Joy of Life Episode 43 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Fan Xian wanted to rise in status, using this to investigate the truth behind his mother Ye Qingmei's death and the smuggling. Wang Qinian agreed to be his helper, willing to be the ladder for him to climb. Fan Xian treated him as a partner. On her way home, Miss Shen met her brother Shen Zhong. Shen Zhong called her to a secluded spot and severely reprimanded her.
Miss Shen cried, saying that the meeting with Yan Bingyun just now was their last, and they had ended their entanglement. Shen Zhong wanted to find Yan Bingyun to settle the score. Miss Shen desperately tried to stop him, promising to dig Yan Bingyun out of her heart as soon as possible and swearing never to see him again. Shen Zhong felt a pang in his heart.
Shen Zhong angrily led his men to the envoy's residence to confront Yan Bingyun, forbidding him from harassing Miss Shen again. Otherwise, even if it meant losing his official post and rank, he would personally kill Yan Bingyun. Fan Xian proposed that if he revealed the names and evidence of those who embezzled huge sums from the Qing Kingdom's Imperial Treasury shops in Shangjing, he would help him kill Yan Bingyun. Shen Zhong firmly refused, telling him to investigate himself.
Fan Xian threatened to use some means, but Shen Zhong ignored him. Yan Bingyun advised Fan Xian not to expect Shen Zhong to reveal the truth. Fan Xian wanted to try himself. He bought several coffins and funerary items and personally delivered them to Shangshuhu's general's residence. Shen Zhong soon heard about this, not knowing Fan Xian's intentions. When Shangshuhu learned that Fan Xian had sent him coffins, he was furious and wanted to kill Fan Xian.
Fan Xian exposed Shangshuhu's trick of swapping people to rescue Xiao En, and explained that Shen Zhong had sent He Dao Ren and Lang Tao to kill Xiao En. Fan Xian lied, claiming that Xiao En's dying wish was for Shangshuhu not to seek revenge on Shen Zhong. Shangshuhu had already been blinded by hatred and swore to kill Shen Zhong on the street to avenge his adoptive father.
Fan Xian claimed that Shangshuhu's personal guards were all dead, leaving him with no one reliable. Fan Xian promised to help kill Shen Zhong, and the two went to the palace together. Fan Xian went to see the Empress Dowager, lavishly complimenting her. He also presented Shangshuhu as a birthday gift to the Empress Dowager.
Shangshuhu strictly followed Fan Xian's advice, was extremely respectful to the Empress Dowager, expressed his intention to pledge allegiance, and was willing to serve her like a dog or horse. The Empress Dowager didn't believe him at all. Fan Xian exposed the discord between the Empress Dowager and the young Emperor, analyzed the current situation, and explained the pros and cons. But the Empress Dowager worried that Shangshuhu might betray her.
Shangshuhu then took out the list of his confidantes in the army. The Empress Dowager was surprised that Shangshuhu would hand over the foundation he had built commanding troops for many years. Shangshuhu seized the opportunity to mention that Shen Zhong had sent people to kill Xiao En, begging the Empress Dowager to avenge Xiao En. This greatly contradicted Shen Zhong's statement. Fan Xian suggested summoning He Dao Ren and Lang Tao for a confrontation.
The Empress Dowager immediately ordered them to come. Shen Zhong learned that Fan Xian had presented Shangshuhu as a birthday gift to the Empress Dowager. He was terrified and rushed into the palace to see what was happening. At the palace gate, he met He Dao Ren, and they went in to see the Empress Dowager together. Shen Zhong went in to see the Empress Dowager without waiting for an announcement. Fan Xian seized the opportunity to instigate.
Shen Zhong was so scared that he repeatedly begged for mercy. He Dao Ren admitted that he killed Xiao En at Shen Zhong's request. The Empress Dowager not only did not blame Shen Zhong but also expressed understanding of his actions, and even advised Shangshuhu and Shen Zhong to let go of their grudges.
Fan Xian then took out the ledger of the Southern Qing Imperial Treasury's shops in Shangjing, promised to continue the smuggling business with Northern Qi after taking control of the Imperial Treasury's finances, and offered 30% of the profits as a birthday gift to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was completely unaware of this matter. Fan Xian then exposed Li Yunrui and Shen Zhong's smuggling and fake accounting for huge profits. Shen Zhong admitted this matter without denial.
He confessed that the money had all flowed into the Qing Kingdom, and the Jinyiwei had not profited from it because this smuggling was related to high-level Southern Qing officials, intended to sow discord in Southern Qing and prepare for Northern Qi to overthrow Southern Qing in the future. Fan Xian claimed to be greedy and wanted to continue the smuggling business with Northern Qi. The Empress Dowager gave him full authority to arrange this matter.
Fan Xian seized the opportunity to ask Shen Zhong to name the Southern Qing officials involved in the smuggling. Shen Zhong flatly refused, saying that line was the root cause of future internal conflict in Southern Qing. The Empress Dowager also disagreed. Fan Xian had no choice but to take his leave first.
However, Shen Zhong was relentless, publicly pointing out that with Fan Xian's ability, he would definitely become a pillar minister of Southern Qing in the future, and being granted a noble title and high position was imminent. He would never give up his bright future for small gains. The Empress Dowager also became suspicious.
Fan Xian claimed that he was smitten with Haitang Duoduo at first sight and wanted to build a good relationship with the Empress Dowager to achieve his wish. Both Shen Zhong and the Empress Dowager were stunned. Haitang Duoduo saw Fan Xian off from the palace. Along the way, he kept apologizing to Haitang Duoduo, repeatedly explaining that this was a necessary move to kill Shen Zhong.
He took out the list he had copied and asked Haitang Duoduo to hand it over to the young Emperor. Haitang Duoduo stopped pursuing the matter. Shen Zhong desperately advised the Empress Dowager not to believe Fan Xian's nonsense. The Empress Dowager was very impatient and promised to think about it, telling both of them to leave first. Shen Zhong turned around and left. Shangshuhu performed a kneeling bow to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager immediately granted him the title of First Rank Military Official and became dissatisfied with Shen Zhong. All of this was within Fan Xian's expectations. Shangshuhu's exceptionally high status in the army, combined with his cautious and low-key demeanor, further highlighted Shen Zhong's arrogance. The Empress Dowager would certainly develop suspicion and wariness towards Shen Zhong. Fan Xian explained the advantages and disadvantages to Haitang Duoduo, promising to help the young Emperor kill Shen Zhong. Haitang Duoduo immediately told the young Emperor everything in detail.
