Original subtitles

Spending without ongoing income

will fritter away our fortune regardless of our wealth.

Therefore, my mother begged my grandfather

to make him the Deputy Commander of North Ward

at the Warden's Office of the Five Wards.

This is the letter of appointment.

I was going

to break the good news to you with Ting Yu.

That's more like it.

Bear in mind

that a wife's

biggest contribution

is to help with her husband's political career.

Got it?

By right, Ting Yu

should collect the letter of appointment at the Ministry of Personnel himself.

But since my grandfather has taken it,

he just needs to meet up with the ministry's officer

to start the job.

Okay.

See to it

that he's reminded about this.

Okay.

My Lord.

The weather is clearing up.

Why are you in a rush to pack the paintings?

You Ming and I are going to Jiaozhou to paint.

What?

You're going on a trip? This won't do.

Grandfather has set things up with the Ministry of Personnel.

You have to meet the officer

no matter what.

I'll meet them

when I'm back.

I'm leaving now.

My Lord.

Aren't you going to ask me what is it about?

Grandfather has arranged an official position for you

at the Warden's Office of the Five Wards.

He's leaving for Liaodong soon.

You have to meet them

and make it official.

Ming.

I promised to go outdoor painting with him.

I'll be breaking my promise if I don't go.

Let's talk about it when I'm back.

Pei Jing.

Your sister is hoping things would go well for you from here on.

She's going to nag

if you decline the job.

Let her nag.

I'm better off not holding the position of a greedy officer.

Pei Jing.

My mother begged my grandfather for days for the position.

Ming.

Don't you know

that I despise such position and fame?

Must you turn me into the person I despise the most?

Pei Jing.

(Blossom)

(Episode 21)

You've been checking the ledgers for days.

Go get some rest, honey.

Let me help you.

Are you sure?

The list of content?

This is the list of content of my ledger.

My ledgers are there.

That many?

How did you manage to go unnoticed?

Do you know Mr Zhao Ning?

Of course. Mr Zhao Ning has businesses all over the capital.

Everyone knows that.

Mr Zhao Ning may have a name,

businesses and a birthplace,

but he doesn't exist.

How do you know?

Could he be you?

I have too many businesses

but no one to depend on.

In order to deceive others,

I had my businesses

registered under the name, "Mr Zhao Ning"

so that they won't find out about me

no matter what.

When Wang Ying Xue married into my family

and my mother passed away,

my grandmother asked both my family

and the Wang family to each give me 3,000 tael for my sake.

After that, I moved to live with her in the farm.

But then I thought, I can't just live idly and spend all my money.

So I invested

on the sea market in Futing.

Thanks to Ding's Army for exterminating the pirates

that my business

grew bigger as if being helped by God

since then.

What's the matter?

The happier you are as you speak,

the more it pains me

for not being by your side sooner.

You grew up bearing these hardships

without anyone to help you or rely on.

When we first met,

I was even unkind to you.

I deserve a beating.

Owe it for now.

I'll put it in the ledger.

Right away.

Sure.

You don't have to write with your right hand anymore.

Go back to using your left hand.

From now on,

just act casually at Yizhi Hall.

You're too sweet.

I wonder how can I repay your kindness.

Why don't I

give half of my wealth to you?

No way.

Now that your father finally starts to like me,

he might turn hostile

if you give half of your business to me.

Let me make calming soup for you.

Come back soon.

-Good morning, Lord Song. -Morning.

Don't enter.

Shou Gu

was exhausted last night. Let her sleep in.

Okay, Lord Song.

Let's go.

Also, tell the kitchen to make black chicken soup with donkey hide gelatin

and pigeon soup with asiabell root

to replenish her body.

Okay, Lord Song.

Did they...

Is there anything else, Lord Song?

The bed got dirty last night.

After Shou Gu is awake,

change a new sheet.

Okay, Lord Song.

We're going to have a young master soon.

My Lady, we've changed the sheet.

We'll dismiss ourselves.

Okay.

Why didn't you wake me up earlier?

Lord Song told us not to disturb you, My Lady,

and let you sleep in.

That is inappropriate.

I have to check all the ledgers.

Besides, we're at Yizhi Hall.

If words go out,

people will spread rumours.

Given how close you two are now, My Lady,

you don't have to worry about that.

She's smart too.

They're a perfect match.

Look at all her dowries.

There's nothing like this before in the capital.

That explains why Lord Song respects his wife so much.

I heard that Lord Song and his wife his wife were busy all night.

The candle in their room stayed lighted almost until daybreak.

