Original subtitles

EPISODE 35

Mom.

Come, have some tea.

Calm down.

- Mom. - Mom.

Mom.

Don't be mad at her.

Shouhua, don't defend her. She's caused so much trouble.

She deserves it.

I promise, I was going to go,

but the road was really crowded,

and my sedan chair really couldn't get through.

Mom, I was wrong.

Mom, it won't happen again.

Marriage is so important.

Look how mad Mom is.

Do you know what husband she chose for you today?

Mom, what kind of husband have you chosen for me?

Two caught the embroidered ball.

This first one

is a handsome passing gentleman.

Huizhao thought he looked elegant,

wanting to know more about him.

But that man returned the ball in public

and said that he's already engaged,

not daring to waste your time.

Your brother-in-law tried to make him stay,

but he rode his horse and left quickly.

There are two, right? What about the other one?

Qiongnu, bring it out for her.

The other one is right here.

Well…

Wait.

Neither the handsome guys nor wealthy guys caught the embroidered ball,

but a pug-dog?

That's a really bad shot.

Madam, do you know who that man is?

Hurry up and tell me.

I can't wait anymore. Tell me now.

Madam, don't be anxious. He's She Cong,

the eldest of the She family, arrived from Fuzhou to meet His Majesty.

The She family's been guarding the northwest for generations,

defending the Song from the Liao and Xia.

The generals have served the country for generations.

Their bravery's known throughout the world.

Among the military families of the Song,

in terms of reputation and prestige, none can match them.

As for such a family…

Well…

Li Leshan, let me tell you.

Everyone in Bianjing knows you're selecting a husband based on the game.

Whoever caught the embroidered ball, he would be your husband.

You can't defy it.

Also, you set this rule yourself.

You must live by it.

If that Mr. She refuses to marry you,

then fine,

you can marry it.

Seriously?

She's such a pretty young lady, with so many people on the street,

that my brother caught the embroidered ball.

Then, you have to bring my daughter-in-law back to let me take a look.

It's just a joke.

Mother, we came to the capital for official business.

How can you run wild with She Min as well?

It has been days since we arrived,

yet His Majesty has not summoned us yet.

I wonder if there are any changes.

The Linfu Military Bureau was hard on us, withholding our fees and provisions,

leading to chaos in the army.

But the Chief of the Military Bureau, Cui Jizhong,

is the nephew of Minister Cui.

He knows I want to impeach him in front of His Majesty.

How would Cui Weizhi allow me to meet His Majesty?

If he pulls a trick, then we couldn't meet His Majesty ourselves.

Times have changed.

Cui Weizhi is crafty and cunning. He excels at flattering those above.

Officials who have impeached him have been demoted one by one.

No one in the imperial court dares to accept my petition.

I can only seek another way.

Lady She, General.

You asked me to inquire about the Pan Restaurant.

Mother.

I am just curious

whose young lady

would dare to take my son as her husband.

- Go ahead. - Yes.

The marriage alliance isn't for the Chai's, it's the Li's

the tea-selling family on Pan Restaurant Street.

It's the fifth daughter of their family seeking marriage.

- What's their surname? - Li.

- Brother. - General.

Brother.

Mother, what's wrong with him?

Master, the Li family is right there, after turning around this alley.

They live in such a place?

Yes.

Leshan, are you really going?

Of course, I must go ask.

Maybe that young general needs a wife.

Enduring northwest hardship is better than marrying a dog.

Had you known this, why did you do it in the first place?

So what? Let's go.

- Be careful. - Yes.

Master, something's wrong.

- Go. - Yes.

You kidnapped me here?

Lady Li, please calm your anger. I'm not a villain.

After I took a glimpse of you that day at the terrace on the Pan Restaurant…

Then you've been thinking about me every moment.

So, you took the opportunity to have me carried here,

all to fulfill your infatuation, right?

You are really smart.

All flirts use these lines. I don't know you.

I am Yingyao, from Quanzhou.

I just moved to Bianjing three days ago and became your neighbor.

Why did you bring me here?

I heard you are seeking a husband.

If you wish to propose, you should have sent a matchmaker.

If you are to remarry, of course, you would go with your heart.

