Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 32]

Bao, don't go.

I won't let you go.

The fever has clearly clouded your mind.

That silver-tongued,

cold-hearted, and ruthless Lord Lu

is now hesitant

and rambling.

That proves the Duke's Mansion

is not a good place.

I will leave one day,

but not now.

And I do not intend to leave alone.

Drink some water first.

Then have some porridge.

We'll talk more

once you're feeling better.

I'm not going anywhere.

I'll bring you a bowl of porridge.

Eat slowly.

When you're finished,

tell me how you became

the Duke of Yongguo's son.

Don't hide anything from me.

Just be honest

about what happened.

Do you hear me?

My mother's name

is Li Xiuniang.

She was originally the Duke's

first wife's dowry maid.

You scared me!

Look.

Look, did I draw this part well?

Is this me?

It looks exactly like me.

Right?

I...

Very good!

How dare you!

Xiuniang, look at him!

-He's bullying me. -Let me draw one for you.

Xiuniang!

When my mother was only five years old,

Madam Han bought her.

She grew up serving as Madam Han's companion.

Later, when Madam Han married,

my mother went with her to the new household.

At first,

the newlyweds were deeply in love.

They were inseparable—

like the most

intimate couple in the world.

Doctor.

Your Highness.

Is there truly no other way to solve this?

I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do.

Three years passed,

yet Madam Han still hadn't conceived.

And the Duke

was his family's only son.

He's a man bound for the battlefield.

The gossip and criticism

suffocated Madam Han.

So she was forced to arrange

two beautiful concubines for her husband.

Eventually, even my mother

was made the Duke's concubine.

Later,

my mother gave birth to a son, as expected.

From that day on,

everything was different.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid.

Kneel!

Miss!

I've been serving you

since I was six years old.

In this world,

I'm the only one who would never lie to you

or betray you!

Miss!

You're wrong, Xiuniang.

You did lie to me.

And you betrayed me a long time ago.

Miss!

Miss!

-Don't move. -Miss!

Miss!

What happened next?

Madam Han was consumed by her jealousy.

Any concubine who got slightly close to the Duke

would be treated harshly.

My mother realized

that the young lady

who once rescued her from a crowd of refugees,

giving her porridge and medicine,

saving her life— was no longer the same.

She had become someone pitiful, and terrifying.

To escape her clutches,

she only had one choice:

to flee far away

and never return.

So,

while the Duke was away on the battlefield,

and Madam Han was visiting her family home,

she seized the chance to flee in secret.

She begged all the way to the South.

Yuan, quickly. Go and take a look.

My father was a kind and upright man.

He saved my mother's life

and gathered enough money for her journey home.

But when Mother reached the ferry

and found

twenty strings of copper coins in her bag,

she turned back.

Father raised me as his own.

He lived frugally, all for the sake of my education.

I never once thought

that I might not be

his biological son.

Until my mother was on her deathbed,

she finally told me the truth.

She was afraid

that one day, people from the Duke's Mansion

might come searching for us.

When your mother escaped from Duke's Mansion,

she was still pregnant.

Then the child she left behind in the mansion...

I don't know.

The Duke only has one son,

and in the Duke of Yongguo's Mansion,

there's only one legitimate heir.

Everyone was told, he was Madam Han's son.

Everyone believes

she is the child's biological mother.

He legitimately

holds the position of the Duke's heir.

Jianglai,

you have

a full brother, your own flesh and blood.

What does blood relation even matter?

My adoptive father's kindness is as deep as the sea.

Even if I were crushed to pieces, I could never repay what he gave me.

My surname is Lu,

and it will always be Lu.

I will never acknowledge anyone else

as my father—

whether he's a duke

or an emperor.

Are you also trying to persuade me

to return to my ancestral root

and call him Father?

You are your own person, and so am I.

Why would I impose

my will upon you?

Does that mean in the future,

you would also force others into difficult positions,

and compel me to do

things I'm unwilling to do?

Then why exactly did you come here?

Could it be that you care about me,

and you came specifically for me?

Who said I came here for you?

I'm simply returning the favor.

