Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 7]

Marking the boat won't find the lost sword.

Fixed rules can't handle all changes.

Sometimes, to get things done,

we servants

have to season the bland,

or turn down the boil.

We can't report every detail

to the steward in time.

Please forgive me, Ms. Yan.

How dare you talk so much?

Who gave you the guts

to be so disrespectful in front of me?

I did.

Greetings, Miss Rong.

Mrs. Yan,

I asked him to attend the tea party.

Don't blame him.

Miss Rong,

this man is just

a beggar of unknown origin.

Favoring him like this

will stir gossip.

It might bring trouble.

What?

If I choose to favor him,

by what right do others dare question me?

I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me.

The swing rope in my courtyard is broken.

I can fix it today.

So aren't you coming?

Not only is the rope broken,

but the wooden seat is also rotten with age.

But it's nothing serious.

In about two hours,

I can make

a new one for you.

The old one has its charm.

No need to bother making a new one.

Just replace the rope.

Well... Miss Rong, this is...

I'd like to

ask you for another favor.

You come from a noble house,

with everyone at your call.

What else could you possibly

need my help with?

As you know,

my cousin

is a man with no schemes.

You can rest assured, Miss Rong.

I won't forget what I've promised.

I will do my utmost to protect him.

Today I made you dress up for the feast.

I also showed you great favor

and praised you repeatedly.

You're smart.

You should understand my true intention.

I got it.

I've been risking my life for him,

but you still don't think it's enough.

Now you want me

to be his shield?

For him, I get slandered, envied,

take the hits, open and hidden,

face various danger..

All because he is

your cousin,

he gets your protection,

while someone like me, with no background

and low status, should just go die?

Am I not born from parents

who can also feel suffering and pain?

Haven't I risked my life for you,

Miss Rong?

For the sake of your childhood cousin,

you'd just stand by

and watch me walk to my death?

Enough with the life and death talk.

You're overstepping.

If it weren't for

Miss Rong's kindness in saving people,

you think you'd survive till today?

I'll repay your kindness one day,

Miss Rong,

but in this way.

If that's all,

I'll take my leave.

Stop right there!

I will fix the swing,

you can rest assured, Miss Rong.

Damn it!

Miss Rong!

The Rong family has more than

just him to rely on.

Without him,

can't I get things done?

You there.

This swing was personally built

by Mr. Wen for Miss Rong.

Please be careful with it.

Old things have their charm.

No need to bother making a new one.

Just replace the rope.

I recognized your footsteps.

You're that scholar named Bai.

If you were like me,

relying only on your hearing for years

to distinguish subtle sounds,

you would know that

no two footsteps sound the same.

I came specifically

to thank you, Lady Yunshu.

Thank you for your guidance at the tea party.

Come closer.

Even closer, please.

What are you smelling, Lady Yunshu?

There's a scent on you.

It's the stench of ink accumulated over years

from copying books for others.

What?

Aren't you offended by what I said?

I did make my living by copying books for others,

which earned me the headmaster's favor.

Later I was exempted from tuition fees

and recommended to come here.

Being born poor isn't my fault.

There's nothing to be angry about.

Yunyin is very upset.

She sent you invitations twice,

both politely declined by you.

I just heard your footsteps

hesitating,

not daring to approach.

Is there any concern?

To speak frankly,

the Rong family has many people and much gossip.

I fear provoking idle talk and trouble.

We sisters are all at marriageable age.

You fear getting close

might spark romantic rumors,

private entanglements and karma,

which will ruin your reputation and prospects.

You're truly pedantic.

But you worry too much.

In this lifetime,

I would absolutely never take a poor scholar

as my husband.

Absolutely never.

I've expressed my thanks. I should go now.

Years ago, my mom and her parents

fled from the north as refugees.

The whole family crowded into a small,

low-roofed shack in Nanxiawa.

You were able

to find copying work to do,

but she could only sell herself

to enter the Rong Mansion

as a lowly maid.

