Original subtitles

=Moonlit Reunion=

(Adapted from Fu Hua's novel "Madam Mei's Husband Spoiling")

=Episode 19=

I thought you didn't drink, Young Master Mei?

You hold your liquor surprisingly well.

But drinking it like that is such a waste.

Apricot Gold is meant to be sipped slowly.

Only then can you taste its depth.

Plus, it has a strong after-effect.

Drinking like that

is a bit much.

Aren't you supposed to escort your cousin?

Why bother with me now?

You really are drunk.

What now?

Don't you even recognize who I am?

You are...

A fruit.

Fruit? What fruit?

You're the fruit

that fell from my tree.

This is my tree.

Come on.

This fruit will take you back to your room.

You must stay away from Young Master Pei.

He is

no good.

All right.

Our Young Master Mei is the best. Come on.

♪A glimpse of you lingers in my mind♪

♪I savor it like incense, slowly, gently♪

♪The soft rustle of branches at your door♪

♪Awakens a rhythm of longing in me♪

♪In these tranquil days, I find an excuse♪

♪To show my tender heart♪

♪Yet I am too shy to say♪

♪My heart is yours♪

♪The moment I meet you♪

♪I feel as if I wear wings of light♪

Why do you always mess with me?

♪Every glance sparkles like stars♪

Look at you,

drunk and accusing people unfairly.

♪A certainty I hold dear♪

♪Even when rivers run cold and time moves on♪

♪I follow you through it all♪

You're too heavy to carry.

Let me lean on you for a bit.

♪You are the reason I came into this life♪

(What on earth are you thinking?)

Anyone here?

Anyone?

Anyone?

(Why come at this time of all times?)

Young Lady Liu.

Young Lady Liu.

Young Lady Liu,

I finally found you.

Young Lady Liu,

if you're in real trouble,

you can just tell me.

Leave.

Demon! Don't harass my Young Lady Liu!

She seduced me.

This dreadful demon wants to hurt me!

She's a demon!

Young Lady Liu.

Young Lady Liu.

Young Lady Liu, are you all right?

Why did you come back?

According to "Notes on Demons and Oddities,"

when a snake demon sheds its skin,

it needs water but not food.

But I also remember

the notes mentioned that when it's weak,

it needs aloe, boxwood, and mulberry.

So I picked some fresh mulberry leaves.

I wasn't sure which kind works best,

so I prepared several kinds.

(How did I get to my room?)

Jiya,

later I'll take you for flatbread on the west side of town.

Lately,

Princess Qinghe and Young Master Pei are always together.

They go out together in full view,

roaming the streets, and enjoying themselves everywhere.

Everyone is saying

the two of them are about to be engaged.

Is it true?

I

don't know.

Mei,

does this mean it's over between you and her?

Did you bring the thing I asked for?

I have it.

Here you go.

Minister Liu said

this is everything the Records Archives has

(Forbidden Arts, Volume One to Three) on dark magic.

Please thank Minister Liu for me.

But Mei,

always staying by the County Princess

isn't the way.

If you truly care for her,

why not be more forward?

I don't care if she loves another.

I worry

that she might fall in love with the wrong person.

(Capital's First Medical Hall)

(For the People's Welfare)

(Signature Fragrant Pastries)

Zhen, what's wrong?

Every time we're out to have fun,

people will always talk.

It really ruins the mood.

Your name is famous throughout Chang'an.

It can't be helped.

Don't be upset.

Infamous is more like it.

What's the point of buying rouge now?

Forget it.

Fine. If you don't want to, we won't.

In a few days, let's go out to the countryside.

It won't be so noisy there.

Jiya, shall we go to the Lin'an River?

The Lin'an River?

It's the largest river outside Chang'an.

Across it lies an islet.

They say the early autumn scenery there is breathtaking.

We can take a boat,

drifting with the current,

and wandering without care.

What do you think?

Of course.

Whatever you say is good.

One more!

Fabulous!

Another one!

(Signature Fragrant Pastries)

Make way.

Do you think Master will return to the Demon Market tonight?

Why wouldn't she?

She has just been busy.

Busy with that Young Master Pei.

They go everywhere together these days.

Everyone in Chang'an agrees

that they are childhood sweethearts

and a perfect match.

Young Master Pei looks delighted by the gossip.

Childhood sweethearts?

The one who has been with Zhen for eighteen years

is not Pei Jiya.

(Shu)

Come back.

Come back to me.

We have a great cause to accomplish together.

Get lost!

Shu.

Zhen.

Were you talking to me just now?

No, I would never lose my temper at you.

I had a nightmare, that's all.

Shu, you must tell us

if you're troubled.

We'll figure it out together.

Don't worry.

In the Demon Market, I'm second only to one.

What trouble could I have?

Besides,

I would tell you if there was.

As for others,

they don't matter.

Here.

Everything about Xuan Hui's past is written inside.

What is it now?

There's something else I need Lord Shu's help with.

Young Lady Liu,

let me know if you need anything more

to make shedding your skin easier

and less painful.

I see, I see.

I'll go and find more.

Wait for me.

(He's such a fool.)

