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=The Road to Splendor=

2
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(Adapted from China Literature author
Zhizhi's novel of the same name)

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=Episode 26=

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It's you?

5
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(Double Happiness)

6
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Greetings, Mr. Yu.

7
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Who told you to dress like this?

8
00:02:15,719 --> 00:02:16,919
My aunt had planned

9
00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,439
to offer me to Lord Wei.

10
00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:21,879
Thanks to Miss Xie,

11
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I was saved.

12
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She even gave me this handkerchief

13
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to dry my tears.

14
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It is a pity, though.

15
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She can protect me for now,

16
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but not for the rest of my life.

17
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So

18
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you seem to be quite familiar
with Miss Xie.

19
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Mr. Yu, would you like to hear

20
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a story about her?

21
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Young Madam.

22
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Young Madam.

23
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Please don't forget your manners.

24
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Young Madam.

25
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Let her in.

26
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Yes.

27
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Mother.

28
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Why did you bring into this house

29
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someone Fu Tingyun had cast aside?

30
00:03:41,159 --> 00:03:43,479
Where does that leave the Yu family's
dignity?

31
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Do you despise me that much?

32
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Is it because of my humble birth?

33
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Because my father
is not from a noble house?

34
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Your birth,

35
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though not noble,

36
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is still above that of common folk.

37
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Your father is a great scholar.

38
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But Fu Tingyun is now a commoner.

39
00:04:00,759 --> 00:04:02,319
Her methods and strategy

40
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are stronger than yours.

41
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She can do

42
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what you can't.

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Miss Wu,

44
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though young,

45
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is far more sensible than you.

46
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Her birth is even more humble
than yours.

47
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I once felt the same way about you

48
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as you do about her now.

49
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I accepted you completely.

50
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In the end, we must all

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live under the same roof.

52
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That is a woman's fate.

53
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Mother.

54
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I will do as you say from now on.

55
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You are my only support in this family.

56
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Since you have already accepted me,

57
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why would you still do this?

58
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Why make Miss Wu a concubine?

59
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Madam Wu's great-grandmother

60
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was the Grand Empress Dowager's
wet nurse.

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So she can attend the palace banquet.

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She can speak to Her Majesty.

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If we forge that connection,

64
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it benefits the family

65
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and benefits you.

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You should think carefully

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about what you truly want.

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Rest assured.

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Even if Jingxiu leaves this family,

70
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you would still have me.

71
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Back then,
for the sake of family interests,

72
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you were willing to abandon Fu Tingyun.

73
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Now,

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you can abandon me too.

75
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I have already made myself clear.

76
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If you remain stubborn,

77
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you will only become a bitter woman.

78
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Instead, think back

79
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to why you married into the Yu family.

80
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If it was for love,

81
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that is

82
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no longer possible.

83
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If it was for dignity and respect,

84
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then you should not
be looking so defeated.

85
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Taking a concubine

86
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is merely a move
to protect the family's interests.

87
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It also preserves your honor and dignity

88
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as the Young Madam of the Yu family.

89
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You had best not hold me back.

90
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- Mother.
- Mozhan.

91
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Help the Young Madam back
and see to her grooming.

92
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Mother.

93
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There is still a long road ahead.

94
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(Double Happiness)

95
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Please, Commander Zhao, wash your hands.

96
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The bride and groom take their seats.

97
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May spring fill the world

98
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and blessings fill your home.

99
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May your union be harmonious.

100
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Now, the bride reveals her face.

101
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Come on.

102
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Now, drink the ceremonial wine together.

103
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The couple drinks together,

104
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never to part.

105
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And so,

106
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the bridal chamber rites are complete.

107
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Congratulations, you two newlyweds.

108
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May your hearts be as one

109
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and your bond stand through all of life.

110
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This very moment

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is what I dreamed of.

112
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When did you start dreaming

113
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of marrying me,

114
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Mr. Zhao?

115
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Still calling me Mr. Zhao?

116
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Ling.

117
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The first time you proposed,

118
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you said it was mutually beneficial,

119
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that you needed me as your husband.

120
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And I was

121
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both annoyed

122
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and yet overjoyed.

123
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Annoyed that you treated
such a momentous occasion

124
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as a mere transaction.