So our conversations

won't attract unwanted attention.

Because everyone knows

that I, a little blind girl,

want to firmly plant my roots

in these tea hills,

can only seek a helpful husband

from families like Yang or He

to please grandmother,

and gain a better position in this family.

So...

So we can talk

anytime,

anything,

and in any way.

After all, you're tactful and likable.

If I were Shanbao,

lacking neither gold nor silver,

possessing both status and position,

and all I lacked was an interesting person

to keep my company,

I would definitely choose you.

Thank you for your kind words, Lady Yunshu.

But your Rong family seeks a matrilocal husband,

not a playmate.

Then you're quite mistaken.

A son-in-law in the Rong family,

apart from continuing the bloodline,

is nothing but a playmate.

It can only be

mutual respect and emotionally distant.

If one day

Shanbao develops true feelings,

then you'd be in danger.

The way you put it,

the Rong family truly is a dangerous place.

You really know how to joke.

A joke?

Yes, it's a joke.

And I

cannot only joke around,

but also help you.

Yeju.

Lady Yunshu.

I lost my grip.

Yeju,

show Mr. Bai the way.

Let him get changed

Going back like this is hardly proper.

Yes.

Everything has its order of precedence

and degrees of intimacy.

They grew up together,

with deep feelings for each other.

She wants to protect him.

That's only human nature.

Nothing to fault.

And what are you, then?

Do you really expect her to care about you?

There's no business in this world that can't be discussed.

If she wants your help

with that matter,

she'll surely reward you well.

What are you so angry about?

Who let you lose your temper like that!

Idiot!

This way, Mr. Bai.

Their business

has nothing to do with me.

I'll ignore it.

Maybe I should go check it out anyway.

Everyone, come and see

who's hiding

in here.

Lady Yunyin,

how could there be

a lady who peeps at men changing clothes?

Have you no shame?

Give me back my clothes now.

I've shown you my affection multiple times,

but you didn't want my respect.

So why should I save your reputation?

Of course I'll invite everyone

to come and see

how thick your skin really is.

Well?

No matter how high and mighty,

how cunning and sly you think you are,

you still ended up in my hands.

Yunshu,

you really have a way.

With only few words,

you vented the anger on my behalf.

A liar with full of lies.

I shouldn't have trusted you.

Mr. Bai,

I advise you

to quickly kowtow to Yunyin

and admit your mistake.

Otherwise, if she really gets angry,

and throws you out on the street naked,

or tells everyone you stripped

and harassed the Rong's maid,

the consequences would be unimaginable.

That's right. Kowtow.

Kowtow. Do it now.

Once you kowtow, all will be forgiven. Hurry up.

What are you waiting for? Hurry.

Kowtow! Why are you just standing there?

Faster! What are you waiting for? Hurry up.

Kowtow now! Quickly!

That's right. Kowtow!

Kowtow now!

The spring air is still chilly.

Mr. Bai, please take care of yourself.

Who asked you to meddle?

Lady Yunyin,

if Miss Rong were to learn of this,

it might not be wise.

Don't use her to intimidate me.

Tie him up too.

Strip him naked and throw him at the front gate.

I want to see

if Rong Shanbao

will turn against me

for this servant.

Look outside, please.

Rong Yunyin, how impressive you are.

Only you get to choose personally.

Does that mean I can't?

How stingy.

If he were willing,

I wouldn't even care.

But he's unwilling now,

and you're forcing yourself on him.

Are you a highway robber

or a vicious murderer?

Since when did the Rong family

teach you to treat guests like this?

You're arrogant and provoking trouble.

If Grandmother hears of this tomorrow,

I guarantee you won't

set foot in the tea plantation this year either.

As if I care!

Even pork ribs are better-looking than him.

What's a man afraid of being seen for?

Can't even take a little joke.

I'm leaving.

Shanbao, you'd better be careful.

If he's so afraid of being seen,

he must have hidden sores.

You're slandering me!

Let's go.

