Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

If he can't overcome this hurdle,

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 perish with him

My lord

Little Niannian

-Daddy -Little Niannian

Daddy

I've missed you so much

Good morning Papa, you were sleeping so soundly

I couldn't bear to wake you

I've missed you terribly

Let's attend to business first

You've worked hard, my lady

Come here

Little Niannian

Go on

My lady, you've worked hard

My lord, the items you requested

The situation outside seems a bit off.

What's wrong?

Have you found any leads on Teng's wife and child?

Not yet.

But while gathering information along the way,

I discovered news of your death has spread not just among commoners,

but also through official channels.

So?

So I think this situation is about to escalate.

This isn't good at all.

How will you explain this to His Majesty in the future?

This is the crime of deceiving the emperor - punishable by death.

I know.

Then let's leave the capital now and return to the delegation.

We'll say news of your death was misinformation.

Don't worry, I've considered all this.

Good that you're prepared, sir.

You keep searching for Teng's wife and child.

As for you, return to the delegation first.

I'll go to the palace to see His Majesty.

"See His Majesty"?

Sir, news of your death has already spread.

Going to see him now would be suicide.

Yes.

It's difficult.

But only in desperate situations can one find salvation.

I mean, that's what they say,

but what if we can't find salvation?

Should we really rush into danger now?

There's no other way.

We must face this. Let's try.

But sir...

We can't just go looking for death.

Old Wang.

If I really die, you should move immediately.

Don't stay in the capital - it's pointless.

I... sir.

Sir.

Sir.

Sir.

You must find salvation.

I remember you telling me

that Young Master Fan is exceptionally intelligent.

Of course.

Who is Young Master Fan?

He's extraordinarily brilliant.

Then what's there to worry about?

But the path he's chosen leads to certain death.

There's an assassin, catch the assassin!

- There's an assassin! - Catch the assassin!

- Don't move! - Don't move!

Everyone, there's no need to panic.

I'm just a simple assassin, that's all.

Can you people show me some respect?

Even with these basic chores...

someone still had to complain to me.

When will you ever give me less trouble?

Eunuch...

The guards sent word that an assassin is looking for you.

You see...

Now even...

(Chief Eunuch, Eunuch Hou)

What did you say is looking for me?

Eunuch Hou...

He knows every detail of the palace, unlike an outsider.

We thought it best to have Eunuch Hou see for himself first.

What a bunch of cowards.

Move aside!

Hello there, Eunuch Hou!

Disperse...

My dear Fan, what are you doing here?

Eunuch Hou, could you deliver a message for me?

What message?

I need to see His Majesty.

Absolutely not!

His Majesty is currently furious.

Meeting him now would mean certain death.

Please inform His Majesty for me,

I have urgent matters and only need one audience.

Oh my dear Fan,

I beg you, just leave!

Just deliver this one message for me.

His Majesty is in a rage right now.

If I dare pass your message,

I'll lose my head alongside you.

To speak what this old servant shouldn't,

in this current situation,

if you don't leave, it's certain doom.

Cover your face now and leave the palace the way you came.

I'll pretend I never saw you.

Faking death to deceive the emperor

This approach is utterly foolish

Then what? What else could I have done?

Even if it were a matter of life and death, you should have endured until returning to the capital

Lives are at stake—I couldn’t wait

-Isn’t your life worth anything? -So what?

Is Director Chen here now to take my life?

You should be fully aware of your current predicament

-I know. -Know what?

Everyone tells me that meeting His Majesty now would mean certain death

My only chance to survive is to leave the capital

Leave the capital

No different from death

So according to you, there's no way out?

Exactly.

Meeting His Majesty means death.

If you want to live, you must first die.

Only by risking death to meet him

will you have a chance to survive.

If His Majesty spares you this time,

you'll survive this ordeal.

But right now, I can't even get to see him.

I can try to persuade him.

Alive or dead

The answer is unknown

I know you don't trust me now, and that's good.

If you keep blindly believing in me,

then we're truly finished.

But now you have no choice

Wait

Please deliver this to His Majesty for me.

Don't open it.

I don't need to know anything.

Before his death, Sean revealed the temple's secret.

The matter of the temple.

His Majesty won't speak of it, not a word.

