The Film Queen’s Little Bunny Wife - Chapter 5

Above the carved railings and painted beams of the sprawling palace, Qin Qianhe rested her chin in her hand, leaning sideways on a chaise lounge, surrounded by stacks of name lists and portraits of beauties.

After revising the Matchmaker’s Guide, she was preparing to successfully arrange pairings. The name lists collected here included all the unmarried children from the families of the civil and military officials of the entire court.

She had been flipping through them day and night for several days, marking down those she deemed a good match with a flourish of her brush.

To achieve immortal cultivation, one had to put in hard work.

The maids attending her could not comprehend her intentions, their faces a mixture of confusion and terror.

In their eyes, ever since Concubine Xiang was brought into the palace, the Empress had been heartbroken and had given up on herself.

Now, she was preparing to weave a cuckold’s hat for the Emperor, risking beheading!

Watching her frown sometimes and smile at the corner of her lips while marking the lists, they guessed she wasn’t limiting the great, invincible, and enormous cuckold’s hat by gender, age, origin, or appearance!

Ling Hanyan found this scene easy to film.

However, to convey her dedication of working day and night studying the lists, she had to change costumes a few times just to shoot a few short scenes, and the shooting lasted from dawn till dusk without ending, which was exhausting.

Even though her whole body was weary and her wrist struggled to hold the brush, she grit her teeth and persevered, displaying the light and leisurely grace of a crane in her movements.

“Cut.”

As dusk settled, the director finally spoke.

“Food has been delivered; everyone can rest for now. The filming schedule has been quite heavy these past few days; just push through. It will get easier once we go into the mountains later.”

“Hanyan, you’ve worked so hard today. Just two more costume changes and this scene will be finished. We’ve added an extra chicken drumstick for you today!”

Ling Hanyan hummed an acknowledgment, took off her costume, and went to find her assistant, Xiao Liang.

Xiao Liang had been with Ling Hanyan for two years and understood exactly what her expressions and movements meant.

Despite how busy the set was today, Sister Yan had only one request for her to find Tu Jiaojiao’s contact information.

But even this, Xiao Liang had failed to achieve, and she felt genuinely sad about it.

Before Ling Hanyan could ask, Xiao Liang immediately hung her head and apologized earnestly, not explaining the great lengths she had gone to or how many people she had asked.

Knowing Xiao Liang was a reliable child and not someone who slacked off, Ling Hanyan concluded that if she couldn’t find the information, it truly wasn’t findable.

Ling Hanyan sighed, not getting angry: “It’s alright. It’s already seven o’clock. Call the Cloud Residence and ask if any girl named Tu Jiaojiao dined there today.”

Xiao Liang’s eyes lit up, and she ran off to make the call at lightning speed.

While gnawing on a spicy and numbing chicken drumstick, Ling Hanyan inwardly regretted stopping Lin Yingxue from letting her manager look for Little Rabbit. She hadn’t expected the sudden burst of busyness today.

She was a very orderly person; once she made an appointment, she rarely stood someone up. Although she had only known Tu Jiaojiao for a short while, her intuition told her that Little Rabbit would be waiting there for her, just like a lost little animal waiting for its owner to pick it up. If she simply ghosted her, she would feel terrible. A fan cherishing person would never let a fan be wronged!

As the break neared its end, Xiao Liang returned with a joyful report, “There was indeed a Ms. Tu dining there today.”

Ling Hanyan nodded, a wave of apology rising in her heart. Her tone was light: “Okay, then please make a trip to the Cloud Residence. Tell her the filming here is too busy, and I can’t make it today. Also, give her my contact information my private WeChat ID.”

Xiao Liang’s eyes widened. Sister Yan only added friends and family to her private account! Today, she had found out from Lin Yingxue that Tu Jiaojiao was apparently just a fan.

But Xiao Liang couldn’t begin to understand Sister Yan’s thoughts. As she prepared to leave upon receiving the instructions, she was called back by a thoughtful Ling Hanyan, who added, “Oh, right. Go check if there are any of my signed photos or merchandise left in the car. Bring whatever you can find… hmm… and if you pass by a dessert shop on the way, buy something to bring along too.”

