Original subtitles

EPISODE 26

SHEN'S MANSION

The late aunt arranged this with my lady.

A son from one family, a daughter from another.

Promised to be in-laws, bound forever.

Back then, she was just past a year old.

Fearing gossip, it wasn't widely known.

Six years ago, her mother passed away.

She went with her father to Hangzhou.

Three years later, her father also died.

The mourning delayed things for a while.

Distance made communication hard.

Plus, your family is noble and loyal.

Her stepmother was mean and cold-hearted.

So, they didn't send someone to ask until now.

This is her handwritten letter, no doubt.

This pendant, a symbol of fortune

with holes on the fins.

She always wore it.

It's a jade heirloom of the Shen family.

When she was buried, we couldn't find it.

This family jade

is for Master Shen's future wife.

Cui,

this is for the old lady to decide.

How dare you meddle?

Sure.

Such an important matter,

I was kept in the dark.

She was foolish to hide this from me.

Maybe she thought I was sickly as a child.

Never survive this old.

Distance and time broke the connection,

and the marriage was delayed.

Don't blame me for speaking my mind.

The old lady seems hesitant. What's the matter?

Naturally, she is.

Master Shen already has a wife.

Thanks for returning the pendant.

Now, it's back where it belongs.

My lady.

My lady.

Haode, how dare you be rude to a guest?

You're out of line.

Granny.

She lost her parents.

She has no one and came here out of desperation.

Maybe take her as a concubine at most.

You are Huizhao's wife.

I'm always on your side, you know that.

No need to make things so awkward.

You've lost all decorum.

When my brother-in-law proposed, Kangning had only one condition.

Anyone marrying a Li family daughter

must take one wife only. No concubines.

How dare you say such a thing.

If word gets out,

they'll call you jealous and improper.

This will make it hard

for your sister to marry.

Granny.

I come from a humble background, not a noble one.

But I stand firm on it.

No matter how much education I have, I can't change my heart.

What woman would share her husband willingly?

Even you, Granny,

doesn't it pain you to see three concubines?

I will never allow a concubine and back down.

If I give in,

it'll set a bad example for my brothers-in-law.

The Li family's rules will be broken.

I'd disgrace my sisters and myself.

Granny, punish me as you wish,

- but I won't compromise. - You…

My lady, it's not that the old lady is heartless.

That young lady was betrothed as a child.

Her parents are gone.

If we don't accept her, the Shen family will be seen

as dishonorable.

Calling her a concubine

is already a compromise.

How can you not understand?

Enough.

I won't deal with this anymore.

Qingshi. Qingshi.

My lord.

From now on,

without my orders, no one is allowed into this study.

Didn't you hear me?

Yes.

My lady, this…

These are documents for official matters.

Criminal cases go to the left.

Population and taxes are on the right.

Local customs go in the middle.

Errors from both courts are in that pile.

He marked for resubmission after corrections.

Sure.

My lord, you seem fine now,

not confused.

But the physician said

you still get headaches and nausea.

Your internal injuries are serious. If you keep pushing,

you could faint, at best, or lose your life, at worst.

If I can't read the files, have someone else handle them.

If you refuse, I'll tell the old lady.

I won't cover for you.

- You… - Qingshi, can you even handle this?

I can read, but I can't process cases.

Plus, these are urgent matters.

They're not for servants.

There are capable officials at Yamen.

Judge Yuan, Clerk Wang, Magistrate Liu.

All of them are skilled and knowledgeable.

So, who would you like to assist you?

These documents aren't for outsiders. That'll ruin everything.

Shut up. Get out.

Sure.

I don't remember a thing about us recently.

Whatever you do, it's all pointless.

The Shen family won't keep you.

You…

Where is the imperial land dispute case?

You said it needs imperial approval, so I placed it here.

If you're free,

why not review the Deng case with me?

I said I remember already.

You remember the past, but forgot what came after.

