Original subtitles

"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 ♫

♫ 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 35]

Do all masters give out such precious gifts? [Way of Heaven Manual]

You're indeed Ye Qingmei's son.

My master said this Way of Heaven manual belonged to your mother in the first place.

He's now returning it to its rightful owner.

My mother was everywhere.

It's because you're lucky.

Thank you for what you did just now.

You don't need to thank me for that.

The Shadow who was hiding in the water is your trump card.

Did you know Yun Zhilan would be here?

Forget about Yun Zhilan. I didn't even know the Shadow was in Jiangnan.

You didn't know?

That's strange.

It's too coincidental for him to hide in that position.

No matter what, someone leaked your secret.

I really have no idea. I'm more perplexed than you.

Forget it. It's none of my business.

Eat up.

How have you been doing after your marriage?

I've been doing well.

I don't have to worry then.

Si Lili told me to ask you that.

How is she?

Don't even ask.

- Who's Si Lili? - If you stop asking about her,

that'll be her biggest comfort.

You should try whether this is duck or goose meat.

Don't you know this dish? I'm referring to this.

Isn't this chicken?

This is boiled chicken with salt. Right?

Enough. Slow down.

Don't fall.

Okay.

Stop running.

Mother, Young Official Fan is here.

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

I should have received him at the entrance.

Young Official Fan, did you come here alone?

No matter how chaotic Jiangnan is,

the Ming Residence is always a safe place. Right?

The Ming family vows to protect you with our lives, Young Official Fan.

Hurry and greet Young Official Fan.

- Young Official Fan. - Young Official Fan.

Be good. I didn't bring any candies today.

I'll bring them next time. You can go now.

Mother, are you not done yet?

Two more prostrations and the ceremony is over.

Young Official Fan, please have a seat. I'll chat with you for now.

What's going on?

This is an adoption ceremony.

Adoption?

That's right.

He's from my clan.

He can be considered my cousin.

After my mother adopts him today,

he'll become my real younger brother. We'll be closer.

He's also fortunate that

you can witness his adoption ceremony.

If this spreads out, it'll bring glory to our ancestors.

Please have some tea.

Enough, stop.

The ceremony is over. Stop prostrating.

Come. Come, get up.

Here, take this.

From now on, we are real brothers.

As your elder brother, I should show you some appreciation.

I'm getting old. I'm not as thoughtful as you.

This is a trivial matter.

Mother, if you have to worry about that,

my position as the head of the family would be worthless.

Look. Mother has spoken.

Hurry and take it.

I prepared them for your children as well.

Come, children, you will receive them as well.

Come here.

Go now.

From now on, I'll be your eldest uncle.

In the future, I'm in charge here.

I make the decisions here. Did you hear me?

- Come, each of you will get one. - Thank you, Eldest Uncle.

- Thank you, Eldest Uncle. - Thank you, Eldest Uncle.

Use this to buy candies.

Go now.

Mother, our family's matter has been completed.

We should get down to business.

You're the head of the family.

You can decide.

Young Official Fan, please have a seat.

Why are you still kneeling when the ceremony is over?

Young Official Fan, I made a promise to you at the pier today

to give you an explanation before night falls.

Young Official Fan, this is the criminal who secretly posted the bounty out of greed.

It's him?

He's the criminal?

Wasn't he your cousin just now and is now your real younger brother?

What's his motive? He's greedy?

It's likely a proof of his allegiance.

Young Official Fan, you came to the South and affected someone's interests.

He might be a pawn.

Did I affect the Ming family's interests?

The Ming family doesn't deserve it.

Sir, the Three Great Workshops belong to the imperial family.

We're just managing them on their behalf.

All the machines and personnel

are supervised by the Transportation Bureau.

Even the money transactions by the merchants

must be handed over to the Princess Royal and Second Prince.

To put it bluntly, the Ming family is just a watchdog.

Whoever is holding the leash doesn't matter to us.

Don't you think so?

- Dogs bite people, too. - Only wild dogs bite people.

