Have you ever heard about that
the cliff of a snow mountain
once fascinated numerous people?
Legend has it that,
there were treasures at the peak
but also there was a bottomless chasm hidden over there.
The smart, the fool
and the kind people,
all are familiar to you.
On the mountainside, on the cliff,
on the cloud,
and in the human world,
snowflakes are drifting profusely and disorderly.
Joy of Life Season 1
Episode 23
You're lucky that you're still alive.
You should know that martial arts master above the Ninth Dan
can hear another man's breath
through the wall.
They can figure out my position
by my voice,
and then they'll shoot you.
Distinguishing location by breaths through the wall,
it doesn't make sense.
They're beyond common sense.
Aren't you thirsty?
Your Majesty,
meeting you is like having a good rain after a long drought.
I'm no longer thirsty.
You've also heard that
this residence will be heavily guarded
in future.
Don't break into other's residence
ever again.
Yes.
Are you free tomorrow?
Probably.
Come to the imperial palace.
Your marriage with Wan'er
is settled.
Wan'er has grown up in the imperial palace.
The Empress Dowager and my consorts all like her.
You should meet them.
I see.
Fine. You can leave.
=Taiping Residence=
Director Yan?
I heard that you killed Cheng Jushu.
That's right.
How could you kill an Eighth Dan martial arts master?
I was lucky.
Who's that archer outside the yard?
What archer? I've no idea.
You'd better answer my question honestly.
His Majesty just told you
to let me pass.
Director Yan, are you going to defy the imperial order?
I'll remember you.
See you.
Brother!
What happened?
The archer is so good!
He broke off the tree with arrows.
Where's Uncle Wuzhu?
He's gone.
Never mind. That's his style.
Have you found the key?
No.
I met His Majesty instead.
His Majesty?
His Majesty is inside?
He seems to know my mom well.
Have you asked him about her?
He wouldn't tell me.
Let's go. Wan'er should be worried.
The Crown Prince was taken?!
It's fine. My father planned it.
Your father wants to take the Crown Prince?!
They've taken the wrong person.
Actually, you're the one he wants to test.
He wants to know
whether you have a Great Master
by your side or not.
He's still suspicious of me.
My third cousin said
you are not the murderer.
You actually hid that
from my brother the whole way!
I'll apologize to you later.
You'd better take Dabao back
at once.
My third cousin said that
by telling my father the following words,
he'll know the murderer
naturally.
What did the Crown Prince say?
No!
My eyes! My eyes!
What's wrong with your eyes?
I fooled you.
Little one! Little one!
Fan Xian.
Why do you follow me?
I trust you.
I believe Wan'er trusts you, too.
As to what happened today, she must have her difficulties.
Don't hate her
for that.
Does my love for Wan'er
seem so frangible?
Don't worry. I know that.
Little one! Little one!
-Little one! -Dabao!
Little one!
Dabao!
Xianxian, get down and play with us.
Dabao, let me take you home.
Get down and play with us.
It's about time.
Let me take you home.
We can come out for dinner another day.
Sister,
will you also escort me home?
That's OK.
I can escort you home with Fan Xian.
Good! Good!
Then let's go home! Let's go!
Ruoruo,
do me a favor.
What is it?
The guys we sent to test Fan Xian
are back.
Prime Minister, you don't have to show up.
Let me meet him instead.
Thank you, Master. Please figure out the truth.
Master.
How's it going?
We captured Fan Xian
and detained him in the capital city.
Master, please go and see him.
I asked you to find out
whether he has a martial arts master by his side or not.
Why did you take him into the capital city?
We didn't see the martial arts master,
but he figured out that
we take orders from the Prime Minister.
He requested to see the Prime Minister all the way.
Did you admit your identity?
No! No!
Of course I didn't.
We just detained him
to wait for your order.
Isn't that the same as admitting your identity?
I can't meet him in person.
Release Fan Xian immediately.
After all, he's an official.
