Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

Then let's seal the building first.

You calm them down.

Wait until I officially return to the capital.

I'll definitely give them a way out.

Understood.

By the way, there's a Miss Jin in the building.

Take special care of her.

Return her indenture contract.

Are you worthy of my sister-in-law?

The business is doing so well.

Just closing it down? Giving up?

Dare not continue.

Is there anything you wouldn't dare to do?

Won't cross the bottom line.

Very well then.

Then I won't stay longer.

You should return to the envoy group soon.

Don't delay the envoy's return to the capital.

I'll return immediately.

Your Highness.

As for the Teng mother and son during this time...

Please have someone look after them.

Don't worry about that.

As for Second Brother, you plan to...

Investigate thoroughly.

That's good.

There will be new news from Shijia Town soon.

No need to say more.

When you officially return to the capital...

We'll pull off something big.

Your Highness, take care

Brother

I must give you some advice

About the Crown Prince and the Second Prince

Let them fight among themselves

We mustn't get involved

This could cost us our heads

It's not your head at stake

No one's head should be at risk

When news of your death reached the capital last time

The entire capital was in an uproar

It was such a spectacle, so many came bearing gifts

Please don't put us through this again

When I return alive, we'll return all these gifts

They won't take them back

Why wouldn't they?

Think about it, sir

If you're not actually dead

who would dare take back their gifts?

And if you come back to life

the thoughtful ones would send another round of gifts

You're just not cut out for officialdom

What nonsense is this

This isn't nonsense

This is how the capital's official circles work

The way of the world

Enough, seal the building

We've said what needed to be said, we're leaving

Brother, no...

What do you mean we're done?

There's still someone here to deal with

What about him?

- You handle it - I should handle it?

Wasn't it you who knocked him out here?

What else? Let him watch with open eyes as his brother

is reduced to this state?

You actually act like a proper brother

You're my brother, you should side with me

What should I do?

After today, stay confined at home

Don't go out until I return

- Alright - And no one speaks of today's events

I understand

Don't worry, everything will be fine. Wait for me

I'll wait for you

Take care, young master

Is it easy to make money?

Isn't this my place?

Cousin

Cousin

How did you fall asleep?

Maybe I'm going through a growth spurt, feeling extra sleepy

That's not right

I remember there was someone in this room

Gave me a chop out of nowhere

And then I just...

Collapsed right here

Impossible

You're saying someone came out and karate-chopped you?

And you just... collapsed here?

Seems like it

Can't be...

I'm telling you, something's off with you today

As soon as you arrived

You went straight to that spot

Said you had no energy

Wanted to nap

I think you were dreaming

Dreaming?

Bro, what happened to your eye?

Got kicked by a donkey

Donkey? You keep donkeys now?

No, I had a dream.

I dreamed a donkey kicked me here.

That's quite an eventful dream you had.

Yes, and I dreamed two dogs were fighting here.

Alright then, let's continue.

Listen to music.

Cousin, listen to me.

Today, let's not listen for now.

You should go back to the palace and rest.

Why?

Lately, we've been...

in poor mental states, right?

See, having too many dreams.

I dreamed of being kicked by a donkey.

You dreamed of being beaten by Fan Xian, right?

Fan Xian?

A bad person, you dreamed of being beaten by a bad person, right?

So I think we should just drop it.

Sir, there's nothing here.

This...

Where on earth did it go?

If it weren't for the Second Prince being captured,

where else could they have gone?

How are your connections in the capital?

In the six months I've been away,

there were only some financial disputes at most.

But it shouldn't involve my family.

Sir.

You should return to the envoy group first.

Qinian apologizes, I can't accompany you anymore.

I need to keep searching for them.

I'll help you look for them.

Sir, you should leave quickly.

Otherwise it'll be too late.

It's fine, people's safety comes first.

Madam.

You're inside the house.

Where's Baba?

Why are you hiding?

Let me wipe your sweat.

Look how anxious you are.

We were right here in the house.

I was putting her to sleep.

Then why couldn't I see you?

You all...

How did you disappear?

They were taken away.

What do you mean "taken away"?

-To protect us -Protect?

-Who? -Who else could it be?

Chen Pingping?

Exactly.

Dean Chen asked me to relay a message.

The Teng mother and son have been released.

