Chapter 16

The Regent King had spent his early years waging wars on the battlefield, leaving behind numerous internal injuries. The late emperor specially ordered people to spend a fortune diverting hot spring water to the palace, constructing a hot spring pool in the Regent’s residence.

It was said that the hot spring pool had a remarkable effect on healing internal injuries, and every month, the Regent King would make time to soak and recuperate.

The so-called bathing scene was actually a hot spring scene.

Strictly speaking, it was an assassination scene.

Because in this scene, the character played by Xia Xiangyang—the mastermind behind the curtain—arranged for an assassin to strike while the Regent King was bathing. He anticipated the assassination would fail, as the assassin was a dead man walking, who would, before dying, “inadvertently” leave behind a misleading clue pointing to the young emperor.

In other words, it wasn’t just an assassination scene—it was also a covert sowing of discord.

As for how such a life-and-death, plot-critical assassination scene got passed around and morphed into a “bathing scene”?

One could only say—the masses truly have sharp eyes.

*

Many people in the crew wanted to witness Movie Emperor Ji’s “bathing scene” firsthand, but the great demon of the crew, Director Luo, did not allow it and sternly forbade any irrelevant personnel from watching.

The crew members with those sharp eyes could only sigh in disappointment and give up.

Jiang Shuwan, upon hearing this, packed up her things and was preparing to return to the hotel to read when she received a WeChat message from Xia Xiangyang, telling her to hurry over.

Who would’ve thought that Xia Xiangyang, who looked so upright and proper, would dare to go against the big demon director right under his nose?

Jiang Shuwan hesitated for a moment but still walked toward the hot spring pool.

Halfway there, she was stopped by Liang Hao.

“Shuwan, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person!” Liang Hao leaned against the blue brick wall, looked at her, tilted his head slightly, revealing the lines of his jaw. “We clearly struggled and endured hardships together for several months. How can you so easily fall for someone else and move on?!”

Jiang Shuwan: “……”

At that moment, she suddenly understood why, when Wang Youde asked her about Liang Hao’s acting skills and she answered that he was very good, Wang Youde’s facial expression had been so complicated.

Now that she had recovered from her infatuation, she finally had proper judgment.

Liang Hao’s acting skills… wouldn’t he end up being the rotten apple in the “Regent King” crew?

She couldn’t help but ask, “Liang Hao, what do you think of your own acting skills?”

Liang Hao: “……”

Haven’t you heard the saying ‘Don’t hit someone in the face when you fight’?

Indeed, women are the most ruthless.

After falling for someone else, every word spoken seems designed to stab straight into the heart.

Before, Liang Hao was still convinced that Jiang Shuwan was hopelessly in love with him, but after observing for the past few days, he had to accept the reality that she had fallen for someone else. These days, she was always hanging around Xia Xiangyang, and the two of them even openly ate lunch together.

Although Xia Xiangyang wasn’t much better looking than him, the guy had a higher status, and was known for being a true powerhouse in the industry—his acting skills were beyond reproach.

Liang Hao suddenly felt extremely wronged. “I know my acting isn’t good, but I really try. Every time I get a role, I rehearse it countless times in advance. I don’t know why, even after all that practice, I still perform terribly.”

He let out a pained cry, “You think I want to be the King of NGs?!”

Jiang Shuwan: “……”

Wait—so all those times he’d rehearsed even the simplest scenes over and over, it wasn’t because he was striving for perfection, but because he knew his acting was that bad and that without practicing first, it would be even worse?

And all those repeated NGs during filming weren’t about collaborating with the director to pursue perfection, but just because he was plain awful?

All right then.

Being blinded by love is truly fatal.JPG

She could almost hear the sound of something called a “filter” shattering into pieces with a loud crash.

Jiang Shuwan couldn’t help but offer a piece of heartfelt advice. “Why don’t you read more books or find a teacher to help you out?”

Liang Hao looked even more aggrieved. “I’m just an 18th-tier actor—how could my agency possibly be willing to spend money to hire a teacher for me?!”

Since he had been her little lab rat for a few months, Jiang Shuwan thought for a moment, then took out the book she had been reviewing for the past two days, An Actor Prepares, from her bag and shoved it into Liang Hao’s hands. “This is all I can do to help. Good luck!”

Liang Hao: “……”

*

Sure enough, several stern-faced crew members were stationed at the entrance of the hot spring pool, blocking all those who tried to sneak in. It strangely resembled the ticket check at a scenic tourist spot.

Jiang Shuwan thought she would be stopped too, but after the staff confirmed her name, they waved her through.

Who knows how Xia Xiangyang managed that.

As soon as she entered, she saw Xia Xiangyang and a few brawny men moving props. When he spotted her, he immediately handed her a flower vase.

“Quick, quick, quick, put this on that table over there. There are a few more props—help move them too.”

Jiang Shuwan: “……”

She had thought he had pulled some strings to get them access, but it turned out he just volunteered to do grunt work—and even got her a spot on the moving crew.

Insert meme: ‘Let me thank you properly.JPG’

Still, Jiang Shuwan didn’t mind doing some manual labor or moving a few things. After all, she was the type of woman who carried 5-gallon water jugs herself back in the lab.

Moreover, she was quite strong. After moving the lighter props, she even helped Xia Xiangyang carry some of the heavier set pieces.

Once everything was moved, they naturally found a corner to settle in and wait to watch the scene.

Jiang Shuwan couldn’t help asking, “Didn’t you say you only knew Director Wang in the crew?”

After all, Wang Youde would never concern himself with grunt work.