If His Majesty sees you today,

you must remember this:

Until you are certain

and rightfully restored to life, do not seek me.

Your deeds, those you've saved—

I won't aid you either.

Consider the capital as offering no help

You're on your own

I can't go anywhere else either?

Don't return to the Fan residence, don't come looking for me

You decide the rest

Thank you

Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty.

I have good news to report to Your Majesty.

The news of Fan Xian's death has spread throughout the capital.

It has rallied the scholars of Daqing in shared indignation.

Strive and advance

The Northern Qi literary world has suppressed our Daqing until now

Congratulations, Your Majesty

Now the situation has changed

Our Daqing literary world will no longer look up to Northern Qi as its teacher

From what you're saying, Fan Xian truly deserves to die.

The crime of deceiving the emperor.

He should have died long ago.

But if he were to remain alive,

he could still be of some use.

After all, scholars across the land

already regard Fan Xian as the future literary master.

If he were to live,

even the Northern Qi literary circles would hold him in reverence.

Your Majesty.

Rumors are already spreading outside.

They say the news was mistaken due to the great distance.

They say the report of death was incorrect.

That is possible.

In any case...

The crime of deceiving the emperor...

must never be forgiven.

Yet, Fan Xian, knowing it was a dead end...

still pleaded for an audience.

This shows he acknowledges his fault and accepts his fate.

He does not seek to evade it.

Look, this is the gift the child prepared for you.

You say this child...

In Northern Qi's peril, between life and death,

yet what weighed on his mind

was still Your Majesty.

This child truly deserves death,

but Your Majesty...

could first meet him once

and then execute him

without delay.

Do you have anything else?

I take my leave.

The traitor Fan Xian

Deceived the emperor by faking his death

His crimes are unforgivable, his death insufficient punishment

I grew up in Danzhou

Unaware of worldly affairs

Without lofty ambitions

Since entering the capital, my rise has been meteoric

Without Your Majesty's trust, how could I be where I am today?

Though I've never spoken it plainly

how could I not remember Your Majesty's divine grace?

Since being sent as envoy to Northern Qi

I've long been resolved to die

What is life and death

compared to even a fraction of Your Majesty's trust?

Today I appear before the throne

for no other reason

than to entrust what I learned in Northern Qi to Your Majesty

Please don't let my personal fate

affect state affairs

I was sent as an envoy to Northern Qi

and learned that Princess Li Yunrui

and the Second Prince Li Chengze

were secretly colluding with the Northern Qi's Embroidered Uniform Guard

raising suspicions of treason

On my return with the envoy delegation

Li Chengze's subordinates threatened my loved ones

to force my submission

Left with no choice, I faked my death to escape

Though justified

it remains an absurd act

The matter of the temple

His Majesty neither discusses nor mentions it

Furthermore,

Before his death, Xiao En revealed to me the temple's location

in the far northern lands.

Such classified information

should either be concealed at all costs or selectively disclosed...

I leave this decision to Your Majesty's discretion.

All that I have witnessed in Northern Qi

I have now fully reported to Your Majesty

At this point

Even if I must die, I have no regrets

The only lament is

That in death, I can no longer serve Qing Nation wholeheartedly

Nor remain loyal to Your Majesty

If my spirit retains consciousness after death

I shall continue protecting Qing Nation and Your Majesty

May Qing Nation unite all under heaven

May Your Majesty be free from illness and calamity

My words are concluded

I bow my head to receive death

Get out

Didn't I already tell you? Get lost!

Long time no see

Fan Xian?

Didn't you already go on a diplomatic mission to Northern Qi?

What kind of plan is this?

Your Highness is overdoing the act a bit now.

Wh...what do you mean?

The city gates are hung with my funeral elegy

How could you not know about my death?

It's better if I didn't know

What makes a good crown prince?

Not knowing is what makes a good crown prince

I'm standing right here

I can't see

Don't you want to know why I faked my death and returned to the capital?

I'm blind, I'm deaf

Li Yunrui and Li Chengze conspired together

Secretly colluding with the Northern Qi's Imperial Guards

Smuggling for profit, plotting treason

The second brother is quite scheming.

He's always had his eyes on the treasury's financial control.

Impossible, this is absolutely impossible.

How could Aunt possibly side with Second Brother?

