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 ♫

[Joy of Life Season 2]

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

[Episode 19]

You must eat more nicer food.

Do you miss me?

You must take good care of yourself.

Mother, I'm back.

Why are you back during the day?

Can't I come back during the day?

[Memorial Tablet of Fan Sizhe]

This... What's the meaning of this?

Fan Xian?

What? Is it time for me to die?

I wonder what kind of impression you have of me.

Father! I'm back, Father!

You!

You still finally got caught.

Finally?

Ever since you said that you wanted to assassinate Official Fan,

I knew you would end up like this sooner or later.

Thank you for letting my son live, Official Fan.

Father, the assassination is in the past.

I'm now working for him.

I see.

My son is incompetent and ignorant.

Official Fan set aside past grudges and gave him a chance.

You're truly magnanimous.

Why don't you two chat over here?

Okay.

Father, I'm very useful.

I've been lurking in the capital of Northern Qi all these days.

Why did you go there? [Guo Youzhi, ex-Minister of Rites]

I was managing the secret scouts and collecting secret reports.

- Really? - It's true, Father.

My infiltration was flawless.

Northern Qi? Is it going to fall?

That's not the case.

Father, seems like you don't trust me.

It's been many years and you still don't know my talents.

Father, what's wrong?

It's not a dream.

I'm also mentally exhausted.

I'm sleeping during the day...

but it's also good.

I'm very happy to be able to see you in my dream.

Mother, you aren't dreaming.

I'm really home.

They better not wake me up right now.

Mother, this really isn't a dream.

Mother, why did you slap me?

It doesn't hurt when you're in a dream. Does it hurt?

It does.

Son, you're really back! This is great!

Wait. It's useless to slap me when you're dreaming. Right?

- Let me pinch you. - Don't! Mother, that hurts.

One more time!

- Stop crying. - I'm glad that you're back.

- I'll cook something nice for you. - No need.

Don't let anyone know. I came back secretly.

I see.

Eldest Princess and Second Prince are allies.

This is truly unexpected.

Father, Second Prince has a dispute with Fan Xian.

He'll set him up during the spring exam.

Help him.

He promised to release you immediately after everything's done.

Mr. Guo, what are you doing?

Official Fan, thank you for saving my son.

He's not saving me. He's saving you.

It doesn't matter whether I get out or not.

As long as my son can survive,

I'm willing to sacrifice my life.

I keep my promises. I'll definitely save you.

Official Fan, you just said that Guo Zheng gave you a manual.

May I have a look?

[Detailed Rules of the Spring Exam]

Father, how is it?

Many of the details listed here are correct.

Can Fan Xian complete his task by following this manual?

It doesn't contain the external rules of the spring exam.

They want to harm you.

Who is Guo Zheng working for?

From what I saw in the past, he didn't seem to serve anyone.

His intention is well-hidden.

Father, let's forget about him.

Hurry and tell Young Official Fan about the other rules.

He needs to save you after this.

There's no rush.

I have a question.

Official Fan, how many of your disciples are taking this exam?

I don't have any.

Not a single one?

I'm too young to be a chief examiner.

It's good not to have any contact with the candidates.

It will save you from a lot of troubles.

Young Official Fan, are you reminded of something?

I did meet some candidates a few days ago.

Did you only meet them?

We chatted and drank wine.

They are your disciples then.

But they don't know who I am.

That's not important.

To other people, those candidates are already your disciples.

Father, don't bother about whether he has disciples or not.

Master Zhuang Mohan even gave him all his books.

He's part of the literary succession. It's normal for him to have disciples.

Don't interrupt us.

Official Fan, what do you think

the candidates hate the most during an exam?

Cheating for personal gains.

Your disciples are the paths for personal gains.

But Fan Xian doesn't intend to cheat for personal gains.

Why should we worry about it?

Even if he doesn't want to do certain deeds,

other people will help him to do it.

Why are they helping him?

How did you manage to infiltrate Northern Qi?

Father, what has the spring exam to do with Northern Qi?

[Fan Residence]

Aunt.

Sizhe.

Brother.

Are you looking for me?

- What are you doing? - Don't stop me.

- What's going on? - I don't know either.

- Let me go. - Are you fighting with Fan Xian for the family's assets again?

What nonsense are you talking about?

That was a long time ago. We are now a family.

I have a favor to ask of him.

Ask him, don't harm him.

