Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 34]

After being busy for over half a month,

I can finally relax a bit

and have some time to check on our pine forest.

If this pine forest

can survive its first winter,

next spring,

we'll plant some new saplings.

In 2 or 3 years,

it will be a completely different scene.

Look.

The 2 little pine trees we picked are so cute.

I can already imagine

that one day,

when our hair is all white,

they'll be

20 or 30 chi tall.

I'm talking to you.

Why are you so absent-minded today?

I'm not.

You're tired?

How could I be tired when I see you?

It's just that when I left the city a while ago,

seeing the bodies of starving people everywhere

made me a bit sad.

In the past, when I was fighting enemies on the battlefield,

I never thought about death,

nor was I ever afraid of it.

Because

there probably wouldn't be anyone to collect my body.

So I thought,

wherever I fall,

just burying me on the spot would be fine.

But now,

ever since I came to Huizhou

and met you...

Death is no longer something I can face so easily.

Death? Bah!

Stop saying such depressing things.

Aren't we living perfectly fine now?

We still have a long life ahead of us.

We must cherish the days we have now.

Before that,

you still have a lot of things to do.

Look.

Every year, Li Ink

has to open a new ink shop in a new place, right?

You have to be with me, right?

And we need to take part in the

Tribute Ink selection together 4 years from now.

And looking at the near future,

when the ink workshop takes a break next year,

I want to go see the ocean.

At that time,

you definitely have to go with me.

Why do you keep looking at me like that?

You are beautiful.

I want to look at you more.

You're being silly again.

What I just said was all a joke.

However,

if an accident ever happens to me one day,

you must remember to bury me

under the pine trees we planted together.

Here you go again.

Saying these depressing things again.

I don't like these jokes of yours.

Don't say it again in the future.

We still have

a long life ahead of us.

We must

take our time living our days.

[Li Ink]

Manager Zhen.

I'm back.

Why did you bring this back?

Don't mention it.

Yihousheng suddenly closed today.

I went there for nothing.

It's closed?

At this time every month,

we deliver his dividends to him.

He knows this too.

How could it suddenly close down?

I'm wondering too.

But I asked all the neighbors,

and none of them knows why.

I couldn't find Master Qi either.

Granny.

Doggie.

Why did you come back late today?

I've heated the food several times.

I went looking for someone.

Master Qi, whom you've met before.

He suddenly disappeared.

Manager Zhen told me to ask around.

I ran all over inside and outside the city,

but there was no news at all.

Are you sure?

Although the door of the ink workshop was locked,

the scent of ink from the courtyard

could not be hidden.

And outside the doors,

there were fresh carriage tracks.

Someone must have

just delivered something out of there.

I wanted to go in and investigate.

But listening closely,

I heard voices inside.

It was inconvenient to act during the day,

so I had to come back first.

Here's what you'll do.

I put all the documents related to military supplies

at Yihousheng.

Go to Yihousheng to fetch them,

and we'll meet at the military camp later.

Okay, Master.

Since we've confirmed it's that ink workshop,

let's go to the military camp

and ask General Yu to lead his men to search it.

Wouldn't that be safer?

If we rashly ask General Yu to deploy troops,

not only might we alert the enemy,

but if we find nothing,

the people behind the Tian family will use it against us,

claiming we abuse our power for personal gain.

By then,

it will bring great trouble to Marshal Qi.

I can only go alone tonight.

Only after I find the Tian family's contraband ink

can we guarantee our next steps—

catch them red-handed

and make everything foolproof.

Then be careful.

Don't worry, Sister.

And this.

This box contains

the severance agreement between Yihousheng and

Li Ink Workshop,

just in case.

We'll meet at the military camp tonight.

Brother.

A letter from Nanjing.

He really deserves his title as Commander of Nanjing.

So fast.

They have already found

people in Liaodong who have seen Luo Wenqian

and got in touch with his classmates from the academy in the Capital.

