Film and Television: The Villain's Life Begins with Joy of Life

Fan Xian raised an eyebrow and asked Guo Baokun about the rules of the poetry contest.

After hearing this, he chuckled lightly: "A poem every ten steps? That's unnecessary!"

He walked straight to the table, lifted his robe, sat down with an imposing air, pressed the inkstone heavily onto the Xuan paper, pondered for a moment, then raised his wrist and wielded the brush, his strokes flowing like dragons and snakes.

Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, as if he had everything under control, Li Hongcheng couldn't help but step forward and lean closer to take a closer look.

At first glance, the handwriting was messy and illegible, like the handwriting of a child; upon closer inspection, it was even worse than it appeared at first glance.

A hint of disdain flashed across his eyes, but when Fan Xian wrote the first sentence and recognized the handwriting, his gaze sharpened.

He involuntarily murmured, "The wind is fierce, the sky is high... the apes howl mournfully..."

This single sentence, just seven characters, is like the clouds parting to reveal the moon, suddenly broadening the artistic conception.

Li Hongcheng pursed his lips, and the expressions of the others changed upon hearing this.

Some of the talented men who had looked down on him because he called himself a country bumpkin and because of his few inexplicable fragments of poetry immediately stopped mocking him. Several others couldn't contain their curiosity and rushed over to surround him.

"The shore is clear... the white sand and birds fly back."

Fan Ruoruo stood behind Fan Xian and softly recited the second sentence, her voice gentle and clear, echoing throughout the hall.

More talented men exchanged glances, then, disregarding all decorum, crowded around him.

"Endless falling leaves rustle down."

"The endless Yangtze River rolls on."

With two more lines written by Fan Xian, by this point, apart from Zhou Cheng, no one in the hall could sit still.

Fan Xian was surrounded by layers upon layers of talented scholars from the poetry gathering. For a time, the only sound in the hall was the unison recitation of the scholars' poems.

Li Hongcheng looked astonished, while Guo Baokun stood frozen in place, his expression blank, as if all his energy had been completely drained away.

When Du Fu, the Sage of Poetry, wrote "Ascending the Heights," even though it consisted of only four lines, it was already magnificent and far surpassed ordinary masterpieces.

Upon hearing this poem, Sang Wen was also unable to sit still for a long time.

She stood up, moved closer to Zhou Cheng, and leaned down to her ear to exclaim, "Young Master Fan, what a talent for poetry! With this poem, the outcome of the poetry contest is no longer in doubt."

Zhou Cheng calmly nodded: "This poem is absolutely wonderful, a masterpiece worthy of being passed down through the ages."

Sang Wen's hair ornaments swayed as she lowered her voice: "Since yesterday on the street, Compiler Guo seems to be deliberately targeting this Young Master Fan. It seems that most of the talented men at this poetry gathering... also dislike Young Master Fan."

Zhou Cheng's lips curled slightly, and he lowered his voice as well: "Guo Baokun is backed by the Crown Prince, and in reality, the Crown Prince wants to suppress Fan Xian. This poetry gathering was also orchestrated by the Crown Prince to suppress Fan Xian, but... there are others who have also used this opportunity to get involved."

As the two spoke in hushed tones, two more lines were recited from the crowd.

"A traveler often feels sorrow in autumn, even when far from home."

"A century of illness, yet he alone takes the stage."

These two lines of poetry not only depict a profound picture of the vastness of heaven and earth and the desolation of all things, but also engrave the fate of people's wandering and loneliness and their sad and melancholy feelings between the lines. It is as if an invisible pen has sculpted the desolation and weight of life's experiences against the backdrop of vast time and space.

Although Sang Wen was not good at writing poetry, his appreciation skills were quite good.

She couldn't help but exclaim in admiration again, saying to Zhou Cheng, "Young Master Fan's poetic talent is so outstanding. Does Your Highness have a fondness for talent? Why not take this opportunity to recruit him?"

