Original subtitles

Translation and Timing by the Joy of Life 2 Team @ Viki.com

"One's Remaining Years" by Li Jian

♫ As flowers will bloom and wither ♫

♫ May we pass by the magnificent scenery ♫

♫ Contemplating the vastness of Heaven and Earth ♫

♫ Could it be both of us are filled with desolation? ♫

♫ As flowers bloom and wither ♫

♫ May we lead such a life ♫

♫ Contemplating the vastness of Heaven and Earth ♫

♫ Turning back again, you and I ♫

♫ Let's seize the current moment ♫

♫ The weather is warm and nice today ♫

♫ Let's go together ♫

♫ Even if the snowstorm is ahead of us ♫

♫ And dyes our hair white ♫

[The Joy of Life Season 2]

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

[Episode 4]

I knew you wouldn't die! Everyone said that you were dead!

- Why does it feel like it's been a few years since I last saw you?! - Lower your voice!

- Why does it feel like it's been a few years since I last saw you?! - Lower your voice!

Didn't you go to Northern Qi as an envoy?

Why are you back before the diplomatic corps?

Did you get in trouble?

You are the owner of Moon Embracing House?

You can tell?

I should've focused on the ledger.

Stand right there. Look at me.

Let me ask you this one more time.

Is the Moon Embracing House your property?

No need to grind your teeth.

It's no use, even if you are envious.

Even brothers should keep it strictly business.

Let me put it this way, Brother.

In this place, every brick and every blade of grass is mine.

The Moon Embracing House is the property of our Fan family.

Why did you establish this?

I want to make money. What other reason is there?

Look at yourself. You are the one to talk.

Our bookstore was doing well. But you left it behind for Northern Qi.

What was that word you used again? Updates.

You stopped updating.

Readers were demanding updates. What was I supposed to do?

"Dream of the Red Chamber" was left unfinished.

Does our family know about this?

They don't.

I'm preparing this as a surprise for them.

So this is all your idea? No one forced you?

What's wrong with you?

Making money is a good thing. Why must anyone force me to do this?

Why don't you tell me about yourself?

I'm curious about what you have been busy with in Northern Qi for so long.

I...

Have you gone insane? Why are you beating me?

Is there anyone else upstairs?

Strange.

Isn't the owner alone upstairs? What is the noise about?

Every blade of grass, huh? Every brick, huh?

They are all yours. All yours.

All yours.

I'm going to kill you!

I... Not this.

Fan Xian.

My father has never beaten me so hard. How dare you!

Moon Embracing House is yours?

It's mine. Any problem? Are you jealous?

What happened to Old Jin?

What Old Jin? I don't know him.

Don't you confuse me.

You have been bothering me for a long time.

Who do you think you are?

Believe it or not, I'm going to get someone to break your legs!

I haven't called anyone yet.

Fan Sizhe, you can save yourself the trouble.

Let me tell you this.

I snuck back here, and I'm in huge trouble.

Go and tell everyone that Fan Xian is here, and I'm done for.

It's worse than losing my legs. I would probably lose my life.

Don't play the victim with me.

Do you think I dare not call them?

Fine. I will wait here.

You should avenge yourself.

- Go on. - Fine...

You are dead meat.

Wait here. Don't move.

Men, hurry!

Come over!

We are here, Owner.

Someone beat me up!

Who did that?

Come over!

Is everyone here?

Just a few of you?

Where are my 300 warriors?

Gather them here. Gather them!

What's wrong? Is it about the ledgers?

What happened to you?

Owner, whose leg do you want to break?

It's F...

Who?

- What? - Who is it?

Frigging table leg.

- Frigging table? - The table?

What table?

What?

I tripped over the table just now.

Tomorrow, swap it for a tea table.

- Tea table? - Move.

This...

Where are your men?

You said if I called someone up here, you would die.

Is that true?

It's true.

So I saved your life.

I will let you slide this time.

