Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty]

[Episode 29]

Brother Su.

Have some tea.

After we arrive in Luoyang,

you are really happy.

I'm your personal staff.

I've been looked down everywhere.

Why did you say that?

Are you making fun of me?

Recently, I found that you're not arrogant nor impatient.

You have been

much calmer than before.

What?

In Luoyang,

you meet a high-ranking government official?

He promises you with bright future,

so that you are so composed?

In terms of investigation,

you're not that awesome.

But no one is more scheming

than you.

So I guess it right.

His Highness is also in Dongdu?

Did I say that?

No need.

As a trusted aide of His Highness,

you don't want me

to continue investigating.

Because if I find the antidote

and save Her Highness,

there will be more trials and tribulations

for His Highness to ascend the throne.

I want to know

His Highness's true intentions.

What?

You don't want to take me to see him?

In fact, in the Blessing Temple,

I met Her Highness.

People used to say

she was as strong as Empress Wu Zetian.

But what I saw that day

is totally different.

You sympathize with her?

Although she's a princess,

the most powerful woman of Tang,

she is also

a victim of the Face Flowers.

Can't I pity her?

We lost the clue of the Tocharian woman

in the Sky Garden.

But the ghost fire of the Paradise Inn

is still on.

I, Su Wuming,

will try my best to investigate the case.

Dongdu was the place

I followed Detective Di at the beginning.

If I give up the case easily,

I will make all Master Di's edification wasted.

Don't you think about

the country?

Last time I went south,

I began to have a new understanding

of the word "country".

The country

include all the people in the world.

Her Highness is a member of the people.

Therefore,

for the sake of the country,

I must make my contributions.

Her Highness is in the Blessing Temple.

You should visit her.

Maybe

you'll have a new impression of her.

[Blessing Temple]

You're here.

Excuse me.

Wasn't here

the Serenity Temple?

When did it become the Blessing Temple?

It was changed two years ago.

I heard it was the idea of Her Highness.

Her Highness?

Yes.

Her Highness likes this temple very much.

Every time she comes to Dongdu,

she would stay here for a few days.

She will send someone to repair it every two years.

Now this place

is the biggest temple

in Luoyang.

Thank you, sir.

Yang Ji.

Yang Ji.

Yang Ji.

-Come back for dinner. -Coming.

Isn't it a pleasure

to study and practice what you have learned?

Isn't it a pleasure

to study and practice what you have learned?

Isn't it also great

when friends visit from distant places?

Isn't it also great

when friends visit from distant places?

If people do not recognize me and it doesn't bother me,

am I not a noble man?

If people do not recognize me and it doesn't bother me,

am I not a noble man?

Little master.

Okay, kids.

Let's do it again.

May I ask

why is there a school in this temple?

The Living Bodhisattva asked the temple

to take them in.

Those who are willing to study

can come here to study.

There are dozens of schools like this

in the Blessing Temple.

Teachers are paid by

the Living Bodhisattva.

They are all knowledgeable.

Living Bodhisattva?

That is Her Highness.

Isn't it also great

when friends visit from distant places?

Madam.

Greetings, Living Bodhisattva.

Go and play.

How many children

are there in the Blessing Temple?

More than 360.

Tell the monks.

Those who have nowhere to go

and come to the Blessing Temple

should be all accepted.

I'll take care of the children of Tang.

Yes.

Why did he run away?

He wouldn't let me hug him.

He must hate me.

Your Highness, you took him in.

Why would he hate you?

He must be too young

to meet strangers.

No.

He must hate me

and won't forgive me.

Where are you going?

What do you think?

I'm going to investigate.

Do you still believe

you can find the lost lead in that inn?

I hope this time

I can find new clues.

But what reason should we have

to go back again?

We?

Can you draw out

the bronze devil by yourself?

How do you know I can't?

Of course.

With your help,

it will be easier for me. That's all.

That's all?

Fine.

I'm your subordinate.

You can say whatever you want.

What did you say

to that Lady Hu Shisi?

I said I was an exorcist,

coming from the south.

And I was invited to exorcise devils in Dongdu.

OK.

This is a good title.

We go back

to exorcise devils.

You again?