The soup is ready, My Lady.

Soup?

Black chicken soup with donkey-hide gelatin.

Pigeon soup with asiabell root.

Lord Song told them to make these.

He also told them to change the sheet

and wash it separately.

Why?

The servants are telling each other

that you and Lord Song love each other very much.

We'll probably be welcoming a young master soon.

What?

I... I... I was tired from checking the ledgers last night.

As for the bed sheet...

Even I don't know what he's trying to do.

Song Yan Tang is ruining my reputation.

Young Lady Zhao,

you're officially Lord Song's wife.

How can you call that ruining your reputation?

But we...

We were just checking the ledgers.

-That's it. -I understand.

When you and Lord Song check the ledgers again,

we definitely won't disturb.

We were just checking the ledgers.

That... no... This doesn't mean anything else.

My Lady.

It'll get worse the more you try to explain.

I see. So checking the ledgers

actually means

having fun with each other's companion.

What's that about?

You're getting more brazen, aren't you?

My bad, my bad.

What are you talking about? You seem so happy.

Have a seat.

Su Lan.

Serve the soup to Lord Song.

Okay.

Another bowl.

One more.

-Honey. -Despite your busy schedule,

you didn't forget to tell the servants to make the soup this morning

and had the time to care about housekeeping.

Such good intentions

must be rewarded with this soup.

Have another bowl.

No, thanks.

Come on.

Serve it.

Okay.

Here.

Next time, tell them to control the amount.

Ting Yu didn't report to office?

He's out for a trip.

His wife even packed his clothes for him.

Get Dou Ming here.

Okay.

Ting Zhen.

Tell me what's going on.

Ting Yu is too stubborn.

Please help persuade him.

You can't even control your own man.

What kind of mistress are you?

You can't make money

or help your husband.

Now tell me,

what do we need you

as our daughter-in-law for?

A family's prosperity

depends on the mistress.

Look at Dou Zhao

bringing boxes and boxes of treasure

to Duke of Ying's Residence.

Now look at you.

You call yourself the mistress of the family?

Well,

a crooked stick will have a crooked shadow.

You're just like your mother.

Ting Zhen.

You may criticise me,

but leave my mother alone.

After all the bad things she's done,

I'm not allowed to criticise her?

I bet you learned to talk back

from your mother too.

From today on,

you shall learn some manners

from me.

Ting Yu isn't home.

Let's wait until he's back

to talk about rules and manners.

What?

Have I, the Duchess of Jing,

no right to teach you manners?

My Lady, you may speak up about your dissatisfaction,

but why are you picking on...

Who are you to speak?

How could you hit her?

I can hit that dog of yours when I like it.

As the daughter-in-law of the Wei family,

you must follow our rules.

Nanny Zhou.

How are you feeling?

I'm fine because you're being considerate.

But you, My Lady,

you have to greet her every morning.

You're going to suffer.

Let Wen Xiang follow me

during the daily greeting after this.

I don't want to annoy Ting Zhen.

How can a married daughter

set up rules at her natal family?

I bet the Duchess of Jing

is just taking advantage of Marquis Wei's absence

to pick on you

because life isn't going well for her.

It's okay.

I can take it.

The abacus has been making noises for days.

I even hear this annoying sound in my dream.

When will it stop?

What is it now?

What brings you here?

I heard Yan Tang's wife is pregnant.

What are you talking about?

They're only married for days.

But the imperial physician has taken her pulse.

It's said that she's carrying a pigeon pair.

Exactly.

-Who said that? -The second aunt of the third son

of the nanny of Physician Li who works

at the Imperial Medical Bureau, of course.

Lu Zheng.

Somebody.

Get Steward Lu here.

It's true.

The entire Fourth Alley...

No. Half of the capital is saying

that Lord Song and his wife are so much in love.

He tells the kitchen

to make soup for her as daily replenishment.

They say...

What did they say?

They say that Duke of Ying's Residence will have a baby soon.

Idiot!

Please cease from anger, Duke.

I told you to ask about the money,

yet all you got is hearsay?

It's not completely hearsay.

Think about it.

If Lord Song's wife gives birth to a son,

things are going to get worse for Second Master.

Get lost.

Out.

Out, now.

Come back.

The matchmaker was so certain

that Dou Zhao is just some aggressive and vulgar village woman.

But now,

her background appears to be fishy.

Investigate thoroughly again.

Find out about her.

Yes, Duke.

Dou Zhao is the richest person in Zhending Farm.

She owns a lot of businesses

and is really rich.

Exactly.

No way.

