Joy of Life Episode 37 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
As Fan Xian and the Qing delegation journeyed through Shangjing, Beiqi, local citizens hurled insults and rotten produce at them. Recognizing this as Shen Zhong's orchestrated harassment, Fan Xian declared that he would not hide, as either way, his country's dignity would be affected, and he could not quell the public anger. He then ordered Gao Da to retrieve a long roll of cloth from a cargo carriage.
With Wang Qinian carefully steering, Fan Xian leaped onto the carriage roof, unfurling a battle flag. He proclaimed it to be the battle flag of the Qing Seventh Battalion, the first flag planted on Beiqi territory during the recent border war, and announced his intention to carry it into the Beiqi imperial palace. Shen Zhong warned Fan Xian that incurring public wrath was dangerous and he would be unable to assist him.
Undeterred, Fan Xian borrowed a long spear from Gao Da and reiterated that the flag would be taken into Beiqi's imperial palace, calling it a remarkable tale. He challenged anyone with courage and uprightness to knock him off the roof or cut down the flagpole, doubting if any such men remained in Beiqi. Zhao Zhelin of the Huxiao Battalion of Palace Guards stepped forward to challenge him, but Fan Xian quickly defeated him.
Meanwhile, in the Beiqi palace, ministers urgently reported Fan Xian's provocative act of planting the flag on the carriage roof. Simultaneously, news arrived that Qing's border forces had advanced thirty li and halted directly on the border, causing panic among the Beiqi court officials who feared another war given their empty treasury. Across the border, Emperor Qing, noting the day, deduced that Fan Xian must have arrived in Shangjing.
Chen Pingping confirmed that the Qing border army's advance was in support of Fan Xian, with Emperor Qing asserting that even if Fan Xian caused trouble, he had millions of frontier soldiers backing him. Back on the street, more challengers, including one attempting a sneak attack, rose to face Fan Xian, all of whom he easily repelled. Suddenly, He Daoren, a Ninth Dan martial arts master and Cheng Jushu's master, blocked the carriage, seeking revenge for his apprentice.
After an intense exchange of blows, He Daoren declared his intent to deliver a killing blow with his next strike. Sensing the danger, Shen Zhong intervened, scolding He Daoren for disrespecting diplomatic etiquette and warning Fan Xian that his provocations could reignite the war. Shen Zhong then signaled his Embroidered Uniform Guards to surround He Daoren. Seeing Shen Zhong step in, Fan Xian promptly lowered the flag and dismounted.
Fan Xian, though victorious, coughed up a mouthful of blood, alarming Wang Qinian. He explained that his Overbearing Vitality Qi, fortified by his recent encounters with Shangshan Hu and Haitang Duoduo, allowed him to match Ninth Dan masters in a pure qi contest. He had deliberately fought on the carriage roof to minimize reliance on subtle movements, which was his weakness, and force opponents into aerial combat, favoring his pure qi strength.
He admitted that He Daoren's next strike would have gravely injured him. Shen Zhong's intervention was strategic; while he aimed to undermine the Qing delegation's morale by inciting public outrage, he could not allow Fan Xian, the Qing envoy, to be seriously harmed under his watch, as that would inevitably lead to war, which Beiqi could not afford. Fan Xian concluded that their mission would be challenging.
Shen Zhong then led Fan Xian toward the palace, but halted Wang Qinian and Gao Da, stating that Emperor Zhan Doudou wished to meet only Fan Xian. Upon entering the imperial court, Fan Xian presented Emperor Qing's credentials to the young Emperor Zhan Doudou, who, instead of addressing diplomatic matters, eagerly inquired about the latest chapter of Fan Xian's novel "Red Mansions." This unexpected question astonished both Fan Xian and the Beiqi court.
Emperor Zhan Doudou, realizing the impropriety, dismissed his ministers but asked Fan Xian to remain for a private conversation. Emperor Zhan Doudou then turned and paid respects to the Empress Dowager, who was seated behind a screen. He apologized for his previous lapse in diplomatic etiquette, citing his excitement at meeting "Nanqing's poetic genius." The Empress Dowager then emerged, with Haitang Duoduo by her side, and extended her greetings to Fan Xian.
