Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

Dig up the outhouse again?

Yes, it's Lord Fan's idea again.

Sir, this is indeed rather baffling.

Just say we're short on manpower and can't make it in time.

He transferred people from the First Division of the Inspection Bureau.

They didn't even look for us.

This is an examination hall—no unauthorized entry.

Sir, the Discipline and Inspection Committee oversees the realm.

By protocol, they can even detain examinees on the spot.

Then why are you telling me this?

He requested Your Excellency to allocate materials from the Ministry of Rites' warehouse—

timber and bricks.

That's golden nanmu wood

It's gold bricks

-What kind of toilet is this? -He said...

It is a bit excessive

But...

But what?

But the spring examinations are managed by the Ministry of Rites

He can provide the personnel

But materials must come from the Ministry

Only then would it not violate regulations or break rules

To hell with that

Rules

Yes

We must follow the rules.

Sir

Old Deng and the others have finished building the new outhouse.

It will absolutely not affect the imperial examinations.

Thank you all for your hard work.

Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.

How despicable of them

Adding fuel oil to the outhouse

Once it gets dark

The students will light the candles they provided

If anyone isn’t careful

It’ll turn into a massive fire

Old Wang...

You might not know

Places like that

Not only catch fire

-They can also explode -"Explode"?

If this place were to explode

Then...

Wouldn't it be recorded in history

As a glaringly infamous event?

On a certain date and time

The imperial exams overseen by Lord Fan Xian

Ended with scholars perishing in...

How utterly shameful would that be?

There are still three days left

No matter what, I'll keep them safe.

The officials don't care about their lives.

But I do.

If the officials won't protect them.

Then I will.

What a pity.

You've done so much for them.

Yet they remain completely unaware.

Good deeds should be done anonymously

Just call me Young Pioneer

No, sir, what gold did you mention earlier?

Young Pioneer

The candles and drinking water have been replaced

They even built a temporary toilet.

Minister Guo also bribed several examinees.

Within three days, find another way to frame Fan Xian.

No need.

No need.

Without fire or water, nothing major will happen.

Fan Xian's imperial favor...

...won't be suppressed without dozens of lives.

At least give him a warning.

Since we can't crush him, why waste the effort?

Tell Guo Zheng to stand down.

What a pity to waste this perfect opportunity.

This matter is suspicious.

Guo Zheng's methods...

...even I might have fallen for them.

Fan Xian is cunning.

No.

Only someone...

...with years of experience in the Ministry of Rites would notice such details.

Who else would inspect candles and drinking water?

Does he have help in the Ministry of Rites?

Who could it be?

Someone fainted, what happened?

Come here.

This...

Collect the exam papers

Young Master Fan's work is truly meticulous

Even the Inspection Court came to assist

These three days went flawlessly without incident

This is truly commendable

I've always had high hopes for Young Master Fan

Minister Guo has a discerning eye for talent

With Minister Guo in the Ministry of Rites

It's like rain after a long drought

Or withered wood regaining spring

Have the exam papers been collected?

Everything went smoothly

Next comes the anonymized transcription

Rest assured Minister, there will be no mishaps

Young Master Fan

You've worked hard these past few days.

Why not return home and rest for now?

That won't do.

I still have to oversee the anonymous transcription.

This task was assigned by His Majesty—I must not slack off.

The capable bear more burdens.

So this is the anonymity process?

Yes, the names are concealed.

Only then can judgments be fair and impartial.

Over there is the transcription.

All exam papers will be uniformly copied.

After all, handwriting

can easily reveal one's identity.

Meticulous.

Once transcribed, they'll be sent for grading.

Victory by merit alone.

If I wanted to tamper with things, how would I do it?

Young Master Fan...

What did he say?

What I'm saying is

If I wanted to manipulate these anonymous transcriptions

how should I proceed?

Young Master Fan, we mustn't joke about such things

I wouldn't do it, I'm just curious

That absolutely never happened

Let's not talk about the present

It never happened in the past either

You don't consider me one of your own

There really wasn't

Then why have I heard that these anonymous slips vary in length?