How do you recall the cases, but forget your wife?

He was feverish just yesterday.

He just got better today and he's already back working.

The old lady is worried.

She almost called a physician to the court to check on him.

I had to persuade her to let go of the idea.

She only let me bring medicine.

Where is he?

My lady, he's handling the Deng case now.

The woman was buried alive,

clearly murdered by them. Why bother?

My lady, you don't know. She committed adultery.

Her lover is confessing in court.

What?

I was just a laborer for the Dengs.

His wife often sent maids to fetch water and stoke fires.

One time, Ah Tao fell ill.

The lady fetched her own water.

I pitied her and helped her often.

Over time,

she got pregnant by me.

Her in-laws accidentally found out.

She plotted with me in secret

to fake her death in childbirth.

We waited for the Dengs to bury her.

At midnight, I planned to dig her out.

Then we'd elope to her uncle in Jiangning.

I drank for courage that night but arrived late.

I saw mourners at another grave and didn't dare approach.

Almost at dawn, I opened the coffin.

Sadly, the air hole we left had been blocked by soil.

She had already suffocated.

Master, I didn't report it earlier

to avoid disgrace for my family.

Now, there's no hiding it anymore.

She secretly conceived with another man.

She begged me to help her escape.

I thought, two lives were at stake,

so I let her go.

I thought of her as dead.

It'd be better than causing grief.

But this fool ruined everything while drunk.

He caused this entire disaster.

She died by her own doing.

It has nothing to do with my family.

I'm the one who should file a complaint.

They slandered us.

They raised a daughter

who ruined us.

You all have no shame!

No shame at all.

Mother, why did you hide this from me?

Nonsense!

You tormented your wife daily. Everyone knows.

She never dared to spend your money.

It was all from her dowry.

Last month, she was about to give birth.

Suddenly, you were kind to her.

You even sent me to fetch a midwife.

The midwife had just stepped in

when she screamed and died.

You must've planned to kill her!

You killed her.

Now you slander her for adultery?

My lord,

they bully my daughter who can't speak!

Lies!

Yaoniu, even if Mrs. Deng helped,

how did you fool everyone else?

I got a prescription from a physician

to fake death for three days. Here it is.

You claim you had an affair with Ji, but what proof do you have?

Her undergarments,

along with a love poem.

I folded it into a charm

and kept it.

Ridiculous!

If you had an affair with her, why defend the Deng family?

Aren't you afraid I'll charge you first?

An affair gets a beating at most,

but murder means death.

I had no grudge against Deng.

How could I let him die unjustly?

This proves I'm an honest man.

Please judge me leniently.

My Lord, the adulterer confessed.

You must bring justice for my son!

Never.

My lord, Yaoniu confessed at the court.

Word spread, accusing Ji of infidelity.

They say Ji framed Deng, and Deng's riling up the clan.

They crowd the court daily, demanding release.

A lover appeared out of nowhere.

They conspired to incite chaos with kin.

He claimed he had a fake death potion.

Bring someone to replicate the potion now.

He must take it himself.

If it doesn't work, I'll have him beaten to death.

- Sure. - My lord.

The same potion has a different effect.

Some died from it, others recovered.

Ji Rou's frailty made her unconscious.

It might not work for him.

What if he denies whatever?

What are you going to do?

My lord, why would Yaoniu confess

his adultery?

Clearly, someone paid him to do it.

Adultery with a married woman gets 20 lashes.

He must've been bribed to endure such little pain.

That's obvious.

What's your point?

Adultery is minor. Murder is severe.

He claims he was the servant of the Deng family.

If it was him killing his master?

What crimes does he commit?

But he didn't kill anyone.

What do you think?

Let's test it.

Bring her in.

KAIFENG COURT

Yaoniu, you spoke

of a fake death potion, which was taken by Ji.

Yes, my lord. It's true.

Very well, then.

Coroner.

My lord, I've examined the body

and cleaned it with alcohol.

