Original subtitles

[Huizhou, During the Jiajing Reign of the Ming Dynasty]

Sir, tea, please.

Coming!

Here is your Tunlyu Tea.

Enjoy, gentlemen.

Roasted chestnuts!

Sweet chestnuts!

Here are your steamed buns.

Take care.

Zhen, hello.

[Li Zhen, granddaughter of the eighth branch of the Li family]

Zhen, wait for me!

Zhen, wait for me!

[Young Li Zhen]

Little Zhen, slow down!

Zhen!

Zhen, wait for me!

Uncle,

I'd like a guozi.

Sure.

Let me wrap one for you.

Where are you going, Zhen?

I'm going to watch the ink competition.

Okay.

Be careful.

[The Heir]

[Episode 1]

Bad karma in a past life condemns one to be born in Huizhou.

You get thrown out of the house at the age of 13 or 14.

So many men from Huizhou leave home young,

backed by their clans to trade around the world.

That is why they say "no Huizhou merchants, no towns."

Now let's talk about

the treasures of Huizhou.

First, we have Hui Ink.

When it comes to Hui Ink,

the Luo, Li, Chen, and Pan families stand out.

So you might ask,

which of these four is the leader in Hui Ink?

Manager of Luo's Ink Workshop, Luo Hanzhang.

[Luo Hanzhang, Manager of Luo Ink]

Manager of Li's Ink Workshop, Li Jinshui.

[Hair Net: The headpiece the man is wearing in this scene. It was a typical Ming Dynasty accessory used by adult men to bind and cover their hair.]

[Eighth Master Li, Li Jinshui, Manager of Li Ink]

Present the ink.

[Ziji Dragon Light Ink]

[The Way of Tao]

[Li Jinhe (Sixth Master Li) of the Sixth Branch of the Li family] [Li Jingdong, the eldest son of the Six Branch]

[Luo Wensong, the eldest son of the Luo family]

[Li Jingfu, the only son of the Eighth Branch of the Li family]

Where is Zhen?

Lord Huang.

Lord Liu.

This is the Luo family's

Ziji Dragon Light Ink.

Its ingredients include

[Huang Boyang, Ink Affairs Official]

pearl powder and gold leaf,

giving the ink a naturally shimmering golden glow.

The flood dragon painted with it

looks cloaked in radiant clouds,

as if it just soared from the sea.

It is indeed fine ink.

However,

a flood dragon is still a dragon after all.

It's too ethereal and lively,

missing some of the ink's "bone."

My Lords,

this is the Li family's pine soot ink,

named "the Way of Tao."

It is worthy of the Li Ink with its ancient heritage.

One can tell at a glance that its color is elegant and profound,

full of depth and gravitas.

Undoubtedly a top-tier ink.

Although it is fine ink,

its darkness is overwhelming,

losing a touch of vitality.

It has the "bone" of ink

but lacks soul.

Lord Huang,

so it seems

both inks

have their flaws.

Lord Liu,

that's not quite right.

Ink with both bone and soul

is rare in this world.

And in your view?

Luo Ink:

Superior Grade One.

Li Ink:

Superior Grade One.

Everyone,

in today's ink competition,

the ink of the Luo and Li families

is evenly matched, hard to tell which is superior.

The result puts me

in a difficult position.

I have a way to distinguish the quality!

Nonsense!

Whose ignorant child is this?

Behaving so unruly!

Guards! Throw her out!

Zhen, why are you here?

Li Jinshui.

This is no place for children to play.

Bringing a child in here,

are you treating the Tribute Ink Competition as a joke?

My Lord, please forgive me.

It is my fault for failing to teach my child properly.

I will punish her severely when we return,

and discipline her strictly.

Little girl.

From what you just said,

it seems you have an idea.

Tell us.

If it works,

I will overlook this offense.

Since one test wasn't enough,

let's try again using the Five Hues of Ink.

Grandpa said the greatest truths are the simplest.

Dense, rich, heavy, light, clear—

with the five hues on paper,

the quality of the ink becomes immediately clear.

The Luo family's ink smudged at the edges.

Li Ink wins!

When it comes to Hui Ink,

the Luo, Li, Chen, and Pan families stand out.

So you might ask,

which of these four is the leader in Hui Ink?

As the saying goes,

"Gold may be easy to come by,

but Li Ink is hard to find!"

