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, what an imposing air you have!" She crossed her legs, slammed two short axes onto the table with a dull thud, and asked, "Who do you intend to kill?"

Shen Zhong's expression tightened slightly, and his gaze quickly swept across her face.

Then, his expression changed instantly; he quickly stood up, a smile spreading across his face, and bowed with clasped hands.

"So it's the Holy Maiden in person! Why didn't you give us any notice beforehand? You should have informed us beforehand so that I could come out to greet you!"

Haitang Duoduo just chuckled.

She had a fairly deep understanding of Shen Zhong.

This person is a smiling tiger; he may seem all smiles on the surface, but he'll use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

He was able to maintain his position as the most powerful minister under the Empress Dowager for so many years, and that wasn't just because of his approachable and smiling face.

"I wouldn't dare let Commander Shen personally greet me." She swung her crossed leg. "After the greeting, he might report me later. Who am I supposed to complain to?"

She got straight to the point.

"Lord Shen, let's not beat around the bush. I've come here to ask you for something."

Shen Zhong glanced at the small axe on the table, a smile still on his face, and joked in a relaxed tone:

"The Holy Maiden desires anything, and by all accounts, I, Shen, cannot refuse. However, judging from her demeanor—" he pointed to the two axes, "she wouldn't happen to want my head, would she?"

Haitang Duoduo glanced at him sideways.

"I have no interest in Lord Shen's head, but if Lord Shen does not give me what I want this time, he will indeed lose his head."

Shen Zhong's smile froze for a moment.

He slowly suppressed his smile, his gaze becoming deep and thoughtful.

"What exactly does the saintess want?"

Haitang Duoduo: "I need evidence of a secret deal between you and Princess Li Yunrui of the Qing Kingdom."

Shen Zhong's expression changed, and his fists clenched instantly.

He stared at the crabapple blossoms, his eyes flashing with surprise, suspicion, and a hint of apprehension.

"What did the Holy Maiden say? This humble official does not understand."

Haitang Duoduo sighed.

"Lord Shen, let's stop pretending. Your dealings with Li Yunrui may fool some people, but they can't fool everyone."

They specifically asked you for it by name, what are you still arguing about?

"Who?" Shen Zhong narrowed his eyes. "Who's asking me for it?"

He was utterly puzzled.

Logically speaking, the Qi royal family shouldn't need evidence of a deal with Li Yunrui. After all, everything he did wasn't for personal gain, but entirely for the sake of Qi. Most of the profits from those transactions filled the national treasury deficit.

He and the Qi royal family were naturally on the same side.

Those who want evidence of Li Yunrui's transactions are more likely to be from the Qing Kingdom.

His deal with Li Yunrui was related to his future plans, and he could not tolerate anyone ruining the overall situation for a little bit of profit, not even the Qi royal family.

Haitang Duoduo's voice deepened slightly:

"You don't need to know exactly who it is. Just know that you can't afford to offend them, and we can't refuse them either."

Shen Zhong remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "The deal between my Embroidered Uniform Guard and Li Yunrui is of great importance; it could even compensate for the defeat of my border army. If the Holy Maiden does not clarify, please forgive me for being unable to comply!"

As he spoke, he grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it violently.

"Snapped!"

The teacup fell to the ground with a thud, scattering tea shards all over the floor.

But there was no sound outside.

There were no footsteps, no questions, as if the two of them were the only ones left in the vast government office.

Shen Zhong's heart sank suddenly.

Haitang Duoduo gave a cold laugh.

She was already seething with anger watching that scoundrel Zhou Cheng with women on both sides, while she had to stand guard outside every day to listen for his every move. She hadn't expected Shen Zhong to be so uncooperative; she'd really walked right into a trap.

"It seems Lord Shen isn't as clever as the rumors say!"

She flung something out of her sleeve and slapped it across Shen Zhong's face.

Ignoring the pain on his face, Shen Zhong hurriedly caught the object, and when he looked down, his pupils immediately contracted.

That was the Empress Dowager's token.

"I said we can't refuse. You can't refuse, I can't refuse, and even the Empress Dowager can't refuse."

Do I really have to spell it out? Fine, I'll tell you, that's what the Grandmaster wants.

If you cooperate, hand it over directly. If you don't cooperate—"

She patted the short axe on the table.

"I will kill you on the spot. Even the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare say a word."

Grandmaster!

The three words, once uttered, felt like a mountain range pressing heavily on Shen Zhong's heart.

The color drained from his face instantly, and cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

He was terrified and confused, not understanding why his deal with Li Yunrui involved a Grandmaster!

Shen Zhong looked at Haitang Duoduo, at that face that usually always had a carefree smile, but now it was expressionless and as cold as ice.

Her eyes told him that she wasn't joking.

If you don't cooperate, you really will die!

Shen Zhong did not remain silent for long.

He took a deep breath, slowly stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and opened the hidden compartment.

"Okay, I'll give it to you."

Shen Zhong turned to look at Haitang Duoduo.

"Could I possibly leave a copy of this...?"

Haitang Duoduo nodded.

"Hurry up."

......

Several hours later, Haitang Duoduo appeared before Zhou Cheng carrying dossiers and account books that were half her height.

"Bang!"

She slammed the pile of things onto the table in front of Zhou Cheng, put her hands on her hips, and gasped for breath.

Zhou Cheng only glanced at two pages before stopping.

