Original subtitles

♪As flowers bloom and wither♪

♪May we pass by the magnificent scenery♪

♪Contemplate the vastness of Heaven and Earth♪

♪Could it be that both of us are filled with desolation?♪

♪As flowers bloom and wither♪

♪May we lead such a life♪

♪Contemplate the vastness of Heaven and Earth♪

♪Turning back, you and I♪

♪Seize the current moment♪

♪The sky is painted with a gentle pallet of pastel colors♪

♪Let's walk together♪

♪Even if♪

♪The snow in front of us♪

♪Will dye our hair white♪

♪In an instant♪

[Joy of Life Season 2]

[Adapted from Mao Ni's Joy of Life on Yuewen Group's Qidian platform]

[Episode 5]

Shut the business down for the time being.

You calm the ladies down.

Once I return to the Capital properly,

I will help them.

All right.

By the way,

there is this lady with the surname Jin here.

Look after her well.

Return the indenture to her.

Is this fair to Wan'er?

The business is doing quite well.

Do you really want to close it down?

I dare not continue.

Aren't you intrepid?

I wouldn't cross the boundary.

Well.

I should get going.

You should rejoin the diplomatic corps as soon as possible.

Don't delay their return to the Capital.

I will.

Your Highness,

please send someone

to take care of the Tengs.

Don't worry.

How are you going

to deal with Chengze...

I will get to the bottom of it.

Good, then.

We will expect news from Shijia Town in the next few days.

Well, enough said.

Once you return to the Capital,

let's achieve big things.

Goodbye, Your Highness.

Xian,

you must listen to me.

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince

are locking horns.

Let's not meddle in it.

Your head could be lopped off.

It's not your head, though.

None of us should die, anyway.

It was a big mess in the Capital

upon receiving the news of your death last time.

It was an uproar.

Many people came to our residence bearing gifts.

Don't make us experience that again.

When I come back here,

return all those things.

They won't take them.

Why not?

Mr. Fan, think about this.

If you are not dead,

no one dares to take back the gifts.

If you are alive,

those street smarts will probably send more gifts.

You are never fit to be a bureaucrat.

This is nonsense.

Not at all.

This is the bureaucracy

and customary diplomacy.

Well, shut down the business.

Everything is taken care of now.

We are leaving.

Xian, don't go yet.

What do you mean, "everything"?

What about this one?

What should we do with him?

You will take care of him.

Me?

You knocked him out with a hand strike.

What else could I do?

Let him witness

how his two brothers fight?

You are quite considerate.

You are my brother. You should help me.

What about me?

From now on, lock yourself up at home.

Don't leave home before I come back.

All right.

Don't tell anyone about what happened today.

I know.

Don't worry. Everything will be all right.

Wait for me.

I will wait for you.

Take care, Young Master.

Making a living isn't easy.

I was supposed to be on this table.

Sizhe.

Sizhe.

Why are you asleep?

Perhaps I'm still growing, and I get sleepy easily.

It shouldn't be.

I remember that someone was in this room

who came out of nowhere and knocked me out.

Then, I was lying here.

Impossible.

You said someone from that corner

and hand-stroked you,

and you laid on the table.

Seems like it.

Impossible.

You seemed strange

when you came in here.

You went straight

to the bed.

You said you were tired

and wanted to take a nap.

I think you had a dream.

A dream?

Sizhe, what happened to your eye?

A donkey kicked me.

A donkey? You have a donkey?

No. I dreamed of it.

A donkey kicked me in my dream.

You had an interesting dream.

I know.

I also dreamed of two dogs fighting here.

Well, let's continue

with the songs.

Chengping, listen.

We are not listening to songs today.

You should return to the palace and take a good rest.

Why?

Recently,

our mental state has been in poor condition.

Right?

We have a lot of dreams.

I was kicked by a donkey in my dream.

And you were knocked out by Fan Xian, right?

Fan Xian?

I mean, a bad guy knocked you out in your dream.

Right?

So, let's call it a day.

Mr. Fan,

they are not here.

Where...

Where did they go?

If the Second Prince didn't seize them,

where could they go?

Did you offend anyone here?

While I was away for the past six months,

there might be some monetary conflicts.

But it wouldn't get the family involved.

Mr. Fan,

you have to return to the diplomatic corps by yourself.

I'm sorry. I can't accompany you.

I need to go searching for them.

I will go with you.

Mr. Fan, you have to leave

before it's too late.

Don't worry. They are more important.

Dear.

You were inside?

