I have a persona specifically for acting.

Concubine De was dumbfounded.

The behind-the-scenes staff were also stunned.

They hadn’t considered the possibility that Emperor Ming might not want to have Tong Zhao killed. When “The Chronicles of Emperor Ming” cast Song Wanzhuo, it was because his “true self” was such a perfect fit for the role. Emperor Ming would not be foolish on major issues; the Chen family had committed a grave crime, and how could the public be satisfied if the Chen clan was not punished?

The Empress received only a white silk, so what could the Imperial Concubine expect?

Moreover, many of the palace concubines and their factions were hoping for her death to make room for newcomers, and the previous dynasty had put a lot of pressure on Emperor Ming.

The scriptwriter had written the role of this female character as merely a tool to allow the protagonist to transform once more into a ruthless ruler.

Assistant Director: “Uh, this…”

Since, aside from the main character and the major stars who could negotiate a share of the profits, the performance fees were generally agreed upon in advance—paying per episode, with budgets not easily altered—the plot’s outcome was set firmly. If the script called for the character to die by the seventh episode, the eighth episode would only show a memorial portrait if she appeared at all.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

The lighting technician cautiously suggested, “If you can’t have her die, maybe add a temporary script change and have Tong Zhao die of illness instead?”

This was also a solution, though it was somewhat contrived.

“Let’s wait and see for a while,” said the director, and the group stopped discussing, secretly hoping no more issues would arise.

……

Emperor Ming really didn’t want to kill her.

Since “The Chronicles of Emperor Ming” had many serious scenes, Tong Zhao’s role was not major. However, if the scenes of their interactions were edited separately, anyone with a bit of experience could see how sweet and affectionate their relationship was. The Imperial Concubine knew exactly how to win Emperor Ming’s favor, always managing to calm him down. They had only known each other for a year, still within the honeymoon period, and he was extremely reluctant.

This was actually something Tong Zhao had anticipated before getting into character.

She had read the script, knew how her character would die, and expected that the Emperor would be reluctant to kill her.

After all, “Concubine Chen” was a persona she created with great effort in the ancient palace. If she couldn’t even win over an emperor, she couldn’t claim to be a beloved concubine and might as well find another field to farm.

But Tong Zhao was confident and calm before stepping into character.

Why?

Because “Concubine Chen’s” mission was to become the Emperor’s idealized memory after his death, once her favorability reached 100, she would find a suitable way to die. This self-destructive tendency was deeply buried in her memory, like a code waiting to be triggered at the right moment.

……

In the palace.

Concubine Chen not only did not lower her status but instead dressed exquisitely every day, making the other concubines envious of her regal appearance.

Even with her eyes narrowed like a rabbit’s, it was useless; the Emperor loved her regardless.

“Yuzhi, I’ve been dreaming lately about the things my sister said to me before her death.”

The senior maid beside Concubine Chen quickly knelt and said reassuringly, “Your Majesty, those were just the ramblings of someone who knew they had no way to deal with you. If she really had any power over you, it wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

Concubine Chen’s palace was tightly controlled, and her behavior was so arrogant that even her servants who had followed her into the palace had picked up some of her haughty attitude. Even after death, in Yuzhi’s words, she was just a blabbering fool who wanted to curse the esteemed Concubine Chen!

Before the white silk was placed, the Empress cursed Concubine Chen fiercely: “Unfaithful, unfilial, and treacherous seductress, how long can you keep the Emperor’s favor with your looks? I’ll be waiting for you down there…” She sneered bitterly, “Waiting for you to fall from favor and into ruin…”

The Empress resented the rebellious concubine, resented the Emperor’s indifference, and also resented the Chen family’s ambition and disregard for her situation in the palace.

“Your Majesty, don’t be afraid. Should I ask the Imperial Physician for a calming remedy?”

“Afraid of her?” Concubine Chen laughed dismissively. “I’ve never been afraid since entering the palace. If I wasn’t afraid while I was alive, I certainly wouldn’t be afraid after death. As for martial skills, my sister is no match for me.”

Indeed.

She had originally been just a side branch of the Chen family, unlike her elder sister who was destined to become a consort. She had climbed trees as a child and later learned to dance to win the Emperor’s favor. Despite her slender limbs, she was strong, and even in the afterlife, Concubine Chen was confident she could overpower her sister.

Concubine Chen closed her eyes, and her smile faded slightly. “I had only hoped to fight for a lifetime.”

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the paper windows and fell on her skin, which was as delicate as white jade, making her appear as if she was glowing.

A subplot was added to the main story: Concubine Chen had someone bring her some poison. The palace maids and eunuchs thought nothing of it. Their mistress had always been known for her pranks, like sprinkling itching powder, and even if she did manage to kill someone, what did it matter? However, they had never seen her cause a miscarriage or the death of a prince.

It seemed that the Empress’s concerns were never about offspring.

Returning to the previous dynasty.

The Chen family’s rebellion and the threat from an external enemy ran parallel to each other. To gain the support of another prominent clan, the Emperor had to execute the troublemaker. After the Emperor’s furious reaction, he realized for the first time that being an Emperor wasn’t as free and easy as he had thought. This further solidified his resolve to consolidate all power back into his own hands with the help of his trusted aides, the second and third male leads.

Although they had never met, the second and third male leads despised Concubine Chen, believing she was the cause of their problems. One scene depicted them discussing Concubine Chen, lamenting that she was indeed just an ignorant woman who refused to die for the greater good.