Don't get excited just yet. I'm still mad at you.

Who are you to beat me?

What's wrong with you?

Nothing.

I have had an issue with my Qi flow lately.

I was very worked up just now, and it got messed up again.

Why did you get worked up? I'm sorry about that.

Gosh, why am I even apologizing?

Did you capture the Tengs?

What? Who?

Teng Zijing's widow.

Where would I take her? To the Moon Embracing House?

Impossible. I had a good relationship with Old Teng.

Why would I do such an immoral act?

You don't know?

Wait. Who told you she is here? Do you have proof?

Someone saw that.

- I will check with them. - Come back.

Do you know about the prostitution here?

What nonsense are you talking about? Don't be ridiculous.

Moon Embracing House is a place of elegance and artistry.

Isn't this a brothel?

You are so infuriating. Let me make this clear to you.

Do you think the Moon Embracing House is a brothel?

Think about this. There are quite a few established brothels in the capital.

This isn't a good venture for us.

Plus, we are new in this industry. There is no way we can steal their business.

So we must find another way.

Even if it's true, if people were to find out that the Fan Family ran a brothel business,

Father would beat me to a pulp.

What about those ladies?

Yes, they work here.

But it's definitely not what you think. Don't get the wrong idea.

They are not in the flesh market.

Those ladies I hired must be knowledgeable, well-mannered, talented,

and well-versed in the four arts and literature.

After all, sexual favors lack decency.

My goal is to make the Moon Embracing House

the only serene haven in this bustling capital,

where those scholarly folks could find their confidante here.

That is the uniqueness I want.

Do you know anything about the death of Old Jin?

You keep talking about this Old Jin. Who exactly is he?

Did he die here?

My business just started. He can't affect my business.

Which of my competitors did this to ruin me?

I will confront them!

Has anyone entered the owner's room?

- No. - No.

And he fell on his own?

Yeah.

What's wrong?

I came to check your wound.

Why didn't you come sooner?

I was waiting for a while, in case I disturbed you.

Well, I'm fine. You may leave.

No need to see me off.

Do you need my help?

- Yes. - Please tell.

Hold on.

I was thinking about the fallacy you talked about.

It does make some sense.

Sitting here and checking the ledgers alone is quite boring.

You see, the fall knocked some sense into you.

I'm maturing.

Well, there was a tall lady

playing the pipa just now.

Is she still here?

Bring her up here to play songs for me.

It's good to have a pretty lady by your side.

Just the pipa player? Do you need the whole band?

No, just the pipa.

Wait for me.

No need to see me off.

[Moon Embracing House] Don't forget what I told you.

Smile more. Don't make any mistakes. Understood?

Your career depends on your performance today.

No mistakes.

All right.

Let me check. Pretty good.

Please come in.

What are you doing?

We can manage without you.

I will call you once I'm finished.

- Was I busted? - You were. Go down.

No need to see me off.

Brother.

Come and sit.

Is it her?

Sang Wen. Miss Sang.

Miss Sang.

May I ask you something?

What kind of place is Moon Embracing House?

A brothel, of course.

How could it be a brothel?

You are the owner. Shouldn't you know?

Brother, I really didn't know.

Yuan Meng operates this place all on her own.

Don't you visit your business often?

I only come to check the ledgers.

I don't intervene much.

I'm not interested in the entertainment industry.

Let me ask you this, Miss Sang.

Is it true that there is prostitution here?

They're locked up in the backyard.

Brother, I will get to the bottom of this.

You?

Of course. I have been deceived. I'm also the victim.

You are the owner. How will you extricate yourself from this?

If I can't...

Well, if you two investigate... Can you two sit closer?

You are tiring me out.

Fan Sizhe,

well done, huh?

Every brick and every blade of grass is yours. Your property.

No. Brother.

I admit I may have bragged a little just now.

Tell me now. Where did you hire Yuan Meng from?

I didn't hire her.

