Original subtitles

(Joy of Life Season 2)

(Episode 29)

Once every three years?

It has become a tradition.

If someone is up to something bad,

this is a chance.

We will take strict precautions to ensure no one can break in.

In the early years, there were assassins, but not in recent years.

It's harder to assassinate here than in the capital.

These are...

They are all craftsmen from Xuankong Temple.

It's always been like this.

Before the Flower Viewing Festival,

they must all leave to ensure no outsiders are present on the day.

After the Flower Viewing Festival, they will come back.

Don't worry about them. Let's go up.

Why are they all bound with chains?

It's a royal area.

We can never be too cautious.

Lord Fan.

This is the place.

Can these craftsmen go home?

Lord Fan.

You must be kidding.

Does the Flower Viewing Festival, which occurs once every three years,

keep these people confined here for life?

It concerns His Majesty's safety.

Someone must bear the burden.

Lord Fan.

Is there anything else you want to ask?

Nothing.

Let's complete the errands first.

His Majesty instructed that

Lord Fan's pot

should be placed here.

That's the only errand.

We'll return to the capital now.

What's wrong?

Is there anyone up here?

No one.

After the craftsmen leave,

it's just an empty temple.

Did you see anyone else?

I just heard some movement up there.

Footsteps?

Not quite, more like the light sound of toes touching the ground.

There's nowhere to hide here.

Could it have been

a bird?

Maybe.

Don't worry.

After we leave, the palace guards will enter.

They will surely thoroughly inspect the place.

There won't be any hidden dangers.

Nice view.

The Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is held here every three years.

It is for this very view.

Three years ago, I wasn't in the capital.

Lord Fan, your rise

has been unprecedented.

Let's go.

Okay.

Your internal energy seems a bit chaotic.

I'm fine.

Sometimes my cultivation goes out of control.

I'm fine now.

It's not my place to ask about your cultivation,

but chaotic internal energy isn't good.

You should consult your mentor.

No one teaches me.

I taught myself.

You learned this by yourself?

To be honest,

Lord Fan,

His Majesty really thinks highly of you.

His Majesty delayed the Flower Viewing Festival for an official.

It's unheard of.

Lord Fan, you have a bright future ahead.

Commander Gong, you're too kind.

With such a promising future, you should take care of your health.

Negligence in mastering cultivation can have dire consequences.

I appreciate your concern.

Lord Fan.

You have a promising future.

I too aspire to reach such heights.

(Fan Residence)

I win again.

Thanks for letting me win.

No, Ruo Ruo, this is not enough.

I lost all my money.

Even between siblings, we must be clear about money.

No money left.

I can't play anymore.

I don't have any money to play.

Wan Er, you take over. I'll give way.

Give way?

It's all the same. Come.

Shuffle the tiles.

Why are you locking me up?

Let me go.

Are you deaf?

Watch out, I'll poison you.

I'll kill you.

These are your people.

Are you willing to

kill them with poison?

President.

Don't worry.

Watch how I deal with these boys.

I gave the order.

Don't make it hard on them.

You want to lock me up?

Eat while it's hot.

- Why lock me up? - Eat.

Lord Wu was the one who attacked me?

At our age, we need to be mindful of

what we consume and do.

I've returned to the capital with a single mission,

which is to bring the culprit to justice.

But I'm puzzled.

I tracked the whereabouts of the murderer in Jiangnan,

but after returning to the capital, he vanished.

Even the Overwatch Council found no clues.

Who's secretly protecting him?

Tell me in advance what you want to eat next time.

President.

What are you doing?

Bringing you food.

Wan Er, it doesn't seem like it's your first time playing.

When I was sick and couldn't go out,

I always found something to play with myself.

Come, let's continue.

What's going on?

Fan Si Zhe came early in the morning to bid farewell to Father.

He said he wants to head north.

So he wants one last game before leaving?

It wasn't his idea.

It was Father.

Father suggested playing poker?

Father doesn't want Si Zhe to leave.

No wonder.

Father prepared a lot of money.

He's been losing money, but keeps playing.

It's not about playing poker.

He wants him to stay.

Father is embarrassed to say it directly,

so he tries to keep him at the poker table.

