Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

After finishing the promotional work, Link rested at home for two days before coming to Hengdian to join the "Curse of the Golden Flower" film crew.

The palace where the crew was filming was lavishly decorated, with gold embellishments everywhere—gauze curtains, ornate garments, and golden flowers scattered across red carpets. There were no walls in the palace; partitions were carved out of colorful glass, gleaming under the lighting to emit a continuous golden glow.

"Your son pays his respects to Mother Queen!"

In the Queen's chambers, Link, wearing a golden crown and a black robe embroidered with gold threads, swiftly strode forward and knelt before Gong Li.

"Yuan Ke!"

Playing the role of the Queen, Gong Li had been sitting on a cushioned chair embroidering chrysanthemums. When she saw the Second Prince enter, she tossed aside her needle and thread in excitement, gently helped him up, assessed him closely, and reached out to stroke his cheek.

Link's originally cold expression softened slightly, his posture relaxed, and his body eased—a stark contrast to the rigid demeanor he displayed when meeting the King. This showcased a distinctly different emotional dynamic, setting the stage for the Second Prince agreeing to rebel with the Queen later on.

"Mother Queen, your son has not seen you for three years. How have you been?"

Link looked up at Gong Li and asked.

"I have been well. And you?"

"I have missed you every moment."

Link responded emotionally.

"Yuan Ke, you've been through so much,"

Gong Li said as she stroked the stubble on Link's cheek.

"It hasn't been hard for me!"

Link restored his cold and composed expression, exuding maturity and steadiness.

In the director's area, Director Zhang sat in front of the monitor, watching the footage and nodding with satisfaction.

Though this scene lasted only about 50 seconds, Link and Gong Li rehearsed it eight times before filming, perfecting details such as their walking pace, the precise position for kneeling, the Queen's manner of rising, and how the Second Prince should address her—whether "A Ke" or "Yuan Ke."

The crew modified over a dozen details during preparation.

This time, both Link and Gong Li delivered outstanding performances.

"Cut! That take is good enough."

"Prepare for the next scene!"

Director Zhang stood up with a megaphone, instructing all departments to prepare the set for the next scene involving the secret rebellion-planning dialogue between the Queen and the Second Prince.

"Link, earlier, Director Zhang and producer Zhang Weiping praised you, saying your acting skills were incredible. I thought they were exaggerating. But during that scene just now, your performance truly caught me off guard—it was excellent,"

Gong Li remarked in the resting area as she removed her makeup.

"Ms. Gong, I'm just a newcomer and still need to learn from veterans like you."

Link responded politely.

"You are quite humble—so rare for someone your age. I heard you're only 20. Most people your age, if they were half as talented as you, would already have let it go to their head. But you're so steady; you don't seem like a boy in his early twenties at all."

Gong Li, draped in her wig, turned around to look at him with a smile.

Link smiled back but did not say much more. When he saw Gong Li preparing to change her outfit, he excused himself and headed over to the set to observe Director Zhang's instructions for the next scene.

Director Zhang, seeing Link step out, held the script and explained the upcoming scene to him, detailing the mood and essence he wanted while allowing Link ample freedom to explore within those parameters.

For other actors, Director Zhang meticulously guided every movement and every line until he was satisfied.

Previously, Director Zhang had taken this approach with Link, but he later discovered that overly detailed instructions hindered the fluidity of Link's performance. Thus, his method for directing Link evolved into the current style.

After chatting about the scene with Director Zhang for a while, Gong Li finished changing. Her golden phoenix robe had been swapped for a golden robe with a red satin base and an open-front design, accentuating her snowy complexion.

Link and Gong Li rehearsed several times at the set. Once the crew finalized the setup, the two of them entered the scene to begin filming.

"The Second Prince arrives!"

A eunuch announced outside the palace.

"Everyone, leave!"

Gong Li spread her wide phoenix-robe sleeves and commanded.

Link adjusted his sleeves and walked leisurely into the Queen's inner chambers.

"Mother Queen!"

"I've been taking medicine prescribed by your father for over a decade. Ten days ago, he suddenly changed the formula. The new prescription contains this,"

Gong Li pushed the medical manual toward Link. On top of the booklet lay a piece of wolfsbane.

Link hesitated for a moment, nervously picked up the manual, and noticed that the page describing the medicinal properties of wolfsbane corresponded to the exotic wolfsbane on the table.

Link furrowed his brow slightly, "Mother Queen, your illness yesterday was caused by this? Why is Father King doing this?"

"Yuan Ke, I will tell you everything after Chongyang Festival."

Gong Li replied.

Link gripped the exotic wolfsbane tightly.

"Every day in front of your father, I act completely oblivious. Every hour, I calmly drink this poison. No one knows the truth; I will die exactly as your father desires. But I don't want to die this way. On Chongyang night, I will end this nightmare."

Gong Li looked at Link, her tone steady and unwavering.

"Do Yuan Xiang and Yuan Cheng know about this?"

Link pondered aloud.

"They do not."

"Cut!"

Director Zhang stroked his chin as he rewatched the filmed footage, instructing Link and Gong Li to redo the scene.

He noted that their previous performance was somewhat bland, lacking emotional intensity, and advised them to bring forth more passion, aiming to embody the contradictory yet intertwined relationship between the Queen and the Second Prince.

Link and Gong Li deliberated for a few minutes before continuing their performance when Director Zhang called "Action!"

This scene was dialogue-heavy, touching on complex themes; a lackluster portrayal would dull its impact, but a strong performance could add significant brilliance to the overall film.

The scene took from morning until evening to shoot. Both Link and Gong Li experienced four "NG" takes—not because their acting was poor, but because Director Zhang's ambitions pushed them to their limits, striving to extract the best of their talents to elevate the film's quality.