Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 6]

Grandfather, where are we?

This is the old ink workshop of the Li family.

You've been here when you were little.

I remember now.

My father brought me here when I was little.

My father said

he learned how to boil glue here.

Yes.

This

is where Li Ink has its roots.

Li Ink originates

from the Xi family of the Southern Tang.

Due to constant wars,

the Xi family moved from Yishui to Huizhou in the south.

They used ancient pine wood from southern Anhui as material

and created Li Ink.

Later, the last emperor of the Southern Tang

appointed our ancestor Xi Tinggui as the Ink Affairs Official

and bestowed upon him the imperial surname Li.

From then on,

Li Ink became widely known,

and our ancestors

were highly honored.

It all began

in this small ink workshop,

which led to the prosperity of Li Ink.

Zhen.

Do you know

why there are so many ink workshops in Huizhou,

yet only Li Ink

has been passed down for centuries without interruption?

Because Li Ink has the world-famous Sihe Ink.

Sihe Ink has long been lost.

I could only catch a glimpse of it

in the portraits of our ancestors.

Could it be because of these 2 words?

[Upright and Honorable]

Exactly.

Li Ink

is righteous

and never clings to the powerful.

Ink makers must cultivate their moral character,

be cautious when alone, and keep a calm mind

in order to embody the "bone" of Li Ink.

I understand, Grandfather.

As the saying goes,

a clear conscience

fears no midnight knock.

Righteous thoughts and deeds lead to righteous results.

Am I right?

You are only half right.

The way of ink making also requires self-cultivation.

Eldest Aunt?

Eldest Aunt,

why are you here?

I came to bring you some things.

Eighth Uncle.

I've brought all the things.

Please take a look.

Lamp oil, lamp wicks,

and some molds.

If it's not enough,

I'll figure something out.

That's enough.

Please thank Rujun for me.

This must have put her in a difficult position.

Eighth Uncle, Jingdong is in charge of the ink workshop now.

He did complain a bit,

but since Mother spoke up,

he didn't dare say anything more.

It's just that I took a look when they were loading the goods.

Many of them are defective products from the warehouse.

I don't know if they can be used.

It doesn't matter.

Right now, this girl

doesn't need the good stuff.

Grandfather.

Seventh Grandmother knows

about me learning to make ink?

Without Seventh Grandmother's approval,

do you think we could use

this ink workshop?

Zhen.

Your Seventh Grandmother said

you don't have to

worry too much about these things.

It's the reward you deserve for helping her

raise fish and flowers when you were young.

She also asked me to pass a message.

If you want to learn to make ink, learn it well.

When you finish your apprenticeship,

she will come to test you.

Grandfather!

I've set up the lamp bowls.

Zhen.

Grandfather.

I know

the first step in making ink

is lighting the lamps and gathering the lampblack.

I already mastered it

when I was secretly learning it.

Twist these lamp wicks

into strips.

Grandfather,

nowadays all the ink workshops

buy ready-made ones.

Why are you making me learn this?

Zhen,

for others,

the first step in making ink might be gathering the lampblack.

But for you,

you must start by twisting lamp wicks.

I see.

Grandfather,

I'm done.

Uneven thickness.

Do it again.

Uneven thickness...

Then I'll twist an even one for you to see.

I've twisted so many.

There must be one that works.

Grandfather,

can I move on to the next step?

No.

Why?

See?

Uneven length.

You can't expect me

to make the length of every single one

exactly the same.

Only when you can make

lamp wicks

that are all uniform in length and thickness,

tightly twisted, and won't come loose

can you move on to the next step of making ink.

I just don't understand.

Making lamp wicks is only a minor skill.

Everyone in Huizhou knows how to do it.

If I'm just here twisting lamp wicks,

wouldn't that just be a waste of time?

Zhen.

Then teach me how to twist lamp wicks.

Twisting lamp wicks

just takes practice.

I don't believe it.

Did Li Ink achieve what it has today

by twisting lamp wicks?

