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

In the afternoon sunlight, several shadows of branches fell on the desk in the Second Prince's study.

"This is the second time! This Li Chengcheng has no respect for his elder brother, is disobedient and unfilial, and has no regard for basic social norms or etiquette. He deserves to die!"

Li Chengze was panting heavily, cursing under his breath.

He dared not vent his dissatisfaction in the palace; he could only express his emotions when he returned to his residence and locked himself in his room.

"And Your Majesty, are you just going to let this slide? Three days of confinement, what good is that! If this continues, even Fan Xian will be climbing all over me!"

His chest heaved as he slapped the table.

After taking the picture, he grinned and started rubbing his hands together, because he had slammed the table too hard and his hands were sore from the impact.

Beside him, Xie Bi'an stood solemnly with his eyes downcast and hands clasped at his sides, seemingly lost in thought.

On the other side, Fan Wujiu was engrossed in reading "Essentials of Strategy," seemingly unaffected by his emotional outburst.

"Fan Wujiu!"

Li Chengze's voice couldn't help but rise a few decibels.

"I've been humiliated and am furious, and you're still reading? Why haven't you acted this way before?"

Fan Wujiu slowly closed the book, looked up, and had a bitter expression on his face.

"Your Highness, Prince Cheng is your brother. If you want to vent your anger, you can only do it yourself. I can't help you."

He held up the book and gestured.

"As for this, with the imperial examinations just around the corner, all the major academies in the capital are holding a hundred-day countdown rally, all gearing up for the exams. As someone from a non-traditional background, I'm under a lot of pressure! I really don't know what to expect unless I cram at the last minute."

Li Chengze was first taken aback by his words, then his eyes widened:

"What? You're actually planning to participate in the scientific expedition?"

Fan Wujiu replied matter-of-factly, "Your Highness, what are you saying? Which scholar doesn't want to pass the imperial examinations with flying colors and bring glory to their ancestors?"

The second prince was speechless. He took two steps forward and patted the horizontal sword at the prince's waist: "A scholar? When you were killing people, I didn't see you paying any attention to 'Confucius said' or 'The Book of Poetry'."

Fan Wujiu scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "Practicing martial arts was out of necessity. Deep down, I'm actually a scholar. Your Highness, you don't know, but every time I get excited about killing someone, a surge of poetic inspiration wells up in my chest, and I really want to recite a poem!"

Fan Wujiu: I was forced to learn martial arts; from childhood to adulthood, I've always been a scholar. Your Highness doesn't know, but when I'm in the mood to kill, I most want to recite poetry!

"...Did you recite it?"

"Well... I just can't recite it," Fan Wujiu said with a forced smile.

"You can't even recite a poem, and you still want to take the imperial examination?" Li Chengze glared at him.

"So what if I can't compose poetry!" Fan Wujiu retorted defiantly. "The imperial examinations don't test poetry; strategy is what I excel at!"

"You? Strategy?" The Second Prince gave him a deep look and shook his head. "Fan Wujiu, you're hopeless!"

"Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

"You've been by my side for so long, and you still don't understand?"

Li Chengze said, as if disappointed in his son:

"What does the imperial examination test now? Is it essays? Is it policy discussions? No, it tests your understanding of human relationships! Getting on the honor roll is difficult to achieve, but if someone wants to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), isn't it just a matter of a word from me? Instead of wasting your time studying, why don't you think more about how to help me out!"

Fan Wujiu frowned: "Your Highness, I still possess some scholarly integrity. Cultivating connections is entirely different from my own academic pursuits! As for sharing Your Highness's burdens, that's easy. If Your Highness orders me to kill someone, I'll go and kill them right now!"

Li Chengze pinched the bridge of his nose.

He's just a brute who knows nothing but how to kill people. Is that all he has to offer? He's supposed to be a scholar with integrity.

He stopped dwelling on the topic and instead frowned and pondered, making plans in his mind.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Fan Xian learned about my smuggling from Shen Zhong. Although His Majesty reprimanded him, the matter eventually came to the Emperor's attention."

I'm worried that Fan Xian will become stubborn and keep pressing the issue. Everyone knows he's my brother now; killing him will be too difficult.

