Translation and Timing by the Joy of Life Team @ Viki.com
♫ Have you ever heard of ♫
♫ the snow mountain’s cliff ♫
♫ Once left people with lingering enchantments ♫
♫ Legend has it ♫
♫ that there are treasures on it ♫
♫ But there is also a hidden abyss ♫
♫ The smart, foolish ♫
♫ and kind people ♫
♫ are all people you’re familiar with ♫
♫ On the mountain slope, on the cliff ♫
♫ on the cloudy peak ♫
♫ on this secular world ♫
♫ Let the snowflakes swirl and flutter ♫
Joy of Life
Episode 26
Father, looking for me?
You are back. Take a seat.
Honglu Temple's negotiation has ended.
Be steady tomorrow when you are at the hall.
Are you referring to the night banquet tomorrow?
What's wrong with this meal?
Everyone knows that Northern Qi is the best when it comes to literary talent.
Northern Qi is the best when it comes to literary talent.
Years ago, scholars actually treated
passing the Northern Qi exams as a badge of honour.
It's since got better, but if we're talking about literary talent,
our Southern Qing is still lagging behind.
The literary circle of Qing State is now placing their hopes on you.
Me?
Literary circle?
That poem you wrote a few days ago, "Miles away from home"
was evaluated by my literary officials as the top in seven words poem.
Privately, many people are also saying,
This youngster is outstanding.
In the future, he will not lose to Zhuang Mohan.
I merely wrote a poem. Isn't this too rushed?
It's just a poem
But the amount of literary talent in our country is really at a low.
Even if we're flogging a dead horse, we'd still do it.
What about me then?
You are that dead horse.
Hence, tomorrow night, all those people there will be watching
me and literary giant, Zhuang Mohan, meeting each other?
I'm not telling you to surprise anyone with your views.
Just be stable and steady.
This will be enough.
Will you be going tomorrow night?
Tomorrow's banquet was arranged for Honglu Temple and the Rites Department.
As the Minister of Revenue, why would I go?
Don't panic. I will give you an advice.
With Zhuang Mohan's status,
how could it be possible for him to gave a junior like you a hard time?
Fan Xian will be there at tomorrow's night banquet.
Please tell Mr Zhuang to destroy his reputation.
You hung up the red lantern.
Uncle, after all these years,
I have always been curious. Can you really see or not?
I hung up the red lantern.
You even knew the color?
It's very hard for me to explain
how I know all these.
But I don't rely on sight.
You felt it?
I don't know what I should say,
Uncle, I have always thought you are mysterious.
Whoever dares to infuriate you, they are seeking death.
Sit, sit.
Let's get to the point.
His Majesty is hosting a banquet at Qi Hall tomorrow night.
Qi Hall?
What has this to do with Wang Qinian?
With who?
Wang Qinian.
Uncle, not only do I think you are mysterious,
Why has your mode of thinking been jumping lately?
Mode of thinking?
I think Qi Hall and Wang Qinian are not related to each other.
Okay then.
Let's get down to serious business.
Tomorrow's banquet is for the conclusion of the negotiation between Honglu Temple and Northern Qi.
It's also a grand event.
Are you not going to ask why I called you here?
If I don't ask, you won't talk?
You make sense.
Fine.
Let's trespass into inner palace after tomorrow's banquet.
You have decided?
Once the grand event is over, it's time to relax.
Okay, the plan won't change.
I will divert Hong Sixiang's attention. You enter Empress Dowager's bedchamber to find the key.
There's one last question.
I don't know where Empress Dowager kept her key.
Hence, I need time to search.
Under her pillows, beneath the bed, there's a concealed frame.
The important thing that you want, it's in there.
How do you know?
Mistress searched for it that year.
Why did my mother wanted to flip over the hidden frame of the Empress Dowager?
"That old lady has been a widow for a long time.
She looks serious and decent, but I wonder if she's secretly hiding romance novels."
