prepared and quickly brought out a glass of lemonade: "Teacher Jiang, look! There are still water droplets on the outside. The lemons inside were made by hand with my superhuman strength. Try it and see how it is!"
"Thank you, little Qing~" Jiang Yan smiled and patted her head.
Turning her head, she saw not only Qin Lan glaring at her, but the entire crew was staring at them in slow motion.
Yu Jintang coughed and said, "Old Qin, Teacher Jiang can't move around easily. Could you come and take a look at the footage from earlier? We'll need to reshoot it later."
As soon as Qin Lan left, Jiang Yan gave her assistant a wink.
The assistant leaned closer and whispered, "Ibuprofen."
The assistant frowned: "Sis, you can't eat this every day..."
"Give me one," Jiang Yan repeated.
Helpless, the assistant had no choice but to take out the medicine. Jiang Yan quickly popped a tablet into her mouth, and as she raised her hand to ask for water, she suddenly met Qin Lan's gaze as he turned back.
"..."
Jiang Yan quickly swallowed.
Qin Lan strode over and grabbed her throat in an attempt to stop her, but he was a beat too late. Jiang Yan's throat moved, and the pill went down.
Qin Lan gripped her chin and said sternly, "Spit it out!"
Jiang Yan was so choked up that her face turned pale, and she couldn't speak.
"Spit it out!" Qin Lan was even angrier: "What did you eat?!"
The crew was stunned and whispered among themselves, "What's going on?"
"I don't know, it seems like Teacher Jiang swallowed something."
"What is Teacher Qin doing?"
"I understand. Teacher Jiang wants to commit suicide by taking poison, and Teacher Qin wants to torture her to extract a confession, so she wants to make her vomit up the poison!"
"How come they're suddenly acting in spy movies?"
Qin Lan released her grip, her face still grim. Jiang Yan coughed for a while, and her assistant quickly handed her a glass of water. She gently pushed it away, took the lemon water Xiao Qing had given her, and drank it. After catching her breath, she said, "It's a painkiller."
Qin Lan squatted down and lifted the hem of Jiang Yan's skirt to take a look. Jiang Yan's ankle was more swollen than in the morning. Qin Lan's heart clenched, feeling both distressed and angry: "And then you took painkillers?"
"Does it hurt?" Jiang Yan looked at her cautiously. "Are you angry?"
The people around stared in horror.
"Oh."
Qin Lan turned and left, her back view proud and arrogant. This arrogance made others hesitant to gossip, so they all pulled out their phones to chat in the gossip group.
Qin Lan lifted the curtain and entered the director's booth, saying to Yu Jintang, "Adjust the order, shoot the parts without Jiang Yan first."
"What, is it her injury?" Yu Jintang asked knowingly.
"I've already taken painkillers." Qin Lan was so annoyed that she wanted to pull her hair, but when she touched her shoulder, she realized that she was still wearing a hood, so she started pulling on the straps of her clothes instead.
"Her feet were swollen like pig's trotters, she was going to die."
Yu Jintang immediately gave Jiang Yan a day off: "Then let's film the coup scene first. It's perfect since Taiping doesn't need to show up directly, so Jiang Yan can rest today."
Qin Lan originally wanted to go see Jiang Yan, but the thought that the other party had secretly taken painkillers made her furious, so she turned around and walked towards the RV.
As soon as the car door opened, a blast of cool air hit her face. Qin Lan squinted comfortably and, as soon as she climbed into the car, she met Jiang Yan's gaze—this vixen was wearing a tank top that exposed her shoulders and waist, and was sitting comfortably in her seat, feeding herself some icy-cold fruit.
"Teacher Qin," Jiang Yanmei said with a smile, leaning forward and holding out her fork to her, "Eat watermelon."
Qin Lan sat down indifferently.
"All I want to do right now is smash your head open."
Jiang Yan opened the lunchbox for her in a conciliatory manner, set out the tableware, and stuffed the chopsticks into her hand: "I was wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"The mistake was not letting people get out of the house carefully before taking the medicine."
Qin Lan felt her blood rush to her head and stood up to leave. Unexpectedly, someone grabbed her wrist, and in her struggle, she accidentally bumped into Jiang Yan's face.
