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[Kill My Sins]
[This is a work of fiction]
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Qing.
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Ping'an.
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00:01:47,023 --> 00:01:47,663
Qing.
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00:01:48,493 --> 00:01:48,933
Ping'an.
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00:01:49,823 --> 00:01:51,023
Qing.
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00:01:51,053 --> 00:01:51,663
Ping'an.
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00:01:52,463 --> 00:01:53,023
Qing.
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00:01:53,103 --> 00:01:53,693
Ping'an.
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Qing.
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00:01:55,463 --> 00:01:56,103
Ping'an.
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00:01:56,773 --> 00:01:57,263
Qing.
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00:01:57,263 --> 00:01:57,823
Ping'an.
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00:02:45,523 --> 00:02:46,423
[Episode 23]
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00:02:46,503 --> 00:02:48,473
[Mist Veils the Tower,
Moon Dims the Ferry]
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The three judicial departments convened
19
00:02:52,853 --> 00:02:54,453
to re-examine the Censor case today.
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00:02:55,853 --> 00:02:57,663
The three judicial departments convened
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00:02:57,823 --> 00:02:59,783
to re-examine the Censor case today.
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00:03:00,743 --> 00:03:03,943
[Court of Judicial Review]
23
00:03:04,453 --> 00:03:05,173
Excuse me.
24
00:03:05,173 --> 00:03:05,503
Sorry.
25
00:03:05,663 --> 00:03:05,983
Coming through.
26
00:03:06,223 --> 00:03:07,103
Pardon me.
27
00:03:07,223 --> 00:03:07,503
Let me squeeze by.
28
00:03:07,733 --> 00:03:08,383
Excuse me.
29
00:03:10,663 --> 00:03:11,293
It's okay.
30
00:03:23,693 --> 00:03:24,173
Summon
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00:03:24,613 --> 00:03:25,263
the witness.
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00:03:31,893 --> 00:03:32,543
Ye Ping'an,
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00:03:32,983 --> 00:03:33,693
only answer
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00:03:34,103 --> 00:03:35,173
when questioned.
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00:03:35,543 --> 00:03:37,263
Do not speak without permission.
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00:03:37,823 --> 00:03:38,343
Do you understand?
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00:03:39,293 --> 00:03:40,133
Yes, sir.
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00:03:45,383 --> 00:03:46,013
Hai Yiping,
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00:03:46,613 --> 00:03:47,823
this is the testimony signed and sealed
40
00:03:47,893 --> 00:03:49,013
by your steward.
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00:03:49,383 --> 00:03:50,173
He testified
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00:03:50,503 --> 00:03:51,693
that you coerced and manipulated
43
00:03:51,783 --> 00:03:52,783
Lu Danxin
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00:03:52,943 --> 00:03:54,413
into tying Li Zongxu to the gate tower
45
00:03:54,663 --> 00:03:55,733
to frame Ye Ping'an
46
00:03:56,013 --> 00:03:57,383
for killing a Li member.
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00:03:58,173 --> 00:03:58,943
Do you deny the charges?
48
00:04:06,693 --> 00:04:07,223
No.
49
00:04:13,823 --> 00:04:14,543
Ye Ping'an,
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00:04:15,383 --> 00:04:16,173
this is the testimony
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00:04:16,173 --> 00:04:17,293
given by those present
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when Lu Danxin reported the Censor case.
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I ask you one more time.
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Is the testimony you provided
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true or not?
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I can testify
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the Censor case
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was indeed committed by Zheng Yuan,
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00:04:28,583 --> 00:04:29,103
Du Liang,
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00:04:29,223 --> 00:04:30,413
and Qi Junshan.
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00:04:31,053 --> 00:04:32,853
It was never
Monitor Censor Yu Qian's doing.
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00:04:33,583 --> 00:04:34,293
Hai Yiping,
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00:04:34,663 --> 00:04:35,813
you confessed
64
00:04:35,983 --> 00:04:37,053
to fabricating the letter
65
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and framing Yu Qian.
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00:04:38,173 --> 00:04:38,903
What is the full truth
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about the Censor case?
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00:04:40,933 --> 00:04:42,253
Explain every detail.
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00:04:44,733 --> 00:04:45,703
At this moment,
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00:04:46,663 --> 00:04:47,253
I will not
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00:04:47,983 --> 00:04:50,023
tell a single lie today.
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00:04:50,543 --> 00:04:51,143
At that time,
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00:04:51,493 --> 00:04:53,413
Du Liang wasn't content
with being a County Constable.
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00:04:53,733 --> 00:04:55,463
He wanted a transfer to the capital.
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00:04:56,933 --> 00:04:58,103
To bribe officials,
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00:04:58,463 --> 00:04:59,663
he conspired
with Zheng Yuan, his advisor,
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00:04:59,733 --> 00:05:00,543
and Qi Junshan
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to abduct women and imprison them
in an abandoned house.
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00:05:02,813 --> 00:05:04,053
He also turned his own mansion
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00:05:04,703 --> 00:05:06,903
into a place of indulgence.
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00:05:15,053 --> 00:05:15,733
Our dynasty has always had
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00:05:15,813 --> 00:05:17,173
the tradition of recommending officials.
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00:05:17,813 --> 00:05:19,143
It was originally to select
the virtuous and capable.
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00:05:19,783 --> 00:05:20,733
Yet,
85
00:05:20,813 --> 00:05:21,903
some exploit this system.
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00:05:22,853 --> 00:05:23,933
They went to Tongquan County
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00:05:24,143 --> 00:05:25,413
not just for women
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00:05:26,053 --> 00:05:26,853
but also
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00:05:26,983 --> 00:05:27,733
for buying and selling
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00:05:28,053 --> 00:05:28,813
official positions.
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00:05:30,583 --> 00:05:31,413
Guan Zhong the politician said,
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00:05:31,933 --> 00:05:32,853
"Selling official positions
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will lead to a nation's downfall
in ten years."
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00:05:34,413 --> 00:05:35,493
In the reign of Emperor Ling of Han,
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those who traded ranks for wealth
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caused great disaster.
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[Yang Wendao, Chief Censor]
And now, there are still people
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00:05:40,813 --> 00:05:42,103
who dare to commit this crime.
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00:05:43,703 --> 00:05:45,703
If one can become an official
with mere silver,
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00:05:46,463 --> 00:05:48,813
where does this leave those
who study for a decade
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00:05:49,223 --> 00:05:51,543
and the imperial examinations
for talent selection?
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00:05:52,223 --> 00:05:52,933
Hai Yiping,
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00:05:53,703 --> 00:05:55,783
why did you go to Tongquan County?
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00:05:56,143 --> 00:05:56,983
What dealings
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00:05:57,373 --> 00:05:58,343
did you have with Du Liang?
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I didn't go there
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for women.
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I never laid a hand on them.
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I just made a mistake,
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00:06:05,903 --> 00:06:07,143
neither big nor small,
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00:06:07,783 --> 00:06:09,053
in my early official career.
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That mistake
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is called "compromising to fit in."
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00:06:14,343 --> 00:06:15,143
Back then,
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I was a Vice Director
of the Bureau of Honor,
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responsible for assessing
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the performance and taxation records
of capital officials.
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That is
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how I became acquainted with Du Liang.
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Your records state
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that each man should pay
three dan of grain.
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But I investigated among the people
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00:06:38,703 --> 00:06:39,853
and found
that they actually paid six dan.
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00:06:41,343 --> 00:06:42,663
That's double the recorded amount.
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00:06:43,983 --> 00:06:44,813
Where did the rest go?
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00:06:46,733 --> 00:06:47,613
The salt granary
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is recorded to have 2,400 dan of salt
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with 600 dan lost due to floods.
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I checked the granary.
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00:06:55,103 --> 00:06:56,983
There were no traces of flooding.
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Your pockets...
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must be quite full.
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Mr. Hai,
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you aren't aware of the situation
in Tongquan County.
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The region is often plagued by bandits.
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The court refuses to allocate funds.
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00:07:10,373 --> 00:07:12,173
I had to handle the bandits myself,
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00:07:12,223 --> 00:07:14,103
which required additional expenses.
139
00:07:14,463 --> 00:07:15,583
Check the prison records.
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00:07:16,143 --> 00:07:18,053
So many bandits
were arrested in a year.
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00:07:19,703 --> 00:07:21,103
I suppose you raise bandits
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00:07:21,663 --> 00:07:22,663
and arrest them yourself.
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00:07:23,463 --> 00:07:24,023
Du Liang,
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00:07:24,663 --> 00:07:25,853
do you have a death wish?
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All right.
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00:07:38,253 --> 00:07:40,293
If you want to convict me,
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00:07:41,343 --> 00:07:43,703
please stay the night.
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Is that fine?
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Help!
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00:07:56,583 --> 00:07:57,143
Stop there!
151
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Get back.
152
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Help.
153
00:08:03,853 --> 00:08:04,293
Get in!
