Showbiz Scandal: The Official Announcement of My Ex and Myself-Chapter 162: Burning Spring

Yu Xia nodded hurriedly, "It is very cold, aren’t you cold?"

"Not cold," he paused for a moment, then reached to unzip his down jacket, "I will..."

"Stop, I can bear it for another three minutes."

Xie Qingci lowered his eyes and zipped the jacket back up.

Three minutes later, the director indeed shivered and stepped down from the platform, and the group quickly rushed back inside after burning incense.

Sitting in a wind-blocked spot, she took the hot water Mei handed over and drank two sips before she finally regained her energy.

The down jacket was long, so she tucked her feet up, and the hem could cover all her legs.

She held the water cup and took small sips, the steam spreading onto her face, pleasantly warm.

"Here, sis, a heated shoulder wrap." Mei enthusiastically handed something over.

A pale blue, long shoulder wrap design, it was already warm when handed over.

"Did you bring this?" She didn’t remember buying such a thing.

Mei winked and said, "Xie Qingci gave it to you, every actor got one."

Ah, this kind of love where he takes care of you openly by having to take care of the whole crew is truly touching.

But Yu Xia just nodded, "It’s a well-chosen gift, he knows how to conduct himself."

Mei: ...

She wrapped the heated shoulder wrap around her neck, indeed, it was much warmer. Looking at others, they all had wraps too, just in different colors.

Xie Qingci himself didn’t use one, standing there with arms open while the costume designer measured his waist.

The down jacket loosened, inside, the plain and loose black knit was tightened by the soft tape, from the side angle, only that narrow slim waist could be seen.

"Yu Xia!"

Yu Xia shuddered and quickly stood up, "Coming, coming!"

In this drama, she essentially had to play two roles, with costumes in two styles needing to be tried on to see if any adjustments were needed.

Just changing into one of the sets, a solemn moon-white skirt, there was a commotion and even whistling outside.

She put on her down jacket and glanced outside from the makeup room.

Xie Qingci, in a dark narrow-sleeved doublet outside, seemed to sense something and glanced back.

The face that met her eyes was elegant as a painting, the figure upright, the demeanor icy, Yu Xia was momentarily struck by his striking beauty.

Mei kept gasping, "So handsome, no wonder everyone says period dramas are the best test for good-looking men. But is he already in character?"

The character Xie Qingci played was rather silent and aloof.

"No, he is usually like this, they specifically chose a role that is close to his personality, so even if he doesn’t get into character, it won’t be too bad. For new actors, it’s a better approach."

Mei: "I see, such fair analysis, but sis, could you take your eyes back first?"

"...Ahem." She averted her gaze and sat down for makeup.

The makeup artist hadn’t heard their conversation, but seeing her peeking out the door knew she was watching the newcomer, and joked, "What, had enough yet? Weren’t you two on the same show for months?"

Yu Xia had a strong mentality, keeping her eyes closed as the makeup brush swept across her lids, regretfully saying, "How could you ever get enough of good-looking people? I’ve only seen his stage performances, never knew he looked so good in period costumes."

The makeup artist nodded wholeheartedly, "Very handsome, the director is overjoyed. Plus, he’s young, with tender skin, doesn’t need much makeup. So, how does it feel to be in a love scene with such a younger brother in the drama?"

She kept her eyes shut, so she didn’t know Xie Qingci happened to walk in and stood just behind her.

She replied smoothly, "Though filming hasn’t started, being with such an eye-pleasing younger brother must be delightful."

Xie Qingci arched an eyebrow in the mirror.

Confronted with the makeup artist suppressing laughter, he chose to quietly drift by.

Delight is all that matters.

After finishing hair and makeup, while the director was still making final adjustments to the set, Yu Xia went over the script simply with the actors who had scenes today.

The story is basically about the psychological journey of a noble young lady in the General’s Mansion, describing her choices between family and country and sweet yet heart-wrenching emotional entanglements.

Xie Qingci played the male second lead, a shadow guard left by the female lead’s father, who only listened to her.

So she and Xie Qingci had many scenes together, and in terms of plot, even more exciting than those with the male lead.

After some script reading, everyone gathered to roast some chestnuts in the prop stove, Yu Xia wrapped in the heated cape Xie Qingci gifted, eating the chestnuts he handed over, encouraged him like an elder saying, "Do your best."

Xie Qingci smiled kindly, "I’ll try my best to keep up."

Only two chestnuts were eaten when the director urged them over, the clapperboard snapped, the first scene of "Burning Spring" began, the first take started.

...

Spring of the third year of Yuanhe.

The peach blossoms at the Marquis Yongcheng’s Mansion had already bloomed all over the branches, the deep pink petals like a fragile flame just ignited at the branches.

Inside the main courtyard, when Lady Yongcheng, Song Zhuozhi, was quietly awakened by a maid, she opened her eyes completely clear, without any signs of sleepiness.

It seemed like a sleepless night.

Despite being in her youthful twenties, with exquisite beauty, her eyes occasionally reflected deep fatigue.

Getting out of bed, changing clothes, grooming, everything the maids did was with utmost care, sometimes joking, bringing some lively joy to the quiet and oppressive room.

Song Zhuozhi’s expression was gentle, allowing them to chat and laugh.

Just when she was having her hair styled, someone suddenly ran over in a hurry, speaking a few words at the door, the person then lifted the heavy door curtain and entered, bowing their head said, "Madam..."

Without needing her to finish, Song Zhuozhi closed her eyes and asked calmly, "The Third and Fifth Lady have arrived?"

"Yes, they also brought your mother and Second Young Lady."

That’s no mother, just a concubine raised to a wife, a mere stepmother really.

"Let them wait." She raised her hand again, the matron behind quickly understood, put down the horn comb, and went out.

When dressing was done, as Song Zhuozhi walked to the front hall, passing through the courtyard, she saw the peach tree.

The tree full of radiant blossoms bloomed with exceptional beauty.

The maid supporting her, following her gaze, flatteringly said, "That peach tree is blooming so well, isn’t this its first bloom? It was transplanted during the groom’s wedding."

Song Zhuozhi smiled slightly, her wooden expression finally softened a bit, but soon reverted to its original state.

"Let’s go, see what trouble they’re causing again."

Living in this enclosed mansion, one is destined to face such situations daily upon opening their eyes.

Quarreling, pulling, sarcastic remarks, demanding money, asking for people, in short, they always have various antics to trouble her.

This time it’s easy to clear up, her half-sister from her natal family was granted a legitimate status two years ago, eagerly wanting her help to find a good husband, accusing her of disdain if she doesn’t help.

As for her in-laws, the Third and Fifth Ladies came just to see her make a fool of herself.

She sat amidst an overwhelming scent of rouge, her expression becoming increasingly pale.

Until someone from outside barged in hurriedly, wailing.

"Madam! Little General Song is severely wounded and won’t recover, he gave his life for the nation!"