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

When Zhou Cheng stepped into the imperial study, Emperor Qing was standing by the window with his back to him.

The dark dragon robe gleamed with a somber light in the setting sun. This middle-aged man was like a silent, restrained volcano, calm on the surface but with molten lava pressing down within.

His shadow was stretched long by the setting sun, extending all the way to Zhou Cheng's feet.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Zhou Cheng respectfully observed etiquette and knelt down to pay his respects.

Emperor Qing did not turn around, nor did he tell him to get up.

Time passed second by second, and the sunlight visibly dimmed inch by inch.

Emperor Qing, standing by the window, seemed to be on the dividing line between light and shadow, with the last light in front of him and a heavy shadow behind him.

No servants or eunuchs came to light the candles, and even the emperor's closest confidant, Eunuch Hou, was nowhere to be seen.

When Zhou Cheng arrived, he had already noticed that there was not a single person in the entire Imperial Study area; it was empty and desolate.

"You are indeed more patient than the Crown Prince!"

Emperor Qing finally turned around, his expression shrouded in darkness, with only the outline of his body bathed in a dark red halo, like a sculpture just taken out of a furnace.

Just a few days ago, the Crown Prince also knelt here.

The crown prince held him in awe, but kneeling for so long made him uncomfortable, so he would make some subtle movements.

Zhou Cheng, however, did not move an inch.

Not only his physique and expression, but even the rhythm of his breathing and heartbeat remained unchanged.

This powerful inner strength surpassed that of everyone he had ever met.

Although they are both his sons, it must be admitted that Zhou Cheng's shrewdness, temperament, and skills far surpass those of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince in every aspect.

In comparison, the two seem to be completely different ages.

As his son, Zhou Cheng was deep-thinking, resolute, and ruthless in his methods.

From any perspective, he is an exceptionally outstanding prince.

But this son alone did not have enough reverence for him.

Emperor Qing took a step forward, and an imposing aura erupted from him, as if a massive mountain was falling from the sky.

Centered on him, it was as if a black hole had appeared. The pitiful embers of the twilight were captured by his presence and plunged into an endless abyss.

"Are you feeling smug?"

Emperor Qing's voice was deep and resonant, as if it came from beyond the heavens.

"You really have reason to be proud!"

He seemed to be talking to himself.

"Your clothes are spotless, your hands are clean, you defeated Chengze and the Crown Prince as if you did nothing, yet Heaven favors you. I should just seize the throne for you! Your methods are brilliant, leaving almost no trace..."

He paused slightly, then his tone turned stern.

"But you shouldn't have, absolutely shouldn't have, gotten involved with that woman and done something so immoral!"

His eyes gleamed with a sinister light, and just as he had reprimanded Li Yunrui at Guangxin Palace, he spoke in a low, menacing voice:

"Nausea!"

Zhou Cheng listened quietly to Emperor Qing's angry rebuke. He didn't say anything, and his face was expressionless.

It was as if they hadn't heard, as if they didn't understand, or even as if they didn't care.

After uttering a curse, Zhou Cheng's indifference and nonchalance made Emperor Qing feel uncomfortable.

Emperor Qing remained silent.

He thought that since he had exposed Zhou Cheng's shameful secret, no matter how much he pretended or how firm he was, he would panic and even kowtow and beg for mercy.

But Zhou Cheng's reactions always surprised him.

Emperor Qing felt as if he had punched thin air.

For a long time, he could only stare at him, as if he were seeing this son for the first time.

"You're very brave!"

After a long silence, he said coldly:

"I know about your shameful affair with Li Yunrui, and I know about that bastard child. Just for that, I can cripple you, rendering all your efforts and schemes utterly futile. Aren't you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid!" Zhou Cheng looked up, his voice calm.

Emperor Qing remained expressionless: "Why aren't you afraid? You should be! All your scheming is for that throne, isn't it?"

Zhou Cheng pondered for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, and said, "Father, do you still remember the slap I gave my second brother back in the capital?"

Emperor Qing said calmly, "Of course I remember. I deeply regret being too lenient with you, which led to your lawlessness and recklessness!"

Zhou Cheng said very seriously, "Your subject has always firmly believed that a shameful thing is only shameful when it gets out. I am not guilty for doing it. Whoever spreads it is guilty."

