Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 23]

I, Lu Jianglai,

pay my respects to Your Excellency.

What is this about?

You've come at the right time.

I have a question for you.

Open it. Show it to Lord Lu.

Weren't all the Yang family members

imprisoned and charged?

How is he the only one left?

And he specifically came to my office

trying to bribe me.

Look at this.

Your Excellency, please forgive me.

It was my negligence.

I will take him back

and interrogate him thoroughly.

Come, carry him away.

Take all the bribe money

to the Prefect's office

and seal it in storage.

Yes.

Lord Lu, why?

Did you come specifically confront me,

or to check whether I

have taken bribes

to pardon the Yang family?

Your Excellency, I would never dare.

Since entering the Provincial Governor's Office,

I ordered all rooms to be closed

except for three?

One for my wife and me

to live in,

another to care for my mother,

and the last

a study for receiving guests.

In my 30 years of service,

I've never kept maids or taken concubines.

And I have no children.

The most valuable things I own

are the ancient books

and paintings in my study,

most bestowed by His Majesty.

Ten years ago, as Prefect of Linji,

the Wei case was sent to me for review.

I dismissed

Fan Wende who conducted the initial trial,

and later appointed Xu Song to handle the case.

I also reported the case

and requested His Majesty to execute Wei Kejian.

But I have never accepted

even a penny in bribes.

Every judgment was based on law and evidence.

My heart is upright, my conduct irreproachable;

I have never feared idle gossip.

Your Excellency speaks too gravely.

I would never dare doubt you.

However,

I still dare to ask:

since the case is closed,

when will Fan Wende, Yu Cheng,

Huang Guangzong, and Yan Ruhai,

the officials imprisoned over the Wei family case,

be released without charges

and restored to their positions?

Those incompetent officials

who delayed the case and neglected their duties

couldn't even judge the case clearly,

leaving troubles that persist to this day.

I intend to request His Majesty

to punish them severely.

Your Excellency, during this time of celebration,

with His Majesty's birthday and the Longevity Festival approaching,

even the Government Office's suspending criminal proceedings.

Please show mercy

and handle them leniently.

It's rare to find someone as magnanimous as you,

willing to plead for them.

I'm not heartless.

If there's an opportunity in the future,

I may consider leniency.

If Linji had more

pillars like you,

there would be no unsolved cases

or unredressed injustice.

In a few days, I'll go to the capital for the celebration.

I will speak highly of you

before His Majesty.

Rest assured.

Thank you for your support.

Don't touch my tea!

What's wrong with Lady Yunyin?

What's going on?

No idea.

Give it to me.

Give it to me!

Lady Shanbao,

look, they're fighting again.

Let go!

Shanbao! Shanbao!

Yunyin's mean. She's bullying me!

Wanwan,

did you pick tea buds recklessly?

Go apologize to Yunyin.

Go now.

Wanwan.

Now even Shanbao

doesn't love me anymore.

I don't want to stay here.

I'm going to find Ms. Liang.

I'm going to find Ms. Liang!

The tea plantation is no place

for children to play.

I've spoiled you too much.

Xiu Qiong, take Lady Yunwan back to her room.

She may come out only

when she's willing to apologize.

Lady Yunwan.

- Lady Yunwan, let's go. - Shanbao.

Shanbao,

I'll never pick recklessly again.

Lady Yunwan.

- I won't be naughty anymore. - Let's go.

Shanbao!

You always

side with that silly girl,

and it's always my fault.

If I don't give in to her, I'll be punished badly.

Did the sun rise from the west today?

Your crooked heart is finally straight for once.

As if anyone cares—you biased

hypocrite.

Stop.

Have you finished your work for today?

Come with me.

These chicken-claw branches need to be trimmed cleanly.

Make the cuts clean and sharp

so the canopy surface stays even.

Understood, Lady Shanbao.

Everyone, work efficiently!

All these tea trees must be trimmed today!

Okay. Go over there.

I have some over here.

The tender branches

need to be cut back more

so they'll sprout better next year.

Yes.

Give it to me.

- Lady Shanbao, be careful! - Watch out!

The ox is startled!

Careful!

