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BASED ON THE NOVEL
"THE PRISONER OF BEAUTY" BY PENGLAI KE
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There's Lady Yulou.
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So noble.
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YUJUN
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- Lady Yulou.
- Lady Yulou.
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Sorry to keep you waiting.
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This is my cousin, Su Xin.
His courtesy name is Zixin.
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These are generals Wei Liang and Wei Qu.
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Say hi to both generals.
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Nice to meet you.
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To make it in time
for Great-aunt's 60th birthday,
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I came in a hurry lest I cause trouble.
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I didn't expect the Lord of Wei to send
you two to receive me outside the city.
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I don't deserve this.
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Lady Yulou, you're too kind.
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It's getting late.
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Let me escort you into the city.
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What a beautiful carriage.
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Who's inside?
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That's Lady Yulou's carriage.
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The legendary Lady Yulou?
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The one with the peony mark?
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Lady Su of Wushan.
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Her fate is exceptional.
She was born noble.
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No wonder the generals
came to welcome her.
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She really is a beauty.
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So lovely.
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They try to imitate you,
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but they can never succeed.
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So many believe in fate,
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but how many understand
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that nothing comes easily in this world?
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Even gifts from heaven
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require one's own effort.
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What I have today
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was not easily earned.
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The foolish believe
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that they can obtain your empress's fate
by painting on a huadian.
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But they don't know that
fate is hard to change.
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You've borne the destiny
of the Su clan of Wushan since childhood.
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Guided by great scholars,
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your vision is extraordinary.
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How could common women ever compare?
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That's not entirely fair.
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If I fail to break the Qiao-Wei alliance
on this trip,
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then in my husband's eyes,
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I'll be no different
from those common women.
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Is this the place the Lord of Wei
has arranged for us to stay in?
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Yes.
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This is the best post house in Yujun.
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YUJUN POST HOUSE, WEI STATE
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Lady Yulou, are you dissatisfied?
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Not at all.
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This place,
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peaceful amidst the bustle,
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is just what I wanted.
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The Lord of Wei is thoughtful.
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Lady Xu said you've had a long journey
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and may rest here first.
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No need to rush to the mansion.
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This…
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Didn't you say the Lord of Wei
would have us stay at the mansion?
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Why is it the post house instead?
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It must be Lady Qiao's idea.
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Gorgeous huadian!
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Once you put it on,
you'll meet a man in one day
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get married in three days,
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and find a devoted man in ten days.
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ROUGE
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Gentlemen,
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buy one for the lady at home.
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This is the hottest trend
in Yujun right now.
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I don't need that to win a girl's heart.
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Let's go.
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- Give me the most popular one.
- Sure.
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- How much?
- Three wen.
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Do you really believe
what that seller says?
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Xiaotao surely doesn't want
something like that.
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She won't like it.
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Don't talk nonsense.
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It's not for Xiaotao.
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Can't I wear it myself?
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What's wrong, Duang?
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Here, take this.
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This…
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Why do you have one too?
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Girls in Yujun now love this huadian.
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After I escorted Lady Yulou,
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I picked one up for you on my way back.
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Why do girls like this kind of thing now?
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Who says we do?
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Whoever wants this cheap stuff
can have it.
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All right, all right.
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Don't pick it up.
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Okay, I won't.
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I get it. You don't want it.
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Why are you angry?
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What do you know?
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Let me ask you something.
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Answer me honestly.
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I heard that Lady Yulou
was almost betrothed to the Wei family.
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Is it true?
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Yes.
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Does she like it or doesn't she?
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My lady,
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Lady Yulou has come to pay her respects.
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- Let her in.
- Yes.
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Ask Lady Zhu to come and meet our guest.
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Yes.
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Grandmother, you have a guest.
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I'll take my leave.
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You stay.
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It's fine.
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By seniority,
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she should call me Great-aunt.
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When she was young,
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we were very close.
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Sure.
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Greetings, Great-aunt.
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Get up.
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Take a seat.
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Thank you, Great-aunt.
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I heard your husband is gravely ill.
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I'm only celebrating a birthday,
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yet you came all this way.
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Great-aunt,
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though I am the Lady of Bianzhou,
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I'm bound by many constraints,
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walking on thin ice.
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I often recall my childhood
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when you were always so kind to me.
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This year, I missed you too much,
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so I came in haste.
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I only hope
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I haven't disturbed your peace.
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If you're here to unwind,
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then stay and relax.
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Thank you, Great-aunt.
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This is Lady Qiao, Zhonglin's wife.
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She's excellent at managing the household.
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I've long heard the Lady of Wei
is as radiant as the sun.
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Now that I've met you,
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I see that you're truly captivating.
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I was caught up chatting with Great-aunt.
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Sorry for neglecting you.
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Please
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accept my apology.