Aren't you the owner here?

I'm not the only owner.

Who else?

[Li Chengping, Third Prince] - Have we been making money lately? - Of course.

I knew it. How much?

The first owner is checking the ledgers.

Do you want to go inside?

My cousin is here?

Cousin? The second owner is your cousin?

Our mothers are relatives.

Which family?

The imperial family.

He is from the imperial family.

Imperial Consort Yi and my mother are cousins.

So Imperial Consort Yi's son should be my cousin. Right?

Imperial Consort Yi's son? Third Prince?

- He is my cousin. - Well...

Young Official Fan, I think I should leave.

Where are you going?

I can't hear this anymore. The more I know, the shorter my life will become.

Just sit down. You have heard everything.

It's too late.

The color of this drape doesn't seem right, especially the streamer.

What color do you think fits?

- Maybe blue. - Sure.

Oh no. Pink is better.

We will go with pink.

Purple isn't bad either.

Should we change to purple?

Why not have all three colors and mix them into black?

It seems black at first glance.

When you take a closer look, you will see blue, pink, and purple.

Change it to iridescent pitch black.

Change the candlestick, too. It doesn't look good.

Change it.

Change it to a sturdier stand.

All right.

With some dainty, delicate sense.

Change it to a thick yet thin candlestick.

Second Owner, the first owner is upstairs checking the ledgers.

Do you want to go upstairs?

No hurry.

Operating the Moon Embracing House isn't about making money.

Most importantly, we have to make a fortune.

Did you understand what he just said?

Making a living isn't easy nowadays.

You don't understand?

I will start from the beginning.

Actually, he is doing this for his ego.

Ego?

He doesn't care what business he's in, as long as it's lucrative.

If he can make money, it proves that he is discerning, capable, and effective.

And his mother will be proud of him.

Wait. He runs a brothel to make his mother proud? Is he sick in the head?

No, Brother. Like I said, my cousin and I are the victims of this fraud.

We didn't know the Moon Embracing House was involved in that.

Didn't Imperial Consort Yi ask anything?

My cousin wants to give his mother a surprise just like I do.

Where did he hire Yuan Meng from?

I really don't know. Why are you fixated on Yuan Meng?

- You still don't understand? - This one.

These two colors are very similar.

Change the red one to purple.

Change it.

Wait. That one.

Is that him?

All right.

All right.

This.

This isn't right either. Change it to purple.

No, that color seems a bit heavy. That won't do.

There is a lot of improvement to make.

I will gather everything and tell you later.

All right.

Is Cousin upstairs?

The first owner is thorough. He is checking the ledgers alone.

- Checking the ledgers alone? - A pipa player is with him.

Cousin doesn't like listening to songs.

Let's go and take a look.

Slow down.

Cousin, I'm coming in.

Come on in.

Aren't you listening to songs? Why are you playing instead?

You reminded me of that.

How did you teach the players?

I can play better than her.

Go back and practice more.

What did I tell you just now? How could you mess this up?

Leave right now.

When I was the top courtesan at the Liujing River,

I played the pipa the best.

Get up!

Leave!

Give me a shout if you want to listen to my playing.

Brother, I play that too. I can sing for you.

Don't mess around. Where did you hire her?

Who are you?

Is everyone here?

Yes, Your Highness.

[Moon Embracing House]

- Are you sure Fan Xian is inside? - Absolutely.

Come in with me.

Your Highness, I...

Don't hesitate.

People who plan an escape always end up being trapped.

Yes, Your Highness.

Very clever. Let's go and enjoy the show.

Did you kill him?

- He just fainted. - So easily?

I'm an expert after all.

Well... How's your qi flow?

It recovers after some rest.

How am I going to explain when he wakes up? He saw your face.

Answer me. What's wrong?

What are these people doing here? Why did the Second Prince come here?

He's here for me.

Did he know you were here?

Let me warn you.

The entire building has been besieged. You have no way out.