The body shows purplish swelling.

There are bruises from struggling in the coffin,

but no other external injuries.

I must also check her mouth and throat.

The poison is confirmed.

Coroner,

wasn't Ji asphyxiated in the coffin?

My lord, she was poisoned with arsenic first.

The dose wasn't lethal, so she didn't die.

But after waking up in the coffin, she struggled to get out.

She later suffocated.

Yaoniu, you plotted to murder your mistress.

This needle proves your crime.

If I don't use force, you won't admit it.

Eighty strokes. Do it.

My lord, it was fake death medicine, not poison.

I'm innocent!

My lord.

My lord!

Since you confessed,

I'll execute you now.

Others would agree on this judge too.

My lord, I didn't poison anyone.

It's true!

Didn't you say you had an affair with her?

No, I didn't! No affair!

My lord, it's Mrs. Deng!

She bribed me to lie

and frame her daughter-in-law.

Silence, you wretch!

Enduring torture doesn't excuse framing others.

You deserve to die for such deceit.

The Deng family is a big name.

Why would they ruin their own reputation?

You must've tried to drag them down.

Keep going.

My lord!

The bribe is hidden in my yard, within a pickle jar.

Check under the big tree behind my house.

She promised only 20 lashes but blamed the crime on me.

The Deng family will die out for this!

How dare you curse us, villain!

Mom.

Stop.

My lord, it's all the Deng family's doing.

I was taking the fall for them.

I'll have the bribe investigated.

Ah Tao, describe that night in detail.

Sure.

That night, the mistress went into labor.

I fetched the midwife while Master Deng waited outside the room.

Servants scrambled, preparing cloth and scissors.

- Then a scream came from her room. - What took you so long?

What woman doesn't cry out during childbirth?

Don't twist the story to blame us.

My daughter-in-law's care relied on the maid.

If she ate something poisonous,

it wasn't our doing.

If it was her maid killing her,

why would you bribe Yaoniu to take the blame?

Still lying? The truth is uncovering.

My lord, I remember something.

Before childbirth, my lady said she was hungry.

I made rice soup, but it was delivered by Master Deng.

My lord, I did deliver the soup,

but I didn't poison her.

Ji was near labor, and the maid stayed close.

Where could she buy arsenic?

If she killed her, why report it publicly?

Ji's death ties back to the Deng family.

If you, the son, poisoned her, your mother covered it up.

That makes sense.

Guards!

The Deng family bribed someone to fake witnesses.

There must be a reason.

Drag Deng Jingfu away. Beat him. Now!

- My lord, I did not poison her! - We are wronged!

- I am wronged! - We didn't do it!

My son's wronged!

I'm innocent, my lord!

My lord.

My lord.

I didn't do that!

My lord.

My lord, I didn't kill her.

- Don't beat him! - My lord!

- My lord! - Don't beat him!

My son's taking the exam. What if he's crippled?

It's me! I did it!

All of it was my doing.

How did you kill your daughter-in-law? Speak now.

My lord.

I have no idea where the arsenic came from.

I did send everyone out.

While she was in labor,

I used a three-inch needle

and pierced her crown.

Who knew she didn't die?

How could she survive in the coffin?

Give me back my daughter!

Mom, she was with a child.

How could you do that?

Son.

It was all for you.

You married beneath you. How will you ever rise?

If she didn't die, how could I help you

marry into a noble family?

It was all for your sake!

The arsenic? I swear I knew nothing about it.

I swear.

The arsenic only touched the cloth he used to clean the needle.

If I hadn't claimed so,

how would Yaoniu confess?

How else could I prove you bribed him to take the blame?

My lord! Please, my lord!

She's my mother, my elder!

She was confused, a senior acting rashly.

Can't you lighten her sentence?

Show her some mercy? My lord.

Please, my lord!

Silence!

You, not guiding your mother,

nor protecting your wife,

led to this heinous crime against humanity.