125
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But overjoyed

126
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that it was me.

127
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The second time was even more absurd.

128
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You said it was for convenience.

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You wouldn't even let me
prepare the proper betrothal rites.

130
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You insisted on getting married
in Ganlin Town.

131
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Thankfully, today,

132
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all my wishes have come true.

133
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Thankfully,

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whether it was back then

135
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or now,

136
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you would say yes.

137
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Wouldn't you?

138
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I will give you a lifetime of devotion

139
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in return for the knot we tied.

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

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

142
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♪Carved into the rings of time♪

143
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♪How I wish I could stay
a little longer, but I can't♪

144
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♪I turn away, afraid goodbye
will fill my eyes with tears♪

145
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♪Etched deep within my heart,
yet buried without a word♪

146
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♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

147
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♪Still makes us want to believe♪

148
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♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

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

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

151
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♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

152
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♪Kept close within my heart♪

153
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♪From now on, no one else
is worth waiting for♪

154
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♪I turn away, afraid no one
will ever come home to me again♪

155
00:12:33,472 --> 00:12:39,740
♪If we can build our future together,
no storm can chill my heart♪

156
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♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

157
00:12:44,656 --> 00:12:48,800
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

158
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♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

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(Yu Residence)

160
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Chengxin.

161
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Young Master.

162
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Who told you
to let someone into my study?

163
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Forgive me, Young Master.

164
00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:00,200
Get out.

165
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Mother could still offer me some words

166
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regarding the concubine.

167
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But you?

168
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You won't even talk to me.

169
00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:28,120
Are seven years of marriage

170
00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:29,720
really this fragile?

171
00:14:32,799 --> 00:14:33,919
I owe you an apology

172
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for taking a concubine.

173
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You have done far more than wrong me.

174
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You have been heartless!

175
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Heartless?

176
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But have you ever considered

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that I gave you more than enough time,

178
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more than enough chances?

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You were the one

180
00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:01,000
who failed to make me love you.

181
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What did I do wrong?

182
00:15:11,279 --> 00:15:13,159
What is it that she has and I don't?

183
00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:23,440
You are too ordinary.

184
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There are millions of people
in this world.

185
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Even if I lost you in a crowd,

186
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I wouldn't recognize you.

187
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Ordinary?

188
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That's right.

189
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But rest assured,

190
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Wu is ordinary too.

191
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Besides,

192
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you are still my principal wife.

193
00:15:48,879 --> 00:15:50,840
I will give you the dignity you deserve.

194
00:15:52,039 --> 00:15:53,399
But what brought us here

195
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was the choice we made back then.

196
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You chose the Yu family,

197
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and I chose you.

198
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:02,120
The pain we endure today

199
00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,879
is simply the price we each must pay.

200
00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:10,519
From now on,

201
00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:15,080
do not enter my study again.

202
00:16:29,679 --> 00:16:30,440
Young Madam.

203
00:16:41,519 --> 00:16:43,120
I never truly loved orchids.

204
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But because of him,

205
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I deceived myself.

206
00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:53,639
I abandoned the daffodil
and pretended to love the orchid.

207
00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:56,679
No matter how much I tried
to please him,

208
00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:00,440
I could never win his affection.

209
00:17:00,879 --> 00:17:01,879
In the end,

210
00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:06,640
all I was to him was "ordinary."

211
00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:11,200
I am too ordinary!

212
00:17:13,759 --> 00:17:16,000
I am too ordinary!

213
00:17:18,039 --> 00:17:19,799
Too ordinary.

214
00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:22,920
Miss Wu, don't rush.

215
00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:25,160
Miss Wu.

216
00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:25,880
Back then,

217
00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:26,960
you went to great lengths

218
00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:28,720
to avoid marrying into the Wei family.

219
00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:30,039
Now,

220
00:17:30,039 --> 00:17:32,119
why would you willingly
become a concubine in the Yu family?

221
00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:33,880
Madam Wei was born into nobility.

222
00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:35,480
If I had gone to the Wei family,

223
00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:37,519
I would have been under her thumb
for life.

224
00:17:38,279 --> 00:17:39,519
But the Yu family is different.

