Chapter 60: Jiang Yan's filming wrapped up. (Her knees were swollen from kneeling.)
Jiang Yan sent a message to Yun Chui.
You have a chance to spend some wonderful time with her, would you like to give it a try?
Yun Chui didn't reply until evening: [Just woke up, what time is it in China?]
Jiang Yan: [7 PM, how are you there?]
Yun Chui: [7 AM. You want me to go back to China?]
Jiang Yan: [Yes, Teacher Yu has a plan, the initial idea is roughly like this...]
Yun Chui replied after a while: 【I don't want her to be doubly sad after a brief moment of happiness】
Jiang Yan: [But she wants to see you.]
She looked much more haggard.
Have you ever thought about how much Song Man has matured in these three years? She has already achieved her dream, and now she needs you more than ever.
Yun Chui remained silent.
Jiang Yan sighed. "She knows seeing you might make you even more upset, but it's her choice. Think about it."
On the day Yu Jintang returned to the crew, everyone bowed along the way, saying, "Welcome back, Director."
Yu Jintang pushed up her sunglasses and nodded slightly amidst her bodyguards: "Rise, all of you."
"Yu, I'm entrusting this film crew to you." Qin Lan stood up seriously: "You must do your best—"
"It's mine to begin with, okay?"
Yu Jintang took off her sunglasses and rolled her eyes: "Alright, the teachers who have finished filming can leave the crew now."
"You little rascal, are you trying to discard me after I've served my purpose?" Qin Lan's face darkened. "Fine, I'll leave. Let's see if Jiang Yan comes with me or not."
Yu Jintang was terrified: "Hey, no! Old Qin, Old Qin—I was wrong, Old Qin, come back quickly, and Princess Taiping, come back quickly too. Can I offer you both tribute?"
Qin Lan: "Okay, but where's the sincerity?"
Yu Jintang: "So, what do you want? Luxury cars and fine wine, or land and a black card?"
Qin Lan: "Utterly vulgar."
Yu Jintang: "Then what do you want? What do you think I have? My worthless life, do you want it?"
Jiang Yan walked over: "Teacher Qin and I also want to participate in the idea you mentioned yesterday."
Yu Jintang: "I get it, they want to show off their love in front of the whole country!"
Jiang Yan grinned: "Teacher Yu, just tell me if it's okay or not."
"Leave it to me, you two just watch. Alright, Princess Taiping, you should go and get to your positions. This teacher who has finished filming, please move aside, you're blocking my light."
＊
After confining herself to her quarters for many days and then traveling to attend the funeral, Princess Taiping finally returned to the court.
He acted swiftly and decisively, promoting many of Empress Wei's former associates who had shown him favor.
After expanding her power once again, Princess Taiping calmly turned her attention to Li Longji.
They monitored his private life, spread rumors to control public opinion, pressured his ministers to cheer him on, whispered in his ear, found a fortune teller to imply that Li Longji would rebel, and even went to the palace to block the prime ministers after court to imply that Li Longji was born out of wedlock and was the third son, and that it was against etiquette for him to be the crown prince.
Li Longji was inherently disadvantaged in terms of legitimacy, but he was unwilling to be outdone and launched wave after wave of counterattacks. Just as his aunt cultivated her own faction, so did he. Just as his aunt sought out ministers to advise the emperor, so did he, and the people he sought out were even more prestigious, namely the later wise ministers Yao Chong and Song Jing.
The two men went to the palace together to meet the emperor and asked him to send Princess Taiping to Luoyang, the eastern capital, to prevent the princess from fighting with the crown prince.
Li Dan readily accepted, but made a small change—Luoyang was too far away, so he arranged for his sister to stay in Puzhou, which was closer, so that they could visit each other more easily.
Princess Taiping let out a cold laugh. This man was capable of both covert surveillance and underhanded tactics, and at crucial moments, he dared to confront her directly. New and old grudges surged up at once, so Princess Taiping boarded the most luxurious carriage in the entire capital, a gift from Li Dan, and stormed into the Eastern Palace, giving Li Longji a thorough dressing-down.