- What do you mean? - What you did just now...

Sizhe is right. You're my elder.

If people see you kneeling in front of me, wouldn't you harm me?

Wait. We are the only ones here. No one saw that.

- I'll do it secretly... - Don't!

I talked too fast, Mother. I can't help it.

Aunt, we're a family.

There's no need to beg me. We can talk inside.

Let's talk inside. Come, Mother.

Here, Aunt. Have some water.

Thank you, Brother.

How should I say it?

Look, I'm getting old.

Aunt, you are forever young.

You're so good at talking.

It would be great if Sizhe was just like you.

He has been mischievous since he was young.

When I see him, I find him very annoying at times

but when I don't see him, I miss him.

I wonder if I owed him in my past life.

Aunt, you are trying to say...

Can you not send him to Northern Qi again?

Aunt, don't worry. Now that Sizhe's back, I don't intend to let him leave again.

- Really? - You haven't even asked me.

I want to go to Northern Qi.

No. Fan Xian said you don't need to go there again.

He didn't tell me to go. I want to go.

Why?

I learned a lot from my trip to Northern Qi.

Although it was dangerous and rather tough...

- You shouldn't go then. - Mother, let me finish talking.

I found the meaning in my life.

I have always lived in the capital.

Yes, it's safe. I don't need to worry about food and drinks

but I was eating, drinking, and having fun daily. What's the point of living?

When I went to Northern Qi, I felt useful as a person.

Although I only slightly helped the Qing Empire,

I think that's enough.

I don't want to go back

to that idle Fan Sizhe that no one cares about again.

Are you still going to Northern Qi? What will you do there?

I'll go over and tell you.

Brother,

I heard you're going to do business with Northern Qi after taking over the Imperial Treasury.

That's true.

Have you decided on a manager?

Not yet.

I thought of one for you.

Why do you want to take this path?

I'm from the Qing Empire.

I'm contributing to my own country.

Any other reasons?

I also want to make some profits.

I want to make some money.

Let me ask you, then.

Why should I choose you?

Why wouldn't you choose me? We should be united as brothers.

With our relationship, would you be at ease leaving it to someone else?

Anyway, I don't need to worry if I leave it to you.

Most importantly, it depends on whether your mother agrees.

Mother.

When do you plan to leave?

You give your consent?

I want to see you grow up, too.

All right. I'll pack my belongings and depart tomorrow morning.

There's no rush.

I'll hold my wedding after the spring exam.

You should attend it before leaving.

All right. That's great. When's the spring exam?

- This is bad. - I'm nervous.

I didn't sleep well last night.

Your snoring was louder than firecrackers.

I'm the one who didn't sleep well instead.

Brother Hou, I think I've reached a certain stage.

When I was home, I could memorize all the books

but I forgot half of them on my way here.

Now that I'm here, I forgot everything.

Sober up! The exam is nearing.

Where's Cheng Jialin?

He said he was going to buy some flatbreads and told us to go first.

- Be careful! - Be careful!

There are so many people here.

Thousands of carp compete to leap over the Dragon's Gate!

This final path

represents the hopes of all scholars in the kingdom!

Sorry about that.

Come here.

Brother Hou, I think you slept rather well.

You still have the energy to shout.

All the squeezing is giving me energy.

Be careful.

Sorry.

[Spring Exam Courtyard]

Young Official Fan.

- Minister Guo, why are you here? - It's almost time.

The candidates are about to enter. It's been tough on them.

They studied all their lives just for these three days.

They can't leave the venue for the next three days.

That's why they brought blankets and food.

It's very tough, too.

Many items are being brought here.

This means there are more opportunities to smuggle cheat sheets.

Young Official Fan, you're in charge of checking the candidates's admissions.

This first hurdle is of utmost importance.

I'm quite worried about it.

I'm here to check that you won't overlook any mistakes while in haste.

Minister Guo, you're a great person.

It's only natural to nurture the younger generations.

You're getting your portrait drawn again?

Time is running out.

I need to get it drawn as soon as possible.

Don't worry, I've checked this.

It's not against the law and doesn't break the rules, too.

Minister Guo, you really obey the rules.

I'm a scholar. I know what's right and wrong.

Sir, this is...

A daily work record.

Minister Guo, you should pose like this.

- It shows more power. - Is that so?

It's more powerful.

Emotion! Emotions are important.

