Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 15]

What a pity.

If only we could have died

together.

Miss Rong!

Miss Rong!

Hurry!

Go check on him!

My Lord.

The suspect is already dead.

Miss Rong, please forgive the fright.

Guards!

Take his body back to the Government Office.

Yes.

Miss Rong, please forgive me

for arriving too late.

It's all because Jun Dai is so inexperienced.

He panicked like a headless fly.

If I hadn't stopped him to ask questions,

who knows

where he would have gone for help.

Mr. Lu.

I know you pride yourself on being capable

and making decisions on your own.

But this matter is extremely serious.

You knew He Xingming

was suspected of murder.

Why didn't you report it earlier?

If Miss Rong had been harmed,

could you have borne the responsibility?

I'm fine.

There's no need to make a fuss.

Miss Rong, you look pale.

We should call for a doctor.

Then what are you waiting for?

Okay.

Mr. Lang, you've just arrived here

yet you've already investigated

the case in person and brought justice.

Having a magistrate like you

is a blessing to the people of Linji.

You flatter me.

Fortunately, Miss Rong was prepared

and the assailant failed.

Since the culprit has been caught,

I'll need Miss Rong

to testify later,

so we can close the case.

I have official matters to attend to,

so I can't stay long today.

I shall take my leave.

Of course.

After I've taken care of things at home,

I'll come to the Government Office to give my statement.

Xiu Qiong, please see Mr. Lang out for me.

Mr. Lang, this way please.

Hua and Hesi have been in jail.

How did you get their confession?

Jun Dai.

Miss Rong.

The Government Office arrested the people

from Xinfang Pavilion.

I followed Mr. Lu's orders

to paid 20 taels of silver as bail.

Hua did the same, trying to escape,

which led Hesi to kill.

That's how the truth came to light.

In my haste to gain merit,

I put you in danger, Miss Rong.

Please forgive me.

This isn't your fault.

You did well.

Go collect your reward.

Thank you, Miss Rong.

Go.

Is there really a secret passage

in your room?

Is there really treasure in that secret chamber?

And that mechanism just now...

What's wrong?

Quick, sit down.

You look so pale.

And your hands are cold.

I'll get the doctor to check you.

Why don't you think more about yourself?

You've been constantly appearing

in front of Lang Zhusheng.

He may not be able to kill you openly,

but behind the scenes, he could strike again.

Lu Jianglai, the Inspector General,

died in a shipwreck.

Everyone knows that.

Now I'm

neither an official nor do I have

any attendants to bear witness.

Impersonating an imperial envoy is a capital crime.

They're just waiting for

me to walk into their trap.

Right now,

I'm counting entirely on you to keep me safe.

Inspector General?

[Hualin Courtyard]

Young Master.

The doctor said

Miss Rong's only been frightened

and is fine.

Why are you still lingering here?

If you're so worried,

just take your bedding

and sleep in there.

Spare me, Young Master.

I won't dare speak out of turn again.

Before dying,

He Xingming said something strange.

He said that before the killing,

Yang Dingchen had a sudden attack,

and was on the verge of death.

He is full of tricks.

It must be his excuse to escape punishment.

I don't think so.

Young Master, do you mean that

it was Miss Rong?

One must think things through.

If Miss Rong intended to kill,

why would she let him die in Qilan Garden?

Then,

I'll go and see

whether Mr. Yang has any chronic ailments.

It seems something has been missed.

But what exactly is it?

Fusheng.

Yunwan

was killed.

Jun Dai!

Jun Dai!

Young Master.

What's wrong?

Jun Dai.

Has Lady Yunwan's funeral

been handled entirely

by Miss Rong herself?

Yes, indeed.

Miss Rong loved Lady Yunwan the most.

She personally took care of all the funeral matters

and wouldn't let anyone else handle it.

She also said the Rong family

had no place for Lady Yunwan,

so she would bury her in person on Tea Mountain.

Right?

What's wrong?

Where are you going, Young Master?

Young Master!

Young Master, where are you going so late?

Young Master!

[Tomb of Rong Yunwan. Unmarried.]

Come here.

Young Master.

This... this is Lady Yunwan's grave.

If Miss Rong finds out,

I'm afraid I'll be

skinned alive.

I don't dare.

I really don't dare!

Young Master.

I'm sticking with you

and won't change my mind.

If Miss Rong holds us to account,

I'm counting on you to protect me.

Let's go.

Every time I close my eyes,

I see you smiling at me.

I reach out, wanting to pinch your cheek,

but then you're gone.

I thought

you must be afraid

here alone,

wanting to talk to me.

