As August drew to a close, the summer season was about to reach its thunderous finale.
Although *The Legend of Zhaohua* had a fiery start, its purely tragic plot was no longer well-suited for today's fast-paced TV drama audiences. By the later stages of its broadcast, a weakening trend had already emerged. Fortunately, it had a large enterprise backing it, a solid foundation, and the support of the lead actors' fans to maintain appearances, so the viewership data remained somewhat respectable.
However, on this day, a certain editing content creator on Bilibili once again showcased their genius-level "shipping" skills. They actually edited the two female leads from *The Legend of Zhaohua* and *Imperial Decree* together, creating an "if" scenario video where the sisters join forces to navigate the imperial harem.
In the video, the female lead played by Yu Xuezheng suffers endless torment, struggling to survive in the deep palace. Meanwhile, the female lead An Lanyue, played by Pan Yuerou, seeks revenge for "Yu Xuezheng." She levels up, fights her way through, orchestrates harem schemes for a comeback, and uses her strategies to defeat all those who bullied "Yu Xuezheng." In the end, the two sisters join hands, conspire to kill the emperor together, hold court from behind a screen, and seize imperial power...
No one knew how this content creator managed to piece together these seemingly random and messy clips, ultimately splicing them into a relatively complete story. But as soon as this video was released, it directly ignited the audience's enthusiasm.
[It's actually *Imperial Decree*! Highly recommend *Imperial Decree*! Although the overall production quality isn't as high as *The Legend of Zhaohua*, and the actors are newcomers, the plot is really good, and the acting isn't bad either. Binging it feels so satisfying.]
[Haha, so everyone's watching *Imperial Decree* too? I thought it was a pretty niche thing...]
[What nonsense are you talking? *Imperial Decree* is super popular! Almost everyone around me is watching it!]
[I'm currently watching both *The Legend of Zhaohua* and *Imperial Decree* at the same time!]
[*Imperial Decree* isn't popular? It's just that the promotion is lacking! I'm getting anxious for it! It's all up to us fans to promote it everywhere. It's really good! An Lanyue deserves it!]
[The two female leads from *Imperial Decree* and *The Legend of Zhaohua* are surprisingly well-matched! Love it! Good sisters should team up to kill that dog emperor!]
The female leads from the two TV dramas were edited into the same frame with no sense of dissonance at all, leading many casual viewers who didn't even know these were from two different works to jump around excitedly in the comments section, asking for the names everywhere, wanting to watch this kind of satisfying palace intrigue drama where sisters in the deep palace join forces.
Then, upon learning these were two separate TV dramas, everyone's hearts shattered into pieces.
Originally, the story could have ended quite satisfactorily here. Both *The Legend of Zhaohua* and *Imperial Decree* gained new attention. Many similar types of edited videos popped up on Bilibili, and more people started promoting both works. It seemed like a win-win situation for everyone.
However, one was a big-budget production, the other a low-cost one, and they were airing in the same period as direct competitors. People who disliked this situation were everywhere. Under these videos, alongside praise and promotion, there were naturally those who couldn't stand it—
[What kind of nobody is *Imperial Decree*? Can you stop riding on others' coattails?]
[Taking our Sister Xuezheng away! Sister Xuezheng shines alone. Please, no invites from low-tier celebrities.]
[I'm done. *Imperial Decree*, can you stop buying water armies? Don't you find these bot-like comments in your own comment section laughable?]
[Please, a certain studio, stop the comparisons and don't reach for the moon.]
[I originally quite liked *Imperial Decree*, but you suddenly starting to piggyback off *The Legend of Zhaohua* is a bit too much.]
[*The Legend of Zhaohua* is realistic! It's a drama that truly reflects the oppression of women in feudal dynasties! *Imperial Decree* is just a brainless, feel-good drama with no value or depth. Can you please not try to associate with it?]
...
In the blink of an eye, the comment sections of these videos were flooded by fans.
The content creator, who had simply edited a video based on their own brainwave without intending to disparage either side, was dumbfounded.
[I was just simply editing a video based on my own idea. I had no malicious intent. If I've caused offense, I will delete the video. I'm very sorry. I didn't expect it to turn out like this.]
And so, while casual viewers were still happily appreciating the mutual admiration and shared growth of the two beauties, the fans had already started fighting.
The whole thing was quite baffling. Casual viewers couldn't even understand why they couldn't watch both dramas and had to fight to the death.
And right at this moment, content creators in Bilibili's roasting section launched a new offensive.
The sharp-tongued Tiger Brother, wearing his headpiece, began his roast.
"Fam, have you watched *The Legend of Zhaohua* recently? If you haven't, then definitely don't watch the actual episodes. Just watch some clips on Bilibili and appreciate the sister's beauty. Otherwise, I'm worried you might die from watching it."
Tiger Brother clutched his chest.
"This is the first time I've watched a drama where I get so angry my chest feels tight and my vision goes dark *before* the female lead even gets angry. It's just too ridiculous."
"I originally thought this drama had a pretty good tone, beautiful casting, and the director's camera language was on point. But then I realized later, the plot and characterizations are like gold plating on... well, crap. It's so bad it's painful to watch. Especially that female lead. I don't think she belongs in the imperial harem; she should go become a nun. Desireless, detached, calm and peaceful. Maybe by the grand finale, she could have refined a sarira relic."