See that?

- These are not mulberry leaves. - This is a snake demon!

Did you see that?

Look up!

Snake demon?

See that?

What did you catch?

(Snake Demon Appears) A snake demon is unheard of.

We caught her deep in the mountains.

Her cultivation is strong.

She has even taken human form.

She has scales on her face.

The moment she saw us,

she used every kind of bewitching spell she knew.

She's no doubt a demon.

She tried to seduce us with her looks.

A snake like this is sure to be licentious by nature.

Luckily, we weren't fooled

and managed to capture her.

Stay still!

This snake demon

is powerful and cunning.

She has tried to escape again and again.

We had no choice but to rip out her snake tendon

and chain her

so she wouldn't harm anyone.

Still want to run?

Still want to hurt people? Behave!

Stop! Stop it!

What are you doing?

Does being a demon mean she is bound to harm people?

Even if she is a demon,

you shouldn't treat her like this.

All demons harm people.

There is no such thing as a harmless demon.

Just listen to me!

Listen to me!

Like humans, there is good and evil among demons.

You haven't even figured out the truth yet.

But you're already tormenting her like this.

Isn't that against all reason?

Why are you acting all merciful for nothing?

How do you know she hasn't harmed anyone?

When I caught her,

she was eating a child's heart and liver!

Stop causing trouble.

If she eats you, that will shut you up for good!

Crazy fool.

That's right.

Where did this fool come from?

He's unbelievable.

Do you know

how hard it was for us to catch her?

Exactly.

(This fool)

(has been gone so long.)

(Could something have happened?)

(Snake Demon Appears. Rare Sighting)

Are you all right?

Don't be scared.

It's me, from earlier.

I remember you.

You can speak?

So,

did you really eat a child's heart and liver?

No, they were lying.

I knew it. Demons aren't born evil.

And those two are nothing but hunters.

If you had truly done such a terrible thing,

would they have caught you so easily?

You've only just turned into human form, right?

You don't mind that I'm a demon?

So what if you're a demon?

If you've done nothing wrong,

you shouldn't be chained and humiliated like this.

Even if you had,

it should be your victims who demand justice.

Why would you be locked up here

and being used to make money?

I'll find a way to get you out.

You're taking me away?

Don't be afraid.

Once I get you out of here,

you'll be free.

I won't use you.

You...

Don't eat that.

Eat this instead.

This?

This is good.

What

is this?

Mulberry leaves.

It's shedding season for snakes,

and your body is weak.

This will help.

You're not a snake?

I...

This rich young master is quite clever

for seeing through our act.

So what if he knows?

Those rich fools before him

all fell

for this girl's looks.

What matters is

that we've landed another big fish.

Luckily, we picked this snake girl.

With her pretty face,

she'll reel in plenty of gullible young men.

Once this job is done,

we can enjoy some carefree days for a while.

The truth is, there never was a snake demon.

I was caught by accident.

They beat me every day

and made me...

They made me disguise myself this way.

It's all just for show.

How can people be this vile?

Absolutely despicable.

I'm taking you away.

Young Master, wait.

He has unlocked it.

Hurry.

Come on out.

I knew you'd be back.

What?

You thought you could release the demon

while we were not around?

Young Lady, run!

I'll hold them off!

Stay still!

Let me go!

Stay still!

Let me go!

Run? Where to?

We're in this together.

Since this little lass has been with us,

she has tricked many fools like you

who lust after her beauty.

She disguised herself as a snake demon to seduce young men.

Then she takes on human form and acts pitifully.

It's nothing but some old tricks.

But you're not like the others.

Anyone else would've collapsed in fear by now.

Yet, you still tried to hold us back so she could escape?

You're the biggest fool we've ever met.

A complete fool!

Enough talk.

Tie him up

and take him to his residence for money.

Stay still.

Don't resist.

Let go of me! Let go!

Run.

That's far enough.

They won't be chasing anymore.

Young Master,

I...

I deceived you today,

but I didn't mean to.

I was forced by them.

If I didn't help them deceive others,

they would scold and beat me.

I only did it to survive.

I see.

Since you're safe now, don't cheat others again.

I shall take my leave now.

Young Master!

What is it?

You saved me today.

I have nothing

to repay you with.

If you don't despise me,

I'm willing to serve you all my life.

Young Lady,

I didn't save you for any reward.

I did it of my own will.

Young Lady, I dare not accept such a gesture.

Are you refusing because you don't trust me

after what happened earlier?

Get up.

I know you're pitiful too.

You did turn back to help me

in the courtyard earlier.

But from what they said,

more than one person was tricked

for saving you.

Only you know if you feel guilty

about all this.

All I know is,

humans can be more terrifying than demons when they do evil.

Young Lady,

my fiancée is still waiting for me.

I must go.

Young Lady Liu,

you're better now?

You're all right now?

You're braver than I thought.

I thought you would run in fear

the moment you saw my demon form.

Run?

Why would I?

It just caught me off guard, that's all.

You should've told me sooner.

And why should I?

We're betrothed.

Shouldn't we be honest with each other?

I'm a demon.

Yes, I know.