"Gold may be easy to come by, but Li Ink is hard to find!"

Congratulations to the Li family for winning the Tribute Ink rights!

"Gold may be easy to come by, but Li Ink is hard to find."

Congratulations to the Li family for winning the Tribute Ink rights!

Daddy, I'm tired.

I want a piggyback ride.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Look at her, not acting like a girl at all.

Congratulations.

Congratulations to Li Ink.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Here, a reward.

[Wang Rujun, Madam of the Seventh Branch, Head of the Li family]

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Reward.

Thank you.

Here it comes!

Rewards for everyone!

Thank you!

Sister-in-law.

Thanks for your work today.

Not at all.

[Huang ying, daughter-in-law of the Sixth Branch of the Li family, Li Jingdong's wife]

Use fresh bamboo shoots with the mandarin fish today.

Cut them a bit finer.

Okay.

[Sun Wanyi, eldest daughter-in-law of the Seventh Branch, Li Jingyuan's widow]

I heard Lord Huang is originally from Lingnan.

Go easy on the salt for all the dishes today.

Got it.

Jiangyue.

Jingqi.

I heard that during the ink competition today,

that girl from the Eighth Branch stole all the spotlight.

[Tian Jiangyue, Second daughter-in-law of the Seventh Branch, Li Jingqi's wife]

Tonight, when the Ink Affairs Official comes,

you must perform well.

The future of the Seventh Branch, the main family line,

rests entirely on your shoulders.

Jiangyue,

[Li Jingqi, second son of the Seventh Branch]

I will take care of family matters.

However, with Sixth Uncle and Eighth Uncle around,

there won't be any problems.

That's not what I meant.

You are such a blockhead.

Jiangyue,

I know what you're thinking,

but we are all part of the Li family.

Drawing such clear lines between branches seems distant.

Sister-in-law.

Sister-in-law.

Cut this a bit smaller.

Keep working.

Sister-in-law.

Regarding the seating for tonight's banquet,

how has Mother arranged it?

After all, Jingqi

is the head of our Seventh Branch.

Eventually, the Li family will be entrusted to him.

So, regarding the seat next to Lord Huang...

Mother is in charge of the banquet arrangements.

You don't need to worry about it.

I have work to do.

Who is it?

Where did this come from?

I don't know how this chicken got out.

Did it scare you, Jiangyue?

Can you be more careful?

Jin,

I've noticed that these livestock

seem particularly obedient when they see you.

Sister-in-law, Ying.

[Zhao Jin, daughter-in-law of the Eighth Branch, Li Jingfu's wife]

I'm good at this kind of work.

This chicken,

paired with the shi'er mushrooms from my family in Yi County,

will make a perfect pot of soup.

Yes.

Li,

take it and slaughter it.

No need, no need for anyone else.

I'm good at it.

I can slaughter it right away.

It will definitely be ready before the banquet starts.

Jin, let me help you.

But my newly made jacket...

It almost got scratched by it.

[Luo Wenqian, the second son of the Luo family]

It's so beautiful.

Where did this little beggar come from?

Pay me back for my fish lantern!

I didn't do it on purpose.

Why did you push me?

You broke it!

You broke it!

You broke it!

And you still won't admit it!

Pay me back for my fish lantern!

Why are you bullying him?

It's none of your business!

Are you alright?

This little beggar broke my fish lantern.

I didn't mean to.

I thought it was something serious.

Take mine.

Don't hit him anymore.

Let's go.

Thank you.

When I go back and get money from my big brother,

I'll buy a fish lantern to pay you back.

If you really want to thank me,

do me a favor too.

It is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Lord Huang, your presence in my humble home

is a blessing for the entire Li clan.

Come, everyone, raise your glasses.

Let's welcome Lord Huang.

Welcome, Lord Huang.

I have long heard that you manage your household well.

Now that I see you today,

I know it's true.

You have an extraordinary bearing.

You flatter me, Lord Huang.

My husband Jintai and eldest son Jingyuan have both passed away.

I am just a woman,

merely taking care of some domestic affairs.

Lord Huang.

That Li Ink won the Tribute Ink honor this time

was entirely thanks to the efforts

of the disciples from the various families in the ink workshop.

Li Ink has been passed down for a century.

I heard that in the Li family,

the First to Fifth Branches

are no longer in the ink industry.

