The “Taiping Dynasty” was a story of conquering the world first, and ruling it later. By now, filming had entered the second half, with most scenes set in the inner palace, as the scheming Consort of the Emperor, Zhou Yining, screen time had only increased. Tonight’s scene was a major one—the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.

No one knew how late they’d be shooting, but one thing was certain—they wouldn’t wrap until it was done.

Before diving into the grand night scene, Zhou Yining and Ji Dongyang had a brief scene together. It could’ve waited until tomorrow, but the elaborate set for the banquet wasn’t ready yet, so they were shooting this segment first while they had the time.

Consort Ning had once been deeply favored. In a harem of three thousand beauties, the Emperor’s favor wasn’t just about love—it was politics. Most concubines came from powerful families, and Consort Ning, daughter of the Prime Minister, was no exception. For the sake of balance, the Emperor had always treated her well. She knew her value, too, never missing a chance to seduce him when the opportunity arose.

But Zhou Yining wasn’t the female lead. The ‘Taiping Dynasty’ had very few romantic scenes to begin with—just two kisses, both between the Emperor and the Empress.

Zhou Yining and Ji Dongyang’s “intimate” scene stopped at a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

With everything ready, the clapperboard snapped down.

Consort Ning swept into the imperial study in an indigo palace gown. The Emperor had just finished reviewing memorials. When he looked up and saw her, his brows furrowed slightly.

She approached with deliberate grace and a gentle smile. “Your Majesty.”

A panicked eunuch trailed behind her and dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, Her Ladyship Consort Ning wouldn’t let this servant—”

The Emperor waved him off. “Enough. Leave.”

The eunuch scurried away.

Consort Ning moved closer, lightly brushing against him. Her voice was tinged with hurt. “Does Your Majesty frown every time he sees me?”

The Emperor’s expression softened. He looked at her and smiled. “Of course not.”

Her supple body leaned closer, rising on tiptoe to whisper something in his ear. Then she tilted her delicate face up to him with a radiant smile.

The Emperor wrapped an arm around her waist, his eyes deep and unreadable, like a midnight whirlpool. He gazed so intently that Zhou Yining began to feel nervous.

Then, slowly, his lips curved into a faint smile. He lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Cut!”

The assistant director glanced at Director Xu. That should’ve been fine, right?

Xu frowned and looked at Zhou Yining. “Zhou Yining, what’s with all the blinking? Are you a battery-powered fan now?”

Zhou Yining: “……”

Battery-powered fan? Director Xu’s savage one-liners could fill a viral compilation video. Hell, she might go viral off that alone.

Ji Dongyang released his hold on her waist and looked down sideways. “You’re nervous?”

Zhou Yining denied it at once. “Of course not! It’s just a forehead kiss. Why would I be nervous?!”

He said mildly, “Who knows?”

He was mocking her. Zhou Yining bit her lip, flustered. “If I’m nervous, I’ll take your surname!”

“Oh?”

“Hmph.”

Director Xu rubbed his temple and called out, “Alright, again!”

These two butting heads wasn’t exactly new. Especially Zhou Yining—she was the only one on set who dared to speak to Ji Dongyang like that. Plenty of girls in the crew were fangirling over him hard. At first, Zhou Yining had gotten roasted in whispers behind her back, but after a while, people started to find it entertaining. At least it showed them a different side of their idol.

They retook the scene. Director Xu gave it a pass. “Alright, everyone, rest for a bit. It’s going to be a long night.”

Since the banquet set wasn’t finished yet, Zhou Yining and Ji Dongyang went off to change costumes.

Zhou Yining had just stepped out of the dressing room when she ran into Ah Ming.

He smiled at her. “Miss Zhou, Dong-ge’s ordering late-night snacks for everyone. Just wondering what you’d like?”

She pointed to herself. “Just me?”

Ah Ming laughed. “Not just you. We’re asking around, getting a few ideas. Wei-jie wants baozi, Jingxin said dumplings.”

Zhou Yining thought for a moment. “I’ll take dumplings too.”

By 11 p.m., the snacks arrived.

“Long live Dong-ge!” the crew cheered.

“I’m starving. No snacks, and I will perish tonight!”

“Same! I can’t even lift my eyebrow pencil anymore!”

Ah Ming brought over a box of dumplings for Zhou Yining. She took it with a nod of thanks.

Ever since her name hit the society pages, Ah Ming had started treating her differently. With so many actresses around, he still brought the dumplings to her—and he was Ji Dongyang’s assistant.

People couldn’t help sneaking glances her way. Even Zhou Wei leaned in. “Hey, when did you and Dong-ge’s assistant get so chummy?”

Zhou Yining bit into a dumpling. “No idea.”

