Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 30]

[Chongxi Hall]

They're back.

What did the chief managers

and the estates' supervisors say?

They came specially to offer congratulations.

Unexpectedly, before we could even start the evening banquet,

such a serious matter occurred.

After this ordeal,

I'm afraid Grandmother won't be able to manage affairs anymore.

Everyone agreed

to nominate Lady Shanbao as the head of the family

and follow her lead.

While all the regional managers are here,

tomorrow, the Rong family will open the ancestral hall

to worship and inform the ancestors officially.

From now on,

our Rong family

will have a new hostess.

Shanbao, you truly deserve this honor.

Then let me congratulate you first, Lady Shanbao.

Xiangling.

Tomorrow, I will inform

the Rong family's elders

to officially change your surname and let you return to our clan

so that you can truly be member of the Rong family again.

Really?

I knew you wouldn't deceive me.

I'll go back now to bathe and change clothes

to get prepared properly.

Tomorrow, the Rong family

will still need to perform an important pilgrimage ceremony.

My dear sisters, go back and rest early.

I'll go inside to see Grandmother.

Old Madam, please drink some.

Lady Shanbao.

Grandmother, if you refuse to take your medicine,

how will you recover?

Are you still trying to deceive me?

Those people outside

can't wait for me to die soon

so that I can make room for you.

You've suspected Wei Yao for a long time.

Why didn't you

say anything about it to me?

Grandmother, you're getting old now.

I was afraid you couldn't bear to...

I think you just resent me for being old and stubborn

and showing partiality.

I never thought that after a lifetime of wisdom,

in my old age,

I would be deceived so thoroughly.

You really have such great patience.

You've been enduring it until today

before exposing him.

You want everyone

to see that

I'm old and muddle-headed,

as I've mistaken thieves for relatives

and let villains come into our home,

and thus, I can no longer hold this position.

You're trying to seize my power.

Grandmother.

I wouldn't dare.

You wouldn't dare?

I think you're quite bold.

What you've concealed from me

is probably more than just this, huh?

Tell me.

Grandmother, you're wise and insightful,

being as formidable as you used to be.

I do have something to report.

Are you so eager

to show off your victory here?

Throwing cups around, you have such a bad temper.

In this way, you would fail to live up to

Mr. Bai's pure-hearted affection.

Don't be so smug.

You and Bai Yingsheng

conspired to burn the Tea King Tree.

Let's see if Grandmother will spare you.

Since I've dared to do that, I'm not afraid.

I've burnt the tree this time

mostly for the Rong family

and partly for you.

For me?

You've been clever since childhood,

but you tend to overthink everything

and have never been sincere with anyone.

One can't write two "Rong" characters with one stroke.

I want you to understand

all members of a family

share a common destiny.

Although Grandmother wants

us sisters to compete,

with our home burning into ashes,

even if one of us wins,

she would just be a queen of ruins.

Yunshu, first of all, we're family,

and our competitive relation is secondary.

Shanbao.

I'm jealous of you.

I'm jealous because on your birthday,

you could always get a sachet Grandmother embroidered for you.

I'm jealous because when tasting new tea,

you could always get served half a cup of it before me.

And I'm even jealous...

And I'm even jealous because when you stand there,

you would naturally gain everyone's support.

I've lost this time.

But I won't accept it.

There's still a long way to go.

I'll wait for you to come and compete with me anytime.

That's what you've promised.

Yunshu.

Do you still remember that saying?

When the storm is coming...

Let's just share an umbrella.

Could you act this out with me?

Shanbao has been suspicious of Yan Bailou

for quite some time.

Actually, that day,

if Yan Bailou...

if Wei Yao had not pretended to protect her,

Lady Shanbao would have only

suffered some minor injuries.

But in this way,

it made us more certain

that this man had great ambitions,

and we must be wary of him.

You just want to take revenge on me.

You won't let me have my way.

Out! Get out!

I don't want to see you.

Grandmother.

I intend to let Yunshu

manage the branch shop in the capital.

