After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety
Chapter 718 - 708 Favoritism

Chapter 718: Chapter 708 Favoritism

After waiting for several days, the netizens finally got to see the much-anticipated Prime Minister Shen.

Initially, everyone was a bit worried about someone who isn’t a professional actor taking on such an important role in a historical drama. If the acting wasn’t up to par, they figured they could perhaps endure it for the sake of the face and the overall aura of the actor, right?

They had become quite picky thanks to the high standards set by the earlier episodes.

Until they finally saw on the TV screen that legendary white-robed minister who, both in life and posthumously, was celebrated for generations.

Poised and composed, exuding an ancient charm.

It was just like seeing the real historical Prime Minister Shen!

[This is exactly how I imagined Prime Minister Shen; the historical figures have faces again, I don’t have to rely on my imagination anymore!]

[I have to say, Director Wei’s casting choice is spot on.]

[When "Empress Yuan Zhao" was casting, I went through all the actors in the circle, especially those suitable for historical roles, but was never quite satisfied with their looks or aura. I didn’t expect Director Wei to go all out and choose someone from outside the entertainment circle. Bold move, but definitely the right one!]

[The key is that Prime Minister Shen doesn’t feel stiff at all, the lines sound like the original voice, identical to "Inheritance of Calligraphy and Painting," very distinct. It’s clearer than some professional actors, you can understand it without subtitles.]

[Am I the only one secretly getting into it? That first face-to-face meeting scene, combined with the camera work, gosh, it was like a fresh breeze shooting up from the soles of my feet and refreshing me more than any winter ever has. Perfect match!]

[You’re not alone; I’d call their meeting a destined encounter!]

[I used to read fanfics about these two and wondered what it would be like if they got together. Now we finally have a visual!]

[But in history, Empress Yuan Zhao only appreciated Prime Minister Shen, much like a boss cherishing a valued subordinate. Let’s not overindulge; historical respect is necessary.]

[I have to say, modern youngsters ship CPs a bit too casually. If Empress Yuan Zhao liked Prime Minister Shen, with her power over the realm, she could have had anyone, yet she and Prime Minister Shen maintained strict decorum all their lives.]

[I beg to differ, my argument being that Empress Yuan Zhao remained without an Imperial Consort all her life, not even a male concubine; even her personal guards were female. Prime Minister Shen also never married.]

[Then if they truly liked each other, why not just get together?]

[There should be many considerations involved. Under feudal rule, even a consort marrying a princess had to step away from power. Imagine marrying into the royal family; would Prime Minister Shen still hold office? Stay at the Prime Minister’s Mansion or enter the Empress’s harem? What would the ministers think? Everyone wanted to be the Prime Minister. The stability of the court and thus the realm was paramount. Neither Empress Yuan Zhao nor Prime Minister Shen acted purely on impulse.]

[Seems that even at the heights of power, there are many inevitable constraints!]

...

Tong Yue was unwrapping gift boxes sent from various artist studios they had connections with, Lu Zhengzheng and Fang Yao assisting, but the person who should have been unwrapping gifts was lounging on a chair with a cushion taken from a box, engrossed in their phone.

"Did last night’s airing of the eighth episode, featuring the long-awaited Prime Minister Shen, generate a lot of online discussion?"

Jiang Lingxi nodded, "I’m reading through them now, mostly positive reviews, but with some controversy."

Tong Yue paused while untying a ribbon, "What controversy?"

Jiang Lingxi sat up, glancing at the gift boxes piling up on the table in front of her, "Some people are shipping Empress Yuan Zhao and Prime Minister Shen, feeling they’re a great match, while others believe historical figures should be respected and view their relationship as strictly monarch and minister. Which side are you three on?"

The three exchanged glances.

Lu Zhengzheng was the first to raise a hand, "I’m on the CP side. I’m not only a fan of the Empress Yuan Zhao and Prime Minister Shen pairing, but also a fan of Xixi and Mr. Shen pairing. Honestly, sometimes I imagine if they could travel through time to our era, free from their identities, they’d be together, just like in the novels I read."

Jiang Lingxi couldn’t help but take a closer look at Lu Zhengzheng’s round head.

This girl has hit the mark!

Fang Yao quickly chose a side after Lu Zhengzheng, "I think Empress Yuan Zhao and Prime Minister Shen were strictly monarch and minister. But I’m also a fan of Xixi and Mr. Shen as a couple. Characters are characters and reality is reality; as long as the real relationships aren’t confused with the roles, it’s fine. When viewing the drama, you’re so immersed you don’t overthink it."

Tong Yue shook her head with a smile, "I’m not on either side, it’s been a thousand years; how can we know the true relationship between the historical figures based on surviving records? Whether purely monarch and minister or silently caring for each other, every fanbase adds to our drama’s fame."

Lu Zhengzheng and Fang Yao nodded in agreement.

"I thought trending for this many days on the hot search rankings, we’d fall off soon, but with Prime Minister Shen’s appearance, we not only remained but gained a rank."

"Controversy brings popularity."

Lu Zhengzheng watched as Jiang Lingxi walked over, "Xixi, when you portrayed Empress Yuan Zhao, did you think she harbored feelings for Prime Minister Shen beyond their official relationship?"

Jiang Lingxi picked out a box of chocolates from a gift box, unwrapped it, ate one, and casually handed one to Shen Yunqing, just arriving from outside, "What do you think?"

"What?"

Startled by the voice behind her, Lu Zhengzheng nearly dropped the perfume box on her foot.

"Mr. Shen is back. We were just discussing the hot topic online with Xixi..."

Shen Yunqing scrolled through the discussions on Jiang Lingxi’s phone while listening to Lu Zhengzheng quietly summarize the earlier question he missed, meeting his Majesty’s smiling gaze, he cleared his throat, "Compared to other ministers, I believe, ahem, that Prime Minister Shen indeed received a bit more favor and trust from her majesty."

Jiang Lingxi nodded with a smile, "Yes, well understood, I agree there was indeed favor."

This favor could be interpreted as due to the minister’s exceptional abilities, or simply because of the minister’s own merit.

But children make choices, adults naturally want it all!

Lu Zhengzheng’s eyes widened as she looked between Xixi and Mr. Shen, finally focusing on Mr. Shen’s turning red, somewhat translucent ears, hurriedly pressing her lips together to hide her auntie’s smile.

Oh my, she really feels she’s shipping something real!