You said on the other day that Dou Zhao lost all her money

and has handed all her businesses over to her stepmother.

You heard it wrong.

Handing it over to her stepmother is what will make her suffer losses.

On her wedding day,

Young Lady Zhao brought numerous dowries

and gave out red packets.

It's grander than the weddings

of the rich young ladies in the capital.

Everyone in Zhending knows

that Young Lady Zhao is honest and kind.

One year, there was a downpour in Zhending.

If Young Lady Zhao

hadn't waived part of the rent,

many families wouldn't be able to make it

and would have to sell their children.

You said she's a vulgar woman.

And you said she's an ingrate.

You heard wrong.

The one who's vulgar and an ingrate is her stepmother.

Young Lady Zhao

is well-mannered and fulfilled her father's duty as a son.

Everyone around here knows that.

Young master of the Pang family

dressed as a robber

to make Young Lady Zhao marry her.

Such a rascal craving for what he's unworthy of.

Didn't Young Lady Zhao

try to force Young Master Pang to marry her?

It's the other way round.

No. Young Lady Zhao is an upright

and generous person.

Everyone around here

received favour from her.

-That's right. -Yet Young Master Pang had the audacity

to bring the matter to court.

But he ended up getting beaten instead.

There's no mistake about it.

I see.

All of you tricked me.

No.

Who are these disgusting people?

You were asking about Young Lady Zhao.

We're from the Duke of Ying's Residence.

Who are you?

How dare you kidnap me.

How dare you pretend to be the Duke of Ying's Residence's servant.

Hit the face.

Please forgive me.

I was just following orders,

trying to survive.

Let me ask again.

Are you from the Duke of Ying's Residence?

Yes, we're from the Duke of Ying's Residence.

Hit the face.

All right.

How obstinate.

Drown him.

Yes.

No. No.

I'm not from the Duke of Ying's Residence.

The Duke of Ying's Residence and I are sworn enemies.

Now that's the right thing to say.

Let him go.

You didn't reveal

that you're my man, did you?

Duke Ying,

I'd rather die than obey them

and didn't mention a single word about the Duke of Ying's Residence.

I said that I'm a matchmaker from afar

and was there to propose a marriage.

Is it true that Dou Zhao is the richest person in Zhending?

And everyone around Zhending received help from her?

It's true.

Young Lady Zhao

isn't some boorish girl.

They were colluding with one another.

I had to fight hard

to be able to see you again.

I was fooled.

I can't believe that that disobedient son

managed to trick me, the Duke of Ying,

into handing him all the wealth

so that he can train men who'd die for him,

buy people off,

and train spies

despite he didn't have enough money for that before.

I definitely

walked into his trap.

Is there anyone more stupid than I am?

There isn't.

Duke.

Somebody, help!

(Marquis of Jining's Residence)

What? Too tired to stand?

Do you think you're being treated unfairly?

As the mistress of the family,

you need to act like one.

You should know what you can and cannot do.

And it's not up to how you feel.

Please forgive me.

I didn't mean it.

You're spoiled by Pei Jing.

You couldn't make him stay

or accept the position arranged for him.

And now, you couldn't even keep the chopsticks on your head.

So, what can you do?

You're right.

My daughter said that you're sick, Duke.

I purposely came to check on you.

Which part of you is unwell?

It's just a minor illness.

You shouldn't have troubled yourself.

(I'm being courteous and polite.)

(Why is he pulling a long face?)

(Is he involved in the plan to have Dou Zhao)

(marry into the Song family?)

(How much does he know?)

(Could he be

the mastermind behind all this?)

No matter how you throw a temper,

Lord Song never raised his voice.

The hardest part of being filial isn't about obeying,

but to remain calm and gentle.

How rare it is.

Duke.

Allow me.

Duke, you must take good care of yourself.

You sure are getting along well with that disobedient son of mine.

Of course.

Yan Tang is very competent.

You should stop working

and enjoy life instead.

Let Yan Tang handle all the work.

Is he telling me to give up my title?

As for Shou Gu,

I know my own daughter.

She's a good and sensible girl.

She's been preparing your medicine

in the kitchen for days.

It's okay. No problem.

Well...

Dear in-law.

Rest well.

Take your medicine regularly

so that you recover fast.

I'll check on my daughter.

Lu Zheng.

Where are you, Lu Zheng?

Duke, here I am.

Is my medicine prepared by Dou Zhao all this while?

Yes. She has medical knowledge.

So she's the one who prepared your medicine.

Idiot.

How can you let her prepare my medicine?

Do you want me to die fast?