Where is Baba?

Why did you avoid me?

I'm wiping your sweat.

Why nervous?

We were inside the room.

I was putting her to sleep.

But I didn't see you.

Then,

why did you disappear?

Someone took us away.

What do you mean?

We were protected.

Protect?

Who?

Who else could it be?

Chen Pingping?

Exactly.

Mr. Chen wants me to relay a message to you.

The Tengs have been released.

He will escort them to Danzhou to settle down.

He asks you

if you would want to meet them before they depart.

No.

The farther I stay from them,

the safer they can be.

Mr. Chen advises you to return to the diplomatic corps quickly.

What actually does he want?

Mr. Chen says

that you might be wary of him

after the trip to Northern Qi.

But he won't explain himself

because words are meaningless sometimes.

How he treats you

depends not on his words

but on his actions.

Can you see through him?

I doubt anyone in this world can.

Dear,

thank you for looking after Baba.

Mr. Fan and I should rejoin the diplomatic corps now.

Mr. Fan, where are you?

We are reaching the Capital soon.

Hurry back, or I will be exposed.

Did you see that?

This fellow

talks to Fan Xian's ashes every day.

I can't hear what he's talking about.

But I'm truly impressed

by his loyalty.

Where are you now?

I'm going crazy.

Well,

the corps is reaching the Capital.

Fan Xian's death

is confirmed.

Let's go

and report to His Highness.

He hasn't been out for days?

Yes, we delivered the meals to his room.

Is he sick?

He eats a lot.

We also prepared yogurt for him.

With fruits.

He doesn't look unwell.

Is anyone else in the room?

No.

You won't know.

Boys at this age

could do anything.

Give that to me. You may go.

Yes.

Mother, do you want to come in?

I brought you yogurt.

You can check under the bed.

There is a cabinet over there.

No one here, right?

Then, why do you coop yourself up?

You aren't usually like this.

He won't let me go out.

Who?

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

Why not?

Are you in trouble?

Stop asking.

I can't go out. That's all.

Do you have a run-in with a girl?

What girl? There is no such girl.

No. Stop guessing.

How long are you going to stay in your room?

I don't know either.

Perhaps I still have to wait for a while more.

Are you waiting for someone?

No... No one. Please stop asking.

Enough.

A girl?

I wish it were a girl.

It's a man.

Mother,

did Father

ask about me?

Why would he ask?

I haven't greeted him these days.

Isn't he angry?

No.

He has been in a good mood

since you didn't show up.

I bet he is.

Father has never had expectations for me.

Oh, my.

I was just kidding.

It's fine. You don't have to comfort me.

Since childhood,

I have always known

that Father is never satisfied with everything I do.

No matter how well I do, he thinks I'm useless.

Mother,

if I could never

do one thing in this life

that makes Father proud,

wouldn't my life be a failure?

Sizhe,

he is your father.

It's not that he looks down on you.

He just expects nothing less from you.

So, can you tell me who that guy is?

Mr. Fan, do you feel better?

It's not serious.

Why can it not be serious?

Since the battle where Xiao En was captured,

the Dominant Qi in your body

has been out of control.

Fortunately, I found this carriage

so you can rest well.

If not, you would be coughing up blood again.

The confirmed death of Fan Xian

has relieved His Highness of his biggest concern.

After returning to the Capital,

I will commend you all.

It's a shame

that he is reduced to ashes.

If not, we could reassure His Highness

by showing Fan Xian's body.

That's enough.

How much longer until we reunite with the corps?

We should be able to catch up with them

before dark.

I need some fresh air.

Just stay inside.

Fan Xian?

What a surprise.

It truly is a surprise.

Xie Bi'an, I have already died for days.

You still follow the diplomatic corps.

Are you keeping vigil for me?

Kill him.

Let him die one more time.

Wang, charge!

Mr. Fan, it's a cliff.

Take a chance!

Mr. Fan,

we won.

Thanks for accompanying me all along. We need to part now.

Go back.

Tell Li Chengze

to wait for me at the Capital.

Mr. Fan, aren't we chasing after them?

It's already close to the Capital.

We can't attack the diplomatic corps.

At this point,

he has come back to life.

Mr. Fan, you are back!

I'm back too.

You are all back. That's great!

What a journey.

Finally, I made it back alive.

Mr. Yan said you wouldn't make it.

What nonsense is he talking about?

Let me smash this first.

Don't.

Whose convoy is that behind?

The Crown Princess of Northern Qi.

The Crown Princess of Northern Qi?

