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 7]

I drew these for fun

when I had free time.

Then why didn't you draw the face?

Do you want me to ask further

whose face these are supposed to be?

You are the Crown Prince!

I'm sorry.

I will obey what you say, Mother.

I won't draw again.

What about the Shijia Town?

Chengze was alerted.

By the time my men arrived,

his men had already retreated.

They didn't leave any evidence in the town.

If so, why did you burn down the town?

Because Fan Xian is a good man.

Only if I burned the town to the ground

would he be driven apart from Chengze

and firmly take my side.

All the more reason he can't find out the truth.

Don't worry, Mother.

Except for a lunatic,

no one would do such an atrocious

and vile deed

for no reason.

There is only one truth.

Chengze wiped out the town.

Why do you value Fan Xian so much?

No one would turn down a good man.

Mr. Fan.

I have been waiting for you.

Didn't I ask you to go home and consider it?

There would only be dangers if you follow me.

I have thought it through.

That's quick.

There is not much to consider.

My wife said

I could make this much money in a month,

which no other place could offer.

One more thing.

You are

a good man.

What's the point of being a good man

when dangers surround me?

Mr. Fan,

dangers lurk everywhere,

but good men are few and far between.

Speaking of which,

what kind of good man am I?

There are enough things wrong with me.

I'm cowardly,

selfish,

greedy, and vain.

I'm at times resistant to change

and indecisive.

In all honesty,

I'm just an ordinary man.

What will an ordinary man do

in this situation?

What will they do?

They quit!

I'm no longer the inspector,

and the trail has gone cold.

I can't continue the investigation.

Why should I continue?

How is that my concern?

People

should learn

how to keep their hands clean.

Mr. Fan,

please don't be discouraged.

Your dispositions and stances

have already changed many people.

Who?

At least, there is me,

Wang Qinian.

It seems that you haven't figured out His Majesty's intention.

I did.

He took my official token away

[Imperial Inspectorate]

and appointed a marriage between Li Chengze and the Ye family.

Everyone knows that the Ye family is protected by a Grandmaster.

Once they get married,

Li Chengze will have a promising future.

His Majesty

is protecting him.

He thinks it's unfair.

I can't afford that thought.

What's his identity?

And what is mine?

It's a given that His Majesty protects his own son.

So you are not going to continue the investigation?

Mr. Chen, how am I going to continue?

The prince broke the law.

I risked my life to advise the emperor.

He refused to listen.

Fine, I obeyed him.

Now, I came back here alive

to tell him the hard truth again,

but he still deflected the topic.

Is anything I say useful?

Who can I trust in this world?

Can I trust him?

Can I trust you?

It doesn't matter whether you trust me or not.

[Inspector] I brought this back for you.

His Majesty threw it into the water.

But did he ever mention dismissing you?

Everyone can see

that what His Majesty had said earlier today

was to protect Li Chengze.

So, from now on,

this matter is considered over.

That's a subtle hint.

His Majesty wants me to lie low and find something in the undercurrent.

No wonder he threw it into the water.

Don't read too much into it.

You are going too far.

Anyway, you got the right message.

But the Shijia Town is gone.

If you don't calm yourself down,

more towns will end up like Shijia Town.

The priority now is,

do you really know who you are up against?

Have you ever considered

your future actions?

Who I'm against

is Li Chengze

and people of his kind.

I'm not my mother.

I can't live by the goal of changing this world.

But at least

in this life,

I want to be a good man I identify myself to be

and live with a conscience

I'm comfortable with.

I hate to see

unjust deaths like Teng Zijing's,

nor do I want to witness

defenseless people like Jin.

I want to speak up for them.

I want to seek justice

for those who die aggrieved.

That's why you must calm down,

lie low,

and start over.

Although the inspector of the Imperial Inspectorate

is powerful,

you are on your own.

You have been in the Capital for some time.

You should have your own team.

I have Wang Qinian.

Not enough.

Do you remember Zhu Ge?

