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

Fan Xian froze on the spot, his expression blank, as if he were seeing the person in front of him for the first time.

Although Zhou Cheng's words were erratic and his actions unpredictable during their two previous encounters, he hadn't developed any ill feelings towards him. On the contrary, he found the other party surprisingly 'genuine,' unlike those aloof, hypocritical, and profound royal princes...

But now he realizes he was too naive.

The royal family members are all birds of a feather!

"What do you take human life for?" Fan Xian's voice was low and deep, each word seemingly suppressing his anger.

Zhou Cheng merely glanced at him sideways, offering no reply whatsoever. His disdainful gaze had already clearly conveyed the answer.

Fan Xian took a deep breath: "You sent someone to assassinate me, and you told me so openly. Aren't you afraid... I'll completely side with the Crown Prince or the Second Prince and become your enemy?"

Zhou Cheng smiled nonchalantly: "Fan Xian, Fan Xian, don't you understand? It's very difficult for me to get you to cooperate with me willingly and sincerely. But threatening and forcing you to cooperate with me... is very easy."

Fan Xian replied firmly, "Impossible! I will not be threatened by you!"

"Nothing is impossible," Zhou Cheng said leisurely. "Don't you have a younger sister named Fan Ruoruo? If I were to ask Father for her hand in marriage, and have her pregnant this year and give birth next year, would you help me, brother-in-law? Even if you wish you could kill me, are you really so willing to lay a hand on your sister's husband, your future nephew's father?"

Before Zhou Cheng could finish speaking, a surge of violent and scorching true energy suddenly erupted from Fan Xian's body!

"You—dare!!!"

The air hummed under the strain, and a powerful shockwave exploded outward from Fan Xian, causing Zhou Cheng's robes to flutter and his hair to dance wildly behind him.

Enveloped by the domineering true energy filled with killing intent, Zhou Cheng merely narrowed his eyes and made no attempt to resist.

"Fan Xian! Calm down! Don't be impulsive!" Teng Zijing was so frightened that she rushed forward and hugged Fan Xian tightly from behind.

Si Lili, who was standing to the side, was also shocked and stood up. Her face was pale, and she looked at the scene helplessly.

"You won't listen to the truth, so you want to resort to violence against me?" Zhou Cheng seemed oblivious to the almost tangible killing intent emanating from him, and even patted Fan Xian's shoulder again. "A martial arts master, huh? You think you're so great at fighting? What good is being good at fighting anyway!"

He leaned close to Fan Xian's ear: "This is the capital! Unless you're a Grandmaster, you have to consider your background. You're just the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Sinan, while I am the Prince of Cheng. Even your father, Fan Jian, has to be extremely respectful to me. If I were to ask for Fan Ruoruo's hand in marriage, your entire Fan family would probably be 'grateful.' Fan Xian, what makes you think you can play with me? Hmm?"

Fan Xian's eyes were bloodshot, and his inner energy was like a volcano about to burst forth.

For the first time in his life, he felt such an urgent and pure urge to kill someone.

However, no matter how surging his murderous intent was, his remaining rationality was doing its best to stop him.

He knew he wasn't alone; if he really threw that punch, everyone in the Fan family would be dragged into an abyss of no return.

[Negative emotions from Fan Xian: +99... +54... +11...]

The system notification in my ear indicated that the value was about to drop below double digits.

Zhou Cheng understood that Fan Xian's emotions had been pushed to their limit.

Although his anger and murderous intent remained undiminished, the amount the system needed was now negligible.

He immediately lost interest in provoking the other party.

Zhou Cheng ignored Fan Xian, who was being held down by Teng Zijing but was starting to make small moves, and turned to look at Si Lili, who was pale and whose fingers were still bleeding slightly from the wounds.

"Take good care of your injury," he said calmly. "Apply the medicine carefully and don't leave any scars. Also... remember our agreement."

Having said that, he didn't linger. He turned around and walked calmly out of the courtroom.

Just as he was about to step out the door, he suddenly stopped and turned his head slightly:

"Fan Xian, our agreement still stands. Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), at Yishi Residence, in the Tianzi private room. You can wait there. If that 'Chicken Leg Girl' is willing to see you... then you will be able to see her."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped over the threshold and walked out of Kyoto Prefecture.

Chen Quan was already waiting outside in his car.

Before getting into the car, Zhou Cheng circulated his inner energy throughout his body and casually spat towards a roadside flowerbed.

"Using poison? Child's play!"

