Chapter 132: "Wind & Moon Don't Know Me" Wrap Up

Recently, "Wind & Moon Don't Know Me" is nearing its end of filming. To create a desolate atmosphere, the crew has transplanted many trees around the palace setting.

Wen Jin put a rest chair under the tree, took a yellow leaf that fell against the wind, and sighed slightly.

Speaking of her carefully planned love affair at the public's expense, it has indeed encountered some twists and turns along the way.

In the early stages of filming, her girlfriend made an agreement with three rules with her, citing her inability to get into character as the reason.

With great difficulty, the rules of the agreement were canceled, but the season changed again, and she fell ill. After recovering from the illness, the girlfriend was worried that she would get sick again, and every time the emotions became strong, she could always find various reasons to stop.

Afterwards, the filming entered an intense finishing sprint period. The two worked longer and longer during the day, and spent less and less time together at night.

The originally envisioned beautiful love affair at public's expense almost turned into a case of becoming a monk at public's expense. She felt like a legitimate official girlfriend, yet her treatment outside of the drama was even inferior to the unknown and unremarkable character of Shangguan Yue.

If she hadn't known about Shangguan Yue's ending in advance, she would have felt jealous of her role in the drama.

The last scene of Shangguan Yue had been filmed half an hour ago. At this moment, Wen Jin was leaning on the chair, admiring the performance of her girlfriend not far away without distraction.

Speaking of it, Ruan Jinghong is also quite spiritual. In just a few months, she seems to have integrated with Tiansheng.

Wen Jin sat on the sidelines and watched, occasionally feeling a little dazed.

Ruan Jinghong was the last actor in the film crew to wrap up. All the scenes this afternoon were filmed around her.

Under the joint deployment of Tiansheng and Shangguan Yue, Zhuang Hou's conspiracy was successfully defeated, and when the Emperor died, she completely controlled the situation.

Tiansheng's successful ascension to the throne is what the people want. The little thorns left on the road were also secretly pulled out one by one by Shangguan Yue.

The two have been preparing together for many years, and now their merits and virtues are complete.

In the first month of Tiansheng's accession to the throne, several national laws were promulgated in succession: rewarding soldiers to stabilize the frontier; opening the road to trade with neighboring countries; land contract tax reduction for one year; expanding imperial examinations to recruit talents...

These policies are all beneficial to the country and the people. Although they were hindered at the beginning because they touched other people's cakes, Tiansheng has always been firm in her mind and strong in her wrists. With the combination of grace and power, she has successfully implemented these policies.

In just one month, with the capital city as the center expanding outward, it has become more vibrant than ever.

The coup in the palace did not affect the people.

For the common people, they don't care who can become the emperor, they only care about who can make them live a good life.

After Tiansheng succeeded to the throne, they brought them a better life, so they also sincerely praised the new emperor, as well as the capable generals around the new Empress, the Prime Minister Shangguan Yue.

For a while, the reputation of Tiansheng and Shangguan Yue in the Tang Empire reached an unprecedented height.

Everything is going well, it's just...

On the second day of Tiansheng's ascension to the throne, she happily told Shangguan Yue about her plan for her to become an Empress Consort. She couldn't wait to share the joy of success with her beloved one.

However, what surprised her was that at that moment, Shangguan Yue respectfully bowed to her and said, "I once made a vow in front of the Buddha to dedicate my entire life to the prosperity of Tang and never consider personal feelings of love and children."

Tiansheng was puzzled, does Tang's prosperity conflict with the marriage of the female official?

But at that time, Shangguan Yue's face was too resolute, and she had no choice but to conform with it for a while.

She is no longer the ignorant and reckless girl she was back then. She is reluctant to use too strong means to persecute the one she loves.

Now that there are so many state affairs, they can only gradually figure them out later.

That day, the originally joyful atmosphere ended up dispersing unhappily. Shangguan Yue's rejection ultimately made Tiansheng somewhat sad.

The two still had a tacit understanding in the court, and they were the most compatible monarch and minister. Only they themselves know that there is an extra layer of estrangement in their hearts at this moment.

After becoming independent and being rejected, in this past month, the two of them have spoken to each other privately, but their conversations haven't exceeded ten sentences.

The new policies have achieved phased results, and the Minister of Rites presented a gratitude letter from the people to the new Empress.