Where did she come from?

They have been following the diplomatic corps.

Her convoy caught up right after you guys left.

The young Northern Qi emperor appointed a marriage alliance

with the Qing State.

They have been urging us to travel fast.

Thanks to Mr. Yan,

we have been able to travel slowly.

Who is she marrying?

First Prince.

First Prince?

Isn't he always fighting in the battles?

How can he get married?

[Second Prince's Residence]

Chengru is returning to the Capital?

A new commander took over his duty at the border.

The First Prince only brought his personal guards back.

Why is he

suddenly transferred back after so many years?

It's said that he is getting married.

The Crown Princess of Northern Qi

is going to marry the First Prince.

Is he going to take the plunge?

After all, he marries a princess.

When will Chengru arrive in the Capital?

In two days.

They are preparing to welcome him outside the city.

That's good.

But he might run into Fan Xian there.

How so?

I calculated the timing.

The diplomatic corps Fan Xian being in and the First Prince

should arrive on the same day.

What a coincidence.

By right, they should enter through two different city gates.

But if they enter through the same gate,

who do you think will make way?

Pass my order.

Be it a coincidence or a roadwork,

make sure they

use the same city gate.

[Miss Shen, sister of Shen Zhong of Northern Qi]

Fan Xian?

You guys get along quite well.

You can't be serious.

Can't you see who is being chained?

I did.

What is this supposed to mean?

She isn't from the Qing State.

How could I not be cautious?

Why don't you just kill her

instead of guarding her every day?

Killing her

won't do me any good.

Nor harm.

Stop deluding yourself.

Why did you come back here?

What a question.

My fake death is over.

It's time to come back to life.

You won't.

Mr. Gao.

Mr. Gao.

Wang.

I'm here.

Take this.

What is this for?

Just take it.

Do you have something to ask of me?

We are buddies.

You don't have to do this.

Are these Northern Qi's silver taels?

How did you know?

They smell different.

Gao,

why are you giving me money?

To compensate you.

To compensate me?

What for?

Did you break my things?

No.

I'm paying for your clothes.

You left in haste last time

and had left some clothes here.

Did you lose them?

But they wouldn't cost

this much.

How would the clothes get lost

under my watch?

If it's not,

then why are you paying me?

Someone bought them.

Someone bought them?

Do those old clothes

sell for this much money?

You weren't there.

Every time the diplomatic corps passed a town,

the place was swarmed with people.

Swarmed?

Did they gather to collect old clothes?

Enough about old clothes.

They came to mourn for Mr. Fan.

Mr. Fan!

Everyone rushed to the carriage

as they thought the diplomatic corps was the last place Mr. Fan had been.

They were begging in tears,

saying that they wanted Mr. Fan's clothes

as memorabilia.

The news of his death really spread so far.

I thought

it would only spread in the Capital.

Not only in the Capital,

but the entire Qing State also knows

you are dead.

This doesn't make sense.

Of course.

It's the publicity campaign of the Imperial Inspectorate.

What is a publicity campaign?

Someone behind is doing propaganda.

The Imperial Inspectorate alone

isn't able to achieve this.

It's His Majesty.

But His Majesty knows that I'm alive.

Why would he disseminate news of my death?

His Majesty always considers

the greater good.

So, the motive behind disseminating news of my death

is for the sake of the Qing State?

It's all for the sake of the Qing State.

If my death benefits the Qing State,

why don't you make it a real one?

What do you want?

I must stay alive and return to the Capital.

I need to investigate Li Chengze's thoroughly.

It's not that I want to kill you,

but you simply must die.

I understand.

Unless my fake death has a reasonable

and valid reason,

I will be considered deceiving the emperor.

It would be best if I could also verify

the literary succession.

How could it be possible?

Is the Crown Princess of Northern Qi also in the diplomatic corps?

What are you planning?

What is she like?

Just a princess.

It's already late.

Mr. Yan, why do you...

Fan... Fan...

Fan... Fan Xian.

Aren't you already dead?

Have you seen me before?

Secretly.

I'm more surprised than you are.

What do you mean, "secretly"?

During Mother's birthday banquet.

In the back hall.

I saw

you and the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi, Miss Duoduo,

looking at each other affectionately

in front of everyone.

No! Not affectionate!

Are you that nervous?

Pick it up.

Emissary Fan, are you

not dead enough?

It isn't a real death.

Not a real death.

All right.

Back to your position.

[Crown Princess of Northern Qi]

When I first heard of your death,

I was shocked.