A watchdog...

is all about loyalty.

What about this?

Sir, I'll speak on behalf of the Ming family.

You're here to reclaim the workshops under the imperial decree.

The Ming family will do our best to help you reclaim the Three Great Workshops.

The words of the head of the family represent the Ming family.

All right.

The explanation has been given and the position is also stable.

What should we do with him?

He posted a private bounty to assassinate an imperial official.

It's a death penalty.

Young Official Fan, the Ming family doesn't practice partiality.

Please use justice...

to punish the criminal.

You should at least let the children leave first.

They're watching this.

Since he's a criminal, is there a need to adopt him?

Although he committed a capital offense, his children are innocent.

I adopted him. After his death,

I will raise them like my own grandchildren.

He can die in peace.

Mother, you're benevolent.

If I were him, I'd die in peace.

Young Official Fan....

please.

- This is the criminal? - Indeed.

- He's blinded by greed? - That's right.

- Do you confess your crime? - I do.

Confession will lead to death.

Sir, please go ahead!

I won't!

Whether you die or not, I will investigate this first!

Take him to the local government and interrogate him thoroughly.

Eldest Brother, can you let my children leave first?

Give yourself up with peace of mind and cooperate with the investigation.

Don't worry about the family.

I'll take care of the children on your behalf.

They'll be fine.

Someone,

escort him to the local government.

Young Official Fan, be careful!

This...

So, he killed himself to escape from his crime.

Sir, are you okay?

Did any blood splash on you?

You blocked the blood. Would it splash on me?

This... If I can't wash it off,

I'll throw it away and change into a new one.

What a waste.

Look. It was such a nice table of food.

Sir, will you bring the corpse back?

He took his own life.

Why would I want to interrogate a corpse?

If so, I'll have the body of my brother carried out to be buried.

I'll be back soon.

Official Fan,

you raised money to send the disaster victims home.

It's admirable.

The Ming family must not lag behind in good deeds.

We can talk about that later. There's still blood here.

Fellow villagers, I've said what I should say.

The Ming family is doing a good deed. There's no time to waste.

Everyone, bottoms up.

Bottoms up.

Head of the family.

Head of the family.

Did these fellow villagers volunteer to serve?

That's right.

Why do most of them look familiar?

They are doing this for the Ming family.

Uncle, please have a seat.

Thank you, sir.

It must've been tough.

I, Ming Qingda, thank you...

on behalf of the Ming family.

Bonds are built based on trust.

Fellow villagers,

the Ming family will keep their word.

After finishing this bowl of wine,

your family members will be our family members.

I dare not make other promises.

As long as the Ming family is still around,

I'll make sure they can live comfortably!

Fellow villagers,

see you in the next life!

Thank you, head of the family, for your kindness!

I have many things to say...

but the auspicious time has arrived.

Everyone,

farewell!

Young Official Fan, do you think it's clean now?

You're familiar with the task and carried it out easily.

Many in the family must have died. Right?

It's a huge clan.

Many are alive, and many have died, too.

We're used to it.

Don't get the number wrong.

Sir, don't worry.

Including the one you brought back, the number is just right.

Are the follow-up arrangements done?

Yes. They did it of their own accord.

If it weren't for the limited quotas, many wanted to die.

After all, once their family members are taken in by the Ming family, their fates will change.

It's something unimaginable.

Load them into the carts now. Time waits for no one.

Yes. We'll deliver them to the Transportation Bureau now.

We've sinned.

Make haste. Be quick.

Mr. Xie, were you looking for me?

I wasn't looking for you.

Mr. Xie, you need to open the windows more often

for better ventilation.

Mr. Xie, have a seat.

Please.

I heard that Fan Xian has arrived.

That's right.

Old Madam insisted on giving him an explanation.

She said the Ming family might be wiped out

if we don't resolve the issue with the bounty soon.

Mr. Xie, to be honest, I tried to persuade her.

On the surface, I'm the head of the family.

But in reality, I'm insignificant.

My mother makes the call for everything.

