Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 12]

Look at the lines of the Four-season painting.

You can touch it.

Touch it?

May I?

Yes.

Zhengliang, touch it.

Third Aunt is skillful, right?

Let me see.

Manager Shao seems like a rough man,

but his gold-tracing technique is amazing.

There are exactly four pieces.

The Spring piece

is for my beautiful sister-in-law.

Thank you, Zhen.

The Summer piece

is for my loud-voiced mother.

Thank you, Zhen.

The Autumn piece is for my honest brother.

Thank you, Zhen.

As for the Winter piece,

it conceals its sharpness to store its energy.

That is for Grandfather.

Grandfather,

the Li family's ink workshop is incredible,

much tidier than others.

When I was young,

I used to play hide-and-seek inside,

going in and out,

but I never knew what that place was for.

Going back this time,

I finally got the hang of it.

I couldn't even count

the amazing things in the ink workshop.

If I could spend

months with the workers in it,

I'd develop many new inks.

Zhen.

Although you intended to go back,

I'm afraid the Li family

won't accept you.

Zhen.

Tell me,

what are

your plans?

I'll make a plan

after the ink testing event ends.

The lacquer-soot ink isn't truly finished

until the ink testing event is over.

Zhen.

After the event,

the lacquer-soot ink

has nothing to do with you.

It doesn't matter, Mother.

Anyway, I have all these skills.

If I win a prize,

I'll buy us a new house.

Grandfather,

will you go to the event?

The colleagues of the Huizhou ink industry

will definitely all be there.

Since I have long sworn

to quit the ink industry,

it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go.

However,

I wish

that your lacquer-soot ink,

the Li family's lacquer-soot ink,

will be a great success.

Okay.

I, a maker of lacquer-soot ink, Li Zhen,

announce that

my first ink testing event

starts now.

What do you think?

Let me take a look.

The ink on the lines is like lacquer.

It gives off a lively shine where the stroke ends.

As for the layers, it's lyrical and dynamic.

Good ink.

It's a top-notch ink.

Grandfather.

Did I look like you?

[Li's Residence]

[Cuiqiao Cottage]

[The Mortuary Tablet of Late Husband Yu Gonghai]

Sister.

I didn't expect Miss Li Zhen

could restore the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

Li Zhen has a talent for ink making.

But I didn't expect

that the one who got involved would be her.

Things have settled down.

Since you've tested the waters,

the way forward is clear now, right?

It's my good fortune that God grants my wishes.

It seems you have made up your mind

to invest in Li Ink.

I wonder

whether your decision

involves any selfish motives.

Sister.

The hardest thing in the world is to have it both ways.

Since there is an opportunity now,

why don't I seize it?

Right, Sister?

I was a merchant on the sea.

You are a fugitive on the run.

We are both outcasts.

If Marshal Qi and General didn't take us in,

we would have died long ago.

Marshal Qi and General have done us

a tremendous favor.

But Sister,

what exactly do you want to say?

I know about your blood feud with the Tian family.

But preparing military supplies

is the top priority of our trip to Huizhou.

We have been sworn siblings for years,

no different from biological ones.

As your sister,

I can't watch you act on impulse,

mess up the task,

and bring trouble upon yourself.

You're right.

Thank you for the reminder.

I will definitely go all out

and handle the military supplies properly.

But

how can I stop

avenging them for my family?

I just hope

you don't act impulsively.

[Qingfeng Pavilion]

I know what to do.

Sister.

Don't worry.

Girl.

The invitations for people in Jinling

have already been sent out.

As for the major ink merchants and managers in Huizhou,

I will let

someone deliver them later.

I will go personally to the ink workshops

that have good relations with Li Ink,

and to Third Master Chen.

But as for Lord Yan,

you should go invite him yourself

as you are the maker of the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

Good idea.

Sixth Grandfather, I will go now.

Go ahead.

[Deshan Hall]

Are you going to the ink workshop again?

I changed the ink recipe today.

I seem to have some clues.

Then, go quickly!

The deadline is approaching.

We can't let the whole Huizhou

laugh at Tian Ink.

I'm afraid we are bound to become a joke.