If it turns into a big mess,
we won't be able to justify ourselves.
OK! OK! OK!
Master Yuan, good day.
Dabao, good day.
-Let's go. -Good day, Master Yuan.
Let's go.
This is the study.
Master,
should I release Fan Xian
now?
Release whom?
Fan Xian of course.
Then who's that?
I've never met him. Who's that?
Who on earth did you capture?
Dad, Xianxian and Wan'er
were both there.
Then they just
sat there and talked.
Later,
a little one came.
The little one and I,
we caught fish
by the pond.
Then we played stone skimming.
Right! We even had a competition.
Dad, I won!
Later,
we also poked worm holes.
Then...
I washed my hands, Dad.
-Look! -Good! Good! Good!
-I washed them clean. -Good! Good! Good!
Come on. Drink some water first.
Thank you, Dad.
Dad,
there are a lot of people in white
in the front yard.
Many of them are crying.
They're having a funeral.
A funeral?
I've never seen one.
Then go and see it yourself.
In the main hall of the front yard lies
a big wooden box.
Go and kowtow to it.
Why?
It's the rule. Everyone should do it.
Xianxian,
will you go with me?
Then you can talk with my dad here.
I'll come back to you in a while.
Take a seat.
Why do you send Dabao back
so early?
Wan'er told me everything.
Really?
I understand.
You have to figure out who murdered your son.
Drink some tea.
The Crown Prince came to see me.
He asked me to tell you the following words.
He said that after hearing the words,
you'll know the murderer naturally.
What did he say?
The murderer is a Great Master.
If the murderer is close to the level of Great Master,
then he could be anyone above the Ninth Dan.
But now, the murderer
is limited to the Four Great Masters.
Can't there be a fifth one?
Impossible!
I've had it investigated that
when it happened,
Ye Liuyun, Ku He and Si Gujian
were not around the capital city.
I guessed right.
The Great Master inside the imperial palace is the murderer.
Under whose order?
His Majesty, Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager,
the Princess Royal, the Second Prince, or the Crown Prince.
It could be anyone.
Since the Crown Prince gave us the information,
it might not be him.
Isn't the Princess Royal
the birth mother of Wan'er?
That woman
is crazy.
Since the imperial palace is involved,
why did the Crown Prince tell us?
Prime Minister.
To figure it out,
we might as well ask him about it.
Our men
captured him accidentally.
I heard that from Wan'er.
Haven't you released him yet?
He requested to see me.
And you also.
See me?
Master Yuan,
which sin have we committed
by abducting the Crown Prince?
Guard outside.
You won't be blamed.
Your Highness, I...
No need to adhere to the formalities rigidly. And no need to explain.
I've known it all.
Prime Minister,
have you received my elegiac couplet
for the Second Young Master?
How can you be so sure that
the murderer is a Great Master?
The Investigator's Office produced
two files to record the death cause of your son.
The one sent to the imperial palace
tells the real truth.
Why do you
tell me?
Isolated and helpless as I am in the imperial court,
I want to form an alliance with you.
Your Highness, you're dignified and respected all over the country
with numerous talents under your command.
Why do you want me as an ally?
I know what I really have.
I have many followers,
but none of them holds an important place in the Six Ministries.
His Majesty and the Empress Dowager
don't favor me.
Now Chengze instead
is gaining more respect and support.
Who knows when
I'll have to hand my position
as the Crown Prince over to him.
What can I do for you?
You are the head of the officials.
Only by joining hands together
can we stand a chance.
Why are you still hesitating?
Your son's death is definitely ordered
by someone in the imperial palace.
Only by joining hands with me
can you figure out the truth,
find the real murderer,
and avenge your son's death.
What if His Majesty is the one
who ordered his death?
I just said
you could avenge your son's death.
No word should be left concerning our alliance.
Of course.
It's OK as long as we reach consensus in heart.
Why do you
ask Fan Xian over specially?
Prime Minister, he's the one
we should fully support in future.