Varying in length

Also a marker

That area is the transcription section, right?

Then the transcription can also leave some ink stains on the paper

So when the examiner sees it

They’ll understand implicitly

This absolutely never happened

Where did you hear this, Lord Fan?

It’s all just rumors

Of course

I believe everyone present here

Would never do such a thing

After all

No one wants to die

Just kidding, everyone get back to work

I'll observe and learn

Guo Zheng relayed that Fan Xian is fully aware of the Ministry of Rites' methods.

Originally intended to lend a hand to Your Highness's retainers,

but now it seems inconvenient.

What retainers?

I don’t have any retainers.

Understood.

Only examinees, no retainers.

It’s the imperial exams, after all.

Keeping it clean is actually better.

No one should interfere.

Let fate decide for each.

I’ll have someone inform Guo Zheng right away.

Brother Shi, Brother Yang, why are you up so early?

I'm used to it - can't sleep once this hour comes.

Brother Shi, the exams are over.

Why are you still studying?

Brother Hou, look...

This exact phrase - I couldn't recall it for the life of me during the exam.

Enough, it's over now, no use dwelling on it.

Where's Cheng Jialin?

Three days of exams have left him exhausted.

Can't wake him no matter how hard we try.

Indeed, these three days felt like being reborn.

Truly.

Brother Shi, you're acting strange.

Brother Hou, what's that smell? You're fragrant.

Brother Shi has a keen nose.

More food?

- Of course - Brother Hou is truly thoughtful.

Chicken!

Roast chicken.

- Where'd you get this? - Prepared it last night.

Meant to celebrate after exams...

But you three slept like logs.

Thank you, Brother Hou, for keeping us fed all this time.

"A thousand chickens may come and go..."

Brother Hou, that's not how Young Master Fan's poem should be used.

Enough talk, eat quickly before it spoils.

I'll divide it.

Who would have thought

The one who treated me to drinks and meat that night

was actually Lord Fan

Isn't that right?

Who could have imagined this?

Indeed, I was shocked when I found out

Speaking of when we entered the examination hall

they found a note in his vegetable pancake

I was terrified at the time

It was Lord Fan who cleared my name

Should the four of us pay Lord Fan a visit?

- Why? - Why?

Now the streets are full of rumors

The four of us are probably being seen as

Lord Fan's disciples

But we know we're not

So perhaps we should...

Go with the flow?

You mean...

Visit him to become his students?

Lord Fan's knowledge

is more than sufficient to be our mentor, right?

To become Lord Fan's student

- Excellent - Absolutely

But if we go now

wouldn't it seem like we're currying favor?

That's true

A straight body casts no crooked shadow

Exactly

We must be upright, and our shadows straight too

We can visit Lord Fan

- but not now - When then?

If we go, it should be after the results are posted

When everything's settled, then we'll meet

But...

That's exactly the point

That's what I think too

Leave some for Jialin

- I'm Cheng Jialin - Get lost

I wonder what Lord Fan

is doing right now

My lord hasn't returned to the residence for days and nights.

The whole household has been worried.

That won't do.

I must oversee the examination grading.

To ensure cleanliness, one must be diligent.

Is everything settled now?

After days of laborious examination grading,

now we just await the results.

This time, putting everything else aside,

it can be called clean and fair.

How about those four from Tongfu Inn?

Shi Chanli failed.

- My lord didn't help to... - Fairness is what matters.

What about the other three?

Barring any surprises,

those three should all be on the list.

Especially Yang Wanli - his essay was excellent.

My lord's discernment is truly exceptional.

Out of four candidates met, three passed.

Had I known earlier,

I, Wang, should have taken the exam too.

Perhaps with my lord's great fortune,

I, Wang, might have...

Let's sleep...

Old Deng, can't you make some noise when you walk?

Brother Qinian, what is this...?

This is Young Master Fan's meal.

Then Brother Qinian...

And this is...?

This meat...

You know...

This is my dad's favorite.

I see.

Brother Qinian is stealing Young Master Fan's meat.

No, how can you call this stealing?

Think about it - Young Master Fan is resting now.