Your Highness, do you truly believe you understand the Princess?

Where did you get this information?

- Shen Zhong, Commander of the Northern Qi Imperial Guards - Do you have concrete evidence?

There's a border town in Qing called the Shi Family Town.

Northern Qi smuggled goods are being transported into the country

Most are stockpiled and transferred here

Investigate all the merchants in this town

and the truth will come to light

So all your information

- Was given to you by someone named Shen Zhong, right? - The young emperor of Northern Qi helped me investigate

- Why would the young emperor help you? - I took on smuggling operations

That's why Li Chengze wants me dead

I've sent people to Shijia Town overnight

Your Highness isn't playing deaf now?

This is life or death - can't afford to hesitate

Let me escort you back to the envoy

I need to stay in the capital for now

Then you can hide here with me

I appreciate it, but I have my own matters

Your life is in danger now

If you need anything, just ask

Then my thanks in advance

Your Highness, our cooperation must be kept secret from Li Chengze

Naturally, this is top secret

Those guards earlier...

I'll detain them for a while

Never thought we'd join forces one day

Just mutual benefit

Take care

All guards who just entered the hall, come here.

-Is everyone here? -All present.

Men are not made of wood and grass

Who can be without feelings?

After serving me for so many years

At least leave them whole in death

We must leave now

Otherwise not only can we not save Mother Teng and her son

- My wife and Baba would also be in danger - Why are you panicking?

In this situation, you still went to see the Crown Prince

Isn't this secretly forming factions with the Crown Prince?

Wouldn't this add to your crimes?

Moreover

Just this single visit to the palace

If word gets out

Someone will surely emerge

To seize this chance and make your death real

Old Wang, listen to me

I need to come back to life

Time is of the essence, right?

If I don't revive before the envoy returns to the capital

It'll be much harder to resurrect later

That's why I went to see the Crown Prince

Can the Crown Prince really bring you back to life?

It's not that the Crown Prince can revive me

But time is short and the mission heavy

We have too much to investigate

I can't do it alone, so we must divide the work

I'll have the Crown Prince cut the problem at its root by investigating Second Brother's smuggling

We two will search for Mother Teng and her son

Only after clarifying everything can we rejoin the envoy

And if we can't find out?

Then we'll smash the pot - we'll all die

My lord, surely not...

- Then my wife and Baba... - Surely not...

It won't come to that...

There are always more solutions than difficulties

Speaking of which, how's your investigation going?

There's some news now.

I asked around.

Old Fei Jie isn't in the capital.

He's away on official business.

He's safe.

As for Young Master Sizhe, he's also unharmed.

I inquired about him.

They say he leaves early and returns late.

No one knows what he's busy with.

But there's no sign of him being abducted.

So the only ones missing are the Teng mother and son.

They...

There's news about them too.

Someone saw them being taken away.

Did they see where they were taken?

Embrace Moon Tower.

"Embrace Moon Tower"? What kind of place is that?

A brothel.

Are you really not coming out?

No idea how long we'll stay.

Let's move some things in first.

It won't be long.

Any news?

The assassin had an audience.

An assassin had an audience?

- Fan Xian? - His Majesty wants him to return openly.

Then he doesn't have much time left.

Once the delegation arrives in Dong Jing, everything will be settled.

He won't survive this.

Fan Xian has been burned, shouldn't we return to the capital?

No rush.

Let's observe a bit more.

We'll act once we're sure there are no surprises.

Since we plan to revive him later,

why did His Majesty announce Fan Xian's death

to the entire world?

To show his killers the consequences of Fan Xian's death.

The whole nation is shaken, it's practically a state funeral

After all, Zhuang Mozhan bequeathed his entire collection to him

It holds extraordinary significance

A literary legacy

Moreover,

His Majesty simply wants to discipline him

This child excels in every way,

except he's far too unorthodox

Will Fan Xian understand?

Understanding is one thing,

but obedience is impossible

This is actually a great opportunity

The news of death spreads

If he really died at this moment

no one would question it, and it would seem perfectly justified

- Where are you going? - Didn't you mean for me to kill Fan Xian?

Have you even found him yet? And you're already talking about killing?

Then let me know once you've found him.

Actually...

Finding Fan Xian won't be easy

But we can make him show himself

Then where should he appear?