Only the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Branches remain

to continue the ink legacy.

Nowadays,

Eighth Master Li is the head of the Five Talents of the age.

I believe Li Ink will surely endure and prosper.

Over here.

This melon is so strange.

It's flat.

This one too.

It's not that big either.

Someone's coming. Run!

What are you doing?

Stealing melons?

Sister, let's go!

It's called "Harvest Eve Foraging!"

It's only called "Harvest Eve Foraging" when adults are doing it!

You are just stealing melons!

Don't go!

Stop!

Stop!

Watch out!

Go this way.

Your arm is hurt.

We need to stop the bleeding immediately.

I came today

firstly to offer congratulations,

and secondly to remind you, Eighth Master Li and Old Seventh Madam.

Since the date for sending the Tribute Ink to the Capital is set,

you must make arrangements in advance.

Only when the Tribute Ink arrives safely in the Capital

will the mission be considered a complete success.

This wine is quite cold.

I will go to the kitchen to give instructions,

lest Lord Huang thinks we are poor hosts.

Thank you for your trouble.

Is anyone there?

No one. No one.

Come here.

Come here.

Regarding the delivery of Tribute Ink to the Capital this time,

I already have a plan in mind.

Thank you for the reminder, My Lord.

Please, Lord Huang.

Alright.

Li Ink has been passed down for centuries.

It relies on the unity of the entire clan.

Jingfu of the Eighth Branch,

my son Jingqi, and Jingdong of the Sixth Branch.

This delivery of ink to the Capital

is entrusted to you three brothers.

You must work together and fulfill your duties faithfully.

After the Tribute Ink is delivered,

I hope for your safe and early return.

Yes.

Since you have arranged it so securely,

I can rest assured.

There is one more thing.

I have been in charge of the Li family for many years

and have reached the age to enjoy the company of my grandchildren

and live out my days in peace.

Jingqi, my son,

when you return from delivering the tribute,

I will pass the responsibility of leading the Li family

into your hands.

I hope you will redouble your efforts and live up to this trust.

Yes, Mother.

It will be a double celebration.

If you are free, Lord Huang,

please come to witness the Li family's succession ceremony.

Very well.

How could I miss such a joyous occasion?

Here.

Here.

Wait for me to grind the ink,

and I'll apply it for you.

Ink can heal wounds?

I've never heard of that.

This rouge ink

was made by my father for emergencies.

It stops bleeding and reduces swelling.

Your wound is a bit deep.

Once applied,

I'm afraid it won't come off.

Does it hurt?

No, not at all.

Well then.

It should be fine now.

This rouge ink is yours now.

Apply it two more times and you'll be fully healed.

Take it.

Thank you.

[Ink Manual]

The books you read

are similar to my brother's.

You can read?

I knew you weren't a beggar.

Does your family make ink too?

Why haven't I seen you before?

My name is Luo Wenqian.

My father is Luo Hanzhang.

You're from the Luo family?

I was raised in the Capital.

Father wanted me to study and become an official,

but I didn't want to.

Then what do you like to do?

What are your ambitions for the future?

I...

I don't know.

How can you not know?

Everyone has something they like to do.

My grandfather loved making ink.

My father loves making ink.

I like ink too.

In the future, I want to become

an ink master even better

than my grandfather.

I want everyone in Huizhou—

no—

everyone in Ming

to know my name, Li Zhen.

I believe you.

I'll go get some food.

Wait for me here.

Stop right there.

Zhen,

where have you been fooling around?

I went to watch the incense dragon dance.

Watching the incense dragon dance?

Why is your face so dirty?

Didn't I tell you

that I don't mind you playing,

but?

But I must not lie.

Seventh Grandmother!

Mother is going to hit me!

Seventh Grandmother!

Mother is going to hit me!

Who wants to hit you?

Your mother wouldn't bear to hit you.

My little rascal.

Where have you been playing?

Zhen, come down.

Seventh Grandmother needs to discuss business with the adults.

Your brothers would get scolded if we didn't behave.

Seventh Grandmother has so many grandchildren,

but I am the only granddaughter.

I'm Seventh Grandmother's treasure.

She wouldn't bear to scold me.

It is a great joy that Li Ink has won the first prize.

Sending the ink to the Capital is also a crucial matter.