Asking a matchmaker to propose, I might as well ask for your consent.

How?

I'll offer a thousand gold as betrothal gift to marry you as my legal wife.

Someone. Bring in my sincerity.

This is the betrothal gift from you?

It's just some small gifts to express my affection.

It's not the betrothal gift at all.

There are many finer things in the storeroom.

Please come with me.

Please.

Come on. Put it here.

Wait, the pit is dug too shallow.

- I'll do it. - Right, put them in order.

I heard this old mansion belonged to a member of the royal family before.

After I bought it,

I thought it was overly opulent but lacked elegance.

So, I had people rebuild the garden,

add some trees and rare flowers,

and make a view with stones

to create a tranquil and natural setting.

If you are willing to marry me,

how about I offer this entire garden as a betrothal gift to you?

What's going on?

Didn't I tell you to hide when I receive the important female guest?

I'm sorry

to disturb the guest. I will have them leave immediately.

Let's go.

Wait. You with the hat, stay.

I heard that your former husband went to sea before.

I wonder how he compares to me?

He's just a fop. He's either begging for money in a foreign land

or dead at sea.

Naturally, he couldn't compare to you in wealth and nobility.

He's not worth mentioning.

Our family has been in the shipping business for generations,

dealing with those spices, precious woods, and ceramics.

We've managed quite well.

That man

was also going to make a living by going to sea.

But he gambled with a few ship captains and lost all his capital.

Now, he can only stay on the ship and work to pay off his debt.

If your husband were still alive,

he would probably be just as down and out as him.

How could he deserve you?

What a pity.

This person was from Bianjing too.

He once enjoyed wealth and a merry life.

Unfortunately, indulging in pleasures made him lose all his family fortune,

his wife,

and his house.

Lady Li, see if you

still recognize him.

No.

Xian, you heard it.

For her, you have been in danger

and risked your life again and again.

But she just remarries.

When she saw these jewels in my hands,

she was really willing to marry a stranger.

Your husband is right in front of you, yet you turn a blind eye.

Clearly, she forgets everything at the sight of money.

She doesn't care about affection.

I think she made up an excuse to drive you out back then.

And you still trust her?

- Yingyao, shut up. - No way.

Li Leshan.

Since ancient times,

no matter poor or rich, one can't change one's principle.

This entire mansion belongs to Xian,

so do the jewels.

If you had waited a couple of days,

you could've enjoyed this glory and wealth.

But you are unfaithful and ruthless.

Such great wealth now has nothing to do with you.

How about that?

Are you ashamed? Do you feel embarrassed to be here?

Stop talking now.

No.

- Leshan. - Stop her.

- Leshan. - Do you think you can run away?

I have to humiliate you.

Fine. I didn't bother arguing with you,

yet you're overstepping your bounds.

Why not inquire about the source of Yang Xian's startup funds?

From my dowry.

He left a letter of divorce,

severing all our ties.

I kept my promise and waited for him for three years.

Three years. Even the top scholars' list has changed.

Even if you accuse me to the Yamen,

if the husband does not return for three years,

it's only right for the wife to remarry.

What's wrong with throwing the embroidered ball to seek a husband?

Even if I ask all the bachelors in Bianjing

lined up to be my husband,

it's not your place to scold me.

A girl like you, pretending to be a boy,

helping a man to humiliate me?

Where is your morality and conscience?

Who should be ashamed?

Who should be embarrassed?

Xian, help me.

You brought it upon yourself.

Leshan.

It's all my fault. Don't get mad.

How can you barge in without permission?

This is the Yang's Mansion,

not a place you can just come and go.

This is the Yang's Mansion.

Who are you people?

Li Leshan.

That day I accidentally caught your embroidered ball,

I saw your sedan chair was being taken, so I barged in here.

I did not expect that in this house with a beautiful garden,

there are villains hiding.

Do you need to report it to the Yamen?

Leshan, when I was wandering and struggling at sea,

my adopted father took care of me.

Before he died, he entrusted her to me.

She has been poorly raised and unruly.

You can hit and scold her.

Please don't be mad at me. I'm not colluding with her.

I've devoted myself to build this garden, just to bring you back and please you.

