Joy of Life Episode 4 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Upon entering his father Fan Jian's study, Fan Xian respectfully stood by as his father attended to official duties, only being told to close the door. Meanwhile, Madam Liu Ruyu, Fan Xian's stepmother, instructed servants to prepare the servants' kitchen for Fan Xian to reside in, a subtle snub.
Concerned that Fan Xian had been in the study for a long time, she sent her son, Fan Sizhe, to discreetly check on the situation under the guise of offering his father pastries. However, Fan Sizhe seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed by his accompanying maidservant. Later that evening, after Fan Jian concluded his work, Fan Xian knelt to greet him. Fan Jian asked what kind of life Fan Xian envisioned for himself.
Fan Xian candidly expressed his desire for a peaceful existence, to become the richest man in the world, surrounded by beautiful wives and concubines, and to live a romantic life, admitting his aspirations were rather "vulgar." When pressed on how he would achieve such wealth, Fan Xian excitedly proposed manufacturing glass, perfumed soap, and white granulated sugar.
To his surprise, Fan Jian revealed that Fan Xian’s late mother, Ye Qingmei, had already invented all these items, with refined techniques already in place. Fan Xian, bewildered, wondered why these marvels were unknown in Danzhou. Fan Jian explained that these products were exclusively for influential officials and only circulated in major cities, implying Danzhou was too provincial for such luxuries. Fan Xian sighed, jokingly wondering why he was born if his mother had already achieved everything.
Continuing the topic, Fan Jian recounted how Ye Qingmei's immensely successful firm, which was once the wealthiest in the world, was brought under imperial control after her death and named "Neiku." As Emperor Qing was too preoccupied with national affairs, he entrusted the management of Neiku to Li Yunrui, the Princess Royal. Fan Jian described her as extremely beautiful and gentle, deeply trusted by the Emperor despite not being his blood sister, and still unmarried.
Fan Xian, amused by his father’s gossip, playfully asked if he was smitten with the Princess Royal. Fan Jian then disclosed a well-kept secret: Li Yunrui had an illegitimate daughter, Lin Wan’er, with Prime Minister Lin Ruofu. This Lin Wan’er was the very woman Fan Xian was destined to marry, as Emperor Qing had decreed that whoever married her would take over Neiku from Li Yunrui.
Fan Jian explained that bringing Fan Xian to the capital now was the prime opportunity to reclaim his mother's legacy. He handed Fan Xian a summary of Neiku’s affairs, cautioning him that many powerful individuals were opposed to him taking control of this imperial money tree. Meanwhile, Princess Royal Li Yunrui, determined to prevent the marriage, sought an audience with the Empress Dowager late at night.
She argued that Fan Xian, a man of no fame or talent from a remote area, was an unsuitable match for Lin Wan’er and begged the Empress Dowager to intervene. However, Fan Jian had already told Fan Xian that the Princess Royal had no authority over Lin Wan’er's marriage; only Emperor Qing could decide. The Empress Dowager, instead of supporting Li Yunrui, gestured to her chief eunuch, Hong Sixiang, who promptly slapped the Princess Royal.
The Empress Dowager sternly reminded Li Yunrui that affairs of the imperial family were solely the Emperor’s prerogative and warned her to know her place. Fan Jian reiterated this point to Fan Xian, emphasizing the Emperor’s absolute will. Fan Jian further explained the political landscape: Emperor Qing had four sons, with the First Prince commanding troops away from the capital and the youngest prince being too young.
The real contenders for the throne were the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. Since Li Yunrui had always supported the Crown Prince, Emperor Qing could not allow him to control the imperial family's finances. Therefore, the manager of Neiku had to be replaced. Fan Jian speculated that this power struggle was likely the reason behind the assassination attempt on Fan Xian in Danzhou, suggesting the Crown Prince's faction was responsible.
Fan Xian, still harboring suspicions about his stepmother, dismissed Fan Jian’s explanation as a ploy to exonerate Liu Ruyu, believing she was the one who ordered his assassination to secure the family inheritance. To address Fan Xian's doubt, Fan Jian brought him to confront Liu Ruyu. During their conversation, Fan Jian questioned Liu Ruyu about her alleged involvement with Butler Zhou in the assassination plot. Liu Ruyu was genuinely shocked, adamantly denying any murderous intent.