Xiao Liang clearly grasped the comprehensive concern in her words and was very curious about who Tu Jiaojiao could possibly be. This was definitely not the treatment ordinary fans received! Two years! This was the first time she had seen Sister Yan care about someone this much!

Though assigned an errand, Xiao Liang wasn’t unhappy at all, as this meant she would be able to finish work earlier than everyone else. She had seen the two remaining outfits Ling Hanyan had to shoot; they were complicated to put on and take off, involving layers upon layers, and it was unknown how late they would be filming.

Ling Hanyan never showed her face.

Tu Jiaojiao and Xuanxuan’s moods gradually shifted from initial excitement and eagerness to low spirits and disappointment. They clenched their fists, encouraging each other.

“It’s okay, Auntie. It must be traffic. It was jammed when we came over today too.”

“Right. Ling Hanyan promised me personally for this dinner. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

During this time, the waiter came to ask several times when everyone would arrive. Tu Jiaojiao knew Xuanxuan was growing and couldn’t go hungry, so she ordered a few dishes for her first. Only when she herself was starving did she order a mixed salad, chewing each bite listlessly, finding no taste in the food.

By the time Xiao Liang arrived, it was already past nine o’clock. This was Xuanxuan’s bedtime; her fair little face was covered in sleepiness, and she was dozing in Tu Jiaojiao’s arms with her eyes half-closed. Just half an hour more, if Ling Hanyan doesn’t come in another half hour, I’m taking the child home to sleep, Tu Jiaojiao told herself, seeing how uncomfortable her little niece was.

Hearing the knock on the private room door, Little Rabbit’s spirit lifted, and she immediately rushed to open it. Standing outside was a pretty girl who was smiling even before speaking, peering in and asking, “Hello, are you Tu Jiaojiao?”

“Yes, may I ask who you are?” Another disappointing answer, and Little Rabbit’s spirits were almost entirely worn away.

“I’m Ling Hanyan’s assistant, Liang Qing. You can just call me Xiao Liang. She was too busy today and couldn’t come, and she didn’t have your contact information, so she sent me to check on you.”

Xiao Liang explained her purpose and showed the pile of things she had brought. Smiling broadly, she continued, “These are the signed photos and merchandise Sister Yan asked me to bring. The strawberry mille crepe cake was bought on the way. I’m not sure if it suits your taste; this was the only one left at the shop so late.”

After experiencing multiple ups and downs, the final resolution had arrived. Ling Hanyan didn’t stand her up! She was just too busy!

Overwhelming joy rushed to her head. Tu Jiaojiao said excitedly, stepping aside to make way, “It suits me! I love crêpe cake the most! Thank you, Xiao Liang, for making the trip.”

“Have you eaten yet? I was waiting for Ling Hanyan to eat together, I haven’t eaten yet either. Shall we eat together?”

Xiao Liang had completed her mission and was entirely focused on making a successful retreat, shaking her head frantically. Since meeting Tu Jiaojiao and exchanging a few words, she understood why Sister Yan showed this girl such preferential treatment. The girl lived up to her name. Tu Jiaojiao looked just like a little rabbit, with a pair of adorable buck teeth, and she was delicate and gentle. Anyone would want to hold her close, hug her, and pamper her how could she bear to make her sad?

Xiao Liang politely refused, gave Tu Jiaojiao Ling Hanyan’s private WeChat ID, and then swiftly slipped away.

Clutching the pile of items and having obtained the contact information of her idol, Tu Jiaojiao returned to her seat, feeling giddy as if walking on cotton. She spread out the photos one by one, her heart pounding as she gazed at the beauty on them.

Tu Mixuan smelled the sweet scent of strawberry and opened her eyes. Seeing the table full of Ling Hanyan’s beautiful pictures and plush toys, she pouted and said sadly, “Auntie! Did Yan Yan come while I was sleeping?!”