News of Fan Xian using the investigation of corrupt officials to deal with Prince Cheng Ze and his faction has been spreading in the capital like wildfire. The Overwatch Council states that the culprits of the murder in Moon Embracing Pavilion were finally arrested. They rat out their mastermind as well.

Selfish Motives

Zhang Ruoyun

Li Qin

Chen Daoming

Wu Gang

Xin Zhilei

Liu Duanduan

Song Yi

Li Xiaoran

Li Chun

Liu Hua

Tian Yu

Guo Qilin

Gao Shuguang

Fu Jia

Zhao Ke

Li Qiang

Yu Yang

Wu Xingjian

Fulfilling a Promise

Farce

Following the previous events, Fan Xian fakes his death to leave the envoy. He disguises himself alongside Wang Qi Nian and returns to the capital. To their surprise, news of Fan Xian's death has already spread throughout the city. With nowhere to hide, Fan Xian temporarily stays at Wang Qi Nian's house. As Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian discuss their rescue plan, Fan Xian already has a strategy in mind.

Plotting

Fan Xian goes to the Eastern Palace to meet the Crown Prince and informs him that the Second Prince and Elder Princess are colluding with Northern Qi in a smuggling trade. Fan Xian says a place called Shijia Town must be investigated to find proof.

Trap

Fan Xian intends to enter Moon Embracing Pavilion through the purchasing caravan. He meets Mr. Jin by coincidence. Fan Xian gives Mr. Jin 500 taels and tells him to help locate the whereabouts of Teng Zi Jin's wife and son.

Locating the Whereabouts

Prince Cheng Ze has his men surround the Moon Embracing Pavilion. He and Wang Qi Nian go upstairs and meet Fan Xian. Prince Cheng Ze hopes to form an alliance with Fan Xian, but Fan Xian firmly asserts that they are not the same kind of people and are destined to be enemies.

Enemy

Fan Xian orders Fan Si Zhe to detain himself at home. He tells him not to leave his room until he returns with the convoy. Fan Xian goes to see Yan Bing Yun. He states that his period of fake death is over. However, Fan Xian's death has turned into a huge deal. Fan Xian's convoy encounters Prince Cheng Ru and his army outside the city gate. Xin Qi Wu, an official of the State Ceremonial Bureau, goes to see Fan Xian.

Returning from the Dead

The Elder Princess of Northern Qi finds out the convoy and Prince Cheng Ru have a clash of schedule. They confront each other outside the city gate. The crown prince pretends to be shocked when he hears that Prince Cheng Ze is involved in smuggling. Prince Cheng Ze states that there must be a misunderstanding.

An Explanation

The crown prince tells the queen that he's the one who burned down Shijia Town. Chen Ping Ping consoles Fan Xian and returns the inspector pass to him. He wants him to assume his position in the Overwatch Council. Fan Xian tells Fan Jian and Madam Liu about Fan Si Zhe's brothel business. He arranges for Fan Si Zhe to head to Northern Qi. Fan Si Zhe gives it a try even though he's afraid of the journey ahead.

The Path Northward

Fan Xian arrives at the Overwatch Council to review its affairs, but no one has any answers. Determined to reform the place and eliminate the stale and corrupt culture, Fan Xian decides to take action. He learns that the Vegetable Inspection Office has sent a valuable ingredient, which he intends to use as a starting point to address the corruption. Upon hearing that the Vegetable Inspection Office has been sealed off, Eunuch Dai hurries to handle the situation.

Rectification

Prince Cheng Ze is confused about Fan Xian's act of bribery in public. Prince Cheng Ze decides to do nothing and observe the situation. Fan Xian asks Yan Bing Yun to lead the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council to investigate the corruption outside the capital. Yan Bing Yun says he can help Fan Xian for the sake of the Qing Kingdom.

The Same End

Lai Ming Cheng exposes Eunuch Dai for exploiting vegetable farmers with his traps. Cheng Ping Ping stands out and testifies for Fan Xian. Fan Xian is able to be acquitted of his bribery charge.

