Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an]

[Episode 22]

[Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

Honey,

you've been so good to me.

I can never repay you in this lifetime.

So please stop taking the blame for me,

will you?

I'm begging you.

Honey.

Zhang San raped and killed Qingqing.

She was my good friend when I was in brothel,

and I saw it with my own eyes.

It happened years ago in Pingkang District.

The murder weapon was a pair of scissors.

Someone reported it to the officials afterward.

But due to insufficient evidence,

that villain got away with it.

Since you saw it yourself,

why didn't you testify against him?

I didn't dare.

But looking at you today,

you don't seem like someone afraid of death.

I don't fear death.

What I fear is that if he retaliates,

I'll never have the chance to avenge my father.

But years have passed,

and I still feel

that I've failed Qingqing.

I thought of another way

to kill Zhang San,

which was to hire an assassin.

But I needed money.

So I asked Meng Buyi,

but he refused to give me any.

I...

Honey,

I know you grew up poor

and are only a minor clerk,

with a pitiful monthly salary.

I didn't tell you the reason,

so you didn't give me money.

I don't blame you.

Later I found out

that Qian Zheng, the owner of Jinxiu Textile,

came to the square every day

to watch me play the pipa.

I know what that look

in a man's eyes means.

Someone's here.

I'm sorry.

I should be the one saying sorry.

Are you taking shelter from the rain here?

Why don't we take shelter together?

Mr. Qian,

your clothes are all wet.

Don't put them back on.

You might catch cold.

My lady,

your clothes are wet too.

How about I start a fire

so we can dry them together?

I complained to Qian Zheng

about the unfairness of marrying Meng Buyi

and hinted that I might get close to him,

and I managed to borrow the money

to hire an assassin.

I failed you.

Secretary Meng,

please divorce me.

You're kind

and thrifty.

You deserve a good wife

and many children.

What nonsense are you talking about?

I killed Zhang San.

It has nothing to do with Qian Zheng!

Meng Buyi

doesn't even give Hongyao any money to spend!

She's so beautiful.

Shouldn't she have

the finest jewelry and clothes

to suit her?

That day I arranged to meet Yan Junxian,

hoping to find out Ming Shi's true identity.

Unexpectedly, Zhang San

suddenly knocked on my door

and forced me to give him money.

I thought

the assassin I hired must have been incompetent

and slipped up.

I did have some money left.

Just as I was about to compromise to save my life,

Meng Buyi returned.

So I had Zhang San hide in the cabinet.

After I sent Meng Buyi away,

I sent Yan Junxian to leave first.

When I returned home,

I found Zhang San lying on the floor.

I thought,

isn't this the perfect opportunity?

Qingqing and I were like sisters.

Back when we were in Pingkang District,

she took the best care of me.

So I decided to use

his own methods against him.

I used the same method Zhang San used to kill Qingqing...

The murderer was me, Hongyao.

It had nothing to do with Meng Buyi.

You seem to have confessed,

yet deliberately concealed some details.

Let me ask you.

Did you know there was a Perfect Purple

hidden in the cabinet?

A snake?

I didn't know.

If there was one,

[A Loyal Heart]

it must have crawled in by itself.

My house is close to Qu River.

Perfect Purple is no ordinary snake.

And Meng Buyi has already admitted

he intended to use a snake to commit murder.

Looks like you two

didn't have a chance to coordinate your stories.

Alright,

let me piece this together.

Seven years ago,

Secretary Meng saved Hongyao

when she was about to take her own life,

and later they married.

According to Secretary Meng,

they were very harmonious for the first 2 years,

but gradually grew distant,

and they often argued.

Therefore,

Hongyao often went to the square to play the pipa.

Then she saw Zhang San open a shop

selling mutton soup.

Thinking of her friend's death,

she wanted to hire an assassin to avenge her.

But Secretary Meng was too stingy to give her the money,

so Hongyao briefly got close

to Qian Zheng.

Later,

Qian Zheng hired the private detective Cat,

who was

actually Secretary Meng himself.

What's the name of your lover?

Hongyao.

I think

after this incident,

you two have become honest with each other.

Why are you doing this?

Just because

I never took you to visit Chang'an?

Or...

