Chapter 165: Starting the Selection of the Female Lead

The grand chorus launched by the Han Song and Dance Troupe, with its uplifting, forward‑moving melody and inspiring lyrics, quickly spread throughout the Han and achieved unprecedented success.

At the same time, the announcement that the National Drama Troupe's White‑Haired Girl was casting a female lead across the whole Han territory spread, and the entire Han instantly erupted.

The audition was set up in a spacious martial arts field, with colorful flags fluttering all around, and those who came to sign up lined up from the field's gate all the way out to several streets.

The venue was filled with a clamor of voices; noisy chatter, discussion, and the sounds of talent displays intertwined.

The staff in charge of the audition were overwhelmed, shuttling through the crowd, carefully observing each applicant's performance and noting those with potential.

This audition was not merely an actor‑selection event; it was more like a mass‑participation celebration, highlighting the Han people's eager anticipation for the play White‑Haired Girl.

The audition site for White‑Haired Girl was bustling extraordinarily; upon hearing the news, Shi Liangdi felt a strong desire well up inside her.

The story of Xi'er in the script moved her deeply.

Inside the palace, Shi Liangdi stood before a bronze mirror, her fingers lightly stroking her now luxurious garments, while her thoughts drifted back to those years of poverty.

She came from a poor family and had struggled to survive in hardship since childhood.

Her family's dilapidated thatched hut swayed in the wind and rain, on the verge of collapse; they often went hungry, and to make a living she, still a child, followed her parents back and forth, tasting all the hardships of life.

Those days shrouded in poverty are memories she can never forget, and they gave her a deep understanding of the world's suffering.

When she heard the story of the play White‑Haired Girl, it seemed as if she saw her own past self.

Xi'er's ordeal—being exploited by the landlord and driven to desperation—was all too familiar to her.

This play is not just a story; it is a true portrayal of countless poor people like Shi Liangdi once was.

She hoped that by participating in this play she could present these neglected sufferings before the public, so more people would understand the hardships of the common folk.

And in her heart there was an even more important reason.

Since marrying Liu Ju, although she resided in the palace and enjoyed wealth and honor, deep down she always felt an intangible distance between herself and Liu Ju.

As the Son of Heaven, Liu Ju bore the heavy responsibility of governing the nation and benefiting the people, and Shi Liangdi also wished to share his burden.

She believed that if she could successfully portray Xi'er in White‑Haired Girl, and through her performance let the play spread widely, it would draw more attention to people's livelihood issues, undoubtedly helping Liu Ju promote his people‑centered ideals and win him greater popular support for his future governance.

Shi Liangdi secretly made up her mind: she must seize this audition opportunity.

She wanted to prove to Liu Ju that, although she came from a poor background, she also possessed a tenacious will and extraordinary ability.

She believed that, thanks to her deep understanding of the role, she could certainly portray Xi'er to the fullest, adding a brick and tile to Liu Ju's endeavors and also finding her own worth in this relationship and palace life.

Holding this conviction, she resolutely concealed her plan from Liu Ju, made a quick disguise, and headed to the White‑Haired Girl audition.

Shi Liangdi stood nervously in the line, her heart pounding.

She kept glancing left and right, fearful that someone would recognize her identity.

Those around her were eagerly discussing the role, while she merely listened silently, the image of Xi'er constantly surfacing in her mind as she secretly pondered how to portray it.

At last it was her turn; she took a deep breath, stepped forward, and began to display her talent.

At the audition site, Shi Liangdi, carrying nervousness and expectation, walked steadily onto the stage.

She wore a simple yet clean cloth garment, lacking ornate decoration, yet it could not hide the unique aura emanating from her.

Facing the judges below, she slightly bowed, her voice clear and firm: "Honored officials, this common woman has come today to compete for the role of Xi'er in White‑Haired Girl."

Having spoken, she gently closed her eyes, adjusted her breathing, as if instantly transported to the suffering world of White‑Haired Girl.