You scared my man.

Why is there no one

in your inn today?

A dead body came back to life

and was haunted by ghosts.

Someone held a knife

to harass me on my bed.

The guests were all scared away.

Even those girls who were playing the pipa fled.

You ruined my inn.

You have to pay for it.

Look.

She's blackmailing us.

You can't leave if you don't pay today.

Close the door.

We didn't want to come back.

We were about to leave for Chang'an.

But when we passed by your inn,

the people around said

your inn

would be haunted by ghosts

every night.

I recalled what happened that night.

I think they are right.

The people

asked me and my servant

to exorcise the devils.

It's hard for us to refuse.

But now you blackmail us.

Is it appropriate?

My master is right.

How can you catch ghosts?

A man's mouth...

There's a saying.

What is it?

A man's mouth

can only lie.

He knows everything.

In particular,

a man

who has your appearance

tells nothing but lies.

Stop looking.

You'll be seduced.

Get out!

Stop!

Look at your height.

And look at his height.

If you kill him,

you bully him.

I wanted to catch ghosts for your inn,

but you are ungrateful for our kindness.

We're leaving.

Since you're willing to catch ghosts for us,

I

would like you to do so.

The best guest room upstairs.

Suit yourselves.

Help yourself.

Eat and drink.

I will serve you well.

Master,

why don't we stay here?

I'm hungry.

Fine.

But

forget about the room upstairs.

My servant and I

like the guest rooms in the backyard,

especially the one where someone died.

The yinqi is strong there.

It's easy to catch ghosts.

When we first came here,

we didn't bring much money.

So what do they gangsters want?

And that

bronze devil.

It seems that his purpose

is to assassinate you.

It has raised a big rumpus.

Who ordered him to do this?

Right.

I have no official position,

nor money.

Why should he kill me?

Unless he mistook me for someone else.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Who is that?

It's me.

Are you guys digging the ground

in this room?

Do you catch the ghost?

We don't need to dig deep

to catch the ghost.

The ghost is right in front of me.

Bah!

Have you ever seen a ghost as beautiful as me?

You used to serve the Emperor of Sui.

Now you serve

my servant and I.

It is our honor.

You finally believe

I'm from Sui.

Then you can tell my master

some stories about the Sui Dynasty.

For example,

when Emperor Yang was killed in Jiangdu,

were you by his side

or in the imperial court of Chang'an?

Why was I in Chang'an?

At that time, Emperor Yang

had already moved to Luoyang.

You were

testing me.

I am still beautiful,

right?

Actually,

Emperor Yang is the most beautiful person

I have seen in my life.

Not only is he handsome,

but also his skin is flexible.

He asked Persians

to offer the Face Flowers.

They were not for us,

but for himself.

This is sweet pear syrup

I made for you.

It was my favorite in the imperial court.

Try it.

Paradise Inn.

Also means a Sui inn.

Unbelievable.

Tonight,

if something really attacks us,

it must be the devil of the Sui Dynasty.

Will this bronze devil

attack us again?

Absolutely.

Why?

Because someone wants to kill you.

He failed last time.

Now you're here again.

What are you doing?

It's late.

Of course I'm going to bed.

No more ghost-hunting?

It's your business.

I won't add to your trouble.

Don't sleep.

Tell me.

Is that Lady Hu Shisi

really over 100 years old?

I don't think so.

That night, she said she used the Face Flowers

to keep youth.

Could it be true?

The Face Flowers

were

presented by Persians to the former Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty.

Maybe she didn't lie.

But

a 100-year-old woman of Sui

can still giggle and flirt in front of me.

I don't believe it.

It was quite scary at first.

But now,

I think I already know

who she is.

Who's that?

The light is off. You don't even drink.

Do you have wine?

The best wine.

The owner wants to drink with you.

Really?

Tell her.

Prepare wine and dishes.

Coming.

Okay.

Lu Lingfeng.

Is the bronze devi

that you saw that day

taller than

this big guy?

Much taller.

How is it compared to

the giant in the Ghost Four?

A bit taller.

There is no devil in this world.

That bronze devil

must be disguised by someone.

What?

You dare not drink?

I really dare not.

Such good wine.