Or is it because

I didn't give you enough money for household expenses?

If...

If you wanted a life of luxury,

why did you marry me?

I'm not unwilling to live simply;

I'm just afraid that

I might lose the chance to avenge Qingqing.

I suspect

that Hongyao had already revealed everything

about her background,

her past experiences,

and the fact that Mingshi was the assassin

known as Beacon Fire.

In her reasoning,

Yan Junxian was also an enemy,

because her father once said

that the one who hired the killer must have the surname Yan.

But as for Secretary Meng's attitude...

I infer that…

Your father

was my father‑in‑law.

Such a deep blood feud must be avenged.

But why do you have

to risk your own life?

I have indeed resolved to sacrifice myself,

but I haven't figured out

how to take revenge.

You speak of it so lightly.

Are you mocking me?

No, no, no.

Don't be angry, Honey.

Let me explain.

Secretary Meng's plan

was to lure Yan Junxian to his home

and kill him with a Perfect Purple,

then hide the body.

Ming Shi would surely come looking.

By then, you two only needed to hide,

and the Perfect Purple would take revenge on your behalf.

Am I right?

It was quite a meticulous plan.

Unfortunately,

the assassin Hongyao hired…

A silver ingot?

You really are an assassin now?

H-how would I have the guts,

Mr. San?

Where did the money come from?

Speak!

I'll kill you if you don't tell me!

Jiang's money

brought Zhang San knocking at the door,

and Hongyao

thought it was Meng Buyi.

In your original plan,

you were going to put Yan Junxian

into the cabinet.

But by coincidence,

Yan Junxian opened up

and revealed his background—

he was only a puppet,

his real name was Moorhen, and he didn't bear the surname Yan.

So

you felt compassion for him

and hid him under the bed instead.

What you didn't expect was that the person

who arrived wasn't Meng Buyi,

but Zhang San.

Why is it you?

If you don't tell me

where your money is,

I'll strangle you!

The reason Meng Buyi came back late

was because the senior clerk

kept pestering him

by telling him stories about snake demons.

This cost you, who've been frugal all your life,

quite a bit.

After all, a jar of wine

isn't cheap.

As for what happened afterward, my deduction is…

Why are you back?

Aren't you on night duty?

What... what are you looking at?

Did you come back to catch me cheating?

No.

Let me ask you.

Let me ask you!

You told me you were an official

in the Ministry of Revenue.

But a secretary...

is just a minor clerk!

There are 50 or 60 of them

in the Ministry of Revenue alone.

It's a lowly position with no official rank.

How long are you going

to keep lying to me?

Who's lying to you?

A secretary may be low-ranked,

but the duties are significant.

It's still ninth rank.

Come on.

An unranked position

can't compare to a proper official rank.

I...

You've been a aecretary for 7 years.

If you had ever considered my feelings,

you wouldn't spend every day

writing strange tales

instead of trying to advance.

Divorce me.

What did you say?

Divorce me!

Divorce you?

So you can get back together

with Yan Junxian?

No way!

Go.

Am I right?

If the two of you had shown even the slightest flaw,

Zhang San

would have come out of the cabinet

and started killing.

Yan Junxian

would have seized the chance to escape,

and Hongyao's hope for revenge would have been lost forever.

I went through the same thing

Zhang San did yesterday.

Fortunately, Miracle Doctor Fei was there.

Otherwise,

I would have died.

Honey!

Come out!

Shoes!

Go!

Officer,

may I ask your name?

[Fair and Just]

I am not an officer.

I'm a disciple of Master Di.

My name is Su Wuming.

Master Di?

Years ago, when my father

was framed by that corrupt official Yan,

it was Master Di who set things right

and freed him from prison.

So,

you're a descendant of an old friend.

Mr. Su, your deductions

are remarkably precise.

I'm deeply impressed.

Official Lu, I saw you when you came to Qinglong District

to handle the cases.

All 110 districts of Chang'an

speak highly of you.

With both of you protecting Chang'an,

the people are truly fortunate.

I, Hongyao, admit my guilt.

I have nothing else to say.

Hongyao!

Honey, you are not guilty.

The snake has been kept at home for a long time.

It wasn't intentional.