You failed as a son, a husband, and a father.

Eighty strokes for you.

Mrs. Deng craved wealth, killing her daughter-in-law.

She even murdered her grandson. Such an inhuman crime.

Two lives were lost by her hands, then she tried to shift the blame.

Her crime is too great for leniency or exceptions.

I'll petition His Majesty for her execution by slicing.

It'll serve as a warning for others.

My lord!

Mom! Mom! Mom!

Mom.

My lady.

Don't lose heart. You can't go on like this.

That Li Haode, a mere tea seller by birth.

She's cunning and calculating.

She went to the court

to serve tea and medicine, flattering and scheming.

She took your place as wife and denied you a home.

You must act now to secure your future.

The Shen family broke the promise…

and even took my keepsake.

I'm alone, helpless,

with no family to stand for me.

What can I possibly do?

Don't despair.

You've mastered every art since childhood.

Your father cherished you, treated you like a treasure.

How could you end up with such a cruel stepmother

who sold you off for a bride price?

We traveled far and endured much.

Now, we finally arrived at the Shen's.

We can't let it go.

Cui, tell me. What should I do?

No, no, no.

I can't do such shameful things.

I won't.

I can't.

My lady, this is no time for modesty.

Do you want to go back and suffer again?

I don't.

I won't.

My lord, Fang's servant Cui is here.

She says it's urgent and needs to speak with you.

Please meet her.

Has she come yet?

The lady hasn't brought the medicine yet.

If she comes, leave it, but don't let her in.

Yes.

My lord's busy with work and can't make it now.

Please let me apologize on his behalf. He won't come.

Don't do this. She's waiting for him.

Please inform him again.

Say it's about his uncle's last words and belongings.

The lady must hand them to the lord herself.

Please make it happen.

I wouldn't dare.

No, I couldn't.

Please don't do this.

Well, I'll try again.

Thank you.

Haode, listen to me.

Even if she's fallen, she's still from a noble family.

How could she stoop to such disgrace?

I don't believe it.

You told me to ask, so I'm just reporting back.

You'll see the truth soon enough.

Yan'er, Xi'er.

Go to the storeroom.

What do you need?

Just go.

Bring Qingshi here

and say the old lady wants to ask about the lord's meal today.

Nothing else.

Sure.

The old lady requests to speak with my lord.

The lord will pass by in no time.

Where's the item she tried to pass on?

She said

her late father entrusted it to her care.

It must be handed over in person to fulfill her duty.

Of course.

You said

the lord would pass by soon.

Yes.

Then I'll go ahead and inform her.

Don't be shy, my lady.

If he steps through the door, you've already won.

Just cry prettily and tell your story.

He won't ignore.

Where's Rui'er?

She still hasn't brought the hot water.

Where were you? I--

You dress so little. It's too cold outside.

Wrap her up.

That's okay.

Your silk pick is gorgeous.

My lord, Lady Fang insists you meet her.

The lady says she'll go in your place.

Nonsense.

You're here. Then… who's inside?

My lord, cousin arrived in a rush.

I feared she lacked supplies.

So, I picked fine silks and jewelry for her.

I sent them overnight.

Do you care about her too? So, that's why you're here?

Have you delivered?

- Yes. - Then why haven't you left?

Cui, as her wet nurse,

you must guide her.

She's young and naive, unaware of the stakes.

Her father trusted you to care of her.

Is this how you advise her?

A good daughter

would never take such a path.

My lord, I'd never dare.

Cousin.

Cousin, Cui may be foolish, but she means well.

Please, for my sake, forgive her this time.

Cousin, I traveled far seeking refuge.

I don't want to cause trouble.

My stepmother pushed me to the edge.

I have no choice.

Please tell the old lady I mean no offense.

I know I'm plain

and unworthy.

Never dream beyond my range.

If you find me unfit,

I'll clean the courtyard to make it up to you.

