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

Royal Villa.

This is a garden hidden in the eastern corner of the imperial city, a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. It was a private property bestowed upon Lin Wan'er by Emperor Qing when she was granted the title of Princess Chen.

The garden is not large, but it is exquisitely decorated.

The artificial mountain made of Taihu stones is exquisite and translucent. A stream of water is drawn from Yuquan outside the city and meanders under the corridor. Koi carp sway their tails slowly among the water lily leaves.

Several crabapple trees along the corridor were in full bloom. Their pink and white petals, brushed by the wind, fell softly to the ground, forming a thin layer of fragrant snow.

Lin Wan'er, dressed in a plain white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), sat on the veranda, with the copy of "Dream of the Red Chamber," which was already wildly popular among the wealthy young ladies, spread out on her lap, half of the pages turned.

She wasn't reading.

She was listening to the girl in red beside her rambling on and on.

That girl was quite different from ordinary young ladies.

She wore no traditional Chinese dress or jewelry, but a fiery red outfit that accentuated her sharp waistline. The cuffs were tightly bound, and she also wore cotton wrist guards. Her hair was not styled in a complicated updo, but simply tied into a high ponytail, held together by an ebony hairpin, emphasizing a clean, neat, and dashing look.

This is Lin Wan'er's best friend, Ye Ling'er, who is also the candidate chosen by Emperor Qing to be Zhou Cheng's principal wife.

"Why should I?!" Ye Ling'er nestled on the low table next to Lin Wan'er, her chin resting on her bent knees, her face scrunched up. "Why should I marry the Third Prince?! I've barely even seen him a few times, let alone spoken to him! Yes, I know he's a prince, but so what? I simply don't like him!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, grabbed a teacup from the stone table in front of her, poured half a cup of tea down her throat, and then slammed it back down with a thud, splashing a few drops of tea that spread into dark spots on the bluestone tabletop.

"Sigh~ Life is so unpredictable! Just a few days ago I was worrying about you, and now—" She suddenly sat up straight, spreading her hands, "and the imperial decree of marriage has been slapped in my face!"

Lin Wan'er gently closed the book on her lap, her fingertips tracing the subtle patterns on the cover, and carefully chose her words:

"Actually... Third Brother... might not be as bad as the rumors say. Some things said might not be true."

She wanted to say a few good words for Zhou Cheng, but when the words came to her lips, she couldn't bring herself to lie.

"Look! Even you only said 'maybe' it's not that bad!" Ye Ling'er saw through her guilty conscience at a glance and started listing her faults on her fingers.

"It's true that Li Chengcheng is entangled with that courtesan from Zuixianju, right? And at the poetry gathering a few days ago, wasn't the woman with him also from a brothel? Putting aside the past, isn't this recent situation bad enough?"

Lin Wan'er pursed her lips.

She couldn't refute it. She had personally seen Sang Wen following Zhou Cheng at the poetry gathering. As for Si Lili, Fan Xian had gotten himself into big trouble because of that woman.

"well--"

Ye Ling'er sighed deeply, like a deflated balloon, and lunged forward, burying her face in Lin Wan'er's arms. Her muffled voice came from between her clothes:

"Wan'er, why am I so unlucky?"

Lin Wan'er raised her hand and gently stroked the top of her head, one stroke at a time.

Ye Ling'er continued in a muffled voice, "You and Fan Xian are so lucky. You fell in love at first sight, and then you found out that the other person was your fiancé. This fate is just like the ones written in the novels."

She suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling with girlish longing:

"I also want that kind of fate. It doesn't have to be as perfect as yours, even half of it would be great."

Lin Wan'er looked down at her, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

"Fate...who can really explain it?" she said softly. "My relationship with Fan Xian hasn't been smooth sailing either. You know about that letter annulment from the engagement."

"But that's different!" Ye Ling'er immediately sat up straight, her expression as serious as if she were arguing in the imperial court. "That was a misunderstanding. Fan Xian didn't know that the Chicken Leg Girl was you back then, yet he dared to write a letter of annulment for you—giving up even the princess title and the imperial treasury—Wan'er, how many men in this world could do that?"

She paused, her voice lowering, carrying a hint of grievance she herself was unaware of:

"What about Li Chengcheng? Even if he's not half as good to you as Fan Xian, even if he's only a tenth as good... I'd accept it."

But is that even possible?

Lin Wan'er didn't answer, but gently patted the back of her hand.

She really didn't know how to comfort her.

She has been staying in this villa to "recuperate" for the past few days, and Fan Xian climbs over the wall every night to see her.