Look at the time. Why aren't the candidates here yet?

Young Official Fan, you may not know.

According to the established customs,

the candidates are now crossing the bridge of the Dragon's Gate.

Dragon's Gate Bridge?

We are here!

We are here!

We are here!

- We've arrived! - We've arrived!

- There are so many people here. - That's right.

Here they come.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Fan Xian.

That's Young Fan Xian, the Immortal Poet.

He's the future grandmaster of the literary world.

That's right.

Let me take a look.

- That's the grandmaster of the literary world. - It's rare to see him.

- Today's the spring exam. - That's right.

I have some wishes for you.

May you hold the golden key to the treasury of wisdom with a mind full of ten thousand books,

wear the halo of confidence, ride the skateboard of good fortune,

set sail to greater heights...

set sail to the shore of success in the spring exam.

Do your best! Rise up!

Now that I'm done with the well-wishes,

I have something unpleasant to say as well.

I'm in charge of checking the candidates's admissions for this spring exam.

If you have brought anything you shouldn't have,

please leave them here before entering the courtyard.

Whoever is caught with such items after entering the courtyard,

will be disqualified from the spring exam.

There's no room for negotiation.

I implore everyone.

Young Official Fan gave us the message.

We cannot bring cheat sheets into the exam courtyard.

That's right. It'll affect our future.

Let's take them out.

[Zhang Shenglin]

Go in.

Queue over there. One at a time.

Get ready the documents for checking your identity.

All right.

This is yours. Here you go.

Next. Over here.

Queue over here.

- Who brought the cheat sheets? - All right. Take them out now.

It'll be terrible if they find out.

You, show me your bag.

Minister Guo, why do you keep standing?

- Get a chair for him. - No need.

He needs to draw another portrait if I change my pose.

One at a time.

Young Official Fan, continue with your work. I'm leaving after taking a look.

You've worked hard, Minister Guo.

It's my duty.

Be diligent and check everything thoroughly.

Okay.

Okay. Next.

Keep this safe. You may go.

Come and queue up.

Where are Jichang and Jialin?

I think they're in front. They won't get lost.

Let's go inside.

Why don't I see Young Official Fan?

Next.

- Coming. - Come. Leave your items here.

Someone even brought cheat sheets.

Are we late? We don't see Young Official Fan.

We'll see him once we enter the courtyard.

Sir, I know my mistake now!

- Sir! - Quick!

- Leave! - Sir, I know my mistake now!

Sir!

Sir, I know my mistake now!

Sir!

Another candidate who smuggled cheat sheets into the exam courtyard.

Shameless fool. You deserve it.

Wasted time in studying.

It'll be our turn soon.

I heard that Young Official Fan will personally check our items.

He's the Immortal Poet. I wonder what he looks like.

Give me another chance, Sir!

I know my mistake now!

Turn around.

Okay. Over here.

Leave your blanket here.

- Move forward. - Sir, may I ask?

Who's that person sitting over there?

You don't even recognize Official Fan Xian?

- He's Fan Xian?! - Don't raise your voice.

Turn around.

Are my eyes blurry? Isn't he the guy who chatted with us?

He's actually the Immortal Poet?

It's him indeed.

[Yang Wanli]

Go now.

Next.

What is this?

Vegetable flatbread.

Sir, there's a note inside.

How can this be?

Go over there!

I didn't bring any cheat sheets.

What is this?

He's rather bold. He doesn't want to take the exam?

Sir,

I'm unaware of this.

I really... I really don't know anything about this.

I can testify for him! Brother Yang is an extraordinary talent!

He will never commit such a despicable act!

What's your name? Where are you from?

I'm Yang Wanli from Quanzhou.

Yang Wanli?

That's right.

Young Official Fan,

isn't he your disciple?

Fan Xian met them before?

Seems like these four

are regarded highly by Fan Xian. [Cheng Jialin, Yang Wanli, Hou Jichang, Shi Chanli]

We'll start with them.

Take down these four candidates.

This is too extreme.

Pick one.

Yang Wanli, then.

Young Official Fan's...

I'm not!

What should we do?

In my opinion,

- the spring exam should be clean. - It must be clean.

If so, should we follow the rules?

- All right. - Okay.

Revoke the qualifications of Yang Wanli, a candidate from Quanzhou.

Kick him out of here.

Ministry of Rites, record this. He can never take the exam again!