225
00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:41,640
Young Madam Yu may be proud
of her talent,

226
00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:44,359
but she does not have
the Old Madam's favor.

227
00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:45,960
Besides,

228
00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:47,519
Madam Yu is a reasonable woman.

229
00:17:48,279 --> 00:17:50,200
As long as I benefit the Yu family,

230
00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:51,880
she will not treat me unfairly.

231
00:17:53,759 --> 00:17:54,279
Then,

232
00:17:54,279 --> 00:17:55,559
what about Young Lord Yu...?

233
00:17:56,319 --> 00:17:58,000
I only need to do my part

234
00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:00,559
and please him.

235
00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:01,559
My life

236
00:18:01,559 --> 00:18:02,839
won't be too difficult.

237
00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:07,240
Look.

238
00:18:08,519 --> 00:18:09,319
Now,

239
00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:10,880
we have everything we need.

240
00:18:11,519 --> 00:18:12,839
We can even eat our fill.

241
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:15,240
What more could I ask for?

242
00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:20,559
They all want me to be like Miss Xie.

243
00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,359
I suppose I have caught
some of her fortune too.

244
00:18:27,079 --> 00:18:28,000
Miss Wu,

245
00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:29,400
you are right.

246
00:18:29,720 --> 00:18:31,039
We have finally come

247
00:18:31,039 --> 00:18:32,119
to a comfortable place.

248
00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:34,279
Here.

249
00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:36,039
Eat more.

250
00:18:37,799 --> 00:18:39,200
We can finally have enough to eat.

251
00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:41,039
So delicious.

252
00:18:49,279 --> 00:18:50,160
Miss Wu.

253
00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:51,799
Are you feeling better?

254
00:18:54,079 --> 00:18:55,039
Miss Wu.

255
00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:58,160
Have some water.

256
00:18:59,519 --> 00:19:01,720
I told you not to eat so much.

257
00:19:10,180 --> 00:19:14,720
(Double Happiness)

258
00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:44,799
It's windy today.

259
00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,000
I've had some hot soup prepared.

260
00:19:47,559 --> 00:19:48,880
After court,

261
00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:49,720
come back and have some.

262
00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:00,440
Your thoughtfulness, my dear,

263
00:20:01,759 --> 00:20:03,440
makes it hard for me to leave.

264
00:20:08,079 --> 00:20:09,319
If you delay the morning court,

265
00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:12,039
the censors will surely report you.

266
00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:14,000
I'm off.

267
00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:42,079
Wang Yi,
Commander of the Gandu Garrison,

268
00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:43,960
has served fifteen years at the border.

269
00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:46,319
He has repeatedly driven back
the Wangur invaders,

270
00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:48,440
preserving the peace of our frontiers.

271
00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:50,039
His merits are for the realm.

272
00:20:50,279 --> 00:20:50,960
Now,

273
00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,759
he is hereby conferred the title
of Junior First-Rank Ronglu Grandee

274
00:20:53,839 --> 00:20:55,160
and granted an imperial patent.

275
00:20:55,759 --> 00:20:57,920
His wife, virtuous and worthy,

276
00:20:58,079 --> 00:21:01,039
is hereby conferred the title
of Junior First-Rank Imperial Lady.

277
00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:03,640
Mo Yi, the guerrilla general,

278
00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:04,519
is granted

279
00:21:04,519 --> 00:21:07,319
the title of Senior Fourth-Rank General
of Illustrious Might.

280
00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:10,799
All other officers shall be promoted
one rank in their substantive posts

281
00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:12,119
and granted

282
00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:13,880
eighty taels of silver.

283
00:21:14,039 --> 00:21:16,440
I thank Your Majesty
for your gracious favor.

284
00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:27,440
Having received Your Majesty's
great kindness,

285
00:21:27,799 --> 00:21:29,440
I would not dare to make
further requests.

286
00:21:30,319 --> 00:21:31,160
But

287
00:21:31,279 --> 00:21:33,839
my old wounds truly make it hard
to carry on.

288
00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:35,400
I take the liberty

289
00:21:35,759 --> 00:21:37,400
to ask Your Majesty for permission

290
00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:39,559
to remain in the capital

291
00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:41,359
for a few days to recuperate.

292
00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:42,279
Granted.

