At the end of August, the summer movie season is about to come to a spectacular close.
Although "The Legend of Zhaohua" started off well, its purely tragic plot was no longer suitable for today's fast-paced TV viewers, and it began to show signs of fatigue in the later episodes. However, fortunately, it was [N O V E L I G H T] produced by a large and established company with a strong foundation, and had the support of the main characters' fans, so the viewership numbers were still respectable.
On this particular day, a video editor on Bilibili once again displayed his genius for creating crossovers, managing to edit together the two female leads from "The Legend of Zhaohua" and "The Imperial Decree" to create an "if" story of sisters navigating the harem together.
In the video, Yu Xuezheng plays a woman who suffers endless torment, struggling to survive in the deep palace. Pan Yuerou plays An Lanyue, who, in order to avenge Yu Xuezheng, levels up and fights her way through palace intrigue, using her strategies to defeat all those who bullied Yu Xuezheng. In the end, the two sisters join forces to kill the emperor, rule from behind the curtain, and seize control of the imperial power...
No one knows how this content creator pieced together all sorts of random materials and managed to edit them into a relatively complete story. But as soon as the video was released, it ignited the enthusiasm of the audience.
【It's "The Imperial Decree"! I highly recommend "The Imperial Decree"! Although the overall quality isn't as good as "The Legend of Zhaohua," and the actors are newcomers, the plot is really good, and the actors' performances are quite good. It was so enjoyable to watch it all in one go.】
【Haha, so everyone's watching "The Imperial Decree"? I thought it was a niche thing...】
【What nonsense are you talking about? "The Imperial Decree" is incredibly popular! Almost everyone I know is watching it!】
【I'm currently watching both "The Legend of Zhaohua" and "The Imperial Decree" at the same time!】
【Isn't "The Imperial Decree" popular? It's just that the promotion wasn't good enough! I was so anxious! It's all thanks to us fans recommending it everywhere that it's really good! An Lanyue deserves it!】
The two female leads from "The Imperial Decree" and "The Legend of Zhaohua" are surprisingly well-matched! I love it! Best friends should team up to kill that scoundrel emperor!
The female leads from two TV dramas were edited into the same scene without any sense of incongruity. This led many casual viewers to not even know that these were two different works. They jumped around in the comments section, asking for the names everywhere, just wanting to see this kind of exciting drama about sisters in the deep palace joining forces to fight for power.
Then, when they found out that these were two TV series, everyone's hearts were shattered.
The story was relatively happy ending there. Both "The Legend of Zhaohua" and "The Imperial Decree" gained new attention, and many similar edited videos appeared on Bilibili. More people started recommending these two works, resulting in a win-win situation for everyone.
However, with one big-budget production and the other a low-budget one, and both competing simultaneously, there are many who are unhappy with the situation. Under these videos, there are those praising and recommending them, and naturally, there are those who disapprove.
【Which karaoke bar is "The Imperial Decree" from? Can't they stop piggybacking on my fame?】
【Let's take Xuezheng away! Xuezheng is beautiful on her own, no less popular celebrities please.】
【I'm speechless. Can't you please stop hiring paid trolls for "The Imperial Decree"? Don't you find the comments section full of bots hilarious?】
【Please, 【that studio】, refrain from making comparisons or engaging in any moon-themed publicity stunts.】
【I used to quite like "The Legend of Empress Yi Ming," but it's a bit much that you guys are suddenly trying to piggyback on "The Legend of Zhao Hua."】
【The Legend of Zhaohua is a realistic drama that truthfully reflects the oppression of women in feudal dynasties! The Imperial Decree is just a mindless, pointless drama with no substance whatsoever; please don't even try to associate yourself with it.】
...
In the blink of an eye, the comment sections of these videos were flooded with fans.
The content creator, who originally just wanted to edit a video based on her own imagination and had no intention of criticizing anyone, was dumbfounded.
【I was simply editing a video based on my own creative ideas. I had no malicious intent. If it offends anyone, I will delete the video. I'm very sorry, and I didn't expect it to turn out this way.】
So while passersby were still admiring the two beautiful women appreciating each other and growing together, the fans had already started arguing.
This whole thing is pretty baffling. Even casual observers can't understand why people can't just watch both shows instead of arguing like this.
At that very moment, the content creators in Bilibili's comment section launched a new offensive.
Tiger, wearing a hood, began his scathing critique.
"Family members, have you watched 'The Legend of Zhaohua' recently? If you haven't, then please don't watch the full episodes. Just watch the clips on Bilibili and appreciate the beauty of the older sister. Otherwise, I'm worried you'll die from watching it."
Tiger clutched his chest.
"This is the first time I've ever watched a drama where the female lead wasn't even angry yet, but I was already so angry that my chest felt tight and my vision went black. It's just too outrageous."
"I originally thought this drama had a pretty good style, the casting was beautiful, and the director's cinematography was also very good. But later I found out that the plot and character design were really terrible, especially the female lead. I think she shouldn't be in the harem. She should become a nun, be without desires, and be peaceful. Maybe by the time the drama ends, she will have already been able to refine a relic."