I told you before

that if you want to learn ink-making from me,

you must follow the rules.

If you cannot complete every step

and meet the required standards,

then there is no point in learning it at all!

Grandfather.

Zhen.

What's going on with you two?

Why are you here?

Mom asked me to call you home for dinner.

[Chi Luo Hun: Ancient Huizhou dialect. It means having dinner]

You go ahead and eat.

I can't.

Grandfather is making me twist lamp wicks.

Zhen,

have you forgotten?

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival,

a day for family reunion.

We can't celebrate without you.

Here,

I bought this specially for you.

Time for dinner.

Dinner time.

Let's go.

Wait for me!

Wait for me!

Do you think we can

get to the lantern temple fair in time?

Let me tell you,

don't even think about it.

When our Young Master

starts making ink,

he's like a monk in deep meditation.

It's the Mid-Autumn Festival.

It's a pity to miss the lantern temple fair.

What are you talking about?

Shut up.

Young Master.

There's a letter from the Second Young Master.

Well...

What is it?

Never mind. Nothing.

I'll go out first.

Young Master.

Today...

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Let...

Let everyone go home for the festival.

Okay!

Should we go to the lantern temple fair too?

Why don't you accompany me to make ink?

I'll go...

tell the workers to go home for the festival first.

Dear Brother, seeing this letter is like seeing me.

When you receive this letter,

it should be around the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Are you alone again

making ink in the ink workshop?

Everything is fine with me in the Capital.

Especially the small business Jixiang and I

have been running at the academy.

It has been doing better recently.

This is a small business.

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

No credit allowed.

Look.

It is brave and skilled in battle.

It has won 18 matches in a row out there.

This...

I have money.

Put it all down.

Hurry up.

Jixiang.

Father is getting more and more short-tempered.

He always scolds me for not doing honest work.

Maybe it's because I recently

angered 2 more teachers so much that they left.

Luo Wenqian!

You are not allowed to come to my academy again!

If you don't teach him,

who can he learn from?

Right?

He's a lost cause.

I can't teach him.

I really don't want to be an official.

Doing business suits me better.

If you don't study hard,

what are you going to do in the future?

My aunt said that doing business

isn't necessarily worse than being an official.

Besides, many men in Huizhou

are out doing business.

Once I learn to do business,

I'll help you open Luo's Ink Shops in every part of the world.

Too obedient a boy won't amount to anything.

General Yu Dayong returned to the Capital a few days ago to report on his duties.

Wenqian looks like a good boy.

He dropped by our house on the way.

Then I'll go with Uncle Yu to the military camp right away.

Did you hear that?

[Yu Dayong, General of Fujian]

This boy.

I actually think

getting some experience in the military camp with him

would be more interesting than studying.

Brother, how is your new ink coming along?

Today I heard

that Jiang's Bookstore has the only existing copy

of Ink Chronicles.

I will definitely get it for you within 7 days.

Once I get the book,

I will send it to Huizhou immediately

to help you develop the new ink.

That fast?

You know,

selling this book to me for 100 taels

doesn't put you at a loss.

Careful.

This is the only copy.

This one. Ink Chronicles.

We only have an incomplete copy in our family.

You are from a family of ink makers?

Luo Ink.

Have you heard of it?

Good.

Good.

Alright. I'm leaving.

Come back.

I'll wrap it for you.

It's fine.

Brother,

will we spend the Mid-Autumn Festival together next year?

I miss you, and I miss Aunt too.

Your brother, Wenqian.

Little brat.

You reduced yourself

to this state for just a marriage?

You don't want to live anymore?

What's the meaning of this?

You're just putting on a show for me?

I know your heart is full of bitterness,

and hatred,

and a desire to fight back.

Look at me.

If you want to fight, you need leverage.

Running away changes nothing.

Listen to me.

Our Tian family

was originally a merchant family.

We only became servants of the Luo family after our downfall,

enduring endless humiliation all these years.

