Xu Xiaoshan gritted her teeth and glared at Yan Jinyi with indignation.

The first scene took place in the gorgeous and stately palace.

Yan Jinyi quite liked that scene because she could get to see many beautiful women.

As soon as the clapperboard was clapped, the melodious sound of a bamboo flute sounded at the right time.

"His Majesty and Her Majesty have arrived!"

The eunuch's high-pitched and sharp shrilling was deafening. In the luxurious and magnificent grand hall, hundreds of people knelt down in unison.

The camera panned over the female performers in the hall one by one and finally it was fixed on Liu Ran.

Zhou Pingyun, whom Liu Ran played, was born into a family of military generals. Her parents doted on her and often indulged her, rarely subjecting her to strict rules. She was extremely lively and kindhearted.

At this moment, she looked around with a curious expression.

Immediately afterwards, the camera panned towards the top.

Dressed in a bright and ostentatious robe, the emperor was seated on the throne and beside him, the guards moved another chair over.

The empress then walked over with the help of the palace maids.

The empress was dressed in a beautiful brocade robe that was decorated with beads and jade. With every step she took, she exuded the majesty of the first lady of a nation.

She had pretty eyebrows, glistening eyes, and a taut nose. The female performers, who were candidates for the harem, began sizing her up.

After the death of the late empress, the emperor installed Royal Consort Xue as the new empress.

For a long time after that, the new empress was favored the most among the harem, and her tyrannical character worsened.

Since the Empress Dowager became a vegetarian and practiced Buddhism, most of the harem affairs were presided over by Empress Xue while the remaining matters were handled by Consort Xian.

It was said that many ladies of the harem would die each month, and their deaths were all related to the empress but the emperor often chose to turn a blind eye to it.

Empress Xue had an impressive background.

Empress Xue's maiden name was Xue Yun'e, and she was the eldest daughter of General Zhen, the niece of the Empress Dowager, and the most beautiful woman in the capital.

It was said that she was raised and trained as the emperor's concubine since she was a child.

Just like the rumors claimed, she was stunningly gorgeous, arrogant, and prideful. It was no wonder she could become the most favored concubine of the harem.

After the emperor and empress had been seated, the selection ceremony officially began.

The candidates who had different figures walked forth one after another. Those who were selected were overjoyed while those who did not were dejected.

When it was Zhou Pingyun's turn, she was obviously not in her element as she reacted only after the eunuch called her name a few times. She staggered forwards and even almost fell onto the ground after tripping over her skirt.

Her actions had also attracted the emperor's attention.

Yan Jinyi was still immersed in the joy of being an empress.

'No wonder so many women rack their brains to get into the palace.'

'It's a different feeling to be an empress!'

At this moment, the camera was fixed on Liu Ran and the emperor.

Xu Xiaoshan approached the actress beside her and pointed at Yan Jinyi, "Look at how smug that woman is. She really thinks she's the empress, huh?"

"Exactly, I don't think she's a good actress. She can't even compare to Xu Xiaoshan."

Xu Xiaoshan humphed coldly.

Before the start of filming, Liu Ran gave her a reminder.

She told her that Yan Jinyi seemed to be very close to Huo Qingyuan who was her loyal follower.

'She claims to be good at fighting, huh? I shall see who's the better fighter, my cousin or this detestable woman, Yan Jinyi.'

Xu Xiaoshan managed to get Yan Jinyi's mobile number through connections.

Yan Jinyi didn't have many scenes to film today so she could wrap up in the afternoon.

After changing out of her clothes and ready to get Huo Zihang to arrange for a car to pick her up, her cell phone suddenly rang.

It was a number that didn't seem familiar to her.

Yan Jinyi hesitated for a few seconds before answering. The caller was a stranger who sounded young.

"Are you Yan Jinyi?"

'This is...'

Yan Jinyi touched the tip of her nose and said, "Yes."

"Good that you are. Come to the southeast gate of Shenyang University in half an hour's time and we'll let Huo Qingyuan off. Otherwise..."