Original subtitles

♪As flowers bloom and wither♪

♪May we pass by the magnificent scenery♪

♪Contemplate the vastness of Heaven and Earth♪

♪Could it be that both of us are filled with desolation?♪

♪As flowers bloom and wither♪

♪May we lead such a life♪

♪Contemplate the vastness of Heaven and Earth♪

♪Turning back, you and I♪

♪Seize the current moment♪

♪The sky is painted with a gentle pallet of pastel colors♪

♪Let's walk together♪

♪Even if♪

♪The snow in front of us♪

♪Will dye our hair white♪

♪In an instant♪

[Joy of Life Season 2]

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

[Episode 22]

Do you plan to stand there all day long?

Don't pull a long face.

Young man,

you can't afford to be down.

Someone reported you to me.

Was it about me silencing someone?

I've heard about it.

Did you do it?

Would you arrest me

if I did do it?

If you wanted to sacrifice your family for the greater good,

you shouldn't have come here.

If you wished to abuse your power and go above the law,

all the more reason why you shouldn't be here.

People might accuse you.

You might be implicated.

If you did commit the crime,

I have to arrest you personally.

If so, I won't be able to face Wan'er.

However, if I abuse my power to help you out,

I won't be able to face myself.

You're still

not ruthless enough.

So, did you do it?

The spring exam last year,

regarding the name replacement of one of the scholars,

I think I have some impression of it.

You think?

After all, it wasn't a huge deal.

I didn't need to make an appearance myself.

So, were you the one who arranged for his death?

No.

Governing a nation is just like cooking a small fish.

How could you keep it small

if you kill people under your governance?

It's not worth it.

So you think

that they're slandering you?

Not necessarily.

I've been in the officialdom for many years.

I have too many proteges and allies for me to count.

I couldn't even recognize all of them.

It's hard to distinguish between the good and the bad at such a number.

And, there will always be bad ones

and dumb ones.

Back then, these people were in charge

of the spring exam.

If the murder did occur, you may start by investigating them.

Maybe you'll get the result you want.

Are you sure it wasn't you?

It's definitely not me.

[Song Boxiang, Gu Yingzhou, Lu Anzhong, Fan Yujing]

Did the victim seek you out personally?

Yes.

His Majesty just handed the investigation of the past spring exams

to you not long ago,

and now, a murder case came knocking on your doorstep.

What a coincidence, huh?

If that's the case,

these names

might not suffice.

This case has wide and deep implications.

We'll escort you to the Court of Judicial Review later.

Once you're there,

they'll ask you the same questions.

Remember,

there's no need to panic

on the Court of Judicial Review.

Don't overthink it.

The Imperial Inspectorate will uphold justice for you two.

Understood?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

What's the point of doing this?

I have nothing to do anyway.

Mr. Chen.

Ruohai, you're here.

Do you need anything?

I assume you've heard about the case Fan Xian is investigating.

Yes.

Lin Ruofu has been the prime minister for many years.

He has plenty of proteges.

Youngsters aren't influential enough to investigate him.

The words you said just now,

he said the same thing when he was here.

We almost said

the same sentence in the same manner.

Continue.

Lin Ruofu is Fan Xian's future father-in-law.

No matter what,

we shouldn't let Fan Xian investigate him.

No matter what the result will be,

Fan Xian won't be able to deal with the consequences.

I said that too.

What else did you say?

In my opinion,

shouldn't we let another person investigate Prime Minister Lin instead?

There's no one else.

What are you saying?

Look at you. You have so much free time that you're playing with ropes.

Let me do it.

Hand the case to me.

I'll take it on the children's behalf.

Why are you doing this to yourself?

He's not your son.

You want him to take over the Imperial Inspectorate.

As their elders,

we should be protective of them.

I think that works.

You're from the Ministry of Revenue.

Stay out of our affairs.

You won't be able to take on the case.

But why?

He designated Fan Xian to investigate the case.

Isn't it the same no matter who investigates the case?

The Imperial Inspectorate's work isn't child's play, you know?

You want Fan Xian to investigate Lin Ruofu.

Aren't you messing around yourself?

You have a point.

You two are playing off of each other, huh?

We're trying to be reasonable here.

It's simple.

Fan Xian has to be the one investigating the case.

Heaven's grace is abundant.

You two should understand.

When it comes to this case,

no one can save him.

Do you want a bowl of wontons?

They're freshly made.