Now

that I see you are safe,

I feel rather relieved.

Fortunately, we didn't lose a great talent.

Do you not go out much, Your Highness?

I'm a princess.

How could I leave the palace casually?

Got it. That's why you are nervous.

As the Qi royal,

we must be composed

whenever we are.

We won't be nervous.

All right, got it.

Your Highness, let's talk about something serious.

Before you departed,

what did the Emperor and the Empress Dowager

inform you?

You may leave.

Mother and His Majesty told me

that you and the Qi State

had a secret smuggling deal.

If you have any news in the future,

you can inform me,

and I will pass it on to Qi.

So, we are on the same side.

Maybe.

That's why I can't die.

You are not dead.

But I can't stay alive either.

If I can't stay alive,

how can we continue our deal?

If so,

how can you keep yourself alive?

Do you lie, Your Highness?

The Qi royal

values integrity.

We never commit dishonesty.

But if you don't lie,

you might fail the task

your Mother and the Emperor gave you.

Still,

I don't know how to lie.

Don't worry.

It's simple.

I will teach you.

[Qi]

What has happened?

What is going on?

Congratulations, everyone.

You have finally escaped the grave danger.

Grave danger?

While the diplomatic corps left Qi

and entered the land of the Qing State,

someone had been following us

and spying on us.

Your Highness, you are exaggerating the danger.

Ever since the diplomatic corps entered the Qing State,

we have been under military protection.

No one dares to attack us.

Still, there is someone,

even a legion, who can't stop.

Could it be the Grandmaster?

Exactly.

Grandmaster?

Grandmaster?

Grandmaster is more powerful than an army.

In this case, why did the Grandmaster attack us?

Before Mr. Zhuang Mohan's pass,

he entrusted Mr. Fan Xian with his important collection.

What does that symbolize?

It symbolizes the literary succession.

Precisely.

Literary talents only emerge between our two states.

What would others

think?

That's right.

It must be the foreign barbarian clan.

It's Dongyi City.

Your Highness, how did you know about Grandmaster?

I saw

someone from the diplomatic corps

confront the Grandmaster alone.

He risked his own life

to secure the literary succession

and protect your lives.

Who?

Who is this person?

I don't know.

It must be an expert.

It must be.

He is brave enough to confront the Grandmaster alone.

That's Fan Xian.

Don't come closer.

Mr. Fan.

Fan Xian?

Aren't you already dead?

Mr. Fan,

what is going on?

Please tell us.

Right.

Please tell us.

Forget it.

It really doesn't matter.

Mr. Fan doesn't want to take credit.

But all of you

have the right to know the truth.

Qinian, no.

Mr. Fan!

Gentlemen,

when confronting the Grandmaster,

Mr. Fan couldn't do anything but fake his death.

Only if Mr. Fan died

would the literary succession

be interrupted

and the Grandmaster

wouldn't attack the diplomatic corps.

That's how he protected all of you.

Turns out Mr. Fan faked his death to protect our lives.

He is doing this for the Qing State.

It's all thanks to him.

It's not worth mentioning.

Right.

Your Highness.

You ran into this incident

by accident.

Thank you

for keeping this secret for me.

Literature greatly concerns the state itself.

Qi and Southern Qing

should share it.

No one else should get their hands on it.

- That's right. - Please be seated, Your Highness.

Here's water.

Mr. Fan,

which Grandmaster you encountered?

We didn't fight.

If the Grandmaster had fought me,

I would have been dead by now.

I only saw from a distance

that the person was using a sword.

Your question seems rather unnecessary.

Who else could it be among the four Grandmasters

except Northern Qi and Qing?

It's Sigu Jian.

I didn't really get a good look.

I don't want to blame the wrong person.

We can't make an accusation without proof.

What if he comes to seek revenge for this?

Right.

Thank you, Mr. Fan.

Thank you, Mr. Fan.

For the Qing State all the way.

The Qing State!

The Qing State!

Silence.

You have an hour

to get ready and break camp.

After that,

we will depart without delay.

Knowing that Mr. Fan is in one piece

is a blessing to the Qing State.

Deliver this message back to the Capital immediately.

Yes.

Yes, Mr. Yan.

Let's go.

Deliver this message back to the Capital immediately.

Yes.

Mr. Fan is truly a blessing to the Qing State.

Exactly.

Finally, I came back to life.

Yes, you did.

Mr. Fan,

aren't you afraid that Sigu Jian will come after you?