So I came through the night.

I buried you behind Tea Mountain

only because this is where

I often come to.

From now on,

I'll come to keep you company every day.

Then you won't be afraid anymore.

Wait.

Young Master.

Didn't you say

Lady Yunwan's death was suspicious

and you wanted to investigate?

Never mind.

Perhaps I was overthinking.

Let's go.

Young Master, wait for me.

Mr. Bai, I'm sorry for your trouble.

You must be tired, Mr. Bai.

Please have some tea.

Lady Yunshu, you set this trap

without giving me any warning.

I don't mind being imprisoned.

But my heart

feels so cold.

I...

Cold?

Where?

Let me warm it for you.

Don't be angry, Mr. Bai.

If you get sick from anger, no one can take your place.

Where else could I find

someone who cares for me

as much as you do?

You... tell me first.

When did you discover He Xingming's treachery?

It wasn't difficult.

Although I've always

tried to please Yunxi,

I was born to a servant after all.

I've never earned Grandmother's favor.

Even my maid Daisy

often faces cold stares outside.

That day she was

deliberately led to the back door.

Several maids from the second branch were there,

chatting and teasing her,

even snatching her hairpin.

That's when I grew suspicious.

Daisy is naturally clumsy.

The letter I sent you

was switched by someone

and she didn't even notice.

So I hurried to Tea Mountain

and intercepted Shanbao's carriage on the way.

Shanbao.

I have something urgent to tell you.

Get in.

Shanbao only said she understood

and told me to go back, pretending not to notice.

She'll handle the rest.

After thinking it through,

I realized

you'd have to suffer a little

to make this scene convincing.

You suffered for three days

but offered a favor to Shanbao.

Shanbao never accepts favors.

I suspect

the recommendation letter for your appointment to the capital

is already on your desk.

Once you take it to the capital,

your career

will be much smoother.

The one who pledged loyalty

to Miss Rong was you.

But this can't be right.

Miss Rong is so perceptive,

how could she simply

let her own sister be harmed?

I'm not greedy.

Whatever Shanbao doesn't want me to know,

I simply won't know.

Why are you pinching me again?

See if you dare do that next time.

I dare.

Godmother.

Shanbao!

Miss Rong, what you did

was too risky.

If anything had happened to Lady Yunwan,

I could never have atoned for it.

Don't worry, Ms. Liang.

I've been swimming

in the river since I was four.

A simple water jar

couldn't possibly drown me.

Everyone says I'm foolish,

but he's the real idiot.

But he is

a vicious madman.

What if he draws his knife?

Don't worry about it, Madam.

We had already positioned our men

inside and outside the East Corner Gate.

Lady Yunwan wouldn't have been hurt.

No matter how many guards,

we can't prevent all accidents.

However, you and Wanwan

can no longer stay in the Rong family.

Since He Xingming

conspired with Rong Yunxi,

I went along

and used a ruse

to keep you

away from the Rong family.

Let's go.

With Ms. Liang and Shanbao,

I'm the happiest

person in the world.

I don't care about the Rong family at all.

Of course it's better to leave the Rong family.

But I'm afraid that

the Yang family won't give up.

They've already taken action.

[Rong Mansion]

This is?

Lady Rong.

Thanks to Shanbao's kindness

in agreeing to our families' marriage alliance.

They were said to be a perfect match.

Yet my nephew was unfortunate.

The match has suddenly come to nothing,

leaving endless regrets.

Our Yang family has been in business for generations.

Though we're not as prestigious as official families,

in Linji,

we are also respectable

and well-mannered people.

We wouldn't dare

disappoint your good intentions for marriage.

So we've prepared these gifts

to honor the alliance and uphold our promise.

Honor the alliance?

Yitang, come pay your respects to Lady Rong.

I'm Yang Yitang.

Greetings, Lady Rong.

Lady Rong, I've already

informed you about Yitang.

He surpasses his elder brother

in both scholarship and business.

But his pride has kept him

from accepting the marriage.

Today I've brought him for your approval, Lady Rong.

If you agree,

he'll stand in for his brother

and complete the union.

It is admirable that the Yang family

honors its word so faithfully,

even willing to offer another son for this marriage.

But my eldest granddaughter

has her own mind.

I fear she may harbor reservations,

so I can't agree at once.

How about this?

Let Yitang stay at Xinfang Pavilion for now.

Let the two meet first,

then we'll see if they're compatible.

It is only right that a younger brother succeed his elder

in family affairs,

and just as fitting that he take his place

in marriage.

This was made possible entirely by the your approval.

Thanks for your great kindness,

Lady Rong.

