Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

Professor Ye, I've revised my thesis draft again.

I know you prefer not to read digital copies.

Put it there, I'll look at it later.

Professor Ye

Did Fan Xian actually die?

(A university professor, Professor Ye)

Professor Ye, you must attend tomorrow's academic exchange meeting.

It won't do to keep avoiding public appearances like this.

Got it, thanks

By the way, Professor Ye

Is that Fan Xian dead or not?

What's the matter?

Professor Ye, is that Fan Xian really dead?

Have you finished writing that piece?

Not yet, I'm still working on the outline.

-Professor Ye -I don't know

What don't you know?

Zhang Qing

It's me

You finally showed up

What about me?

Did Fan Xian actually die or not?

Ever since you stopped updating

Everyone keeps asking me the same question

What exactly happened to Fan Xian lying there?

Did he actually die or not?

If he didn't die, what should he do next?

I've already written it

You're the first one I wanted to show

I remember before the hiatus

Fan Xian was stabbed

Yan Bingyun

So did he die or not?

Professor Ye, we're about to close soon

(Joy of Life 2)

I've thought about it all night.

(Qing Kingdom border, Sifang City)

What's your choice?

It's not about what I choose.

Now it's your turn to decide.

Ask yourself this:

Are you confident you can take my life here?

Young Master Fan.

(Fan Xian)

This...

is my decision.

Is Fan Xian alive or dead?

How can the protagonist die here?

(Qing Kingdom's capital, Dong Jing)

Your Majesty

Your Majesty, something terrible has happened

Your Majesty

Fan Xian is dead

Your Majesty...

A grave matter has occurred

Dean

Dean

Quick, don’t worry about me!

Gather all members of the Inspection Bureau—now!

-Understood! -Hurry!

(Fan Xian's death)

Oh my god

The envoy has sent back news

Fan Xian fell ill

and died on the way back to the capital

The body has already been cremated

Summon Chen Pingping

What's wrong?

-What's going on? -I don't know

What's happening?

Director, what happened?

(Director of the Surveillance Bureau, Chen Pingping)

Fan Xian is dead.

(Head of the Fourth Division, Surveillance Bureau, Yan Ruohai)

This might plunge the world into chaos.

Wait here.

Wait for my instructions.

(Minister of Revenue, Fan Jian)

Where is my son's body?

I don't know.

"You don't know"?

How can you not know?

You were the ones who made him take over the Surveillance Bureau.

You forced him to go on that diplomatic mission to Northern Qi.

And it was you

who withdrew the Black Cavalry,

putting his life in danger.

Now he's dead,

and all that's left

is just this one phrase...

"I don't know."

You don't want him

I do

I want to take my son home

Give me back my son

You've hidden him away his whole life

I can't go to my death

without understanding anything.

He's a person,

not a pawn.

I'll pay him back with my life

Fine, die right now then

No

Why?

Afraid to die?

One life...

Isn't enough

Before I die, I must settle

All debts of good and evil

Those who owe him their lives

I should take them all with me

Honored sirs, please don't quarrel here.

Where is His Majesty?

His Majesty is not seeing anyone.

Wasn't it His Majesty who summoned me for an audience?

Indeed.

His Majesty was grief-stricken upon hearing the tragic news about Lord Fan.

That's why he urgently requested to see Dean Chen.

What about now?

Now...

After reading the second carrier pigeon message,

he fell into silence.

He refuses to see anyone now.

"Second message"?

(Second Prince, Li Chengze)

Your Highness

(Second Prince's guard, Fan Wujiu)

Top secret

Xie Bi'an's carrier pigeon, Fan Xian's message

Take a look for me

-This... -No problem

I trust you

This is what His Majesty asked me to deliver to you.

Yan Bingyun

He's from your Inspection Court.

Who would have thought Fan Xian would die just like that

Fan Xian opposed the crown prince

This will surely plunge Qing into chaos

I bear no personal grudge against him

Killing him

is solely for Qing's sake

For Qing's sake?

(Second Prince's guard, Xie Bi'an)

Then why burn his body?

Fei Jie is his master

Old Fei's medical skills rival his poisoncraft

When Fan Xian dies, he'll surely examine the corpse

A sword wound can't be concealed

But without a body

how do we explain it to the world?

