Jiang Ling browsed the mixed reviews from the online audience for Jiang Yuyan, feeling relieved.
Humans are complex, possessing both strengths and weaknesses.
Nothing in this world is perfect, no one is without flaws.
Being too perfect can feel somewhat unreal.
Therefore, compared to a flawless character like Empress Chun Yuan, she preferred playing complex characters such as Jiang Yuyan, Wang Xifeng, and Li Shengnan.
The latter half of "The Little Fisherman and the Handsome Man" had almost become Jiang Yuyan's solo stage.
If the character failed to establish herself early on, if her persona collapsed, and the audience abandoned the show, any good performance later would be in vain.
Jiang Ling was not afraid of the character being criticized; on the contrary, she hoped for more and more controversy.
Jiang Yuyan replaced her sister Jiang Yufeng in entering the palace, successfully becoming the old emperor's favored concubine. She leveled up like in a game, thriving in the harem and basking in immense favor.
Through her schemes for favor, not only did she outshine all other concubines, but she also manipulated the formidable villainous eunuch Liu Xi, whom even the protagonists couldn't handle, with ease.
As the plot progressed, the audience gradually began to feel the charm of the character Jiang Yuyan.
Compared to the typical naive and sweet female leads, this beautiful, strong, yet tragic, and cunning vixen was undoubtedly more popular.
What further surprised the audience was that after Jiang Yuyan's descent into darkness, she didn't resort to smoky eye makeup or dark, poisoned lips like other characters when they turned villainous.
Her makeup remained as delicate and charming as ever. When she wore the favored concubine's luxurious robes, there wasn't a trace of nouveau riche vulgarity; instead, it enhanced her elegance, nobility, and stunning beauty.
Upon seeing this, the audience felt immensely satisfied. Their previous dislike for Jiang Yuyan killing her own sister gradually turned into admiration.
"The plot today is truly brilliant!"
"Indeed, I thought the show would be over after the little fairy died, but I didn't expect such a huge surprise later!"
"My Lingling is truly a top-tier star. Her acting is incredible, she embodies every role. With the same face, she portrays Jiang Yuyan as Jiang Yuyan, and the little fairy as the little fairy. It's amazing!"
"Liu Xi, that damned eunuch, how dare he kill the little fairy? Consort Yan, please torment him to death!"
"Yes, torment him to death, torment him mercilessly!"
The audience universally agreed that Jiang Yuyan's scenes were exhilarating to watch.
Especially in recent times, with several melodramatic, wealthy, abusive romance dramas.
In those shows, the female leads were constantly tormented, making viewers' heads spin, their blood pressure soar, and their desire to smash the television.
Jiang Yuyan's appearance was like a blood pressure-lowering medication, bringing comfort to the audience's body and mind.
The only regret was that Jiang Yuyan was a villain.
If she had been positioned as the protagonist, this drama would have been legendary, a truly divine series with a Douban score of over nine.
Jiang Ling smiled faintly at the audience's comments, thinking, "This is just the beginning; the truly exhilarating parts are yet to come."
Having successfully defeated the other imperial concubines and become the emperor's sole favorite, Jiang Yuyan now had the leverage to pursue her ambitions.
First, power. She faked a pregnancy using medication, claiming to be carrying the emperor's heir. Then, she stole Tie Xinlan's son, passing him off as her own and having the old emperor designate him as the crown prince. Naturally, she, as the crown prince's mother, would gain status through her son.
Second, she would eliminate anyone who obstructed her path to the pinnacle of power.
To control the great eunuch Liu Xi, she first collaborated with Xiao Yuer and others to plot his demise.