Original subtitles

Commandant Di.

Cut us some slack, can't you?

No kidding.

We won't stand a chance.

A bet's a bet.

Win and you get half a day off.

Those are the rules.

Who's next?

Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

During drills,

skip the formalities.

At ease.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Nian.

In just a few days,

your form is even better now.

You flatter me, Your Majesty.

I must say,

it's been ages since we last sparred.

I've been itching for a match.

You want a piece of His Majesty?

You've got to get through me first.

Don't forget

about the drink you owe me

from last time we crossed swords.

Quit

eyeing my meager stipend.

Next time, I'm taking you down.

This Imperial Guard

was built from the ground up

by the late Marquis.

Now they're under your command,

and rightly so.

Nian.

You've done your family proud.

My father always said

the Imperial Guard

is Great Ning's sharpest spear.

It must never lose its edge.

[One day, Nian will]

[stand tall like the late Marquis,]

[holding his own ground,]

[guarding the frontier.]

I know it's been your aspiration since childhood

to armor up and ride into battle.

You don't belong

here inside the palace walls

merely as my shield.

My father passed when I was young.

Your Majesty gave me

a home and a purpose.

Now, guarding Your Majesty

is the only feat I'll ever need.

And I

do so willingly.

I'm pleased to have

the two of you by my side.

You're my right-hand men.

The safety of the capital and my own

rest on both of you.

Nian.

There's one more thing

I need you to do for me.

Select twelve light cavalrymen.

Train them covertly.

What for, Your Majesty?

You'll know when the time comes.

I'll see to it.

Presented Candidates, enter the hall!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Long live Your Majesty.

Just grabbed some medicinal jelly.

Anyone want a bite?

Come on, try some!

Here.

I'll take one.

Thank you so much.

Thanks.

There you go.

Tinghui, uh, hey.

Results are coming out today!

Don't stress.

W-We've totally got this!

Take it easy.

Fuzhi.

I'm very much at ease.

Just... would you stop pinching me?

They're here! They're here!

Good news!

Where is Candidate An Qing from Jingdu?

Right here! Right here!

Congrats, Miss An, on placing

16th in the Second Class of Presented Scholars!

I passed! I actually passed!

Zuo Qiurong from Jingzhou.

Present.

13th in the Third Class of Presented Scholars!

I passed, too!

I did it!

Lu Xiaowan from Qingzhou.

Here!

16th in the Third Class of Presented Scholars!

I made it! I made it, too!

Fuzhi...

Why didn't they call your name?

Did something go wrong?

Fuzhi?

I snuck into the palace to get close to His Majesty

and eavesdrop on state affairs.

He found out.

I probably pissed him off.

He is impossible to read.

He's not going to have your head, is he?

He's the Son of Heaven.

Surely he isn't that unforgiving?

Meng Tinghui from Shazhou.

By imperial decree:

After thorough review of the proceedings

of palace examination,

the talented and virtuous

Miss Meng Tinghui of the Shazhou Women's Academy

has claimed the highest honors

and is hereby appointed Top Scholar.

Let this be known to all the realm.

Fuzhi!

It's mine.

It's real...

I'm the Top Scholar.

I'm the Top Scholar!

Hesitating over a move

gives away a troubled mind.

Chancellor.

His Majesty has formally announced

that Meng Tinghui

is Great Ning's very first

female Top Scholar to sweep all three exams.

With backing like that,

her future in the court

is going to be unstoppable.

A fresh Top Scholar?

Just a shiny title.

She hasn't been assigned an actual post yet.

We might as well

send her packing back home to wait around.

Brilliant move as always, Chancellor.

A masterclass in statecraft from a veteran.

I am truly in awe.

In the first year of Great Ning,

the Top Scholar

is Meng Tinghui from Shazhou!

Congrats, Meng!

Well done, Top Scholar!

In the first year of Great Ning,

the Top Scholar

is Meng Tinghui from Shazhou!

Make way!

Well I'll be, Meng Tinghui actually pulled it off!

Sweeping all three rounds!

That's insane.

Spring House used to host

this rising star of literature.

Ma'am,

we have to set up a shrine where she'd stayed!

Damn right we do!

I'll lead the way.

Awesome!

You know what? Top Scholar

actually graced our place.

I mean it.

Lady Meng! Top Scholar!

Come celebrate at Spring House!

Tinghui!

Tinghui! Tinghui!

Right over here!