Just don't send me away.

Cousin,

don't send me away.

I beg you, don't cast me out.

So,

you want to stay as a concubine?

Serving you for life would be my fortune.

But I fear I'd offend your wife.

I wouldn't dare cause you trouble.

If that's the case, find me a place at a temple

to live out my days.

I'd rather shave my head and be a nun

than fall to ruin

and dishonor my family's name.

When you passed the garden, did you see an old well?

The one sealed in the southeast corner?

- I-- - My enemies are endless.

I can't kill them all.

My sister Yingying was six that year.

Bandits held her hostage to make me surrender.

But I didn't.

She died

in my arms.

After that,

my mother fell ill and mad.

One night, a year later,

she disappeared.

We found her shoes

by that well.

Aunt…

So, that's how she died.

Before Haode married into the Shen family,

she was just a teahouse owner's daughter.

She was carefree

and lived a simple life.

The day before you arrived, she almost died.

A gang of bandits nearly killed her.

She was terrified but stayed strong.

She saved Granny from the slaughter.

Once you join the Shen family,

uncertainties like death await you in the future.

Will your life end in bloodshed or in that well?

My wife lives like this is the last day in the world.

There is no room to care for a concubine.

No one cares if she lives or dies.

Cousin, you're joking, right?

What?

Do you want to try?

Good.

The dowry my mother brought from your family Fang,

I will give half of it to you.

With it, you will marry well.

Don't listen to that foolish servant.

She'll ruin your life. Remember that.

You're guests here. You shouldn't bother the hostess.

Anyone who forgets their manners will be punished.

Don't blame me for not showing mercy.

I'll send you back home tomorrow.

Cui,

you're old and confused, and it's your first time.

I'll give you ten lashes on behalf of her dad.

No more mistakes.

There won't be a next time.

STEADFAST AND CONSIDERATE PATH

My lady.

SHEN'S MANSION

What's going on?

The Lord says he is busy in the office and need to stay out for a while.

No need.

Tell him this is the Shen's mansion.

If anyone should avoid, it should be me, the outsider.

Tell him not to worry.

I won't bother him again.

I want to divorce my husband.

My lord, will we still move?

Put it back.

What are you waiting for? Put it back.

HOUSEHOLD AND MARRIAGE DEPARTMENT

His Majesty sent Mr. Du here for training.

You'll serve for a year or more before receiving a higher position,

but you need to focus on the case.

If there are any mistakes, I won't show leniency.

My lord,

has anything gone wrong with the files?

Not yet.

Then it's fine.

Though our ranks differ,

we know each other, and we are married to the Li sisters.

Now that we're alone,

we should talk like relatives.

Why are you getting colder?

No wonder you've been alone without a single friend for years.

Seems you've made many enemies instead.

Why beat around the bush? Just say it plainly.

Haode left, saying she wants a divorce.

This is the dowry list she brought when she married.

Please return it just as it is.

Understood.

- What did you say? - I said, understood.

Understood what?

The Li family isn't a noble one, but with me as her brother-in-law,

it won't be hard for her to find a good match.

But she only wanted you.

I don't understand.

You are elder, cold-tempered, and stubborn.

After your marriage, she's faced many troubles.

She nearly lost her life.

Why are you staring at me? You're not divorced yet.

I'm your brother-in-law. What's wrong with saying this?

All my fault for matchmaking and causing trouble.

Now my wife has kicked me out.

My stuff's all at the door.

What's wrong with me speaking? What's wrong?

Wealth is easy, but true love is rare.

Where else is there a fool like her?

Risked her life for you.

Come home and apologize now.

Let's pretend this never happened. Come on.

DOWRY LIST

I'll have her dowry prepared.

Documentations for estates, lands, tenants, and shops,

all will be sent back.

What crime did she commit to deserve this?

Others don't know, but you should.

When you accused your father, you faced death.

What did you do?

Cut ties with Shouhua.

