Joy of Life Episode 44 Recap
> Joy of Life Recap
Haitang Duoduo mistakenly believed that Fan Xian had truly developed feelings for her. As she was leaving, she warned him to maintain a clear mind and suppress his nature by taking cold showers, cautioning him not to get carried away if they spent too much time together. Fan Xian was speechless, while the little emperor, having heard Haitang Duoduo's account, found both her and Fan Xian self-obsessed. Infuriated by Haitang Duoduo's words, Fan Xian complained bitterly to Wang Qinian.
Wang Qinian, in jest, suggested Fan Xian use his charm to bewitch Haitang Duoduo, then ignore her to get revenge. Fan Xian promptly told him to repeat that advice to Lin Wan’er, prompting Wang Qinian to beg for mercy. Yan Bingyun, unable to bear their antics, interrupted, threatening to report Fan Xian's private alliance and smuggling with the Beiqi imperial family to Chen Pingping.
Fan Xian defended himself, explaining that the alleged smuggling was a ruse to connect with the Beiqi imperial family and easily gather information, as well as to completely undermine Shen Zhong. This strategy also aimed to uncover the true Nanqing collaborators who were involved in the illicit trade and had embezzled vast sums. He requested Yan Bingyun hand over the list of secret agents in Shangjing.
Yan Bingyun hesitated, stating he needed to confirm with Chen Pingping and was wary of Fan Xian's impulsive nature. Fan Xian insisted that waiting would be too late to undermine Shen Zhong and that he no longer wished to be a mere pawn, but to uncover the truth himself and take credit for the sake of Daqing. After weighing the options, Yan Bingyun reluctantly agreed, revealing that he only communicated with the Shangjing secret agents through an oil shop owner.
Fan Xian immediately took Guo Baokun to the said oil shop. At the oil shop, Fan Xian exchanged secret codes with the owner, asking for "half jin of palm oil" and if he had a "pot" and "sesame oil." The owner completed the code, mentioning that sesame oil was expensive and usually only bought for "worshipping the Heaven."
Fan Xian countered that it could also be used to "mourn people," then gave the specific quantity, "Seven jin six taels nine qians four haos." Recognizing the code, the owner quickly closed his shop and led them to the backyard. Fan Xian instructed him to spread rumors throughout Shangjing Town about his profitable smuggling deal with the Empress Dowager (which he presented as a cover to solidify his fabricated affections for Haitang Duoduo) and Shen Zhong's opposition to it.
He promised the owner a return to Nanqing to reunite with his family once the task was complete, and that Guo Baokun would take over the Shangjing intelligence network. The owner was surprised, as he had received no such orders and Guo Baokun was not an Investigator’s Office member. Fan Xian then displayed his Ti Si (Director-General) Token and declared Guo Baokun his direct subordinate, forcing the owner to agree to introduce Guo Baokun to the Shangjing secret agents.
Fan Xian repeatedly confirmed if Guo Baokun truly wished to remain alone in the enemy capital of Beiqi, facing danger, to save his father. Guo Baokun, driven by the desire to free his father, agreed to take the risk. He voiced concerns about Shen Zhong hindering him, but Fan Xian reassured him that he was merely a "shield" for Shen Zhong to observe. Guo Baokun's primary role would be to manage trade and bribes, while others would handle intelligence matters.
Fan Xian explained that the smuggling involved Beiqi's high-ranking officials, and once the profit chain was established, many would benefit. If any issues arose, those beneficiaries would step in to resolve them. Using money to pave the way would turn enemies into protectors. Convinced, Guo Baokun accepted the assignment. The oil shop owner activated Nanqing's intelligence network in Beiqi, and soon, rumors about the Empress Dowager and Fan Xian's profitable business, and Shen Zhong's obstruction, spread across Shangjing Town.
Shen Zhong noticed his Embroidered Uniform Guards discussing the rumors and immediately ordered them to block all such talk. Fan Xian continued his frequent visits to Haitang Duoduo, often going to the market with her. Haitang Duoduo deduced that Fan Xian was behind the rumors, a move meant to solidify his fabricated affections for her in the Empress Dowager's eyes. She worried Shen Zhong would quickly suppress the rumors. However, Fan Xian was unconcerned, having anticipated human nature.
He explained that Shen Zhong had incurred the wrath of many by blocking their potential wealth from the smuggling, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards would no longer blindly obey him as before. Indeed, as Fan Xian predicted, days passed, and the rumors not only persisted but grew more rampant. The Empress Dowager even transferred the responsibility of her annual birthday celebration, traditionally managed by Shen Zhong, to his Deputy Commander.
Shen Zhong was furious but dared not voice his displeasure, clearly sensing the Empress Dowager's growing indifference. Dejected, Shen Zhong returned to his military guardhouse. His subordinate showed him his new imperial python-patterned uniform, but Shen Zhong was uninterested. It was the day for battalion commanders to regularly report, yet no one had appeared. Shen Zhong understood that the Empress Dowager welcomed the division of power among her ministers, ensuring mutual checks and balances.
His comfortable days, he realized, were likely over. Haitang Duoduo took Fan Xian to her rural home, its yard filled with wildflowers and vegetables. She claimed to have simply scattered the seeds, which startled Fan Xian as Chen Pingping had said his mother, Ye Qingmei, used to say the same thing. Fan Xian picked up a hoe and tilled the vegetable patch. They chatted, and he confided his feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction. Haitang Duoduo found him affected.
Fan Xian lamented having no friends beyond his family, mentioning Teng Zijing, who died for him, and Wang Qinian as his only true friend. He then admitted that he was actually the Emperor's son, raised secretly in the Fan family. Haitang Duoduo dismissed this as nonsense, and Fan Xian could only offer a bitter smile. Haitang Duoduo personally cooked a feast for Fan Xian. As they drank together, Haitang Duoduo mentioned the wine was from Qingyu Hall.
Fan Xian recognized it as his mother Ye Qingmei's creation, feeling a profound sadness. He drank heavily, quickly becoming intoxicated, and recited a poem titled "Liu Yu Qing," which he noted was Qiaojie's verdict from "Dream of the Red Chamber." Fan Xian vaguely awoke to find Si Lili by his side. Si Lili explained that she would enter the imperial palace after the Empress Dowager's birthday, and they would likely never meet again.
Gathering her courage, she confessed her feelings for him. Fan Xian, stunned, reiterated that he was committed to Lin Wan’er for life. Si Lili understood, saying his fidelity didn't stop her from cherishing her feelings for him. She asked him to recount his story with Lin Wan’er. Fan Xian began to speak but quickly cut himself off, using the crowing of roosters as an excuse to rush out.
Outside, he saw Haitang Duoduo leisurely eating melon seeds, realizing she had drugged his wine. Haitang Duoduo playfully claimed the wine was just strong. Fan Xian was enraged. On the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday, Fan Xian, accompanied by Wang Qinian and Gao Da, arrived early for the banquet. A eunuch directed Wang Qinian and Gao Da to the very back seats. He Daoren quietly warned Wang Qinian that Langtao planned to challenge Fan Xian during the ceremony.
Wang Qinian quickly relayed this information to Fan Xian. Shen Zhong, dressed in his new python-patterned official robe, walked through the great hall. He noticed a Palace Guard nearly fainting from heatstroke and rushed to help him. At the same moment, Shangshan Hu also stepped forward to assist. The two rivals locked eyes, their gazes filled with deep hatred.