I'm just afraid you're still mad,

so I dare not meet you.

Father, look at him.

With his wife back, he abandons me.

Shut up! It'd be right for your sister-in-law to beat you to death.

Leshan.

Poo!

You have become quite the wealthy man.

So, now you're putting on airs in front of me?

Fine, I'll send someone over tomorrow

to settle the principal and interest you owe me.

Leshan.

Mr. She, how sharp is your sword?

It can cut through iron easily.

Be careful! What are you doing?

Let me see if your hand is injured.

If you don't like this golden rod,

I'll make several new ones for you.

If you're still not mad,

I'll tie her up for you to vent your anger.

You are sharing the same mind.

If you don't have such intentions, she wouldn't dare to say so.

You think the Li family is waiting for a better offer, right?

Well, that's not entirely wrong.

I must marry into the best family.

Go ahead and be wealthy.

I have my pride.

Even if I am reduced to poverty, I will never kneel before you.

Leshan.

Didn't you hear what she said?

Stay far away from her.

Otherwise, I'll never spare you.

Master.

Xian.

Master, he's so ruthless.

Are you alright?

MOON SHINING BRIGHTLY

Are you happy now?

I didn't know she's like that.

You said

sister-in-law is so virtuous and gentle that no one can compete.

You lied to me.

I left her for three years.

And I'm so regretful.

I was afraid she'd remarry, so I didn't even dare to ask.

Yet you had the nerve to test her. If it weren't for adopted father,

I would starve you for three days.

Then I will go beg for her forgiveness sincerely.

If she does not forgive me, I will kneel and never get up. Is that okay?

I'm afraid even if you hang yourself at the Li's house's gate,

she wouldn't spare you a glance.

If I got abandoned,

I must beat you to death.

They brought me here and asked me to wait.

I was afraid you'd get in trouble, so I didn't leave.

Fortunately, you are fine. Otherwise, I don't dare to go back.

Let's go.

Hurry, let's go.

Hold on.

Lady Li, who did you expect to come?

Mr. She, thank you for helping me.

I'll tell my mother about this and then we'll come to express my gratitude.

Leshan, do you still remember me?

Mom.

Do you really intend to marry Leshan to that military officer?

It depends on if he's willing to marry her.

Fuzhou is so far away from Bianjing.

And the She family is known for its loyalty and valor,

carrying a heavy burden.

Not to mention the mismatch in family status,

being a lady of a prestige family is not an easy task.

What a joke.

She will come to her senses and decide to marry into the Chen family.

I knew you were up to tricks.

I must marry that man named She.

I have brought him back.

Who is it?

Mr. She.

Come in, please.

You are from a loyal and righteous family,

while you don't know any etiquette at all.

What place is this?

All the ladies of my family are present.

You can't just come and go as you want.

Mom, it's our brother.

It's our brother.

Kangning.

It's our brother.

- Mom. - Mom.

That year,

I was swept far away by the river.

It was Lady She who passed by and saved me

and took me all the way back to Fuzhou.

When I woke up,

my head was muddled, and I couldn't remember my own name.

Lady She said I am the eldest son of the She family,

who'd been living with my grandparents in Luoyang since childhood.

And she said on the way back to Fuzhou,

I accidentally fell into the river.

I have never doubted it.

Child.

Lady She, I found a child by the river. He's still alive.

- Save him. - Yes.

At that time, Mom thought you died in the water

and shed tears all day long.

The Li clan, convinced of no sons in our family, consistently troubled us.

How could she take someone else's son?

Then, why would she acknowledge you as her son?

The She family rose to prominence since the end of the Tang,

guarding the northwest for generations.

The young and strong men of the She clan

all died on the frontier.

For three generations in a row, there was no one who lived past 40.

The She family used their loyalty and lives

for the highest honors from the founding emperor,

so they could inherit the position of Fuzhou governor.

Yet surrounded by formidable enemies and fraught with internal contradictions,

if the She family had no legitimate heir,

the hereditary position of the Fuzhou governor and military power

could not be passed on.

In order to keep her eldest son safe,

Lady She secretly put him in her maternal home in Luoyang.

