Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 6]

- Let's go take a look. - Let's go.

Let's go.

I...

Let's go.

Remember.

Only pick the freshest bud heads.

You must finish plucking one plant in a single breath.

Only by picking over 700 buds

within 10 minutes

can we deliver the goods in time at 5 PM.

Got it.

Just pluck it gently and don't pinch it!

Nor can you clutch it in your palm!

Don't touch that!

Mr. Wang!

You're quite cozy here.

Look at those several fools.

They don't know how to enjoy the pleasure.

Have some tea.

Okay.

These playboys

have no idea how hard tea farmers have to work.

Even I only came to the plantation this time

to check the accounts.

But I've heard that

the Pre-Qingming Tea here is truly exceptional.

Mr. Yang, won't you give it a try?

It's like chicken eating fireflies.

We both know what's really going on.

Stop playing the tricks

of brotherly respect in front of me.

Young Masters, please learn carefully.

Young Master!

Young Master.

Lady Shanbao is appraising tea outside.

Lady Shanbao is outside.

Hurry up. Let's go.

Come on. Let's go, too.

Young Master, let's go.

Wait for me!

Let's go.

When I was a kid and saw my cousin learning to fry tea leaves,

I also cried and begged to learn it.

But after less than half a month of learning,

my hands

were covered with 7 or 8 large blisters.

My mother held me in her arms and cried.

Then she didn't allow me to go to the tea fields again.

Now it looks like

learning to fry tea leaves isn't that difficult after all.

I'll go first.

Young Master, when too many people crowd around the hot stoves,

you might scald your hands easily.

Taking a different path may bring unexpected joy.

I won't learn it.

You can learn it in place of me.

I'm going to find my cousin now.

You can learn it in place of me.

No, Young Master.

Sir.

Could you let me give it a try?

This year's tea leaves

are indeed not as good as previous years.

There has been too much rain in the past few months.

The tea leaves have lost some of their aroma

and the flavor is weaker.

Lady Shanbao.

The tea merchants from Shanxi have arrived.

They're waiting for tea upstairs now.

Got it.

Every year before the Qingming Festival,

the Rong family would always hold a tea party.

This year, I'd also like to taste the tea

which is made through you guys' skills.

Skills?

Lady Shanbao, so you mean

you want us to pick the tea leaves personally?

Exactly.

Pick and fry tea leaves personally.

I see.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

Such rough work

is certainly beyond my abilities.

Ask that tea picker to demonstrate it again.

We haven't seen it clearly yet.

Lady Shanbao hired me to do this

with a large sum of money.

I'm not your servant girl

to be ordered around!

- You... - I explained it several times just now.

If anyone doesn't understand,

he might be

a blind and deaf villain.

How... How dare you speak like that?

Lady Shanbao.

There are quite many men in the village.

They can take care of children and work hard.

There's a wide selection for you to choose from.

These are useless pretty boys.

We can't let them work on this.

Well... What does that mean?

Your words are so offensive!

- So offensive! - So vulgar!

How could you talk like that?

Yi is from the mountains.

She speaks frankly without ill intent.

Gentlemen, please don't mind.

Yi.

These young masters are all exceptional men

and elites of our times.

Such a simple matter as tea making,

which you've explained repeatedly,

certainly won't stump these smart people.

They're

just saying this out of modesty.

Don't take it too seriously.

Shanbao, I...

The Rong family treats all distinguished guests equally.

Cousin, you're no exception, either.

I'll wait for you all at the tea party at 5 PM.

Please excuse me now.

Lady Shanbao! Lady Shanbao!

My cousin is so ruthless.

Can't even I be an exception?

Young Masters, please.

Let's go.

Let's go.

It's just picking and frying tea leaves.

I don't think I'll be stumped.

You've all tasted this year's tea.

Later,

I'll send some tea samples to your inns.

Thank you.

It's the same as previous years.

I want 2000 jin.

Lady Shanbao, you're back.

It's been just a year,

and now you have a fine gentleman by your side.

It's rare that he knows how to do business, too.

He's quite helpful to you.

You two are truly meant to be together.

Congratulations!

Then we'll leave now.

These merchants travel all over the country.

They speak and behave rudely.

They were just joking.

Young Master, please don't mind.

