Joy of Life Episode 39 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Fan Xian repeatedly tried to assure Yan Bingyun that he was there to rescue him, explaining that he had already sent his subordinate, Wang Qinian, to seek help. Yan Bingyun remained deeply distrustful, responding coldly that Shen Zhong would not easily release him and questioning what kind of help Wang Qinian, a mere clerk, could summon in Beiqi that would challenge the Embroidered Uniform Guards.
Fan Xian remarked on Yan Bingyun's unlikable demeanor, but then noted that at least one person, Lady Shen, cared for him. Lady Shen, who was also present, heard Yan Bingyun confirm his prior deception, stating he had only used her to gather military intelligence and never truly loved her. Despite this, she confessed she couldn't bring herself to hate him, especially seeing him so tortured.
Yan Bingyun dismissed her as a "stupid woman," but Fan Xian interjected that her feelings were genuine love. Lady Shen expressed her unwavering loyalty to Yan Bingyun, telling him that if he were to kill her brother, Shen Zhong, someday, he should kill her as well. Growing exasperated with their emotional exchange, Fan Xian urged them to continue their conversation once they were safely back at the Nanqing mission residence, where he could offer hot water.
At that moment, Shen Zhong arrived. Lady Shen quickly pressed a dagger into Yan Bingyun's hand, prompting him to take her hostage, trying to mislead her brother by claiming they threatened her life if she didn't escape. Shen Zhong was enraged by his sister's actions, calling her "muddle-headed" for siding with "secret agents of the enemy." Fan Xian, asserting his status as the Chief Emissary, warned Shen Zhong against escalating tensions between the two nations.
Shen Zhong, however, was unfazed, claiming he would simply declare Fan Xian's disappearance a mystery and avenge his death. He offered to release Fan Xian and Yan Bingyun if Yan Bingyun disclosed the entire list of spies in Shangjing. Yan Bingyun defiantly claimed that all ministers and assistant ministers of Beiqi's six ministries were Nanqing agents, provoking Shen Zhong's fury.
As Shen Zhong prepared to give the order to execute them, a messenger from the Embroidered Uniform Guards arrived, reporting the unexpected arrival of Haitang Duoduo. Shen Zhong, surprised, went out to meet her. Haitang Duoduo announced she was acting under the orders of both the little emperor and the Empress Dowager, compelling Shen Zhong to release Fan Xian and Yan Bingyun. Shen Zhong, despite his initial resistance, had no choice but to comply.
Haitang Duoduo personally drove the carriage, escorting them away. Yan Bingyun expressed his disbelief that Beiqi's Saintess would intervene, further fueling his suspicion of Fan Xian. When Wang Qinian joined them in the carriage, Yan Bingyun accused him of having sided with Beiqi. Wang Qinian, in a misguided attempt to explain, claimed Haitang Duoduo was helping them due to her "feelings" for Fan Xian, and even blurted out that their connection began after Fan Xian had drugged her.
Enraged by this public disclosure, Haitang Duoduo threw Wang Qinian out of the moving carriage, though Fan Xian quickly explained it was all a misunderstanding. Upon their return to the mission residence, Fan Xian saw Gao Da engaged in martial arts contests with Beiqi warriors. Haitang Duoduo discreetly led Yan Bingyun through a back door, where mission officials rushed to attend to him, offering comfort and support.
Haitang Duoduo then informed Fan Xian of the little emperor's proposition: a collaboration to eliminate Shen Zhong. She also warned Fan Xian to be cautious of her senior disciple, Langtao, who was on his way to Shangjing. Langtao was renowned as Beiqi's top Ninth Dan martial arts master, second only to their master, and had already demonstrated his prowess by covertly killing a habitual thief under everyone's watchful eyes upon his arrival in Shangjing.
Yan Bingyun was aghast to learn that his freedom came at the price of exchanging Xiao En. He furiously condemned the decision, calling it an idiotic move that would unleash a "trouble for the future." Fan Xian calmly explained that it was a decision made by Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping, who believed Yan Bingyun's youth made him a more valuable asset than the aging Xiao En. Fan Xian further revealed that his ultimate mission was to kill Xiao En.
