Joy of Life Season 2 Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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> Joy of Life Season 2 Recap

When Fan Xian arrived, Lin Ruofu had already heard that He Zongwei accused him of corruption and murder related to last year’s Spring Exam. Fan Xian was in a dilemma: if Lin Ruofu was guilty, turning a blind eye would betray his conscience. But if he arrested Lin Ruofu, he would betray his fiancée Lin Wan'er. Lin Ruofu had served as Prime Minister of Qing for many years and had many students, most of whom he didn’t even know well.

He vaguely remembered an impersonation incident in last year’s exam but claimed he never ordered a murder. He wrote down the names of four people who handled the matter and told Fan Xian to ask them. As Lin Ruofu thought more, he sensed something wrong. Just as Fan Xian took over the case, someone accused him — it had to be a setup. Those four people might have already been bribed, so Lin Ruofu burned the list.

Yan Ruohai and Fan Jian went to negotiate with Chen Pingping, believing Fan Xian shouldn’t investigate Lin Ruofu’s case. But it was Qing Di’s order, which Chen Pingping couldn’t change. Yan Bingyun instructed He Zongwei to take the woman to the Court of Judicial Review and personally led the Imperial Inspectorate guards to escort them. Yuan Hongdao had set up an ambush at the restaurant on the way to the Court of Judicial Review.

The front of the restaurant faced the street, and the back faced the river. He had the waiter open the window for an easy escape. As Yan Bingyun’s group passed, Yuan Hongdao suddenly appeared and shouted at He Zongwei and the woman, claiming to seek justice for Lin Ruofu. He threw a dagger at the woman in the carriage, but it missed due to the distance. Yan Bingyun ordered the guards to capture him.

Yuan Hongdao escaped through the back window into the river. Yan Bingyun recognized Yuan Hongdao as Lin Ruofu’s retainer and realized he had been bribed to tarnish Lin Ruofu’s reputation. He secretly mocked the person behind the plot for using such a clumsy plan. Lin Ruofu was heartbroken when he heard about it. Yuan Hongdao had followed him for years, yet turned on him at a crucial moment. Fan Xian sympathized with Lin Ruofu deeply.

Lin Ruofu took Fan Xian to the palace to see Qing Di, warning him repeatedly along the way. After escaping, Yuan Hongdao headed by carriage toward Li Yunrui’s fiefdom in Xinyang. Fan Jian, surprised that Yuan Hongdao worked for Li Yunrui, asked Chen Pingping to send the Black Cavalry to capture him. Chen Pingping advised waiting for the outcome of Fan Xian and Lin Ruofu’s meeting with Qing Di.

When Lin Ruofu saw Qing Di, he knelt and admitted guilt, citing poor health to request retirement. Qing Di didn’t believe him and asked Fan Xian to take his pulse. Although Fan Xian found no fatal illness from the pulse, Lin Ruofu insisted on resigning. Qing Di pretended to persuade him to stay, but Lin Ruofu was determined. Qing Di praised his service but claimed he had no one to replace him.

Lin Ruofu, knowing he was irreplaceable, told Qing Di to take his time finding a successor. Qing Di asked him to recommend students, but Lin Ruofu saw through the intent to weaken his influence and refused. Claiming he had no suitable students, he declined. Qing Di asked him to wait until Lin Wan'er married Fan Xian, but Lin Ruofu refused and entrusted Lin Dabao to Fan Xian. Qing Di was finally relieved.

As Lin Ruofu left the palace with Fan Xian, he sighed to the heavens, realizing this was all part of Qing Di’s plan. Qing Di had long wanted him gone but lacked a good excuse. By putting Fan Xian in charge of the exam and its corruption case, Qing Di intended to use the incident to topple him. Unexpectedly, Li Chengze’s impersonation became the spark, giving Qing Di the opportunity to force his resignation.

Fan Xian witnessed the silent struggle between Qing Di and Lin Ruofu. Qing Di was aggressive, Lin Ruofu dignified yet unyielding. Though he lost, he preserved his bottom line by refusing to hand over his students' names, hoping to make a comeback someday. He also realized Qing Di's true motive was to remove him and make Fan Xian a solitary minister. Fan Xian felt Qing Di’s ruthlessness deeply.

Yan Bingyun’s group was escorting He Zongwei and the woman to the Court of Judicial Review when Eunuch Hou arrived with a decree: He Zongwei was exceptionally appointed as Censor of the Inspectorate and must take office immediately. Overjoyed, He Zongwei knelt and vowed loyalty to Qing Di. Yan Bingyun was stunned — He Zongwei had skipped the exam and was directly promoted. Urged to leave, He Zongwei gave up his accusation and dragged the woman away.

Yan Bingyun scoffed at him. He Zongwei claimed he was going to confess to Qing Di, but Yan Bingyun left in disgust. Chen Pingping asked Yan Ruohai to help replace the wheels on his wheelchair. Fan Jian came to discuss countermeasures for Fan Xian’s situation, but Chen Pingping insisted on doing it himself as something was hidden inside the chair. Since it was too heavy, Yan Ruohai asked Fan Jian to help.

When Fan Jian learned that Lin Ruofu had been forced to retire, he worried about his own standing and that Fan Xian would be left without support. But Chen Pingping remained optimistic, confident that Fan Xian could navigate the bureaucracy skillfully. Fan Jian couldn’t argue and left angrily. Before departing for retirement, Lin Ruofu called Lin Dabao to his side and told him to learn to protect himself. Apart from Lin Wan'er and Fan Xian, he shouldn’t trust anyone else.

If one day they no longer looked after him, he would always be there for Dabao. Lin Dabao, with a childlike mind, didn’t fully understand, but he remembered every word.

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