My Mother-in-Law and I Became the Internet’s Hottest Power Couple

【Xie Zheng really has it rough, assigned to play a eunuch hahaha】

Zhang Tian monitored the livestream’s popularity. Aside from Shen Xingyao’s, the production team also had Aunt Zhao and Du Wanzhou start another one.

Shen Xingyao’s livestream had the highest viewership, reaching over 26 million.

This number sounded almost unbelievable. There were plenty of streamers on platforms like Doumao—take the gaming section, for example. The more popular ones might hit three million in popularity, but actual concurrent viewers would only number in the tens of thousands.

26 million meant roughly three million people were actively watching the stream.

Fans of the cast were tuning in, along with many casual viewers.

The eight participants quickly familiarized themselves with the script. In this scene, Consort Chu had been framed for harming the imperial heir and banished to the cold palace. But three months later, the deposed Consort Chu suffered a miscarriage in the cold palace—unaware she had even been pregnant.

Consort Chu managed to see the emperor once, tearfully pleading for him to uncover the truth and avenge her lost child.

Empress Zhang presided securely over the harem, the Empress Dowager devoted herself to Buddhist prayers in the temple, Consort Shen enjoyed the emperor’s deepest favor, and Consort Liang frequently clashed with Consort Shen but always ended up the worse for it.

If this were an actual drama shoot, it would be a single-take performance—no retakes, even if someone broke character or stumbled.

【No idea how long this will last, but I can say it’s a visual feast】

【You can always trust Yu Wanqiu】

【You can always trust Chu Lingnan】

【Someone let me know when they start calling her "Empress Mother"!】

【Lu Yicheng will thank me for this】

【Why hasn’t lyc joined the livestream yet? Jiang Lan’s calm, but Xie Zheng’s sweating】

【Stop bullying Xie Zheng, I’m his fan boohoo hahaha】

Half an hour flew by. Jiang Lan was playing the emperor, flanked by the dignified and stunning Empress, the sweet and charming Consort Shen, and the dangerously alluring Consort Liang. Even the Empress Dowager was a peerless beauty—well, except for the deposed Consort Chu, who was… less than ideal.

All in all, Jiang Lan was having a fantastic time as emperor!

Once time was up, Zhang Tian had everyone take their positions. He narrated the setup: “In the third year of Jinghe, Emperor Anping had finally consolidated his rule. His ministers urged him to name a crown prince, but the Eldest Prince had died young, and the Second Prince had passed away three months prior. The one accused of harming the Second Prince had already been confined to the cold palace. Emperor Anping wished to appoint an heir, yet he had no sons left. He’d thought banishing Consort Chu would restore peace to the harem, but…”

This was Chen Shuyun’s line. A young palace maid rushed in, panicked: “Your Majesty, terrible news—Consort Chu has miscarried in the cold palace!”

Jiang Lan acted shocked. “A miscarriage? How could Consort Chu have been pregnant…?”

The Second Prince had just died. If Consort Chu truly had harmed him, why would she risk her own pregnancy to incriminate herself?

“Let’s go. To the Cold Palace.”

Zhang Tian continued: “Emperor Anping arrived at the Cold Palace. It was autumn, and the place seemed desolate. Only one maidservant attended to Consort Chu, who lay emaciated on the bed, her eyes closed, her condition uncertain.”

The maid clung to the emperor like a lifeline. “Your Majesty, you’ve come at last! My lady… she’s not well…”

Emperor Jiang asked, “What did the imperial physicians say?”

Your Majesty, when I went to summon them, none would come once they heard it was for the Cold Palace. My lady, she…

“Xiao Xiezi! Fetch the physicians at once!”

Xie Zheng didn’t even wait for his cue before scrambling off to summon them.

“The emperor sat by the bed, taking Consort Chu’s hand. The woman before him was gaunt, her face pale, as though she might slip away at any moment. Sensing his presence, she slowly opened her eyes…”

【Oh my god, I can’t—I’m dying of laughter. “Gaunt, pale, on the verge of death”… what part of that describes Chu Lingnan??】

【Now I get why casting needs to match the role】

【This is a complete mismatch】

【Ugh, the suspense! When do we meet the Empress Dowager? Is there a fast-forward button?】

But soon, the bullet comments shifted in tone.

【Holy ****! Is this what an award-winning actor’s performance looks like?】

【No way】

【Chu Lingnan isn’t even looking at the script】

Chu Lingnan’s voice trembled, tears welling in his eyes. “Your Majesty… you’ve finally come…”

The tears fell in earnest—large, unscripted drops.

