Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

How long do you plan to stand like this?

Don't look so glum

Young man

You mustn't lose heart

Someone reported a case

Silencing a witness by murder, is that it?

I've heard

Is it you?

If it really were me

would you arrest me?

If you insist on upholding justice at the expense of family

You shouldn't be seeing me right now.

If you intend to bend the law for personal gain,

then you especially shouldn't be seeing me now.

It would give people grounds for criticism.

Be careful or you might get impeached.

If you're truly behind the murder to silence witnesses,

I'll arrest you myself.

I couldn't face Wan'er,

but if I show favoritism,

I couldn't face myself.

Still...

My heart isn't ruthless enough.

So was it you?

Last year's imperial examinations...

The impersonation case...

I vaguely recall something about that.

"Vaguely"?

After all, it wasn't particularly important.

Didn't require my personal attention.

So you ordered the murders to silence witnesses?

No.

Governing a great nation is like cooking small fish.

Too much killing ruins the dish.

Not worth it.

So you think...

this is a false accusation?

Not necessarily.

Having worked in official circles for many years,

I have too many protégés and old acquaintances.

I can't even keep track of them all.

With so many people, it's hard to distinguish good from bad.

There are bound to be bad ones,

and foolish ones.

These were the people handling the examinations then.

If there were murders, investigate them first.

You might find your answer.

- It really wasn't you? - Absolutely not.

- Did the victim's family come to you directly? - Yes.

The Emperor just assigned you to investigate past examination cases,

and murder cases come knocking at your door.

What a coincidence.

If that's the case,

These names...

may not be able to withstand it.

This case has far-reaching implications.

Later, we will escort you to the Dali Temple.

Once we arrive, you'll be questioned again as necessary.

Remember, in the Dali Temple court,

do not panic or overthink.

The Discipline and Inspection Committee will handle everything.

Do you understand?

I understand.

I understand.

What's the point of pulling this?

Might as well do something while idle

Dean

Ruohai is here.

Is there something?

You're aware of Fan Xian investigating the case, right?

I know.

Lin Ruofu has been chancellor for many years.

He has numerous proteges.

Youngsters can't handle investigating him.

What you just said...

He just said the same thing.

Our words were nearly identical.

Continue.

Lin Ruofu will be Fan Xian's father-in-law.

No matter what, we can't let Fan Xian investigate this.

Whatever the outcome,

how will Fan Xian face it in the future?

I said that too.

What else did you say?

My point is...

Should we assign someone else to investigate Chancellor Lin's case?

- No one's here. - What do you mean no one?

Aren't you just idly pulling ropes for fun?

Let me handle this.

Give me the case, I'll take it for the kids.

Why are you making this difficult?

He's not from the Yan family.

You want him to take over the Inspection Court?

We elders should at least protect them somewhat.

I think it'll work.

You're from the Revenue Ministry.

Stay out of Inspection Court matters.

You can't handle this.

Why?

They specifically asked for Fan Xian.

Does it matter who investigates?

The Inspection Court's work isn't child's play.

Having Fan Xian investigate Lin Ruofu...

Isn't that exactly child's play?

That makes sense.

Now you two are performing a duet.

We're discussing principles here.

The principle is simple.

Fan Xian must investigate this case.

This is the Emperor's grace.

You both should understand.

This matter

can't save him

Want some wonton?

Freshly made

Here, have a seat

Wonton...

Wonton, hot wonton

Kite

Take a look at this newly made kite

Audacious woman!

How dare you!

How dare someone of your status oppose the Chancellor!

The Chancellor showed me great kindness

Today I shall repay that debt

Seize her!

After him, don't let him escape!

That was terrifying

So horrifying

Lord Yan

This is evidence of silencing a witness

Are you injured?

The Inspection Court's reputation spreads far and wide.

With Lord Yan present, and all of you here,

the people can rest assured.

Lord Yan, that seems to be Yuan Hongdao.

Chancellor Lin's retainer.

No "seems" about it.

It's definitely him.

These days

Do they take people for pigs?

Step aside.

Mr. Yuan attempted an assassination midway?

Attempted.

That would confirm the accusation.

Exactly.

Mr. Yuan has been under my tutelage for many years.

This connection can't be denied.

Why would Mr. Yuan do this?

I thought you'd ask me

if I was the mastermind.

You're not foolish.

I truly never expected this.

All these years, Mr. Yuan

has been hiding his true nature.

I completely failed to see it.

Whose hidden agent is he really?

It doesn't matter anymore.

- Sir, where are we going? - Xinyang

Keep going, don't stop

Understood

Heading to Xinyang?