Here, have a seat.

Wontons for sale.

Fresh wontons for sale.

Kites for sale.

Take a look. Kites for sale.

You darned wretch!

Darned wretch!

Who are you? How dare you pit yourself against our prime minister?

I'm indebted to Prime Minister Lin.

Today, I shall repay his favor!

Take him down!

After him! Don't let him escape!

That was scary.

That was terrifying.

Mr. Yan,

this is evidence that they're trying to silence us.

Were you hurt?

The Imperial Inspectorate's reputation is widely known.

We can rest at ease

when you and your subordinates are here, Mr. Yan.

Mr. Yan, I think that was Yuan Hongdao.

He's Prime Minister Lin's retainer.

Do away with your doubts.

That was him indeed.

Do they treat people

like livestock nowadays?

You may leave.

Mr. Yuan tried to assassinate the victims?

He failed to do so.

This accusation will surely stick.

Indeed.

Mr. Yuan has served me for many years.

I can't prove my innocence.

Why did Mr. Yuan do so?

I thought you would

ask me

whether I was the mastermind or not.

You're not dumb, Mr. Lin.

This is truly unexpected.

Mr. Yuan has served me

for so many years.

He had a hidden agenda all along.

I couldn't tell at all.

Who exactly does he serve?

That no longer matters.

Sir, where are we going?

Xinyang.

Continue.

No need to stop.

Yes, sir.

He was heading to Xinyang?

That's Eldest Princess's territory.

So, Yuan Hongdao was serving Eldest Princess?

Fan Xian's investigating the case while Eldest Princess is the perpetrator.

No matter what, it's related to other people.

It has nothing to do with him.

Mr. Fan, I'll take it

as the conversation never happened.

Even if you remember the conversation, I'll deny it.

Mr. Chen,

the Black Cavalries were already on his tail.

Aren't we going to arrest Yuan Hongdao?

Prime Minister Lin is heading to the palace now.

Fan Xian is joining him too.

Why is he so nosy?

No choice.

It may appear like

Fan Xian is sacrificing his family for the greater good here.

He's detaining Lin Ruofu

and bringing him to His Majesty himself.

Lin Ruofu has been an official for many years.

He has plenty of proteges.

Now,

all of them will hate Fan Xian.

There's no need to fear.

I have plenty of haters too.

Are you aware of the age difference between you two?

How could you compete with him?

There's no need to fear.

Prime Minister Lin has seen all kinds of situations in the past decade or two.

He understands the situation perfectly.

It has already come to this.

Can Prime Minister Lin still protect himself?

He has plenty of choices.

Fan Xian,

when we see His Majesty later,

do not respond no matter what I say.

Take it as if you didn't hear anything.

Why don't I stay outside, then?

That won't do.

You have to be there for it.

If we can arrest Yuan Hongdao

and make him confess that he did it under someone else's instruction,

maybe we still stand a chance.

The Imperial Inspectorate would've arrested him long ago

if they intended to do so.

Sirs, I'm still here, you know?

Just tell His Majesty what we said word for word.

Only then will we appear honest.

Sirs, you two could've spoken in private.

Those who are fair and just need no private conversations.

What did I say just now?

When we see His Majesty later,

I shouldn't respond no matter what you say.

If His Majesty wants you to express your stand,

just pretend to be ignorant.

Prime Minister Lin.

I'm an honest man.

I have nothing to fear.

Do you remember everything?

Next, you have to observe the show closely

and learn from it.

In the future,

you'll be acting together with His Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Prime Minister Lin and Mr. Fan have arrived.

Hurry!

Grant Prime Minister Lin a seat already.

Prime Minister Lin,

I've read plenty of memorandums in the past few days.

Everyone in the Qing State is doing their part.

It shows a scene of thriving prosperity.

It's all thanks to you.

You've contributed much to this.

Well...

Did I bump into it?

Prime Minister Lin,

have a seat.

I'm old now.

I can't see clearly.

Your Majesty, I've offended you by accident.

Please punish me.

I've already said it just now.

Prime Minister Lin, you've contributed much to the state.

Why should I punish you?

Your Majesty, with the way you treat me,

I can never repay your kindness even with my death.

What I meant was it wasn't enough even if I die 100 times.

It's not that my death would be in vain.

Why are you talking about death all of a sudden?

We're humans.

That day will eventually arrive.

Prime Minister Lin, you're at your prime now.

