Original subtitles

(Zhan Zhao Adventures)

(Episode 24)

Ever since I was little,

I thought you were the only one in the Jin family who truly cared about me.

I thought you would never hurt me.

Who was the one who killed Miss Huo?

Was it Tang Ji?

It wasn't him.

He just stepped up and lied for someone else.

He wasn't the killer.

Then who was the real killer?

I don't know.

Do you really not know, or are you just not saying it?

You hurt so many people,

yet you lived in peace for 15 years!

I never lived at peace with what happened.

For these 15 years,

I've regretted it every single day.

I do feel guilty about what happened to you all.

Guilty?

If I died in the cave today,

you'd probably breathe a sigh of relief, wouldn't you?

When you were still a kid,

back in those days at Jujing Hall,

I really wanted to raise you like my own son.

I made you clothes,

taught you to read and write,

and helped you memorize the medical texts.

You can't fake that kind of care.

Fourth Aunt, everything you mentioned just now,

I've never forgotten any of it.

On account of the kindness you showed me back then,

I can let go of what you and Tang Ji did to me.

I won't hold it against you.

But I'm not my brother.

I can't forgive you on his behalf.

I want you to testify in court

and make it clear that Tang Ji lied back then.

Clear my brother's name by telling everyone who the real killer is.

Even if you don't know the whole truth, at least give us some clues.

Tell us everything you know,

and let the authorities investigate the case!

I have to clear my brother's name.

No!

If I testify in court, I'll become a wretch everyone despises.

My whole family will be shamed.

Liang is now an official in the capital,

and Lan has married into a good family.

If what happened between Tang Ji and me comes out,

their lives will be ruined.

Other people's suffering, no matter how great,

means nothing to you

compared to your children's reputation, huh?

Little Seventeenth!

I'm begging you.

Please spare your cousins some dignity.

I know the rules of the martial world.

What happens in the martial world stays in the martial world.

Just kill me now

and avenge your brother!

I'm not going to kill you.

I need you to clear my brother's name in court.

That's what you owe him.

I know my cousins will feel ashamed and wronged because of this,

but my brother is already dead.

No one has suffered more than him.

Little Seventeenth...

You need to take care of your wound.

It's nothing. I'll do it when we get back to town.

When I was out of my mind,

I couldn't control myself.

Are you...

I'm fine.

You're not that strong anyway.

Is your wound okay?

Why didn't you tell us that Shengyun Manor tried to get revenge on you?

I didn't want you two to worry.

Jiao Si Yuan's appearance today is no coincidence.

Who told you I killed your father?

Can't you see that you're being used?

At my father's funeral,

someone sent me a message.

They said when he was killed, you just happened to be in Xiangyang.

Today, someone tipped me off again, telling me where you'd be.

I already asked my brother about it.

Your father's death has nothing to do with Linglong Manor.

Believe it or not.

If you really want revenge,

you should look into the person who sent you those messages.

Where did that sword formation come from?

You'd better think it through.

If my father and brother find out

that Shengyun Manor secretly practiced the sword formation

in order to crush Linglong Manor,

do you think they'll just let it go?

Besides, I've already broken your sword formation.

If things really blow up,

I'm afraid

Shengyun Manor will cease to exist in the future.

If I tell you the truth,

will you guys let me go?

Of course.

You don't pose any threat to us now.

Why would we bother wiping you out?

Over ten years ago,

my father used to train with my uncles and work on new techniques together.

That's when the sword formation was developed.

Which year exactly?

I was about seven or eight back then.

So, counting back,

it's been about 15 years.

15 years? Are you sure?

Yeah, it's been 15 years.

That year,

Mother decided to stay in Xiangyang City

and never return to Shengyun Manor.

It was from that year on,

I would come to Xiangyang every year on my mother's birthday.

Did your father come to Xiangyang 15 years ago?

- He did. - When?

It was autumn too,

right before the Jin family's Suwen Tournament.

Ling Long, what are you doing?

Aunt, tell us exactly what happened 15 years ago,

and I'll let him go.

15 years ago?

