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 20]

Rebuild the latrine?

Yes.

It's Mr. Fan's idea again.

Mr. Guo, this is indeed baffling.

Tell him we are short of manpower.

It can't be done in time.

He arranged manpower from the First Division.

He didn't ask for our men.

The exam hall is off-limits.

No one is allowed inside.

Mr. Guo,

the Imperial Inspectorate has the authority to monitor anyone.

As per the rules,

they are also entitled to arrest the candidates.

Then why are you telling me that?

He requests you allocate

the logs and bricks from the Ministry of Rites' warehouse.

Those are Phoebe Zhennan logs

and kiln bricks!

He wants to use them to build mere latrines?

He knows

this seems ridiculous,

but...

What?

But the spring exam is held by the Ministry of Rites.

He will offer manpower,

but the materials

must be supplied by the Ministry of Rites.

That way,

it's legal and not against the rules.

Scratch that.

Rules.

Right.

We should follow the rules.

Mr. Fan.

Deng and the rest

have fixed the latrines.

It won't affect the spring exam.

Good job.

I still get the jitters when I think about it now.

Just how snide they are

to put kerosene in the latrines.

If candidates bring a candle in

after dark,

a small careless move

could cause a big fire.

Wang,

for your information,

in a place like that,

not only would it catch fire,

but it could also explode.

Explode?

If the latrines were to explode,

I'm afraid

this would leave a dark chapter

in the history books.

"On that fateful day,

during the spring exam hosted by Mr. Fan Xian,

numerous candidates lost their lives in..."

How shameful.

Three more days to come.

Come what may,

I will keep them safe.

I value

their lives,

even if those officials don't.

I will protect them,

even if those officials don't.

It's a shame.

They know nothing

about what you have done for them.

I don't seek recognition for the good deeds I have done.

Please call me the Red Scarf Young Pioneer.

Wait, Mr. Fan. What did you just say?

Red Scarf Young Pioneer.

They replace the candles and drinking water

as well as rebuild the latrines.

Mr. Guo bought off several candidates

to try to frame Fan Xian in the next three days.

No need for that.

No need?

No accidents would be more effective

than poisoned water and fire.

Fan Xian won't be brought down

unless

there are dozens of deaths.

At least, we should give him some warning.

Why waste the effort

if we can't take him down in one blow?

Tell Guo Zheng to stop.

It should've been a great chance.

Something is amiss.

Guo Zheng is so devious

that I too might fall prey to his trap.

Fan Xian is cunning.

No.

Only experienced officials

with years of service

in the Ministry of Rites

would discern such minor problems.

Not everyone would pay attention to candles and drinking water.

Someone in the ministry helped him.

Who could it be?

Someone fainted.

What has happened?

Come.

Uh...

Submit your papers!

Mr. Fan is

indeed meticulous.

Even the Imperial Inspectorate helped us out.

The past three days have been perfect

without accidents.

Congratulations.

I have always had faith in Mr. Fan.

Mr. Guo, you have keen eyes.

You are

a gratifying godsend

for the Ministry of Rites.

Have all the answer sheets been collected?

Everything goes smoothly.

Next will be the anonymous transcription.

There won't be any untoward accidents.

Please rest assured, Mr. Guo.

Mr. Fan.

You have had tough days.

Why don't you return home and rest?

That won't do.

I need to supervise the anonymous transcription.

I mustn't slack off

on the task entrusted by His Majesty.

You are capable and reassuring.

So, this is the anonymous procedure?

Right.

Cover the candidates' names

to ensure a just grading.

Over there is the transcription.

Each answer sheet will be transcribed.

After all, handwriting

might expose one's identity.

How considerate.

After that, the transcription copies will be sent for grading.

Talent is the only criterion for judgment.

What should I do

if I want to cheat?

Mr. Fan,

I beg your pardon.

I was saying,

if I want to cheat during the anonymous transcription

what should I do?

Mr. Fan,

please don't joke about that.

I won't do that.

I'm just curious.

There is no such thing.

I'm not saying that it happens right now.

It has never happened before.

You don't trust me.

I'm telling the truth.

I heard that paper straps used to cover the candidates' names

are different in length.