There aren't many days left

when you can see her.

Grandmother, please forgive me.

That day, I actually

thought about switching your medicine

to take revenge for my own mother.

But I hesitated.

I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Shanbao is right.

My father

was a gentle and affectionate man,

but he was not

a qualified member of the Rong family.

A man indulged in personal affections

could never be your son.

He disappointed you.

I am the same.

I'm not a qualified daughter,

being unable to take revenge for my own mother.

I'm also not

a docile and obedient granddaughter,

being unable to please you, Grandmother.

I respect you,

but I also resent you.

This love and this hatred

have been tormenting me greatly,

so I've chosen to leave the Rong family.

I want to choose a path where I can put down hatred

and move towards a peaceful life.

As long as you're still alive,

I will never return to the Rong family.

Please take good care of yourself, Grandmother.

I'm bidding farewell to you.

You were truly reckless.

How dare you burn the Tea King Tree?

Are you trying to destroy the Rong family?

Grandmother, the Tea King Tree is still there.

Although Yunxi isn't good at running business,

she has a great gift

for nurturing tea trees.

Any twig she casually breaks off

can survive and grow.

Grandmother, in the past,

you always incited her to compete with me,

but you've never discovered

her true strengths.

You should get out, too.

Grandmother, you must take your medicine properly

and recover soon.

In the future, if you want to compete with me,

without good health,

how can you achieve that?

I'll come and greet you again tomorrow.

One day,

you will become the new queen.

Yes.

One day,

I will become the new queen,

a Tea Queen who protects her clansmen

and shelters the common people.

I'm getting old

and don't want to be angry with you anymore.

When you have time,

don't forget to visit me often.

Tell me

about your future plans for the tea plantation.

Tell me

about our homeland's sacred mountains and palaces,

as well as those stories from the past.

I...

I've long failed to remember them clearly.

Okay.

Have you

betrayed me?

Old Madam.

I will never

betray you.

It's just that I can't interfere, either.

Every generation's head of the Rong family

must go through the same trials,

being isolated from her family and risking everything for just one goal.

She needs to have

enough perseverance and patience

to overcome this challenge alone.

Even back then, you also

went through the same trials.

The first rule for the Rong family's daughters is

obeying neither monarchs nor elders,

but following the righteous path in the mortal world

for the sake of morality and conscience.

She's doing so well.

From now on, just let Lady Shanbao

handle all the problems.

Please sleep.

I will stay here to watch over you

and won't go anywhere.

This girl...

Lady Yunshu.

Mr. Bai, are you here to collect a debt or kill me?

I'm here to ask for an answer.

Yunshu.

Lady Shanbao has told me everything.

You couldn't bear to see me die.

♪ The moonlight chases its way up to the mountain peak ♪

♪ I lift my head and see the faint trace of spring snow on your brow ♪

♪ Years of being buried in paperwork and official business ♪

♪ Who makes the kite snap its string? ♪

My Lord!

My Lord!

My Lord!

It seems someone has drowned over there.

♪ Fate must intend for us to be bound together ♪

Take me there.

Let's go.

♪ That's why so many challenges are set ♪

It's just ahead.

♪ I can never get enough of looking ♪

My Lord.

The drowned victim is right here.

♪ At this charming and enchanting smiling face ♪

♪ I cross mountains and rivers to rush to your presence ♪

Thank you. Thanks.

♪ We face each other, tears streaming down, yet unable to speak ♪

She clearly knows everything,

but she's still treating me like a fool.

♪ Afraid that the dream is just a sham, frightening away the pair of swallows ♪

Do you still have feelings for me?

Mr. Bai, what you should find

♪ Can we, in this lifetime, share the moon's beauty from afar? ♪

are Butterfly Orchids which are

carefully nurtured in a warm chamber,

instead of wild water weeds

growing in the mud like me.