Dean Chen will send them to Danzhou for settlement.

He asks you:

Do you want to meet before leaving?

No need.

The farther I stay from them,

the safer they'll be.

Dean Chen advises you to return to the envoy group soon.

What exactly does he want?

Dean Chen says:

After the Northern Qi mission,

you might have become wary of him.

He says he won't explain.

Words are sometimes meaningless.

How he treats you

isn't about what he says,

but what he does.

Can you see through him?

Who in this world can see through Dean Chen?

Madam.

Thank you for taking care of Baba.

The sir and I must return to the envoy group.

Young Master Fan, where are you?

We're almost at the capital.

If you don't return soon, I can't cover for you anymore.

Did you see that?

This person talks to Fan Xian's ashes every day.

Though it's unclear what they're saying,

this level of loyalty

is truly admirable.

Where are you? Seriously!

I'm going crazy with worry!

Alright

We're almost at Dong Jing

Fan Xian's death

seems to have been without incident

Let's go

We must report to His Highness

Haven't left the house for days?

Yes, meals are delivered to the room

Are they sick?

They eat heartily

We even prepared delicious yogurt for them

With fruits added too

Doesn't seem sick though

Is there someone else in the room?

No, there isn't

Can't say for sure

At this age

They're capable of anything

Give it to me, you can go now.

Yes.

Mother, why don't you come in?

Delivering yogurt

Please check under the bed too.

There's still a whole cabinet full

Is anyone there?

Then why are you hiding indoors every day?

You're not usually like this.

He won't let me go out.

Who?

No one, I just don't want to go out.

Why?

Did you get into trouble?

Please stop asking.

I just can't go out, that's all.

It's not about a girl, is it?

What girl? There's no girl!

No, don't make wild guesses.

How long will you stay inside?

I don't really know.

I guess I can go out after waiting a while longer.

Waiting for someone?

No, please stop asking.

You're relentless.

A girl?

I wish it were a girl.

It's a man.

Mother.

I haven't gone out these past few days.

Has father asked about me?

Why would he ask?

I haven't paid my respects to him for so many days.

Isn't he angry?

No.

With you not hovering around him,

he's been in a much better mood.

I thought as much.

Father has never thought highly of me.

Oh you...

I was just teasing you.

It's fine, no need to comfort me.

I've always known.

Ever since I was little,

nothing I did ever pleased father.

No matter how well I did, he still thought me useless.

Mother.

Tell me,

if in my entire life

I can't do even one thing to make father proud,

wouldn't living be rather pointless?

Sizhe.

He's your father.

He doesn't truly think you're useless.

He just wants you to be better.

So now we can say that man is?

My lord, are you feeling better?

It was never that serious.

How can you say that?

Ever since we captured Xiao En,

the domineering energy within your body

has been uncontrollable.

Good thing I prepared this carriage

so you can rest properly.

Otherwise you'd be coughing up blood again.

Fan Xian's death this time

has eliminated His Highness's greatest concern.

After we return to the capital,

I'll see that you're rewarded.

It's just a pity

the body was burned.

Otherwise His Highness could have seen Fan Xian's corpse with his own eyes

and been more at ease.

Enough...

How much longer until we return?

Before nightfall,

we should catch up with the envoy.

I need to go out for some fresh air.

Please try to endure a little longer.

Fan Xian

What a coincidence

That's quite a coincidence indeed

Xie Bi'an, I've been dead for so many days now

yet you're still following the delegation

Are you keeping vigil for my first week of death?

Kill him

Let him die again

Lao Wang, charge!

Sir, it's a cliff

Let's gamble on it, life and death are in heaven's hands

Sir

We won the bet

No matter how far one escorts, parting must come

Let's go back

Go back and tell Li Chengze

Wait for me in Dong Jing

Sir, are we not pursuing anymore?

We're already not far from Dong Jing

We can't attack the envoy group anymore

At this point

Even if he truly comes back to life

Sir, you're back

I'm back too

Everyone's back, that's great...

That was really tough

We finally made it through

Young Master Xiao Yan said you wouldn't make it

What nonsense is he spouting?

Let me smash this unlucky thing first

Don't act rashly

Whose convoy is that behind us?

The Northern Qi Grand Princess

The Northern Qi Grand Princess?

Where did she come from?