"You've really grown wings!" Li Longji had just put on his shoes when he heard a furious roar from outside: "Get out here for me!"
His aunt was his elder, and according to etiquette, Li Longji had to respectfully greet her. Suppressing his nausea, he dressed neatly and ran out, saying, "Aunt, your esteemed presence is an honor! Your nephew—"
"Stop wasting your breath on me." Princess Taiping said with a dark face, "What do you mean? You sent your cronies to whisper in the emperor's ear and drive away your brothers, and now you want to drive me out too? Ha, I am your aunt, Princess Taiping, the protector of the Tang Dynasty. I have rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor. If it weren't for my scheme, how could you, a mere illegitimate son, have thought you could overthrow Empress Wei and become the crown prince? What are you?"
"Aunt, please show some respect." Li Longji's face was ashen. "I, Sanlang, am unworthy, but thanks to your patronage, I am now the Crown Prince—"
"You still dare to mention how you became the Crown Prince?" Princess Taiping's face darkened with rage: "You ascended to the position of Crown Prince by stepping on Wan'er's corpse, are you happy now? You can weaken my wings and make me suffer unbearable pain, are you satisfied now?! I wish I could skin you alive, pull out your tendons, and use your blood to offer sacrifice to Wan'er's heroic spirit!"
Li Longji knew he was in the wrong and dared not speak further. Looking at Princess Taiping's noble and dignified figure, a chill ran through him. Had he been right or wrong in executing Shangguan Wan'er, thus deeply offending his aunt...?
No, his decision is not wrong! Princess Taiping is already a headache enough. If another shrewd and charming Shangguan Wan'er comes along, wouldn't he, the crown prince, be kicked off the throne by these two women working together?
To temporarily quell Princess Taiping's anger, Li Longji had no choice but to publicly declare, "Yao Chong and Song Jing are not my men! These two treacherous officials have sown discord between me and my aunt. I suggest Your Majesty execute them!"
After all the commotion, Princess Taiping, the commander-in-chief of one side, was moved out of the capital, while Li Longji's trusted general was demoted and exiled. Princess Taiping suffered heavy losses on both sides, and the situation was not optimistic.
Princess Taiping and her advisors discussed countermeasures, but none were better. Her weakness stemmed from her perceived lack of legitimacy. Li Longji was the rightful crown prince, the future of the empire, while Princess Taiping, though she had twice saved the Tang dynasty, was still just a princess. While people acknowledged her achievements, they also harbored hostility towards her involvement in politics as a woman. She could be courteous to scholars and attract followers with her charm and money, but scholarly leaders like Yao Chong and Song Jing would always choose the legitimate crown prince, not an ambitious princess.
"Then, in your opinion, what should I do?"
The crowd exchanged glances and advised, "Your Highness, you and the Crown Prince are family after all. Why not shake hands and make peace? Your achievements are outstanding. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he won't do anything to you."
"Yes, Your Highness, we have observed His Majesty's movements and he has no intention of deposing the Crown Prince."
"Are you all advising me to give up?" Taiping lowered her head.
She left Puzhou and headed towards Chang'an, but instead of entering the capital, she arrived at the cemetery.
She buried Shangguan Wan'er near her first husband, Xue Shao, and she will be buried there after her death.
"Wan'er, I've come to see you."
She gave a sad smile and poured the wine on the ground.
“They all say I should give up. Sanlang has the moral high ground, while I am just a princess.”
"Now I truly understand what you said to me. Only when you lose everything do you realize how important it is to become strong."
"If I were stronger, even stronger, I could protect you, and you wouldn't die."
"Now I am richer than a country, and even the emperor's palace is not as luxurious as my mansion. Famous scholars all over the world have come from my school. But I can't even avenge you."
She stood with her head bowed before the tomb.
Listening quietly to the graves, only the wind whispers.
After staying in Puzhou for a few months, Li Dan began to miss his sister, so he summoned Princess Taiping back to Chang'an and expressed his intention to pass the throne to the Crown Prince.
Princess Taiping was so anxious that she sent someone to the palace to persuade the emperor to give up his idea.