The Duke of Yongguo's family has used every scheme imaginable.

So I might as well step into his territory

and turn it upside down—

just to show him

that the Rong family is not to be trifled with.

This place is not

your Jiangnan Rong family's territory.

He has the royal favor and great power.

He has prestige at court,

and personal guards in his mansion.

Even if Old Madam Rong herself were here,

she would have to show him some respect.

Now he's using his seniority

to openly pressure others with filial piety and righteousness.

If you go against him, you're being disrespectful to the elders.

If you don't comply with him, you're defying moral principles.

You'd be making an enemy

of the loyal hero,

and the whole world would condemn you.

Take it easy.

One must have a plan before taking action.

Let's wait and see.

Then tell me.

Should I...

pay him a visit?

Has Master Jianglai eaten?

Yes, he has.

Really?

His Highness's plan was truly brilliant.

By keeping Lady Shanbao here,

Master Jianglai will naturally stay as well.

Last night,

did Lady Shanbao actually stay inside to rest?

Master Jianglai, do you have any instructions?

I had a fever last night.

Lady Shanbao stayed specifically to take care of me.

She has just laid down to rest.

If she wakes up and asks about accommodations...

Everything has already been arranged.

Only Lady Shanbao

can put your mind at ease.

Naturally, wherever you are,

Lady Shanbao will be accommodated nearby.

I will have them immediately

prepare the side room

next to the study.

No.

Leave the study for Shanbao.

I'll stay in the side room.

Also,

release my personal servant,

Jun Dai.

I'm not used to being served by others.

As long as you've come to your senses,

whatever you say goes.

I'll have him released at once.

One last thing.

I want...

to pay Master Shuyu a visit.

That... is beyond my ability.

Then go and ask.

Ask the person who is actually in charge.

Yes, Master Jianglai.

I'll go right away.

This way, please.

This way.

Why is this courtyard so secluded?

Master Jianglai, you've just returned.

You don't know Master Shuyu's temperament.

He values peace above all else.

Ever since he fell from a horse that year,

his leg injury flares up badly each winter.

He rarely steps outside,

and he dislikes being disturbed by outsiders even more.

Living here is the only way

he can recover in peace.

Fuping.

[Fuping Pavilion]

How can the Duke's heir

live in such isolation?

Master Jianglai.

Master Jianglai.

This way.

[Xue Shuyu, the Duke of Yongguo's heir]

I've always been frail.

My stomach can't tolerate cold food.

Usually,

Fuping Pavilion rarely has visitors,

so we haven't prepared any green tea.

I hope this Pu'er suits your tatse?

Yes.

Pu'er is fine too.

You may leave now.

Master Jianglai,

by the Duke's orders,

I must stay by your side

to serve you.

I'm just having a few words

with Master Shuyu.

It's not as if I can grow wings and fly away, is it?

Get out!

Let me see.

It's nothing. I'm fine.

It was my own carelessness.

Master Shuyu is hurt.

Hurry and fetch some medicine!

I told you to get out!

Understood.

Understood.

It's alright.

Actually...

actually, I came here today

because I wanted to ask...

if you knew

that we...

Master Shuyu.

Master Shuyu.

Brother!

Master Shuyu, hurry and take your medicine.

You'll feel better after taking it.

It's my fault.

I have disrupted Master Shuyu's rest.

I'll take my leave now.

I'll come to visit you another day.

Master Shuyu,

please take good care of yourself.

I've been a poor host.

Let's meet again

another time.

Master Jianglai.

[Master Shuyu's concubine, Ji Ping]

Call that woman here.

Get her here immediately!

When you know where to stop, you have stability.

When you have stability, you can be tranquil.

When you are tranquil, you can be at ease.

When you are at ease, you can deliberate.

When you can deliberate, you can attain your aims.

Things have their roots and branches, affairs have their ends and beginnings.

What is it?

Madam Xie.

Master Shuyu wants to see you.

It's alright. Continue your studies.

I will be back soon.

Be good.

Keep writing.

[Virtue]

Madam Xie!

Enough with the act!

You heartless woman.

You knew perfectly well that he brought that illegitimate son back

in order to replace me.

