Original subtitles

EPISODE 33

Your Majesty, they have criminal intent to injure others in the game.

Also, they provoked with malicious words.

I was unable to restrain my anger and fought with them.

My disrespect before Your Majesty deserves a thousand deaths.

This is all on me. Please punish me alone if you must.

It has nothing to do with others.

I did not ask you.

Li Leshan, you speak.

Since Your Majesty has asked, I dare not conceal anything.

I wonder whether Your Majesty's question

is for public concerns or for personal reasons.

Leshan, before His Majesty,

you must speak with restraint.

What if it's for public concerns?

The Lion Dance Contest was held here, at the Jinming Pool,

during the Dragon Boat Festival, and in front of Your Majesty.

Some outlaws dared to participate in the contest and incite fights.

What outrageous and rampant arrogance is that!

It also frightened the crowd.

It went against Your Majesty's intent.

I implore Your Majesty to punish the troublemakers severely

as a warning to future generations.

The imperial guards verified on the spot.

What the Yang couple said was true.

And the private reason is?

His Majesty asked. Say it.

I haven't read much and have limited insight.

If I speak incorrectly, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.

If this were among the common folks,

Your Majesty would be considered our elder brother-in-law.

Your younger brother-in-law and his wife, who've been wronged,

we certainly will share your anger.

How presumptuous! Silence yourself.

It's alright.

What if I consider both reasons?

In that case, the offenders are doubly guilty.

I earnestly request Your Majesty…

Elder Brother-in-law, add 20 more beatings to the punishment.

You sure catch on quick.

It seems today I, as both the emperor and brother-in-law,

must stand up for the two of you.

Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. The Jinming Pool is open to the public

solely for sharing joy with the people.

In their eagerness to win, they resorted to hurting others with covert attacks.

This is not what subjects should do.

- Hear my order. - Yes, Your Majesty?

Take the offenders into custody

and have Kaifeng Court decide punishment with discretion.

If such disturbances happen again during future festivities,

those who injure and endanger others

shall be strictly punished without mercy.

Before the trial,

- give the offenders 20 beatings first. - Yes.

Rise now.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You deserve this for being overconfident.

I will be gentle.

Let me check the wound on your waist too.

It's just a minor external wound.

It's nothing serious. No need to look.

Let me have a look.

It doesn't hurt. Qiansheng has already applied medicine for me.

A-Are you angry?

How about you hit me to vent your anger?

My lord, Master Zhao has arrived.

- Invite him in quickly. - Yes.

Yang, are you feeling better?

- How's the investigation going? - We've found out.

the Baifan Restaurant has set up a gambling ring.

Many officials and dignitaries placed heavy bets.

Those people dare not lose, even at the risk of their lives.

That's what led to today's incident.

What about the one who injured people with the blade?

He confessed only after taking 80 heavy beatings.

He took money to plot against your life.

Who is the mastermind?

Unfortunately, the one who got caught is just a lackey.

The middleman has already fled and is nowhere to be found.

However, the authorities have issued a bounty to capture him.

Yang, they are trying to kill you.

What do you plan to do?

I have always acted recklessly

and offended countless people in Bianjing.

The culprit will eventually reveal themselves.

We can take our time.

As for you, Leshan,

now that I've won the contest, what's the second game?

The second game?

What second game?

Yuzan.

- My lady. - Where is the thing found that night?

Within three days,

find the owner of this handkerchief and the reasons behind it.

You'll be considered passing the second game.

This needlework is quite familiar, as if I've seen it somewhere before.

How about it?

Alright, I will definitely accomplish it.

Young Master Xian, all the maids and nannies

surnamed Chen and Liu in this household are now here.

Please give your order.

My wife has given the order that she wishes

to request a Hundred Families Clothing for her niece to pray for bliss.

Those surnamed Liu and Chen

sound like words meaning "to keep" and "to succeed".

Each of you can take a piece of cloth back with you.

Those good at needlework can embroider patterns for warding off evil.

Bring it back here before dusk tomorrow.

If you do well, I'll reward you greatly.

Young Master Xian, you may be unaware.

Hundred Families Clothing does not concern specific surnames.

It intends to gather 100 blessings by collecting 100 surnames.

In that way, it will bring bliss and longevity to the wearer,

so they'll always have good luck.

Is that so? Shouldn't it only require those surnamed Liu and Chen?

The maid is right.