Li Zhen

managed to recreate the ancient lacquer-soot ink!

I heard that

the Li family is going to hold an ink testing event.

They invited all major merchants and famous scholars in Huizhou

to test the ink in their shop.

Father, what should we do?

Why panic?

The Li family wants to hold an ink testing event?

Okay.

I'd like to see

how they're going to pull off the ink testing event.

[Yan's Mansion]

[To Lord Yan]

I remember that

your family also announced

to restore the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

Yes.

But now,

the Li family has already made it.

Why is your family holding

another ink testing event?

What are you

going to do?

Lord Yan.

I didn't want to be so ostentatious.

But my father asked someone to send this Baibao Ink

to the capital

and present it to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu praised it after using it.

I want to hold an event

to honor Lord Xu's favor.

Lord Yan, I hope you will grace us with your presence

and join this grand event.

You...

Master,

Miss Li Zhen is here to deliver

the invitation for the lacquer-soot ink testing event.

Invite her in.

Okay.

What a coincidence.

You just delivered an innovation,

and Miss Li Zhen followed it instantly.

What a coincidence!

What a coincidence.

Coincidence indeed.

Zhen.

I didn't expect such a coincidence.

Our two families' ink testing events

are on the exact same day.

Our ink

has already been recognized by Lord Xu in the capital.

I'm afraid Lord Yan

won't be able to attend your event.

I really didn't expect

you to have such a trick.

Don't blame me.

I'm not targeting you.

There are no friends in business,

only winners and losers.

But it's still too early to say who'll come out on top.

Goodbye.

The Tian family

chose to hold their ink testing event

on the same day as ours.

Their intention is self-evident.

Shameless.

Despicable.

Rujun.

Shall we change the date of

our ink testing event?

Zhen.

What do you think?

Seventh Grandmother.

If we blindly make a change because of external affairs,

we will lose our own direction.

I don't think we can change the date.

Well...

Doing so carries significant risks.

Now,

compared to the Tian Ink,

the odds of our winning are not great.

Then, we must find a way to increase our odds.

You have an idea?

Seventh Grandmother,

if we could have

an influential master of calligraphy and painting

to test Li Ink,

and an influential

ink merchant present

to help sell the lacquer-soot ink,

our ink testing event will be a success, right?

Yes.

Thank about

the candidates for the ink tester.

Do you have any suggestions?

Mother,

there are a few calligraphy masters

on good terms with the Li family.

Mr. Guangyuan is good at seal script.

Mr. Yuanyou is a Court Style.

Mother,

who do you prefer?

Eldest Aunt.

I think neither of these two gentlemen

is suitable for testing the lacquer-soot ink.

Why?

As for our pine soot ink,

it has a vigorous color.

The seal script matches the Court Style.

But the lacquer-soot ink excels in variation.

Fluctuating lines

can fully reflect its characteristics.

For testing ink in calligraphy and painting,

landscape painting is the best.

Seventh Grandmother,

what do you think of Mr. Dongtu?

Who?

Zhan Dongtu?

Are you sleepwalking?

Li Zhen,

do you know Mr. Dongtu?

Do you know his temper?

You're talking nonsense.

Zhan Dongtu...

Rujun.

Mr. Dongtu

only associates with Third Master Chen

and only tests ink for the Chen family.

I'm afraid we will fail to invite him.

Sixth Grandfather,

if we don't try,

how do we know it won't work?

Zhen is right.

Since you already have a plan in mind,

I will leave

this ink testing event entirely to you.

Master.

There's no problem with this account.

Okay.

Master Qi.

What a coincidence.

Miss Li Zhen,

why do you have the leisure to

visit my humble abode?

No one comes knocking without a reason.

I'm here for you.

Now that I'm here,

won't you invite me in for a cup of tea?

Since you need my favour,

I naturally have good tea to treat you.

Please come in.

Thank you.

Mr. He, make tea.

Okay, Master.

Miss Li Zhen, please take a seat.

That is a couch.

Have a seat.

Miss Li Zhen,

what do you want to do?

I came especially to thank you, Master Qi.

For what?

Thank you for

finding the bile for me.

Just for this?

Just for this.

You're welcome.

Master, the tea is here.

