Joy of Life Episode 20 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Lin Ruofu, the Prime Minister, burned the writings his son Lin Gong had left behind, signifying his intention to put the past behind him and wholeheartedly support Fan Xian. He cautioned Fan Xian to be wary of the Crown Prince, citing two reasons: first, Fan Xian was poised to take over the Neiku from the Princess Royal, and second, Fan Xian's association with the Second Prince since his arrival in the capital city would naturally displease the Crown Prince.
Lin Ruofu emphasized that the capital city was a treacherous place, and without aligning with a powerful faction, Fan Xian would invite danger. He advised Fan Xian to remain neutral and avoid meeting with either the Crown Prince or the Second Prince. However, he then clarified that as Lin Ruofu’s future son-in-law, Fan Xian would naturally be under his wing.
Fan Xian expressed concern that if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne with a grudge against him, the Lin family would suffer. Lin Ruofu assured him he would mediate, but if the Crown Prince persisted in viewing Fan Xian as an enemy, he would support another candidate for the throne. As Fan Xian prepared to leave, he spoke with Lin Ruofu's eldest son, Dabao.
Fan Xian promised Dabao that he would marry Wan'er and take him to see the sea, also offering to treat him to cakes. Dabao, overjoyed, mentioned his younger brother Erbao (Lin Gong), asking if he could join them. Fan Xian gently explained that Erbao had gone to a very distant place and would not be seen for a long time. Dabao, with innocent understanding, realized Erbao had died, just like the little pets he once had.
He recounted how Wan'er had explained death as going to a faraway place from which one never returns, but that eventually, he too would go there and reunite with his kittens, bunnies, and Erbao. Dabao added that he would tell them how much he missed them. Fan Xian was amused by Dabao’s wish to call him "Xianxian," a name Fan Xian found a bit odd.
Lin Ruofu later confided in his advisor, Yuan Hongdao, about his decision to entrust his daughter and the Lin family's future to Fan Xian. He explained that he had observed Fan Xian interacting with Dabao. Even household servants often mocked Dabao or grew impatient with him, but Fan Xian had shown genuine warmth and a sincere smile, treating Dabao as a true friend.
It was at that moment that Lin Ruofu decided that if Fan Xian was not involved in Lin Gong's death, he would become the Lin family's future pillar. Dabao, still bidding farewell, told Fan Xian he was different from the people his father usually invited, who only smiled at him when his father was present. He never told his father this, fearing they would be scolded.
Fan Xian, finding Dabao more lovable than most people he had met since arriving from Danzhou, praised him. Dabao eagerly asked Fan Xian to visit often, and Fan Xian, while trying to give him simple advice about not picking up food or jumping in puddles, affectionately promised to return. Soon after, a sweat-drenched Wang Qinian caught up with Fan Xian.
He urgently informed Fan Xian that the Crown Prince had left the Eastern Palace and was heading to the Investigator's Office to see, or rather, to rescue Si Lili. Fan Xian understood the gravity of the situation: Si Lili had remained silent because she knew the Investigator's Office valued Fan Xian and believed he would spare her life. If she learned the Crown Prince would guarantee her safety in exchange for the truth, she would undoubtedly reveal all.
This would lead the Crown Prince, Lin Ruofu, and even Emperor Qing to conclude that Fan Xian was responsible for Lin Gong's murder. Fan Xian and Wang Qinian hurried to the Investigator's Office, discreetly observing as the Crown Prince arrived with his elite guards. Fan Xian hoped someone would block his entry, as his exposure would be a death sentence.
Wang Qinian noted that Emperor Qing had previously decreed that no princes were to meddle in the Investigator's Office affairs, believing the officials within would prevent the Crown Prince from entering. Indeed, Zhu Ge, a high-ranking official, stepped forward to stop the Crown Prince, who defiantly declared his intention to force entry unless Zhu Ge dared to physically stop him. Zhu Ge hesitated, but Yan Ruohai, another official, threatened to knock the Crown Prince unconscious if he persisted.
The Crown Prince, seemingly enraged, commanded his guards to draw their swords and charge. Witnessing this display of aggression, Fan Xian felt a surge of despair, realizing he had underestimated the Crown Prince's ruthlessness and even contemplated fleeing the capital city. Just then, the familiar thundering of hooves filled the air. Fan Xian looked up to see the Black Knights escorting Chen Pingping, the Head of the Investigator's Office, back to the capital.