She argued that harming Fan Xian would only displease her husband and lead to her expulsion from the Fan mansion, benefiting her in no way. Fan Ruoruo found her reasoning plausible, but Fan Xian remained unconvinced, asserting that mere words were insufficient proof. Later, at dinner, Liu Ruyu dramatically changed her demeanor, showering Fan Xian with affectionate attention, which he reciprocated. Observing this sudden camaraderie, Fan Sizhe, confused, asked Fan Ruoruo what was happening.
When she whispered that their father suspected their mother of trying to kill Fan Xian, Fan Sizhe was so startled he dropped his chopsticks. Following her chastisement by the Empress Dowager, Princess Royal Li Yunrui was summoned by Emperor Qing. She admitted that she did not wish for Lin Wan’er to marry Fan Xian. Emperor Qing criticized her for secretly maligning Fan Xian's reputation, but Li Yunrui feigned ignorance.
The Emperor then dispatched Gong Dian to investigate who had arranged for the maidservant to spread rumors about Fan Xian. Shortly after, Gong Dian returned to report that Ms. Han of the Shanggong Bureau, the responsible party, had committed suicide by hanging. Unperturbed, Emperor Qing instructed Li Yunrui to remain and await another arrival. After some time, the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, hurried in and immediately confessed to orchestrating the maidservant incident.
Emperor Qing, though disappointed, acknowledged that a Crown Prince must vie for power. However, he reprimanded them both for resorting to "despicable means" that could "ruin the foundation" of the imperial family by eroding public reverence. He handed the Crown Prince a list of officials to be dismissed, advising him to check for any of his own followers, and then dismissed them. After dinner, Fan Ruoruo and Fan Sizhe departed.
Liu Ruyu also prepared to leave with Fan Xian, but Fan Jian requested to speak with Fan Xian alone. Fan Jian revealed his awareness of Teng Zijing’s presence in the capital, cautioning Fan Xian to be prudent. He then presented an old arrest warrant for Teng Zijing from the Ministry of Penalty, which accused him of assassinating court officials, causing Fan Xian to wonder why the Investigator’s Office would recruit such a person.
Fan Jian warned him to be wary of the Crown Prince and to distance himself from the Investigator’s Office, promising to investigate the Danzhou assassination. He also disclosed that Fan Xian’s mother had been murdered, and he had kept Fan Xian in Danzhou for his protection. Assuring Fan Xian that he would handle the marriage arrangements for Lin Wan’er, Fan Jian insisted there was no need to worry.
However, Fan Xian, irritated by his father’s persistent focus on Neiku, declared that he did not wish to marry Lin Wan’er, revealing that he had fallen in love with a girl who eats drumsticks. He passionately asserted that he was "a living man," not merely "a chess piece" or a "chip," and would not sacrifice his life for a firm.
Fan Jian, shocked by his defiance, grew angry when Fan Xian implied his father had only been interested in his mother's wealth. Despite his father's fury, Fan Xian maintained his stance, stating his desire to live his life on his own terms. Reflecting on the dismissal list, Li Yunrui discerned Emperor Qing’s message: he permitted the power struggle but drew a line at interfering with military power and official governance.
She realized the Emperor had not forbidden action against Fan Xian, only condemned the disgraceful methods. Learning of Fan Xian's popularity for a masterpiece titled "Red Mansions," written under a pseudonym, she resolved to undermine him by attacking his most celebrated achievement. Back in his new room, Fan Xian found several servants tidying up. He attempted to dismiss them politely, expressing his belief in equality and individual autonomy.
The servants, confused by his progressive ideas, feared punishment for disobedience and reaffirmed their loyalty to the Fan family. Realizing that philosophical reasoning was futile, Fan Xian feigned anger, threatening to beat them with a plank, which finally scared them away. Later that night, Teng Zijing secretly entered Fan Xian's room. Moments later, Fan Sizhe arrived, mistaking Teng Zijing, who was concealed under the covers, for Fan Xian.
He apologized for his earlier rudeness and invited "Fan Xian" to lunch the next day, secretly planning to "teach a lesson" to the "bumpkin from Danzhou." Just then, Fan Xian entered, catching Fan Sizhe. He quickly introduced Teng Zijing as the guard who had escorted him from Danzhou, subtly diffusing the situation. Before leaving again, Fan Sizhe reiterated his father's importance and asked Fan Xian not to mention their lunch to him. Teng Zijing then revealed his old arrest warrant, which accused him of assassinating court officials, and expressed his bewilderment as to why the Investigator's Office would employ someone like him.