Though we have been freed

from our slave status,

in the eyes of the Luo family

and everyone in Huizhou,

we will always be their servants.

Do you really want to

live your whole life in such humiliation?

I will die eventually.

If you still consider yourself the eldest son of the Tian family,

remember this:

the future of our family rests on your shoulders.

Keep pounding.

Let's see what you can achieve by pounding.

Useless.

Tomorrow,

we will go to the Luo family

to dig a well for your sister.

Digging a Well: Before a Huizhou woman married, her family would go to the groom's home to dig a well. This signified that everything she would eat, drink, and use after marriage would come from her own family. This was a traditional wedding custom in ancient Huizhou.

Whether you go or not

is up to you.

Our Tian family

was originally a merchant family.

We only became servants of the Luo family after our downfall.

Do you really want to

live your whole life in such humiliation?

Wonderful.

Father.

Ping'an,

where is the Eldest Young Master?

He is making ink.

He is quite busy.

As for digging the well,

you can handle it yourselves.

Without the Eldest Young Master present,

this goes against the rules.

In the Luo family,

the Eldest Young Master's word is the rule.

Also,

after you finish,

don't forget to take the dirt away

so you don't dirty the Luo family's grounds.

Yes.

In the Luo family,

the Eldest Young Master's word is the rule.

I understand.

Since the Eldest Young Master isn't here,

we'll do it ourselves.

Let's go.

Wait.

The Eldest Young Master left another order.

He's at a critical stage of ink making lately,

so he can't get away.

On the day of the wedding,

just get a small sedan chair

and send her in through the side door.

Waive all other conventional formalities.

Entering through the side door?

Isn't that the ritual for taking a concubine?

My sister is to be his legal wife, after all.

Ping'an,

did you

misunderstand him?

Our Ronghua will be his legal wife, with all the proper formalities observed.

There should be an eight-bearer sedan chair.

Since you said it yourself

that the Eldest Young Master's word is the rule,

just do as told.

Yes.

Yes.

No matter which door our Ronghua enters through,

it's an honor for our Tian family.

Please tell the Eldest Young Master

that everything will be done according to his wishes.

Good that you know.

Then do as you're told.

Let's go.

Father, why did you agree?

They have gone too far.

What do you know?

Brother,

you should persuade Father too.

Dig the well.

Entering through the side door?

Isn't that taking a concubine?

They are clearly bullying us!

Cancel the engagement!

Yes, Father.

I want to cancel the engagement.

No.

Why?

You have to know

that I worked so hard

to get this marriage for you.

If you cancel it,

all my efforts over the years

will be wasted.

This is not just about you.

It's about the entire Tian family.

If you cancel it

and offend Eldest Young Master Luo,

our Tian family might have to

go back to being servants for the Luo family.

Ronghua.

If that's the case,

we...

can't cancel the engagement.

Otherwise, if we anger Eldest Young Master Luo,

what will happen

to our whole family?

Listen to me.

It's just that the bridal sedan chair

will enter through the side door.

In the genealogy book,

you will still be recorded as his legal wife.

That's good.

Being recorded in the genealogy book

makes you his legal wife.

Are you really willing to let me

enter the Luo family with the rites for taking a concubine?

Ronghua,

a wife's status depends on her husband.

Marrying into the Luo family

will only bring you advantages,

no disadvantages.

Once you become the Head Madam of the house,

everyone in the Luo family

will be at your disposal.

As for this minor grievance for now...

listen to me,

just endure it.

Would your mother and I

harm you?

Sister.

Only parents and matchmakers have a say in one's marriage.

I can't help you.

Brother...

You also think I should

marry into the Luo family with the rites for taking a concubine?

Just marry him.

Ronghua! Ronghua!

Zhen.

Ronghua?

What's wrong?

Why are you crying?

What's wrong?

Don't cry. Don't cry.

Don't scare me.

Ronghua,

what's wrong?

Eldest Young Master Luo wants me to marry him with the rites for taking a concubine.