Keep this in mind.

From now on,

you prepare my medicine.

Okay.

Come back here.

Throw away

all the herbal medicines

and buy new ones.

Okay.

Gently.

"Percepts for Women" teaches us

to be humble, respectful and virtuous.

Nanny Jin.

Keep an eye on her.

If she dares to slack off,

teach her a lesson on my behalf.

Okay.

Stand straight. On the wall.

Lift your head.

Tighten your stomach.

Straighten your legs.

"Percepts for Women" teaches us

to be humble, respectful and virtuous.

Open your eyes.

Stick to the wall.

Don't you slack off or try anything.

My punishment ruler is watching.

My Lady.

What is it?

This...

Look, My Lady.

I wouldn't have punished her

if I knew she was pregnant.

What do I tell Pei Jing now?

That was his first child.

My Lady, you're not to blame.

Dou Ming's nanny takes care her.

Is Nanny Zhou dead or what?

Whether she's pregnant or not, I'm sure they know better than you.

You're right.

Everything I've done is for the family's sake.

I didn't do anything wrong.

On the other hand,

Dou Ming kept quiet

about her pregnancy

and ended up miscarrying the baby.

The flesh and blood of our family.

She's horrible.

My Lady.

As kind-hearted as you are,

you can't let the Dou family

blame it on us,

the marquis' residence.

You see, it's because you have a soft heart

that the fifth young lady

could marry into the family in Young Lady Zhao's place.

I'm the Duchess of Jing.

I can't make the same mistake twice.

Tell them to prepare a greeting card.

I'm going to the Dou's

to get an explanation.

My Lady, it was my negligence

that the unborn young master lost his life.

It's not your fault.

Blame that greedy woman, Wei Ting Zhen.

She caused this.

Now, not only are we unable to fill up the loan shark hole,

but we also can't give her the interest as promised.

That's why she went out of line.

If Dou Zhao hasn't been so nosy and told Master,

we would've already filled the hole.

This won't do.

We need to do something about it.

Otherwise, Ming

is going to suffer.

I only

made this unwise decision

for Ming's happiness.

But if we can't pay the debt,

besides the greedy woman,

the Cangbei Gang

won't let us off too.

Your grandmother had these flowers

sent to you from the farm?

She told me

to take good care of them

so that they can grow

and bear fruit in the capital.

That's so nice of her.

I heard Lord Song transplanted them for you himself.

I'm glad to see

how you support each other.

Father.

Did something happen?

We were just informed

that Ming

-had a miscarriage. -What?

The good daughter your brought up

not only disobeyed her older sister-in-law,

but deliberately kept the secret

and harmed the Wei family's descendant.

Take her back.

We aren't good enough

to serve her.

Great.

You're complaining

and accusing us

before I ask for an explanation.

Wei Ting Yu accepted the marriage.

If he wants to break it off,

tell him to do it himself.

You wanted to fall out

right after I got him a decent job?

My brother sent his maids away

for your daughter's sake.

Who else in the capital would do that?

Don't you think I don't know

what you're up to.

Ming lost her baby

because of you.

Give me an explanation

or we're going to the Office of State Affairs.

Fine.

Let the magistrate decide justly.

The bride who was supposed to be the fourth young lady

became the fifth young lady.

It was you who had her replaced.

Otherwise, will she have a miscarriage?

If it were Dou Zhao,

she wouldn't have looked for trouble

out of jealousy.

Do you remember, Madam Wang,

what you owe me?

My Lady, replacing the bride isn't a serious matter,

but the authorities mustn't know about the loan shark.

Dou Ming doesn't have what it is to be the mistress.

She argued with the elders

and even cruelly vented her anger at her child.

Such a vicious woman

will be divorced

even if you take this to the Office of State Affairs.

You...

Your words don't make sense, Duchess of Jing.

Why'd Ming harm her own child?

As a woman yourself,

don't you know that miscarriage is like serious illness?

You may lose your life due to it.

Ming and Marquis of Jining just got married.

They're still much in love.

Why'd she want to die?

Even wild beasts look after their young.

The Marchioness had a miscarriage only because

Duchess of Jing made her stand as a punishment.

You sly servant.

Who are you to speak?

Looks like the Marquis of Jining's Residence is so strict

that you'd rather lose your flesh and blood

to torture the daughter-in-law.

This...

This is nonsense.

Our family doesn't have many descendants.

Dou Ming isn't an illegitimate child either.

Why'd my brother and I don't want the baby?

Now that the baby is gone,

all you do is blame Ming.