It's too early for you to say that.

Prime Minister Lin,

I'm afraid you came here

for a different reason

than what you usually do here.

Your Majesty,

I

have sinned!

Get up and speak.

Your Majesty,

all these years have taken a toll on me.

I'm physically and mentally drained.

Now, my hair is white, and I'm plagued by ailments.

I have no way to tend to state affairs again.

I can't rest at ease since I'm receiving a wage

without doing anything.

Your Majesty, please allow me

to retire and return to my hometown.

Plagued by ailments?

Fan Xian.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do you think Prime Minister Lin is telling the truth?

Your Majesty, I'm too young.

I can't tell.

Aren't you a medical practitioner?

I'm a poison practitioner.

Do you know how to read pulses?

I do.

Come. Read Prime Minister Lin's pulse.

See if he's plagued by ailments.

Your Majesty,

it's not that bad.

What do you mean by that?

I can't detect any abnormalities from his pulse.

Growing old is considered an ailment.

Prime Minister Lin.

Didn't you say you were plagued by ailments?

Your Majesty, I bumped into the chair just now.

You witnessed it too.

My eyes are no longer working.

Fan Xian,

what if my eyes aren't working?

Can you tell that from reading my pulse?

No.

Your Majesty, I apologize for breaching the etiquette just now.

I would've been sentenced to death

had it not for my eye disease.

As leaves fall back to their roots,

I humbly request

my bones be laid to rest in my hometown.

Prime Minister Lin,

you've worked hard and contributed to our state.

If you leave now,

I'm afraid all of the officials

will quit as well.

Your Majesty, you're wrong.

I've been a top-ranking official all these years.

I've enjoyed fame and fortune.

It's my duty to serve the state.

I dare not claim credit for my work.

I'm already lucky enough

that I haven't been penalized for my mistakes.

You rendered both merit and mistakes.

They cancel out each other.

I can't afford to accumulate mistakes at this age.

Your Majesty, please grant me permission to leave.

I can't bear to part with you.

Your Majesty,

I'm moved to tears by your kind words.

If you do leave,

who else can replace you as the next prime minister?

It's an important position.

Your Majesty, please make your own call.

I dare not

speak casually.

But when I look around at the civil and military officials,

I'm afraid no one can match

your knowledge and vision.

Indeed.

If someone were to be better than me,

I wouldn't have been the prime minister

all these years.

If I said someone could replace me,

what does that mean?

That means I had made a wrong decision by making you the prime minister.

Indeed.

Your Majesty, your insight is impeccable.

You would never be wrong about an individual.

Prime Minister Lin, that's why you must remain as the prime minister.

It's a shame that I've grown old.

Your Majesty, don't worry.

Once I retire,

you may take your time to find and select the next candidate.

I'm sure you can find the best candidate

to lead the other officials.

Prime Minister Lin,

you have

plenty of proteges.

Which of them is able to handle important roles?

Can you prepare a name list for me

so that I can promote them in the future?

Your Majesty, I'm a just official.

I don't do that.

So, Prime Minister Lin, you know this trick as well, huh?

I dare not do so.

Your Majesty, your judgment is 100 times better than mine.

I dare not do so.

When will you leave?

I'll leave the Capital immediately.

Fan Xian will hold his wedding with Wan'er very soon.

Aren't you going to wait a little longer?

No. I'm bent on returning to my hometown.

What a shame.

Prime Minister Lin, may I know

if you'll return to your hometown alone?

Just as you wish, Your Majesty.

I shall

return to my hometown alone.

My son is mentally challenged.

The trip to my hometown

is long and arduous.

I'm afraid he might get into trouble.

Therefore,

I won't take my son

with me.

Fan Xian.

Dabao is close to you.

Please look after him.

I'll send him to your house tomorrow.

Of course, I won't let you work for nothing.

I've included all of the expenses here.

You don't need to do that.

You must make sure he eats well.

His Majesty is my witness here.

Prime Minister Lin.

Let me see you off.

Your Majesty.

That old fox.

He set up a trap before leaving.

Mr. Lin, will you truly retire and return to your hometown?

In the metropolitan exam name list,

Yang Wanli's name was replaced with someone else's.

What happened in the end?

Guo Zheng, the Minister of Rites,

was demoted by His Majesty and was sent to Jiangnan.

Although a corruption case occurred during the spring exam,

only Guo Zheng was demoted.