- Don't get hurt! - Watch out!

Get away quickly!

Lady Shanbao's amazing.

Lady Shanbao.

Take it away.

Yes.

During seasons when camel caravans can't travel,

the northern route relies on ox carts to transport tea.

Our Lady Shanbao can

handle six or seven ox carts on her own...

What kind of situation hasn't she seen?

You even know how to control oxen?

I learned from the local experts.

I'll teach you later.

I won't learn.

No, you must learn.

You've been expelled from the Rong family by Grandmother.

You'll no longer have fine clothes and delicious food

or servants at your beck and call.

The tea plantation doesn't keep idlers.

If you want to stay here,

you need to start with the most basic work.

Besides cultivating and processing tea,

you must also learn various local dialects.

Yi,

get Manager Qiao to come tomorrow

to teach her how to judge horses and find water sources.

Yes, Lady Shanbao.

Are you really making me

go with the tea caravan?

I won't learn it.

I already know everything.

If you can lead the team back safely,

so can I.

Do you know what food

gives people the most strength in the desert?

How to feed dogs and camels?

What to do when you encounter

poisonous snakes or desert bandits?

How to survive

in a raging sandstorm?

How to identify fake ginseng?

How to select quality furs?

Can you tell the weight of a sheep

just by touching its back?

You haven't even seen a travel pass.

Apart from arguing with me,

what do you actually know?

Either do the work or get out.

No one here will indulge you.

Yi, let's go ahead and check.

Lady Yunyin,

once your sister enters the plantation,

she becomes a tyrant.

She always stands by her word

and truly won't feed those who don't work.

Lady Shanbao,

the stable manure and bean cakes are ready,

and the straw has been delivered.

If we can finish

cleaning up the back area today,

- it's almost done. - Yeah.

- Good. - That's right.

Don't worry.

If it's not enough, have two more bowls.

After a long day's work,

all I look forward to is this hot meal.

Thank you, Lady Shanbao.

Have more.

Try this tofu today...

It's fried especially well.

Have some more.

Here.

It's really delicious.

I don't want it.

Stop right there!

Don't think that by doing this,

I'll remember your kindness.

I hate you.

I hate you so much!

The Rong family's wealth

didn't fall from the sky.

Back in our great-grandmother's generation,

some people sought comfort

and entrusted the tea caravans to chief managers.

As a result, within ten years,

those once-loyal managers

either started their own businesses

or conspired to seize power.

For generations, the Rong women have been in charge.

If they step back even slightly,

their descendants would be left with

just 20% of the annual profits to live on.

How could they ever fulfill the ancestors' glory

and build a land of peace?

Traveling with the tea caravans along the borders,

I witnessed that all kinds of downfalls

stemmed from internal family strife.

That's why

every time you argued with Wanwan,

I punished you.

You hate me for being unfair,

but you forget

I'm only three years older than you.

The year I took charge,

I was still a child myself.

Grandmother taught me business,

but nobody told me

that the first time you plunge a blade

into a bandit's chest,

warm blood would splash into your eyes.

In the dead of night...

I get scared too.

And of course,

no one taught me

how to be your sister.

So,

I could never be

the loving, gentle sister

you want in your heart.

But I will be

a fair and just head of the household.

[Rong Mansion]

I've called you all here today

to celebrate wonderful news.

Yunshu.

Didn't the doctor say

that Yunshu's eye condition was improving?

Why is she using medicine again?

Every year in late autumn and early winter when the fog is heavy,

Yunshu's eyes

always become mysteriously sensitive to light and tear up.

She often covers them with a cloth to block the light.

Are you feeling uncomfortable again?

Take it off quickly.

Let me do it.

You... you can see?

Cousin Xiangling,

are you wearing

scarlet clothes today?

Yes, it is scarlet.

You really can see now.

That's wonderful.

Yunshu's eyes

get better and worse intermittently.

When she was 12,

she could still see distant views,

which means she wasn't born blind.

That Doctor Sun

truly lives up to his reputation.

He cures eye diseases with remarkable skill.

If we had gone to him earlier,

those quacks wouldn't have

delayed Yunshu's treatment.

Has someone been sent to deliver the news to the academy?