When she opened her eyes again, they were full of Xi'er's resilience and purity.

She began to narrate Xi'er's story, her voice rising and falling with the plot—at times indignant, recounting the tragic plight of Yang Dalang's family oppressed by Lu Batian;

at times steadfast, displaying Xi'er's unyielding fighting spirit in the face of adversity.

When she reached the moving part, her eye sockets reddened, tears swirling within but she stubbornly refused to let them fall, thus portraying Xi'er's inner pain and tenacity in exquisite detail.

Afterward, the talent demonstration segment began.

Shi Liangdi opened her voice and sang a self‑composed little melody, its tune rich with folk flavor, simple yet full of deep feeling.

Her singing flowed like a mountain spring, streaming into every heart present, making one seem to see Xi'er laboring in the mountains and struggling in adversity.

Her voice was clear and infectious, the high notes graceful and lingering, the low notes rich and deep, each note precisely conveying Xi'er's emotions.

During the performance, her bodily movements were also spot‑on.

At times she clenched her fists, showing Xi'er's unwillingness to accept fate; at times she lightly swayed her posture, displaying Xi'er's liveliness and agility in the mountains.

Her gaze remained focused and resolute, perfectly matching her voice and movements, vividly bringing the character of Xi'er before everyone.

The judges below initially regarded her with scrutiny, but as Shi Liangdi's performance improved, their gazes gradually changed.

One judge leaned forward slightly, his eyes full of praise;

Liu Xijun, one of the judges, unconsciously nodded and whispered to Sima Qian beside her: "This woman's performance is full of genuine feeling; her understanding of the role of Xi'er is profoundly deep—rare indeed."

Sima Qian kept nodding.

Another judge slammed the case and exclaimed: "This woman—whether in voice, acting, or interpretation of the role—is top‑notch; she is truly the best choice for playing Xi'er."

When Shi Liangdi's performance ended, the audience below burst into enthusiastic applause.

After a brief discussion, the judges unanimously agreed to give her a very high rating, recognizing that she had successfully qualified for the candidate list for the role of Xi'er in White‑Haired Girl.

Upon learning the result, Shi Liangdi's eyes glittered with excited tears; she again bowed to the judges in thanks, her heart full of anticipation for the future path of performance.

However, just as she finished her performance, full of anticipation, she suddenly felt a stir, lifted her head, and saw Liu Ju looking her way.

Her face instantly turned pale; she flusteredly lowered her head, trying to avoid Liu Ju's gaze, inwardly chastising herself: "Oh no, how could I be so foolish, sneaking out to join the audition—if His Majesty blames me for showing off, what can I do?"

Her palms broke out in a cold sweat, and her body trembled slightly.

Shortly afterward, Shi Liangdi all but fled the scene; as soon as she returned to her quarters, Liu Ju blocked her path.

Liu Ju walked over to her with a smile, his gaze resting on her.

Shi Liangdi slowly raised her head, timidly looking at Liu Ju, and whispered: "Your Majesty, I… I was momentarily impulsive, wanting to try this audition; I know my conduct was improper, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Seeing her nervous, fearful expression, Liu Ju couldn't help but smile and said softly: "Madam, there's no need to panic; I understand your love for performance. The story of White‑Haired Girl is of extraordinary significance—if you truly like it and wish to try playing Xi'er, I support you."

Hearing Liu Ju's words, Shi Liangdi's eyes filled with surprise and gratitude, and her eye sockets instantly moistened.

She excitedly threw herself into Liu Ju's arms, speaking emotionally: "Your Majesty, your benevolence and kindness are boundless; you understand my choice, and I am endlessly grateful. I will surely give my all and not betray your trust."

Liu Ju reached out and helped her up, smiling as he encouraged: "Go ahead, boldly show yourself; I believe you can portray a different Xi'er."

Shi Liangdi stood up, her heart filled with power, and she looked forward to the next round of selection.