Emperor Zhan Doudou requested to walk with Fan Xian and discuss poetry in a less formal setting. When the Empress Dowager offered to join them, he politely declined, suggesting she rest due to her imperial duties. The Empress Dowager, however, insisted that Haitang Duoduo accompany them, ostensibly to partake in the conversation, but in reality, to monitor their interactions. In the imperial garden, Emperor Zhan Doudou composed a poem while Fan Xian offered lavish, albeit perfunctory, praise.
Emperor Zhan Doudou noted that Haitang had described Fan Xian as a rascal, which surprised Fan Xian, who pretended not to know Haitang. However, Emperor Zhan Doudou revealed his knowledge of their previous encounter in the stone forest, even mentioning how Fan Xian had drugged her. Emperor Zhan Doudou also brought up Fan Xian's previous suggestion to Haitang about collaborating with the Empress Dowager to seize power from the young Emperor.
He then dropped a bombshell: Haitang, far from being the Empress Dowager's confidante as Fan Xian had assumed, was secretly loyal to him. This revelation deeply unsettled Fan Xian. Meanwhile, Shen Zhong reported to the Empress Dowager in the imperial harem, expressing concern about Emperor Zhan Doudou's private meeting with Fan Xian, given Fan Xian's resourcefulness. The Empress Dowager assured him that Haitang Duoduo's presence would prevent any secrets from being exchanged.
Shen Zhong seized the opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty, confirming he had eliminated an old palace mammy who had been bribed by Emperor Zhan Doudou, an act for which the Empress Dowager praised him. Emperor Zhan Doudou, still keen on finishing "Red Mansions," proposed a dangerous alliance: he would help Fan Xian retrieve Yan Bingyun if Fan Xian eliminated Shen Zhong, a powerful minister loyal to the Empress Dowager.
Fan Xian refused, pointing out the immense personal risk of being executed as a foreign assassin and the minimal benefit, as Shen Zhong would eventually release Yan Bingyun to avoid war. Fan Xian doubted Shen Zhong had a valid reason to detain Yan Bingyun. With that, Fan Xian politely took his leave.
As Fan Xian exited the palace, escorted by Haitang Duoduo, Shen Zhong confirmed that Fan Xian would be staying for the Empress Dowager's upcoming birthday, stating that Emperor Qing had already agreed to this arrangement. Fan Xian, enraged, demanded to take Yan Bingyun back to the mission's residence immediately. Shen Zhong refused, claiming he had more questions for Yan Bingyun and vaguely promising a meeting after "complicated procedures." Shen Zhong then challenged Fan Xian to find Yan Bingyun himself.
Meanwhile, back in Qing, Emperor Qing, Chen Pingping, and Fan Jian were fishing at the Taiping Residence. Fan Jian expressed deep concern and resentment over Emperor Qing allowing Fan Xian to be detained in Shangjing, suspecting ulterior motives. Emperor Qing, however, philosophically spoke of fishing for the past in a lake without fish, recalling happier times with Ye Qingmei. Fan Jian continued to press, asking why Fan Xian could not return earlier.
Emperor Qing revealed that Fan Xian's biggest flaw was his overly smooth life, coddled by their protection. To become the realm's foremost official, he needed to be tempered by adversity and face life-or-death situations. Chen Pingping acknowledged this was Emperor Qing's final test for Fan Xian, assuring Fan Jian that Beiqi, weakened by war, would not pose a mortal threat. Emperor Qing urged Fan Jian to adopt Chen Pingping's hard-hearted approach.
Upon returning to the mission's residence, Fan Xian found it surrounded by Beiqi warriors, their swords piled at the entrance – a Beiqi custom for challenging duels. Recognizing this as Shen Zhong's "attrition warfare" tactic to delay him, Fan Xian instructed Gao Da to accept the challenges, which Gao Da enthusiastically did. Later, Fan Xian and Wang Qinian sought out Guo Baokun at Tiaowang Inn.
Fan Xian tasked Guo Baokun with discreetly gathering information on the location of the Embroidered Uniform Guards' prison, reiterating his promise to secure Guo Baokun's father's release. As Guo Baokun left the inn, Shen Zhong's agents, who had been shadowing the inn, immediately began trailing him. Fan Xian and Wang Qinian realized their movements were entirely exposed.
