Original subtitles

=The Road to Splendor=

(Adapted from China Literature author Zhizhi's novel of the same name)

=Episode 13=

(Admonitions for Women Hall)

(Admonitions for Women Hall)

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door now!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Move.

What do you think you're doing?

Move.

All this commotion...

What exactly are you looking for, Miss Xie?

Something went missing.

What?

A Buddhist scripture.

Looks like there's

no avoiding this today.

Enough talk.

Search the place.

Go!

Move!

Ninth Young Lady, you've finally learned

where to stick the knife so it hurts the most.

I learned from the best.

Madam,

nothing here.

Madam,

nothing in the back room either.

What's this?

A man's socks?

I'm not trying to give you a hard time.

But what you've done

has put the ladies here at risk.

Everyone here today is one of their family members.

Ms. Zuo,

you pride yourself on your chastity.

So why did we find

a man's belongings in your room?

Whoever's in there, listen up!

We've surrounded

the entire hall, front and back.

You're not getting away today.

We won't make trouble for the widow.

Come out on your own,

and we'll settle this with you.

Who's there?

Check over there.

Who's there?

Come out, now.

Madam Mo.

Madam Mo.

No one.

Madam.

Madam.

No one.

Madam.

We couldn't find him.

I knew this wouldn't end quietly.

So I'll give you what you came for.

Wait here.

I'll bring out the man

you're looking for.

There really is a man!

Who is he?

How can there be a man in the Admonitions for Women Hall?

Exactly!

Get up!

Who is this man?

I've run out of money for drinks.

I'll just take Mr. Yu's things

and pawn them.

Move.

Take a good look.

This is the man you were looking for.

Wake up.

I know I shouldn't have done this,

but he's my younger brother.

I couldn't leave him out there alone.

Even if he's your brother,

you can't bring him into the Admonitions for Women Hall!

Exactly! He's still a man!

This is where ladies come to study!

What are you doing?

What...

You...

I shall take monastic vows to atone for my sins.

Will that be enough?

Ms. Zuo,

stop making a scene.

Hiding a man in the Admonitions for Women Hall

is already a serious offense.

You'll answer for it.

Ninth Young Lady,

you've finally had your revenge.

Satisfied now?

You still don't understand.

The reason you're facing consequences today

isn't what you did to me.

It's because you put your selfish desires

above the safety of your students.

You have no right

to call yourself their instructor.

Guards.

Get this drunk out of here.

Get up.

Move.

Go.

We didn't flush out Advisor Li,

but Zuo Junjie was caught.

That's enough to bring Madam Zuo down.

Hiding a man in the Admonitions for Women Hall

was already a serious breach of the rules.

Now that she's lost her position as instructor,

and with things so tense right now,

Advisor Li, at the very least,

can't openly protect her anymore.

Zuo has lost her protection.

Miss Xie.

Mr. Zhao.

Madam Zuo

was taken to Dadong Temple.

She's living there as a lay devotee.

Someone stepped in to save her.

(Regional Commander's Residence)

Madam.

Take a seat.

Why did you protect Madam Zuo?

She hid a man in the Admonitions for Women Hall.

That's a serious offense.

So you know

who she was hiding.

I thought you were different.

But I suppose those in power

all bow to influence and self-interest.

Instead of wasting your anger on petty people,

why not make something better for yourself?

The magnolia tree you planted in Desheng Ward,

everyone who passes now gives it a ladle of water.

That alone shows the sincerity of your intentions

and your gift for winning people's hearts.

Why not take over the Admonitions for Women Hall?

For one,

those girls would finally have

an instructor who can teach them something useful.

And for another,

it would help you put down roots here.

Before long, the women of Ganlin

will treat you like one of their own.

If you're willing to let this matter rest for now,

I can

see that Zhao Ling gets his company commander post.

It was his to begin with.

Madam Zuo was the one holding it up

all this time.

Miss Xie,

you have a choice to make.

Do you want the satisfaction of winning this fight,

or do you want

a future you can actually build on?

So you're

trying to buy me off.

I'm asking you to be practical.

Some roads,

even when they lead the right way,

can't be rushed.

