Chapter 51

Zhao Yu let out a cold laugh. She didn’t force him to call her “Dad”—she just screenshotted the victory screen. From now on, if this jerk ever tried to show off again, she’d slap that screenshot right in his face.

Just as she exited the room, she got another game invite from Shen Junyi on WeChat.

– Zhao Yu: Want to call me Dad again?
– Shen Junyi: A harmonious society shouldn’t be about fighting. How about we take a stroll through the King’s Canyon and chat?
– Zhao Yu: No time. Not chatting. Get lost.
– Shen Junyi: You’re getting fiercer!
– Zhao Yu: You don’t deserve my gentleness.
– Shen Junyi: [Frustrated]
– Shen Junyi: Heard you took Director Chen’s new drama—going to play a psycho killer?
– Zhao Yu: You’re pretty well-informed.
– Shen Junyi: Suspense dramas are tough. I can recommend a teacher who’s great at that type of acting.
– Zhao Yu: No need. Teacher Ji already found one for me.
– Shen Junyi: Ji Shucheng? I had no idea you two were so close?
– Zhao Yu: There’s a lot you don’t know.
– Shen Junyi: [Sad puppy · jpg] Hearts are drifting; the team’s getting hard to lead.
– Zhao Yu: [Cat disdain · jpg] I’m off to train. You have fun on your own.
……

By the time winter arrived, Zhao Yu had already memorized all her lines, carrying around her notebook full of annotations wherever she went. Nine Heavens had officially entered its promotional phase, and the official account had been releasing trailers for three consecutive days. Under the grandiose, epic soundtrack, scenes of power struggles and political intrigue played out, and soon major forums were buzzing with discussions about the plot and production quality.

After filming wrapped, everyone had gone their separate ways. Zhao Yu had only seen Ji Shucheng once since then, at that banquet. Now, the main cast finally reunited to film variety shows for promotion.

But Ji Shucheng never participated. He’d always done the same with his previous dramas—apart from necessary promotional events, the female lead and supporting cast would handle the variety shows.

Zhao Yu and the rest of the main cast finished appearances on the must-do national variety shows for drama promotion, leaving only this year’s popular outdoor reality show, The Hidden City, which remained.

The Hidden City focused on food, fun, and exploration—guests completed tasks while uncovering lesser-known culinary and scenic gems in each city. From descendants of imperial chefs to century-old establishments, every spot they featured would quickly become a popular check-in location after the episode aired.

Many businesses wanted to use the show for free promotion, but the production team was principled—they refused all sponsorships and collaborations, sticking to their mission of uncovering classics, and were highly respected by viewers.

Each episode only had two guest slots. As the female lead, Zhao Yu was naturally going. After discussion, the production team decided to send Xia Yuan as the second guest. The two played siblings in the drama, and their “sibling CP” had gained a lot of traction online—Xia Yuan was a better pairing with Zhao Yu than the male second lead, who had no romantic storyline with her.

Everything was set. But two days before departure for The Hidden City, Ji Shucheng’s team suddenly contacted the production team: “Has the drama’s variety promotion phase started yet?”

Production staff: “It has.”

Ji Shucheng’s team: “Then why haven’t we received an invitation?”

The staff was baffled: “But Teacher Ji doesn’t usually participate in variety promotion, does he?”

Ji Shucheng’s team: “Teacher Ji has a light schedule lately and can make time for promotion. Is that needed?”

It was like a gift from the heavens—of course it was needed. The staff eagerly agreed. So the next day, the person accompanying Zhao Yu to The Hidden City became Ji Shucheng instead.

Xia Yuan: “???!!!” He threw a tantrum at his agent: “I don’t care! I’m going! I’ll make a scene!”

His agent was merciless: “Go make a scene with Teacher Ji.”

