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 11]

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

He belongs to the Fan family anyway.

He may be naughty.

I will continue to guide him.

If he really gets into trouble,

I have his back.

Your Majesty,

he is always like this.

Only you can understand him, Your Majesty.

I have been understanding, haven't I?

But

who has ever considered me?

Your Majesty, what do you mean?

When Fan Xian and Chengze

were pitting against each other in the hall,

neither of you

stepped forward.

Why is that?

You claimed he smuggled,

but no solid evidence has been found.

Now, you switch to the corruption investigation.

All of you took turns to chip in.

Is the corruption really your goal?

Your goal

is my son.

Do you really think

I won't care for my son at all?

I didn't say a word just now.

Chen Pingping was speaking all the time.

Your Majesty, I think

since the dispute has started,

it's better to escalate it.

He is my son.

He is also the prince of the Qing State,

Your Majesty.

The Second Prince has been intelligent.

After years of effort,

he has built up his own influence.

He himself has nothing wrong,

but people around him may harbor ill intentions.

They should be cleared out.

Cleared out?

You are trying to clear out my son.

The one who could do this can only be Fan Xian.

He might be hung out to dry when things are over.

He won't. Fan Xian has a brain on him.

He won't be on the downtrodden side.

As you could see early this morning,

the Crown Prince's aides were agitating.

Fan Xian just shouldn't get involved in this.

It wasn't the Crown Prince.

But those are his aides.

It wasn't the Crown Prince.

Who else could instruct the Crown Prince's aides

except for the Crown Prince himself?

The Qing State's laws are strict.

I feel

much honored.

What does that mean?

What was said in the assembly earlier

has gotten His Majesty's nerve.

Which one?

Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the state.

There is nothing you should be hidden from.

However, as the head of the Six Ministries,

I feel a duty to share your burden.

If we were to burden you with such matters,

over time,

the Six Ministries might slack off

and law enforcement would be undermined.

He was right...

So the one who egged on the Crown Prince's aides

was Prime Minister Lin.

He intends to instigate a power struggle between princes.

But will he benefit

by doing so?

He also wants to find out

who the future ruler of the Qing State will be.

Doesn't he

see too far ahead?

Not only his vision

but also his hand has overreached.

Did the Imperial Inspectorate

really sort out the list of corrupt officials?

Absolutely true.

I guess the Imperial Inspectorate

didn't want to have a hand in it.

It was you

who handpicked the names.

You are smart, Your Highness.

So, did you admit this?

Why would I not?

Everyone has the duty to eradicate evil for the state.

My personal little efforts

are just part of the Imperial Inspectorate's honor.

The names on that list are all my aides.

You have a knack for picking.

They are your aides?

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

You should know I only came to the Capital for a short time.

I dare to ask,

among the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts, and all yamens,

which department

and unit

do your aides serve?

Personal acquaintances.

They are just

my friends.

That will be all right, then.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

Befriending the wrong people

isn't considered illegal.

I'm truly glad to hear that.

You had better watch out from now on.

My carriage is in front.

Do you mind walking with me for a while?

No problem.

Taking a walk

isn't considered illegal either.

In good conscience,

ever since you came here,

I have always admired you.

I even open my heart to you.

In what again?

I didn't catch it.

Even at this point,

I'm still willing to take a step back.

It's fine if you investigate the names on that list.

I just hope

this is the end of it.

You shouldn't go too far.

Hark at you.

This is too much.

How to investigate and how deeply it will be investigated

depends on the state's law.

No one can bargain over this.

If you don't believe me, go and ask

those censors in the Imperial Procuratorate.

You are driving me into a corner.

Why are you afraid if you are clean?

I'm not afraid of death.

How brave of you.

Anyone in the Capital dies,

but it won't be me.

Mind your words, Your Highness.

Only tortoises

live the longest.

Of course, you are quite carefree as of now.

Why would I be worried

when I abide by the law?

You are still new in the Capital.

If you stay here long enough,

you can expand your own network.

You are right, Your Highness.

I'm all alone as a latecomer.

Fortunately, I'm holding a position.

So, I don't think I'm on my own.

You sent Fan Sizhe northward.

You do know everything, You Highness.

You are so cruel.

Northern Qi is cold.

Why do you have the heart to send your brother over to suffer?

I'm soft-hearted.

I can't stand to see brothers being separated.