Such good news.

Mr. Bai will be overjoyed.

I've already sent someone to deliver the message.

How long has your eye condition been treated?

Yunshu, you

just think too much.

We all live under the same roof,

yet you kept your sisters in the dark.

Why couldn't you tell us about this?

Dr. Sun explained

that I had accidentally ingested cat's eye herb as a child.

He said I would need daily acupuncture to clear the toxins,

take Shenqu pills,

switch to a diet

of black beans and goji berries,

and use medicinal eye washes.

Only by persisting with this treatment for half a year could I see results.

I was afraid of disappointing Grandmother,

so I kept quiet about it.

Thankfully, heaven took pity on me.

Yesterday after acupuncture,

I suddenly felt a brightness before my eyes

and immediately

sent someone to inform Grandmother.

This is heaven rewarding your kindness and filial piety

with special favor.

Before, when you couldn't see,

I thought of having you handle affairs

but worried it might be inconvenient.

Now I can rest easy.

Everyone, please sit down.

Were these really picked by monkeys?

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes,

I wouldn't have believed it either.

It's a pity tea trees need to rest

after Frost's Descent,

otherwise we could harvest more.

Lord Lu is truly capable,

even the wild animals on the mountain

follow his commands.

Lady Shanbao, he also sent people

to deliver wild tea seeds,

saying our deeply plowed soil

won't grow wild tea well

and specifically advised

sowing them in the mountains.

Don't say that. Don't.

What's wrong? Is your eye twitching?

Have someone divide the tea seeds in half.

Sow one half in the plantation,

the other half in the wild land behind the mountain.

Assign people to weed and fertilize.

Whether they'll grow well or not,

we'll know in time.

Lady Shanbao,

could you please help

ask Lord Lu?

Those mountain monkeys are wild and hard to tame.

How did he train them to be so obedient?

Lady Shanbao,

can monkeys find wild tea trees?

I don't know.

Go ask him yourself.

This is a good thing.

Why did she suddenly get upset?

Yunshu, starting tomorrow,

follow me and focus on learning

how to manage the tea plantation.

I want to show that ungrateful,

arrogant person that

the prosperity of a family is not the achievement of a single individual.

The Rong family has plenty of

intelligent, filial granddaughters...

Losing any one is no great loss.

What happened?

Grandmother, I was careless

and knocked over the teacup.

Don't be afraid.

No wonder I don't like her father.

Such a fine girl,

raised by him to be so timid,

cowardly, and ill-mannered...

Nothing like a Rong young lady.

Yunxi,

your daughter doesn't take after you at all.

She's unlike you.

Grandmother,

Li didn't grow up in the Rong family

and hasn't learned the etiquette for tea parties.

It's my fault.

Don't blame Li.

I will teach her properly from now on.

You can't nurture well

a tea seedling with rotten roots.

The child is innocent, after all.

What would a child understand?

You are indeed the one at fault.

A father's character

inevitably influences

his child's behavior.

Trying to correct it later

requires tremendous effort.

You all should take this as a lesson.

Don't get close to any

disreputable men.

Grandmother, Li doesn't know better.

I'm sorry she spoiled your mood.

I'll take her back now.

Well...

I just criticized her a bit, and she gets upset.

What kind of man did she choose?

An orphan with no proper upbringing

who sells poor-quality tea on the streets.

I just haven't exposed her.

How ungrateful.

Please calm down, Grandmother.

Yunxi didn't mean it.

It's not your place to speak here.

What's going on here?

Every single one of you

can't bear the slightest criticism

and dares to show attitude to me.

I said Li lacks talent.

What part of that isn't true?

She hides from people, always timid.

In what way is she like a Rong young lady?

At her age, Bao

could recite "The Classic of Tea"

from memory.

Don't be angry, Grandmother.

The entire Rong family depends on you.

If you fall ill from anger, no one can take your place.

If you miss Shanbao,

I'll go invite her again.

Even if I have to beg on my knees,

I'll bring her back.

Who said I miss her?

That disobedient, unfilial girl.

I will never allow her to step foot

in this house again.

But the tea caravan is about to depart,

and the tea plantation still needs managing.