Then it was acclimation sickness

He succumbed to grave illness

Xie Bi'an claims Fan Xian is dead

The body's been burned

Did Xie Bi'an kill him?

No

Yan Bingyun stabbed him from behind

- The ambush succeeded - Yan Bingyun killed Fan Xian?

It's really burned.

What? Don't trust me?

No.

I was just thinking...

to keep some as a memento.

How could it be Yan Bingyun who acted?

You also find it suspicious?

Yan Bingyun always prioritizes Qing's interests

and values the law above all else.

With Fan Xian's current status,

no matter what happened,

Yan should have brought him back to the capital for trial.

Why would he resort to killing?

The Tiger Guards' message also makes no sense.

Exactly.

The Tiger Guards protect Fan Xian by imperial decree.

If Yan Bingyun truly tried to kill him,

Gao Da would have certainly stopped him.

How could they send such a message?

Could the information be wrong?

Could it be...

A fake death?

It's possible.

Why would this kid fake his death?

What do you think his motive is?

The why doesn't matter anymore.

At this moment, Fan Xian...

Beyond redemption

Your Majesty

This is deceiving the emperor

No, Fan Xian wouldn't die so easily

But this is indeed Xie Bi'an's handwriting

If I were Fan Xian, what would I do?

Fake my death to escape

Where could he go?

Naturally, the capital

He values personal relationships too much

He wants to deceive everyone and hide his tracks, but unfortunately

Even if he turns to ashes, I'd recognize him

What?

Fan Xian's ashes

Where to?

Plead for mercy before the emperor

If he wouldn't see us before, it'll be the same now

Then what should we do?

Suppress the news of his death to avoid a big scene?

Quite the opposite

Make it big

Fan Xian's death must have meaning

Your Highness, how can you be so sure Fan Xian isn't dead?

No hope

Have I ever misjudged someone?

But he was killed in front of us, and the body burned right after

How could he have escaped?

No idea, can't see through it

Now that's a real surprise

That's Fan Xian for you

Here, take it back

Let me take a look at this sword

(Document from the Inspection Office, Wang Qinian)

Where did this blood come from?

We can't let its death be in vain.

Sir, have some nourishment.

Chicken blood.

Chicken blood?

You must have foresight.

Did you predict today's events?

- I just have good connections. - What do you mean?

When I left the capital,

the seniors from Third Division gave me some interesting gadgets.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait, junior brother.

Junior brother, come with me.

Here...

What's wrong?

You two stay here and keep watch.

What are you thinking about?

Here, take this.

There's something important I must give you.

- This is... - Look.

Isn't this fun?

This head goes in here, comes out here.

It has a blood pouch inside.

You can control the blood flow yourself.

Quite interesting.

Working in enemy territory is full of dangers.

If all else fails, we can always fake our deaths.

Who would have thought

it wasn't used in Northern Qi

but ended up being used against our own people

You haven't even wiped your face

He's doing this on purpose to make himself look hardworking

Not hard at all...

Working for you, sir

I do it willingly

I'd go through fire and water without hesitation

Only you could think of this

Even prepared a fire

We had to burn it, Xie Bi'an would've inspected carefully

Old Wang really had it tough

Had to dig a tunnel underneath

Waiting for me down there

What an honor to assist you, sir

That ashes

Where did it come from?

You might not know this, sir

Our envoy prepared two carts of food for this journey

I was inside

Found half a dried pork side

After burning this pork

The size was about the same as yours, sir

Sir, I was wrong

I shouldn't have compared you to a pig

No, that's not what I meant

If you're angry, sir

You can kick me twice

-Come on... -Enough

Your acting isn't as good as Young Master Yan's

How could I compare to Young Master Yan?

Young Master Yan's performance

Was so realistic

Actually...

There were still flaws

What flaws?

A fire at this temperature couldn't burn a person to ashes

In such a short time

But I thought about it - Xie Bi'an is a swordsman

Burning bodies isn't his expertise, he wouldn't think of it

Are you good at burning people?