You must live well.

If there's a next life,

I hope you'll marry me again.

[A Loyal Heart]

If there is a next life,

I, Meng Buyi,

wish to grow up with you

and spend every day with you.

This is not a court proceeding.

It's more like watching a play or listening to a story.

I'm getting emotional.

My Sushan shop hasn't even opened yet.

I needs to get back to business.

I invited several more coroners

to re-examine the body together.

[Three Days Later]

We concluded

that Zhang San died of asphyxiation.

In other words,

he was strangled by the snake first.

Therefore,

the charge that Hongyao stabbed Zhang San to death

cannot be established.

Thank you, Mr. Su,

for saving my wife's life.

[To Strengthen Integrity and Expertise]

But...

even though Zhang San was already dead,

stabbing a corpse with a sharp weapon

is still a crime.

I understand.

What is the sentence?

His majesty has just ascended the throne

and is strictly enforcing moral standards.

Those who mutilate a corpse

face at least 3 years of penal servitude

or facial tattoo punishment.

My wife is beautiful.

She loves lively crowds.

If her face is ruined,

how could she ever go out

to accompany others

on the pipa again?

I was

born dull

and can never make her laugh.

If she can't go out to have fun,

how can she

find joy in this life?

So, Miss Pei,

please deliver a message to her.

I am willing to wait for her for 3 years.

Please ask her not to choose facial tattoo punishment.

Thank you.

I'll decide for myself.

You must not listen to my husband on this matter.

Please carry out the facial tattoo punishment as soon as possible.

The sooner the better.

Life is short.

If my husband and I can reunite earlier,

what does a scar

from facial tattoo punishment matter?

Hongyao.

Hongyao.

Please don't try to persuade me anymore, savors.

Now that I have taken my great revenge,

I only feel sorry for Meng.

How could I bear to make him wait for 3 years?

I've made up my mind.

Please, Miss Pei,

report this to Official Lu on my behalf.

I am eternally grateful.

[Half A Month LAater]

[Su Garden]

Honey, look.

This is our new home.

Su Garden?

Why is it called this name?

Your childhood name was Su,

right?

I never told you this.

How did you know?

I found out that Qiu Xian,

a junior official in the Ministry of Revenue,

used to be a colleague of your father.

So I went to pay him a visit.

Mr. Qiu praised Father-in-law highly

and mentioned that you were born when he was already old.

He even attended

your birth celebration,

so he knew your childhood name.

Although you don't hold an official position,

you are still a dignified Metropolitan Graduate.

After saving money for so many years,

you finally managed to buy a new residence.

It should be called the Meng Residence,

not named after me.

There's no yours or mine,

only ours.

[Su Garden]

Su Garden.

I like that name.

And...

I can't think of

a better one.

No, no, Honey.

Someone might see us.

Are you ashamed of the scar on my forehead

and afraid others will mock you?

No.

Then what are you afraid of?

I...

I'm not afraid.

Such a large residence.

This must be very expensive.

How much money have you saved all these years?

Not all of it was saved.

Some was earned recently.

You know what? I sold that

Perfect Purple

for 60 thousand coins.

Really?

Also,

I've written our story

into my strange tales.

People are going crazy for it at the bookstores.

Is that so?

Of course.

I want to tell you,

I'm not going to be an official anymore.

What's so good about being an official?

Just like Yan Junxian,

his conscience was corrupted by his position.

I'll just be a minor clerk.

Being a clerk is nice.

I can write strange tales and catch snakes.

These all bring in extra money.

As for...

As for the private detective work,

I won't do it anymore,

no matter how much money they offer.

Okay.

My father?

Yes.

This was painted by Miss Pei.

She painted it according to Mr. Qiu's recollections.

I personally chose the paper

and mounted it myself.

Are you satisfied with it, Honey?

I am.

Father.

Father-in-law.

We have avenged you.

You can now rest in peace.

For the rest of my life,

I, Meng Buyi,

will take good care of Su.

Please don't worry.

Honey,

I learned a new skill.

What is this?

You want to tattoo flowers

to cover this scar for me?

You may not know.

In the past,

Shangguan Wan'er received facial tattoo punishment

and later had plum blossoms tattooed on her forehead,

making her even more beautiful than before.