Your Highness, you mean...
As to our war against Beiqi,
we've already captured one prefecture.
The two sides called a truce in the frontline the day before yesterday.
The Beiqi mission
are on their way to the capital city.
Why am I related?
This war is started
by your investigation on Si Lili.
That is to say,
you've owned the top prize.
We may have disputes,
but we've never born
a deep grudge against each other.
You're talented, and I cherish talents.
Why not join me?
The Neiku will be handed over to you eventually,
and I can let you have it.
From today on,
the Prime Minister and I
will both be your support.
We'll promise you a brilliant future.
Think it over.
We are still young.
When I ascend the throne,
we might make a much-told story of the emperor and his subject
fighting together from the start to the end.
Be quiet outside!
They have no rules!
What on earth is happening outside?!
Your men are here to rescue you.
Impossible!
What happened?
Your Highness, please stay inside.
The guards outside were slaughtered brutally.
They must be killed by martial arts masters.
Where are you going?
Go out and see what's going on.
It's dangerous.
I'm the only one here who can practice martial arts.
Or shall we let His Highness go out?
Xie Bi'an.
I heard that you are endowed with civil and martial virtues.
Maybe we should compete with other swords.
Don't blame him.
Xie Bi'an is born with a poker face.
He never said anything nice to me.
I didn't expect that
you would come.
Neither do I.
Don't listen to that one inside.
He's always a persuasive talker.
I didn't hear anything.
Let's go inside.
It's slippery. Slow down.
Sorry for coming late.
Your Highness, please forgive me.
Why are you here?
I was burning with anxiety
after hearing that Your Highness was abducted,
so I took Xie Bi'an with me to rescue you.
But don't worry, Your Highness.
The bandits outside
were all killed by Xie Bi'an.
Prime Minister, are you also here to rescue His Highness?
I just passed by.
Do you know the bandits outside?
I've never met them.
Then I'm relieved.
I was worried that
reckless as Xie Bi'an is,
he might hurt our men.
Your Highness, you're so kind.
How admirable!
I'm so flattered.
Now that the Crown Prince is safe,
I'll leave first.
Your sword is nice.
How much is it?
Let's go.
OK.
Nice sword.
You're really watching me closely all the time!
Your Highness, you're the Crown Prince
and my brother as well.
How can I not try my best
to protect your safety?
What a nice brother!
I'm so touched!
It's my duty.
But Your Highness, do feel relieved.
I've been keeping an eye on
the capital city
on your behalf.
Any sign of disturbance
won't escape my eyes.
Then I'm relieved.
May I escort Your Highness
back to the Eastern Palace?
You're most welcome.
Why is the Second Prince coming so fast?
They are
really competing fiercely.
Uncle, will you really ally with the Crown Prince?
I was just saying.
It's better not to offend either of them.
Now the imperial court is in chaos.
We can take this chance
and get you a higher rank.
This time, I really mean it.
No more suspicions.
I just don't know
how much time I've left.
But Uncle,
you look healthy.
I won't die for the moment.
I mean how long can I
keep my position?
Actually, being an official is like being a man.
It's like standing on the top of a mountain.
The further you move forward, the more cautious you should be.
Otherwise, you'll be doomed eternally.
Can I retreat on my own?
You can't once you go up.
Prime Minister.
They were all killed.
No one was left alive.
All their families are outside the capital city.
Don't bury them.
We can't afford to take any risk.
Help their families settle down well.
Don't blame me for being merciless.
If I'm softhearted, I might endanger myself.
Well, enough for today.
You've been through a lot today.
Go back early.
Uncle.
You're here.
You're upset.
So many things happened today.
The powerful arrow of Yan Xiaoyi.
The brutality of Xie Bi'an.
Running into His Majesty in the Taiping Residence.
Removing Lin Ruofu's suspicion
of me completely.
Also,
the Second Prince and the Crown Prince
are standing in sharp opposition to each other.
Which one upsets you?