Over here!

Can you see this?

[Rising Star of Literature]

[The World Is Your Oyster]

That's my girl!

We came up together!

Tinghui, look over here.

Well-earned, Top Scholar!

You see all of this?

Top Scholar!

Well-done, Meng!

Bravo, lady!

Congrats!

You have earned it!

Did you see that?

We go way back!

Top Scholar!

Congratulations!

Changle Street

is where

the entire city's old and

new money's is going.

Take a look

at this storefront here.

Right up front,

you have the premier Silk Manor in town.

Right next door

is the legendary Rouge Pavilion.

And across the street is Spring House.

If the owner weren't tied up with family drama,

a prime spot like this

would never hit the leasing market.

Brilliant!

What a spacious and imposing façade!

With a quick fix-up,

we can get up and running in no time.

If I serve up some

authentic mutton noodles here,

we'll easily outstrip Spring House.

I'm sold. I love it.

I'm taking it.

You're a woman of action, Miss Yan!

Let's lock in the deposit, then, so we can

get you a license over at

Lord Ear-Pimp's.

Lord Ear-Pimp?

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, Lord Ear-Pimp oversees

all commercial operations across Jingdu—

from food ingredients

and shop safety

to tax collection.

Speak of the devil.

You're looking

at him right now:

Lord Shen, Lord Ear-Pimp.

Wait, who's that again?

In Jingdu, his name is basically

common knowledge:

Shen Zhishu,

as in young Lord Shen.

To open a joint, Miss Yan,

you'll need to

go to him

for all the paperwork.

If fortune smiles on you,

you might be open in three months.

That's pretty much forever!

We're right under the Emperor's nose, hence red tape.

In this town,

you can't throw a stone without hitting a merchant.

Trade permits are strictly limited.

If you can't get a local official to

put in a good word for you,

waiting a year or more

is totally standard.

If I'd known...

I wouldn't have thrown him out.

Well, good luck next time.

Lord Shen, hello?

Over here.

He actually ignored me!

Lord Shen.

Am I intruding?

Well, Mr. Yu and I agreed on

the reservation a while back.

I didn't expect you to still be here, ladies.

We're here for you, Lord Shen.

Lord Shen.

Come on in and sit with us.

I'm afraid we have to monopolize

Spring House for today.

So you'll have to make do

and join us.

But we've gone to the trouble

of preparing fine wine for you.

This is "Mellow Spring."

Let me pour you a cup first.

Do take a sip.

Much obliged.

Lord Shen,

drink up.

How do you find it?

Let me refill you, Lord Shen.

It's been a while since we last met.

Look at you, how emaciated.

Can you imagine? He was even bonier as a child.

When we were young,

Father insisted

on arranging a betrothal for us.

But I adamantly refused.

Only then did he give up the idea.

Looking back now,

I really regret it.

Speaking of childhood,

one Shangsi Festival,

he helped chase away wasps for me.

Funny how

he got stung and

swelled up like a pufferfish!

That's not remotely hilarious.

When we were little,

he waded into the river to catch fish for me,

but ended up tumbling in

and came out a drowned rat.

Ladies, can we quit this expose-Shen-Zhishu race?

I have matters to attend to.

I'll take my leave now.

You're not leaving.

Zhishu!

You were so sweet on me back in Shazhou.

Where did all those vows go?

Are you going to tell me why

you acted like a stranger in Jingdu?

Oh, I see you've found two new sweethearts.

Who the heck is she?

I'm the one he holds dearest in his heart,

the one he's going to marry with full rites.

So who do you think I am?

My apologies.

My wife has a fiery temper.

Forgive us.

Wife?

You're shameless!

Scoundrel!

You're...!

Just felt like it.

Miss Yan.

Thanks for helping me out of a tight spot.

How about

being a bit more tactful next time, though?

Well, then.

Any

gesture of gratitude?

As the fairy tales go,

a life-saving favor is repaid by marriage.

But let's skip that for us.

You left a permanent scar in me.

Miss Yan, you can just spit it out.

Fine, I'll be direct.

I plan to bring Bofeng House here,

along with my signature,

authentic Shazhou cuisine.

I've already picked a spot.

Right next door.

But I've heard that

getting a trade permit

can take a year or more.

So, Lord Shen, I wonder if you're down

to vouch for me

and expedite the process.

I knew you had an ulterior motive.

Just go through the due procedures.

If you're approved,

someone will notify you.