After vomiting out all the toxins from his body, Zhou Cheng boarded the carriage. Instead of returning to the Prince Cheng's residence, he ordered, "Go to the Prime Minister's residence."

He slapped the Second Prince in public today, so he can't escape being reprimanded by the Emperor when he enters the palace. Before he's summoned to the palace, he needs to make arrangements for Fan Xian and Lin Wan'er, the "chicken leg girl."

Today, Fan Xian has been completely drained, but tomorrow... he can still squeeze him dry!

Lin Wan'er is the illegitimate daughter of the current prime minister Lin Ruofu and Princess Li Yunrui.

Shortly after her birth, Lin Ruofu and Li Yunrui parted ways.

Lin Wan'er lived with her father, Lin Ruofu, in the Prime Minister's Mansion since childhood. She only had a few opportunities a year to go to Guangxin Palace to meet Li Yunrui.

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the imposing and solemn Prime Minister's residence.

The gatekeeper, with his sharp eyes, recognized the insignia of the Prince Cheng's carriage and immediately trotted over to greet them, bowing respectfully.

Zhou Cheng got out of the car and went straight to the point: "Is my cousin Wan'er at home?"

After receiving an affirmative reply, he nodded slightly, signaling the gatekeeper to go and inform the man, while he himself stepped directly into the Lin residence.

The prime minister's residence had deep courtyards and a solemn atmosphere. Although it was not as magnificent as the imperial palace, it still exuded the refined elegance of a civil official leader.

At this hour, Lin Ruofu was still in the palace handling state affairs.

The steward of the manor respectfully led Zhou Cheng to the outer study, a room reserved for distinguished guests, to wait.

A short while later, a series of slightly hurried, light footsteps came from outside the study. Immediately afterward, before the person even arrived, a suppressed, violent coughing fit was heard first.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cheng immediately got up and left the study.

Under the eaves, Lin Wan'er was covering her mouth tightly with a handkerchief, her slender shoulders trembling violently from coughing.

"Cousin Wan'er," Zhou Cheng stepped forward, "You're not feeling well, why are you in such a hurry? It's not like you're some outsider visiting!"

Lin Wan'er finally caught her breath, took a deep breath, and then looked up at Zhou Cheng, bowing gracefully: "Wan'er greets Third Brother."

Zhou Cheng reached out a hand to help her up, saying, "Wan'er, you're being too formal. We siblings don't need to be so polite in private."

Lin Wan'er followed Zhou Cheng into the warm study and sat down on a pearwood chair with soft cushions. Upon hearing this, she said softly, "Etiquette must not be neglected. Moreover, Father and Brother are not in the manor at the moment. Wan'er is representing the Lin family to entertain guests, and I dare not be the slightest bit negligent or impolite."

Zhou Cheng shook his head helplessly and stopped insisting.

After the maid served the hot tea and left, Lin Wan'er held the warm teacup in both hands and asked softly, "I wonder what brings Third Brother to the manor to see Wan'er today?"

Zhou Cheng took a sip of tea and put down the teacup: "To be honest, I've been asked by someone to come and ask my cousin about something."

"Entrusted by someone?" A hint of doubt flashed across Lin Wan'er's eyes.

"Not bad." Zhou Cheng nodded. "Recently, I met a rather interesting... friend. He said that he once met a girl with a chicken leg in a temple on the outskirts of the capital, and fell in love with her at first sight, and still can't forget her. He told me about the girl's appearance, and when I listened... I immediately thought of my cousin Wan'er."

Lin Wan'er's eyes widened suddenly, and she froze when she heard the words "temple" and "chicken leg girl".

Meanwhile, Zhou Cheng continued, "After confirming several times that it is indeed Cousin Wan'er, he really wanted to see you again. However, I didn't know what you thought, so I didn't dare to agree rashly. That's why I came here specifically to ask what you think."

Lin Wan'er tightened her grip on the teacup.

He! He wants to see me?!

He said he fell in love with her at first sight and missed her day and night... In the past few days, I have also been tossing and turning, repeatedly reliving that brief encounter, and suffering from the torment of unrequited love.

Lin Wan'er's heart was filled with turmoil, and her expression was extremely complicated.

That man fell in love with her at first sight, and so did she. But...

Seeing Lin Wan'er's changing expression and her long silence, Zhou Cheng deliberately teased, "Wan'er doesn't want to see that person?"