I didn't prepare this!

I didn't prepare this! I didn't!

I didn't prepare this!

Minister Guo, please pardon me!

Pardon you for what?

Minister Guo, it was I who secretly stuffed the note in there.

You stuffed the note in there?

- That's right. - Why?

I couldn't study when I was young. I don't have any future and felt it was unfair.

I only wanted to play a prank on a candidate.

Prank?

You wanted to play a trick on him?

I'm evil and devious.

Why did you confess to your crime?

Seeing how pitiful he is,

I suddenly found my conscience.

Isn't this pure nonsense?

Minister Guo, every single word is true.

Who would believe this?

Minister Guo, don't be angry.

You're not young anymore. You'll ruin your health.

- I'm ashamed. - Shut up for now.

All right.

Young Official Fan, Brother Yang is not that kind of person.

Minister Guo, I really don't understand the rules of Ministry of Rites.

- May I ask you something? - Go ahead.

You just said that you wanted to kick him out

- and wanted Ministry of Rites to record it. Right? - Indeed.

If so, that's quite a harsh punishment.

What crime did he commit?

He smuggled in a cheat sheet. He lacks morals.

- Where's the cheat sheet? - This...

- Young Official Fan, everyone publicly witnessed it. - I did that.

- Shut up. - All right.

Are you referring to this?

If you want to press charges, this is considered evidence.

Why don't we open it and check the evidence?

Of course, we must.

I want to see what's written on it too.

Meat flatbread, two coins for each.

Flatbread, half a coin per piece.

Vegetable flatbread...

These are just prices of flatbreads.

Are the prices of flatbreads set by the sages, too?

I thought it was a cheat sheet.

The list is quite complete. They also sell preserved vegetables.

This is...

Since it's just a price list, why did you hide it in the basket?

What's inside the basket?

Vegetable flatbread...

Is it possible that the shopkeeper put it there by accident?

Or perhaps, I remembered it wrongly.

The sages indeed said a flatbread costs two coins per piece in the ancient record.

Minister Guo, why don't you check it?

Don't eat greasy food the next three days.

You should have plain flatbread.

I've received your guidance.

Go in now. Go now.

- Let's go. - Let's go!

What's wrong with you?

Sir, I was confused from sleeping too much.

Nonsense! Checking candidates for the spring exam is a major task!

- I'll deduct your salary for one month! - I accept my punishment.

Minister Guo, what do you think?

Young Official Fan, you took trouble for this.

I still need to check the exam papers.

I'm exhausted.

I don't have time to be idle. I don't.

Minister Guo, you have worked hard.

Minister Guo, take care.

- Who taught you that? - Sir, I serve Prime Minister Lin.

It was Prime Minister Lin's idea. If there were any problems during the exam, I'd answer for it.

What about your life?

This is my duty.

Go back and tell Uncle

that I appreciate his protection.

I'll handle the spring exam on my own.

Sir, among the four candidates that Deng Ziyue was secretly protecting,

Yang Wanli was the only one who had the cheat sheet stuffed inside the flatbreads.

Who did it?

Xie Bi'an.

I was right. Guo Zheng belongs to Second Prince's faction.

All the squeezing is giving me energy.

Stop squeezing!

Sorry about that!

Stop squeezing!

Be careful!

Guo Zheng's method was rather vicious.

This is only the beginning.

There are three days.

Let's have some fun with Minister Guo.

Everyone, the exam not only tests your knowledge,

it's also a test of your character.

I wish everyone a promising future.

I also advise you to behave yourselves.

It's time.

[Spring exam serial number]

[Spring exam serial number]

[Spring exam serial number]

Where's Cheng Jialin?

He's in Compartment Two in East Section.

Stop.

- What are you doing? - Sir, we are to distribute the candles.

Young Official Fan has a great reputation and is powerful.

Trivial affairs won't affect you.

If they want to ruin your reputation, they must cause big trouble.

And the first trouble will be fire.

The Ministry of Rites will distribute candles to all candidates.

In terms of responsibility, this must be handled by you.

All the candidates are cramped together.

If they tamper with the candles, what do you think will happen?

A fire will start.

What if thousands of compartments are on fire at the same time?

It may turn into a tragedy.

If they want to ruin your future,

they will use this tactic.

I smell kerosene.

Don't distribute them for now.

Don't distribute them.