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I hope we can spend more time together
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so today's meeting won't be in vain.
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You're too kind, Lady Yulou.
I feel the same.
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No need to be so formal.
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I grew up with the Lord of Wei.
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You can just call me Ehuang.
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You're now the Lady of Bianzhou.
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I'm still young.
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I dare not lose decorum.
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It's only proper to address you
as Lady Yulou.
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You're a Qiao, even more noble than I am.
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Lord Qiao's reputation for benevolence
is known throughout the land.
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I spoke out of turn.
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Great-aunt, please forgive me.
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My lady,
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Lady Zhu is here.
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Greetings, Mother.
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Ehuang,
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long time no see.
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You look more and more blessed.
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As expected of the Lady of Bianzhou.
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You flatter me.
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When we parted ways in Yujun,
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I didn't expect to only see you again now.
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You always treated me like your daughter.
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In Bianzhou,
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I often thought back to those times
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and couldn't help but weep.
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Back then, I had no choice.
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Look at me,
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chatting on and almost forgetting
the main reason I came.
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Great-aunt,
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I heard Rongjun is suffering famine
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so I brought some grain along with me
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as a gift for your birthday.
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I hope you won't find it unworthy.
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Grain is no trivial matter.
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This must be decided by Zhonglin.
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He'll accept it.
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They grew up together, after all.
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Ehuang,
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you're so thoughtful toward Zhonglin.
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How touching.
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This is what family means.
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Enough with the chatter.
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Grandmother, you must be tired.
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I'll take my leave
and serve you another day.
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You're thoughtful.
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Everyone should go rest now.
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Yes.
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My lady,
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Lady Yulou looks
much healthier than before.
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Yet, she claimed she was constrained
and had a hard time in Bianzhou.
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She used to care
for His Lordship meticulously.
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I once thought she had feelings for him.
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Who would've thought
she'd marry the Lord of Bianzhou
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just a couple of years
after the Xindu incident?
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She was planning for her future.
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There's nothing wrong with that.
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I guess she and I
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just weren't fated.
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I find the Lady of Wei
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quite clever and capable.
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You've worked hard for years.
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You can finally enjoy some peace.
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Peace?
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That's not in my fate.
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I only hope Lady Qiao lets me
live a quiet life.
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Why do you say that?
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Just now,
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I saw how much Great-aunt favored her.
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I thought…
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If you saw it in one day,
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you can imagine
how things usually are for me.
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Mother is always overbearing.
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Lady Qiao acts all delicate.
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But she even fooled Zhonglin
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into driving Chuyu out of the house.
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Now, the two of them stand united.
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I'm the only outsider…
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in this home.
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Why doesn't Zhonglin speak up for you?
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He's busy.
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He was fixing the Yongning Canal,
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and now he's working on
the canal for Rongjun.
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I can't help with those things.
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I just try not to add to his burdens.
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Only a mother thinks this way for her son.
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No one else would.
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That's true.
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You understand me best.
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If only you could stay longer this time,
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so we could have a proper talk.
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You just said the Lord of Wei
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was working on a canal for Rongjun.
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00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:48,800
Didn't the canal between Xindu and Panyi
just get completed?
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00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:51,400
Why the rush to divert water to Rongjun?
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Are there some problems?
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Maybe I can help.
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I heard Rongjun suffered from drought.
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Yanzhou is sending wheat seeds,
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so they need the canal.
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What can we women do about these things?
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I suggested to Lady Yulou
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that she meet you at the office,
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but she insisted on coming here.
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It's fine.
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Lady Yulou.
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Long time no see.
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You're now the Lord of Wei.
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Do you remember?
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00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:40,440
In the past, you and Bogong and I
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00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,200
used to play in this very courtyard.
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We were so carefree and happy.
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After so many years,
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this place has fallen into disrepair,
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yet standing here,
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it feels like just yesterday.
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Yes.
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It truly does.
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Though I was born in Wushan,
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00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:05,120
my happiest childhood days
were spent with you guys.
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Now, returning to Wei
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feels almost like coming home.
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Indeed.
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Wei can be considered your second home.
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The day I arrived at the mansion,
275
00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:25,920
I learned the Lady of Wei
has been taking care of Great-aunt
276
00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:27,720
and managing the household meticulously.
277
00:16:28,680 --> 00:16:30,880
Lady Qiao is gentle and considerate,
278
00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:32,160
kind and wise.
279
00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:33,840
She must've put in so much effort.
280
00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:35,560
Yes.
281
00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:37,280
She has worked hard.
282
00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:38,960
More than just hard.
283
00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:41,080
It pains me to think of it.
284
00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,800
I heard Lady Qiao was much loved at home,
285
00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:47,560
never having to worry about anything,
286
00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:50,320
yet she's here now,
287
00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:51,760
handling so much.
288
00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:53,800
Zhonglin,
289
00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:55,600
here's a piece of advice.
