Joy of Life Episode 23 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
As Fan Xian left the Taiping Residence, Emperor Qing reminded him never to return there and informed him that his marriage to Lin Wan’er was settled. He instructed Fan Xian to visit the imperial palace the next day to meet the Empress Dowager and several consorts, as Wan’er had grown up in the palace and was cherished by them. Though unwilling, Fan Xian could only comply and take his leave.
Outside, Yan Xiaoyi stopped Fan Xian, pressing him to reveal the identity of the skilled archer who had been shooting across the river. Fan Xian feigned ignorance and, citing Emperor Qing’s recent imperial order to let him pass, boldly walked away. Fan Xian then rejoined Ruoruo, noticing the large tree that had been cleanly severed by Yan Xiaoyi’s arrows. Wuzhu was nowhere to be seen.
Fan Xian told Ruoruo he hadn't found the key but had encountered Emperor Qing, who seemed to know his mother but was unwilling to elaborate. Upon their return, Wan’er immediately informed Fan Xian that the Crown Prince had been captured by her father’s men, having been mistaken for Fan Xian. Realizing she could no longer conceal it, Wan’er confessed that her father, Lin Ruofu, intended to test if Fan Xian had a Great Master by his side.
Fan Xian was surprised Lin Ruofu still harbored such suspicions. Wan’er quickly added that the Crown Prince had stated Fan Xian was not the murderer. Ruoruo, hearing this, was upset that Wan’er had conspired with Lin Ruofu to deceive her brother. Wan’er acknowledged her mistake but urged Fan Xian to take Dabao back to the Prime Minister’s residence at once to relay the Crown Prince's message to her father.
Fan Xian, however, reassured Ruoruo that his feelings for Wan’er were not easily shaken, understanding that she must have had her reasons. Meanwhile, Lin Ruofu and Yuan Hongdao were playing chess while awaiting news. Soon, a subordinate reported that the men sent to test Fan Xian had returned. Lin Ruofu, unwilling to show himself, dispatched Yuan Hongdao to ascertain the situation. The leader of the men reported that they had captured "Fan Xian" and brought him into the capital.
He added that "Fan Xian" had seen through their disguise, realizing they were from the Prime Minister's residence, and persistently demanded to see Lin Ruofu. Yuan Hongdao was exasperated that they had botched such a straightforward task and furiously ordered them to release their captive immediately. At that moment, Dabao returned, cheerfully greeting Yuan Hongdao. Following closely behind, Fan Xian also walked in, waving at Yuan Hongdao, who then realized that the men had captured the wrong person.
Dabao enthusiastically recounted the day's outing to Lin Ruofu, who patiently listened, wiped his forehead, and then subtly directed Dabao to the front hall to pay respects at Lin Gong's funeral altar. Though Dabao did not fully grasp the concept of a funeral, he obediently went. After Dabao left, Fan Xian brought up the attempt to test him, expressing his understanding of Lin Ruofu's need for certainty, given the loss of a loved one.
He then conveyed the Crown Prince's message that the murderer was indeed a Great Master. Lin Ruofu reiterated his conviction that only one of the Four Great Masters could have killed Lin Gong. His investigation had confirmed that Ye Liuyun, Ku He, and Si Gujian were not near the capital at the time. Therefore, he concluded, the killer must be the Great Master within the palace.
However, the true instigator remained unknown, with possibilities including the Emperor, Empress Dowager, Princess Royal, Crown Prince, or the Second Prince. He also muttered that the Princess Royal, Wan'er's birth mother, was "crazy." Just then, Yuan Hongdao rushed in to report the mistaken capture of the Crown Prince, who insisted on meeting both Lin Ruofu and Fan Xian. Yuan Hongdao led them to an unassuming courtyard. The Crown Prince immediately played on Lin Ruofu’s emotions by mentioning Lin Gong.
Lin Ruofu then questioned how the Crown Prince could be so certain the killer was a Great Master. The Crown Prince explained that the Overwatch Council had produced two files on Lin Gong's death, and the one sent to the imperial palace contained the full details.
The Crown Prince then revealed his precarious position, stating that despite numerous followers, he lacked significant support from the Six Ministries and felt isolated in court, with neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager favoring him, and the Second Prince gaining increasing influence. He openly sought an alliance with Lin Ruofu to avenge Lin Gong, arguing that only by joining forces could they uncover the truth.
When Lin Ruofu cautiously asked what if the Emperor himself ordered the killing, the Crown Prince declared without hesitation that he would seek revenge for Lin Gong regardless of the perpetrator's identity. Lin Ruofu outwardly agreed to the alliance, emphasizing that no written records should exist, relying solely on mutual understanding, to which the Crown Prince readily consented. Once the alliance was settled, Lin Ruofu inquired why the Crown Prince had insisted on Fan Xian’s presence.
The Crown Prince candidly stated that Fan Xian was destined to be Lin Ruofu's future protégé. He acknowledged their past conflicts but asserted there was no irreconcilable hatred, suggesting they turn hostility into friendship. He further pledged never to contend with Fan Xian for the Neiku and promised that with his and Lin Ruofu's combined backing, Fan Xian would achieve a brilliant future. Fan Xian remained silent throughout this exchange. Before Fan Xian could respond, a commotion erupted outside.
