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 44
Auntie, what else do you tell him?
Nothing else.
I just warned him
when he left.
About what?
After thinking about it,
I'd better warn you about one thing.
Did I miss anything?
Since you told the Empress Dowager
that you have feelings for me.
You can't let others
see through your lie.
Pardon?
I said you can't let others
see through your lie.
Don't worry.
During this period,
I'll visit you often.
It's getting cold.
Take showers with ice water more often.
Why?
To keep your mind clear and suppress your nature.
What are you talking about?
When you see me often,
do remember to control yourself.
Keep alert all the time.
Control your feelings. Don't take it seriously.
I'm just afraid
you might hurt yourself.
You said that?
What's wrong?
Auntie, you're really...
Really what?
Nothing.
I suddenly feel Fan Xian and you
are made for each other.
His Majesty must be confused.
Your Excellency,
the water is cold.
Let me add some warm water for you.
Why do I have to suppress my nature?
Why would I hurt myself?
She seems to keep a low profile usually,
but she's so narcissistic actually!
Do I have to marry her
by simply looking at her?
How ridiculous!
Your Excellency, you're so angry.
Do you feel a bit regretful?
Bullshit!
Regret for what?
I'm just angry! I'm so mad!
It feels like...
like...
Do you understand?
Yes.
Get insulted by someone,
who runs away in time,
right?
Yes!
No!
It doesn't sound right!
Your Excellency, please calm down.
If you
feel angry,
you can use your charm
to bewitch her
and make her lose her mind.
Later, just ignore her.
By then, you can
vent your anger.
Fine.
When we go back to the capital city,
repeat what you just said
to Wan'er.
No! No! No!
Your Excellency! Your Excellency!
Your Excellency, please forgive me.
I'll never say that again.
Are you here
to say that?
Of course not.
Have you heard
what I've done clearly?
Conspiring with the imperial family
of Beiqi on smuggling in private.
I'll report that when we return to the capital city.
If I really want to smuggle goods,
will I tell you about it?
Your Excellency, you want to use the smuggling as an excuse...
To associate with
the imperial family of Beiqi openly
From now on,
with money clearing the way,
it'll be way easier to pry into information.
Shen Zhong won't allow it.
So we have to
crush him completely.
I need your help for that.
I'm not recovered yet.
How can I help you?
Hand the intelligence network of the Investigator's Office
in Shangjing Town over to me.
It's an order from Chen Pingping.
After going back,
I'll ask the Head in person.
That's too late!
Our intelligence network is in the dark.
It's the safest.
How can that be late?
We have to destroy Shen Zhong now.
We need a push.
Are you still suspicious of me?
Considering your temperament, I'm just worried.
It's all for
getting the smuggler's name
out of Shen Zhong.
No hurry.
Aren't you eager to find out the truth?
I've thought about it.
After going back to the capital city,
I'll tell the Head the whole thing.
He surely can find the chief culprit.
Then Chen Pingping will get the credit
instead of me.
Do you want to take the credit?
I'm just tired of being a chess piece.
You don't trust the Head?!
Now I trust no one.
Then it's more unlikely for me
to give you what the Investigator's Office has achieved
after years of painstaking labor.
The man behind the smuggler
must be paramount and powerful.
If we investigate into the case when we're back,
any leak of information
is bound to cause turbulence.
If you really put Nanqing first,
you should help me figure out the truth.
I also don't know
how many secret agents of
the Investigator's Office
are hiding in Beiqi?
Why?
It's not long since I was transferred to Shangjing after all.
Then how do you use the intelligence network?
Through one man.
I dispatch secret agents in Shangjing
through him.
Tell me who he is.
It's all for Nanqing.
=Oil shop=
Miss, don't worry.
I'll deliver it to your home later.
Boss, I want to buy oil.
Sir, which oil do you want?
Half jin of palm oil.
OK.
Do you have any pot?
Yes, three coins for one pot.
Do you have sesame oil?
The sesame oil is too expensive.
Unless it's time for worshipping the Heaven,
no one buys it normally.
Besides worshipping the Heaven, it can also be used to mourn people.
Fine.
How much do you want?
We can order it for you.
Seven jin six taels nine qians four haos.
Boss,
why do you close
so early today?
Sorry, please come back tomorrow.
But I...
Finally, you're here.
After the Chief was caught,
no one has been sent by the imperial court to take over.