290
00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:59,000
Managing the household is hard enough.
291
00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:01,720
Don't make Lady Qiao worry
292
00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,359
about the grudges and political affairs
293
00:17:05,079 --> 00:17:06,720
between the Qiao and Wei clans anymore.
294
00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:08,440
BIRTHDAY BANQUET GUEST LIST
295
00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:11,319
I can't stop wondering.
296
00:17:12,319 --> 00:17:17,960
Why did Lady Yulou suddenly show up
after all these years of absence?
297
00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:20,839
Could you explain further?
298
00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,200
She came with grain.
299
00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,359
She must have a purpose.
300
00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:29,600
I've already asked Uncle for seeds.
301
00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:32,800
If His Lordship accepts her grain now,
302
00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,600
it'll be an embarrassment to Yanzhou.
303
00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,280
I know Rongjun is in drought,
304
00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,360
and Yanzhou offering seeds
was Lady Qiao's way
305
00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,040
of easing the tension
between the two clans.
306
00:17:43,120 --> 00:17:46,600
Still, we can't rule out the ill intent
of the Qiao clan.
307
00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:49,160
This time, I came
308
00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,520
not just to celebrate
Great-aunt's birthday,
309
00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,760
but also to do my part to help Wei.
310
00:17:56,600 --> 00:18:01,120
I brought grain to help Rongjun
through the drought.
311
00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,920
This batch of grain is not from Wushan
312
00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,640
or Bianzhou.
313
00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:08,480
It's simply a gift from me personally.
314
00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:09,680
Please don't feel pressured.
315
00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,360
If Yanzhou and Wei join hands
to open the canal in Rongjun,
316
00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:17,040
they'll be surrounding Bianzhou.
317
00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:21,080
How can Bianzhou stand by and watch?
318
00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:25,200
That's why Chen Xiang
sent Lady Yulou as a mediator
319
00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:28,560
to stop Wei
from building the canal in Rongjun.
320
00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:31,600
The canal work is a political matter.
321
00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:35,240
Now that you are the Lady of Bianzhou,
322
00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:37,960
it's no longer appropriate
for us to discuss politics.
323
00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:41,200
Therefore, I can't accept your grain.
324
00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:44,520
Rongjun's drought has drawn support
from many prefectures.
325
00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:46,560
Besides,
326
00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:48,120
I can't betray
327
00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:50,240
the Qiao-Wei alliance.
328
00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:53,200
I see.
329
00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:55,160
I didn't consider it thoroughly.
330
00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:56,920
I'll take my leave.
331
00:18:58,720 --> 00:18:59,720
Zhonglin.
332
00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:14,280
Wei Liang
333
00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:16,200
humiliated me
334
00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:17,800
with such a cheap gift.
335
00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:22,480
Stop laughing.
336
00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:23,560
My lady,
337
00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:27,360
Lady Yulou and His Lordship
were almost betrothed.
338
00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:28,560
So what?
339
00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:30,000
So what? Well…
340
00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:33,480
We just got rid of Zheng Shu,
341
00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,600
and now Lady Yulou shows up.
342
00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,720
How are you supposed to live in peace?
343
00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:43,720
If I spend every day
dwelling on his old flings,
344
00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:45,720
then life will truly become unlivable.
345
00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:52,080
Anyway,
346
00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:54,360
I heard that Lady Yulou
347
00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:56,240
asked to see His Lordship.
348
00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:01,400
Who knows what it'll be like
when old lovers reunite?
349
00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,320
After Bogong passed away,
350
00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:10,560
I married the Lord of Bianzhou.
351
00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:14,280
Do you still resent me for it?
352
00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:19,040
I was just a girl back then.
353
00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:21,560
It wasn't what I wanted.
354
00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:23,240
I was forced into it.
355
00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:24,720
Let's not speak of the past anymore.
356
00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:27,560
Now…
357
00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:32,600
I only wish you
358
00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:34,080
endless good fortune.
359
00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:51,920
My lord.
360
00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:57,480
My lord.
361
00:21:20,120 --> 00:21:21,400
Oh, you like this kind of thing?
362
00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:22,400
In that case,
363
00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:24,960
I'll take you to the streets later
and buy you more in other styles.
364
00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:28,800
You're busy with affairs of state.
365
00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:31,480
How could I trouble you with my concerns?
366
00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:36,360
Besides,
367
00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:40,040
I've hated flashy things like this
since I was a child.
368
00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:43,200
Help His Lordship change.
369
00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:56,480
No need.
370
00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:57,840
You may leave.
371
00:21:58,280 --> 00:21:59,120
- Yes.
- Yes.
372
00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:06,920
What happened?
373
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,120
The Lord of Wei rejected free grain?
374
00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:30,200
He's distancing himself from me
375
00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:31,760
because I'm the Lady of Bianzhou.