The Crown Prince is trying to draw me over to his side.
We may have disputes,
but we've never born a deep grudge against each other.
You're talented, and I cherish talents.
Why not join me?
What's wrong?
We used to believe that
Lin Gong planned the Niulan Street assassination
at the command of the Crown Prince.
But now
he actually said he had never
born a deep grudge against me.
Maybe he believes you don't know the truth.
The news that Lin Gong tried to assassinate me
has spread all over the capital city.
If the Crown Prince is really behind it,
he won't lay down his guard against me
so easily.
Maybe he doesn't mean it.
He asked to see me specially.
Judged from his look,
he really wants to draw me over to his side.
So?
So I've been wondering
what if
the Crown Prince
didn't give the order.
Then who would it be?
I also want to know.
If you can't figure it out now,
just think about it some other day.
Sometimes,
I do envy your character.
It doesn't suit you.
Indeed!
Have you found the key?
No.
Then it must be kept in the imperial palace.
Most of your mom's things
are kept by that old lady.
Which old lady?
The Empress Dowager.
Once we confirm its location,
the rest is easy.
The only problem
is that Great Master Hong Sixiang in the imperial palace.
Is he a guard beside His Majesty?
He guards right beside the Empress Dowager.
Nothing is worse
than that.
The mosquito bites
are really itchy.
They sure are.
Look, there's no mosquito
around the Empress Dowager.
Eunuch Hong is there.
How dare the mosquitoes go there?
By then, we'll adopt our strategy today.
What strategy?
I will hold the Great Master,
and you will go inside to find the key.
Uncle.
Besides the Great Master,
Yan Xiaoyi, the Director of Imperial Guards,
also guards the imperial palace
all the year round.
Just go and find the key.
You really trust me so much?
In this world, I can trust no one
but you.
Uncle,
have you ever felt lonely?
No.
Even after my mom
passed away?
Right.
When you get old,
I'll be there for you.
I probably won't get old.
Then when I get old,
you should be there for me.
Only if you still feel like that
by then.
OK.
Speaking of my life,
you're the first man I saw
since I could remember.
Perhaps,
you'll also be the last man I see
in future.
Maybe you're still young
even by then.
Shouldn't we discuss about
finding the key in the imperial palace?
Right.
Go on.
The problem is
do you know where the Empress Dowager lives.
No, I don't.
Well then.
You should find a chance to go to the imperial palace
to figure out the route.
What a coincidence!
I'm going to the imperial palace tomorrow.
How is that?
Good. Remember to figure out the route.
Isn't there anything in the world
that can surprise you?
No.
Well, good for you.
No words can express
my admiration for you.
Uncle.
Do you find the climate especially dry
in the capital city?
Luckily, I'm ingenious.
I made a humidifier myself.
It has a mechanical structure and is driven by hydraulic power.
Someone's here.
Who?
Why are you here?
Ruoruo left the door open for me.
What's this?
The climate in the capital city
is drier than that of Danzhou,
so I made a humidifier myself.
Humidifier?
Do you have anything for me?
The starry sky is so beautiful tonight.
Would you like to join me
in watching the stars?
As a child, I lived in the imperial palace.
My father and mother couldn't visit me.
Every night,
I was alone
in a really big room.
From then on,
I was particularly fond of watching the starry sky.
Because I had nothing else to watch
except for the starry sky.
And my disease...
the tuberculosis
just couldn't be cured.
I felt that
I could die anytime.
In the day,
I talked to others with a smile.
But actually, I was so scared.
I'm here.
I won't let you die.
I dared not be close to others,
for fear that
if I died of disease suddenly,
they might be heartbroken.
But the fact is
nobody wanted to be close to me.
After all, I'm just a bastard.
So am I.
You're different.
You've experienced a lot,
but I was locked up in the imperial palace.
I once heard that
life is like
walking on a road.
You keep meeting different people
and parting with them.
I'm so envious of that.
I've walked the way
all by myself.