Emperor Qing was speechless for a moment.

As a prince, slapping his elder brother is a grave offense of disrespect and a violation of human ethics.

The reason he didn't pursue the matter with Zhou Cheng back then, besides his intention to support Zhou Cheng, was largely due to this principle.

If the matter doesn't escalate, then it can't be considered a crime.

Emperor Qing never expected that a reason he had approved of back then would, more than half a year later, become a boomerang that would pierce him again.

He certainly didn't think he was wrong. He retorted firmly, "That was just an isolated case. I'm not punishing you, not for your sake, but to protect Chengze's reputation! You did something despicable and you can't even let people talk about it? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"

Zhou Cheng: "Your subject dares to do it, and is not afraid of what people will say. Your subject's thoughts were the same as Father's at the time, and it was also for the good of others. After all, if people like us make mistakes and it gets out, the one who will bear the consequences is not necessarily me, the person directly involved."

"What do you mean?"

Zhou Cheng: "People can say whatever they want, however they want; it's their freedom. But I believe a knife is harder than words. The knife is in my hand, and if I'm unhappy, I'll kill. Whoever speaks ill of me, I'll kill!"

"What do you mean?"

Zhou Cheng: "People can say whatever they want, however they want; it's their freedom. But I believe a knife is harder than words. The knife is in my hand, and if I'm unhappy, I'll kill. Whoever speaks ill of me, I'll kill!"

Emperor Qing sneered, "Murder? What a joke! How many people could you kill, inside and outside the palace? If killing could solve all problems, what would be the point of rules and laws? If everyone in the world spoke out, would you kill everyone in the world?"

Zhou Cheng said calmly, "The only reason people in the world dare to say this is because we haven't killed enough!"

Emperor Qing frowned: "Then tell me, how much is enough? The people in Guangxin Palace say you can kill the people in Guangxin Palace. The people in Prince Cheng's residence say you can kill the people in your own residence. What if others are still saying this? What if the entire court and the common people are all saying this?"

Zhou Cheng calmly looked at Emperor Qing: "The civil and military officials say, kill the civil and military officials. The common people say, kill the common people. Your son says, whoever says it, kill them! The people of the world say it, then kill the people of the world! Your son believes that there are very few people in this world who value a few words more than their lives."

Emperor Qing stared at him as if he were looking at a madman.

With his masterful insight, he realized that Zhou Cheng was not exaggerating; every word he spoke came from the bottom of his heart.

He truly had the resolve to kill everyone in the world!

Zhou Cheng was genuinely sincere.

He doesn't lie to others, and he certainly doesn't lie to himself.

He doesn't share Fan Xian's naive idea that everyone is equal.

He is the third prince, the Prince Cheng of Qing Kingdom, and a grandmaster who possesses the power to destroy a nation. No one in the world can make him pay for his mistakes.

When someone makes a mistake but doesn't have to pay the price, to the world he is no longer a human being, but a god!

Pure power can mold a person into a god, let alone someone who embodies both power and personal might.

He can consider himself a human being, but the rest of the world cannot.

Blasphemy against God is a capital offense!

Emperor Qing, of course, had no idea what Zhou Cheng was thinking; he only thought that Zhou Cheng had completely gone mad.

In a daze, he suddenly realized something.

He began to understand why Zhou Cheng had gotten involved with Li Yunrui.

These two lunatics are both insane; if it weren't for their incompatible identities, they would be a perfect match!

Emperor Qing lowered his head and said through gritted teeth, "Consort Li has truly given birth to a fine son! I entrusted you to her, and she raised you to be like this?"

Zhou Cheng said calmly, "Father, please don't wrong Mother. Back when I was in Qixia Palace, I was a well-behaved and sensible child."

"So you mean it's my fault? That I shouldn't have let you leave Qixia Palace, shouldn't have allowed you to establish your own residence, and shouldn't have bestowed upon you the title of Prince Cheng?"

Zhou Cheng didn't mean that, but he wasn't going to explain.

Emperor Qing sighed, his anger subsiding somewhat: "At least you still know how to protect Consort Li, so you're not entirely hopeless! I'm asking you now, regarding the assassination attempt at the Hanging Temple, did you intend to kill me, or was it purely to frame the Crown Prince!"