The rites for taking a concubine?

He...

He's too domineering!

Did your parents and your brother

all agree to this?

No way.

This Eldest Young Master Luo is definitely not a good match for you.

But my father and mother both want me to marry him,

and my brother too.

Zhen,

I really don't know what to do.

Ronghua.

Do you really want to accept this fate?

I don't want to accept it.

But...

But I can't break off this engagement.

Who says you can't?

Let me ask you.

Deep down,

do you want to break it off?

Yes.

Good.

Since you want to do it,

let's go find Eldest Young Master Luo

and break off this engagement.

Eldest Young Master.

They're here.

Miss Li.

Have you figured it out and decided

to work at Luo Ink?

Who is this?

Well...

It's me.

I'm here to break off the engagement.

Miss Tian,

here's the thing...

Eldest Young Master Luo,

you can't force love.

Please be magnanimous

and write an annulment letter for Ronghua.

You haven't answered my question.

When will you decide to work at Luo Ink?

We're

here today

to discuss the annulment.

Why are you bringing up another thing?

I can't annul it.

Only parents and matchmakers have a say in one's marriage.

I can't make the decision,

and neither can you.

Let me give you a suggestion.

Go to the Capital to find my father.

He can make the decision.

It's fine.

Eldest Young Master Luo,

I know

that deep down,

you don't care about this marriage at all.

The only thing you care about

is making ink.

Everyone says you are an ink-obsessed madman.

It is precisely this "madman" label

that shows your deep love for ink.

You and Ronghua have no feelings for each other.

Why should you be bound by this old custom?

When it comes to ink-making,

you are always fair and just,

appoint people based on merit,

and never stick rigidly to old rules.

I, Li Zhen, admire you for that.

How come,

when it comes to marriage,

you stick rigidly to the rules?

I just told you not to stick to old ways,

and today you're using that against me.

Move aside.

Such a nice girl.

What a pity.

Her surname is Tian.

What do you mean by that?

I mean,

this good girl

could probably give me

a lovely child someday.

You see, my father

urges me every day

to carry on the family line.

It annoys me so much

that I can't concentrate on making ink.

I should just obey my father.

What...

What are you talking about?

Luo Wensong, you're shameless!

How could you say such...

such frivolous things in front of us?

For your own selfish desires,

are you going to ruin a girl's whole life?

Miss Li,

there's one thing I don't understand.

You see,

you didn't marry Tian Benchang,

and now you won't let me marry a girl from the Tian family.

Do you want to be with me?

You...

You're...

Nonsense!

I broke off the engagement with the Tian family

not only because you added fuel to the fire,

but also because the Tian family

was being two-faced!

Don't you understand?

Don't you?

The reason Tian family wants to

be related to you by marriage—

I believe you know better than I do.

If this marriage really happens,

I'm afraid in the future,

you'll be even less able to make ink in peace.

You shameless girl!

Who allowed you to disturb the Eldest Young Master?

Eldest Young Master.

Uncle Tian,

why are you forcing Ronghua?

She doesn't want to marry him.

This is between our Tian family

and the Luo family.

Stay out of it.

Ronghua and I are like sisters.

Her business is my business.

She doesn't like Eldest Young Master Luo at all.

How can you not care about

her feelings at all?

Eldest Young Master,

it's all my daughter's fault.

Please forgive her.

Rest assured.

This marriage

is settled.

Father, I don't want to marry him!

Bastard!

Even if you die,

you have to die in the Luo family!

Tian Huai'an!

Eldest Young Master.

Let's go!

Father!

Zhen!

Ronghua!

Eldest Young Master Luo!

Please save Ronghua! I'm begging you!

When will you make up your mind to work at Luo Ink?

As long as you save her,

I'll come right away.

Hurry!

Tian Huai'an!

Don't hit her!

Let go of me!

Let me out!

Sister,

just stay at home and wait for your wedding.

Let me out!

Let me out!