Zhou Wei rolled her eyes. “If you don’t know, who would?”

“Maybe he thinks I’m pretty.”

Zhou Wei couldn’t help laughing. She looked at Zhou Yining under the moonlight—her skin practically glowed, her features delicate, the slight lift at the corners of her eyes adding a touch of allure. The mole on her cheek was striking and unique.

She wasn’t the type to stun on first glance, but the more you looked, the more captivating she became.

Once the meal was done, everyone returned to work.

In the scene, Consort Ning was sitting with Consort Ru. Consort Ru had a gorgeous white cat in her lap. When Ning saw it, she couldn’t help reaching out and gently petting it.

But the cat was skittish and swiped her hand, claws scratching her skin.

Zhou Yining frowned and looked down at her hand. The cat leapt out of her arms in an instant.

“Cut! Somebody catch that cat!”

Working with animals was always tricky—they couldn’t follow directions. This one had just been brought in tonight by its owner. No one had thought to trim its claws.

And Zhou Yining’s skin was delicate—unlike most people, who’d be fine with a light scratch, her fair hand now showed three angry red marks, one even faintly bleeding.

The shoot had to pause.

Most of the crew didn’t have pets. They weren’t sure what to do.

“Should she get a shot? It’s bleeding…”

“Did the cat ever get checked? Why’d it scratch her?”

“I say go get a vaccine. I heard someone once got scratched, didn’t get treated, and ended up—”

People surrounded her, voices overlapping.

Zhou Yining stared at her hand in a daze.

The cat’s owner rushed over, cradling the cat and apologizing nonstop. “I’m so sorry! She’s just not used to crowds, and I forgot to trim her nails—but don’t worry, she’s healthy! I’ve been scratched before, too, and never got shots…”

“Better get one,” came a calm, steely voice.

Ji Dongyang had appeared behind her at some point, frowning at her hand. “Just to be safe.”

It wasn’t their cat, after all.

Director Xu nodded. “Dongyang’s right. We should be cautious, especially since this happened on set. I’m responsible.”

Zhou Yining snapped out of it and glanced around. She gave a half-smile. “Let’s finish the scene first. I’ll go to the hospital after.”

The banquet set was a massive undertaking. It had to be wrapped tonight—no time for delays.

Director Xu frowned. “At least get the wound treated first. Then we’ll keep filming.”

Zhou Yining got up and accidentally bumped right into Ji Dongyang.

She froze.

The cat’s owner came over again. “I’ll take you. I know what to do. I’m sorry…”

Zhou Yining looked down at the girl holding the cat. “Okay.”

The shoot dragged on until 5 a.m.

It was her first time pulling an all-nighter on set. Exhausted, she staggered out after changing and removing makeup. Half-asleep, she tripped over the threshold and fell forward.

Right into a cool, steady chest.

Startled, she grabbed a handful of his shirt and looked up. “Why are you still here?”

He’d finished his part long ago. He should’ve left.

Ji Dongyang steadied her. “Waiting for you.”

“You… waited for me?”

Ah Ming grinned as he joined them. “You didn’t drive, right? At this hour, you won’t find a taxi. We’re giving you a lift.”

Zhou Yining looked at Ji Dongyang and smiled. “Alright, then.”

Ji Dongyang turned and walked ahead. Ah Ming motioned her along, and the two of them followed behind.

Once in the car, Ji Dongyang reached for his sleep mask as usual, only to notice her staring.

Zhou Yining pointed. “I want to try that.”

Ever since they’d joined the same production, he wore that black eye mask whenever he rested. He’d even worn it that time in Hengdian, grumpy from waking up. She remembered seeing one in his living room, too—he seemed to stash them everywhere.

Ji Dongyang seemed to smile slightly and handed it over. “Might be too big.”

It was custom-made to his specs. Sure enough, it drooped on her face, the elastic loose and the fabric covering her nose entirely.

Ah Ming, sitting up front, quietly withdrew his hand from the glove box. He’d been about to offer her a new one—they had spares.

But Zhou Yining didn’t care. She pushed the mask up just enough to reveal her nose, took a small breath, and inhaled his crisp, clean scent.

Ah Ming asked, “Dong-ge, straight home?”

Ji Dongyang: “Hospital first.”

Zhou Yining yanked the mask down. “Hospital? What for?!”

He glanced at her hand, leaned back lazily, and replied, “Shot.”

She panicked. “That’s not necessary, is it?!”

“Rabies has a hundred percent fatality rate.”

“…Are you trying to jinx me?!”

In the darkness, Ji Dongyang’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Ah Ming added helpfully, “I think Dong-ge’s right. Better safe than sorry.”