It was Fan Xian's first encounter with this formidable figure, second only to the Emperor. He noticed Chen Pingping's legs and Wang Qinian explained that Chen Pingping had sustained his injury years ago leading the Black Knights on a thousand-mile assault to capture Xiao En, Beiqi's most notorious villain, rendering him unable to walk ever since. Chen Pingping regarded the Crown Prince, who stood with his armed guards, as if he were a child playing games.
He calmly instructed the Crown Prince to return. The Crown Prince, incensed by this dismissive attitude, loudly challenged Chen Pingping's authority, questioning if his Black Knights dared to kill a Crown Prince. Chen Pingping calmly replied that attacking a Crown Prince was not the way of a loyal subject. As the Crown Prince, emboldened, prepared to force his way in, Wang Qinian, from his hidden position, expertly shot a dagger, causing a diversion.
Chen Pingping seized the opportunity, ordering his men to "protect the Crown Prince from assassins," and had him swiftly removed and sent back to the Eastern Palace. After this event, Fan Xian finally understood why the Black Knights had appeared so opportunely during his pursuit of Si Lili outside the capital—Wang Qinian admitted he was specifically placed by Chen Pingping to monitor Fan Xian.
When Fan Xian later met Chen Pingping inside the Investigator's Office, he found Chen Pingping surprisingly warm and familiar. Chen Pingping spoke of Fan Xian's mother, Ye Qingmei, with deep nostalgia, recalling how she had casually scattered wildflower seeds by a wall, confident that life would always find its own way to flourish. Fan Xian, still wary, feigned ignorance about Ye Qingmei and Wuzhu, especially when Chen Pingping subtly hinted that Wuzhu was Lin Gong’s killer.
Seeing Fan Xian’s distrust, Chen Pingping reassured him that he need not concern himself further with Lin Gong's matter, as Chen Pingping himself would handle its resolution. Later, while Fan Xian and Wang Qinian were eating, Fan Sizhe approached them, having just returned from a storytelling teahouse, eager to discuss their bookstore business. Before they could delve into their plans, Eunuch Hou arrived with an urgent summons for Fan Xian to enter the palace.
Fan Xian was led into the palace, where he met Lin Ruofu. Together, they went to face Emperor Qing in the Imperial Study. The purpose of the summons was a confrontation, as the Crown Prince had accused both the Second Prince and Fan Xian of orchestrating Lin Gong's murder. In the Imperial Study, Emperor Qing observed the heated arguments between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, who tried to implicate each other.
The Crown Prince argued that Lin Gong was killed by a skilled swordsman, like Xie Bi'an, the Second Prince's follower. The Second Prince used Fan Xian as a witness, stating that Xie Bi'an was with them at the time of Lin Gong's death, making it impossible for him to be the killer. The Crown Prince then accused Fan Xian and the Second Prince of conspiring and fabricating their alibi.
When asked about his motive, the Crown Prince revealed that Lin Gong had orchestrated the Niulan Street assassination, implying Fan Xian sought revenge. Fan Xian feigned ignorance about Lin Gong's involvement in that attack. Emperor Qing, growing tired of their incessant bickering, turned to Lin Ruofu, the aggrieved father, for his opinion.
Lin Ruofu, instead of pointing fingers at the princes, placed the blame squarely on Chen Pingping, citing the Investigator's Office's failure to find the true killer as a dereliction of duty. Emperor Qing, feigning anger, summoned Chen Pingping. Upon his arrival, Emperor Qing publicly reprimanded him for his alleged incompetence. Chen Pingping, however, calmly announced that the killer had been identified: Si Gujian, the Grandmaster from Dongyi Town.
He explained that Si Gujian had killed Lin Gong because Lin Gong, in collusion with Si Lili, had orchestrated the Niulan Street assassination attempt on Fan Xian, which resulted in the deaths of two of Si Gujian's disciples. Chen Pingping elaborated that Si Gujian, being a "sword fanatic," would appreciate Fan Xian's skill in defeating the assassins but would seek revenge on those who orchestrated the attack, namely Lin Gong and Beiqi.