Calm down.

Getting angry is exactly what she wants.

She'll claim even more that you have a disease.

Shanbao, it was Yunyin who...

I...

It's alright. I don't blame you.

Just don't follow her into mischief again.

Mr. Bai, Yunyin was rude and offensive.

Let me escort you back to Xinfang Pavilion.

Thank you, Miss Rong.

And as your friend,

I can not only joke around

but also help you.

This time, he could turn misfortune and disaster

into blessing,

he should thank you as the matchmaker.

Mr. Lu,

you really are a good person.

Yunyin has been spoiled by Grandmother since childhood.

She acts recklessly and speaks without restraint.

I appreciate your tolerance and generosity

for not taking offense at a young girl's behavior.

I thank you on Grandmother's behalf.

Don't worry, Miss Rong.

Today's matter will not be spread from me,

nor will it

tarnish the Rong family's reputation.

Let me serve the tea.

Mr. Bai,

Lady Rong just sent a doctor

to examine all the young masters

for a health check.

Lady Rong...

I suppose Lady Yunyin

went back and exaggerated everything,

shifting the blame onto you.

Lady Rong, misled by slander,

now seeks medical examination.

Given the situation,

you should return quickly,

lest outsiders say

you fled the scene

and confirm

the slander of hidden sores or ailments.

Miss Rong,

I concede today's game of chess.

Another day, I'll seek your guidance again.

See you, Mr. Bai.

How dare you fabricate orders!

There was indeed a doctor today,

coming to do health checks.

I didn't deliberately deceive him.

However,

if you're looking for a substitute,

I don't think Mr. Bai is suitable.

I'd like to hear the reason.

He is adaptable

to changing circumstances.

Unfortunately, he's too clever.

He avoids conflict when he can,

lacking courage and determination.

Just like in this chess game,

he clearly had chances to win,

but he

feared you wouldn't be pleased

and was constantly hesitating,

unable to make a decision.

In his eyes,

you're just someone

who would get upset over losing a game.

What kind of person does he take you for?

He's a man who hides and conceals before you.

He's too afraid

to show his true nature.

Don't you find him boring, Miss Rong?

If he's boring, what makes you interesting?

He lacks courage,

but you have boldness?

You clearly rejected me outright before,

yet now you came and changed your mind.

As a person who goes back on his word

and changes sides without remorse,

why should I trust you?

Because I understand your thoughts

more thoroughly than he does.

Because I can

complete any task you assign

with perfect execution.

Because I

won this chess game today.

What do you want?

Being your beloved one

is like pulling chestnuts from the fire.

It's a dangerous task indeed.

What's in it for me?

I won't just guide you, lost lamb, home.

I'll find out

who really wanted you dead.

I'll ward off disasters for you,

and make sure you come to no harm.

Is that enough?

Yes, that's enough.

Miss Rong, you're truly generous.

But… when you stroll in the garden with a man,

it's always just chess, cards, or tea.

Going in circles in this little patch.

If you try to pass that off

as a lovers' tryst…

Well, nobody would buy it.

So what do you suggest?

What would look convincing?

♪ Misty rain shrouds the long pavilion, frost gleams ♪

♪ The ornate zither plucks shards of the old moonlight ♪

♪ The starlight shimmering in your eyes ♪

♪ Is an unsolved verse from dynasties past ♪

This is your idea?

♪ If mountains and rivers are fading lines of poetry ♪

In my opinion,

♪ I'll be the brush tip, watching over them for a thousand years ♪

I'd rather have tea and play chess.

♪ When the flames of war burn out, I'll kiss the sorrow between your brows ♪

♪ Love is the morning light that never falls ♪

♪ The scent of ink soaks through the sorrows ♪

♪ Sword shadows slice through the lies of this fleeting world ♪

Miss Rong,

♪ The intertwined web of fate in your palm ♪

now this is how you swing!