The two sat facing each other on the veranda, talking about life, ideals, the past, and the future, as if they had endless topics to discuss, from the ends of the earth until the moon set and the stars disappeared.

Besides his poetic talent, Fan Xian was also skilled in medicine. For many years, even the imperial physicians had been helpless against her tuberculosis, but Fan Xian was able to cure her. Every day, he would prepare a good medicine for her to clear her lungs and stop coughing. Although she had only taken it for a few days, the heaviness in her chest had already eased considerably.

Lin Wan'er subconsciously touched the sachet at her waist.

This sachet contains over eighty kinds of flowers, leaves, and medicinal herbs personally prepared by Fan Xian, which can relieve her cough and wheezing. The effect is very good, but the taste is quite strange, a bit like spiced duck.

If it were a gift from someone else, she definitely wouldn't be able to stand being constantly surrounded by that smell.

But because it was Fan Xian, she actually found the duck's pinkish flavor quite cute.

"No!"

Ye Ling'er suddenly broke free from her embrace, as if she had finally made up her mind.

She stood up and paced back and forth twice.

"I can't just get married like this without any planning!" She suddenly stopped, turned around, and grabbed Lin Wan'er's hand. "Wan'er, you have to help me!"

Lin Wan'er felt a little pain from her grip, but remained calm and asked gently:

"You want to meet with Third Brother privately?"

"Yes!" Ye Ling'er nodded emphatically, her ponytail swaying. "I need to know what kind of person I'm marrying, right? What if he really is that kind of scoundrel and playboy? I'll—I'll…"

She talked for a long time, but couldn't come up with a solution.

Lin Wan'er looked at her and sighed softly.

"Alright. I'll have someone send a visiting card to invite Third Brother out." She paused, "Fan Xian happens to have Third Brother's men with him, so it'll be convenient to pass on the message."

Ye Ling'er blinked: "How come there are people from the Third Prince around Fan Xian?"

Lin Wan'er lowered her eyes, her voice tinged with helplessness:

"Third Brother sent people to bring Teng Zijing's wife and children back to Prince Cheng's residence... Teng Zijing had no choice but to stay by Fan Xian's side to work and, incidentally... report his whereabouts."

She didn't say the word "surveillance," but the meaning was clear.

Ye Ling'er was stunned for a moment after hearing this.

Then her pretty face flushed red at a visible speed—not from shame, but from anger.

"This...this isn't just being a spoiled brat!" She was so angry she could barely speak. "This is utterly despicable and shameless! A treacherous villain! I learned martial arts to uphold justice, precisely to beat up scum like this!"

She took a deep breath and clenched her fist:

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to teach him a lesson when we meet!"

"Okay, okay." Lin Wan'er just kept nodding in agreement, seeing her indignant expression.

She knew Ye Ling'er wasn't the kind of girl who would lose her mind due to impulsiveness, so she wasn't worried and naturally didn't expose her.

......

Prince Cheng's Mansion, Study.

"Ye Ling'er wants to see me?"

Zhou Cheng put down the book on Western Continent spells in his hand and looked up at Teng Zijing, who was standing with his head bowed below him.

Teng Zijing answered "Yes" without expression.

Zhou Cheng leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the armrest.

It was somewhat unexpected, but not entirely unexpected.

In the original storyline, Ye Ling'er went to great lengths to help Lin Wan'er break off her engagement, and was even caught up in the assassination attempt on Niulan Street, almost losing her life in the process.

Now that she's been forced into marriage, there's no way she'd obediently wait to be married, given her personality.

"Okay." He nodded. "Go back and tell Lin Wan'er that I will be on time for our appointment tomorrow."

Teng Zijing responded and turned to leave.

"etc."

Zhou Cheng suddenly remembered the secret letter that Li Yunrui had sent last night via her personal female attendant.

The letter was simple: it asked him to help deal with Fan Xian.

However, he rejected her.

Soon after, he received negative messages from Li Yunrui. Then, early the next morning, Chen Baolai reported that the intelligence personnel borrowed from the Princess's residence had all been withdrawn overnight.

"What are Fan Xian's plans for tomorrow?" he asked.

Teng Zijing paused, seemingly hesitating about how far to go. After a moment, he truthfully replied:

"The Second Prince invited Fan Xian to Zuixianju tomorrow. He said... the misunderstanding between the two of them started at Zuixianju, and it should be resolved there."

"Drunken Immortal Abode..."

Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.

interesting.