15 years ago, right before the Suwen Tournament,

Jiao Chao Gui was also in Xiangyang.

If so, of course he wouldn't stay anywhere else.

The night my aunt died,

he was also in Huaihua Alley.

She admitted it.

What else do you have to say?

What can I even say?

What do you want?

Just give it to me straight.

You know exactly what I want.

I want to clear my brother's name.

The Jin family must restore his reputation.

All you can prove now is that Tang Ji lied.

That little evidence isn't enough to overturn the case.

For something you can't even accomplish,

you'd ruin the Jin family's reputation. It's just not worth it.

Tomorrow morning,

I'll take Fourth Aunt to the yamen

and make her tell the truth.

You think the county yamen

will take your case?

What official would be dumb enough to reopen a case from 15 years ago?

If they won't take it,

I'll go to the prefectural yamen.

If that doesn't work, I'll go all the way

to the Kaifeng Tribunal in the capital.

Whether there's enough evidence or not,

I'm taking this case to court no matter what!

Don't even think about pulling any tricks to let them go.

I'll be standing guard outside tonight.

No one is getting away.

15 years ago in the autumn,

Jiao Chao Gui did come to see me.

But that had nothing to do with your aunt's case.

You're still not willing to tell the truth, huh?

Si Yuan said that after you got married, you would sometimes

come stay in Tanxi Town,

but you never stayed away from home for long.

But starting 15 years ago,

you never went back to Shengyun Manor.

Why is that?

Because Jiao Chao Gui got himself a concubine.

I didn't want to see them.

Out of sight, out of mind.

He took the concubine 17 years ago.

She died in the winter 15 years ago.

So when she was alive, you still went back.

But after she died, you never returned.

15 years ago,

the night my aunt died,

Jiao Chao Gui was staying in Huaihua Alley.

After that,

he learned the secrets of the Huo family's martial arts.

He even developed a formation to counter it.

Was all of this just a coincidence?

Jiao Chao Gui was my aunt's killer,

am I right?

I don't know.

I really don't know anything.

Madam Jiao, the crime scene was covered in sword marks.

It couldn't have been Jin Xue Wen, since he was a frail scholar.

Jiao Chao Gui is already dead.

He can't threaten you anymore.

You don't have to worry anymore.

Please just tell us the truth.

I just want to find out the real cause of my aunt's death.

Aunt, don't worry.

If it really was Jiao Chao Gui who killed my aunt,

since he's already dead,

I won't go after Jiao Si Yuan.

15 years ago...

(15 Years Ago)

Why did you go to Ling Long's place?

And, why are you covered in blood?

Keep your voice down. Hurry up and come home with me.

You two, keep your mouths shut.

Take this out and burn it.

What did you do to Ling Long?

When I left,

she was still breathing.

I don't know how she is now.

Did you kill her?

Why would you do that?

That's how things go in the martial world.

It's either you die or I do.

You think Linglong Manor hasn't got a trick

up its sleeve when it comes to me?

She refused to reveal where the Linglong Eye was until her dying breath.

So I had no choice but to be ruthless.

What? You think I was supposed to

just wait for the Huo family to come after me?

It's all my fault.

I never should've told you she was here!

I'm the one who got her killed!

Shut up!

If anyone asks,

you know what to say.

The next day,

your aunt's body had just been found.

The authorities claimed they'd caught the killer.

Jiao Chao Gui heard that the person arrested was Jin Xue Wen.

He specifically told me

that if the constables came asking,

I should say that I saw Jin Xue Wen

entering your aunt's courtyard that night.

That way, no one would ever suspect him.

Jiao Chao Gui only decided to frame him after Jin Xue Wen was arrested?

Indeed.

To convince me to testify against him,

he even said

that Jin Xue Wen must've been arrested for some other crimes.

So even if he went to prison,

it wouldn't be unjust.

That's all I know.

Not long after it happened,

my two maids were also silenced by him.

After that,

I never dared to return to Shengyun Manor.

When I heard he died recently,

I finally felt relieved.

I guess that's karma.

He got what he deserved for what he did to your aunt.