Actually, what they said isn't entirely wrong.

Flowers attract butterflies, and peacocks spread their tails.

All these things I've done

are to show you

that I love tea and know how to cultivate tea leaves.

I also understand all aspects of tea business.

I'll be a good helper to you in the future.

You are truly diligent, Young Master.

Business rewards honest people, and Heaven rewards diligent people.

I'll walk my own path,

and I hope you'll also keep your promise

by giving me a fair chance.

Fusheng.

How did you know

Shanbao would set a test?

I didn't know.

But I could guess it.

As soon as the young masters entered the tea plantation,

there was someone who meticulously

taught you guys how to make tea.

If you had paid close attention,

you would have noticed something was off.

It's also because Shanbao is shrewd and cunning.

She suddenly stroke back when we were off guard.

If I had known earlier,

I would have taken your advice.

Look at those two men.

Both their families own tea plantations.

This test is so unfair.

It's said that picking tea leaves is easy, but frying tea leaves is hard.

Think about it.

Mr. Xu's hands are covered with scalds.

That's how he became

skilled in frying tea leaves.

Their hands look smooth and flawless.

I don't think they're much better than you.

As long as you put more effort into it

and don't slack off,

Lady Shanbao will surely notice.

If you really can't stand it,

show your vulnerability when needed.

Lady Shanbao will be more concerned about you.

Oh, no!

Mr. Bai fainted!

Yingsheng! Yingsheng!

Really? He fainted again?

Yingsheng!

- How are you? - Yingsheng!

Are you alright?

Yingsheng, why did you pass out?

They're just bullying honest people.

He has to pluck such a large area alone.

I'll go find a doctor. Step aside!

Step aside! Please step aside!

Mr. Wen.

What's wrong?

He's usually not like this.

I've told you this is

the work for servants.

He usually doesn't do these things.

How could he stand it?

Why didn't Yan come here?

He only knows to exploit us.

Darn it!

He must be exhausted.

Hurry! Carry him to the tree shade for a rest.

Alright. Come on.

Come on. Let me do it. Lift him up.

Come on. Give me a hand.

Be careful!

Come on.

Come on.

Sit.

Here, Mr. Bai.

Drink some tea.

He should be fine, huh?

Where is Mr. Wen?

Are you alright, Mr. Bai?

He went that way.

Mr. Yan.

Please watch over everyone in the tea fields for me.

I trust you.

Don't worry.

Mr. Wen!

Mr. Wen!

Mr. Wen!

Mr. Wen! Mr. Wen!

Fusheng, my legs are injured.

Ask Shanbao to come now!

Wait for me!

What happened?

Lady Shanbao, Mr. Wen is...

Shanbao! Shanbao!

I'm here!

Shanbao!

Shanbao!

I think my legs are broken.

Don't move.

I'll ask people to come and save you.

Don't go.

Don't leave me alone

here.

Could you stay here

and talk with me?

If you talk with me,

it won't be that painful for me.

Talking won't help to ease the pain.

I think you should save your strength.

Lady Shanbao, please help me tie this tighter.

I'll go down and carry him on my back.

You're quite clever.

The mountain paths are steep and difficult to walk,

but people's hearts are even more unpredictable.

I'm entrusted with your important task,

so I must deal with everything properly.

Be careful.

Watch your step.

Hang in there.

Wen.

Shanbao.

I'll help Mr. Wen down the mountain first.

You shameless scoundrel!

Where did you get these ugly twigs and rotten leaves?

Are you trying to muddle through with these counterfeits?

How dare you ruin my tea plantation?

Even if you were to offer me a lump of silver

or knee down and call me Grandmother,

I wouldn't acknowledge you as my grandson.

- You... - Guards.

Take this troublemaker out.

- Yes! - Yes!

My father is the magistrate of Huaiyin!

You guys can't treat me like this!

Let go of me!

Which one?

The one who went to Huaiyin to take office 5 years ago

and ran out of his travel money while passing through Linji.

Then he came to the Rong family

to borrow 500 taels.

After all, he's an official's son,

so we should leave him some dignity.

When your father saw Lady Shanbao,

he knew he should show respect.

How dare you behave so rudely here?

Take him out.

Yes!

Let go of me! Let go of me!

