As expected of a director, he truly has a knack for motivating actors' emotions. As soon as the holiday announcement was made, the eyes of everyone on set with a role instantly changed. They couldn't wait to start filming, finish early, and go home. Who could refuse the temptation of a holiday?
Especially Yi Xing and Meng Ziyi; they had barely had a full day off in the past two months. Now, with an opportunity to rest for several days right in front of them, they definitely had to seize it.
However, before that, they needed to clarify the reason for the holiday, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to rest easy for those few days.
"Director, what's the reason for the holiday? Is it just us, or are Xuwen and Yitong also getting time off?"
"Yitong will also be off. Only Xuwen won't be, he has to go to the grasslands with me to film some earlier scenes. Oh, right, don't you dare slack off! As soon as I get back, I'll film your last scene immediately."
Director Jiang saw that Yi Xing was the one who asked the question and patiently answered him.
After spending this time together, he grew to think more highly of this ambitious young man. He also understood why Huang Xiaoming had introduced him. If his next directed play had a suitable role for Yi Xing, he would want him to come and act in it.
Mainly, it was because Yi Xing's ability to learn and absorb knowledge was too strong. Watching this young man grow from a novice who only understood theoretical knowledge to his current stage filled Director Jiang with a sense of accomplishment. He couldn't wait to show off to his friends, saying, "Look, this is the actor I've trained."
"Xuwen is so miserable."
Although Yi Xing said this, he was grinning, a look of pure schadenfreude. It was a world where only Yang Xuwen was hurt.
Rest time was replaced by chatting. After this pleasant conversation, Director Jiang asked, "Is everyone rested? We're about to start filming."
"Rested!" The collective shouts were so loud that if the set had been indoors, it probably would have blown the roof off. Everyone's enthusiasm was immediately ignited.
The effect of this take was much better than the previous one. He looked at the screen of the monitor, a satisfied smile on his face. Indeed, a little reward was necessary. This take could be considered the best he had filmed among so many scenes.
"Cut! That was excellent. The extras can leave, everyone else stay. Maintain this feeling, and let's quickly film the next scene."
A large group of people moved to the next filming location. This time, the scene was indoors. The wedding ceremony part was mostly over. Afterwards, Yang Kang, Mu Nianci, Wanyan Honglie, and Qiu Qianren were sitting at a table, eating together.
After everyone was seated in their respective positions, the scene officially began.
As they were enjoying their meal, a servant walked in and whispered something into Qiu Qianren's ear. His expression immediately changed from a slight smile to seriousness. He stood up and cupped his hands to the person at the head of the table, saying,
"Your Highness, something has come up within the guild. I regret that I cannot continue to drink with you to my heart's content. I must take my leave."
Wanyan Honglie also stood up and replied, "Guild Leader Qiu, why don't you let my son accompany you?"
"No need."
Qiu Qianren said this and quickly left the room, ignoring the people calling out to him from behind.
"Kang'er, something isn't quite right. Hurry and follow him to see what's happening."
He quickly turned his head and told Yang Kang to follow.
"Alright."
Just as Yang Kang was about to catch up, Mu Nianci, who was sitting beside him, suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. This was the after-effect of applying poison to her lips. He was greatly alarmed and embraced her, asking with concern, "Nianci, what's wrong?"
"Cut! Yang Kang's emotion is off. I only see panic, not a hint of worry. Let's do it again!"
Even when they redid it, Director Jiang still said Yang Kang's emotion was not quite right, and he pulled Yi Xing aside to carefully explain the scene to him.
"Mu Nianci is your newly wedded wife. When she suddenly spits blood, your emotion should be more worry than panic, not panic more than worry."
He understood Yi Xing's comprehension ability well and didn't need to explain in great detail; a general overview was enough.
"I understand."
"Good that you understand. Then let's do another take."
Director Jiang patted Yi Xing's shoulder as he prepared to return to his chair.
"Action!"
The previous scene was re-enacted. Yang Kang's eyes were full of worry, and a hint of panic could vaguely be seen within them. He reached out and embraced Mu Nianci, letting her lean against his chest.
Liang Zi Weng, standing at the side, dipped his hand in the blood on the table, sniffed it under his nose, and his expression turned grim as he said, "Crane's Head Red!"
"Could someone have poisoned the food?"
Wanyan Honglie had an "as expected" expression, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked over, letting out a contemptuous snort: "Don't bother guessing. Princess Consort, you poisoned yourself, didn't you?"
"Father, what are you saying? How could Nianci poison herself?"
Yang Kang frowned, refuting his words.
"You'll have to ask her!"
Mu Nianci struggled out of Yang Kang's embrace, pushed herself up with effort using the table, and slowly walked to Wanyan Honglie, saying with a face full of hatred, "Wanyan Honglie. I've finally waited for this day. Do you know how long I've waited for this day?"
"Why would you do this?"
"Why... Why? Don't you know? I have a thousand, ten thousand reasons to kill you! Ask my deceased adoptive father, ask the innocent family of Brother Guo who were implicated! This is why!"
At this, she struggled to support her body with her hands, not allowing herself to collapse. She still had so many words left unsaid, and Yang Kang stood behind her, supporting her.
After hearing her reason for poisoning herself, he looked at her with great heartache: "Nianci, why are you so foolish? What about our child?"
Mu Nianci pushed Yang Kang away, came to another table, and answered, swaying, "Child... Yang Kang, I tell you, I did this for our child! I'd rather he never came into this world than have a father who acknowledges a thief as his father, is disloyal and unjust, and kills without batting an eye!"
Then, Yang Kang and Mu Nianci began to confront each other. When the former heard the latter say that everything was a lie, all to use him to get close to Wanyan Honglie, he stood frozen. Then, hearing Guo Jing's name from her lips, his emotions completely erupted.
He detested it when others compared Guo Jing to him. He was a Golden Prince, and that commoner, what right did he have to be mentioned alongside him? He was about to retort, but then he saw Mu Nianci spit out another mouthful of blood and collapse weakly to the ground.
He immediately panicked, rushing to her side to support her. He had truly fallen for Mu Nianci.
"Cut! That's a wrap! This morning's filming is over. Everyone, get some good rest at noon, and let's strive for a good performance this afternoon."
Seeing the director finally call "Cut!", Yi Xing also sat down on the ground, finally able to rest. The emotional outburst just now was too draining, but he really liked this feeling. For a newcomer like him, it was a thoroughly enjoyable performance. He calmed himself down, stood up, and pulled Meng Ziyi, who was beside him, up as well.
"Ziyi, you're amazing, you really drew me into the scene."
"I did come from a professional background, alright? If you want to repay me, remember to treat me to a meal tomorrow."
"No problem, it's on me!" Yi Xing patted his chest, guaranteeing it. A meal in exchange for his acting performance on camera—he had made a huge profit.