This is what Mistress said then.
Just because she's interested in some "bagua" (gossip)
she searched the Empress Dowager's place?
Although I don't know what "bagua" means,
but you are right.
No one found out?
I was her look-out.
What are you laughing at?
I have no words to describe this.
Describe what?
Let's not bother about this first.
In any case, for the biggest problem,
my mother has already helped me to solve it that year.
As long as we can confirm where the key is now,
I have 80 to 90 percent success rate of getting it.
If you steal her key, I fear she will find out.
I will place a counterfeit key in there.
You haven't even seen the real thing. How can you do a counterfeit key first?
I have a solution for this.
Fine.
Wait here for me tomorrow night.
Someone seems to be here.
I made the appointment with that person.
You made the appointment?
- Lord. - Come in.
You called me here late in the night. What are your instructions?
I have something to ask you.
Lord, please ask.
What has Qi Hall to do with you?
It has nothing to do with me.
This is correct then.
What...what do you mean?
Nothing.
Take a seat.
Lord, no need to be so hospitable. I will stand instead.
Lord, I heard you displayed your shocking power to the Northern Qi's diplomatic entourage at Honglu Temple.
And did a great feat for Southern Qing State.
I will join the banquet tomorrow night.
Lord is heroic and brilliant.
I'm always waiting for orders... is this money for me?
Yes.
Thank you, Lord.
Lord, when you next reward me, use banknotes instead.
They can be hidden.
I'm going to trespass into the inner palace after that.
Lord...
What did you say?
I said, I'm going to trespass into the inner palace.
And then, enter Empress Dowager's bedchamber to steal a key.
Of course, to avoid being discovered,
I'm going to leave a counterfeit key in there.
This is probably the plan.
You must be joking.
I'm not.
You are really going to do this?
Yes.
This is a death sentence.
Probably so.
Why are you telling me this?
I just said, I want a counterfeit key to be done.
Find the best locksmith in Jingdu.
I'm not familiar with Jingdu. I need to find someone with wide connections.
It's you.
If you get me involved in this,
it's also a death sentence for me.
You are merely helping me to find a locksmith to make a key.
You are not aware of anything else.
Yes. You can just publicly tell me to find a locksmith.
Isn't that so? Why must you tell me so much stuff?
I wanted to tell you just to make a key for me
but this won't do.
Wait outside the palace for me tomorrow.
Lord.
You are not afraid I will report you?
You trust me so much that you are placing your life in my hand?
Of course, I trust you. You are a smart person.
You should know,
helping me is just taking a small risk.
Harming me is a dead end.
Why do you say this?
You know how Chen Pingping treats me too.
Head treats you as his nephew.
Hence...
if I report you and harm your life,
Head will definitely slash me to death a thousand times.
I already said you are a smart person.
Why didn't you ask him to help you instead?
It's not convenient for certain tasks to be done by him.
What else can I say?
It's up to you.
I know a few good locksmiths.
Great. Tell him to wait for me tomorrow,
Fine.
Starting from today, your monthly salary will be increased by another ten taels.
This is a death sentence for a traitor.
You are only increasing my ten taels? Do you know how little this is...
- Don't want it? - I do!
Give me banknotes next time.
What's the time now?
1 to 3 pm.
Is the arrangement done for Qi Hall?
Yes, we started the arrangement earlier for Qi Hall.
Find a place for me there.
But this is being done for the Rites Department and Honglu Temple.
It's not something that important.
Just do it.
Yes.
I can't wait any longer.
I've asked. Qi Hall will be open around you shi (5pm–7pm).
Your Highness, if you are eating and drinking now,
how will you be able to eat at the banquet?
It's just drinking and songs at this kind of banquet.
How will I be able to eat till I'm full?
That's right too.
Such banquets are mostly just for show.
Your Highness, you don't need to attend.
Fan Xian has completed the first task given to him,
I should congratulate him in person.