Let go of me!

You guys can't treat me like this!

Hurry! Put him in the front first.

- What happened? - What's wrong?

How is he?

- Mr. Wen. - Take a look.

Besides his legs and arms,

I'm afraid he may have wounds in his brain, too.

Take my cousin back home immediately.

Hurry!

These people went to the plantation normally.

One of them fainted

and one of them fell down.

Blood stained the tea plantation,

which might damage the owner's good luck

and prosperity.

They're all inauspicious people.

This way, won't your chances of winning

become bigger?

Mr. Yang, you must be joking.

The tea party will begin soon.

Why are you still chattering?

Hurry up and make the tea now!

Alright.

[Rong Mansion]

Oh, my son!

Can'er, oh, my dear Can'er!

Are you feeling better now?

Mother, why are you here?

What reason could it be?

Of course I'm here to persuade you to go back.

Please don't worry, Lady Shanbao.

I'll just patiently persuade him

to change his mind.

Guard the door properly.

- Yes. - Yes.

I won't go back.

You came to the Rong family without a word.

If your father finds out about it,

he'll definitely break your legs!

It hurts, Mother!

I'm injured and you're still hitting me?

Let me take a look.

I'm fine.

You silly boy.

But don't worry.

All the letters from the Rong family

have been

intercepted by me.

I didn't let your father hear any news about it.

Really, Mother?

Well, the boys from the Yang family and the He family

are all here.

How could our Wen family

fall behind the others?

You and Lady Shanbao

have been close since childhood,

with deep affection for each other.

The Rong and Wen families

became sworn relatives

and often visit each other.

If you two get married,

it'll strengthen the bonds even further.

It's such a wonderful thing that can't even be achieved in dreams.

It's all because your father is pedantic and old-fashioned.

He's afraid people will laugh at him

and think that he's selling his son.

What an old fool.

The Wen family doesn't have millions-of-tales family property

to give to the son.

This is a golden mountain in front of us.

Mother, I don't care about the Rong family's wealth.

I just...

I know you have sincere feelings.

But...

You have to beware of others who have different intentions.

The more kindly Lady Shanbao treats you,

the more deeply others may resent you.

They'll gang up to deal with you.

You must

be careful and pay attention to everything.

Don't fall into

their traps.

Bao

was brought up by her grandmother.

She's wariest of

men with ulterior motives.

The more aggressive and ruthless a man is,

the more deeply Shanbao will detest and beware of him.

However, as for those who are guileless

and have fallen victim to others' plots,

Shanbao would be eagerer to protect them.

Mother, don't worry.

I understand

all these things very well.

I'm injured.

Why hasn't Shanbao come to see me yet?

Yuan Xiao.

Where is my cousin?

Lady Shanbao...

Tell me now!

Where is my cousin?

Thank you for your concern, My Lady.

I'm not injured.

Oh, by the way,

according to Mr. Wen,

an unfamiliar servant

lured him out

at the name of his father.

He was afraid that his father

would make a scene, which might be so embarrassing,

so he agreed to meet in a secluded place.

But unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye,

that servant disappeared without a trace.

He was ambushed by assassins.

My cousin is kind-hearted

and easily falls victim to others' plots.

Indeed.

In the future, whether to take sea routes to sell tea

or follow the caravans to travel thousands of miles for tea trade,

it's common to encounter bandits and robbers.

It's not easy to do tea business.

Mr. Wen

still trusts others too easily.

You're always concerned about others.

Why don't you think more about yourself?

Thank you.

Thank you for your concern, My Lady.

Since you joined the Rong family,

you've suffered many hardships

and got injured constantly.

Could it be that

our destinies are incompatible by nature?

My Lady,

please stop teasing me.

Jun Dai.

Here!

With your injuries, it's quite inconvenient.

Jun Dai,

from today onwards,

just stay here to serve him.

Except for Steward Lu's orders,

you don't need to follow anyone else's commands.

Yes!

Steward Lu, let me apply medicine for you.

Your ring is returned to you now.

Lady Shanbao!

Steward Lu, you're so lucky.

I've been a servant in the Rong family since childhood,

but I've never seen Lady Shanbao

be so attentive to anyone.

It's obvious that in Lady Shanbao's mind,

you're different from others.