I won't forget him.

After Zhu Ge's passing,

the First Division has been without a leader.

I suggest you

take up his position.

The First Division monitors the officials in the Capital,

which involves complicated parties.

This is a place of trouble

and fierce battles.

Just now, you said

you wanted to speak up for the people

and bring Li Chengze down.

This position

is the best choice.

Mr. Chen,

I heard something

during the trip to Northern Qi.

It's good.

You got to see the real world.

Is my life

controlled by you all?

If I say I'm helping you,

would you believe me?

Do I have the guts to believe you?

After all, you are her son.

There is something I have been meaning to ask.

Go on.

If one day

I pick a different path from my mother's,

who would you choose?

Impossible.

What if it were true?

I would definitely choose your mother.

In the end, you all help me

because I'm her son.

Exactly.

Then you will be disappointed.

I'm not the same as my mother.

You should know there is no one alike in this world.

But you and your mother

are the same in nature.

I wouldn't dare to erupt this monument.

It doesn't matter whether you erupt a monument or not.

Listen,

you will surely walk the same path as your mother in the future.

Besides, I'm now trying

to make sure

you will walk the path you choose.

I have been manipulated all my life,

yet I have to make sure I walk the path I choose,

isn't that absurd?

To gain, you must first give. This isn't absurd.

Have you thought this through long ago?

I have told you.

Whatever you want to do,

I will always be there for you.

I may have deceived you before,

but I mean what I'm saying now.

Is there anything else you are keeping from me?

Of course, there is.

But I can't tell you.

Can I still trust you?

Yes,

but not completely.

You can never tell with people, after all.

[Inspector]

If so,

I will trust you halfway.

That's too much.

Is this the old one?

The person eager to see you more than I am has come.

Leave no loose ends on the Baoyue Pleasure House.

I know.

What brings you here?

This is Fan Xian.

His surname is Fan. He is my son.

I know.

No one wants to take him away from you.

What is the highest virtue in the Qing State's culture?

Is it filial piety?

Have you heard of familial love?

I did.

The first people he met after traveling all the way back to the Capital

were His Majesty and you.

This is ridiculous.

Why is he so angry?

I'm not angry.

Why would I be?

I'm reasoning with you.

Let me ask you this. After returning from a long journey,

Fan Xian didn't first return home to pay respects to the family.

Isn't this against the teaching of filial piety?

If this gets out,

will the Ministry of Rites criticize him?

You are right. They will.

Finally, you admit you are wrong.

But I didn't summon him here.

Not you?

Actually, I came here myself.

I wanted to wipe this monument.

Let's go home.

You are riding with me.

Please have some tea.

Don't fuss over what happened in the palace.

Even though His Majesty got rid of your token,

he didn't issue an order.

To remove me from the position of inspector.

Mr. Chen told me about that.

This is the Capital.

It's not a battle between two fighters.

If you want to compete with the Second Prince,

don't do it yourself.

I need to cultivate my own team.

Mr. Chen told me about that too.

Afterward, I will take up the position in the First Division.

I know Mr. Chen is helping you.

But this is the Capital.

You ought to be careful.

I can trust Mr. Chen,

but not completely.

You can never tell with people.

He mentioned this as well.

How generous of him.

But there is one thing I don't hold with.

Which one?

You can never tell with people.

For others,

I can't trust them completely.

But not my family.

Those fellows in the Ministry of Rites

always make a fuss about filial piety.

I hurried here not because you didn't pay me respect.

I'm afraid you might mistrust people

in the court.

Father, thank you for your wise advice.

I'm so enlightened

upon hearing it.

As long as you understand.

I haven't visited Wan'er since I returned here.

Maybe...

Maybe I should stay at home for a few days first

before I visit her.

You should go back and visit Ruoruo.

Your little sister has missed you terribly.

[Fan's Residence]

Ruoruo.

Ruoruo.

Ruoruo.

Ruoruo.

Xian, you are finally back.

Where have you been?

I...

I was wandering the world.