Confrontation

Prince Cheng Ze meets with Fan Xian again, hoping they can turn from enemies to friends. A murder occurs at Moon Embracing Pavilion, and Fan Xian personally investigates, only to find that the victim is Old Man Jin's daughter. Overcome with grief and anger, Fan Xian orders a thorough investigation of Yuan Meng, determined to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Setup

Prince Cheng Ze does not care about the rumors and wants to add insult to injury. He hopes to use Fan Xian's rumor at Northern Qi to affect Wan Er and Fan Xian's marriage. Ye Ling Er wants to cancel her marriage agreement with Prince Cheng Ze, but Prince Cheng Ze says there's no going back after His Majesty granted the marriage.

Fan Wu Jiu leaves the city in secret but he is captured by Fan Xian after losing against Haitang Duo Duo, the Saintess of Northern Qi. Fan Wu Jiu's reappearance in the capital as the murderer at Moon Embracing Pavilion catches Prince Cheng Ze by surprise.

Lai Ming Cheng argues with Emperor Qing several times. In the end, he is flogged to death. Chen Ping Ping says Lai Ming Cheng's death will make the Overwatch Council an enemy of the Censorate. Fan Xian has literally become a lonely official.

Lonely Official

The Spring Imperial Examination is nearing. Prince Cheng Ze recommends Fan Xian to host the examination. The Emperor of Qing grants Fan Xian the title of Central Official. He's in charge of overseeing the examination. Fan Xian senses that Prince Cheng Ze will set him up during the examination.

Spring Imperial Examination

Deng Zi Yue gives a report of Shi Chan Li's surveillance to Fan Xian. Fan Xian has doubts and goes to the exam hall to investigate. All factions in the imperial court start delivering notes to Fan Xian in secret and hope that the name on the note will appear on the ranking of the Spring Imperial Examination.

Ways of an Official

Fan Xian arrives at Tongfu Inn and encounters Yang Wan Li, who is immersed in his studies. As Yang Wan Li talks about his aspirations for officialdom, Fan Xian finds his blood being stirred. Meanwhile, Fan Si Zhe and Guo Bao Kun stealthily make their way to the capital, evading the attention of others, to meet with Fan Xian.

Guarding Justice

Guo You Zi thanks Fan Xian for protecting Guo Bao Kun. He checks the rule manual provided to Fan Xian by Guo Zheng on his behalf. The incident with Moon Embracing Pavilion has come to an end. Fan Si Zhe volunteers to help Fan Xian with the business dealings with Northern Qi once Fan Xian takes over the Imperial Treasury.

Unspoken Rule

Fan Xian inspects the area where the exam papers are reviewed. Officials who want to tamper with the exam papers have no choice but to give up. Before the results are released, Fan Xian checks the ranking and realizes the name of the candidate who is supposed to pass the exam has been changed. The crown prince denies changing the name on the list.

Reviewing Exam Papers

Hong Zhu, a eunuch, leads the way for Fan Xian. He expresses that he was harmed by corrupt officials. He's only able to seek revenge all thanks to Fan Xian upholding justice. Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian return to the First Bureau. Fan Xian expresses that the date of the Spring Imperial Examination result announcement should remain the same. He orders Wang Qi Nian to include Yang Wan Li's name in the roll of honor again.

Substitute

Fan Xian questions Chancellor Lin about the Spring Imperial Examination name replacement case. Under Chancellor Lin's request, Fan Xian goes with him to meet His Majesty in the palace. When Chancellor Lin meets His Majesty, he says that he can no longer continue and requests to resign.

Set Up

Shi Chan Li requests Fan Xian to investigate the Shijia Town massacre. He Zong Wei visits Fan Xian and kneels before him. He asks Fan Xian to punish him and he will inform Fan Xian if the Censorate does anything in the future. Fan Xian is disgusted with He Zong Wei's attitude.

