Joy of Life Episode 26 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Negotiations at the Court of State Ceremonials concluded temporarily, and Fan Jian instructed Fan Xian to be more steady at tomorrow's banquet. It was known throughout the land that the literary giants were all in Northern Qi. In earlier years, scholars even prided themselves on passing the imperial examinations in Northern Qi. Although this year was better, when it came to literati, Qing Kingdom was always slightly inferior.
Fan Xian was originally just listening like a story until Fan Jian mentioned that the literary world of Qing Kingdom now placed all its hopes on him. He couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of tea. It turned out that the seven-character poem "Ten Thousand Miles of Melancholy Autumn" that Fan Xian had written a few days ago was praised by Qing Kingdom's literati as the best contemporary seven-character poem.
Many people were privately saying that with such achievements at a young age, Fan Xian might not necessarily lose to Zhuang Mohan in the future. Fan Xian didn't expect that simply copying a poem would lead to such consequences. Fan Jian also knew it was somewhat exaggerated, but Qing Kingdom longed for literary prosperity like a longed-for rainfall, so they had no choice but to treat a dead horse as a living one.
When Fan Xian thought about himself, this dead horse, having to compete with literary giants in front of everyone tomorrow, he couldn't help but feel nervous. Fan Jian comforted him, saying that he just needed to act steadily at that time. Given Zhuang Mohan's status, he naturally wouldn't make things difficult for a junior like him.
Fan Jian would never have imagined that Zhuang Mohan's purpose in coming to the capital this time was to use the opportunity of the night banquet to destroy Fan Xian's reputation. That night, Fan Xian hung a red lantern outside his door and called for Wu Zhu. He decided to sneak into the imperial harem after the banquet to steal the key. However, the Empress Dowager's palace was so large, it might take some effort.
Wu Zhu told him that there was a secret compartment under the Empress Dowager's pillow, beneath the bedboard, where she hid all her important items. Fan Xian was curious how Wu Zhu knew so clearly. Wu Zhu casually said that Ye Qingmei had also searched it before.
Upon hearing that his never-met mother would rummage through the Empress Dowager's secret compartment out of gossip and even have Wu Zhu, a grandmaster, stand guard for her, Fan Xian couldn't help but laugh heartily and became increasingly curious about her. The last problem was, if Fan Xian took the key, the Empress Dowager would definitely discover it. Fan Xian was prepared. He planned to swap it with a fake.
As for how to get the fake, he would have to trouble his capable subordinate Wang Qinian. Fan Xian took out ten taels of snowflake silver, and Wang Qinian's eyes immediately lit up.
He went on to say that he planned to sneak into the imperial harem that night to steal a key, and to prevent the Empress Dowager from finding out, they needed to make a fake overnight and put it back, asking Wang Qinian to help find the best locksmith in the capital. Wang Qinian's face paled in shock, and he didn't even dare to take the silver.
This was a capital crime that could lead to the extermination of his family. He didn't understand why Fan Xian would tell him the plan. Fan Xian smiled and said it was because he needed Wang Qinian to wait for him outside the imperial palace tomorrow. Wang Qinian was a smart person, so he would naturally make a smart choice. Moreover, there was money to be made from this choice.
The night banquet at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was originally set up by Emperor Qing for the Court of State Ceremonials and the Ministry of Rites. But for some reason, the Eldest Princess Li Yunrui, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and others seemed very interested in it and had dressed elaborately and taken their seats early. As night fell, Wang Qinian drove Fan Xian into the palace for the banquet.
Guards at the palace gate conducted a routine check, reminding them not to bring any sharp objects into the palace. Fan Xian obediently handed over the dagger he carried, the long needle tucked in his hair, and various homemade poisons, causing Xin Qiwu, who was standing by, to widen his eyes in surprise.
As the two walked towards the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Fan Xian saw the Eldest Princess sitting to the side at a glance, and for some reason, a bad premonition rose in his heart. Just then, Guo Baokun, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, suddenly rushed up to him, acting like a resentful woman, and even declared that he would personally witness Fan Xian's ruin tonight. Fan Xian's heart skipped a beat.