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00:08:11,663 --> 00:08:13,173
I suppose you recognized him.
155
00:08:14,543 --> 00:08:16,023
Will you turn against
an old family friend...
156
00:08:17,223 --> 00:08:18,933
and expose him?
157
00:08:34,823 --> 00:08:35,253
Yes.
158
00:08:35,773 --> 00:08:36,303
Exactly.
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00:08:39,563 --> 00:08:41,493
You're here too, Mr. Hai.
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00:08:41,823 --> 00:08:43,983
I need someone to manage
the county's salt granary.
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00:08:44,253 --> 00:08:44,853
I intend
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00:08:44,853 --> 00:08:46,013
to have Mr. Hai's people take over.
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But I'm not sure
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if Mr. Hai would be interested.
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00:08:54,183 --> 00:08:55,493
In front of those officials,
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00:08:55,683 --> 00:08:57,133
Du Liang bribed me.
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I had discovered
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00:09:00,853 --> 00:09:01,653
their secret.
169
00:09:01,853 --> 00:09:02,733
If I refused,
170
00:09:03,303 --> 00:09:04,943
I would have made myself
an enemy of all.
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00:09:05,943 --> 00:09:06,583
Soon after,
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Du Liang wanted me
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to recommend him
for promotion to the capital.
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00:09:10,343 --> 00:09:11,773
Once this was done,
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everything
176
00:09:13,563 --> 00:09:15,013
would have been settled.
177
00:09:16,103 --> 00:09:17,063
However...
178
00:09:18,893 --> 00:09:19,613
Yu Qian
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00:09:20,613 --> 00:09:21,703
was an unexpected variable.
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00:09:23,253 --> 00:09:24,773
Why can Du Liang imprison
181
00:09:24,853 --> 00:09:25,613
so many women?
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Can't you see
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00:09:27,823 --> 00:09:28,823
how deep this conspiracy runs?
184
00:09:29,373 --> 00:09:30,983
Don't bring disaster upon yourself.
185
00:09:31,253 --> 00:09:31,943
Go back to the capital with me.
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00:09:32,303 --> 00:09:33,653
Pretend none of this ever happened.
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00:09:34,103 --> 00:09:34,703
Hai.
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00:09:36,683 --> 00:09:37,943
You and I passed
the same imperial examination.
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We've known each other for years.
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00:09:40,423 --> 00:09:41,373
I never thought
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you would say such words.
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00:09:42,733 --> 00:09:44,013
We are responsible for supervision.
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If we turn a blind eye,
194
00:09:45,423 --> 00:09:46,423
will the official robe
195
00:09:46,463 --> 00:09:47,303
not weigh heavy upon you?
196
00:09:47,703 --> 00:09:48,823
Will the oath you made as an official
197
00:09:48,853 --> 00:09:50,013
not burden and ache you?
198
00:09:50,563 --> 00:09:52,083
Why are you so stubborn?
199
00:09:53,183 --> 00:09:54,583
Is it because you're about
to be promoted to Vice Minister?
200
00:09:55,253 --> 00:09:56,253
Are you worried
about implicating yourself?
201
00:10:00,653 --> 00:10:01,133
Fine.
202
00:10:02,243 --> 00:10:03,493
No need to persuade me anymore.
203
00:10:04,533 --> 00:10:05,223
I swear
204
00:10:05,363 --> 00:10:06,963
I will investigate it to the end.
205
00:10:07,443 --> 00:10:08,163
No matter
206
00:10:08,323 --> 00:10:09,283
who is behind Du Liang,
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00:10:09,533 --> 00:10:10,853
I will not let a single one go.
208
00:10:11,493 --> 00:10:11,893
You...
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00:10:13,483 --> 00:10:14,983
If Du Liang was exposed,
210
00:10:15,133 --> 00:10:16,063
my bribery
211
00:10:16,123 --> 00:10:17,183
would be uncovered too.
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00:10:17,773 --> 00:10:19,373
My career would be ruined.
213
00:10:19,733 --> 00:10:21,463
My family's long-standing reputation
of integrity
214
00:10:21,583 --> 00:10:22,853
would be tainted because of me.
215
00:10:24,963 --> 00:10:25,823
One wrong decision
216
00:10:27,323 --> 00:10:28,343
led to an endless downfall.
217
00:10:31,373 --> 00:10:32,943
There was no turning back.
218
00:10:38,533 --> 00:10:39,463
This is proof
219
00:10:39,583 --> 00:10:41,133
of Yu Qian ordering
the women to be killed.
220
00:10:41,483 --> 00:10:42,223
Hand it to Du Liang.
221
00:10:42,443 --> 00:10:42,943
He knows
222
00:10:43,123 --> 00:10:43,703
what to do.
223
00:10:45,533 --> 00:10:45,983
Yes.
224
00:10:52,443 --> 00:10:53,733
Yu Qian was an upright man.
225
00:10:54,373 --> 00:10:55,613
He regarded you as a confidant.
226
00:10:56,773 --> 00:10:58,133
He had such faith in you
227
00:10:58,493 --> 00:10:59,773
that he even entrusted his last hope
228
00:10:59,773 --> 00:11:00,983
in you.
229
00:11:01,243 --> 00:11:01,943
But what did you do?
230
00:11:02,253 --> 00:11:03,423
Just to protect your own career
231
00:11:03,423 --> 00:11:04,583
and the so-called reputation,
232
00:11:05,133 --> 00:11:06,583
you let Du Liang kill him
233
00:11:06,613 --> 00:11:07,613
and frame him,
234
00:11:08,583 --> 00:11:10,253
resulting in his entire family
being executed.
235
00:11:12,533 --> 00:11:14,583
If Yu Qian knew this...
236
00:11:18,843 --> 00:11:20,013
I have one more question.
237
00:11:22,373 --> 00:11:23,493
You've always known
238
00:11:23,843 --> 00:11:25,653
that Li Zongxu was involved
in the Censor case.
239
00:11:26,703 --> 00:11:28,063
Then what did he do
240
00:11:28,483 --> 00:11:29,423
in Tongquan County?
241
00:11:30,373 --> 00:11:31,103
There,
242
00:11:31,493 --> 00:11:33,013
Li Zongxu
243
00:11:34,083 --> 00:11:34,773
did not only satisfy
244
00:11:34,843 --> 00:11:35,773
his lust for women
245
00:11:36,133 --> 00:11:37,303
and his sadistic tendencies
246
00:11:37,853 --> 00:11:39,343
but also bribed high-ranking officials
247
00:11:39,893 --> 00:11:41,103
and gained the right
248
00:11:41,323 --> 00:11:42,773
to distribute official salt
in the capital.
249
00:11:44,843 --> 00:11:45,773
I have another accusation
250
00:11:45,893 --> 00:11:46,983
against Li Zongxu.
251
00:11:47,243 --> 00:11:47,703
Speak.
252
00:11:48,493 --> 00:11:49,303
After Li Zongxu obtained
253
00:11:49,303 --> 00:11:50,703
the right
to distribute the official salt,
254
00:11:50,893 --> 00:11:51,893
he exploited it for years
255
00:11:51,963 --> 00:11:52,853
for his own profit.
256
00:11:53,363 --> 00:11:54,183
I found out
257
00:11:54,493 --> 00:11:55,253
that Li Zongxu
258
00:11:55,373 --> 00:11:56,463
manipulated
the price of salt in the capital,
259
00:11:56,583 --> 00:11:57,773
making it more expensive than meat.
260
00:11:58,203 --> 00:11:59,703
The poor couldn't afford salt
261
00:11:59,773 --> 00:12:00,853
and were even forced
to sell their children.
262
00:12:01,893 --> 00:12:02,493
Mr. Guo,
263
00:12:03,613 --> 00:12:04,893
Her Majesty ordered us
264
00:12:05,013 --> 00:12:05,893
to investigate the Censor case,
265
00:12:06,443 --> 00:12:07,323
[Zhang Quan, Minister of Justice]
not the salt case.
266
00:12:07,853 --> 00:12:08,493
Do you think
267
00:12:08,703 --> 00:12:09,343
maybe
268
00:12:09,533 --> 00:12:10,533
we're going too far?
269
00:12:11,493 --> 00:12:12,303
What if I insist
270
00:12:12,373 --> 00:12:12,943
on going this far?
271
00:12:18,363 --> 00:12:19,203
General Wu?
272
00:12:19,373 --> 00:12:20,773
Mr. Zhang, you've long resided
in the capital.
273
00:12:20,853 --> 00:12:22,063
Perhaps you have never seen
274
00:12:22,243 --> 00:12:23,423
the tragedies at the border.
275
00:12:24,133 --> 00:12:24,853
Five years ago
276
00:12:25,243 --> 00:12:26,103
during the Battle of Jinyuan,
277
00:12:26,303 --> 00:12:27,613
Li Zongxu colluded
with transport officials
278
00:12:28,013 --> 00:12:28,983
because of factional fights,
279
00:12:29,343 --> 00:12:30,533
causing salt and provisions
to be blocked.
