Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Episode 3]

Mr. Mei, how about I give you some advice?

Rumor has it that Yuzhen Pavilion

sells aphrodisiac incense.

Why not buy some for yourself?

How vulgar.

These lowlifes

always prey on the weak.

Wu Zhen,

what are you doing?

I missed you after all these days,

so I want you to enjoy some incense.

Since when is incense

poured on people?

It's Mr. Ling's new fragrance blend.

It calms the mind when mixed with water.

Perfect.

Saved me a trip downstairs.

Ms. Wu, you just humiliated me.

Seems you still can't forget your ex.

Nope.

I just

really wanted to humiliate you.

You...!

Mr. Xie, you fancy yourself a cultured scholar,

yet teach no students,

serve no people,

uphold no justice,

and steal no riches for the poor.

All day, you flaunt your family's fame

while obsessing over bedroom gossip.

I own

my reckless reputation.

But you, Xie the Hypocrite, are all glitter, no gold.

And that's pathetic.

You...!

What? What about me?

Mr. Ling,

put Mr. Xie's fragrance blend

on my tab.

Sure.

I wouldn't want word getting out

that Mr. Xie's allowance got cut,

leaving him broke.

I didn't ask you to pay!

No?

Then pay up yourself.

Pay up yourself.

Yeah.

Don't take it to heart.

Zhen often hires male entertainers for fun.

This isn't her first rodeo.

Zhuyu,

do you know why

Zhen is such a rule-breaker

and does outrageous things?

It might trace back to that incident 18 years ago.

Do you know about the Great Fire of Chang'an?

Yeah.

Zhen and her sister were out that night,

but Zhen got lost.

Later, she was found unconscious and remained

in a coma for three months.

The Wu family even prepared her funeral.

Then she just...

Just woke up?

Yeah.

And after that?

Her whole personality changed.

Her family was overjoyed

and spoiled her rotten.

Now in Chang'an,

only her sister dares to scold her.

No one else would risk crossing her.

So,

my advice is

that you should

stay clear of Zhen.

She's out of your league.

Oh, there's something important.

Ms. Liu's father,

Mr. Liu, the new Minister,

is hosting a promotion banquet soon.

All the nobles

will be there.

Father wants you to go on our behalf

to mingle at the banquet.

Pass.

I've got bigger fish to fry.

Like what?

I heard the bat demon chaos

was caused by the Wight.

Shu is tracking it down.

We should have leads soon.

Speak of the devil.

[Jewelry Shop's eerie signs point to the Wight. Investigate for truth.]

And you are?

I'm Mei Zhuyu from Xuanjian Division.

I overheard your talk with Mr. Xu.

Mind sharing details?

Here's what happened.

I was sleeping

when I heard a voice.

That demon only shows after sunset.

Maybe come back tonight, Mr. Mei?

Alright.

It's late.

I'm leaving.

The sun's down. I gotta go.

You've been a great host.

Where'd that Wight vanish to?

Mr. Mei, please go in.

I'm scared.

So, the Xuanjian Division sent him to investigate?

Who's there?

You okay?

I was ambushed by a demon

and got hurt.

Wait, was that a cat?

A cat?

Did the demon escape?

I'm relieved.

Oh no, Mr. Mei. My treasures!

This whole room's priceless.

Did you touch anything?

No offense,

but these are invaluable.

You couldn't afford the damages.

Check if anything's damaged.

This lantern is for Mr. Liu's banquet.

One scratch will ruin it.

The promotion banquet?

My lady, you got in a fight?

Ugh, don't even ask.

Not only did I fail to track down the Wight,

but I almost got busted, too.

Here.

Don't be in a rush.

The Wight might be lifeless,

but it's very cunning.

It'll cause trouble sooner or later.

We'll sniff it out eventually.

Just keep a close eye on it.

We will.

What's this?

A new formula.

It's an ancient lost recipe

and can help cleanse your body,

making you a real demon.

Well?

How do you

feel now?

I kinda wanna...

What do I do?

They'll notice!

Honestly? I think

they look kinda cute.

Got a tail?

She's got it.

My Lady.

Thankfully, the ears are gone.

Demon! Face death!

You're an old fossil,

just got back,

and you're not even tired?

Quit playing the Celestial Master.

[Wu Chundao The Duke] I'm an outer disciple of Changxi Palace.

I told you

Changxi Palace is gone.

Shut down, kaput.

Don't mind me.

How about you and your sister lately?

Haven't pissed her off again, have you?

You know how it is.

An unmarried spinster like me

breathing at home

is enough to offend her.

True.

She's harsh, yes,

but I believe,

but deep down, she cares about you.

I can't fight her for you,

but I'm always rooting for you.

Gee, thanks.

So, what do you want?

Well, Liu Gongshen

got promoted

to Minister of Personnel.

Attend his promotion banquet

on my behalf.

Why not go yourself?

I'm retired, remember?

Oh, this is a mosquito-repelling trinket

I scored on my trip. It's for you.

Father, I'm begging you.

