Joy of Life Episode 22 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Wuzhu, recalling how Chen Pingping once avenged Fan Xian's mother by "bloodbathing" the capital, had a breakthrough in his memory. He remembered that the Taiping Residence, where Fan Xian's mother once lived, was located five "li" (roughly 2. 5 kilometers) east of the city. He believed the key to Fan Xian's mother's box might be hidden there, and finding it could help Wuzhu regain his own memories.
Fan Xian, however, was concerned that directly investigating the residence would draw too much attention. He devised a plan to gather a large group for an outing, explaining that a crowd would make it easier to conceal his true objective: finding the key. On the day of the outing, Fan Xian, his younger sister Fan Ruoruo, and younger brother Fan Sizhe set off early. Lin Wan’er’s carriage was already waiting for them at the city gate.
Ye Ling’er initially rode with Lin Wan’er, but Fan Xian's overtly affectionate behavior annoyed her, causing her to join Fan Ruoruo in another carriage. Inside their carriage, Fan Sizhe complained about Fan Xian's carefree attitude regarding their soon-to-open bookstore, but Fan Xian brushed him off. In the other carriage, Lin Wan’er, both sweet and shy, tried to change the subject, asking why they hadn't departed. Fan Xian smiled mysteriously, saying they were waiting for one more person.
Soon, the sound of hoofbeats approached, and Lin Wan’er peered out to see Dabao joining their group. Meanwhile, the war on the northern border was progressing smoothly, keeping Yan Ruohai busy managing secret border reports. This success, however, led many officials from the Six Ministries to clamor for a full-scale invasion of Beiqi. Zhu Ge reported this dissent to Chen Pingping, who remained unfazed. He reminded Zhu Ge that Emperor Qing's established strategy was a "gnawing-away scheme" for gradual conquest.
Any defiance of the imperial decree, he declared, would lead to severe consequences. He ordered a thorough investigation into those advocating for an immediate invasion, calling them "traitors" and instructing Zhu Ge to "investigate them, punish them, or even kill them." Shortly after Zhu Ge left, Shadow materialized silently. He informed Chen Pingping that Fan Xian had gone on an outing.
When Chen Pingping questioned his absence from guarding Fan Xian, Shadow coldly explained he could not leave because if anything happened to Chen Pingping, he wouldn't be able to return in time. Shadow warned Chen Pingping that dissenting voices were growing within the Investigator's Office, with some tired of his control, and advised him to be especially cautious of those close to him.
Publicly, Zhu Ge followed Chen Pingping's orders to investigate the dissent, but he knew that Yan Ruohai was the primary instigator within the Investigator's Office. Given their long history as colleagues, Zhu Ge privately urged Yan Ruohai to cease his actions. Yan Ruohai, however, retorted that his son, Yan Bingyun, was in dire straits in Beiqi's capital. He believed that only a swift defeat of Beiqi would ensure his son's early and safe return.
He also insisted that his actions were for the good of Nanqing, implying Chen Pingping was "old." Zhu Ge was left speechless and deeply worried, even warning Yan Ruohai not to force him to make an arrest. Fan Xian and his companions arrived at their countryside destination. Fan Xian and Lin Wan’er sat under a tree, while Dabao and Fan Sizhe played by the river, poking at insects. Fan Ruoruo wandered off, and Wang Qinian slept soundly in the carriage.
Ye Ling’er, bored, tried to teach Dabao some self-defense moves, but Fan Sizhe pulled Dabao aside, whispering that Ye Ling’er was a "tigress" who "eats people." Dabao, in his innocence, promptly relayed this to Ye Ling’er, who angrily chased Fan Sizhe, leading to a chaotic but joyful scuffle. Fan Xian was surprised at their ability to get along.
Lin Wan’er explained that Dabao's willingness to come out with Fan Xian was a sign of great trust due to his childlike innocence. Lin Wan’er felt grateful for Fan Xian's kindness to Dabao, but also guilty. The previous night, her father, Lin Ruofu, had secretly visited her at the royal residence. He instructed her to find an excuse to be alone with Fan Xian and lead him deep into the woods during the outing.
Lin Ruofu had not fully dismissed his suspicions regarding Fan Xian. He operated under the assumption that if Fan Xian had a hidden "peerless martial arts master" comparable to the Four Great Masters by his side, that master could have killed Lin Gong outside the city while Fan Xian remained within. This outing was his "final test." He had dispatched his own skilled martial artists to assassinate Fan Xian in the woods.
If a powerful protector appeared, it would confirm his theory about Fan Xian's involvement in Lin Gong’s death. Conversely, if no such protector emerged, he would put aside his doubts and wholeheartedly support Fan Xian, making him an "ally of the Lin family." Unknown to Lin Ruofu, news of his secret meeting with Lin Wan’er had reached the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince, recently out of his three-day confinement, surmised that Lin Ruofu was still testing Fan Xian and decided to join the "outing" as well. As Dabao, Fan Sizhe, and Ye Ling’er, now armed with fishing nets, enthusiastically tried to catch fish, Lin Wan’er hesitantly suggested to Fan Xian that they go for a walk to a secluded area. Before Fan Xian could fully understand her request, Fan Ruoruo returned, handing Lin Wan’er a flower garland.
She then proposed that Fan Xian pick some flowers and make one for Lin Wan’er himself. Fan Xian seized the opportunity, rising and walking off with Fan Ruoruo. While Fan Ruoruo claimed they were going to pick flowers, her real purpose was to scout the path to the Taiping Residence for Fan Xian. Fan Xian initially wanted to go alone, but Fan Ruoruo insisted on accompanying him. Remembering Wuzhu would be there, he did not stop her.