And yet, you still helped him scheme against me!

I'm your husband.

But what about you?

You're just like him.

You despise me; you loathe me.

Everyone wants me dead!

Once I'm dead,

the title of the Duke's heir

will pass to that illegitimate son.

Then he'll get what he wants.

And you...

And you!

Master Shuyu, your hand is injured.

I would never help an outsider

to harm you.

I am your wife!

Really?

You may fool everyone else,

but you cannot fool me!

You're a heartless woman.

You've never once respected

your own husband.

You look down on me.

Deep down,

you curse me day and night,

wishing I'd die sooner!

I never wanted you to die.

I've always wanted what's best for you.

I've always been protecting you!

Master Shuyu, please believe me.

I really didn't...

No!

Madam Xie!

Father is bullying Mother!

Father is a bad man!

I hate you.

I hate you!

I... I didn't mean to.

She suddenly lunged at me.

I just wanted to push her away.

I...

I...

What kind of child

would dare bite her own father?

Defying one's parents is a sin against Heaven.

I wonder how Mrs. Xue

usually disciplines her children,

to raise Miss Sun

to be so willful and rude.

If this ever reaches the Duchess's ears,

you will surely be whipped.

Mrs. Xue,

quickly take your daughter away,

and discipline her properly.

Leave.

All of you, leave!

Master Shuyu, please don't be angry.

I'll keep you company, and we can drink and relax.

Let's invite Die, Chuan,

and Qinfang as well.

We can secretly

bring in an opera troupe

to have some fun

and drive away this gloom.

Lian Xin, don't cry.

Xuanyu has just fallen asleep.

Don't wake her up.

Madam Xie.

Master Shuyu has gone too far,

letting that woman poison his mind,

and losing his temper with you every single time.

You've suffered so much.

Master Shuyu has fallen out of favor with the Duke.

His situation is already difficult.

I don't want to make a scene,

because I don't want to bring him any more trouble.

But your arm...

What should we do?

Give me a piece of gauze.

How could you...

My...

My grandfather was once the President of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

I do have some medical knowledge.

It's just that I rarely have occasion to use it.

Madam Xie, there's a message from Fuping Pavilion.

Come in.

Madam Xie, Master Shuyu says...

Go ahead.

Master Shuyu says,

Miss Ji Ping wants to dress as a titled lady,

so... she would like to borrow

your phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes.

How dare she wear

a titled lady's attire?

Is she trying to kill herself?

Give them to her.

Madam Xie.

Lian Xin...

Do I

look dreadful?

Help me touch up my makeup.

You are injured so badly.

Where are you going?

Madam Chang is hosting a guest from the Rong family today.

I must be there.

Don't worry.

I won't die.

Apply the rouge

a little heavier for me.

And wipe the blood

from my forehead.

Xiu Qiong.

Take a look at the Duke's Mansion.

How does it compare to our own mansion?

In my humble opinion,

the pavilion is grand enough,

but it feels lifeless.

At the Rong Mansion, Old Madam Rong's presence is overwhelming;

when she gets angry,

everyone trembles with fear.

Yet even then, the maids in her courtyard

still laugh and chatter.

But this place is different.

There are people in every pavilion and corridor,

yet all of them either look dejected

or expressionless.

They don't even dare to take a deep breath.

It's as if

you've stepped into a temple

and found everyone turned to stone.

It's so frightening.

Lady Shanbao is here.

Madam Chang is waiting for you.

I was passing through the garden

and a Pekingese

accidentally lunged at me.

My hem got a bit dirty.

I'm afraid it might displease Madam Chang.

Allow me to change my outfit

before I pay my formal respects.

Please forgive my bluntness.

Madam Chang

has been waiting for quite a long time.

And her patience is wearing thin.

You should go in together.

Lady Shanbao,

this way, please.

After you, Mrs. Xue.

Such a well-composed child—

good-looking, with an elegant manner.

No wonder His Highness likes you.

I'm quite pleased as well.

But you entered first instead of

letting the guest walk in.

Where are your manners?

How disgraceful.

It was my fault.