Can this be seen as an unresolved case?

Actually, there's only one ending.

He wanted you to investigate the past corruption cases

and use the murder case to see me off on my last journey.

Seems like His Majesty wanted

to replace the prime minister long ago.

So he did everything

just so he could replace you?

Indeed.

I was thinking to myself

why he insisted on making you the Middle Examiner.

Now, I finally understand.

In the end, I was the target for the spring exam.

Chengze thought that he had set you up.

In the end, His Majesty just made him stand out from the crowd.

His Majesty seized the opportunity without leaving a trace.

His Majesty's skillful use of leveraging strength

to achieve his goals is truly masterful.

You have to learn from him.

This is too difficult.

I'm afraid I won't be able to pick it up.

Actually, it isn't that difficult?

To put it bluntly,

the relationship between rulers and officials

is just like a theatrical performance.

The acting must be genuine, and the heart must be stable.

That is all.

Let me give you a test.

Why did His Majesty

want me to give him a name list of my proteges?

You've been the prime minister for many years.

You have a wide network of contacts.

By giving him the name list,

he'll be able to avoid your influence

when he selects the next prime minister.

That's why I can't afford to give it to him.

My network of contacts

is my foothold.

As long as I don't hand my trump card to him,

I'll still have a chance to return to the Capital.

If so, wouldn't His Majesty force you to give it to him?

This is what I meant just now.

The relationship between rulers and their subjects

is just like a game of weiqi.

You must be calm during the match.

And, you must be decisive when you make a move.

Everyone understands what's going on.

I would have no idea

if you didn't explain it to me.

Let me test you again.

Why did I leave Dabao behind?

For my sake?

All these years,

I've established plenty of connections.

Once I leave,

my proteges might be upset with you.

You were the cause of this case after all.

However, such matters

are difficult to explain.

There's no need to explain myself if I keep Dabao at my residence.

His Majesty wants you to chase me away

so that you can become a lone subject.

I understand.

As if!

What His Majesty desires

isn't what you desire.

What's the most thrilling thing

about being a subject?

It's engaging His Majesty in a match.

I've lost the match.

Next,

it's your turn.

Mr. Lin.

Lower your volume.

That's enough. I'm going to leave soon.

It's okay for me to laugh out loud.

What about the murder case, then?

What murder case?

There's no murder case!

He Zongwei, receive the imperial edict.

According to His Majesty's oral edict, as a scholar, He Zongwei

he excels in talent, virtue,

and wisdom.

He's a rare talent.

Thus, an exception shall be made.

He shall be exempted from the imperial examination

and assume the post of a censor in the Imperial Procuratorate.

He shall assume his post immediately.

Long live Your Majesty!

Do your part well.

His Majesty expects great things from you.

I'm willing to devote my heart and soul

and risk my life

to serve His Majesty!

Everyone,

get up.

Please get up.

All of you, please get up.

Go now.

Let's go back. That was terrifying.

Mr. Yan,

from now on, we're fellow officials.

Please look after me.

We should at least head to the Court of Judicial Bureau first.

What do you mean?

A murder trial is awaiting us.

Did you forget about it?

Mr. Yan, I'm dropping the charges.

What do you take our laws and regulations for?

Mr. Yan, you misunderstood me.

Mr. Yan,

it's just that the widow is grieving excessively for her husband.

She's unable to continue.

Just like what Mr. He had said,

I'll stop pressing charges.

Look.

This case concerns one's life.

How could we joke around?

Mr. Yan, you're taking it too seriously.

We haven't established a case in the magistrate yet.

We didn't go against the law.

It's just that we bothered Mr. Fan before this.

I'll apologize to him personally later.

Mr. Yan, please pardon us.

Wontons for sale.

Mr. Yan.

What about this?

I'll impeach myself

and request His Majesty's judgment.

Is that okay?

Someone tried to assassinate you just now.

Are you dropping the case as well?

When one has the opportunity to forgive,

one should be magnanimous.

What do you think?

Let's return to the First Division.

Farewell, Mr. Yan.

Why did they leave all of a sudden?

That means the negotiation in the Capital is over.

They tailed us for the entire journey.

I thought they were going to arrest us.

They'd arrest us had the negotiation gone south.

That means we're fine now.

We're fine for today.

But who knows what'll happen in the future?

Ruohai.

The axle.

The axle.

The axle is breaking down.

Can't you instruct your subordinates to fix it?