Xia Yuan: “QAQ”

Zhao Yu only found out about the partner change when they departed. But promoting the drama with the male lead made more sense anyway, so she didn’t mind. Once in the car, she sent Ji Shucheng a message:

– Zhao Yu: Teacher Ji, this is your first time on an outdoor reality show, right? If you have any questions, just ask me.
– Ji Shucheng: Okay, thanks /smile

For the sake of the show’s entertainment value, the production team hadn’t told the six regular cast members about the guest change. They still thought the guests were Zhao Yu and Xia Yuan—until Ji Shucheng appeared. They were genuinely shocked and delighted.

This episode’s featured city was in the south. Though winter had arrived, the weather was warm and pleasant. After checking in at the meeting point, everyone set off.

Earlier, some gossip accounts had leaked that Zhao Yu and Xia Yuan would be filming Hidden City, and fans and netizens in that city had been hoping to run into them. But as filming began, the leaked photos showed no trace of Xia Yuan—replaced instead by the utterly unexpected Ji Shucheng.

Netizens were stunned:

– A once-in-a-lifetime event! The Best Actor is doing an outdoor variety show—is he short on cash?
– Must be to promote Nine Heavens. Seems like he really values this drama—he’s even promoting it in person.
– Where’s Yuan Yuan? Where’s my Yuan Yuan? I’m crying.
– The Best Actor gets more charming with age. In these leaked photos, the other guests look like his bodyguards.
– I heard a rumor—don’t know if it’s true. Xia Yuan was originally set, but the Best Actor was swapped in the day before. Word is his team requested it.
– The Nine Heavens cast recorded Happy Camp and Ace before, but the Best Actor didn’t show.
– Because he wanted to do a variety show alone with the female lead (just kidding…)
– The main couple is practically forcing me to ship them.
– It is strange—he skipped all the others but specifically requested to pair with Zhao Yu. Suspicious.
– I also heard that Zhao Yu landed the female lead in the Suspense King’s new drama—apparently, the Best Actor introduced her to the role.
– Zhao Yu and the Suspense King??? No way. Director Chen has said he only works with veteran actors. Can Zhao Yu’s acting handle those close-up suspense shots?
– Keeping Yu Yu to ourselves. If it’s not official, we’re not buying it. Please focus on Zhao Yu’s works and stage performances!
– I’m ready to ship again. Veteran cadre × rocker girl is too good.
– This is clearly just the leads appearing together for promotion, and you’re spinning it into this. Unbelievable.
– Say whatever you want—I’m shipping the Idiom CP no matter what.
……

The online buzz from a single leaked photo continued even after filming wrapped. It wasn’t until she got back to her hotel and lay down that Zhao Yu saw her “rumor” with Ji Shucheng had hit the trending charts.

Unlike her previous idol dramas, Nine Heavens didn’t need the leads’ fake relationship to generate buzz—in fact, it would have the opposite effect. Zhao Yu first messaged Lin Zhinan to have the company take down the trending topic, then texted Ji Shucheng to explain that the rumor wasn’t planted by her team and was already being removed, hoping he wouldn’t mind.

As expected of a generous senior, Ji Shucheng not only didn’t mind but even reassured her that she didn’t need to spend money to take it down. Letting people talk was fine—being in the entertainment industry meant being entertainment.

Zhao Yu sighed with admiration. This is what a true senior is like—this poise, this wisdom—beyond her reach.

Even though the trending topic was removed, the “Idiom CP” shippers—veteran cadre × rocker girl—kept sprouting like bamboo shoots after rain. With Nine Heavens in its promotional phase and numerous press events, shippers kept digging for “sugar” in every photo of the two together.

The Yu Mei Ren were unimpressed: They shipped the Chi-Yu CP the same way back then. And then what?

And then nothing happened.

After all, their sister was too charismatic—she had chemistry with everyone. They were already used to her getting linked with someone every time she did a drama.

Nine Heavens’ target audience wasn’t students, so the production team didn’t fight for the winter holiday slot. They simply coordinated with the network’s schedule. After the New Year, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the highly anticipated political drama Nine Heavens premiered simultaneously on Beijing TV and Dragon TV.

Occupying the prime-time slots on both major networks, the premiere ratings were nearly identical, both hitting 1.8%. And as netizens took to forums to dissect the plot, ratings continued to climb.