But just on the eve before Lady She

and the young She Cong were to be reunited,

She Cong was assassinated and killed.

Lady She sealed the news, overwhelmed with sadness and terror.

So, she had to choose me as a substitute.

If she intends to keep it from you, she would surely keep it tight.

How did you find out about your own origins?

We have different dietary habits.

She could say that I was raised in the Central Plain.

But we have a different temperament and appearance.

Over time, I began to doubt.

My adopted mother, out of guilt, told me the truth.

Later, she also sent someone to investigate my background.

He said

I was born in a farmer's family in Mao Village,

by the lower reaches of the Luo River.

And my parents had already passed away,

with no other relatives left.

Lies. These are all lies.

We are all alive and well. They are all lying to you.

Leshan, don't get agitated.

Everything comes with a reason.

Lady She is far away in the northwest, beyond reach.

Naturally, she had to entrust the Liu family of Luoyang.

They couldn't protect the young general, so they had to cover it up by all means.

Everyone has their own self-interest.

Later, a war broke out in the northwest,

and I stayed in the army with my father, so I had no time to attend to this matter.

Late last year, I returned to Luoyang alone,

following the river

and searching all the way.

I've searched through every village and town.

Following my fragmented memories,

I found a farmer family

whose plum blossoms were in full bloom in the courtyard.

I knew a family once lived here.

Because their son had died,

the mother and daughters

had suffered a great deal.

However,

fortunately, I now know my surname is Li,

and my family is still alive.

They went to Bianjing.

On the night before I wanted to come to Bianjing,

I suddenly received a battle report and had to return to the army.

However, I knew,

one day, I would definitely find my family,

and I would certainly recognize them.

Fan'er.

This dream feels so real.

I am really scared

that this dream will abruptly end.

Mom, this is not a dream.

Your son really is back.

Mom, Fan is really back. It's not a dream.

The beauty you are looking for

must be right here.

The young lady is 16 and really pretty.

But they are too poor to afford the dowry,

so she was presented to the official.

This young lady is excellent at cooking.

Master Cui, you will surely be satisfied.

Whether she's excellent at cooking doesn't matter.

What matters is whether I like her.

Yes, please go in.

Here.

Thank you.

First, give him 40 lashes.

Yes, Master.

I am close to Minister Cui,

always by his side.

I bet you wouldn't dare to kill me.

Right. If I kill you, I have to get punishment.

I want to grow old with my wife.

I wouldn't dare to risk my life for you.

Forty more lashes.

Master, he's passed out.

Send the petition and him together to the Kaifeng Court.

Yes.

This weather!

Just a drizzle, but never raining

on the crops.

The authorities asked

every family to fill their water jars,

then stick in willow branches and throw in a lizard to pray for rain.

Nonsense. Lizard?

Where could I catch a lizard?

Might as well catch a turtle.

Madam, may you stay safe.

Chunlai, watch the gate.

Madam.

You'd better leave,

and do not come here again.

With tens of thousands in wealth,

you can always find a wife with a rich and prominent family.

Leshan has given up on you.

I suggest you give up too.

You should marry someone else soon.

I wish to get Leshan back.

I won't go against my promise and marry someone else.

Mother-in-law, please forgive me.

You still hold onto the past?

It's the clothes you made for me three years ago.

The old clothes always fit well. It's hard to forget the connections.

Every time I wear it, I recall how well you treated me.

And I haven't repaid your kindness and fulfilled my filial piety.

That's why I risked my life to fight for glory and wealth.

I want to bring honor to you,

so you can entrust Leshan to me.

Leshan doesn't want to. It is not up to me.

From now on, don't call me mother-in-law anymore.

I don't deserve it.

Mother-in-law.

If Leshan refuses to change her mind, then I will not dare to force her.

But Mother-in-law…

Madam Li, I beg you to show some mercy

and take me in as a servant.

Consider it as a favor to me,

so I can dispel Leshan's resentment.

Madam Li, please.

- Master, I help you. - No need.

Master, you were right.

Servants of the Yang family are witnesses.

The Kaifeng Court has detained him on the charge of theft.

On the second day, Lady Chen went to visit the prisoner and brought food.

She also sent someone to notify the Cui family.