280
00:12:30,823 --> 00:12:31,943
The army was trapped in the city.
281
00:12:32,613 --> 00:12:33,533
Countless soldiers
282
00:12:34,223 --> 00:12:35,223
lost their lives because of this.
283
00:12:35,773 --> 00:12:36,983
Corpses and blood
soaked the battlefield,
284
00:12:37,733 --> 00:12:38,703
their armor cold.
285
00:12:39,373 --> 00:12:39,983
Should we
286
00:12:40,493 --> 00:12:41,533
investigate this case or not?
287
00:12:43,463 --> 00:12:44,133
General Wu,
288
00:12:44,463 --> 00:12:45,613
who else have you uncovered?
289
00:12:52,103 --> 00:12:53,103
I have uncovered
290
00:12:53,303 --> 00:12:55,103
the officials colluding with Li Zongxu
291
00:12:55,773 --> 00:12:56,703
but also found
292
00:12:57,613 --> 00:12:58,463
the Market Commissioner of Changping,
293
00:12:58,773 --> 00:12:59,733
the County Constable of Huayin,
294
00:13:00,303 --> 00:13:01,773
and the Granary Magistrate of Xinzhou
295
00:13:02,253 --> 00:13:03,893
were all involved
in embezzlement and bribery.
296
00:13:04,733 --> 00:13:05,583
And these people
297
00:13:06,703 --> 00:13:07,853
were all recommended
298
00:13:08,423 --> 00:13:09,613
by Hai Yiping.
299
00:13:12,533 --> 00:13:13,463
Please be assured.
300
00:13:14,013 --> 00:13:15,583
I will include the evidence
301
00:13:15,823 --> 00:13:16,703
in my report on the Censor case
302
00:13:17,063 --> 00:13:18,253
and present it to Her Majesty,
303
00:13:18,983 --> 00:13:19,853
ensuring
304
00:13:20,533 --> 00:13:21,533
that they're brought to justice.
305
00:13:22,943 --> 00:13:24,103
Thank you, Mr. Guo.
306
00:13:30,733 --> 00:13:31,373
Ye Ping'an,
307
00:13:32,253 --> 00:13:33,373
we've finished questioning you.
308
00:13:34,253 --> 00:13:35,223
We will handle
309
00:13:35,823 --> 00:13:36,703
the remaining matters.
310
00:13:37,463 --> 00:13:37,983
You may leave now.
311
00:13:38,983 --> 00:13:39,463
Yes.
312
00:13:49,733 --> 00:13:51,183
Write down
313
00:13:51,533 --> 00:13:52,703
all the officials
314
00:13:54,183 --> 00:13:54,983
in league with Du Liang.
315
00:13:56,183 --> 00:13:57,253
Do not miss any of them.
316
00:14:02,243 --> 00:14:05,493
[Court of Judicial Review]
317
00:14:06,463 --> 00:14:08,253
Most of the people on this list
318
00:14:08,613 --> 00:14:10,583
have died in the past decade or so.
319
00:14:11,493 --> 00:14:13,463
Those still alive are Wang Yuanzhi,
320
00:14:13,563 --> 00:14:15,613
Gao Fu, Zheng Xi, and Lu Fengyuan.
321
00:14:15,983 --> 00:14:17,253
None of them is above the fifth rank.
322
00:14:18,733 --> 00:14:20,303
He thinks he can just brush this aside.
323
00:14:21,943 --> 00:14:22,583
Impossible.
324
00:14:23,063 --> 00:14:23,613
This time,
325
00:14:23,983 --> 00:14:25,533
we must dig out all the filth beneath.
326
00:14:26,583 --> 00:14:27,303
Mr. Yang,
327
00:14:27,943 --> 00:14:30,013
we're only responsible
for reviewing the case.
328
00:14:30,533 --> 00:14:32,183
The verdict rests with Her Majesty.
329
00:14:32,303 --> 00:14:33,583
The borders
have only recently stabilized.
330
00:14:33,773 --> 00:14:35,773
The conflicts between the factions
still surge beneath the surface.
331
00:14:36,063 --> 00:14:37,853
If we escalate a great conflict
332
00:14:38,063 --> 00:14:39,103
and destabilize the court now,
333
00:14:39,773 --> 00:14:40,823
we will put Her Majesty
334
00:14:40,983 --> 00:14:41,773
in a difficult position.
335
00:14:47,373 --> 00:14:47,983
Shaocheng,
336
00:14:48,733 --> 00:14:49,493
what is your view?
337
00:14:52,773 --> 00:14:53,583
In my humble opinion,
338
00:14:54,183 --> 00:14:55,223
what Mr. Zhang said
339
00:14:55,773 --> 00:14:56,583
is understandable.
340
00:14:57,063 --> 00:14:58,373
Those who had the power
to sell official positions
341
00:14:58,703 --> 00:14:59,533
were all from noble families.
342
00:15:00,653 --> 00:15:01,583
I don't believe
343
00:15:01,613 --> 00:15:02,533
there was only one Du Liang
344
00:15:02,773 --> 00:15:03,823
and one Tongquan County.
345
00:15:04,133 --> 00:15:05,613
The noble families
have dominated official positions.
346
00:15:06,103 --> 00:15:07,303
The late ruler and Her Majesty
347
00:15:07,653 --> 00:15:08,853
have wished to reform this flaw
348
00:15:09,183 --> 00:15:10,613
and worked gradually for it.
349
00:15:11,733 --> 00:15:12,463
It is the same
350
00:15:13,493 --> 00:15:14,103
with this case.
351
00:15:46,013 --> 00:15:47,853
You've finally come to meet me alone.
352
00:15:48,343 --> 00:15:49,653
While this cell is too small,
353
00:15:50,103 --> 00:15:50,733
you
354
00:15:51,183 --> 00:15:52,223
have long imprisoned yourself
355
00:15:52,613 --> 00:15:54,423
in a much larger cage.
356
00:15:55,343 --> 00:15:56,493
I know what you are after.
357
00:15:59,823 --> 00:16:00,583
You never allow yourself
358
00:16:01,223 --> 00:16:02,423
to be controlled.
359
00:16:03,063 --> 00:16:04,063
You think if I fall,
360
00:16:04,853 --> 00:16:06,103
you will gain more favor
361
00:16:07,063 --> 00:16:08,373
with the Mei alliance.
362
00:16:10,733 --> 00:16:12,133
I seek not anyone's favor.
363
00:16:17,983 --> 00:16:19,303
I only fight for Mang Gutter.
364
00:16:21,823 --> 00:16:22,703
I have seen
365
00:16:22,853 --> 00:16:23,943
many diligent reformers.
366
00:16:26,493 --> 00:16:27,533
They had good intentions,
367
00:16:29,253 --> 00:16:30,463
but the policies they proposed
368
00:16:30,533 --> 00:16:32,303
were corrupted in execution.
369
00:16:32,853 --> 00:16:33,733
Too many people
370
00:16:34,183 --> 00:16:35,463
deceive their superiors
371
00:16:35,613 --> 00:16:36,653
and oppress their subordinates.
372
00:16:37,463 --> 00:16:38,893
Didn't you see it in the Censor case?
373
00:16:40,853 --> 00:16:42,463
A local tyrant like Du Liang
374
00:16:42,703 --> 00:16:43,533
could commit
375
00:16:43,823 --> 00:16:44,423
something
376
00:16:44,533 --> 00:16:45,943
that even Her Majesty never anticipated.
377
00:16:47,423 --> 00:16:48,853
Where there are corrupt officials,
378
00:16:49,983 --> 00:16:51,823
there are those
who serve with integrity.
379
00:16:52,943 --> 00:16:53,733
For every official who stands
380
00:16:53,773 --> 00:16:54,703
on the side of the people,
381
00:16:54,703 --> 00:16:55,303
there will be
382
00:16:55,303 --> 00:16:56,983
one less corrupt official like Du Liang.
383
00:16:57,943 --> 00:16:58,893
Seeking integrity is easy.
384
00:17:00,223 --> 00:17:01,253
Yet holding onto it is difficult.
385
00:17:02,103 --> 00:17:03,253
You dream
386
00:17:03,943 --> 00:17:04,903
of dominating the court
387
00:17:04,943 --> 00:17:06,813
so you can erase class divisions.
388
00:17:07,053 --> 00:17:08,733
You wish for the lowborn and the noble
389
00:17:08,813 --> 00:17:10,143
to stand as equals.
390
00:17:10,533 --> 00:17:12,053
You want the humble and the aristocratic
391
00:17:12,573 --> 00:17:13,663
to share the same roots.
392
00:17:13,733 --> 00:17:14,463
But you forget
393
00:17:14,943 --> 00:17:15,903
the foundation
394
00:17:15,943 --> 00:17:16,903
of this grand realm.