♪ The myriad stars in the sky can't fully convey our endless affection ♪

Or perhaps,

you just enjoy watching me use these hands of mine

♪ The wind wafts in countless thoughts of longing ♪

to push you into the water

and then pull you back out

with a state of madness.

♪ Love exists among mountains and rivers. Who says it couldn't be fully achieved? ♪

Lady Yunshu.

Lady Shanbao said you agreed

to manage a shop in the capital.

♪ Every single day with you feels like our very first encounter ♪

I'll be waiting for you in the capital.

Stop them!

Let us in! Step aside!

Let us in!

-Let us in! -You can't come in!

You can't come in! Step back!

-You can't come in! -Step aside!

Let us in!

Let us in!

What's all this commotion about?

Lady Shanbao.

Lord Lu is...

I want to move all my belongings inside.

Just tell him

to stop getting in my way.

You...

You may leave now.

Lady Shanbao, well...

So you're still not giving up?

It has always been none of your business.

Yes.

Let's leave.

Lord Lu.

What exactly are you trying to do?

Of course I'm moving in to live with you.

Who allows you to move in?

You don't allow it, huh?

Fine.

Then I'll just tell them to move everything back.

But I must warn you.

I came all this way

with the accompaniment of drums and gongs, making quite a scene.

Everyone in Linji was watching.

If I move back now,

it will cause another sensation.

Go back!

Move everything back exactly as it was.

Hurry!

What?

Lord Lu is moving back again?

Lu Jianglai.

What tricks are you playing?

Now I'll go to the County Office to sue you.

What accusation is it?

I'm suing you, the head of the Rong family,

for breaking promises and abandoning me.

Not only did you cancel our engagement to marry someone else,

but you also insulted my purity.

I've even prepared the statement of charges.

Leave now!

Lady Rong Shanbao.

What would you say?

Fine.

Tell your people to leave.

Then we can discuss this properly.

Yeah.

They're really leaving.

Bao.

I'm not a man who you can

easily get rid of.

I have quite many tactics.

Before you make your decision,

you'd better think carefully.

From now on,

will we be inseparable lovers

who love each other deeply,

or will we be enemies who hate

each other to the death?

Which choice would be better?

Lord Lu,

don't you still have a good female junior?

Why do you keep pestering me?

Just now,

I already sent my junior to a new house.

I also explained everything to her clearly.

If I had been a person who hesitated

and acted cowardly,

I wouldn't have dared to

be against Jiang Yiqian openly,

let alone seeking justice for the people.

If I can't even make decisions

for my own affairs,

what's the point of living?

I, Lu Jianglai, just love Rong Shanbao.

Except her,

I'll never fall in love with anyone else,

even if there might be huge flood in the future

with countless difficulties.

As long as I hold your hand tightly,

there will be nothing to fear

anymore.

I'm only worried that you don't dare.

What wouldn't I dare to do?

It's good that you've agreed.

Among all those who came to the Rong Mansion to be candidates,

in terms of literary talent, martial arts skills,

courage and determination,

which of them can compare with me?

None of them deserves you.

In this world, no one but I can be the ideal partner

to accompany you in the future.

Yes.

None of them is as scheming as you.

Nor are they as thick-skinned,

cunning, fickle and shameless as you are.

I don't have time for you.

So you've acknowledged that

I'm your legitimate husband?

Alright.

Then I'll move in to live with you right away.

We still need to

hold our wedding in the ancestral hall

and make vows under the paired pillars.

We can't omit any of these rituals.

Bao!

My Lord, there are messengers from the capital.

Messengers from the capital?

How are they dressed?

There are two men who are dressed as merchants

and speak perfect official dialect.

The leader is about 40 years old.

He's pale-faced and beardless with a sharp voice,

not looking like an ordinary person.

Let's return to the County Office first.

Yes.

[Linji Prefectural Office]

[Rong Mansion]

Due to urgent business,

Lord Lu left for the capital overnight.

He didn't have time to personally say goodbye to Lady Shanbao.

Please remember to

give this letter to Lady Shanbao.

Yes.

Steward Cheng.

