The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 19

[Scenario: Because their relationship must remain a secret, Chu Mingxin and Ji Yuli arrived separately. At this moment, Ji Yuli was nowhere to be seen.

He was likely attending to the Emperor.

The banquet was already filled with various officials and their families. Those people, considering themselves of noble status, habitually preferred to make a grand entrance at the last minute.

Chu Mingxin sat in a seat far to the back the kind where he could practically slip away unnoticed. Countless gazes swept over him, but few actually knew who he was. Their eyes held curiosity, yet not a single person approached him.

Sitting so far back was a clear sign of having no background or power. Those social climbers wouldn’t bother speaking to him.

The table was empty, and there was no telling how long the wait would be. Had he known, he wouldn’t have listened to Ji Yuli; he would have eaten a few more bites of those pastries.

He rested his head on the table out of boredom, using the tea from his cup to draw little figures on the wood.

After waiting a while longer, the Consorts, Princes, and Princesses began to take their seats. He had to admire Chu Mingjue; the Fifth Prince managed to spot him instantly in the crowd and shot him a deep, resentful glare.

Once the dishes were served and the music and dance began, the Emperor made his graceful entrance.

Chu Mingxin followed the crowd in paying his respects, then sat back down and immediately started eating.

In his heart, Ji Yuli let out a sigh, feeling that the Fourth Princess was far too simple-minded. But he had forgotten—how could a truly “simple” person seduce a eunuch just for a bite to eat?

The first half of the banquet was full of song, dance, and laughter. The scent of the wine on the table made Chu Mingxin’s head spin, so he secretly poured it away beside him. Regardless, his seat was remote, and no one paid him any attention.]

Qiao Zhiyu also felt a bit lightheaded. Strange… there should only be water in the cup…

[He had just finished pouring the wine when he heard someone calling his name. It startled him so much that his wine cup fell to the floor and rolled toward the entrance.

He snapped back to reality, his gaze sweeping over the person who had just spoken.

It was the Noble Consort, Liu Yanshu.

“Your Majesty, the banquet has been going on for so long, yet we haven’t seen the Fourth Princess?”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, scanning the lower tables. He spoke in a deep voice: “Why are you sitting so far away? Empress, how did you arrange the seating?”

The Empress felt a pang of unease. Although she was in charge of the Flower Festival, she didn’t manage every single detail; small matters like seat assignments were handled by palace attendants.

However, since the Emperor asked, she couldn’t deflect the responsibility. If she gained a reputation for incompetence, her power might fall into the hands of others.

She was about to say it was an oversight on her part when a gentle voice beat her to it.

Chu Mingxin stood up and bowed to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, it was my own wish to sit here.”

“And why is that? Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and has neglected you somewhat; Mingxin, you mustn’t blame His Majesty.”

Hidden by his sleeves, Chu Mingxin rolled his eyes hard.

Natter, natter, natter. Interrupting before I can even finish. Some Noble Consort—she’s probably eaten all her manners.

How did I offend her? If someone was going to make things difficult, shouldn’t it be Chu Mingjue and Consort Xian?

Hearing this, the Emperor grew displeased. This child was exceptionally beautiful, even more striking than his mother. But having never been properly taught, he seemed too petty.

Chu Mingxin feigned a panicked explanation: “In reply to Noble Consort Liu, it isn’t that I don’t wish to be close to His Majesty. It is because my constitution has been weak since childhood. After falling into the water today, I’ve caught a chill. Sitting further away ensures I won’t pass it to Your Majesty.”

As he spoke, he let out a few low coughs.

“Your Majesty, please do not be offended. The illness is truly quite severe…”

It was a lie. He was physically weak, but he wasn’t actually sick. However, having been plagued by minor illnesses since he was little, he was an expert at faking it.

The Emperor’s expression softened. He ordered Ji Yuli to prepare an extra table and had Chu Mingxin move closer. This time, he was sitting right in front of the Emperor and the Consorts.

Chu Mingxin coughed as he walked, his thin silk dress making him look incredibly fragile. With a hint of mist in his eyes, he gave a graceful bow before taking his seat.

“I have mistreated you in the past. Do not hold it against me in your heart.”

“Your Majesty overstates things. The world is vast, and there are many things that require your attention. I do not feel wronged.”

The Emperor looked pleased and nodded in satisfaction. Seeing the Emperor act so leniently toward this long-unseen child, Liu Yanshu’s teeth were nearly grinding together.

As expected of a low-class dancer. Even the daughter she birthed is so wanton.

Chu Mingjue kept shooting signals at Consort Xian, but she only shook her head.

Furious! Absolutely furious! He was boiling with rage; now everyone knew the “fact” that he had jumped into the water to save his sibling! Every person he met praised him for his brotherly love and so on!

I love your [expletive]!

But there was no need to worry, because someone soon spoke up on his behalf.

Liu Yanshu feigned concern: “Speaking of the water incident, Mingxin really should thank Mingjue.”

The Emperor, however, had a different view. “The Fifth Prince was merely making up for his mistakes this time. Remember not to act so impulsively in the future.”

Chu Mingjue forced a smile and accepted the remark.

The banquet continued harmoniously. However, by the second half, the Emperor was clearly getting bored. Since the time hadn’t arrived, he couldn’t abandon his ministers and leave early.

“These dances are becoming increasingly dull. I still remember the Flower Drum Dance Lady Huo performed when she first entered the palace. It was truly stunning.”

Liu Yanshu stole a glance at Chu Mingxin before turning back to the Emperor. “It is a pity that Lady Huo left us so early. That dance is essentially lost.”

The Emperor recalled the past, a flash of admiration in his eyes.

Consort Xian seized the opportunity. “Sister is right. It was a truly breathtaking sight back then… By the way, Mingxin, do you know how to perform it?”

With that single question, the entire room turned to look at him.

Liu Yanshu’s tone held a hint of excitement. “That’s right, Mingxin, do you know the dance? Although Lady Huo died early, you did stay by her side for six years. You weren’t here for the Emperor’s birthday last time, so consider this a belated gift for His Majesty!”

Chu Mingxin secretly gripped his sleeves. These people were finding every way to humiliate him and make him look foolish.

Consort Xian was using the same tactic for revenge, while as for Noble Consort Liu, her motives were still unclear. In such a situation, even Ji Yuli couldn’t help him.

“Mingxin, go and try. I won’t blame you even if you don’t dance well.”

“Yes…”

The Consorts were certain Chu Mingxin didn’t know the dance, which is why they asked. The Emperor was simply a fool making his own daughter dance for his subordinates was the height of stupidity.

But it didn’t matter. The grievance he suffered today would be repaid twofold in the future.

Chu Mingxin stood up and walked toward the center of the court.]

“OK, this scene is perfect! Zhiyu, come over and get into the wire harness!”

While putting on the harness, the director whispered to him, “Kid, finish this scene and you can get off work early. If you can’t pull this off, we’ll have to reshoot the earlier segments.”

“If we miss the wrap-up time and the other actors throw a fit, don’t you dare come crying to me.”

This was the director’s roundabout way of offering comfort. He looked like he had a bad temper, but he was actually a decent person; as long as it didn’t involve the script or the acting, he was quite easy to talk to.

Qiao Zhiyu got into the wires, took a deep breath, and nodded to the director. “I understand.”

He instinctively looked up at Pei Yuan. The other man was standing behind the “Emperor” with his arms crossed, tilting his head to look at him.

Pei Yuan mouthed something. It was too far for Qiao Zhiyu to hear, but from the lip movements, it seemed to be:

[Don’t be afraid. If you don’t succeed, I’ve got your back.]