Folk custom says only asking for cloth scraps from households

can a piece of Hundred Families Clothing be made

and massive bliss be gathered.

Alright.

Convey my order. Regardless of their surnames,

all the maids and nannies in the household can come collect their reward tomorrow

as long as they do this job well.

Yes.

Come and get the cloth.

Okay.

Let's go and take a look.

- This one looks good. - This one is fine.

I'll take this one.

This one is not bad.

This one is good too.

Give this one to me.

- What is he fussing over now? - Young Master Xian wants to make

a piece of Hundred Families Clothing for the daughter of the Fan family.

He's gathering the maids and nannies to collect blessings.

The Fan family?

They're not even the real relatives.

He's trying to please that woman again.

I think he's lost his mind.

Enough. Just pretend you didn't see anything.

Why bother?

Let's go.

Let's go.

How dare you embroider this? Have I ever mistreated you?

How dare you embarrass me by pleasing outsiders?

I dare not. I dare not again.

Lady Zhuniang, please spare me.

You dumb head. You've annoyed Zhuniang again.

Get out quickly. Go.

Zhuniang, what happened?

It's all Li Leshan's fault.

The maids are busy with the Hundred Families Clothing.

Everyone is vying to please her.

It annoys me just to watch.

Hundred Families Clothing?

We only take the well-embroidered ones.

OPEN AND ABOVE BOARD

This left one is the work of Cuihuan, the maid who sweeps the garden.

This right one is from Ms. Liu, who delivers meals from the kitchen.

The left one's bright and boldly colored. But the stitches are a bit too coarse.

It is 50% similar.

As for the right one, the nested stitching and color blending are outstanding.

The waterway is also properly done.

But the coloring is mature.

It resembles, yet it does not.

Where are these two people from?

My lord, I will go and check right away.

Since the handkerchief's owner is not among the servants,

they must be hidden among the ladies of the Yang family.

What? Do you dare to continue the investigation?

It's not hard to make Yang Xian admit defeat.

Didn't you find an unclaimed handkerchief?

Just have him find the owner.

What if it really belongs to a maid from the garden?

The golden crow and the laurel harbor hidden ambitions.

And the embroidery is exquisite.

If the maker were to become a professional,

she'd earn much more than a servant.

In the backyard of a noble household,

filth and disgrace are not rare.

Why bother to investigate to the bottom of it?

They've already hated Leshan enough.

I disagree.

An upright relationship is for affection, while a sneaky one is for lust.

Among the cases my husband has handled,

many are about assaults due to chaos caused by lust.

Out of ten, there are always five or six like that.

If there really is something hidden, it should be found out.

Lest it causes more trouble in the future.

Look at you all. One is more cunning than the last.

I'm afraid that after all the investigation,

the bane lies within the Yang family.

The second round challenge we set

is to force them to cut their own rotten flesh.

I'm just afraid that Leshan doesn't have the heart to do it.

Knowing full well that the evil mastermind is in the Yang family,

he plays deaf and dumb and refuses to investigate further.

If the bane is not thoroughly eliminated, when can I leave the Yang family?

I'll make him do it.

Poor Young Master Yang.

He has married a merciless wife.

If the second game is so easily passed,

it won't be called a challenge.

Young Master Yang, you have only one day left.

My Lord, I've asked about the hometowns of the two people.

If I remember correctly, Lady Chen, your hometown is Chengdu, right?

Then you moved to Pingjiang Prefecture.

Your amazing embroidery skills have combined

the strengths of both places. There's no one like you here.

I remember you embroidered a pouch for my younger brother.

He cherishes it a lot and always carries it with him.

Young Master Xian, don't be jesting.

I haven't done needlework for a long time.

My skills have become rusty long ago.

They can't compare to the past.

But why bring this up all of a sudden?

I didn't want to bother you,

but my wife insists on making

a piece of Hundred Families Clothing for her niece Joy.

The surname Chen embodies the meaning of perfection.

So, I've decided to come and ask you

to make a couple of stitches.

It's just for good luck after all.

I thought it was something big.

- This is not hard-- - No.

Xian,

my mother is not a servant. She cannot do such a thing.

What you said is strange.

I just went to see Mother-in-law.

She promised to personally embroider Five Poisonous Creatures for Joy.

Elderly praying for bliss for the younger is an old custom of Bianjing.

How come Mother-in-law can do it, but Lady Chen cannot?

A few days ago, I found a handkerchief in the backyard.