He hasn't interfered much lately, and the plot seems to be heading back to its original trajectory.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts, his gaze sweeping over Teng Zijing's perpetually tense face, and said calmly:

"Fan Xian still dares to go to Zuixianju, looks like he's been having a good time lately." He paused, his voice turning colder. "I haven't settled the score with him for poisoning me in Kyoto Prefecture yet. Tell him to watch out these days."

Teng Zijing lowered her eyes, her tone cold and hard: "Yes."

He turned and left the study, but before he could close the door, Zhou Cheng's voice rang out again:

"Tell Wan'er to change the meeting place to Niulan Street."

Niulan Street is not a bustling street, but if you want to get from the inner city to Liujing River, you have to pass through Niulan Street.

Teng Zijing paused for a moment, but did not answer. She simply closed the door.

......

The next day.

The sky was clear and blue, and the sun was not blazing.

The carriage of Prince Cheng's mansion moved slowly through the streets, passing through the shade of willows, and finally stopped in front of a three-story restaurant.

This is the most magnificent restaurant on the whole street, with triple eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, and balconies on the second and third floors.

As soon as Zhou Cheng got out of the car, he saw that fiery red figure.

The two met without exchanging a word and went straight to the private room on the top floor.

Zhou Cheng sat down by the window, where the view was excellent. He could see most of the cars, horses, and pedestrians on Niulan Street below. Further away, the Liujing River stretched out like a green ribbon, with painted boats dotting the water and the faint sounds of music.

Ye Ling'er sat down opposite him. The two began to stare at each other.

After a careful examination, Zhou Cheng had to admit it.

In terms of facial features alone, Ye Ling'er may not be as gentle as Sang Wen or as bright as Si Lili, but the heroic spirit she possesses, which is quite different from that of ordinary young ladies, has its own unique charm.

Ye Ling'er felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze, and finally couldn't help but turn around, saying stiffly:

"What are you looking at?"

Zhou Cheng withdrew his gaze, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"It's up to you."

Ye Ling'er choked for a moment.

She took a deep breath and decided not to argue with him about these trivial matters.

She stared into Zhou Cheng's eyes and cut to the chase:

"do you like me?"

Zhou Cheng put down his teacup.

"good."

"What does 'not bad' mean?" Ye Ling'er frowned.

Zhou Cheng thought for a moment, then stated in a very objective tone:

"You're a woman, and you're quite good-looking. I don't find you repulsive."

Ye Ling'er's eyes widened in surprise.

"Is it just 'not disliked'? Isn't there even a hint of that 'love at first sight' feeling?"

Zhou Cheng rolled his eyes at her.

"Do you think everyone is like Lin Wan'er and Fan Xian?" he asked calmly. "Did you fall in love with me at first sight?"

Ye Ling'er opened her mouth.

"……No."

"That settles it."

Ye Ling'er felt a tightness in her chest from his matter-of-fact attitude.

She clenched her fists and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"I don't want love that isn't love at first sight."

Zhou Cheng didn't even lift his eyelids: "Then why did you call me here?"

Ye Ling'er took a deep breath and poured out what she had been holding back all the way:

"I would like to ask the Third Prince to annul the engagement."

Zhou Cheng looked at her as if she were a fool.

"Are you out of your mind?" he asked, his tone genuinely confused. "Why should I be the one to cancel? If you don't want to, why don't you do it yourself?"

"You're a man! If you don't like her, you should bravely break off the engagement!" Ye Ling'er said matter-of-factly. "If you break off the engagement, you can wait for a girl you'll fall in love with at first sight in the future. Isn't that better?"

Zhou Cheng remained silent for two breaths.

Then he chuckled.

"You know I'm a man," he said.

Ye Ling'er was taken aback: "So what?"

Zhou Cheng didn't answer immediately. He picked up his teacup, slowly took a sip, put it down, and then spoke:

"If—just if," he held up one finger, "someone on the street suddenly slips you ten taels of silver and tells you to spend it however you like. If you accept it, nothing will happen; if you don't, it will cause you a lot of trouble."

He paused, then said, "If it were you, would you accept it or not?"

Ye Ling'er frowned and thought for a moment, then hesitated and said:

"They should... take it, right? Anyway, I haven't lost anything."

Zhou Cheng nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face that said, "This kid is teachable."

"Yes. That's why I'll marry you." He leaned back in his chair, his tone as calm as if he were commenting on the weather. "I'm a man, it's only natural for me to have multiple wives and concubines. I won't lose anything by marrying you."

Ye Ling'er was stunned.

It took her a full three breaths to realize what he meant.

—She was the ten taels of silver.

