Joy of Life (), also known as Thankful for the Remaining Years, is a 2019 Chinese television series that is based on the novel Qing Yunian () by Mao Ni. It stars Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin and Chen Daoming. The series premiered on Tencent Video and iQiyi on November 26, 2019. It garnered high viewership and mostly positive reviews, and won two awards at the Shanghai Television Festival, including Best Adapted Screenplay. Series 1 and 2 are currently available via Rakuten Viki. Series 3 has not yet been filmed but was announced to air in 2026.
Plot Season 1 Fan Xian is born in the ancient empire of Southern Qing with memories of the 21st century. He is raised by his grandmother in the rural town, Danzhou as the illegitimate son of the Minister of Finance. His mother, Ye Qingmei was once a celebrated inventor who founded the Inspection and Control Bureau, the country's spy network and the Royal Treasury but was killed shortly after her son was born. Fan Xian has been protected since birth by a blind martial arts expert, Wu Zhu, his mother's bodyguard. He learns martial arts and the art of poison as a child, also assisted by his knowledge from the 21st century. After an assassination attempt, he decides to venture into the capital to find out more about his mysterious mother and why anyone would want to kill him, as he perceives himself to be an unimportant person. He also wants to know why he has memories of an obviously different era. In the capital, he accidentally meets Lin Wan'er, the sickly, illegitimate daughter of the Princess Royal and falls in love with her. Unbeknownst to him, she is the woman the Emperor chose for him to marry so that he could take over the Royal Treasury, an institute Fan Xian's mother established in the palace and currently handled by the Princess Royal. In the capital, however, he gets entangled in the relationship between the Emperor and the two Princes, as well as the Inspection and Control Bureau, leading to him questioning his whole identity and motivating him to find his true life goals, abandoning his original intention to just "enjoy life". In the 46th (and final) episode of season 1 Fan Xian, choosing loyalty to friends and family over loyalty to the state, is apparently killed.
Season 2 In Season 2, Fan Xian returns to the capital, having faked his own death. Because he deceived the emperor, he is due to be punished but manages to twist his story cleverly so he escapes the death penalty. He gets further entangled in court politics as the emperor puts even more official responsibilities on his shoulders and the two princes continue to scheme against him and each other. Fan Xian decides to do away with evil and corrupt officials and sets a plan in motion to be able to realize his mother's dream of a fair society. During the season the emperor tells Fan Xian that he is his son.
Season3 The third season will center around Fan Xian finding the secret of the Temple and it will reveal how he is able to have 21st century memories.
Cast Main Actor Character Introduction Zhang Ruoyun Han Haolin as young Fan Xian Fan Xian / Fan Shen Fan Jian's adopted son; the son of the emperor and Ye Qingmei. He is quite skilled in martial arts and has memories from the 21st Century which allow him to use that knowledge to his advantage. Lin Wan'er's love interest and fiancé. Li Qin Lin Wan'er Commandery Princess. The illegitimate daughter of Lin Ruofu and the Elder Princess. Fan Xian's love interest and fiancée. She suffers from tuberculosis, and later Fan Xian treats her disease. Chen Daoming Emperor of Qing The ruler of Southern Qing (unnamed as the author thought to be unnecessary; named Li Yunqian in the extra stories)