♪ Traps my soul, wandering through cycles of rebirth ♪

♪ Carve our vow into the cliffside, beneath the fading sun ♪

♪ Let wind and sand wear the bones, yet never forget ♪

♪ When history crumbles into drifting dust ♪

♪ You remain an undying faith ♪

♪ Bronze bells stir the fragrance of bodhi leaves ♪

♪ Time hangs from the eaves of an ancient temple ♪

♪ Crushing thousands of scenes of romance ♪

♪ All just to seek an answer from you ♪

♪ If this mortal world becomes but a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Love is the cold gleam that pierces the illusion ♪

Get to work.

♪ At the end of all things, we'll write our story ♪

♪ With eternal heartbeats as the final verse ♪

♪ If mountains and rivers are fading lines of poetry ♪

♪ Fading lines of poetry ♪

My plan

is absolutely perfect.

♪ I'll be the brush tip, watching over them for a thousand years ♪

♪ Love is the morning light that never falls ♪

Higher, please.

♪ Carve our vow into the cliffside, beneath the fading sun ♪

♪ Let wind and sand wear the bones, yet never forget ♪

♪ When history crumbles into drifting dust ♪

♪ You remain an undying faith ♪

♪ Bronze bells stir the fragrance of bodhi leaves ♪

♪ Time hangs from the eaves of an ancient temple ♪

Shanbao!

♪ Crushing thousands of scenes of romance ♪

♪ All just to seek an answer from you ♪

♪ With eternal heartbeats as the final verse ♪

Are you all right?

I was,

until you scared the soul

right out of me!

Miss Rong, since you need to talk with Mr. Wen,

I'll take my leave now.

Shanbao, you're usually

not one for such playful activities.

What possessed you to swing so recklessly today?

Just a passing whim.

What made you here today?

[Rong Mansion]

Lu Fusheng!

What makes you so cheerful?

Everyone in the household

is busy preparing for the Tea Ancestor Festival Ceremony.

I instructed you yesterday

to gather everyone listed

on the roster early this morning

to receive my assignments.

Did my words just vanish into thin air?

Steward Cheng,

with hundreds of souls in the Rong Mansion,

isn't that enough for you to command?

On my first day here,

I made myself perfectly clear.

I stayed only out of gratitude

for Miss Rong saving my life,

nothing more.

You can give those ceremonial duties.

The offerings, the tea service

to anyone you like.

I only answer to Qilan Garden.

I can't be bothered with such trivial matters.

Outrageous!

If Miss Rong knew about

your insolent remarks,

she'd be the first to punish you.

Go ahead and tell her then.

I'm busy

making a kite for Bao.

No time for your chatter.

How dare you call Miss Rong's nick name!

'Willow twigs for thread, catkin for cotton spun,

A thousand lengths to fly the paper kite begun.

How much of the spring breeze's strength is spent,

To carry the young ones to the heavens, heaven-sent?'

Mr. Yang, what are you doing here?

The person who fought me

at the martial arts arena that day was you, wasn't it?

Mr. Yang, you must be joking.

A mere servant like me

wouldn't be worthy of the martial arts arena.

It was Mr. Wen who bested you.

Don't block my way.

What exactly do you want?

To have a rematch, of course.

Steward Cheng!

Steward Cheng!

Just listen to this!

What nonsense is he talking?

A real man stands firm between heaven and earth.

His word is his bond.

How can someone lose

and then demand a rematch?

The sheer gall!

Come on, explain this to me.

Be my witness!

A real man would never do anything

sneaky

or underhanded.

If you win,

win with honor,

so others truly accept defeat.

No, you can't agree.

You can't accept this.

Do not engage in private fights!

If you're too scared to fight,

then pack and get out of the Rong family.

Fine, let's have this contest.

I'm not afraid of you.

Good.

Tomorrow at noon,

I'll wait for you in the bamboo grove behind the hill.

Mr. Bai, please

be our witness.

Everyone in the Rong family

knows your affair with Miss Rong.

Also,

knowing how jealous he is,

you should have avoided him.