She is that ten taels of silver!

[Negative emotions from Ye Ling'er +233!]

"You—!" Ye Ling'er slammed her hand on the table, stood up abruptly, trembling with anger. Her finger, pointing at Zhou Cheng, almost poked his nose. "You, you've gone too far!!"

Zhou Cheng raised his hand and gently brushed away her fingers that were about to poke his face, his tone kind:

"Don't rush, don't rush. You are certainly much more valuable than ten taels of silver." He paused, a sincere smile curving his lips. "With Miss Ling'er's looks and character, even if you were placed in Zuixianju, you would be worth at least several thousand taels."

Ye Ling'er's face turned green instantly.

Zuixianju (Drunken Immortal Abode)

Brothel.

He compared her to a courtesan.

It even has an estimated price!

She clenched her fists tightly, and the veins on her forehead throbbed.

She stared at Zhou Cheng's matter-of-fact face and felt a strong urge to punch him.

If she's going to do it, she can do it!

Zhou Cheng's guards were all outside the door. With her current peak sixth-grade cultivation level, to smash that hateful face, all she needed to do was—

One punch.

But... she ultimately didn't dare.

Ye Ling'er's eyes suddenly reddened, partly from anger, but more so from hating her own cowardice.

"What...what do you take me for..." Her voice trembled, filled with suppressed grievance, "I don't care what you think, anyway—I don't want to marry you!"

She suddenly looked up and stared intently at him:

"What I want is someone who is obsessed with martial arts, highly skilled in martial arts, and shares my ideals! Since you're unwilling, and I'm unwilling, why can't you just break off the engagement?"

Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"You're the one who doesn't want to. And I'll say it again," he said, emphasizing each word, "why shouldn't you go?"

Ye Ling'er opened her mouth.

"...Of course, it's because—"

She got stuck.

Zhou Cheng watched her with a leisurely air, as if watching a wonderful pantomime.

Ye Ling'er held her breath for a long time, her voice as low as a mosquito's buzz:

"...I'm a girl."

"Hey."

Zhou Cheng smiled.

That smile wasn't exactly mocking, but it made Ye Ling'er feel more embarrassed than any mockery.

"In the end," he said lazily, leaning back in his chair, "Miss Ye is nothing more than a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. She doesn't dare to go to His Majesty to annul the engagement herself, so she comes here to try her luck."

He paused, and the smile on his lips faded.

"I thought Ye Ling'er, the daughter of the Ye family, was a person who hated evil, was chivalrous, and had a clear sense of right and wrong. It turns out that it was all just rumors spread by outsiders."

Ye Ling'er's face flushed red: "Who, who said that! That's not true!"

Zhou Cheng remained silent.

He just looked at her.

There was no contempt, no mockery, and not much emotion in his eyes.

But it was precisely because of this that Ye Ling'er felt her embarrassment was all too obvious.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

a long time.

"……good."

She loosened her fist, her voice lowering, carrying a bitter sense of defeat she had never shown in public before:

"I admit it. I dare not go to His Majesty to annul the engagement."

She paused, then, as if she were going all out, raised her head and met Zhou Cheng's gaze.

"But even if I marry you, I won't let you touch me. Unless one day—" she said, emphasizing each word, "you can withstand three moves from me."

Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"This is not bad."

He sat up slightly and held up three fingers:

"Three moves as a pact. If I accept, you will be mine. If I cannot accept, I will agree to whatever condition you ask, whether it's to annul the engagement or something else!"

Ye Ling'er's eyes suddenly lit up.

"It's a deal!"

She was terrified that Zhou Cheng would change his mind!

When Zhou Cheng nodded again, she almost burst out laughing.

She didn't think Zhou Cheng could withstand three of her moves!

Ye Ling'er has practiced martial arts since childhood and possesses exceptional talent. Before she turned 28, she had already reached the peak of the sixth rank, only a step away from the seventh rank.

Looking at the sons of the Kyoto no Koki, no one at this age can match his level of skill!

Zhou Cheng?

It's not that she looks down on her.

Even if Zhou Cheng had never practiced martial arts before, or even if he had cultivated since childhood, he would still be unable to block her full-force "Great Coffin Splitting" attack!

"Let's find a place to spar right now!"

Ye Ling'er jumped up almost impatiently, her ponytail flying high.

"what ever."

After Zhou Cheng finished speaking, he put down his teacup and slowly stood up.

He had just stood up straight—

"Bang--!!"

A loud bang suddenly erupted outside the window, followed by shouts and panic as people fled in a violent commotion.