Chapter 54: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not – The Same Name
Although Dong Ling was an art student, she felt she had no talent for acting.
Yu Shuangwei came to coach her every day, even more diligent than any acting teacher.
If aspiring actors knew about this, they would be incredibly envious, but Dong Ling only felt tormented, no different from being forced to learn math in school.
Dong Ling was very frustrated with herself, sometimes even angry at her own uncontrollable facial expressions, so angry that she would get up in the middle of the night to play the violin to vent her frustration, playing for half the night.
And whenever Song Mingzhi was free, Dong Ling would drag her along for extra practice, but the effect was limited.
Yu Shuangwei felt that Dong Ling had potential, but having seen Dong Ling play the violin, she had to admit that some people were more suited for other things. But she couldn’t give up on Dong Ling’s face, which perfectly matched her vision, she didn’t want all her efforts to go to waste.
So she made a decision: “Rewrite, rewrite the script, a major rewrite!”
The screenwriter, recalling the torture of fifteen previous script revisions, wailed: “Rewrite again?!”
Dong Ling said apologetically: “I’m not a fast learner.”
Dong Ling hated holding others back the most, and hearing Yu Shuangwei say this, the frustration and embarrassment almost overwhelmed her.
A cool hand suddenly touched hers, miraculously soothing the irritability of the hot summer day.
Dong Ling gripped Song Mingzhi’s hand and composed herself.
“It’s not your fault, your current level is good enough for idol dramas, it’s just not enough in front of me.”
Yu Shuangwei’s way of comforting people was quite unique.
“I absolutely have to have you play You Su Changying, since we don’t have the time or patience to polish your acting, we’ll reduce your scenes.”
The screenwriter asked doubtfully: “She’s the female lead, how can you reduce her scenes?”
TV series could use the second male and female leads to add filler episodes, but movies couldn’t. He believed Yu Shuangwei wouldn’t do that, after all, Yu Shuangwei, at her most meticulous, had requirements for every frame.
Yu Shuangwei said: “We’re not filming You Su Changying anymore, we’re filming Liang Jin’an!”
The script Yu Shuangwei had been working on mainly focused on You Su Changying’s time in the Liang Kingdom, the main interactions were with Liang Jin’an, her son, and the harem.
If they adapted it into a biography of Liang Jin’an, filming Liang Jin’an’s life from her peak to her downfall, the set and actors wouldn’t need to be changed, only the plot needed a major overhaul.
The screenwriter, being Yu Shuangwei’s long-time partner, immediately understood what she meant, thought for a moment, and said: “It’s feasible.”
“I think it’s feasible!”
Dong Ling wholeheartedly supported this proposal, she was here to promote Song Mingzhi, she wanted Song Mingzhi to be the female lead, and this way, she could also free herself, perfect.
You Su Changying’s life was full of tragedy, resilience, and drama, while Empress Dowager Liang Jin’an’s life was legendary.
She was born into a military family, her grandfather was granted the imperial surname, her father was highly trusted by the emperor. At sixteen, she entered the palace through the imperial selection process and became a consort. As her influence grew, she rose from consort to noble consort, and two years after the empress’s death, she became the new empress, her power unmatched.
She never conceived, it was said that her martial arts training in her youth damaged her body, which was probably one of the reasons the emperor felt secure letting her become empress. Even after the Liang family’s military power was taken away, she remained securely on the throne.
When Liang Jin’an was twenty-seven, she became pregnant, but didn’t announce it, only revealing the news five months later, but by then, the emperor was already bedridden.
The emperor wasn’t happy, but he felt that Liang Jin’an couldn’t cause any real trouble.
The emperor favored Prince Yan, but on his deathbed, the imperial edict passed the throne to his infant son, the legitimate heir. When Liang Jin’an sat on the dragon throne, holding her child, the outcome was clear.
Empress Dowager Liang was very ambitious, she favored the pro-war faction in the court, and placed great importance on agriculture and metallurgy. It was precisely because of her focus on these areas that the Great Liang Kingdom had the iron cavalry to conquer other countries.
