Joy of Life (2019) s02e04 Episode Script

1
(Joy of Life Season 2)
(Episode 4)
I knew you were still alive!
Everyone said that you were dead.
Why does it feel like it's been a few years since I saw you?
Lower your volume.
Didn't you go to Northern Qi as a diplomat?
Why are you back before the convoy?
Did you get in trouble?
Are you the master of Moon Embracing Pavilion?
You figured it out?
I've been so busy talking to you, I've lost track of my ledgers.
Stand there.
Look at me.
I'll ask you again,
is Moon Embracing Pavilion your business?
Don't grind your teeth at me like that.
Jealousy and envy won't get you anywhere.
Even between brothers, money matters should be settled clearly.
Xian, let me tell you,
every brick and tile,
every blade of grass in Moon Embracing Pavilion,
they're all the results of my efforts.
Moon Embracing Pavilion is mine
It's our Fan family's business.
Why did you open Moon Embracing Pavilion?
To make money, of course.
I should be questioning instead.
Our bookstore was doing just fine, and then you went off to Northern Qi.
What's that term you used again? Oh, update.
You stopped updating,
and the readers are demanding updates, what was I supposed to do?
There's no update for "Dream of the Red Chamber."
Does anyone in the family know about this?
No, they don't know.
I've been keeping it from them.
I want to give them a surprise.
So, this was all your idea?
No one forced you?
I really don't get you.
Making money is such a good thing,
why would anyone need to be forced?
If you don't mind,
I'd like to ask you something too.
You've been in Northern Qi for so long, have you
I
Have you lost your mind? Why are you hitting me?
Who is he with?
Isn't Master Fan alone up there?
What's that noise?
Every blade of grass, huh?
Every brick and tile, huh?
It's all yours, huh? All yours!
All yours!
I'm going to kill you!
I
This won't hurt him.
Fan Xian,
even my father never hit me this hard.
What gives you the right?
You run Moon Embracing Pavilion?
Yes, I run it. You have a problem with it? Are you jealous?
What about Old Man Jin?
I don't know any Old Man Jin.
Stop saying things I don't understand.
I've put up with you for too long, Fan Xian.
Who do you think you are?
Believe it or not, I can call my men up here now and break your legs.
I haven't called anyone yet.
Fan Si Zhe,
you can save the trouble.
I'll be honest with you.
I sneaked back to the capital,
and I'm in trouble.
If you go out and tell them Fan Xian is here,
I'm done for.
It'll be worse than having my legs broken, I might even die.
Stop trying to gain sympathy from me.
- You really think I won't dare to call them? - Go ahead. I'll wait here.
You will only feel satisfied if you take revenge yourself. Go on.
All right.
You're screwed.
Just you wait. Stay here.
Guards! Come here!
Get over here!
We're here, Master Fan.
I've been bullied.
Who bullied you, Master Fan?
Gather all our men.
Is everyone here?
Why are there only a few of you?
Where are our 300 warriors?
Get them all here. Get them here!
What's going on? Is our ledger a mess
What happened to you?
Master Fan, whose legs did you say you wanted us to break?
That Fan
Who?
Fan who? Whose legs?
I mean the table's legs.
The dining The dining table.
The dining table?
Who is this "dining table"?
It just tripped me and made me fall hard.
Tomorrow, I want you to replace it with tea table!
- Tea table? - Move!
He
Where are your men?
Earlier,
you said if I called someone up,
you'd be done for. Was that true?
Yes.
Well, I just saved your life then.
I'll let you off this time,
but don't get too happy.
I'm still mad at you.
Who gave you the right to hit me?
Hang on.
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
My internal energy has been acting up lately.
I got too worked up when I hit you,
and it went out of control again.
You should've stayed calm.
I'm sorry.
What do I have to be sorry for?
Did you take away Mrs. Teng and her son?
What?
Who?
Teng Zi Jing's widow.