So I had my man follow him.

By now,

they should've brought him back.

Your Highness, you are sentimental.

It would be perfect if you were cautious when making friends.

My carriage is right ahead.

Please stop here.

Let's catch up again when Sizhe is back.

Safe trip.

Our days are plenty ahead.

Mr. Fan,

if they really captured Young Master Sizhe back,

it would be troublesome.

Bi'an.

Yes, Your Highness.

You were right.

Sorry?

I must give a response.

I shouldn't compromise.

What should I do?

I heard that someone died in the Baoyue Pleasure House.

Baoyue...

No, there isn't.

Didn't I just tell you?

Understood, Your Highness.

[Baoyue Pleasure House]

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help...

What happened?

Hurry and take a look.

Let's leave.

Come on.

[Imperial Procuratorate]

After looking into the names on the list,

officials in the Capital

with monetary issues

are quite a lot.

These miscreants

must be punished!

Should we really investigate them?

By the look of the results,

most of them are related to the Second Prince.

He is just a prince.

As censors,

we should even be brave enough to impeach the Emperor.

Dig deeper.

I shall let His Majesty see

that the Imperial Inspectorate isn't the only capable one.

There's a death case!

There's a death case!

A death case!

Where?

It's a brothel

named Baoyue Pleasure House.

Someone beat a courtesan

to death at the entrance.

That's the Capital Magistrate's duty,

not ours.

The head of the Baoyue Pleasure House disappears.

But she left a letter for the Capital Magistrate,

saying the owner is Fan Sizhe.

Fan Sizhe?

Fan Jian's son.

Fan Xian's younger brother.

The Fan family runs a brothel?

It's said they forcefully pimped womenfolks.

Perhaps the death

of this courtesan has something to do with this.

Has the Capital Magistrate taken any action?

Not only the Capital Magistrate

but Fan Xian has also arrived.

Fan Xian?

He is trying to interrupt the investigation.

Mr. Fan.

This woman

was beaten to death.

People around here witnessed it.

The coroner is on his way here.

It shouldn't be a different conclusion for the cause of her death.

Besides,

Yuan Meng disappeared.

The Capital Magistrate is looking into it.

Mr. Fan.

Mr. Fan,

Yuan Meng left a letter.

It writes that Fan Sizhe owns the Baoyue Pleasure House.

Besides, they forced women

into prostitution and beat them.

A copy of this letter

is sent to the Capital Magistrate.

Who is the deceased?

It's a courtesan.

This is

Jin's daughter?

Why was she still here?

Didn't I return her indenture and set her free?

Mr. Fan,

once a woman enters a brothel,

they can never

get rid of the stigma for life.

Besides, her father has passed.

She had nowhere else to go.

Did the murderers

kill her by choice?

Mr. Fan,

the guard who witnessed the murder said

that after the three men entered the premises,

they didn't ask any questions

or intentionally select anyone.

They assaulted Miss Jin

the moment they saw her

and beat her to death

without asking who she was.

So, this was a random choice.

Perhaps they couldn't care less

about who died.

Right over there.

Where are the murderers?

Mr. Fan,

they left right after she died.

We are tracking them down.

Don't let them leave the Capital.

Please rest assured.

The murderers will not get away with it.

Wang,

didn't I order to guard the Baoyue Pleasure House

and forbid anyone from entering or leaving?

They did, Mr. Fan.

But the murderers are skilled.

They purposely did it to get you involved.

They caught us off guard.

Because they treat human lives

like dirt.

It doesn't matter who dies.

Even Heaven can't tolerate this.

Deng Ziyue,

[Baoyue Pleasure House] hunt Yuan Meng down.

Yes.

[Imperial Procuratorate] Running a brothel business

is considered

a humiliation for the officials and the well-educated community.

Plus, the forced prostitution

and the murder case

are utterly unforgivable.

I'm going to issue an impeachment.

Against Fan Sizhe?

Not just him

but also Fan Jian and Fan Xian.

Given what the Fan family has done,

they must give an explanation.

But the corruption investigation we are conducting

has already involved many parties.

Do we still have to get the Fan family involved?

We have a duty

to monitor all officials.

No matter who they are,

we won't back down.

The rain finally stops.

I hate rainy days.

By the way,

what's the name

of that courtesan?

I don't know.

Should I look into it?

Forget it.