As he spoke, he looked at Fan Wujiu: "We must keep a low profile in our dealings with Northern Qi during this period. Wujiu, go to Shijia Town and personally oversee the situation. There must be absolutely no mistakes."

Upon hearing this, Fan Wujiu looked reluctant: "Your Highness, Shijia Town is a long way away. I'm worried that the round trip... will delay the imperial examination!"

Li Chengze kicked him in the shin: "As long as you get the job done, you'll make it in time! I'll get you a set of exam questions. I can't guarantee you'll be first in the provincial examination, but getting a top ten spot will be a piece of cake!"

Fan Wujiu was still somewhat reluctant: "Your Highness, I have studied diligently for years, hoping to rely on my true abilities..."

"Is this never going to end?!" The Second Prince pretended to kick him again. "If you handle this matter well, I'll give you test questions. That's your greatest talent!"

"You think those high school students all relied on real talent? Naïve! Get your ass back to Shijia Town right now! If anything goes wrong, forget about coming back for the imperial examinations, you won't be coming back at all!"

Fan Wujiu jumped back a step, head drooping, his tone resentful: "...Alright, your subordinate obeys."

......

On the other side, at Prince Cheng's residence.

After Shen Wan'er was taken back to the mansion by Zhan Yuanyuan, she was placed in the guest courtyard.

But Zhan Yuanyuan had so much to say to her best friend, how could she bear to part with her? That very night, she insisted on sharing a room with Shen Wan'er.

Even though they were once the closest sisters, due to social status and etiquette, they had never slept side by side.

However, at Prince Cheng's residence, Zhan Yuanyuan showed no restraint whatsoever.

Here, she felt completely at ease, able to do whatever she wanted, since... her man would always spoil her.

Shen Wan'er, who followed Zhan Yuanyuan to the Prince's Mansion, was also filled with countless questions.

She didn't understand why Zhan Yuanyuan was in Qing Kingdom, or why she was in Prince Cheng's mansion.

There were other people present, so she didn't press the matter further.

Now that they're sharing a room, they have a chance.

Zhan Yuanyuan could only make excuses for Shen Wan'er in the end.

This made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Being with Zhou Cheng, she hadn't needed to lie or hide her emotions for a long time.

Unexpectedly, when she reunited with her best friend in a foreign land, the first thing she said was a lie.

This left her extremely conflicted.

That night, she almost couldn't sleep, until the early hours of the morning when a thought suddenly popped into her head!

The next day, Zhan Yuanyuan and Shen Wan'er slept in late, and after getting up, they still stayed in the inner courtyard.

The inner courtyard of Prince Cheng's Mansion was the domain of the women, covering a vast area.

Besides the exquisite pavilions and gardens that bloom in all seasons, the most eye-catching feature is the wide swimming pool built with smooth bluestone, which shimmers in the sunlight.

There are no men here, and the maids are well-behaved and respectful.

As the women spent more time with Zhou Cheng and got to know each other better, they became more and more relaxed and at ease in the inner courtyard, and even their clothing was generally more revealing.

Zhan Yuanyuan held Shen Wan'er's hand and pointed out the various gadgets in the courtyard with great interest.

Swings, rocking chairs, spinning wheels, slides, sandboxes, etc., are all great tools for entertaining children.

Beneath the pavilion, there are exquisitely carved stone tables and benches, which are not only suitable for enjoying the scenery, but also for playing cards, pai gow, playing cards, playing the zither and singing songs, which is very convenient.

Zhou Cheng would always try to satisfy their needs and find things interesting.

Of course, these gadgets are just for fun.

The inner study in the inner courtyard was where the women lingered most often.

This place is managed by Si Lili, and it gathers a lot of information from the Northern Qi's spies and Princess Li Yunrui.

From court affairs and anecdotes of officials to gossip in the marketplace and secrets of wealthy families, it covers a wide range of topics and is all-encompassing.

Zhou Cheng did not forbid them from having access to these things; on the contrary, he often asked them to help with tidying up.

Aside from a few items he specifically focused on, most of the information seemed useless, but it was full of all sorts of bizarre gossip and hilarious tidbits.

The women shared their "experiences" and commented jokingly, which was quite like a way of passing the time in another world that Shen Wan'er could not imagine.