Zhou Cheng chuckled and shook his head: "Fan Xian's talent is indeed extraordinary, but his poetic talent... is actually just average."

Sang Wen asked, puzzled, "Your Highness, you just said this poem was a masterpiece, so why are you saying that Young Master Fan's poetic talent is mediocre?"

At this point, Fan Xian had almost finished writing the seventh sentence.

The talented scholars were still reciting "difficulty...bitterness..." word by word.

Sang Wen watched as Zhou Chengxin picked up a cherry from the fruit plate, put it in his mouth, and mumbled, "Hardship and sorrow have turned my temples white..."

She paused slightly, and from the crowd surrounding Fan Xian came the chanting: "Hardship and sorrow have turned my temples gray—"

Her eyes widened as she looked toward Fan Xian, who was surrounded by a large crowd.

From their vantage point, they could barely see Fan Xian's figure, let alone the poems on the table.

Just as Sang Wen was wondering if he had misheard,

Zhou Cheng spat out the fruit pit and continued reciting: "In my decline, I've stopped drinking wine."

The voice was concise and clear.

Sang Wen was absolutely certain that he had heard it clearly this time.

Suddenly turning his head to look at Fan Xian, he saw that the talented scholars were still eagerly waiting for Fan Xian to put pen to paper.

"Liao...Xin..."

As Fan Xian finished writing, the scholars' voices, filled with awe and admiration, resounded: "In destitution... newly stopped... a cup of turbid wine!"

As soon as this complete seven-character regulated verse was recited, the hall fell into an instant silence.

Everyone was immersed in the desolate and profound mood of the poem, feeling melancholy and sorrowful, as if they had drunk fine wine and were intoxicated, unable to come back to their senses for a long time.

Soon, someone was the first to wake up.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"Absolutely terrible!"

"This poem is absolutely brilliant!"

Exclamations of praise rose and fell in an instant, converging into one.

Sang Wen stared blankly at the crowd erupting in praise, then turned to Zhou Cheng.

Everyone around was captivated by the lingering charm of "Ascending the Heights," and no one noticed her unusual behavior.

Sang Wenben was quick-witted, so he easily figured out the key to it.

Just as she was about to speak, Zhou Cheng raised his index finger in a shushing gesture.

She immediately understood, suppressing her surprise and doubt, she sat down sideways, leaned close to Zhou Cheng's ear, and whispered, "Your Highness...you also know this poem? Then Fan Xian also knows it...could this poem be his...?"

Zhou Cheng condensed his true energy into a line of sound: "Know it in your heart, don't make a fuss."

"But..." Sang Wen hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Fan Xian's act of plagiarizing other people's poems and writings is truly despicable. Seeing everyone surrounding him and vying to praise him only made her feel even more indignant on behalf of the original poet.

She didn't understand why Zhou Cheng didn't reveal the truth and expose that guy's true colors.

However, she consistently supported everything Zhou Cheng did.

Since Zhou Cheng didn't offer an explanation, she wouldn't ask any more questions.

She nodded obediently to Zhou Cheng.

When their gaze turned back to Fan Xian, there was no longer any admiration in their eyes, only a faint disdain.

Surrounded by the crowd, Fan Xian stretched and stood up, loosening his waist and wrists, before walking to the pale-faced Guo Baokun: "Young Master Guo, it's your turn!"

Guo Baokun was at a loss, his face ashen. He wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

After Fan Xian finished speaking, he didn't look at him again.

Du Fu's poem "Ascending the Heights" is implicitly hailed as the finest seven-character regulated verse of all time. As long as his plagiarism is not exposed, he believes there is no reason for him to lose.

Of course, if someone could actually figure out the source of this, he would probably be even more excited.

As Fan Xian finished writing his poem, carrier pigeons took flight, carrying secret letters with them.

Emperor Qing, who had been paying close attention to the situation, obtained the full copy of the text immediately.

Fan Xian still had some dignity as a transmigrator, so he only became a plagiarist out of necessity. After finishing copying, he really didn't want to continue to receive everyone's flattery.