I don't want to give it to you.

Here.

Let's drink together.

Don't waste the great time tonight.

It's hard to refuse your hospitality.

Cheers.

It was at the same night like this

that I arrived in Luoyang for the first time.

Emperor Yang returned from hunting with harvests.

He was very happy.

He asked us to drink with him.

He even asked me

to play the pipa.

What?

Are you going to play

the pipa for us?

Of course you don't deserve it.

But for him,

I would like to.

In that case,

thank you.

Emperor Yang indeed had a lot of good fortune in love affairs.

Lady Hu Shisi

is both beautiful and talented.

Do you really like her?

But she's over 100 years old.

She's old.

Oh no.

The wine...

Not the wine.

I feel dizzy even if I didn't drink.

Stop playing.

What?

Did I play badly?

I didn't play well.

I've brought the ghost here.

What smooth martial arts skills!

May I entertain you?

Lu Lingfeng!

It's not about the wine!

It's her pipa song!

Now you know

how powerful my pipa song is!

It's too late!

You can only blame yourself for being worth a lot.

Stay here forever!

Lu Lingfeng!

Escape from the back door!

Then you won't hear

her stupid pipa noise!

Let's see where you can hide!

Master!

-Take your spear! -Take your spear!

I heard you're from the Sui Dynasty.

A100-year old witch.

Can I call you my great grandmother?

How dare you set up an ambush

in my inn!

I'll skin you alive!

Yingtao.

Step back!

Wait for me to take her down!

Not now!

Wh...What?

You don't trust me?

That's because you have never seen

my power to subdue demons.

Step back!

You despicable scoundrel!

How dare you attack me with your hidden weapon!

I learned it from you.

Don't worry. You won't be blind.

Tie her up.

Don't keep fighting with him.

Take this!

Ouch!

Let him taste

my chicken-roasting magic oil!

What are you fumbling?

Your legs are still there!

My blade is not sharpened.

Otherwise, you'll become him.

You guessed it right again.

When the bronze devil appeares,

they will not be in the inn.

I knew it then.

Why am I getting more and more confused?

All right, let's have a drink.

Wait.

Such a giant figure.

Could it be two people?

Two?

Don't you see

how agile that dwarf is?

And even Lady Hu Shisi

can hold him in her arms.

You mean that strong man and that dwarf?

However,

I've figured out a way

to deal with that bronze armor.

At that time, my disciple, Xue Huan,

and Fed

will help me catch that devil.

The Face Flower

you brought from the former Sui Palace

is really amazing.

You are over 100,

but your face is still as attractive as a young woman.

How, how about you stay with me?

I don't mind that you are 100.

Fuck off!

Stinky beggar!

How dare you tease a imperial concubine?

How arrogant!

There were indeed a lot of women

in Emperor Yang of Sui's palace.

And their titles

were given by him.

The imperial concubines Gui, Shu, and De

are the Three Madams.

May I ask

which title is yours?

Say it！

Well...

There were Nine Concubines of Shunyi, Shunrong, Shunhua,

Xiuyi, Xiurong, Xiuhua,

Chongyi, Chongrong, and Chonghua.

The nine titles,

which one is yours?

Why don't you say it?

None of them?

Then,

there are 12 Mistresses,

15 Beauties, 15 Talents,

24 Ladies,

and 37 Lady-in-waitings.

Lady Hu Shisi.

Which rank is yours?

Say it!

How dare you call yourself a imperial concubine?

I think you were

just a maid besides that emperor

whom everyone hated.

Don't you insult His Majesty!

Shut up!

You were born in Tang and grew up in Tang,

yet you regard the last dynasty's foolish emperor as your king.

What do you want?

Don't think I don't know who you are.

Let me ask you.

What's your relationship with Ms. Caihan?

Tell me the truth.

That's her mother.

You!

I see.

There were many mysterious cases in Luoyang 20 years ago.

The culprit

was that Ms. Caihan.

When she was arrested, an accomplice

escaped.

That accomplice should be you.

You...

How do you know everything?

They didn't let you go on purpose back then.

It was because

you were just

a teenager.

My teacher, Detective Di,

wanted to spare your life.