Wander the world?

For how long?

Around

fifteen minutes.

That's quite a short journey.

In fact, I wasn't just wandering the world.

I was trying to avoid the marriage.

I heard that His Majesty appointed a marriage for me.

But I don't want it,

so I packed my things and ran away.

Then, why did you come back?

I left in haste,

and when I calmed down halfway,

I came to a realization.

Xian,

do you know who I trust the most in this world?

Who?

You, of course.

So I was thinking of asking for your opinion

whether I should leave or not.

What if I ask you to stay?

What are you doing?

Since I'm not leaving,

I will put the clothes back in the chest.

Aren't you worried that I make you follow the decree to get married?

Not at all, Xian.

Like I said,

you are the one I trust the most in this world.

Ruoruo, you don't want to get married?

No.

Got it.

Don't worry. I will find a way.

You won't get married if you don't want to.

Sure.

If things can't work out,

I will take you and run.

All right.

Stop. You will mess up my hair.

Well, continue with the unpacking.

I'm off to handle Fan Sizhe's matter.

Xian,

you just got back.

What's wrong with Fan Sizhe? Is it a serious matter?

Let me put it this way.

I almost beat him to death.

I have often thought that.

I can help you with that.

It's a misunderstanding.

Well, let's do it another time, then.

Don't forget to call me next time.

But he is your little brother.

You are my elder brother.

Can't you be more fair?

I can't.

I may have many younger brothers in days to come,

but you are my only elder brother.

That does make some sense.

Ruoruo,

don't worry. I won't let you down.

Of course you won't.

You say Fan Xian is back?

Yes, Young Master.

My father must be elated, right?

Father, did you ask for me?

Mother, you are here too.

Xian, you are finally back.

Why are you kneeling

before he asks anything?

I sense this familiar tension.

Do you know about the Baoyue Pleasure House?

I do.

Who is the owner?

It's me.

This is simply ludicrous!

How could you do that?

Mother,

I just wanted to make some money.

You lost your character for mere money.

Master, please spare him.

Run.

Bring torture.

No need.

Actually, he is also the victim.

That's right.

Sizhe is never smart.

Surely, he was deceived.

Mother, you always call me smart.

Just shut up already.

Whether or not he was deceived,

he must accept the punishment for his mistake.

He will be beaten

no matter what.

To be honest, I have already beaten him.

Yes, Fan Xian already...

You beat him?

Did you both meet before?

Yes.

He almost beat me to death.

Why didn't you tell me?

Xian said not to tell anyone

and wanted me to stay in my room.

So you didn't go out these days

because of Fan Xian?

You have already returned to the Capital earlier?

I did come back before.

What is going on?

Father, it is a long story.

Don't let him keep kneeling.

Stand over there.

Well,

it's all because

the Second Prince set me up.

[Fan's Residence]

Anyway, this is what happened.

He didn't know

about the prostitution in the Baoyue Pleasure House.

Father, you heard him.

I truly had no idea about that.

If the Baoyue Pleasure House were to be exposed,

you would be the first one under arrest.

Please, Father.

They didn't tell me it was a brothel.

They said it was just a place for listening to songs and chatting.

I...

What should we do, then?

Actually,

this can be over if I compromise or yield.

That's impossible.

Aunt, do you trust me so much?

You have never compromised or yielded.

Have you come up with a solution for Sizhe?

Making a clear break with the Baoyue Pleasure House

within a short time

isn't realistic.

To keep him safe,

he has to leave the Capital.

You are right.

I will accompany Sizhe and hide in Danzhou for a while.

He can't stay in the Qing State.

Where else could he go, then?

Head northward.

Go to Northern Qi.

That's too far away.

That's good.

I will accompany Sizhe to go to the north.

Aunt, you can't go with him. He has to go there alone.

Why not?

Why?

This is a secret move,

not a vacation.

You are the daughter of the duke after all.

Everyone knows your face.

Still, Sizhe can't go to Northern Qi alone.