Didn't Fan Xian already joined Crown Prince's clique?
Who told you this?
If not, why would Crown Prince let him attend the negotiation with Northern Qi?
For someone like Fan Xian,
Crown Prince won't be convinced by him.
I haven't spent much time with Fan Xian,
but it's like meeting someone I already know well.
Fan Xian's personality is just like mine.
He isn't the type to serve someone else.
How long has the Crown Prince been standing there?
It's already been an hour.
He's afraid that he'll wrinkle his clothing.
What time is it?
Your Highness, it's you shi (about 5–7pm).
Let's head to Qi Hall.
Yes.
Mr Zhuang, the carriage is ready for us to set off.
I can carry your things for you.
Sir, I've arranged everything with the locksmith.
Great! Let's go drinking.
Master Fan!
Master Xin!
- What fate (to be meeting again)! - We do seem to be fated to meet.
Master Fan, why aren't you in your official robes?
Isn't it just a meal? I'm not a senior official.
Great, I'll have to drink a few more toasts to you later.
Sirs, we're checking everyone.
If you have any weapons on you, you can't bring it into the hall.
Why would anyone bring any weapons here?
Master Fan, listen...
This music is prepared by the Ministry of Rites.
Do needles count? An iron needle, about this long.
You can't bring that in.
Hang on...
There's nothing left.
Master Xin, let's go.
I've encountered assassination attempts, so I've had to be more careful.
That's right, you should be more careful.
Can I bring poisons with me?
Poison?!
No, no you can't!
Fan Xian...
Your Highness.
What is going on here?
Don't touch that! I created that poison myself, but they won't let me take it in.
You really are Fei Jie's disciple.
Can it kill someone?
Of course!
- Give me a pouch! - No way.
Why?
If something happened with the emperor or the Crown Prince,
how am I going to explain myself?
That's true. Forget it then.
Fan Xian, your contribution was significant this time.
You've got a good future ahead of you. Congratulations.
Thank you, Your Highness.
We should be in touch more. I can help you in court as well.
Thank you.
Greeting the Second Prince.
You're Wang from Hong Lu Si...
Xin.
Xin Qiwu.
I think you're in the Crown Prince's faction?
We're all subjects of the court. All subjects.
If you don't like being with the Crown Prince,
then come to my faction.
That should be it.
Okay, that's really it now.
Don't touch that.
There are quite a few poisons in there that even I don't have the antidote for.
Master Xin.
What are you thinking about?
Why did Second Prince come to this banquet?
Of course, it's to recruit talented people like yourself!
Master Fan, you're pulling my leg.
The Second Prince was trying to recruit you. Why would he recruit me?
Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is wise. I am truly loyal to the Crown Prince!
I will never change sides!
Your Highness, I can testify!
The Second Prince did try to recruit him just now
but Master Xin was loyal and did not respond!
That's right!
Thank you Master Fan for your honest words.
There's no need to be so polite with me.
Don't worry, the Crown Prince isn't that petty.
That's right.
Wait... Master Fan...
The Second Prince was clearly recruiting you.
Why are you now speaking up to clear my name?
It's all the same!
It's not the same!
The Grand Princess is here too.
You jerk, do you still dare to face me?
Who are you?
Ridiculous! You attacked me the other time!
And now you're pretending you don't know me?
Master Guo!
Long time no see... your injuries seem pretty much healed. That's great.
You actually forgot about me?!
Be careful... you sound like a resentful woman.
You evil jerk!
I remember everything that you've done!
That's even worse.
What are you doing here? What is he doing here?
I'm a scribe in the court,
my father is the Minister of Rites... why can't I be here?
You can, you can...
there's about to serve the dishes, let's go sit.
Fan Xian, I'm telling you...
Today, I'm going to see for myself
how your true colours are revealed, and your reputation torn to shreds!
Nonsense!
Father.
What sort of event is this?
Go sit down!
Yes.
My son behaved poorly.