Don't even think about escaping through the window or roof.

Open the door and welcome him.

But you can't show your face.

We can't shut a prince out with a mere door, so open the door.

Your Highness.

Young Master, how have you been?

Old Wang, why are you here?

So many people here.

What is this?

He was tired, so he took a nap.

And this?

A donkey kicked me.

Fan Xian,

long time no see.

It wasn't long.

It was less than half a year.

But it feels like two or three years have passed.

The capital was no fun without you.

You know what? On my way to Northern Qi,

Yan Xiaoyi intended to kill me.

Really?

I have been curious about how he knew about my trip.

I didn't tell anyone which route I took.

Then how did he find out?

It's simple, actually.

If he knew the routes I didn't take, he could figure it out.

It's a long way to Northern Qi, and we have to go through all the border posts.

They are all under your command

If I didn't travel through the Fengming Pass or take a detour,

which route would I choose?

Isn't that a no-brainer?

So the one who collaborated with Princess Royal to kill me has been you all along.

Fan Xian, in fact,

you can easily investigate Moon Embracing House's human trafficking.

Both of the owners are here.

So is Immortal Poet Fan, who faked his death and returned to the capital.

Things can't be clearer than it is now.

Yes, no one would believe me if I said I had nothing to do with Moon Embracing House.

In fact, up to this point, human trafficking is no longer important.

Fan Xian, you faked your death and deceived the emperor.

This is an irrefutable capital offense.

But I still have to thank Official Wang Qinian.

Without his help, I wouldn't have met you.

Old Wang has always been very helpful.

Old Wang. You betrayer!

Your Highness, now that Young Official Fan is in your hands,

as we agreed,

please return my wife and daughter.

They are not with me.

But you gave me your word.

I told you very clearly.

I offer you anything I have, but your family isn't with me.

I sent my men to fetch them, but it was too late.

The house was empty.

Are you sure they are not with you?

Positive.

Don't panic.

Once this is over, I will help you search for them.

Where could they have gone?

[Moon Embracing House]

Official Fan.

I thought His Highness had seized them.

I understand.

Honestly, I find this rather strange.

Someone took his family away but didn't make any demands.

Yeah. Unlike you, huh?

You use human lives as leverage.

This doesn't matter.

Up till now, I'm kind of moved by my kindness.

Even in a situation like this, I'm still thinking of offering you an olive branch.

If you agree, I will release the Tengs and write off

the scores of the Moon Embracing House.

Are you suggesting that I beg for your forgiveness?

It's the same. It's natural for human beings to make mistakes.

Let it go. Don't dwell on it.

Let it go? How?

What about the justice for the victims of human trafficking and prostitution?

Who should be held accountable?

Who? You.

You brought this harm to them.

I don't give a fig about them. All I care about is you.

As long as you become my ally, you can decide their fates. Right?

Two options.

Either we reconcile, or...

or I will kill you.

I understand.

I will not reconcile with you.

Li Chengze, we don't belong to the same kind.

We are destined to be enemies!

What a pity.

This is the Capital Magistrate. Drop your weapons.

Stay still!

Stay still!

No one moves!

You are already dead. How did you manage to summon the Capital Magistrate officers here?

No. You couldn't summon them even if you hadn't died.

Who could it be?

Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.

Back to your work. Rise.

Second Brother, you are here too.

Greetings, Your Highness.

We are brothers. Drop the formalities.

Shall we talk?

Rise.

Your Highness.

What's wrong with him?

He was tired. He's taking a nap.

Sleeping like that?

He is a growing boy, so he sleeps a lot.

I used to be like this when I was young. I understand.

Understand, my foot.

What happened to your face?

A donkey kicked him.

You do know everything, Second Brother.

What brings you a place like this, Your Highness?

I was free. I saw the magistrate officers had a case, so I followed them.

What case?

The Moon Embracing House.

Human trafficking is a serious crime. I must come and take a look.