I took them away? To where? Moon Embracing Pavilion?
No way. Zi Jing and I were friends.
Why would I do such a despicable thing?
You don't know?
Who told you we had them here? Do you have any evidence?
Someone saw it.
- I'll ask around. - Come back.
What about the forced prostitution?
What nonsense are you talking about? That's absurd.
Moon Embracing Pavilion is a refined establishment.
Isn't it a brothel?
You're driving me mad.
Let me explain it to you.
You thought Moon Embracing Pavilion is a brothel?
Think about it, if we open a brothel in the capital,
there are already a few well-established ones.
So, it's not exactly something new in the capital.
And how are we going to compete
with those well-established businesses?
So, we have to find another path.
Besides,
if word gets out that a child of the Fan family
runs a brothel, Father will kill me.
So, all those girls earlier were fake?
They were real, but not They absolutely aren't what you imagine.
Don't get the wrong idea. They're not in the flesh trade.
The girls I've chosen must be well-educated and talented in various arts
like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting,
proficient in poetry and literature.
After all, entertaining people with sex
is the lowest form of entertainment.
My goal is to turn Moon Embracing Pavilion
into the only sanctuary
in the bustling capital,
where scholars and literati
can find their true soulmates.
That's the uniqueness I aim for.
And you don't know anything about Old Man Jin's death?
You keep talking about Old Man Jin. Who exactly is he?
And he died here?
My business has just opened,
if someone dies here, how am I supposed to do business?
Which rival is trying to ruin my reputation?
I'll confront them face to face.
Has anyone entered Master Fan's room?
No.
So, he just fell by himself?
How can I help you?
I just want to check on your injuries.
Took you long enough.
I thought I'd give you some time. Didn't want to disturb you.
I'm fine. It's nothing serious.
- You may go. - No need to walk me out.
You need me?
I do need you.
- What can I - Hold on.
I've thought about those fallacies you told me about earlier,
and there do have some truth to it.
Going through the ledgers alone here
can be a little boring.
See, you've gained some insight after that fall.
I've grown.
There was this tall girl
playing the pipa just now, is she still around?
Have her come
and play a piece for me,
I'd like to enjoy it.
There's nothing better than having a beautiful companion.
Just the pipa? Or would you like a whole set of instruments?
No need for more,
just the pipa.
I'll be back.
No need to walk me out.
Remember what I taught you.
Smile more later. Don't make any mistakes.
Got it?
I'm telling you, your chance to marry the rich
depends entirely on your performance today.
Don't mess it up.
Got it.
Let me see.
You're good.
Come in.
Why are you still here?
I don't need you here.
I'll call you when we're done.
You caught me.
I figured so. Go.
Please stay.
Xian
Sit here, take a breather.
Is she the one?
Sang Wen, Miss Sang.
Miss Sang.
Let me ask something.
What business does Moon Embracing Pavilion do?
It's a brothel, of course.
How could it be a brothel?
You're the owner, shouldn't you know?
Xian, I really had no idea.
Yuan Meng handled everything on her own.
It's your own business. Don't you come here usually?
I only come to check the accounts.
I don't get involved otherwise.
I don't even like singing and dancing.
Tell me, Miss Sang,
is it true that this place
forces women into prostitution?
They're kept in the backyard.
Xian, I promise I'll investigate thoroughly.
You want to investigate it?
Of course, why wouldn't I? I've been deceived too. I'm also a victim.
You're the owner. If you investigate, how will you explain it to people?
I can't explain it.
I say, will you two just sit closer? You're torturing me.
Fan Si Zhe,
you think you're very capable now, huh?
Every brick and tile, every blade of grass belongs to you, huh?
- Your business, huh? - No, Xian.
Actually, I admit I might have exaggerated a little earlier.
Tell me, where did you hire Yuan Meng from?
She wasn't hired by me.
Aren't you the owner?
I'm not the only owner.
Who else?
Have we been making money recently?
Of course we have.