Tiger began to launch into a long and detailed accusation against the plot of the show.
"I thought I'd just have to put up with it, but what happened? After 16 episodes, the female lead finally gets rid of the empress's maid?! Screenwriter, come out here! Do you even know the female lead's family background? You've kept me waiting for 16 episodes, and this is the worst part? It wasn't even as satisfying as the first episode of 'The Empress's Decree,' where they've already changed several bosses, and you're still stuck on the maid? You guys are really going to drive me crazy—"
With Tiger's first rant video, rants about "The Legend of Zhaohua" sprang up on various platforms like mushrooms after rain.
Many people who watched the video resonated with it.
【It's really awful, incredibly stupid, and I was so angry after watching it.】
【Yeah, "The Legend of Zhaohua" is really bad, but I've seen good reviews online, so I don't dare say anything. I thought everyone was so tolerant.】
【Haha, no, I actually only watched it for Yu Xuezheng's looks. The plot isn't worth watching closely at all. On the contrary, I think the edited video on Bilibili is really good, better than the actual show.】
【In the past, I might have enjoyed watching tragic dramas like "The Legend of Zhaohua," but now, I just want something satisfying. Anyone who dares to challenge you gets their revenge, and any enemy is met with vengeance. In a harem where everyone is ruthless and can devour each other, you expect people to be loving and affectionate? I'd laugh in exasperation.】
【My friend is a fan of Yu Xuezheng, and she has to help check the data every day. She's almost become depressed from it all. Luckily, "The Imperial Decree" gives her a break and helps her relax, otherwise I really doubt she could keep up with the data.】
【Is this yourself as your friend?】
【To be honest, my roommate also has a requirement to boost her viewership in the fan group. She keeps one phone on silent playing "The Legend of Zhaohua" and the other tablet playing "The Imperial Decree." She doesn't dare mention in the group that she's watching "The Imperial Decree."】
【Haha, wait, so you fans have mandatory tasks? I'm dying of laughter.】
【Yes, these kinds of dramas usually have fan groups that force viewers to complete tasks. One of the artists I followed had a major fan group that required everyone to use at least seven accounts to continuously boost view counts and related data 24/7. I was stunned, wondering if I'd joined some kind of organization, so I ran away overnight. But I was still posted in the internal announcements, accused of being a rival fan, and other fans almost destroyed my alternate account that I was following the idol on.】
【???】
The original "Legend of Zhaohua" already had many problems, and now this incident has brought more and more bystanders into the fray, shattering the beautiful illusion created by the fans.
However, what fans don't know is that there were actually signs of this all along.
They only saw the success and advertising revenue of "The Legend of Zhaohua" when it aired, but they failed to notice that as more and more episodes of "The Legend of Zhaohua" were broadcast, a large number of advertisers were gradually withdrawing from the show.
These advertisers always come running as soon as they smell something.
If the later data for "The Legend of Zhaohua" was really good, then why did all these advertisers run away?
There is only one truth—
"There are more advertisers today."
Xiao He received a call from Liu Rulan, and his expression was slightly wistful.
"Yes, based on the current situation, we have now started to make a profit."
Although the platform takes the lion's share of the advertisers' money, the studios still get a considerable amount.
In fact, not long after "Royal Destiny" aired, the studio's funds began to slowly return.
Every advertiser is a profit-generating project for them now. If they develop derivative products later, then a steady stream of funds will flow into their studios.
With just one drama, "The Imperial Decree," the studio's revenue has increased several times compared to last year!
No wonder everyone wants to be a capitalist or an investor. If a project becomes a huge success and makes a lot of money, then it's truly very profitable.
Xiao He estimated his income and for the first time had a profound realization that he was already a wealthy man.
"Oh, right, Lao Ma should contact you later too. I've already seen him post several updates on his WeChat Moments today," Liu Rulan said.
Besides Linghui Studio, the main investors this time are Ma Qianyou's personal investments. After all, no matter how much you try to save money on palace dramas, the investment required is not a small amount, and Linghui Studio alone simply cannot afford it.
So Xiao He and Liu Rulan took this opportunity to bring Ma Qianyou into their group, and at the same time, exploited his labor, making him participate in the production of "The Imperial Decree".
However, it is unclear whether Ma Qianyou was genuinely superstitious about the fortune teller's words or believed the empty promises made by Xiao He and his group, and actually poured most of his wealth into supporting "The Imperial Decree".
And lo and behold, the master was right! Ma Qianyou will indeed make a lot of money this year.
Now, besides the "glutton" on the platform who gets the most money, the other person who makes the most money is Ma Qianyou, the biggest investor.
After learning the general situation from Liu Rulan, Xiao He hung up the phone and, as expected, received a call from Ma Qianyou.
The moment the connection was established, Ma Qianyou excitedly thanked Xiao He.
"Xiao Xiao, you really are my benefactor! Does your studio need investment? I, Old Ma, am sticking with you from now on!"