The news here updates extremely quickly, and shocking scoops are constantly being revealed, making it far more interesting than those recurring toys.

Last night, Shen Wan'er met the other women in the household, and naturally, she also met Zhou Cheng.

Although they didn't have much contact, in her view, Zhou Cheng and Yan Bingyun were almost two extremes.

He was free-spirited and unconventional, and his interactions with the women were natural and intimate, with no sense of restraint between them.

Zhan Yuanyuan was beside him, laughing carefree, a vibrant and radiant smile she had never seen before.

While Zhou Cheng is indeed a womanizer with many women around him, he still manages to make time to respond to each person's words and emotions. This is completely different from Yan Bingyun's coldness, restraint, and lack of emotional expression.

Shen Wan'er quietly observed everyone in the mansion.

After a day of playing around, Zhan Yuanyuan, who had been playing wildly all day, had fallen into a deep sleep, a smile still on her lips.

Shen Wan'er, however, was wide awake.

She had never imagined that there was a man like Zhou Cheng in the world, let alone that a woman could live so...freely and happily.

She turned slightly to the side, using the dim moonlight filtering through the window to look at Zhan Yuanyuan's sleeping profile, her feelings a complex mix of emotions. A prince of Southern Qing and a princess of Northern Qi—their social statuses were worlds apart, yet they were together. Their obstacles were a hundred times greater than those between herself and Yan Bingyun.

Even so, they overcame all obstacles and their love was so beautiful.

Looking back at myself, I gave so much, but all I got in return was that person's restraint—they wouldn't even offer a word of farewell.

She was fine before because there was no one to compare herself to, but now that she has to, she feels a deep sense of loss.

Shen Wan'er turned her head to look at Zhan Yuanyuan's peaceful sleeping face, a hint of jealousy mixed with an inexplicable sense of melancholy quietly growing within her.

While her mind was in a mess, Zhan Yuanyuan suddenly let out a soft moan, rolled over, and hugged her like a koala, using both her hands and feet.

Shen Wan'er stiffened, and Zhan Yuanyuan nuzzled her neck again, mumbling in her sleep, "...Your Highness...it's my turn...I want to be on top...hehe..."

Shen Wan'er's cheeks instantly burned, and she quickly pressed down on Zhan Yuanyuan's unconsciously groping hand.

In the darkness, she covered her face, feeling her heart pounding like a drum.

Shen Wan'er settled down in the Prince Cheng's mansion and spent most of her time with the women in the inner courtyard.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and she gradually became familiar with Sang Wen, Si Lili and others.

But compared to the other women who had already been completely honest with each other countless times, she was still a step away.

During this time, Yan Bingyun did not come looking for her, nor did she go looking for him. Instead, she silently searched through a few fragments of text related to the Observatory and Yan Bingyun in the inner study.

After sharing a room with Zhan Yuanyuan for several nights in a row, Zhan Yuanyuan ultimately "forgot her friend for the sake of a pretty face."

She pitied Shen Wan'er's situation and considered having Zhou Cheng keep Shen Wan'er there as well. That way, the sisters could stay together for a long time.

Even though she was carefree, she could sense the subtle politeness and distance that the other sisters showed towards Shen Wan'er.

Many of the "secrets" and "outrageousness" in the inner courtyard were inevitably somewhat restrained because of the presence of Shen Wan'er, an "outsider".

Having grown accustomed to the carefree laughter and joking of the past, I inevitably feel a little uncomfortable now.

Zhan Yuanyuan whispered to Zhou Cheng in her pillow that she felt sorry for Shen Wan'er, who was all alone and had only Shen Wan'er as her friend.

She didn't want Shen Wan'er to be left alone in a foreign country and wanted her to fully integrate into the community.

Zhan Yuanyuan's words were tactful, and Zhou Cheng neither agreed nor refused.

People like Shen Wan'er, who are love-obsessed and will do anything for love, are indeed a bit troublesome.

However, he was not afraid.

Shen Wan'er's infatuation with Yan Bingyun was mostly due to the fact that she had been too well protected since childhood and had seen too few men.

If he really wanted to "steal someone's talent," given Yan Bingyun's cold, stubborn, and difficult nature, he might be able to succeed with a little manipulation.

But... he felt it wasn't necessary.

