Chapter 66: An Unchanged Past

Taking a deep breath, Chu Luoxi lightly patted the script resting on her lap, then flipped through it at her fastest speed, just to get a general sense of it.

Though she only skimmed it, her reading speed allowed for a careful review. Yet, after finishing, Chu Luoxi couldn't help but feel a bit surprised—the revised script differed greatly from the one she had seen during her audition.

At the very least, Consort Rou's role had been strengthened, and her influence on the entire series had grown significantly.

She still remembered Consort Rou from her previous life; compared to the audition script, her scenes had been greatly reduced, and by the end, she barely registered any presence. But now, to her astonishment, Qiu Xian regarded her with such importance, adding more to her part than what was in the audition script.

Originally, after Consort Rou's death, only the emperor's lingering affection remained. Now, though Consort Rou still died, she left behind numerous clues, affecting the later rivalry among the women and even touching upon the identity of the final victor.

"Is this for real? Such major changes, and the script was finished in just a day? Luckily filming has only just begun, otherwise who knows how much would have been wasted!" Chu Luoxi found it unbelievable. The scriptwriting market in China was nothing like the assembly-line style abroad; to overhaul the script in a day meant everyone would need a new one. It was simply too incredible—when did the entertainment industry here become so efficient?

"Is something unclear?" Qi Yue had just walked in to check on the actors' makeup and saw Chu Luoxi sitting under the eaves, frowning and lost in thought.

"Qi-ge..." Chu Luoxi snapped back to reality, nodded in greeting. "Not really, only—this script has changed a lot. During the audition, Consort Rou seemed just a pawn in palace intrigue, but now, she feels like a hidden boss. Even in death, she profoundly influences the plot."

She truly couldn't fathom how such changes were accomplished in such a short time—it was almost miraculous.

As if sensing her confusion, Qi Yue smiled, leaning against the railing across from her and motioning for her to stay seated. "Actually, what you have now is Script One. The one from the audition was Script Two."

"You mean, they prepared multiple scripts from the start?" Chu Luoxi was surprised. No wonder this production could cultivate so many talents; the meticulousness with the script was uncommon.

"Yes, the changes were made according to the cast. Before finding the right actors, no one could predict the combination or whether they'd suit their roles. Consort Rou may not be the lead, but she's the pivotal character. There were three different scripts prepared for her. Zhou Yuying, the original choice, was barely passable—if she couldn't deliver, it would affect the whole series. So they planned to use Script Two. But Director Qiu has said more than once, if it weren't for you, he'd never get to use his ideal Script One."

Qi Yue spoke with a cheerful candor; it was clear to all that Zhou Yuying's reputation was ruined by the recent scandal, so there was no need to spare her feelings. Moreover, Chu Luoxi's talent easily surpassed Zhou Yuying, who had only ever been propped up; her skills were simply not up to par.

Realizing all this, Chu Luoxi understood—they chose which script to use based on the actor's ability, thus ensuring the quality of the series. Director Qiu's thinking was indeed advanced, and for a palace drama, this was the best approach, maximizing depth.

Thinking back, could it be that Consort Rou in her past life was from Script Three? Otherwise, why did she end up as a mere decorative prop, with no sense of presence at all—perhaps not even as good as Zhou Yuying!

Reflecting on it, Chu Luoxi couldn't help but feel the weight of this responsibility. With her participation, "Empire" would surely differ greatly from its previous incarnation.

"Take your time with the script," Qi Yue reminded her gently. "If anything is unclear, discuss it with Director Qiu. Don't let him down—he has high hopes for you."

Only Qi Yue knew how much Qiu Xian expected from Chu Luoxi, and how pivotal Consort Rou was. She was the emperor's only love; to diminish her role would be a real shame.

Originally, with Zhou Yuying confirmed, they would have used Script Two, and Qiu Xian was quite regretful. So before filming began, when Zhou Yuying's scandal broke and she was out of the running, he decisively chose to replace her—not without the hope of finding someone better. Chu Luoxi emerged from a crowd of "subpar" candidates as a perfect fit, aligning perfectly with Qiu Xian's expectations.

"I understand. I'll give it my best." Chu Luoxi felt the pressure, but not a trace of insecurity. Though she hadn't won awards in her past life, she never feared competing with seasoned actors. Her skills were forged through countless trials—what was there to fear? In fact, she welcomed the challenge. She had joined this production precisely for the thrill of a real contest.

Qi Yue suddenly wondered if he was putting too much pressure on the newcomer, possibly to her detriment. After some hesitation, he muttered, "Just don’t stress too much—just perform as you did at the audition!"

If Chu Luoxi could maintain that level throughout the series, Qi Yue believed even veteran actresses would struggle to keep up. He imagined Qiu Xian would be so pleased, he'd laugh himself awake at night.

Of course, they all agreed Chu Luoxi had great potential, though she hadn't reached such heights yet. The audition must have been a moment of extraordinary inspiration, a sudden burst of brilliance.

"Heh, thank you, Qi-ge. I understand." Chu Luoxi appreciated the care. For a newcomer, such attention was a sign of respect and goodwill. She resolved to be grateful for it.

"Alright, then focus on your script. I'll check in on the makeup room." Qi Yue pointed with a smile, thinking Chu Luoxi was the most sensible newcomer he'd met, making it hard not to pay attention or offer guidance.

If Chu Luoxi knew she possessed this "talent," she'd laugh herself silly and reflect on the irony: the flowers you purposefully cultivate may not bloom, but the willows you plant by accident flourish. Such is the paradox of desireless achievement! If she’d had this knack in her previous life, would it have been so hard?

As Qi Yue disappeared through the door, Chu Luoxi's gaze fell back to the script. She began reading in earnest, immersing herself in the character's personality and thoughts, wholly absorbed...

So focused was she that time slipped away unnoticed. Chu Luoxi was startled awake by a phone call. She glanced at her phone—it was Ding Ju, a surprising sight. "Hello? Ding Ju, what is it?" At this hour, shouldn't her assistant be attending to Master Xiao? Was she calling just to chat?