He won't be eating these dishes.

These dishes can't just... right?

But you still shouldn't do this.

No, if no one eats these dishes...

they'll just be thrown away.

Wouldn't that be wasteful?

- But... - Waste is always bad, right?

That's true.

So what's wrong with what I'm doing then?

Brother Qinian, you're making me...

This matter has no clear right or wrong.

Alright...

Have a seat...

Let's eat together, don't stand on ceremony, okay?

Here, my treat.

Try some of Young Master Fan's cooking.

Here.

Come on, try some...

Save this meat for my daughter.

Let's eat this troublesome

fish with bones.

We'll take care of it.

- Here - Well...

But Brother Qinian, you're the one who told me to eat it.

I told you to eat...

Here, try these fish eyes.

You read too many documents usually,

- good for your eyes. - Okay.

Since you insist, I'll try some.

How is it?

Delicious.

- Is it good? - Very good.

Of course it's good.

Otherwise look at me, I've gained weight.

Now try this.

Brother Qinian.

How much longer will Young Master Fan sleep?

Do you have business with him?

Yes, it's about the Ministry of Rites.

The exam results have been released.

According to protocol, before posting the results

we need to...

review them first.

Can't the Dean just handle it?

The Dean told me to bring them to Young Master Fan.

Why so stubborn about this?

Let him sleep longer.

Why don't we keep eating?

Here...

Try this.

Let me try it first.

Delicious... try some...

How does it taste?

A very unique flavor.

What is this?

Sour cheese.

The master is awake.

It's fine, keep eating.

Why are you looking at me?

Old Wang, don’t play dumb—your mouth still has yogurt on it.

Sir, what is "yogurt"?

Something wrong?

This is the exam results list.

The dean asked me to deliver it.

You all keep eating.

Then I’ll go find my chopsticks first.

Alright, go ahead and keep eating.

What's wrong, sir?

Yang Wanli failed the exam.

His name isn't on the list.

Did he violate some taboo?

Old Wang, after dinner, accompany me to the Ministry of Rites.

I won't eat.

Stop beating around the bush here.

Sir,

-How did it go? -I went through the reviewed exam papers.

Among the successful candidates,

Yang Wanli's was there.

Weren't the names concealed?

At the examination hall, I read his policy essay— I still remember the content.

So who missed copying his name?

No,

The exam paper's content was Yang Wanli's,

but the name was changed.

Is justice

too much to ask?

We must investigate, sir.

Find out who replaced Yang Wanli.

No need. I recognize this name.

You do?

When the time comes, glance over these names for me.

What does Your Highness need me to do?

Do nothing during the transcription.

That’s enough.

The name that replaced Yang Wanli is among them.

A protégé of the Crown Prince?

May I ask, sir—

Are there others besides him?

Just him.

The rest of the rankings are legitimate.

Sir...

You must be cautious...

The Second Prince already distrusts you.

If you now antagonize the Crown Prince—

-This requires careful thought. -No need to think.

-My word is my bond. -What word?

This imperial examination—

must be clean.

Lao Deng, take your unit and seal this place.

No results are to be published without my order.

Understood.

-Wang Qinian. -Here.

To the Eastern Palace.

Your Highness, Minister Fan has arrived uninvited.

Why wasn't I informed earlier?

Quick...put it away.

The woven garment you requested is also ready today.

It's already on its way here.

Who arranged this?

You arranged it.

Lord Fan

What brings you here in such a hurry?

Please, come inside.

So Brother Fan came for this matter

This is...

I specifically wanted to show you.

Which outfit do you like?

I don't know anything about these things.

Which tailor shop made these?

I made them.

Your Highness?

Just some random sketches I had a tailor make.

So you're a designer.

- What kind of designer? - Never mind.

Why are they all wearing masks?

Their faces shouldn't be seen.

The aura doesn't match.

I understand.

Your Highness, who are these clothes tailored for?

Not for anyone, just fooling around

Quite skillful, not just fooling around

That’s exactly what I admire about you

If it were someone else

They’d urge me to focus on state affairs

People need some leisure in life

By the way,

The impostor on the imperial exam list

is indeed my student.