Yan Bingyun, still fuming, attempted to leave and kill Xiao En himself, but Fan Xian physically stopped him, calling him reckless given his injured state and the dangers of Shangjing. Fan Xian reminded him that Emperor Qing's primary order was for Yan Bingyun to return safely to Nanqing, and any reckless death would be considered an act of treason. Fan Xian then elaborated on his broader strategy: he planned to use the internal conflicts within Beiqi to his advantage.
He would cooperate with the little emperor to remove Shen Zhong, who was obstructing the emperor's power. He also revealed that he had used He Daoren to create a false trail, which initially made Shen Zhong suspicious of He Daoren. Yan Bingyun, knowing Shen Zhong's cunning and suspicious nature, feared this would lead to He Daoren's death. Fan Xian explained his intricate plan to Yan Bingyun: he had orchestrated the entire sequence of events.
He Daoren's false report to Shen Zhong, claiming a masked expert had helped Fan Xian escape, had initially raised Shen Zhong's suspicion. But by successfully rescuing Yan Bingyun, Fan Xian demonstrated his capabilities to Shangshan Hu, who was looking to rescue his adoptive father, Xiao En. This led Shangshan Hu to send his subordinate, Tan Wu, to publicly engage Gao Da in martial arts at the mission's gate.
Fan Xian used this public display as an opportunity to relay a message through Gao Da to Tan Wu, signaling his readiness to proceed with their prior arrangement regarding Xiao En. When Shen Zhong's agents reported this, it simultaneously confirmed a connection between Fan Xian and Shangshan Hu, thereby exonerating He Daoren from suspicion regarding Fan Xian's initial "escape." This chain of events was all interconnected and self-reinforcing.
Yan Bingyun, now fully grasping the depth of Fan Xian's meticulous planning, expressed admiration for his capabilities. Despite this, Fan Xian admitted he still did not know Xiao En's exact whereabouts, but he intended to leverage the various factions in Beiqi to find him. Haitang Duoduo personally escorted Fan Xian to meet the little emperor. The emperor commended Fan Xian for his ingenuity in rescuing Yan Bingyun.
Fan Xian, without hesitation, laid out his audacious plan: he sought the emperor's assistance in finding Xiao En's location so he could then collaborate with Shangshan Hu to break into the prison and rescue him. He explained that this scheme would inevitably lead to a confrontation between Shangshan Hu and Shen Zhong. Given that Shen Zhong was no match for Shangshan Hu in combat, Shen Zhong would likely be killed.
Fan Xian presented this as a benefit to the emperor, as it would remove Shen Zhong, a powerful figure loyal to the Empress Dowager. He further argued that Shangshan Hu, a formidable general who operated independently of both the emperor and Empress Dowager, posed a potential threat to the emperor's authority. If Shangshan Hu killed Shen Zhong, he would face execution, thus eliminating another powerful figure.
Even if Shen Zhong survived, the successful jailbreak would be a grave dereliction of duty, allowing the emperor to strip him of his power. Convinced by Fan Xian's strategic vision, the little emperor agreed to provide Xiao En's location, promising to give Fan Xian the specifics as he departed. Fan Xian congratulated the emperor, affirming their new alliance. Shen Zhong, meanwhile, received reports that Fan Xian had not only met the little emperor but had also openly met Shangshan Hu.
He realized that the moment he had long anticipated had arrived—the reason he had kept Xiao En imprisoned. He immediately summoned He Daoren and Langtao, preparing to set a trap for Shangshan Hu during the planned prison break. Fan Xian, meeting Shangshan Hu openly, explained that any attempt at secrecy would be futile, as Shen Zhong would eventually discover their alliance anyway.
Shangshan Hu, while admitting he viewed Fan Xian as a future formidable enemy of Beiqi, agreed to cooperate for the sake of rescuing his adoptive father, Xiao En. Fan Xian, now fully aware of Xiao En's location, proposed they formulate a detailed plan, also hinting at the opportunity to exact revenge on Shen Zhong for his cruel treatment of Xiao En.