Why?

Hope she will live safely and peacefully after.

She risked her life for me. I owe her that much.

If I don't stop now, how is that love for her?

Did you even ask her? Did you ask--

Even if she agrees, I can't accept it.

Do you know how my mother

looked at me before she died?

She blamed me for being cold

and herself for failing Yingying.

She drove herself to death.

I don't want to see

that same pain

in Haode's face.

I can't take it.

Not even for a moment.

Haode, you're determined to divorce?

He's cold, unkind, and careless.

Let them split.

Your brother-in-law said he knows two eligible men.

Both are still single.

Either way, I won this bet.

Come on. Call me big sis.

- Why hit me? - For being cheeky.

You were wrong from the start,

putting him on a pedestal.

Men need sweet talks, but not blind submission.

You let him have his way, with no care for you.

And now a few fields are all you get?

You didn't marry for money, right?

So, don't settle for this.

Then, what do you want?

Mr. Shen cares for her too.

The temple incident, remember?

Haode, what do you think?

Marriage isn't just a few days.

You work together through it all. That's a good couple.

He says it's for me, but it's always his decision.

He treats me like a child,

at his beck and call.

- But I-- - Still can't let go?

She's still young.

Even if she goes back,

she'll just flatter the Shen family, hoping to keep peace.

Once things are good, he'll change again.

Being submissive is no long-term solution.

So, do you have a plan?

We do have an idea. But you might be sorry for him to use it.

You won't be able to endure.

Kangning, tell me.

Sweet talks first,

and then taking control by punishments.

You have to punish him hard for him to remember the lessons.

Fine silks and satin,

bring them over here.

Where are you taking that? No sense of order?

Put it down.

Young master,

these are the betrothal gifts sent to the Li family.

This chest holds fine silks.

That one, seasonal flowers.

Jewelry is in that box.

Outside, there's wine and tea cakes.

The Li family returned everything.

The old lady refused to store them.

She insisted on sending them here

for you to handle.

My lord, push.

Come here, hurry.

Are you looking for me?

Aren't you divorcing me?

I was, but my mother said,

money gifted can't be returned.

But she gave you her precious daughter.

She hopes you'll cherish her, protect her well.

If you lose her again, you'll regret it forever.

Knowing the surrounding danger,

you still recklessly rush in.

I don't know what to do with you.

People say like attracts like.

You're stubborn.

So am I.

Luckily, it's a perfect match.

But true love is rare.

Now, we're at an impasse.

Let's see who yields first.

Li Haode.

I know what you fear. I swear this to you.

I'll protect myself

and live safely.

But nothing's certain in life.

How can you guarantee

leaving here will bring me happiness?

You've given me lands to remarry.

But how many suitors are sincere?

What if I trust the wrong man?

These money-filled cases today could be

my coffin where I suffocated.

Don't say that.

The safety and peace even you couldn't grant me.

How can I trust others?

I don't want to force you to be strong

or fear becoming a widow.

I understand.

So, my love for you, I'll only give you half.

From now on, we'll be respectful,

not intimate.

We'll keep our distance and greet each other kindly.

I am here to greet you when you come home.

If we divorce again in the future,

I won't be in too much grief.

What if I can't accompany you the end?

If you die before me, I won't live in mourning,

cold and alone forever.

I won't let you worry about me even in the afterlife.

I'll mourn three years and then remarry.

Three years is too long.

Then one year.

Three months?

Let's settle there.

Will you let me stay then?

You won't regret it?

The study's a mess. I'll call someone to clean it.

- But I-- - Qingshi, Qingshi.

Yes, my lady.

Take these boxes away. Don't disturb him.

Right away, my lady.

I haven't eaten yet.

My stomach's empty.

I'll leave you to read.

Enjoy your reading. I'll take my leave.

Quick, quick, come in.

Take all these out.

These ones here. Hurry up.

Subtitle translation by: Yi Yang