The letter.

Old Madam is being sick now.

Lady Shanbao needs to focus on taking care of her.

She won't deal with any trivial matters from outsiders.

Even if there are official documents

sent from the County Office,

they must be reviewed by me first,

not to mention

an unpresentable visitor.

Do you understand?

Yes, I do.

[To Lady Shanbao]

Well...

What if Lady Shanbao blames us for this?

Well...

Since Old Madam fell sick,

all the internal and external responsibilities

have fallen on Lady Shanbao's shoulders.

At 1 AM, the supervisors from outside

were already waiting for her reply.

Diseased tea appeared after the plantation was closed and harvest stopped.

She needs to go up the mountains at 3 AM.

She has no time for these matters.

Just focus on your own duties.

♪ Stars and the moon descended ♪

♪ Falling Into the mortal world to make flowers wither and hearts break ♪

♪ How persistent ♪

♪ How can such a fleeting grace be forgotten? ♪

♪ Beacon fires rose high ♪

♪ With one more dance, the music is over and people are gone ♪

♪ We found another crescent moon ♪

[One month later, Rong's Ancestral Temple]

Are you truly determined

to abandon the surname of Shen?

I want to be surnamed Rong.

I also want to follow

the ranking order based on the sisters' ages.

This is my lifelong wish,

and I will never change my mind.

Tomorrow, ask someone to prepare the three-livestock offerings.

After you burn incense in front of

our ancestors' memorial tablets and the dragon-and-phoenix pillars,

then no one in the world will dare to say

you're not a member of the Rong family anymore.

Speaking of which, this is quite strange.

It seems that Lord Lu

haven't visited us

for some time.

He and I were never meant to be on the same path.

It's good that he has come to his senses.

It's right that he no longer pesters me.

When he was down and out

and trying to live off the Rong family,

you protected him and loved him.

Now that he has resumed his official position

and regained his glory,

why do you want to heartlessly abandon him instead?

I have my own reasons.

My Lady.

Lady Yunshu has sent someone

back here from the capital.

Yunshu

has been in the capital for just two days,

and now she's in such a hurry to send a message back.

Maybe Mr. Bai

fell in love with someone else as soon as he entered the capital,

so she's urgently asking you to set things right.

Mr. Bai wouldn't dare to do that.

Yunshu is not someone who can be easily pushed around.

Bring the messenger in.

Yes.

She's really so efficient.

The new tea containers for next year

are already ready.

Something's not right.

This pottery is a bit too crude.

This tea aroma is not right.

These are our Rong family's tea leaves.

What's the problem?

The Rong family's tea leaves have a pure and mellow aroma.

But the tea aroma in this container

is somewhat dull and murky.

The fragrance is also a bit faint.

They don't look like this year's fresh tea leaves,

but rather like aged tea leaves.

And look here again.

There are even red stems

mixed in the tea leaves.

Either the fresh leaves were damaged during picking

or the tea-making masters

didn't knead them thoroughly enough.

These leaves are definitely not

from our Rong's Plantation.

What on earth is going on?

Please forgive me, Lady Shanbao.

I really know nothing about this.

If you know nothing, what message are you delivering?

Someone in the capital

dares to counterfeit our Rong family's tea leaves.

Why didn't Rong Yunshu

report it to the authorities for legal action immediately?

How dare she bring this problem here for Lady Shanbao?

She's so muddle-headed.

How exactly is she managing things?

Did Lady Yunshu ask you to deliver a message?

Lady Yunshu ordered me

to inform you that

these are the Rong family's tea leaves.

She may have poor eyesight,

but she's not deaf or blind.

In the past, she always boasted about

her keen sense of smell.

How come at this crucial moment,

it doesn't work instead.

If we let such inferior tea leaves go out,

how could the Rong family keep doing business in the future?

I got it.

You've had a tiring journey.

You may leave now.

Yes.

Someone is usurping our Rong family's name.

It's better to deal with it quickly.