Tiger Brother began an endless tirade criticizing the drama's plot.
"I thought I'd endure it a bit longer. And then what? I endured until episode 16, and the female lead finally took down the head maid beside the Empress? Huh!? Screenwriter, come out here! Do you know what status the female lead's family has? You made me endure for 16 episodes, gave me a 'big' payoff, and in the end, it's not even as satisfying as the first episode of *Imperial Decree* next door. They've already taken down several bosses, and you guys are still stuck on a head maid? You people are really going to be the death of me—"
Following Tiger Brother's first roasting video, criticisms of *The Legend of Zhaohua* sprouted like mushrooms after rain across various platforms.
Many who watched the video resonated with it.
[It's really hard to watch, really lowers your IQ. I almost died of anger after watching it.]
[Yeah, *The Legend of Zhaohua* is really bad. But I see everyone online praising it, so I didn't dare speak up. I thought everyone else could tolerate it so well.]
[Hahaha, not at all. I actually just went for Yu Xuezheng's looks. The plot simply can't stand up to scrutiny. On the contrary, I think that edited video on Bilibili was really good, much better than the actual drama.]
[In the past, I might have loved tragic dramas like *The Legend of Zhaohua*. But now, I just want to watch something satisfying. Someone offends you? Strike back. Someone is your enemy? Settle the score without fail. A harem that devours people without spitting out the bones, and you all want to be loving and caring? I'd really laugh myself to death from anger.]
[My friend is a fan of Yu Xuezheng. She has to help monitor the data every day, and the whole person is almost watching herself into depression. Thankfully, *Imperial Decree* lets her catch her breath and lighten her mood. Otherwise, I really suspect she wouldn't be able to keep up with this data task.]
[Is this 'friend' actually you?]
[Speaking of which, my roommate also has mandatory data-brushing requirements in her fan group. She just puts *The Legend of Zhaohua* on silent on one phone and *Imperial Decree* on a tablet. She usually doesn't dare mention in the group that she's watching *Imperial Decree*.]
[Hahaha, wait, so you fans actually have mandatory tasks? I'm really dying of laughter.]
[Yes, we do. Generally, these dramas have fan groups with mandatory check-in tasks. I once followed an artist where their major fans required everyone to have at least seven accounts, brushing view counts and related data 24/7 without stopping. I was dumbfounded, suspected I'd joined some kind of organization, and ran away overnight. As a result, I was posted on their internal bulletin, accused of being a fan of the opponent, and other fans almost raided my fandom side account.]
[???]
*The Legend of Zhaohua* already had many inherent problems. Now, with this incident, more and more casual viewers joined the fray, shattering the beautiful illusion the fans had been trying to maintain.
However, what the fans didn't know was that signs of this had actually been visible for a while.
They only saw the grand spectacle and advertising data when *The Legend of Zhaohua* started airing. They failed to notice that as more episodes of *The Legend of Zhaohua* were broadcast, a large number of advertisers were gradually withdrawing from *The Legend of Zhaohua*.
These advertisers always follow the scent.
If the later-stage data for *The Legend of Zhaohua* was really that good, then why were all these advertisers running away?
The truth has only one explanation—
"The number of advertisers has increased again today."
Xiao He received Liu Rulan's call, his expression slightly thoughtful.
"Yes. Based on the current situation, we've already started making pure profit."
Although the platform takes the lion's share of the advertisers' money, the portion that reaches the studio is still a considerable sum.
In fact, not long after *Imperial Decree* started airing, the studio's funds slowly began to recover.
Now, every single advertiser is a profit item for them. If they develop some derivative products later, then a continuous stream of funds will start flowing into their studio.
Just from this one *Imperial Decree*, the studio's revenue is estimated to multiply several times over compared to last year!
No wonder everyone wants to be a capitalist, wants to be an investor. If a project becomes a big hit and makes money, it really makes a lot of money.
Xiao He roughly estimated the income and, for the first time, gained a profound understanding that he was already a wealthy person.
"Oh, right, Old Ma should contact you in a bit too. I saw him post several consecutive updates on his social media feed today," Liu Rulan said.
Apart from Linghui Studio, the main investor this time was Ma Qianyou's personal investment. After all, no matter how much you try to save on a palace intrigue drama, the required investment is not a small amount. Linghui Studio alone simply couldn't bear it.
So, Xiao He and Liu Rulan took advantage of this opportunity to bring Ma Qianyou on board, while also squeezing his labor by having him participate as the executive producer for *Imperial Decree*.
However, whether Ma Qianyou truly believed in the fortune-teller's words or trusted the big promises Xiao He and the others made, he really threw in a large portion of his assets, giving *Imperial Decree* his full support.
And guess what? The master's prediction really came true. Ma Qianyou really could make big money this year.
Now, aside from the platform—that "glutton"—taking the most money, the other person profiting the most is Ma Qianyou, the major investor.
After getting the general situation from Liu Rulan, Xiao He hung up and, sure enough, received a call from Ma Qianyou.
As soon as the call connected, Ma Qianyou excitedly thanked Xiao He—
"Xiao Xiao, you really are my lucky star! Does your studio still need investment? From now on, I, Old Ma, am sticking with you!"