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[Karen]
Last episode was rather heavy with the Emperor cold heartedly calling for the death of Censor Lai Ming Cheng. This episode, the tone turns to be a little lighter and is almost a transitory episode to set us up for the next major conflict/event, the spring imperial entrance exams.
But before we get to that, let’s watch some hilarity ensue. Fan Xian is in a carriage when several pompous and egotistical young men stop him. They apparently are sons of various dukes in the capital and are here to pick a fight with Fan Xian on behalf of the 3rd prince. The reason being that Fan Xian opted to take control of Bao Yue Lou and these men are here to take it back for the 3rd prince. Does the 3rd prince know this is happening? Not at all. Fan XIan guessed as much and wasn’t perturbed by the threats of these young men at all. I mean, he is one of the best fighters in the land and these men probably never got into a real fight anyways so they were easily dispatched. Deng Zi Yue and his men arrived quickly to clean up the mess and arrest these men. Taking signal from Fan Xian, Deng Zi Yue pretended like he didn’t know that these men were part of the aristocracy and took them back to the Overwatch Council for questioning.
Fan Xian at first was going to let this go but then thought about it for a second and decided to head to the palace instead to uhh tattle tale about what just happened. At the palace, he finds Noble Concubine Yi or Yi Gui Pin who is the mother of the 3rd prince. She is also related to Mistress Liu, aka Fan Si Zhe’s birth mother, which is why Fan Xian opts to call Yi Gui Pin Aunt Liu. This is a callback to episode 24 of Joy of Life season 1 where he opts to emphasize the familial bond they have together even though they aren’t blood related.
[Cathy]
Anyways, the 3rd prince is also there. Evidently, Fan Xian went to tell Yi Gui Pin about what just happened and now she is furious at her son. The 3rd prince pleads his case that he didn’t know about Bao Yue Lou being a brothel and thought it was just a way to make money but his mother wasn’t having it. She yells at her maids for one of them to bring a rattan cane so that she can beat her son. It’s rather funny because at first, Fan Xian was kinda looking out for the 3rd prince but then when none of the maids moved at Yi Gui Pin’s request for the cane, Fan Xian was like “are you guys not paying attention? Why didn’t you get the cane?”. So next thing we know, Yi Gui Pin is having a grand old time beating her son for his poor judgement.
My read of this scene is that Fan Xian isn’t actually angry at the 3rd prince. But the reason he went to tell the 3rd prince’s mother is, as he states to her, to keep the 3rd prince inside the palace and away from possible other traps. Both Fan Xian and Yi Gui Pin know that this entire debacle was a trap set by someone (aka the 2nd prince) and the best way to protect the 3rd prince is to have him get beaten for his involvement and then basically be under house arrest.
Aunt Liu or Yi Gui Pin is quite observant in seeing that the Capital is not safe for her son. She has no ambitions for him to become crown prince and instead, needs to seek safety elsewhere. She understands that perhaps the best person TO protect her son is Fan Xian.
[Karen]
Elsewhere Chen Ping Ping is visiting the Emperor. He says its for some peace and quiet but in reality it’s to share the tea on Fan Xian’s activities that day from the little standoff with the junior members of the aristocracy to Yi Gui Pin disciplining her son. The Emperor even wanted to see the disciplining in action but was told the scene already ended and he was rather disappointed that there wasn’t anything entertaining to watch any more. So, he goes back to messing around with what looks like a gunpowder formula. Every time I watch a scene where Chen Ping Ping is discussing with the Emperor, I am quite in awe of just how careful each word Chen Ping Ping uses with the Emperor. There are moments where Chen Ping Ping shows just a little bit more power and capability that perhaps he should that the Emperor lightly points out. The moment the Emperor does so, Chen Ping Ping becomes a very deferential person that exalts the virtues of the Emperor. The Emperor knows what Chen Ping Ping is doing but is, at least here, placated nonetheless.
There are 2 important takeaways here in this conversation between Chen Ping Ping and the Emperor. One, the 2nd prince sent over a memo where he and the Ye family suggest that Fan Xian be the head examiner for the Spring Imperial Entrance exam. This combined memo is rather interesting. It is largely the result of the conversation the 2nd prince has with Ye Ling’Er on the roof of his residence earlier in the episode. There, he actually opens up with Ye Ling Er about the fact that he doesn’t actually want to do harm to Fan Xian. Ye Ling’Er and us are like…yea right…but he tries to be rather adamant in his sincerity. What is the MOST true about what he says is that he recognizes that he has been placed in an impossible situation primarily of his father’s doing. The EMPEROR is the one that pushed him, the 2nd prince, to be on competing sides with the crown prince. If he doesn’t play the game, he will die. So perhaps it is true. Maybe at his core, he doesn’t really want to fight Fan Xian, but his father pushed him to a spot that requires him to be antagonistic towards Fan Xian. Anyways, he asks Ye Ling’er to send a memo to the palace which is exactly what happens.