Different lengths

are also a mark.

The transcription area is over there, right?

As for the transcription,

someone might leave an inkprint on the answer sheet

to hint

the examiner.

There is no such thing.

Where did you hear about this?

Just rumors.

Of course,

I believe no one here

would do such a thing.

After all,

no one wants to die.

I was just kidding.

Please focus on your work.

I will observe and learn.

[Admitted]

Guo Zheng sends a message.

Fan Xian is aware of the tricks the Ministry of Rites used.

He wanted to help your retainers,

but it wasn't quite convenient.

What retainers?

I don't have retainers.

Understood.

They are only candidates,

not retainers.

It's a good thing

for the spring exam to be clean.

No need to intervene.

They are on their own.

I will relay this to Guo Zheng.

[Yang Wanli]

Shi, Yang.

Why are you up so early?

It's my habit.

I always wake up around the same time.

Shi,

the exam is over.

Why are you reading?

Hou,

look at this.

I couldn't recall this sentence

during the exam.

Well,

the exam is over.

Stop thinking about it.

Where is Cheng Jialin?

The three-day exam has worn him out.

I couldn't wake him up.

Right.

I felt like a different person after three days.

Exactly.

Shi,

you are acting weirdly.

Hou, what is that smell?

You smell great.

You have a sensitive nose.

Is it food again?

Of course.

You are so considerate, Hou...

It's chicken!

Roasted chicken.

Where did you get this?

I prepared this last night

and wanted to celebrate after the exam.

But the three of you slept like a log.

Hou, I really appreciate you

for feeding me for the past few days.

Eat this chicken to our heart's content, there will be more to come.

Hou,

you can't use Mr. Fan's poem in that way.

Well, let's eat up

before it turns bad.

I will divide the chicken up.

I can't believe

we were wined and dined

by Mr. Fan that night.

I was surprised too.

Who would've thought that?

Exactly.

I was shocked when I found out.

Speaking of which, it scared me out of my wits

when he found a crib sheet

from the vegetable pancake.

Thankfully, he proved my innocence.

Should the four of us

pay him a visit?

- Why? - Why?

Judging from the rumors,

people have mistaken

the four of us

for Mr. Fan's disciples.

But we know

we are not.

Why don't we

encourage this rumor?

Are you suggesting

that we seek an apprenticeship from him?

Mr. Fan's knowledge

is more than enough to teach us.

If he can be our mentor,

that's wonderful.

Of course.

But if we visit him now,

it seems like we are using shortcuts.

He's right.

Why fear slanted shadows when you stand upright?

He's right.

We will stand upright, and so will our shadows.

We can visit Mr. Fan.

But not now.

When?

It's better to meet him

after the results are announced

and everything has settled down.

But...

He made a point.

That's what I thought.

Leave some for Jialin.

I'm Cheng Jialin.

Get lost.

I wonder

what Mr. Fan is doing now.

Mr. Fan, you haven't returned home for several days and nights.

Your family must miss you.

I can't go home yet.

I need to keep an eye on the grading.

If we want a clean exam,

we should put in some effort.

Everything has been done by now, hasn't it?

After days of grading,

we are now waiting for the results to be announced.

I can safely say

that the current spring exam

is clean and just.

How about the four candidates from Tongfu Inn?

Shi Chanli failed.

Why didn't you help him?

As long as there is fairness.

How about the other three?

Barring any accidents,

they should be admitted,

especially Yang Wanli.

He wrote a good essay.

Mr. Fan, you have

an excellent assessment of people.

Out of the four candidates you met,

three of them succeeded.

Had I known this earlier,

I might've given it a try too.

Maybe I could borrow your luck

and make it through...

Well, sleep tight.

[Fan's Residence]

Deng,

could you please make a noise when you come in?

Qinian,

what are these?

Mr. Fan's meal.

Qinian,

what are you doing?

This meat,

as you know,

is my Baba's favorite.

I see.

You are stealing Mr. Fan's meat.

Wait, how could you say I stole it?

You see, Mr. Fan is resting.

He doesn't eat the dishes.

We can't let these dishes

be wasted,

right?