Tiansheng was very happy. The first person she wanted to share it with was Shangguan Yue.

Thinking about the incident a few days ago when Shangguan Yue claimed to be sick and avoided attending the court, Tiansheng couldn't help but sigh helplessly: Forget it, in a cold war like this, someone has to be the first to yield.

In the past, every time the two of them had an unpleasant fight, Shangguan Yue would always be the one who bowed her head first in the end.

Tiansheng has been reflecting on her past in her heart these days, and it is true that she is favored and proud.

When two people are together, how can there be only one side bowing their heads forever.

This time, it's her who will bow her head.

It's just that this is the first time in her life that she will bow her head, and she didn't have time to do so.

When Tiansheng came to Shangguan Yue's mansion, the first sentence she heard was "Lord Shangguan died of illness."

The last thing she saw was the woman she had been entangled with for many years, who was lying quietly on the bed, lifeless.

A servant at the side handed over an envelope. She opened it and examined it carefully. It was a poem.

Under the leaves, at the beginning of Dongting Lake, my thoughts of you remain over ten thousand miles.

The thick fragrance of dew is chilled, and the moon sets, leaving the embroidered screen empty.

I want to play a melody from Jiangnan, but I eagerly await the letter from Jibei.

In the letter, there is no other intention, only the sorrow of prolonged separation.[1]

Act 2, Scene 200

In the first year of Tangsheng*, Prime Minister Shangguan Yue died of illness. 

*not a typo, it's a calendar date, it follows the name of the ruler

The mourning Tang Empress buried her in the imperial mausoleum. She presented her with two thousand pieces of silk, and went to offer sacrifices in person. [2]

At this time, Tiansheng was already past middle age, and the strand of silver thread in her hair seemed to have come a bit early, but it did not detract from her innate imperial aura.

Today, she is no longer as free and easy as she was when she was young, but she is more calm and dignified, very much like the person she met when she was young.

Everyone said that she, the Empress of a country, has done a great job. Today's Tang has become prosperous under her governance. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the border countries have friendly exchanges. There has been no major war for many years.

Today is Shangguan Yue's memorial day. Tiansheng, like in previous years, shunned the palace people and sat alone in front of her tomb.

This place is repaired by Tiansheng every few years, and the stele that has gone through several years is still in good condition.

Tiansheng leaned against the stone tablet in vain, chattering about her recent thoughts with the person underground.

"Two months ago, I disguised myself and made a private visit to Xuzhou again. It looks completely different from what we saw back then. Now, the officials there are all my people, and the long-standing problem of ensuring that people are rewarded based on their labor has finally been resolved. I even saw a temple dedicated to you, Lord Shangguan. Everyone remembers the efforts you made back then."

"Last month, the 13th round of the new imperial examination's expanded enrollment just concluded. This time, the top scholar is the granddaughter of General Han, who was wrongfully convicted and we couldn't save him in the past. I know this has always been a concern for you, so I previously ordered to search for and treat his family generously. But unexpectedly, after all these twists and turns, a literary top scholar emerged from his military family."

"Speaking of this top scholar Han, she bears some resemblance to you. Both have gentle and amiable personalities, a love for reading, and a caring heart for the people. Of course, no one can compare to you in this world. However, if you were still alive, seeing her might have brought you some joy."

"Back then, you told me that you wished all women in the world could have access to education, pursue their passions, and not be confined to limited roles as wives and mothers. I have been striving to fulfill that vision, and now we have established hundreds of private schools for girls across the country, with many being taught by successful scholars from the new imperial examinations. About half of the officials in the court are now women, coming from both humble and noble backgrounds. They bring firsthand experiences, making them more empathetic towards other women in the world."

"It seems the stubborn officials in the court have finally stopped urging me to name an heir to the throne. They probably realize that at my age, it would be difficult to have a biological heir. As for the matter of succession, I have already made plans in my heart. Princess Anyang is composed and steady, while Princess Changle is free-spirited and intelligent. However, they are still young and need further observation. I know you favored Princess Changle more during your lifetime, but in this matter, I must remain fair and impartial."

Tiansheng was talking while tears streaming down her face unknowingly, a fragility and innocence that did not match her age flashed on her noble and graceful face.