Stop bringing home junk stuff.

Our house is a dump.

These are rare treasures, I tell you.

Zhen,

please do this

for your old man.

Please?

Please? Please?

Fine, fine.

I'll go.

That's my girl.

Miss, if you fancy this bracelet,

feel free to try it on.

Okay.

Sir, take a look at these.

Ah, Mr. Xie, you came.

Mr. Xie.

I brought an item for repairs the other day.

Is it done?

Yeah.

Done and dusted.

Look.

I don't think so.

Look,

there's still a piece missing.

My apologies for the oversight.

Mr. Xie,

how about

picking a trinket here?

I'll have it inlaid for you.

Smooth salesman, aren't you?

Fine,

I'll pick one

and let you earn more.

Thank you, Mr. Xie.

This way, please.

I see

nothing special.

I'll take this one.

Since it caught your eye,

I'll have it set right away.

What do you say?

Sure.

This lantern is one-of-a-kind.

Indeed.

Light it up. Light it up.

I wonder what kind of pigment

makes the woman in this painting

so lifelike.

Yeah.

Look,

it's like she's about to

step right off the wall.

Exactly.

If only she'd dance for us,

or sing a song!

Dance and sing?

Yeah.

It'll be better if she cooks me a meal

and tidies up my place.

True.

She turned around!

She...!

She turned around!

What do you mean?

I just saw her! She turned!

She turned...! She...

She...

Enough nonsense.

Wrap up this lantern.

But I...

It's a gift for nobility.

No delays.

No, I...

[Liu Mansion]

Zhuyu,

Father was thrilled

you changed your mind

and praised me for convincing you.

Yes,

you deserve that.

I...

The last time I came here

was five years ago.

That day,

I waited outside all day

just to see Ms. Liu step out.

Then I proposed to her.

I'll never forget

how she smiled at me,

just like when our families betrothed us as kids.

Then

she said one word.

Yes?

Scram.

Since then,

every gift I sent was returned.

She even said

if I came near her home,

she'd set the dogs on me.

If not for Mr. Liu's banquet,

I'd never have set foot here again.

Mr. Mei, it's time.

We should head in.

Right, let's go.

Let's go.

Wait for me!

Who is this young man?

His donkey cart is shabby,

yet he insists on riding for appearances.

That's Mr. Mei from Xuanjian Division.

Recently, he offended the Princess of Qinghe County.

So it's him.

My apologies.

Are you gentlemen alright?

Thanks for your concern, Princess.

We're fine.

Yeah, we're fine.

The imperial carriage is such a hassle.

It needs two horses to pull it.

I prefer that little donkey cart.

It's quaint and charming.

Seems you're in high spirits today.

How disappointing.

Relax.

As long as I'm here,

I won't let their dogs bite you.

[Liu Gongshen Minister of Personnel]

My father's away in Chang'an,

but he sent gifts

for you to collect, Mr. Liu.

These are from his personal collection.

Is this from his collection, too?

Yes.

Maybe a gentleman

fancies Ms. Liu

and mixed up the gifts?

Though the craftsmanship lacks finesse.

Right.

I'd better fix that later.

Is it Mr. Mei...

It's obviously a gift from Ms. Wu to me.

Rumor has it you two are always at odds,

but it seems Ms. Wu is extending an olive branch.

Congratulations.

Enough chatter.

I'll gift my belongings

or toss them as I please.

No one else gets a say.

Roll it up.

Whose gift is this?

Mr. Liu, I'm Mei Zhuyu. Nice to meet you.

Ah, it's from Mr. Mei, who just returned to Chang'an.

I've little to offer.

I hope you like my gift.

Thank you, Mr. Mei.

This inkstone is smooth to the touch.

Though the work is unrefined,

the material is durable.

It's just like you.

You're young, yet full of promise.

Your future is bright.

Thank you, Mr. Liu.

Mr. Liu, you're gracious and wise.

You're right.

May Mr. Mei soon leave his sorrows behind

and achieve greatness.

Mr. Xie, you're disrespecting Ms. Wu.

Mr. Mei, what did you say?

Did you not hear Ms. Wu's words?

Her belongings,

even if discarded,

are not for others to judge.

So next time you guys see me,

keep your opinions to yourselves.

Mr. Xie, enough nonsense.

Why don't you present your gift

and let us see

how presentable it really is?

I do have something to offer.

It's also a gift for Ms. Liu.

I know Mr. Liu values simplicity,

so I thought to present this

to his daughter instead.

What's this?

A glass lantern I specially crafted

for Ms. Liu.

Light it up.

Such exquisite craftsmanship.

And gemstones are embedded in the base.

This must have cost a fortune.

No, it's nothing.

The woman depicted on it

is Ms. Liu.

Ms. Liu, look,

I've even inscribed a poem beside her.

Dreams dwell in valley and hill,

Yet grand carriages stir no thrill.

Miles of willows broken by the desk,

All worldly cares fade for poetry's fame.

Marvelous verse!

You're Chang'an's literary talent.