Still, you can't do that.

Well,

if no one finishes them,

they will be thrown away.

Isn't that a waste?

But...

Wasting food is not good, right?

Right.

So, is there a problem

with what I'm doing?

Qinian, you confused me.

Uh...

There is no way I can tell right from wrong on this matter.

Well, enough of that.

Have a seat.

Let's eat together.

Don't be shy, all right?

How about this?

I will treat you

to Mr. Fan's meal.

Here you go.

Try it.

As for this meat,

I will keep it for my daughter.

Let's eat

this troublesome

bony fish.

Here.

It's you

who asks me to eat.

Right, it's me.

Here. Try the fish eye.

Your eyes get strained from reading documents.

This is good for your eyes.

Sure.

You are right.

Let me taste it.

How is it?

Fresh.

Is it nice?

Very nice.

Of course.

Look at me.

I have put on much weight.

Taste this too.

Qinian,

how much longer

will Mr. Fan sleep?

What's the matter?

There is. The Ministry of Rites

finalizes the ranking list of the metropolitan exam.

As per the rules,

the Imperial Inspectorate should review the ranking list

before the announcement.

Mr. Chen can review it.

He asked me to deliver this to Mr. Fan.

You are so fatuous.

Just let Mr. Fan sleep more,

and we can eat more. Isn't that better?

Come on.

Try this.

Let me taste it first.

Nice.

Try this.

How does it taste?

It's a very special flavor.

What is this?

Yogurt.

You are awake, Mr. Fan.

It's fine.

Keep eating.

What are you looking at me?

Wang, stop pretending.

You haven't wiped off the yogurt around your mouth.

Mr. Fan, what is yogurt?

What do you come here for?

This is the ranking list of the metropolitan exam.

Mr. Chen asked me to send it over.

Continue eating.

If so, I will go and look for my chopsticks.

Well, you can continue.

What's wrong, Mr. Fan?

Yang Wanli failed.

His name isn't on the list.

Could it be that he made mistakes?

Wang, let's go to the Ministry of Rites after eating.

I'm not eating.

Will you stop pacing?

Mr. Fan.

How is it?

I looked through the answer sheets.

Yang Wanli's paper

is among the other passed papers.

Isn't it supposed to be anonymous?

I saw him writing the political discourse.

I remember his answer.

Did someone miss his name while copying the finalized list?

No.

Yang Wanli's answer sheet

is changed to someone else's name.

[Spring Metropolitan Exam]

[Sheng Huaiyuan of Hedong Circuit in Weizhou]

Is it so difficult

to be fair?

We must look into this, Mr. Fan.

Let's find out who replaced Yang Wanli.

No need for that.

I recognize this name.

You do?

[Sheng Huaiyuan of Hedong Circuit] Pay attention to these names.

[in Weizhou]

What do you want me to do, Your Highness?

Do nothing during the anonymous transcription.

That's all I need.

The name replacing Yang Wanli is one of those names.

The Crown Prince's disciple?

If I may, Mr. Fan,

are the rest of the names admitted besides this one?

Just him.

Aside from that,

the ranking is normal.

Mr. Fan,

you must think carefully.

The Second Prince and you have had a beef now.

If you were to offend the Crown Prince,

you must think this through.

No need.

I keep good

on my word.

What word?

This spring exam

must be clean.

Deng,

summon the First Division to besiege this place.

Without my order,

no one will announce the results.

Yes.

Wang Qinian.

At your service.

Let's go to the Eastern Palace.

Your Highness, Mr. Fan shows up unannounced.

Why didn't you inform me sooner?

Hurry and put them away.

The tailored garments you requested are done.

They are on the way here.

Who arranged that?

You arranged it, Your Highness.

Mr. Fan,

what brings you here in such a hurry?

Please come this way.

So, this is why you are here.

What are those?

I prepared these for you.

Which one do you like?

I don't know much about these.

Which tailor store creates these?

I created them.

Your Highness?

I casually drew them

and had a tailor make them.

You are a designer.

Pardon?

Never mind.

But why are their faces covered?

Their looks

don't match with the clothes.

I got it.

Who are these clothes made for?