"Naturally, it's for the sake of the Crown Prince."

Emperor Qing received Zhou Cheng's answer and had no doubts.

Because the eunuch who tried to assassinate him was stopped by Zhou Cheng throwing a cup.

If Zhou Cheng truly intended to kill him, he wouldn't have acted; instead, he should have stood by like the Crown Prince, feigning ignorance and foolishness.

He thought Zhou Cheng was crazy and lacked respect for him, but fortunately he wasn't crazy enough to be disrespectful to his sovereign and father.

Recalling the Crown Prince's behavior back then, Emperor Qing suddenly felt that this son was not so repulsive after all.

Emperor Qing sighed inwardly: "Get up."

Zhou Cheng stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.

Emperor Qing looked at him: "You are very honest, and you have not failed the name I gave you. But that's all you have done. It is also my fault for being too lenient with you, allowing you to act recklessly and commit such rebellious acts. You are treacherous, framing the Crown Prince, a heinous crime. But you are still my son, so I will give you face. You request to be confined to your residence and permanently shut down."

Zhou Cheng shook his head: "Father, you are destined to be a wise ruler who will be remembered in history. Without solid evidence, you cannot punish me or imprison me. The Crown Prince has already lost; he cannot secure his position as heir apparent. Now, Father, you have no choice."

"No choice?" Emperor Qing was amused by Zhou Cheng's words, his deep eyes growing even darker.

"How arrogant! Let me tell you, I never chose him! From the day I established the rule that the crown prince would not be chosen by order of princes, I never considered replacing Chengqian! The emperor is always the emperor, and the subject is always the subject! You think you can bring down the crown prince with some schemes and tricks, but you haven't considered that if I don't let him fall, he will never fall!"

Emperor Qing thought his words would elicit a stronger reaction from Zhou Cheng, but once again, he was disappointed.

Zhou Cheng's emotions were frighteningly stable. He remained silent for only a moment before slowly saying:

"Your Majesty will not request to be confined to your quarters unless Your Majesty presents evidence to punish me. However, I think Your Majesty would rather not let the scandals of our royal family be known than punish me. After all, I am shameless and do not care about the stain, but Father Emperor does care about his reputation."

Emperor Qing's chest heaved violently.

At this moment, he was truly enraged again, and the air seemed to grow a thousand times heavier.

"Fine, fine! You dare threaten me!"

His voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth as he pointed at Zhou Cheng.

"Today I realize for the first time who the real traitor is! How laughable! In the end, it is my own son who is the greatest rebel!"

Emperor Qing was furious, but he had to admit that Zhou Cheng's words had hit a nerve.

He really cares about his reputation, and he cares a lot about it!

With no hope of achieving immortality, his greatest obsession was to unify all the kingdoms and leave his mark on history.

He was a monarch who could not tolerate imperfection.

His great achievements must be spotless and without flaws. Even after a hundred, several hundred, or even a thousand years, future generations will still praise him.

So he secretly built up a considerable force to do things that were inconvenient for him.

He tolerated Li Yunrui not only because she was his sister, but also because he could use her to kill people he couldn't directly confront.

He couldn't tolerate being tainted, so on the surface, he could only abide by the rules.

Zhou Cheng was his son, and no matter how furious he was, Zhou Cheng's actions did not warrant him killing his own father and son.

Once he takes that step, he will lose most of everything he has painstakingly built up over the decades.

His voice was so deep it seemed to drip water:

"You do know me to some extent, but you're foolish to think that will make me compromise! Everything you have is given to you by me. If I want to take it back, I don't even need to say a word; a vague statement will leave you with nothing. Let me tell you, what I give you is yours. If I don't give it to you, you can't take it even if you try!"

Having said that, his tone became even more somber and cold:

"Third son, from now on, I will take everything from you openly and honestly. If you are not satisfied, then come and fight for it! You are my son, you will not die. Li Yunrui is my sister, she will not die either, but someone must bear the price for their mistakes. Everyone in Guangxin Palace, including your bastard child, and everyone in the Prince Cheng's Mansion, will pay the price for your mistakes!"

