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

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian immediately understood what Si Lili was planning.

Compared to him, who was merely the son of the Earl of Sinan and a minor official in the Imperial Observatory, Zhou Cheng, as the Prince of Cheng, clearly carried more weight—no, he was more capable of saving her life.

Although he was quite hurt, that was the reality, and Fan Xian had no choice but to accept it.

As long as Si Lili is willing to reveal the real culprit behind the scenes, it's just a matter of passing on a message to Zhou Cheng, he'll accept it!

"I will pass on the message for you as soon as possible," he said, staring at Si Lili. "However, I cannot guarantee whether Prince Cheng will be willing to see you. Your identity as a spy for Northern Qi has been exposed. According to the traditional practices of the royal family, they will definitely choose to avoid suspicion and sever ties with you as soon as possible."

"You don't need to worry about that." Si Lili lowered her eyes, her voice low. "You just need to tell Prince Cheng."

She knew Fan Xian was right.

Normally speaking, it is absolutely not appropriate for Zhou Cheng to see her right now.

But now she is like a drowning person, desperately grasping at that last straw.

She knew perfectly well that, given the identity of the person behind it all, no one but Zhou Cheng could protect her now.

Reason told her that Zhou Cheng wouldn't risk his life at this sensitive time for a woman like her.

But she held onto a sliver of hope.

Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, she'll hold on tight and make one last attempt.

Fan Xian sighed, looking at Si Lili's determined expression, and knew that further persuasion would be useless.

He turned decisively, left the dungeon, and silently disappeared into the night along the path he had come from.

Fan Xian was unaware that no sooner had he left than a figure emerged from the shadows around the corner of the dungeon.

Yan Ruohai, the chief investigator of the Fourth Division of the Forensic Science Institute, walked out slowly with his hands tucked into his pockets.

The dim light cast interplay of light and shadow on his face, and his eyes were as calm as a stagnant pool.

"I didn't expect you to place your last hope in Prince Cheng." He stopped outside the iron bars, his tone calm. "It seems your relationship with Prince Cheng is not as simple as it appears on the surface."

Si Lili raised her head, a self-deprecating smile curving her lips:

"But I have no other choice. I don't want to die. I can't place my hopes on Prince Cheng, can I? I can't place them on Fan Xian either."

Yan Ruohai looked at her and suddenly shook his head.

"Actually, you should trust Fan Xian."

Si Lili was taken aback, a look of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Yan Ruohai continued, "Fan Xian is the presiding judge appointed by the dean. However, I haven't had a chance to tell him yet."

He paused, his gaze falling on Si Lili's face. "He has full authority over you. Whatever decision he makes, the forensic institute will support him to the end. Even if we don't interrogate you and just let you go, that's fine too."

Si Lili's pupils contracted slightly.

She stared at Yan Ruohai, whose gaze remained unwavering.

After a long pause, she hesitantly asked:

"Just who is Fan Xian? Why does your Censorate value him so much?"

Yan Ruohai narrowed his eyes:

"Actually, I'm also curious why the dean values ​​him so much," he said slowly. "But that's not what you should be worried about right now."

He turned around, took two steps outside, and then stopped.

"His Majesty once issued an imperial edict forbidding any member of the royal family from setting foot in the Censorate. Leaving aside whether Prince Cheng would agree to come, even if he did come, he would not be allowed to enter the gates of my Censorate."

He turned his head to the side, glancing at Si Lili's frozen face out of the corner of his eye.

"You..."

Before he could finish speaking, he had already disappeared at the end of the passage.

Si Lili sat blankly on the straw mat, her face gradually turning pale.

She hugged her knees, curled up on the straw mat, and stared motionless at the dim oil lamp in the distance.

......

Early in the morning.

As dawn broke and the eaves of Prince Cheng's mansion began to rise, Fan Xian was already standing outside the mansion's gate.

He was invited into the study and told Si Lili's request in detail.

Zhou Cheng listened without hesitation.

"Let's go."

Fan Xian was taken aback: "Your Highness, what is this...?"

"Go to the Forensic Center."

Fan Xian felt a sense of relief.

The carriage rumbled along the long street and soon arrived at the gates of the Imperial Censorate.

Zhou Cheng got out of the car and stood with his hands behind his back.

As Fan Xian was involved in the case, he was not allowed to participate in the interrogation. Helpless, he could only hide in the carriage, lift a corner of the curtain, and secretly look outside.

The morning light shone on the vermilion gate of the Imperial Censorate, and the black plaque with gold characters on the lintel exuded a stern and imposing aura.

Two rows of guards stood at the entrance, their hands on their swords, their armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

As Zhou Cheng approached the gate of the Imperial Censorate, before he could even step onto the steps, a figure strode out from inside, descended the steps in a few strides, and stood directly in front of him.