Guo Youzhi saw his son talking too much, hurried forward to stop him, and asked for Fan Xian's forgiveness. Fan Xian naturally magnanimously said he wouldn not take it to heart. Xin Qiwu pulled Fan Xian to his seat and quietly advised him that since they were both under the Crown Prince, it would be best to reconcile. Fan Xian didn't care, just telling him to look back at Guo Baokun.
Xin Qiwu saw Guo Baokun glaring at Fan Xian with eyes like a black chicken and could only sigh, "Let nature take its course." At today's banquet, Zhuang Mohan from Northern Qi was present, and from Dongyi came Yun Zhilan, the eldest disciple of Sigujian. Yun Zhilan was the only person in the main hall holding a weapon. His eyes and brows were cold, and he looked very arrogant.
While Fan Xian was looking around, a maid came to invite him, saying the Eldest Princess wanted to see him. Fan Xian naturally wouldn't refuse. He came to Li Yunrui's seat. Li Yunrui whispered that she had been waiting for him to come and kill her these past few days, asking why there was no sign of him. Fan Xian bowed and deliberately answered loudly that he would certainly live up to her expectations.
Li Yunrui smiled even more brightly, saying that if he joined her faction, she would allow him to marry Wan'er and hand over the financial power of the royal treasury to him as well. Fan Xian, however, said he only wanted her to get out of the capital. Li Yunrui was again amused by his naive idea. While Fan Xian and Li Yunrui were talking happily, Zhuang Mohan walked in slowly, holding a scroll of calligraphy and painting.
As he passed by Fan Xian, Fan Xian bowed to him, but Zhuang Mohan walked back to his seat as if he hadn't seen him. Although Chen Pingping was in the Investigator's Office, he was constantly concerned about the movements in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Upon learning that Yun Zhilan had entered the hall with a sword, he was somewhat worried about whether there would be anyone to stop him if he attempted an assassination.
Zhu Ge told him that Hong Sixiang was guarding outside the hall and no one could cause any trouble. A moment later, everyone in the hall had arrived, and Emperor Qing also made his appearance as the finale. Everyone stepped forward and knelt, and Fan Xian, to avoid incurring public anger, also knelt. Emperor Qing casually waved his hand, ordering everyone to rise, and the banquet began.
At the banquet, everyone exchanged toasts but maintained their composure, except for Fan Xian, who ate and drank heartily without restraint, causing Emperor Qing to frown. Emperor Qing called him forward and introduced him to Yun Zhilan, saying that Fan Xian was the person who killed his beloved disciple. Yun Zhilan, however, said disdainfully, "It only counts as skill if one can kill me."
Emperor Qing was somewhat displeased and deliberately praised Fan Xian for doing a good job with his tasks, even rewarding him with a drink with himself. After Fan Xian returned to his seat, the Second Prince publicly proposed that Fan Xian, being widely renowned for his talent, could be of great use and suggested that he preside over the imperial examination next year. Emperor Qing, however, believed that although Fan Xian was talented, his qualifications were still shallow.
The Crown Prince, fearing Fan Xian would be pulled away by the Second Prince, also expressed his agreement by attending. Upon hearing this, the ministers discussed amongst themselves. Emperor Qing found it inappropriate to get angry publicly, so he just stated with a somber face that the spring imperial examination was still far away and this matter would be discussed again at that time. Unexpectedly, these words provided Zhuang Mohan with a good opportunity to speak.
He feigned reminding Emperor Qing that the imperial examination was the foundation of the nation and that the selection of the person in charge required caution. Upon hearing this, Li Yunrui jumped out, claiming she wanted to seek justice for Fan Xian, and even said that Zhuang Mohan was afraid that Fan Xian's reputation would grow day by day and surpass his.
Zhuang Mohan, "out of necessity," had no choice but to reveal a shocking fact - that Fan Xian's famous seven-character poem was plagiarized from his teacher's work. Emperor Qing asked Fan Xian if he had any thoughts. Fan Xian didn't take it seriously, only asking if Zhuang Mohan's teacher's surname was Du. When Zhuang Mohan shook his head, Fan Xian's heart immediately settled. The Eldest Princess asked Zhuang Mohan if he had any evidence. At this moment, Zhuang Mohan opened the old scroll of calligraphy and painting he carried with him. Written on it was exactly the poem that Fan Xian had composed.