I was busy with the lion dance and couldn't pay attention.

Today, having some free time, I hope Lady Chen can take a look

to see whether it's yours or not.

Bring it here.

Xiaogu,

is this yours?

Well…

Lady Chen, do you recognize it or not?

Master, please forgive me.

The truth is,

Yi took a fancy to a maid of mine.

He just told me about it,

but I immediately told him

that you expect him to concentrate on his studies.

You hated those frivolous maids who disturb him.

I told him he could ask for that maid after he passes the imperial exams.

When I asked in detail later on,

he didn't say anything again.

I thought that the two of them had given up on the idea.

I didn't expect

that they met in secret late at night a few days ago.

In the panic, they left behind this handkerchief.

It was embroidered by me personally.

Master. Master.

Please forgive me, Master.

You…

Mother.

Father.

You worthless thing!

No wonder that your teacher told me yesterday

that you've been listless these past days and have fallen behind in your studies.

I hoped you could pass the imperial exams and bring glory to our family.

Who knew you would get involved with a maid?

You've let down my high hopes for you.

Father.

Master!

Yi, kneel down quickly. Kneel and kowtow to beg for forgiveness.

Just say you dare not do it again and you will study hard in the future.

Master, please forgive him.

Master asked for the maid's name,

but Young Master Yi refused to say it.

Master called for a broker

and threatened to dismiss

all the young and beautiful maids in Lady Chen's courtyard.

Yang Master Yi spoke back rudely

and infuriated Master, resulting in a punishment of 20 lashes.

Now, he's locked up in the ancestral hall. This is an unprecedented event.

The deeper the love, the stricter the reprimand.

- I see. You may leave. - Yes.

How strange! Your rival got a good beating.

Why are you upset?

It's because he confessed too quickly.

Isn't that good?

You don't have to verify. It saves you much effort.

Now, Yang Yi is locked up.

When the sun sets tomorrow, you'll have passed the second game.

Li Leshan, you are so cunning.

Although Yang Yi is pedantic and annoying, he's not lecherous.

From what I observed of his demeanor today,

he showed more grievance than shame.

You tricked me into identifying him as that person

only to deliberately deceive me so that you can win this round.

You're not stupid after all.

Yang Xian, if I find the owner of the handkerchief before you,

you must give up the thought of marrying me

and follow my lead without resistance. How's that?

So, this is what you want from me.

Okay. Let's see who will win at last.

Your half-brother has caused you so much trouble.

You should take the chance and take him down first.

What a fool.

Is the person who had a secret meeting that night

really Yang Yi?

But he doesn't seem to be a playboy.

Leshan, don't wrong the innocent.

You can know someone's face but not their heart.

How do you know he's not pretending?

My lady, Lady Wanniang is here.

Let her in.

- Leshan. - Wanniang.

Why isn't Xian here?

He heard that Yi was beaten and rushed to see him.

What is it, Wanniang? Do you need him for something?

On the night of the sixth day of the fourth month,

I received a fine Duan ink-slab

and planned to send it to Yi.

But only upon arriving outside the Yuqing Court,

did I know that Yi got drunk at the poetry gathering.

He was carried back home by some classmates and went to bed early.

Wanniang, you mean…

It was the night you found the handkerchief.

Mother has always despised Lady Chen and Yi.

She forbade me from telling Father.

I wonder for whom Yi suffered.

He'd rather die than tell the truth.

Father will interrogate him again tomorrow.

Leshan, you have a straightforward nature.

And now you and Xian are on such good terms.

Your ill-fated marriage has turned into a good one.

I only ask that you consider the bonds of family

and claim that you were mistaken that night

and that you only heard rustling and saw shadows and didn't see anyone.

Just put an end to this matter.

Actually, I've known all along who the person was that night.

But Yi admitted it was him on the spot.

I couldn't speak on his behalf.

Who was it?

Since ancient times, a thief must be caught with spoils.

I can't tell you now due to that person's status.

Wanniang, don't rush.

Let me obtain concrete evidence before bringing it to Father and Mother.

It'll be very soon.

Alright then, I can see you have a plan.

That puts my mind at ease.

Then, I will take my leave.

Well, Leshan,

when did you become so close to Xian while I had no idea about it?

You really heard it that night?

Lean over.

Where is my wife?

My lord, Lady Leshan has just left.

She said she was going to the garden to relax.

At this hour?

Young Master Xian says you all have worked hard recently.

