Meng Zhen didn’t take this little episode to heart. During her free time, she focused wholeheartedly on studying the script.

In the drama 《Investiture》, in addition to King Zhou, Daji was also involved with another man.

It was Bo Yikao, the eldest son of Marquis Xibo of Zhou.

Bo Yikao, in order to plead for his father’s freedom, traveled a long distance from Xiqi^[1]a vassal state under Shang to Zhaoge. On this journey, he brought three treasures—— the Seven Fragrance Carriage^[2]a carriage made of various fragrant woods, Sobering Felt^[3]a cloth that can make a drunk sober up in a short while after lying on it, and a white-faced monkey^[4]a monkey that has attained enlightenment for a thousand years.

He was a rare and outstanding man. Upon seeing him, Daji was instantly smitten and, using the pretext of teaching her how to play the guqin, had a servant summon Bo Yikao into the palace.

At this time, Meng Zhen was playing the role of the nine-tailed fox so her makeup was different from during the day. Dark eyeshadow outlined her eyes, her eyebrows arched upwards, and paired with deep red lipstick, it added an extra touch of bewitchment.

She was wearing a crimson dress and leaning against the couch, her pale feet exposed and gently swaying back and forth.

The actor playing Bo Yikao was named Gu Ting. At twenty-nine years old, he had already won the Best Actor award at the country’s most prestigious film awards ceremony. If Lin Yu was a heartthrob adored by young fans, then Gu Ting was an unparalleled pinnacle in the entertainment industry. Whether it was his looks or his demeanor, there were no flaws to be found.

If it weren’t so, Director Qian wouldn’t have gone to great lengths to persuade him to make a guest appearance as Bo Yikao.

Gu Ting was dressed in a white garment, his height reaching an impressive 1.87 meters. He looked as tall and straight as the bamboo in the mountains, with an aura of subtle aloofness.

The servant placed the guqin on the stand and then quietly withdrew.

In the vast palace chamber, only Daji and Bo Yikao remained. The candle flames flickered, and a strong fragrance permeated the air.

Bo Yikao sat upright with a solemn expression, his gaze fixed on the musical instrument, not sparing Daji a single glance.

“Since the heir has been ordered by the king to teach me the art of playing the guqin, why don’t you look at me? Is there any teacher in the world who fears their student?”

Meng Zhen grew up in Suzhou since she was a child, and when she spoke, there was a gentle hint of an accent. Now, she stood up from the couch and walked slowly to Gu Ting’s side.

Suddenly, she bent down, her fingertips plucking the strings of the guqin. Her cascading black hair brushed across the man’s cheek, causing a slight tickling sensation.

When she got closer, Meng Zhen noticed that this movie king had exceptionally well-defined features. Once in costume, he truly resembled an elegant and handsome gentleman from ancient times.

“Why does the heir not speak? Do you find me too foolish, unworthy to be your student?”

Mountain spirits and demons were fundamentally different species from humans. Although Daji had attained enlightenment, deep down she still retained the beastly nature of the nine-tailed fox. When she desired something, she would do whatever it took to obtain it.

As Meng Zhen spoke, she leaned forward, her soft fingertips just about to touch Gu Ting, but before they could, the man grabbed her wrist firmly.

“Please, Your Highness, restrain yourself!”

Gu Ting’s eyes were cold and indifferent, his brows furrowed tightly, not bothering to conceal his disgust.

Daji was a favored concubine of King Zhou, and it was due to her slander that Marquis Xibo was confined in Zhaoge.

Meng Zhen tried to struggle a few times but couldn’t break free from Gu Ting’s restraint. She remained calm and instead leaned into the man’s embrace, softly chuckling. “Heir, holding my hand like this, who is the one lacking restraint?”

Gu Ting pushed Meng Zhen away who was kneeling on the soft cushion. He raised his hand to play the guqin, filling the palace chamber with melodious music.

Meng Zhen was somewhat annoyed, her jade-like hands clenched at her chest, her eyes almost shooting out sparks of anger.