Where else? The Moon Embrace Tower

The Moon Embrace Tower?

To find the Teng mother and son

Fan Xian will definitely go to Moon Embrace Tower

Aren't you going to help him?

In this current situation,

His Majesty is watching too,

If I act, His Majesty might not be pleased.

Behind Baoyue Tower...

Who exactly is it?

Open the door

Can we go in to have fun?

Sorry, no entry without an invitation.

-Make an exception -No exceptions

Come... this way, please

Please come in... Have fun and enjoy yourselves!

Outsiders can't get in here.

Isn't this a brothel?

It is a brothel.

But of higher class.

They select their clients.

You must have status and talent.

Only then will they issue you a pass.

This pass is required to enter.

They say this place is different from other brothels.

More refined and elegant.

Ah, so it's membership-based.

What's "membership-based"?

Never mind. So about this pass...

This pass isn't easy to obtain.

But I just inquired.

- We have a golden opportunity now. - What opportunity?

A memorial for the Poetry Immortal.

Which means honoring you.

So by commemorating me, we can enter Baoyue Tower?

Those who memorialize well will receive this pass.

With this pass, you can enter Baoyue Tower.

What counts as memorializing well?

Everyone, today we...

Have again invited three esteemed officials.

To witness this grand memorial with us.

- It's starting... - All memorial participants...

Who gain approval from all three officials...

Will receive the Scholar's Pass.

Which grants entry to Baoyue Tower.

What's going on here?

Do you not see

The Yellow River's waters descending from heaven

- Drunk poetry at Qinian Hall - Heaven has made us talents, we're not made in vain

Though gold and silver by the thousand are spent, they will come back again

- Good - Good

This is a good imitation of memorial poetry

Why does this sound strange?

It's just memorializing you

May Young Master Fan be immortal

- May Young Master Fan be immortal - May Young Master Fan be immortal

What weapon does the young master prefer?

Of course, the sword

- Awkward - Look at this

This is just a poor imitation

An imitation show

I understand the imitation part

But where does the "show" come from?

"Xiu" means "show"

You are thinner than me

Speaking of fear at Fear Shoal

Gentlemen

Sir, please try this

Though lacking the phoenix's colorful wings

Our hearts beat as one through subtle understanding

I... let me try again

I... let me try once more

Give me another chance

Do I resemble it?

See? This is what poor imitation looks like

A failed attempt at emulating the original

Wouldn't you say this is a heaven-sent opportunity?

When learning from the Poetry Immortal, who could compare to you?

My lord

Aren't we supposed to infiltrate Baoyue Tower for intelligence?

Why not sign up to perform?

If Baoyue Tower opens its doors to welcome guests

Perhaps we could attempt it

My lord

How could you serve this to his lordship?

This is actually quite acceptable

Madam, allow me...

Are you afraid that once you're on stage

someone might recognize you?

Even if they don't recognize you on stage

without the crowd's cover, sneaking into the building

would be difficult to conceal.

After much thought, this memorial at Baoyue Tower

might be a trap.

-A trap to catch us? -Catch you?

No... I didn't mean it that way, no.

Then we should take advantage of the dark night

and enter the building at night to find them.

We only have one chance.

I'm just afraid of alerting the enemy.

Who's in charge of Baoyue Tower?

Then I'll have to look into it.

Yuan Meng.

Who is Yuan Meng?

Lord Fan, could you write me a poem?

Lord Fan

Lord Fan, your legacy will endure

-Lord Fan -Lord Fan

You've finally arrived

(Yuan Meng, Head of Baoyue Tower)

Yuan Meng, the renowned Yuan

Retreat

She was once the top courtesan of Liujing River

Before Si Lili, she was the most famous

How does Madam know all this?

Our family used to sell rouge and perfumes

So we know a thing or two about brothels

Then why didn’t you mention it earlier?

Please don’t blame me, sir

Qinian rarely handles this kind of business

I had to avoid suspicion

I’ll learn from you

Oh, sir

So should we start investigating this Yuan Meng?

Is this Yuan Meng the owner of Baoyue Tower?

Though she manages affairs, she's not the owner.

The owner of Baoyue Lou is quite mysterious.

Unknown background, never shows their face.

To investigate the whereabouts of the Teng mother and son,

we'll probably need to find this mysterious owner.

