Joy of Life (庆余年)

Do masters always give such precious gifts?

You are Ye Qing Mei's son after all.

My teacher said that this technique originally belonged to your mother.

Now, it's simply returning to its rightful owner.

It seems my mother is everywhere.

You are fortunate.

I should thank you for your assistance earlier.

You shouldn't thank me.

The real trump card was Shadow, who was hiding in the water.

Did you already know Yun Zhi Lan would come?

I didn't even know that Shadow was in Jiangnan, let alone Yun Zhi Lan.

You didn't know?

That's strange.

The position of the ambush in the water was too perfect.

Someone must have leaked the information.

I really didn't know. I'm more puzzled than you are.

Forget it, it's none of my business.

Dig in!

How have you been since you got married?

Quite well.

That puts my mind at ease.

Si Li Li wanted me to ask.

How is she doing?

Don't ask. - Who is Si Li Li?

For her, the greatest comfort is no longer hearing from you.

Why don't you figure out if this is duck or goose meat?

You don't know her? - I meant this.

Isn't this a chicken?

Salted chicken, right?

All right, run slower.

Don't fall.

All right, stop running.

Mother, Lord Fan has arrived.

Why didn't you inform me earlier?

I should have gone out to welcome him.

Lord Fan came alone?

Despite the chaos in Jiangnan, the Ming family remains safe, right?

The Ming family will protect Lord Fan to the death.

Go and greet Lord Fan.

Lord Fan.

Good kids, I didn't bring any sweets today.

I'll make it up to you later.

Now, off you go.

Mother.

Are you not done yet?

Just a couple more bows and the ceremony will be complete.

My Lord, please have a seat.

I'll keep you company for a while.

What is this ceremony?

It's an adoption ceremony.

Adoption?

Yes.

He is of my clan, so he is like a cousin to me.

From today, he will be adopted into my mother's household,

making him my younger brother in name,

even closer in relation.

He is lucky indeed,

having you witness the ceremony.

It's an honor for his family.

Please, have some tea.

All right.

The ceremony is complete. No need for more bows.

Come. Come on, get up.

Here, take it.

From now on, we are brothers.

As your elder brother, I should show a token of appreciation.

I'm getting old, not as thoughtful as you.

If my mother has to worry about such small matters,

then I'm failing as the head of the family.

Look, Mother has spoken.

Take it quickly.

There are gifts for the children too.

Come.

I have gifts for the children too. Come here.

Go ahead.

From now on, I am your uncle.

I will make the decision from now on. I have the final say.

Did you hear that?

Come, everyone gets something. - Thank you, Uncle.

Come. - Thank you, Uncle.

Take it and buy some sweets.

Off you go.

Mother.

Now that family matters are settled,

let's get to business.

You are the head of the family.

It's your call.

Lord Fan.

Please take the seat of honor.

Now that the ceremony is over, why are you still kneeling?

This morning at the dock,

I promised to give you an explanation

before nightfall.

My Lord, this person is the culprit who greedily issued the bounty.

Him?

The culprit?

Isn't he your newly adopted brother?

What was his motive? Greed?

Perhaps he wanted to curry favor.

Your journey south has disrupted certain interests.

He might just be a pawn.

Disrupted the Ming family's interests?

The Ming family is insignificant.

My Lord, the Three Great Workshops belongs to the royal family.

The Ming family is just a helper on errands.

All equipment, personnel, and management

are overseen by the Transport Department.

Even in trade, the profits ultimately go to Princess Yun Rui.

To put it bluntly,

the Ming family are just the watchdogs.

It doesn't matter to us who holds the leash.

Isn't that right? - Dogs bite.

Only stray dogs bite.

Watchdogs

are loyal.

How about this, My Lord?

Today, I speak for the Ming family.

My Lord, you are here by royal decree, legitimate and proper.

The Ming family will fully support your reclaiming

of the Three Great Workshops.

Our head's promise is the Ming family's word.

Good.

Now that the explanation is given

and the stance is clear,

what do we do with him?

Issuing an illegal bounty and attempting to assassinate an official

are capital offenses.

Lord Fan,

the Ming family will never bend the law for the benefit of relatives.

Please administer justice against the criminal,

My Lord.

At least send the children away.

They are all watching this.

If he is a criminal, why adopt him?

Though he deserves death,

the children are innocent.

By adopting them, after he is gone,

I can ensure they are cared for as my own grandchildren.

He will not die with regrets.

Mother's kindness is boundless.

If I were him,

I'd indeed rest in peace.

Lord Fan.

Please administer justice.

This is the culprit? - Indeed.

Driven by greed?

Yes.

Do you plead guilty? - I plead guilty.

If you plead guilty, you will die.

Please grant me this!

I refuse to do so.

Whether you die or not will be determined after investigation.

I will take you to the capital magistrate for a thorough investigation.

Brother.

Can you send the children away first?

Submit to the investigation and cooperate fully.

Don't worry about your family.

I will take care of the children.

There won't be any accidents.

Servants.

Escort him to the capital magistrate.

Lord Fan, watch out!

This...

So, he committed suicide to escape punishment.

Are you all right, My Lord?

Did any blood get on you?

You shielded me from it.

How could I be stained?

This...

If it doesn't wash out, I have to throw this away and get new clothing.

Such a waste.

Look at this mess, what a waste of good food.

My Lord.

Are you taking the body back for an inquest?

He committed suicide to avoid punishment.

Why would I need a corpse for interrogation?

In that case,

I'll take my brother's body out for a proper burial.

I will be back soon.

Lord Fan.

Your generosity in raising money to send the victims home is admirable.

The Ming family mustn't fall behind in doing such noble acts.

Let's talk about good deeds later.

The blood isn't even cleaned up yet.

Dear folks,

I've explained everything.

The Ming family's good deeds can't be delayed.

Let's all drink up.

Drink up.

Master Ming.

Master Ming.

These villagers have all volunteered themselves?

Yes.

Why do so many of them look familiar?

They're all here for the sake of the Ming family.

Elder, please sit down.

Thank you, Master Ming.

Thanks for your hard work.

Ming Qing Da

thank all the villagers