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 10]

What is that?

His Majesty granted him a seat.

Even the Crown Prince is standing, you know? Who is he?

The Commissioner-in-chief of the Military Affairs Council,

General Qin Ye.

Commissioner-in-chief of the Military Affairs Council?

The head of the military.

Precisely.

All the Qing State armies

are under the charge of General Qin.

Why isn't he wearing an armor?

He doesn't need to do so for a court session.

Who is the other chair

expecting?

Bow.

Please don't.

You don't have to do that.

Not to you.

Wake up.

Everyone is watching.

You are here, Prime Minister Lin.

I wasn't sleeping.

I have been awake.

[Lin Ruohu, Prime Minister]

Mr. Lin is cool.

He is the head of all officials.

Mr. Fan, you...

This is my spot,

so I will stand here from now on.

Yours is over there.

You can stand there.

You are on your own now.

Where is the throne?

Pardon?

That doesn't look like a throne.

Why are you pulling me?

His Majesty said the throne is hard,

so he changed it.

How willful of him.

Keep it down.

According to His Majesty,

it doesn't matter what the chair looks like.

It depends on who sits on it.

That sounds reasonable.

Everything he says is reasonable.

Speaking of which,

except for His Majesty himself,

only these two can be seated.

It's three.

There are only two chairs here.

It's three, indeed.

Have you been waiting for me?

What are you people up to again?

How's that?

Did you teach Fan Xian

to write the self-defense statement?

It was his idea.

Didn't you influence him?

I didn't.

I won't believe anything you say.

As you know, I can't say much in the hall later

due to my identity.

But the Imperial Procuratorate is prejudiced.

Please look out for him.

Why the silence?

I can't.

I can't say a word at all.

Don't give me that!

Sorry for the trouble.

Push harder.

Has he always been like this?

Don't tease General Qin.

I'm just asking.

Is that a problem?

Fan Xian.

It's me.

Who are you?

I read your anthology before.

[Lai Mingcheng, Left Censor-in-chief] I do appreciate your poems.

[of Imperial Procuratorate] I do appreciate your poems.

I didn't write those poems.

I know.

Immortals deliver poems

in your dream.

It wasn't from the immortals either.

It's from another age.

Well-educated men should

always comport themselves well.

How could you not know this?

No matter who is behind you,

no matter how fascinatingly you can write,

today, I must uphold the law

and eradicate the evil.

May I know who you are?

This is Left Censor-in-chief,

Lai Mingcheng.

Your Highness.

He is the most revered official in the Imperial Procuratorate

with his character and knowledge.

Mr. Lai, save your energy

for later.

Pay me no mind, Your Highness.

Whether you are loyal or corrupt,

we will find out later.

He is a nice person.

He just lacks flexibility.

That's why he still manages the Imperial Procuratorate.

What will you do later?

I'm an honest man.

Naturally, I face anything honestly.

Honest man?

That's good.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Don't be, Chengze.

There is no need for courtesy between brothers.

Your words warm my heart up.

Not too hot.

And it cools down now.

So soon?

Same for you.

Why hasn't Mr. Chen arrived yet?

Grrr, this is not going to stop me.

You are not as strong as before, right?

You can't even push half my weight up.

Just give up.

Did you hide anything inside?

So heavy.

A powerful weapon.

I won't believe anything you say.

This won't do. I must go get help.

Wait here.

No need.

Your help has come.

Mr. Chen.

You are here too, Your Highness.

Allow me.

When we first met,

you stopped my horse.

Why are you raking up the past?

I knew you were bold.

But I didn't expect you to be this bold.

You actually confronted the entire Imperial Procuratorate alone.

Tough guy.

It seems that you are here to watch the show.

Obviously.

Chengru.

Chengru.

Why are you sweating?

Don't get physical later.

Don't worry.

I'm not a lunatic.

What's going on?

His Majesty is arriving soon.

Mr. Fan,

hurry and return to your place.

Remember to stay still.

How many times will they sound the gong?

Just move already.

Everyone,

I believe you all know

what happened to the Imperial Procuratorate.

Have you read Fan Xian's self-defense statement?

You didn't.

[Traitorous officials are in power. What crime have I committed?]

Take a good look at it.

Do read carefully.

Lai Mingcheng.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What are you accusing him of?

I'm accusing the Chief Musician Fan Xian

of accepting bribes

and abusing power.

Fan Xian.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do you plead guilty?

I plead not guilty.

