Who Is The Main Villain In 'Joy Of Life'?

The main antagonist in 'Joy of Life' is the Second Prince, Li Chengze. This guy is the epitome of calculated ruthlessness, always hiding his schemes behind a charming smile. He's obsessed with power and will eliminate anyone in his way, including his own brothers. What makes him terrifying isn't just his political cunning—it's how he manipulates people's loyalties. He turns allies into pawns and makes enemies destroy each other without getting his hands dirty. His rivalry with the protagonist Fan Xian forms the core tension of the series, as both are intellectuals playing 4D chess with lives at stake. The prince's downfall comes from underestimating Fan Xian's resourcefulness and the power of genuine human connections.

In 'Joy of Life', the true villainy is split between two compelling figures—the Second Prince Li Chengze and the mysterious Northern Qi spy network. The Second Prince dominates the political arena with his silver tongue and deadly ambition. Every move he makes is calculated to weaken his opponents while maintaining his pristine public image. He funds assassinations, orchestrates coups, and even poisons his own father slowly—all while hosting elegant poetry competitions.

The Northern Qi operatives add another layer of danger. Their leader, Xiao En, operates in shadows with a network of sleeper agents embedded in Nanqing for decades. Their biological warfare tactics using plagues as weapons show a different kind of brutality compared to the prince's political games. The series cleverly contrasts these two antagonistic forces—one representing the corruption of absolute power, the other showcasing the horrors of unbridled nationalism. Both villains force Fan Xian to evolve from a carefree genius into a strategic mastermind capable of outmaneuvering them at their own games.

Let's talk about the real mastermind in 'Joy of Life'—Empress Dowager Li. While the Second Prince gets most screen time as the obvious villain, she's the puppet master pulling strings across generations. Her villainy is subtle but more dangerous; she shaped the entire imperial family's cutthroat mentality through decades of manipulation. The way she pits her grandsons against each other is psychological warfare at its finest—she doesn't wield daggers but crafts lifelong rivalries.

Her greatest weapon is tradition itself. She uses societal expectations and filial piety as chains to control the royal family, making rebellion unthinkable. What's brilliant about her characterization is how she represents systemic evil rather than individual malice. Even on her deathbed, she ensures the cycle of violence continues by planting seeds of distrust that outlive her. This contrasts beautifully with the Second Prince's flashy schemes—her influence lingers like poison in the soil, affecting everyone who comes after.