395
00:17:21,623 --> 00:17:22,533
Without servants,
396
00:17:23,573 --> 00:17:24,463
how would there be masters?
397
00:17:25,623 --> 00:17:26,423
I do not seek
398
00:17:27,093 --> 00:17:28,943
equality for all.
399
00:17:29,773 --> 00:17:31,183
I only wish
400
00:17:31,863 --> 00:17:33,573
to carve out a path for the people.
401
00:17:34,903 --> 00:17:37,093
Her Majesty’s support of the commoners,
regardless of birth,
402
00:17:37,703 --> 00:17:38,733
is proof of this.
403
00:17:39,623 --> 00:17:40,383
And I am merely
404
00:17:41,293 --> 00:17:42,903
following Her Majesty's will.
405
00:17:47,053 --> 00:17:48,573
Even if the Empress
406
00:17:49,293 --> 00:17:50,533
holds such a vision,
407
00:17:51,053 --> 00:17:52,143
what will happen after her?
408
00:17:53,533 --> 00:17:54,703
What about a century later?
409
00:17:56,983 --> 00:17:58,053
If we elevate the commoners
410
00:17:58,623 --> 00:17:59,733
and they become wealthy,
411
00:17:59,983 --> 00:18:00,903
will they not become
412
00:18:00,943 --> 00:18:02,013
the next aristocracy?
413
00:18:03,183 --> 00:18:04,983
Won't the current noble families
414
00:18:05,363 --> 00:18:06,493
be replaced
415
00:18:06,863 --> 00:18:08,223
by the new ones?
416
00:18:11,623 --> 00:18:12,423
Even if
417
00:18:12,773 --> 00:18:14,383
I can only secure
peace during this time,
418
00:18:15,573 --> 00:18:17,143
I will still strive for it.
419
00:18:18,423 --> 00:18:19,983
Even if it lasts only for ten years,
420
00:18:21,123 --> 00:18:22,733
I will protect those ten years.
421
00:18:25,093 --> 00:18:25,903
Yuan Shaocheng.
422
00:18:27,573 --> 00:18:28,663
What you seek today
423
00:18:29,493 --> 00:18:30,293
will one day
424
00:18:32,223 --> 00:18:34,223
become your cage.
425
00:19:35,983 --> 00:19:37,493
The Empress has decreed
426
00:19:37,773 --> 00:19:38,533
that the Censor case
427
00:19:38,703 --> 00:19:39,903
has been proven a wrongful conviction.
428
00:19:40,013 --> 00:19:41,943
Yu Qian is posthumously honored
as Duke of Ming,
429
00:19:42,013 --> 00:19:44,223
titled Loyal and Righteous,
and a memorial hall shall be built
430
00:19:44,363 --> 00:19:46,293
in his honor to inspire officials.
431
00:19:46,623 --> 00:19:48,703
[Zhou Mansion]
All officials involved
432
00:19:48,813 --> 00:19:49,983
shall be dismissed and investigated
without leniency.
433
00:19:50,423 --> 00:19:51,093
Li Zongxu,
434
00:19:51,223 --> 00:19:52,573
abusing his status as a prince,
435
00:19:52,773 --> 00:19:53,903
has amassed wealth unchecked
436
00:19:54,013 --> 00:19:55,223
and acted with cruelty beyond measure.
437
00:19:55,363 --> 00:19:56,733
His title
438
00:19:56,903 --> 00:19:59,093
and assets are forfeit.
439
00:19:59,383 --> 00:20:00,493
[Official Proclamation]
The women involved in the case
440
00:20:00,623 --> 00:20:02,663
were cruelly harmed by
the then County Constable of Tongquan
441
00:20:02,733 --> 00:20:03,293
Du Liang
442
00:20:03,423 --> 00:20:05,093
in collusion with bandits
443
00:20:05,183 --> 00:20:07,733
and killed by Hai Yiping
to cover his tracks.
444
00:20:08,183 --> 00:20:09,903
Now, this is proclaimed to all,
445
00:20:10,123 --> 00:20:12,493
and each victim's family
will receive an annual pension
446
00:20:12,703 --> 00:20:13,773
of a substantial amount
447
00:20:13,903 --> 00:20:15,773
to honor their spirits.
448
00:20:15,903 --> 00:20:16,423
Furthermore,
449
00:20:16,813 --> 00:20:17,423
the imperial examination
450
00:20:17,573 --> 00:20:18,223
and the recommendation system
451
00:20:18,423 --> 00:20:19,943
are for talent selection
452
00:20:20,093 --> 00:20:21,223
and the pillars of the realm.
453
00:20:21,363 --> 00:20:22,943
Nepotism and autocracy
454
00:20:23,053 --> 00:20:24,183
must not be tolerated.
455
00:20:24,493 --> 00:20:26,773
All officials must take
the Censor case as a warning.
456
00:20:27,183 --> 00:20:28,293
I hereby issue a new decree.
457
00:20:28,463 --> 00:20:29,183
First,
458
00:20:29,293 --> 00:20:30,983
one's family background shall not be
questioned in the imperial examination.
459
00:20:31,093 --> 00:20:33,013
From now on, all exams will be following
460
00:20:33,123 --> 00:20:34,223
an anonymous grading system
461
00:20:34,333 --> 00:20:36,333
to uproot corruption and bribery.
462
00:20:36,493 --> 00:20:38,183
The palace examination
shall serve as a final test,
463
00:20:38,493 --> 00:20:40,143
and I shall personally
question candidates
464
00:20:40,333 --> 00:20:41,493
to recruit the worthy.
465
00:20:41,703 --> 00:20:42,573
Second,
466
00:20:42,813 --> 00:20:44,903
the military examination
has shown great success.
467
00:20:45,293 --> 00:20:46,863
Henceforth, the system shall be expanded
468
00:20:46,983 --> 00:20:48,223
to select military leaders
469
00:20:48,363 --> 00:20:50,253
and gather warriors
from across the land.
470
00:20:50,533 --> 00:20:51,463
Third,
471
00:20:51,493 --> 00:20:53,903
any person, including commoners,
472
00:20:54,013 --> 00:20:55,463
may be recommended
473
00:20:55,663 --> 00:20:56,573
or recommend themselves to me
474
00:20:56,623 --> 00:20:57,943
if they believe they have talent.
475
00:20:58,183 --> 00:20:59,383
They shall be tested
476
00:20:59,463 --> 00:21:00,573
for their abilities,
477
00:21:00,703 --> 00:21:01,863
and the wise and capable
shall be retained,
478
00:21:01,983 --> 00:21:05,223
ensuring a society of integrity
for the generations to come.
479
00:21:05,363 --> 00:21:07,383
- Your Majesty is wise.
- Your Majesty is wise.
480
00:21:11,973 --> 00:21:15,743
[Yangzhou]
481
00:21:15,903 --> 00:21:16,863
After all these years,
482
00:21:17,143 --> 00:21:18,733
the Censor case is finally overturned.
483
00:21:19,223 --> 00:21:20,333
I can't imagine
484
00:21:20,423 --> 00:21:21,573
how Ye Ping'an survived.
485
00:21:22,733 --> 00:21:24,333
It's such a pity that Lu Danxin
486
00:21:24,623 --> 00:21:25,983
was driven to her death by Hai Yiping.
487
00:21:26,533 --> 00:21:27,183
It is.
488
00:21:27,463 --> 00:21:28,223
What a shame.
489
00:21:28,293 --> 00:21:28,733
Nichang.
490
00:21:30,573 --> 00:21:31,013
Nichang,
491
00:21:31,333 --> 00:21:32,053
just the right time.
492
00:21:32,253 --> 00:21:33,053
I have good news.
493
00:21:38,293 --> 00:21:39,383
I'm returning to the capital.
494
00:21:40,363 --> 00:21:42,183
Why so sudden?
495
00:21:42,533 --> 00:21:43,533
Our song
496
00:21:43,813 --> 00:21:44,623
has been chosen by the Xu family,
497
00:21:44,903 --> 00:21:45,903
and they sent a formal invitation today,
498
00:21:46,223 --> 00:21:47,223
asking us to perform
499
00:21:47,293 --> 00:21:48,053
at Madam Xu's birthday banquet.
500
00:21:48,223 --> 00:21:49,053
Won't that be a pity
501
00:21:49,363 --> 00:21:50,333
if you leave now?
502
00:21:53,053 --> 00:21:53,663
Zhao Zhen.
503
00:21:55,813 --> 00:21:56,983
I have cherished the days
504
00:21:57,903 --> 00:21:59,663
of composing songs with you.
505
00:22:00,423 --> 00:22:01,463
Yet, whether our music
506
00:22:01,493 --> 00:22:02,813
is chosen or not
507
00:22:03,533 --> 00:22:04,663
does not concern me.
508
00:22:05,533 --> 00:22:06,053
In the capital,
509
00:22:06,053 --> 00:22:07,333
there are matters I can't let go of
510
00:22:08,083 --> 00:22:09,283
and people I can't forget.