His gaze, like a judging knife, fell on Zhou Cheng's face: "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Fight with everything you can. Whether it's a conspiracy or a scheme, or any other means, if you can defeat me, you will be the new emperor. If you lose, then be a prisoner and be prepared to spend your life repenting in the darkness."

After speaking, Emperor Qing did not look at him again. He waved his hand.

"Step back. When you see them, have someone come and light the lamps!"

Zhou Cheng paused for a moment, bowed, turned around, stepped out of the door.

The early winter night wind blew in, carrying a distinct chill.

The palace lanterns in the distance have been lit one after another, their dim yellow glow swaying gently in the night breeze.

He glanced back; the Imperial Study resembled a monstrous beast, lurking in the darkness, ready to devour its prey.

Zhou Cheng withdrew his gaze and strode away.

Emperor Qing said he was giving him a chance, but that wasn't really the case.

The last words Emperor Qing said were nothing more than threats against those around him, aimed at breaking down his psychological defenses and forcing him to rebel.

As long as he takes the step of rebellion, Emperor Qing can use him to achieve many goals, while also maintaining his own glory and innocence.

Of course, Zhou Cheng had anticipated all of this.

After all, he was the one who gradually brought this opportunity to Emperor Qing.

He randomly selected a guard and ordered him to light the lamps in the imperial study.

No sooner had Zhou Cheng returned to the Prince's Mansion than two imperial edicts emerged from the Imperial Study.

One was delivered to Prince Cheng's residence, and the other to Qixia Palace.

The document sent to the Prince's residence stated that he was rebellious, arrogant, and disrespectful to his father and the emperor, and ordered him to be confined to the residence for a month.

The imperial edict delivered to Qixia Palace stated that Consort Li had failed in her duty to educate her son, and therefore stripped her of her title of Consort and demoted her to the rank of Talented Lady.

With the issuance of the two imperial edicts, even though it was already night in the capital, the news spread rapidly, causing a great uproar.

No one expected that Zhou Cheng would be placed under house arrest at this time.

Li Chengze has been indefinitely confined to the Prince's residence, and the Crown Prince was only recently confined to the Eastern Palace. Now, Zhou Cheng has also been confined.

The fact that all three adult heirs were imprisoned is simply unheard of.

Li Chengze was involved in smuggling in Northern Qi and kept a private army. The evidence was conclusive, and no one felt wronged by his imprisonment.

The Crown Prince also colluded with the Northern Qi, and even arranged assassins in the Hanging Temple, which was even more shocking. Although His Majesty did not explicitly convict him, a lot of evidence has been revealed. The Crown Prince's confinement is not unjust in the eyes of the court officials.

Only Zhou Cheng was charged with "rebellious arrogance, disrespecting his sovereign and father, and being disobedient and disrespectful," which was quite interesting.

It seems he said something he shouldn't have, which enraged Emperor Qing.

But no one dared to ask the two parties involved what exactly was said.

However, since the imperial decree was to demote Zhou Cheng's birth mother, it must have been something extremely treasonous.

With Lin Ruofu's death, the court is now entirely governed by Emperor Qing's will.

The two imperial edicts clearly demonstrated Emperor Qing's attitude. Within a night of the news spreading, many members of the civil and military forces, who had originally sided with Zhou Cheng, began to waver in their stance.

The air was filled with a faint sandalwood scent, mixed with the incense from the courtiers' robes, creating a complex and heavy aroma.

"If you have something to report, speak now; if not, leave the court." Eunuch Hou's high-pitched voice echoed in the hall.

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure stepped out from the queue.

He was an imperial censor in the Censorate and a protégé of Zhou Cheng, one of the earliest civil officials to join Zhou Cheng's faction.

He was Zhou Cheng's mouthpiece in court, and he was among the first to stand up and impeach the Second Prince.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!"

Emperor Qing raised his eyelids slightly.

The censor knelt in the hall, raising his memorial aloft with both hands, his voice clear and firm: "Your Majesty, I impeach Crown Prince Li Chengqian for colluding with the Northern Qi, plotting an assassination at the Hanging Temple, treason, and deceiving the Emperor. The evidence is irrefutable, and his crimes are unforgivable! I beseech Your Majesty to depose the Crown Prince and replace him with a legitimate heir!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the imperial court.