You are no less beautiful

than Lady Shangguan.

Though I'm not yet skilled at tattooing flowers,

I will put my whole heart into it.

Honey,

do you trust me?

Yes.

♪ I love the makeup reflected in my mirror ♪

Of course I trust you.

♪ Golden hairpins mingle with green silk strands ♪

♪ In a moment, sunlight kisses my rouge-stained cheeks ♪

♪ And a single red bloom seems about to melt away ♪

[Qinglong District]

Meng Buyi moved to a new home

and actually invited us for drinks.

He's worth befriending.

Indeed.

But his wife just received facial tattoo punishment.

Her forehead...

Should we look at it or not?

It might be a bit awkward.

[Su Garden]

Su Garden.

This is the place.

[Everlasting Blessings]

Secretary Meng, are you home?

Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming, along with friends,

are here to offer their congratulations.

We're here!

Hongyao?

You look beautiful.

Who tattooed this peony?

The artistry far surpasses mine.

My husband did it.

He learned it especially for me.

As expected of Meng Buyi.

Secretary Meng, oh Secretary Meng.

You have once again

surprised us all.

Brilliant!

I, Meng Buyi, together with my beloved wife Hongyao,

thank all of you, our saviors.

"So lonely, so forlorn."

"Tears shouldn't be at weddings."

"May one find a devoted heart"

"and never part till old age."

Zhuo Wenjun's "Song of White Hair."

Just hearing these four lines

makes one long for true love.

Tonight is too quiet,

so quiet

that I forgot we were sitting together,

and I started reciting someone else's poem.

Have some water.

It shouldn't be too hot.

I drank too much today.

And now you have to take care of me.

Xijun, you can hold your liquor well.

You don't look drunk at all.

It's just that

I've paid too little attention to you.

Especially compared to Meng Buyi,

all the men in Chang'an

would probably feel ashamed.

Hongyao's life, once imperfect,

has been made complete

by meeting Secretary Meng.

I'm truly happy for her.

So am I.

You're so kind.

Balancing leniency and strictness.

You upheld the laws of the Tang Empire

while allowing love to bloom.

I...

[Liuhe Sushan Shop]

Look at this.

Our Sushan Shop hasn't been open long,

and we've already earned so much?

Just because we earned too much,

I converted the coins into silver ingots

to take up less space.

That's because

I'm such a good boss

Right?

At this rate,

we won't have to wait until next year to open branches

in the East and West markets.

Come on.

Branches?

I say

we should first divide these silver ingots.

Divide?

How?

Well, of course it should...

Al-although I didn't invest any money,

I am, after all, the boss.

I'm not greedy.

I'll take half first,

and you can split the other half.

How's that?

You call that "not greedy," Mr. Fei?

Though you're the nominal boss,

the capital came from Xijun.

To open this shop,

she even sold a residence.

You...

Yingtao,

Master Fei

is just worried we'd waste money.

Xijun is so perceptive.

Fei is just joking with us.

He's a wandering cultivator;

what does he need so much money for?

"Wandering"

means to be free and unrestrained.

Holding so many silver ingots—

doesn't that dishonor the wandering cultivators?

Am I right?

That's right.

I said I'd take half

because I wanted

to help you save money.

You young people

are so extravagant.

Yingtao.

Every time you have money, you buy all sorts of delicacies,

and in large quantities.

Right?

Xijun,

you never charge for painting portraits

for Yongzhou Prefecture Office,

right?

But buying ink, brushes, and pigments daily—

that costs money.

Su Wuming.

You're always browsing bookstores,

and every time you go, you buy so many books.

Isn't that also

a huge expense?

Fei.

The expenses you just mentioned

still can't compare to

what you'd spend on a good drink.

Exactly.

Little Xue Huan, do you even know how to talk?

Do you think I won't hit you?

Just try it.

I'm Xue Huan, captain of Yongzhou Prefecture Office.

If you can hit me that easily,

what would that make

of Official Lu?

This Little Xue Huan.

Since becoming the captain,

you've gotten even more handsome.

Alright.

Looks like this Sushan Shop

not only didn't lose our investment,

it even made a profit.