You young people

are always so careless with etiquette.

Since she is a distinguished guest of the Duke's Mansion,

you should've shown greater courtesy.

How could you just walk in first?

Madam Chang,

Mrs. Xue holds an imperial title

and is my senior.

As a guest,

there was no reason for Mrs. Xue

to yield to me.

Earlier,

I heard you refused to ride the sedan chair.

I thought

you were a willful girl.

But seeing how you speak and act now,

you appear well-educated and proper.

So why

were you so defiant

toward your elders before?

Do you know that since ancient times,

marriage has required

the Six Rites?

Even birth dates

must be examined for compatibility

to see if the union is blessed or cursed.

You come from a wealthy family in Jiangnan,

which means

you're a daughter of a respectable household.

You got engaged in secret

without His Highness's permission.

But since the Master Jianglai

was alone away from home

and had not yet returned to the family,

I can overlook the haste of the ceremony

and won't blame you for that.

Do you know that inviting you into this mansion

means His Highness

has accepted you as his daughter-in-law?

Personally,

I'm not pleased by this.

But I will not

oppose the Duke's will.

In the future,

I'll have to take extra care

to teach you proper etiquette.

Nanny Lian.

Mrs. Xue allowed you to enter first

out of kindness.

But wearing

the same color as Mrs. Xue

is a serious breach of etiquette.

Earlier, when you met her,

you should've apologized

and returned to change your outfit at once.

The Duke, favored by His Majesty,

has long held a high position.

Women of the inner household like us

must show respect and obedience

to our parents-in-law and husbands.

Toward our servants, we must keep a balance between kindness and discipline.

We should reflect on ourselves constantly and cultivate virtue and good fortune.

We must stay vigilant in times of peace, then we may begin and end with propriety.

From now on,

let the servants handle

your public business.

You should no longer run about for your career.

Such behavior is unseemly

for a lady.

It will only invite gossip and slander.

From now on,

you must be even more mindful

of your words and actions.

If you have any questions,

you may consult Nanny Wan.

Mrs. Xue

serves the Duke and Duchess

with the utmost respect.

She pays her respects every day, never missing a single day.

Through all seasons, she never slackens.

This is how a lady of a noble family should behave.

Unlike you, Lady Shanbao,

who still requires constant reminders from Madam Chang.

If word were to get out,

people would make fun of us.

Jianglai had a high fever last night.

Shanbao was taking care of him,

which is why she arrived late today.

Please don't blame her, Mother.

Madam Chang is a kind person.

She never criticizes the younger generation harshly.

As elders,

the more tolerant and gentle they are,

the more thoughtful and considerate

the juniors must be,

so you shouldn't be so careless anymore.

Didn't your grandmother teach you

to listen attentively

when an elder is speaking?

What's so funny?

Madam Chang.

Lord Lu and I

aren't officially married yet.

And even after we get married,

he will marry into my Rong family,

not me joining his Xue family.

So your rules

don't really apply to me.

Master Jianglai

is the biological son of the Duke of Yongguo.

He was born into nobility.

And in the future...

he's destined for greatness.

How could he possibly marry into your family?

Since you're a couple,

you should follow the rules of the Duke's Mansion.

In the Rong family, the women run the house.

And my sisters

have their own businesses to attend to.

If I were to marry out,

who would manage the tea plantation?

How would our family line continue?

Therefore,

it is only natural that he marry into my family.

Nonsense!

The Rong family's matrilocal marriages

are quite different from others.

Mother, you may not know.

Although Rong family's women do take in husbands,

they pick their men

as if they're choosing merchandise.

They love making men compete in literary tests and martial contests,

causing a huge scene throughout Jiangnan.

They are pickier in choosing a son-in-law

than His Majesty is

in selecting scholars through the imperial exams.

Even if

they manage to get married,

they treat divorce as something trivial.

They're fickle and unfaithful,

completely lacking all womanly virtues.

Yingchuan,

Lady Shanbao is a distinguished guest

of the Duke's Mansion.

Don't be so rude like that.

Besides,

every place has its own customs.

Judging others so lightly

is not how we treat guests.