The Princess's fiefdom?

Is Yuan Hongdao the Princess's hidden agent?

Fan Xian investigates while the Princess sets a trap.

In any case, it's someone else's doing.

It has nothing to do with that person.

Your words, Lord Fan...

I'll pretend I didn't hear them.

Even if you heard, I wouldn't admit it.

Dean

The Black Cavalry is following too.

Aren't we arresting Yuan Hongdao?

Chancellor Lin is heading to the palace now.

Fan Xian is going with him.

Why is he getting involved in this mess?

There's no other choice.

From the looks of it,

it seems like Fan Xian is sacrificing family for justice,

personally escorting Lin Ruofu to face the Emperor.

Lin Ruofu has been in office for years, with many disciples.

This way…

they’ll all resent Fan Xian.

No fear.

Plenty of people hate me too.

How old are you? How old is he? Can you even compare?

Don’t worry.

Chancellor Lin has weathered decades of storms.

What could he possibly not understand?

In this situation,

can Chancellor Lin still protect himself?

He has plenty of options.

Fan Xian

We'll have an audience with His Majesty soon

No matter what I say, don't respond

Pretend you didn't hear it

Maybe I shouldn't go in with you

No, you must be present

If we could capture Yuan Hongdao

And make him admit he was acting under orders

There might still be a way out

If the Inspection Office really wanted to arrest someone

They would have done it long ago

Gentlemen, this old servant is still here

Report everything we say truthfully to His Majesty

That's how we show we have nothing to hide

Wouldn't it be better to speak privately, gentlemen?

Those who serve justice have no private interests

What did I just confess?

When facing His Majesty later,

no matter what you say, don't respond.

If His Majesty asks for your stance,

just play dumb.

Chancellor Lin,

is upright and selfless.

Have you remembered everything?

For the upcoming act,

watch carefully and learn attentively.

In the future...

you'll be the one performing with His Majesty.

Your Majesty

Grand Councilor Lin and Minister Fan have arrived

Quick...quickly prepare a seat for Grand Councilor Lin

Grand Councilor Lin, We have reviewed many memorials these past few days

Our Great Qing Kingdom thrives by utilizing every talent

A scene of flourishing prosperity

Thanks to you—your contributions are immeasurable

This is...

Did I knock this over?

Prime Minister Lin, please sit.

This old servant is aged.

My eyes are dim with age.

In my dazed state, I've offended Your Majesty.

I beg Your Majesty to punish me.

As I said earlier,

Prime Minister Lin's merits are great.

How could there be any fault?

For Your Majesty to treat me thus,

This old servant couldn't repay even with a hundred deaths.

When I say "hundred deaths," I mean hundreds and thousands.

Not the "white" of baseless accusations.

Why speak of life and death when all is well?

All men must face that day eventually.

Prime Minister Lin is in his prime.

It's too early to speak of such things.

Prime Minister Lin

This visit, I'm afraid...

is not as usual.

Your Majesty

I am guilty

Rise and speak

Your servant

These years of toil and strain

Have worn both mind and spirit

Now with graying hair and countless ailments

This broken body cannot serve the state

To hold position without merit

Fills my heart with shame

I humbly beg Your Majesty

To grant this old servant retirement

"Afflicted by numerous illnesses"

- Fan Xian - Your servant is present

Do you believe Minister Lin is telling the truth?

Your Majesty, I'm too young to see clearly

Didn't you study medicine?

I studied poisons

Can you take a pulse?

That I can do.

Come on, let's check Lin Hao's pulse.

See what ailments he has.

Your Majesty,

Not bad.

What do you mean by "not bad"?

The pulse shows no abnormalities.

Growing old isn't an illness.

Lin Xi

Didn't you say you were plagued by all kinds of illnesses?

Your Majesty, I accidentally knocked over the chair earlier.

Didn't Your Majesty witness it?

My eyesight is failing.

Fan Xian.

With poor eyesight,

can one still discern pulse patterns?

No, that would be impossible.

I've behaved improperly before Your Majesty.

If not for my eye condition,

wouldn't this warrant capital punishment?

Leaves return to their roots.

I beg to retire with my bones.

Only wishing to be buried in my homeland.

Chancellor Lin,

you've served with great merit.

If you depart,

all court officials

might resign in protest.

Your Majesty is mistaken.

These years in high position,

I've enjoyed excessive privileges.

Serving the state was my duty,

how dare I claim merit?

To say I'm without faults

would be mere luck.

Merits and faults

cancel each other out.

At my age, I can't afford debts.