Outsiders wouldn't know,

but someone in the establishment might.

Do you know someone there?

There's a girl who's acquainted with Qinian.

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible, my lord.

My reputation is what I value most in life.

To say I'm pure as ice,

wouldn't be an exaggeration.

My lady must have heard some rumors.

Miss Sangwen.

Why are your hands so slippery today?

Must be sweating.

At first, it was just delivering rouge and spices,

all delivered to Miss Sangwen, wasn't it?

Well, yes.

But I have no special relationship with her.

My lord, now I remember.

First, I sold her a music score,

then later, a guqin instrument,

and only then the spices my lady mentioned.

You sold her quite a lot.

What else did you sell?

Maps, "Dream of the Red Chamber" - my lord knows this.

But after meeting you, my lord,

I've only been selling my loyalty.

My lady.

If you hadn't mentioned earlier about,

that Sang... whatever her name was,

I would have completely forgotten her.

Now Miss Sangwen is at Baoyue Lou.

Didn't she say she only performs as a singer? She wouldn't...

My lord, what a relief

It seems Qinian hasn't completely forgotten

He should be able to help you make this connection

What's wrong with it?

-I don't know -I don't know

I'll go get another one

Me?

Can you help look for it?

- Should we have this tea... - Right

We should still drink it

The guest follows the host's lead

Where's the spoon?

Here it is.

Go ahead.

Sir is waiting to discuss Miss Sang with you.

No, I'm really not familiar with her.

Besides, she's inside the Baoyue Tower, right?

Even if I wanted to see her, I wouldn't have the chance.

You still want to?

No, I...

I must think, I have to think

I'll think carefully for you, sir - devise a perfect plan

Sir

Sir

Stop looking

Turned red?

Quite long fingers

It'll be fine soon

Sir

If we want to meet her, we still can

The women in this brothel

They buy their clothes and makeup outside

- Which shop? - I know the shop

If we want to find Sang Wen

We'll have to wait at the shop

Can you blend in at that shop?

They all know me

Old Wang, you're not wronged

No, don't misunderstand

I just earn some small money from them occasionally

Nothing else going on

You don't believe...

Clear conscience, right?

Then why didn't you explain clearly earlier?

You're unmarried, sir - you wouldn't understand

Even with a clear conscience

You can't say one word more

Or it'll cause complications

With women, you mustn't arouse suspicion

For men, peace is happiness

Marriage isn't easy

- Then let's go now - Let's go...

Madam

I'm accompanying the official for some official business

- Remember to bring a blue floral handkerchief - Got it!

What's wrong?

- What do you mean? - What do you mean "what do I mean"?

The shop we're going to

is most famous for its blue floral handkerchiefs

Brilliant

Quick... The ladies of Baoyue Tower are coming out.

So beautiful.

Make way...

Come on, everyone make way

Each one looks like a fairy.

Miss, look, these are the latest styles that just arrived.

They suit you perfectly.

Don't push...

You have great taste, this color complements you best.

This one is nice.

This one is pretty too.

What do you think of this one?

I love this color the most.

The hand embroidery is so beautiful.

This is hand-embroidered, truly exquisite.

Miss Sangwen

Yesterday's sunset was like mist

I suppose Miss Sang should be arriving soon.

The items you requested last time are all prepared for you.

After you, miss.

You're following this too?

Miss...

Don't shout, we know each other...

It's me, Wang Qinian

This is a disguise

Take this

This is Mr. Zhao

I've admired you for a long time

I just wanted to meet, nothing more.

Keep this quiet.

This gift is too generous, Lord Fan.

No... Xiao Zhao.

I've seen you before.

Where have we met?

That night when Miss Si Lili used fireworks to escape by boat.

and first met Lord Fan.

I was watching from upstairs

What a coincidence then

I heard the lord has died

I heard that too

- My condolences - Thank you for your concern

I'll move forward

What do you mean?

My lord...

Are you investigating Baoyue Tower?

-Who told you that? -No, I didn't say anything, I...

For you to return from death and meet me in such a place...

Surely you didn't come just for me?

I'm just an ordinary woman.

Except for Baoyue Tower...

Everything and everyone around me is ordinary.

Then what makes Baoyue Tower so special?