Because it was a male-led drama, Zhao Yu didn’t appear in the first two episodes. Viewers howled after the premiere:

– Where’s Princess Qingling?! The empire’s most beautiful woman—where is she?!
– The princess is still a baby at this point. I bet Zhao Yu won’t show up for the first five episodes—they’re using a child actress for young Qingling.
– Wang Duo’s work never disappoints! This plot is insane—so many hooks in just two episodes. I’m itching for more. Too bad there’s no novel to tide me over. I’m guessing Hui Yao will sacrifice herself for the lord in the next episode.
– At this rate, when will my Idiom CP even share a scene?
– In the trailer, Princess Qingling goes from white rabbit to black swan. I wonder what causes her to turn dark. We’re only at the premiere and I’m already worried about angst TVT
– Wang Duo’s writing probably won’t go for cheesy love triangles, right?!
– Revenge and national tragedy are way more heartbreaking than love triangles! Could it be that Liang Yu destroyed Qingling’s homeland?
– Oh no, please no! So they’ll end up as star-crossed lovers fighting each other?!
……

After midnight, the online exclusive version on Kiwi also topped the day’s viewership charts. Well-produced, well-acted, tightly plotted political dramas had a huge audience—they appealed to everyone, young and old. Suddenly, Nine Heavens seemed to be everywhere, even popping up in people’s WeChat Moments.

Zhao Yu’s Princess Qingling finally appeared in the fifth episode. Audiences, used to her cool, mature image in idol dramas, were caught off guard by this soft, adorable, innocent little princess—she nearly melted their hearts.

Dressed in a pale pink palace gown, more charming than the apricot blossoms behind her, the little princess pointed at a shuttlecock on a tree branch and said to a passing man: “Hey, can you get that down for me?”

With a tilt of her chin, she was both naive and proud, exuding the noble air of a cherished royal daughter—a performance that brought the pampered princess vividly to life.

Was this really the fierce queen who dominated the stage?

This was a princess who could make you want to hand over the whole world with just one call.

After the fifth episode aired, the hashtag “#ZhaoYuActingSkills” trended again. Viewers who clicked in—even those who hadn’t watched the show—were captivated by Princess Qingling standing beneath the blossoming apricot tree.

Knowing that this innocent, adorable princess would eventually turn into a blood-stained madwoman broke viewers’ hearts. Netizens commented:

– I’m only watching up to Qingling’s fall! I’m not watching the rest! I’ll protect my little white bunny with my life!
– Oh no—Liang Yu was already planning to use the princess from the start, wasn’t he? Qingling, wake up! He’s not some kind, beautiful big brother—he’s a demon!
– Suddenly I don’t want to ship the Idiom CP. I’m a Qingling solo fan now. Liang Yu, you jerk—how could you lay a hand on such an adorable princess?!
– Am I the only one looking forward to Qingling’s dark turn? I want to see her tear men apart and become empress!
– Wake up—this is a male-led drama. I’ll be grateful if Wang Duo even lets Qingling survive to the end.
……

Zhao Yu’s acting in Nine Heavens showcased a level beyond anything she’d done before. Though her screen time was limited, Princess Qingling became the “moonlight” in every viewer’s heart. When she would turn dark, why, and how her story would unfold became the show’s biggest talking points.

Zhao Yu received countless WeChat messages and DMs asking for spoilers. Knowing that audiences were most concerned about her character’s fate, she mischievously posted a cryptic Weibo:

– @ZhaoYu_ya: See you in the Yellow Springs.

Netizens: ?????!!!!!

NOOOO! We won’t allow Qingling to die!!! I’ll kill Wang Duo!!! I’ll kill Liang Yu!!! Men are all trash!!!

A week later, they found out she’d been referring to the second season of last year’s wildly popular horror-puzzle show Escape to Life—the first episode of the new season was titled “Yellow Springs.”

Netizens: Qingling has already turned dark—she used to never lie QAQ