Your mother was right though.

Mr. Xie, I beg to differ.

We should be honest and upright.

How can we be indecisive?

Since the Ming family has decided to side with Princess Royal and Second Prince,

we can't interact with Fan Xian again.

We have to avoid suspicion.

Sir, I'm glad you understood.

I didn't forget about it.

Sir, don't worry.

The Ming family is only giving Fan Xian empty promises.

With my strong personality,

even if he kills everyone in the Ming family, I won't let him off either.

There's no need to worry too much.

I'll disclose something to you.

Fan Xian will die in two days.

Two days?

What does that mean?

Princess Royal will pay us a visit.

The deed will definitely be done.

If so,

who will kill Fan Xian?

Don't ask too much. Just wait for the result.

Understood.

I can rest at ease after hearing this.

The head of the family is inconsiderate.

Someone just died.

Official Fan, you must have lost your appetite.

It's quieter here.

Sir, you raised money and did a good deed.

No matter how tough it is for the Ming family,

we're willing to donate 200,000 taels to join in the cause.

The top family in Jiangnan is facing difficulties, too?

Sir, to be honest,

Princess Royal entrusted us as the sales agent of the Three Great Workshops.

We incur losses all year round.

We've been using our own money to make up for the deficit first.

The Three Great Workshops monopolize the market

and you are still incurring losses?

Monopolized?

It means you have exclusivity of the craft's secret.

However, there are many unscrupulous merchants in the world.

It's hard to negotiate a good price.

The sources of the goods are getting more expensive.

Moreover...

You all may leave.

Moreover, the money must pass through Princess Royal's hands before it enters the treasury.

Therefore, the deficit of the Imperial Treasury

is unavoidable.

Old Madam, are you saying that Princess Royal took a cut from the profits?

I didn't say that.

Understood. You didn't say anything.

It's my insight.

Sir, luckily, you're here.

There's hope for the Three Great Workshops now.

I thought you would help Li Yunrui to stop me. Would you?

Sir, why do you say that?

The Ming family doesn't own the Three Great Workshops.

To us, it's the same as whoever owns them.

Sir, you also want to avoid these prolonged issues on your trip to Jiangnan.

Tomorrow, I'll tell Qingda to take you to the Transportation Bureau

to complete the handover as soon as possible.

Sir, once you officially take over the Three Great Workshops,

there'll be no more concerns.

Tell me. What do you want?

The Three Great Workshops are in Jiangnan.

Someone still needs to represent them.

Sir, what do you think?

Interesting.

This business has been losing money every year

and you're still rushing to continue with it?

We're serving the country.

Personal losses don't matter.

It's definitely not due to luck that the Ming family is where you are today.

It's thanks to the prosperity of the country and your blessing.

Excellent tea.

This tea is excellent.

Why are you still here? Wouldn't Fan Xian be anxious?

Young Official Fan is just passing by. We'll just cope with him.

Moreover, my mother is here.

Everything will be fine.

Sir, please have some tea.

What's going on?

This... What's going on?

The sky is turning red from a fire. Can't you tell?

Is there a fire?

Young Official Fan! Young Official Fan! This...

Young Official Fan!

Something major happened. I sent my men to check.

Seems like the Transportation Bureau is on fire.

- Imperial Treasury's Transportation Bureau? - That's right.

All the machines and personnel of the Three Great Workshops

are in the Transportation Bureau.

But sir, don't worry.

I sent my men to put out the fire before coming here.

Sir, who do you think set the fire?

This...

It can't be a man-made incident, right?

After all, no one will benefit from burning the bureau.

Luckily, I'm here tonight.

Otherwise, I would've suspected the Ming family of setting the fire.

Young Official Fan, even if the Ming family is bold, we would never do this.

I know. Of course, it's not the Ming family.

After all, I'm a witness.

Wait. I can't say it's the entire Ming family.

After all, your family is huge.

Many died, too.

However, at least you both are innocent.

I swear on my integrity that I'll assist you in the investigation at all costs.