Good.

Thank you.

Please.

You drink it too.

Good tea.

Miss Li Zhen,

even without me,

you would definitely

find the answer.

Miss Li Zhen,

what exactly is your business with me today?

Master Qi, you're so smart.

I came today

for some other matters.

Please say it.

Tian and Li are holding ink testing events on the same day.

Li Ink needs a major ink merchant

to hold the fort.

So, I want to...

The Tian family?

Did they

restore the ancient lacquer-soot ink?

Of course not.

They just want to embarrass Li Ink

and ruin our ink testing event.

If our ink testing event fails,

not only will Lord Yan lose face,

but your long-standing plans

will also be in vain.

But

it's hard for me

to invite

a major ink merchant.

You flatter me.

The whole Huizhou knows

Master Qi's capability.

If you find it difficult,

just pretend that I never came today.

No rush.

Please.

Thank you.

Then, Master Qi,

I won't disturb you anymore.

I'll take my leave now.

Take care.

Bye.

Miss Li Zhen.

Please rest assured, Miss Li Zhen.

I've known about this issue.

I will do my best to help you.

Thank you, Master Qi.

Girl,

you are truly amazing.

Thank you, Third Grandfather.

Rest assured.

I will definitely attend

your ink testing event to support you.

Thank you, Third Grandfather.

I came today to ask you

to recommend someone

to paint for the event.

I can't.

Third Grandfather,

I haven't even said who it is yet.

Since you came to me,

who else could it be but Mr. Dongtu?

Third Grandfather.

Chen Ink has cooperated with Mr. Dongtu for years.

You must be very close.

Please help me.

Girl,

I'd like to help you,

but I can't.

For the past year, Mr. Dongtu has

devoted himself to painting the Xin'an River Landscape painting.

He has tried and failed many times.

So,

he went to Mount Qiyun to paint in seclusion.

Okay.

Since you won't help me,

then I will go invite him myself.

I came here today

to let you know,

so as not to lose my manners.

Third Grandfather, I'm leaving.

Wait.

Mount Qiyun is so big.

You haven't traveled much.

Where will you find him?

How about this?

Discuss this issue with your family, okay?

No need.

I don't know where to find him either.

I'll just go to Mount Qiyun and walk around

to look for him.

I'll walk for three or four days,

look around,

and see where Mr. Dongtu is.

Anyway, I'm not your biological granddaughter,

and you don't care about me at all.

Just let me look for him alone.

Stop!

Take this with you.

Mr. Dongtu will see you.

Thank you, Third Grandfather.

Then, I will take my leave.

I haven't finished yet.

Go ahead.

Mr. Dongtu is a master of calligraphy and painting.

Don't be abrupt.

Whether this works or not

depends on

you.

I understand.

I know

you adore me the most.

Bye.

Miss Li Zhen.

Why are you here?

Are you going to Mount Qiyun

to look for Mr. Dongtu?

You're quite well-informed.

If you don't mind,

would you like to go with me?

Mount Qiyun

is high and far.

There might be inconveniences for you to go alone.

If we go together, we can take care of each other on the road.

What do you think?

Let's go.

Daddy.

Run faster.

Daddy, I'm tired.

I want a piggyback ride.

Daddy, a little faster.

Come on, hold on tight.

What's up?

Nothing.

I just thought of my dad.

When I was young,

my dad would carry me like this

and walk through this archway.

I've heard of your father,

the son of Eighth Master Li, the head of the Five Ink-making Grandmasters.

The title of the rising star of Hui Ink is well deserved.

What a pity.

My father passed away too early.

Then,

we are in the same boat.

My father passed away early too.

Tell me,

did your father

like to challenge things

that seemed impossible, just like you?

Was your father

as helpful as you are?

♪ Raindrops fall on the moss-covered stone steps ♪

[Mount Qiyun]

Let's go.

Go

♪ With a bamboo knife, you make the spring fade away ♪

♪ Last year's branches are still hanging in the window ♪

♪ The tea left a stain on the sleeve ♪

I'm exhausted.

♪ The wreathing smoke gradually dissipated ♪

Let's sit here and take a rest.