My master is good at burning anything

I learned to cook this chicken from my master

My master is both beautiful and wise

Skilled in everything

Now you're even rhyming

What's next? What's the plan?

Teng Zijing's wife and child, Fan Sizhe

And our teacher

If they're really all in Second Prince's hands

I won't rest easy

Want to rescue them?

Let the convoy move slowly, I'll return to the capital first

You're quite bold

Can I ask you something?

What?

Why did you choose to stand with me?

Aren't you afraid of causing upheaval in Qing?

The Inspection Bureau never yields to threats

Everything we do is for Qing

Li Chengze is a Qing prince

As a prince

Yet he colludes with Northern Qi and secretly amasses wealth

His intentions are punishable by death

I am loyal to Qing Kingdom

Loyal to His Majesty

As for the princes...

- Wang Qinian - Present

Later we'll present Young Master Yan with a plaque

What should we inscribe on it?

"Guardian of Daqing"

Fine plaque indeed

- Has the master heard about Fan Xian's news? - Yes, he has

Don't panic, it might just be a false rumor from afar

We mustn't lose our composure

I've already reprimanded them

With unconfirmed news, they're already planning a funeral

Isn't this absurd?

Don't stop the funeral preparations

What?

Continue with the preparations as planned

Proceed as if he's truly dead

Master, we mustn't take this seriously

He's so young

I can't believe he'd just leave like that

Do as I say

Is there something suspicious about the death news?

Show proper grief

Understood

By the way

Go check on Ruoruo

She was closest to Fan Xian

I fear her grief might make her ill

Ruoruo always respected Fan Xian the most

Who knows how devastated she must be now

Auntie is here.

The freshly stewed donkey-hide gelatin and longan soup is very nourishing.

Remember to drink it later.

Ruoruo, what are you doing?

I wonder what Fan Sizhe is busy with every day.

He's not even managing the bookstore anymore.

The storage room is damp and smelly.

I couldn't stand it, so I'm airing things out.

Haven't you heard the news?

About my brother's death? Yes, I heard.

Well...

Don't worry, Auntie.

There's no need to grieve either.

Remember not to dwell on it and distress yourself.

Why are you the one comforting me now?

Because my brother isn't dead.

Did your father just look for you?

No, he didn't.

Then why are you so certain your brother isn't dead?

Because my brother simply won't die.

All humans die eventually.

True, but not my brother.

Why?

Because I believe in him.

Ruoruo, do you really believe that?

Yes, I do.

Then I can rest easy.

But Ruoruo, your faith in your brother...

Couldn't this be considered blind faith?

(Capital of Qing Kingdom, Kyoto)

Old Wang

We're back in your territory again

You've got to watch my back

You might not know this, sir

Ever since I started following you

Newcomers have taken over my old turf

I'm actually worried old acquaintances might recognize us

Someone's actually copying how I used to sell maps here

There's market demand for it

What market?

Four taels now...

-They're auctioning these maps now -Four taels

-Five taels -Five taels

Five taels?

Wait, let me see

What does a five-tael map look like?

That's it?

This is such an easy scam.

Don't cause trouble...

This infuriates me.

Disperse...

- What's going on? - Everyone's paying respects.

- Let's pay respects too. - Let's go pay our respects.

Come... line up for incense.

Give me an incense stick too.

- Hold it properly. - Thanks.

Line up for incense, the whole city is paying respects.

A funeral set up outside the city gates, and no one's stopping it.

And everyone's paying respects.

This family has wide connections.

Indeed.

"Times change, but no poetry surpasses his."

"Eternal sorrow, passionate hearts leave only regret."

- These two lines don't connect. - Right.

And this wording is quite arrogant.

With officials present, how dare he say such things?

"No poetry surpasses his."

Don't speak carelessly, respect the dead.

"Passionate hearts leave only regret."

This was a passionate scholar.

Do we have such a figure in the capital?

I'll go take a look.

"Times change, but no poetry surpasses his."

"Spirit Tablet of Fan Anzhi, Pillar of the Great Qing."

Also named Fan? Who's Fan Anzhi?

Me.

Your honor's courtesy name is Anzhi?

Could it be someone with the same name?

Come...

Line up properly, follow me.