But why does Aunt Liu want him to leave?

I really can't understand that.

I think

Aunt Liu wants to let go,

to let Si Zhe grow and experience on his own.

Also,

many recent troubles in the capital were on me.

Sending Si Zhe away from the capital

might be a way to protect him.

Father.

I think

all the tiles have been dealt,

how about we stop here?

It will get dark if we keep playing.

If it gets dark, we'll eat.

After we eat, we will continue.

I'll skip dinner.

I need to get going.

No rush to leave.

I have to leave sooner or later.

Once you've been through the hardship,

that's enough.

He's grown up and has his own ideas.

Just let him follow his heart.

How about this, Father?

We'll play one game to decide.

If I lose, I'll leave.

Well, you two are out.

It's still between us.

What's the rule?

Didn't I just say that?

I'll only play one game.

If I lose this game, I will leave.

If you lose, you can leave.

If you win, will you stay?

We'll see after the winner is decided.

And you won't be able to play anymore if I win.

You guys have no money left.

Father, stop, you're getting addicted.

You left last time to avoid trouble.

It's unnecessary now.

You've grown a lot since you returned.

Honestly,

I wanted to make money previously

to show you my ability.

I was just afraid you'd think I was a useless son.

I wanted to make you proud.

I wanted to do something you could see.

I've seen it.

But it's different this time.

This time, I'm doing it for myself.

I want to open an unprecedented shop in Northern Qi.

I want to link Northern Qi's fortune and wealth.

So this time,

I'm chasing my own dream.

Si Zhe

has really grown up.

Fine.

Just do it your way.

One game to decide the winner.

Loser switches out.

Father.

Should I lose or win?

Wan Er. You're not respecting your opponent.

Do you think you can decide whether to win or lose?

This way, I win.

Fine.

This way, I lose.

Wan Er, can you do it again?

This...

Wan Er, this...

What kind of trick is this?

When I was sick, I played by myself a lot.

I get faster with more practice.

We've really seen something today.

So, should I win or lose?

No game lasts forever.

Father.

Mother.

I'll get going now.

Xian,

Ruo Ruo,

please take care of Father and Mother.

Go ahead.

Xian.

Have Wan Er teach me that trick when I come back.

Don't look.

What's the situation now?

- My Lord. - Why is it so congested?

You should sit inside. It's dusty outside.

Why are there so many carriages?

All the officials in the capital are heading out to Xuankong Temple.

There aren't usually this many people in the court.

Attending court is tiered by rank.

Lower-ranked officials aren't qualified to attend court.

And those who can, often choose to walk instead of taking the carriage

and have breakfast on the way.

But now, we're going to Xuankong Temple.

All officials need carriages, so it's congested.

Not everyone is qualified to go to court,

but they can all go to the flower viewing.

It's a celebration for everyone.

All the officials can go.

That's not right.

Not everyone can be an official.

What about the common people?

The common people can't go.

It's a celebration for everyone,

excluding the common people.

The officials will celebrate it for everyone.

Even celebrations are done on behalf of them.

That's why they're called parental officials.

There are too many things to worry about.

Officials below third rank, go straight ahead.

Officials below third rank, go straight ahead.

Officials below third rank, go straight ahead.

Officials with third rank and above, come this way.

Officials with third rank and above, come this way.

Officials with third rank and above...

Don't be envious. Let's go our own way.

Officials below third rank, go straight ahead.

Officials below third rank, go straight ahead.

Lord Fan, you're an exception.

Lord Fan, you're an exception.

Lord Fan, you're an exception.

Lord Fan, you're an exception.

Lord Fan, you're an exception.

Officials with third rank and above, come this way.

Officials with third rank and above, come this way.

Officials below third rank, go straight ahead.

Officials below third rank...

The path for officials above third rank is smooth.

Why am I an exception?

His Majesty trusts you.

No way. Considering His Majesty temperament,

he'd have me stuck in traffic.

- Quick! - Something's not right.

Let's go!

My Lord, don't panic.

If there's danger, I'll retreat first.

I have good flying technique.

I can get help easily.

I should thank you then.

Don't mention it.

Lord Fan, your reputation precedes you.

I am

Ye Zhong.