But Yunshu even asked someone to send a tea container here,

insisting that

those were our family's tea leaves.

What could be her intention?

Xiu Qiong, invite Lady Yunxi here now.

Tell her I have urgent matters to discuss.

Yes.

What are you trying to do?

Yunshu seems to have said nothing,

but she has said everything.

This person dares to openly do business

in the name of the Rong family in the capital,

but Yunshu

finds it difficult to deal with him.

Who is this person?

Could it be...

It looks like I need to

go to the capital myself.

I'll go with you.

She still can't let go after all.

It makes me seem shallow in comparison.

What are you talking about, sir?

Lady Shanbao wants you

to accompany her to the capital

to solve the issue of inferior tea leaves.

I will go.

You may leave now.

Yes.

Since she has chosen to go to you,

I will just pave the way for her.

Lu Jianglai.

Don't let the stuff

I've buried underground

be dug out again.

Where are we now?

We've arrived in the capital.

[Capital]

Whose carriage is this?

Such fine horses

and such elegant luxury.

It's even more impressive than the way

an imperial princess travels.

Indeed.

Lady Shanbao, this is the shop.

[Rongzhai]

Miss,

the finest tea leaves in our shop

are all here.

I'm not bragging.

Rongzhai Tea Plantation is a century-old shop.

These are the best tea leaves in the world.

Even the aristocrats in the palace

all use tea leaves from the Rong family.

Wherever you go,

when people mention our tea,

they would all give it a thumbs-up.

These are rough tea leaves

from the northern Min Region.

They did put some efforts into the craftsmanship.

Please look carefully.

These are top-quality Songluo Tea Leaves.

You really don't know how to tell good from bad.

Rough tea leaves are such inferior products.

How can you mix them up?

By using rough tea leaves' fresh bud heads

as Songluo Tea Leaves,

you can deceive

non-native merchants who know little about tea.

This jar

contains tea leaves from our Rong family indeed.

However, they're not

the fresh tea leaves that have just been picked this year,

but aged tea leaves from previous years.

To make the tea leaves

look fresher and brighter,

you've dyed them, added oil and pan-fried them again.

You've even added some iron powder,

making them look fresh green after the pan-frying.

This is good enough to fool ordinary restaurants.

In this jar of top-grade tea leaves,

there is the smallest quantity of aged tea leaves mixed in them.

You were afraid it would be discoverd

by experienced tea customers who know tea products well,

so you only slightly fumigated them with fragrance.

You have different tricks

for different tea customers.

So you think this is a righteous way to make money?

You're talking nonsense!

You're talking nonsense!

You're here to cause trouble, huh?

Guards!

Drive all these troublemakers away

right now!

Wait!

What... What are you all doing?

We're shutting down your shop.

Do you know where you are now?

How dare you be so impudent?

Do you know whose shop this is?

How dare you!

You can't even recognize

the true head of the Rong family.

How dare you use the Rong family's brand?

Take down that signboard.

[Rong Residence]

Shanbao, Xiangling.

Let's talk inside.

What are you doing?

This is the residence of the Vice Minister of Personnel.

You have no rights to barge in here.

How dare you...

Are you blind?

Don't you even recognize Lady Shanbao?

Get lost!

L-Lady Shanbao?

They said she was Lady Shanbao

from the main family in Linji.

I was merely

following procedures by asking them some questions.

But unexpectedly,

they immediately gave me

a big slap on my face.

Madam, look.

My face

is all swollen from that wicked servant's slap.

As the saying goes,

even before beating a dog, one has to consider who its master is.

My lowly status

[Liu Yishu, Second Wife of the First Branch]

isn't worth mentioning indeed.

But what about you, Madam?

You are the hostess of this household.

Even out of respect for you,

they shouldn't have behaved

so rudely outside your house.

If this matter spreads out,

[Rong Yunzhen, Seventh Lady of the Rong Family]

wouldn't it ruin the family's reputation?

Is that woman from Linji

truly so arrogant?

