Making Movies in Republican-Era China [From Ancient Times to Modern China]

[Bold and spirited heiress x true emperor transmigrated from ancient times to the Republic of China]

Li Zhiwei's maternal grandfather was the Qing court's ambassador to France.

Born in Paris and trained by a master filmmaker, all she wanted was to make a groundbreaking film.

When she returned to China, her father and brothers spoiled her rotten, and she did whatever she pleased.

With filming about to begin, she was worrying over the lack of a leading man when she looked up and spotted a man at the entrance to the alley. He was covered in bruises, but had an exceptionally handsome bone structure.

She snapped her fingers at her attendant. "Go get that man for me."

Yuan Ziyou lived to the age of twenty-four and was a famously handsome man, as the history books attest.

He had been emperor, ruled an empire, and personally killed powerful ministers, only to be strangled to death by rebels in the end.

When he opened his eyes again, rickshaws were rolling down asphalt roads and foreign gramophones were playing the latest records. He had somehow become a starving homeless man in a Shanghai alley.

Alas! After transmigrating, you have to bow to reality!

The former Northern Wei emperor was forced to sign a contract of servitude and follow Li Zhiwei from the Hexi Corridor to the waterways of Jiangnan, from lonely smoke rising over the desert to snowy mountains and icy rivers. Somehow, they really did manage to make several critically acclaimed box-office hits.

Later, Yuan Ziyou held his Best Actor trophy as he gave an interview to the media.

Someone asked how he had so convincingly portrayed the decisive, battle-hardened spirit and tragic desolation of the last emperor.

Yuan Ziyou's imperial bearing came pouring forth, and he declared with ringing conviction, "Because I am one."

The whole room erupted.

"Just kidding." Yuan Ziyou pulled Li Zhiwei into his arms and smiled. "My wife directed it brilliantly."

[Bonus Scene]

On set, Li Zhiwei pulled Yuan Ziyou into a corner.

"When you do the scene with Manni later, make your eyes look a little more flirtatious."

Yuan Ziyou said blankly, "I can't."

Li Zhiwei replied in exasperation, "Why not? Just imagine I'm standing in front of you."

He glanced at her, but still didn't move.

Li Zhiwei had no choice but to lean close to his ear. "Be good. Let's hurry up and finish filming so we can go home... You can have your way tonight."

Yuan Ziyou tucked her loose hair behind her ear. "You should've said so earlier."

Theme: Love of country and family