Xia Xiangyang smiled. “It’s been days—of course I’ve gotten to know a few more people by now. The on-site producer is pretty nice. A few of their staff caught the flu, so they’re short-handed. Originally, I just meant for you to come and carry a few vases.”

Who would’ve thought Ms. Jiang would be so straightforward with physical labor?

Xia Xiangyang was genuinely curious.

He had initially assumed Jiang Shuwan was some heiress, deliberately joining as an extra to chase stars while getting a taste of the common folk’s hardship. But seeing the way she hauled things around, he started to doubt that.

What kind of heiress was this strong?

Thinking back to that time at the police station, and recalling the “chief” he’d seen there… maybe he’d guessed wrong from the start. Ms. Jiang wasn’t some rich girl—she had a different kind of background?

Mysterious Ms. Jiang.

Jiang Shuwan said, “It’s not like carrying a few things takes that much effort…”

The rest of the sentence got stuck in her throat.

A tall, slender figure suddenly appeared in her line of sight.

What she first noticed was his slightly loose, pale cyan robe—a beautiful color that reminded her of Bai Letian’s line, “Woven as wild geese beyond the clouds, dyed like the spring waters of Jiangnan.”

But as soon as that thought surfaced, she realized that what was more striking than the robe… was the man wearing it.

The man had a stunning physique. Even in a loose robe, he didn’t look sloppy at all. On the contrary, it highlighted his lean, upright frame. As he moved, his sleeves fluttered softly. Every gesture carried an indescribable elegance… and a subtle sense of authority.

Then, as he came closer, she finally saw his face clearly.

It was a face Jiang Shuwan was very familiar with—yet somehow a little unfamiliar.

Familiar were those breathtaking features; unfamiliar was how that once still, picture-perfect face had now become alive and animated—somehow even more beautiful.

Jiang Shuwan felt her heart thump twice, hard.

Truly a peerless beauty.

She suddenly remembered Xin Li’s daily fangirling on WeChat, and for the first time, completely understood the feeling.

That face, those legs, that waist, the hint of collarbone just barely showing—ugh, no, her love-struck brain was about to grow back again.

*

As Ji Hanzhang walked toward the hot spring pool, he was mentally reviewing the scene. There weren’t many lines, but the key was the blocking for the assassination sequence—plus, he would have to be wire-harnessed in midair later.

Just as he was thinking, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears:

[Truly a peerless beauty.]

His steps paused slightly, but he continued walking as if nothing had happened, though his eyes quickly scanned the set.

Even though Director Luo had ordered a full clearance of the set, there were still plenty of people around—camera crew, lighting, props, makeup… a chaotic crowd. His gaze swept across them but found no one.

Yet the voice continued:

[That face, those legs, that waist, the faint glimpse of collarbone—ugh, no, my love-struck brain is growing back again.]

Ji Hanzhang: “……”

He couldn’t help tugging his robe a bit tighter.

He’d been an actor for years. Wearing something this loose—let alone appearing shirtless—wasn’t new to him.

Ordinary glances and spectators had never affected him.

But in this moment, Ji Hanzhang began to reflect—maybe the reason they’d never affected him before was because he’d never so clearly heard someone else’s inner thoughts?

[Sigh, it’s not that I don’t want to go back to school—there’s just too much temptation in the crew.]

[Art truly imitates life. Those stories about scholars heading to the capital to take the imperial exams, always being sidetracked by seductive spirits or fox demons—honestly, you can’t blame the scholars. You can only blame those spirits for being too beautiful.]

Ji Hanzhang: “……”

His gaze landed on the figure huddled in a corner of the set with Xia Xiangyang. His usually indifferent eyes held a trace of imperceptible resignation. Then he walked slowly to the edge of the pool and stepped into the water.

All departments were already in place. As soon as he entered, Director Luo shouted “Action!” and the scene began.

*

Jiang Shuwan was actually quite curious. They said it was a hot spring scene, but Movie Emperor Ji was wearing a robe into the water?

But when the assassin appeared and the Regent King fought him while half-soaked in his robe, she immediately understood.

On the surface, the Regent King held power over the court. But in truth, he had been feared by the late emperor and now doubted by the young one. Visible and invisible enemies surrounded him at every turn.

Even while bathing, he could never fully let down his guard.

Indeed, when the assassin appeared, he immediately tore a sash from his robe to use as a weapon.

Jiang Shuwan was utterly captivated—not just because it looked good, but because Movie Emperor Ji had truly brought the Regent King to life.

It was as if, from the moment he stepped into the hot spring, he became that imposing, cold, and enigmatic figure—the most powerful minister in the realm.

Wirework, choreographed action, multiple retakes.

Then came the next scene, where the Regent King had a flare-up of his injuries and struggled in the water in pain.

Time passed unnoticed. Even though all the scenes were shot in the same pool, each felt distinct. Beyond assassination and betrayal, they showed the unknown pain and loneliness of this great yet isolated man.

“Cut!”

“That’s it for today. Quick, someone get Movie Emperor Ji some ginger tea!”

Xia Xiangyang dashed over with a thermos, handing it to Ji Hanzhang. “Movie Emperor Ji, here, here—soaking in cold water for so long, drink some ginger tea to warm up.”

Ji Hanzhang glanced at him, took the thermos. “Thanks.”

Xia Xiangyang smiled. “Movie Emperor Ji, you’re done for the day, right? Would you be open to grabbing dinner together? I really wanted to treat you as an apology for last time.”

He pointed behind him at Jiang Shuwan. “She’s an extra in the crew—your hardcore fan. Look, she was so moved by your performance she almost cried. Can she join us too?”

Jiang Shuwan: “……”