The nine-tailed fox had lived for so many years and had never encountered someone as ignorant as Bo Yikao. Though he appeared to be an heir of a noble house on the surface, in reality, he was no different from a prisoner. What qualifications did he have to refuse her?

Meng Zhen had to admit that Gu Ting’s acting skills were indeed excellent. Until Director Qian called cut, they hadn’t had a single NG in this scene.

“Alright, both of you did well. That’s it for tonight, get some rest early. Keep up this state tomorrow and Gu Ting will be done soon.” Director Qian said cheerfully, patting the younger man’s shoulder.

When leaving the set, Meng Zhen overheard two extras whispering to each other, “Movie King Gu’s status is obviously much higher than Lin Yu’s. Why isn’t he playing the leading role?”

“You don’t get it, do you? Gu Ting is from the film industry and rarely acts in TV dramas. If it weren’t for his good relationship with Director Qian, he wouldn’t have guest-starred as the top handsome man in 《Investiture》.”

Meng Zhen didn’t continue listening. In this drama, she was just a supporting role. Whether it was Lin Yu or Gu Ting, they had nothing to do with her.

She walked towards the direction of the hotel. Just as she reached the entrance, Meng Zhen saw many young girls waiting nearby, calling out Lin Yu’s name.

They should be Lin Yu’s fans.

Meng Zhen raised her hand and pulled down the brim of her hat, but before she could squeeze through, a girl grabbed her arm.

“Don’t push, Brother hasn’t finished work yet. If you go into the hotel now, you won’t be able to see him.”

Meng Zhen hesitated for a moment, then quickly replied, “I have a stomach ache and need to use the restroom.”

Upon hearing that, Lin Yu’s fan finally let go of Meng Zhen’s hand. She breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to the hotel entrance, taking out her room key card. The security guard then allowed her inside.

“Hey, the girl just now seemed a little familiar.”

“She might be some little celebrity. 《Investiture》 is a big production, and even though the female roles have fewer scenes, many actresses are eager to get in.”

———pr

Meng Zhen returned to her room and first removed her makeup with cotton pads. Then, while applying a moisturizing mask, she rehearsed her lines.

Daji had quite a few scenes with Bo Yikao in the drama. She tried to seduce him three times, each ending in failure. Eventually, enraged and humiliated, Daji’s love turned to hatred. She had Bo Yikao tortured to death and forced Maquis Xibo, Ji Chang, to eat his own child’s flesh and blood.

In her previous life, Meng Zhen had appeared in many silent films but had never attempted the role of a treacherous imperial concubine like Daji. If she could portray Daji’s ambition, cruelty, and ruthlessness convincingly this time, it would likely be a breakthrough in her acting career.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Meng Zhen quickly removed the face mask, wiped her face with a towel, and then opened the door.

Lin Yu stood outside the door. He was holding a paper box in his hand and his eyes showed a hint of impatience.

“Xueruo asked me to give this to you.”

As Lin Yu spoke, he stuffed the cake into Meng Zhen’s arms. Earlier, Xu Xuero had called him, mentioning that today was Meng Zhen’s birthday and she couldn’t be there in person to celebrate, so she asked Lin Yu to deliver a cake to Meng Zhen on her behalf.

Upon seeing the beautifully wrapped paper box, Meng Zhen finally understood Lin Yu’s action. So today was the other Meng Zhen’s birthday?

However, Meng Zhen didn’t dare to accept the cake sent by Xu Xuero.

“Xuero must have remembered wrong. My birthday isn’t today.”

The other Meng Zhen grew up in an orphanage, so her birthday was based on the date registered on her identity card. As for her actual birthdate, as an orphan, she wouldn’t have known it.

Lin Yu’s face darkened. He had never encountered someone as ungrateful as Meng Zhen, mistaking others’ kindness for bad intentions. Such a person staying by Xu Xuero’s side was like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.

“You—”

“If there’s nothing else, Teacher Lin, I’ll go rest now.”