[Cathy]
I think this is where the problem is with Ling’er. She is actually not that smart. We know that the 2nd prince is playing a game of chess and she just goes with it. She has her skepticism but she doesn’t see through his tricks and does what he says. When the memo arrives in the palace, both the Emperor AND Chen Ping Ping see right through the fact that the 2nd prince is setting something up for Fan Xian. Plus, the combined memo of the 2nd prince and the Ye Family, aka Ye Ling’Er’s family who also boasts a grand master in that cohort, is basically playing into what the Emperor wants. The Emperor after all set the engagement between the Ye family and the 2nd prince. So, now, instead of being fodder to develop the crown prince, I have a feeling the Emperor is happy to agree with the 2nd prince’s request for Fan Xian to be the lead examiner in order to help set up Fan Xian to be more powerful in the future. Poor 2nd prince. Used as a pawn by his father.
Ling’er’s lack of awareness is also juxtaposed with Wan’Er’s intelligence. Later on in this episode, Fan Xian goes to visit Wan’Er at her residence at night at her request. She is there sewing embroidery but the purpose of her summons is to be an advisor for Fan Xian. She tells him not to worry about those young men he arrested as she can help apologize on his behalf which, as a princess, means those men and their families can’t really get angry. Not only that, she advises Fan Xian that this is just smoke and mirrors. The true trap set for Fan Xian by the 2nd prince, is the imperial entrance exams. Fan Xian looks at Wan’Er with pride because not only is she looking out for him, but also because the 2 of them are thinking the same thing. He is also aware that the spring exam is likely the last opportunity the 2nd prince has to stop him from taking control of the royal treasury and that’s where the biggest threats will come from.
[Karen]
And now it is time to prepare for the spring exams. Fan Xian is officially given the role of 4th ranked Ju Zhong Lan who will be in charge of administering the exam. We are introduced to a new character, Shi Chan Li, who is here for the exam. He is one of those poor students hoping to change their fortunes with the exam. Importantly, this guy, Shi Chan Li, is the sole survivor of the Shi clan who has ties with the corrupt dealings of the 2nd prince but whose entire village was burned to the ground by the crown prince. No one knows who did the burning part but now all eyes are on this Shi Chan Li.
We’ll close out the episode recap with 2 other threads. 1) Fan Ruo Ruo is now turning into a medical genius who apparently has the steadiest hands ever. Perfect for becoming a surgeon. She can balance a needle perfectly while walking around and while closing her eyes. This shocks Fan Xian but means that she is now going to be another asset for Fan Xian later on this season. And 2) We meet He Zong Wei. The character was in season 1 and was friends with Guo Bao Kun and Li Hong Cheng. He was only present for a few episodes in season 1. He has returned here though with a new actor. Fan Xian even makes a comment of “hey, you look different” as an inside joke. Anyways – this guy is doing everything he can to suck up to Fan Xian so he can get some help during the imperial entrance exam. Fan Xian is super weirded out by this and turns his focus instead on news of Shi Chan Li. We’ll leave the episode recap here.
智商盆地 – callback to episode 6
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[Cathy]
That was the episode recap and a pivot for the series as we now enter the next phase – the Imperial Civil Service Exams. Let’s discuss the history that was found in the episode!
The first topic I’d like to discuss is 居中郎 or the title of the overseer of this year’s imperial civil service exams. According to the Eunuch Hou, this is a position of the 4th rank. Fan Xian asks about this role. Eunuch Hou quickly confirms that this has been a historical post.
Funnily enough from a CHINESE history perspective, 居中郎 is NOT a real post. As in 居中郎 isn’t a real post. However, throughout history, there have been official posts for 郎中、员外郎、中郎、中郎将. These all are various of the characters that comprise of 居中郎 but none of the roles for those posts are related to the Imperial Civil Service Exams.
The role of Lang Zhong existed during the Warring States period over 2000 years ago. Per the writings of Han Fei, a Legalist Scholar who lived in the 3rd century BCE, “郎中，为郎居中，则君之左右之人也”. Or in my translation – Lang Zhong, as a man in the middle, is the person to the right and left of the Emperor.
During the Qin and Han Dynasties, the posts for 郎中 were close advisors of the Emperor BUT of low rank. During the reign of Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty, some of his most famous advisors such as 东方朔 and 主父偃 had posts of 朗 and 郎中. Advisors close to the emperor had clear paths to promotion and recognition and as such, the role of 郎中 became more and more prestigious.