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

- Would you believe me? - Of course.

If His Highness was behind this,

he wouldn't have replaced just one person.

Nor would he specifically target Yang Wanli.

Clearly someone is trying to sow discord between us.

Sharp observation.

Fan Xian has surrounded the examination hall?

- The whole city is shocked. - And then?

Then he went straight to the Eastern Palace.

Could the Crown Prince have tampered with the list?

The Crown Prince isn't foolish.

How strange, even His Majesty has spoken.

Who would dare interfere with the exams now?

Who else but my second brother?

Doesn't seem like his style - too straightforward.

We can investigate who it was later.

But right now, the priority is damage control.

After all, he is my student.

Why not let the mistake stand?

Here's what we'll do:

As for Yang Wanli,

I'll guarantee him an official post within a year. Fair?

If someday,

someone brings this matter before His Majesty,

accusing Your Highness of exam fraud,

what would the consequences be?

We can't give them such leverage.

You have better foresight.

We can't just swallow this insult.

Not just endure it - we should make a bigger scene.

How?

Take it to the Oversight Office?

This is the imperial examination hall,

directly under the Ministry of Rites.

Your blockade here

Who will take responsibility if the results are delayed tomorrow?

Deng Ziyue of the First Division, Oversight Office, accepts responsibility.

The Oversight Office...

Since when does it trample on ritual and law?

Blades have no mercy.

I advise the Minister to exercise caution.

I'd like to see how these blades...

show no mercy.

My fellow colleagues,

Our First Division has always upheld propriety,

and understood worldly affairs.

But does the Inspection Court need to understand such matters?

The blade in our hands...

is not for decoration.

Then I'll see

how you handle this situation

My fellow colleagues,

Lord Fan has sealed the examination hall for the people's sake.

Such virtue is rare in this world.

Every word he speaks is true.

I, Deng, was previously muddle-headed and drifting aimlessly.

One might say...

I was both deaf and blind.

But after Lord Fan's arrival,

the First Bureau has changed.

I believe

the First Bureau can return to its former glory,

overseeing all officials

and deterring the wicked.

Therefore, I, Deng,

am resolved to follow Lord Fan for life.

I implore my colleagues

to act worthy of these official robes,

and worthy of Daqing.

- For Daqing! - For Daqing!

Entering the palace to see His Majesty?

Lord Fan and the Crown Prince?

Exactly so.

- For what purpose? - I heard it's about the imperial exam fraud.

This year's imperial examination?

Lord Fan has already surrounded the examination hall.

How did you come to know of this?

The streets are filled with rumors.

Lord Fan seeks justice for all scholars.

Truly worthy of Lord Fan.

But how do you always hear these street rumors?

Why don't I ever hear them?

Street rumors... who spreads them?

Street rumors - who can tell their source?

Imperial exam fraud is no small matter.

Yet rumors spread so quickly through the streets.

This doesn't make sense.

Perhaps Lord Fan orchestrated it himself?

Using public sentiment as leverage.

That makes sense.

If not for the Inspection Bureau, news wouldn't spread so fast.

Thus,

there's no choice but to charge forward,

with no retreat possible.

I can't help but feel

step by step...

something is pushing him forward?

Who pushed him? And why?

Baffling and confusing

Can't see clearly

Where is Eunuch Hou?

My lord, His Majesty has kept him occupied.

-Your honorable name? -I dare not claim it's honorable.

This lowly one is Hong Zhu.

To serve in Eunuch Hou's stead at such a young age...

Your future is boundless.

Thanks to Eunuch Dai of the Vegetable Inspection Office speaking kindly of me.

"Vegetable Inspection Office"?

The same Eunuch Dai who bribed you with 3,000 taels.

Eunuch Dai committed a grave offense.

Before his end, the palace asked him...

who was fit to succeed him in the Vegetable Inspection Office.

He named me.

Wait.

What was your relationship with him?

Your Highness, we were neither kin nor close.

I merely picked up his shoe once.

Then by that logic...

you should resent me.