But everyone must remember

the Li family rules.

On every festive reunion day,

we must test your knowledge of ink

to continue the Li family's ink-making legacy.

There are four inksticks in front of you.

Let's see who can identify them by scent first.

Zhengshen, you go first.

[Li Zhengshen, eldest grandson of the Sixth Branch]

Go on.

I... I don't know.

Get back here.

Don't scold him.

When you glare like that,

how can he identify the ink?

He's scared out of his wits.

Zhengliang,

it's your turn.

Go ahead.

[Li Zhengliang, eldest grandson of the Eighth Branch]

I can't tell either.

Idiot!

Why are you glaring at him?

When you glare,

how can he identify the ink?

Brother,

let me help you.

Seriously.

This ink contains seashells and frankincense.

It must be the Luo family's best-seller in recent years,

"White Jade Light."

This one is infused with plum blossom and osmanthus.

It must be the Chen family's Scholar Ink, known as

"the gentleman among inks," symbolizing success in the imperial exams.

Look at her.

This one has a strong medicinal scent.

On closer sniff, it smells of musk.

This must be Jiangyun Mountain Ink.

I brought this ink back from outside.

It's not famous.

It's understandable if she can't recognize it.

I remember now.

I've seen this ink before.

It's from the Tian family.

Grandfather said that

although the Tian family opened an ink workshop recently

and uses decent materials,

they haven't put effort into studying

how to make ink properly.

So the ink they produce

is always a mess.

Seventh Grandmother,

am I right?

Yes, you are right.

Wonderful.

Zhen is so clever.

Stop praising her.

She'll get too big for her boots.

Where did this child come from?

Come here.

Don't run around.

You...

Look at him. He...

Seventh Grandmother,

this is a new friend I made today.

Zhen,

you can't just bring strangers home.

Look at his dirty face.

People might think he is a street urchin.

He is not a street urchin.

His name is Luo Wenqian.

Luo Wenqian?

You are the second son of the Luo family?

Stand straight.

My son disturbed your feast.

Please forgive the rudeness.

I failed to raise him well.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I will send someone

with a gift of apology.

It was no disturbance.

Just children playing around.

Old Master Luo, please do not take it to heart.

He rarely comes back.

Let Zhen show him around.

I'd love to.

That won't be necessary.

He has heavy schoolwork

and is returning to the Capital soon.

I'm afraid he won't come back.

Farewell.

Luo Wenqian, wait.

This fish lantern is for you.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

I told you to study at home,

yet you ran to the Li family

to hang out with that girl from the Eighth Branch.

Do you think I haven't been embarrassed enough?

Young Master.

It's the Mid-Autumn Festival today.

It looked lively outside,

so I wanted to take a look.

Give that to me.

Give it to me! Do you hear me?

Stay home and study hard.

You are not to step outside before we return to the Capital.

Father,

I don't want to go back to the Capital,

nor do I want to take the imperial exams.

How dare you!

Say that again!

Father.

Look.

I have here...

another ink stick I made.

How do you like it?

Get out!

Brat.

Haven't I seen this already?

You get out too.

Okay.

Then what do you like to do?

What are your ambitions for the future?

I like playing outside,

with no one telling me what to do,

and getting to see all the excitement everywhere.

Then just tell your family.

But that's not a proper job.

My father would surely scold me.

Then you can tell him

you want to be a traveling merchant.

I love listening to the visiting ink merchants

telling stories.

They've been to so many places

and seen all the wonders of the world.

Is everything you said real?

[Two months later]

The Huizhou Literary Association congratulates the Li Ink on the succession ceremony!

Li Ink has returned from the tribute delivery.

Li Jingqi of the Seventh Branch is about to take over as clan head.

That is truly a double blessing.

[The Legacy Lives On]

The Huizhou Literary Association congratulates the Li Ink on the succession ceremony!

Mother!

Seventh Grandmother!

Mother!

Mother!

Seventh Grandmother!

Seventh Grandmother!

My little Zhen.

Seventh Grandmother, has the boat arrived?

Where are my father and the others?

Don't worry, little Zhen.

They will be here soon.

Now, come here.

Warm up in my cloak.

Take a look.

The Huizhou Literary Association congratulates the Li Ink on the succession ceremony!

We wish you the carrying forward of the legacy

and everlasting glory!

Thank you all.