It's romantic, profound, and utterly moving.

Mr. Mei, did you see that thing earlier?

Ms. Wu, are you searching for it?

Oh?

Since when are you curious about me?

Supernatural occurrences are rare

in Chang'an,

yet you seem unfazed.

Unfazed is overstating it.

Rare doesn't mean nonexistent.

Now that you work in Records Repository,

surely you've read about me?

Wu Zhen, Duke Wu's second daughter,

is aged 24.

Years of matchmaking

made her meet eighty-some eligible bachelors,

but she rejected them all.

[Wu Zhen] My father obsesses over celestial stuff.

He's been searching for Celestial Masters for twenty years,

collecting treasures

and losing fortunes to scams.

With a father like that, I come by it honestly.

I see.

They say some demons take human form,

indistinguishable in temper and manner.

For all we know,

some might be among us.

As for tonight,

if I'm not mistaken,

there's a shadow demon here,

likely born from that glass lantern's reflection.

Shadow demon?

You're quite knowledgeable.

How would you know

such obscure lore?

I grew up in the countryside.

Tales of demons were my bedtime stories.

Besides, as nobility, you should know

why the Xuanjian Division was established.

It's all documented.

Why are you surprised?

I see.

And what would you suggest?

Having a demon around

is rather unsettling.

I recall reading

that shadow demons lurk in people's shadows.

appearing as living darkness.

With so many guests tonight

and lanterns casting

flickering shadows,

there are plenty of hiding spots for it.

What's this?

A demon-repelling vessel

my dad bought on his trip.

Cost him a fortune.

Maybe Mr. Wu got scammed again.

Pretty cool, no?

Got any great ideas?

Did you play shadow tag when you were little?

What's that?

Light candles in a room.

Players scatter while one gives chase.

Stepping on shadows counts as winning,

and then the caught becomes the chaser.

It was Ma...

my favorite game.

Later, I figured out an unbeatable trick.

First, blow out the candles,

so no one has shadows.

Move around in darkness,

then relight them

to easily tag others.

Are you suggesting we extinguish the lights

to lure the demon out,

then corner it somewhere private

to force its true form?

And after we lure it out?

That's

where your precious treasure comes in.

I'm only helping halfway.

Why are the lights out?

What happened?

Relight them!

Keep calm, everyone.

[Xie Loubai's Poetry Collection]

My boy.

It escaped quite fast.

Ghost! A ghost!

Your friend here

weighs a ton.

What happened?

The shadow demon struck hard

near the study just now.

What?

My boy.

My boy.

None of us is your boy, demon.

The Wight.

It was caused by the Wight.

Disaster!

Mr. Liu, bad news!

The mansion's haunted!

It's haunted!

There's a ghost!

There's a ghost!

- What ghost? - Nonsense!

What are you talking about?

How is that possible?

- Over there! - It's over there!

I saw it!

Are you okay?

Why are you here?

Did you find anything?

Nothing.

Just saw Xie Loubai's lantern.

Why did you gift Ms. Liu a portrait?

It wasn't me.

Someone slipped it

among my presents.

That person was

- Si. - Si.

Funny how anyone has someone

to love them.

Too bad

Si's feelings will get hurt.

You're quite observant

and handsome.

How could you

compare yourself to my castoffs?

I was merely borrowing your prestige.

You're being too modest.

You're nothing.

Ms. Wu.

Are you angry?

No need for insults.

Boring.

Xie Loubai's Poetry Collection.

Miles of willows broken by the desk,

All worldly cares fade for poetry's fame.

Wait.

What's wrong?

The lantern engraving differs

from the written version.

Both the collection

and Xie Loubai's recital said

"desk",

but here it's "pleasure quarter".

Why change this word?

Unless the one who wrote it isn't Xie Loubai at all.

This reads like a woman's hand.

♪A sigh for mortal dust♪

♪As blossoms burn to dusk♪

♪Memories tint the heart♪

♪Carved in silence, fading unseen♪

♪Candle shadows carve through grief♪

♪Seasons turn in silent thief♪

♪Night rain murmurs, faint and slow♪

♪Tears fall quiet, lost below♪

♪I drift away with scattered stars♪

♪Glancing back at time's worn scars♪

♪You're the longing that defies the end of days♪

♪If the tale could turn anew, and reshape the skies♪

♪I would spend my life on you, in patient sacrifice♪

♪Let fate rise through the storm, as love begins again♪

♪Never could I forget♪

♪When oaths dissolve into oceans, drifting through the years♪

♪Memory walks beside me, ever close, forever clear♪

♪A will that never falters♪

♪Fading beneath time's quiet hush♪

♪If the tale could turn anew, and reshape the skies♪

♪I would spend my life on you, in patient sacrifice♪

♪Let fate rise through the storm, as love begins again♪

♪Never could I forget♪

♪When oaths dissolve into oceans, drifting through the years♪

♪When oaths dissolve into oceans, drifting through the years♪

♪A will that never falters♪

♪Fading beneath time's quiet hush♪