Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

From now on, don't call me "benefactor."

Understood.

Sir

What do you understand?

From now on

I will keep your kindness in my heart alone.

Other than that,

I will never speak of it.

Lead the way first.

There’s much to be done.

My lord, after you.

Did Fan Xian report the name-switching in the imperial exam to His Majesty?

It's more than that.

His Majesty has handed all the exam fraud cases from recent years to him.

But those imposters on the honor roll...

after all, they were your disciples.

Mother Empress...

I think Fan Xian is right.

I didn't arrange this.

It's a hidden danger - better to handle it openly.

As for disciples...

losing one or two makes no difference.

That may be true...

but it still damages your dignity.

What dignity do I have?

You're the Crown Prince.

Precisely because I'm the Crown Prince...

I cannot afford dignity.

Where is everyone?

People?

-Didn't Lao Deng take everyone to seal the examination hall? -That's right...

Look at my forgetfulness, here, give it to me

No... sir

I'm not tired, I'll hold it longer - these are palace items

I'll trouble you to pass a message to Deng Ziyue

The spring exam results must be posted without delay

What about the list?

Naturally, we must change Yang Wanli's name back

Then who will make the change?

You can't be serious

Wait, there's so much text?

Can't we just cross out this name

and write "Yang Wanli" instead?

That logic isn't wrong

But this is the golden list after all

Directly modifying and scribbling on it

Would be improper, no?

That's true

But this...

If I make even one mistake...

Brother Qinian, try to see the positive side

What positive side?

For example

The one who hand-copies the golden list

From ancient times till now, only Brother Qinian has done this

Well that's true

But my...

No... if there's any mistake

Lao Deng, you should do it

Can't do that... the order was given to you

No... your handwriting is better than mine

Then my luck is better too

Since I don't have to do this

You...

Logically speaking, this matter should be handled by the Ministry of Rites.

The official has declared

Regarding the announcement of results

The Ministry of Rites has handled it every year.

They must be exhausted.

This year,

let our department take over for them.

But there's no need for such a huge notice board

The official also said

This imperial examination demands nothing but fairness

The reason for using such a large notice

is to declare to the world—fairness

Since it's so important,

the lord should write it himself.

Can you think before you speak?

The lord's handwriting...

Indeed, if the lord writes it himself, it would damage our dignity.

Besides, the lord is busy right now.

His Majesty handed over the years of imperial exam fraud cases

to the lord.

The lord is investigating them now.

These are all old cases.

Where do we even start?

Seriously, can you stop talking?

What if I make a mistake?

I’m just worried about you, sir.

Search in the prison.

"Prison"? Which prison?

Our own prison, the First Division’s.

Can you just stop talking?

Take a look, is it crooked?

Brother Qinian, I really can't tell.

This... can't you see it?

I genuinely can't tell.

Let's leave it at that.

What are you doing here?

Me?

Keeping my father company.

No, I mean how did you get into the First Division's dungeon?

I talked to Wang Qinian.

Old Wang just let you in?

At first he disagreed.

And then?

Then I asked him, I said...

Does my return to the capital count as covert operations?

- Of course it does - That's what he said too

Then I asked him...

Since it's covert operations...

Isn't the whole point not to be discovered?

Then wouldn't staying in the dungeon be perfect?

What kind of logic is this...

It actually makes sense.

Then I told him...

I said Fan Xian asked my father for help.

What if he decides to silence us afterwards?

It wouldn't be right if I ran away.

So I should stay with my father in the dungeon.

If you really need to silence us...

It would be convenient for everyone.

Father

Then Wang Qinian let me in

Have some tea

Aren't you afraid I might actually silence you?

You're not that kind of person

- You trust me so much - It's not about trust

I just want to stay with my father

I must also thank Young Master Fan

For transferring me from the Ministry of Justice

It's much more comfortable living here

Stay a few days then I'll let you go

Don't worry, no silencing

Actually these cases

I know a little something about them

Can they be investigated?

They can be investigated

But?

What difference would it make after investigating?