You always claimed to be my aunt's closest friend,

but you treated her like this.

If I hadn't forced the truth out of you,

when would you have ever come clean?

When Jiao Chao Gui was still alive,

I could understand you were afraid he'd kill you.

But he's been dead for years.

Have you never thought about speaking up for my aunt?

You never thought about clearing Jin Xue Wen's name either.

You're right to scold me.

For the past 15 years,

I've been living with guilt.

I let your aunt down.

She died so horribly,

and I kept covering for the killer.

Why do you all act the same way?

Only when you're exposed do you start crying and sobbing.

Have you ever truly felt remorseful?

Madam Jiao, if you truly regret what you've done,

then go to the court and tell the truth.

Give the victims some justice.

Clear the names of those who died unjustly.

So you won't speak up?

I know what you're all afraid of.

If this comes out, it'll ruin Shengyun Manor's reputation.

You're scared the Huo family will seek revenge someday. Isn't that right?

Instead of worrying about the Huo family coming after you for revenge,

maybe you should worry about your son's life first.

I promise you!

Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it!

Please, just spare Si Yuan.

He really doesn't know anything.

Ling Long,

please believe me.

I really want to make things right.

I've already missed my chance once.

I won't let it happen again.

If you break your promise,

my father and brothers won't even need to act.

I'll kill your son myself.

Think carefully about the consequences

before you try escaping.

My aunt died a horrible death.

Your brother was wronged for 15 years,

But to them,

a simple apology is enough to erase everything.

They keep saying how sorry they are.

But when it comes to giving up their own interests,

or fighting for justice for the dead,

they immediately start looking out for themselves again.

We're getting closer and closer to the truth.

The truth?

If Jiao Chao Gui already wounded my aunt with a sword,

why would he stab her again with a dagger?

Besides, my aunt said Jiao Chao Gui only decided

to frame Jin Xue Wen after he was arrested.

That means the bloody clothes and the dagger

weren't planted by him in the next room.

You actually believe what she said?

She's telling the truth.

She already admitted that Jiao Chao Gui broke in and attacked.

There's no reason for her to lie about the weapon.

True.

There's no bad blood between my brother and Jiao Chao Gui.

He had no reason to frame him.

If Tang Ji did it,

and wanted to cover up the poisoning incident back then,

wouldn't it be easier to just kill Jin Xue Wen?

Why go through all this trouble?

I remember you said

that the dagger did belong to Jin Xue Wen.

That's right.

He got it for his birthday from our fourth uncle.

The killer must have been someone close to Jin Xue Wen,

or at least someone who knew beforehand

that Jin Xue Wen had a dagger like that.

That's the only way they could frame him.

Fourth Madam tried to protect them,

and refused to give them up.

They must be close to Jin Xue Wen as well.

There aren't many people who fit that bill.

Any news from Jin Zhen Ping?

Not long after you left, Jin Zhen Ping left.

It's late.

Everyone's been tired all day.

Go get some rest.

I'm fine on my own.

No need for everyone to stay here.

Don't worry.

Third, say something, will you?

Why did they lock up Fourth Madam's courtyard?

What on earth is going on here?

They found out Fourth Aunt's secret.

Little Seventeenth intends

to hand her over to the authorities.

What kind of secret could Fourth Madam possibly have?

Why is he trying to report her to the authorities?

If she ends up in court,

the Jin family's reputation will be ruined!

I told you from the start.

We shouldn't have let those two troublemakers stay here.

But none of you listened.

Now what are we supposed to do?

Stop right there.

A few days ago, Madam wrote a letter to Young Master Liang.

This is his reply.

Madam.

Don't say too much.

And don't ask too many questions.

That's the only way you'll live longer.

Tomorrow, have someone deliver these two letters.

This goes to Liang,

and the other goes to Lan.

Go now.

Yes, madam.

Jin Zhen Ping,

you drove Fourth Aunt to her death just to save yourself.

You're a monster!

What nonsense are you spouting?

You were the one who forced Fourth Aunt to testify in court.

She couldn't bear the shame and anger,

so she took her own life.