I think someone is planning to save Jiang Chaozong.

After all, he is a favorite of Minister Cui.

Master, what should we do next?

Of course, continue chopping wood.

Don't you see we are standing here?

Don't stay here and be an eyesore. Go get more information.

Master, you are really discerning.

Is it me to be an eyesore here?

I'll go get more information.

KAIFENG COURT PRISON

Hurry, he is coming.

- Come and help me. - Help him.

Well…

Look at you.

You spent all day out messing around.

Once you're in trouble, only family will take care of you.

I wonder how much money you got, and you've been beaten up like this.

The assets of the Yang family have been confiscated by the state.

All assets are returned to the state treasury.

That scoundrel colluded with two accountants,

falsely accusing me of stealing ten gold from the Yang family.

Ten?

And a…

yellow jade seal awarded by the Han Emperor.

Oh my.

Where am I supposed to turn them in?

Take it easy.

What kind of treasure have you got?

You've even deceived me.

If it wasn't for Minister Cui pleading for you,

you would've died unjustly in there.

Yang Xian.

I swear to let you pay.

It's killing me.

Take it slow.

Take it slow.

You deserve it.

Finished chopping?

Now, fill up the water jar and get rid of the weeds in the field.

The kitchen roof is leaking. Fix it and the tiles as well.

Right.

Go to Liang's store in Tianshui Alley and buy a bowl of sweet tofu pudding.

I want to have one.

Then, go to the Tang's jewel shop to get the jewelry I bought.

- Did you get it? - Yes, Leshan.

- Then get it done. - Yes.

Are you really treating him like a servant?

He brought this upon himself. Let's see how many days he can bear it.

It's up to you, dear.

Lady Li, Master has fallen from the horse at the polo match.

What?

Don't scare my mother.

- I'll go with you to look. - Alright.

You lead the way.

His injuries are nothing serious.

Thank you, physician.

Brother, how are you feeling now? Does it hurt?

I'm fine.

- How are you? - I'm fine.

That old man, Cui Weizhi,

gets promoted rapidly by presenting the palace with beauty and good omens.

Knowing my brother was severely injured on the battlefield,

Cui Weizhi insisted he must win polo before meeting His Majesty.

How arrogant he is!

You have no right to say so.

If it weren't for your rashness on the battlefield,

falling into the Xia's ambush,

would your brother have been injured saving you?

Old injuries haven't healed, and now there's a new one.

It's all your fault.

Lady She, calm down.

Mother, She Min is still young. Don't blame him.

The day your mother lost her son,

I got my lost son.

I owe her and the Li family an apology.

I should have personally visited to apologize,

but…

But here, in Bianjing,

there are too many ill-intentioned people eyeing the She family.

Thanks to that embroidered ball,

Zong could visit the Li family.

And it gave me an excuse to invite you here.

- I… - Mother said

Brother came to Bianjing for actual business.

We've waited for so many years. A little longer won't hurt.

From now on,

General She

is now my betrothed who caught the Li family's embroidered ball.

Our two families have to discuss the marriage.

What's wrong with me visiting my betrothed?

Leshan.

You must not tell mother about this. I don't want her to worry.

I understand.

Lady She, General.

There is a Mr. Yang outside who said he has matters to discuss with you.

Then I shall excuse myself.

I'm Yang Xian. Greetings.

Mr. Yang, my old wound reoccurred, and I am not in the best condition.

Let's skip these formalities.

But I don't deal with you usually.

I wonder why you insist on seeing me.

Leshan, come out.

How dare you be so arrogant in front of my brother.

She Min, mind your words.

General, please do not blame him.

I heard that you were injured by falling from a horse,

so I brought people to carefully inspect the meadow

and found this.

It seems someone does not wish you to meet His Majesty.

If you didn't have strong martial skills,

I'm afraid you might have lost your life.

Brother.

It must be that treacherous minister's doing.

It would be good then.

- Why? - General, let me tell you.

By the minister's side, there is a loyal official Jiang Chaozong,

who exclusively helps Cui Weizhi in flattering His Majesty

and framing the faithful officials.

My people have followed him and found he rushed to the Jinming Pool Meadow

to conspire against someone after leaving the Kaifeng Court Prison.

