The Palace Intrigue Champion Goes Viral After Slacking Off on a Dating Show

[Livestream Dating Show] [Unbothered Heroine] [Group Transmigration] [Slight Ensemble Cast]

Zhao Jingmian was the champion of palace intrigue in the Great Yong Dynasty. When her six-year-old stepson ascended the throne, she smoothly rose to the position of Empress Dowager.

Who could have guessed that less than half a day after the young emperor's coronation, the powerful regent would rebel?

The Great Yong Dynasty fell, and on the very night the regent forcibly took her for himself, she transmigrated into a romance reality show novel.

Just as Zhao Jingmian was overcome with joy, the System poured cold water on her excitement: she was only a cannon-fodder supporting character in the novel.

She had a whole pile of tasks:

Play an innocent little white lotus in front of the male and female leads to make the heroine look better;

Play a scheming green tea girl in front of the playboy third male lead and the sweet second female lead, as a foil for the latter;

Play a seductress in front of the womanizing second male lead and the pure third female lead, to set off the latter;

In front of the fourth female lead and... wait, no, she's the fourth female lead.

Zhao Jingmian: So there's no one else in this book? You're just going to make a mess of everything using me?

This Dowager Empress won't do it. I'm checking out and doing nothing!

_(:з"∠)_

And so, the audience witnessed scenes like these:

The first female lead accidentally cuts her finger, hinting that Zhao Jingmian should call the first male lead to help.

Zhao Jingmian, expressionless, says in a cool, even voice, "First male lead, the woman you love hurt her hand. Go look after her, before the wound has time to heal."

The sweet second female lead asks what she thinks of the playboy third male lead.

Zhao Jingmian, expressionless: "He's frivolous and lacking in character, not someone you can trust. If you like him, follow your heart. If he hurts you someday, don't come crying to me."

The pure third female lead finishes writing a letter and asks who Zhao Jingmian sent it to.

Zhao Jingmian, expressionless: "I've sent the letter back. I have no interest in getting tangled up in romance. Though the second male lead did send me a letter."

The guests: ???

The livestream chat went completely wild:

[??? What's Zhao Jingmian up to today? Why is she suddenly acting all dignified and aloof?]

[She talks so weirdly. Is she deliberately putting on an act? So cringe...]

[She was going crazy fighting the first female lead over the first male lead before. Now she's suddenly sworn off romance? What trick is she plotting this time?]

But the more they watched, the more the viewers sensed something was off.

The comments gradually changed their tune:

[Wait... she hasn't actually done anything wrong, has she?]

[I came here to criticize her. How did I get so invested instead?]

[Ahem, when have I, the Emperor, ever had a falling-out with Consort Zhao?!]

[The more I watch Dowager Empress Zhao, the more I like her. She's so relaxed and sees things so clearly! I'm a fan now ovo]

After the show aired, Zhao Jingmian unexpectedly shot to fame for her strikingly different, laid-back and clear-headed attitude...

The director was so anxious he broke out in two pimples overnight. He confronted Zhao Jingmian: "If we keep filming it like this, can this even be called a dating show?"

Zhao Jingmian shot back, "Then you're welcome to kick me off the show."

The director: "No, I've already lined up the fourth male lead for you. If that's not enough, there's also a fifth and a sixth..."

Zhao Jingmian: ???

*

The undeterred director somehow managed to drag Jing Che, the business magnate who made the entire business world tremble, onto the show.

Rumor had it that he was ruthless and decisive, kept to himself all year round, and never set foot in variety shows or the entertainment industry.

When the two met for the first time during filming, Zhao Jingmian froze.

Why did this big shot look exactly like that scoundrel of a regent?!

Viewers watching them exchange a single glance before both looking away:

[No way, they just met and already turned away? They must be total strangers. This ship is doomed, even dogs wouldn't ship them!]

Viewers later on:

#AwakeAllNight Oh my god, the tension between these two is incredible. The true-love-after-all rule never lies. Go ship them, girls!!!

Theme: Treat others sincerely, and you can gain everything.