I thought so. How much have we made?
Master Fan is inside checking the accounts.
Why don't you go in and have a look with him?
So, my cousin is here.
Cousin? The second owner here calls you cousin?
He's a relative from my mother's side.
- Which family's child is he? - The royal family.
He's a son of the royal family.
My mother is a cousin of Noble Consort Yi, right?
So, Noble Consort Yi's son and I should be considered cousins, right?
Noble Consort Yi's son
- He's the third prince? - Yes, that's my cousin.
Lord Fan, maybe I should leave first.
Why leave?
I dare not listen anymore. I fear the more I know, the shorter I'll live.
Just stay.
What you should and shouldn't hear, you've heard them all.
It's too late now.
The color of these curtains isn't right,
especially these drapes.
What color do you think would be better?
- Blue. - All right.
No.
Pink is better.
Pink it is then.
Purple seems nice too.
Purple then?
It's best to have all three colors,
mixed in with black.
At first glance, it looks black,
but upon closer inspection, you'll see blue, pink, and purple.
Replace them with colorful black.
This candlestick isn't right. It doesn't look good.
We'll replace it.
Get one that's sturdier and more imposing.
Got it.
It should also have a delicate and refined feel to it.
Replace it with a candlestick that's both thick and slender.
Master Li,
Master Fan is upstairs checking the accounts.
Why don't you go up and take a look too?
There's no rush.
The reason why I opened Moon Embracing Pavilion,
making money isn't the most important thing.
What matters most is making money.
Do you understand what he said just now?
Money isn't easy to come by these days.
Still don't get it?
Let me explain it from the beginning.
The truth is, he's doing this for honor.
Honor?
No matter what business he's in,
as long as it makes money,
it proves he has vision, strength, and capability.
And he can make his mother proud in the palace.
Hang on, he thought he could make
his mother proud by running a brothel here?
What's he thinking?
No, Xian, didn't I just say?
Both my cousin and I were deceived by bad people.
We didn't know Moon Embracing Pavilion is a brothel.
Didn't Noble Consort Yi ask about it?
Like me, my cousin wanted to surprise his mother.
Then where did he hire Yuan Meng from?
I really don't know.
Why are you so fixated on Yuan Meng?
- You still don't get it? - This
Doesn't that clash with this color?
This red one, replace it with
With
- Purple. - Got it.
- Hang on, that - That's him?
Got it.
- Got it. - This doesn't look good either.
Replace it with purple.
The color looks too heavy. That won't do.
There are still many areas that can be improved.
I'll think about it, and tell you later.
All right.
Is Si Zhe upstairs?
Master Fan is meticulous, he's upstairs checking the accounts by himself.
- He's checking the accounts alone? - He's accompanied by our singer.
Si Zhe has never enjoyed listening to music.
Let's go take a look.
Slow down.
Si Zhe, I'm coming in.
Come in.
I thought you were listening to music. Why are you playing instead?
Don't even get me started.
How did you train her?
She even plays worse than me.
Go back and practice more.
What did I just tell you?
You can't even do this right.
Get out of here.
Back when I was a courtesan at Liujing River,
I was the best at playing pipa.
Get up!
Get out!
Just call for me if you want to hear it later.
Si Zhe, I can sing too.
Shall I sing for you?
Knock it off. Where did you hire these people from?
Who are you?
So, they're in there?
Your Highness, we're here.
(Moon Embracing Pavilion)
- Are you sure Fan Xian is in there right now? - Absolutely.
Come with me.
Your Highness, I
You shouldn't be overly cautious.
Those who constantly leave themselves a way out
often find themselves in a dead end.
As you command.
Very wise. Let's go,
let's watch the fun.
Did you kill him?
I knocked him out.
- He passed out just like that? - I'm a martial arts expert, after all.
How's your internal energy?
It'll get better in a while.
What should I tell him when he wakes up?
He saw you.
Say something. What's going on?