There must be someone capable in charge.

Then I'll have you

go with the tea caravan to the border town.

You've traveled this road many times before.

With you going, I am at ease.

As for the tea plantation and shops,

the old managers are already there,

so there won't be any major problems.

Just have Guanyu keep an eye on things.

If anything serious happens,

come back and ask for my decision.

Yes.

Alright, I'm tired now.

You may all leave.

Old Madam.

I've been by your side every day.

Now I suddenly have to go to the border town.

With no one by your side,

I'm truly worried.

I'm as tough as nails.

Even heaven can't knock me down.

You've had a long day.

Go back and rest early.

No need to keep watch tonight.

Who's there?

It's me.

Lady Shanbao, you're so busy being angry with me

that you've forgotten about Madam Yang's death?

Didn't the coroner say

she hanged herself?

That might be able to fool others.

But you are so sharp-witted, Lady Shanbao.

What could possibly be kept from you?

For 10 years, Madam Yang lived in anonymity,

willingly enduring public scorn and rejection

just to survive.

Her spirit was incredibly resilient and strong.

After patiently waiting to clear her name

and see the light of day again,

how could she simply end her life?

Moreover,

she loved Lady Yunwan like her own daughter.

How could she abandon her by dying?

She was clearly forced to her death.

You're not as confused as you seem.

If you know something is suspicious,

why haven't you arrested Yang Yitang?

Yang Yitang has already been captured.

But I believe

he's not the one who drove Madam Yang to her death.

Why not?

Before Madam Yang took her own life,

Yang Yitang was in Linji City,

pulling strings everywhere

and asking officials to exonerate the Yang family.

It was a matter of life and death.

How could he be in two places at once?

Besides,

I had men guarding the city gates.

He never left the city.

If not him, then who?

The implicated Yang family?

Or someone from the Wei clan?

Rest assured.

I will find the real culprit

and bring justice for Madam Yang.

Justice?

In this world,

for this poor woman,

when has there ever been any justice?

Thank you for telling me, Lord Lu.

It's late. I shouldn't keep you.

Please leave.

We've done with business.

Then I'll leave.

I-I'm really leaving.

Go ahead.

I'm afraid you will have to

stay here for a few days, Lady Shanbao.

What you've lost because of me,

I'll help you

get it all back someday.

What I want,

I'll reclaim myself.

I believe you.

But before you reclaim your glory,

don't ever forget

it was because of me, Lu Jianglai,

that you were kicked out

by Old Madam Rong.

You must hate me every day,

remember me,

and not for a moment

are you allowed to forget me.

Someone's coming.

Lady Shanbao.

Is someone disturbing you?

It's nothing.

Just some wild monkeys in the mountains causing trouble.

There are wild monkeys in these tea mountains?

Get two people to guard the entrance.

Yes, of course.

If they come back, we'll beat them to death.

Li, does this look good?

You can have it.

The reason I kept Li

outside the family mansion

was to prevent this kind of situation.

Grandmother values bloodlines so much

and constantly talks about family background.

Li would never be happy

in the Rong family.

Li is a daughter of the Rong family

and must eventually return to her roots.

I couldn't sleep all night

thinking about this.

If you were the one

facing Grandmother's harsh questioning,

what would you do, Rong Shanbao?

See if you dare again.

Let's play together.

I want to play with them too.

Careful, Li!

Don't fall.

Let them play together.

- Let go! - No, I won't!

Yunyin seems like a completely different person.

I hardly recognize her.

Why didn't you try to stop her?

I used to interfere too much.

I think

Li has

her father's blood,

but she was nurtured

in her mother's womb.

Our ancestors used to say: "Without rain from the sky,

grass won't grow on earth."

But no matter what kind of rain falls,

sweet, salty, or bitter,

a pine tree seed

will never grow into a cocklebur.

Li, like you and me

and our sisters,

shares the same bloodline

from our Grandmother.

She is destined to grow into a towering tree.

With proper nurturing,

she will succeed one day.

Why can't you all

be a little more patient?

If only Grandmother were

as open-minded as you.

Perhaps the Rong family needs

a new head of household.

Why?

Let's chase her.