Never mind that.

No one bothers to remember her.

Well,

after this rain,

how many ants would die?

Your Highness,

everything is set.

When those three suspects are captured,

Fan Xian will be doomed.

[Fan's Residence]

Fan.

What brings you here, Prince Jing?

[Li Hongcheng, Prince Jing] I swear to Heaven,

I really have no idea where Yuan Meng went.

I have nothing to do with this.

Don't worry. I will look into it

and not blame an innocent man.

Fan,

I know you are investigating this case.

Can you please

not reveal my relationship with Yuan Meng?

After all, this concerns a death case. It might affect my reputation.

Fan, wait.

Please tell Ruoruo

that since the marriage was arranged,

I have stopped seeing Yuan Meng.

Prince Jing,

you should leave the Second Prince.

I don't want to arrest you one day myself.

Did you ask for me?

I have already known

what happened in the Baoyue Pleasure House.

Please pardon me for getting the family into trouble.

We are a family. Don't say that.

You did nothing wrong. You don't have to apologize.

Anyway, don't worry.

We sent Fan Sizhe away early.

He won't get involved

in the death case.

But Fan Sizhe isn't the target.

Right.

Lai Mingcheng of the Imperial Procuratorate

is issuing another impeachment.

Of course, he would.

Are you not angry?

These censors

are pretty good.

We can befriend them.

How will you deal with the impeachment later?

I'm not giving any response.

Before finding the culprit,

I'm not attending the assembly.

This isn't appropriate.

Father,

do you

trust me?

What do you make

of Fan Xian?

Be honest.

Are you referring to the Baoyue Pleasure House?

Just anything.

All right.

I think

something is amiss.

The Baoyue Pleasure House incident suddenly pops up

during the ongoing corruption investigation.

This seems to me

like a conspiracy.

I can't hear you.

I think this is a conspiracy.

Do you really think that way?

Those officials

who advocated for Lai Mingcheng that day

are your aides. Why?

Your Majesty,

I swear

I didn't know about this.

This is only trivial.

Why are you shaking in your boots?

Come.

Sit.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Are you sitting firmly?

Keep this in mind.

Keep yourself firm when you encounter anything.

Stay firm,

especially

when you are the Crown Prince.

Do you hear me?

Still playing dumb with me?

Go

and ask your mother.

His Majesty asks you to see me?

Yes.

Even if Father didn't,

I would still visit you.

Whether or not you come,

His Majesty won't care.

I suppose

His Majesty has already forgotten

what his empress looked like.

He sent you here

because you couldn't understand what he said.

Tell me

what he said to you.

What else could it be?

The Fans' sickness

is an outright lie.

Yes, everyone knows that.

But since they said they are sick,

we can't force them to attend the assembly.

People might think we are overbearing if this gets out.

What about Fan Sizhe?

He is not in the Capital.

Where did he go?

Get to the bottom of this. Capture him back for interrogation.

We can't find out his whereabouts.

The Fans are sick, and they refuse to accept guests.

I don't believe they can stay sick forever.

What should we do, then?

Just wait.

After all, the murderers of the Baoyue Pleasure House case

are still at large.

In the meantime, continue with the corruption investigation.

Neither the Fans nor corrupt officials can get away with it.

Yes, Mr. Lai.

The Baoyue Pleasure House case is circulating among the populace.

Many are suspecting the Fan family.

That being said, Fan Xian has the title of Immortal Poet.

Many believe there must be more to it.

How nice it is to be a poet.

Should the murderers be arrested by now?

No rush.

This might seem rather obvious.

The Fans took furlough.

They don't receive guests or attend the assembly.

But this can't continue for long.

Are they trying to stall time to find the murderers?

Since they are sick,

they need treatment.

Treatment?

Send for the best imperial physician

to the Fan's Residence

to check on them.

Will they shut the physician out?

Patients shutting the physician out

sounds quite unreasonable.

If they are found to be healthy,

they are deceiving the Emperor.

I'm going now.

Why do you protect the Fan family?

Did he promise to serve you?

He didn't.

But after all,

he is fighting against Chengze.

Let them compete with each other.

You can watch from the side.

Why do you meddle?

After all, he is my ally.

That's why he said that.

He asked for your opinion

because he wanted you to observe their fight clearly.

He wanted you to sit firmly

because he was advising you not to meddle

even if you had figured anything out.