By my calculation,

they should arrive in Huizhou tomorrow morning.

Bensheng,

you must receive them properly.

As soon as they arrive,

we'll immediately go to the government office to file a lawsuit.

Don't worry, Brother.

I'll arrange it right away.

Come back.

What's wrong, Brother?

Where did the ink on your clothes come from?

Brother!

Brother!

Brother!

You are busy with many affairs.

Today, I went to that ink workshop

on your behalf to take a look

and urged them to speed up the progress.

Idiot!

Who told you to go?

How many times have I told you?

Things are tense recently.

Stay quietly in the house

and don't go out to cause trouble!

I meant well, Brother!

You went there today.

The ink workshop might have been exposed.

You know that?

Brother,

I won't dare anymore.

I will never act on my own again.

Call your brothers.

Follow me to that ink workshop.

We must clear everything out tonight.

[Yihousheng]

Sorry, we're closed.

Jixiang.

You are Jixiang?

You...

You are Miss Luo?

Come.

My Lady, how did you survive?

Jixiang.

Tell me,

where is Wenqian?

I know he came back for revenge,

but I don't want him to do anything stupid again.

Granny, why are you here?

Granny, what are you doing?

Please get up.

I am Luo Mengzhen.

Manager Zhen, please save my nephew,

Luo Wenqian.

Who's there?

Go! Take him down!

Do you know what you are doing?

You are engaged in illicit foreign trade!

It's a capital crime in Ming!

Don't listen to his nonsense!

Whoever captures him

will be rewarded with 100 taels of silver!

Go.

Go!

Go find Officer Zhang immediately!

Hurry!

Okay.

Stop him!

Go!

Go!

Go!

Nobody move!

Block the door!

Who are you?

Turn around!

Qi Jiu?

Mr. Zhang,

he is the wanted criminal from the Luo family back then—Luo Wenqian!

I don't understand a single word you're saying.

Officers,

I have been

secretly investigating Tian Benchang

for the crime of illicit foreign trade!

The evidence of his crime

is in the room behind me.

If you don't believe me,

you can come in with me and see for yourselves!

Mr. Zhang!

Don't fall for his trick!

Listen up!

Arrest the wanted criminal, Luo Wenqian!

Go!

Take him away!

Don't worry, My Lady.

Master asked us to meet at the military camp.

He should have arrived safely by now.

Hurry up and put out the lights!

Master?

Come back!

Where are you going?

Are you crazy?

Going out now is a death wish.

Master's life is my life.

If you go out and get caught,

who will save him?

You'll all die in there!

Tell me the truth.

What happened?

Master is investigating the Tian family's illicit foreign trade.

But Tian Benchang

has started to suspect his identity.

Cuiqiao persuaded him to leave.

But Master felt that if he left,

it would put us all in danger.

Why didn't I stop him?

Let's go to the military camp.

Hurry!

Hurry up!

General,

considering Qi Jiu risked his life

and fought for the Qi Army,

please save him!

How can I save him?

That kid was stubborn and wouldn't listen.

There's nothing I can do.

To tell you the truth,

when he came from the north to join me,

he had already prepared for the worst.

He said that

if one day,

his true identity was exposed,

he would take all the blame himself.

At that time, not only would we not protect him,

we would also...

Also what?

We would also accuse him

of deception at court first.

General!

Please allow me to go to the prison right now

and rescue Master!

If you spout nonsense again,

I will punish you by military law!

Wenqian didn't want to implicate you,

so he deliberately sent you away.

If you walk right into the trap now,

wouldn't you be failing his good intentions?

Zhen.

This was prepared for you by my brother.

He has already

completely severed the partnership

and financial dealings

between Yihousheng and Li Ink.

Even if there is a court confrontation in the future,

it won't implicate the Li family.

Forging an identity,

evading arrest,

and deceiving the Qi Army—

these crimes combined...