He made an excuse about having a stomachache and turned to walk towards the backyard.

Having escaped the gaze of the talented men, he swaggered around to a side hall to inspect the many talented women inside.

Besides testing Zhou Cheng, what he most hoped for at this poetry gathering was to meet the "chicken leg girl" again.

However, after searching the entire side hall, she was nowhere to be found.

Fan Xian was lost in thought. He walked out of the toilet pavilion and wandered along the path, lost in thought. Suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine as a sword light flashed towards him!

Relying on instinct, Fan Xian flipped over to dodge and exchanged another palm strike with the newcomer.

Just as they were about to launch another attack, the Second Prince Li Chengze, dressed in a blue robe and barefoot, slowly walked out from a nearby pavilion.

"Fan Xian?"

"You recognize me?"

"The Crown Prince sees you as an enemy, so naturally I will remember your name."

"And who are you?"

"you guess!"

"The Second Prince?"

"...You guessed right."

"It's just a simple deduction. To have such a skilled guard, and to speak of the Crown Prince so casually, there are very few such people in the capital. The Third Prince is still in the Yin'an Palace, so besides the Second Prince, I really can't think of anyone else."

"Young Master Fan is truly intelligent."

.......

Just as Li Chengze, who had been waiting for a long time, approached Fan Xian to try to win him over, Zhou Cheng, who had watched the excitement of the poetry gathering, saw that none of the talented scholars were in the mood to compose poems anymore, and they were all praising and commenting on the poem "Ascending the Heights". He gradually found it boring.

Perhaps the power of recommending someone to the palace was too great, because he simply tapped the table lightly with his finger, and the hall instantly fell silent.

Li Hongcheng placed Fan Xian's poem on Zhou Cheng's desk.

Zhou Cheng glanced at it.

Okay, this handwriting is way worse than his.

"Third Brother, this poem is wonderful! It's a masterpiece, enough to invigorate the literary world of our Qing Kingdom!"

Zhou Cheng glanced at him: "Although I am not good at writing poetry, I do have the ability to appreciate it. Fan Xian's poem has a profound artistic conception and strict rules of form. It is indeed impeccable and unmatched by anyone."

Having said that, he ignored the embarrassed Li Hongcheng and turned to the crowd:

"Is there anyone still interested in a poetry contest?"

In the silence, he looked at Guo Baokun again.

"Since Compiler Guo has already engaged in a poetry contest with Fan Xian, and now that Fan Xian's poem is here, will Compiler Guo still write a poem?"

Guo Baokun dared not be defiant in front of Zhou Cheng. Despite his resentment, he had no choice but to lower his head and admit defeat in front of everyone: "This humble subject... is inferior in skill."

Zhou Cheng nodded and stood up, startling Guo Baokun so much that he took a half-step back.

Zhou Cheng said, "It's good that you're willing to accept defeat. I will witness your bet, and you can settle the score yourself later. I'm getting tired of sitting here, so I'll go to the backyard to relax. Please, everyone, make yourselves at home."

When Zhou Cheng mentioned "backyard," Li Hongcheng's eyelids twitched.

Others may not know who lives in the backyard, but he knows it all.

He had to work for three parties at the same time during a poetry gathering; it must have been incredibly difficult for him!

Li Hongcheng instinctively wanted to find an excuse to stop Zhou Cheng.

As it turned out, Zhou Cheng looked at him with an expression that seemed to see right through his thoughts.

"Hongcheng, don't panic. I'm just going to the backyard to see someone and say a few words. It won't be a problem."

Li Hongcheng was shocked. He could say nothing and could only secretly pray that these gentlemen would not cause trouble at his residence.

Zhou Cheng pulled Sang Wen away from Yin'an Palace.

Just as I turned the corner of the corridor, I saw a slender figure dressed in a moon-white dress pacing back and forth, her steps hesitant.