♪ Counting the games of our childhood ♪

♪ You lower your eyes and count the rings of the tree ♪

Let's rest here for a bit.

♪ Scars meander like a stream ♪

♪ The ink-black distant mountains resemble your eyes and brows ♪

♪ Amid the inky darkness, it seems as though a galaxy is shifting ♪

When you were in front just now,

did you cut your hand?

It's nothing. Look.

♪ Lend me a bit of the courage of a piece of pine resin ♪

I wish there were rouge ink.

♪ Amid the frost, I sketch the unfinished prologue ♪

What ink?

Rouge ink.

♪ The hazy, distant mountains are just like you ♪

It's a kind of medicinal ink.

Applying it to the wound

can reduce swelling and stop bleeding.

♪ A winding bridge reflected in the water pavilion ♪

But the rouge ink

is rare even in Huizhou.

♪ If we are to part ways ♪

When I was little and playful,

every time I went out,

♪ Let the ink speak for me and say, “Take care” ♪

I would come back with injuries.

My father

specially developed it for me.

But the last piece of rouge ink

was given away.

To whom?

A little boy.

It was on the Mid-Autumn Festival

when I met that little boy.

At that time,

he was being bullied by someone.

I went up to help him.

Then, he followed me

to enjoy Harvest Eve Foraging

and got injured.

Then, I took him back to my house,

used rouge ink to treat his wounds,

and gave it to him.

A little boy

was bullied,

and you saved him?

He's a coward.

But was it proper

to bring a boy

you just met home?

What are you talking about?

He was so little.

He wouldn't hurt me.

Besides,

at that time,

I already considered him my friend.

Friend?

Friend.

You don't know how cute he was.

When I met him,

he was a head shorter than me.

His whole face was round,

and his eyes were round, too.

He also had two small hair buns.

He was incredibly cute.

If you saw him,

you would definitely like him too.

Maybe.

But soon his father took him home.

Later,

something happened to his family,

and I never saw him again.

I wonder where he is

and how he's doing now.

Maybe

he's already gone.

Since he is your friend,

then I wish him well.

But having a friend like you

to remember him,

he'd be very comforted

if he were alive.

We've been walking for a while.

You must be hungry.

Here you are.

Stone Guozi.

Filling our stomachs

will also keep us warm.

You're not from here.

How did you know we locals will

take Stone Guozi as dry rations when traveling?

I'm just following the local customs.

Actually, my father used to do business in Huizhou

and loved Huizhou food so much

that our chef at home

was hired from Huizhou.

The chef often made Stone Guozi,

so he also frequently told me

about the customs of Stone Guozi.

You really are a young master from a wealthy family.

You even specially hired a chef from Huizhou.

What about the rest of your family?

Are they still in your hometown now?

It's not peaceful there.

Our home was attacked by bandits.

Except for me,

all my family members were

killed by bandits.

I was the only one who luckily escaped.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know your past

was so rough.

That's all in the past.

But

in the past, I really was

a young master of a wealthy family.

But now,

I can only rely on my own

to build a business.

That is a really capable man.

It's getting late.

Let's keep moving.

It's cold in the mountains too.

Okay.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Please come in, you two.

Mr. Dongtu,

I am Li Zhen.

I came here specifically to invite you

to test the new ancient lacquer-soot ink of the Li family.

[Mr. Dongtu]

Third Master Chen

rarely speaks up so easily.

It seems he really likes you two.

The spring cold in Mount Qiyun hasn't passed lately.

I just brewed a pot of tea.

Have some

to ward off the cold.

Thank you, Mr. Dongtu.

You came all this way.

The way must have been hard to travel, right?

Although it was difficult,

there was a sea of clouds and strange pines along the way

with clear mountains and waters.

It felt like walking into a painting.

Mount Qiyun is indeed a blessed

and sacred Taoist mountain.

Master Qi.

I built this studio here.

Do you know why?

Then, I will make a bold guess.

I just observed that

all of your paintings,

whether it's mountain views or river views,

feature pine trees.

Could it be related to the pine scenery here?

That's right.

All my life,

I have loved nothing but pine trees.

But nowadays, the pine forests in Huizhou

are getting sparser year by year.