The fire is so huge that it's turning the sky bright.

Moon Embracing House is no longer a brothel.

How does Teacher plan to operate it in the future?

Teacher has better insight than us.

He didn't tell us what arrangements he's making for these women?

He didn't say.

I think he'll make the arrangements after taking over the workshops.

Did you hear about the fire last night?

The Transportation Bureau was reduced to ashes. The Three Great Workshops are gone.

Why must this occur when Teacher is in Jiangnan?

The Three Great Workshops are gone. The Imperial Treasury won't last any longer.

This is too much of a coincidence.

I don't believe this is a coincidence.

Also, we found Yuan Meng's whereabouts in Jiangnan.

Aren't we arresting her?

Teacher has his own arrangements.

He's rather profound.

[Moon Embracing House]

Sir, I'm back.

That was inauspicious. I checked the scene of the fire.

The warehouses of the Three Great Workshops were burned down.

Nothing was left.

As for the cause of fire, it's hard to say.

- What about the people? - All of them are dead.

However, I counted the corpses.

It matches the number of personnel in the Three Great Workshops.

The number is correct.

In other words, none of them survived.

I checked the bodies as well.

I think something's off.

I checked two bodies.

There were no dust or ashes in their throats.

This indicates they were burned after their deaths.

However, I was afraid of alerting the enemies.

That's why I only checked two bodies.

This fire is definitely not an accident.

Do you have any concrete leads?

The fire burned everything. Nothing was left.

There were no clues.

What do you think the Three Great Workshops represent?

The Imperial Treasury and unlimited wealth.

If so, who'll benefit from the burning of the workshops?

As to who,

it doesn't benefit anyone.

Therefore, the burning of the Three Great Workshops is just in name.

Are you saying that there's more to it than meets the eye?

Old Wang, you must guard the back door.

If there's something off about the fire,

we should receive news of it soon.

I'll head there now.

Fan Xian didn't leave his lodging after he went back. He didn't do anything.

- Where is he staying? - Moon Embracing House.

That brothel in the capital?

Yes, it's their branch in Jiangnan.

I've never been there. I only heard about it.

Although Young Official Fan seems very upright,

he still couldn't escape from worldly desires.

I thought he would go all out to investigate the fire.

This fire has burned everything down.

Even if he investigates, he won't know where to start.

I don't think he's that easy to deceive.

He'll definitely have some doubts.

However, logically,

there's no need for us to risk destroying our family and clan by setting this fire.

We don't have any motives.

Naturally, they won't suspect the Ming family.

Impossible. If they're the culprits, their entire clan will be beheaded.

Senior, the Ming family isn't a bunch of fools.

Why is it impossible?

Your Highness, wealth can work wonders.

But what does this have to do with the fire?

I'll use the black pieces.

But why, Your Highness?

Because you're a prince?

Fine. Let's see who goes first.

I still think the fire was an accident.

But I think the Ming family was behind it.

The Ming family has been secretly involved in the workshops for many years.

Now that Teacher is taking over, they must be unhappy.

But he's already in Jiangnan.

Whether it's handed over or burned down,

they don't belong to the Ming family.

Why would they take such a risk? They'll be beheaded for this crime.

What if the Ming family transported everything from the warehouse to somewhere else?

Would this make sense?

Teacher, I understand now.

The Ming family set them on fire on purpose.

They want to move the Three Great Workshops elsewhere and take all the wealth.

How could anyone be so greedy as to harm that many lives?

Aren't they afraid of the laws of Qing Empire?

That's the Ming family of Jiangnan. How could you think so badly of them?

Your Highness, I don't want to do that.

People die for wealth. That's human nature.

You don't have any evidence.

I don't believe it! Would there be something like this?!

There is!

Your Highness, you may not know, it's the same case for me.

My home in Shijia Town was burned because of this.

According to the disaster report sent by the local government,

it was an accidental fire caused by dry weather.

Your Highness, everyone in the town... died.

Wouldn't they know how to escape?

They rushed to close the case by saying it was an accident.