Father.

You know I'm unwilling to do this.

No matter how beautiful Rong Shanbao is,

or how rich the Rong family may be,

I won't live under another's roof,

spending my life at a woman's mercy.

Not to mention that for this marriage,

my skilled brother

paid with his life.

Can you really push me

into the same misery?

Sit down.

Sit.

Stay here.

I know

you appear gentle on the surface

but are proud and aloof at heart.

That's why I entrusted this marriage matter

to your second brother.

Today has proven I was right.

Who do you think you are,

that you can treat the Rong family however you like?

If your elder brother had not already been married,

I would never have sent you.

To be frank with you,

the Rong ancestors were from the Kingdom of Women.

They later settled here,

and married into prominent local clans for generations,

changing their ways over time.

That's how the Rong family was formed.

I've heard these women

all possessed great treasures.

Let alone sending just you,

I would gladly

send all your brothers to be chosen,

if only they could all stay.

Father, such words

might fool others, but not me.

The story is from

hundreds of years ago.

The Rong family probably

just made it up to show off.

Do you know that Dingchen

once secretly sent a trusted aide back to our Yang family

to handle a matter?

He had the aide find Madam Liu,

who tends the rear garden,

to identify a string

of Bodhi prayer beads.

Madam Liu's family

originally served as attendants

to your aunt when she married into the Wei family.

They returned to the Yang family after the incident.

As for this string of prayer beads,

it was a keepsake

your grandmother left for her daughter.

Inscribed with sutras,

one bead

bears a tiny character 'Lan'.

That was your aunt's given name.

It's one of a kind.

Father, is this true?

Listen carefully.

I asked you to stay at the Rong family

not just for the marriage alliance.

More importantly, you need to find

the whereabouts of the owner of this string of Bodhi beads.

This concerns the very survival

of our Yang family.

It must not be taken lightly.

You must be extremely cautious.

Father.

My aunt, she...

Your aunt

was murdered by Wei Kejian long ago.

You must find that impostor quickly.

She must not

fall into anyone else's hands.

If necessary...

I understand.

Send these tea leaves

in my room.

Yes.

Tea appreciation is no simple matter.

Outsiders have to examine leaves,

color, and aroma.

But Miss Rong can tell

its origin in a glance.

She can even describe

the local climate

and rainfall.

Since Miss Rong is willing to teach you,

Young Master,

you should learn diligently.

I know.

I don't need your advice.

You know it well enough.

I've spoken out of turn.

These are premium teas. Be careful.

Put them there.

Let me.

I don't care about

your past or where you came from.

As long as you never deceive me,

lie to me, or hide things from me,

that's enough.

Obviously, Miss Rong

can't be easily tricked.

Do you really want to try the impossible?

Shanbao's

tea appraisal skills surpass even the masters.

Even Old Madam Rong

can't stop praising her.

But this skill is never taught to outsiders.

I wonder what tricks he used

that now she's willing to teach him.

When you entered the household,

Miss Rong treated you

with special favor too.

In this world, love and hate

never come without reason.

Mr. Lu must have his merits

that made Miss Rong change her mind

and her heart.

Reflect on yourself rather than

holding grudges.

Try to see things from others' perspective,

and you'll have fewer restless nights

torn by desire and longing.

I'm not as magnanimous as you.

He took away the one I love,

and you want me to admire and understand him?

That's truly a dream.

It's he who suffers from

his own jealousy and greed.

Why bother persuading him, Young Master?

I'm not persuading him,

I'm persuading myself.

Be careful, slow down.

Watch your step.

Wipe this area clean.

He reminds me of that dead man.

If I look any longer,

I'll have nightmares tonight.

Take it slow.

Mr. Wen, Mr. Yan.

I've been so busy here

that I haven't paid you a visit yet.

Please forgive me.

The old must leave for the new to come.

As they say, money moves people's hearts.

It is indeed true.

Mr. Yan.

I heard that Mr. Lu

personally captured the murderer.

Is that true?

Yes.

Mr. Lu obtained

confessions from Hesi and Hua.

He only made the arrest after getting solid evidence.

Luckily, he arrived in time

and saved Miss Rong from danger.

In that case,

Mr. Lu

not only saved Miss Rong,

but also avenged my cousin.

He is a great benefactor to our Yang family.

I must personally visit him to express my gratitude.

To be honest with you,

I even went to the Government Office three times

and tried every means,

but I couldn't dig up a single clue.

Mr. Lu is indeed shrewd and capable,

well-versed in all matters.

No wonder he's gained Miss Rong's favor.

Jie You.