376
00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:35,600
The Qiao clan of Yanzhou sends wheat seeds
377
00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,760
to celebrate Lady Xu's birthday.
378
00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:39,680
GRAIN
379
00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,440
If the Lord of Wei is wary of you,
380
00:22:45,120 --> 00:22:46,240
Ehuang,
381
00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:48,280
how will you make your next move?
382
00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:51,280
If I can't act freely,
383
00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:54,120
then Lady Qiao,
as the daughter of his enemy,
384
00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:56,520
is in an even worse position.
385
00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:00,080
The Lord of Wei remembers the past
386
00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,040
and holds grudges.
387
00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:06,520
When my betrothal was on the table,
388
00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:10,360
if the Qiao clan hadn't broken their word,
389
00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:12,640
and if tragedy hadn't struck the Wei clan,
390
00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:14,560
Bogong wouldn't have…
391
00:23:21,360 --> 00:23:23,600
The Su clan wouldn't have
sent me to Bianzhou.
392
00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:26,920
I've never forgotten that grudge.
393
00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:30,120
The Lord of Wei wouldn't forget either.
394
00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:32,520
In that case,
395
00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:35,160
Ehuang,
396
00:23:36,120 --> 00:23:37,640
what should we do now?
397
00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:42,120
The canal is for the seeds,
398
00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:46,120
and the Lord of Wei rejected my grain
because of the seeds.
399
00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:50,480
If something happens to the seeds…
400
00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:54,600
Don't forget.
401
00:23:56,240 --> 00:23:58,280
We still have one hidden piece to play.
402
00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:04,720
GRANARY, QIAO
403
00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:06,160
GRAIN
404
00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:22,160
Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Wei.
405
00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:24,040
There's no need for such formality.
406
00:24:24,120 --> 00:24:27,440
I should be the one thanking Yanzhou
for aiding Rongjun.
407
00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:29,160
It's what we should do.
408
00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:31,640
Mr. Wei, the wheat has been weighed.
Please take a look.
409
00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:35,320
Make sure it's well-guarded.
410
00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:36,240
Yes.
411
00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:48,040
As expected of someone from Wei Mansion.
412
00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:50,480
If she had better clothes,
413
00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:54,040
her bearing and looks
would match any noble lady.
414
00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:56,560
What a pity.
415
00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:23,600
To help you, I must do this.
416
00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:24,800
I didn't mean to offend you.
417
00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:29,720
I'm new to Yujun
and not yet familiar with the area.
418
00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:31,120
May I ask you
419
00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:32,760
for directions?
420
00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:34,960
Where do you want to go?
421
00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,360
Do you know the way to Wei Mansion?
422
00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:39,960
Wei Mansion?
423
00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:42,720
- You're going to see the Lord of Wei?
- Yes.
424
00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:45,040
Who are you?
425
00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:46,560
Ma'am,
426
00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:49,040
this gentleman is the young master
of the Su clan of Wushan.
427
00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:52,360
He came to offer birthday wishes
to Lady Xu.
428
00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:55,000
Oh, you're a noble guest.
429
00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:56,280
I'm Su Xin.
430
00:25:56,360 --> 00:25:57,600
My courtesy name is Zixin.
431
00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:00,400
You look so lovely.
432
00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:03,560
Which heartless husband
433
00:26:04,120 --> 00:26:06,760
would let you labor out here alone?
434
00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:11,240
The route to the mansion isn't far,
but it is a bit tricky.
435
00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:12,840
If you don't mind,
436
00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:14,520
I'll go home and get changed
437
00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:15,960
and then guide you there.
438
00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:18,000
I would love that.
439
00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:20,040
Here.
440
00:26:20,120 --> 00:26:21,760
Take this umbrella.
441
00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:22,920
Thank you, sir.
442
00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:37,520
Ehuang, I've got her.
443
00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:45,160
Chuyu was beaten by her in-laws?
444
00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,040
Hurry and bring her here.
I need to ask about it.
445
00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:52,280
But Lady Xu said
she wasn't allowed in the house.
446
00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,080
Bring her to the outer courtyard.
447
00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,280
Just don't let Lady Xu find out.
448
00:26:57,360 --> 00:26:58,200
You…
449
00:26:58,800 --> 00:26:59,840
I'm going now.
450
00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:17,280
Where is Mother going so early?
451
00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:19,040
My lady.
452
00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:21,160
My lady.
453
00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:22,600
The guest list is ready.
454
00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:23,800
No need to consult Lady Zhu.
455
00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:29,800
My lady.
456
00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:31,880
Here are ritual records
of birthday banquets in Yujun,
457
00:27:32,360 --> 00:27:34,040
family genealogy, guest list records,
458
00:27:34,120 --> 00:27:36,000
and family gathering records.