Really?

Yes.

If I'm lying,

just let lightning strike me to death.

So this was also sent by Lady Shanbao?

Exactly.

This is all top-quality square-patterned Wu silk.

You're so handsome

with graceful manner.

Even those people in silk clothes

at the Xinfang Pavilion can't compare with you.

If you show up wearing these clothes,

no matter how hard they try to flatter you,

they still can't compare with you.

Alright.

Apply the medicine now.

I wouldn't dare to delay dealing with

Lady Shanbao's important matters.

Okay.

How come there aren't any February Orchids?

This area is only planted with some

valuable tea trees and flower varieties.

No February Orchids have ever been planted here.

Yes, there were.

They were some of them here before.

I could smell them every day before.

My Lady,

February Orchids are wildflowers from the countryside.

How could they be worthy of being planted in this garden?

Perhaps you were mistaken.

Give it to me.

A breeze

can bring its seeds here.

Thousands of such flowers can grow all over the hills.

How would they be stopped by humans?

Go find them now.

I'll wait here.

Go now! I'm telling you to go now!

Yes! I'll go look for them now.

Please wait here, My Lady.

Mother, are there flowers here?

These are February Orchids.

There's a whole field of February Orchids here.

Mother, I like February Orchids.

Let me pick one for you.

Our Yunshu is the most beautiful.

Mother, my eyes

will never heal, will they?

They will heal.

Once your father asks your grandmother for help

and finds the best doctor in the world

to treat your eyes,

they will certainly be cured.

Soon you'll move into

a very big house.

There will be delicious food, fun toys

and your favorite

beautiful beaded flowers.

There will be all of those things.

Then from now on,

I won't wear these wildflowers anymore.

I'm going to take you with me to enjoy the good life.

Miss, hold onto your cane.

Let me help you up.

It was right here.

It was definitely right here.

Wait for me.

Miss, are you looking for this?

L-Let me plant it back for you.

Will it survive if we plant it back?

Yes, it will. I'm sure of it.

Alright. It's done.

Miss.

Wait here for me.

I'll go ask someone to come and help you.

Lady Yunshu, I couldn't find it.

Who are you?

I didn't know you're Lady Yunshu from this mansion.

Please forgive my ignorance and offense.

I don't dare to disturb you any further.

I'm Bai, and I'll leave now.

Your surname is Bai?

Are you the scholar

who fainted in the martial arts arena?

I'm not skilled in martial arts.

I'm sorry for my poor performance.

Hiding skill in clumsiness and using retreat to advance.

You are a smart man.

Later, at the tea party,

remember this.

Drink more tea and speak less.

Drink more tea and speak less.

What does that mean?

Bai Yingsheng.

You fainted even while picking tea leaves.

Your health

is just too fragile.

I thought

you couldn't make it to this tea party.

I was about to send someone to check on you.

Thank you for your concern.

I was also afraid I couldn't make it.

Thankfully, Lady Shanbao was kind enough

to let me use the small tea room in her mansion,

so I barely made it in time.

I wonder what funny scenes we'll see today.

Mr. Bai.

My master

heard that you were feeling unwell,

so he specially ordered me

to bring you these Suhe Pills.

Take the pills with warm wine.

They can help to regulate your organs, harmonize your Qi and blood,

and dispel impurities to calm your nerves.

They can assist you in restoring your health.

Mr. Yan is so kind that I can't refuse.

We were all sweating profusely

in the tea plantation,

but we didn't see Mr. Yan

go there to pick tea leaves.

Now it's time for inspecting the tea in public.

Don't flinch in the face of the challenge.

The distinguished guests of Chongxi Hall

can pass the test without making tea.

They're 100 times better than us.

You still need to beware of their duplicity

as they might speak ill of you in front of Old Madam Rong

to make you have nowhere to stand.

Just try to speak less.

You...

We're just going to taste tea.

These guys keep talking so sarcastically.

If they're taken to a private room,

they would be so annoying.

While men are competing out of jealousy,

they would show their ugly sides inevitably.

It's irritating to watch this.

That's why Yun'e used the pretext of being ill.

Xiangling isn't coming, either.

But Grandmother thinks that's not enough.

She's even ordering each branch of the family

to select new candidates again.