Combined...

He can't escape the death penalty.

General!

General, please save him!

There must be a way!

He earned merit on the battlefield.

That should offset his faults,

so he can at least save his life, right?

General!

General, please save him!

Please save Qi Jiu!

Zhen!

Please save Qi Jiu!

Please save Qi Jiu!

If it were in the past,

what you said might have been possible.

But now,

the one behind the Tian family

is Wu Ru, the Commander of Nanjing.

He and Marshal Qi are rivals in the court.

Once something happens to Wenqian,

he will definitely hold on to it,

and Marshal Qi will also be implicated.

The stakes involved—

I think you can understand.

Miss Li,

Wenqian took the task of managing military supplies and came to Huizhou

just to seek revenge.

As long as he doesn't let go of this hatred,

today's matter is inevitable.

This is his fate.

Neither of us can change it.

What you should do right now

is take these documents

and go home early to settle things in Li Ink and the Li family.

As for Wenqian's matter,

don't meddle anymore.

Look, it's high up over there.

Go over there later

and keep watch for us.

We're going to do the Harvest Eve Foraging.

You do the Harvest Eve Foraging,

and I'll keep watch for you.

Keep watch?

You sound quite experienced.

Someone taught me.

Does it hurt?

No, not at all.

This rouge ink is yours now.

Why do I smell...

smell...

the scent of rouge ink?

Everyone has something they like to do.

In the future, I want to be an ink-making master

much greater than my grandfather.

I want everyone in Ming

to know my name, Li Zhen.

I believe you.

Even without the tribute ink contract,

you, Li Zhen,

will definitely become

the number one master ink maker in Ming.

The number one master ink maker in Ming?

Your words

have reminded me of an old friend.

If he were still alive,

he would be around your age.

This fish lantern is for you.

Thank you.

They all say the fireworks and fish lanterns are a must-see

on the Mid-Autumn Festival in Huizhou.

Even though we only caught the tail end,

we can't miss out on this.

Thanks.

Zhen,

why are you so good?

Why do you understand me so well?

Our meeting...

is a great blessing in my life.

[Huizhou Prefecture Office]

Mr. Zhang,

a word, please.

Manager Tian,

it's done.

Really?

What did the Prefect say?

The people from the Capital all

identified Qi Jiu as Luo Wenqian.

His Excellency has ordered

him to be thrown in prison.

Thank you for this.

Tomorrow I will send someone

to deliver the silver to your residence.

You're welcome.

Brother!

Mr. Zhang.

Li Zhen went to the military camp to find Yu Dayong.

Mr. Zhang,

I have one more favor to ask.

Feel free to speak.

Granny.

Wanyi?

You are back.

Is there any news from the prefectural office?

Master Qi has been imprisoned.

It has come to this after all.

Granny, someone wants to see you.

Wait a moment.

You really are Miss Luo?

Eighth Master Li,

I am Luo Mengzhen.

My nephew Wenqian and I

both owe the Li family.

I kowtow to you, Eighth Master Li.

Please get up quickly.

What exactly happened?

Back then,

the Luo family suffered a disaster.

I myself thought

that fire

would be the end of my life.

But fate is tricky.

Although I passed out from being burned,

I still had a breath left.

The government officials thought I was dead

and threw me into a mass grave.

It was Rujun who pitied me for not having a proper burial,

so she came quietly

to collect my body.

That's when she realized

I was not dead.

Rujun and I

had known each other since childhood.

We were close friends.

Seeing I was still alive,

she brought me back to the Li family to take care of me.

She treated my wounds

and looked after me day and night,

pulling me back from the brink of death.

I have never heard

Rujun mention this.

Mother told us

not to tell anyone.

It must have been hard for her.

And hard for you too.

Eighth Master Li.

That day, when I came back from offering paper money for Rujun,

I ran into Wenqian.

I recognized him,

but I didn't dare to acknowledge him rashly.