It was you, Bai Yu Tang.

You drove her to her death.

I drove her to her death?

Then why was she holding your jade pendant when she died?

What is this?

I've never seen it before.

Oh, really?

Just keep pretending.

Let's see how long you can keep it up.

- Bai. - Bai Yu Tang.

Calm down.

Jin Zhen Ping, are you really doing all this

just because you're afraid Fourth Madam will embarrass the Jin family?

Stop your nonsense.

You really think a few outsiders can overturn this case?

Fourth Aunt is already dead.

As for Tang Ji,

you shouldn't expect him to retract his confession.

Bai Yu Tang, listen up.

Jin Xue Wen will never clear his name for the rest of his life.

You will always be the murderer's little brother.

Jin Zhen Ping!

Do you really hate the two of us that much?

What grudge does my brother have against you?

Bai Yu Tang, don't let your anger get the best of you.

Trust me. We'll definitely overturn this case.

Mr. Xu.

Fourth Madam's funeral should be arranged as soon as possible.

Keep everything simple.

Jin Zhen Ping!

Fourth Madam has a heart of gold.

Why would she pass away this suddenly?

The illness struck suddenly.

There was nothing we could do.

Are you out of your mind?

What are you doing here?

We've known each other for decades.

Can't I come pay my respects?

Now is not the time for romance.

Don't you get it?

Zhan Zhao and the others are watching from the shadows.

Zhan Zhao has no time for this right now.

Si Ming wants Madam Jiao and Jiao Si Yuan dead.

Zhan Zhao and the others rushed off to save them.

Aren't you going?

They're no match at all for Zhan Zhao and his group.

Why should I even bother going?

Silencing them was Si Ming's order.

But that's not why I'm here.

Driving her to her death wasn't his order.

That was your own decision.

Wasn't it?

Don't you know this well enough?

If she fell into Zhan Zhao's hands,

none of us would make it out alive.

Even though Si Ming hasn't given us the order yet,

I'm sure he would make the same call as I did.

Your grudge has nothing to do with them.

All these years, she never had a single good day in the Jin family.

I wish I could make your whole Jin family pay for what she suffered!

You want to save him?

What,

after all your investigating, you still don't know that he...

Tang Ji, we're in the same boat!

If it sinks, no one gets to survive!

Shut up!

Your fight with Si Ming

doesn't interest me anymore.

All I want now is for Jin Zhen Ping to pay with his life.

I'm not trying to save him.

I just don't want him to die that easily!

People always say that the Tang Sect doesn't play fair.

As the sect leader, why don't you prove them wrong?

Think about it.

Is risking your life for someone like Jin Zhen Ping really worth it?

I want to see how you'll make me risk my life for him.

Speak.

What really happened back then?

Tang Ji! Think carefully before you talk!

Do you want the whole Tang Sect to go down with you?

This is Drunken Breeze.

It'll take at least an hour before you get your strength back.

Hurry up.

What the heck is wrong with you?

The Jin family is on our side.

Why are you acting all lovesick?

Si Ming,

on account of the Tang Sect's many years of servitude,

please let them off the hook.

You botched the job this badly,

and you still want to bargain?

If the Tang Sect failed,

it's my fault as the leader.

It has nothing to do with my disciples.

From now on, if you need...

Uncle!

From today onward, you'll take over as the Tang Sect leader.

I'll kill...

Keep

Tang Sect safe.

Uncle?

Uncle?

Uncle!

(Yuelai Inn)

Are you treating my wound or carving something into me?

Are you sure that's not a knife in your hand?

With a wound that deep, of course it hurts.

All these medicines we use are mixed with alcohol.

It'd be a miracle if it didn't hurt.

Aren't you supposed to be a hero? Can't you just tough it out?

Easy for you to say. Why don't you be the hero, then?

Poor Zhan Zhao.

To think that you've been treating him like this all this time.

What are you doing?

The wound could split open if I didn't wrap it tighter.

You're just being a baby.

All these years, no matter how badly Young Master was hurt,

he never whined as you did.

Getting a little too bold, aren't you?