The director pondered, “These lines will definitely anger female viewers. Concubine Chen is a genuine scapegoat. She spends her days enjoying herself with palace maids, playing with cats and dogs, and at most, bullying other consorts. Why should she be punished with death?”

A staff member commented, “Well, that’s male subconsciousness for you. It’s not too extreme.”

Previously, there had been public outcry over a middle-aged male actor’s assertion that cheating was not a crime and that wives should be understanding. Despite the backlash, he garnered loyal support from a segment of male viewers and continued to do well.

In the study, the Emperor and the male leads were discussing state affairs when the chief steward, trembling, entered to inform the Emperor that Concubine Chen had requested an audience. She claimed that, although she was unworthy of the Emperor’s favor, she had practiced a new dance and hoped to see His Majesty smile.

Concubine Chen’s tone was mocking. The implication was that if the Emperor did not attend, it meant she was unworthy, and she would be heartbroken.

The faces of the two officials immediately darkened.

Screenwriter: “…”

Screenwriter: “I spent all night thinking about the plot in the Emperor’s study.”

Assistant Director: “My condolences.”

At this point, everyone on the backstage was wondering when Concubine Chen would die.

The second and third male leads were also thinking the same thing.

They wished they could personally shove a poisoned meal into her mouth.

At this moment, the more arrogant second male lead suggested that they should go together, enjoying the dance while discussing affairs, so as not to delay official matters. The third male lead immediately gave him a look, signaling him not to be too excessive. Even though their relationship was like that of close comrades, this was still too disrespectful.

The Emperor’s expression remained calm, showing no sign of joy or anger. He simply asked Steward Hai to check if Concubine Chen would agree to allow the two ministers to enjoy the performance together.

Concubine Chen agreed.

The intention to humiliate the troublemaker was clear, but no one expected the woman to be so thick-skinned.

Since the ministers were going, it was naturally not appropriate to hold the event in Concubine Chen’s quarters.

The palace had many places, so a suitable garden at the boundary was chosen, and a stage was set up.

“New dance? Where’s the new dance? We didn’t give her a new dance template,” the template designer suddenly realized the key issue. Some roles required unique skills to be demonstrated, and if the actor couldn’t perform them, a template or MOD had to be used. “Does Tong Zhao know how to dance?”

Everyone turned to the only person who knew Tong Zhao.

The director hesitated, “I think she studied ballet? I’ve seen her perform Swan Lake before.”

…

On-screen, Concubine Chen appeared gracefully in a water-red dance outfit.

The three men in the audience instinctively straightened their backs.

She was too beautiful.

Her face, shaped like an egg, was adorned with vibrant makeup. Her almond-shaped eyes, with a hint of rosy hue at the corners, resembled a celestial maiden descending from the heavens. Unlike a goddess who was aloof and untouchable, she was alluring in a way that made one want to intrude.

The Emperor showed a hint of regret on his face.

He shouldn’t have let these two men enjoy the performance to prove how exceptional his beloved concubine was.

However, there was no time for him to regret it, as Concubine Chen had already begun dancing.

It was indeed a new dance.

None of the three had seen it before, nor had the template designer. It was not Swan Lake.

It was a delicate dance from another realm, performed by Concubine Chen before the Emperor, featuring delicate silver bells on her hands and ankles. The jingling of the bells created a crisp sound that cut through the seductive atmosphere with a tinkle of gold and jade.

“… If this segment is cut out on its own, Tong Zhao will definitely become popular.”

Someone muttered in a daze.

“It’s not a matter of whether she will become popular or not; the Emperor truly won’t have the heart to let her die,” the director sighed. “Let’s arrange for an urgent illness plotline.”

Concubine Chen had boasted that no man could resist her.

At that moment, everyone who saw her felt her bewitching charm. She was exquisitely beautiful, evoking a sense of wonder about what she had endured. It was as if she had crushed herself and fiercely burned away the remaining fragrance, yet it still lingered with a bittersweet allure that left hearts entranced.

After the dance, Concubine Chen deeply bowed, as if about to perform a kneeling ritual.

The Emperor suddenly stood up, hurried forward to help her, and gently lifted her chin. He saw a pale, exquisitely beautiful face hidden beneath the makeup. She parted her lips and said, “Your Majesty…” before spitting out a small amount of blood.

The Emperor was both shocked and anxious, immediately sending for the imperial physician.

“Please, Your Majesty, don’t make things difficult for yourself,” Concubine Chen’s eyes shone brightly, surpassing even the fireworks at the coronation ceremony: “I want you to always remember me, remember that I am your Wanwan, and love me…”

Her voice weakened, and upon seeing the Emperor’s face, she showed a pained expression, shaking her head and sighing: “Forget me, just forget me.”

The poison was prepared for her.

In the parting love, there was no truth. The underlying message of “I don’t want to delay you” was “Don’t delay me, just leave quickly.”

“Forget me” was actually “You must remember me.”

She wanted him to never again hear the sound of jingling bells.

In her life, Concubine Chen had loved only two people.

One was her sister, the empress, who was a model for all women in the family, and who had urged her to enter the palace to bear children.

The other was herself.

…

The backstage after the shoot was silent.

The screenwriter trembled, “Um, I need to explain to the audience that this scene with the knife wasn’t written by me. Will they believe it?”