Sit on your hands

and watch them fight.

Don't get attached to any parties,

and you will discern if there is an opportunity.

He is teaching you

how to be a crown prince.

Why couldn't he

tell me directly?

The Emperor's mind is unpredictable.

As for

those officials who supported Lai Mingcheng in the hall...

His Majesty knows

it wasn't my doing.

He just wanted to verify this.

Who could it be?

After all, Fan Xian

is Prime Minister Lin's future son-in-law.

Lin Ruofu?

Did you figure that out?

I knew it all along.

His Majesty

also knew.

So you understood

His Majesty's advice.

You didn't have to ask me at all.

Listening to your guidance

makes me happy.

Since you understood,

why pretend not to?

Mother,

for the Crown Prince,

isn't ignorance the wisdom?

You are the Crown Prince,

but you are also his son.

Actually, you are a lot like him.

One grieves over the misfortune of their own kind.

How could you use that here?

I believe

this saying

will come into play sooner or later.

You must be suffering.

I'm the Crown Prince.

I own the Eastern Palace,

revered by everyone

and envied by my brothers.

What's there to suffer?

Deng,

have one. Don't be shy.

The pastry Mr. Fan made

is delicious.

Here you go. It's hot.

This is my Baba's favorite.

Here.

Sit down and eat.

Thank you. No need for that.

Come on.

Why are you not eating?

It tastes better while it's hot.

Mr. Fan, I'm on duty now.

I will taste it at home.

Deng Ziyue,

you look awkward.

Do you not trust me?

Please forgive me.

I get it.

You still want to observe

and see if I could be the one

to awaken your inner self.

Get up.

Yes.

Is the First Division all set?

Yes.

Everyone in the First Division is very excited

and can't wait.

Ever since you debated in the hall,

everyone

has admired you more.

Especially me.

I feel like I have found

a beacon.

The person they admire isn't me.

It's Mr. Chen who's on my side.

I'm too young

to earn their admiration.

It may be the case for others.

But I'm different from them.

How is it different?

You see,

the strategy you used

is a masterstroke.

You steered the Imperial Procuratorate

into handling the corruption investigation.

This is brilliant.

I can safely say

you excel in literary and martial arts and are resourceful.

Eat the pastry, then.

I will eat it later.

According to the rules of the Imperial Inspectorate,

members

who are on duty should not eat outside food.

Did I get it right?

You don't want to break the rules, do you?

Yes.

Despite being submissive

and servile,

why do you still stick

to a trivial rule like this one?

Deng Ziyue, this is self-contradictory.

I'm just dull.

I will go back and eat it.

Oh, my.

Wang, look at him.

If I were to learn from him,

you would find me annoying.

We serve in our own way.

Rightfully so.

Xian!

Xian.

Catch your breath before you talk.

The imperial physician is here.

Who is the imperial physician?

Whoever he is.

According to the imperial physician, the Second Prince sent him over

because he was worried about you and Father's sickness.

Aunt is showing him the way to Father's room.

What should we do?

I'm going to stop him.

Why stop him?

The imperial physician must be stopped.

Father's face is radiating.

He doesn't look sick at all.

Coming from his own daughter.

Are you not happy when Father is healthy?

Xian.

Don't worry. He can manage this.

Falling ill

is a piece of cake.

Physician Li,

this isn't serious.

It's trouble for you to come all the way here.

It's my duty.

Please come this way.

Mind the steps.

Madam, what are you looking for?

Oh, nothing.

Is Mr. Fan in his room?

I think so.

I shall check on him.

Would you like some tea first?

No thanks. The patient is more important.

Why didn't anyone come and stop us?

They should at least give a hint.

It's nothing, really.

I'm saying

the illness came

without giving a hint.

Illness always caught us off guard.

Please don't worry, Madam.

I will go and check on him.

Since the imperial physician is here,

it's almost time.

Tell the First Division to spread the word.

Yes.

He looks terrible.

Is he terminally sick?

Don't panic.

Xian, is Father sick?

No.

He is healthier than me.

What then?

What if the imperial physician finds this out?

If he finds out Father isn't sick, it's even worse.

It's deceiving the Emperor.

Ruoruo,

think about it. If one skips the assembly due to body condition,

what else could it be

besides falling ill?

Mr. Fan.

Mr. Fan, please show your tongue.