459
00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:37,800
They're all for your reference.
460
00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:39,200
Thank you.
461
00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:40,960
Can I take these back with me?
462
00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:43,280
Of course.
But there's no need to carry them.
463
00:27:43,360 --> 00:27:45,480
His Lordship said you could use the study.
464
00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:47,440
If you need any books or records,
just ask me.
465
00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:50,200
His Lordship prepared these?
466
00:27:51,120 --> 00:27:52,080
Yes.
467
00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:56,400
GUEST LIST
468
00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:01,200
What does he mean by this?
469
00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:06,160
Maybe he's afraid I'll ruin the banquet
and embarrass him.
470
00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:09,240
Or maybe he genuinely cares about you.
471
00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:19,360
Chuyu.
472
00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:21,640
Let me look.
473
00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:22,560
Aunt,
474
00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:24,320
please save me.
475
00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:25,680
Come on, get up.
476
00:28:27,120 --> 00:28:28,320
What happened to your face?
477
00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:29,760
Get up now.
478
00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:34,240
They accused me of being indecent
with another man
479
00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:36,760
but the truth is
that gambler squandered my dowry
480
00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:38,680
and wanted more money from you.
481
00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:40,520
Aunt,
482
00:28:40,600 --> 00:28:42,360
the marriage Lady Xu arranged for me
483
00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:44,000
has caused me great hardship.
484
00:28:44,440 --> 00:28:47,000
My life hasn't been easy either.
485
00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:49,280
If it weren't for Lady Qiao,
486
00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:50,760
you would have had everything you wanted.
487
00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:52,640
It looks like
488
00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:54,480
to make this work,
489
00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:56,480
we need Lady Qiao to slip up
490
00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:58,040
so you can have the upper hand.
491
00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:00,360
Mother supports her now.
492
00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:01,840
What can I do?
493
00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:05,800
There might be a way,
494
00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:08,040
but it depends on you.
495
00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:20,120
GRANARY
496
00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:21,080
Greetings, Mr. Wei.
497
00:29:21,160 --> 00:29:23,400
Anything unusual
regarding the granary today?
498
00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:24,280
All is as usual,
499
00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:25,560
please rest assured.
500
00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:34,720
GRANARY
501
00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:44,200
Ehuang, it's done.
502
00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:46,880
A grand birthday celebration
503
00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:49,480
needs to be livelier.
504
00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:13,160
I've heard
505
00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:14,640
that Lady Yulou is gifted in music.
506
00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:17,840
Would I be lucky enough
507
00:30:18,440 --> 00:30:19,560
to enjoy a performance today?
508
00:30:20,720 --> 00:30:22,280
The Lord of Wei has heard me sing.
509
00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:23,640
You may ask him.
510
00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:24,920
Shiyuan,
511
00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:27,000
Lady Yulou is noble now.
512
00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:29,680
She's no longer someone
513
00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:32,200
you can joke with like before.
514
00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:35,120
I only hoped
515
00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:37,120
her singing might entertain you
516
00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:38,880
on this special day.
517
00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:43,080
How do you plan to entertain me yourself?
518
00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:48,040
Shiyuan,
519
00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,080
why not perform a sword dance?
520
00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:52,240
I can sing along.
521
00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:54,360
What do you think?
522
00:30:57,760 --> 00:30:58,680
That'll be wonderful.
523
00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:00,320
It'll be great.
524
00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:02,520
Sounds good.
525
00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:22,720
The graceful grass
526
00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:26,680
Stands alone yet captivating
527
00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:30,000
My longing for it
528
00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:33,920
Twists into the night
529
00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:37,680
The graceful grass
530
00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:40,600
Carries my distant yearning
531
00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:44,280
My honest husband
532
00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:48,480
Truly worries me
533
00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:53,400
Bravo!
534
00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:54,520
How beautiful!
535
00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:55,360
Beautiful!
536
00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:57,040
Mr. Wei is truly charming.
537
00:31:57,120 --> 00:31:58,880
You're hiding such talent.
538
00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:00,320
If you were on the battlefield,
539
00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:02,320
you'd be a mighty warrior for sure.
540
00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:04,200
Indeed.
541
00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:09,440
Your voice is like that of a goddess.
542
00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:10,880
Thank you, Great-aunt.
543
00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:12,400
Grandmother,
544
00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:16,000
may you live long with endless blessings
545
00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:18,200
and everlasting health and peace.
546
00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:22,440
Mother, you must be in high spirits today.
547
00:32:22,520 --> 00:32:24,080
Shiyuan performed,
548
00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:27,240
Lady Qiao gave a thoughtful gift,
549
00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:31,240
and I heard that Yanzhou
also sent a generous gift.
550
00:32:32,120 --> 00:32:33,920
Grandmother has seen it.
551
00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:36,560
Yanzhou sent winter wheat seeds.