Yuan Hongdao went to investigate, finding blood splattered on the door and a scene of carnage beyond it. Lin Ruofu initially suspected the Crown Prince's guards had arrived to rescue him, but the Crown Prince quickly denied it. Witnessing the grim scene, Fan Xian sighed and went outside to assess the situation himself. He picked up a long sword, cautiously surveying the area. Moments later, a sharp blade came at him from behind.
Fan Xian turned to counterattack, but his sword was instantly broken by his opponent: Xie Bi'an. The Second Prince then strolled in, casually advising Fan Xian not to trust the Crown Prince's words easily. Fan Xian claimed to have heard nothing. The Second Prince patted Fan Xian’s arm and stepped over the bodies into the room.
Inside, the Second Prince bowed deeply to the Crown Prince, claiming he had rushed to his rescue after hearing the news and that Xie Bi'an had eliminated all the kidnappers outside. The Crown Prince, seething inwardly, forced himself to thank him. Lin Ruofu, witnessing this, merely stated he was passing by and promptly took his leave with Yuan Hongdao. Once Lin Ruofu departed, the Crown Prince dropped his pretense, openly mocking the Second Prince for his constant surveillance.
The Second Prince calmly replied that it was his duty, stating that no disturbance in the capital could escape his notice. On their way back, Fan Xian asked Lin Ruofu if he genuinely intended to ally with the Crown Prince. Lin Ruofu chuckled, explaining it was merely a temporary tactic. He intended to leverage the current chaos in the court to elevate Fan Xian's position during his remaining time in office.
As they arrived at the residence, Yuan Hongdao reported that all the kidnappers had been killed. Their families were outside the city. Lin Ruofu immediately ordered him not to collect the bodies to avoid leaving any incriminating evidence, but to ensure the families were properly settled. After Yuan Hongdao left, Lin Ruofu advised Fan Xian that sometimes one must be ruthless, as being soft-hearted can lead to one's downfall. Back home, Fan Xian remained uneasy.
He discerned the Crown Prince's sincerity in trying to recruit him, which meant the Crown Prince was likely not the one who ordered Lin Gong to assassinate him. This revelation only deepened the mystery surrounding the true mastermind. Wuzhu, upon learning Fan Xian hadn’t found the key, concluded it must be with the Empress Dowager in the palace. However, Great Master Hong Sixiang, who constantly guarded her, presented a formidable obstacle.
Moreover, the palace also housed Ninth-Rank archer Yan Xiaoyi and was heavily fortified. Wuzhu proposed that he would distract Hong Sixiang, leaving Fan Xian to infiltrate the palace and find the key. He stressed that Fan Xian must first learn the layout of the palace. Conveniently, Fan Xian was scheduled to enter the palace the next day, and he decided to bring Ruoruo along to help him map out the routes.
They also shared a moment of personal reflection, with Fan Xian asking Wuzhu if he ever felt lonely, and Wuzhu responding simply "no." Fan Xian expressed his hope that Wuzhu would accompany him in his old age, to which Wuzhu agreed if Fan Xian still wished it. As they spoke, Wuzhu suddenly sensed someone approaching and vanished. Fan Xian then saw Wan’er enter, explaining that Ruoruo had left the door open for her.
She had come late at night to invite Fan Xian to watch the stars with her. Sitting in the courtyard, admiring the starry sky, Wan’er shared her lonely childhood in the palace. Her parents rarely visited, and at night, alone in a vast room, only the stars offered her companionship. She spoke of her chronic illness, fearing she could die at any moment, which made her reluctant to grow close to anyone, leading to a profound sense of solitude.
Meeting Fan Xian had changed that, making her realize the comfort of companionship. Wan’er then apologized for concealing her father’s test during their outing, feeling at a loss for how to make amends. She had sneaked out simply to be with him under the beautiful night sky. Fan Xian, filled with both pity and affection, also felt a pang of guilt over his own secret regarding Lin Gong's death.
They both promised never to deceive each other again, their bond significantly strengthened by this candid exchange. The following morning, during breakfast, Fan Jian arranged for Liu Ruyu to accompany Fan Xian to the imperial palace. Fan Xian specifically requested Ruoruo's presence, which she readily accepted. After the meal, Fan Xian privately instructed Ruoruo to meticulously remember the palace routes, hinting at a potential future intrusion. Ruoruo, always compliant and trusting, agreed without questioning his reasons.
Before departing for the palace, Fan Sizhe earnestly reminded Fan Xian to request an imperial inscription for their Danbo Bookstore from one of the consorts, believing it would elevate their establishment to a "Royal Danbo Bookstore" and guarantee booming business. Fan Xian and Ruoruo found his preoccupation with profit both amusing and exasperating. Their guide to the palace was the familiar Eunuch Hou, who informed them that the Empress Dowager and several consorts wished to meet Fan Xian. However, the Empress Dowager's audience would only occur after lunch. Given Liu Ruyu's presence, their first stop would naturally be the residence of her cousin, Consort Yi.
