Chapter 28 Naza: Doing One Thing and Teaching Another

You are far too obsessed with playing Mary Sue roles! Especially after the breakout success of *Schemes of a Beauty*, you’ve become completely unable to extricate yourself from these "everybody loves me" character tropes.

It’s standard procedure for a heroine to be fought over by the male lead and the second male lead, but the way you set it up, every man in the show is more or less infatuated with her, willing to go through fire and water, and resorting to all sorts of schemes just to possess her. You, Lin Ziwei, might be having a grand time acting this out, but the actors are uncomfortable, and I find it uncomfortable to direct. It’s no wonder the previous actor playing Zhao Kuangyin had conflicts with you.

"Isn't this putting a bit too much pressure on him? He just joined the crew," Liang Xinquan remarked, feeling a twinge of conscience; he didn't want Zhang Yang to undergo some sort of trial by fire on his first day. Although Lin Ziwei still retained her charm, acting with her wasn't as painful to watch as the days of Jiao Enjun and Grandma Ximen, but the age gap between her and Zhang Yang was undeniable.

"Director, this show has to wrap in a month. We didn't hire people to come here for a vacation; if there's pressure, he'll just have to deal with it." Lin Ziwei stuck to her guns, her eyes sweeping over Zhang Yang’s face. She had grown weary of the "refined, elegant" type of handsome men lately, and this heroic, martial type was a refreshing change. She had to put him to the test.

"Fine." Liang Xinquan said nothing more. Besides being the lead actress, Lin Ziwei was also an investor and producer; she held more power than he did.

"Zhang Yang, is it? You have a great look, and the people at Tangren said your acting is quite good." Liang Xinquan knew he had to play the bad guy again, so he weighed his words before continuing: "The role you're playing doesn't have much screen time, but it’s crucial to the entire show. Since you're here, let's get you into a scene right now. I want to see how you feel in the part."

Zhang Yang, of course, knew his character was important—he was playing Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty. But that was no reason to throw him into a scene the moment he arrived. Normally, he should be observing the lead actors' techniques and habits so he could better coordinate with them.

"Understood, Director. Which scene?" Zhang Yang thought to himself, though his agreement was prompt. He didn't know exactly what had passed between Lin Ziwei and the director, but he knew it definitely involved her. With the producer, the lead actress, and the director all in agreement, he couldn't afford to be stubborn right off the bat.

"The scene where the male lead, Meng Qiyou, has passed away, the heroine Ma Fuya is crying and reminiscing, and Zhao Kuangyin appears to comfort her." Liang Xinquan knew what Lin Ziwei wanted, and his instructions were direct.

As soon as he spoke, the expressions of those around them shifted. Some were curious onlookers, some were gloating, and others shook their heads in secret, sighing. The previous actor who played Zhao Kuangyin was fired precisely because he argued with Lin Ziwei over this very scene. That actor had a straightforward personality and was a history buff—a fan of the great emperors throughout the ages.

Even though this drama was titled *The Imperial Princess* and every male character was hopelessly infatuated with the heroine, the actor felt that while Zhao Kuangyin held a deep admiration for her, he shouldn't act like a lovesick sycophant. He suggested changing certain parts of the script to better fit the character of Zhao Kuangyin, but Lin Ziwei shot him down, saying, "You're acting in a costume idol drama, not a historical biopic. Who cares what Zhao Kuangyin was like in history?" Her shallow understanding of history had infuriated the actor, leading to their dispute. The result, naturally, was that the script remained unchanged, the actor was let go, and the role was recast.

Looking at the situation, it was clear Lin Ziwei was baring her fangs at Zhang Yang the moment he arrived.

*Lin Ziwei and Brother Xiaoming—one the ultimate master of Mary Sue, the other the ultimate master of the 'Domineering CEO' trope. Before they 'de-greased,' they were truly a pair of legendary disasters,* Zhang Yang thought, sighing internally at the hellish start. He had hoped to build a rapport with everyone before suggesting changes to the cringe-worthy plot, but since the arrow was already on the bow, he had no choice but to take a shot.