Mr. Fan, please rest well.

Mr. Fan isn't sick.

No way.

He is poisoned.

Poisoned?

Indeed.

Terrific...

Terrible.

Madam, please be more cautious

and investigate if suspicious people sneak into the residence.

Yes, you are right.

Let's go and check on Mr. Fan Xian.

Again?

Well, I'm already here.

As you wish.

Did you poison Father?

Since we are putting on a show, we should put in more effort.

Does Father know about this?

Of course. Why would I hide this from him?

Didn't he say anything?

Poison?

Don't worry.

I'm an expert in this.

This is very safe.

It takes effect immediately.

The outcome is convincing.

It smells good.

After all, you are using it.

I specially formulated the flavor.

It tastes smooth.

Let me try.

You can try it

when a physician comes.

Don't waste it.

It smells pretty good.

Father does trust you very much.

Will you use the poison too?

Why would I use it?

The imperial physician will also check on you.

No one will be convinced that I'm poisoned.

Everyone knows I'm Fei Jie's disciple.

Will they suspect you of poisoning Father?

Impossible.

No one would believe

a son poisoned his own father.

Can he even call himself a human?

Am I cursing myself?

Not really.

You are the Immortal Poet.

Immortal isn't human.

You are not cursing yourself because you are not even a human.

So, are you cursing me right now?

You sure have a way with words.

Fan Xian!

The imperial physician is here!

Are you up?

Thank you so much, sir.

Sorry for the trouble, sir.

You haven't had some tea yet.

Fan Xian.

The imperial physician is here.

Are you up?

Fan Xian.

Get up and greet the imperial physician.

He is going to diagnose you.

Fan Xian?

Fan Xian.

Madam,

please do away with formalities.

Mr. Fan is sick,

and he may have difficulty walking.

I can go inside myself.

Aunt, you are here.

Fan Xian.

He comes all the way

from the Imperial Academy of Medicine.

Thank...

Thank you.

Mr. Fan.

Poor Mr. Fan.

You should be

resting in bed.

Why did you insist on getting up

and saying

that you want to show respect to Madam

and be grateful to the imperial physician?

Why don't you think about yourself?

There is no need to freak out.

He is breathing.

Please save him, sir.

I will do my best.

His pulse...

Is he poisoned?

No.

Has Mr. Fan been hit by something recently?

Did he?

What's wrong?

The circulation of his qi and blood is out of control.

It doesn't seem like he's sick.

More like a serious injury.

Mr. Fan.

Have you eaten yet?

Not yet.

Then, go home and eat.

Did his mind go wrong after being hit?

Who sent you here?

It's the Second Prince.

Please thank him for me.

I will relay your message to him.

Aunt,

please make sure he eats before leaving.

I will order the kitchen to prepare food later.

Mr. Fan.

Mr. Fan is weak now.

Please take him back to his room so he can rest.

I will issue a prescription for him.

Sure.

Thank you so much, sir.

It's my duty.

There are more good people in the Qing State.

Do you want to grab a bite?

Just to make sure,

let's rehearse again.

Let's start.

Have you heard about the Baoyue Pleasure House?

Yes.

The youngest son of the Fan family owns it.

Someone died there.

Someone saw

that the head there was Yuan Meng.

She is Madam Yuan from the Liujing River.

It's rumored that she's Prince Jing's woman.

Remember

to spread the news

to every corner of the Capital as quickly as possible.

This is of significance.

I'm counting on you.

For the sake of the Qing State!

For the sake of the Qing State!

Chop-chop.

We don't have much time.

No mistake.

Did he really say that?

Yes.

The imperial physician said

Fan Jian had been poisoned, and Fan Xian was seriously injured.

He also said that he had years of experience

and wouldn't make a mistake.

Fan Jian was poisoned

by Fan Xian.

Fan Xian?

It can't be.

You see,

you didn't believe it when I told the truth.

Will others believe this?

I can understand the poisoning.

But where did Fan Xian's injury come from?

Mr. Fan,

are you really fine?

I'm good. It's just a performance.

What is a performance?

It's an act.

A little sunshine will do me good.

How come it's not sunny today?

Xian,

this is the prescription.

The prescription is fine.

The imperial physician is skilled.

But how did you manage to fool him?

Feigning illness is easy

for martial artists like me.

You are amazing.

♪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♪