Everyone, look here.

There's significance to this spot.

When Lord Fan Xian first arrived in the capital,

he dismounted right here.

- Mourning the past by the roadside. - But you came by carriage, didn't you?

Later he met a beauty,

leading to a wonderful romance.

Everyone, the imperial exams approach.

Paying respects here

- Ensures exam success. - Hurry and pray, it's very effective.

And blesses happy marriages.

Hurry up...

How will you ever marry if you don't pray?

This is still about marriage blessings

Sir, calm down...

I'll fucking tear it down

Don't... it's your own ancestral tablet

Breaking it brings bad luck

What the hell is all this?

I don't know either

This spectacle rivals New Year celebrations

As expected of me

Take a look, come, everyone see

Lord Fan Xian once stayed here

Drinking wine, tea, and composing poetry, come

-Only ten left, limited time offer -Did the lord really come here?

No waiting past the deadline

Lord Fan's personally inscribed fan - limited edition relic

The calligraphy isn't bad

Han-style buns... Lord Fan's original Han-style buns

Han buns

Makes a man full

Sir, want a sachet identical to Lord Fan's?

Why does it smell like spiced duck?

What's wrong with this customer?

Sachet identical to Lord Fan's

-How could it smell like spiced duck? -This customer here

Lord Fan's poetry collection, want one?

Not this? We have better ones

-"Dream of Red Mansions" finale, want one? -The ending is out?

What ending?

"Dream of Red Mansions" wasn't finished, who are you fooling?

-Not finished? You... -Just wasn't finished

Wasn't finished

You look too poor to afford this

Poison developed by Lord Fan before his death

Kills all snakes, insects, rats and pests

No drug dealing, no drug dealing

No drug dealing

Our shop's fresh yogurt

Delicious with many flavors

Frequently visited by Lord Fan who praised it highly

Come, take a look

My lord

When will you take me to try it?

When I come back to life, yogurt's on me

My lord faked his death midway

That news was extremely confidential

How did this spread everywhere?

Besides the two of us

Only the Second Prince knew clearly

The Second Prince leaked it?

Can't understand what he gains from this

I remember your place isn't far from here.

Whose courtyard is this?

It's also mine.

Can your name be traced to it?

No, it can't.

Sir, make yourself at home.

The original owner of this courtyard was a gardener.

He borrowed money from me.

And then?

When he couldn't repay, he handed over this courtyard instead.

Care to guess what this is?

Isn't this just a kiln?

This is, in fact, the back door of our house.

I dug a tunnel leading directly into my courtyard.

Even if someone causes trouble,

I can still come and go freely.

Fan Xian's death has shocked the world.

If we can find this person in the capital now,

then the charge of deceiving the emperor

will be firmly established.

I've already surrounded Wang Qinian's house

with an inescapable net

The moment Fan Xian appears

he won't escape His Highness's grasp

Wang Qinian is Fan Xian's right-hand man

and has been in the capital for years

Besides him

Fan Xian has no one else to rely on

Look, my lord

Outside, these roads

lead in all directions

and all head outside the city

If anything happens

it'll be easy to escape

Not bad, "Safe House"

"Safe House"

That's an appropriate name

But there's still the Overwatch Council

Fan Xian is the Overwatch Council's Commissioner

If he returns there

it won't just be a charge of deceiving the emperor

If that happens

the outcome of this game...

will be decided

I don't recall this being the Overwatch Council's practice

Originally, it wasn't

But ever since

I had the honor of meeting you, my lord

you've brightened my world

Though daily life

has become quite thrilling

Come, my lord

Please sit

But since we have this Safe House

we don't necessarily have to go to your home

We can stay here instead

No... my lord

About settling the Teng family mother and son

my wife handled that

To find them

we must return to my home

and ask my wife

Old Wang

We'll go after nightfall

Better be cautious

Show restraint

Close doors and windows

Prevent fires and theft

Close doors and windows

Prevent fires and theft

It's so good to be home

What was that? An assassin?

It was set up by my lady to guard against villains

But then again Having the exit on the well wall—truly unexpected

The lady might be asleep

Whatever you do, don't wake her up

Or she'll throw a huge tantrum

Let's go to the other room

Since that's the case

Might as well just return to the Safety Institute

That house belongs to the girl.