I didn't expect

you followed in your mother's steps

and did all evil things.

Su Wuming.

Just now, Chicken Fed said

she was a maid of the Sui.

Now she even has a mother.

What's going on?

After Emperor Yang of Sui was killed in Jiangdu,

a palace maid

escaped from the Palace.

That dried Face Flower

should be brought out by her.

That palace maid knew martial arts.

And all she wanted was to avenge the Emperor Yang.

But the person who killed the Emperor

also died in chaos.

So she turned her hatred to the Tang.

But His Majesty is heavily guarded.

How could they give her a chance?

But the maid didn't give up.

She passed on her skills

and some rules in the Sui Palace

to her daughter.

She asked her daughter to be her

and continue to do evil things.

Lady Hu Shisi.

At least,

you should be the fifth generation.

Now that you know everything,

why bother talking?

Kill me!

In your generation,

if you wanted to assassinate the Emperor,

it would be a daydream.

So you raised

these two men

and opened this gangster inn here

to kill people for their money.

Is this true or not?

Sir.

These were found in the storage in the backyard.

All these years, a lot of people

have died in your inn.

You just said his life was worth a lot.

What do you mean?

You assassinated him twice.

Were you hired?

Who hired you?

Tell me!

Who will stay in my inn?

How come he would be worth this much?

If you want silver ingots,

don't ask that much.

I'll double the ingots when it's done.

He said

one master and one servant would come and stay in my inn that night.

The master is

a noble and tall young man.

He asked us to kill him.

One master and one servant.

Then you two came.

I thought the person who paid me

must have wanted me to kill him.

So I lured him to the attic.

Then you used the knockout incense to me.

I didn't expect you to have such strong willpower.

You even fought with my men

after you had inhaled my incense.

Do you think

I am one of the lechers in your Sui Palace?

What can a mere Husband Fragrance do to me?

How do you know

I used the Husband Incense?

It is mainly Baohuang from the Western Region,

with a small amount of Guichou from the Miao ethnic group, right?

Of course he doesn't know.

I told him.

You wouldn't say

this was brought out by your grandmother's grandmother's grandmother

from the Palace of Sui, would you?

Even if there was,

it's been over 100 years.

Your incense must be ineffective.

Guichou is sold on the market.

But the wicked Baohuang

has been banned long ago.

So-called contraband goods

are just goods sold secretly.

It depends on whether you can find a seller.

Then where did you

get it?

Sangshan Shop.

Hall of Medicine.

Yingtao.

Take her back to the Administrator's Residence,

let her describe

the person who hired her to assassinate,

and ask Xijun to draw it.

Got it.

Xing Ying.

Yes.

I'll leave these two to you.

Put them in jail,

and wait for their sentences.

Yes.

[Paradise Inn]

Lu Lingfeng.

Has the Crown Prince stayed here before?

Great General.

It's inconvenient to talk here.

Let's go inside.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Get up.

Your Highness.

I heard that

you've returned to Chang'an.

The truth or falsehood

is all strategy.

Just like when His Highness

ordered me to expel you from Chang'an.

We didn't really mean to punish you.

Your Highness.

I heard that

the princess wanted to

frame you for a bigger case.

If I don't kick you out in time,

you and I may not be able to

meet again today.

Lu Lingfeng.

Although I'm the Crown Prince,

I'm weak.

I can only protect you

in this way.

I've made you suffer.

I am slow-witted,

and blame you wrongly all the time.

I still

resented you.

Great General, look.

This is why

I admire Lu Lingfeng.

He is always honest.

Get up.

Did you find anything

with Su Wuming in the south?

This trip to the south

made me go to some placecs that are very remote.

I saw

the lowest people

and the hardest life.

I also felt

the people of our Tang

are very kind and tough.

Your Highness.

Chang'an and Luoyang

are the most prosperous cities

in the world.

But the prosperity there

can't represent everything of the Tang.

Those people from the remote provinces

are also the people of Tang.

We shouldn't forget them.

Forgive me for being blunt.

If they can't live in peace

and can't live well,

the prosperous Tang

will never come.

Well said!

If I ascend the throne successfully,

I won't let you down.

I will creat a real prosperous society

for the people.