Zhan Zhao, great job.

You got yourself a one-in-a-million servant.

He's so dramatic.

We just received a letter from the capital.

Lord Bao helped us get to the bottom of two things.

First, the plague in Tanxi Town back then was never reported to the court.

All those horrible things that happened

were not ordered by the government.

Second, the county magistrate of Xiangyang back then

is now the prefect of Xiangzhou,

Luo Wen Jie.

Si Ming is the prefect of Xiangzhou,

and the prefect is the highest official in all of Xiangzhou.

With that being the case, getting the case overturned won't be easy.

Not necessarily.

Now that we know who the presiding judge was 15 years ago,

why not go straight to him?

We should let him preside over the case again.

And let him overturn his own verdict?

How is that even possible?

If this happened in the prefectural yamen,

he'd never agree to it.

But if we lay out all the evidence right in front of him,

with everyone in Tanxi Town watching,

he won't be able to deny it.

You mean the Suwen Tournament?

I don't agree.

Bai Yu Tang hasn't practiced medicine for so many years.

He's basically a layman now.

How could he possibly join the Suwen Tournament?

Little Seventeenth is still a member of the Jin family.

He and his brother are different individuals.

It doesn't make sense to stop him from participating in it.

Fifth Granduncle,

Fourth Aunt just passed away.

The whole household is grieving.

Could we postpone the Suwen Tournament?

The Suwen Tournament has never been interrupted for the past hundred years.

It's never been rescheduled for any weddings or funerals either.

Tell me this.

Why did Tang Ji try to kill you during the funeral?

Are you and the Tang Sect really in cahoots?

Fifth Granduncle, what matters most right now is the Suwen Tournament.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Little Seventeenth's mind isn't even on the tournament.

He's doing this to help his late brother clear his name.

If he can really overturn the case, that would be a good thing.

It would clear the Jin family's name.

So why are you stopping him?

It's not that I want to collude with the Tang Sect.

It's all because of Fourth Aunt.

Fifth Granduncle,

let me just tell you the truth.

If Bai Yu Tang overturns the case,

our Jin family will have another scandal exposed.

Please report to your superiors.

The Jin family of Tanxi Town

respectfully invites the prefect to attend the Suwen Tournament tomorrow.

He's not going.

Our prefect said he's been swamped with work lately.

He doesn't have time to attend it.

Forget it, then.

Just don't blame us later for not warning you.

A noble from the capital will be attending the gathering in person,

but the prefect won't even show up, huh?

You might end up offending someone important.

A noble from the capital?

That's right. The noble passed through Xiangyang during his travels,

heard about this grand event,

and got interested for once.

He was hoping for some excitement.

- Forget it. - Let's go.

Wait, you two.

Who exactly is the noble you mentioned?

Is everything you said true?

Did you check it yourself?

Fourth Aunt admitted it herself.

There's no way it's fake.

Why do you think Tang Ji went on a rampage at the funeral?

It was because Bai Yu Tang forced Fourth Aunt to testify in court.

Bai Yu Tang drove her to her death.

Fourth Aunt protected the Jin family's reputation

and saved her children's honor.

To prove that Nine had gone to Feihua Hollow,

they'd have to reveal their secret affair.

One stain gets washed away,

but another scandal comes to light.

For the Jin family,

there's nothing to gain.

Fifth Granduncle, we might as well keep quiet about it.

It's an old case anyway.

Maybe no one even remembers it anymore.

But Nine, if he really was wronged,

then...

Master.

Elder, someone outside is asking to see you.

He says he's a steward from the prince's manor.

The prince's manor?

Invite him in, quickly!

Elder, I'm Zhao Zhi Er.

I'm the steward for Prince Hui of Nanqing Palace.

I'm here to deliver a message from the prince.

At this year's Suwen Tournament,

the prince will attend as a guest.

Prince Hui is coming?

That's right. Our prince was invited by his good friend Bai Yu Tang.

He'll attend the event in hopes that he can witness

a marvelous spectacle about medicine and pharmacology.

Prince Hui's presence

truly brings honor to our humble home.