There will be quite a spectacle in the Rong Mansion.

Lady Shanbao is here!

Some of you are older than me.

I shouldn't be receiving such bows.

Old Madam Rong is highly respected.

You're hosting the banquet on behalf of her.

You're certainly supposed to take the chief seat

and receive our bows.

No need for such modesty.

Yes, indeed.

That makes sense.

Yes.

Only after you take the chief seat

will we dare to sit down.

Everyone, please sit down.

Since you're hosting this banquet,

then I'd like to be in charge of the music.

Forgive me if there's anything

I've overlooked.

Play the music!

Young Master.

Young Master, what's wrong?

I... I killed a constable.

Did I...

Huishan Spring Water! That's good stuff!

These are the processed tea leaves

the young masters personally

made in the tea plantation today.

The spring water also arrived yesterday.

It's fresh and sweet,

which is perfect for brewing tea.

Everyone, please taste it.

Good water! It's so refreshing!

As the saying goes, it's clear enough to reflect flesh and bones,

and gargling with it can help to revitalize the mind.

This Huishan Spring Water

is truly divine nectar in the mortal world.

It's clearly almost the same as usual.

Perhaps there's something wrong with my taste buds.

No wonder people always say,

"Taking the world's 2nd-best spring water

to brew wine and drinking it with immortals in Heaven."

Now that we have this water to brew tea,

how could there be

anything wrong with it?

It's all thanks to Lady Shanbao's great luck,

so we can taste this fine spring water.

We should thank Lady Shanbao for that.

Later, at the tea party,

remember this.

Drink more tea and speak less.

How pretentious and hypocritical!

The Huishan Spring Water

was all distributed as soon as it arrived that month.

The maid only said it arrived yesterday.

Has she ever mentioned this is Huishan Spring Water?

The jar just contains ordinary spring water.

You're just like half-green radishes in June.

You all have made such exaggerated claims.

How ridiculous!

The color is uneven and lackluster.

It's the lowest grade.

The color is sallow with ashen tones.

It's the inferior grade.

There are scorch marks. It's the inferior grade.

Stems and veins are exposed.

The ratio is out of balance.

It's the inferior grade.

It's the inferior grade.

It's the lowest grade.

It's the inferior grade.

It's greenish-yellow with poor luster.

But it's barely acceptable.

It's the medium grade.

You can stay.

The color is bright green with even shapes and tender textures.

It's the top grade.

Thanks for your compliments, Lady Shanbao.

Mr. Yan didn't go to the tea fields,

and that's fine.

But the He family

is the manufacturer of Huqiu Tea.

Lady Shanbao.

How do you expect all of us

to accept this?

- That's right! - That's right!

It's unfair!

How can we compete like this?

Yes, it's unfair!

That's right!

The flavor is ordinary,

but fortunately, it doesn't have the smell of coarse impurities.

It's also the medium grade tea.

Let them take a look.

I know little about tea.

I've learned this from the tea woman

in the Fangyuan Temple.

I learned it for three months,

but I only acquired a smattering of it.

That's just it.

When scholars enter the examination hall,

some of them don't understand poetry or classics,

and some of them didn't bring brush pens and inkstones.

My family runs tea business.

Knowing nothing about making tea, you're here to participate in the test.

How could you show your sincerity in the marriage proposal?

I asked you to go into the plantation

because I wanted to give you guys

a chance to make up for your mistakes.

Yet you still didn't cherish it.

Moreover,

Mr. Yan practiced for years on Mount Meng

and has mastered all tea arts in the world.

Lady Shanbao didn't ask him to enter the plantation

not because of favoritism,

but to spare you all from embarrassment.

Since you're almost completely enlightened,

after entering the tea plantation,

you should have been more attentive.

As for the early-spring fresh tea leaves from my family,

even if they had not been dried or fried

and had just been cooked in the pot,

it would still be the top grade.

When you were frying the tea leaves,

there were tea-making masters

teaching you step by step.

Even with such a demonstration,

you still messed it up.

You guys keep playing tricks and slacking off

and only excel in flattery.

The Rong family doesn't lack yes-men.

Get out of here now!

- How could you talk like that? - What do you mean?

They're still our guests. Don't be rude.

As for the young masters who got the low grade,

we've prepared small gifts

in the room.