He has never left the Capital before.

Fan Sizhe.

Are you afraid?

A bit.

I know

it's very difficult for you

to suddenly leave a comfortable home

and go on a long and unknown journey alone

without help.

Stop... Stop saying.

You are making me more scared.

But this is also an opportunity for you.

How is this an opportunity?

One will never grow up if they don't leave home.

Have you ever thought of proving yourself to someone?

To prove that you are not a kid anymore.

To prove

that not everything you do is wrong.

And to prove that you deserve expectations.

I want to prove myself.

Go to the north, then.

Find your own path.

He can't do this.

All right.

Louder.

All right.

I can't hear you.

I can do this!

I made a mistake,

so I must bear the consequences.

Father,

I will go to Northern Qi.

But you have fear.

Mother,

I do have fear.

But I can't always stand behind you.

I have already grown all up.

When should he depart?

Tonight.

So soon?

The sooner, the better, Mother.

I'm afraid I might change my mind a few days later.

Xian, is the weather in Northern Qi very cold?

It's quite cold.

All right. I will go get some more thick clothes.

I'm running out of time.

How come he just changed all of a sudden?

Aunt,

sometimes, it only takes a moment for a man to grow up.

No, I must remind him something.

This is sudden.

In the end,

I got him involved in this.

You were right.

What?

It takes only a moment for a man to grow up.

Destiny always strikes us unprepared.

This brat doesn't disappoint me.

That's my son.

You should say this

to him in person.

Remember to dress warmly when the weather is cold.

Don't skip meals.

All right, Mother.

Don't see me off.

I would change my mind and stay.

Well, then.

All right, stop crying.

You will get wrinkles.

Bite your tongue.

I'm leaving, Mother.

Father.

Fan Xian said

I should tell you this in person.

The carriage is ready.

Thank you, Father.

One more thing.

You didn't let me down.

Fan Sizhe,

you are my son.

Safe journey.

Your mother and I

will wait for you to come home.

What are you looking at?

I'm looking at the rain.

I grew up in the Capital.

I have seen all kinds of rain,

and I'm fed up of them.

Somehow, I couldn't stop looking

at the rain today.

Just consider that the Capital is crying

to send you off.

Why don't you cry it out?

I don't want to.

I'm a grown-up now.

Grown-ups don't cry.

They do cry.

Sometimes, grown-ups

can be a crier.

Xian, let's cry together.

I'm not going northward.

Why should I cry?

Can't you speak anything nicer?

What is this?

Bank notes?

Well... Are these all mine?

This is the capital.

Once you arrive in Northern Qi,

your first mission is to make money.

You decide what business you want.

If anything happens, you take care of it.

Don't forget you want to prove to Father

and yourself.

I know. Don't worry about me.

Don't forget to return the money to me.

This is an investment.

If you make profits, I will take dividends.

We are brothers.

Do we have to keep it strictly business?

If you say so, give me back the money.

No...

Don't worry.

I will make sure you get dividends.

You say this is my first mission.

What about the second mission?

Do you still remember Guo Baokun?

He's also in Northern Qi.

No way.

What do you mean?

You beat him up to a pulp.

Do you still have to go hard on him?

He is working for me now.

Seriously?

Once you arrive in Northern Qi,

look for Guo Baokun immediately.

And then?

Remember what I'm going to tell you.

Keep it between us.

Can I tell Guo Baokun about it?

Keep it between you and I.

You need to be precise.

Pipe down.

I'm counting on you, guys.

Please don't say that, Inspector.

They will be escorting you to the north.

They will look after you on the way.

Who are they?

Don't forget what I told you.

Safe journey. Go ahead.

Please take care of my mother.

Don't worry. I have got it.

Thank you, Xian.

I will remember the money you gave me.

Rest assured.

I will make profits.

Don't worry.

Those are the skilled fighters from the Fourth Division.

Your brother will be fine.

Thank you.

Don't thank me.

If it weren't for Mr. Chen's instruction,

I couldn't care less about you.