I humbly beg Your Majesty's approval.

I am reluctant to let you go.

Your servant

is overwhelmed with gratitude.

If you leave,

who could take the Prime Minister's position?

Such an important responsibility

naturally rests on Your Majesty's judgment.

I dare not presume to say.

But looking around at all the court officials,

who among them has the knowledge and vision

that could surpass yours?

There truly is none.

If someone were more capable than this old servant,

all these years,

the Prime Minister's position would not have been mine.

If I said someone could succeed me,

what would that imply?

It would mean I failed to recognize talent.

Therefore,

with Your Majesty's discerning eye,

how could you misjudge someone?

So the Prime Minister's position should remain with Prime Minister Lin.

But alas, I am old.

Your Majesty need not worry.

After I retire,

Your Majesty can take your time to search and select.

You will surely find the most suitable leader for your officials.

Prime Minister Lin

You have many disciples under your tutelage

Which ones are capable of shouldering important responsibilities?

Could you compile a list

so I may consider them for promotion later?

Your servant governs with integrity

and doesn't engage in such practices

Prime Minister Lin also plays these games, doesn't he?

I wouldn't dare

Your Majesty's judgment surpasses this old minister's by far

I wouldn't presume

When will you depart?

I'll leave the capital immediately

Fan Xian and Wan'er's wedding is approaching

Won't you wait for it?

No, my heart yearns for home like an arrow

What a pity

May I ask if Prime Minister Lin

will be traveling alone this time?

As Your Majesty wishes.

This subject

returns alone.

My son is simple-minded,

yet traveled a great distance...

Returning to my hometown after long absence,

fearing accidents might happen, so...

This child

won't be taken along.

Fan Xian,

since Dabao is close to you,

I must trouble you to look after him.

Tomorrow I'll send him to your house.

Naturally, you won't be shortchanged -

all living expenses are included here.

That actually won't be necessary.

His meals mustn't be skimped on -

His Majesty can bear witness to this.

Chancellor Lin,

Let me see you out.

Your Majesty

That old fox

Even left a trap on his way out

Is Uncle truly retiring and returning home?

The imperial examination results

Yang Wanli was replaced

What was the outcome then?

Guo Zheng, Minister of Rites

was demoted by His Majesty and exiled to Jiangnan

Only Guo Zheng was punished for the exam fraud

Doesn’t this seem like sweeping it under the rug?

In truth, there’s only one outcome

Ordering you to investigate past corruption cases

Using a murder case to send me off

Your Majesty has hidden your intent to replace the chancellor for quite some time.

So step by step,

it was all for Your Majesty?

This was prepared for me.

I was wondering

Why did they insist on making you the mediator?

Now I understand.

So this imperial examination was arranged for me.

The second prince thought he trapped you,

but ended up becoming His Majesty's scapegoat.

Leveraging circumstances without leaving traces -

His Majesty's skill in using opponents' strength against them

is truly masterful.

You should learn from this.

That's too difficult.

I'm afraid I can't learn it.

Actually, it's not that hard.

To put it simply,

the relationship between ruler and ministers is like performing opera.

Perform sincerely, but remain steady at heart.

That's all there is to it.

Let me test you.

Why did His Majesty

order me to list all my former students and associates?

You've served as chancellor for years with extensive connections.

Submitting this list

would prevent your influence in selecting the next chancellor.

So I can't provide it.

Connections...

are my foundation.

By keeping my cards hidden,

I maintain a chance to return to the capital.

And His Majesty won't press for it?

What I meant earlier was

the ruler-minister relationship is like playing chess.

Stay calm during play, but make decisive moves.

This mutual understanding goes unspoken.

If you hadn't explained this,

I truly wouldn't have understood.

Let me test you again.

Why did I leave Dabao behind?

- For me? - Over these years,

I've also built many connections.

With my departure,

my former students might resent you

since this case originated from you.

Yet such matters

are hard to explain clearly.

Keeping Dabao at my home avoids explanations.

His Majesty had you force me out

to make you an isolated minister.

-I understand -You understand nothing

What His Majesty wants is not what you want

As his subjects…

What’s the most thrilling part?

Isn’t it challenging His Majesty?

I lost the fight

Next

It's your turn

Uncle, keep your voice down

Enough, I'm leaving anyway

Laughing doesn't matter

What about that examinee's murder case?

What murder case?

Where's the murder case?

