Chapter 465: Chapter 465: Just Afraid of Becoming Someone Else’s Stepping Stone

At the end of April, the weather gradually becomes scorching hot.

The clothing of the Zhou Dynasty is complicated, with “three layers inside and three layers outside” being an apt descriptor. After filming three scenes in the morning, Lai Yuanyuan was exhausted and, by 2 p.m., she was so hot that as soon as the scenes were finished, she sat down under a parasol, lifting her skirt to reveal a pair of slender legs.

Shen Na took out a mini electric fan from her makeup bag to give to Lai Yuanyuan and also grabbed a paper fan to help her cool down, while Sister Wen sat beside her, helping Lai Yuanyuan look over the script.

Lai Yuanyuan was dragged into the “drug hiding incident,” and Lai Shengxia, worried that her sister would cause more trouble, had Sister Wen stay close to Yuanyuan at all times.

During the break, Shen Na fanned Lai Yuanyuan and told her, “In the next scene, Mrs. Bao will enter the palace. Yuanyuan, Tang Li is already inside getting her makeup done.”

Lai Yuanyuan paused in her action of wiping sweat with a tissue, then sneered, “With her poor and pathetic look, she wants to play Mrs. Bao, the most favored in the harem. She’d better get plastic surgery at a hospital first.”

“Exactly,” Shen Na chuckled, “I heard that the role of Mrs. Bao originally belonged to her classmate, but she snatched it away from her. A schemer is truly a schemer; who knows what kind of shady means she used, yet everyone is fooled by her green tea bitch exterior!”

Sister Wen interrupted them, “There are many people around and since it’s another crew, being overheard and spread wouldn’t be good for Yuanyuan!”

Hearing this, Shen Na obediently closed her mouth.

Lai Yuanyuan leaned back in her chair and sneered coldly, “She is a schemer. Aren’t we just stating the truth? She hid drugs and yet tried to frame me, while pretending to be so righteous. One day, I will tear that hypocritical face of hers to shreds!”

Her words had barely faded when a figure in red gracefully walked out from the palace gates.

Sister Wen looked up and saw Tang Li.

Almost all the female actresses were needed for the next scene.

Thus, at the filming site, there were some twenty young actresses, either sitting or standing, all garbed in elaborate costumes. The Empress and Mrs. Qi, in particular, were not only dressed in gorgeous attire but also had their hair decorated with ornamental hairpins and ‘bubbling’ hairpins, with exquisitely drawn floral forehead patterns.

Lai Yuanyuan, playing Mrs. Qi’s maid, though dressed in pink palace attire and wearing a gold headpiece, had a look that was especially lively, making her the prettiest young actress on site apart from Mrs. Qi herself.

After Tang Li’s appearance, she attracted the attention of many actresses.

Even the extras whispered amongst themselves.

Zhao Zhenglei, upon seeing Tang Li, immediately waved her over.

At that moment, behind the monitor, apart from the director, there was also Li Yanxin. Zhao Zhenglei calling Tang Li over was to have her run through the scene with Li Yanxin beforehand, to prevent a lack of rapport and feeling when filming the actual scene between actors.

Tong Jing sat not far from Lai Yuanyuan, watching Tang Li standing beside Li Yanxin. Her gaze lingered on the girl’s delicate but brilliant features, suddenly feeling moved, “If I were Emperor Zhou Qing, I would also favor only her.”

The assistant, hearing this, followed Tong Jing’s gaze.

After checking out Tang Li, the assistant looked away and spoke, “She may not be a ravishing beauty, but being young is her asset. The director has quite the eye for talent, but whether it’s acting skills or audience appeal, you, Sister Jing, are the rightful lead actress.”

Tong Jing slowly said, “I’m just afraid that this time I might be making the wedding dress for someone else.”

At three o’clock in the afternoon, the director announced it was time to clear the set, and crew members began to leave the filming area outside the palace gates one by one.

After the clapperboard was snapped, the camera slowly zoomed in.

The robust Emperor Zhou Qing swept aside his robe as he alighted from the carriage, ignoring the courtesies of his concubines, and turned to reach into the carriage, his eyes showing a water-like tenderness, “Cinnie, come down.”