Don't run away!

Li, be careful!

Don't fall!

- Li! - Lady Yunyin, be careful!

Run slower!

Don't run!

Stop running!

Li!

Look at this!

- I got you. - Slow down.

That's impressive!

Grandmother ordered Ms. Yan to escort the tea shipment.

They'll be departing soon.

Wanwan, slow down!

It's my turn!

Come on.

Why are there so many more

mules and horses prepared this year?

When Lady Shanbao left,

she specifically instructed us

that the harvest is poor this year,

and that heavy snow and strong winds in the north

have made travel difficult.

So we need to prepare more

than in previous years.

We must also take care with the mules and horses,

as they could perish on the road in the blizzards.

Lady Shanbao also sent you

some items.

Lady Shanbao said

we'll be gone for several months.

Ms. Yan,

you haven't traveled the northern route for many years.

The border regions are bitterly cold.

She's worried about your rheumatic legs

and insists you wear these.

Lady Shanbao has always been the most considerate.

Hurry up!

Yes, right away!

[Rong's Tea House]

These goods need to be

at the dock before dusk.

Be quick about your work.

Yes, understood.

All right.

Tea, in its use, is cooling in nature

and most fitting as a beverage.

Grandmother.

Lady Yunshu.

Grandmother listened to the tea history for a while,

then said she was tired

and wanted to rest briefly

with no disturbances.

I'll bring her medicine later.

Grandmother just mentioned

a book called "An Account of Tea".

Please, Nianqiao,

go to the library and find it for me.

I'll take care of the medicine.

When Grandmother wakes up,

I'll help her take it.

It's no trouble.

Yes.

The Purple Dragon Lying in Snow in the west garden

are in full bloom.

Grandmother loves them.

Cut two stems and bring them for the vase.

Then go to Chongxi Hall to get a cloak.

Be quick.

Yes.

Please.

No need to show me the way. You may go.

Yes.

What did you just do?

The medicine was cold and undrinkable,

so I poured it out.

Why did you come back so suddenly

without sending word ahead?

I could have welcomed you.

It's been days.

Why the stern face?

My eyes have healed.

Aren't you happy for me?

I'm happy. Of course I'm happy.

I was so happy that I immediately asked the academy master for leave

and rushed back without delay.

But I never expected

to see you with my own eyes

switching Old Madam Rong's medicine.

Yunshu, what are you trying to do?

What nonsense are you talking about?

Would I really poison

my own grandmother?

Rong Yunshu!

Old Madam.

This medicinal soup

is similar to the tonic

you usually take.

Nothing was added except 2 herbs for blood circulation,

Chuanxiong and Kudzu root,

and some phlegm-reducing herbs,

Bile Arisaema and Earthworm.

It won't cause any harm?

I have served

under Ms. Yan for many years

and learned much about medicine.

The herbs Lady Yunshu added

will only benefit you with no side effects.

She wanted me to switch to Dr. Sun's medicine,

but I refused,

so she took matters into her own hands.

Such an obedient person usually,

where did she get such courage?

Ms. Yan is quite cautious

when prescribing medicine.

When Lady Shanbao was here,

she also often urged you to change your prescription.

Lady Yunshu was being filial,

though she was somewhat rash.

Please forgive her, Old Madam.

If she truly cared about my health,

why act through someone else?

Her filial piety is clearly fake.

That wicked girl.

Have your studies made you foolish?

Grandmother loves me so much.

I wish her to live a hundred years.

Dr. Sun said

the elderly often has shortness of breath and palpitations,

with phlegm issues,

and risk of stroke.

Yet she

has been taking tonic soup for years

that doesn't address her condition.

That's why I added a few new herbs.

If you were just changing the prescription,

why did it secretly?

Would Grandmother listen to me?

The elderly can be terribly stubborn,

always thinking others want to harm them.

She only trusts Ms. Yan to prescribe medicine.

But Ms. Yan

has gone on a long journey,

so we couldn't rely on her.

If you don't believe me,

the herb residue is still in my room.

We can find Dr. Sun

to verify it himself.

I'm sorry. I was mistaken.

I apologize. I was wrong.

I wronged you.

All right.