Supporting Southern Qing Empire Imperial palace Actor Character Introduction Zheng Yuzhi Empress Dowager Empress Dowager of Qing. Mother of the Emperor, Elder Princess Li Yunrui, and Prince of Jing. Eunuch Hong attends to her. Yuan Quan Ye Qingmei Fan Xian's birth mother, and former lover of the emperor. Her inventions made the royal family wealthy, which created the Royal Treasury and also founded the Inspection and Control Bureau. Li Xiaoran Li Yunrui Eldest Princess (equivalent to the west's Princess Royal) and Lin Wan'er's mother. Younger sister of the Emperor although they are not blood related. She controls the Royal Treasury which will be passed on to whoever marries Lin Wan'er. Lin Jing Noble Consort Shu The mother of the second prince. Deng Tongtian Concubine Yi Liu Ruyu's cousin; the mother of the third prince (he is really the fourth prince by birth order but the Crown Prince is excluded from the ranking). Qiao Hong Talented Lady Ning The mother of the eldest prince. A native of Dongyi (Japan), her foreign blood bars her son from the succession. Liu Duan Duan Li Chengze The second prince of Qing. Born by Noble Consort Shu. He appears laidback but underneath he is calculating and hides his true nature. Zhang Haowei Li Chengqian Crown Prince of Qing and the third eldest prince of Qing by birth order. Liu Runnan Li Hongcheng Son of the Prince of Jing, who is the full younger brother of the Qing Emperor. Close friend and cousin of the second prince.Fu Xinbo Li Chenru The first prince of Qing, who guards the borders. Appears in second season for the first time.Guo Zifan Li Chengping The third prince of Qing
Imperial court Actor Character Introduction Yu Yang Lin Ruofu Prime Minister of Qing. Father of Lin Wan'er', Lin Dabao, and Lin Gong. Gao Shuguang Fan Jian Count of Sinan and formerly Assistant Minister of Revenue, now Minister of Revenue. Fan Ruoruo and Fan Sizhe's biological father. Fan Xian's adoptive father. Chang Cheng Guo Youzhi Minister of Rites. Father of Guo Baokun. Li Jianyi Mei Zhili Local Prefect of the Capital City. He acts as the judge in civil court. Assassinated en route to return to hometown for retirement. Li Zifeng Yan Xiaoyi Commander of the Palace Guards. The only 9th level archery martial artist in existence according to Wuzhu. He was saved and promoted from a hunter by Eldest Princess Yunrui, and he is loyal to her. Cui Peng Gong Dian Vice-Commander of the Palace Guards and the emperor's bodyguard. 8th level martial artist. Cui Zhigang Eunuch Hou The emperor's head eunuch Du Yuming Eunuch Hong Sixiang Empress Dowager's head eunuch. Reputed to be one of the four martial grandmasters. Zhao Zhen Ting Xie Bi'an 2nd Prince's Bodyguard. A martial artist who is highly skilled in using swords.Wang Cheng Yang Young Eunuch Hong A young eunuch who becomes Fan Xian's supporter in Season 2 due to his investigation into corrupt politicians.
Inspection and Control Bureau Actor Character Introduction Wu Gang Chen Pingping Ruthless and astute head of the government's Inspection and Control Bureau, an investigative agency that monitors other government branches. He is considered to be the second most powerful person in Southern Qing.Hai Yitian Zhu Ge Head of the first bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau, the branch in charge of the capital city.Liu Hua Fei Jie Head of the third bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau, the branch specializing in poison and gadgets. Fan Xian's first teacher. Master of poisons and medicine. Dong Jingchuan Senior Leng Acting head of the third bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau. Yan Ruohai Head of the fourth bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau, the branch in charge of everything outside the capital city, including foreign espionage. Hei Qi Head of the fifth bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau, the armed division known as the Black Knights.Wang Yifu (Season 1) Liu Yu Qiao (Season 2) Ying Zi (Shadow) Head of the sixth bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau, the assassination branch. Known as Lord Shadow. He appears mysterious and no one has ever seen his face under his mask and hood. He is highly skilled in martial arts and according to Chen Pingping, he can wipe out an army by himself. Jiang Yang Xuan Jiu Head of the eighth bureau of the Inspection and Control Bureau, the branch in charge of publication of books. Tian Yu Wang Qinian A notary of the first bureau. Loves money and is afraid of his wife. He later becomes Fan Xian's faithful servant. Xiao Zhan (Season 1)Wu Xingjian (Season 2) Yan Bingyun Yan Ruohai's son. He is dispatched as the spymaster in Northern Qi. Stands for peace and order in Northern Qi.