I thought
they want us to stay quiet.
Yan Bingyun was rescued.
That's good.
He told me that
you're in charge of dispatching
the secret agents in Shangjing Town.
Is there a secret order for us?
I've persuaded Shangshan Hu
to serve the Empress Dowager of Beiqi.
Now, what you should do is
to spread my words with Shen Zhong
in the imperial palace today
on the street
as chitchat.
It's a piece of cake.
I'll inform our agents in a moment.
He will work with you.
But Your Excellency,
identities of secret agents in Shangjing
are top secrets.
How long have you stayed in Shangjing Town?
Over ten years.
Do you miss home?
Of course I do.
When this is over,
you can go home.
He will replace you to
manage the intelligence network of Shangjing Town.
I didn't receive such an order.
I just made the decision.
Your Excellency,
what's your position
in the Investigator's Office?
Director-General!
Do you have any other question?
It's a big deal.
It's my decision.
I'll take
any consequence.
If Yan Bingyun
doesn't agree with the appointment,
he wouldn't send me to you.
I know,
but...
But after staying in Shangjing for ten years,
you must have made some new friends.
Yes.
It's also for maintaining my current identity.
Now that you're reluctant to take the order,
is it because you're unwilling to leave Shangjing
and part with your Beiqi friends?
Absolutely not!
I'll take the order.
But I wonder
which division he is from
and which Director he is working for.
He's not from the Investigator's Office.
What?
Let me introduce.
This is the son of Guo Youzhi, the Minister of Board of Rites.
You can call him Guo Baokun.
But Your Excellency,
the secret agents of Shangjing
are managed by the Investigators Office all along.
He's my subordinate.
If you have a problem with me,
you can submit a memorial
to impeach me when you're back to the capital city.
But now, just do what you're told.
I dare not.
Fine. You may leave.
I need a word with him.
I'll get things ready in the backyard.
In a little while,
I'll introduce him to
all the secret agents in Shangjing.
Think it over.
From now on,
you'll stay in an enemy capital alone
and face great danger.
You promised to save my dad.
I will.
Why me?
The intelligence network of Shangjing Town is of great importance,
the one in charge must be my man.
I'm not your subordinate.
Except me,
who else will save your dad?
Who else can save your dad?
I'm your only option.
Dare you lie to me,
I'll kill your with my own hands.
No,
you must let me kill you.
Rest assured.
Moreover,
Shen Zhong knows me.
He'll be a hidden danger.
Don't worry.
You're a shield
especially for Shen Zhong.
You only need to run the business
and give bribes.
Matters concerning the secret agents
will be managed by others.
Who?
What if someone comes to examine the shop?
The smuggling
is a deal with the Beiqi's upper class.
Once the profit chain spreads out,
many people will benefit.
No matter what happens,
they'll handle it for you.
Unbelievable!
It's dangerous and inefficient
to risk your life inquiring about information
and hide yourself.
It's time to change your mind.
From now on, with money clearing the way,
we can have our enemy protect us.
But Shen Zhong is against this.
Shen Zhong won't be a problem.
It's an irresistible trend.
One man alone can't stop it.
That makes sense.
Don't smirk.
Have you heard?
Someone from Nanqing
wants to cooperate with us.
By the time the trade route opens,
it will bring a large sum of money.
I heard that
it will be handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guards.
If it succeeds,
our Division will benefit.
I'm afraid it won't be easy.
A couple of days ago,
Commander Shen said on the Hall that
he wouldn't help to make it happen.
Really?
Haven't you heard about their talks on the Hall?
Tell us about it.
A couple of days ago, Commander Shen said
in front of Her Majesty that...
Your Excellency,
your words with Fan Xian
in front of Her Majesty
are spreading everywhere.
Fan Xian has made a nice move.
However, he forgot that the capital is
controlled by Embroidered Uniform Guards.
Pass on my order to each battalion commanders.
Spare no efforts in blocking the rumor
and check strictly.
Are these vegetables picked today?
Yes.
They're fresh. Just picked.
Have a look!
Fresh pork.
Ribs also.
Lady, do you want anything?
It looks good.
Just picked.
Give me two.
Shouldn't all Saintesses love
ancient calligraphy and paintings
or magic weapons?
But I prefer eating.
Please trim them for me.
Remove the leaves outside.
OK! OK!
The leaves outside are not fresh.
Don't put them inside.