I hope Master Fan will be forgiving.
Who are you?
This is the Minister of Rites, Guo Youzhi.
Oh, so you're the Minister!
Don't worry.
Your son is cute and mischievous. I'm not angry at all.
Okay, okay.
Stop looking around. This is where we're sitting.
Here, here... we sit here.
Come, sit.
Sit.
Master Fan! Sit, sit.
Master Fan,
Guo Baokun is also in the Crown Prince's faction.
I think the two of you should make up.
I don't have a problem, but look at him.
It'll all be resolved slowly.
Sir. Sir!
Did you really beat him up?
What are you talking about?
I've been reading books about morals since I was young, and I've always been obliging and polite.
How could I beat someone up?
You even killed a Northern Qi fighter in the street!
This wine is pretty good.
Right, right, it's not bad.
Lao Xin... there are two empty seats there.
Who are they for?
I think it's for two prominent figures from Dong Yi City and Northern Qi.
Northern Qi sent a scholar, Zhuang Mohan.
Who did Dong Yi City send?
Dong Yi City...
Yun Zhilan (Disciple of Grandmaster Si Gujian)
Master Fan, Master Fan, are you okay?
Why does this person bring his sword into the hall?
Every disciple of Si Gujian brings their sword with them wherever they go.
He has permission from His Majesty.
A disciple of Si Gujian?
He's the oldest disciple of the grandmaster Si Gujian. Yun Zhilan.
Yun Zhilan...
The two female assassins you killed in the street
are disciples of his.
This time, Dong Yi City sent a delegation here
because of that issue.
Does he sell liquor?
I've never heard of that.
Why do you ask?
His name sounds like a liquor. (TN: Hai Zhi Lan, a Chinese baijiu)
Does it?
Master Fan, the Grand Princess is summoning you. She has things to say.
Come closer.
I've been waiting for you to come and kill me these past few days.
But why hasn't there been any movement?
Don't be impatient, Your Highness. There could be movement at any time.
If you swear to be loyal to me,
I can marry Wan'er to you.
I'll give you power over the Internal Treasury too.
And even more that you might want.
But what if I want you to be thrown out of the capital?
A grand wish! You must try it.
This subject will not disappoint the Princess' wish!
Fan Xian and Auntie seem to be chatting quite happily.
I wonder what they're talking about.
What does that have to do with me?
You would like to recruit Fan Xian to your side, right?
How about us making a bet?
Let's see who Fan Xian will support in the end.
What are we betting on?
Our lives?
It seems like my joke was improper.
Please punish me as you see fit.
Okay.
Zhuang Mohan is here.
You've never met Mr Zhuang, have you?
Maybe it's a gift from heaven,
that Northern Qi has such a renowned literary scholar.
He's been well-respected and established for many years.
In some ways, he's even more powerful than our emperor.
Carrying around literary traditions one's whole life.
Doesn't the old man find it heavy?
If scholars heard you,
they'd tell you off for not respecting the virtuous.
Why would I admit to saying that?
I've heard that some people have placed all their hopes on you.
I hope you can achieve the reputation of being a literary talent.
I don't suppose the Princess has such a wish.
All right, Mr Zhuang is here. The banquet is about to begin.
You should go back to your seat.
I'll take my leave.
I've given you a chance.
You were the one who rejected it.
The emperor has arrived!
This way, this way...
May the Emperor live for a thousand years!
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
The emperor has reached Qinian Hall.
All the palace maids, eunuchs and guards on shift today...
have you checked them all out?
Yes, they've been checked.
They're all in the clear. No one seems suspicious.
Has anyone acted suspiciously within the hall?
Yes. Fan Xian.
The guards reported that when he reached the hall,
he had a short blade and poisons on him.
What about Zhuang Mohan?
Zhuang Mohan just brought a scroll to the hall.
My people have found a chance to examine it. There's nothing hidden inside.