-I should thank you, my lord. -For what?

Had Eunuch Dai not fallen...

I'd never have taken over the Vegetable Inspection Office.

Had I not taken that post...

Eunuch Hou would never have noticed me.

In the end, I owe it all to you, Lord Fan.

Has no one told you...

one shouldn't speak so bluntly in the palace?

Your brilliance is unparalleled, my lord.

Now you've entered the palace for the sake of scholars everywhere—

I'm deeply moved.

My heart stirs with admiration.

How did you know I came for the scholars?

Word of your deeds has spread far.

"Spread far"?

The whole capital knows—it's inspiring.

You leaked the rumors to build momentum.

A masterful move.

It's alright now, lead the way.

Your Majesty,

The Crown Prince requests an audience, Fan Xian requests an audience.

-Your son... -Your subject...

-Your Majesty -Your Majesty

-Greetings, Dean Chen -Greetings, Dean Chen

If Your Majesty and Dean Chen have important matters to discuss,

this subject can take leave first.

No discussion.

Just delivering something.

Your Majesty

Fan Xian has an important matter to report to Your Majesty

If he has important business, why are you here?

This matter is somewhat related to your son

Then speak your mind

Yes

The imperial examination results have been tampered with

Scholars who should have passed

Were replaced with my disciples

Exam fraud is a serious matter

This is clearly someone framing me

I've been wronged

Therefore I believe

This matter should be thoroughly investigated

What do you think?

Your Majesty, I find this matter absurd

Fan Xian

Was the exam supervision your responsibility?

It was my duty

Then you should see this matter through

One examination hall has already been sealed

The results will be corrected

But as for who tampered with them

Should we investigate further?

What do you all think?

The imperial examinations are the lifeblood of the nation

I believe

-It should be investigated -Then investigate it

-Who will investigate? -The young officials

You should take on more responsibilities

How deep should we investigate? How bold should we be?

These

are all the memorials reporting imperial exam fraud over the past five years.

Yet there's been no outcome. Why?

Major issues get minimized,

minor issues get dismissed.

No one dares investigate.

Because the findings

would implicate too many people.

How deep should the investigation go?

How thorough should it be?

How strict should we be?

We don't dare.

To this day, no one dares investigate.

This official acts recklessly.

You? You investigate?

You should know the consequences of what you might find

Can you handle it?

This official will bear the responsibility

Watch carefully

There are so many memorials

Rectifying official conduct is an inescapable duty

Investigate

This year's cases must be investigated.

Why bother investigating past cases?

Such unwavering loyalty.

We have no choice but to investigate, Your Highness.

The stage is set, reputation established - no turning back now.

Are you suggesting...

His Majesty and Dean Chen want you to investigate?

Exactly.

A thankless task that makes enemies.

Haven't I made enough enemies already?

You've got a tough job.

Her Majesty has summoned me, you go ahead first.

Alright.

Thank you for the reminder just now, Eunuch Hong

May we speak privately?

After you

Got something to say?

What's this all about?

I was originally surnamed Chen

and came from Yingzhou

Persecuted by corrupt officials

Seized my family's property and slaughtered my entire clan

I barely escaped with my life

With nowhere to go

- I had to enter the palace - Which corrupt official?

He is now the prefect of Yingzhou

The prefect of Yingzhou?

Our benefactor punishes corruption and evil

Now this villain has had his property confiscated and been imprisoned

Sentenced to immediate execution

If not for your intervention to uphold justice,

my deep-seated vendetta

would never have been avenged.

The register investigated by Dean Chen

and the case handled by the Censorate...

Why thank me for this?

Although I may be foolish,

I still understand

that it was you, my benefactor, who pushed this forward.

No need

Your identity

How many in the palace know of it now?

When I entered the palace, it was recorded

I'm from Jiaozhou

In this palace, I only go by "Hong"

No one knows of my clan's past

How did you get the name "Hong"?

When I entered, I met an old eunuch surnamed Hong

He took care of me

So I took his surname

Don't call me "benefactor" from now on.

Understood.

My lord.

What do you understand?