These are all fresh.
Should you pay attention?
To what?
You're a Saintess after all.
The basket doesn't go with your temperament.
I'm not in the imperial palace.
You should pay attention to
your temperament all the time.
It's not only for pretending
in the imperial Palace.
You've got a point.
Carry it for me.
I have a question for you.
Go ahead.
Are you responsible for the rumor
in the capital recently?
Yes.
Then do you know
Shen Zhong has ordered Embroidered Uniform Guards
to block the information?
It won't work.
The power of Embroidered Uniform Guards
is beyond your imagination.
I know, but it still won't work.
How about making a bet?
So you're really confident.
Your Excellency, do you want to see me?
Haven't I given the order?
How come the rumor
is still rampant these days.
Your Excellency,
all the battalion commanders said
they had acted according to your order,
but it doesn't work.
I've urged them repeatedly,
but they said
they had tried their best.
Well...
Why are you so sure
the Embroidered Uniform Guards won't take it seriously?
Because they're human.
So what?
Humans are selfish.
If the smuggling falls into place,
Embroidered Uniform Guards will all benefit
by controlling the financial power.
Who doesn't want to
live a better life while alive?
Shen Zhong gets in their way,
so no one wants to help him for sure.
But there must be people who don't seek profits.
Even if they don't seek profits, they will seek power.
Shen Zhong controls
Embroidered Uniform Guards all by himself.
If he doesn't step down,
how can others move up?
If so,
why didn't they challenge Shen Zhong
as the Commander-in-chief
in earlier years?
In earlier years, he was deeply trusted by the Empress Dowager.
They knew they couldn't beat him,
so they bowed at his feet.
What about now?
Now with Shangshan Hu rising sharply,
Shen Zhong is no longer the most powerful minister
serving the Empress Dowager.
Exactly.
Have you planned all of that?
Cutting off others' source of income
is similar to killing their parents.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards aren't
the only ones to gain profits from the smuggling.
Believe me.
If Shen Zhong goes his own way,
he'll become the target of public criticism in the end.
But as long as the Empress Dowager trusts him,
he'll be fine.
Keep the birthday celebration simple.
Just share the happiness with the people.
I see.
I'll handle it.
You're occupied.
No need to worry about
such a miscellaneous thing.
No, that one.
But your birthday celebrations have been prepared
by Embroidered Uniform Guards all the time.
Yes, indeed.
I remember that
your subordinator, the deputy commander,
is quite alert and resourceful.
You can leave this to him.
Your Majesty.
I'm afraid that you might be too tired.
I have to find someone capable
to assist you.
It's my turn. I haven't put down my chess piece.
No.
That one.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You may leave.
I win!
Good! Let's play another round.
Right, it's different now.
Now the Grand General
is most favored by Her Majesty.
Contradicting Her Majesty in face,
no wonder Her Majesty is displeased.
I heard!
He's not so trusted as before.
Her Majesty seldom summons him.
=Shen Mansion=
Your Excellency,
the tailor has finished
altering your robe.
The python pattern bestowed by
Her Majesty has been embroidered on it.
Your Excellency,
isn't today the day when battalion commanders
from different battalions come to report to you regularly?
How come no one
is here?
Do I remember the wrong day?
Two deputy commanders and two assistant commissioners
have important things to attend to.
Those battalion commanders
are busy working.
They should at least
inform Your Excellency.
It's not bad to be idle.
In your opinion,
why does the Empress Dowager
suddenly treat Shen Zhong so coldly?
Shen Zhong is too aggressive.
The Empress Dowager didn't mind that before.
It's because he could control
the Embroidered Uniform Guards.
She surely would tolerate
a capable subordinate.
But now is different.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards are divided.
Your Empress Dowager sees it all.
Actually, she can eliminate
the conspiracies
and recover Shen Zhong's power easily.
Why should she?
Ministers getting separated
in different cliques
by competing for power
is better for check and balance.
It's much safer than
having only one powerful minister.
But Shen Zhong does everything
out of his loyalty
instead of selfness.
What does loyalty have to do with that?
In past dynasties,
so many loyal ministers were killed.
Where are we heading?
I remember you drugged me
when we first met.
Why do you bring that up again?
You lied to me that it was an aphrodisiac.
I had no other choice.
I thought it's over.
I remember.
Now I'm taking you to
an extremely dangerous place
to avenge the drug.