Why are you sweating so much?

Did Madam Wang give you trouble?

It's good news.

Madam Wang

approved your promotion to company commander.

What did she want from you in return?

For me to let Madam Zuo go.

She's taking advantage of you,

using my promotion to pressure you.

Once you're company commander,

we'll have more resources

at our disposal.

Madam Wang

also put me in charge of the Admonitions for Women Hall.

What I can't stand

is that Madam Zuo gets to walk away from all this.

When I was falsely accused,

at least I knew the accusations were lies.

But those girls...

if they ever learn

that a man really was spying on them...

in a world like this,

that could hurt worse

than a knife through the heart.

Let's go.

Madam Wang, you're here.

Have some tea.

The terms you asked for...

I've agreed to all of them.

Now,

right here in front of me,

burn every piece

of those girls' undergarments.

Hanyan.

Bring them out.

You're a smart woman, Madam.

You know what's truly at stake.

You all know

I've been involved with a man.

And now

I've been keeping these young ladies' undergarments too.

If word gets out,

none of us comes out of this unscathed.

If you don't protect me,

I'll drag every one of these girls down with me

and ruin their reputations too.

That's what they mean when they say

gossip can destroy lives.

If I ever catch you doing this again,

you won't walk away alive.

What's this?

What's this?

Why do we have to learn this?

And what's this?

I've never seen any of this before.

What is Essentials of Arithmetic?

And what is Five-Animal Exercises?

I don't know either.

Ms. Zuo never taught us any of this.

Instead of Lessons in Female Virtue and Admonitions for Women,

we're learning all this random stuff?

When we're meeting prospective husbands someday,

are we supposed to perform the Five-Animal Exercises

to entertain them?

Exactly.

What good is any of this?

If one day

you're forced to leave the protection of your families

and end up far from home,

how will you survive?

Lessons in Female Virtue?

Or Admonitions for Women?

Not every plant in this world

gets to grow

inside a warm greenhouse,

carefully sheltered and tended.

People are no different.

I teach you to check accounts and figures

so no one

can fool you with false books

and cheat you out of the money you depend on.

I teach you herbs and farming

so you'll know the plants around you

and be able, even in rocky soil,

to grow enough food to fill your stomachs.

I teach you history

so you can see beyond this tiny corner of the world

and not live in ignorance.

I teach you the Five-Animal Exercises

to make your bodies strong,

so you can travel far

and face childbirth without fear.

I teach you to navigate by the stars

so even if you're lost in the wilderness,

you can find your way.

The desert poplar

lives for a thousand years,

stands tall for a thousand after death,

and endures another thousand once fallen.

Not because it's beautiful,

but because its roots

run deep

and strong.

I hope you all live peaceful, fortunate lives

and never need any of these skills.

But if hardship ever comes without warning,

I hope

you'll be like the desert poplar,

able to endure drought

and weather the fiercest sandstorms.

Even when all hope seems lost,

may you find

your own way to survive

and stand tall on your own.

Thank you, Ms. Xie.

Zhang Huaimin.

Here.

Li Cheng.

Next.

Mr. Zhao, you've been promoted to company commander,

and your pay just doubled.

Tonight,

you've got to treat us all to a good drink.

Right?

Yeah, Mr. Zhao.

Not tonight.

I need the money

for something.

Bet it's for Miss Xie.

But she's generous.

I'm sure she won't mind you buying us a round.

This time,

I really do need it.

We're moving.

Mr. Zhao's a company commander now.

The new place is big enough for me to train!

It's barely been any time,

and you're already a company commander's wife.

You're rising faster than a spring tide.

Kindness really does bring good fortune.

Just like that,

you've moved into a bigger house.

(Company Commander's Residence) Miss Xie has a surprise for Mr. Zhao.

He's going to love it.

Why isn't he back yet?

Fireworks.

They're beautiful!

Who's setting off fireworks?

Look!

It's Mr. Zhao.

Those fireworks are something else.

Who has that kind of money to burn?

It's next door,

at Miss Xie's place.

I heard

Commander Zhao is celebrating her birthday,

and even chose today for their move.