What are these men doing here?
What is Prince Cheng Ze doing here?
He's here for me.
He knows you're here?
Just a reminder,
this building is surrounded from all sides.
There's nowhere to escape.
Forget about climbing through windows onto the roof.
Open the door. Let's welcome them in.
But I thought you couldn't be seen by anyone.
A door can't stop a prince. Open it.
Your Highness.
Young Master, how have you been?
Qi Nian, what are you
What a party.
What is he
- He's probably tired. He's taking a nap. - What is that
I was kicked by a donkey.
Fan Xian,
it's been a long time.
It hasn't been that long.
It's been less than
half a year,
but it feels like it's been two or three years since I last saw you.
It's been boring in the capital
without you.
You know,
Yan Xiao Yi tried to assassinate me
on my way to Northern Qi.
Really?
I've been curious about
how he knew my itinerary.
I didn't tell anyone
which route I would take.
So how did he find out?
It's quite simple, actually.
If one knew which route I wouldn't take,
they could deduce my itinerary.
Going north, I wouldn't go through Fengming Pass.
It's too far.
Not taking Fengming Pass but not wanting to take the longer route,
which route would I choose?
It's straightforward, isn't it?
So,
it has always been you who conspired
with the elder princess to try to kill me.
Fan Xian,
actually,
Moon Embracing Pavilion's human trafficking case is easily verifiable.
Both the first and the second owners are here,
along with our supposedly deceased Poetic Genius Fan here.
The situation couldn't be clearer.
Indeed, even if I say I have nothing to do with Moon Embracing Pavilion,
no one will believe me.
Actually, at this point,
human trafficking is no longer your main concern.
Fan Xian,
you faking your own death to deceive His Majesty
is the real capital offense.
Nonetheless,
I must thank Lord Wang Qi Nian.
We've been planning this for so long, but we wouldn't have been able
to catch you without him.
He has always been good
at his job.
Qi Nian,
you're a traitor!
Your Highness,
now that Lord Fan is in your hands,
I implore you to honor your promise
and return my wife and daughter.
I don't have them.
Your Highness, you promised.
I've told you very clearly,
anything I have, I can give you,
but I really don't have your wife and daughter.
I did send my men to fetch them,
but we were late.
They were already gone.
They're really not with Your Highness?
I'm telling the truth.
Don't panic.
Once this is over,
I'll help you find them.
Where could they have gone?
(Moon Embracing Pavilion)
My Lord,
I thought they were taken by His Highness.
I understand.
Actually, I find it quite strange too.
Someone took them away
without making any demands.
Indeed, unlike you, right?
You always kidnap people for leverage.
It doesn't matter.
At this point, I'm actually a little touched by myself.
Even in this situation,
I still want to give you a chance.
If you agree to become my ally,
I'll release Mrs. Teng and her son immediately.
And Moon Embracing Pavilion's troubles will go away.
At this point, you think you're the one who has to forgive me?
It's all the same.
Everyone makes mistakes in life.
Let it go, and all will be well.
Let it go?
How can I let it go?
This place is trading people and forcing them into prostitution,
who will release those people of suffering?
Who will release them of suffering? That's on you.
They're suffering because of you.
I don't care about them,
I care about you.
As long as you agree to be my ally,
won't you have the final say over those people?
Two choices,
either reconcile
or I kill you.
I see.
I will not reconcile!
Li Cheng Ze, we are not the same kind of people.
We're destined to be enemies!
What a pity.
The Judicial Bureau is on a case! Put your weapons down!
Don't move.
Don't move.
No one moves.
You're supposed to be dead, how did you manage
to summon the officers from the Judicial Bureau?
No, even if you weren't dead, you couldn't have summoned them.
Who could it be?
Greetings, Your Highness!
Continue with your tasks. Spare the formalities.
Cheng Ze, you're here too.
Greetings, Your Highness.
We're family, don't stand on ceremony.
Shall we have a chat?