Understanding

The Emperor of Qing summons Fan Xian and Prince Li Cheng Ru to the palace. Fan Xian presents the list of Chancellor Lin's retainers handed to him by Chancellor Lin to the Emperor of Qing. The Emperor of Qing orders Fan Xian to be married three days later, much to Fan Xian's delight.

Bestowed Marriage

Princess Yun Rui arrives at Fan Residence. She delivers wedding gifts to Fan Xian, which are the ledgers of the Imperial Treasury. Fan Xian invites Chen Ping Ping to attend his wedding banquet. Chen Ping Ping hands him a red packet, telling him that he won't be able to attend it.

Wedding Day

Fan Xian notices that Wu Zhu has shown up. They talk about the murders in Jiangnan. Wu Zhu says that he doesn't remember killing anyone in Jiangnan. Fan Xian excitedly speculates that someone framed him, but Wu Zhu is not as confident in this theory.

Take Care of It Himself

Jiangbei is devastated by a locust plague. Fan Xian volunteers to cover the Imperial Treasury's deficit and relieve the disaster victims. The Emperor of Qing states that no delays are allowed. Fan Xian sells treasury bonds to the merchants. The merchants are enticed by the notion.

Inquiry on Capital

Fei Jie investigates a murder case. The murderer disappeared in the capital. When the Emperor of Qing's edict regarding the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is sent, everyone starts rushing to buy the treasury bonds. Thanks to that, Fan Xian gathers an amount of money that exceeds his estimate.

Changing Destiny

Fan Xian heads to Xuankong Temple to attend the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. At the temple, various princes and ministers have arrived. Fan Xian quickly notices that there is a fire at Xuankong Temple. In the meantime, the emperor of Qing is at the highest level of the temple...

Assassins

Fan Xian's messy internal energy surprises the white-robed assassin. The assassin hits hard and causes Fan Xian to be seriously injured.

Life and Death

Fan Xian's background is spread to the public, causing a huge commotion. To make sure her son can ascend the throne, the empress decides to use her remaining power to clear the obstacles in her son's path.

Rampant Anger

In order to weaken the power of Prince Cheng Ze, the empress frames Princess Yun Rui. Her words infuriate the Emperor of Qing. In order to quell the speculation surrounding Fan Xian's identity from all sides, the Emperor of Qing makes a decision.

Pledging to Resist

Wu Zhu is wounded after the battle with the temple messenger. He instructs Wan Er to relay his message to Fan Xian. He wants him to head southward as soon as possible. Fan Xian hopes that he can enter the Fan Ancestral Hall after he returns from Jiangnan and acknowledge his roots. As the ship sails slowly, Wan Er bids farewell to Fan Xian at the pier. They give each other an air hug.

Surrounded by Enemies

Fan Xian let go of the old people who attack his boat. It makes the old people feel touched. When the boat stops at the pier, Fan Xian use the gifts from the officials to send the Jiangbei disaster victims back home. The people are grateful.

Resolving a Crisis

Fan Xian's ship is intercepted on his journey to Jiangnan. The Ming family promises to give Fan Xian an explanation. However, in Fan Xian's view, the biggest trouble challenge in Jiangnan is not the Ming family, nor the influence of Princess Yun Rui and Prince Cheng Ze, but...

The Biggest Trouble

Fan Xian tells Haitang Duo Duo that his internal energy is lost. Fan Xian has made preparations to counter the Ming family's schemes.

Secret Weapon

Zhang Qing, a present-day college student in culture and history major wants to study in professor Ye's postgraduate class, so he decides to write a historical fiction to elaborate his perspective of analyzing ancient literature history with modern concept. In the fiction, Zhang himself acts as a young man Fan Xian with mysterious life who lives in a remote seaside town of Kingdom Qing in his childhood, under the help of a mysterious mentor and a blindfolded watchman. Fan goes to the capital when he grows up, where he experiences plenty of ordeal and temper. Fan persists in adhering the rule of justice and goodness and lives his own glorious life.

Selfish Motives

Seasons3

Season 2 Episodes36

Cast18

Discussion

Episode Summary