Li Dan had long realized that he could not control his strong-willed sister and ambitious son. The political situation of the empire was in chaos due to the power struggle between the two. He was caught in the middle and lost face. Exhausted, he decided to abdicate.
Ultimately, he did not abdicate, but Li Dan had already decided to retire, so he began to work on strengthening the power of the crown prince.
The situation grew increasingly critical, and Princess Taiping made a terrible mistake by instructing a fortune teller to spread rumors to Li Dan, claiming that celestial phenomena indicated the Crown Prince was domineering and had signs of plotting to usurp the throne.
Unexpectedly, Li Dan readily agreed, stating on the spot that since the will of Heaven was unavoidable, he would naturally yield the throne.
In 712 AD, Li Longji ascended the throne.
Everyone thought Princess Taiping would give up this time, but she persisted.
After Li Dan relinquished his post as the retired emperor, Princess Taiping advised him based on his age: "Sanlang is young and lacks political experience. He is bound to make mistakes and be misled by others. Fourth brother, you should help the young man more and help him to go far and steady."
Taiping's words made Li Longji's gleaming white teeth disappear. He asked his subordinates in great shock, "Father said to me today, 'Although I have abdicated the throne, I will not forget the country and its people. I must oversee all matters of state and military affairs.' What does this mean? Does Father, now that he is the retired emperor, still have to supervise all matters of state and military affairs?"
Everyone shook their heads in bewilderment: "We have no idea. Does Your Majesty not wish to abdicate?"
Li Longji was uneasy, so he had to probe his father's intentions again. He eventually discovered that his father was worried about his lack of experience and planned to protect him.
Li Longji wanted to cry but had no tears.
However, Princess Taiping's counterattack had only just begun.
In addition to controlling Li Dan, she also planned to undermine Li Longji's court, making him a mere puppet emperor in name only.
Taking advantage of Li Dan's affection and guilt towards her, Princess Taiping busied herself with planting people in the court. Of the seven prime ministers of the time, five were her protégés, all of whom were exceptionally talented and renowned.
Li Longji was extremely frustrated. His subordinates, naturally wanting to share his burden, conspired to simply kill Princess Taiping and began planning a coup. However, before they could even organize their forces, the group leaked their secret while drinking.
Li Longji suffered another defeat, and his few remaining confidants were exiled to the frontier, leaving him completely alone.
Princess Taiping was furious and at the same time accelerated the expansion of her power. Even the Imperial Guards came to her aid, and the court and the public felt great sympathy for Princess Taiping, who had suffered an undeserved disaster.
The retired Emperor Li Dan was very wary of his son's behavior. "This time they intend to behead Princess Taiping, next time will they behead me?"
This kid is too dangerous; he can't be allowed to stay in the capital any longer. But he couldn't very well exile the emperor to the frontier, so he simply changed the pretext and issued an edict ordering the emperor to inspect the border.
Under these circumstances, leaving Chang'an would be tantamount to leaving his lair for Li Longji. Having already lost his claws and teeth, he would also lose his protective shell.
The situation was urgent, and Li Longji chose to launch another coup.
His mobilization slogan was: "Because Princess Taiping is going to launch a coup tomorrow, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom."
Historical records state this, but Li Longji's account is worth examining. Since he was about to inspect the border, Taiping had no reason to risk assassinating the emperor. If she had waited another month, he would have had to obediently leave the capital. At that time, Taiping could have exchanged a few intimate words with Li Dan, and the indecisive Li Dan might very well have chosen someone else as emperor.
Li Longji struck first, launching a sudden palace coup when Princess Taiping was completely unprepared. He killed the imperial guards generals and the prime minister who were loyal to her, and took control of Li Dan.
The incident happened so suddenly that Princess Taiping was forced to flee. News of her subordinates being wiped out kept coming in, and all her painstaking plans were destroyed in an instant, leaving her heartbroken.
"Wan'er, I have lost."
She left her hiding place dejectedly, saying, "I can't avenge you, I hope you won't blame me when you see me."
Princess Taiping returned home, where the emperor's men, carrying white silk, had been waiting for her for a long time.
Princess Taiping gave a cold laugh, and no one dared to offend her.