Seventh Grandmother, look!

The boat is here!

The boat is here!

Start the drums!

Jingqi... is gone!

Seventh Aunt...

It's all because of him.

It's all because of Li Jingfu!

He got drunk,

ruined the Tribute Ink,

and angered His Majesty!

We were all thrown into prison,

suffering daily torture.

My legs...

My legs...

Poor Jingqi suffered even more.

He was already weak and sickly,

and then he caught a chill.

How could he survive that?

Fortunately, Lord Huang couldn't bear to see the Li family suffer

and made every effort to mediate on our behalf.

Li Ink was sentenced to pay heavy taxes for 10 years.

That's why we could return alive.

All of this

was due to Li Jingfu!

Li Jingfu!

It was you!

You are the reason for Jingqi's death!

Give Jingqi back to me!

Give Jingqi back to me!

Give Jingqi back to me!

Jiangyue! Jiangyue!

Jiangyue!

Jiangyue! Jiangyue!

Give Jingqi back to me!

Jingfu is honest by nature.

He could never mess things up because of drinking.

There must be...

There must be some misunderstanding!

There must be some misunderstanding!

Misunderstanding?

He's dead. What misunderstanding could there be?

Why wasn't it you who died?

Why wasn't it you?

Why?

Why?

Jingfu,

say something.

You were wrongly accused, right?

Say something, Jingfu.

You were wrongly accused!

I was not.

I was not.

I was on duty that night.

I did drink.

But...

I really checked everything

inside and out

before I went to rest.

The ink!

The ink!

I don't know why a fire broke out at midnight

and destroyed all the Tribute Ink.

No matter what,

it was my negligence in supervision

that caused Jingqi to die unjustly in prison

and Jingdong to injure his leg.

I have failed

the entire Li family.

I am guilty.

I deserve to die.

You should have died instead of Jingqi!

That's not true.

Jingfu.

Father.

Say something, Father.

You know Jingfu isn't that kind of person.

Father, say something.

Please say something, Father!

Eighth Brother.

Father!

Father!

Father!

Today's accident happened

because of the Eighth Branch.

I will give the whole clan

a proper account.

Bring the punishing rod.

Bring the punishing rod!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Jingfu!

Seventh Grandmother!

Seventh Grandmother!

Please, stop hitting my father!

Father, stop hitting him!

You'll kill Jingfu if you keep hitting him!

If you must hit someone, hit me!

I'm begging you!

Please, say something!

When a son makes a mistake,

the father

cannot escape the blame.

His father will take

the rest of the punishment.

You Eighth Branch caused Jingqi's death.

Do you think a few lashes will write it off?

Seventh Grandmother,

don't you love me the most?

You don't care about what others say.

You only listen to me.

Mother.

The family rules are paramount.

No one can break the Li family's rules!

If you are a member of the Li family,

you must accept the Li family's punishment!

Then I won't be a member of the Li family anymore.

Eighth Uncle.

Today's matter

is hard to resolve.

Give the Sixth and Seventh Branches

a proper account.

Sixth Brother.

Rujun.

We Eighth Branch

know our sins are heavy.

We are ashamed...

to face everyone in the clan.

I volunteer...

to be removed...

from the family tree.

[Li's Ancestral Hall]

[Spirit Tablet of Jintai, Head of the Li Family in Ming]

Jintai...

I've come to see you.

Our Jingqi...

has... passed away too.

The Eighth Branch

has been expelled from the clan.

Li Ink, as the winner of the Tribute Selection,

bore the duty of guarding the Tribute Ink.

However, during the transport to the Capital,

due to negligence,

the Tribute Ink was destroyed.

It is hereby ordered:

The Li family is stripped of the Tribute Ink privilege.

Luo Ink shall take its place

to supply the tribute.

By imperial decree.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, My Lord.

[Champion of Ink Making]

Take it down.

The Huizhou ink industry

is about to change.

-Eighth Master Li. -Eighth Master Li.

Eighth Master Li.

-Eighth Master Li. -Eighth Master Li.

I, Jinshui,

am ashamed.

I have failed everyone.

[Li Ink]

Rujun.

From now on,

the Li's Ink Workshop

will be entrusted to you.

Eighth Brother.

These ink recipes

are your life's work.

You should keep them.

Thank you

for your trust.

These ink recipes

will be buried with me.