Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 19

Chu Muyun had no idea what Lu Hanzhang was thinking. He sat in the audience, watching Luo Yi and Cheng Yu pose for their couple’s character portraits.

Their height and appearance were quite compatible.

They were the male leads, the protagonists destined to be together, so they got couple’s photos. As the villainous male supporting character destined to be discarded, Chu Muyun naturally didn’t get any.

This was a BL adaptation, so it was standard practice to release promotional articles hyping up the CP. But the two on stage were clearly just going through the motions, with no genuine chemistry. During the shoot, they leaned in for wall presses, draped arms around each other’s shoulders, and gazed deeply into each other’s eyes. But the moment the camera stopped, they recoiled as if burned.

Chu Muyun sipped his water, enjoying the show, and glanced at his phone. The Great King hadn’t made a move. What was he busy with?

After the character portraits were done, the crew distributed boxed lunches. After a half-hour break, they began the afternoon’s script read-through.

A script read-through involved the entire cast going through the script together, reading lines, and discussing character development. The director would also point out subtle nuances to the actors, saving time on set.

Chu Muyun had already read the entire script thoroughly and had plenty to say about his character’s motivations. The director couldn’t help but look at him with renewed respect, someone with connections who was also so dedicated.

The read-through lasted until 8 in the evening, followed by a wrap-up banquet for the entire cast at the hotel.

“What a truly fulfilling day,” Chu Muyun said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

As the third male lead, Chu Muyun’s billing was decent, but his fame paled in comparison to the two main actors. Even several supporting male and female cast members outranked him in star power. He had resigned himself to being a wallflower at the launch banquet, knowing he’d have to take the initiative to toast any directors, producers, or investors he encountered.

To his surprise, Director Shao approached him as soon as he sat down, clinking glasses with a cheerful smile.

“Mr. Chu, we’re looking forward to your performance in the drama. My name is Shao, feel free to reach out if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” Chu Muyun replied, suspecting Lu Hanzhang’s influence behind this unexpected attention.

After returning from the launch banquet, Chu Muyun showered and collapsed onto his bed, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion. Too tired to type, he sent Lu Hanzhang a voice message, “Boss, good night. I’ve been busy all day and had a few drinks at the banquet. I’m so tired, but I won’t sleep until I hear you say ‘Good night, my beloved consort.’”

His voice was languid, sticky-sweet like molten caramel that would stretch into threads if pulled apart.

…Beloved consort? Lu Hanzhang paused, listening to the message. Was Chu Muyun still reading that web novel?

Moments later, a voice message popped up on WeChat, Lu Hanzhang’s cool, magnetic voice, “Good night, my beloved consort.”

The lights went out. Chu Muyun hugged a pillow, a smile still lingering on his lips, and murmured, “Good night, Great King,” before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Chu Muyun was still in the midst of a vivid dream as he began to wake. He was sitting on the Great King’s lap, panting from the Great King’s kisses, his lower body already damp. The Great King was teasingly slow, refusing to enter him, which abruptly jolted Chu Muyun awake.

Hmph! Useless! Chu Muyun smacked the pillow in frustration.

The innocent pillow, “?”

Today, he had to go to the film set early again for makeup.

The same makeup artist as yesterday applied his makeup. When Chu Muyun looked in the mirror, he frowned slightly. Xiao Xing, his assistant, who was standing nearby, blurted out, “It doesn’t look quite the same as yesterday, does it? Not as good.”

The eyebrows were a bit too heavy, the eye makeup looked smudged, and the contouring was off. At first glance, it seemed similar to yesterday’s look, but the subtle differences made a world of difference. It dulled his radiance by half.

Chu Muyun didn’t get angry. He simply said, “Are your hands shaking today? Let me do it myself,” and reached for the brush.

The makeup artist dodged his hand and whispered, “I’m just an employee. Please don’t make things difficult for me.” She then glanced discreetly to the side, toward Luo Yi and his team of assistants and bodyguards.

Chu Muyun understood. Turning to Xiao Xing, he said, “Call Jin Ming.”

This minor matter didn’t require Lu Hanzhang’s intervention.

Before long, Director Shao, the producer who had toasted him at the opening ceremony the previous night, arrived with the director.

The director glanced at Chu Muyun’s makeup and immediately frowned, “We’ve already taken the official photos! Why did you change the makeup without permission? Fix it back right now!”

“Oh, oh, yes,” the makeup artist stammered nervously.

The director then smiled at Chu Muyun, “Go ahead with your makeup. We’ll start filming once you’re ready.”

Director Shao nodded in agreement. “Mr. Chu, just focus on your performance.”

They moved on to Luo Yi and his group, where the atmosphere seemed less cordial. Voices rose in argument nearby. As Chu Muyun continued his makeup, he strained to hear the director’s angry words, “What era do you think this is? Still pulling these ‘let the star have their way’ stunts? We all want to make a good show, can’t everyone just behave?”

The production team was tougher than he had expected.

He knew that popular stars often wielded considerable power on set. He had personally witnessed a top actress force a director to fire an assistant director she disliked.

The backing from the investors must be formidable, he thought with a chuckle.

After the actors finished their makeup, the crew held a simple opening ceremony outside the set.

Entertainment reporters and fan photographers clustered around the perimeter, snapping pictures as wisps of blue smoke curled from a massive incense burner. One by one, the cast and crew approached to offer incense.

Luo Yi stood among them, his face a mask of cold indifference. He didn’t speak to anyone, but when Chu Muyun stepped forward, he shot him a fleeting glance.

The look vanished quickly, but Chu Muyun caught the flicker of disgust and disdain in his eyes. By the second day of filming, their animosity had already taken root.

So what?

Chu Muyun couldn’t care less. He’d long planned to use Luo Yi as a stepping stone to climb higher. After letting his fans bully him online for two years, Luo Yi would pay the price.

After the incense ceremony, the director handed out scratch-off lottery tickets to everyone on set for good luck—a time-honored tradition in film crews.

Chu Muyun scratched his ticket. Jackpot!

5 yuan.

It wasn’t much, but it was a good omen, promising smooth sailing for the rest of the shoot.

He snapped a photo and sent it to Lu Hanzhang: [Won 5 yuan on my opening day lottery ticket! Earned a petal for the rose bear I want to get you. Happy bunny.jpg]

The Great King fell for this every time. The Little Demon Consort had so many tricks up his sleeve to seduce him, hehe.

After all, I’m just a fox spirit who brings ruin to kingdoms… No, wait, a harmless little white rabbit.

[Okay.] :The Great King rarely replied with an emoji, but this time he sent a chibi tiger with its paws clasped in anticipation and a cluster of tiny stars floating above its head.

Your attempt at being cute is so awkward, Great King.