The Cui family causes trouble for your family.

That Jiang Chaozong is an enemy to my Yang family.

Then you and I are on the same side.

What does it matter if we are on the same side or not?

If so, we must join hands to get rid of the treacherous ones.

What can you do?

An ignorant person could make up for lack of skill with diligence.

Can I not take on a great responsibility?

Explain yourself.

Leshan.

What do you want?

Leshan, do you still remember our bet?

We bet on a threefold profit, but I've now earned over a hundredfold.

Leshan, does it mean I win the bet?

We agreed on a limit of one month.

It's been several years now. You really are shameless.

Someone broke the promise first

and wanted to make things difficult for me.

One month became three years. And you have to wait.

Can you blame this on me?

You!

Rest assured.

I'm not here to cause you trouble.

Since you want to marry into the She family,

even as your former husband, I should properly assess your new husband,

to see whether he is great enough for you

to marry.

But this is not urgent. We have more important things to do now.

Please help me.

I am not here to help you, but to help…

my Mr. She.

Yes, to help your Mr. She.

Please get in the sedan chair.

Hurry up. Keep up.

Keep up.

- Keep up. Hurry. - Go.

For Qianyuan Festival on April 14th, Cui Weizhi searched throughout the country

and gathered 2,000 children to celebrate His Majesty's birthday.

These must be the children.

The children's troupe dance happens every year.

Just gathering 200 children to create more fun.

While he's making such a big fuss…

These children were kidnapped by him?

That Cui guy harbors ulterior motives.

Master Du impeached him in front of His Majesty,

but got rebuked quite a bit.

That foolish Emperor.

Set off to Baiyun Temple.

Go.

- How is it? - It smells so good.

- Be careful. - Okay.

Here you are.

- It's all hot. - Eat it while it's hot.

Hurry.

YIER HOUSE

Turns out she's a courtesan.

Go.

Find more about this lady.

Yes.

No laughing or loud talking allowed inside the sedan chair.

Nor is it allowed to stop halfway.

At the palace gate, someone will receive you.

If someone questions you…

I shall respond,

Bianjing has long been in a drought, and His Majesty is deeply worried.

The Minister gathered seven Taoist nuns with pure character

to pray for rain in the palace.

I am not at ease if I don't escort them. Let's go.

I have served you for quite some time now.

I guarantee there will be no mistakes.

Rest assured.

Set off.

Let's go.

Master, let me escort you back.

Prepare a carriage

to Zhu Silang Tavern.

Why are you going there again?

Lady Chen has mentioned, beauty harms people.

I should advise you not to go there.

Just listen to me. Go.

Hurry up.

Hurry up.

What's the situation? Let's go.

- Go. - Go, go.

- Make them move. - Go.

Don't block our way.

Be careful with the sedan chair.

Don't go this way. Move over there. We need to pass.

Drive the sheep away. They're blocking the road.

Move aside. Drive the sheep…

Make way. We need to go through.

Well…

Well…

Hurry up.

Sorry.

There's no time. Hurry up.

This has caused a delay.

Hurry up. Set off.

We're late. Hurry up.

You girl!

Can't you hear someone knocking? Are you waiting for me to go open it?

Yes.

Hurry.

Leshan.

She's just your father's concubine, not your birth mother.

What's wrong?

She's such an ungrateful person, scheming against people's lives.

If she's sent to prison, she'll end up with limbs

and tendons severed.

Even if we hang her to death today, the heaven will forgive you.

Let go!

Leshan, we can't punish her without letting the authorities know.

Better to accuse her to the Kaifeng Court.

Why are you so foolish?

If we report this to the authorities,

will that chest of gold still belong to the Yang family?

It would be confiscated to the country.

No, we can't afford to commit a murder.

You coward!

It was you who said to reclaim the gold

to keep it for our lifelong use, so I'd help you.

And now you back off?

If we can't get the truth out of her by the dawn,

I'll brand your face first.

Leshan.

Leshan, wait for me.

Keep a close watch of her.

- Yes. - Yes.

Gold?

These two people might just put on a show to deceive me.

Subtitle translation by: Wina Huang