And you still consider me your fiancée?

You're a demon,

and our marriage was arranged by our families.

How do these two contradict each other?

So you really want to marry a demon?

It's not that.

I never thought of that.

I wanted to marry you.

I don't care if you're a demon.

Come to think of it,

no one else's fiancée can match you.

None of them has such a beautiful serpent form.

Beautiful?

Prettier than anything I've ever read in "Notes on Demons and Oddities."

The most beautiful I've ever seen.

You're saying

as if you've met other snake demons before.

I wanted to surprise you,

but that little loach was far too ugly.

You would never like it.

What?

I mean, the books never said

that demons could be this beautiful.

Do you still find me beautiful?

My secret as a snake demon is no small matter.

If you dare say a word,

I'll swallow you whole just like earlier.

So

keep your mouth shut.

Young Lady Liu, where are you going?

Back to Chang'an.

All right. I'll go with you.

(Duke Wu Residence)

Young Lady Ming Zhuang.

What is all this?

- Betrothal gift from Young Master. - Betrothal gift from Young Master.

Betrothal gift?

Young Lady Wu has agreed?

It's understood without it being said.

Young Master Pei has arranged an outing with the County Princess.

Being alone together signals the moment for a proposal.

Alone together?

Where have they gone?

- At the Lin'an River, - At the Lin'an River,

- outside Chang'an. - outside Chang'an.

Xiaowu, Xiaozhen.

Why tell Young Master Mei on purpose?

- Well, what do you mean? - Well, what do you mean?

- He asked, - He asked,

- so I answered. - so I answered.

Young Lady Wu.

Young Lady Wu.

(Something is wrong with this scent.)

Commissioner Mei,

Young Master Pei and the County Princess

are enjoying a boat trip at Lin'an Islet.

No outsiders may disturb them.

I'm afraid I must.

Commissioner Mei!

Zhen, what are you reading?

There are rumors that Chang'an

has drawn some dark force.

Have you heard?

Those are only ignorant gossip.

There's no such thing as demons or monsters.

Pay it no mind.

But they say it so convincingly.

It's hard not to believe.

This ancient text is filled

with strange tales of demons and spirits.

One story tells

of a man who traded his flesh and blood

to the evil spirits to gain power.

Jiya, isn't this interesting?

That's somewhat novel.

I've never heard of it before.

What happens after that?

Later,

he became a wicked demon.

If I knew you liked these kinds of stories,

I would've gathered them for you long ago.

What's this pattern on the incense seal?

Auspicious clouds.

Do you still have any other questions?

The pattern in the incense burner

looks like auspicious clouds.

But from where I'm sitting,

it looks like an eye hidden inside.

Who are you?

(Darn it. That incense restrains magic.)

There's a story in this book

about an eye.

Jiya, take a look.

All right.

Zhen,

you're teasing me again.

There's not a single word written in this book.

Impossible. Look carefully.

This book's origin is strange. It reeks of misfortune.

You'd better not read it.

Zhen!

No!

(No.)

(I have to find a way to stop the formation.)

(Zhen,)

(please don't die.)

Who are you?

Wrong question.

It's "What am I."

You're all right?

But you're apparently not.

Let's get out of here.

♪A soul at the edge of the clouds♪

♪How could one be born just to be trampled?♪

♪Don't ask why there's no room for me♪

♪Not yielding to fate, I demand an answer♪

♪At midnight, I transform♪

♪If good and evil drown out the clamor of the world♪

♪I await the moment to give the command♪

♪To question this destiny♪

♪Reborn in flawless nirvana♪

Run!

So it really is a suppression technique.

Yes!

That Mei has been scheming all along,

pestering Zhen day and night.

I only meant to teach him a lesson!

What's wrong with that?

Stay back.

My benefactor is an extraordinary expert.

If you lay a hand on me,

he will not spare you!

Undo the formation.

I'll give you one more chance.

Undo it now.

I can't undo

the formation.

♪Sighing at the fleeting lights of the human world♪

♪Flowers bloom in splendor, then wither away♪

♪Old dreams linger in my heart♪

♪The past gets engraved, yet leaving no trace♪

♪Flickering candle shadows stir the sorrow of parting♪

♪The seasons turn, time slips away♪

♪The night rain falls sparse♪

♪Even tears remain silent♪

♪They drift away with the stars♪

♪One glance back, and the years are worn with age♪

♪You are my one desire, lasting till the end of time♪

♪If the story could be rewritten and all things changed♪

♪I'd spend a lifetime waiting for you♪

♪Watching fate break through the gloom, love returning again♪

♪How could I ever forget♪

♪When vows turn into seas and span a thousand years♪

♪Memories remain, never leaving my side♪

♪An unwavering devotion♪

♪Buried beneath the sands of time♪

♪If the story could be rewritten and all things changed♪

♪I'd spend a lifetime waiting for you♪

♪Watching fate break through the gloom, love returning again♪

♪How could I ever forget♪

♪When vows turn into seas and span a thousand years♪

♪Memories remain, never leaving my side♪

♪An unwavering devotion♪

♪Buried beneath the sands of time♪