552
00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:39,240
Just seeds?
553
00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,160
Winter wheat is the foundation
of Yanzhou's prosperity.
554
00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:45,720
Giving this shows great sincerity.
555
00:32:45,800 --> 00:32:48,160
It's the best birthday gift
I could receive.
556
00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:50,920
It's just winter wheat.
557
00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:52,480
Is it really that special?
558
00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:59,360
You didn't seem interested in this before.
559
00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:03,240
Zhonglin, what are you doing?
560
00:33:03,760 --> 00:33:04,600
I…
561
00:33:04,920 --> 00:33:06,240
Want to use the restroom?
562
00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:07,400
Go on then.
563
00:33:07,480 --> 00:33:08,200
This child…
564
00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:12,840
Mother, I mean no offense.
565
00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:14,480
I'm just curious.
566
00:33:15,040 --> 00:33:16,680
Since we're all here,
567
00:33:16,760 --> 00:33:19,360
why not have Lady Qiao bring out the seeds
568
00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:21,640
for everyone to see?
569
00:33:21,720 --> 00:33:22,520
Right?
570
00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:24,440
- Yes.
- Great.
571
00:33:24,520 --> 00:33:25,760
Let's see them.
572
00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:27,720
We want to see what winter wheat is like.
573
00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:30,720
Grandmother. Mother.
574
00:33:31,440 --> 00:33:33,600
These are the wheat seeds from Yanzhou.
575
00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:35,320
Please have a look.
576
00:33:35,800 --> 00:33:39,200
This winter wheat is an improved strain.
577
00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:40,680
It's planted in the autumn equinox
578
00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:42,960
and harvested in the fifth month
of the next year.
579
00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:45,840
It's perfect for easing food shortages
in early summer.
580
00:33:46,440 --> 00:33:49,320
But winter wheat has always
been exclusive to Yanzhou.
581
00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:52,120
Yanzhou produces and sells it,
582
00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:53,840
but never gives away seeds.
583
00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:55,640
This time,
584
00:33:55,720 --> 00:33:57,240
on Grandmother's birthday,
585
00:33:57,320 --> 00:33:58,480
Yanzhou shares them
586
00:33:59,040 --> 00:34:00,200
in the hope
587
00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:02,920
of standing together with Wei
through thick and thin.
588
00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:06,240
What's that smell?
589
00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:08,960
Could it be mold?
590
00:34:09,840 --> 00:34:10,560
Yes.
591
00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:12,679
How dare you?!
592
00:34:13,880 --> 00:34:15,360
I want to ask you today.
593
00:34:15,440 --> 00:34:16,840
What exactly is your family up to?
594
00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:18,480
Fourteen years ago,
595
00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:20,920
you broke your word on the battlefield
596
00:34:21,000 --> 00:34:23,480
and caused enough misery to our family.
597
00:34:23,560 --> 00:34:26,440
How dare you present
these rotten seeds as a gift?
598
00:34:26,520 --> 00:34:27,639
Take them away!
599
00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:31,400
Mother,
600
00:34:31,840 --> 00:34:33,239
I personally inspected
601
00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:35,880
these seeds.
602
00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:40,000
Every single one was carefully selected.
603
00:34:40,520 --> 00:34:42,760
This concerns an alliance
between our families
604
00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:44,600
and the lives of our people.
605
00:34:44,679 --> 00:34:48,000
The Qiao clan would never
treat it lightly.
606
00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:50,600
From what I see,
607
00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:52,840
each grain is full and intact.
608
00:34:54,159 --> 00:34:55,000
They're not rotten.
609
00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:03,280
Though the seeds aren't rotten,
610
00:35:03,360 --> 00:35:05,040
they're floating.
611
00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:08,240
They're cooked!
612
00:35:08,320 --> 00:35:09,480
Cooked!
613
00:35:09,560 --> 00:35:10,840
They're cooked!
614
00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:12,080
How could they be cooked?
615
00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:13,240
They're truly cooked.
616
00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:14,640
Cooked seeds?
617
00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:17,800
How can cooked seeds be planted?
618
00:35:17,880 --> 00:35:19,320
Let me see.
619
00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:25,720
It's hard to tell if they're raw seeds.
620
00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:28,520
If the people plant them
621
00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:30,120
and they don't sprout,
622
00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:34,000
they'll blame themselves
for not tending the fields properly.
623
00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:36,320
Then they'll miss the planting season,
624
00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:38,720
and the famine will be even worse
than this year.
625
00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:41,440
People live on food.
626
00:35:41,520 --> 00:35:43,720
Everyone, they must hate us deeply.
627
00:35:43,800 --> 00:35:44,480
Exactly.
628
00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:46,080
What were they thinking?
629
00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:47,880
Seeds that won't grow.
630
00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:49,080
What a malicious scheme.