I don't believe it.

What do you think?

Do you think it was an accident...

or was it a man-made accident?

I'm sorry, Senior.

I had no idea.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hit your sore spot.

There are many things you don't understand.

Money can work wonders.

It can make them inhumane.

How's the progress with Xie Bi'an?

Xie Bi'an didn't suspect us either.

After all, there have been rumors out there over the years

saying that we are fighting to be the head of the family.

But in reality, we're a pair of loving mother and filial son.

Princess Royal would never expect that we joined forces...

to set up this plot.

There must not be any mistakes at the scene of fire.

Don't worry. Even if they investigate,

traces of the real murderer will lead to Li Yunrui.

After all, this is a fight between the powerful people.

No one would care seriously about merchants like us.

People say that an ant hole may cause the collapse of a great dike.

But who would...

really look at these ants?

The ships should be dispatched in a few days.

Everything is ready.

However, security has been tight lately. I dare not act recklessly.

Once everything is over and Fan Xian returns to the palace,

I'll arrange for the ships to transport the warehouse and personnel out to sea.

Be careful of man-made accidents.

I bribed two managers.

They thought that Li Yunrui had arranged this to happen.

The workers were obedient too.

The dust will settle...

once the ships are out at sea.

Seems like you no longer need me.

You made every arrangement on your own.

It's because you taught me well.

I'm not claiming any credits.

My legs are getting worse.

Seems I'm a cripple.

Mother, how could you say that?

Come. Let me carry you on my back.

You're getting more stable as the head of the family.

Without your guidance,

the head of the family is just an empty title.

What do you think is the biggest problem in Jiangnan?

The Ming family.

No.

Princess Royal and Second Prince.

Actually, it's not them either.

Who else can it be?

Sometimes, the issue might not be an individual.

- It could be... - Human nature?

The Ming family dominated Jiangnan for many years.

The other merchants don't have any opportunities to make profits.

Although the Ming family is rich, poverty in each county is increasing.

That's why we should replace the Ming family.

It's the same whoever the replacement is.

In a few years, there will be a new Ming family again.

During my trip to the South, I heard this saying.

"Without the Ming family, there are other families too."

The Three Great Workshops are treasure troves.

Whoever guards them, will be the next Ming family.

Therefore, it doesn't matter who owns the Three Great Workshops.

What matters is its nature.

What nature?

The Three Great Workshops have the most profitable crafts in the world.

I know that.

Glass, production of sugar, cotton, and perfume.

There's more to that.

All of them are trade secrets.

I want to give them away.

What do you mean?

I'll give away all the trade secrets of the Three Great Workshops.

To who?

To all the merchants in the world and for them to share the technology.

Sell them at an exorbitant price to cover the deficit for the treasury.

I will charge for them but it's not to cover the deficit.

I don't intend to sell them at an exorbitant price either.

All crafts will set their own quantity.

Merchants who want to use them will pay the annual fee.

It's a long-term deal.

This is known as intellectual property rights.

But in this way, the Imperial Treasury's trade secrets will be gone.

But in this way, the people will have hopes.

But the Imperial Treasury belongs to the imperial family.

Don't the people belong to the imperial family as well?

You...

I guess you have a point.

I think intellectual property rights are the way to obtain true wealth.

They shouldn't be monopolized by one merchant or the imperial family.

Instead, the world should progress together and wealth should be shared.

If this works, perhaps it can save the lives of those who have been disregarded.

Teacher, regarding your statement, "wealth should be shared,"

does Imperial Father know about it?

I'll accomplish the task first and report to him when I return to the capital.

Teacher, I think we should seek his permission first.

If you do this without his permission,

I fear Imperial Father will be furious.

If you want to get things done, you shouldn't be indecisive.

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 truly be carefree? ♫

♫ You are all correct ♫

♫ He said to please make way ♫

♫ Let me get drunk ♫

♫ and leisurely recite a few chapter 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 the prosperous towns ♫

♫ Why should we travel together? ♫

♫ 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 ♫