Go fetch my

Fang Lanting inkstone.

I'll need it shortly

to pay my respects to our benefactor.

Young Master, it's not in the box.

Don't mess up the books.

I'll find it myself.

Excuse me.

I'll take my leave.

Please, go ahead.

He just reminded me.

Magistrate Lang made arrests,

filling the place with people.

How did he get the upper hand?

Didn't I tell you earlier?

The moment Lord Lang got the confession,

he immediately sent someone

to the Rong family with the news.

He just

ran into the messenger.

It was just a coincidence.

Neither you nor I happened to be in the right place,

yet he just happened to?

Shanbao keeps defending him.

Are you seriously buying his lies too?

If he knew what was going on

in the prison ahead of time,

he must be colluding with someone in the Government Office.

Or worse,

he could be a spy for the government.

If he's a government spy,

then why would he infiltrate the Rong family?

And why has he helped you so many times?

After saving people multiple times,

to be met with such suspicion,

even I would feel disheartened.

Mr. Wen, everyone feels jealous sometimes,

but don't let it make you lose yourself.

What you're saying is absurd.

Don't mention it again.

Mr. Yan is a good person,

so he sees goodness in everyone.

But little does he know

that people in this household hide their true intentions.

Lu Fusheng is strange.

If Shanbao won't investigate,

I'll get to the bottom of this myself.

Send a letter to Lord Lang.

Immediately. Off you go.

Yes.

Quick! Have someone follow him.

Yes.

Please don't blame him, Young Master.

Mr. Wen

might be feeling a bit jealous,

but he treats Miss Rong

with complete sincerity.

What he said makes sense.

Ever since that Mr. Lu came to the Rong family,

there have been two murder cases.

You mean no harm, Young Master,

but you must be cautious.

Try to find a chance to talk to Miss Rong about it.

Is that so?

Indeed.

You helped her complete

the tea manual that had been lost for a century.

And you memorized

all those tea-making recipes

from Mount Mengding.

Every time, you had Miss Xiu Qiong deliver them.

All the good deeds you do in secret

end up letting others take the credit.

Everyone thinks you're a fool.

You make a good point.

Some things I can let go if I don't know.

But now that I do,

how can I just stand by and do nothing?

You're wise, Young Master.

You should go to Miss Rong

and report him thoroughly.

I need to remind Mr. Lu.

Young Master.

Oh no.

It's too late.

This is tea made by the mountain villagers.

Take a look.

How does it differ from our tea plantation's?

The mountain tea leaves are somewhat scorched.

And the aroma is also inferior.

It's clearly the same tea variety.

Normally, it's nourished by the mountain dew,

and the villagers have been making tea for generations.

But they often use iron woks

and high heat to roast it,

which makes it hard to control the temperature.

They also dump it into bamboo baskets

while it's still hot.

Even if the leaves are tender and fresh,

they can't produce the top grade tea this way.

However, the villagers are carefree

and disregard rules.

Even a small mistake

can ruin an entire batch of tea.

This is also the difficulty in starting a new tea plantation.

These few batches are also from

well-known tea plantations in Linji City.

See if you can tell the difference.

Go in.

Shanbao, you have guided him carefully,

but do you know he has harbored ill intentions

and had other plans?

Mr. Wen,

who's being scolded?

You are.

Thank you for

all your help in the past.

But for the sake of Shanbao and the Rong family,

there are things I must ask you,

and I hope you'll answer truthfully.

Today you ordered him

to sneak out of the household,

avoiding the patrols along the way.

What were you planning?

The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching.

I sent him to deliver festival gifts

to Mr. Xu, Mr. Liu

and the others at the tea plantation.

What's wrong with that?

That's right.

I came to deliver the festival gifts,

along with a letter.

It's right here.

Miss Rong, please take a look.

My Lady.

It's just a few words

expressing my greetings.

You're here only for this?

The Rong family has always treated tea masters well.

The festival gifts have already been sent.

So why trouble yourself, Mr. Lu?

Miss Rong respects talented people

and pays close attention to detail.

She often gives the tea masters generous gifts

like jewelry and fine clothes.

Everyone in Linji knows about it.

But the Rong family's generosity to tea masters

is simply a host showing courtesy to guests.

My festival gift, however,

is meant to express

my personal gratitude.

During my previous visits to the tea plantation,

these masters shared all their knowledge

without holding anything back.

My gift is both a festival gift

and a token of my gratitude.

How could it be sent together with the Rong family's?

Is that so?

Open it.

Mr. Wen, I've answered

all your questions honestly,

without hiding a thing.