But I still don't understand.

Why did the Crown Prince choose this little inn

in the big city of Luoyang.

I also asked His Highness

about this question.

I heard that the suspect who sold the Face Flower

committed suicide here.

So I wanted to stay here

to see if I could

find some clues.

But the Great General says

this inn is strange.

He won't allow me

to leave this room.

Yes, Your Highness.

Just now, a bronze devil

assassinated me.

The identity of the female owner

is also unknown.

General Lu was the one who was assassinated

instead of His Highness.

That means

they haven't found

His Highness is hiding here.

But it's indeed not safe here.

I advise leaving this inn as soon as possible.

Your Highness,

you should return to Chang'an soon.

I thought

even if

your life is so valuable,

you aren't worth that much money.

That time, it was Great General Lu

who checked in alone.

His Highness didn't take the front door.

So,

Lady Hu Shisi mistook His Highness for me.

Lu Lingfeng.

This time Her Highness is in trouble.

I don't think you care much about solving this case

and getting the antidote.

To be frank,

is it His Highness's order?

Su Wuming.

You can look down on me,

but you can't

look down on His Highness.

His Highness stayed here

not to inquire about the Princess's life,

but...

Your Highness.

I think what General Lu said

makes sense.

You should

return to Chang'an as soon as possible

and return to His Majesty.

No.

I grew up with my aunt.

My aunt is now in danger.

I can't just leave like this.

But now Luoyang is full of danger.

You shouldn't take the risk here.

You don't have to persuade me.

I've made up my mind.

Although I can't officially

supervise and urge Su Wumming to investigate the case,

I will be much at ease

staying in Luoyang.

Lu Tong,

what do you mean?

The tree desires stillness but the wind will not cease.

The princess won't sit and watch You Highness

ascend the throne.

But the fact that she was poisoned

is beneficial to you.

You can ask Lu Lingfeng

to pass a message to Su Wuming.

And ask him to give up investigating the case secretly.

Your Highness,

those who achieve great things

must move forward without distractions.

Now the princess

is currently staying in the Blessing Temple and won't come out.

I heard from Su Wuming

that she was poisoned by the Face Flower.

Besides,

she has only a few days left.

Your Highness,

this is a great news.

The princess ordered Su Wuming by an informal official

to solve the case as soon as possible

and find the antidote.

But I don't think

this case is that easy.

So...

Your Highness.

You won.

It's good to ascend the throne successfully.

But if I disregard my family for this,

it's not what I want.

Lu Lingfeng.

Go back to

Su Wuming,

and help him solve the case in full sail.

Su Wuming.

A Crown Prince like him.

Should he

be well deserved

to be our new emperor!

It's great luck for our Tang

to have a Crown Prince with such a heart!

♫The storm rises with no reason♫

♫In the night of illusions♫

♫I go into the maze♫

♫In a world of prosperity♫

♫A heart burns with obsession♫

♫With the darkness rising♫

♫I can't stop wandering through the night♫

♫With light in my heart, I'm not afraid of the storm♫

♫It's because of justice♫

♫That I seek a truth for this long, lonely night♫

♫The heaven and earth are held together by a strong will♫

♫The people are in peace♫

♫Carving right and wrong into a clear heart♫

♫The truth♫

♫Will reinterpret this justice♫

♫Even if there is fog♫

♫Even if there are invisible waves♫

♫I'll tell the story of the fate♫

♫Tell the love of the world♫

♫For the memory of grace♫

♫And the resentment is not yet over♫

♫The rivers and mountains are immortal, the clouds are overturned♫

♫To be consoled by the truth, even with thorns on my back♫

♫It's because of justice♫

♫That I seek a truth for this long, lonely night♫

♫The heaven and earth are held together by a strong will♫

♫The people are in peace♫

♫Carving right and wrong into a clear heart♫

♫The truth♫

♫Will reinterpret this justice♫

♫Even if there are a thousand sails, it's not a waste of time♫

♫What I am afraid of is the unrighted wrong♫

♫What is the meaning of life and death?♫

♫I'll paint the sunshine into the landscape♫

♫The spirit of righteousness♫

♫Exists for the one I care♫