I can't leave it to outsiders.

Don't tell me someone will try to steal it?

No one else can touch this.

But why?

There's a secret inside.

It's just a chair with two wheels.

What kind of secret can you hide inside?

Mr. Fan, lend me a hand.

It's done now, right?

Ruohai.

The other side.

The other side?

Are you not done yet?

I'll pay you extra for it.

Mr. Fan, sorry for the trouble again.

Is that the end of the incident with Lin Ruofu?

He served as prime minister for many years,

and he's widely influential.

What would you do if you were in his shoes?

That's how the imperial court is.

And, you want Fan Xian to take over the Imperial Inspectorate?

He can handle it.

Ruohai.

The top side. That's right.

Do you know

who's supposed to retire next?

Not you.

Fan Xian is without a solid foundation. You have to look after him.

Mr. Fan,

I need your help for this.

Mr. Fan?

I shouldn't have let Fan Xian

come to the Capital in the first place.

That's something both you and I cannot control.

Mr. Chen,

I'm done.

Lin Ruofu overstayed his welcome as the prime minister.

Isn't it the same for you?

Have you never thought

of withdrawing while you can?

There are some things I haven't accomplished yet.

What are they?

I'll get you the money.

You did a terrible job today.

I can't enjoy myself

when I have to play here.

Dabao.

Father.

When you live with Fan Xian,

you have to be a good boy.

You need to address everyone in the house.

Father, don't worry. I'll be a good boy.

You must tidy your clothing.

You must stay clean.

Don't argue with other people.

If someone bullies you,

just tell Fan Xian and Wan'er.

Understood?

Father, don't worry.

They'll definitely help me out.

Dabao,

what I will say later

might not make sense to you.

But that's fine.

You just need to remember it.

Remember this.

People will change.

People will change?

Therefore, no matter what other people say to you,

never believe their words.

You just need to believe

Fan Xian and Wan'er.

Understood?

I'll only believe Little Xian and Wan'er.

In the future, you should only call him Little Xian

in private.

It's best not to call him that when other people are around.

I'm afraid Fan Xian might be upset about it.

Father, that won't happen.

Little Xian won't be upset at me because of that.

Of course I believe Fan Xian and Wan'er.

If not, I wouldn't...

But, just in case,

I'm saying this just in case.

If, one day,

they stop liking you as much,

and they don't like speaking to you as much,

you should try to be quiet.

You can talk to yourself

and play on your own.

Just stay over there

and live at your own pace.

It's as if you're playing a game

where you're trying your best not to bother other people.

Understood?

But why?

Father,

why would they stop liking me?

I don't think that'll happen.

I'm saying that just in case.

I understand now.

People will change.

Dabao, you're such a smart boy.

It's fine even if that day

does come.

In this world,

no one is obliged to be nice to you.

In this world, no one is obliged to be nice to me.

Except for me.

Except for you.

That's right.

Except for me.

Except for you.

Except for you!

All right now.

Put the little things inside.

Put them inside.

Go now.

Go to my father's place and bring Dabao here.

We should leave some space for Dabao.

No!

You can't touch that.

Dabao is inside.

♪The youth raises his head♪

♪As he moves toward his moon♪

♪People tease him for being delusional♪

♪Wondering why he is so unconventional♪

♪Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond♪

♪How could it remain unstained?♪

♪If silver tael has a value♪

♪Who can truly be carefree?♪

♪All of you are right♪

♪He said: "Please"♪

♪"Make way"♪

♪"Let me drink until I drop"♪

♪On the court♪

♪I recite several verses♪

♪Let me wear a white robe♪

♪And cross the alley filled with insanity♪

♪To scoop up the moon's reflection in the muddy pond♪

♪Sirs, please forgive me♪

♪Your words of advice♪

♪I understand, but I don't want to pretend♪

♪People search for the golden land♪

♪While I search for the moon♪

♪Why should we travel together?♪

♪Thank you♪

♪Excuse me♪

♪You are you♪

♪I am me♪

♪Thank you♪

♪Excuse me♪

♪You are you♪

♪I am me♪

♪Wearing a white robe when crossing a muddy pond♪

♪Remarkably worldly-wise yet hopelessly romantic♪

♪Know what you love♪

♪Don't change♪

♪If one has witnessed both light and shadow♪

♪Yet retains their innocence♪

♪They shall be cloaked in moonlight♪

♪As they journey through the night♪