Chapter 16

In a drama with male as the major lead, the heroine will not have too many scenes to begin with, let alone the role of female number three and female number four. However, although the scene exposures are not much different, but the roles' personality differ a lot. The female number three has a pleasing character, and the female number four is not very good.

This drama was adapted on the basis of historical facts, and all the important scenes about the protagonist, Zhu Di are true. But in order to attract audience, a lot of unimportant content are not historically accurate or fictitious. Such as, the scenes about Princess Yong'an, some are fictitious.

In the drama, Princess Yong'an is the first daughter of Zhu Di and Empress Xu, so she is loved dearly. As the eldest sister, she cherishes her *didi and *meimei more than herself. She is married to Yuan Rong, Marquis Guangping, and the husband and wife are affectionate and loving.

[*didi – younger brother]

[*meimei – younger sister]

While the female number four, Princess Yongping, is a more arrogant and domineering character, and the *Fuma is also rowdy and troublemaker. During disagreement, they make trouble in front of Zhu Di and Empress Xu. Therefore, Zhu Di became irritable at times.

[*Fuma – prince consort, a princess' husband; the emperor's son-in-law]

Li Zixi, reading the script, had a rough understanding of the content inside. In his youth, Zhu Di was played by a young fresh meat, Ning Zihang, there aren't that many scenes. Next, the middle-aged Zhu Di is the new *TV Emperor Yan Xuan. Yan Xuan has always appeared in front of everyone as an uncle with an image of tough guy, around forty years old, has long been married and had children, and has a good reputation in the circle.

[*TV Emperor – title for someone who dominates TV dramas? Probably an award. Not sure since I rarely watch CDramas let alone care about acting awards]

Her husband, Yuan Rong, is played by a handsome actor, Yu You. In order to act well, Li Zixi has watched his acting in dramas for the past few days. He has some acting skills, better than ordinary small fresh meat.

If one asks why he didn't get fire, probably there is no work yet that made him blow up. If there is such a work, he will be on fire soon.

However, many things are hard to tell. Although some people have bad acting skills, the looks are not the most outstanding, but just an instant hit. And some people, acting online, looks good, but they just won't get fire. People really can't help but to believe in fate.

The actress who plays Empress Xu is also a powerful actress in the circle. In her earlier years, she already won *behind-the-scene award. Very low-key in the circle, only focusing on filming, and rarely on gossip news.

[*behind-the-scene award – I can't find a better translation of 视后称号. But from what I had gathered; this award is given to actors/actresses that are very devoted on their profession.]

The director is Jin Cheng, who has filmed countless historical dramas, which can be said that focused on historical dramas set a century ago. The reviews are also excellent, as can be seen from the actors he chose. Li Zixi is satisfied with this drama from top to bottom, and can still squeeze in to this big production. Really... the backstage is difficult.

After lamenting this time, Li Zixi's determination to make a good filming strengthened.

She felt that if she could act in this drama well, maybe she would be able to come up slowly. The so-called coming up is not through some gossip, but through acting. Recognized by the director and recognized by the people in the circle.

Of course, if she could also become popular on social networks, there's no objection. Only, as mentioned earlier, wanting to blow up and attract audience, it depends on fate. Who knows if she, Li Zixi, has such fate.

After getting off the plane, Li Zixi and Chen Pingping came to stay in the booked hotel. Two people will live together, not only convenient but also saves money.

There will be a scene with her in the afternoon of the next day. After breakfast in the morning, Li Zixi came to the crew early. She has read the announcement. In the morning, there will be a scene with Zhu Di and Empress Xu. A chance to watch it on the sidelines, also a good way to study and learn, to understand a bit about the dynamics of the entire crew.

After arriving on the crew, Li Zixi took advantage of the director's break and hurried over to say hello. Since coming so early, not *brushing presence would make them a *250.

[*brush presence – an internet slang which means deliberately doing something to attract attention or recognition

Full explanation: http://www.szdaily.com/content/2014-08/04/content_9897516.htm]

[*250 – a slang that means an idiot, simpleton, stupid

Originated from an ancient currency 'diao'. You can check out the full explanation here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/chinese-slang-250-dennis-voss]

Hearing Li Zixi's introduction, Jin Cheng frowned and addressed the person next to him: "Princess Yongan doesn't seem to have a scene in the morning, right?"