Shen Wan'er was beautiful and gentle, but she was ultimately Zhan Yuanyuan's guest, unlike the other women who had gathered around him by various circumstances.

He neither takes the initiative nor forces anyone.

She's just a woman; there's no need for deliberate planning. Just let things take their natural course.

After Zhan Yuanyuan mentioned it to Zhou Cheng, she secretly revealed her thoughts to the other sisters, and unsurprisingly, she was met with unanimous "resistance".

With each additional person around Zhou Cheng, the amount of time and attention he could give them decreased.

When they first got together and their feelings were still shallow, it was fine. But now that their feelings have deepened, it's inevitable that they'll develop more possessive desires.

Zhan Yuanyuan naturally understood the feelings of her other sisters, but she still hadn't completely given up.

She knew that the key to this matter lay in Zhou Cheng's attitude and in Shen Wan'er herself.

Given Zhou Cheng's personality, he would most likely not refuse if a beautiful woman took the initiative. And once Zhou Cheng nodded, the other women would ultimately have no choice but to accept.

"Wan'er, sister, I've been worrying myself sick over your happiness." Zhan Yuanyuan muttered to herself, silently beginning her "grand plan".

The arrival of Shen Wan'er caused a slight ripple in the inner courtyard of the Prince's mansion, but it remained generally calm. Outside, however, undercurrents were already surging.

On the fourth day after leaving the Fan residence, Wu Zhu arrived at Shijia Town on the border.

The reason it took four days was mainly because he didn't know the location of Shijia Town. He had to ask around the whole way, which wasted a lot of time.

When Wu Zhu arrived in Shijia Town, a massacre had already begun.

The prince's top fighters, leading their elite guards, were "cleaning up" house by house along a street under the cover of night.

When Wu Zhu arrived, dozens of households had already been brutally murdered.

Wu Zhu kept Fan Xian's instructions firmly in mind: to leave behind important witnesses.

He moved into the fray like a ghost, and ordinary assassins had no chance of survival under his iron spikes.

Only when facing those top experts did his subordinates hold back a little, merely crippling their mobility and barely keeping them alive.

In the midst of the fighting, some assassins, sensing the danger from afar, brazenly set the houses ablaze.

Fueled by the wind, the fire spread rapidly, billowing thick smoke. The shouts of the assassins awakened many townspeople, who fled in panic without even having time to dress, creating chaos in the scene.

Some of the assassins even took advantage of the chaos to blend into the crowd, making it difficult for Wu Zhu to distinguish them even with his abilities.

Finally, Wu Zhu stopped lingering and picked up the two most skilled martial artists, whom he had crippled, one in each hand, before quickly disappearing into the darkness.

Two more days passed.

Fan Wujiu, who was on his way to Shijia Town, received a message by carrier pigeon.

The letter stated that someone impersonating the Second Prince's men nearly massacred Shijia Town, and a key survivor was taken away by a mysterious man in black.

He was ordered to intercept the man in black, retrieve the witness, find out who was splashing the dirty water, and incidentally turn the tables on them!

Fan Wujiu dared not delay and followed the trail in the letter.

With two burdens on his hands and the need to ensure their survival, Wu Zhu found it difficult to conceal his whereabouts.

However, just one day later, Fan Wujiu received another intelligence. He analyzed the route alone and rushed to intercept them ahead of time!

Fan Wujiu was taken aback when he saw Wu Zhu.

The other party had his eyes covered with a black cloth strip, and was carrying a carrying pole on his shoulder with a dying person tied to each end, like two pigs with their heads tied up.

"Your face mask is wrapped in the wrong place, isn't it? When we go out, we usually cover our faces!"

Fan Wujiu was dressed in black, and he pointed to the veil covering his face.

Wu Zhu slightly turned his head to "look" at him, without saying a word.

He didn't even stop; he kept walking and was about to walk past Fan Wujiu.

Fan Wujiu sighed, took a step to the side, and blocked the way: "Your Excellency's disregard for me is rather offensive. Although I am a scholar, I still have a temper. When my temper flares up, I don't like to reason, so I have no choice but to resort to force."

Before he finished speaking, he had already moved, as fast as the wind!

He drew his sword, and a flash of light appeared.

then.

Gone.