[Luo's Mansion in the Capital]

I need to see Old Master Luo for something urgent!

Please come in!

Master, someone from the palace is here.

Old Master Luo.

What is it?

Old Master Luo,

Lord Yan has been dismissed.

What?

As a strategist of the Yan family, I'm afraid you won't escape punishment.

I'm afraid the entire Luo family

won't be spared.

An edict has been issued from the palace,

and an arrest warrant will be issued soon.

You should prepare early.

Okay.

Okay, I got it.

I'll take my leave.

Father,

why did you call me over at this hour?

I was about to go to bed.

Can you perk up a little?

Join the army.

Do you want to go?

Do you remember General Yu?

Yes. Uncle Yu.

I've already told him.

Set off immediately

and head southeast to find him.

Take this letter with you.

In the future,

follow his arrangements.

Father,

has something happened to our family?

What could it be?

No academy in the Capital is willing to accept you now.

Really?

I thought something terrible had happened.

Father,

you see,

I told you before

that I'm not cut out for studying.

But...

Now...

Leave the city immediately?

It's so late.

Traveling at night isn't safe.

Can I leave

when I wake up tomorrow?

Do you think the military camp is our home

and you can go whenever you want?

If you want to go, leave immediately.

If you don't want to go, that's fine.

Stay home and study.

I'll hire a tutor for you.

You choose.

No, no.

Spare me, Father.

I'll go, okay?

I'll leave right now.

Alright?

Master.

Has everything been packed?

Young Master,

it's all packed.

Come on, Father,

you're so eager for me to leave.

When did you pack all this?

Remember.

Work hard after you get there.

If you still

haven't changed your ways in 2 years,

don't ever come back to the Luo family.

Do you hear me?

Father, rest assured.

After I leave,

take good care of yourself.

Go now.

I'm leaving then.

Get out!

Okay, okay.

I'm leaving, Father.

Let's go.

Let's go have fun in Hangzhou first,

then head to the military camp.

We're leaving tonight.

Second Young Master.

Why is he in such a hurry?

Master,

I heard the Imperial Guards have left the palace.

What are you whispering about?

Get out of here!

Father, don't be in a hurry to drive me away.

Later when you miss me,

you'll realize how good I am.

If you don't get out of here,

I... I'll change my mind!

Don't!

I'm leaving. Alright?

Let's go.

I'm leaving!

Take good care of my father!

Father!

Don't miss me!

I'm leaving!

Don't miss me too much!

Zhen!

Zhengliang!

Zhengliang, let me out!

Be good!

Zhengliang!

Zhengliang!

Zhengliang!

Zhengliang!

How long have you kept me locked up?

Just let me out!

Zhengliang!

Zhengliang,

aren't...

Aren't you sleepy?

You've been watching me day and night.

You can't even get some good sleep.

Besides,

you haven't gone to work for days.

Exactly.

I've lost several days' wages.

I'm keeping a record.

When you have money,

remember to pay me back.

What does this have to do with me?

We are all workers.

Then you should ask Mother for it.

Right.

So there's one more reason I can't let you out.

Now that this has happened to Ronghua...

I grew up with her.

We are like sisters.

She needs me the most right now.

I can't just watch her family

drag her into the fire!

No!

Mother said that

as long as you still meddle in that matter,

you can't go out.

If my future husband's family also wants

to marry me with the rites for taking a concubine

and humiliates our whole family,

would you be willing to let me marry him?

Of course not.

Right?

Zhen!

Zhengliang!

How could you...

No!

Zhengliang!

[Suburbs of Hangzhou]

The scenery of Jiangnan water town

is quite similar to that of our Huizhou.

Sir,

a pot of tea!

Coming right up!

Young Master,

this is much happier than staying at home.

Here, here.

Sir.

It's not far from Hangzhou, right?

Yes.

Hurry, hurry.

Sit, sit.

Here, Young Master.

Did you

buy a batch of

Luo family's ink?

Yeah, look.