He accused me of accepting bribes

and abusing power,

I don't quite understand.

Lai Mingcheng.

Crop Inspection Bureau bribed Imperial Inspectorate First Division.

Fan Xian accepted the bribe in public.

There were many witnesses.

This is completely truthful.

Do you admit it?

I didn't accept bribes. I'm innocent.

Fan Xian.

Here's the statement of the witnesses.

[Crop Inspection Bureau Bribery Statement] Are you trying to deny it?

How can I admit it

when I didn't accept the bribe?

[Qin Ye, Commissioner-in-chief] Your Majesty,

[of Military Affairs Council] I request for the witness.

No need for the trouble.

Who in the Crop Inspection Bureau committed bribery?

Eunuch Dai.

Summon him in.

Bring Eunuch Dai in.

Bring Eunuch Dai in.

Bring Eunuch Dai in.

Chen Pingping.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Fan Xian belongs to your Imperial Procuratorate.

How will you explain this?

The Imperial Inspectorate also serves you, Your Majesty.

I respect the state laws

and don't play favoritism.

Do you think Fan Xian

looks like someone who engages in corruption?

Yes.

Uh...

To be honest,

since I took charge of the Imperial Inspectorate,

everyone

seems suspicious to me.

Did you hear that?

How could he say that?

Exactly.

Everyone seems suspicious?

Yes.

Let me see.

Does the Prime Minister look like one?

He's more like it.

How can Prime Minister Lin be corrupt?

This is nonsense.

Mr. Chen,

you have good eyes.

Please pardon my poor, old eyesight.

Prime Minister Lin,

Mr. Chen was kidding you.

I like jokes.

Both of you are close to Fan Xian.

Your words aren't convincing.

General Qin.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do you think Fan Xian looks like a corrupt official?

Your Majesty,

all I know is fighting in wars.

I don't know anything else.

However,

I don't think he looks like one.

Why?

Fan Xian went to Northern Qi as a diplomat,

and he raised the war flag of the Qing State in their capital.

We soldiers

were thrilled to see that.

Rightfully so.

That's right.

I also heard about that.

A young man with such bravado

doesn't look like a corrupt person.

Thank you, General Qin.

I'm just stating the truth.

I heard something was going on between you and Northern Qi Holy Maiden.

Attaboy.

General Qin,

that's a rumor.

It might be true.

Mr. Lin,

that's not true.

I was just talking nonsense.

Please don't take it personally.

I know.

Isn't that Eunuch Dai?

My shoe falls.

Please let me put on my shoe before entering the hall.

I...

I...

Impropriety in His Majesty's presence

is very likely to get you all in trouble.

He is bold.

He sure is.

Unbelievable.

Greetings,

Your Majesty.

Lai Mingcheng.

Eunuch Dai.

Please read this.

This is the statement.

After the First Division sealed the Crop Inspection Bureau off,

Eunuch Dai arrived immediately

and gave Fan Xian banknotes worth 3,000 taels.

Eunuch Dai,

do you admit this?

No, I...

I...

Did that really happen

in front of the public?

That just sounds unreasonable.

Right?

He sealed the letter.

Then, how did you know the sealed letter contain banknotes?

Fan Xian opened it right away.

Not only that,

but he also announced the figure.

Everyone there witnessed it.

Concerning his outrageous behavior,

it shows how arrogant

Fan Xian is.

Why are you looking at me?

You are being questioned.

Answer.

Eunuch Dai,

this is solid evidence.

Think carefully.

Eunuch Dai.

Don't panic. 3,000 taels isn't much.

Crop Inspection Bureau is under the charge of the harem.

You won't be affected by this mere crime.

3,000 taels?

That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Your Majesty,

Imperial Procuratorate has investigated thoroughly.

Crop Inspection Bureau has done so many evil deeds

that evidence of their crime could be found easily.

According to the investigation,

Crop Inspection Bureau has been exploiting the farmers by all means

over the years.

This Eunuch Dai

has more than one private property outside the Capital.

He even framed quite a number of farmers

with the crop prices,

which forced them to sell their children,

or even send their daughters

to the brothel.

Such evil doings

have enraged the people.

Crop Inspection Bureau is also secretly known as the "Bleeding Flesh Bureau".

Mr. Lai, you are so sure of your accusations,

but I wonder if your evidence is solid.

The evidence is conclusive.

Please review it, Your Majesty.

Mr. Lai.

Prime Minister Lin.

The laws of the Qing State are strict.