When it comes down to it

Only a few can influence the imperial exams

The Crown Prince, imperial princes, the Grand Princess

Chancellor Lin, Dean Chen

And the Qin family from the military

These people

Which one can be punished?

Don't worry, I'm not stupid

I don't intend to bring down these important figures

Young Master Fan understands clearly

Those behind the scenes can't be touched, but there are still those who carry out the tasks

Mediating in the middle and collecting money

Such officials are not few in number

Let's take action against a batch

At least for several years,

we must make those with ill intentions fear the consequences.

This way we can preserve some fairness.

We need to investigate those handling affairs.

Mostly from the Ministry of Rites.

Are there more honest or corrupt officials in the Ministry?

My lord,

how much silver would you consider acceptable for an "honest" official?

-Master Guo, don't jest. -You started the jest, my lord.

Then we'll investigate them one by one.

None who erred shall be spared.

Since that's the case,

I'll prepare a list for you.

These individuals handled matters carelessly.

Starting with them would be easier.

Much obliged.

Actually, in this case,

the most important are the victims.

What victims?

Those falsely accused, those bribed,

the examinees whose names were changed.

They are the victims.

In handling cases,

we always need plaintiffs.

Thank you for the reminder, Master Guo.

Don't thank me.

All scholars should thank Young Master Fan.

You flatter me.

Eradicating long-standing malpractices to restore fairness for scholars.

No thanks could ever be excessive.

Who's looking for me?

At the door.

-Xiao Xianxian -Dabao

-Come in quickly -You come out

-You come in -You come out

You come in.

-Just come out -If you come in, I'll go out

I can't go in, you come out quickly, hurry...

I told you to come in earlier, why didn't you?

No, this is where you work.

If I go in and do something wrong,

people will laugh at you.

You'll lose face.

Nonsense, who dares laugh at you? Come in.

N-no... I just came to see you.

Who brought you here?

Yuan.

Ah, Mr. Yuan.

Just him.

With Mr. Yuan accompanying you, Dad feels at ease.

Of course.

Xiao Xianxian, do you have time now?

Dad wants to treat you to tea.

If Uncle needs me,

just send someone to call me.

Why trouble Dabao to come personally?

Dabao misses you too.

Dabao has an innocent nature,

and may easily be taken advantage of.

In the future, may I trouble Lord Fan

to look after him more?

Is there hidden meaning in your words?

Sir, you're overthinking it

This old man still has some errands to attend to

May I trouble Young Master Fan

to accompany Dabao back to the residence

You tend to your affairs

Rest assured

Even if you hadn't asked, I'd still protect Dabao

What's wrong with Mr. Yuan today?

He's acting so strangely.

Could it be because

his candy figurine was too small?

That's possible.

Your Majesty...

You're investigating recent imperial exam fraud?

The news spreads so fast.

To be honest with you,

these past years

I've indeed been involved

in manipulating the rankings quite often.

If you must investigate, start with me.

Don't look at me like that.

I'm not testing you.

I mean it.

How can this be real?

You just took over this matter,

and instantly the whole city knows. What does this mean?

It means His Majesty wants you to gain fame from this

to prepare for taking over the imperial treasury.

I know.

Dean Chen reminded me at court today.

So what will you do?

If we must investigate,

who should we target?

Whoever we choose will bring trouble.

One misstep and we'll make countless enemies.

Since that's the case,

why not just investigate me?

I'll prepare some scapegoats in advance

and hand them over when needed.

First, to satisfy His Majesty,

second,

I can protect you better this way.

In officialdom, being too aggressive

leads to unfortunate ends.

Uncle, you're truly like a candle

What nonsense is this?

burning yourself to light my way.

What a mess.

What absurd logic!

I haven't even thanked you yet, Uncle,

for considering me during the imperial exams.

You've done very well on your own.

You didn't even need any of my arrangements.

This thoughtfulness is already rare.

My position...

Second only to one...

Since I can protect you, I might as well do more of it.

You need some time...

Until you branch out and grow...

Standing tall with lush foliage...