Zhen, she's your eldest sister.

When you see her later,

you must not be disrespectful,

giving her a reason to find fault with you.

Since ancient times, there have been hierarchical distinctions

and rules of respect for seniority.

I respect her as my eldest sister,

so I try to be polite to her.

But Mother, you are her stepmother

and her elder, too.

Although she grew up in the countryside of Linji

and has never been

educated by you,

the hierarchy and seniority can't be ignored.

We can't let her be disrespectful to you

and offend you.

Throughout the four seasons, she never sends respectful greetings.

Nor does she pays respects during festivals.

This is already a serious breach

of etiquette.

Since she has come to the capital,

her first task

should be paying respects to you, Mother.

That is the filial duty of a child.

How dare she barge in without informing us first?

She's not only ill-bred

but also utterly unscrupulous.

Mother, don't be angry.

I'll question her about this matter.

I'll make sure she's embarrassed

and feels utterly ashamed.

Her mother died early.

I suppose...

her manner is not quite proper,

and she's not well-versed in social etiquette,

so your father has rarely mentioned her.

Whenever I suggest bringing her here,

he always finds ways to change the subject.

But, Zhen,

she may not have been undereducated since childhood.

Don't follow her example.

Have you forgotten the principles

I've taught you?

A woman should be virtuous and taciturn.

You shouldn't have spoken and behaved

so impetuously.

I'm just trying to

stand up for you, Mother.

She's being too overbearing.

I've heard your grandmother

thinks extremely highly of Lady Shanbao.

She has been managing the household since childhood.

Let's just assume she's not quite concerned about formalities.

I'll guide her gradually in the future.

But, Zhen,

when you see her later,

you must not be discourteous.

Yes. I'll just listen to you, Mother.

Who are you guys?

Madam Liu, please.

You guys...

You must be the eldest sister, huh?

How dare you remain seated in front of Mother?

Bow and greet Mother now!

Why are you laughing?

I'm laughing at someone who can't see clearly.

You don't even know who I am.

Yet you're already throwing your weight around.

What did you say?

She said you had mistaken her for the eldest sister.

[Ledger of Rongzhai's Fujiu Gate Street Branch]

Y-You're deliberately making fun of me

and enjoying my embarrassment.

Are you Shanbao?

Your father treasures you very much.

He always talks about you.

I've long wanted to bring you here from Linji

so that our family can be reunited.

But it was a pity that Old Madam couldn't bear to be separated from you.

With all these reasons,

it has been delayed until today.

When your father sees you later,

he'll be overjoyed.

I've prepared the Hongyu Pavilion for you.

It's the most elegant and spacious house.

You can go see it yourself later.

If you need anything,

feel free to tell me.

No rush.

Let's wait until Father returns.

Mother has shown such earnest affection.

Yet you don't express any gratitude.

You're so rude!

Your sister has traveled a long way

and must be tired.

Come quickly!

Go to my room and fetch the Yuye Changchun Tea.

-Yes. -Yes.

That tea is also called Harmony Tea,

symbolizing family reunion and harmony.

Today, our family is reunited,

so it's quite suitable for this scene.

I've read the political essay

you wrote yesterday.

Compared with your previous essays, it shows significant improvement indeed.

But when discussing

the achievements of our dynasty's founder,

one cannot speak freely

without caution.

As a commoner scholar,

you must be extra cautious

and avoid causing trouble.

Do you understand?

Yes, I do.

Old Master!

Old Master! Young Master!

You two are finally back!

Something serious has happened!

Why are you so flustered?

Speak slowly.

Lady Shanbao from the main family in Linji

has arrived here.

She has confined both Madam

and Lady Yunzhen.

She has confined them? On what grounds can she do that?

[Rong Heting, the Eldest Son of the Rong Family]

Tell me! Where are they confined?

[Rong Shanhui, Second Young Master of the Rong Family]

Right in the Flower Hall.

There are also many armed guards.

The servants are too scared to get closer.

Old Master, please

seek justice for us!