She slowly walked into the room and hung the white silk ribbon on the roof beam.
Princess Taiping was defeated and killed in 713 AD.
"Congratulations, Teacher Jiang, on wrapping up filming!!"
The crew erupted in excitement, rushing forward with flowers in hand.
Jiang Yan was the last of the main actors to survive and stayed with the crew the longest. Her completion of filming meant that the main storyline of the script had been basically completed.
Jiang Yan climbed down from the stool and smiled shyly: "Thank you all for your support of my work. I hope there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."
She glanced to the side, and her assistant, understanding immediately, began distributing wrap-up gifts to everyone.
An actress squeezed through the crowd, shyly handing her a bouquet of flowers: "Teacher Jiang, I really like you, please accept this..."
Qin Lan looked up and saw Jiang Yan smile with delight, hugging the young actress and holding her bouquet in her arms.
She raised an eyebrow and started a game.
After greeting everyone, Jiang Yan slowly walked towards Qin Lan, who was sitting in a chair far away playing games.
"Teacher Qin, is there nothing you want to say?"
Qin Lan glanced at her: "Happy wrap-up."
"I understand." Jiang Yan nodded. "Does this mean filming is finished and you're planning to end things with me?"
"Then what am I still sitting here for? You go to the RV first, I'll finish this game."
Jiang Yan laughed angrily, resisting the urge to snatch the phone and smash it in her face, and walked away through gritted teeth.
Qin Lan turned his chair around and stared at Jiang Yan's back.
Although she was furious, she still walked towards the RV. Jiang Yan paused for a moment when she opened the door, then turned around to look at her from a distance.
Qin Lan smiled and slowly stood up. The car was filled with flowers and gift boxes, the fragrance so strong that the whole car smelled of herbs and trees. Jiang Yan sat in the car, looking down as she unpacked the gift boxes.
Qin Lan leaned against the side: "Do you like it? I'll give you this car too."
“I have a motorhome.”
"You still have flowers."
Her tone was incredibly nonchalant: "Just now, a bunch of people were giving you flowers, and you were smiling like a flower."
Jiang Yan glanced at her: "Are you jealous?"
Qin Lan licked her teeth and said, "Why would I be jealous? Teacher Jiang has high emotional intelligence; it's normal for her to exchange a few intimate words with others."
She was surprised when she said it. She always spoke her mind directly, but she never expected to beat around the bush with Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan stared at her intently, then suddenly smiled: "What should we do? I just hugged her and accepted her flowers."
Qin Lan: "My flowers are more numerous, prettier, and more expensive than hers."
Jiang Yan feigned regret: "Compared to money, I care more about other things..."
Qin Lan: "I'm prettier than her, and I have a better figure too."
Jiang Yan's lips curled into a slight smile, then she quickly suppressed it: "Really? Too bad I'm not very—"
Qin Lan suddenly cornered her in the chair, gritting her teeth: "Don't push your luck."
After a brief standoff, Jiang Yan asked almost in a breath, "What will happen if you don't appreciate my kindness?"
An hour later, she limped off the RV.
My knees are swollen from kneeling.
Xiaoqing was shocked: "Teacher Jiang, why are you so disoriented???"
Jiang Yan calmly glanced around as waves of people casually passed by.
She said, "I just had a fight with Teacher Qin."
"A fight broke out? Teacher Jiang, are you alright?!" Xiaoqing exclaimed in horror, "Sister Qin is trained, are you still alive?"
"Hmm...maybe he's a bit dead," Jiang Yan said casually, waiting for Xiao Qing to continue asking questions.
Xiaoqing spoke up as expected: "Teacher Jiang, why were you fighting with Teacher Qin? Aren't you two supposed to be—"
She belatedly stopped talking and immediately covered her mouth.
Jiang Yan suppressed a laugh: "Well, maybe it's just... a clash of personalities? After all, everyone knows that our relationship isn't very harmonious."
She gave a strange response as to why she often stayed in Qin Lan's RV.
Everyone in the crew felt something was wrong, but they couldn't quite put their finger on what it was.
Jiang Yan continued to limp away, looking truly ravaged.
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