I will start my new post in the First Division tomorrow.

Do you want to come and take a look?

[Imperial courtyard, Lin Wan'er's residence]

Fan Xian, right?

Ye Ling'er.

Looks like I have to refine my light body skills.

- Hurry over. - Where is Wan'er?

I have something to tell you.

What is it about? Where is Wan'er?

Don't deflect. I'm forgetful.

[Ye Ling'er, daughter of Ye Zhong] Wan'er knew you would come,

[the Grand Commandant of the Capital] so she hid away.

Why is Wan'er avoiding me?

She wants me to tell you this.

First, Wan'er knows you love her very much.

So does she.

Second, because of the first point,

she's worried about you as you might face dangers

after you just got back here.

She hopes you can focus on dealing with them.

Third, because of the first two points,

you shouldn't come here.

She won't meet you for now.

Did Wan'er say all this?

This is my interpretation of what she said.

She said

you would understand her.

There is one more thing.

What is that again?

She said

she would always be with you.

I know.

Could you please

relay a message to her?

Sure, go on.

First,

I miss you.

Second,

don't worry.

Why aren't you making notes?

It's short. I can remember.

Right.

You may leave.

I really don't get you.

Just meet with him if you want to.

Why are you standing here with those dewy eyes of yours?

Given the current situation,

he should focus on his problem.

I fear I would keep him

after meeting him.

[Lin Wan'er, daughter of Prime Minster Lin Ruohu]

I envy you two so much.

I won't have such luck

in my life.

Ling'er,

if you can't accept the marriage appointed by His Majesty,

let's go to the palace tomorrow and implore His Majesty

to annul it.

My father won't agree with that.

I have made up my mind.

I would rather just take my life.

Please don't.

My family is already preparing for the engagement.

I'm really upset seeing that.

Can I stay at your place

for a few days?

You can stay here as long as you want.

Father.

I'm back.

Which cell are you in?

I'm all right now.

I came to fetch you home.

Good to know that.

You may go.

I'm doing pretty well here.

I'm not going back.

Have you ever considered

the consequence of helping Fan Xian fake his death?

Fan Xian went to the palace

and confessed to his crime of deceiving the emperor.

You do know that, huh?

This crime

often brings destruction

to the whole clan.

Why am I here?

Do you think I'm putting on a show?

I'm preparing to pay myself for you what did.

I sorted it out.

At worst, I would take my life to spare the family.

You sorted it out, you say?

Can you sort out

the laws of the Qing State and His Majesty's mind?

If anything were to go wrong, I would take the blame all by myself.

Do you think so highly of yourself

that you would sacrifice your own life

and end everything?

That was a desperate choice.

Just how desperate were you

that you wouldn't consider the consequences?

It concerns a prince's treason.

You could've returned to the Capital first.

It was related to the Qing State, and I couldn't just sit tight.

In that case,

did you do that for the Qing State?

This is the very reason

for what I have done so far.

You would rather deceive the emperor

for the sake of the Qing State?

The state is beyond everything.

What about His Majesty?

His Majesty would certainly care about the state, but...

But he

can't be more important than the state itself.

How dare you, Yan Bingyun!

You taught me this.

The state is above all else.

At least you are cautious

when you say things

like that.

I'm not that dull.

Come.

I doubt it.

Why did you help him?

I didn't help him.

I did it for the Qing State.

But you were assisting him.

Yes.

He may be

ridiculous,

but

he is bold.

So

you are willing to advise him?

Why would I advise him?

He probably will

take over the Imperial Inspectorate in the future.

Mr. Chen is irreplaceable.

We are getting old.

Does Mr. Chen intend to retire?

It's not just Chen Pingping.

I wish to retire too.

It's time to hand the Imperial Inspectorate

to youngsters like you all.

Your retirement doesn't matter.

However, Mr. Chen cannot retire.

What are you saying?

No one in the Imperial Inspectorate is as important as Mr. Chen.

♪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♪