At thirty-five, she personally led the troops south, conquered Dayue, crushed You Su, and captured You Su Changying.
Although Dong Ling was originally going to play You Su Changying, just thinking about this movie becoming Song Mingzhi’s stage, imagining Song Mingzhi’s appearance, she was filled with excitement.
Song Mingzhi nodded under everyone’s gaze, without objection.
She always seemed so calm, as if the size of her role didn’t affect her mood.
“Are you happy?”
Dong Ling nudged Song Mingzhi’s waist with her elbow and asked.
“As long as You Su Changying is you, I’ll always be happy.”
Song Mingzhi whispered in her ear, her expression the same as before, but Dong Ling inexplicably felt a hint of sweetness and gentleness.
It was like that night, half-drunk, half-sober, when she ruffled her hair and said “Finish your drink and then go to sleep.”
Like looking at a dangerous peak through semi-transparent glass, a heart-pounding feeling of being on the verge of falling, between danger and safety.
Dong Ling’s ears felt hot, she stood up, handed the script she had been practicing with to Yu Shuangwei, and asked: “Director Yu, I don’t have to delete any of the scenes I’ve been practicing, right?”
Song Mingzhi looked at her pretending to be nonchalant and smiled faintly.
She might not be able to understand why Dong Ling would approach and then retreat, but she knew that Dong Ling’s gaze was always on her.
Rewriting the script wasn’t a small matter, especially for Yu Shuangwei, who was very meticulous about her work, it wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
The filming schedule was pushed back by more than half a month, and it wasn’t until July that “Slaying the Dragon” officially began filming.
The title sounded like a fantasy or wuxia film, but it was actually a palace drama.
There were two reasons why Yu Shuangwei chose this title. First, although official history recorded that Liang Jin’an’s husband, Emperor Wenzong of Liang, died of illness, various other records suggested Liang Jin’an’s involvement.
Second, Liang Jin’an’s sword was called the Dragon Slaying Sword. The sword was originally called Qing Huang (Azure Phoenix), and she wore it to conquer many countries, not just Dayue and You Su, but also Dayue after that.
Before his death, the emperor of Yue shouted, “I am the true Son of Heaven, how can you, a mere woman, kill me?!” Liang Jin’an sneered and said, “This sword is meant to slay dragons,” then beheaded him with one stroke.
When the official announcement and character posters were released, although Yu Shuangwei was low-key and didn’t like pre-release publicity, it was still discovered by eagle-eyed netizens, and the cast, especially the lead actress, caused a stir.
Many people questioned Dong Ling playing this role, after all, Dong Ling was an outsider, not professionally trained, many joked about whether CEO Dong had invested in the movie.
@KuoKuo: Is this her way of entering the entertainment industry? It seems even Yu Shuangwei has bowed to capital.
This comment was directly refuted by the straightforward Director Yu: My cervical spine is perfectly fine, unlike yours, constantly bowed down. (Implying bowing down to money/power)
Canghai Entertainment’s official Weibo account reposted Director Yu’s comment and added a heart emoji, expressing their anticipation for the movie’s release, and even pinned it to the top of their page.
The Song Zhong sisters were ecstatic, they didn’t believe Dong Ling entered the entertainment industry for money, she already had enough money with her own entertainment company and her family’s wealth, there was no need for her to do this.
@PleaseSendMeOffToMyGrave: New material! Once is a coincidence, twice is fate, many times is love! Because of love!
@NotShippingCPButShippingYou: You Su Changying and Empress Dowager Liang! Guys, this is practically an official announcement!
@SweetToDeath: The character posters sent me to my grave, CEO Dong’s soft and glamorous look is so captivating, Song Jie looks so domineering and powerful, and thinking about her debauched image in history… I’m even more excited, baby!