If you're scared,
just don't follow me.
To avenge the drug.
You even make a word.
Whose home is this?
Mine.
Did you grow up here?
Not really.
My master asked me to stay in Shangjing.
I love to stay quiet,
so I took this place to grow vegetables.
I visit here whenever I'm free.
Are these all grown by you?
As to the flowers,
I just scattered the seeds randomly.
I seldom took care of them.
They grow on their own.
She scattered the wild flower seeds
she picked along the road
by the wall randomly.
She said,
"No need to take care of them.
Life can find its way
to thrive."
Who's that "she" you just mentioned?
Your mom said
it has its own destiny.
Let it grow as it likes.
You sound like
a woman I know.
Is she also a Saintess?
It's a pity that
the vegetables are not fully grown,
or I wouldn't have to buy vegetables outside.
I'll take it.
So you like farming?
It calms my mind.
Others calm their minds
by playing the zither and burning incense.
I like it this way.
Why not sit down?
The soil should be turned.
Soil?
Thank you.
The water is fresh and sweet.
Why do you know how to farm?
When learning poisons, I've planted poisonous weeds.
It's the same.
You're really weird.
So are you.
I can't see through you till now.
Why do you want to see through me?
What's the fun of that?
It's no fun.
If so,
why do you do that?
If we do nothing,
how can we prove we're alive?
Do we need to prove that?
The common answer is
"Don't we"?
Which answer is uncommon?
I've no idea.
It seems we've been talking nonsense.
I like it this way.
Lazy and loosened,
sit under the sun and talk nonsense.
I don't find it hard.
Do you often find it hard?
Intriguing against each other with crafty tactics,
it's like walking across an abyss
on a vine.
I just feel strained all the time.
So I need time like this
to sit idly with friends
without thinking anything
and talk casually.
Is that so hard?
It's hard to have free time,
and it's even harder to find a friend.
Are we friends?
To some extent,
we are enemies.
But you know,
the most dangerous people in the world
are not your enemies.
You are right.
Now those who rally together
to attack Shen Zhong
are all his subordinates
and friends.
They're not his friends.
I just said
it's hard for people like us to have friends.
If I didn't hear it wrong,
Your Excellency, you're depressed.
I'm just dissatisfied.
Born into an influential family, having a successful official career,
and known as the poetic genius sent from Heaven,
how can you be dissatisfied with
such a life?
I feel lonely.
It sounds affected.
I'm affected all the time.
Now in the Investigator's Office, you're only second to the Head.
You'll marry a beautiful wife when you're back.
Your younger sister is known for her talent.
Your father is a high-rank official.
You associate with talented people of the time.
How can you be lonely?
Father is father, wife is wife, and sister is sister.
They're my family,
not my friends.
As to others,
we're tied up by interests.
Call me a hypocrite
or call me a fool.
Anyway,
I find it hard to be a minister,
and unhappy
to be a son.
Do you really have no friend?
Teng Zijing was my friend,
but he died for me.
Now,
Wang Qinian can be counted as my friend.
You really speak highly
of him.
Wang Qinian lives a more authentic life than I am.
What do you mean by authentic?
He fears his wife and loves his daughter.
He lives his life
for them.
Though it's not easy
for him sometimes,
at least he's happy.
Isn't your life authentic?
I have so many secrets in my heart.
I can't tell them and I have no one to tell them to.
Like what?
For example, I'm actually
the son of Emperor Qing.
I was born noble
but brought up in the Fan family secretly.
Don't tell me if you don't want to.
No need to talk rubbish.
Do you have anything else to say?
Yes.
I'm hungry.
Stop staring at me. I won't eat in advance.
I didn't expect you can cook.
My senior fellow apprentices and I
lived in the valley with my master.
I was in charge for cooking.
Aren't you his last apprentice?
The last apprentice to cook.
Well said.
Wait over there. It won't take long.
Have a try.
It's really good.
Aren't you afraid I might poison the dishes?
Just go head.
Right, you're a master of poison.
What now?
Do you have any wine?
You're really making yourself at home.
Better be good.
It's really good.
It's from Qingyu Hall in Nanqing.
Really?
Back then, Ye Qingmei
was absolutely brilliant.
Qingyu Hall gathered the wealth of the world.
Anything good
must be from her firm.
She was really amazing.
Do you think
I pretend to
drown my sorrow
despite an infinite bright future?
