Shang Yechu was unaware of the cameraman's thoughts and continued acting with Jiang Zhiyuan.
Director Jiang Lei didn't yell "cut" yet, which suggests she was fairly satisfied with the scene. While she might not have paid attention to the intricacies of the hidden gold in the sleeve, as a director, she could still discern the actors' performances.
The scene went smoothly. Now comes the crucial part of the plot: Manager Tian is exposed, and Jiang Zhiyuan interrogates him about who ordered him. Just as Manager Tian is about to implicate the First Madam, she suddenly reaches for the osmanthus-flavored sugar cake on the table.
This action silenced Manager Tian, because the osmanthus cake was his youngest son's favorite food, and the First Madam's move was a threat to Manager Tian using his family.
Knowing he had made a deal with a tyrant and was on the wrong path with no way back, Manager Tian, filled with grief and indignation, pulled out a dagger and slit his own throat.
Before he died, Manager Tian looked at the First Madam with a sorrowful and desperate gaze, which caused the First Madam to have nightmares for several days.
Yes, the plot is that absurd and ridiculous. Manager Tian, a mere pharmacy owner, actually carries a dagger; and in the prestigious Marquis's residence, outsiders aren't even searched before being allowed to enter—they just let Manager Tian bring the dagger in!
Although this plot point was designed to portray the treacherous and ruthless nature of the main antagonist, the First Madam, Shang Yechu felt that it might also be intended to expose the cannibalistic nature of feudal society—how a few ounces of bird's nest could drive a decades-old pharmacy owner to his death. It also highlighted the importance of security issues.
The plot is a matter for the director and screenwriter to worry about; Shang Yechu, a minor character, has no say in it. After this scene was completed, filming paused, and the props team handed Shang Yechu a spring-loaded dagger before continuing.
Manager Tian's face turned pale. He looked at the First Madam for help, hoping that his master would give him a way out.
The First Madam turned the prayer beads in her hand, her face kind and gentle, and she murmured sutras like a Bodhisattva chanting scriptures.
This action filled Manager Tian with despair; he knew he was now a discarded pawn.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Manager Tian's forehead.
This scene was supposed to involve the makeup team spraying some water on Shang Yechu's forehead, but unexpectedly, this extra actually acted out sweating on his own, making it look even more natural than if it had been sprayed on. The makeup artist took a little shortcut.
The beads of sweat on Shang Yechu's forehead mirrored the prayer beads in the First Madam's hand. The beads rolled, and the sweat slid down.
Jiang Zhiyuan continued to press Shang Yechu: "Oh? Manager Tian, is there something you can't say?"
Having finally encountered a supporting character shorter than himself, Jiang Zhiyuan deliberately moved closer to the other person, trying to make himself appear taller.
Jiang Lei shook her head behind the monitor.
Jiang Zhiyuan's acting was a bit over the top. Manager Tian was practically wearing his "I have my reasons" on his sleeve, yet the eldest son of the Marquis's mansion was still so aggressive, making him seem like a petty person who had gotten his way.
But what happened next was even more outrageous. Jiang Zhiyuan walked closer and closer, and eventually, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he blocked half of Manager Tian's face!
This was a serious positioning error. Director Jiang Lei frowned, and the word "cut" was on the tip of her tongue when she suddenly stopped.
Shopkeeper Tian seemed to be frightened by the young master. He subconsciously took a step back, but his foot slipped and his legs went weak, and he ended up kneeling on the ground!
This action brought Manager Tian's face back into the frame, and not only that, it also clearly showed his bewildered and confused state of mind!
"Great!" Jiang Lei secretly praised.
Although directors are always yelling "cut, cut, cut!", in reality, they are definitely the people in the world who least want to yell "cut" for mistakes. The vast majority of cuts mean failure and trouble. Jiang Lei greatly admires people who can save themselves trouble.
Only the costume designer, who was watching the spectacle from the sidelines, grimaced and hissed.
Summer clothes are very thin, and the script didn't include the scene where Manager Tian is so frightened that he kneels down, so the costume team didn't prepare knee pads for Shang Yechu...
She just knelt down perfectly still! Her movements were smooth and fluid, without a single stumble! Were her knees made of iron? Or did she have no sense of pain?
What surprised the costume designer even more was that after Manager Tian knelt down, he didn't just stand there dumbfounded, but instead crawled a few steps toward the Madam!
The costume designer dared not even imagine what would happen to this extra's knees.
Jiang Lei frowned quickly, but didn't stop him, focusing intently on Manager Tian's actions. She didn't realize that she had been completely captivated by a minor, supporting character, even forgetting the main male lead.
As he crawled on his knees, Manager Tian placed his hands on his waist and cried out, "Madam, Madam, have mercy!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