Jiang Yan let out a soft moan and collapsed, clutching her face. Qin Lan's heart tightened, and she quickly looked down. Just as the ends of her hair reached her chest, Jiang Yan suddenly wrapped her arms around her neck and pulled her down.
"Is it an act again?" Qin Lan was even angrier.
But when Jiang Yan tilted her head back and kissed her lips, Yue Xiong's chest was still unwilling to give up and rubbed against her.
"What on earth is going on inside? There's such a commotion..." Xiaoqing, who was on guard duty outside, muttered to Yu Shan.
Yu Shan kept her eyes straight ahead: "Keep a good watch on this post. I'm the best bodyguard."
Qin Lan tried to get up several times, but Jiang Yan held her back with even more passionate kisses.
She thought to herself that things couldn't go on like this, lest Jiang Yan become too optimistic at the slightest opportunity. But as soon as she covered Jiang Yan's mouth, the woman winced in pain, her legs curled up, and she looked at her feet with teary eyes.
"Keep pretending, keep pretending." Qin Lan laughed angrily, "Keep pretending!"
Jiang Yan really cried.
Qin Lan: "Why are you crying???"
"I feel wronged." Jiang Yan's face showed a stubborn expression of great injustice: "I worked so hard on filming, and devoted myself to the careers of Teacher Yu and Teacher Qin, but all I got in return was Teacher Qin's cold face and accusations."
"???"
She was almost persuaded by Jiang Yan, and felt that she had gone too far.
"So it's right that you don't take care of your health, and it's right that you secretly take painkillers, so I'm the one who did something wrong?"
Jiang Yan raised her tear-blurred face: "But we have no other choice. Can you find someone to replace me, or tell everyone in the crew not to be afraid, that the pressure we're facing isn't actually that great, that no extremists will suddenly rush over and stab someone, and that the crew has never received any rats before?"
"Qin Lan, think back to the past. Why did you donate so much money to the foundation every year? Why were there so few people at the audition? Don't you want to see this drama air? This is the first truly meaningful LGBTQ+ script, and it's based on historical events. It's of great significance to everyone at eNet."
"But you shouldn't have hidden the fact that you were taking medicine from me. Is that something you can just take anywhere?"
"I was wrong." Jiang Yan's expression changed instantly: "I shouldn't have secretly taken my medicine without telling you."
Qin Lan's jaw nearly dropped to the floor: "Then what were you doing, refusing to admit your mistake just now? Were you playing me?"
Jiang Yan whispered, "No, I just wanted to tease Teacher Qin."
Qin Lan was about to faint from anger, and Jiang Yan quickly added, "I want to see you so angry that I kiss you, and then you can't refuse me."
What exactly are your fetishes???
Jiang Yan blinked: "Your quirks."
＊
Qin Lan instructed Ye Wei to take Jiang Yan back to the hotel, supervise her to change her dressing and go to bed to rest, and prohibit her from wandering around.
During the afternoon shoot, she kept feeling that people's eyes were lingering on her, intentionally or unintentionally.
Qin Lan looked back at each shoe with a proud expression, until everyone awkwardly started looking at their own shoes.
She loudly pulled out her phone and called Ye Wei: "Has that person arrived at the hotel yet?"
Ye Wei: "When we arrived at Sister Qin's place, she was already lying in bed."
Qin Lan cleared her throat: "Fill her refrigerator with the most expensive ice packs in the entire city. I need to see pictures within ten minutes."
Ye Wei: "......"
Seeing Ye Wei's astonished expression, Jiang Yan simply took the phone and asked, "What did you say to Sister Weiwei?"
"I was talking to people in the crew," Qin Lan muttered softly, then resumed her normal voice: "Go and rest, I need to work."
"Alright everyone, let's start filming."
Yu Jintang coughed, snapping the stunned crew out of their daze.
The crowd dispersed, whispering amongst themselves.
On January 22, 705 AD, the Shenlong Coup was recorded in history.
Supreme Commander Zhang Jianzhi undertook the most dangerous task: controlling the Xuanwu Gate. Li Dan led the Southern Imperial Guards to control the Hall of State Affairs in order to arrest the Zhang brothers' henchmen. Li Duozuo and others went to the Eastern Palace to welcome the Crown Prince, arriving at the Xuanwu Gate, which was already under Zhang Jianzhi's control, and entered the palace from there.