From Ministry of Justice, and Court of Judicial Review to the local yamen,

every system has its own responsibility.

Even if an official breaks the law,

he should be investigated according to the protocol.

How could you present the evidence

directly to His Majesty?

Prime Minister Lin,

are you suggesting

that I shouldn't read the memorandum?

Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the state.

There is nothing you should be hidden from.

However, I'm the head of the Six Ministries,

and it's my duty to share your burden.

If we were to burden you

with such matters for long,

I'm afraid the Six Ministries might slack off

and law enforcement might be undermined.

You have a point.

I

shouldn't look at it.

No, Prime Minister Lin.

First, Crop Inspection Bureau is under the charge of the harem.

So it should be judged by His Majesty.

Second, Imperial Procuratorate has a duty for official impeachment.

So presenting the evidence directly to His Majesty

is not considered overstepping.

What about the third point?

Third,

the Six Ministries are under your jurisdiction.

I impeach Fan Xian for his conduct in the Crop Inspection Bureau case.

As everyone knows,

Fan Xian is your future son-in-law.

By right, you should recuse yourself.

Mr. Lai,

are you suggesting that I play favoritism?

Everyone has their favorite.

Prime Minister Lin is incorruptible and upright.

Speaking of you playing favoritism,

I'm the first to oppose.

I'm the second.

Your Majesty,

Mr. Lai has made a fair point.

The Crop Inspection Bureau case

should be judged by you.

You have my trust.

But I don't quite trust myself.

Lai Mingcheng.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Show him.

I'm to blame.

Please spare me, Your Majesty!

I will give up everything

and make amends!

Your Majesty,

he pleaded guilty.

Reduce him to ashes.

Take him away!

Please show me mercy, Your Majesty!

Please show me mercy, Your Majesty!

Please!

Your Majesty!

Mr. Fan, seeing how he ends,

what do you think?

This Dai is a piece of work.

Mr. Lai, you eradicate the evil for the people.

They will remember what you have done.

At this point,

do you plead guilty?

Why am I guilty?

You dare say you didn't take the 3,000 taels?

I did take it.

So you admitted.

Hold on.

Are you saying

that I took a bribe if I accepted the money?

Don't you try to deny it!

Mr. Lai,

how dare you slander a prince!

What nonsense are you talking about?

Did I take the bank notes

from Crop Inspection Bureau in front of everyone?

That's the reason

why we established the evidence.

Let me ask you this.

Was His Highness also there?

His Highness?

His Highness was there.

Yes, he was.

If I had violated the state laws,

why didn't His Highness impeach me

when all this happened days ago?

Mr. Lai, you claimed that I accepted bribes,

[Forced Prostitution] yet His Highness ignored this.

[at Baoyue Pleasure House] Doesn't that mean

His Highness and I conspired?

This...

Slandering the prince

is utterly vicious.

Why would His Highness be there?

It's true that I was in the Crop Inspection Bureau.

Did you

see him take the money?

I did. As Mr. Lai said,

he violated the state law by receiving that 3,000 taels.

I should've impeached Fan Xian for his misconduct.

Then, why didn't you impeach me?

Because I trust you.

Fan Xian boasts exceptional talents.

He is widely known as the Immortal Poet soon after he entered the Capital.

Plus, he is an important official in the Imperial Inspectorate.

He has a great prospect.

I couldn't believe

someone like him

would ruin his future for 3,000 taels.

If he really did that,

I would definitely impeach him.

However, seeing him publicly accept a bribe

is somehow

unthinkable.

I believed he had another intention.

Hence, I decided to wait and observe.

Well said.

You actually speak

my thoughts out loud.

Perhaps you thought 3,000 taels wasn't a big enough figure,

so you decided to take the risk.

This is absurd!

People in the Capital

can't even save up a dozen taels within a year.

The banknotes worth 3,000 taels

are a huge sum

they could ever imagine.

We are the serving officials.

Of course, we should obey the law and care about the people.

Mr. Lai, what you said

is truly disheartening!

But you took that 3,000 taels.

Yes.

You took the money.

I did.

Mr. Lai, have you ever gone fishing?

Without a bait,

would the fish bite?

So you deliberately accepted the bribe

to lure the Crop Inspection Bureau?

As a matter of fact,

I have long noticed

the evildoing at the Crop Inspection Bureau.

My thought of eradicating the evil

aligns perfectly with yours.

"Great minds think alike"

is the exact description for us both.

Look,

what a smooth talker he is.

Still, that's the truth.