You will help me.

And if I refuse?

If...

If you refuse,

don't expect me to

speak to you again in Jingdu.

Isn't your way of asking favors

a bit loud indeed?

But I, regretfully,

just don't buy it.

Adieu.

Ten jugs of Shazhou White.

What? I didn't catch that.

Plus five jugs of Shazhou tribute wine.

Plus,

don't push your luck.

I'll need to

see Miss Yan's sincerity first.

How about

an extra home-cook

full Shazhou feast by you?

In your dreams.

Well, I'll just sadly take a sip elsewhere.

Stop right there.

Ten jugs of Shazhou White,

five jugs of tribute wine,

plus a table of my cooking.

Take it or leave it.

You could've budged earlier.

Miss Yan,

next time you want to meet me,

just send a note.

Saves you from the whole

elaborate show.

Bast...!

Watch your attitude.

We're in the imperial city.

Get lost.

Who wants to see you anyway?

What did you say?

I said,

Get the hell out of my sight, now!

Thank you, Teacher.

Uncle.

Long time no see.

Zhili.

Father and Mother prepared a big meal

to celebrate your entry

into the Imperial Academy.

Why are you so late?

Uncle,

thanks for escorting her back.

I'll take it from here.

May you bear in mind the scholarly aspirations.

Your future is vast as the sea.

Your post at the Academy is set.

Remember to

hone your character

till you're as consummate as the halls of jade there.

Here.

Thank you, Teacher.

Uncle, you should head back too.

Aunt must be waiting.

At your leisure,

do pay us a visit. With Aunt.

Go on now.

Your parents are waiting.

He's right.

Don't keep them waiting.

Let's head in, Zhili.

What did you just call me?

Disrespectful.

Call me sis.

Fine, sis.

We've got

all the fine dishes in the world.

The exam took a toll on you.

You'll need to eat a lot to replenish.

The last dish—

sweet and sour ribs, your mother's favorite.

Well, I'll just t...

Take a seat.

Thanks for the meal, Father.

Mom.

We owe you a big one today.

I'm starting to forget

the taste of dad's cooking.

My nice, shiny jawline is getting

sharper from weight loss.

When the tiger's away,

the monkey plays.

Aren't you having

the moment of your life?

I heard His Majesty has made you "Ear-Pimp",

making poetry and leisure your duty.

I can't help but wonder

how many days

you spent pestering him just so you get the post?

Mom!

He's being harsh again.

What I do

is serious, important work.

It's not like I have a say

in what His Majesty has me do.

The other day, you scolded him for whiling away his youth.

Now you're accusing him

of currying favor for a post.

What?

You have to wake up one day

finding your son one of those stuffy pedant,

wearing a stern face all day.

Does that make you happy?

Thanks, mom.

Since His Majesty bestowed the post on him,

his every move's been under scrutiny.

If he misses the wrong move,

it'll be a blade

used against him sooner or later.

Don't get fooled by Brother's casual demeanor.

When it comes to serious matters,

he's no slouch.

His Majesty's well aware of that.

Hence the post.

My sweet, sweet sister.

What a showcase

of sibling love.

Thank you, Father.

Dad,

no one in the court,

except me, your beloved son,

would be cut out for the post.

I'm not going to deny the fact that

I am indulgence incarnate.

But there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Arrogant!

Others would kill for a path to high office,

but you—

you're narrowing yours.

You were, to say the least, a Councilor.

And now?

You can't even attend court

without getting permission first.

Will you just look up to Nian?

Growing up, he's been much more sensible than you.

He never worries us,

and is very attentive.

Thank you, Father.

Sis...

Nian, I want that.

With no ambition

and all show,

you're headed for a nasty fall.

Here, Father,

try some of these.

Mother.

You carry none

of my qualities in your blood,

let alone your mother's.

Just watch Nian and learn.

My eyes, nose, mouth—

I'm a chip off your block.

"Nian", "Nian", "Nian".

Is

Nian your son by blood, or I am?

If it were possible,

of course I'd wish Nian

were my son by blood.

His Di family is full of loyal heroes.

At only 18, Nian undertook

to patrol the borders for His Majesty.

And you?

All you do is take His Majesty

out hunting and hawking.

What kind of minister is that?

You should visit the palace less often.

His Majesty

ought to be accompanied by

loyal and upright ministers like Nian.

But I did all that for his sake!

Alright, Zhishu,

enough.