This is the festival gift I intend to give,

how dare you ruin it like this?

Why are you so anxious?

It contains nothing but some cakes.

I can simply compensate you if needed.

I'm just worried

there might be something inside

that you

wouldn't want anyone to see.

Even a clay figure has its dignity.

I've yielded again and again,

yet you refuse to let it go.

We are both guests at the Rong Mansion.

How can you just search as you please?

Ruining the festival gift is a small matter,

but damaging my reputation is serious.

If this spreads tomorrow,

will people gossip that you,

Mr. Wen, repay kindness with betrayal,

or will they suspect that I'm a thief?

Mr. Wen, I suggest you reconsider.

What if I insist on searching?

Do you trust me or not?

Shanbao.

We've grown up together

without any suspicion between us.

He's an outsider

with an unknown background.

You should trust me.

Wen.

Stop it.

You've been completely blinded by him.

This is absolutely unacceptable!

Wen.

Give it to me!

How dare you!

My Lady.

Is there anything else you want to say?

Lu Fusheng.

Who exactly are you?

Why did you deliberately get close to Shanbao?

When did you bribe the servant?

And where was that wax-sealed letter headed?

Shanbao kindly saved you,

only to find you're a wolf in sheep's clothing.

You witnessed all of this.

Shanbao, do you believe me now?

I saw it.

All of you, out.

You should be more careful from now on.

You're not questioning me?

I want to know,

but I'd rather hear it from you.

I sent it to my mentor,

Minister Xu, in the capital.

The officials in Linji are all in cahoots,

forming factions for personal gain.

I can't tell who's friend or foe.

So I can't show myself yet.

I have to ask him

to come to Linji personally,

only then can he verify my identity

and give me justice.

But

this matter is confidential.

I'd rather let others misunderstand me

than reveal the truth.

Sorry for putting you in a difficult position.

Enough.

I said I believe you,

so I don't need to check.

Now that the secret letter

has been discovered,

I fear I'm under surveillance.

I'll need you, My Lady,

to carry a message for me.

I understand.

You're staying at Xinfang Pavilion,

and my frequent visits have indeed drawn attention.

You'd be better off moving

to Hualin Courtyard soon.

My Lady, are you really not going to check?

I won't.

Even if I had ten lives,

I'd still be scared to death today.

Alright, alright.

You're a grown man.

Why are you crying like this?

Wipe your tears.

Mr. Yan.

My place is a bit messy. Excuse the appearance.

Jun Dai, we have a guest here.

Go prepare some tea now.

Mr. Yan, please have a seat.

I wouldn't dare.

Mr. Wen has harbored resentment

and caused trouble.

I failed to stop him is my fault.

If I had warned you in time,

you could have avoided this trouble.

I came too late,

causing you to be wrongfully accused.

These are...

You've misunderstood, Mr. Yan.

There were guests from the Yang family

at Xinfang Pavilion.

And moving ledgers back and forth is inconvenient,

so I'll temporarily stay in the side room of Hualin Courtyard.

Mr. Yan.

Miss Rong trusts and values you

far more than anyone else.

How could a few words

of provocation change her mind?

I'm being meddlesome.

No.

Mr. Yan, you are honorable and upright.

You are a true gentleman.

With anyone else,

it would've been lucky enough not to be kicked while down.

Everyone fears losing their own advantage.

Who else would go out of their way to help a rival?

If there were more

like you, Mr. Yan,

the world would see far fewer disputes.

Please don't mock me, Mr. Lu.

I came to the Rong family at my mother's request,

originally hoping to forge a lasting union

between our two families.

Upon meeting Miss Rong,

with her beauty and talent

that shines so brightly,

how could anyone not admire her?

Unfortunately, her heart belongs to you.

I can't force her.

I cannot force what isn't meant to be,

so I'll let go of this infatuation.

After Lady Rong's birthday,

I'll be leaving.

However, I have a few words for you.

Being the Rong family's eldest grandson-in-law isn't easy.

If you wish to marry Miss Rong

and be united like a pair of phoenixes,

Mr. Wen's difficulties

are just the beginning.

There will be countless hardships ahead.

Lady Rong's approval will be even harder to obtain.

You must be very careful.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Mr. Yan.

I will hold it close to my heart.

[Hualin Courtyard]

The wax-sealed letter incident is over now.

It's just a small matter.

Miss Rong wouldn't

kick you out for that, would she?

Why are you so afraid?

Young Master, you're being too bold.

What if Miss Rong

had believed Mr. Wen?

Then all our efforts would be in vain.

Move.

What...

What are you doing?

We're moving these things to Miss Rong's room.