They soon spotted a large house nestled among vibrant flowers and trees on the opposite bank of the river. Fan Xian explained to Fan Ruoruo that the entire outing was a ploy for him to secretly visit the Taiping Residence to find the key to his mother's box. Meanwhile, Lin Wan’er waited anxiously, Ye Ling’er dozed, and Dabao and Fan Sizhe continued their energetic play. Suddenly, the Crown Prince appeared, startling Lin Wan’er.
He asked everyone not to make a fuss and then called Lin Wan’er aside for a private conversation. Lin Wan’er was puzzled by his intentions, but the Crown Prince directly asked what her father had told her during his late-night visit. He speculated that Lin Ruofu had not entirely let go of his suspicions about Fan Xian, and that Lin Wan’er was likely caught in a difficult position.
As Lin Wan’er struggled to respond, the Crown Prince revealed that he knew who killed Lin Gong. He instructed Lin Wan’er to tell her father that "the murderer is a Great Master." Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when a group of masked men in black charged out from the grass. The leader held a knife to the Crown Prince's neck, declaring, "Fan Xian, your doom has come." Lin Wan’er quickly interjected that the man was not Fan Xian.
The Crown Prince, confused, asked Lin Wan’er if this was her father's doing. Hearing this, the masked leader, trying to deny any connection to the Prime Minister, inadvertently confirmed the Prime Minister's involvement and even had his mask fall off in his haste, creating a comically awkward scene. Lin Wan'er then revealed the man being held was the Crown Prince, leaving the assailants stunned.
Back with Fan Xian and Fan Ruoruo, Fan Xian observed that the residence walls were free of weeds, indicating regular maintenance, but the absence of cooking smoke near noon suggested no one lived there. The unnatural silence, devoid of even bird calls, filled him with unease. As they spoke, a sharp arrow suddenly flew between them, embedding itself in a tree. Fan Xian went to inspect it, and two more arrows swiftly followed.
Turning back, he found Fan Ruoruo unconscious on the ground. Startled, Fan Xian realized it was Wuzhu who had discreetly knocked her out. Wuzhu informed Fan Xian that the archer was a Ninth Dan master. He decided to distract the archer himself, instructing Fan Xian to take an alternate route into the residence.
When Fan Xian said he didn't know the layout, Wuzhu gave precise directions: search for the key in the bedroom opposite the square tower in the lake, specifically checking bookshelves and under the bed. Wuzhu explained that seeing the high walls had jogged his memory. Curious about Wuzhu's plan to lure the enemy, Fan Xian watched as Wuzhu casually pulled an arrow from the tree and hurled it across.
The arrow astonishingly pierced through the sturdy courtyard wall, further deepening Fan Xian's awe of Wuzhu's superhuman abilities. A short while later, the gates of the opposing residence opened. Several guards emerged, carrying a table, a grill, fruits, and other provisions, which they arranged by the riverbank. Then, a man holding a magnificent bow stepped out. This was Yan Xiaoyi, the Director of the Imperial Bodyguards.
Yan Xiaoyi began to eat, calling out to Wuzhu's hiding spot, daring him to shoot another arrow. Wuzhu ignored him, and Fan Xian, following the plan, covertly infiltrated the residence from another side. He quickly located the bedroom and, after a brief search, discovered someone hidden behind a screen. Drawing his dagger, he stealthily approached, only to find Emperor Qing sitting there. Outside, Yan Xiaoyi finished his watermelon and roasted lamb leg.
Seeing no further activity from Wuzhu, he prepared to leave. However, just as he turned, Wuzhu shot another arrow from the tree. Yan Xiaoyi spotted Wuzhu's position, drew his bow, and with a flurry of arrows, shot down the large tree Wuzhu was concealed behind. But Wuzhu was already prepared, using his staff as a pivot to lie flat on the ground. Seeing no one behind the fallen tree, Yan Xiaoyi hastily led his men back into the residence.
Inside, Emperor Qing immediately seized the dagger Fan Xian had hidden behind his back. Fan Xian nervously improvised a story about wandering off during an outing and entering the residence for a drink of water. Emperor Qing did not expose his lie, merely stating that an old friend had once lived there and he occasionally visited.
Fan Xian couldn't resist asking what kind of person the former resident was, but Emperor Qing changed the subject, remarking that Fan Xian had never knelt before him. At that moment, Yan Xiaoyi, having returned, knelt outside the door and loudly reported the events by the river, inquiring about the Emperor's safety. Emperor Qing assured Yan Xiaoyi that he was unharmed. However, Yan Xiaoyi detected an anomaly: there was more than one person inside the room.
As he drew and nocked an arrow, he asked if Emperor Qing wished to dine. Emperor Qing, instinctively replying that he had already eaten, suddenly realized the implication. He quickly pushed Fan Xian aside, rushed to the door, opened it, and identified Fan Xian as the Assistant Musician of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, emphasizing that he was not threatened.
He later explained to Fan Xian that a martial arts master above the Ninth Dan, like Yan Xiaoyi, could detect and pinpoint two individuals' breaths through a wall. Emperor Qing ordered Yan Xiaoyi not to impede Fan Xian's departure and, upon his return to the capital, to dispatch a battalion of Imperial Guards to secure the residence, prohibiting anyone from approaching it ever again. He then told Fan Xian that he was lucky to be alive, emphasizing that these masters who could distinguish locations by breaths through walls were "beyond common sense."