As soon as the two appeared, the figure heard footsteps, glanced back, and instinctively tried to hide.

But Zhou Cheng's gaze had already locked onto the figure. Their eyes met, and the figure had no choice but to stop, straighten his posture, and step forward.

"Wan'er greets Third Brother."

The person who arrived was none other than Lin Wan'er.

Zhou Cheng glanced at Lin Wan'er, feigning surprise: "Why is Wan'er here? Hongcheng invited your cousin, why didn't you mention it?"

Lin Wan'er said shyly, "I came here secretly; the young master didn't know."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cheng glanced at her again, then seemed to suddenly remember something, his eyes immediately turning playful: "I understand! I understand! Cousin Wan'er came here quietly, surely to see someone. But she's avoiding others, not wanting outsiders to know... Could it be, she's here to meet her lover?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a notification sound rang in Zhou Cheng's ear:

[Lin Wan'er's negative emotions +22!]

Lin Wan'er's expression was not pleasant; she forced herself to remain calm.

"Third Brother, please don't tease me. Wan'er doesn't have any lover. Third Brother can probably guess that Wan'er came here simply to... take a look at Fan Xian!"

Zhou Cheng asked in surprise, "Fan Xian is the fiancé chosen by the Emperor for Wan'er, how can he not be considered her lover?"

[Lin Wan'er's negative emotions +233!]

Lin Wan'er took a deep breath, then coughed violently, quickly covering her mouth with a handkerchief.

After she finished coughing and had a moment to recover, she looked Zhou Cheng straight in the eyes and said seriously, "Even if His Majesty arranges the marriage, Wan'er and Fan Xian have never met, and her heart is not yet settled. I urge Third Brother to be careful with his words."

Lin Wan'er was not in good health, and Zhou Cheng did not want to tease her any further, so he could only nod and say, "Wan'er, don't be angry. It was Third Brother who misspoke."

After she finished speaking, Lin Wan'er's expression softened considerably.

Zhou Cheng then asked, "Has Wan'er seen Fan Xian since she arrived?"

Lin Wan'er calmed herself down and said, "I came here directly after entering the manor and didn't go to Yin'an Palace. Since Third Brother came from there, he must have seen Fan Xian. I wonder what Third Brother thinks of this man?"

Zhou Cheng pondered for a moment and said, "Fan Xian is indeed a good man. It's a pity that Wan'er didn't go directly to the front hall just now, and missed a good show. Just now, Fan Xian wrote a masterpiece of seven-character quatrains, and all the talented scholars in the hall applauded him in admiration."

"A masterpiece of seven-character quatrains?" Lin Wan'er exclaimed in surprise, wondering what kind of poem could deserve such praise.

She was about to ask further, but Zhou Cheng waved his hand, "For more details, Wan'er might as well go and see for herself. I need to go to the backyard to see someone now."

"...Very well, it's Wan'er who has troubled her brother."

Lin Wan'er looked slightly disappointed, then raised her eyes, her gaze pleading:

"Third Brother, please don't tell anyone about my visit! It concerns Wan'er's reputation, I beg you, Third Brother!"

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with hope.

Zhou Cheng readily agreed, nodding in consent. Lin Wan'er immediately smiled and respectfully curtsied.

After bidding farewell to Lin Wan'er, Zhou Cheng and Sang Wen continued towards the backyard.

Lin Wan'er glanced at the two figures as they walked away, then turned towards the direction of Yin'an Palace. With a determined heart, she stomped her foot and strode off.

In the backyard.

Li Chengze bluntly stated his disagreement with the Crown Prince, and even threatened to use Fan Xian's head to ease tensions with the Crown Prince.

Fan Xian didn't care at all. Even with Xie Bi'an, an eighth-rank swordsman, holding a sword to his neck, he still nonchalantly picked up a bunch of grapes from the table, casually sat down on the steps, and started eating.

Li Chengze waved for Xie Bi'an to put down his sword, and casually sat down on the steps next to Fan Xian.

