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

Shen Zhong was an unavoidable name in the Northern Qi court.

Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the most powerful minister under the Empress Dowager.

This person controls the Northern Qi spy network, with informants throughout the court and the country. Even Si Lili, who is far away in Southern Qing, is nominally under his command.

More importantly, he also controlled a massive smuggling operation with the Nanqing Imperial Treasury. This involved not only goods but also intelligence exchanges.

A few days ago, just as the Qi Kingdom was suffering a new defeat and its people were in a state of panic, Shen Zhong made a big deal with Li Yunrui, gaining access to information about the movements of Yan Bingyun, the head of the Southern Qing spy network that had infiltrated the Northern Qi.

What Zhou Cheng wanted was the evidence that Shen Zhong had secretly made a deal with Li Yunrui.

Accounts, letters, and records of intelligence exchanges—obtaining these documents would be equivalent to holding Li Yunrui's Achilles' heel.

Emperor Qing probably didn't care much about Li Yunrui betraying the interests of the Qing Kingdom and making secret deals with the Northern Qi.

After all, that woman was so crazy that she was willing to sell herself, so Emperor Qing had long since given up on her being obedient.

But Li Yunrui didn't know that.

She didn't know Emperor Qing's attitude, nor did she know what her actions meant to him.

She judged others by her own standards, and felt that if those things fell into Emperor Qing's hands, her fate would definitely not be good.

Therefore, as long as they have that evidence, Li Yunrui will obediently listen to them.

This is crucial for the smooth progress of future plans.

……

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's Garrison Command, the official residence of its commander.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long, slanted shadows on the blue brick floor. The furnishings inside the government office were simple yet imposing, with a painting of a tiger descending a mountain hanging on the wall, its eyes wide open and its menacing aura palpable.

Shen Zhong sat upright behind his desk, holding a secret report in his hands, his brows furrowed. The handwriting on the report was dense and intricate; he read it three times, his expression growing increasingly grim.

When the door was pushed open, he assumed it was some ignorant servant and didn't even look up.

"Guards! Drag him out and kill him—"

Before he could finish saying "kill," the figure swaggered in and sat down in the chair opposite him, acting as casually as if he were in his own backyard.

Shen Zhong raised his head, his pupils slightly contracting.

"A saintess?"

Haitang Duoduo was still dressed in a neat and smart outfit, looking clean and efficient. However, there were two light dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept well for several nights, which slightly ruined her capable image.

"Lord Shen has such great official power!" she exclaimed.