Joy of Life Episode 42 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Xiao En confirmed to Fan Xian that Ye Qingmei's son was indeed Emperor Qing's child, and would be about Fan Xian’s age, though Xiao En admitted he lacked specific details due to his long imprisonment. Xiao En also cautioned Fan Xian that the capital city was a dangerous place, noting that both the late emperor and Fan Xian’s mother met their ends there, implying Fan Xian would be safer staying in Danzhou.
This revelation made Fan Xian understand why Chen Pingping and Fan Jian had concealed the truth for so many years and prevented him from entering the capital – he was Emperor Qing’s son, a prince with royal blood. Misunderstanding Fan Xian’s troubled expression as a struggle to accept his identity as a member of the Xiao family, Xiao En encouraged him, stating it was natural to feel overwhelmed.
Xiao En then expressed a sense of relief, having finally unburdened himself of his long-held secret. He reiterated his earnest hope that Fan Xian would not disclose the divine temple secret to Ku He, as Ku He would surely kill Fan Xian to protect it. Noticing Xiao En's rapidly fading strength, Fan Xian gently guided him to the cave entrance. Xiao En appreciated the view, remarking on his dislike for the dim cave after years of confinement.
He urgently warned Fan Xian not to disclose the divine temple secret to Ku He, as Ku He would surely kill Fan Xian to protect it. Xiao En requested that Fan Xian visit Zhuang Mohan to inform him of his death and asked that his body be left unburied at the cave entrance, as he never wished to be interred underground again. He also advised Fan Xian against seeking vengeance on Chen Pingping.
Deeply affected by Xiao En's sorrowful gaze, Fan Xian expressed his gratitude for revealing his true lineage, but clarified that he was not Xiao En’s grandson before departing. Meanwhile, Chen Pingping unveiled his meticulous, long-term scheme to Fan Jian. He explained that he had engineered a series of events, even fostering a war, all to persuade Xiao En that Fan Xian was his grandson.
This, Chen Pingping believed, was the only way Xiao En would disclose the profound secrets of the divine temple. Fan Jian pressed him for more answers. Chen Pingping admitted that he had exploited Li Yunrui's assassination attempt on Fan Xian by deliberately removing all other Investigator's Office agents from Danzhou, leaving only Teng Zijing, who was, unbeknownst to many, a chosen pawn of Emperor Qing.
Fan Jian was horrified, accusing Chen Pingping of recklessly endangering Fan Xian's life and manipulating everyone as mere chess pieces. Chen Pingping countered that the divine temple held resources and knowledge far surpassing their era, and its acquisition would elevate Nanqing to become the center of the world. Left speechless and fuming, Fan Jian stormed out of the room.
Emperor Qing, who had been listening from within, emerged and reprimanded Fan Jian for his stubbornness, yet acknowledged the depth of his affection for Fan Xian. Emperor Qing then subjected Chen Pingping to a stringent interrogation, questioning if his feelings for Fan Xian transcended his loyalty as a subject. Chen Pingping, visibly unnerved, profusely reaffirmed his unwavering allegiance to the Emperor, humbly referring to himself as "an old dog" devoted to His Majesty.
He declared that he would willingly sacrifice his own life if commanded. Apparently satisfied, Emperor Qing, feigning exhaustion, announced his return to the palace, but secretly instructed Gong Dian to closely observe Chen Pingping's every move, emphasizing that Gong Dian was the sole individual he truly trusted. Before Chen Pingping could leave, Fan Jian intercepted him, forcefully asserting that Fan Xian was his son. He demanded that Chen Pingping choose between Nanqing and Fan Xian.
Chen Pingping, stressing his ultimate devotion to Nanqing's prosperity through the divine temple, skillfully avoided a direct choice, questioning why both couldn't be achieved. Fan Jian, however, explicitly stated his choice: he would choose Fan Xian, his son. Fan Jian then inquired about the whereabouts of Xiao En's grandson.