He specially ordered tea and pastry

- and two jars of Luofuchun wine. - That's great.

Please drink to your heart's content and not let down his generosity.

Many thanks to his kind intentions.

Come on, everyone. Let's drink.

- Come on. Cheers! - Cheers!

Let's all drink from larger cups. That's the way to enjoy.

- Okay. - Come on.

- Let's switch to large cups. - Drink well and eat well.

- Come on. - Bottoms up.

Have the dishes. Come on.

Come on.

- Fill the cups all up. - Okay. Come on.

- It smells so good. - Not bad at all.

This wine is quite good.

Come on. Fill them up.

Come on. Let's drink up.

Come on. Bottoms up.

EVER-LASTING BLISS

It's strange. Where are the guards?

Just watch from outside.

Yes.

Mother.

Why is it you?

You keep silent, so I'll have to interrogate you instead.

Wife and brother should keep their distance to avoid misunderstanding.

No one else is here. If I had many mouths, I couldn't explain it to anyone.

You must not tarnish my name.

Twenty lashes today, and 20 lashes tomorrow.

You fool, who exactly are you taking the blame for?

That kerchief is mine.

Don't talk nonsense and wrongly accuse someone else.

Someone else?

What "someone else" can make you risk your life to protect?

Is it your mother?

Nonsense! How could you slander my mother with vicious words?

No matter how fierce or aggressive you are,

in court, you'll be charged with being un-filial.

- So, you have suffered for your mother. - You…

Leshan?

Leshan, what's wrong with you?

We agreed to let Yi take a few lashes. How can you go back on your word?

You brought him back from outside just to enter the Yang family back then.

What? After raising him for so long,

you really treat that rascal as your own son.

In the Yang family,

only I am your legitimate nephew.

How can you feel for an outsider?

For such a trivial love affair, Master won't beat his son to death.

He's using it to intimidate Yi, hoping he'll study hard.

This matter will fade in a couple of days.

Why do you have to endanger Yi's life?

Go ahead.

Go.

Li Leshan only interrogated

your fake son overnight because he heard my voice that night.

She's dull-witted, only thinking about illicit affairs between men and women.

She's gone off on the wrong path.

If she really got hold of evidence

that my father-in-law found out about our secret plotting,

would you and I still be alive?

- Then-- - Alright.

That boy has long known our schemes.

He refuses to live in the school

but watches at home day after day.

He tries his best to obstruct our plans.

If we let him live, he will eventually be a nuisance.

Aunt, just listen to me.

I was kidnapped by traffickers when I was young.

I have suffered so much.

None of your Jiang family is willing to acknowledge me.

You call me "Aunt", but you tricked me into embroidering a handkerchief for you.

You were afraid I'd change my mind, so you wanted something on me.

- I'm well aware of your petty schemes. - Fine.

Even if Yang Yi passes the imperial exams someday,

his legitimate mother is alive.

You won't have a chance to become a noble lady as his mother.

My father-in-law is very stingy.

He won't let you touch a bit of the money and land.

If one day Yang Yi's identity is exposed,

even your bit of superficial glory will become ephemeral.

Aunt,

rather than live a life looking up to others,

why not enjoy yourself?

Then, wouldn't that mean I have raised him in vain?

- That would be a pity… - No!

Fire! The ancestral hall is on fire!

It's too late.

These two people have long been burned to a pile of ashes.

- Someone! - Hurry!

- Hurry! - Put out the fire!

- Get the water here! Hurry! - Help!

My lord, why are you here? It's dangerous! Leave quickly.

- Where is Leshan? - Lady Leshan…

I…

Quick! Bring me water.

Yuzan was found unconscious behind the hall.

- It seems your wife is still in the hall. - Get more water!

My lord, it's too dangerous inside. You can't go in.

- My lord! - My lord!

Yang Xian!

- Lady Leshan? - My lord, Lady Leshan is here.

Hurry!

Here comes the water!

- Hurry! - The fire is too strong!

Over here!

- It's here! - Water's here!

- Here. - Hurry!

- Over here. - Over here.

- Water is here! - Coming!

Fetch water. Fetch more water.

Get more people here.

Coming! Coming!

Are you okay?

Fire! Someone, help!

Why did you run over here alone?

You almost got killed. Do you know that?

- It's just some sparks. - Hurry!

No need to bother the military.

Our own people can extinguish the fire.

Who could it possibly burn?

- Water! - Go get more water!