Lady Shanbao,

this is the Duke's beloved daughter.

The Empress Dowager granted her

the title of Princess Jinxiang.

I see.

Lady Shanbao.

Since ancient times, a loyal official serves one lord,

and a fine horse bears only one saddle.

If a husband goes astray,

a proper wife should guide him back on track,

and influence him with her own virtue.

How can you speak of divorce so lightly?

A woman who remarries

ruins both her own fortune

and her family's reputation.

It is a man's nature

to crave someone new.

Now,

since you're young and beautiful,

he may still tolerate you.

But when your beauty fades,

and affection grows thin,

forget about growing old together

in harmony—

even sharing a simple meal

will become unbearable.

I've said every kind word as possible,

yet you remain unmoved.

You're truly stubborn beyond reason!

Mother,

for such a shameless woman,

even the seat she touched

should be scrubbed ten times over

to cleanse the air of her filth.

Since she turns a deaf ear to my advice

and shows no remorse,

we should drive her out at once,

before she pollutes your Hanyu Courtyard.

Yingchuan.

When will you ever learn

to control your impulsive manner?

For a young lady,

speaking out of turn is a fault.

Jianglai will definitely be appointed to the capital.

The one who manages his household

must be a virtuous woman.

As his elder sister,

every word I speak is for his own good.

And yet look at him—

indulging a woman

so domineering and arrogant.

Is he not afraid of being mocked by his superiors and colleagues?

Fetch a basin of water.

Good. Having a sense of shame is a form of bravery.

It's good that you know your mistake and want to correct it.

What I said just now

was spoken in the heat of anger.

There's no need to scrub the seat on the spot.

Lady Shanbao.

What are you...

Xiu Qiong.

When our Founding Emperor raised his army,

he had no more than 200 soldiers,

and barely 40 suits of armor.

The Rong family's ancestor saw his potential,

and poured out all the fortune

to support His Majesty in his most desperate days.

After the Founding Emperor ascended the throne,

he granted my ancestor the title of Marquis of Boyang,

and personally bestowed

the plaque of the Rong Mansion.

My ancestor declined the official position

and the land.

He only asked the Founding Emperor

for one promise—

one ratified with the imperial jade seal.

And what was that promise?

That the descendants of the Rong family

may preserve our ancient customs and ancestral rules,

including the right to take in husbands of our own will.

This right is passed down through every generation.

Except in cases of treason or rebellion,

no official may interfere with us.

Anyone who dares to harass the Rong family,

or force us to change our customs,

shall be executed

for defying an imperial decree.

Who are you trying to scare with this nonsense?

Why have I never heard of

such a jade seal?

My family stays in Linji

and rarely sets foot in the capital.

Those noble families who knew our history

have probably vanished long ago.

You are welcome to kneel before the palace gates

and ask if this jade seal is real or not.

Even if it's real, so what?

You're not going to behead me, are you?

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

This is a serious matter. No one would dare forge such a thing.

If it's truly the Founding Emperor's jade seal,

even the present Emperor

must bow before it,

let alone people like us.

Madam Chang.

It's fine.

Madam Chang, you come from a distinguished family.

You're well-educated and wise,

so you understand what is at stake here.

As for Princess Jinxiang...

Mother.

Huiqing, help me.

Princess Jinxiang is known for her blunt speech.

She meant no harm.

If she had known the Rong family abides by customs

granted by the Founding Emperor,

she would never have dared to speak so offensively.

For Lord Lu's sake,

please be lenient with her.

Fetch water.

You...

What are you doing?

What a pity that a young lady like you

would say such absurd and backward doctrines.

Words like these,

coming from your lips, offended my ears.

They're utterly annoying.

Today I will neither scold you

nor strike you.

I'll simply have you wash your mouth

and clear your mind.

Xiu Qiong.

The Founding Emperor issued a strict decree:

any man of talent or noble of merit,

even a member of the imperial family,

once he joins the Rong family,

he must abide by our traditions.

This rule does not apply to Lu Jianglai alone.

Even the Duke's family,

our in-laws by marriage,

must obey our rules as well.

You're going too far!

You...