Chen Pingping confirmed that the grandson was alive and that he had raised him within Nanqing, instilling in him a profound hatred for Beiqi, thereby molding him into a loyal Nanqing warrior. Unbeknownst to them, Gong Dian, hidden nearby, overheard their entire conversation. Gong Dian reported the details of Chen Pingping and Fan Jian's discussion to Emperor Qing, specifically Chen Pingping's ambition to forge Nanqing into an "everlasting dynasty."
Still cautious, Emperor Qing tested Gong Dian's loyalty by aiming an armor-piercing arrow directly at him. Gong Dian stood resolute, refusing to flinch or dodge, which finally allayed Emperor Qing's lingering suspicions. Meanwhile, Chen Pingping returned to the Investigator's Office, where Yan Ruohai noted his profound weariness. Back at the Tiaowang Inn, Fan Xian immediately questioned Guo Baokun about their past conflict involving Teng Zijing.
Guo Baokun vehemently denied any involvement in the "extermination of all family members" or the harassment of Teng Zijing’s family, blaming his butler for those actions, of which he claimed he was only later informed. Convinced by Guo Baokun's sincerity, Fan Xian realized the entire, intricate scheme had been orchestrated much earlier by Chen Pingping, who had meticulously timed Fan Xian's arrival in the capital to ensure his meeting with Xiao En.
Fan Xian then asked Wang Qinian about Yan Bingyun, who had remained secluded in his room. Upon entering, Yan Bingyun eagerly inquired about Shen Zhong. Fan Xian admitted he had lied earlier, revealing that their true objective was Shangshan Hu, and that Shen Zhong had merely been a means to test Yan Bingyun’s loyalty. Yan Bingyun expressed satisfaction with Fan Xian’s cunning, deeming it appropriate for a Director-General of the Investigator's Office.
He reiterated his determination to extract information from Shen Zhong regarding the smuggling funds. Fan Xian agreed to assist him, and in return, inquired about other Investigator's Office members of Yan Bingyun’s age, suspecting that Xiao En’s grandson might be among them. Yan Bingyun mentioned that many individuals in the Investigator's Office shared his age, including himself.
He revealed that his mother had died during his birth, and his father, Yan Ruohai, was very strict, entrusting him to others for upbringing from a young age. Fan Xian was utterly stunned, realizing with chilling clarity that this was yet another calculated move by Chen Pingping. Since Teng Zijing had been Yan Bingyun's subordinate, Yan Bingyun would inevitably be held responsible for Teng Zijing's actions and thus be dispatched to Beiqi.
Chen Pingping had meticulously orchestrated this exchange, using Xiao En to secure Yan Bingyun's predetermined role. Overwhelmed by the profound depth of Chen Pingping's machinations, Fan Xian was seized by terror and erupted into laughter, mocking his own past naivety. He admitted that for the first time in his life, he truly feared an individual, recalling the repeated warnings from Fan Jian, Lin Ruofu, Si Lili, and Xiao En to distance himself from Chen Pingping.
After careful consideration, Fan Xian resolved to seize control of the Investigator's Office and uncover the truth behind his mother Ye Qingmei's death. He offered to help Yan Bingyun become the Director of the First Division, proposing they unite to constrain Chen Pingping's power. Yan Bingyun adamantly rejected the offer, threatening to report Fan Xian to Chen Pingping upon their return to the capital. At that moment, Gao Da announced that Shen Zhong’s sister had arrived to see Yan Bingyun.
Despite Yan Bingyun's reluctance, Fan Xian persuaded him to meet her. Shen's sister offered him medicine for his injuries. Yan Bingyun, however, remained cold and distant, reiterating that he never harbored any feelings for her. He further pressured her to poison her own brother, Shen Zhong. Torn and tearful, she fled. Fan Xian sensed a hidden affection in Yan Bingyun, but Yan Bingyun dismissed it, stating that members of the Investigator's Office were devoid of heart.
As Yan Bingyun retreated to his room, Fan Xian, with Wang Qinian nearby, declared his firm intention to become the master of the Investigator's Office and, consequently, the most influential minister in Nanqing.
