Joy of Life Episode 44 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Haitang Duoduo mistakenly thought Fan Xian had truly fallen for her. She advised him to take more cold baths to stay clear-headed and suppress his nature, so he wouldn't lose control if he spent more time with her. Fan Xian was so angry he was speechless. The young Emperor couldn't help but laugh after hearing Haitang Duoduo's account, finding her as narcissistic as Fan Xian. Fan Xian was furious at Haitang Duoduo's words and complained vehemently to Wang Qinian.
Wang Qinian surprisingly came up with a terrible idea: he should use his charm to make Haitang Duoduo infatuated and unable to let go, and then ignore her. Fan Xian told him to say those words to Lin Wan'er, and Wang Qinian repeatedly begged for mercy. Yan Bingyun couldn't stand it anymore and quickly stopped Fan Xian and Wang Qinian's fooling around.
He threatened to report Fan Xian's private alliance and smuggling with the Northern Qi royal family to Chen Pingping. Fan Xian argued repeatedly, wanting to find out the true identities of the smugglers from Shen Zhong and asking Yan Bingyun to hand over the list of secret agents. Yan Bingyun reluctantly agreed after much consideration, but his activities in Shangjing relied entirely on a oil shop owner for coordination. Fan Xian immediately brought Guo Bokun to that oil shop.
Fan Xian and the oil shop owner exchanged secret signals. The owner immediately closed the shop and took him to the backyard. Fan Xian instructed the owner to spread the conversation between him and the Empress Dowager throughout the streets and alleys. He asked Guo Bokun to go with the owner.
Fan Xian promised to arrange for the owner to return to Southern Qing to reunite with his family after the matter was done, with Guo Bokun taking over the Shangjing intelligence network. The owner had not received such an order, and Guo Bokun was not from the Investigator's Office. Fan Xian took out his Tisi waist token to show him and explained that Guo Bokun was his direct subordinate.
The owner had no choice but to agree to take Guo Bokun to meet the Shangjing secret agents. Fan Xian repeatedly confirmed with Guo Bokun if he was willing to live alone in the capital of Northern Qi from now on. Guo Bokun could only take the risk to save his father, but he was worried that Shen Zhong would obstruct them.
Fan Xian deliberately used him as a shield for Shen Zhong to see, telling him to only be responsible for commercial activities and bribery, and that there would be someone else specifically responsible for gathering information. Guo Bokun worried that the shops would be searched. Fan Xian repeatedly explained that they were trading with the upper levels of Northern Qi; once the chain of interests was established, there would be many beneficiaries.
If anything went wrong, someone would naturally step forward to help resolve it. Paving the way with money could allow them to use their enemies for protection. Guo Bokun finally agreed. The owner activated Southern Qing's intelligence network in Northern Qi, and quickly spread the news that the Empress Dowager and Fan Xian were doing business for profit, and that Shen Zhong was obstructing it, throughout Shangjing.
Shen Zhong saw the Jinyiwei guards gathered together discussing it animatedly and immediately ordered them to do their utmost to block the rumors. Fan Xian often went to see Haitang Duoduo, and the two went grocery shopping together, so the Empress Dowager would believe his feelings for Haitang Duoduo. Haitang Duoduo had long guessed that these rumors were Fan Xian's doing and worried that Shen Zhong would quickly suppress them.
But Fan Xian didn't mind; he had long seen through human nature. Shen Zhong had blocked the Jinyiwei guards' source of wealth, incurring public anger, and the Jinyiwei guards would no longer obey him docilely as before. Just as Fan Xian expected, several days passed, and the rumors not only didn't stop but spread even more fiercely.
The Empress Dowager even transferred the responsibility for her birthday celebration, which had been handled by Shen Zhong every year, to his subordinate, the Deputy Commander. Shen Zhong was angry but dared not speak. He clearly felt the Empress Dowager's coldness. Shen Zhong returned to his garrison dejectedly. His subordinates showed him the new official robe with dragon patterns bestowed by the Empress Dowager, but Shen Zhong was completely uninterested.
Today was the routine meeting day for the various commanders of the garrison, but not a single person came. For the Empress Dowager, dividing power among her officials to create checks and balances was naturally a situation she was happy to see. Shen Zhong feared his good days were over. Haitang Duoduo took Fan Xian back to her home. Her courtyard was planted with many wildflowers and vegetables. Haitang Duoduo claimed they grew from seeds she scattered casually.
Fan Xian was startled because Chen Pingping had said his mother said the same thing during her lifetime. Fan Xian picked up a hoe and turned over the vegetable patch, then chatted with Haitang Duoduo, pouring out his feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction. Haitang Duoduo thought he was being sentimental. Fan Xian sighed that he had no friends besides his family; Teng Zijing died saving him, and Wang Qinian could be considered his friend.
Fan Xian admitted he was a Southern Qing prince, raised in the Fan family since childhood. Haitang Duoduo thought he was talking nonsense. Fan Xian smiled wryly and said nothing. Haitang Duoduo personally cooked a table of dishes for Fan Xian. Fan Xian and she clinked glasses. Haitang Duoduo explained that this was wine from Qingyu Hall. Fan Xian knew this was the wine his mother, Ye Qingmei, had brewed, and felt an unspeakable bitterness in his heart.
He poured and drank by himself, quickly getting himself drunk, and even composed a poem while fueled by the alcohol. Fan Xian woke up again in a daze and found Si Lili had been by his side the whole time. Si Lili explained that after the Empress Dowager's birthday, she would be entering the palace, and feared they would have no chance to meet again in this life. She mustered her courage to express her feelings for Fan Xian.
Fan Xian was immediately stunned, repeatedly emphasizing that he was determined to be with only Lin Wan'er in this life. Si Lili knew this clearly, but it didn't stop her from liking Fan Xian in her heart. She asked him to tell her stories about him and Lin Wan'er. Fan Xian said only a few words before making an excuse about the rooster crowing at dawn and rushing out.
When Fan Xian went out, he saw Haitang Duoduo leisurely eating melon seeds and realized she had drugged the wine. Haitang Duoduo falsely claimed the wine just had a strong aftereffect. Fan Xian was furious. Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday. Fan Xian brought Wang Qinian and Gao Da early to attend the banquet. The eunuch arranged Wang Qinian and Gao Da in the seats furthest back.
He Dao Ren quietly reminded Wang Qinian that Lang Tao would challenge Fan Xian later. Wang Qinian quickly relayed this news to Fan Xian. Shen Zhong changed into the new official robe with dragon patterns bestowed by the Empress Dowager. As he walked through the main hall, he saw an imperial guard who almost fainted from heatstroke and quickly went forward to support him. Shangshuhu also helped support that person at the same time. The two men's eyes met, filled with hatred.