Here comes the water!

Water's here!

My lord, don't worry.

It's the curtain before the offering table and a few windows that caught fire.

The front door caught fire from calamus and mugwort for decorating.

It looks fierce.

But it was just a false alarm.

Steward Yang, the fire has been put out.

- Finally. - That's great.

What are you looking at? Go do what you're supposed to do.

Yes.

Everyone, leave and clean up.

You and you.

- Come in with me - Yes.

Let's go.

- Yi! - Yi!

- Come on in. - Yi!

Yi!

- Where is Yi? - Yi!

Yi!

- Yi! - Where is Yi?

- Yi! - Where is Yi?

Yi!

- Where is Yi? - Yi!

Father, I'm here.

Yi!

Yi.

It's good that you're alright.

Yi.

Rest assured, Father. I'm unharmed.

Good. That's good.

Have the ancestors been disturbed?

Don't worry, Master.

The fire was extinguished in time. Not even a tablet was damaged.

That's very fortunate.

What exactly happened?

Why was the ancestral hall on fire all of a sudden?

When I arrived, only Lady Leshan was here.

The servants guarding the ancestral hall were not found.

I haven't managed the subordinates well. I'll accept any punishment.

Father, Mother.

I have something important to report.

It's just that a family affair should not be spread abroad.

Please dismiss everyone else.

Shusheng.

Everyone, wait over there.

Speak.

Wanniang, are you going to ask

why I would be here at a deserted place

- in the dead of night? - You…

Brother-in-law, are you going to say

since ancient times, one should avoid situations that invite suspicion,

and I and Yang Yi

being alone together in the ancestral hall

is suspicious?

You're the only one who's talking here.

You're completely shameless.

Father, Mother,

- Yi-- - Zhuniang, I know what you want to say.

You want to say that if Yi really had an affair with a maid,

he would boldly admit it, and that he has suffered in silence,

all because

that woman's identity cannot be exposed.

And that woman must be the one he secretly met in the ancestral hall

at the dead of night and survived the fire together with.

Zhuniang, without proof or evidence, how can you make such wild accusations?

What did I say? I haven't said anything yet.

You're sharp-tongued.

I can't outargue you, but we're here at the ancestral hall, a sacred place.

Yi was here to kneel as punishment. Why were you here?

As a newlywed, what secrets are there to talk about with your brother-in-law?

Xian,

you really should ask your wife.

Don't be kept in the dark

and be cheated on in utter confusion.

Xian, someone is suspicious that I had an affair with your younger brother.

Do you believe it?

You don't even fancy me, let alone that bookish nerd.

My husband said Yi has a grievance to plead,

but there has always been friction between him and Yi.

So, he asked me to accompany him to confront Yi.

He'd arrive later since he has other things to do.

Unexpectedly, someone knocked out my maid,

fused smoke into the hall, and set a fire,

plotting to kill Yang Yi and me.

Now, seeing that scheme failed,

they've come up with another scheme to tarnish our names.

Fortunately, my love for my husband is firmer than anything.

It's unaffected by their sly tricks to drive a wedge between us.

Our love is firmer than anything?

Murder is indeed a grave crime.

Who have you made an enemy of that would conspire to take your life?

It's him.

Li Leshan, don't spout nonsense!

What good is it for me to kill you and Yi?

It's absurd, emotionally and logically.

Xian, that night I heard with my own ears

brother-in-law and Lady Chen conspiring in the garden.

They said that one day, when the Lord and the Madam die,

they will drive both of us out of the house

and take over the family fortune.

They'd sell the mansion and farmland, then Xingguo Lane's… Chong…

The shop in the street inside Chongming Gate?

That's right.

Why didn't you say it earlier?

It's because the matter is of great importance.

Without evidence, I dared not make baseless accusations.

Now there is conclusive evidence?

- Come out. - Move!

Kneel!

By sniffing this in advance, I wasn't afraid of your hypnotic smoke.

How audacious you were to dare to set fire to the ancestral hall!

Confess now! Or I'll have you taken to the Kaifeng Court.

As a servant, murdering your master will get you sentenced to a painful death!

Master, I have served you for many years.

I've always been cautious and followed rules and etiquette.

Never have I offended Xian's wife in the slightest.

Today, she has framed me for no reason,

intending to force me into death.

Master, if you don't stand up for me,

I would have no face to live in this world.

Wait until the matter is clarified.