We've been traveling with the diplomatic mission all along.

They caught up shortly after you left.

The young Northern Qi emperor issued a new decree.

Proposing a marriage alliance with our Qing Kingdom.

Traveling with the mission, they've been pushing us to hurry daily.

Thanks to Young Master Yan's firm negotiations.

We've been able to travel at a slower pace.

Who's getting married?

Our Qing Kingdom's First Prince.

The First Prince?

But hasn't the First Prince been leading troops in battle for years?

How can he get married then?

The boss is returning to the capital.

The border army has a new commander.

The First Prince is returning to the capital with only his personal guards.

After all these years, why was he suddenly recalled?

I heard he's getting married.

To the Northern Qi's eldest princess.

They're arranging a political marriage with the First Prince.

Just like that, my whole life is decided

After all, she is a princess

When will the boss arrive in the capital?

Within these two days

They're already preparing to welcome him outside the city

Let them welcome him then

I'm afraid they might run into Fan Xian

What do you mean?

I calculated the timing

Fan Xian's envoy and His Highness returning to the capital

Will likely be on the same day

What a coincidence

Normally they should enter through different city gates

But if they use the same gate

Who do you think should yield to whom?

Pass down my orders

Whether it's coincidence or road repairs

Make sure these two groups

Enter through the same city gate

Fan Xian

You two get along well

What do you mean by "getting along well"?

Can't you see these chains binding us?

You saw it, what does that mean?

She's not from Qing Nation.

How can we not be wary?

Then why not just kill her and be done with it?

Instead, you guard her day after day.

Kill her

It brings me no benefit

Nor any harm

Self-deception

Why are you returning to the envoy group?

What kind of question is that?

My feigned death is over

Time to come back to life

You won’t be coming back

(Celebration)

- Lord Gao - Lord Gao

Old Wang

I'm here

- Take it - What's this for?

Take it

Need a favor from me?

We're like brothers

Won't be needing it later

This is Northern Qi silver, isn't it?

How did you know?

It smells different

Old Gao

What's this silver for?

Compensation for you

Compensation? For what?

What did you break of mine?

Not damaged, just the clothes money.

Weren't you in a hurry when you left?

Did you leave some clothes at the envoy group?

Did you lose them?

No, even if those clothes were lost,

they wouldn't be worth this much silver.

What do you mean lost?

How could clothes go missing under my watch?

No, they weren't lost.

Then what are you compensating me for?

They were bought.

Bought?

Those shabby clothes?

They sold for that much silver?

You don't understand.

Every town the envoy group passed through,

was swarmed by crowds.

Swarmed for what?

To collect old clothes?

Can we forget about this clothes collection business?

They came to mourn Young Master Fan.

-Young Master Fan -Young Master Fan

They say the envoy was Lord Fan's final stop

People were throwing themselves at the carriage

Weeping and begging to keep Lord Fan's relics

as mementos of their grief

The news of your death has spread so widely

I thought

it was just rumors circulating in the capital

Far beyond the capital

News of your death

has reached all of Qing Nation

This makes no sense

Of course it doesn't

The Supervision Court orchestrated this publicity

What's "publicity"?

The force behind spreading information

To achieve this scale

the Supervision Court alone couldn't do it

It must be the Emperor's will

But the Emperor knows I'm still alive

Why spread news of my death?

The Emperor's vision

encompasses the entire realm

So spreading news of my death

serves Qing Nation's interests

Everything is for Qing Nation

Since my death benefits Qing Nation more

Why don't you make this fake death real?

What do you want?

I must return to the capital alive.

I will investigate Li Chengze's matter to the end.

It's not that I won't let you live.

It's that you can't survive.

I understand.

Unless my feigned death is justifiable.

Endure humiliation to fulfill a mission.

Only then will it not be deceiving the emperor.

It'd be best to also solidify this literary legacy matter.

Make it indisputable.

How is that possible?

Is the Northern Qi's eldest princess also in the envoy?

-What are you planning? -What's she like?

She's just a princess, after all.

Night has already fallen

Young Master Yan, what...

Fan...

Fan Xian

Weren't you dead?

Has the princess seen me before?

I saw you secretly

I'm even more surprised than you

What do you mean "saw secretly"?