If he had to come

for a trivial matter like this,

he would have come already.

Thank you for cooperating with us, Your Highness.

Mr. Fan,

may I ask you

something?

Ask away.

The two states have a marriage alliance.

Do you know

what the First Prince is like?

The First Prince has been stationed outside for years.

I have never met him before.

Have you met the First Prince before?

No.

Watch your step.

Mr. Yan.

Thank you.

You died

by my hand,

yet back to life by my mouth.

Fan Xian,

it won't happen again.

Wang,

there is a man ahead.

Is he here to receive the diplomatic corps?

How come he is alone?

His face seems familiar.

Mr. Fan!

You are finally back.

Mr. Fan.

Official Xin, do you want to rest in the carriage?

Official Xin, here you go.

Slowly.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Mr...

Mr. Fan,

you have made contributions to the state on this trip.

[Xin Qiwu, Vice Minister] You will probably

[of the Court of State Ceremonial] be promoted.

Congratulations.

By the looks of it,

His Majesty didn't blame me for deceiving him.

His Majesty didn't say about it.

He asks us to receive the diplomatic corps.

Thank you, Official Xin.

Should we enter the Capital now?

Um.

The arrival of the diplomatic corps

is on everyone's radar.

Well.

The Ministry of Rites has already prepared a ceremony.

It's just...

It's just...

What is it? Tell us.

It's coincidental

that the First Prince returns from the army

today.

What a coincidence.

Supposedly,

you could've avoided each other.

Unfortunately, the official road in the east

was washed away the other day due to the rising water,

and the First Prince suddenly changed his schedule.

So, both of you will be using

the north gate.

Where is he now?

He is not far away.

Less than three li from here.

So?

The cavalry guards of the First Prince

will arrive soon.

So, it is not good if both convoys

crowd outside the city?

Exactly.

The Ministry of Rites sends you over to persuade me to make way.

After all, he is the prince.

Mr. Fan, you have worked hard.

So, you may

take a rest

by the roadside.

Once the First Prince enters the city,

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

will come out of the city to welcome the diplomatic corps.

You could've sent over

a runner

to inform.

Why did you come here personally?

It's fine.

I have missed you so much.

Look,

I was so excited that I couldn't sleep last night.

Look at how excited I am after seeing you.

Tears are bursting out.

Official Xin, stop.

You can cry later.

All right.

I will cry later.

Could you please make way...

This is simple.

Yes.

I can't decide.

Do you know the Crown Princess of Northern Qi is in the convoy?

I do.

Do you also know

she'll be the First Princess Consort after the marriage alliance is formed?

I do.

So, should we ask for her permission

to make way?

I don't think this is necessary.

You don't want to let her know?

That's a good idea.

Good. Everyone heard that?

Yes.

It's Official Xin's idea

to keep this from the future First Princess Consort.

Don't.

Well...

We should ask for her permission.

Sure.

Anything you say, Official Xin.

No.

No, I didn't mean that.

Official Xin.

Please, don't.

Official Xin.

I can't decide on this.

What a weird coincidence.

It's said that he changed his schedule.

He changed his schedule,

and it clashes with mine?

It's said that the princess's carriage

represents the state's dignity.

But I think

both of you are going to be a family.

So, there is no need to argue over this.

Not a problem.

♪The youth raises his head♪

♪As he moves toward his moon♪

♪People tease him for being delusional♪

♪Wondering why he is so unconventional♪

♪Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond♪

♪How could it remain unstained?♪

♪If silver tael has a value♪

♪Who can truly be carefree?♪

♪All of you are right♪

♪He said: "Please"♪

♪"Make way"♪

♪"Let me drink until I drop"♪

♪On the court♪

♪I recite several verses♪

♪Let me wear a white robe♪

♪And cross the alley filled with insanity♪

♪To scoop up the moon's reflection in the muddy pond♪

♪Sirs, please forgive me♪

♪Your words of advice♪

♪I understand, but I don't want to pretend♪

♪People search for the golden land♪

♪While I search for the moon♪

♪Why should we travel together?♪

♪Thank you♪

♪Excuse me♪

♪You are you♪

♪I am me♪

♪Thank you♪

♪Excuse me♪

♪You are you♪

♪I am me♪

♪Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond♪

♪Remarkably worldly-wise yet hopelessly romantic♪

♪Know what you love♪

♪Don't change♪

♪If one has witnessed both light and shadow♪

♪Yet retains their innocence♪

♪They shall be cloaked in moonlight♪

♪As they journey through the night♪