Fireworks this late at night?

How is anyone supposed to sleep?

So annoying!

Today is your birthday,

and the day we move into our new home.

May you

be safe and well, year after year.

♪The past brushes by like a falling leaf♪

♪So light, yet my steps still pause for you♪

♪Through every rise and fall, our memories remain without regret♪

♪Carved into the rings of time♪

♪How I wish I could stay a little longer, but I can't♪

Thank you, Mr. Zhao.

♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill my eyes with tears♪

♪One promise for a lifetime, echoing long after we part♪

So Mr. Zhao wouldn't buy us drinks

because he spent it all on this!

Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao.

Well played!

I...

Miss Xie has another surprise!

Look at all this food!

Come on!

- Let me have a bite! - None for you!

- We didn't set places for you! - Just one bite!

We didn't make enough for everyone!

- Just a tiny bite! - This is for Mr. Zhao!

- Just let me try some! - Get out of here!

You two, stop fighting over it!

Save some for me!

I really didn't make any for you.

All right.

Dig in, everyone.

I'll make

another dish to go with the drinks.

I'll get the fire going.

Look at the state of you two.

Miss Xie, don't trouble yourself.

Let me handle all this.

You go rest.

It's all right, Sanniang.

Today,

let me do it.

I'm sorry I put you through this.

If you hadn't backed down then,

I wouldn't have gotten this promotion.

You were raised in a prominent family.

You shouldn't have to do this kind of work.

That's not true.

Back at the Fu Residence,

I cooked too.

That's hardly the same.

At the Fu Residence,

you made cherry pastries

and sophora noodles,

not these huge pots of food for a crowd.

Candied apricots.

The last bag.

Don't tell anyone.

Thinking about Miss Xie, Mr. Zhao?

Forgive me for saying this,

but you and Miss Xie

clearly care for each other.

Why not just get married?

You met Miss Xie later than I did.

You never saw what she was like back in Huaying,

or what her parents were like.

I think

perhaps her parents' marriage was empty,

and that's why she thinks marriage

is just two people sharing a life out of convenience.

You're afraid Miss Xie

doesn't truly love you.

But from what I can see,

the way she treats you

is unlike anyone else.

She's still young.

She just

hasn't figured out her own feelings yet.

I know.

But that's all right.

Knowing

there's a place for me in her heart

is enough.

Once I've earned greater merit in battle

and can give her the life she deserves, then we'll talk about marriage.

Be careful with that, Miss Xie.

That lamp oil

was brought back specially for you by Mr. Zhao.

It costs more than three times the usual kind.

The oil he uses at camp

is cheap stuff cut with tung oil.

Mr. Zhao treats you

very differently

from everyone else.

General.

I've been waiting forever for you.

I got tied up with work.

This looks nice.

You're finally here, General.

I made all these dishes myself,

especially for you.

Alright.

I also learned

a Jiangnan song.

I'll sing it for you later.

Now that I like.

Sounds good.

The other night,

there were fireworks next door.

I heard

Commander Zhao set them off

for Miss Xie's birthday.

General...

In a couple of days,

it'll be my birthday too.

That's right.

But let's skip the fireworks.

All that banging gives me a headache.

I don't see the appeal.

True.

They're so noisy.

Come on.

Have a drink with me.

Cheers.

I'm off.

Bye, General.

Ugh!

What a blockhead.

No wonder that shrew

walks all over you!

What's wrong with wanting fireworks for my birthday?

That shrew Xie next door gets fireworks,

but I don't?

Don't act like you're above it all!

Fireworks are too noisy?

Unbelievable!

Hey.

- You... - You scared me to death!

Quite a spread.

Let me have some.

All you think about is food.

You think this is a restaurant?

Listen.

I'm a little short on cash.

I still need more kills.

Lend me some money.

All the money I have

goes straight into that bottomless pit of yours.

If you really care about me,

go next door

and teach that rotten pair a lesson!

They're always looking down their noses at me!

Enough.

I don't want to hear

about all your petty little problems.

Fine. I'll tell you the truth.

That Zhao

keeps telling people

you stole credit for his achievements.