Doing business is really

quite interesting.

Congratulations to you all.

Xue Huan, it's time.

Let's head to the county office.

I'll get the horses ready.

Don't go!

The...

The six of us all have a share

of the Liuhe Sushan Shop's profits.

How can we divide it if you leave?

Don't...

It's better that they left.

Those two are officials,

not suitable for sharing the money.

Now we only need to divide it into 4 shares.

Since I'm the boss,

can I take just a little more?

Master Fei, being the boss must be tough.

So yesterday at the West Market,

I specially picked a gift for you.

W-what is it?

See for yourself.

A silver flask,

and even gilded with gold?

The craftsmanship is so exquisite.

This must have cost a fortune.

How can I accept it?

Is the Chicken Master of Tang present?

I am.

The "Chicken Master of Tang" title

that the Princess granted

has been made into a gold medal.

A gold medal?

I've been waiting for this for some time.

Delivered as ordered.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Come, help me open it.

Let me see.

Chicken Master of Tang.

Chickens offered from all regions.

Bestowed by the State-guarding Grand Princess of Tang Empire.

I, Fei Qiao, Fei Yingjun,

have loved chicken and wine all my life.

With this gold medal,

no matter where I go,

people will offer me chickens.

And with the silver flask Xijun gave me,

whatever wine I put in it

becomes heavenly nectar.

Well...

I won't take a share anymore.

From now on,

why would I, Fei Yingjun, ever need money?

Fei, oh, Fei,

it's double blessings for you today.

Come on! Let's do it together!

Congratulations, Boss Fei!

Congratulations, Boss Fei!

[Sushan]

Wuming,

we still have to split the money we earned.

You should get half.

I can't.

How could I take that?

It's not for yourself.

You're the Chief of Secret Agents,

but Yongzhou Prefecture Office

doesn't have enough funds to run its network.

How can that help keep Chang'an safe?

You want to use your own money

to cover Yongzhou Prefecture Office's expenses?

It's not just covering.

One day, you will build

a vast intelligence network

for Chang'an,

gathering all kinds of important information,

helping Yongzhou Prefecture Office

crack one strange case after another—

even

major cases that concern the safety of the court.

When that happens,

there will certainly be generous rewards.

So what does this little money

matter now?

Wait.

Have you and Lu Lingfeng

already discussed this?

It was his idea.

I see.

You truly are

the wise helper behind Lu Lingfeng.

But don't worry.

I'll never pocket a single penny.

All the money

will go into intelligence work.

I only hope this information

can keep the capital safe

and ensure the stability of our Tang Empire.

If I truly receive any reward because of it,

I'll return double to you.

With your character,

wisdom,

and courage,

of course I believe you.

[Rice Shop Clerk]

[Dancer from Pingkang District]

[Investigator in the Ghost Market]

I understand what you mean, Mr. Su.

No need to give me money in advance.

What?

Is it not enough?

That's not it.

I'm in the jewelry business.

In Chang'an,

I own over 100 properties.

Then why are you working as a secret agent?

Because I, Yuanbao,

just love gathering information.

[Jewelry businessman]

I'm addicted to it.

So even if I have to lose money,

I'd still spend heavily

to buy top-quality intel.

However...

to be honest,

I used to own more properties.

These years of working as part-time a secret agent

have already cost me several of them.

That's quite admirable.

Here.

A toast to you.

Alright.

A toast to you too.

Alright.

There's someone over there.

Miss!

Miss!

What are you doing?

Is something troubling you that badly?

Exactly.

You're as beautiful as a flower.

Why do you want to die?

There are thousands of paths in this world.

You can walk any of them.

But once you choose death,

there's no turning back.

She's blind?

What a pity.

Miss,

even if you can't see,

you shouldn't end your life.

My eyes work well.

I can guide you.

She has a pipa with her.

I wonder if she can actually play it

or not.

We can't recruit her.

She's too beautiful.

If she joins us,

wouldn't she steal

all our spotlight?

Beautiful as she is,

she's not young anymore.

And she's blind.

You wouldn't like her anyway.

You think you're so smart.

[The Tavern of the Poets' Contest]

This is the latest intel

our secret agents brought back.