Fire prevention is extremely important in the inspection of the exam courtyard.

Guo Zheng didn't place any importance on this in the manual.

I'm guessing this is the trap he's setting up for you.

There is kerosene here, too.

Sir, even if the candles are mixed with kerosene,

they'll only produce some sparks when they're lit.

Such sparks shouldn't cause any major fire.

You're wrong.

What if the candidates don't watch the candles when they're resting?

You do have a point.

Think about it. Why do the candidates need the candles?

Of course, it's because the exam courtyard is dark.

They use the candles to illuminate their exam papers.

That's right. The fire doesn't need to be huge.

Isn't it a big problem if the exam papers are burned?

That's a major problem indeed!

Did you hear that? This batch of candles is unusable.

Sir, where can we get that many candles now?

Inspection and Control Bureau will supply the exam courtyard with candles for these three days.

Also,

deliver this to Minister Guo.

Thank you.

Inventory record book? What's the meaning of this? [Note to Minister Guo on supply of candles for three days]

The man from the Inspection and Control Bureau said...

The Inspection and Control Bureau is supplying candles to the candidates.

We're doing a good deed.

However, talking about business...

No... talking about matters of the officials,

it's most important to obey the rules.

The Ministry of Rites was supposed to manage the exam.

The cost of these candles should also be borne by the Ministry of Rites.

Of course, since we're doing a good deed,

we can give you a ten percent discount on the candles.

What's this about matters of the officials? What kind of phrase is that?

And why is the Inspection and Control Bureau intervening with the supply of candles?

Didn't we prepare the candles?

Young Official Fan also relayed a message.

Minister Guo, I was suddenly inspired for the past few days.

I did a divination. Guess what?

It predicted a fire scourge. It's inauspicious.

Hence, I thought I should

replace all the candles with those from the Inspection and Control Bureau.

If anything happens, I'll bear the responsibilities.

Of course, if you're unwilling,

we can check the candles from your ministry again.

If nothing's wrong with them, we can use them again.

What do you think?

This divination is rather ridiculous.

Besides, people usually say it's a blood scourge.

Is there such a thing as fire scourge?

Sir, why don't we follow Young Official Fan's instructions and check our candles again?

Young Official Fan is also concerned about the country's affairs.

The intention is good.

It's fine to use the candles provided by them.

But we even have to pay for them.

Just pay for them.

Wait.

Didn't they agree to give us a ten percent discount?

Why is it more expensive than its original price?

Don't forget about the delivery fee.

We can't afford to delay the exam.

Just follow their instructions.

- Here. This is yours. - Thank you.

- Be careful when using fire. Keep it safe. - Okay.

- Be careful with it. This is yours. - Thank you.

- Thank you. - Be careful with it.

- Thank you. - Be careful with it.

- Here you go. - Okay.

Be careful with it.

- Be careful. - Okay.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Other than fire, there's also a water issue?

The clean water in the exam courtyard is for the candidates.

It's for drinking and putting out fires, too.

If something's wrong with the water,

all the candidates will be affected.

Sir.

- Is the water poisoned? - It's not that bad.

I'm glad to hear that.

The water was kept for too long and is contaminated. It won't last for three days.

As instructed by you, we brought the water tanks from the First Division.

Replace every single one.

Tread lightly.

Don't collect delivery fee for this.

Yes, sir.

Sir,

shouldn't we blow up the issue about the tampered candles?

Some candles were tampered with. It's not a huge deal.

If we waited for a fire disaster, it would have been life-threatening.

If a fire really breaks out, everything will be gone.

Indeed.

But have they never considered

the lives of all these candidates?

What do you think?

I'm truly perplexed.

How can they still keep saying that officials are like parents?

Officials are like parents?

I initially thought I was too ruthless.

I didn't expect to be amazed by these high-standing officials.

It's good for these high-standing officials to fall.

Think again. What other oversights are there?

We resolved the issues regarding fire and water.

Food, clothing, housing, transportation, eating, drinking, defecating, and urinating?

The candidates brought their own food and drinks.

It's impossible for them to tamper with each and every one.

Where are they going?

He's going to defecate. They're heading to the toilet.

Isn't there a toilet in each compartment?

Human waste buckets were used in the past.

However, the exam lasts for three days.

The terrible stench will affect the candidates' performance.

It was later switched to using the outside toilets.

This is a place that can't be avoided.

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 the 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 ♫