The garrison of the capital.

You are Ye Ling Er's father.

Who is the guard on duty on the day of flower viewing?

Of course it's Senior Ye.

Senior Ye?

It's Ye Zhong, Lord Ye.

The garrison of the capital, Ye Zhong.

He is your senior?

Yes.

My junior fought against you, Lord Fan.

It wasn't much of a fight, just a spar.

My daughter often praises you for your extraordinary skills.

You're flattering me.

You've fought my junior, my daughter, but not me.

Do you look down on me?

- What kind of logic is this? - Just one move.

Not bad.

Not bad.

Do you have a ninth rank?

Enough to spar.

The younger generation has surpassed the older generation.

Retreat.

Lord Ye, did you purposely come just to spar?

Let's talk privately.

You, step aside.

Lord Fan.

Please be extra vigilant at Xuankong Temple today.

Why?

His Majesty decreed that

the palace guards are not allowed to disturb the flower viewing.

Therefore, the area around Xuankong Temple is heavily guarded.

However,

the inner part of Xuankong Temple is guarded only by inner guards.

We're short on manpower.

Lord Ye, do you expect assassins?

Not really.

I'm just being cautious.

Lord Ye, why don't you personally oversee it?

Of course I will be there.

But

we're still short on men.

Why ask me?

Among the officials attending the flower viewing,

only you can fight.

Is Eunuch Hong Si Xiang not going?

Only His Majesty knows that.

It's not my place to ask.

What about Commander Gong Dian?

If my junior was around,

we wouldn't need to trouble you.

Lord Ye, we're meeting for the first time, right?

I'm a garrison in charge of the capital's defense and military affairs.

Lord Fan, if you don't rebel, we wouldn't meet often.

Have you considered the possibility that I might say no?

Yes, I have.

What do you mean?

I heard you're in debt.

Consider this a small favor.

If nothing goes wrong, remember to give it back to me.

Give it back to you?

If nothing goes wrong, shouldn't you pay me back?

Lord Ye, you don't do this often, do you?

This is my first time.

Are you afraid of jeopardizing your career if something goes wrong?

That doesn't matter.

Then it's about loyalty to His Majesty and the kingdom.

There's a saying,

something about breeze and fire.

What?

These soldiers were all trained by me.

If something goes wrong, they'll suffer the most.

There's a saying that when a storm hits, it's the nameless who fall.

A gentle breeze can start a prairie fire.

Yes, that's it.

That's not how you use that phrase.

Close enough.

- Is it not enough? - You can pay me when something really happens.

So to speak,

you've agreed.

But don't worry, Lord Ye.

The Flower Viewing Festival happens every three years,

and it's always been safe.

There's not that many accidents in the world.

Lord Ye!

Lord Ye!

My Lord.

We've arrived.

Okay, let's find a place to park.

Aren't we going into the temple to see the flowers?

I don't feel like joining the crowd.

Besides, when they are standing so high, is it still about the flowers?

If not the flowers, then what?

- Lord Qin. - Hello, Lord Fan.

Where is your father?

My father would rather take a nap at home.

Has Minister Fan gone up?

He should be up there.

He should be

- on that floor. - How do you know?

His Majesty is on the top floor.

Each level below is arranged according to official rank and title.

It's very orderly. I'm sure of it.

Don't worry, it's very solid.

You won't fall.

Cheng Ru.

Kiddo, are you afraid of heights?

Three years ago, I was too young to come to the flower viewing.

I didn't expect it to be so scary.

What's there to be scared of?

Look at me.

Only when you stand high can you see far.

Only then can you have a commanding view.

Come.

I'm scared.

People are different. Not everyone wants to be like you,

always aiming to stand higher.

Cheng Ze, are you afraid of heights too?

The height doesn't matter.

What's interesting is when someone falls.

As long as I stand firm,

no one can make me fall.

Is that so?

Standing firm isn't enough.

You need someone to protect you.

Are you scared?

Thanks for saving my life, Cheng Ze.

Don't mention it.

We sincerely wish Your Majesty long life and prosperity,

and eternal fortune for the Qing kingdom.

Long live Your Majesty!

The hierarchy here is clear.

Only by dividing finely can there be a chance to rise up.