511
00:22:09,523 --> 00:22:10,493
I must return.
512
00:22:11,563 --> 00:22:12,043
I'm sorry.
513
00:22:13,043 --> 00:22:14,043
You need not apologize.
514
00:22:15,733 --> 00:22:16,523
I will explain it
515
00:22:16,763 --> 00:22:17,523
to the Xu family.
516
00:22:19,123 --> 00:22:19,603
Nichang,
517
00:22:20,213 --> 00:22:20,933
I will wait for your return.
518
00:22:23,043 --> 00:22:24,173
But what if...
519
00:22:26,213 --> 00:22:27,733
I never return?
520
00:22:31,843 --> 00:22:32,893
I will still be writing lyrics.
521
00:22:33,803 --> 00:22:34,453
But...
522
00:22:35,933 --> 00:22:37,013
without your music,
523
00:22:38,013 --> 00:22:38,693
something
524
00:22:39,733 --> 00:22:40,453
will always be missing.
525
00:22:43,843 --> 00:22:44,323
Okay.
526
00:22:45,213 --> 00:22:46,693
Since you see me as a kindred spirit,
527
00:22:47,123 --> 00:22:48,173
if fate allows,
528
00:22:48,693 --> 00:22:49,763
we shall meet again.
529
00:22:57,673 --> 00:23:06,043
[Tomb of Lu Danxin. Tomb of Cailian]
530
00:23:06,043 --> 00:23:06,843
Danxin,
531
00:23:08,363 --> 00:23:09,123
Cailian,
532
00:23:10,173 --> 00:23:10,973
we've won.
533
00:23:12,763 --> 00:23:14,123
Would this news
534
00:23:15,043 --> 00:23:16,253
bring you joy?
535
00:23:17,973 --> 00:23:19,493
We've finally finished
536
00:23:20,843 --> 00:23:22,013
what we fought for all these years.
537
00:23:24,013 --> 00:23:24,603
Hurry.
538
00:23:25,563 --> 00:23:26,933
Slow down, Cailian.
539
00:23:29,173 --> 00:23:30,083
Mrs. Gu has rented
540
00:23:30,123 --> 00:23:31,213
such a wonderful house.
541
00:23:32,733 --> 00:23:33,733
I love this tree.
542
00:23:34,523 --> 00:23:35,043
In this spot,
543
00:23:35,043 --> 00:23:36,173
we should place a table
544
00:23:36,283 --> 00:23:37,323
for chess
545
00:23:37,413 --> 00:23:38,173
and fine liquor.
546
00:23:41,413 --> 00:23:42,603
Ever since the Censor case,
547
00:23:43,013 --> 00:23:43,973
we've been far away from the homeland,
548
00:23:44,013 --> 00:23:44,693
unable to return.
549
00:23:45,013 --> 00:23:45,763
But with you here,
550
00:23:46,493 --> 00:23:47,413
I have once again felt
551
00:23:47,453 --> 00:23:48,123
the warmth of home.
552
00:23:49,283 --> 00:23:50,013
From this day forth,
553
00:23:50,453 --> 00:23:51,323
this shall be my home.
554
00:23:51,603 --> 00:23:52,933
Our home.
555
00:23:54,323 --> 00:23:55,603
We can never return to Tongquan County.
556
00:23:56,013 --> 00:23:57,603
So when one of us dies,
557
00:23:57,803 --> 00:23:59,283
the others will bury her
558
00:23:59,603 --> 00:24:00,733
in the bamboo forest east of the city.
559
00:24:01,123 --> 00:24:01,653
What do you think?
560
00:24:02,893 --> 00:24:04,283
Anywhere is fine.
561
00:24:04,363 --> 00:24:05,733
Just don't weep
562
00:24:05,893 --> 00:24:06,933
at my grave
563
00:24:06,973 --> 00:24:08,043
and keep me from resting.
564
00:24:09,803 --> 00:24:10,893
We've barely settled in.
565
00:24:10,973 --> 00:24:11,893
Why talk about death already?
566
00:24:12,563 --> 00:24:13,563
Danxin,
567
00:24:13,843 --> 00:24:15,413
stop speaking so ominously.
568
00:24:15,763 --> 00:24:16,283
What kind of topic
569
00:24:16,453 --> 00:24:17,413
have you brought up?
570
00:24:18,123 --> 00:24:19,013
You're right, Aunt.
571
00:24:19,603 --> 00:24:20,733
Danxin misspoke.
572
00:24:21,213 --> 00:24:22,693
We must punish her...
573
00:24:22,893 --> 00:24:23,453
with a flick to the forehead.
574
00:24:37,603 --> 00:24:38,563
Stop there!
575
00:24:52,493 --> 00:24:54,563
Great!
576
00:24:56,083 --> 00:24:57,563
We have a home!
577
00:24:58,603 --> 00:25:01,043
We have a home!
578
00:25:23,653 --> 00:25:24,493
Hai Yiping...
579
00:25:25,653 --> 00:25:26,733
hanged himself in prison.
580
00:25:33,323 --> 00:25:33,973
For one
581
00:25:33,973 --> 00:25:35,013
who valued his honor so much,
582
00:25:35,323 --> 00:25:36,933
it was expected
583
00:25:38,453 --> 00:25:39,523
he would end things this way.
584
00:25:40,323 --> 00:25:40,933
You've
585
00:25:41,453 --> 00:25:42,413
made your mark
586
00:25:42,453 --> 00:25:43,363
on the capital.
587
00:25:44,083 --> 00:25:44,893
Everyone respects your courage
588
00:25:44,973 --> 00:25:46,083
in overturning the case
and eliminating the corrupt.
589
00:25:46,603 --> 00:25:47,693
Your Anxin House
590
00:25:47,893 --> 00:25:49,413
will soon be packed with people.
591
00:25:49,733 --> 00:25:52,363
There was once dead.
592
00:25:53,363 --> 00:25:55,013
People called me a witch.
593
00:25:55,733 --> 00:25:56,493
Now,
594
00:25:58,413 --> 00:25:59,693
they say I am brave.
595
00:26:02,363 --> 00:26:04,013
Does it matter
596
00:26:04,653 --> 00:26:06,173
whether it's a good or bad reputation
597
00:26:08,043 --> 00:26:09,013
or if it's true or false?
598
00:26:11,283 --> 00:26:11,733
By the way,
599
00:26:12,453 --> 00:26:13,563
Hai Yiping's family...
600
00:26:14,213 --> 00:26:14,693
Don't worry.
601
00:26:15,733 --> 00:26:16,763
Her Majesty has not directed any anger
602
00:26:16,803 --> 00:26:17,493
toward them.
603
00:26:17,893 --> 00:26:18,843
I heard that Madam Hai
604
00:26:19,123 --> 00:26:20,693
is taking Hai Yan to leave the capital.
605
00:26:23,693 --> 00:26:24,763
What should we do?
606
00:26:24,803 --> 00:26:25,283
Yeah.
607
00:26:25,283 --> 00:26:25,933
We should go back to our hometown.
608
00:26:25,933 --> 00:26:26,763
What do we do?
609
00:26:27,363 --> 00:26:28,493
All right. Take care.
610
00:26:28,693 --> 00:26:29,043
All right.
611
00:26:29,493 --> 00:26:29,933
Let's go.
612
00:26:30,363 --> 00:26:30,933
Take care.
613
00:26:42,823 --> 00:26:46,723
[Hai Mansion]
614
00:28:07,413 --> 00:28:08,013
Ping'an.
615
00:28:53,283 --> 00:28:54,253
This is a rouge
616
00:28:54,253 --> 00:28:55,213
I just bought in Yangzhou.
617
00:28:55,563 --> 00:28:56,453
I haven't tried it yet.
618
00:28:57,283 --> 00:28:57,733
Come on.
619
00:28:58,173 --> 00:28:58,893
Put it on me.
620
00:29:01,363 --> 00:29:02,173
Me?
621
00:29:04,733 --> 00:29:06,283
I'm not very good at this.
622
00:29:14,523 --> 00:29:15,083
Ping'an,
623
00:29:16,213 --> 00:29:17,213
upon hearing of the overturning
624
00:29:17,213 --> 00:29:18,603
of the Censor case in Yangzhou,
625
00:29:19,013 --> 00:29:20,173
I rushed back at once.
626
00:29:20,763 --> 00:29:21,733
I inquired along the way
627
00:29:22,083 --> 00:29:23,523
and learned of all that had happened
628
00:29:23,603 --> 00:29:24,653
since I left the capital.
629
00:29:26,523 --> 00:29:27,253
It's all my fault.
630
00:29:28,453 --> 00:29:29,603
I should never have left.
631
00:29:30,283 --> 00:29:31,363
If I had stayed,
632
00:29:31,843 --> 00:29:32,803
perhaps you and Danxin...