His expression held grief, anguish, the fear of being forsaken, and yet… a quiet resolve to face death with dignity.

The fixed camera angle kept some distance, so the details weren’t crystal clear.

But the emotions were unmistakable.

A great actor isn’t just defined by their role, but by how they deliver their lines.

None of the six present had ever relied on dubbing. For Chu Lingnan—a man—to deliver such lines with heartbreaking conviction, wrenching the audience’s hearts, was a testament to his skill.

Even Jiang Lan felt guilty for earlier disdain for his “consort’s” rugged appearance. This was a soul in torment. “You’ve suffered.”

Chen Shuyun, playing the maid, held her own—her performance distinct from the others’.

Zhang Tian: “The physicians arrived, diagnosing Consort Chu. They declared she would never bear children again.”

Chu Lingnan wept openly. “I beg Your Majesty… to grant me justice. I swear upon my lost child—if I harmed the Second Prince, may I be condemned to the Avīci Hell for eternity, never to be reborn. I, too, am a mother. I would never… Though I can never have another child, I cannot stand by while others’ children are harmed by vile schemers. I beg Your Majesty… act!”

This long monologue was delivered without a single glance at the script. Through tears, his gaze was steely—if the emperor refused, she’d dash her head against the walls.

Jiang Lan was deeply moved.

A “male mother,” grieving his child—how devastating.

Jiang Lan declared, “Consort Chu, set your heart at ease. I will see justice done. Xiao Xiezi, summon the Empress and Consorts Shen and Liang. And bring the Empress Dowager back from the palace outskirts.”

Chen Shuyun, as a messenger, informed the Empress Dowager—currently chanting sutras—of the crisis.

The Empress Dowager sighed. “Such trifles, and yet I must intervene.”

The maid pressed, “The loss of a prince weighs heavily on His Majesty. The palace—the entire realm—relies on your wisdom.”

Empress Dowager: “The Empress should handle this in my stead. Very well. We return.”

Yu Wanqiu’s voice had transformed—older, measured, layered with the weariness of decades.

Actors often adapt their voices to fit roles, though some with distinctive natural tones resort to dubbing.

Others simply lack the vocal skill and have no choice.

But Yu Wanqiu was different. Every word was crisp, regal. She didn’t need to move—her presence alone commanded respect.

Zhang Tian: “The Empress Dowager was en route, but the Empress, Consort Shen, and Consort Liang arrived first. Consort Shen entered in tears, pleading for the emperor’s ear.”

Consort Shen cried, “Your Majesty, how can her oath be trusted? Who knows if such vows hold weight beyond the grave? I suspect she lost the child herself, just to escape the cold palace. My heart… it aches too deeply…”

Jiang Lan: “Beloved, don’t weep so. You shatter my heart.”

"Elder Sister need not speak this way. If Consort Chu truly harmed the Second Prince, wouldn't keeping the child be more advantageous? With the Emperor having no heirs, as long as the child is born—whether a son or daughter—it would be the only child in the imperial harem." Consort Liang's voice was indifferent. "To me, it seems someone deliberately used their own child as a pawn, unable to bear others' happiness."

Jiang Lan had no interest in watching beauties quarrel. "Consort, you should also speak less."

Consort Liang tossed a flirtatious glance. "Your Majesty~"

Consort Shen, who had been weeping like a pear blossom bathed in rain, suddenly sharpened her tone. "You wretch! How dare you repeat such words!"

Empress Zhang intervened at this moment. "Enough! This Empress has already sent people to inspect Consort Chu's food and utensils. I will not permit such incidents to recur!"

Emperor Anping declared, "Listen to the Empress!"

As the mother of the nation, the Empress naturally carried herself with dignity.

【...Jiang Lan has finally found a role she likes—surrounded by beauties, I get it.】

【Why hasn’t the Empress Dowager appeared yet??? With four green hats already, where’s my Consort Lu?】

【Zhang Lin’s acting isn’t bad. She used to play delicate, fragile women in period dramas—who knew she could pull off a role like the Empress?】

【Yu Wanqiu, Chu Lingnan, and Liang Yun aren’t just reading from the script. It’s only been half an hour—their memorization is incredible!】

【They remember not only their own lines but others’ too.】

【Jiang Lan: *sigh* Consort Chu is so pitiful, losing her child—how will she survive?】

【Yu Wanqiu as the Empress Dowager? Simply unparalleled. She’s never played this kind of role before, but she exudes such nobility and grace—no crown needed.】

【I thought Yu Wanqiu and Liang Yun didn’t get along—surprised Liang Yun is here.】

【Yao Yao, please act more! Stop doing variety shows, I beg you.】

【I initially felt bad for Consort Chu, but after seeing the comments, I just can’t take it seriously anymore.】

【Same, the comments just make me laugh hysterically.】

【Chu Lingnan truly has no inhibitions.】

【No ‘male mommies’ please.】

The script was a rough draft, with many lines written simply, and some improvised by the actors.