There will be carriages taking you to the dock.

The Rong family will not detain you further.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

The selected candidates for this round are...

Mr. Yang,

Mr. He

and Mr. Bai.

Lady Shanbao.

There is still some tea you haven't tasted yet.

Who is he?

He's Steward Lu.

It looks like I didn't have a discerning eye.

I thought this man was quite ugly.

Now that he has dressed up like this,

he actually looks quite presentable.

Who do you think you are?

How dare you also serve tea here?

Before leaving the mountain, Mr. Wen repeatedly asked me to do this.

He ordered me to prepare the tea according to his instructions.

Now he is seriously injured and bedridden,

so I have to present the tea on his behalf.

Lady Shanbao.

Please.

It was overcooked a bit, but it's still the top grade.

Since it was overcooked,

how can it be rated as the top grade?

It has the common orchid-bean fragrance.

It seems fresh from the pot.

There's the dry scent of fire.

There is indeed a unique roasted aroma.

What did you do to the tea leaves?

I...

Mr. Wen

noticed that the tea leaves had moisture,

probably because of

the recent rainy days.

He specifically asked me to roast the tea leaves again

after frying them.

However, the young masters left too hurriedly

and too early,

so they didn't hear

Mr. Xu's tea-making secrets.

That's right.

Look. Pay attention to this technique.

Do it like this.

Look.

I'm impressed by your thorough thinking.

You truly have a gift for making tea.

It's all thanks to the guidance of the experienced tea master.

I don't dare to take any credit.

Alright.

Plus Mr. Wen,

the number is enough for the Mahjong game.

They're all talented men.

Yet we must select just one from these five men.

Even I think

this is a tricky problem for you, Shanbao.

There are not only five men.

I think there are six men.

The Tea Ancestor Festival Ceremony will be held in seven days.

The Rong family sincerely invites all young masters to attend.

Stop right there!

Ms. Yan.

The Rong family has set rules for everything.

Everyone must strictly follow these rules.

What kind of occasion do you think the tea party is?

You can't go there.

I don't dare to disobey the rules

set by you.

But marking the boat won't help to find a lost sword.

Rules must also adapt to changing circumstances.

Sometimes, to complete our tasks properly,

servants like us

have to add salt when the flavor is bland

or reduce the heat when it boils over.

We don't always have the time

to report everything to you.

Please forgive me, Ma'am.

How dare you talk so much?

Who gave you the guts

to be so disrespectful in front of me?

I gave him the guts.

[Tea Leaf Picking Skills]

Just pluck it gently and don't pinch it!

Nor can you clutch it in your palm!

During the Ming Dynasty, there were already strict standards

for high-class tea leaf harvesting,

especially for tribute tea leaves,

which are premium tea leaves classified by grades.

Take only one bud with one leaf

or one bud with two newly unfurled leaves.

The length of the bud head must

exceed the leaf length.

The bud must be longer than the leaf.

[Single Bud: The highest picking standard with the highest tenderness.]

[It's usually used to make top green tea, white tea, etc.]

As for the first-grade tea,

it mainly consists of one bud with one or two newly unfurled leaves.

The bud must be as long as the leaf.

[One Bud and One Leaf: The classic top-quality grade]

[It balances the freshness and fragrance.]

[It's widely used for high-class green tea, yellow tea, etc.]

[One Bud and Two Leaves: The taste is usually mellower.]

There are strict requirements for the appearance, too.

[It's the top-grade ingredient of many types of black tea.]

Buds and leaves must be intact with even shapes

and no damage.

There mustn't be any mature leaves,

tea stems or non-tea impurities mixed in them.

The picking techniques also require special attention.

When you pick tea leaves, the palm should face down,

with your thumb and index finger forming the shape of a pincer.

Precisely grip the base of the tender stem.

Gently pull it upward to break it off.

Avoid damaging it with fingernails.

Once you pick the buds and leaves,

put them into the ventilated bamboo basket at once.

Avoiding compression from being held in hand.

Tea leaf pickers need to undergo rigorous training.

Only a few jin of fresh leaves can be acquired every day.

Under this strict selection system,

Ming Dynasty's famous tea leaves were created

to be as green as jade

and have fragrance like orchids.