Given how pushy you are, Duchess of Jing,

people might think you're worried about your descendant,

or maybe just taking tha advantage to humiliate your sister-in-law.

We haven't said anything

about Dou Ming's miscarriage.

Yet you already want to take it to the Office of State Affairs.

Well, Magistrate Dai

happens to be an old friend of my fifth uncle.

Let's have him decide who's right or wrong.

-I... No, you... -Su Lan.

-Yes, Young Lady. -Tell the others.

We're going to the Office of State Affairs.

Okay.

No.

My Lady.

My Lady. Get a physician already.

Since you're not feeling well,

take a rest at the warm room next door.

We'll talk later.

My Lady.

They replaced the pearl with the fish eye.

Ridiculous.

I knew this would happen

when Ming insisted on marrying him.

Ming has always been a good girl.

She replaced you as the bride

and was always picked on by her sister-in-law.

And now she had a miscarriage.

You're accountable

for all this.

I came here for the Dou family

and to prevent Father from being heart-broken.

If you're going to repay my kindness with ingratitude,

I guess I was just nosy.

Save your crocodile tears.

Let's go.

Take Ming home.

Why are you here?

I followed you home.

I was really worried at first.

But I felt relieved when I saw you could easily

win the argument with them.

I won't be bullied

in my own house, will I?

You won't. But I love seeing my darling defeat the enemy.

Don't worry.

It's just a discord between women.

I can handle it.

This is Wei Ting Yu's fault.

I already sent someone for him.

Yan Tang.

I want to take a look at Dou Ming.

Please drink it, My Lady.

Your health matters the most.

-Let me do it. -Mrs Dou.

Here you go.

What?

I have to see your long face

after seeing your sister-in-law's?

I know what you're going to say, Mother.

But please don't.

Having a miscarriage is as bad as having a serious illness.

A bowl of sweet soup

isn't enough to replenish your body.

You may not completely heal from it.

Ming.

Why don't you come home with me?

I'll take good care of you.

Only you see this poor house as treasure.

Ming.

Don't worry.

I'm always here to support you.

Most importantly,

take good care of your body, all right?

Mother.

Mother.

Take the money.

Buy tonic for Ming.

Keep the rest and use it when in need.

Remember, don't give all of it to Ming.

In case that greedy woman takes it.

I'll keep that in mind.

But My Lady, that's the money to pay debt.

If Cangbei Gang don't get their money...

Exactly.

Those ungrateful people might find you

and pester you.

It'll be troublesome.

Use it on Ming first.

I'll figure something out.

-Zhao. -Ming.

Wei Ting Yu is really unreliable

for doing this to you.

This wouldn't happen

if he didn't let his sister

make decisions at home.

I don't blame him.

He yearns for the outside world.

He feels uncomfortable

being trapped here in the house.

You told me

that he's not a good husband,

nor is the Marquis of Jining's Residence an ideal home.

But I used to think

that two persons united by heart

can live happily together

no matter how hard life is.

Do you regret it?

Get a divorce, Ming.

This is your best chance to escape this place.

Zhao.

If you and Lord Song

face this situation one day,

what will be your choice?

Three horses died on Lu Ming's way

to find this jerk in Jiaozhou.

Ming.

It's all my fault.

If I hadn't left on my own decision,

you wouldn't get punished

and we wouldn't lose our baby.

Wei Ting Yu.

Ming.

I'm sorry.

I'll start work tomorrow.

Punish me all you want,

as long as you stop being angry

and affect your health.

Ming, it's all my fault.

I'm rubbish.

It's my fault. I don't deserve to be human.

I'm sorry, Ming.

Please forgive me.

Forgive me, Ming.

I'm sorry.

I'm rubbish.

Ming.

I'm sorry, Ming.

I did you wrong.

I did our child wrong.

I did our child wrong.

I did you wrong.

Sir, I'm told to give you the cloak.

Please take good care of yourself.

Ming.

Ming.

How are you doing?

I did you wrong.

I also did our child wrong.

I don't want a divorce.

I'm sorry, Ming.

I don't want a divorce.

I'm sorry. Hit me.

-Just hit me. I'm sorry. -Pei Jing.

Pei Jing.

Every time you hit yourself,

it gives me pain.

Knowing you love

and still care about me

is more than I can ask.

But

I can't stand one more minute in this house.

No.

It's not you who can't stay.

Someone needs to

make a clean break with the family.

Ming.

Wait for me.

Pei Jing.

This is like taking advantage of her when she's drunk.

Yan Tang.

Actually, I'm not drunk.