At the Queen Mother's birthday banquet

In the back hall

I saw with my own eyes

You and our kingdom's holy maiden Duoduo

In full view of everyone

Exchanging loving glances

No, absolutely no loving glances

Was it really like that?

Pick it up

Ambassador Fan, you're...

Not completely dead?

Not truly dead

Not truly dead

It's okay now

Let's disperse

(Princess of Northern Qi Kingdom)

When I first heard of Envoy Fan's tragic news,

I was quite shocked.

But now,

seeing Envoy Fan safe and sound,

I feel greatly relieved.

At least heaven didn't envy this talent.

Your Highness rarely leaves the palace, do you?

As a princess,

how could I leave the palace at will?

I see, that's why you're nervous.

The royal family of Great Qi

must remain composed

regardless of circumstances.

How could I be nervous?

Alright, understood.

Your Highness, let's discuss serious matters.

Before your arrival,

did your young emperor and the empress dowager

give you any instructions?

Everyone may leave now.

Both the Queen Mother and His Majesty have told me

Envoy Fan and Great Qi

have been secretly smuggling for profit

If Envoy Fan ever has information

you can inform me

and I can relay it to Great Qi

So we're practically allies

I suppose

That's why I can't die

But you're not dead yet?

But I won't survive

If I don't survive

how can our arrangement continue?

Then...

How can Envoy Fan survive?

Would the princess lie?

The Great Qi royal family

values honesty above all

How could we deceive with false words?

But if the princess doesn't lie

the tasks your Queen Mother and His Majesty entrusted to you

can't be accomplished

Well...

I don't know how either

Don't worry, Princess

It's very simple

I'll teach you

What's wrong?

What's going on?

Congratulations to you all

You've finally escaped life-and-death danger

-Life-and-death danger? -What happened?

When the envoy left Da Qi

and entered Qing territory

someone began tracking them

watching from the shadows

The princess is exaggerating

With the envoy in Qing territory

they have military protection

Who would dare attack?

-Exactly -In this world

there are those even armies can't stop

Could it be a Grandmaster?

-Correct -A Grandmaster?

-Grandmaster? -I've never heard of that

A Grandmaster's power surpasses armies

Why would a Grandmaster target the envoy?

Before Scholar Zhuang Mohan passed

he gifted his life's collection to Fan Xian

What does this signify?

It represents literary heritage

Exactly

Cultural exchange between nations

Others

What do you think?

-Indeed -Indeed

Foreign barbarians

From Dongyi City

How did the princess know a Grandmaster would come?

I witnessed it myself

In your envoy

someone faced the Grandmaster alone

He risked his life

to protect literary heritage

and saved all your lives

-Who is this? -What kind of person?

I don't know

-Definitely extraordinary -Indeed

Daring to face a Grandmaster, impressive

That was Fan Xian

-Stay back -Stay back

-Lord Fan -Fan Xian

Weren't you dead?

Lord Fan

What's going on?

Explain to us all

-Yes -Yes

Tell us

Forget it

Never mind then

His Lordship isn't seeking credit

But everyone

has the right to know the truth

-Qi Nian -My Lord

Everyone, faced with this Grandmaster

His Lordship had no choice but to fake his death

Only with Young Master Fan's death

could the so-called literary fortune

remain uninherited

Thus that Grandmaster

wouldn't need to slaughter the envoy group

ensuring everyone's safety

So Young Master Fan faked his death

to save us all

For Qing Kingdom's sake

-We owe him -It was nothing

Indeed

Princess

By coincidence

Your Highness witnessed this

Thank you for keeping my secret, Princess

Literary fortune is national fortune

Great Qi and Southern Qing

shall share it

How can others interfere?

-Understood -Please sit, Princess

The princess drinks water.

May I ask, Lord Fan?

Which grandmaster was your opponent?

We never fought.

If that grandmaster had truly struck,

I'd likely be dead already.

I only saw from afar,

that person used a sword.

You're asking in vain.

There are only four grandmasters.

Besides Northern Qi and Daqing, who else is there?

- The Four Glances Sword. - I didn't see clearly.

Don't speak carelessly and wrong an innocent person.

Don't make claims about things you didn't see clearly.

What if someone comes seeking revenge for this?

Right...

Thanks to Lord Fan.

- Thanks to Lord Fan. - Thanks to Lord Fan.