He Zongwei receives the imperial decree

By His Majesty's decree, as a scholar, He Zongwei

excels in talent, virtue, and wisdom

Extremely rare

Special imperial favor

Promoted without examination

Appointed as the Censor of the Metropolitan Inspection Bureau

Assume office immediately

Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years

Serve diligently

His Majesty has expectations of you

I pledge to devote my heart and soul, even at the cost of my life

To serve Your Majesty with loyalty

Everyone, please rise.

All rise.

Rise now...

Let's go...

Go...

Hurry back, I was terrified.

Magistrate Yan.

Since we'll both serve the court now, let's look out for each other.

Let's first complete this visit to the Dali Temple.

What Dali Temple?

The homicide trial.

Have you forgotten already?

I withdraw the accusation, Magistrate Yan.

What do you take our court's laws for?

Magistrate Yan, you misunderstand.

Magistrate Yan.

The truth is the widow is too grief-stricken.

She can't continue with this.

As Magistrate He said.

This humble woman withdraws her complaint.

You see.

Human lives are of utmost importance.

This is no trivial matter.

You exaggerate, Magistrate Yan.

Since this hasn't been formally filed at the yamen, it doesn't violate any laws.

We've only inconvenienced Young Master Fan.

Later I, He, will personally visit the Fan residence to apologize.

Magistrate Yan, please be magnanimous.

Wontons! Hot wontons here!

Magistrate Yan.

How about this

I, He Yun, will report myself

I humbly request your judgment, is that acceptable?

Are we just going to ignore the murder that just happened on the road?

One should be magnanimous when it's time to forgive.

What do you think?

Return to headquarters

We respectfully bid farewell to Lord Yan

Huh... why did they suddenly leave?

It means the negotiations in Dong Jing have concluded.

We followed them all this way, thought they were going to make an arrest.

If the talks failed, arrests would naturally follow.

So everything's fine now?

For today, yes.

The future depends on fate.

Ruo Hai, the axle

Axle

The axle is about to fall off

Can't you have your subordinates fix it?

This thing can't be entrusted to others

Is someone really going to steal it?

No one else can touch this

Why?

It holds secrets

Isn't it just a chair with two wheels?

What secrets could it possibly have?

Lord Fan, could you lend a hand?

Is this okay now?

Ruohai

Over there

- Over there - Are we done yet?

I'll compensate you for your work

Minister Fan, we'll need you to work a little harder

So the matter of Lin Ruofu is just settled like that?

As chancellor for years, his influence permeates the entire court.

What would you do in his place?

With a court like this...

And you still want Fan Xian to take over the Surveillance Bureau?

He can handle it.

Ruohai...

The higher-ups, yes...

Do you know who's next...

to retire?

You can't retire.

Fan Xian's foundation is unsteady - you must support him.

Lord Fan...

We still need to lend him some support.

Lord Fan

I should never have let Fan Xian

come to the capital

This is something neither of us could control

Director, it's fixed

Lin Ruofu has been prime minister for too long.

Aren't you the same? Haven't you considered

Get away unscathed?

I still have unfinished business.

What is it?

I'll go get your wages for you.

You didn't play this piece well today.

Playing here...

...makes me nervous.

-Dabao -Father

Be obedient when staying at Fan Xian's house

Remember to address people properly

Don't worry Father, Dabao will be obedient

Keep your clothes neat

Stay clean and tidy

Don't quarrel with others

If you ever feel wronged

Tell Fan Xian and Wan'er

Understand?

Don't worry Father, they will definitely help me

Dabao

What Father is about to say

You might not understand

But that's okay

Just remember it in your heart

Remember this

People can change

People can change

So no matter what others say

Don't believe them

Just trust Fan Xian and Wan'er

Understand?

Only trust Xiao Xianxian and Wan'er

Call him "Xiao Xianxian" only in private

Don't use that nickname when others are around

He might feel uncomfortable

No he won't, Father

Xiao Xianxian won't get angry about this

Of course Father trusts Fan Xian and Wan'er

Otherwise I wouldn't...

But what if...

Dad's just saying what if

one day

they don't like you as much anymore

and don't talk to you as often

then try to be quieter

talk to yourself

play by yourself

just curl up there

and live quietly

as if

playing a game that doesn't disturb others

Understand?

Why?

Dad

Why would they stop liking me?

Dad doesn't think they will

Dad's just saying what if

I understand

People change

You're so smart, Dabao

Even if that day comes

it's okay

In this world

no one is born owing you kindness

No one in this world is born to be nice to me

Except Dad

Except Dad

Right

Except Dad

Except Dad

Except Dad...

Okay

Put the small one inside here

Put it inside, hurry up

Go get Dabao from my dad's place

Save a spot for Dabao

No

You can't touch this

This contains Dabao