How can you knowingly

walk into a dead end

and fight this battle alone?

Mr. Bai, thank you for saying these to me.

It makes saving you worthwhile.

You...

you're really going to die.

You'll die!

You all drink and gamble,

only to send me here to sharpen swords?

Black-hearted bullies picking on the weak!

Eating meat only to get the runs!

Well, well,

I've caught you now.

Oh, it's Brother Chang.

You scared me half to death.

We're from the same hometown.

How could I shortchange you?

You really look out for me.

Go dig in.

I'll do your work for you.

I won't let you get scolded.

Okay.

Young Master.

Not bad.

Truly worthy of being a trusted aide

to Miss Rong.

You're quite clever and careful.

Miss Rong repeatedly instructed me

to take good care of you.

If anything happens to you,

I couldn't bear the punishment.

Did she really say that?

I guess she's not that heartless.

Mr. Lu,

things are extremely urgent now,

how can you still sit here so calmly?

I'll go inform Miss Rong right away.

No hurry.

When you see Miss Rong,

what do you plan to tell her?

The truth, of course.

When you see her,

don't mention a single word

about what happened today.

You may only tell her

that I've accepted the challenge.

Tomorrow I will fight that Yang fellow

to the death.

No matter how much I pleaded,

Mr. Lu wouldn't listen.

Once the weather changes,

all his old wounds

hurt him to the bone.

He's no match for Mr. Yang.

I'm going out for a walk.

He is quite odd.

Tomorrow's contest is a matter of life and death.

He came here at this moment

surely for something important.

Why stop at the door without coming in?

No, you can't.

[Xinfang Pavilion]

Mr. Lu.

You can't fight with him.

Yang Dingchen has incredible strength

and ruthless techniques.

Last time you got lucky,

but in a real fight,

your life would be at risk.

Just listen to me.

Swallow your pride

to preserve your life.

Did you hear me?

It's my fault.

You're still recovering from your injuries.

Why trouble yourself to come here?

Please take a seat.

Yuan Xiao.

Coming, Mr. Wen.

This...

This is...

Weapons in the martial arts arena no mercy.

I'm truly worried about you.

This is a soft armor vest

my cousin gave me.

At least it can shield you a bit.

I can't accept this.

This is a precious gift

that Miss Rong bestowed upon you.

It's one of a kind in the world.

How could I ask you to part with it?

Using it for its purpose

honors my cousin's intentions.

Please don't refuse.

Just accept it.

Your kindness is appreciated.

Refusing would be disrespectful.

Jundai, please accept it for me.

I'll go try it on.

Life or death, no holds barred.

Life or death, no holds barred.

[Rongxi Hall]

Just look

what kind of mess have you made?

Yunyin.

He's just a scholar.

If you truly liked him,

you should have told Grandmother early on.

She wouldn't have refused you.

Was it worth resorting to such despicable means,

not only shaming yourself

but also spreading ugly rumors.

You're the Fourth Young Lady of the Rong family,

not some female bandit from Longjing Hill.

Why do you act more recklessly as you grow older?

I've always been straightforward,

saying exactly what I mean.

Grandmother, you're making such a fuss

arranging marriage for Shanbao.

But is she the only daughter

of the Rong family?

What about Yunxi, Yun'e

and Yunshu?

They're all your flesh and blood too.

Their marriages

haven't been arranged yet.

There is an order to age and seniority.

Shanbao's matter

must be settled first.

I've said before,

as long as you like,

not just one,

even if I yield all to you,

I wouldn't object.

We are sisters, after all.

We should be united, supporting each other.

How can we let outsiders

damage our harmony?

Now you pretend to be the generous one?

Who needs your charity?

For the fruit you don't want,

isn't it crushed and trampled before

you'd ever pass it to others?

Silence!

Yunyin.

How dare you speak to your sister like that?

Have you no manners at all?

Yunyin, stop talking.

You're soft-hearted,

but your sharp tongue ruins it all.