633
00:29:32,933 --> 00:29:33,843
There is no "perhaps."
634
00:29:36,283 --> 00:29:37,213
This matter
635
00:29:38,363 --> 00:29:39,363
has nothing to do with you.
636
00:29:42,893 --> 00:29:44,413
Fortunately, with the case overturned,
637
00:29:44,893 --> 00:29:46,363
Danxin's name has been cleared.
638
00:29:46,733 --> 00:29:47,803
Everyone now knows
639
00:29:48,173 --> 00:29:49,253
that Danxin took that step
640
00:29:49,323 --> 00:29:50,653
to expose
641
00:29:51,013 --> 00:29:52,173
Hai Yiping's true nature.
642
00:29:55,363 --> 00:29:55,933
Ping'an,
643
00:29:57,453 --> 00:29:58,973
now that it's all over,
644
00:30:00,043 --> 00:30:01,013
what is your plan?
645
00:30:03,493 --> 00:30:04,493
I don't know why,
646
00:30:06,213 --> 00:30:07,083
but these days,
647
00:30:07,933 --> 00:30:09,323
I keep thinking of the past.
648
00:30:10,493 --> 00:30:11,973
After the Censor case,
649
00:30:12,563 --> 00:30:14,453
I despised everything about myself,
650
00:30:14,693 --> 00:30:16,453
living in a daze.
651
00:30:16,763 --> 00:30:18,493
Then, I met Ruan Qin.
652
00:30:18,933 --> 00:30:21,173
Watching her,
tormented by mental anguish,
653
00:30:21,523 --> 00:30:23,653
jump off the cliff before me.
654
00:30:24,493 --> 00:30:25,523
It made me realize
655
00:30:25,933 --> 00:30:27,173
that the pain of the heart
656
00:30:27,213 --> 00:30:28,563
is no less than the pain of the body.
657
00:30:29,603 --> 00:30:30,413
From then on,
658
00:30:30,733 --> 00:30:32,933
I resolved to use my talents
659
00:30:33,323 --> 00:30:35,803
to study the art of healing the mind.
660
00:30:36,603 --> 00:30:38,283
Though I have healed many,
661
00:30:38,693 --> 00:30:40,493
I have never been able
to forgive myself.
662
00:30:40,893 --> 00:30:42,933
It was only upon meeting
Danxin and Cailian
663
00:30:43,283 --> 00:30:45,013
that I found a chance at redemption.
664
00:30:46,083 --> 00:30:47,083
From that moment,
665
00:30:48,563 --> 00:30:50,013
I swore to devote my life
666
00:30:50,493 --> 00:30:51,893
to the Censor case.
667
00:30:53,083 --> 00:30:55,013
Until justice was served,
668
00:30:55,603 --> 00:30:57,123
I would never stop.
669
00:30:58,843 --> 00:30:59,603
Now,
670
00:31:01,803 --> 00:31:03,733
the case has ended suddenly.
671
00:31:06,253 --> 00:31:07,893
But Cailian and Danxin...
672
00:31:10,213 --> 00:31:11,253
are gone.
673
00:31:20,653 --> 00:31:21,253
Ping'an,
674
00:31:21,603 --> 00:31:22,563
without you,
675
00:31:22,973 --> 00:31:24,323
no one knows how many more years
it would have taken
676
00:31:24,363 --> 00:31:25,323
to clear this injustice.
677
00:31:26,083 --> 00:31:27,363
You, too, were a victim.
678
00:31:27,893 --> 00:31:29,253
No one will blame you anymore.
679
00:31:34,013 --> 00:31:34,693
What about you?
680
00:31:35,733 --> 00:31:37,493
Will you stay at Wanguoxiang Tavern?
681
00:31:38,213 --> 00:31:39,283
I haven't decided yet.
682
00:31:40,253 --> 00:31:41,283
You've lost more weight
683
00:31:41,733 --> 00:31:42,733
since I last saw you.
684
00:31:43,363 --> 00:31:45,043
Stop worrying about treating others.
685
00:31:46,213 --> 00:31:47,413
Take care of yourself first.
686
00:32:00,933 --> 00:32:03,253
I plead guilty before Your Majesty.
687
00:32:03,733 --> 00:32:06,013
You played a key role
in overturning the Censor case.
688
00:32:06,253 --> 00:32:07,213
Why plead guilty?
689
00:32:08,083 --> 00:32:09,363
I disobeyed Your Majesty's order
690
00:32:09,933 --> 00:32:11,523
and took it upon myself
to investigate the case.
691
00:32:12,123 --> 00:32:13,523
After discovering the gate incident,
692
00:32:13,763 --> 00:32:14,973
I failed to report it in time.
693
00:32:15,653 --> 00:32:16,013
Therefore,
694
00:32:16,653 --> 00:32:17,413
I plead guilty.
695
00:32:25,523 --> 00:32:26,523
Was it
696
00:32:27,413 --> 00:32:29,213
that you failed to report it in time
697
00:32:29,563 --> 00:32:31,123
or that you deliberately withheld it?
698
00:32:31,693 --> 00:32:32,653
First Li Zongxu,
699
00:32:32,763 --> 00:32:33,933
then Hai Yiping.
700
00:32:34,283 --> 00:32:35,413
You acted on your own accord,
701
00:32:35,493 --> 00:32:36,603
defying my will.
702
00:32:36,933 --> 00:32:37,413
I
703
00:32:38,213 --> 00:32:39,893
have tolerated you again and again,
704
00:32:40,693 --> 00:32:43,013
yet you keep pushing the limits.
705
00:32:43,123 --> 00:32:44,083
Your Majesty is a wise ruler
706
00:32:44,523 --> 00:32:45,563
who always speaks of
prioritizing the greater good.
707
00:32:45,933 --> 00:32:46,493
I believe
708
00:32:46,693 --> 00:32:48,123
that both the salt case
and the Censor case
709
00:32:48,413 --> 00:32:49,413
concern the people
710
00:32:49,693 --> 00:32:50,523
and thus the greater good.
711
00:32:51,043 --> 00:32:51,843
Tell me,
712
00:32:52,843 --> 00:32:54,043
do you still regard me
713
00:32:54,563 --> 00:32:56,083
as your sovereign?
714
00:32:58,523 --> 00:32:59,803
The people are Your Majesty's.
715
00:33:00,043 --> 00:33:02,043
You love them, and so must I.
716
00:33:02,363 --> 00:33:02,933
I believe
717
00:33:03,253 --> 00:33:03,843
that loyalty to the people
718
00:33:04,123 --> 00:33:04,973
is loyalty to the ruler.
719
00:33:07,253 --> 00:33:09,563
How eloquent.
720
00:33:10,973 --> 00:33:12,893
Hai Yiping often spoke before me
721
00:33:13,253 --> 00:33:15,213
of how, in ancient governance,
love for the people was paramount
722
00:33:15,363 --> 00:33:16,843
and the people came before the realm.
723
00:33:17,173 --> 00:33:19,043
You were in contact often lately.
724
00:33:19,283 --> 00:33:21,123
You even speak alike.
725
00:33:22,763 --> 00:33:23,323
Your Majesty.
726
00:33:24,523 --> 00:33:26,763
You need not concern yourself
with the salt matter any longer.
727
00:33:27,013 --> 00:33:27,653
From now on,
728
00:33:28,413 --> 00:33:29,413
unless summoned,
729
00:33:30,083 --> 00:33:31,453
you need not report to me.
730
00:33:31,933 --> 00:33:32,763
Simply focus
731
00:33:33,043 --> 00:33:34,973
on your duties
at the Court of Judicial Review.
732
00:33:35,493 --> 00:33:36,043
As you command,
733
00:33:36,843 --> 00:33:38,363
Your Majesty.
734
00:33:41,733 --> 00:33:42,213
Mr. Yuan,
735
00:33:43,083 --> 00:33:43,893
after the Censor case,
736
00:33:44,213 --> 00:33:45,493
did Her Majesty mention
any reward for you?
737
00:33:45,733 --> 00:33:46,173
No.
738
00:33:48,013 --> 00:33:49,413
The evaluation by the Department
of Merit Assessments is finished.
739
00:33:49,893 --> 00:33:51,013
Many from humble backgrounds
were promoted.
740
00:33:51,733 --> 00:33:53,123
You solved a great case
and rendered great service,
741
00:33:53,323 --> 00:33:54,363
yet not a single reward for you.
742
00:33:54,693 --> 00:33:55,803
Her Majesty is truly biased.
743
00:33:57,413 --> 00:33:58,123
The capital
744
00:33:58,363 --> 00:33:59,253
is a square grid,
745
00:34:00,013 --> 00:34:01,013
much like a chessboard.
746
00:34:02,363 --> 00:34:03,173
But I refuse to be
747
00:34:03,253 --> 00:34:04,453
anyone's pawn.
748
00:34:06,563 --> 00:34:07,323
Go ahead.