The staff next to him flipped through the notice and said, "Yes, not in the morning, in the afternoon." After speaking, he glanced at Li Zixi.

Li Zixi looked at the director's puzzled eyes and explained: "Good director, I just graduated this year, don't have much filming experience priorly, so just want to join the group in advance to observe the acting skills of the seniors. Don't know if it is convenient if I observe nearby. "

Jin Cheng said with satisfaction: "Oh, it's like this. You can find any place, just don't get into the camera."

Li Zixi smiled and said, "Thank you, director."

After a while, Jin Cheng resumed filming. Li Zixi and Chen Pingping found a quiet corner and silently watched the director filming. Li Zixi watched with gusto, sure enough, worthy of the title TV Emperor and TV Empress, the acting skills are top-notch. Watching them act, truly very enjoyable, also very easy to get moved.

Chen Pingping wanted to leave several times, but looking at the focused Li Zixi, she dares not talk to her. With unbearable feeling, she quietly walked away. She walked out while patting her chest hard, with thoughts in her heart, filming was too scary. The director was too serious, the actors' extreme spirit was too heavy. She should be a little assistant quietly.

Walking outside, she ran into a few assistants or staff who were also doing nothing. Chen Pingping's temperament is relatively easy-going, after self-introduction, she quickly got along with others. Chatting and babbling, these few people began to talk about gossip.

One person looked around and said mysteriously: "Ay, have you heard, Princess Yongan was supposed to be played by Wu Xinran. For some reason, she suddenly stopped filming and replaced by the current newcomer."

Another person said, "Hmm, I heard that too, saw her name on the announcement in passing before, but now replaced by a newcomer. Ay, isn't it her boss? What is her name?" they said and looked at Chen Pingping.

Chen Pingping wanted to speak up, but a girl opposite said peculiarly: "Huh, I was directed at the group that Wu Xinran was with, but was pushed down by a newcomer, really don't know this newcomer's origin." Glancing at Chen Pingping after speaking.

Chen Pingping was furious when hearing this. She blushed and wanted to retort. A boy nearby spoke up: "What you said is wrong. I know the whole story. The director lost his temper that day, I just went in to pack up the props, and I heard it."

The people beside him urged: "Say it quickly, what did you hear?" Chen Pingping was not in a hurry to retort, wanting to hear what this guy had to say.

"I'm telling you, but don't you spread it." The boy deliberately lowered his voice, after getting everyone's unanimous agreement, he said, "I heard, it was Wu Xinran who *released the director's pigeon just to follow a singer to shoot a MV. You guess, who is that singer?"

[*released the pigeon/released the dove – failing to keep an appointment, promise, or agreement]

Everyone looked at him and asked: "Who?"

After the boy enjoyed everyone's attention, the boy slowly said: "Ye Handong."

After hearing the name, everyone's eyes widened in surprise. Subsequently nodding again, understanding the reason why Wu Xinran gave up this big production. After all, this is a drama with male as the major lead, and the female number one does not have a lot of scenes, let alone the female number three. Instead of spending time here, it's better to go and shoot MVs with popular singers. Getting in Young Master Ye's MV, then stir-fry from gossips. Surely, the commercial endorsement must be even better.

The girl who just satirized Li Zixi also showed a e happy expression this time, she said excitedly: "Wow, it's Young Master Ye, our family's Baby Ran is so good, and it won't take long for Young Master Ye's MV to be released. I heard a lot of little fresh meat went to audition, didn't expect it to be given to my family's Baby Ran."

Since hearing Ye Handong's name, Chen Pingping has forgotten the matter of rectifying Li Zixi's name to the country of Java. Ye Handong ah, that's Young Master Ye. Don't know when will her family's Xixi will be as lucky as Wu Xinran.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The author has something to say:

Although our Young Master Ye is not physically here, his spirit still lives in everyone's mouth.