Then it'll be your turn to protect the Lin family.

I won't let you down.

No need to be so serious.

I won't be stepping down so soon either.

Rest assured...

No matter what troubles arise, I'll be here.

Where has Mr. Yuan gone?

I'm waiting to play chess with him.

If I could just take back one move...

I could still win this game.

Didn't Mr. Yuan go to handle some business?

What business?

I don't know, wasn't it your arrangement?

Meeting a man or a woman?

How would I know that?

This Mr. Yuan...

Looks so proper on the surface...

I always suspected he was a hypocrite.

Do you think he might have a secret concubine?

Well...

Do you have a concubine?

No.

My heart belongs only to Wan'er.

-Si Lili? -No.

-Haitang Duoduo? -No.

And what about Yuan Meng from Baoyue Tower?

That one really doesn't exist.

"That one really doesn't exist."

The previous two don't exist either.

Uncle, you're jumping to conclusions too quickly.

You're finally here

Is it really that serious?

Of course it matters

Such a huge notice board

I don't dare make a single stroke wrong.

If there's even a slight...

If you could make it just a bit bigger...

Now it's much better for me.

Finished copying everything?

It's copied.

Finally got Yang Wanli's name...

...correctly entered.

Good. The results will be posted as scheduled tomorrow.

Won't you take a look first?

No need.

- But this is important... - I trust you.

With your assurance...

I feel like...

a drowning man finding driftwood.

Like warm sunshine in the bitter winter

Enough... less flattery

My lord

You tasked me with investigating the Yingzhou case

It's been fully investigated

Back then

The Chen family was indeed exterminated

Understood

Also, regarding your imperial decree to investigate the corruption case

This has already spread throughout the streets

You, Lord Fan

Now in the hearts of scholars

You're considered a savior of our times

A beacon through the ages

Isn't that excessive?

These rumors

They all seem to originate from our academy

That would be Dean Chen's doing

On His Majesty's orders

My lord,

Do you think this is an attempt to use the imperial exams' momentum

to make you the leader of the literary world?

I truly can't tell...

A lone official like me

yet bestowed with such prestige—

What exactly is His Majesty planning?

Old Wang,

when dealing with others,

I consider myself quite sharp.

But when it comes to His Majesty,

I simply can't fathom his intentions.

Your Majesty

Fan Xian has already taken on the old imperial exam case.

The witnesses can take the stand at any time.

When does Your Majesty think we should arrange it?

Don’t let it interfere with the results announcement.

Understood.

We’ll act after the results are announced.

The matters behind this old case—

Can Fan Xian handle it?

He has no choice.

And none of you are offering any advice?

Your Majesty hasn’t given any orders.

You're not a puppet.

I...

am willing to be a puppet.

You've thrown nine arrows

and missed every time.

Fine.

We grant you one more.

Didn’t you say you’d obey Our command?

Come.

We order you—

this arrow must hit its mark.

Your servant…

is unskilled in this.

Throw it.

Your Majesty

Hit

It's already this late

President Chen, you've worked hard

I notice you're in a good mood today, President Chen

Eunuch Hou noticed it too

Sharp eyes

You flatter me

Let me escort you out of the palace

I know this way

The human heart...

Bonds

Are merely burdens

Don't worry...

With your knowledge,

you're sure to pass with flying colors.

You flatter me.

Brother Shi

Studying now

isn't it a bit late?

-That makes sense -Brother Shi

He's here

Where's Cheng Jialin?

With this crowd, who knows where he got squeezed out to

No matter, he's definitely here

Gentlemen, bypassing the Ministry of Rites, the Inspection Court posted the results directly

Unprecedented!

Young Master Fan is reforming the official system

Our Daqing will surely be transformed

Yang Wanli

Is that Yang Wanli?

Yes, it's definitely Yang Wanli

Are you sure?

-Absolutely -Brother Yang

I've heard about this for a while

This time the Inspection Court posted the list

specifically to add his name

It was originally him, but someone else took his spot

Young Master Fan thought it unfair, hence all this commotion

So that's what happened

No wonder, I thought so

Truly unprecedented!