With that, Meng Zhen slammed the door shut, ignoring Lin Yu’’s embarrassed expression.

Lin Yu cursed under his breath and tossed the cake directly into the trash bin in the hallway. With Meng Zhen’s intolerant and ungrateful temperament, she wouldn’t suffer any losses on the set. It was pointless for Xu Xuero to ask him to take care of her.

———pr

The next morning, Director Qian was set to shoot the second scene between Meng Zhen and Gu Ting.

After Daji’s failed attempt to seduce Bo Yikao, thinking he didn’t fancy seductive women, she changed into a pure white dress. Without any makeup, she looked especially pure, nothing like the nine-tailed fox who cultivated at Xuanyuan Tomb.

A palace servant blindfolded Gu Ting and led him into the palace chamber.

The air was filled with a light and subtle fragrance of grass and wood, completely different from the rich spices of yesterday.

Meng Zhen approached Gu Ting step by step and chuckled softly. “I’ve been pondering all night and understand the heir’s dilemma. It’s indeed inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in the harem. Hence, I’ve instructed the servants to cover the heir’s eyes.”

As she spoke, Meng Zhen stood very close to Gu Ting, their distance not exceeding ten centimeters.

Meng Zhen gritted her teeth inwardly, feeling that the script of this drama was overly romanticized. Clearly, Daji was supposed to be a pair with King Zhou, yet these scenes with Bo Yikao were unnecessarily ambiguous.

“If Your Highness is ready, let us begin the guqin lesson now.” Gu Ting’s voice was melodious, deep, and rich like a cello. His acting skills were also top-notch. As soon as Meng Zhen finished speaking, he knelt and began to play.

Meng Zhen stayed by his side, holding a wine goblet in her hands. She lowered her head and sipped the pale green liquid, her almond-shaped eyes veiled with mist.

“The heir plays too swiftly. I’m ignorant and truly can’t comprehend.”

The wine goblet contained diluted apple juice, completely alcohol-free. Meng Zhen naturally wouldn’t get drunk, but she portrayed a drunken state quite convincingly. Her body swayed gently as if she couldn’t keep her balance, and she fell directly into Bo Yikao’s arms.

“Oh dear, I’ve become tipsy from the wine. I apologize for my rudeness, Heir. I hope you won’t be offended.”

At this moment, the camera focused on Meng Zhen’s hand, her fingertips lightly resting on Gu Ting’s right arm, delicately tapping a few times, and then, playfully circling around. The implication that she was teasing him was evident.

“Your Highness, if you’re unwilling to learn the guqin, there’s no need for Yikao to come again.”

Following the script, Gu Ting suddenly stood up, while Meng Zhen fell onto the soft cushion, her fingertips smarting from the impact with the white marble.

“Bo Yikao, don’t forget, Marquis Xibo is still in Zhaoge. With just a word from me to the king, you’ll only be able to bring back your father’s corpse to Xiqi!”

Gu Ting’s body stiffened, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on his forehead.

“That’s right. Since you’ve come to Zhaoge to apologize, Heir, you should have a repentant attitude. I respond better to kindness than force. If you truly anger me, it won’t be good for anyone.”

Meng Zhen’’s eyes flickered as she slowly recited her lines, feeling a bit ashamed inside but unable to change the script on her own.

“Good, this one is a pass!”

Upon hearing Director Qian’s voice, Meng Zhen quickly snapped out of character. She had heard that Gu Ting was a bit germophobic and didn’t like physical contact with others.

With an apologetic look in her eyes, she whispered, “Teacher Gu, I’m sorry about just now.”

At this moment, Gu Ting had already removed the blindfold and was looking down at the young woman opposite him. He couldn’t help but admit that Meng Zhen was a talented actress.

He had also seen the short film that Luo Yang had previously produced. Meng Zhen’s portrayal of Daffodil in that film was impeccable, almost perfect. He hadn’t expected her performance as Daji to be equally impressive.

“It’s nothing, it’s just a script.”