No one in particular.

I created these for fun.

The designs are refined. It doesn't seem so.

That's what I like about you.

If it were others,

they probably would advise me to focus on state affairs.

One should have a hobby, after all.

By the way,

the substituted name

on the spring exam ranking list

is my protege.

But if I said I had nothing to do with this,

would you believe me?

Of course.

If it were you,

you wouldn't have just replaced only one name

nor would you ditch Yang Wanli out.

Obviously, someone tried to pit us

against each other.

Sound judgment.

Fan Xian laid siege to the exam hall?

This news shocked the entire city.

Then?

Then, he headed straight to the Eastern Palace.

Was the Crown Prince behind this, perchance?

He isn't that clueless.

This is strange.

His Majesty has already given the order.

Who would tamper with the spring exam?

Who else could it be

besides Chengze?

This is not like him.

This is rather blunt.

We can take time to look into this.

But the priority now is how to wrap this up.

After all, my protege got involved.

Why don't we just let it be?

Here's what I will do.

I will ensure Yang Wanli

becomes an official within a year.

What do you say?

What if one day

someone accuses you

of the spring exam corruption to His Majesty?

Could you imagine the repercussions?

We mustn't let this happen.

You always have excellent foresight.

We simply can't tolerate this.

Not only that,

but we must also make a scene of it.

How?

To alert the Imperial Inspectorate?

The spring exam hall

is under the Ministry of Rites.

How dare you surround this place.

Who should be held accountable

if tomorrow's result announcement is delayed?

Deng Ziyue of the First Division of the Imperial Inspectorate

will bear the responsibility.

Since when

does the Imperial Inspectorate trample upon

the etiquette and protocol?

Be mindful of the cruel edge.

Please don't be reckless, Mr. Guo.

I would like to see

how cruel your blade can be.

Fellow peers,

the First Division has always followed the ethical rules

and understood customary diplomacy.

However, does the Imperial Inspectorate

need to know that?

The blades in our hands

are here for a reason.

I would like to see

how you end this.

Fellow peers,

Mr. Fan sealed the exam hall off for the sake of the candidates,

which has rarely happened since before.

Everything he has said is true.

Before this, I had been muddling along

with my life.

I admit

that I threw all my senses away.

After Mr. Fan's arrival,

the First Division has changed.

I believe

it will eventually resume its duty

to monitor all officials

and deter corrupt evils.

To that end,

I vow to follow Mr. Fan for life.

Fellow peers,

do honor the uniform you wear

and the Qing State!

For the sake of the Qing State!

Seek an audience with the Emperor?

Mr. Fan and the Crown Prince, you mean?

Precisely.

What for?

From what I heard, it's about the spring exam corruption.

The spring exam of this year?

Mr. Fan had the exam hall besieged.

How did you know about something like that?

The news is making the rounds in the streets,

saying that Mr. Fan

seeks justice for all the candidates.

As expected of him.

But how come you always get wind of street rumors?

I have never heard of any.

Street rumors?

Who spread that?

It's from the street,

so, who knows?

The spring exam corruption is serious,

yet rumors are spreading around so soon.

This

doesn't make sense.

Perhaps Mr. Fan spread it himself

to use public opinion as leverage.

That's reasonable.

If it wasn't for the Imperial Inspectorate,

the news wouldn't have traveled so fast.

If that's the case,

he could only move forward

with no turning back.

Somehow, I feel

that something is pushing him forward

with each step planned.

Who did that?

For what purpose?

The plot thickens.

I can't see through it.

Where is Eunuch Hou?

Mr. Fan, he is serving for His Majesty.

May I know your name?

Please don't be courteous.

I'm Hong Zhu.

Acting in Eunuch Hou's place at such a young age,

you surely have a promising future.

It's all thanks to Eunuch Dai of the Crop Inspection Bureau.

Crop Inspection Bureau?

It's that Eunuch Dai who bribed you with 3,000 taels.

He committed a serious crime,

and when he was asked

for someone to take over the Crop Inspection Bureau,

he stated my name.

Hold on.

How are you two related?

Your Highness, we are not related in any way.

I only helped him pick up his shoe once.