Palace coups throughout history were initially meticulously planned, but plans often fail to keep up with changes. Everyone was working enthusiastically when Crown Prince Li Xian messed things up.
This descendant of the emperor was terrified by Empress Wu's forceful deposition in his early years, and his spirit was worn down during his exile. Despite Li Duozuo's repeated urging and pleading, he hesitated and dared not set off.
They finally set off, but things weren't going smoothly for Zhang Jianzhi either. At Xuanwu Gate, there were not only the Northern Army he had bribed, but also a thousand cavalrymen directly under the emperor.
Upon seeing Zhang Jianzhi leading troops to force the palace, the thousand cavalry immediately closed the gates, released the dogs, and quickly reported to the palace.
The messenger was quickly stopped by Shangguan Wan'er. The imperial secretary held the power to draft imperial edicts, and without her approval, the message could neither come in nor go out.
Just as Zhang Jianzhi was growing increasingly anxious, Li Xian finally arrived, albeit belatedly. The Xuanwu Gate opened, auspicious purple clouds rose from the east, and the unsteady-footed Crown Prince Li Xian thus dreamily forced his way into the palace…
Even when he stood before the Emperor's bed, he was pale and dazed.
He also lacked the courage to face his mother's question: "So it was you who plotted rebellion?"
The era of Wu Zetian thus came to an end. Three days later, Li Xian ascended the throne.
Wu Zetian moved to Shangyang Palace and changed her title to "Emperor Zetian".
In November of the same year, Wu Zetian's life came to an end.
The Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) comments: "Although he abused his position and emoluments to win the hearts of the people, he also dismissed those who were not competent, or punished them. He used the power of reward and punishment to control the world, and made decisions on his own. He was discerning and decisive."
Although Wu Zetian employed cruel officials, she was also adept at recognizing and appointing talent, and extremely skilled at winning people's hearts. Many scholars were grateful for her patronage and were willing to die for her. During her reign, she not only heavily relied on the renowned prime minister Di Renjie, but also promoted Zhang Jianzhi, the mastermind behind the coup, to the position of prime minister at the age of eighty. When Wu Zetian moved to Shangyang Palace, Yao Chong, a virtuous prime minister during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji), was overcome with grief and wept bitterly.
Throughout her life, Wu Zetian maintained a stable power base. Except for an initial accusation by Luo Binwang that she was acting like a hen crowing at dawn, her subjects treated her with the same devotion they would show to the Li Tang emperor, and no one dared to offend the empress's authority. Even after becoming Empress Dowager, Wu Zetian's treatment was far superior to that of the infamous retired emperors Li Yuan and Li Longji. Li Xian, who deeply feared her, would lead his officials to visit his mother at Shangyang Palace every ten days. The Wu clan was not purged and continued to enjoy wealth and luxury.
After Wu Zetian's death, Emperor Li Xian followed her will and respectfully opened his father's tomb to carry her inside, thus sparing her from being desecrated and whipped by her enemies. In the pardon, he fully affirmed Wu Zetian's achievements and praised her extensively.
Throughout history, there have been far too many famous figures who suffered a tragic end after losing power. Very few, like Wu Zetian, enjoyed a peaceful death, which speaks volumes about her ruthlessness.
＊
The day's filming left the entire crew exhausted; every scene was a memorable moment. Yu Jintang meticulously refined the details over and over again, even pushing Qin Lan, who had the best stamina, to her limits.
After rearranging the afternoon's shooting focus, Wu Zetian successfully exited the story ahead of schedule, and Feng Manhong officially wrapped up her filming. The crew presented her with flowers and gifts, and held a celebration banquet for her that evening.
Jiang Yan was unable to attend due to a foot injury, so Qin Lan asked Xiao Qing to livestream the entire event for her.
During the acceptance speech segment, Feng Manhong shed tears several times. Yu Jintang went up first to have a heartfelt conversation with her, followed by Qin Lan. When it was Jiang Yan's turn, everyone planned to skip it, but Xiao Qing came on stage with her phone.
"Teacher Feng, Teacher Jiang has something to say to you."
Feng Manhong parted her lips slightly: "Ah...where is Teacher Jiang?"