Well, His Majesty can't do without me.

If I stop visiting him,

within three days,

His Majesty will come looking for me.

You all hear that?

What nonsense is he spouting?

As if His Majesty

can't hold court without you!

Nian, dig in.

You're elder in age

than Zhili and Nian.

How come

you give us the most grief?

People out there

would take you for the baby.

Because I'm good-looking?

Because you've got nothing upstairs.

Father, Mother,

aren't we supposed to be celebrating?

Sis came second in the Palace Exam,

and got her dream post

at the Imperial Academy.

I've got

a gift for you.

Oh, right!

How can we forget the main event?

Zhili,

your father and I have something for you too.

Thanks, Nian.

My gloves were just wearing out.

You're the sweetest, Nian.

Zhili, take a look at this.

This four-treasure set was handmade

by your father himself back in his academy days.

This inkstone was carved

from the Blue Mountain slate given as a

royal favor from the late emperor

when I earned triple firsts.

It stays cool in summer and warm in winter,

keeping the ink from drying out.

Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.

When I started my career,

why

didn't anyone give me a gift?

What would you have wanted?

Gambling chips made from Kingwood?

or jade-carved dices?

Or maybe buy back a few

of your lady friends?

Dad,

am I really your own son?

Why are you always picking on me?

If you seriously think

I've disgraced our family,

I'll leave now.

Brother...

It's fine. I'm done.

Shen Wuchen.

Do you have to be so cruel

to be kind?

You hate to see him hurt,

yet it is

your words that cut him to the bone.

Zhishu has done

more than enough all these years.

His Majesty has always

seen Zhishu as a bosom friend and would

trust him on everything.

So the court can't even afford an infinitesimal

misstep from Zhishu.

The censors' pens

cut sharper than any sword.

Does that necessarily mean

his father should turn that edge on him first?

Just see for yourself.

He never gets enough

of the soup you made.

But he didn't even touch it today.

The appointment notice

hasn't come yet.

No idea

how much longer we'll have to wait.

Tinghui,

maybe our posts are so great

that those old fogies need

extra time to deliberate.

Miss Meng,

the Ministry just sent a note.

On my way!

Thanks.

Hurry up!

Let's see which cushy job it is.

"Return home and await orders".

That can't be.

I made inquiries today.

All the other

female officials have

already left for their posts.

Both Shen Zhili

and Zuo Qiurong

are placed

at the Imperial Academy.

Everyone has a post now,

except I'm sent back home.

It seems someone

is dead set on killing my career.

Tinghui,

you're personally chosen by His Majesty.

Who'd have the nerve

to block your appointment?

Who else but

Chancellor Xu?

Fuzhi,

I can't just sit here and take it.

I need to find a way before dawn

to see His Majesty.

We'll figure it out together.

I've got money,

and you've got wit.

Nothing can stop us.

Miss Meng,

Chancellor Xu requests your presence.

Of all hours,

he has to send for you in the dead of night?

He's up to no good, I bet.

He probably wants you silenced for good.

They've already got us surrounded.

There's no way out.

This time,

I have to go.

My dear ministers, here,

drink another cup with me.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Presenting the newly minted Top Scholar, Meng Tinghui.

Your subject Meng Tinghui

greets Your Majesty.

May Your Majesty enjoy eternal blessings.

I summoned you tonight under the name

of Chancellor Xu

to see if your guts live up to your ambition.

And you show up alone.

I'm impressed.

You're astute and dauntless.

Offer our Top Scholar a seat.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Meng Tinghui,

your triple firsts

have made me proud.

The pleasure is beyond words.

I owe this chance all to

Your Majesty's blessings.

I will prove worthy of your favor

by doing my part.

Everyone,

let's all raise a glass to Meng Tinghui.

To Top Scholar!

I'm in such high spirits today.

And I have a big announcement to make.

Announcing Chancellor Xu!

Your Majesty.

Should you hope to summon Meng Tinghui

under this old minister's name,

you might want to let me know

beforehand next time.

And you've been drinking?

Oh, hello, Chancellor Xu.

The women's exam just concluded.

I'm very delighted.

I just feel like throwing a banquet for everyone.

Chancellor Xu,

come here. I'll top you up.

Your Majesty,

I have served three reigns,

yet I have never seen an emperor

conduct himself so poorly before his courtiers.

Meng Tinghui.

The appointment notice

never reached you, did it?