749
00:34:07,523 --> 00:34:08,373
I have other matters to attend to.
750
00:34:08,893 --> 00:34:09,293
Yes.
751
00:34:12,643 --> 00:34:19,773
[Kangping Mansion]
752
00:34:22,773 --> 00:34:23,333
Your Highness.
753
00:34:24,083 --> 00:34:24,723
Minister Yuan,
754
00:34:24,893 --> 00:34:25,603
what brings you here?
755
00:34:25,643 --> 00:34:27,933
Regarding the Mang Gutter people's
tower construction task,
756
00:34:28,203 --> 00:34:28,893
I have yet to thank
757
00:34:28,933 --> 00:34:30,043
Your Highness.
758
00:34:30,333 --> 00:34:31,123
I have come today
759
00:34:31,643 --> 00:34:32,853
to express my gratitude
760
00:34:32,933 --> 00:34:33,723
for Your Highness's assistance.
761
00:34:33,853 --> 00:34:35,973
The Directorate for the Palace Buildings
is responsible for it.
762
00:34:36,123 --> 00:34:37,243
It should not burden the people.
763
00:34:37,853 --> 00:34:38,563
No need for thanks.
764
00:34:39,333 --> 00:34:41,493
Last time, Kang brought
rock sugar cakes home.
765
00:34:42,373 --> 00:34:43,123
Thank you.
766
00:34:43,453 --> 00:34:45,043
It was nothing.
767
00:34:45,413 --> 00:34:46,563
If Your Highness enjoys them,
768
00:34:47,003 --> 00:34:47,453
it is
769
00:34:48,003 --> 00:34:48,933
my honor.
770
00:34:49,363 --> 00:34:50,083
Good timing.
771
00:34:51,043 --> 00:34:52,203
Come with me
to Chancellor Mei's mansion.
772
00:34:55,443 --> 00:34:56,523
[Mei Mansion]
773
00:34:56,523 --> 00:34:57,723
Hai Yiping
774
00:34:58,243 --> 00:34:59,163
took the wrong path.
775
00:34:59,843 --> 00:35:00,813
His death was predestined.
776
00:35:01,363 --> 00:35:02,163
Mr. Mei,
777
00:35:02,603 --> 00:35:03,853
please do not grieve too much.
778
00:35:06,723 --> 00:35:07,603
After all,
779
00:35:07,963 --> 00:35:09,243
he was still my disciple.
780
00:35:09,563 --> 00:35:10,163
He
781
00:35:10,483 --> 00:35:12,453
understood caution and change
782
00:35:13,483 --> 00:35:15,163
yet never learned the art of retreat.
783
00:35:16,523 --> 00:35:17,493
Few people
784
00:35:17,883 --> 00:35:19,333
can truly accept retreat.
785
00:35:20,323 --> 00:35:21,293
During the trial,
786
00:35:21,883 --> 00:35:23,083
I was unable to do anything
787
00:35:23,123 --> 00:35:23,813
for you.
788
00:35:24,563 --> 00:35:25,723
I apologize.
789
00:35:26,043 --> 00:35:27,523
You handled the case with impartiality.
790
00:35:27,683 --> 00:35:28,493
Why the apology?
791
00:35:34,083 --> 00:35:35,643
What do you think of Ye Ping'an?
792
00:35:37,483 --> 00:35:39,083
She is unpredictable.
793
00:35:39,883 --> 00:35:40,523
Fortunately,
794
00:35:41,083 --> 00:35:42,813
Her Majesty dismissed her
795
00:35:43,163 --> 00:35:44,043
before granting her any real power.
796
00:35:45,843 --> 00:35:46,373
You see,
797
00:35:47,243 --> 00:35:48,203
Zhuangzi once said,
798
00:35:48,683 --> 00:35:49,893
"When virtue is abandoned,
799
00:35:50,163 --> 00:35:51,203
the path is cleared."
800
00:35:52,363 --> 00:35:53,643
Ye Ping'an achieved it.
801
00:35:54,083 --> 00:35:56,453
She discarded false reputation
802
00:35:56,523 --> 00:35:57,773
and orchestrated plans,
803
00:35:58,243 --> 00:35:59,333
understanding human nature.
804
00:36:00,523 --> 00:36:01,413
She's a rare talent.
805
00:36:03,803 --> 00:36:04,813
It's a pity
806
00:36:05,003 --> 00:36:06,723
that Her Majesty won't employ her.
807
00:36:08,043 --> 00:36:09,523
What a waste of talent.
808
00:36:10,123 --> 00:36:12,123
If Her Majesty
truly did not wish to keep her,
809
00:36:12,243 --> 00:36:13,933
she would have banished her
from the capital long ago.
810
00:36:14,843 --> 00:36:15,603
Look
811
00:36:15,963 --> 00:36:17,083
at this silk figurine I painted
812
00:36:17,323 --> 00:36:18,643
and his furrowed brows
and drooping eyes.
813
00:36:18,683 --> 00:36:20,243
Looks like Vice Minister Li.
814
00:36:22,043 --> 00:36:23,453
Speaking of whom,
815
00:36:25,243 --> 00:36:26,893
he's remained silent
816
00:36:27,323 --> 00:36:28,563
since Her Majesty's new policies
were announced.
817
00:36:29,083 --> 00:36:30,243
That is unlike him.
818
00:36:31,523 --> 00:36:32,563
Had these policies
819
00:36:32,603 --> 00:36:33,813
been issued earlier,
820
00:36:34,043 --> 00:36:35,643
the noble families
821
00:36:35,723 --> 00:36:37,603
would have fiercely opposed them.
822
00:36:38,003 --> 00:36:39,603
Her Majesty has timed it well.
823
00:36:40,123 --> 00:36:42,293
First, Her Majesty
reopened the Censor case,
824
00:36:42,923 --> 00:36:44,293
striking fear into them,
825
00:36:44,723 --> 00:36:46,603
before announcing the reforms,
826
00:36:46,883 --> 00:36:48,083
leaving no room for opposition.
827
00:36:50,043 --> 00:36:51,293
The Li family
828
00:36:51,523 --> 00:36:53,683
is now focused on self-preservation.
829
00:36:54,323 --> 00:36:55,683
They will remain quiet for a while.
830
00:37:00,363 --> 00:37:01,203
Shaocheng
831
00:37:01,403 --> 00:37:03,013
rendered great merit in the Censor case.
832
00:37:03,563 --> 00:37:04,453
Yet in the recent evaluations,
833
00:37:04,523 --> 00:37:05,893
he was given no promotion.
834
00:37:06,923 --> 00:37:07,493
Mr. Mei.
835
00:37:09,043 --> 00:37:11,603
Shall we jointly recommend Shaocheng
836
00:37:12,043 --> 00:37:13,563
for the Right Aide
of the Department of State Affairs?
837
00:37:13,683 --> 00:37:14,203
How does that sound?
838
00:37:19,403 --> 00:37:20,603
My experience is still shallow.
839
00:37:21,243 --> 00:37:22,523
I dare not deserve such recognition
840
00:37:22,883 --> 00:37:23,563
from Your Highness
841
00:37:23,843 --> 00:37:24,813
and Mr. Mei.
842
00:37:25,203 --> 00:37:25,893
Why do you say that?
843
00:37:26,403 --> 00:37:27,123
Wang Chongdao,
844
00:37:27,323 --> 00:37:29,123
with no merit or virtue,
845
00:37:29,363 --> 00:37:31,083
was appointed
as Vice Chamberlain for Ceremonials.
846
00:37:31,163 --> 00:37:32,013
Why can't you?
847
00:37:32,563 --> 00:37:33,493
Her Majesty has decreed
848
00:37:33,723 --> 00:37:35,293
that appointments
shall not be based on birth.
849
00:37:36,083 --> 00:37:38,333
Who would dare defy Her Majesty?
850
00:37:39,043 --> 00:37:40,773
His Highness makes a valid point.
851
00:37:41,523 --> 00:37:43,853
Shaocheng's background
is far from ordinary.
852
00:37:44,083 --> 00:37:44,603
Then...
853
00:37:45,483 --> 00:37:47,523
But the Right Aide position
854
00:37:47,563 --> 00:37:48,773
is now a coveted position.
855
00:37:49,083 --> 00:37:50,893
Recommending Shaocheng at this moment
856
00:37:51,083 --> 00:37:52,493
may invite opposition.
857
00:37:53,043 --> 00:37:54,373
What would be your opinion?
858
00:37:59,523 --> 00:38:00,493
Give it to Xu Ling.
859
00:38:07,523 --> 00:38:08,453
That's brilliant.
860
00:38:11,003 --> 00:38:13,723
Xu Ling is the grandson
of the Chancellor of the past dynasty.
861
00:38:13,963 --> 00:38:14,973
He has an excellent lineage
862
00:38:15,043 --> 00:38:16,413
but is arrogant,
863
00:38:16,803 --> 00:38:18,013
impatient,
864
00:38:18,403 --> 00:38:19,643
and prone to mistakes.