She looked up at the sky, the sky was as clear as blue and cloudless, and a white crane pierced the silence.

"Yue'er, have you seen it? Our prosperous age has finally arrived."

Memories will be interspersed here in the feature film to correspond with the real scene.

The two met each other when they were teenagers, and cherished each other. They grew up together, watching the moon and flowers together, reciting poems and fighting against each other, planning state affairs together, and looking forward to Tang's century-old prosperity and long-term peace and stability.

Tiansheng caressed the stone tablet with one hand, her pale fingers trembling slightly, and the inscriptions engraved on it appeared one by one by her hand.

The Xiaoxiang River's water is cut off, and the Waowei Mountain tilts. Pearls sink and break, jades shatter and connect cities. Gazing at the pine and cypress, quietly listening at the tombs. For thousands and tens of thousands of years, the fragrance of pepper flowers sings praises.[3]

Shen Qing yelled out the final 'cut' on the set and took a deep breath, saying, "The filming of "Wind & Moon Don't Know Me" is officially wrapped!"

Recently, during this period, Ruan Jinghong's filming performance has been particularly excellent. Even for pivotal scenes in the middle-aged period, many times they were completed in one take.

Especially today's scene, the lines were long and difficult to memorize, but she not only delivered every word flawlessly but also maintained the perfect emotional expression throughout the entire scene.

Shen Qingzhi nodded in satisfaction.

As expected of the apprentice I personally trained and taught, she is indeed a talent to be made.

She stepped forward and handed Ruan Jinghong a pack of tissues, "Your makeup is about to fade away, just wipe it off."

Unexpectedly, Ruan Jinghong completely ignored her existence. Ever since she shouted 'cut' the tears not only didn't stop, but flowed more violently.

The staff next to her looked at the heroine who was out of breath from crying, and stepped forward to persuade her.

"You all just let her cry her heart out freely."

Wen Jin stepped forward, took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the pearls stained on that pretty little face.

In these days leading up to the wrap-up, despite the intense and emotionally demanding scenes, Ruan Jinghong appears to be in excellent form during the daytime on the set.

Only Wen Jin knows that every night, her tender-hearted girlfriend turns into a real cry baby, crying with great intensity and making a huge fuss.

She was afraid of affecting the state of other people in the crew, so she always endured it during the day and didn't fully release it until night.

At first, Wen Jin thought it was due to the intense workload and considered suggesting to delay the wrap-up date by a few days.

But she was sternly rejected by her little girlfriend. She still remembered that the little thing was hiccupping and saying that.

"Teacher Wen, I...I'm just...so sad. Tiansheng and Shangguan are... so miserable, woohoo. But if you tell me to slow down the shoot, I will...be more uncomfortable, woooooo."

Wen Jin felt helpless as it was just a drama, yet it made her baby shed tears for several months equivalent to a lifetime.

Next time, we won't arrange a sad drama.

Wen Jin silently made up her mind.

Author's Note:

[1] Quoted from "Colorful Book of Complaints - The Beginning of the Cave Garden under the Leaves" by Shangguan Wan'er.

[2] Adapted from "Inscription for the Tomb of the Late Imperial Consort Shangguan of the Great Tang Dynasty."

[3] Quoted from "Inscription for the Tomb of Shangguan Wan'er" by Princess Taiping.

_________

T/N: Apparently, "Wind & Moon…"  was loosely based on Princess Taiping and Shangguan Wan'er of the Tang Dynasty

Princess Taiping was one of the most powerful Princess in Tang, like a puppet master, she was the power in the shadows during the reigns of her two Emperor brothers 

Shangguan Wan'er is a poet and imperial consort and the first female prime minister. And one of the biggest chess piece of Empress Wu Zeitan (first and only female emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Taiping's mother) 

They both died by the hands of Li Long Ji, Taiping's niece, on different times, Wan'er by beheading, Taiping by poison

They have no intersection in history and some assumed they are at odds being on different factions, but an unearthed epitaph in 2013 revealed their friendship, see [2] &[3]

Probably why the title was Wind & Moon Don't Know Me, remember Fengyue or Wind & Moon can also mean petty talk, it wasn't until the 2013 unearthed epitaph that they discovered Princess Taiping & Shangguan Wan'er to be friends. And the author gave it a lesbian twist (this is personal analysis don't take it as a fact)