Then, if you still want to seek death, I won't stop you.

Master.

How can the words of a mere servant be trusted?

In my opinion, it's the two of you, husband and wife,

who have colluded to put on an act

and bribed this person to slander my husband.

Father,

do not listen to their deceitful words.

Zhuniang, you are really kindhearted.

I even heard your husband say

he wants to divorce the shrewish wife at home,

who is gossipy and jealous,

and marry someone better.

- What a cruel-hearted scoundrel! - You…

You… You said that?

Don't listen to her divisive words.

Slander! This is all slander!

Father-in-law, I've been part of the Yang family for many years.

I respect you and Mother-in-law and hold my wife dear.

Since Xian indulges in entertainment, squandering the family fortune,

I toil day and night, not daring to slack off.

That's why you've entrusted the family business to me.

I fear that it has led to envy from others and this disaster.

Li Leshan said she's been on guard for a while.

Did she mean that I had informed her

if I truly committed murder and arson?

You did inform me.

It's all thanks to Wanniang's kind heart.

She came to Zuran Courtyard when it was dark

and kindly warned me, allowing me to take precautions.

What did you say?

I didn't say anything.

Leshan, what does this matter have to do with me?

You can't twist right and wrong drag people into the mire.

Your kindness wasn't in vain.

I was behind the screen, hearing everything you said.

Lady Wanniang, thank you for the reminder.

It saved Leshan from perishing in the fire.

You are a great benefactor to the Li family.

There will be a hefty reward in days to come.

Wanniang, you are my own sister.

- How could you tell an outsider about me? - I didn't.

- I will never let this rest. - I didn't.

What did you say about me?

- I didn't. - What did you say?

- I've been framed. - Yang Yi.

- I'm telling the truth. - You've heard everything.

Now that it has come to this, you should tell the truth.

Yi,

will you believe an outsider over your own mother?

The fire at the ancestral hall was their act of a thief crying, "Catch the thief."

You need to see the truth.

Yi, you have to testify for me. I've been wronged.

It's them. They've framed me.

Yi, you are educated and sensible.

You'll take the exams to become an official.

Act justly and don't be swayed by personal feelings.

They set a fire, intending to burn you alive.

If you continue to hesitate,

you'll pay the price someday, as appeasement brings disaster.

Then you may not have a second chance

against their secret schemes time and again.

Yi, you have to believe me.

Tell me the truth.

Father, forgive me for being un-filial.

I simply can't tell you everything.

Someone! Someone!

- Yes. - Someone!

Yi.

Tie them up.

- Father-in-law. - Tie him up.

Father-in-law, believe…

Stop. Let him go.

Mother, say something, will you?

Master, for such a treacherous person,

his room must be searched.

Who knows how much of our family's fortune he has embezzled?

You are right. Shusheng.

Take some people to search his room.

Father, let me do it.

- Search carefully. - Let me in.

We must not miss any place.

You scoundrels!

If you dare damage the things in my room, I'll make you pay.

Let me go.

I am, after all, the second daughter of the Yang family.

If you dare to obstruct again,

I will settle this with you later.

Someone! Come quickly.

Bring that wooden box out.

- Give it to me. - I'll help.

No need.

Let me help. Come on.

I can help you.

I said there's no need.

- My lord. - Is this a fine treasure?

It's so tightly wrapped. Bring it here to have a look.

Yes.

Yang Shusheng, what are you doing?

Give me the package.

Give it to them.

I said

give it to him.

My lord.

What's in this box? How come I've never seen it before?

It's nothing.

It's just some erotic paintings.

Alright, take all the ledgers away.

Yes.

Wanniang,

is it because of the letters and the baby's things in this box

that you came under the control of Jiang Chaozong?

My lord.

A year ago, I excused myself to worship Buddha and secluded myself…

in the countryside and secretly gave birth to a son.

The child died soon after birth.

I thought no one knew.

I could never have expected

that Jiang Chaozong had sent people to watch me.

He caught hold of my weak spot.

He held back and kept quiet

and only acted at a critical moment

by forcing me to help him in secret.

I owe you on this.

You can take the box to Father and have me expelled from the house.

That would be your revenge.

Take it.

Xian,

why would you…

After all, you are my oldest sister.

Did you really hear them plotting that night?

You can guess.

Then, how did you know they were making a move tonight?

I don't know what kind of person Yang Yi is,

but you're so sure he is innocent.

If it's not he himself, then he must be taking the blame for someone else.