I didn't expect to run into you here.

Why don't you come again tomorrow?

You better think twice.

Think what? How?

Fan Xian deceived the emperor, which is a capital offense.

Do you want to defend him?

Isn't he already dead?

Then who is this guy?

Second Brother, don't scare me. No one is in front of me.

Think about the repercussions.

You will face the same charge for defending a capital offender.

Lately, I have been tired.

I can't see or hear. Why would I face charges?

If this gets out of hand, do you think you can protect him?

I don't know. Let's try.

The Capital Magistrate is on duty.

Anyone who obstructs will be executed as a traitor.

Haven't you considered how this will end?

I have never thought about it. Why don't you think about it?

Pardon me for asking, how did you know I would come here today?

- Wang Qinian? - Your... Your Highness.

If someone has to be blamed, it must be Official Fan.

I'm kind by nature.

Did Fan Xian go to Moon Embracing House?

Yes.

Are you going to Second Brother's residence later?

Young Official Fan said as long as you seize the right timing,

you could corner him in Moon Embracing House.

Fan Xian is using himself as the bait?

Hopefully, you enjoy fishing.

A trap within another trap? I was deceived.

It's all because of the devious Official Fan.

I had no choice.

If I had seized your wife and daughter, I would've handed them over to you earlier.

Luckily, they aren't in your hands.

It's safer.

What a trick you used to get my answer. What a huge web you cast.

You flatter me.

Wang Qinian, you are a natural fraud.

You managed to fool me. Are you a habitual fraud?

Not at all. Not at all.

I've always lived an honest life.

I was led astray by Official Fan.

Second Brother, they have drawn their swords. Why are you chatting?

Did they draw their swords? What swords?

No? Well, let's sit and chat a little.

You said we were brothers.

Plus, you are the Crown Prince.

If I pull out a sword in your presence, isn't that treason?

Just consider that a joke.

Because we are brothers, you have to heed my advice.

You shouldn't have come to Moon Embracing House.

People might gossip if they see you here.

The owner here is the Fan Family.

But the second owner is this young brother of yours.

He is also your young brother.

Second Brother, you are mistaken.

The crown prince isn't considered among the princes.

He is younger than me. He's our third brother.

So no one will hold me accountable for what he has done.

Why? Are you planning to arrest me today?

Don't say that. You are my brother.

After I step out of this room, I won't mention a word.

How should I repay you?

Release the Tengs.

I thought Fan Xian wasn't here.

That was my inner voice.

To be honest, I wouldn't care if things got out of control.

Moon Embracing House has nothing to do with me after all.

I won't be bothered even if people gossip.

Moon Embracing House has nothing to do with you?

My conscience is clear.

- Are you sure? - Very sure.

Shall we continue this conversation somewhere else?

Sure.

Is the woman downstairs Yuan Meng?

What are they talking about? I can't hear.

I don't know. Don't look at them.

She was once a famous courtesan in Liujing River.

If I'm not mistaken, Hongcheng took her in.

Although Hongcheng is the son of the Prince of Jing, I'm not familiar with him.

Second Brother, you are quite familiar with him.

You could say he is at your beck and call.

Just get to the point.

The relationship between you guys.

Yuan Meng and Hongcheng. Hongcheng and you.

It's a trio, no?

To outsiders, you do have some relations with Moon Embracing House.

- That's far-fetched. - Unless someone delves into it.

What if they can't find anything?

Rumors can kill.

Just say it. What do you want from me?

Release the Tengs, that's what I want.

Do you think...

I will compromise so easily?

You are absolutely right. I will.

In the end, we are brothers.

We are family.

It doesn't matter who compromises.

Fan Wujiu.

Your Highness.

Send the Tengs home.

- Uh... - Now!

Yes.

Move aside! Get out of the way!

Do you have any orders?

Don't worry. I will definitely release them.

I fear rumors.

Do you have any orders, Second Brother?