This...

Street rumors can't be trusted

Young Master Fan went to the palace for you

These street rumors

Do you know who

personally added Yang Wanli's name back?

-Who? -Young Master Fan?

It was His Majesty

His Majesty personally wrote and changed the names overnight

-Who told you? -Everyone's saying it

Brother Yang, impressive

Baseless rumors

All baseless rumors, how embarrassing

Here...

Sir, sir is coming

May all your wishes come true

The results are about to be announced...

-Is this character a bit crooked? -Who cares?

It seems this ranking list is truly fair.

I made it!

-I made it! -I didn't make it again.

I made it too!

Brother Yang.

-Yang Wanli -Where is it?

Fifth place in the imperial examination, very high ranking.

The examination results.

These aren't ranked, they're all equal.

If you want to shout, go ahead.

Look at these three characters.

Aren't they different from the others?

It does seem so.

They look particularly powerful.

Definitely the Emperor's own handwriting.

-The Emperor's own handwriting! -It seems this ranking is truly fair then.

It's all over.

Year after year, failing repeatedly.

Why is my fate so bitter?

I made it too! Heaven hasn't failed me.

Old man...

Don't let it be in vain, old man.

-Brother Hou -You ranked high too.

-Where? -Hou Jichang.

I've finally had my day.

Keep looking, look for Jialin.

Right...

I passed too.

-Passed... -You passed...

You passed.

I passed.

Shi... Shi Chanli.

Cheng Jialin...

Passed...

Almost missed it.

Passing is good enough...

-Brother Shi -Shi Chanli.

Shi Chanli.

Shi Chanli

Don't rush, maybe we missed something. Let's check again.

Right... let's go through it once more.

Go through it again.

Shi Chanli

Shi Chanli

I got hit too...

I got hit too.

I got hit too.

Dear brothers

Congratulations to you both

for passing the imperial exams

With diligent study

you'll surely succeed next time

I appreciate your kind words

Brother Yang

The results are out now

The dust has settled

We should go visit Lord Fan now

Naturally

Now that the results are announced

We can visit him now

Without any further concerns

I'll go find Jialin now

Jialin

You passed

Cheng Jialin

I'll go too, though I didn't pass

I should still pay my respects

Of course

Let's practice one more time.

No need, we've already practiced many times.

Here they come.

Three, two, one

- Greetings... - Greetings...

- Young Fan... - Young Fan...

- My Lord - My Lord

You two aren't even in sync, and it's my fault?

Last time we met, you were all smiles and laughter

Why so nervous now?

- Last time we didn't know you were Lord Fan - Right

Lord Fan is still human

Lord Fan is not human

Lord Fan is the Poetry Immortal

Shi Chanli

- What's wrong? - Say it together

You three came to see me for something?

With Lord Fan overseeing the imperial examinations

For us

We should pay respects as your students

To pledge our service

Lord Fan swept away the corruption in the exams with thunderous might

Such courage deserves our respect

The four of us admire you greatly and wish to serve you

Four?

Cheng Jialin was injured in the crowd checking results and can't walk

He asked us to convey his deepest respect

Three of your four made the list

Though the palace exam will determine final rankings

You can already be considered officials

A teacher's guidance shouldn't be given in vain

I've prepared some

Principles for governance

For you

Everything I want to say is there

Go now

My Lord

Teacher, we take our leave

Teacher, we bid farewell

Shi Chanli

You stay

"Be a good person"

"Be a good official"

As expected of Young Master Fan, using words in such a way.

Concise yet profound.

Brother Hou

You see, being a person—

comes before being an official.

Brother Yang, from today onward—

we are disciples of the Fan household.

Let us encourage each other—

and not fail Young Master Fan's expectations.

Sir

I didn't pass the exam

I know

I've failed to live up to your teachings.

With dedication, there's no regret.

You're absolutely right, sir.

Why did you ask me to stay, sir?

Do you have any instructions for me?

What are your plans next?

Next...

I plan to leave Dong Jing in a few days.

and return home.