I don't think Zhuang Mohan is a fighter
so there shouldn't be any major problem.
Yun Zhilan brought his sword into the hall?
Yes.
But Yun Zhilan is a disciple of Si Gujian.
He shouldn't have any connected with Zhuang Mohan.
If Yun Zhilan were to draw his sword
and attack the emperor, who will be responsible?
Hong Sixiang, Eunuch Hong, is in the hall.
Serve the dishes!
Eunuch Hong, it's a night owl.
Master Guo!
Negotiation Officer Fan.
Master Fan, he's calling you!
Me?
Me? Calling me what?
You're the Tai Chang Temple's Negotiation Officer. That's your title!
Your Majesty.
You've never kneeled when you met me.
I thought you'd still remain standing this time.
Wouldn't I just be attracting the anger of the crowd then?
Seeing the look in your eye, you seem a bit nervous?
Your Majesty, this is such a big event.
It's hard not to feel nervous.
Yun Zhilan.
He was the one who killed your two disciples.
I know.
Don't be fooled by his age. He's pretty capable.
It only counts if he can kill me.
A disciple of Si Gujian is arrogant indeed!
I understand.
Fan Xian.
Hong Luo Si sent a report,
saying that you did your job well this time.
The war started with you and ended with you.
I don't want to shower you with praise in public.
Come, drink a cup with me.
Negotiation Officer Fan, please wait.
Your Majesty, I would like to say something.
Speak.
Apart from his courage in fighting, Fan Xian has many outstanding talents.
I am full of praise for poetry talent.
And now I hear that he has performed well in the talks with Northern Qi.
I think he will be of great use.
Get to the point!
Why not have Fan Xian organise the imperial exams in the spring?
It's recorded in history, that young gifted scholars advise students of the world.
Perhaps, it's just a much told tale.
Fan Xian has some reputation for his poetry,
but he's still short on experience.
Your Majesty
Although he's inexperienced, it's hard to hide his talent.
I support the suggestion to have him organise the exams in the spring.
What's going on?
There's still some time before the spring.
We can decide then. You two can return to your seats.
Your Majesty Is this young man Fan Xian?
Mr Zhuang, you know him too?
I've read his poem.
He's young, but he has some talent.
Mr Zhuang should give him more advice.
I am a subject of Northern Qi.
I won't say anything about politics in Southern Qing.
But the examinations in spring
is a major stepping stone for all scholars.
One should be careful in choice of organiser.
Mr Zhuang is right.
We should be very careful
when it comes to the matter of the spring examinations.
Mr Zhuang is an expert on the ancient classics.
I've always admired this.
But I cannot agree with what you've just said.
I'm just a woman,
and I don't have much knowledge, but I've read Fan Xian's poem.
He is very young,
but just based on this poem, we can see the talent that he has.
What you said just now seemed to be directed at Fan Xian.
Could you be worried that this young man
might become even more famous than you?
Everyone here is a loyal subject, and learned scholars.
Of course they don't like to quarrel.
I might not be knowledgable about the protocol,
but I am willing to speak up for our talent in Southern Qing.
Are you talking about that seven-line poem?
That's right.
Do you have any poem that is better than Fan Xian's?
Yunrui, don't be rude in the hall.
Mr Zhuang, a great person tolerates and forgives others.
Don't take these words to heart.
"Sharp wind, towering sky, apes howling mournfully;
untouched island, white sand, birds flying in circles.
Infinite forest, bleakly shedding leaf after leaf;
inexhaustible river, rolling on wave after wave.
Through a thousand miles of melancholy autumn, I travel;
carrying a hundred years of sickness, I climb to this terrace.
Hardship and bitter regret have frosted my temples--
and what torments me most? Giving up wine!"
This is a good poem.
I've written poetry all my life,
but not a single one can compare to this.
So you mean that you admit defeat?
The first four lines of this poem are very good.
But everyone says that
the most amazing part of this poem are the last four lines.