@EightThousandMilesOfCloudsAndMoon: Sister, I happen to be studying this part of history, hehe, based on the articles criticizing the Empress Dowager and condemning You Su Changying, she engaged in lewd acts within the palace during the day, the entire imperial garden was her playground after clearing out the staff, those who understand will understand, I don’t know if Director Yu will film this.
@LingZhiShuangXiu: Finally seeing CEO Dong’s face on screen, I want more, I want more. As for those saying CEO Dong might be entering the entertainment industry for money, wanting to be a pretty face, I just want to say, wonderful! I can’t wait to see more of CEO Dong, it’s a pity we can’t.
Dong Ling knew that the number of CP fans of her and Song Mingzhi would definitely increase after the official announcement, but she didn’t have time to worry about that now, because she was called home by her parents.
Mrs. Liu Zhuoyun asked with a stern face: “You’re always staying out, not coming home, is it because you’re busy filming? Didn’t you tell me you were just doing business in the entertainment industry and wouldn’t appear on screen yourself?”
Dong Sheng’s concern was different. He said: “I heard you’re quite close to a female celebrity, are you two dating? Is this movie you’re filming explicit?”
Liu Zhuoyun was shocked: “What do you mean explicit? Baby, that’s not okay!”
“No… where did you hear all this nonsense? It’s not an adult film, we’re not dating, just friends, as for appearing on screen… it’s all for art!”
Dong Ling explained with a serious expression, trying to clear up the misunderstanding, especially the misunderstanding about her scandal with a female celebrity.
Dong Tang, standing to the side with his arms crossed, listened to his sister’s explanation, thinking he should find time to meet his sister’s precious celebrity.
Dong Ling didn’t realize how protective she was of Song Mingzhi in her words, but Dong Tang, as an outsider, could sense it clearly. She not only explained, but also praised this actress named Song Mingzhi, afraid that their parents would have a negative impression of her.
Dong Ling was very pampered in the family. After her firm explanation, Dong Sheng and Liu Zhuoyun believed her, as long as their daughter wasn’t being harmed, that was all that mattered.
“By the way, baby, talk to the director and ask to join the film crew a few days later.”
Dong Ling was puzzled: “Why, Mom?”
“Your cousin Qing Qing is coming back tomorrow, her boyfriend from Jingzhou is ready to get married, they’re planning to have a wedding here first, and then another one in Jingzhou.”
“Cousin Qing Qing told me before, she even asked me to be a bridesmaid, when is it?”
“We checked the calendar, the 20th.”
“Okay.”
Dong Ling nodded, thinking, five days, she wasn’t the female lead anyway, she could tell Director Yu and join the crew on the 22nd, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Yu Shuangwei readily agreed. Dong Ling put the filming aside for now and went to pick up her cousin the next day, also meeting her future cousin-in-law.
Liu Mengqing hugged Dong Ling enthusiastically, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, and chatted about their recent lives in the car.
“I saw the entertainment news these past two days, why did you start acting?”
“I’m suddenly interested, trying it out, I don’t plan to be a serious actress.”
“Ling Ling, you’d be a great actress, you’ve always been beautiful, and that actress you’re filming with, Song Mingzhi, right? She’s also very beautiful.”
“Huh…”
This sound didn’t come from Dong Ling, but from her future cousin-in-law.
Liu Mengqing looked at her fiancé and asked: “What’s wrong? Do you know her?”
“There’s a Miss Song in Jingzhou with the same name, but I’ve never met her, I don’t know if it’s the same person.”
In his impression, that Miss Song had always been very low-key, he hadn’t seen her at any social events, he just vaguely remembered that such a person existed.
Liu Mengqing said dismissively: “It’s probably just a coincidence. Didn’t you say the Song family in Jingzhou is very complicated? If she was really from the Song family, why would she come here to be an actress?”
“It’s probably a coincidence, China is so big, having the same name is normal.”
Dong Ling agreed, Song Mingzhi was a penniless actress pursuing her dreams in the entertainment industry, how could she be related to the wealthy Song family in Jingzhou?
And if Song Mingzhi was really a rich heiress, how could she be willing to be a kept woman?
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