Spare the formalities, everyone.
Your Highness.
What's with this boy?
He's tired. He's taking a nap.
He's taking a nap like this?
He's still growing. He needs to get enough rest.
I was like him when I was younger.
- I understand. - Understand my foot!
What happened to your face?
He was kicked by a donkey.
You seem to know everything, Cheng Ze.
Your Highness, what brings you here?
I had some free time. When I saw the officials from the Judicial Bureau
conducting an investigation, I followed along.
What investigation?
The Moon Embracing Pavilion.
Human trafficking is a capital offense.
I had to come and see for myself.
Who would have thought I'd run into you here?
Perhaps you should come back tomorrow.
You'd better think twice before you speak and act.
Think about what?
- How should I think? - Fan Xian deceived His Majesty.
That's a capital offense.
Are you really going to protect him?
But isn't he really dead?
Then who is this person in front of you?
Cheng Ze, don't scare me.
I don't see anyone in front of me.
You'd better think about the consequences.
Sheltering someone who deceives His Majesty is equally guilty.
I've been quite exhausted lately.
I'm blind and deaf,
what crime have I committed?
Do you think you'll still be able
to protect him if this escalates?
I don't know. Let's try.
The Judicial Bureau is on a case.
Anyone who obstructs them will be treated as guilty of treason.
Have you thought about how this would end?
No, Why don't you think about it?
If I may ask,
how did you know I would come to Moon Embracing Pavilion today?
Wang Qi Nian
Oh, Your Highness,
this is all Lord Fan Xian's fault.
I'm actually kind and honest in nature.
Fan Xian went to Moon Embracing Pavilion?
Yes, Your Highness.
And you still have to visit Cheng Ze later?
Lord Fan said
that as long as Your Highness gets the timing right,
you can trap him in Moon Embracing Pavilion.
Fan Xian is using himself as bait?
He hopes Your Highness enjoys the catch.
It's a trap in disguise.
You really fooled me.
It's all because Lord Fan has a devious mind.
I was just following orders.
If your wife and daughter were really in my hands,
I would've handed them over to you earlier.
Thankfully,
they're not in your hands.
That's much safer.
You did such a good job tricking me.
Oh, I'm ashamed.
Wang Qi Nian, you're such a natural liar.
You've even fooled me. You must have done this often.
No, no.
I've always been an honest person.
It's all because of Lord Fan's influence.
Cheng Ze,
your men have drawn their swords.
Why are you still chatting?
Swords? What swords?
So no swords are drawn. Let's sit down and talk then.
We're brothers,
and you're the crown prince.
Drawing swords in front of you is considered treason.
That was just a joke, don't take it seriously.
It's exactly because we're brothers,
I have to give you an advice.
You shouldn't have come to Moon Embracing Pavilion.
People will talk if they see you here.
The owner of Moon Embracing Pavilion
is from the Fan family.
But its second owner is your younger brother, who is still growing.
He is your younger brother too.
You're mistaken, Cheng Ze.
The crown prince doesn't fall into the category of princes.
He might be younger than me, but he's third in line.
So, he doesn't count as my brother.
So, what? Are you going to take me down today?
Don't say that. I do see you as my brother.
Once we step out of this door, I won't bring this up again.
And how should I repay you?
Release Mrs. Teng and her son.
I thought Fan Xian isn't here?
You just heard the voice in my mind.
Actually,
so what if we fall out with each other?
I have nothing to do
with Moon Embracing Pavilion.
A few criticisms from outsiders won't hurt me.
Moon Embracing Pavilion has nothing to do with you?
I have a clear conscience.
- Are you sure? - Absolutely.
- Could I have a word with you in private? - Sure.
That woman downstairs is Yuan Meng, right?
What are they talking about? I can't hear them.
I don't know.
Don't look.
She used to be quite famous as a courtesan at Liujing River.
If I remember correctly,
she should be under Hong Cheng's patronage now.