Black Fire?

Yes.

Back in the assassin organization Blood Drop,

he was as famous as Beacon Fire,

but far more ruthless.

After every hit,

he would kill all witnesses,

which is why

no one knows what he looks like.

I've seen the Blood Drop files

in the Court of Judicial Review.

Just in Chang'an alone,

94 people died

at Black Fire's hands.

"Black"

should refer to black clothing.

And "Fire?"

Could it mean he kills with fire?

Rumor has it

he wears only white

when he kills.

In fact,

no one even knows

whether "he" is a man or a woman.

This time,

if they dare to enter Chang'an,

I will capture them

and let the people witness

their execution.

[Liuhe Sushan Shop]

That's him.

Your sushan.

So it's you.

I heard you were quite boastful.

Just talking business.

I plan to book out the entire Sushan Shop tomorrow,

and have you come

to Ruan's Restaurant

to make Sushan on-site.

You want Sushan?

Come and line up here.

You want us to come to you?

No way.

We may be doing business,

but...

But...

we do business after all.

Right?

Making sushan on-site

isn't completely impossible.

That's what I thought.

Who would turn down gold and silver?

Gold coins?

Your business is doing well.

Our boss is giving you a gold coin

as compensation for the loss of closing for a day.

Going on-site to make sushan is no problem,

but there's no need to close the shop, right?

We have enough tools and people

here.

No.

Our restaurant is hosting

3 distinguished guests tomorrow.

[Mr. Hou of Ruan's Restaurant]

Our boss wants

no one in Chang'an

to eat sushan tomorrow

except for those guests.

That's going a bit too far, isn't it?

For every sushan you make,

we'll pay you 10 times the price.

Not even for 100 sushan.

I might

move a little

for cold silver and gold,

but I will never bow

to some breathing so‑called "distinguished guests."

Just because he gets to eat sushan,

common people in Chang'an can't?

What makes him so special?

Even if he's a member of the imperial clan,

we wouldn't serve him.

Throw him out!

-Go now. -Go.

-There are still people waiting in line. -Let go of me!

He's not from the imperial clan.

Our boss's guests

are two great poets—

Gao Da and Wang Youbo.

Who cares about this Gao Da or whoever?

Even if Wang Bo or Chen Zi'ang

came back from the dead

and wanted to eat sushan,

they'd still have to ask

whether I'm willing!

Throw him out!

Get out now!

Wait!

Just now,

were you talking about Gao Da and Wang Yubo?

Finally, someone who understands.

Miss,

I'm the manager of Ruan's Restaurant

near Kaiyuan Gate.

Our boss, Ruan Daxiong,

will be hosting two great poets,

Gao Da and Wang Youbo, tomorrow.

So we request that you close for one day

and come to our restaurant to make sushan on-site,

as a mark of respect for the poets.

Everyone in the Tang Empire is a poet.

They have some fame

and are called great poets.

I can respect that,

but this is going too far.

Not at all.

These two poets, Gao and Wang,

are truly extraordinary.

Their future achievements

might surpass the Four Greats.

Get down here.

You have no idea,

but nowadays, if you name

3 greatest living poets

in the Tang Empire,

these two will surely be among them.

It's not too much

for Ruan's Restaurant to honor them

with exceptional courtesy.

Besides,

our Sushan Shop

has been open for a month,

and the staff haven't had a single day off.

Though they don't complain,

as owners,

we can't treat them this way.

But...

Listen to me.

Manager, what's your surname?

My surname is Hou.

Mr. Hou,

I can make decisions

in this Sushan Shop.

Go back and tell your boss

that it's our honor

to come to Ruan's Restaurant to make sushan

for Gao Da

and Wang Youbo.

We will be there

at 2 PM, precisely on time.

Will that work?

The timing is perfect.

I can go back

and report to our boss.

Here's the deposit. Take it.

Okay.

Take care.

See you tomorrow.

I'm the boss.

[Temporarily Closed for One Day. Thank You for Your Understanding]

Hurry up.

[Temporarily Closed for One Day. Thank You for Your Understanding]

[Liuhe Sushan Shop]

They're closed?

It's all your fault for dawdling.

I didn't know they would close so early.