The last four lines are, of course, very well-written.
It's a pity.
Master Fan didn't write them.
You mean Fan Xian plagiarised this poem?
Yes.
I find it strange too...
How is he so talented?
Fan Xian
Do you have anything to say?
Mr Zhuang can say whatever he wants.
He is well-renowned,
even if he doesn't have any evidence, his words carry weight.
Your Majesty, I can be a witness.
Fan Xian wrote this poem at the gathering at Prince Jing's residence.
The court scribe Guo Baokun was there too. He can bear witness as well.
Is Guo Baokun here?
I'm here.
Did Fan Xian write this poem?
Yes.
In that case, Mr Zhuang is making false accusations.
Or perhaps he was lied to by some villain.
And that's why there was this misunderstanding.
It's a coincidence, really. The last four lines of this poem
were written by my teacher when he was travelling.
Actually, such good lines
should be known to the world.
But Master Fan has stolen someone else's work to gain credit.
This isn't right.
For a scholar, virtue is as important as talent.
The first four lines of this poem...
Master Fan has great talent,
and there's much to be praised.
So why did he have to get greedy
and steal other people's work
to build his reputation?
I've mulled over this again and again.
Wondering if I should bring this matter up.
But when I think about it carefully,
speaking the truth
is actually helping Master Fan to return to the right path.
If the truth doesn't come out, there's no benefit.
He can start to nurture his values again.
Master Fan...
I'm doing this out of care; there is no malicious intent.
I hope Master Fan will reflect.
Fan Xian, do you have anything to say?
Mr Zhuang, is your teacher's family name Du?
My teacher's family name isn't Du.
Then there's no problem.
Mr Zhuang has always had a reputation for respecting his teacher.
I don't think he will use his teacher's name to make things up.
But it's hard to tell what's in a person's heart.
Perhaps seeing a junior growing in fame and reputation
has led to him feeling unhappy, pushing him to make up accusations
to ruin someone's future.
Grand Princess Are you suspecting me of using my teacher's name
to level false accusations?
I wouldn't dare. But Southern Qing isn't like Northern Qi.
We care about the rule of law here.
If Sir would like to make an accusation
just your word isn't enough to be taken as evidence.
The Princess Royal is correct.
Please look. This was handwritten by my teacher back then.
Does this count as evidence?
It is indeed these 4 lines.
Translation and Timing by the Joy of Life Team @ Viki.com
♫ Life goes round and round ♫
♫ In the long river of time ♫
♫ Layers of memories, of many lives over ♫
♫ Get stacked up ♫
♫ In an intoxicating river of stars ♫
♫ Before you know it, spring is over and it's almost fall again ♫
♫ The swallows are gone to their wintering grounds ♫
♫ Who can give up the chance ♫
♫ To spend this life with you? ♫
♫ You have been walking around in your dream for so long ♫
♫ The flowers fall from the boughs quietly ♫
♫ Year in and year out, we are on the road ♫
♫ Counting the remaining days of the year ♫
♫ Even if we will never meet again ♫
♫ Even if the bond is broken ♫
♫ No complaints ♫
♫ It's a cold world and I still think of you as I did before ♫
♫ The moon is sleepless ♫
♫ Leave a warm heart ♫
♫ To look after the rest of the year ♫
♫ Even if I have to cross a thousand mountains and through the fire of war ♫
♫ You are always there for me ♫
♫ The flowers leave the boughs, quietly ♫
♫ Year in and year out, we are on the road ♫
♫ Counting the remaining days of the year ♫
♫ Even if we will never meet again ♫
♫ Even if the bond is broken ♫
♫ No complaints ♫
♫ It's a cold world and I think of you as I did before ♫
♫ The moon is sleepless ♫
♫ Leave a warm heart ♫
♫ To look after the rest of the year ♫
♫ Even if I have to cross a thousand mountains and through the fire of war ♫
♫ You are always there for me. ♫