You say you are also investigating the Crop Inspection Bureau.

Can you prove it?

Right after I took the banknotes,

I have handed them over to Mr. Chen.

I also reported my intention to Mr. Chen.

Is that true?

It's true.

Isn't this a misunderstanding, then?

Yes, it's always a misunderstanding.

Mr. Chen,

it's not that I doubt you.

I would like to ask one more thing.

Mr. Fan,

if you said this is a misunderstanding,

why didn't you explain everything

on your self-defense statement

when all officials impeached you?

Mr. Lai, I wouldn't dare to do so.

Why not?

How could a small Crop Inspection Bureau

have such audacity?

Officials engaged in corruption in the court

are more to this than meets the eye.

Do you also suspect the Imperial Procuratorate?

Not just the Imperial Procuratorate,

but also all the officials

and imperial family members.

I

don't believe any of them.

Since you are investigating corruption,

why did you keep those banknotes for so long

without taking any action?

If it wasn't for the Imperial Procuratorate,

I doubt the Crop Inspection Bureau would be exposed by now.

I hesitated.

What do you mean?

The corruption investigation is necessary.

The question is, how long will it continue?

How deep can it delve into?

Are you chickening out?

No, I'm worried.

Upholding integrity in governance is the fundamental of officials.

Since we are trusted by His Majesty,

how could we shirk our duty?

Mr. Lai, does this only represent yourself

or the entire Imperial Procuratorate?

The whole Imperial Procuratorate has the duty to serve the nation.

What the Imperial Inspectorate dare not investigate,

the Imperial Procuratorate will!

What the Imperial Inspectorate fear,

the Imperial Procuratorate are not!

What a spirit.

I'm impressed.

Did you hear that,

Chen Pingping?

I'm ashamed.

Imperial Inspectorate

has truly been slacking off over the years.

You owe me an explanation.

Your Majesty,

during this time,

several local yamens have uncovered cases of corruption,

which involve numerous parties.

I intended to delay it.

Judging by today's situation,

I should hand over this duty to the Imperial Procuratorate.

Mr. Chen, did you prepare

this name list long ago?

Today is a coincidence.

So, have you been waiting for this moment to come?

If the Imperial Procuratorate won't take this,

we won't force it on you.

Since corrupt officials have been discovered,

why doesn't the Imperial Inspectorate

tie up the loose ends as well?

Why offer this favor to others instead?

That's why I say it involves numerous parties.

Is the Imperial Inspectorate afraid too?

Not really.

It's time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Some of the officials are far away from the Capital,

but they have close connections here,

even

with the princes.

If we were to scrutinize it thoroughly,

it might take a long time.

Imperial Inspectorate has already a lot on our plate,

and we can't spare any more effort for it.

General Qin, since you have asked so deeply,

why don't you have a look at it?

No, thanks.

I can't read,

and I won't understand it.

So no.

Prime Minister Lin?

So no one dares take this.

Your Majesty,

this name list

will be taken by the Imperial Procuratorate.

We won't back down

from the task of relieving the country from trouble.

Your loyalty and bravery are commendable.

Read it before you say yes.

Your Majesty,

there is something I must say now.

Your Majesty,

Mr. Lai is loyal and righteous.

I admire him very much.

If this concerns the princes,

I'm worried Mr. Lai couldn't bear this heavy burden.

With the state law,

why wouldn't I bear it?

I will thoroughly investigate

and clear the name of the royal family.

If any princes were involved...

Mr. Lai, please consider your own safety.

Don't be impulsive.

[Name List of Corrupt Officials]

Your Majesty,

even if any princes were involved,

Imperial Procuratorate will get to the bottom of this.

The courageous censor

fearlessly opposes the royal family

and vows to uproot evil

and preserve an incorruptible government.

This is truly a blessing to the Qing State.

Having a courageous censor

is truly a blessing to the Qing State.

Your Majesty,

Mr. Lai is the guardian of the country.

I would like to take back the words I wrote to the Imperial Procuratorate.

Do you think you can take them back as you wish?

I will apologize to them and admit my fault.

Fan Xian.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You wrote in the self-defense statement,

"Traitorous officials are in power."

I wonder

who you are referring to.

Needless to say, it's all the corrupt officials,

not the censors of the Imperial Procuratorate.

Lai Mingcheng.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do it well.

Your Majesty.

I shall return a clear, bright sky to the Qing State.

I'm looking forward to it.

Prime Minister Lin.

Let me help you.