Seeing her hard-earned fruits of labor treated this way, Haitang Duoduo's eyes widened in anger, and she gritted her teeth in fury.

"I carried this back home with my life on the line, and you just glanced at it?!"

Zhou Cheng looked at her strangely, as if surprised. How could a dignified ninth-rank official feel tired carrying so little? However, he didn't say anything, but simply said, "Yes, thank you for your hard work."

Haitang Duoduo: "...You!"

She took a deep breath, resisting the urge to smash the axe into his face, and stormed off with a flick of her sleeve.

As soon as she left, Zhou Cheng threw the evidence directly into the system space.

Thinking of Li Yunrui, who refused him entry to Guangxin Palace before leaving Kyoto,

A faint smile appeared on Zhou Cheng's lips.

"Auntie, oh Auntie, what are you going to do now!"

……

Having obtained the goods, Zhou Cheng knew it was time to leave.

He has been in Northern Qi for nearly a month, much longer than expected.

Now that the Battle of Qingqi is almost over, his "false identity" in the border army should be finishing his speech to reward the troops.

If he doesn't go back, it will be difficult to explain. He should at least show his face to Ye Wan.

He bid farewell to Zhan Doudou.

Zhan Doudou didn't try to stop him; she just looked at him with a complex expression in her eyes.

"Does the gentleman have any reliable men by his side?"

Zhou Cheng was slightly taken aback.

Zhan Doudou continued, "If you return to Qing Kingdom without my people by your side, I... will not feel at ease."

She paused.

"That girl Yuanyuan will miss you. Let her go with you."

Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"And her identity..."

"Just keep it hidden," Zhan Doudou interrupted him. "I will arrange a new identity for Yuanyuan, so she won't give herself away. Just keep Yuanyuan by your side, sir. I can only feel at ease with Yuanyuan with you."

Zhou Cheng looked at her, the empress.

"Okay," he said.

Zhan Doudou was silent for a moment, then took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to him.

"Si Lili is a good friend of mine, and I know she is in your household," she said. "Give this letter to her, sir. From now on, she can serve you with peace of mind."

Zhou Cheng hadn't expected Zhan Doudou to have considered so much for him.

He was deeply moved, but he did not express it.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The following day, Zhou Cheng secretly left the palace with Zhan Yuanyuan in a simple carriage.

Zhan Doudou didn't come to see him off; instead, she opened the window in the Imperial Study and stared in one direction for a long time without saying a word.

……

The carriage rumbled along, leaving the capital and heading south along the official road.

Zhan Yuanyuan leaned against the window, curiously looking at the world outside.

This was, in fact, the first time she had ever been away from the capital and the first time she had ever traveled such a long distance.

Every tree, every mountain, and every river outside amazed her.

"Your Highness, look at that mountain! It's so tall!"

"Your Highness, the river water is so clear! Are there any fish in it?"

"Your Highness, what are those people doing in the fields?"

Zhou Cheng drove the carriage ahead, responding casually, a smile always playing on his lips.

This girl is very curious and has a lot of energy.

After traveling for a day, they stopped to rest at a market.

Zhou Cheng had the horses fed the best fodder, and then took Zhan Yuanyuan for a stroll.

This small market can't compare to the bustling city of Shangjing, but it does have a horse market, unlike the commercial streets Zhan Yuanyuan visited in Shangjing.

The horse market is located at the eastern end of the market, and you can hear the calls of various livestock from afar.

As you approach, the air is filled with the distinctive smell of livestock, a mixture of hay and manure.

Zhan Yuanyuan covered her nose with her sleeve, but her eyes were still bright and sparkling. She pulled Zhou Cheng's sleeve and crawled inside.

The horse market was bustling with people, some leading horses, some driving donkeys, and some carrying lambs. The sounds of shouting, hawking, and haggling mingled together, creating a lively and lively atmosphere.

This was the first time Zhan Yuanyuan had ever seen so many animals. She was so excited that her face turned red. She looked at this animal for a while, then at that animal, wishing she could touch each one.

As she walked, she suddenly stopped.

She stared at a roadside stall, her eyes wide open.

"Your Highness," she tugged at Zhou Cheng's sleeve, lowering her voice, her tone full of surprise, "Look at that horse...it's so strange!"

Zhou Cheng followed her gaze—

There was a gray donkey tied to the roadside, its two long ears standing upright, idly circling the hitching post, its tail swishing back and forth.

"Its ears!" Zhan Yuanyuan exclaimed, her eyes almost sparkling. "They're so much longer than a normal horse's! Riding one must be so impressive! What breed is it?"

Zhou Cheng was taken aback.

Then I couldn't help but laugh.

Zhan Yuanyuan was baffled by his laughter.

"W-What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Zhou Cheng smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

"Silly girl, that's not a horse, it's a donkey."

"A donkey?" Zhan Yuanyuan blinked. "This is a donkey!"

She looked at Zhou Cheng, who still had a smile on his lips, pouted, and looked a little aggrieved:

"Stop laughing. They've never seen this before, so of course they don't recognize you."

After saying that, she turned her head to look at the donkey, tilting her head and examining it for a long time.

"This donkey looks a lot like a horse. It has long ears, and it's quite cute!"

Not long after, Zhou Cheng took Zhan Yuanyuan into a restaurant.

Zhan Yuanyuan quickly gave her evaluation:

"Not only is it cute, it tastes good too!"