"The Crown Prince will find out about our meeting sooner or later. Aren't you worried?"

"Worried? Worried about what?" Fan Xian picked a grape and put it in his mouth. "Worried that the Crown Prince will suspect I've been won over by you, the Second Prince, and thus target me? Prince Cheng is also at the residence. Shouldn't the Crown Prince be more worried about Prince Cheng being won over by the Second Prince than about me being won over?"

Mentioning Zhou Cheng, Li Chengze frowned slightly: "He's different. The third brother..."

As he hesitated, a clear voice rang out: "Third brother? Second brother wouldn't be missing his little brother, would he? Chengcheng is truly flattered!"

Li Chengze suddenly stood up, looked at the two people who had appeared, and cursed Li Hongcheng in his heart.

He put on a smiling face: "Chengcheng, why are you here instead of appreciating the fine works at the poetry gathering? I heard Hongcheng mention that you were coming to the poetry gathering to join in the fun, but you deliberately avoided this place so as not to disturb your third brother's refined enjoyment."

Zhou Cheng led Sang Wen into the courtyard: "Second Brother, you must know that Young Master Fan wrote a stunning seven-character poem at the Yin'an Hall. After the poem was completed, the entire room fell silent, and there was no longer any desire to compete or rival. Young Master Fan, the protagonist of the poetry gathering, has not returned for a long time, and I got bored waiting, so I came out for a walk. I didn't expect to see Second Brother as soon as I entered the backyard."

Li Chengze laughed heartily: "Third brother is right. The servant has already sent me a copy of Young Master Fan's poem. I must say, it is indeed a masterpiece. It was because I witnessed Young Master Fan's extraordinary talent that I couldn't help but invite him for a chat. We talked so happily that we forgot the time and the poetry gathering in the front courtyard. It's all Second brother's fault."

Zhou Cheng nodded, like an elder: "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Now that you know, Second Brother, just be more careful in the future."

[Negative emotions from Li Chengze +233!]

Li Chengze's smile was stiff, and he forced a smile, his voice seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "Third brother is still as free-spirited, outspoken, and unconventional as ever, which is quite enviable."

Zhou Cheng laughed loudly and said meaningfully, "Some things cannot be envied. If you force them, you will easily end up with a poor imitation and become a laughing stock."

Having said that, he pointed at Xie Bi'an: "Hey you over there, why don't you bring my second brother's shoes? Walking barefoot in broad daylight is unsightly. It's hardly the epitome of elegance and grace."

[Negative emotions from Li Chengze +666!]

Li Chengze's face suddenly turned ashen.

Xie Bi'an glanced at Li Chengze, then looked down at his nose and mind, as if he hadn't heard anything.

Unable to command Xie Bi'an, Zhou Cheng didn't mind. He casually broke off a small bunch of grapes from Fan Xian's hand, kept half for himself, and gave the other half to Sang Wen.

From the moment Zhou Cheng appeared, Fan Xian looked left and right, observing the exchange of witty remarks between the two without saying a word.

Seeing the two stop arguing and slowly turn their gazes toward him, Fan Xian sighed inwardly. He really didn't want to get involved in the vortex of the court, but being in the midst of it, he had no choice but to accept it.

He cleared his throat and spoke up, "It just so happens that both Your Highnesses are here. I have something I'd like to inquire about."

Li Chengze remained expressionless and nodded slightly.

Zhou Cheng joked, "Is it going to be some incomplete poem or a sequel?"

Fan Xian stood up, clutching the grapes, and waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no. This time it's not."

He then lowered his voice and asked, "Does Your Highnesses... know a young lady who loves chicken legs?"

Li Chengze was clearly stunned for a moment. He looked at Zhou Cheng, but Zhou Cheng didn't even look at him.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Fan Xian sighed.

He continued, "Do your two princes believe in love at first sight?"

"I didn't believe it before, but now I do."

"That day, I fell in love at first sight with a girl holding a chicken leg..."