It's been so long since I left.

I want to go take a look right now.

-Let's go. -Alright.

Here

There's a knife tied here.

Step over it.

Also,

Here,

and over there,

there are deer traps.

Stepping here is safe.

Madam has changed locations.

Sir, shall I carry you there?

Is your father Wang Qinian?

I'm your father's good friend

You can call me uncle

For me?

Well, thank you then

The porridge is ready

The porridge is ready

Mom is calling you to eat

Okay

Young Master Fan, I presume?

I'm Qinian's wife.

Please don't call me "madam."

Old Wang and I share a life-and-death bond.

By rights, I should call you "sister-in-law."

Please have a seat, sir.

Qinian left early to run errands for you.

We needn't wait for him.

It was thoughtless of him.

He only told me this morning you were coming.

We weren't prepared at all.

Just some homemade porridge - I apologize for the poor hospitality.

Please don't say that - I'm the one imposing.

There's meat!

How wonderful! What's your name?

Baba.

I didn't teach him that.

You misunderstand, sir.

It's the child's pet name.

Our girl's given name is simply "Ba."

Which character is it?

The "Ba" from "kingly might."

Really now...

Uncle, you dropped your egg.

Thank you.

I heard you have dozens of romantic entanglements in the capital.

I swear to heaven, absolutely none - all falsehoods.

Just baseless rumors spreading.

Not even one?

- Not a single one. - What about the princess?

My engagement to Wan'er is genuine.

But beyond that, all others are fabrications.

I believe you, sir.

Please eat your porridge, sir.

Uncle, don't drop it again.

I'll try.

That's quite a unique name for a child.

Qinian chose it when I first got pregnant.

Didn't expect it to be a girl though.

Why didn't you change it then?

A strong name makes for a tough life.

Helps them grow up safely.

Good name with good meaning.

I think my name is good too.

Mother, your daughter was wrong

No talking while eating or sleeping

Your daughter shouldn't have spoken while eating

Recognizing mistakes means correcting them

Your daughter understands and will correct it

You may rise now

Please have a seat, sir

We're talking about the kids

Adults don't need to be formal

Dean

Where is Yan Ruohai?

He has locked himself away

Let's go take a look

Sir, please don't move

Let me help clean up

I heard from Qinian that you need to pay rent

Did he say that?

One tael per day, said to help with household expenses

Is that not the case?

Yes, that's correct

The rent must be paid

Then there's no reason to have you help with chores

Otherwise, taking the money would break the rules

Sir, please have a seat

Baba, keep uncle company

- What should we talk about? - Anything

How old are you?

I'm five. How about you?

I'm definitely much older than you

So are you an adult?

Of course I am

Then why are you sleeping in my bed?

I'm just staying here temporarily

Do you like eating meat?

Yes

Do you know which meat tastes the best?

Which one?

It's pork belly

- That makes sense - Do you want to eat pork belly?

- Yes! - Mom

What is it?

Uncle wants to eat pork belly

I'll make some for the adult tonight

I'm not, I didn't...

Well done, you even got meat out of this

- Can you help uncle with something? - Okay

Do we have any paper at home? And find a piece of burnt charcoal too.

This little tyrant takes after her father.

Wang Qinian's traces have been spotted within the city.

It seems just as the Director predicted.

Fan Xian isn't dead, and has come to the capital.

So right now you're...

waiting for Fan Xian to come find you at the Overwatch Council?

He can't come here.

The Overwatch Council stands above all officials.

It's also Qing's most heavily guarded place.

If he were to use his Commissioner authority...

just for personal matters...

he would certainly die.

Didn't you say His Majesty was furious?

Faking death is deceiving the monarch.

That's also a capital offense.

Death either way, no matter what.

And you still have the appetite to eat porridge?

I've done all I can.

Can you save him?

Only he can save himself now.

What if Fan Xian can't overcome this trial?

If he fails this test...

I'm afraid you'll never leave this place.

I don't matter.

What matters is you.

If Fan Xian dies...

what will you do?

If Fan Xian really dies,

many people will accompany him in death.