Fan's family and household Actor Character Introduction Cao Cuifen Fan Jian's mother. Fan Xian's (adoptive) grandmother. Fan Ruoruo and Fan Sizhe's biological grandmother. She lives in Danzhou and looked after Fan Xian when he was born. Zhao Ke Liu Ruyu Fan Jian's second wife and Fan Sizhe's mother Song Yi Fan Ruoruo Fan Jian's daughter, Fan Xian's adoptive younger sister, and Fan Sizhe's elder sister. She is known to be the most talented girl in the capital. Guo Qilin Fan Sizhe Fan Jian's son with Liu Ruyu. Is very focused on money. Wang Yang Teng Zijing Originally a member of the fourth bureau of the control department, later Fan Xian's close friend and bodyguard. 7th level martial artist. Han Yuanqi Teng Zijing's son.
Others Actor Character Introduction Tong Mengshi Wuzhu A blind martial arts grandmaster and loyal servant of Ye Qingmei. He serves Fan Xian under orders from his mother. Only a few people know of his existence. Kang Jie Lin Gong Lin Ruofu's second son and Lin Wan'er's older brother, he dislikes Fan Xian.Dong Kefei Lin Dabao Lin Ruofu's eldest son. He suffered an illness a young age which impacted his mental development. He and Fan Xian get along well. Jia Jinghui Guo Baokun Guo Youzhi's son. Friend of the Crown Prince. Xiao Haoran He Zongwei An orator/lawyer who often argues cases in favour of the aristocrats, much to the disgust of the commoners. Han Jiunuo (Season 1, 3)Gina Jin (Season 2) Ye Ling'er Lin Wan'er's friend and daughter of the head of the Garrison Li Shen Gao Da A guard escort accompanying Fan Xian to Northern Qi. Si Gujian One of four martial arts grandmasters. Resides in Dongyi. His disciples are never without a sword.Yun ZhilanSi Gujian's eldest disciple.
Northern Qi Empire Actor Character Introduction Liang Aiqi Empress Dowager of Northern Qi. Liu Meitong Zhan Doudou Emperor of Northern Qi. Li Chun Si Lili A spy from Northern Qi who infiltrates Southern Qing. Noble Consort of Northern Qi. Granddaughter of a Qing prince (presumably an uncle of the Qing Emperor). She later develops feelings for Fan Xian. Yu Xiaowei Shen Zhong Commander of the Jinyiwei Guards. He is highly skilled in martial arts and appears cunning and sadistic. Xin Zhilei Haitang Duoduo Blessed Maiden of Northern Qi. 9th level martial artists and youngest disciple of Ku He. Yu Rongguang Xiao En Zhuang Mohan's younger brother. Former Northern Qi spymaster. Is captured and imprisoned by the Inspection and Control Bureau more than a decade before the start of the story. Sun Yimu Lang Tao Eldest Disciple of Northern Qi's grandmaster Ku He. One of the most powerful martial artists in the world. He Ziming Shang Shan Hu Northern Qi general. God-son of Xiao En. It is not known whether his surname is Shang or Shangshan. Guo Jia Nuo He Daoren Northern Qi swordmaster, disciple of Si GuJian and 9th level martial artist. Ku He Uncle of the Emperor of Northern Qi. One of four martial arts grandmasters. Wants Xiao En dead.Cheng JushuNorthern Qi 8th level martial artist.
Production
Principal photography commenced in January 2018 and the entire filming wrapped up in August 2018. A second season was announced in 2020, while Tencent Pictures, Xinli Media and China Reading Film and Television later announced the project would go live in the fourth quarter of 2021. In October 2021, Disney announced that they would be involved in producing the second season of Joy of Life with New Classics Media, and referred to it as a "prequel" although the second season actually follows directly on from the first.