All for Qing Nation

- Qing Nation - Qing Nation

- Qing Nation... - Qing Nation...

- Qing Nation... - Qing Nation...

- Qing Nation... - Everyone quiet down

You have one hour to prepare

Pack up the camp

In one hour

We depart on time

Young Master Fan is safe and sound

This is fortunate for Qing Nation

Quickly send this news back to the capital

- Understood - Yes, my lord

- Yes, my lord - Let's go...

- Hurry and send the news to the capital - Indeed

Young Master Fan is truly a blessing for Qing Nation

That's right

Finally came back to life

Indeed

Young Master Fan

Aren't you afraid that Four Glances Sword might come personally?

If he would come for such a trivial matter

he would have come long ago

Thank you for your cooperation, Princess

Lord Fan

There's something I'd like to ask about, if I may.

Go ahead and ask.

Regarding the marriage alliance between your nation and our Great Qi,

that Crown Prince of yours...

what kind of person is he?

The Crown Prince has been leading troops abroad for years.

I've never actually met him.

Have you seen the Crown Prince?

No.

Please slow down.

Young Master Xiao Yan

Thank you

Through my hand, you died

Through my words, you live again

Fan Xian

No next time

Old Wang, there's someone coming up ahead.

They must be here to meet the delegation.

Why did they come alone?

This person looks familiar.

Lord Fan

You've finally returned

Master Fan

Lord Xin, why don't you rest in the carriage for a while?

Lord Xin

Slow down

Thanks...

Fan...

Lord Fan

This journey has truly elevated our nation's prestige.

Now that you're returning to the capital, a meteoric rise is certain.

This calls for celebration!

So, to put it that way...

His Majesty hasn't condemned me for deceiving the throne?

His Majesty didn't mention

He simply ordered us to welcome the delegation back to the capital

Minister Xin, your efforts are appreciated

Then let us enter the city now

Well...

About the delegation...

All eyes are upon them

This...

The Ministry of Rites has prepared all necessary protocols

However...

However what? Speak up

What a coincidence.

The Crown Prince is returning to the capital from the military.

He's arriving today as well.

That really is a coincidence.

Originally,

we could have avoided this.

But unfortunately, the recent floods

washed out the eastern official road.

The Crown Prince then altered his route last minute,

so now both parties are stuck at the north gate.

Where is he now?

Not far.

Less than three miles from here.

So?

The Crown Prince's cavalry guards

will arrive shortly.

So when both groups crowd outside the city,

it won’t look proper.

Exactly.

That’s why the Ministry of Rites sent you to persuade me to yield the way.

After all, he is a prince.

Minister Fan has worked tirelessly and achieved great merit.

Sir, you can just wait by the roadside later.

Take a short rest.

After His Highness passes by,

the heads of the Ministry of Rites and Court of State Ceremonial

will personally come out of the city to welcome the delegation.

For such a small matter, you could have just sent

any subordinate to inform me.

Why did you come personally, Minister Xin?

It's no trouble...

I've been thinking about Minister Fan day and night.

See how excited I am -

I didn't sleep at all last night.

Look how emotional I am to see you now.

I'm so moved I could cry...

Minister Xin, control yourself.

Save your tears for later, Minister Xin.

Alright.

I'll cry later then.

About this matter of giving way...

It's simple really.

Yes...

But I can't make this decision.

The Northern Qi Princess is in the convoy, you know?

Yes, I'm aware.

When our two countries unite through marriage,

she'll be the Crown Princess, you understand?

I understand.

So about yielding the road...

Shouldn't we ask for permission first?

I don't think that's necessary.

- You want to keep it secret? - Better to conceal it.

Good, did everyone hear that?

We heard.

About deceiving the princess consort...

That was Lord Xin's idea.

No... don't...

Then...

Perhaps we should seek instructions.

Fine.

We'll follow Lord Xin's lead.

Don't...

Don't all listen to me.

Lord Xin...

- Don't... - Lord Xin...

I can't make this decision.

How could it be such a coincidence?

They said the itinerary changed.

Changed the schedule.

And then ran into us?

Although the princess's carriage...

Represents the majesty of our nation...

But as an outsider, I think...

We'll be family eventually anyway.

Such matters shouldn't be taken seriously.

We can discuss it.