In that case,

you should blame me.

Instead, I should thank you.

For what?

If Eunuch Dai hadn't collapsed,

I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take over the bureau,

and nor would I have been noticed

by Eunuch Hou afterward.

All in all, I'm indebted to you, Mr. Fan.

Hasn't anyone advised you

not to be so outspoken

in the palace?

Mr. Fan, you possess shocking talent,

and now you enter the palace to stand up for the candidates.

I admire you so much

that I can't contain myself.

How did you know

I came here for the candidates?

Mr. Fan, every word and action of yours

has been spread widely.

Has been spread widely?

The entire capital knows.

Everyone is greatly impressed.

Did you deliberately spread the news?

Clever play.

Nothing.

Show us the way.

Your Majesty,

the Crown Prince

and Fan Xian request an audience.

Father.

Your Majesty.

- I offer my greetings. - I offer my greetings.

- Greetings, Mr. Chen. - Greetings, Mr. Chen.

Your Majesty, Mr. Chen,

if you are in the middle of a discussion,

I can excuse myself.

We aren't discussing anything.

I delivered something here.

Your Majesty,

Fan Xian has an important matter to report.

Then,

what are you doing here?

Well, it concerns me.

Speak.

Yes, Father.

Someone tampered with the spring exam ranking list

and substituted a passed candidate

with my protege.

The spring exam corruption is of great significance.

Someone has distinctly framed me.

I feel aggrieved.

Hence, I reckon

this must be investigated thoroughly.

What do you think?

Your Majesty, I think this is absurd.

Fan Xian,

are you responsible for supervising the spring exam?

Yes, it's my responsibility.

If so, you should accomplish it well.

The First Division has sealed off the exam hall,

and the ranking list will be rectified as well.

As for the mastermind behind the corruption,

should I get to the bottom of it?

What do you two think?

The spring exam holds great significance for the state.

I reckon

we should.

Go on, then.

Who will take charge of it?

Young people.

You should take matters into your own hands.

How deeply

and impartially should we look into it?

These are

spring exam corruption reports over the five years,

which remain unsolved.

Why is that so?

Sweeping the problem

under the carpet.

No one dares to investigate the cases

because the results

would involve many parties.

How deeply,

impartially,

or strictly the investigation should be

is terrifying to answer.

No one has mustered the courage to investigate thus far.

I'm brazen, Your Majesty.

You? You want to take the case?

Are you able to handle

the result of the investigation?

I will bear it myself.

Look carefully.

There are so many of them.

I shall never retreat from preserving a clean governance.

You will do it.

Understandably, you are taking cases that happened this year,

but why did you take those from the past years?

To show my loyalty.

I can't back off, Your Highness.

I have brought myself to this point

and news about me has been circulating.

I have no turning back.

Are you suggesting

that His Majesty and Mr. Chen press you on this?

Exactly.

This is a tough job.

You might offend many people.

I have been long out of favor.

I feel bad for you.

Mother summons me.

You may leave first.

All right.

Thank you for your reminder.

May I have a word?

Please.

What's the matter?

What is this?

My previous surname is Chen.

I originated from Yingzhou.

A corrupt official

seized my property

and killed my clan.

I was fortunate to run away,

but with nowhere to turn to,

so I entered the palace.

Who is that corrupt official?

The current governor of Yingzhou.

Governor of Yingzhou.

Savior, you promoted the corruption investigation.

The villain's assets were confiscated, and he has been imprisoned,

and sentenced to execution.

If it weren't for you upholding justice,

the death of my clan

wouldn't have been avenged.

Mr. Chen came up with the name list,

and the Imperial Procuratorate handled the case.

Why thank me?

I may be dull,

but I know

you started all this, savior.

No need to bow.

Does anyone in the palace know

about your true identity?

When I entered the palace,

my hometown was registered

as Jiaozhou.

Here, I'm acknowledged with the surname Hong.

No one is aware of my deceased clan.

Why the surname Hong?

When I first came in here, an old eunuch surnamed Hong

looked after me very much.

So I took his surname.

Stop calling me savior.

Understood,

Mr. Fan.

What did you understand?

♪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♪