Right here.

They're talking about our ink.

This batch of ink

took me a lot of effort to get.

You'd better sell it quickly.

I received news

that the Luo family

is in trouble.

Old Master Luo in the Capital

has been beheaded in public.

What?

Luo...

Luo Hanzhang of Luo Ink...

is dead?

The government has posted the notice.

Everyone in their family

is awaiting trial.

Then what should I do with this batch of ink?

That's why I told you to sell it quickly.

Otherwise, once the news spreads,

it will be hard to sell.

Who are...

What did you just say?

Luo Hanzhang

is dead.

Say it again.

Luo Hanzhang in the Capital

is dead.

Who did you say is dead?

Let go of me!

Young Master!

Are you crazy?

Listen, I'll say it again.

Listen carefully.

Lord Yan has fallen.

As a result, Luo Hanzhang was publicly beheaded.

Everyone in the Luo family

will be put on trial.

Did you hear me clearly?

What the hell?

Take this letter with you.

From now on,

follow his arrangements.

General Yu,

the Luo family has suffered a misfortune.

By the time you read this letter,

I will probably no longer be in this world.

I have made many friends in my life,

but you are the only one I can trust with my children.

This time, I'm taking a risk

to entrust the last 2 sons of the Luo family

to you.

Because I believe

you are a man of honor and loyalty.

I know

you will take a great risk in this matter.

I beg you,

for the sake of our past friendship,

to give my son a new name

and take him under your command

so that he may survive.

Although my son, Wenqian, is naughty,

he is pure of heart.

If this time

he can escape the imperial court's bloodshed

and preserve a bloodline for the Luo family,

I will be extremely grateful to you.

I kowtow in deep gratitude.

Jixiang!

We must go to Huizhou

to find Brother and Aunt.

Lord Yan in the Capital

made many enemies

and has been impeached.

The Luo family has been implicated.

Knowing he cannot escape death,

the Master ordered me to ride back fast

to bring the news to you.

Where is Wenqian?

The Master has already had the Second Young Master

go find a man named Yu Dayong in the southeast.

Eldest Young Master,

the arrest warrant

will be sent to the city soon.

The Master told you

to entrust the family property to Tian Huai'an,

and then take Miss Luo

to the southeast

to meet up with the Second Young Master.

The Master personally told us to entrust the property to him?

Yes.

He said it personally.

This is the recommendation letter he prepared for you.

When you reach the southeast,

present it to Yu Dayong.

My father told us

to entrust the property to you.

It's all written there.

Take a look.

Thank you, Eldest Young Master.

The Master has shown me, Tian Huai'an,

immense kindness.

I will definitely not fail

the trust of the Luo family.

However...

Speak your mind.

Our Ronghua

is still engaged to you.

With such a major incident happening to the Luo family,

our Tian family

will hardly escape unscathed.

You want an annulment letter, right?

Yes.

It's written,

and it's at the bottom.

Thank you, Eldest Young Master.

Go sign it.

Father.

Father!

Tell me!

Why did Luo Wensong suddenly call you over?

Lord Yan in the Capital is in trouble,

and Old Master Luo

is also implicated.

The Luo family is doomed.

So Old Master Luo

left a document,

asking the Eldest Young Master Luo

to hand over their land

and property deeds,

ink workshops and stores

to our Tian family

for me to manage!

Son!

Our Tian family's

time to rise has come.

Let's see who dares

to look down on us in the future.

The Luo family has done much evil.

They deserve this retribution.

But Father...

What about Ronghua's engagement?

I've also got the annulment letter for Ronghua.

Tonight,

the Eldest Young Master Luo

is probably going to flee.

Let him be.

Let's go!

Go home!

Father.

Luo Wensong is a wanted fugitive.

Naturally, we should report this to the county office.

How could you

have such a thought?

The grudge over breaking the engagement and treating us as their servants—

if we don't take revenge now, when will we?

We absolutely must not let him escape.

I...

Chang!