It wasn't until he closed the shop

that I finally confirmed

Wenqian had come back for revenge.

Too late.

I said it too late after all.

Eighth Master Li,

if Wenqian really dragged down the Li family

and Miss Li Zhen,

then I truly deserve to die!

Mr. Zhou?

Eighth Master Li, bad news!

Some officers came to the house,

saying they are going to take the Li family members

to the prefectural office for trial!

What are you trying to do?

Move!

Which law did we break?

Tell me, which law did we break?

Cut the crap.

Take them away!

Go!

You...

Officers!

Officers.

Sir,

what law did our Li family break?

Why are you arresting us?

Someone accused your Li family

of colluding with the wanted criminal Luo Wenqian.

We are just doing our routine duties,

taking all involved to the prefectural office for questioning.

Take them away!

Go!

My Lord!

If you want to take the Li family to the prefectural office for questioning,

you must have the Prefect's warrant.

Without that,

no one can take

any member of the Li family out of this door!

Don't bandy words with me.

Everyone in Huizhou knows

that Qi Jiu is Li Ink's shareholder.

He is a wanted criminal of the Imperial Court.

Your Li family is deeply involved with him.

Based on this alone,

I can arrest you all.

You are wrong, My Lord.

A month ago, Master Qi

was no longer

a shareholder of Li Ink.

Yihousheng and Li Ink

have had no business dealings for a long time.

I have the withdrawal letter as proof.

It is written in black and white.

You can check if you want, My Lord.

Even if you have cut ties with them,

your previous accounts may not be clean.

My Lord,

the accounts of Li Ink

have always been clean.

We are not afraid of your inspection.

If you don't believe it,

you can ask for the Prefect's warrant.

Then our Li Ink

will definitely open our accounting room

and let you inspect the books thoroughly.

However, today,

you visited so suddenly, My Lord.

I do have a question.

Who is slandering

our Li family behind this,

making false accusations without any evidence?

They are simply shameless.

I naturally believe

the Prefect is clear-sighted

and won't wrong our Li family.

But if you, My Lord,

insist on listening to others' words

and forcibly take us away,

then don't blame me for reporting to the Prefect

and accusing you of abusing your power!

Tian Benchang, you bastard!

Fine.

Fine.

I'll give you two more days of freedom.

After I report today's situation to the Prefect,

I'll come back and bring charges against you.

Take care, My Lord.

Let's go!

We won't see you out, officer.

Grandfather,

tell everyone to wait for me.

Tian Benchang,

you went to the prefectural office to report the Li family, didn't you?

So what if I did?

I know you went to the military camp to find Yu Dayong.

This time

is to warn you.

I advise you not to interfere in Luo Wenqian's affairs anymore.

You may have gotten away with it today by mentioning the warrant,

but next time,

you might not be so lucky.

Alright.

Let's wait and see.

Grandfather.

Regarding Master Qi and Ugly Granny Li,

I only found out about it yesterday.

The top priority now

is to not let this implicate the Li family.

So we need to come up with a countermeasure.

Zhen,

you must already

have a plan.

Tell us.

First,

although Master Qi

has signed the share withdrawal document

and severed ties

with Li Ink,

the Tian family will inevitably dwell

on our past dealings.

So Uncle Jingdong,

I need you to work with Steward Shao these days

to sort out our past accounts

with Yihousheng.

We must not let the Tian family find any flaws.

Okay.

Second,

Ugly Granny Li was personally saved by Seventh Grandmother.

Seventh Grandmother's decision

is the decision of the entire Li family.

So Eldest Aunt,

our Li family must continue to keep her safe.

We must continue

to conceal her identity

and avoid causing any further trouble.

Mother and I already handled

her registration documents

a few years ago,

including her relationship with Doggie.

Even if they investigate,

they won't find anything.

Don't worry about this.

Good.

That's good.

