Joy of Life Season 2 Episode 23 Recap, Plot

> Joy of Life Season 2
> Joy of Life Season 2 Recap

Fan Xian and Wang Qinian came to pick up Lin Dabao. Lin Dabao clung tightly to the dried hawthorn that Lin Ruofu had sun-dried for him, muttering “Father is an exception” repeatedly. Lin Ruofu hadn’t told Lin Dabao about his retirement from office, wanting him to live carefree. Watching Lin Dabao’s figure fading into the distance, Lin Ruofu felt a surge of complex emotions. The Shijia Town was destroyed, and all the civilians perished.

Only Shi Chanli, who had gone to take the imperial exam, survived. After failing the exam and having no home to return to, Fan Xian took him in. Shi Chanli was devastated over the death of his family in the fire. He didn’t believe the official report that the fire was caused by drought. He suspected someone had deliberately set the fire to destroy his hometown.

Fan Xian couldn’t reveal the truth, only hinting that the person behind it was of high rank and power. Shi Chanli knelt and begged Fan Xian to find the real culprit. Fan Xian agreed readily and even took him in as a retainer. Shi Chanli swore allegiance to Fan Xian. He Zongwei arrived to take up his post at the Censorate and brought snacks for his colleagues, but none of them appreciated the gesture and ignored him.

He Zongwei knelt before the seat of the late Lai Mingcheng, crying bitterly and even offering incense. His colleagues came forward to comfort him. Learning that Lai Mingcheng had been sentenced to death for impeaching Fan Xian, He Zongwei went straight to confront Fan Xian. Shi Chanli brought He Zongwei to meet Fan Xian.

He Zongwei knelt and begged Fan Xian for punishment, suggesting that being beaten by Fan Xian would help him gain the trust of his colleagues and allow him to serve as Fan Xian’s informant. Fan Xian was shocked at He Zongwei’s shamelessness and drove him out. Chen Pingping happened to arrive at that moment and, witnessing the scene, was equally disgusted by He Zongwei’s conduct. Shadow accompanied Chen Pingping to Fan’s residence, wanting to challenge Wu Zhu.

Fan Xian didn’t know Wu Zhu’s whereabouts, so Shadow proposed sparring with Fan Xian instead. Chen Pingping quickly stopped him and handed over command of the Black Knights to Fan Xian. The Black Knights were an independent force, not under the control of the Qing military. Each soldier was brave and unstoppable. Only Chen Pingping and Qing Di had authority over them.

Before leaving, Chen Pingping gave Fan Xian a manual on the logistics and troop movements of the Black Knights and advised him to pay attention to the officials recently retiring. Fan Xian pondered for a long time but couldn’t grasp the meaning of Chen Pingping’s words. He tried to find clues in the manual but found nothing. Early in the morning, Lin Ruofu left the capital.

Fan Xian specially took Lin Dabao and Lin Wan’er outside the city to bid him farewell. He didn’t tell Lin Dabao about Lin Ruofu’s retirement. Alone in the carriage, Lin Ruofu felt relieved knowing Lin Dabao was living well in Fan Xian’s residence. Lin Wan’er pulled Lin Dabao to kneel and bid farewell to Lin Ruofu in the carriage. Lin Ruofu was so moved that his eyes filled with tears.

Fan Xian got off the carriage and continued flower viewing with Lin Dabao and Lin Wan’er. Lin Dabao shared his favorite hawthorn with Fan Xian. Watching them happily chatting and laughing, Lin Ruofu felt comforted. Fan Xian flipped through the manual Chen Pingping had given him again but still found no clue, so he asked Lin Wan’er to help. Lin Wan’er casually mentioned that the movements of the Black Knights were top secret—this sentence awakened Fan Xian.

Fan Xian learned from Wang Qinian that when the prefect of the capital, Mei Zhi Li, retired, he was ambushed and killed by horse bandits. The manual recorded that the Black Knights had been dispatched on a mission that very day. Fan Xian broke into a cold sweat, fearing that Qing Di had sent the Black Knights to assassinate Lin Ruofu. Fan Xian summoned Wang Qinian to rescue Lin Ruofu.

On the way, they encountered Li Chengru leading the Imperial Guards in training. Fan Xian borrowed his troops to intercept the Black Knights. Black Knight deputy commander Jing Ge had received orders to ambush midway. As Lin Ruofu’s carriage passed, the Black Knights surrounded it. Using his exceptional agility, Wang Qinian leaped onto the carriage first. Fan Xian soon arrived with soldiers and ordered the Black Knights to retreat. They obediently complied.

Jing Ge, a loyal fan of Fan Xian, took out a poetry book and asked for an autograph. Fan Xian didn’t refuse, though his handwriting was terrible. Jing Ge smiled wryly and then galloped off with the signed book. Lin Ruofu thought Qing Di had sent the Black Knights to kill him, but he realized he was wrong. Qing Di only wanted to abolish the prime minister position—a rank second only to the emperor.

Lin Ruofu handed Fan Xian a list of all his protégés to deliver to Qing Di. He promised to write a letter once he returned home, requesting that Qing Di abolish the prime minister’s post. Fan Xian still felt uneasy and wanted to escort him back, but Lin Ruofu believed Qing Di wouldn’t let him die, as history wouldn’t be able to account for it. Despite serving Qing Di for many years, Lin Ruofu never truly understood him.

Qing Di was a master of hidden motives. He fueled the rivalry between Li Chengze and Li Chengqian, leading to the exam fraud scandal, which eventually implicated Lin Ruofu and forced his retirement. Then, Lin Ruofu would propose abolishing the prime ministership. Lin Ruofu reminded Fan Xian never to fully trust Qing Di and never believe he had figured him out until the very end.

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