I have no time to think about that.
I can't let you
drink up the good wine
all alone.
It's tuneless.
I suddenly remember a piece of poetry
which suits me well.
Tell me about it.
Leave behind a residue of happiness! Leave behind a residue of happiness!
Unexpectedly you will come across a benefactor!
Fortunate enough your mother, your own mother,
will have laid by a store of virtue and secret meritorious actions!
My advice to you, mankind,
is to relieve the destitute and succour the distressed!
Do not resemble those
who will harp after lucre and show themselves unmindful of the ties of relationship:
that wolflike maternal uncle of yours and that impostor of a brother!
For far above the constellations,
one watches all and makes just calculations.
It sounds familiar.
It's the sum-up for Sister Qiao
in the Red Mansions.
What's it called?
Leave behind a residue of happiness!
Relieve the destitute and succour the distressed.
It actually reflects a kind heart.
It's so hard.
My master said
the more difficult a thing is,
the harder one should work to make it happen.
You're trying to strengthen me out.
Why are men different from animals?
It's only because men value righteousness.
Your Majesty,
though we're from different countries,
but all the people in the world
are the same.
I hope that you spare no efforts
in preventing the war after going back,
thus saving all the people from hell.
You wanted to kill Xiao En before.
Wasn't him a living man?
Saving thousands of men by killing one man,
what's wrong with that?
It's not a simple calculation.
If one hundred men
will die one day.
By killing 49 of them, you can save 51.
Will you kill them or not?
In this sense,
we're both heartless.
Let me be.
Let me
get drunk today.
Drink less.
Don't get drunk.
You are?
You're awake.
Miss Lili!
I thought
you'll sleep the whole night?
It's almost dawn.
I have no status,
so I still live outside the imperial palace.
But it won't take long.
After the Empress Dowager's birthday,
I can move into the imperial palace.
I...
I don't know
why I keep thinking of you
like I've lost my mind.
I just want to see you
before moving into the imperial palace
and tell you about my feelings.
Fan Xian,
I like you.
Miss Lili,
I have a fiancée named Lin Wan'er.
I've sworn
to only love her in my life.
A lifetime
is long, but it's also short.
I'm narrow-minded.
I can't have someone else
in my heart this life.
You don't have to say that.
I just want to tell you.
You love the one in your heart,
and I love the one in my heart.
Let's not bother each other,
OK?
After tonight, we may not see each other.
In the future,
we probably won't meet again.
I just want to talk to you.
I asked Duoduo
to help me.
It might be absurd,
but I don't regret it.
Don't be nervous.
I just want to talk.
Or we may
talk about the girl
in your heart.
How did you meet?
How did she walk into your heart?
Tell me your story
so my curiosity can be satisfied.
You really want to hear?
Yes.
Actually we met
by accident.
I just arrived in the capital city from Danzhou.
In the Qing Temple,
when I first
met her,
she had a...
The cocks are crowing.
What?
All the cocks are crowing.
Do you know what that means?
What does that mean?
It's dawn.
Finished talking?
When did you drug me?
You're the apprentice of Fei Jie.
Why would I drug you?
Then why did I pass out?
The wine is strong.
You were not drugged,
but drunk.
Then why were you OK?
I'm gifted.
I've never got drunk since I was a child.
You...
I told you
I would avenge the drug.
You were careless yourself.
What's wrong with you?!
=Shangjing Town=
Python pattern bestowed by Her Majesty.
Your Excellency, in the imperial court now,
only you have the honor.
Your Excellency, today is Her Majesty's birthday.
When you enter the Hall, you might as well...
What?
You might as well take a step back
and agree on the smuggling.
Your Excellency, not only the Embroidered Uniform Guards,
but all the ministries are paying attention to this.
If you still refuse to compromise,
you'll really offend
all the ministers in the imperial court.
As long as you take a step back,
Her Majesty will surely be happy.
By then,
you'll still be in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guards
If I worry about my life,
I don't deserve the robe.
Your Excellency!
Please.
Your Excellencies,
that way, please.
Your Excellency! Your Excellency!
It's over there!
Can we sit here?
Yes, your seats are here.
If he doesn't let us sit here,
we'll have to sit outside the Hall.
Langtao wants to challenge Fan Xian
on the Hall.
Your Excellency.
Your Excellency!
Are you OK?
I'm fine.
Take him to a cool place, and let him drink more water.
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...