Outside the door, as Mu Ziwei appeared in the resting area, Wang Zheng got up and went to meet her.
"How did it go? How was the audition?"
"Waiting for the notification."
Mu Ziwei’s mind was a mess, filled with mixed emotions. She had planned to ask her agent to inquire about why Tang Shu was in the Judges’ Area, but remembering the recent unpleasantness with Wang Zheng, she swallowed her words.
The latter heard her and followed her pace.
"As long as you perform normally, we can clinch this role."
"I am confident in my acting."
Mu Ziwei replied, but... a variable like Tang Shu had appeared. Would it affect the audition results?
Even if Tang Shu had one vote, being of little influence, she wouldn’t affect the choices of others.
With this thought, Mu Ziwei’s originally anxious heart suddenly gained a bit more confidence.
She wasn’t the one auditioning, what was there to fear?
Walking behind her, Wang Zheng had not seen the contemplation on her face and smiled upon hearing her words.
"Don’t worry, none of the other auditionees are as good as you. The role is practically in the bag."
"What do you all think?"
Inside the audition room, as the last actor stepped out, Li Li began to solicit everyone’s opinions.
"I am quite optimistic about Mu Ziwei, Zhou Jing."
"Zhou Jing’s acting is lacking. Mu Ziwei is indeed better than her; I vote for Mu Ziwei."
"It’s hard to say. Are these all the actors auditioning for the role of Lu Xiangtong? I feel like Mu Ziwei is still missing something."
As everyone voiced their thoughts, Li Li tallied the votes, leaving only Tang Shu who had not yet voted.
"Xiao Tang, what do you think?"
"If I have to choose between the two, I personally think Mu Ziwei is more suitable."
To be honest, both of them were commendable in terms of etiquette, and Mu Ziwei’s acting was indeed stronger than Zhou Jing’s.
Li Li’s sharp gaze fell on her for a long moment and then smiled.
"You’ve just performed the part of the Empress, would you like to try Lu Xiangtong’s scene as well?"
Tang Shu was stunned.
So were the others. They looked at Li Li and then at Tang Shu herself, recalling the scene they had just played together.
Screenwriter Li Zenan pondered, "Xiao Tang might as well give it a try. You’re young and naturally not suitable for the role of the Empress, but the scene just now didn’t feel out of place at all. I believe you can handle Lu Xiangtong’s role too."
"That’s right, I originally thought Mu Ziwei’s acting was quite good, but just now... she was missing a certain charm."
And that charm became apparent only because of the presence of the Empress, played by Tang Shu.
"Old Sun is right. The reason I chose Zhou Jing isn’t because her acting is better, but because I didn’t see in Mu Ziwei the virtue of being able to shoulder the position of the Crown Princess Consort."
Lu Xiangtong’s character adheres to etiquette and is highly restrained in her behavior. In modern terms, she might be considered unlikable. But in That Era, her every move was exactly what was required of the Crown Princess Consort.
Mu Ziwei’s Lu Xiangtong lacked gravity and seemed too calculating.
Zhou Jing lacked a bit in acting, and Mu Ziwei lacked some understanding of the character, which was also why the votes for both were close.
Everyone agreed with Li Li’s suggestion, leaving Tang Shu bewildered.
She was just... an etiquette and props advisor, right? What was happening now?
Next to her, Li Zenan tapped her elbow with a pen, "Don’t worry, just give it a try."
Tang Shu twitched the corner of her mouth and, encouraged by their gazes, rose from her seat and walked to the audition spot.