Chapter 156

The audition room fell into complete silence. All eyes were fixed on the center of the stage. This scene depicted the pivotal moment when Princess Xiao Yuezhen, upon learning of her brother's assassination, made the earth-shattering decision to disguise herself as a man and inherit the throne.

Director Lucas Sheridan called "Action," and Scarlett Ashcroft's expression transformed instantly.

The Xiao imperial lineage had dwindled to only two heirs - the twin siblings Xiao Yuezhen and Xiao Yueqi. With the empress deceased and the emperor on his deathbed, the ambitious feudal lords finally launched their rebellion.

As rebel forces stormed the palace, the dying emperor used his last breath to name Crown Prince Xiao Yueqi as his successor.

But assassins sent by the feudal lords had already infiltrated the palace. Xiao Yueqi was murdered the night before his coronation. The news plunged the entire palace into despair.

The crown princess clung to her husband's lifeless body, weeping inconsolably. Her eyes burned with resolve as she drew a sword to join him in death. Maids and eunuchs knelt nearby, wailing as if witnessing the end of the Xiao dynasty.

Xiao Yuezhen stood frozen until the blade nearly touched the crown princess's throat. Then she sprang into action.

"Stop, sister-in-law!"

The sword clattered to the ground.

Xiao Yuezhen surveyed the room with commanding presence. "Stay calm," she ordered firmly.

She instructed her maids to fetch her brother's imperial robes and personally prepared his body. Then she donned male attire and had her maids adjust her features.

The twins had always resembled each other. With careful makeup, Xiao Yuezhen became the spitting image of Xiao Yueqi. She padded her boots to add height, straightened her posture, and lowered her voice.

When "Xiao Yueqi" reappeared, even the crown princess faltered in recognition.

"Attend me in the throne hall."

Xiao Yuezhen's piercing gaze and authoritative tone rallied the courtiers. They straightened their backs, their spirits lifting.

The scene's greatest challenge lay in portraying Xiao Yuezhen's simultaneous fear and fortitude. Though raised as a sheltered princess, she had trained in martial arts and scholarship since childhood - now she must summon every ounce of that training.

Director Sheridan had auditioned dozens of actresses. Younger stars could only portray panic, while veteran actresses were too old for the role. Not until Scarlett appeared did he find his true Xiao Yuezhen.