He's been bad-mouthing you everywhere.

He also said

the only reason you have your rank today

is that well-connected brother-in-law of yours.

And your pathetic fighting skills

aren't even worth his time.

Nonsense.

If anyone helped me get ahead,

it was Commander Wang.

What the heck does Mo have to do with it?

I'll show him

exactly

who he's messing with.

(Shaqiong Town Border)

Did you hear?

Shaqiong is fighting the Wangur tribe again.

Their grain supply was cut off,

so the higher-ups want us

to send two thousand dan of grain.

Another lousy assignment.

We'll probably have to

go through Yelang Valley.

It's all desert along the way.

Extremely dangerous.

Commander.

As for the grain shipment to Shaqiong,

I'd like to lead the troops there.

Company Commander Zhao,

eager, aren't you?

You promised

that when the time came,

merit would be rewarded.

Unfortunately,

I've already assigned

this mission to Lu Dahu.

Company Commander Zhao,

if you really want to go,

you'll have to go as his second.

Yes, Commander.

Zhao's currying favor with the brass and dragging us into it.

Fine. Let him come.

I'll make his life miserable.

I can collect the rest of the heads on the way.

Thirty-six in all.

I was twenty-four short.

I've got four now.

Twenty more,

and I'll be a battalion commander.

Battalion commander...

Zhao Ling.

I've been looking for you.

Sen

submitted an enlistment request.

He's way too young.

How could you

stamp his application?

What?

You didn't know?

You two.

Has Sen said anything about enlisting?

No, Mr. Zhao.

Never heard a word.

It wasn't me.

As for joining the army...

forget it.

I've had Mo Yi withdraw your application.

And you stole my seal?

You've got some nerve!

Who are you to tell me what to do?

I'm the one putting food on your table!

Miss Xie makes the food!

Not you!

Then I just won't eat here anymore!

I don't need you bossing me around!

You're not my father or my brother!

I...

Sen.

Sen.

Sen.

Mr. Zhao.

He's just a kid.

Why get so worked up over him?

I didn't.

I came to say goodbye.

I just received my orders.

I'm escorting supplies to Shaqiong Town tomorrow.

Take care while you're in Ganlin Town.

In the army,

one wrong move

can get you killed.

Study hard for a couple of years,

then take the military exam.

That's the right way to do it.

Then you won't have to

risk your life out here like us.

Mr. Zhao is only looking out for you.

Fei!

Fei!

Who knows how long

they'll be gone this time.

I don't even know if the food and clothes I packed

will be enough.

Yeah.

Zhao Ling's fiancee

came to see him off with provisions.

Zhao Ling is no match for me in any respect.

How'd he land a woman that pretty?

If a man never comes back from this trip,

what happens

to his woman?

(Shaqiong Town)

Go on.

Move.

Come rest over here.

Give me one too.

Here.

Push.

Come on.

Push!

Push!

Come on!

Push!

One, two, three!

Come on!

One, two, three!

Here, have some water.

Drink up.

Mr. Zhao.

Looks like contraband salt.

The army's salt

comes from Lu Dahu trading with bandits.

The question is

whether Commander Wang is turning a blind eye to it.

Crooks dealing with crooks.

They put on a respectable face,

but behind closed doors,

they're filthier than anyone.

Come on!

Look!

Hurry!

Hurry!

They're bringing out the heads.

Go!

Those animals.

They're using people to fake military kills.

Aren't they afraid of what'll come back to them?

- What are you doing? - What are you doing? Zhao Ling!

Don't act so righteous.

I need 36 heads to become a battalion commander.

Twelve heads can get a company commander promoted to deputy battalion commander,

or 24 warhorses.

Here.

Have one of your men finish him off.

I'll let you claim the kill.

What are you doing?

Mr. Zhao!

Mr. Zhao!

Mr. Zhao!

Do you think I got where I am today

because of

my brother-in-law?

It's because

I am better

than all you useless scum.

Even if my brother-in-law were standing right here,

on this mission,

I, Lu Dahu, give the orders.

Just one rank above you,

and I can crush you.