After the Eastern Han period, the role of Langzhong transferred under the 尚书 Shangshu. After the implementation of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the roles of Lang Zhong became subordinate officials of the ministries. Each ministry was divided into several bureaus, each headed by a Langzhong, ranked roughly as a fourth-rank official. They were ranked below the Minister 尚书 and deputy Minister 侍郎of the department.
Now you might think – wait what, I thought Lang Zhong meant a doctor? Well that’s also true. Calling doctors as Lang Zhong began during the Song Dynasty, around 1000 years ago. The custom originated from the southern dialects and then proliferated from there. In Ming and Qing Dynasty dramas, you’ll hear the usage of Lang Zhong to refer to doctors.
As for 中郎 – that was the title for attendants serving close to the Emperor and also originated during the Warring States period. During the Han Dynasty, the post continued with the main responsibilities of managing the emperor’s carriages, gates, and personal guards, and oversaw Carriage Officers 车郎, 户郎 Hu Lang (Gate Officer), and 骑郎 Cavalry Officer. There was also the role of 中郎将 which held more military power. Variations of the Zhong Long continued through the Three Kingdoms era. But after that, the positions shifted to be divided amongst the bureaus similar to the Lang Zhong posts.
Turning back to the drama – 居中郎 as a role for Fan Xian was most definitely created for him as sort of a joke but also a nod that he must stay in the middle and not join the camp of any Prince.
[Karen]
Next up, let’s talk about the litany of idioms Wan’Er and Fan xian use when she has the late night discussion with Fan Xian.
The first is 珠联璧合 when Fan Xian praises her as the perfect match. The literal meaning is A String of Beads strung together. Fine jade perfectly joined.
This idiom originates from the Eastern Han Dynasty’s the Book of Han written by Ban Gu 班固 in the 1st century CE. In the text, he writes 日月如合璧，五星如连珠 or The Sun and Moon as joined jade. The 5 stars align as a string of pearls. The original text was focused on describing the phenomenon of the alignment of the sun, moon, and stars like jade and pearls. Over the millennia, the meaning has changed to symbolize the perfect union of people or strengths. This idiom is typically used to describe great marriages or else great partnerships.
Aw, Fan Xian really believes they are the perfect match.
[Cathy]
Next up, Wan’Er warns Fan Xian to be careful about the upcoming exams. The young students and scholars have toiled years to have this opportunity to 鲤鱼化龙 and have a place at court.
鲤鱼化龙 is the idiom Wan’Er uses. This translates to the Carp transforming into a Dragon. Traditionally, the idiom is 鲤跃龙门 or Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate. This refers to the ancient folktale that if the carp jumped over the dragon gate that was carved by ancient dragon 应龙, then the carp will transform into a dragon. The story symbolizes perseverance, ambition, and success through hard work. This folktale can be traced back to written examples dating back to the Han Dynasty, over 2000 years ago.
After the establishment of the imperial civil service exams, this folktale has since been used as a metaphor for those rising to prominence, especially poor scholars who passed the imperial exams to become a Jin Shi. The man’s life will then be met with success and wealth. This legend also spread to Japan, which inspired several traditions to hang carp during festivals to symbolize aspiration and good fortune.
[Karen]
Lastly, let’s discuss the embroidery that Wan’Er is trying to sew. She is trying create embroidery of 鸳鸯戏水 or Mandarins Playing in Water.
In Chinese culture for thousands of years, mandarin ducks have been regarded as a symbol of marital harmony and everlasting love. The mandarin ducks are native to the eastern region of Asia.
The earliest reference to comparing mandarin ducks to a loving couple appears in Tang dynasty poet 卢照邻 Lu Zhaolin’s poem “The Ancient Meaning of Chang’an” (长安古意), which contains the famous line: 愿做鸳鸯不羡仙 – “I would rather be a pair of mandarin ducks than envy the immortals.”
They are often celebrated in Chinese art and literature as the embodiment of pure, faithful, and enduring love between partners. It is customary for the bride to complete embroideries that represent this lasting love. That’s pretty ironic because the birds do NOT mate for life.
[Cathy]
That is it from a history perspective!
Let’s conclude with book differences. The young men who try to attack Fan Xian appear right after he leaves Bao Yue Lou for the first time. Fan Xian is annoyed at the audacity of these young men and is much more ruthless, breaking arms and legs. He also at this point doesn’t know who is the owner of Bao Yue Lou so he does a bit of investigating. So the order of events is flipped. With the conclusion of Bao Yue Lou in the drama, the drama now covers the events of the Civil Service exams which in the book occur BEFORE Fan Xian even leaves for the Northern Qi kingdom which occurred in season 1.