How dare they!

Father! Shanhui!

You're finally back!

Mother and I feel so wronged!

Zhen, your father and brother have just returned.

Don't pester them.

Heting, Lady Shanbao is here.

Father.

Bao, it's been several years since we last met.

I've noticed your temper

is getting worse and worse.

Before entering the capital,

you didn't even ask someone to inform us first.

Today, you've also brought all these people here

to make such a scene at my home.

Do you still

regard me

as your father?

On Cheng'an Gate Outer Street,

Beiyang Gate Street,

Fujiu Gate Street,

and Dongshun House Front Street,

there is a Rongzhai shop at each location.

The best-selling item

is this kind of tea in front of us.

New tea leaves are mixed with damp aged tea leaves.

Only experts can tell the difference.

Yunshu.

Just in August and September alone,

the four newly opened shops in the capital

sold a total of

3,500 jin of tea leaves.

How have you been managing these shops?

I can't believe such a major mistake has occurred.

You're ruining our Rong family's

century-old reputation!

Dear, it's all due to my negligence.

I'm a married woman who always stays home

and rarely goes out.

All business matters

were entrusted to the shop managers.

I didn't expect

they would substitute inferior products for good ones

and damage the Rong family's reputation.

Thankfully, Lady Shanbao discovered it right away.

I will certainly investigate this case

and severely punish them.

Lady Shanbao.

As your family, let me be frank with you.

Since ancient times, being an official has always been difficult,

especially in the capital where it's even more difficult.

Your father is an honest and upright official.

He rarely receives guests or sends invitation letters,

but there are gift exchanges,

seasonal social engagements and tributes in winter and summer

that are simply unavoidable.

There are so many people coveting your father's position.

We have no choice but to

run a few shops privately.

Lady Shanbao, please be more understanding

towards your father's hard work.

Mother has always been soft-hearted.

She inevitably neglected things when supervising the staff,

so those villains with ill intentions managed to muddle through.

As for all our shortcomings,

we will correct them from now on.

We will never put you in a difficult position again.

Since we're a family,

let's not taint Grandmother's ears with this news.

That would only make her

get angry unnecessarily.

Our forebears of every generation hacked through thorns and brambles,

building the family business through hardships

and painstakingly running

this 400-year-old tea plantation.

In the past, there were also the cases

of substituting inferior products for good ones,

which damaged our family's reputation.

Father, do you still remember?

According to the Rong family's rules,

please withdraw from the clan voluntarily.

[Ming Dynasty's Fake Tea Cases]

In this jar of top-grade tea leaves,

there is the smallest quantity of aged tea leaves mixed in them.

You were afraid it would be discoverd

by experienced tea customers who know tea products well,

so you only slightly fumigated them with fragrance.

During the Ming Dynasty,

tea business was booming,

and fake tea also became rampant.

Some tea sellers

would dye ordinary tea leaves

and sell them as Longjing tea.

There were also some tea sellers

who would mix mud and leaves into tea bricks

to increase weight and counterfeit tribute tea.

The imperial court set rules

to severely punish this practice.

According to the Great Ming Code,

counterfeiters would receive 90 floggings

and be exiled to finish penal servitude.

They stamped official tea

with special steel seals,

creating anti-counterfeiting trademarks in ancient times.

Besides that,

the imperial court also introduced

measures like inspections by imperial tea commissioners

to crack down on fake tea.

In just one year during the Zhengde Period,

[In the Ming Dynasty, the ones for cracking down on fake tea mainly included]

over 300,000 jin of fake tea leaves was confiscated.

These fake tea cases happened frequently

mainly because

[imperial tea commissioners and the ‌Inspection Office.]

tea taxes were too high at that time,

the official institutions monopolized the price to keep it low,

and regional price differences were huge,

which were all considered as the systemic contradictions.

This also reflects

the deep conflict between Ming Dynasty's monopoly system of tea selling

and the market economy.

It serves as a historical lesson

for modern food safety regulation.