Zhu Ge, head of the First Division of the Forensic Science Institute.

He bowed deeply, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and remained silent, his posture respectful, yet his body stood motionless in front of Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng stopped and looked down at him.

"You're that guy, right?" He frowned, his tone tinged with impatience. "Don't block my way. I am Prince Cheng."

Zhu Ge did not stand up, remaining in the bowing and clasped-fist posture:

"His Majesty has long decreed that members of the royal family are forbidden from entering the Imperial Censorate. I know you are Prince Cheng." He paused, his voice steady, "Please, Your Highness, do not put us in a difficult position."

Zhou Cheng frowned, his tone becoming more impatient:

"What do you mean? If I don't want to make things difficult for you, am I supposed to make things difficult for myself?"

He raised his chin.

"Get out of here."

Zhu Ge remained completely still.

"Your Majesty's decree is difficult to disobey; I dare not defy it."

Zhou Cheng stared at him, then suddenly smiled.

"You say you wouldn't dare, but how do you know you wouldn't dare if you don't try?" Zhou Cheng took a step forward. "I really don't believe it. Today I'm going to walk in, and let's see who dares to stop me."

Zhu Ge raised his head, his gaze filled with earnestness:

"If Your Highness remains obstinate, His Majesty will surely be furious. Please reconsider, Your Highness."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another figure emerged from the Imperial Censorate.

It was Yan Ruohai.

He slowly walked to Zhu Ge's side, stopped, and his gaze fell on Zhou Cheng's face.

"The Censorate is a vital institution of the nation, the lifeblood of the court." His voice was not loud, but every word was clear. "If Your Highness continues forward, you will be attacking the Censorate. Do not blame me for drawing my sword then."

Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow: "I've only taken a few steps, and you're already drawing your swords? Is this still the Qing Kingdom? Is this still the capital?"

Yan Ruohai: "Drawing my sword was a last resort. I was merely obeying His Majesty's decree. If Your Highness does not heed my advice, I will have no choice but to... escort Your Highness before His Majesty for judgment!"

"Oh!" Zhou Cheng scoffed. "Trying to scare me with His Majesty's name?"

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping from Yan Ruohai's face to Zhu Ge's face, and then back from Zhu Ge's face to Yan Ruohai's face.

"Very well, the head of the Censorate, you truly are loyal ministers of the Emperor. You never forget His Majesty's decrees, that's excellent, then I will grant you face!"

He took half a step back, his chin slightly raised:

"You should know why I've come. Since Father forbids princes from entering the Imperial Censorate, then you shall send Si Lili out to me."

He paused for a moment, then said, "There's no need for you to take them to the manor. Just drop them off at the gate, and I'll pick them up myself."

He tilted his head, a half-smile playing on his lips:

"What, are you disobeying the imperial decree?"

Zhu Ge blinked unconsciously.

Yan Ruohai was also slightly stunned upon hearing this.

A slight ripple appeared on that seemingly perpetually calm face.

After a few breaths, Yan Ruohai came to his senses and said:

"I have heard the rumors about Your Highness and Si Lili. However, Si Lili is a spy from Northern Qi, a suspect arrested by our Investigation Bureau." He stared at Zhou Cheng, his face serious. "Even a prince has no right to interfere in the affairs of the Investigation Bureau. Please forgive me... I still cannot comply."

Zhou Cheng narrowed his eyes.

He took a half-step back, then stepped forward again, keeping less than half a meter away from Yan Ruohai.

"This won't work, that won't work." His voice was slow and deliberate, yet it made everyone present tense. "Are you all experiencing a second spring at your age? Do you want to die?"

Yan Ruohai remained silent.

Zhou Cheng suddenly raised his hand!

The guards from the Imperial Censorate all placed their hands on the hilts of their swords!

The atmosphere instantly tensed up!

Zhou Cheng, however, did not look at the guards.

He raised his hand and gently placed it on Yan Ruohai's shoulder, patting him as if to say, "You're doing well!"

He withdrew his hand and said:

"Lord Yan, is it? How about we make a bet?" He leaned closer. "Let's bet on whether I can get into this Forensic Academy today, shall we?"

Yan Ruohai lowered his eyes, his voice remaining as calm as a stagnant pool:

"I do not gamble."

Zhou Cheng looked at him and suddenly smiled.

There was a hint of dejection and disappointment in that smile.

"To refuse without even mentioning the stakes, Lord Yan is truly as boring as the rumors suggest."

He took two steps back and took a deep breath:

"Alright. Then I won't play with you guys anymore."

He turned around and shouted in the direction of the carriage:

"Fan Xian! Come out!"

Inside the carriage, Fan Xian was stunned.

He couldn't understand why Zhou Cheng was calling him at this moment.