"I’ve memorized the script thoroughly; I know every plot point," Zhang Yang said, his expression relaxed. "Regarding the scene the director mentioned, I have a small interpretation and a few suggestions."

Oh? Everyone around them pricked up their ears. Wallace Huo and Kevin Yan, who were studying their scripts, looked up as well. Zhang Yang came from Tangren; they didn't believe he was unaware of why the previous actor had left. Nazha’s eyes widened, thinking this was completely different from what Zhang Yang had told her in the car. Didn't he say not to be too unconventional when you first arrive? If Zhang Yang knew what she was thinking, he would have told her, "If I don't deviate from the script, I'll have to hug Lin Ziwei and 'comfort' her."

"What's the problem with this scene? Let's hear it." Liang Xinquan had wanted to give Zhang Yang a graceful way out, but Lin Ziwei spoke before he could.

*It's over...* Liang Xinquan sighed inwardly. He’d probably have to find another actor. Why were actors these days so stubborn? Back in the day, Jiao Enjun could recite those sickening lines to Grandma Ximen with full emotion. What was so hard about just holding Lin Ziwei and saying a few words of comfort?

"I think the biggest problem with this scene is that it’s a desecration of the heroine," Zhang Yang said, his tone serious.

The crowd gasped. *Wow, he actually called it a desecration of the heroine.* Wait, he said it was a desecration *of* the heroine? What did that mean?

"Sister Ziwei, I’ve carefully studied the character of Zhao Kuangyin," Zhang Yang took a step forward, sounding quite righteous. "He was saved by the heroine when he was young, and he has always been grateful, holding her peerless beauty in his heart. Later, as a great general of the Zhou state, Zhao Kuangyin never forgot Ma Fuya; she is the 'white moonlight' in his heart."

"Zhao Kuangyin certainly loves Ma Fuya, but he would never do anything out of line. He calls her 'Sister,' which represents his restraint, because he knows who she truly loves."

"In this drama, even though Ma Fuya is pursued by countless handsome men, the one she loves in her heart has never changed from beginning to end. Based on this premise, when Ma Fuya is crying in sorrow, if Zhao Kuangyin rushes up to embrace her, isn't that a desecration of Ma Fuya? Isn't it a desecration of his own pure, hidden love?"

"If Ma Fuya doesn't pull away, isn't that a detriment to her own image? Anyone watching would think she just accepts whoever comes along."

"Uh..." Zhang Yang seemed to realize something and paused to glance at Lin Ziwei. Seeing that everyone was silent, he continued, "I’m sorry, Sister Ziwei. I was looking at the script from a god's-eye view, stepping into the heroine's perspective, so I got a bit carried away. I didn't mean anything bad about the heroine. I just feel that since she is Zhao Kuangyin's 'white moonlight'—so noble, beautiful, and transcendent—how could he possibly desecrate her?"

Lin Ziwei was moved, falling into deep thought. *That's right... how could she—no, how could the heroine—be desecrated?* She was torn between the male lead and the second lead, but her heart had always been with the male lead. The dynamic with Zhao Kuangyin was problematic; it should be a secret, silent, and devoted love. Only then could it further prove her—no, Ma Fuya’s—charm!

"Good." Lin Ziwei nodded heavily, her face full of appreciation. "A bystander sees things most clearly. Your interpretation is spot on. Zhao Kuangyin’s attitude toward Ma Fuya should be exactly as you described."

"You have great ideas. Have you thought about how we should change this scene?"

The crowd was stunned.

*Previous actor:* Zhao Kuangyin is a great historical figure, the heroine shouldn't...
*Lin Ziwei:* Get out!
*Zhang Yang:* Zhao Kuangyin cannot desecrate the heroine; she is his 'white moonlight,' and her remaining pure and independent only makes her more charming.
*Lin Ziwei:* Have you thought about how we should change this scene?

*Same situation, different phrasing—did Lin Ziwei get a brain transplant? Zhang Yang's way with words is incredible!*

Lin Ziwei: *You guys know nothing.*