You can't go back.

Shijia Town was completely destroyed by fire.

Here's the official disaster report from the local government.

Take a look.

This fire...

might not have been accidental.

Adult

He Zongwei requests an audience

Take him away first, I'll come see him later

Yes, sir

Lord Fan

He Zongwei, we meet again

A scholar

should not be a lapdog

nor should he become one

Last time, after hearing Lord Fan's teachings

I, He, gained much insight

I humbly thank you here

Why didn't I see you at this year's imperial exams?

I, He, should have been there taking the exams

But there are always matters in this world

More important than imperial exams

A decade of hard study to enter officialdom

For you

Is there anything more important than this?

Naturally...

Human lives are at stake

Injustice is hard to redress

If you have grievances, you should take them to the magistrate's office.

That's where we should have gone.

But we heard you took over the imperial exam fraud case.

This injustice...

Only you, Lord Fan, can resolve it.

Injustice in the imperial exam?

This woman's husband

was a candidate who failed the last imperial exam.

A man of exceptional talent, he should have passed.

But in the end,

someone stole his identity and took his official position.

And he somehow found out about it.

A scholar couldn't swallow such humiliation.

So he sought to clear his name.

Go on.

But the impostor

was a protégé of a high-ranking official.

Who would have thought this high-ranking official would resort to murder

taking the life of this examination candidate

Now only his widow remains in this world

Yet she still hopes

to seek justice for her late husband

He Zongwei, does this matter

concern you?

I, He Zongwei, still have my conscience

After hearing about this incident

I immediately left the capital

With great difficulty, I found this widow and brought her back

My lord, in today's court

only you, Lord Fan

are willing to stand up for scholars

I had no choice but to bring her to you

For this matter,

you gave up the imperial examination?

Human lives matter most

It was my duty

Do you know

who that high-ranking official was that caused your husband's death?

This humble woman knows.

Then speak it.

The imperial exam fraud,

the one who took my husband's life,

was the current Prime Minister,

Lin Ruofu.

The lord pleads for the people

Admired by all under heaven

When it comes to sacrificing kin for justice

Throughout the land

Only Lord Fan Xian is capable

Lonely minister...

-Lord Yan -Lord Yan

Looking for me?

A scholar and a victim

Accusing Prime Minister Lin of murder to silence witnesses

I'm aware of the case

Why summon me?

The deceased didn't live in the capital

This case requires multi-department coordination

Not enough

Justice Ministry, Supreme Court, and Capital Office must all cooperate

We can't hand him over

Naturally

The Investigation Bureau will take lead

I'll need to locate all these government offices

How about this - you handle inter-department affairs

Help me with this first

Have you considered?

If this case is true, what will you do?

You essentially drove the Princess out of the capital

Now it's Prime Minister Lin's turn

How will you face the Princess?

What do you want me to do?

Transfer the case to me

I'll handle it impartially

Afraid I'll be compromised?

I fear you'll show favoritism

Thanks

But this case must remain mine

- Why? - Investigating exam fraud is the Emperor's direct order

I have no retreat

Do you think the Emperor

knew about Prime Minister Lin's case beforehand?

Don't speculate - it's too dangerous

- Where are you going? - Prime Minister's residence

You're going there now?

Please come in...

Here you go, take care.

Alright... Let me wrap that for you.

-Mr. Yuan is here, please come in—we have a VIP seat for you. -Have some tea.

This tea is excellent.

Yes, very fresh.

Pendant.

Small pendant.

Mr. Yuan, we have a VIP seat here.

No need.

Waiter, two plates of beef

Coming right up, sir

Delicious yogurt

- This is the place - Got it

A pot of tea and two plates of nuts

Right away - is it going to rain?

Why is that window closed?

There's a river below.

We closed it because of the bugs.

Open it.

Fresh flowers.

Freshly picked flowers.

How long are you going to stand there like that?

Don't look so gloomy.

Young man.

Don't lose heart.

Someone filed a report.

Silencing a witness, huh?

I heard.

Is that you?