This banquet is for officials of the sixth rank and above.

You don't belong here.

Chancellor,

if you'd still trouble yourself with me

for all my insignificance.

Am I right to assume that

it was also your idea

to send me back home?

Hold on.

Send her back?

I personally elevated

a female Top Scholar with triple firsts,

whom I hold in high regard.

How did she end up

with nowhere to go?

Chancellor,

care to explain?

If I may, Your Majesty.

There are no vacancies right now

across all Six Ministries.

Wouldn't her genius be squandered

on a minor post?

Huo An,

step forward.

Escort Miss Meng back to Shazhou.

Pending further orders.

Since the Six Ministries

can't make room for her.

Get her in the Censorate.

The Black Tiger Gang in Shazhou,

the Tiger Roar Gang in Jingdu,

Ding Chong who aids the wicked,

and that swindler

Dong Shoucai—

How many more of them

are still running rampant across this land?

And you lot

are sitting idly by

as the snakes and vipers are slithering

right under your nose!

What else can I do but set up

a Censorate

to uproot injustice across the realm?

Your Majesty, I'm afraid

you fail to do us justice.

And is it any wiser to set up

a new office staffed by

inexperienced novices?

Tell me, then, what's behind

your eagerness

to banish the talent of my choice from Jingdu?

What is it that you're after?

Your Majesty,

creating a new office is no small matter.

If we rush the decision,

it could cause turmoil in the court.

My decision is final.

From today onward,

Meng Tinghui is appointed Chief of the Censorate,

operating outside the Chancellors and Ministries.

She reports directly to me.

It shall be done.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

If we're assembling a unit,

we need some fresh blood to make it lively.

Shen Zhili, finishing second in the exam,

spends all her days

in the middle of deadwood—how dull is that?

Effective immediately,

she is transferred to the Censorate

to assist Meng Tinghui.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

it is most improper to entrust

such duties on two girls.

You're throwing the court into chaos!

I...

I insist that you revoke this decree.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Chancellor, this Dragon-head Staff of yours

might overshadow the seals of the Six Ministries.

Now, are you taking on the imperial seal, too?

You abuse your seniority

and repeatedly

defy my will.

Do you think

you're beyond my reach?

Your Majesty,

do you have an idea what you're doing?

I was only bantering

with Chancellor Xu.

Hey.

You all didn't actually think

I was going to hurt him, did you?

Chancellor Xu is one of the

pillars of the realm of Great Ning.

Everyone,

let's drink a toast with Chancellor Xu.

Your Majesty, you're drunk.

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty!

Watch out!

Your Majesty!

Keep drinking with him for me.

His Majesty never drinks.

How did he get so drunk today?

A Top Scholar entering court?

More like a trouble brewing!

Your Majesty,

careful.

Your Majesty,

it's very late.

Will Miss Meng still be here?

Commander Huang,

can I see His Majesty?

Thanks for the trouble.

The banquet is over.

Why are you still here?

Your Majesty summoned me.

When did I ever summon you?

If Your Majesty didn't,

I'll take my leave.

Why don't you bow when you see me?

Your subject Meng Tinghui greets Your Majesty.

I was worried

that appointing you Chief of the Censorate

was too bold a move.

Now you've convinced me

that was more than just a whim.

If that's the case,

you wouldn't have feigned

drunkenness tonight,

just to promote me.

Isn't this

Censorate position

everything

you've been cozying up to me for?

I gave you what you wanted.

But the royal favor is ever fickle.

You just rejected me the other day,

yet tonight,

you promoted me openly, despite

the Chancellor's opposition.

I can't read your mind,

and that unsettles me.

I've granted you power beyond the Chancellors.

What more could you want?

Or do you have other intentions?

Your favor seems a blessing at first sight,

but isn't it also

putting a target on my back?

If you insist that I

repay you somehow,

I am willing to risk my life

to fully investigate the Tiger Roar Gang case.

I ordered an investigation into the gang,

but to this day,

there is still no lead.

No just any street gang

gets to be all-powerful.

Are you suspecting that

they have connections in the c...

Don't jump to conclusion until you have proof.

Surprise me with your findings.

I am willing to be your blade.

But it's hard now

to tell friend from foe in the court.

I hope to select

the Censorate's members myself.

Only if

Zhishu and Di Nian

are included.

Of course.

Thanks, Your Majesty.

Over there.

We're here.

Keep digging!

Got it.