Move!

Take him away.

Run! Hurry!

Mr. Zhao!

Stop!

Stop!

Get out!

Mr. Zhao!

Mr. Zhao!

Mr. Zhao.

Zhao Ling attacked a superior officer.

He defied military orders.

Under military law,

kill him on sight!

Come on!

Looks like I'll have four more heads to claim.

Killing the four of us won't earn you much.

I'll bring back dozens of warhorses instead!

When I return to camp with those horses,

I'll outrank you, and then you'll answer to me!

Prepare a report.

Zhao Ling

has deserted with his men.

Mr. Zhao,

where do we go now?

We find those salt smugglers.

They have salt

and warhorses.

That merit

is as good as ours.

All right!

Go tell Miss Xie for me.

Tell her

I've gone to find warhorses

and I'll be back a little later than planned.

Tell her not to worry.

Yes, Mr. Zhao.

I won't forget.

Mr. Zhao,

want me to pass along a few words of concern?

Just tell her

the wild apricots in the mountains are ripe.

I'm going to pick her a whole basket

so she can make candied apricots when I get back.

Got it!

Sis.

I'm back.

I'm starving.

Let's eat.

Always eating, aren't you?

If you'd hurry up and get yourself a wife,

you wouldn't be pestering me all the time.

Every time you come around, it's either money

or food.

What am I, your personal charity

and your personal cook?

Cut the nonsense!

I'm dead tired from this trip!

Zhao Ling

deserted halfway through the mission.

I had to handle

the whole thing myself.

Zhao Ling

deserted?

This trip

was well worth it.

I've finally got enough heads

to become a battalion commander.

Dahu,

doesn't that mean you're getting promoted?

You bet.

Oh, right.

Go pray for me at Dadong Temple tomorrow.

Ask for...

a promotion and plenty of money.

Bodhisattva,

(Health, Career, Marriage, Wealth) please bless my brother

with rank and riches.

And while you're at it,

send me a sister-in-law

who's easy to handle

and does as she's told.

Please grant my wish.

Madam.

Ms. Zuo?

I couldn't help overhearing

that you're looking for an obedient wife for your brother.

The perfect match

is right under your nose.

I've heard

Zhao Ling isn't coming back.

That leaves Miss Xie

all alone with no one to depend on.

A woman on her own,

with no family to rely on.

What choice would she have

but to depend on her husband's family?

Miss Xie knows how to run a household,

and she has her land to bring in an income.

A wife like that

would certainly treat her sister-in-law well.

You have a point.

Thank you for the suggestion, Ms. Zuo.

Thank you, Bodhisattva, for answering my prayer.

This way,

I get everything I want at once.

Being a widow is nothing.

The worst thing for a woman

is marrying a rotten man.

Drinking,

gambling,

beating his wife...

my brother checks every box.

Thank you, Bodhisattva, for answering my prayer.

Thank you, Bodhisattva.

(Next Episode)

(I thought Lu Dahu)

(was just a shameless lecher.)

(I figured I could just stay out of his way.)

(Who would've thought)

(he'd do something this vile,)

(and even make Mr. Zhao's life miserable.)

A monster like that

isn't worth dirtying our hands over.

Xie!

You have to marry him

right this second!

Zhao Ling.

Please don't kill me!

Please don't kill me!

Please! I'm begging you!

Lu Dahu,

you scumbag!

♪The past brushes by like a falling leaf♪

♪So light, yet my steps still pause for you♪

♪Through every rise and fall, our memories remain without regret♪

♪Carved into the rings of time♪

♪How I wish I could stay a little longer, but I can't♪

♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill my eyes with tears♪

♪Etched deep within my heart, yet buried without a word♪

♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

♪One promise for a lifetime, echoing long after we part♪

♪For one fleeting moment, I found you in the crowd♪

♪Without a word, you lit up half my life♪

♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

♪Kept close within my heart♪

♪From now on, no one else is worth waiting for♪

♪I turn away, afraid no one will ever come home to me again♪

♪If we can build our future together, no storm can chill my heart♪

♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

♪One promise for a lifetime, echoing long after we part♪