"No!" Lin Wan'er blurted out subconsciously, her voice rising slightly with urgency. She then realized her mistake and blushed.

"So you want to see him?" Zhou Cheng asked with a smile.

"No...no..." Lin Wan'er lowered her head, her voice barely audible.

"Is Wan'er wanting to go, but finding it inconvenient to go?"

Lin Wan'er raised her head, looking aggrieved: "Third Brother, why ask such a question when you already know the answer? Wan'er is still engaged. Even if I wanted to go, how could I really go?"

Zhou Cheng exclaimed "Oh!" as if suddenly realizing something, and then laughed, "So Wan'er is worried about her engagement with Fan Xian. Well... you don't need to be so troubled by that."

He lowered his voice, speaking as if sharing a secret: "It's quite a coincidence. At yesterday's poetry gathering, I chatted with Fan Xian for a bit. I learned that Fan Xian already has someone he loves, and he's actually quite opposed to, even... quite dissatisfied with, this marriage arranged by my father."

He paused, watching Lin Wan'er's eyes suddenly light up, and continued, "Speaking of which, Fan Xian was quite the romantic. For the girl he admired, he actually... wrote a letter of annulment."

"A letter of annulment?!" Lin Wan'er suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with surprise, but even more so with disbelief.

"That's right." Zhou Cheng nodded affirmatively, then slowly pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over. "This is the letter of annulment written by Fan Xian himself."

Lin Wan'er took it, her hands trembling slightly, and unfolded it.

She recognized Fan Xian's handwriting at a glance.

Although she didn't see Fan Xian at the poetry gathering that day, she did see his handwritten poem "Ascending the Heights." His calligraphy was so bad it was truly unforgettable.

The characters before me, written in a scraggly, dog-like style, are exactly the same as those in my memory; they are undoubtedly Fan Xian's handwriting.

The letter of annulment was written earnestly, stating that the author already had someone he loved and did not want to delay the princess's life, and pleaded with His Majesty to rescind the decree.

After reading the end, Lin Wan'er felt a great sense of relief.

A mix of indescribable bittersweetness and relief welled up in her eyes, making her nose sting.

Zhou Cheng's voice rang out at the opportune moment, "Now, if Cousin Wan'er wants to see that 'old friend from the temple,' she shouldn't have so many reservations, right?"

Lin Wan'er rubbed her eyes, then stood up and bowed deeply to Zhou Cheng: "Thank you, Third Brother. This matter... is really... really important to Wan'er."

She paused for a moment, then said, "And...and please, Third Brother, convey Wan'er's gratitude to Young Master Fan for his kindness."

Zhou Cheng accepted the bow without hesitation and said with a smile, "If you want to see that person, go to the Tianzi private room at Yishiju tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). He will be waiting for you there. If you don't want to see him, it's fine if you don't go. I will tell him."

Lin Wan'er nodded vigorously, her heart filled with immense joy and anticipation.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked softly with girlish shyness and curiosity, "Third Brother, since you are relaying that person's message, you must know his identity... Could you tell Wan'er a little about it? So that Wan'er can... be prepared in advance."

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, almost burying itself in her chest.

Zhou Cheng chuckled and waved his hand: "That won't do. I didn't tell him your identity without permission, so naturally I can't tell you his either."

Although Lin Wan'er was a little disappointed, she also felt that Zhou Cheng's words made sense, and nodded obediently.

Seeing this, Zhou Cheng slowly added, "However... although I can't reveal your identities directly, I can give Cousin Wan'er a little hint—you two are not only a perfect match, but more importantly... you are well-matched in terms of social standing."

Lin Wan'er instantly understood the implication in Zhou Cheng's words.

Being well-matched in terms of social and economic status means that if they were to get together, they would likely encounter far fewer obstacles, at least... they wouldn't face unnecessary troubles due to a disparity in family background.

With most of her anxiety gone, Lin Wan'er's eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement for tomorrow's date.

After discussing some details of their meeting the next day with Lin Wan'er, Zhou Cheng suggested that he take the letter annulment with him.

Lin Wan'er hesitated for a moment, then tightened her grip on the paper.

Zhou Cheng patiently explained, "Wan'er, this letter of annulment is useless to you. Only by handing it over to your aunt and having her take it to see Father Emperor will there be any chance that he will rescind his order and dissolve this engagement."

He looked at Lin Wan'er and said earnestly, "I have to go to the palace later, and I can take this letter of annulment to my aunt. If all goes well, perhaps when you meet your lover tomorrow, my aunt will take this letter of annulment to plead with my father."