631
00:35:49,160 --> 00:35:51,640
It looks like Yanzhou's seeds are here
632
00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:53,280
to cause havoc.
633
00:35:53,640 --> 00:35:55,040
We demand an explanation today.
634
00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:56,000
What's going on?
635
00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:58,440
- The seeds are the foundation of a state.
- We need an explanation.
636
00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:00,080
Everyone says
Yanzhou's seeds are the best.
637
00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:02,320
If they send us duds,
638
00:36:03,000 --> 00:36:04,960
the farmers will suffer.
639
00:36:05,720 --> 00:36:07,760
If the seeds are steamed and dried,
640
00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:10,040
it'll be hard to tell if they're cooked
641
00:36:10,120 --> 00:36:11,600
without careful examination.
642
00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:13,360
We can test them
643
00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:15,000
to find out.
644
00:36:15,920 --> 00:36:17,680
Look. Some are floating.
645
00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:18,840
Look, look.
646
00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:20,280
They're cooked.
647
00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:21,680
That's right.
648
00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:22,720
They're all cooked.
649
00:36:24,240 --> 00:36:25,520
The seeds are all cooked.
650
00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:26,840
That can't be.
651
00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:28,880
My lady, I swear I didn't know.
652
00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:30,800
Grandmother.
653
00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:32,240
Everyone.
654
00:36:32,680 --> 00:36:34,320
My uncle may be foolish,
655
00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:37,400
but this is serious.
656
00:36:37,480 --> 00:36:38,960
He would never risk
657
00:36:39,040 --> 00:36:41,000
the lives of Wei's people.
658
00:36:41,640 --> 00:36:43,040
There must be a misunderstanding.
659
00:36:43,120 --> 00:36:44,160
A misunderstanding?
660
00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:47,400
Good thing there's no war now.
661
00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:49,440
Grain is extremely important in wars.
662
00:36:49,840 --> 00:36:53,120
How would we feed the soldiers
and the people without grain?
663
00:36:53,200 --> 00:36:56,600
- The Qiao clan is so vile.
- Indeed.
664
00:36:56,680 --> 00:36:59,600
- There will be famine every year.
- My lady, what should we do?
665
00:36:59,680 --> 00:37:01,480
Shall I go beg His Lordship?
666
00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:04,200
He might not help us.
667
00:37:05,000 --> 00:37:06,960
It's a plot against our people.
668
00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:09,080
We must get to the bottom of this today.
669
00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:10,960
- We demand an explanation.
- We need an answer.
670
00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:14,000
Her Ladyship has always been cautious here
671
00:37:14,880 --> 00:37:15,920
just like me.
672
00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:19,360
How can you gang up on a woman?
673
00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:22,120
How can a lady of the inner chambers
674
00:37:23,120 --> 00:37:26,360
get involved in political affairs?
675
00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:28,440
In my opinion,
676
00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:31,000
it was Qiao Yue who did this.
677
00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:33,240
Grandmother,
678
00:37:34,120 --> 00:37:37,120
perhaps someone plotted to frame us.
679
00:37:38,160 --> 00:37:39,560
Please look into it fairly.
680
00:37:40,120 --> 00:37:41,400
Look into it?
681
00:37:41,480 --> 00:37:43,360
The truth is right before us.
Stop trying to deny it.
682
00:37:43,440 --> 00:37:45,320
They might not be seeds from Yanzhou.
683
00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:47,600
They're definitely from Yanzhou.
684
00:37:47,680 --> 00:37:49,080
- Stop denying it.
- Exactly.
685
00:37:49,160 --> 00:37:51,280
Yanzhou's envoy presented them.
686
00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:52,480
They must be from Yanzhou.
687
00:37:52,560 --> 00:37:53,520
How wicked.
688
00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:55,880
You tried to use steamed seeds
to fool the people!
689
00:37:56,240 --> 00:37:57,240
What are you up to?
690
00:37:57,320 --> 00:37:58,720
This is Grandmother's birthday banquet,
691
00:37:58,800 --> 00:37:59,800
not a place for shouting.
692
00:37:59,880 --> 00:38:00,920
Silence!
693
00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:10,360
Shao, they're all cooked.
694
00:38:10,440 --> 00:38:11,440
I already know.
695
00:38:11,960 --> 00:38:14,560
In that case, punish Lady Wei now.
696
00:38:27,080 --> 00:38:28,400
At Grandmother's birthday banquet,
697
00:38:29,000 --> 00:38:30,640
what a surprise to see a mystery
698
00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:32,160
instead of a puppet show.
699
00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:34,520
Clearly,
700
00:38:35,240 --> 00:38:38,080
someone wants to disgrace our family.
701
00:38:38,160 --> 00:38:39,520
What mystery?
702
00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:41,880
Lady Qiao clearly plotted this.