I'll be leaving for the capital soon for the imperial exam,

and we won't see each other

for quite a long time.

Please don't be angry with me anymore.

Let's go see Old Madam Rong first,

and then

I have something nice to give you.

Mr. Yan,

you eavesdropped on our conversation just now.

Is this how a gentleman should behave?

You two really know how to pick a place to talk.

If I hadn't happened to pass by,

your secret

would have been overheard by the servants.

Yunshu.

Mr. Yan and I have a gentlemanly friendship.

He won't speak of this to others.

I was reckless earlier,

and troubled you to watch out for us.

Thank you.

When I arrived just now,

Old Madam Rong was sending people

to look for you everywhere, Lady Yunshu.

Lady Yunshu, you should go to her now.

Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Yan.

I'll go right away.

I think Lady Yunshu

has ulterior motives and behaves strangely.

Mr. Bai, you should be cautious

when getting close to her.

Otherwise, one day

you might fall victim to her schemes.

She's often looked down upon because of her background.

After much difficulty,

she's finally gained Old Madam Rong's favor.

Who knows how much slander this will bring?

Mr. Yan, you're an honorable man.

You shouldn't believe

those baseless rumors.

Even if everyone speaks ill of her,

I will still trust her.

So stubborn.

My Lord.

After 3 days of interrogation,

Yang Yitang still firmly denies

involvement in the Wei family case.

When the Wei case happened,

he was just an ignorant youth.

It's reasonable for him to claim ignorance.

Having witnessed his family's misfortune,

he naturally sought help.

If we charge him with bribery,

wouldn't that implicate Provincial Governor?

However, My Lord,

he falsely accused Madam Yang of prostitution...

Yang Jisheng has already taken

all the blame upon himself.

You claim Yang Yitang was involved,

but where is your evidence?

Covering up for a close relative

follows the old tradition of filial duty.

Can you really sentence him to death for that?

So, My Lord, you mean...

An insignificant pawn

should receive 40 lashes

and be released with minor punishment.

My Lord. My Lord.

Young Master, be careful.

Let's go.

Fragrant sachets! Perfume pouches!

Watch out!

Take a look!

Candied haws!

I'll take one.

Young Master, you predicted correctly.

Lord Lu indeed set a trap.

Don't worry.

Someone will

lead away those who are watching us.

I was never openly involved in the Wei case,

so they can't sentence me to death.

Where is he?

He's on the second floor.

He's been waiting for you for 2 days.

Let's go.

Mr. He.

I've long admired you.

I was delayed by trivial matters.

Please forgive my late arrival.

Skip the pleasantries.

Mr. Yang, you said

you wanted to do

a huge business deal with me.

I took it seriously.

If you've made me wait 2 days for nothing,

I won't let you off easily.

Good.

Straight to the point.

Previously, the Rong family ruined your tea contract,

causing you heavy losses.

Don't you want to settle

this score with the Rong family?

Even a mighty dragon can't defeat a local snake.

You think the Rongs are pushovers?

If you want to die, go ahead by yourself.

Don't drag me down.

Every spring and autumn,

the Rong family has a large shipment of tea

to be escorted to the border regions.

Their most capable men

are all needed as escorts,

leaving their defenses quite vulnerable.

Mr. He,

you've dominated the river trade for decades

and never misses a business opportunity.

Would you be willing to miss such a golden chance?

You're truly arrogant.

The Rong family mansion is heavily guarded.

The outer courtyard guards

are all top fighters.

You can't just attack whenever you want.

No wonder you've been lingering near Linji,

refusing to leave.

So you've already scouted the place.

No rush.

I have my own methods.

Please, sit down and let's discuss the details.

My Lord, I've failed you.

I let that Yang fellow escape.

I understand. Get up.

All right.

What's done is done.

What use is there in regret now?

When you go out on missions in the future,

just be more careful.

As for the bait we've let go...

The Yang family declined because of the reversal of the Wei case.

This Yang Yitang

won't give up so easily.

My Lord, you're saying...

I expect the one he resents most

is Lady Rong Shanbao.

Have someone monitor the tea plantation.

He will certainly show up again.

Yes, My Lord.