Never have I met
anyone else.
I could only walk by myself
step by step.
I thought
I would walk alone to death.
But unexpectedly,
you showed up.
Fan Xian, it feels so good
to have a company.
I will always be here for you.
But I'm so scared.
I'm scared that one day you'll leave,
and then I'll be all alone again.
You won't be alone any more.
I'm sorry.
I lied to you about the outing today.
I didn't tell you that
my father wanted to test you.
I don't know how can I express my regrets
or how can I make it up to you.
So,
I could only sneak out
and watch the starry night
with you.
Look!
Isn't the starry sky
especially beautiful tonight?
Yes, indeed!
In my heart,
it's the most beautiful
and precious thing.
Besides this,
I don't know what else I can give you.
You've given me the entire starry sky.
I want nothing
but this.
I won't lie to you anymore.
Me, too.
From today on,
no more lies.
Look!
It's not as beautiful as you.
We are among the boundless crowd
as stars among the night sky.
These days,
I've been thinking about the story of
one hundred branches of cherry blossoms you told me.
I feel sorry
for their love.
Now
I finally understand
why you told me
the story.
Because among the boundless crowd,
we are
so lucky
to meet each other.
You don't want us to miss each other.
We won't
miss each other for sure.
How about a hug before I leave?
=Fan mansion=
We've received an imperial decree to summon you into the imperial palace.
Summon who?
This time,
you'll mainly visit the imperial harem.
It's you.
Go with him this time.
Fine.
Can Ruoruo come with us?
Your sister has never
liked such occasions.
I'd love to.
Fine then.
Me, too.
No, I won't go.
I don't like such occasions.
When we go inside the imperial palace,
help me remember
the routes between different palaces.
Pay attention to the details.
OK.
I might have to break into the imperial palace.
Then I'll try my best to remember the details.
Aren't you scared?
Brother, whatever you want to do, I'll help you.
Why are you following us?
When you're in the imperial palace,
will you request a consort to write something for me?
Write what?
Our Danbo Bookstore
is about to open.
With the name written by the imperial family,
we'll be the Imperial Danbo Bookstore.
By then,
there must be a lot of customers.
The word Imperial doesn't go with Danbo. (Danbo means indifferent to fame and fortune in Chinese.)
Then we can change the name.
We open the bookstore
to make money.
In my opinion,
we should call it Dali Bookstore. (Dali means big profits in Chinese.)
Get lost.
Well.
Do remember that.
Don't forget.
Brother!
Haven't seen you for a long time.
Madam, you're gorgeous.
Eunuch, I'm so flattered.
I wonder
who want to see Xian'er today?
Those who watched the princess grow up
all want to see Mr. Fan.
The Empress Dowager
also wants to see him.
But she'll see him after lunch.
Who should we visit first?
Madam, since you're here,
you certainly should visit Consort Yi first.
What about the empress?
In the river of history,
time goes round and round.
Memories about the former and present lives
join each other in an endless way.
In the long drunken Milky Way,
one season follows another in a flash,
and the wild geese are flying south.
I just can't give up
to be with you for my whole life.
I have been hovering in the dreams for hundreds and thousands of times.
I can't even say a word when I watch the flowers falling.
Year after year in the wandering,
I count the remaining years.
Even though we can't meet each other anymore,
even though we have ended up the destiny,
I never feel regretful.
In such a chaotic world,
I still miss you as ever.
I can't fall asleep under the moon.
With a gentle heart,
I cherish our remaining years.
Even though we have to go through
all the hardships along the journey,
you always stay by my side,
watching the falling flowers, speechlessly.
Year after year in the wandering,
I count the remaining years.
Even though we can't meet each other anymore,
even though we end up the destiny,
I never feel regretful.
In such a chaotic world,
I still miss you as ever.
I can't fall asleep under the moon.
With a gentle heart,
I cherish our remaining years.
Even though we have to go through
all the hardships along the journey,
you always stay by my side...