Third,

as everyone has seen,

Master Qi was just imprisoned,

and the Tian family couldn't sit still.

Besides deliberately trying to suppress

and slander our Li family,

more importantly,

they are afraid of their crime of illicit foreign trade being exposed.

Illicit foreign trade?

That's a serious crime.

Grandfather.

Previously, Master Qi...

Previously, Luo Wenqian

had been investigating this matter.

But in the end,

he was one step short

and couldn't catch the Tian family red-handed.

The Tian family

is a disgrace to Hui Ink!

First, they bullied Third Master Chen over the Tribute Ink matter,

then they forced Manager Pan to his death,

and now they dare to engage in illicit foreign trade?

We can no longer let this Tian family

continue to harm our Huizhou ink industry.

Uncle Jingdong is right.

The key to all these disasters lies with the Tian family.

So I have made a decision.

I want to

continue investigating their illicit foreign trade for Luo Wenqian.

I know

it's extremely risky.

So today,

I want to ask for everyone's opinion.

Instead of waiting to die,

it's better to strike first!

I support you.

Zhen.

If the sky falls,

I will hold it up for you.

Go ahead and do it.

God has eyes!

That's right.

Zhen.

We can't lose our pride.

I support you too.

Zhen.

Our whole family supports you.

Okay.

Okay.

This is what

you've been hiding from me.

Luo Wenqian.

I'm sorry.

You don't need to apologize to me.

I don't blame you.

I know

you kept it from me

because

you're a fugitive

who wants revenge for a blood feud.

You were afraid of implicating me

and the Li family, right?

But Wenqian,

we are already together.

When two people are in love,

they should embrace everything about each other.

Whether it's joy

or sorrow.

No matter what happens,

we should face it together.

Now, to keep me safe,

you pushed me away.

In your heart,

am I not someone who can stand by your side?

Zhen,

how could I not know your feelings?

But this matter

is no small thing.

I don't want to

drag you into the fire.

A loss is a loss.

Right now, outside,

there is someone else waiting for you.

Who made this?

Your aunt.

Ugly Granny Li made it.

Ugly Granny Li is Luo Mengzhen.

Regarding the fire at Jingxin Hall back then,

it was Seventh Grandmother who saved her.

She kept her by her side to protect her

until today.

Over the years,

she has been keeping her identity hidden

for fear that someone would mention it.

She knew that I came to see you today,

but it was inconvenient for her to come.

So she made you this Weighing Rod-Shaped Candy.

She said when you were little,

this was your favorite candy.

Prison is hard.

After eating the candy,

you won't feel so sad.

Is...

Is she alright?

Wenqian.

There are still many people out there

who are helping you.

Even if it's for everyone,

and me,

you can't give up.

Understand?

Promise me,

okay?

I promise you.

I promise.

Zhen.

The Tian family set up another secret ink workshop,

most likely because the contraband ink

has a special style or distinctive markings.

You and Xiao Qi can start by checking the ink

or tools.

Let's go.

Wenqian,

the ink workshop used to make contraband ink

has been cleaned up.

The ink

and tools have been transferred.

Tian Benchang will definitely find another place to store them.

We have already checked

all suspicious ink workshops held by the Tian family.

Xiao Qi has well-organized information.

Let him help you.

Although there's nothing to investigate at the ink workshop,

there are still ink-makers.

As long as the Tian family did this,

there must be witnesses.

Generally speaking,

ink-makers legally employed by ink workshops

are all registered with the Literary Association.

I guess

the ink-makers the Tian family hired

must be unrecorded

freelance ink-makers.

But there are countless ink-makers in Huizhou.

If you want to investigate thoroughly,

I'm afraid you'll be short of hands.

You can ask

Cuiqiao for help.

Understand?

Yes!

Wenqian.

Recently, Commander Wu used your matter

to impeach Marshal Qi.

We will step up the search for evidence of the Tian family's crimes

to ensure his safety.