novelraw Chapter 120: The Lingering Impact of Tragedy
Chapter 120: The Lingering Impact of Tragedy
Under the gaze of the entire venue, Jiang Ci took a step forward.
He ascended the steps to the stage.
His pace was steady.
On the stage, Qin Feng, Zhao Xueling, Su Qingying, and others were already standing in a row, wearing proper and professional smiles as they accepted the applause from the audience.
Jiang Ci walked over. He did not squeeze into the center of the main cast but consciously stood at the very edge of the lineup.
A corner isolated by the lights.
The host's excited voice echoed throughout the screening hall.
"Let's once again thank Teacher Qin Feng and Teacher Xueling, both of whom delivered textbook-level performances for us!"
The microphone was passed to Qin Feng.
"Teacher Qin Feng, as the absolute core of 'Palace Conspiracy,' what would you like to say to the audience about this film?"Qin Feng took the microphone and gave a slight nod to the audience below.
"This is a film that requires one to calm down and watch. Thank you, Director Li Xiang. Thank you, Screenwriter Lin Wan. And thank you to every colleague for their efforts."
His words were measured and steady, the kind of official speech expected from a Film Emperor.
Next was Zhao Xueling, who also expressed her thanks.
"The Empress is tragic. She spent her entire life making choices for her family and His Majesty, yet never lived for herself even once. I think this is also one of the themes 'Palace Conspiracy' wants to explore."
The media reporters below the stage mechanically clicked their shutters while absentmindedly recording these official remarks.
But most of their lenses, intentionally or unintentionally, drifted towards that silent figure standing at the edge of the stage.
That person stood there quietly, as if the clamor on the stage had nothing to do with him.
Finally, the audience Q&A session began.
The first few questions were all standard ones directed at the main actors, about acting techniques, about character understanding.
Suddenly.
A female audience member wearing black-framed glasses, who still looked like a university student, took the microphone from a staff member.
Her hand was trembling, causing the microphone to shake slightly.
"I... my question is for Teacher Jiang Ci."
As soon as she spoke, her voice carried a hint of a sob.
The noise in the entire venue instantly dropped.
All eyes, including those of the main cast on stage, focused on Jiang Ci.
The girl took a deep breath.
She didn't ask anything about acting.
"I just want to know..."
Her voice was broken beyond recognition.
"General Gu... does he regret it?"
"Using everything he had... to exchange for a 'present'... that was destined to be lost."
The entire screening hall fell silent.
Did he regret it?
For that brief time together on the grassland, for that one sentence, "I only want the present," gambling his life, shouldering the nation's enmity, and ultimately being buried in the sands.
Was it worth it?
Jiang Ci slowly raised his head.
He looked at the trembling girl below the stage.
He did not answer immediately.
That string of numbers was still faintly glowing in his mind.
[Current Remaining Lifespan: 246 days, 6 hours.]
He remained silent for a moment, finally taking the cold microphone from the host's hand.
Then, in a voice so soft it seemed it might shatter into the air at any moment, he said.
"He never regretted it."
The entire hall held its breath.
Jiang Ci continued, each word carrying a bone-chilling coldness.
"Because for him..."
"That 'present'... was his 'forever'."
The moment his words fell.
"Waaah—"
The girl who asked the question below the stage could no longer hold on. Covering her face, she squatted down, emitting choked sobs.
On the stage, Su Qingying, who had been standing quietly beside Qin Feng, stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She turned her face slightly, looking at the man standing under the lights.
That sentence sounded like General Gu's answer, yet also like a person's final annotation on their own brief life.
It was filled with a fatal sense of brokenness.
Almost at the exact same moment Jiang Ci's words fell.
Backstage, the head of the publicity team slapped his thigh fiercely, roaring at the subordinate beside him.
"Quick! Use this line! #General Gu's Forever Is Now#! Get that hashtag trending into the top three!"
...
The interactive session ended in a sorrowful and eerie atmosphere.
Next was a photo session with lucky audience members.
Jiang Ci thought he could finally retreat with his mission accomplished, continuing to be a background prop.
But he didn't expect.
Several of the selected female audience members, after coming on stage, with reddened eyes, carefully bypassed the main actors and walked up to him.
"Teacher Jiang Ci... could I take a photo with you?"
Jiang Ci was somewhat taken aback but still nodded.
One of them was that female university student who had cried until she broke down earlier.
She had already reapplied her makeup, but her eyes were still swollen.
"Teacher Jiang Ci, I... can I take a photo alone with you?" she asked in a pleading tone.
Jiang Ci agreed.
The girl stood beside him, maintaining a polite distance.
The Cinematographer raised the camera.
"Alright, look at the lens, smile!"
The moment before the flash went off.
Jiang Ci's body reacted instinctively.
A professional smile—this was basic etiquette for an actor.
He tried hard to move his facial muscles, to pull out a smile suitable for a commercial occasion.
Yet he failed.
Those muscles seemed to have already stiffened, completely disobedient.
Ultimately, on his face, it only formed an arc uglier than crying, filled with self-conflict and pain.
"Click."
The flash went off, freezing that instant.
And at this very moment.
In Jiang Ci's mind.
[Ding!]
[Detecting heartbreak emotion...]
[Heartbreak Value +3.]
Jiang Ci froze completely.
He instantly understood.
The lingering impact of a tragic character could continue.
As long as he maintained General Gu's "persona," every painful detail of his could harvest Heartbreak Value for him.
The photo session ended.
Jiang Ci immediately turned his head and made a gesture towards Lin Wan, who was not far below the stage—a gesture only the two of them understood.
He wanted to leave the event early.
Lin Wan understood and immediately gave Sun Zhou a meaningful look.
Sun Zhou rushed over immediately, shielding Jiang Ci.
"Sorry! Sorry! Our Brother Ci isn't feeling too well!"
He shouted loudly while using his own body to arduously carve a path through the reporters who still wanted to swarm forward for interviews.
Jiang Ci remained completely silent throughout, letting Sun Zhou shield him as they quickly ducked into the entourage van parked at the back door.
"Bang!"
The car door closed, cutting off all the clamor from outside.
He needed an absolutely quiet place to process all of this.
Just as he settled into his seat.
His phone vibrated.
It was a new message.
From Qin Feng.
The content was simple, just one sentence and a location pin.
"Come over to my place, have a meal."
Jiang Ci looked at the message, remained silent for a few seconds, then typed a reply.
"Thank you, Teacher Qin. I'll definitely visit another day. I'm too tired today and want to rest early."
The car was just about to start moving.
His phone rang again.
This time it was a call. Two words flashed on the screen—Lin Wan.
Jiang Ci answered.
Lin Wan's voice, always strong-willed yet carrying a trace of concern that was hard to detect, came through the phone.
"You're off work. Don't just stay alone in the hotel, especially during the New Year. Come to my place. I'll make you some dumplings."
"No need, Sister Wan, I..."
"Cut the nonsense. I've sent you the address."
Before Jiang Ci could even refuse, the other party was about to hang up.
As if possessed, he suddenly spoke up to interrupt her.
"Sister Wan."
"Hmm?"
Jiang Ci shifted his posture, leaning back against the seat, looking at the street scenes rapidly receding outside the window.
"That new script you mentioned before... how's the concept coming along?"
On the other end of the phone, Lin Wan fell silent.
A full three seconds.
Then.
"Beep... beep... beep..."
The other party directly hung up the phone.