Who can't see through your little schemes?

Seeing Grandmother

being busy with Shanbao's matters,

your jealousy is overflowing.

You should think about it.

Haven't you considered that in the past,

when Chongxi Hall received anything good,

it was always given to you first?

Clearly, Grandmother favors you in her heart.

Now quickly apologize to her.

Hurry up!

If the eggs weren't cracked,

even a fly with a sharp mouth

couldn't get in.

Fine.

I won't provoke this Zhang

or that Wang,

but he barged in on his own,

brazenly changing clothes,

being shameless and brazen,

It shows his improper intentions

and bad character.

Since he's such a

worthless, disgraceful scoundrel,

Shanbao still wants to pass him to me!

Isn't that clearly an insult?

Blame me for not talking her out of it.

Yunyin just wanted to test him.

She meant well but ended up causing trouble.

Listen to what you've said.

You'd argue that the dead are alive!

So you're saying that by testing him for Shanbao,

you are not at fault but actually deserve credit?

Grandmother should reward you instead?

You!

You're all in this together.

How can you twist right and wrong like this?

You'd slander a good person to death.

You lost.

My skills are inferior — I lost, so be it.

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu, are you all right?

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu. what's wrong?

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu, are you okay?

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu, what's wrong?

Mr. Lu, don't scare me like this!

Grandmother.

Grandmother.

I meant well.

Please don't blame me.

People say idle hands make mischief.

If you would allow me

to gain experience at the tea plantation,

perhaps there wouldn't be

so many problems.

Don't worry, Grandmother.

Mr. Bai knows what matters.

He won't spread it around.

However, Xinfang Pavilion

still houses the He family.

We must be more careful in the future.

Just listen.

Bao came early to plead for you,

asking me not to blame you.

As for those in Xinfang Pavilion,

if there's anyone you fancy,

she would never compete with her sisters.

Personal feelings don't cloud her judgment.

She puts the Rong family above everything else.

That's the demeanor of a true head of household.

You should learn from her.

The order of seniority and respect must not be disturbed.

On the day of the Tea Ancestor Festival Ceremony,

Bao will surely choose a worthy husband.

Afterward, you may choose as you wish.

If any of you dare cause another scandal and become a laughingstock,

I will be the first to not spare you!

Copy 'The Classic of Tea' 100 times

before you see me again.

Grandmother.

Grandmother.

Putting on an act

of being a kind and generous elder sister.

So you already came to Grandmother

to poison her against me.

Now you must be satisfied.

You're incompetent yourself,

yet full of complaints.

You brought this shame upon yourself.

How can you blame others?

I'd rather marry a poor scholar

than someone who fancies a lowly servant!

If we ever share a table in the future,

should he call us masters,

or should we call him brother-in-law?

Shanbao,

you really aren't picky at all.

Master or servant,

it's all up to me.

Yunyin, if you have time

for idle gossip,

you'd better go back to your copying.

You'll probably be working until midnight today.

You...

Miss Rong.

Miss Rong, something's happened to Mr. Lu.

Enough. Aren't you embarrassed enough already?

Let her go.

Yunyin, I'll grind the ink for you.

Get lost!

Miss Rong.

Shanbao.

Miss Rong, why are you here?

This is not the place you should be.

Mr. Bai, why didn't you stop her?

Miss Rong.

Fortunately, he was wearing body armor today,

so the vital organs weren't injured.

However, the wound looks quite frightening,

better not look at it.

What are you standing there for?

Hurry and change the medicinal cloth.

The sword was poisoned?

Yes.

The sword was laced with arsenic

and monkshood.

If I had arrived even a bit later,

the one lying on the bed

would be a corpse by now.

This assailant's intentions were truly vicious.

Shanbao, don't be upset yet.

Yang Dingchen is too proud of his status,

so he'll certainly deny everything.

We must handle this carefully.

Where is Cheng Guanyu?

Tell him to personally

invite Mr. Yang here.