As you said,

when you stand so high,

it's not about the flowers,

but the path to success and the high platforms.

My Lord.

- Over there. - There's a fire.

Fire!

- There's a fire. - Get water!

Quick, put out the fire!

Hurry up!

Move quickly!

Move faster! Get up there!

Use more sand and stone!

Hurry up.

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

Lord Fan, why aren't you going to protect His Majesty?

Qi Nian, assist Lord Ye in finding the source of the fire.

- Yes, My Lord. - The water is here.

Your Majesty.

- Get water quickly. - I, Fan Xian, request an audience.

Your Majesty, someone set a fire.

Was it you?

I'm here to protect Your Majesty.

Protect me?

Where is the fire?

It's out.

If the fire's out, why do you need to protect me?

I'm worried about Your Majesty's safety.

What a killjoy.

Come in.

Check everything thoroughly.

Don't leave a single spark.

Look at this fire starter.

Fire starter?

The fire seems deliberate.

There's something off with the fire.

If there are assassins, this cliffside is the hardest part to defend.

Your Majesty should return to the capital for safety.

I've faced all kinds of storms in my life.

You're scared by a fire

that didn't even burn.

His Majesty has faced 43 assassination attempts.

His Majesty never retreated.

So, Your Majesty's decree today is not to retreat.

Not convinced?

Not at all.

You're defying my order.

It's not that I want to defy your order.

In this situation, everyone here will want to defy your order.

I don't.

Your Majesty is the ruler of the Qing Kingdom.

Your safety concerns the entire kingdom.

There is a risk of assassination in Xuankong Temple,

yet Your Majesty won't retreat.

If I accept your decree to stay, I'll be disloyal to Your Majesty.

True loyalty means protecting Your Majesty even if it means defying orders.

It's not just chrysanthemums I favor.

When they're in full bloom,

no other flowers can compare to them.

How spectacular.

Good.

Thank you.

Here, this is absolutely stunning.

Your Majesty, you should ask the princes if they agree with me.

Father, Fan Xian has a point.

Your Majesty's safety concerns the kingdom.

We must investigate thoroughly.

You all can really talk.

We're just speaking from the heart.

This is strange.

How did Fan Jian raise a son like you?

Your Majesty.

I grew up in Danzhou without guidance, wild and untamed.

You've suffered much in the first half of your life,

but since arriving in the capital, you've been thriving.

So, the elders owe you nothing.

Everything you say, Your Majesty.

All right.

Don't spoil my mood.

Today is a good day.

Let's drink and enjoy the flowers.

Come.

Let's

have a drink.

Long live Your Majesty.

I confined Li Cheng Ze for six months.

Are you satisfied?

I wouldn't dare.

Go.

Have a drink with him.

Your Highness, this isn't personal between us.

What should be satisfied is the law, not me.

We must resolve things between us someday.

- I'll be waiting for that day. - There is ample time.

And that day will come.

Your Majesty, we're done...

Assassins!

Assassins!

Protect His Majesty!

Protect His Majesty!

Protect His Majesty!

Protect His Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Take them down!

I heard that Si Gu Jian has a younger brother

who ran away from home since childhood.

Take him down.

I want to see if these brothers are really demented.

Protect His Majesty.

You're being hasty.

Assassin!

Protect His Majesty!

Protect His Majesty!

Protect His Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, why is Fan Xian chasing alone?

Why aren't you concerned about my safety?

Your Majesty is blessed with good luck,

nothing will happen to you.

- But my son... - Don't worry.

The palace guards have closed off the mountain. Fan Xian will be fine.

- But... - Come.

Stay with me and enjoy the flowers.

Lord Fan.

Aren't you tired?

After an assassination attempt, you don't want to hide in the mountains.

Instead, you want to go back to the capital?

I didn't expect you to chase me so closely.

I mentioned the capital, and you didn't refute,

meaning you were in the capital.

You're rambling.

I'll just go along with you.

Why would I bother to refute?

You are right.

I was just bluffing.

But now, your reaction confirms you've been hiding in the capital.

Does it matter?

You know the guards' movements well.

Why?

Because I don't want to hurt you.

You are Si Gu Jian's younger brother.