"Third Brother~!"

Upon hearing the words "lover," Lin Wan'er blushed deeply and gave Zhou Cheng a reproachful look.

However, her heart was filled with immense happiness and anticipation at that moment, so much so that she completely ignored the "slight possibility" mentioned in Zhou Cheng's words.

Amidst the girl's shyness, trepidation, and sweet anticipation, Zhou Cheng left the Lin residence with the letter annulment of the engagement.

The carriage had not gone far from the Lin residence, and before it reached the Prince Cheng's residence, it was stopped by a palace eunuch in a street.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has issued an imperial edict summoning you to the palace immediately for an audience in the Imperial Study."

Zhou Cheng was not surprised at all. He straightened his robes and then entered the palace.

……

The Imperial Study.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" Zhou Cheng raised his voice as soon as he entered the room and performed a proper salute.

Emperor Qing looked up from behind the mountain of memorials, his gaze sharp as lightning, and gave him a cold stare before saying irritably:

"Hmph, you Prince Cheng, you've really grown quite capable these days! You have no respect for your elders, you even dared to slap your own brother in public!"

What, you've practiced martial arts for a few years and now you think you're all grown up and no one in the world can beat you? You dared to hit Chengze today, will you dare to hit the Crown Prince tomorrow? The day after tomorrow, will you even hit me?

Zhou Cheng immediately cried out his innocence, his voice filled with grievance: "Father, please be wise! I'm innocent!"

"Injustice?" Emperor Qing slammed the vermilion pen on the table with a soft "thud." "What are you injustice about? Did Chengze slap himself on the face?!"

"Father, it was Second Brother who provoked me first!" Zhou Cheng argued logically. "If he hadn't secretly instructed Hong Cheng to take Fan Xian to Zuixianju to deliver a poem to Si Lili, intending to humiliate me, would I have acted so impulsively? It was Second Brother who tried to slap me in the face first, and I was forced to fight back in self-defense!"

"Forced to act? Self-defense? What a convenient excuse for 'forced to act'!" Emperor Qing slammed his fist on the imperial desk. "You suffered a loss in secret, so you retaliate openly? Forced to act! Where have you driven the dignity of the imperial family and the face of the emperor?!"

He stood up in anger, walked around the imperial desk, and paced back and forth in the study, the hem of his black dragon robe swaying with each step.

"It's not that I forbid you from competing or fighting! This court, this empire, is won through struggle! But there must be limits to this struggle! There must be rules! And you must be mindful of the methods!"

"How could you be so outrageous? You rushed up and slapped your brother! What kind of behavior is this? This is undermining the foundation of the nation! It's disgracing the royal family! An unforgivable crime!"

He pointed at Zhou Cheng's nose, his voice suddenly rising: "Only you had some quick wit back then, knowing to cover up the news and shut everyone up! If this matter had really spread, would you still want to be the Prince of Cheng?"

Zhou Cheng just kept his head down and didn't say anything, looking like he knew he was wrong but he just wouldn't change and he thought he was right.

After venting his anger, Emperor Qing felt powerless when he saw Zhou Cheng's stubborn and unyielding attitude, and his anger subsided somewhat.

He sighed heavily, sat back down on the large dragon throne, rubbed his temples, and spoke with a weary yet resolute tone:

"Since you established your own residence and had your own officials, you have entered and exited the palace less often. Without anyone to supervise you, and after practicing martial arts for a few days, your temperament has become increasingly wild, and you act without any scruples."

He raised his eyes and looked at Zhou Cheng: "During the temple ceremony at Mount Dadong, I said I would bestow a marriage upon you. After so long, it's time to fulfill my promise."

"Ye Ling'er is beautiful and talented, with a straightforward personality. She is the daughter of Ye Zhong, the garrison commander of the capital, and Grandmaster Ye Liuyun is her great-uncle. She has practiced martial arts since childhood and has achieved remarkable skill."

Emperor Qing's tone left no room for negotiation: "Don't you like martial arts and showing off your strength? I will give Ye Ling'er to you in marriage! That will save you from spending your days getting involved with those brothel girls, making a fool of your royal family!"

"Didn't you always resort to violence at the slightest disagreement? I'd like to see if you'll actually lay a hand on me this time!"

Having said that, he waved his hand impatiently, as if shooing away a fly, and said, "Get out of here! Go back and wait for the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cheng bowed respectfully and said, "Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."