Since you are here, I'm better off admitting defeat.

May I leave now?

Off you go.

You can never tell with people. I wish you good luck.

Who was he talking to?

I don't know.

The Capital Magistrate is on duty. Don't make trouble.

Let's leave.

What are you thinking about?

Do you think he really meant it?

From what I know about Second Brother, he is a man of his word.

He promised to release the Tengs, and he will.

He compromised too quickly.

Even though he was at a disadvantage, he could've left immediately.

But he agreed to release the Tengs so easily.

Probably, it's because I mentioned the trio.

He also thought people might suspect that he is related to Moon Embracing House.

Right?

Yuan Meng is a glaring error.

Perhaps I arrived early, and he didn't have the time to hide her.

No, what I mean is,

why did he arrange for Yuan Meng to run Moon Embracing House?

Couldn't he find someone else?

Yuan Meng was a top courtesan.

She has her people skills. That makes her perfect for this role. Right?

He used Moon Embracing House to frame Fan Sizhe,

sent me a letter, and captured the Tengs.

He went to great lengths,

but now he just compromised.

He probably wanted to capture you for deceiving the emperor.

Little did he know that his plan fell short.

Is it possible that Yuan Meng is the mistake he purposely showed us?

What is his motive, then?

What is his motive?

Indeed.

What is his motive?

Have you released them?

I had someone release them.

Don't scare the widow and her son.

Are we really sending the Tengs back like that?

We couldn't arrest Fan Xian, so let them be.

Besides, it's not worth it to risk our lives for this.

But we didn't gain anything at all.

Patience. The show of Moon Embracing House just started.

He thought he has won.

What about Wang Qinian?

He got me good.

Impressive.

You flatter me.

I'm not. I'm just an ordinary man.

Your Highness, I don't deserve this compliment.

You are quite humble.

Not many could fool Second Brother.

Well done.

It's mainly because you are fortunate.

And thanks to Official Fan's wise plan.

I'm just playing my part as an honest man.

That's why I could accomplish it so well.

Old Wang, that's enough.

All right.

What are you going to do with Moon Embracing House?

Can you release the ladies?

If I release them now, I guess none will stay alive.

Shut down the building for the time being.

You appease them.

Once I've returned to the capital properly, I will help these ladies.

All right.

Oh, right. There is a lady with the surname Jin here. Look after her well.

Return the indenture to her.

You shouldn't let Sister-in-law down.

The business is doing quite well.

Do you really want to close it down?

I dare not continue it.

There's even something you're afraid to do?

There's a bottom line I won't cross.

Translation and Timing by the Joy of Life 2 Team @ Viki.com

"Excuse Me" by Zhou Shen

♫ The young man raises his face as he moves towards his moon ♫

♫ They tease him for his arrogance. How can they be so different? ♫

♫ Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond ♫

♫ How can it remain unstained? ♫

♫ As long as a silver tael has a price, who can still be truly carefree? ♫

♫ You are all correct ♫

♫ He said to please make way ♫

♫ Let me get drunk ♫

♫ And leisurely recite a few chapters of poems ♫

♫ Let me wear a white robe and cross the alley of insanity ♫

♫ to catch the moonlight in the muddy pond ♫

♫ Sir, I hope you will forgive me ♫

♫ Your words of advice, I understand but I don't want to pretend ♫

♫ Everyone searches for prosperous towns while I search for the moon ♫

♫ Why should we travel together? ♫

♫ I apologize ♫

♫ Excuse me ♫

♫ You are you. I am me ♫

♫ I apologize ♫

♫ Excuse me ♫

♫ You are you. I am me ♫

♫ Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond ♫

♫ Remarkably worldly-wise yet hopelessly romantic ♫

♫ Know there's love in your heart ♫

♫ Don't ever change ♫

♫ They have seen light and darkness ♫

♫ And yet retained their innocence ♫

♫ Cloaked in moonlight ♫

♫ They travelled through the night ♫