Also, Wanniang arrived so suddenly and had ulterior motives in every word.

I suspected that the ancestral hall would be set with a trap.

So, I deliberately slipped information to her.

As long as Jiang Chaozong dared to make a move,

I would catch him.

- But… - But what?

But Wanniang has always been at odds with Zhuniang.

Why would she help Jiang Chaozong?

Also, that box you gave her.

What exactly is hidden inside it?

You can guess.

I concede this round.

You acted smartly.

The credit of capturing Jiang Chaozong counts as your contribution too.

- Really? - Barely completed.

Let's say you've passed this round.

What is the third round?

This third round…

My lord, someone from the palace has come.

At this hour?

No. Something must have happened.

Her Majesty and Consort Shang were vying for favor.

And your sister was trying to calm them down.

For some unknown reason, Her Majesty suddenly made a move.

His Majesty stepped in to intervene

but got wounded on his own neck and became thunderously enraged.

He berated Her Majesty for being virtueless and jealous

and insisted on deposing her.

The imperial censors started making a clamor,

forcing Consort Shang to become a nun.

Even your sister got implicated.

Hasn't His Majesty always favored Lady Jieyu?

How could he become so heartless?

The imperial censors knelt down to petition

and argued incessantly about the matter of deposing Her Majesty.

At this critical juncture,

how could His Majesty care about her?

Where is Lady Jieyu now?

She was sent to Baiyun Temple overnight.

Stop. Don't go.

At this deadly juncture, others would avoid being implicated.

Yet you dare to go towards it. You're going to doom our entire family.

When you sold your own daughter

in exchange for titles, wealth, and honor,

why didn't you find her burdensome? And now you start to despise her?

You're utterly rebellious!

Are these words you, as a son, should say to your own father?

Aren't you afraid of heaven's punishment?

- Master. - Father, you are right.

I just hate that heaven is blind and deaf,

- unable to punish all the evildoers. - You…

Xian, Jieyu has been ordered to conduct religious contemplation.

She is guarded by the imperial army.

It's hard to see her in such haste, and going there might cause trouble.

We'd better plan long term.

- Master! Master! - What's happened again?

The servants guarding Jiang Chaozong were knocked out and the back door opened.

He beat the drum of grievance and accused our family of forcibly buying homes.

Soldiers came to the backyard, claiming they were ordered to conduct a raid.

What?

- Master? - Master? Master?

- Master! - Father!

Master, please wake up.

- Father! - Wake up, Master!

- Master! - Yang Xian!

- Master! - Master!

Master!

Master!

- Yes. - Wake up!

- Sneak out through the back door. - Wake up!

If all else fails, escape over the wall.

Master.

Master.

By His Majesty's oral decree,

Assistant Commander Yang Demao

spent 3,000 strings of coins

to buy someone else's residence

and 80 hectares of good farmland cheaply.

He's greedy and insatiable, repeatedly betraying His Majesty's grace.

His sins are all with irrefutable evidence

and hard to be exonerated of.

Considering his old age and incompetence,

he'll be degraded to a civilian, never to be an official again.

The related residence and land will be retrieved,

and all his household properties will be confiscated.

A MATCH BY HEAVEN

Let me go.

You… You wretch!

You heartless old beast who sells your sons and daughters!

You treat your own son like weeds and cherish the fake one as a treasure.

You're an embodiment of instant karma.

What are you glaring at?

I'm evidence of you forcing good into concubinage.

Stop babbling. Move.

Provoke me further, what I will say may escalate your demotion to beheading.

I shouldn't have been involved with this wretch!

It's over.

It's all over.

It's all your fault!

You crooked-hearted, shameless old bark!

You're indiscriminate and lecherous.

You've tortured your own son so deeply.

- Father. - Father.

- Father. - Please don't do this, okay?

YANG'S MANSION

Father.

The sun is setting.

The Fude Temple to the east of the city can be our shelter.

Let's stay there for the time being

and plan the rest tomorrow.

Leshan, go to the Li family now.

Leshan!

Mother! Mother!

Leshan, I'm here to pick you up.

Stop the carriage quickly.

- Mother. - Hurry. The stool.

Leshan.

- Mother. - Are you alright?

I'm fine.

Get in the carriage quickly.

What are you waiting for?

My store needs me. I have no time to waste.

Hurry up and get in the carriage.

Let's go.

Subtitle translation by: Grace Zhao