Jiang Lan’s Emperor Anping was a fool, torn between his most favored consort and Consort Chu, who had just lost her child.

Chu Lingnan whimpered, "Your Majesty, this concubine knows she holds no place in your heart... but that was still your child."

"And was the Second Prince not your child as well? Since his death, this concubine has wept daily, heartbroken, wishing to follow him to the grave."

Jiang Lan: "Consort, your tears pain Us. Wipe them away."

Shen Xingyao cried so delicately, evoking pity.

Consort Liang watched the drama unfold. "What really happened? Has Her Majesty the Empress uncovered nothing? If I were in your place, I’d be too ashamed to remain Empress after such a scandal."

Jiang Lan nearly blurted, "Stop fighting over Us!"

Chu Lingnan radiated maternal sorrow. "Whoever killed my child will pay with their life. Your Majesty favors Consort Shen only because this lowly one is ugly and coarse—*sobs*."

"Consort, you’ve suffered. We will clear your name!"

Consort Shen retorted, "If she was innocent, why speak only now? She only wants to escape the cold palace! Your Majesty, she harmed our child first—even if hers died, it was retribution!"

"Indeed, Consort, you’ve also suffered. We will avenge our child."

Chen Shuyun timely announced, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Finally, the Empress Dowager made her entrance.

The assembly bowed. Emperor Anping greeted, "May Mother Empress be at peace."

Yu Wanqiu responded coldly, her voice stern. "Empress, is this how you manage the harem?"

"This unworthy one admits fault," Empress Zhang lowered her head. "I have failed."

Yu Wanqiu asked, "Was there anything amiss in Consort Chu’s meals?"

The eunuch Xiao Xie reported, "Your Majesties, the servant who delivered the food drowned herself. The imperial physicians confirmed the food was poisoned."

With the trail gone, Consort Chu knelt. "I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly. Had I not been pregnant, it would have been my corpse today!"

Consort Shen wailed louder. "Did you poison yourself to play the victim? Your Majesty, was Consort Chu even pregnant? I refuse to believe it!"

The Empress Dowager motioned for a maid to seat her, calmly observing each person’s expression.

Jiang Lan panicked—her script didn’t cover this. Could Consort Chu have orchestrated it?

Over an hour had passed. Yu Wanqiu tapped her thermos, signaling Jiang Lan to drink.

Jiang Lan, having nearly forgotten her menstrual pains, whispered, "Many thanks for Mother Empress’s kindness."

Chu Lingnan grew frantic. "The imperial physicians confirmed my miscarriage—how could it be false? Your Majesty, just execute me! This concubine cannot go on—*sobs*."

The least likely suspect was Consort Liang, then the Empress. Consort Shen, resentful of the Emperor’s judgment, had the strongest motive.

But if Consort Chu hadn’t harmed the Second Prince, why stay silent earlier?

Was she unable—or afraid—to speak?

And who stood to gain the most from the lost child?

Jiang Lan’s head spun.

The Empress Dowager declared, "The Second Prince’s death requires further investigation. Confine all kitchen staff. Scrutinize the dead maid’s family and associates."

"Empress Zhang."

Empress Zhang: "Mother Empress..."

"Your negligence allowed this disaster. I hereby revoke your authority over the harem." The Empress Dowager asked, "Do you object?"

Empress Zhang bowed deeper. "...This unworthy one does not."

The Empress Dowager continued, "Consort Chu is too weak to move. Let her recuperate here. Consort Shen is confined for three months, Consort Liang for two."

"Your Majesty."

Jiang Lan straightened. "What does Mother Empress command?"

"Your consorts are in disarray because of your favoritism. Since you dote on that Lu woman, she shall not enter the palace."

Jiang Lan: "????"

Lady Lu? Which Lady Lu? The script never mentioned her!

【No! Lady Lu must enter the palace!】

【Yes, Lady Lu must come! Next plot point: she enters, becomes Noble Consort, outshining all beauties—the Emperor’s favor rests on her alone!】