Left with no other option, he could only lift the curtain and jump out of the car.

Yan Ruohai's eyelids twitched when he saw Fan Xian appear.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Fan Xian walked up to Zhou Cheng.

Before he could speak, Zhou Cheng had already turned to Yan Ruohai:

"Alright, Fan Xian is here."

He pointed at Fan Xian, his tone casual:

"I'm not going to enter the Forensic Service as a prince, but as an assistant in the investigation. Is that alright?"

Yan Ruohai's pupils suddenly contracted.

Fan Xian was completely baffled, looking at Zhou Cheng and then at Yan Ruohai with a blank expression.

Seeing that Yan Ruohai remained silent, Zhou Cheng added:

"Why aren't you speaking yet? Fan Xian, the presiding judge of the Niulan Street case, has invited me to assist in interrogating Si Lili. Don't tell me there's a problem with that! Otherwise, I'll really lose my temper!"

Zhu Ge stepped forward:

"Your Highness, please don't joke. Fan Xian is a party involved, but has no right to judge the case. Furthermore—"

"How did Your Highness know that Fan Xian was the presiding judge in this case?"

Yan Ruohai suddenly spoke, interrupting Zhu Ge.

He stared at Zhou Cheng, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Zhou Cheng met his gaze, and a smile curved his lips.

"How I know this seems irrelevant to the case," he said calmly. "As long as I'm right."

He paused, then reached out and put his arm around Fan Xian's shoulder:

"Alright, I will now assist the presiding judge in interrogating the suspect. Please make way."

As he spoke, he put his arm around Fan Xian and led him inside.

Yan Ruohai remained silent for a moment.

He silently stepped aside and made way for the door.

The guards behind him also made way for him.

Zhu Ge stared wide-eyed at Yan Ruohai, completely bewildered.

Yan Ruohai remained expressionless, his voice as flat as if he were reading an official document:

"The dean personally ordered that Fan Xian be the presiding judge in the Niulan Street case." He paused, "and the presiding judge's invitation to the prince to assist in the trial is not in violation of any regulations."

Zhu Ge opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

Once inside the Imperial Censorate, Zhou Cheng released Fan Xian.

"You should know where Si Lili is being held." He glanced at Fan Xian. "Go now."

Fan Xian nodded blankly.

As he walked, he kept looking back at the doorway.

Yan Ruohai remained standing in the same spot, his face expressionless, but his eyes held a deep and unpredictable turmoil.

Forensic personnel came and went around the area, but no one stepped forward to stop or question them.

"What... what's going on?" Fan Xian finally couldn't help but ask.

It was clearly Zhou Cheng who invited him, so why does it seem like he's the one who knows nothing about it now?

Presiding judge?

When did he become the presiding judge?

How come he didn't know?

If he were the presiding judge, why would he have gone to the dungeon last night?

Zhou Cheng didn't turn his head; his voice came calmly:

"You should ask Yan Ruohai about your problem. Do you think you'd believe what I say?"

Fan Xian was speechless.

The two passed through several corridors and descended the stone steps, soon arriving at the depths of the dungeon.

It was still that cold, dark passageway, and still that dimly lit cell.

Si Lili was sitting cross-legged on the straw mat when she heard footsteps and suddenly looked up.

The moment she saw Zhou Cheng, a glimmer of hope suddenly burst forth in her dim eyes, so bright it almost burned one's eyes.

She hurriedly stood up, instinctively smoothing her prison uniform with her hands and tidying her disheveled hair.

Yan Ruohai's words last night kept her awake all night, filled with extreme anxiety and fear.

When Zhou Cheng appeared before her, the heavy weight that had been hanging over her heart all night finally lifted halfway.

Her identity was exposed by Zhou Cheng during their first meeting at Zuixianju.

Zhou Cheng bluntly stated that he wanted her person and the Northern Qi spy network behind her, and made a bet.

Although she has now been captured, she has not revealed a single word of the list of spies from Northern Qi who were infiltrating Qing Kingdom.

Her value remains.

After two days on the run, she was escorted back to the capital and spent a whole night in fear in the dungeon. Si Lili now has obvious dark circles under her eyes and looks much more haggard.

Zhou Cheng saw all of this.

Si Lili's voice trembled as she spoke through the iron bars:

"Your Highness... save me!"

Zhou Cheng looked at her with a slight smile on his lips, just like when they first met.

"You're begging me. Since you're begging me, then I've won the bet. What do you think?"

Si Lili gracefully curtsied inside the iron cage, her waist bending into a soft arc, even her prison uniform seemed to gain a touch of elegance:

"Your Highness won that bet."

She raised her head, met Zhou Cheng's gaze, and spoke clearly, word by word:

"As long as Your Highness rescues Riri, Riri will belong to Your Highness. Riri herself, and those behind her, will all be at Your Highness's command!"