Although Hong Cheng is Lord Jing's son,
I'm not very familiar with him.
You are close to him.
One could say that Hong Cheng serves you loyally.
Speak plainly.
The relationship
between Yuan Meng, Hong Cheng,
and you
forms a kind of triangle, doesn't it?
It still seems to outsiders
that you're somewhat involved with Moon Embracing Pavilion.
Somewhat involved might be an understatement.
- They might look deeper into it. - What if they can't find anything?
Rumors can be dangerous.
Just say it.
What deal do you want to make with me?
Releasing Mrs. Teng and her son is what I want.
You think you can intimidate me into releasing them with rumors?
Do you really see me as that type of person?
You've got me pegged.
I really am that type of person.
At the end of the day,
we're brothers.
We're family.
Who backs down first doesn't really matter.
Fan Wu Jiu.
Yes, Your Highness.
Send Mrs. Teng and her son back home.
- Well - Go now!
Yes, Your Highness.
Move! Get out of my way!
What else can I do for you?
Don't worry, I'll release them unscathed.
I fear the power of rumors.
Is there anything I can do for you then?
With the crown prince here, how could I not yield?
May I ask,
can I leave now?
As you wish.
Human nature is unpredictable.
Good luck.
Who is he talking to?
I don't know.
The Judicial Bureau is on a case. Don't obstruct them.
Don't get in their way.
What are you pondering?
Do you think he really meant it?
From what I know about my brother,
he's not one to go back on his word.
Since he has promised to release them,
he'll keep his word.
I just find it odd how quickly he compromised.
Even if the situation was unfavorable,
leaving immediately could have been an option.
But to release them so easily?
Maybe he really
was worried about the triangle connection I told him.
He probably also believes
that outsiders would think he is involved with Moon Embracing Pavilion.
Right?
Don't you think Yuan Meng
was a loophole that seemed almost too obvious?
Maybe I showed up too suddenly,
and he didn't have time to hide her.
No, what I mean is,
why did he have to choose Yuan Meng to manage the brothel?
Couldn't he have chosen someone else?
Yuan Meng used to be a courtesan.
Such a versatile talent
is best suited for this job, isn't she?
He set up Fan Si Zhe with Moon Embracing Pavilion,
then, he sent me a message,
and he captured Mrs. Teng and her son.
After all that effort,
he compromised just like that?
He was going to get you convicted
for deceiving the emperor.
But he didn't expect that his plan would fail.
Could it be that he let us notice Yuan Meng on purpose?
And what would he gain from that?
What would he gain?
That's right.
What indeed.
Are they released?
I've given the order.
They're just a woman and a child, don't terrify them.
Are we really going to return them just like that?
Since we couldn't catch Fan Xian, there's no point in holding them anymore.
Besides, risking everything for this isn't worth it.
But then, we didn't gain anything from this.
Be patient. The Moon Embracing Pavilion is only the beginning.
Only he thinks he's won.
What about Wang Qi Nian?
He really fooled me.
He's a talent.
I dare not accept such praise.
I'm not a talent.
At best, just an ordinary person.
Your Highness, you're overly generous with your compliments.
You're quite humble.
Not many people can fool Cheng Ze.
That's already impressive.
It's all thanks to Your Highness's fortune,
coupled with Lord Fan's brilliant strategies.
I just did my honest duty,
which is why everything turned out so well.
Qi Nian, that's enough.
Got it.
What are your plans
for Moon Embracing Pavilion?
Can we release these people?
If we release them now,
I doubt a single one will survive.
Then let's shut down the place for now.
You will pacify them.
When I return to the capital officially, I'll release them.
All right.
Oh, and there's a girl surnamed Jin in the establishment.
Take special care of her and return her indenture to her.
How are you going to answer to my sister-in-law?
You're shutting down
such a lucrative business just like this?
- I dare not continue. - There are actually things you dare not do?
Some lines I dare not cross.