703
00:38:41,960 --> 00:38:43,040
With bad seeds,
704
00:38:43,120 --> 00:38:44,800
she wants our people to starve.
705
00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:46,400
She ignores the people's suffering.
706
00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:47,720
She's pure evil.
707
00:38:48,800 --> 00:38:49,960
Why are you laughing?
708
00:38:50,480 --> 00:38:51,680
I'm laughing
709
00:38:52,880 --> 00:38:54,200
because I'd believe you
710
00:38:55,040 --> 00:38:57,440
if you told me Lady Qiao wanted
to poison my whole family…
711
00:39:00,440 --> 00:39:02,000
but I'd never believe
712
00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:04,480
she'd harm the people.
713
00:39:12,800 --> 00:39:13,640
Get up.
714
00:39:20,200 --> 00:39:20,960
Grandmother,
715
00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:22,880
back in Xindu,
716
00:39:23,680 --> 00:39:25,360
Lady Qiao risked her reputation
717
00:39:26,280 --> 00:39:28,280
to help me win back the people's trust.
718
00:39:28,360 --> 00:39:31,400
The people of Xindu volunteered for labor.
719
00:39:33,720 --> 00:39:35,200
Then in Panyi,
720
00:39:35,280 --> 00:39:37,080
she risked her life
721
00:39:37,760 --> 00:39:40,240
to fight off the Liangya army with me.
722
00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:42,760
Afterward,
723
00:39:42,840 --> 00:39:44,880
using her identity as a Qiao,
724
00:39:44,960 --> 00:39:47,680
she persuaded local experts
to help repair the canal.
725
00:39:49,520 --> 00:39:50,760
The Yongning Canal
726
00:39:50,840 --> 00:39:52,720
was revived after 14 years
727
00:39:53,560 --> 00:39:54,680
because of her.
728
00:39:56,160 --> 00:39:57,640
All of you here
729
00:39:58,120 --> 00:39:59,840
drink from your cups,
730
00:40:01,840 --> 00:40:03,880
yet forget who made it possible.
731
00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:09,040
If she wants to harm the people,
732
00:40:10,040 --> 00:40:12,240
she doesn't need to go this far.
733
00:40:12,320 --> 00:40:14,280
She just needs to refuse to help me
with the canal.
734
00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:17,400
Therefore,
735
00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:20,160
this must be a setup.
736
00:40:32,080 --> 00:40:34,000
Before entering Yujun,
737
00:40:34,080 --> 00:40:35,320
the seeds must've been weighed.
738
00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:37,320
Dried seeds
739
00:40:37,840 --> 00:40:39,480
are lighter than the raw ones.
740
00:40:40,480 --> 00:40:42,520
So if there was a switch,
741
00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:44,080
we'll know by weighing them.
742
00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:48,240
Guards!
743
00:40:48,320 --> 00:40:49,520
- Yes!
- Yes!
744
00:40:49,600 --> 00:40:50,600
Weigh the seeds.
745
00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:56,760
The lady and the lord are of one heart.
746
00:40:56,840 --> 00:40:58,320
She wouldn't betray him.
747
00:40:59,160 --> 00:41:02,560
But if the seeds weren't tampered with
before storage,
748
00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:04,600
then the problem lies after.
749
00:41:06,520 --> 00:41:07,840
May I ask
750
00:41:07,920 --> 00:41:09,440
who manages the granary?
751
00:41:11,040 --> 00:41:12,040
Could it be
752
00:41:12,520 --> 00:41:16,640
that someone else
is plotting against His Lordship?
753
00:41:19,000 --> 00:41:21,160
According to Lady Yulou,
754
00:41:21,480 --> 00:41:24,160
if it wasn't Lady Qiao,
755
00:41:24,240 --> 00:41:25,480
then it must be Wei Yan.
756
00:41:27,240 --> 00:41:28,120
How interesting.
757
00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:35,840
My lord.
758
00:41:37,160 --> 00:41:38,520
Should we continue with the weighing?
759
00:41:39,920 --> 00:41:40,760
Shao,
760
00:41:41,960 --> 00:41:46,120
if neither Lady Qiao
nor Wei Yan is behind this,
761
00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:49,520
you owe us an explanation.
762
00:41:49,960 --> 00:41:51,120
- Exactly.
- Yes.
763
00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:53,080
- We must have an answer.
- Yes.
764
00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:55,000
How can our people be treated this way?
765
00:41:55,560 --> 00:41:56,480
My lord,
766
00:41:56,560 --> 00:41:59,200
one is your wife
and the other is your cousin.
767
00:41:59,840 --> 00:42:01,800
Who will you choose?
768
00:42:02,960 --> 00:42:06,120
Mr. Wei is just His Lordship's cousin,
it's not like he's his brother.
769
00:42:06,200 --> 00:42:07,960
You mustn't show favoritism.