Disguised as a Man, She Has Eight Men Fighting Over Her

Chapter 44

The next morning, Lin Cheng followed Xie Zhi to set, changed expertly into her eunuch costume, and obediently waited for the stage manager’s call.

To her dismay, the three men from yesterday were in today’s scene. She hurriedly lowered her head, trying to hide behind the broad brim of her hat.

One still spotted her early. Even after walking past, he turned several times to scrutinize her.

Only minutes later did she dare raise her head.

“We need a eunuch! One line!”

At the stage manager’s call, another eunuch extra hurried over, only to return seconds later with his head hanging.

Lin Cheng looked over suspiciously. The tall man from yesterday was pointing and speaking to the stage manager, then gestured maliciously in her direction.

Sure enough—

“That eunuch. Yes, you. Come here.”

*It’s over.*

Her heart lurched. She forced herself over.

“It was you last night, wasn’t it?” The man examined her aggressively.

Lin Cheng feigned ignorance. “Yesterday? I played a eunuch yesterday too, Teacher.”

He pointed viciously. “Doesn’t matter whether it was you. I don’t like your face today, so you’re the one.” Then he walked toward the set.

The stage manager gave Lin Cheng a sympathetic look.

“Your scene is simple. One line—‘Lord Li, have mercy’—then you take a slap.”

“Teacher, it’s a fake slap, right?” Lin Cheng asked hopefully.

The stage manager lowered her voice. “Normally, yes. But Liu Yang has always…”

“Where is he? Get the eunuch into position! What’s taking so long?” Director Fu was already urging them impatiently.

Lin Cheng gritted her teeth and followed. The assistant director positioned her with her back to the camera.

Liu Yang smirked. “You’re finished today.”

“Okay, Scene Fifty-Six, Camera D. Action!”

Liu Yang pointed at Lin Cheng’s nose.

“You blind, stupid fool! Today I’ll teach you the rules!”

He did not even wait for her line. He swung his arm wide, eager to strike.

Lin Cheng tensed her face and shut her eyes, bracing herself.

But only a trace of wind reached her.

She cautiously opened one eye. Before her was an exquisitely embroidered cloud-pattern sleeve and a large, veined hand gripping Liu Yang’s wrist.

Xie Zhi’s icy voice sounded above her.

“When did this palace begin answering to the surname Li?”

“Huh?” the assistant director exclaimed. “That isn’t in the script, Director Fu. Why is Teacher Xie—”

Fu Shan stared at the monitor, eyes shining. He did not call cut.

“Quiet. Keep filming. Push in closer. Continue.”

Xie Zhi flung his wrist aside. Liu Yang stumbled, a red ring already forming around his own.

Before he could react, Xie Zhi’s long leg shot out and kicked him several yards away.

Xie Zhi lowered his eyes and regarded the toe of his boot with disgust.

“Filthy.”

Then he turned toward the pom-pom on Lin Cheng’s hat.

“Go.”

“Slap him for Us.”

*Hm?*

*Wonderful!*

The hat concealed most of Lin Cheng’s face. Xie Zhi saw only her pink lips curve with sly triumph.

“This ser-vant o-beys the im-pe-rial de-cree~”

Her tone truly captured a minion emboldened by imperial favor. Xie Zhi nearly broke character.

Liu Yang scrambled up to call for the director, but Lin Cheng rushed over and covered his mouth.

*Slap!*

Liu Yang went blank. A metallic taste spread through his mouth as he stared at her in disbelief. None of this was in the script.

And how was this little eunuch so strong?

“Cut! Good!” Fu Shan shouted, slapping his thigh.

“Excellent improvisation. The emperor’s dominance, the inviolability of royal power, the shifting layers of a sovereign’s sudden wrath—very good.”

Liu Yang rushed to him.

“Director, that wasn’t in the script! He actually hit me. This is deliberate assault.”

Fu Shan patted his shoulder.

“An actor must be willing to sacrifice for a scene and ready to catch whatever a partner gives him. The result was excellent. Go rest.”

“I refuse to accept this! Director Fu, you owe me an explanation!”

Fu Shan’s face darkened.

“An explanation? Fine. Go settle your pay with accounting. You don’t need to come back.”

Lin Cheng and Xie Zhi approached.

Xie Zhi said coldly, “Fu Shan, charge his medical expenses to me. Give him extra. My treat.”

Liu Yang’s fingers clenched white. He had sold his body to land a role in Fu Shan’s production. He could not give it up now.

He could not lose both his ass and the role.

He gritted his teeth. “Director Fu, please give me another chance. I acted impulsively.”

Fu Shan glanced at him and nodded.

“Good attitude. We happen to need another shot.”

“After punishment, the offender must kowtow in gratitude. ‘This subject thanks Your Majesty for the lesson.’ We need accuracy.”

“Go.”

Then Fu Shan looked at Lin Cheng, who was suppressing laughter.

“Why are you standing there? Go be scenery.”

She lowered her eyes obediently. “Oh.” Then she scampered away.

“Departments, prepare. We’re shooting the gratitude scene. Liu Yang, get into character. Action!”

With the red handprint on his face, Liu Yang dropped to his knees before Xie Zhi.

“This subject thanks Your Majesty for the lesson. This subject… knows his error!”

He kowtowed heavily.

Xie Zhi looked down as though regarding an insect, then swept his sleeve and turned away.

“Cut! Good, that’s the take!”

Liu Yang sagged to the ground, genuinely drained—whether from acting or rage, no one knew.

Director Fu waved for the staff to clear the set.

Xie Zhi passed Lin Cheng, his robes stirring a breath of ambergris.

“Little Eunuch Chen, follow Us today. No need to visit any other palace.”

Lin Cheng understood he was protecting her from Liu Yang’s private revenge. She answered readily, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Bad impression: minus two.

She followed in tiny steps to the next location.

Once there, Xie Zhi reclined in a rest chair and began issuing leisurely commands.

“Little Eunuch Chen, We are thirsty.”

“Oh, okay.” Lin Cheng ran to deliver water.

Soon—

“Little Eunuch Chen, We are sweating.”

Lin Cheng resignedly produced a tissue.

Xie Zhi raised a brow. “Little Eunuch Chen, We are hot.”

She hurriedly picked up a fan.

“Little Eunuch Chen.”

“Lit-tle Eu-nuch Chen—”

The name rolled ever more smoothly from his tongue. Lin Cheng ran in circles until she could take no more. She threw down the fan and dropped onto a chair.

“Hey, Xie Zhi!”

“That’s enough!”

Xie Zhi immediately rose and leaned over her with interest.

“What did you call me?”