CHAPTER 96: LITTLE ROOM FOR SENTIMENTALITY

Upon arriving at the studio, Wen Nuan was indeed subjected to a thorough dressing-down by Director Zhang. They were a full hour late, and Director Zhang loathed tardiness above all else. For his productions, all crew members were expected to arrive early, making lateness a very serious offense.

After being lectured for a good ten minutes, Wen Nuan put on her most innocent, puppy-dog-eyed expression, gazing tearfully at Director Zhang. This was the first time she had been scolded so severely by him. Thankfully, while Director Zhang’s words were harsh, he didn’t resort to any truly offensive language.

He was, to some extent, giving face to Cai Xiaojing.

"Alright, alright," Director Zhang conceded, rolling up his script into a makeshift baton. "Don’t think you can always get away with that innocent look, you naughty girl. Go get your makeup done quickly! Xiao Li, hurry up and get her ready. Chen Hang, Li Chengming, you two come over here. We’ll shoot scene three first." With a flourish of his script, he exuded the air of a general commanding his troops. The two lead actors hastily made their way to the performance area, taking their positions.

Cheng Ying and Peng Yuming were chatting with Chen Xueru and Zhuo Bingbing, among others. Having collaborated once before, Chen Xueru engaged more with the two veteran actors, and their conversation eventually touched upon Chen Xueru’s past period of being sidelined.

Chen Xueru’s expression subtly shifted, and she didn’t continue the topic. The others didn’t press further. Zhuo Bingbing then sought their guidance on acting techniques, and the two seasoned actors shared their knowledge openly and patiently.

Zhuo Bingbing’s acting skills were comparable to Chen Xueru’s; however, her fame was significantly greater.

Since Chen Xueru’s career had been put on hold two years prior, her popularity had plummeted, and few people mentioned her anymore. Her scandals were also very few, and she maintained a low profile. The entertainment industry was a place of rapid turnover.

Without projects and exposure, many actresses would be buried.

In the past two years, Chen Xueru hadn’t starred in any significant productions, mostly taking on unappealing roles with limited screen time. Her agent had essentially given up on her.

The roles she received were all subpar.

This time, her involvement in "Princess Qinglian" was through Director Zhang contacting her agent. Her agent, who represented three artists, had initially recommended someone else to Director Zhang for the role. However, Director Zhang had seen Chen Xueru’s work and insisted on casting her. Only then was she able to join the crew, a process fraught with twists and turns, making it quite challenging.

Veteran actors Cheng Ying and Peng Yuming, who had dedicated their lives to acting, found it extremely rare to encounter a harmonious and familial film crew like this one. They also enjoyed chatting with these younger actors, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Cai Xiaojing watched Chen Xueru from the side. She had heard some rumors about her scandal in the past two years. At that time, Chen Xueru was on the verge of becoming a first-tier star but was sabotaged by someone behind the scenes.

Scandalous photos were leaked, and rumors of her being supported by a wealthy patron circulated. Ye Feimo typically didn’t involve himself in the affairs of artists. The general manager of the entertainment department was Gu Xiaobei, who at the time felt the impact was very negative. Many secured endorsement deals with Chen Xueru were canceled, and Gu Xiaobei then decided to sideline her.

The initial plan was to promote her again after the controversy subsided, but the girl was very proud. She had some conflict with Gu Xiaobei, leading to an argument, and she had been essentially frozen out ever since.

Cai Xiaojing had heard some whispers about the affairs between artists and executives. Most artists under Anning International had ambiguous relationships with the company’s higher-ups. Some were proud and aloof, but they wouldn’t last long before conforming.

Chen Xueru was considered a rare exception.

But the consequence of upholding her integrity was this: being ignored. No matter how good her acting skills, her looks, or her talent, she would gradually be buried.

Chen Xueru was also a promising talent.

Cai Xiaojing knew all the details, but she wouldn’t be one to gossip about such things.

These were the rules of the entertainment industry.

There was little room for sentimentality.

After her makeup was done, Wen Nuan was immediately called to the performance area by the director. Chen Xueru and Zhuo Bingbing were also summoned. This was a very important scene.

Crown Prince Nalan’s true identity as the crown prince of an enemy state had been revealed, angering the emperor, who ordered his execution. Princess Qinglian, Princess Xiangxiang, and others were discussing countermeasures to rescue Crown Prince Nalan.

Chen Xueru played Princess Qinglian’s elder sister, who was in love with the second male lead, the elegant scholar Li Chengming (played by Li Chengming), and also participated in the rescue. The character originally played by Gu Yiting had been completely rewritten. Chen Xueru’s scenes were not many, but her portrayal of infatuation and intelligence in the drama was deeply impressive.

Princess Qinglian was courageous but lacked strategy, righteous and loyal. Princess Xiangxiang was intelligent and resourceful, possessing both wisdom and bravery. Princess Qinglan was gentle and kind-hearted, exceptionally clever. Together with the elegant scholar and a group of close friends, they were discussing how to save him, eventually unanimously deciding to storm the execution grounds.

This was a very engaging and compelling scene.

Princess Qinglian and Princess Xiangxiang both had poignant emotional scenes with Crown Prince Nalan at the execution grounds. Unlike the old version, this version depicted Crown Prince Nalan wavering between the two women.

He seemed deeply in love with Princess Qinglian but also had an ambiguous relationship with Princess Xiangxiang.

One represented his true self, the other the shadow he chased.

Their significance to him was different.

In the drama, the two women were also good friends, but they both fell in love with the same man. The emotions between them were very subtle, sometimes filled with sarcasm, sometimes with unwavering support.

At the execution grounds, the imperial soldiers were increasing in number. Just as they were about to be overwhelmed, the elegant scholar cut through the chains. In the critical moment, Crown Prince Nalan instinctively protected Princess Xiangxiang first, which provoked Princess Qinglian’s intense jealousy.

In the chaos, she put herself in danger again. Crown Prince Nalan went to save her, and just as an arrow was about to strike him, Princess Xiangxiang threw herself in front of them, taking the arrow in her chest.

Finally, Li Chengming and a large group of martial arts experts rushed in, rescuing them with lightning speed.

Princess Xiangxiang, struck by an arrow in the chest, was in critical condition.

Crown Prince Nalan held her, his worry, anxiety, love, gratitude, and shock all surging forth. Believing she was about to die, she uttered a series of moving lines during their farewell, bringing tears to the eyes.

Princess Qinglian stood aside, filled with heartache, regret, gratitude, and jealousy.

The two actresses delivered a powerful performance together, captivating everyone. This scene was filmed smoothly in one go, with very few takes.

Princess Qinglan watched the elegant scholar, consumed by grief for Princess Xiangxiang, with a look of deep and unrequited love.

Zhuo Bingbing and Wen Nuan’s acting skills were both excellent. Coupled with the talented Chen Xueru, even the veteran actors found it captivating.

Wen Nuan’s performance had great emotional range, whether portraying strength or bravery, the intensity was just right, very natural. Most impressively, her emotions were rich, multi-faceted, and vivid, giving the audience the feeling that she wasn’t acting; at that moment, she *was* Princess Xiangxiang.

The poignant and selfless love between her and the Crown Prince was portrayed very effectively. Even after the director called "cut," her tears continued to flow, and it took her a long, long time to emerge from the role.