I'm not that old.

Mr. Lin, I was impressed by you just now.

You were seeking for someone to do the dirty work.

Sorry?

You use the Imperial Procuratorate to investigate the Second Prince.

I know I can't keep it from you.

Did Chen Pingping teach you this?

I figured it out myself.

Lai Mingcheng is indeed a good choice.

But there is something I'm confused about.

I would like to seek your advice.

The officials who came out just now

weren't part of my arrangement.

If it wasn't for them fanning the flames,

it wouldn't have turned out so well.

You are curious

about who is behind them?

Did you arrange that?

But how did you know

my target is the Second Prince in advance?

I didn't hold this position for years

for nothing.

Will those officials

affect you?

Who tells you they are my men?

No?

Then whose men are they?

Chengze.

Chengze, slow down.

Do you have any orders, Your Highness?

It was quite a day in the court earlier today.

What do you think, Chengze?

Mr. Lai is indeed unbending.

Imperial Procuratorate has been a spent force for years.

Those censors were struggling.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have taken the corruption investigation.

Anyway,

it's good to have the corruption investigation proceed.

It's a good thing as long as it is not a personal grudge.

How is that

a personal grudge?

Do you know by chance

who is on the name list?

I don't know.

We should always reflect on ourselves.

As princes,

we should be aware of the officials who approach us

and not bring disgrace to the royal family.

Am I right, Chengze?

Your Highness, your words are profound.

I'm just speaking from the heart.

You see, those officials who came out just now

enthusiastically praised

the courageous censor.

It's rare to see

officials clearly show their stances.

Do you know what that means?

The corruption investigation is everyone's hope,

and it's inevitable.

What's wrong?

I'm impressed.

How so?

Smashing bowls in front of the chef.

Your Highness,

that takes finesse.

What chef?

I won't forget

your guidance.

Not for one moment.

Your Highness.

Shall we

give Mr. Lai a little help?

We?

What are you on about?

Your Highness, this way.

Please.

As your aides,

we should do our best to serve you.

Hold on.

Those from the Imperial Procuratorate are simple-minded

and insist on conducting the investigation.

We can just sit tight and watch.

Why should we get our hands dirty?

What's with that look?

Aren't those officials

arranged by you?

Who are you talking about?

There were a few officials

voicing out just now.

What do you mean by "I arranged them"?

Aren't they your aides?

Wait, what do you mean by "my aides"?

They have always been.

Then why don't I know about that?

That's right.

Well,

many people pledge their loyalty to you.

Those few

are in idle positions

and won't be of great help.

They probably haven't had a chance to meet with you.

Are they really my aides?

Absolutely.

Why did they come out?

Wasn't that your idea?

As if!

Why did they come out in that situation?

No wonder he talked about the chef and the bowls.

Chef?

What chef?

From the Crop Inspection Bureau?

Did the Crown Prince's aides follow your orders?

That's feasible.

This is amazing, Mr. Lin.

I'm not as amazing as you.

You have been back for days,

yet you haven't visited Wan'er yet.

Why?

Does the Northern Qi Holy Maiden stop you?

Mr. Lin.

Please don't believe in those rumors.

The Holy Maiden and I...

Wan'er and I...

You know very well what kind of person I am.

Don't tell me. Explain to Wan'er.

It's not that I don't want to meet her.

I have been too occupied since returning to the Capital.

I'm all tied up.

This is not an excuse.

Mr. Lin,

I have my reason.

It has nothing to do with the Holy Maiden.

She has been waiting for you.

I will visit her at night.

Night?

No, it's not nighttime.

It's daytime. I will visit her once I have time.

Hurry up and get married when I'm still around.

I was taken aback.

You are healthier than me.

You never know.

Did you teach

Fan Xian that?

No, he figured it out himself.

Given his young age,

he's done a good job to have come up with this.

Ever since Fan Xian arrived in the Capital,

he hasn't disappointed anyone.

Are your legs all right?

My legs ache after standing for too long.

I'm fine.

Don't worry.

I will grant you a chair in the hall later.

Please don't.

I dare not accept this.

Is Fan Xian registered under the Fan family's ancestry hall?

Good thing if he isn't.

Judging by his character,

it's better not.

It doesn't matter whether or not his name is registered.

He belongs to the Fan family anyway.

He may be a troublemaker,

I will continue to guide him more.

If he really gets into trouble,

I will take the blame for him.

You Majesty,

he's always like this.

Only you can tolerate him.

♪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♪