865
00:38:21,323 --> 00:38:22,293
Do you understand now, Shaocheng?
866
00:38:22,883 --> 00:38:24,373
You'll have to endure another year.
867
00:38:25,523 --> 00:38:27,013
I never dared to hope for such an honor.
868
00:38:27,523 --> 00:38:28,853
There is no endurance to speak of.
869
00:38:29,403 --> 00:38:30,773
You're thirty-four now, are you not?
870
00:38:32,443 --> 00:38:34,453
Xian'er's temperament aligns with yours,
871
00:38:34,563 --> 00:38:35,683
and you both serve in the court.
872
00:38:36,083 --> 00:38:36,853
I think
873
00:38:37,963 --> 00:38:38,603
you should...
874
00:38:39,883 --> 00:38:40,723
interact more often.
875
00:38:42,563 --> 00:38:43,373
Shaocheng,
876
00:38:44,483 --> 00:38:45,723
it seems
877
00:38:46,443 --> 00:38:48,123
you will soon have a father-in-law.
878
00:38:51,523 --> 00:38:52,813
I'm grateful for Your Highness's regard.
879
00:38:57,483 --> 00:38:58,293
Eggs!
880
00:38:59,043 --> 00:39:00,453
Come and take a look!
881
00:39:01,163 --> 00:39:02,373
Fengrao Salt Shop!
882
00:39:02,523 --> 00:39:03,683
Reductions today!
883
00:39:04,083 --> 00:39:05,373
Limited stock,
884
00:39:05,563 --> 00:39:06,603
first come, first served!
885
00:39:13,523 --> 00:39:14,933
The price of salt has suddenly
dropped by thirty percent.
886
00:39:15,443 --> 00:39:15,973
Who knows
887
00:39:16,043 --> 00:39:16,563
what it will be tomorrow?
888
00:39:17,163 --> 00:39:17,773
Stock up while you can.
889
00:39:18,203 --> 00:39:19,043
Don't worry.
890
00:39:19,243 --> 00:39:19,933
The owner Mr. Wang
891
00:39:20,043 --> 00:39:20,723
is nothing like
892
00:39:20,723 --> 00:39:22,123
that hypocrite Li.
893
00:39:22,483 --> 00:39:23,893
He swore
at the trade association yesterday
894
00:39:24,243 --> 00:39:25,043
that the salt price
895
00:39:25,123 --> 00:39:26,333
would only decrease, never rise.
896
00:39:26,603 --> 00:39:27,643
So no need to hoard too much.
897
00:39:28,523 --> 00:39:29,163
That's great.
898
00:39:29,523 --> 00:39:30,413
Do you want to stock up?
899
00:39:32,123 --> 00:39:32,933
I have some at home.
900
00:39:33,933 --> 00:39:34,893
Be quick.
901
00:39:35,043 --> 00:39:35,333
Yes.
902
00:39:39,043 --> 00:39:39,563
Wu...
903
00:39:44,043 --> 00:39:45,773
The right to distribute
official salt in the capital
904
00:39:46,403 --> 00:39:47,453
no longer rests with the Li family.
905
00:39:47,723 --> 00:39:48,373
With this change,
906
00:39:48,683 --> 00:39:49,973
the price of salt should no longer rise.
907
00:39:51,043 --> 00:39:52,163
Let us hope so.
908
00:39:52,723 --> 00:39:53,973
The capital is now at peace.
909
00:39:54,643 --> 00:39:55,413
Yet recently,
910
00:39:55,683 --> 00:39:56,603
bandits have been causing trouble
911
00:39:56,883 --> 00:39:57,643
in the Henan region.
912
00:39:57,923 --> 00:39:58,933
They raid shops
913
00:39:58,933 --> 00:39:59,813
and salt wells
914
00:40:00,083 --> 00:40:00,893
and become
915
00:40:01,083 --> 00:40:02,043
illegal salt smugglers.
916
00:40:03,043 --> 00:40:03,853
For the moment,
917
00:40:04,203 --> 00:40:05,643
no one in court
can bring them under control.
918
00:40:09,723 --> 00:40:10,203
Ping'an,
919
00:40:11,403 --> 00:40:12,853
I see that your thoughts are troubled.
920
00:40:13,243 --> 00:40:14,203
You're in the capital,
921
00:40:14,563 --> 00:40:16,123
but it is as if you're in a cage.
922
00:40:16,923 --> 00:40:17,763
Have you considered
923
00:40:17,883 --> 00:40:18,643
leaving for a while?
924
00:40:19,043 --> 00:40:19,723
I will not leave.
925
00:40:20,763 --> 00:40:21,763
To me,
926
00:40:22,683 --> 00:40:23,813
everywhere is a cage.
927
00:40:26,283 --> 00:40:27,603
Hai Yiping took his own life.
928
00:40:28,533 --> 00:40:29,723
Yet I still feel
929
00:40:30,043 --> 00:40:31,243
there is more behind this.
930
00:40:32,403 --> 00:40:33,603
I want to continue investigating.
931
00:40:34,283 --> 00:40:35,083
Are you deliberately
932
00:40:35,643 --> 00:40:37,013
keeping yourself from stopping?
933
00:40:38,203 --> 00:40:38,893
Or perhaps,
934
00:40:39,883 --> 00:40:40,893
you simply cannot stop.
935
00:40:42,123 --> 00:40:42,763
Listen to me.
936
00:40:43,363 --> 00:40:44,453
Try living as an ordinary person
937
00:40:44,523 --> 00:40:45,563
for a while.
938
00:40:46,403 --> 00:40:47,053
Even if only for a few days.
939
00:40:48,283 --> 00:40:49,203
See the world
940
00:40:49,683 --> 00:40:50,973
through a different lens.
941
00:40:51,403 --> 00:40:52,083
Once you feel
942
00:40:52,083 --> 00:40:53,123
the joy of a new life,
943
00:40:53,483 --> 00:40:54,813
no matter what happened in the past,
944
00:40:55,523 --> 00:40:56,563
it will feel as light as a feather.
945
00:40:57,123 --> 00:40:58,453
And if nothing changes?
946
00:40:58,923 --> 00:40:59,563
Then
947
00:41:00,083 --> 00:41:01,533
fight and struggle again.
948
00:41:01,723 --> 00:41:02,203
It won't be too late.
949
00:41:03,123 --> 00:41:03,763
No matter what,
950
00:41:04,483 --> 00:41:06,053
give yourself room to breathe.
951
00:41:10,603 --> 00:41:11,123
Okay.
952
00:41:12,843 --> 00:41:13,603
I will try
953
00:41:14,083 --> 00:41:15,533
what you suggested for a few days.
954
00:41:16,363 --> 00:41:17,413
But I know myself.
955
00:41:18,083 --> 00:41:19,053
Just as you said,
956
00:41:20,003 --> 00:41:20,853
perhaps,
957
00:41:21,483 --> 00:41:22,203
I am incapable
958
00:41:22,203 --> 00:41:23,243
of stopping.
959
00:42:07,143 --> 00:42:10,343
♪Past events turn to ash,
crushed into mud♪
960
00:42:10,443 --> 00:42:13,773
♪Like a distant dream,
forever out of reach♪
961
00:42:13,893 --> 00:42:19,993
♪Your breaths faded
in silence and distance♪
962
00:42:20,253 --> 00:42:23,143
♪Thoughts form a chapter,
with a reluctant prelude♪
963
00:42:23,393 --> 00:42:27,043
♪The storm of sorrow is beyond words♪
964
00:42:27,193 --> 00:42:32,623
♪In a glance back,
no traces of the past remain♪
965
00:42:32,723 --> 00:42:39,423
♪Lost in regret,
tangled, unwritten, unspeakable♪
966
00:42:39,573 --> 00:42:46,223
♪Buried in time, too fragile to name♪
967
00:42:46,283 --> 00:42:52,193
♪A cup of cold moonlight.
A page of faded tears♪
968
00:42:52,383 --> 00:42:59,043
♪Dreams, scribbled in haste,
fade into dust♪
969
00:42:59,103 --> 00:43:05,323
♪A lone wild goose cries,
echoing through the sleepless night♪
970
00:43:05,513 --> 00:43:12,773
♪Only to clutch fragments of memory
to soothe the remaining years♪
971
00:43:26,973 --> 00:43:32,443
♪A cup of cold moonlight.
A page of faded tears♪
972
00:43:32,443 --> 00:43:38,993
♪Dreams, scribbled in haste,
fade into dust♪
973
00:43:39,373 --> 00:43:46,393
♪A lone wild goose cries,
echoing through the sleepless night♪
974
00:43:46,453 --> 00:43:53,873
♪Only to clutch fragments of memory
to soothe the remaining years♪
975
00:43:53,873 --> 00:43:58,873
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976
00:43:53,873 --> 00:44:03,873
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