Xiaoqing held the phone up to her face, revealing Jiang Yan's face: "Teacher Jiang, can you see me?"
Feng Manhong and Jiang Yan on the phone looked at each other in bewilderment.
The behind-the-scenes team quickly raised their cameras.
Jiang Yan smiled professionally: "Hi, Teacher Feng."
The entire crew: "......"
They started whispering: "Why is it Xiaoqing's assistant who's doing the live video stream for Teacher Jiang?"
"Are you stupid? Teacher Jiang's assistant isn't here either."
"Teacher Jiang could have asked someone else to do it, why did it have to be Teacher Qin?"
Palace maid [Qin1Jiang0] commented: "Because the QinJiang CP is real!"
People began to waver: "This can't really work, can it?"
The palace maid [I said Qin Jiang, you said 99] pulled out her phone: "Sisters, are you hungry? I have some food here. Check out the quality first, and I can send you more updates later. It's all written by myself, guaranteed to be delicious!"
On the phone, Jiang Yan said emotionally, "Mother Queen!"
Feng Manhong wiped her eyes, then smiled through her tears: "Peace!"
Qin Lan rolled her eyes.
Jiang Yan continued, "...Working with Teacher Feng again was still very enjoyable. Teacher Feng always gave me a way out when I was a little unsure how to act, telling me exactly what to do next. Teacher Feng's portrayal of Wu Zetian is also the best Wu Zetian I have ever seen. Just by standing there, people know who you are. Because there is only one Wu Zetian in the world, and there is only one Teacher Feng Manhong in the world..."
"Well said!" Yu Jintang led the applause. "Teacher Jiang really knows how to talk!"
"I also have a wrap-up gift for Teacher Feng." Jiang Yan smiled shyly and said to Xiao Qing, "Please turn me around."
Xiaoqing turned around while holding up her phone.
"Facing Teacher Qin."
Xiaoqing looked up and silently met the gaze of her own artist.
Jiang Yan smiled and said, "Please ask Teacher Qin to pass this on."
Xiaoqing: "......"
Qin Lan: "......"
The crew:
While cursing Jiang Yan for causing trouble in her heart, Qin Lan walked forward with a fake smile and took out a small box: "Teacher Feng, this is a brooch that Teacher Jiang gave you."
The people below were whispering among themselves.
"Have their relationship gotten that close?"
"Don't you guys think the atmosphere between Teacher Qin and Teacher Jiang is strange? It's not like the legendary rivalry between two women who wish the other dead."
"Yes, Teacher Qin is also concerned about Teacher Jiang's feet."
"But they don't seem to be friends. It feels like Teacher Qin both loves and hates Teacher Jiang."
"That's terrifying, you fell in love with someone you hated so much?"
Everyone shivered.
After cutting the cake, everyone was free to do as they pleased, some eating, others taking photos. Before Qin Lan could even move, Feng Manhong came over and took a picture with her, which made Qin Lan feel particularly good throughout the entire event.
She handed the gift she had prepared to Feng Manhong, then took the phone from Xiaoqing, who was continuously providing live commentary for Jiang Yan, and walked to the stairwell.
"Can't you just behave yourself?"
Jiang Yan lay on the bed, watching the woman on the iPad screen grit her teeth and speak.
"Hmm? What did I do wrong?" Jiang Yan asked with a smile.
Qin Lan tossed her hair and walked to a corner, standing still: "You think you're very obedient?"
Jiang Yan said slowly, "Why should I obey? Or does Teacher Qin think I'm usually very well-behaved?"
Qin Lan glared at her: "Nobody wants to control you. It's just that you're not right in the head. You're always causing trouble."
Jiang Yan blinked innocently: "But my colleagues all say I have a proper attitude and am very polite."
Qin Lan sneered: "That's because they didn't see the black heart beneath your skin."
"How could that be? I'm white inside and out." Jiang Yan suddenly leaned closer to the screen, but not her face.
Qin Lan watched as she flicked her finger, causing the shoulder strap to slip down, leaving her nightgown half-open.
Qin Lan's expression froze. The scene only flashed by for two seconds before Jiang Yan quickly returned with the hair tie, carefully observing Qin Lan's expression, and then grinned smugly: "What's wrong, sister? Did you see something you shouldn't have?"
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