Only by retreating here

can I find this ideal place.

The pine forests are sparse

because of the booming ink industry in Huizhou, right?

Mr. Dongtu,

my grandfather said

that thousand-year-old pine wood

was everywhere before.

But now, if ink makers want to find century-old pine wood,

they have to go deep into the mountains.

Green and straight pine trees

were cut down,

made into an inkstick,

and then handed to me

to paint the disappearing pine scenery.

It's really ridiculous

and tragic.

Pine trees are the soul of Huizhou

and the foundation of the ink industry.

If no one plants pine trees,

future generations will have no pines to use or admire.

Mr. Dongtu,

I promise you, substituting tea for wine,

that I will plant pine trees every year from now on

for Huizhou,

for the ink industry,

for you, Mr. Dongtu,

and also for future generations.

Then,

count me in.

I will follow Miss Li Zhen

to do something for the ink industry

and pine forests

in Huizhou.

Good.

Since you are so sincere,

when I go down the mountain

depends on you two.

We are back.

Where are you going, Miss Li Zhen?

I...

I'm going home.

I didn't expect you

to be somewhat useful.

Thank you for this time.

I'll go back first.

Okay.

Your bag.

I'm leaving.

Goodbye.

Does it hurt?

No.

Not at all.

At that time,

I already considered him my friend.

Friend?

I wonder where he is

and how he's doing now.

Maybe

he's already gone.

[Li Ink]

In the past days,

everyone was eager to restore the lacquer-soot ink.

Raw lacquer on the market was already very scarce,

and the Tian family aggressively bought up

all the available stock within a hundred miles.

Sixth Master

only has this left.

How much lacquer-soot ink

can this raw lacquer produce?

Even at maximum capacity,

we can only produce ten catties.

That is far from enough.

Listen,

send all our people out to find raw lacquer.

You can assign the servants at will.

Go north to Xi'an,

and south to Zhangzhou.

Hurry.

Yes.

[Ink Workshop]

Manager Shao,

Manager Shao,

Manager Shao,

Seven or eight carriages are outside,

carrying five hundred catties of raw lacquer.

Who sent them?

The leader's name is Xiao Qi.

He said

Master Qi from Yihousheng

sent it especially to our family.

Master Qi.

Your raw lacquer

is truly a timely help

for Li Ink.

It solves our urgent need.

I

will use tea instead of wine

to toast you.

Seventh Old Madam, don't be so polite.

Even without my raw lacquer,

I think this small matter wouldn't stump you,

as you have been powerful in the ink industry for many years.

It's just that

I

have traveled far and wide for many years,

and have seen more

petty tricks of despicable people than you,

so I stayed ahead of them

by taking one more step.

You are too modest, Master Qi.

The ink testing event is tomorrow.

Zhen has invited Mr. Dongtu.

Your raw lacquer

is precious

to the Li family.

Master Qi,

the Li family's business

has always valued fairness.

No matter what the price of raw lacquer

in Huizhou is,

I will definitely pay

every penny to you.

Old Madam,

I am a businessman.

So, I don't care about immediate petty profits.

The reason I came this time

is to establish

a long-term business

with the Li family.

Not only will I give this raw lacquer

to Li Ink for free,

but I will also take out one thousand taels of silver

to invest in the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

It seems

your intention

to give us the raw lacquer

is not to help us.

Old Madam, you worry too much.

The raw lacquer is

my sincerity in cooperating with the Li family.

We invited Mr. Dongtu to the ink testing event,

but those ink merchants and scholars

haven't replied to the invitation yet.

The ancient lacquer-soot ink may not be a great success.

How could I

let you

bear such a risk?

Old Madam,

business

is bound to have risks.

Thank you for considering my interests, Old Madam.

But I am a businessman,

so I never fear risks,

and I'm willing to bear the consequences voluntarily.

The Li family and Li Ink

are my only choice for cooperation.

Thank you,

Master Qi, for your high regard for Li Ink.

But

investing in ancient lacquer-soot ink

is about passing down the heritage of Li Ink.

It's not just a simple business deal.

Seventh Old Madam,

I see.

After the ink testing event ends,

I

will visit you again.