Zhou Cheng's smile deepened.

Ever since Li Yunrui withdrew her group of people, his grasp of the situation inside and outside the capital city has been greatly reduced. He's not exactly completely in the dark, but he's pretty much at the same level.

Now that Si Lili is willing to work for him, and with those deeply hidden Northern Qi spies around him, he can not only unravel the mysteries inside and outside the capital, but also conceal his own intentions and movements.

This will greatly facilitate his future plans.

He nodded.

"Very good." His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "Since you are mine, no one can hurt you."

He raised his chin.

"I'll take you away directly."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian immediately became anxious.

He stepped forward and stared at Si Lili:

"Miss Si, you promised me that as long as I informed Prince Cheng, you would tell me who was behind the assassination!" His voice was somewhat nervous. "You won't go back on your word, will you?"

Si Lili turned her gaze to Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng glanced at Fan Xian and waved his hand dismissively:

"If he wants to know, then tell him." He paused, his tone indifferent. "Whoever it is, I can protect you."

The huge weight that had been hanging over Si Lili's heart all night finally lifted off her feet.

She took a deep breath and recounted the whole story from beginning to end.

The mastermind behind the Niulan Street assassination was none other than Lin Gong.

He was the second son of Prime Minister Lin Ruofu and the second brother of Lin Wan'er.

Lin Gong, having obtained intelligence from an unknown source, led his men to attack her pleasure boat at night, forcing her to hand over the token of the Northern Qi spy.

At first, she didn't understand what was going on, but after hearing that Cheng Jushu had attacked Fan Xian on Niulan Street, she finally realized what had happened.

Cheng Jushu was a spy for the Northern Qi Dynasty and a renowned expert. Because his figure was too conspicuous to hide in the city, he usually concealed himself in a secret outpost outside the city. Cheng Jushu was a solitary individual, preferring to work alone and recognizing only tokens, not people.

Someone betrayed Cheng Jushu's hiding place, and they captured and imprisoned him first. Afterwards, Lin Gong obtained a token from her, which he used to command Cheng Jushu.

"That's all I know," Si Lili said, lowering her eyes.

Fan Xian stood there, stunned.

He seemed somewhat dazed.

He had guessed about many people: the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and even Zhou Cheng.

But he never imagined that the person who wanted to kill him would be Lin Gong.

It turned out to be Lin Wan'er's second brother.

Before knowing the answer, he was prepared and determined to make whoever was behind it all pay the price.

But Lin Gong...

He was suddenly caught in a dilemma.

Zhou Cheng didn't care what Fan Xian was thinking at all.

He was too lazy to ask Zhu Ge for a key, so he simply raised his hand, flicked his fingertips lightly on the iron lock, and released a stream of extremely condensed true energy.

"Click."

The iron lock fell to the ground with a crisp clang.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent dungeon, startling Fan Xian from his daze.

He looked at Zhou Cheng, then at the open cell door, his lips moved, but he didn't say anything to stop it.

Si Lili pushed open the cell door and walked out on her own.

Zhou Cheng glanced at her prison uniform but said nothing.

"Let's go."

Si Lili followed obediently behind him, like a cat whose temper had been worn down by life.

Fan Xian stood there for several breaths before suddenly strode after them.

"Your Highness!" he lowered his voice, speaking rapidly, "Please keep the identity of the mastermind a secret, Your Highness and Miss Si!"

Si Lili glanced at him in surprise.

Zhou Cheng didn't even turn his head; his voice came calmly:

"I won't tell unless others ask."

Fan Xian opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

He was not satisfied with this answer.

But he also knew that he couldn't ask for anything.

Stepping out of the dungeon, the sun shone brightly.

Si Lili subconsciously raised her sleeve to shield herself from the slightly dazzling light.

Zhou Cheng led her slowly toward the gate.

Yan Ruohai and Zhu Ge are still guarding there.

Seeing Si Lili following behind Zhou Cheng, the two quickly came to greet him.

Before Yan Ruohai could speak, Zhu Ge preemptively asked:

"Your Highness! You brought Si Lili out—" His gaze swept across Si Lili's face before returning to Zhou Cheng, "But has Si Lili already confessed to the real culprit in the assassination attempt?"

Zhou Cheng nodded:

"It's Lin Gong."

Zhu Ge was stunned.

Yan Ruohai's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Fan Xian's eyes widened, his face full of scorn.

As if afraid that Zhu Ge hadn't heard clearly, Zhou Cheng added a sentence:

"The mastermind behind the Niulan Street assassination was Lin Gong. The Lin Gong who is the second son of Prime Minister Lin."

[Fan Xian's negative emotions +748!]