293
00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:45,279
Returning to the capital is no easy task
for northwestern officers.

294
00:21:45,839 --> 00:21:46,759
All of you

295
00:21:46,759 --> 00:21:48,079
shall stay with Commander Wang

296
00:21:48,079 --> 00:21:48,720
in the capital.

297
00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:50,200
Spend more time

298
00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:51,720
with your families.

299
00:21:52,079 --> 00:21:53,759
Thank you, Your Majesty.

300
00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:00,240
Five years.

301
00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:03,079
Five long years.

302
00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,319
Military provisions were withheld.

303
00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:08,720
Border soldiers went hungry.

304
00:22:09,279 --> 00:22:11,440
Our brothers fought on empty stomachs.

305
00:22:12,759 --> 00:22:14,920
Can these rewards and riches

306
00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,559
really cover that up?

307
00:22:19,799 --> 00:22:20,480
No.

308
00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:24,200
I must uncover the truth.

309
00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:26,279
Otherwise, in the next five years,

310
00:22:26,279 --> 00:22:28,440
will our soldiers go hungry again?

311
00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:32,279
Yes.

312
00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:34,079
My Lord,

313
00:22:37,079 --> 00:22:38,640
the man behind Li Mao is Yu Guodong.

314
00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:40,119
But the Yu family has deep roots.

315
00:22:41,039 --> 00:22:42,279
Without absolute certainty,

316
00:22:42,279 --> 00:22:43,319
a rash move

317
00:22:43,759 --> 00:22:44,640
would only

318
00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:46,400
tip off the enemy

319
00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:48,240
and ruin the greater plan.

320
00:22:53,279 --> 00:22:54,079
Alright.

321
00:22:55,799 --> 00:22:57,759
Let us wait and see.

322
00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,680
We wait for the right timing,

323
00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:04,839
the right position,
and the right people.

324
00:23:10,519 --> 00:23:12,720
Good heavens!

325
00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:16,079
This will be the death of me!

326
00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,440
This drought came without warning.

327
00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:21,000
His Majesty has summoned
the Grand Secretariat

328
00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:22,440
to discuss countermeasures.

329
00:23:24,039 --> 00:23:25,640
On such major occasions,

330
00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:27,759
that favored official
would always be present.

331
00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:29,000
But today,

332
00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:32,519
not a trace of him was seen.

333
00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:34,559
Clearly,

334
00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:40,359
your strategy

335
00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:44,279
is beginning to take effect.

336
00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:48,640
That move with Her Majesty

337
00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:49,920
has paid off.

338
00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:50,880
Yesterday,

339
00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:52,519
I went over the accounts

340
00:23:52,839 --> 00:23:53,839
with His Majesty.

341
00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:56,640
The imperial treasury has only
over four hundred thousand taels left.

342
00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,519
If we don't act swiftly
on the salt reform,

343
00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:00,759
forget disaster relief.

344
00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:04,000
We won't even have funds
for future expenses.

345
00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:06,839
So I seized the chance of raising funds

346
00:24:07,519 --> 00:24:08,960
and proposed to His Majesty

347
00:24:09,279 --> 00:24:12,119
extending the salt reform nationwide.

348
00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:13,400
Guess what?

349
00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:15,640
From his tone,

350
00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:21,839
he seems to be relenting.

351
00:24:24,319 --> 00:24:24,960
Here, darling.

352
00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:30,039
His Majesty is in urgent need of silver.

353
00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:32,720
Whoever can collect the funds

354
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,039
will be the true favored official.

355
00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,880
As long as he loses the Emperor's favor,

356
00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:42,839
our plan

357
00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:45,839
will succeed.

358
00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:52,559
Your Majesty, I beg to report.

359
00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:54,920
Yesterday's small court session
reached a conclusion.

360
00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:57,759
The number of drought victims
has exceeded eight hundred thousand.

361
00:24:58,440 --> 00:24:59,799
I have checked the imperial granaries.

362
00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,200
Their reserves
are less than ten thousand dan.

363
00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:03,720
Treasury silver is limited.

364
00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:05,680
The Ministry of Works has approved

365
00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,279
a transfer of one hundred thousand taels

366
00:25:07,279 --> 00:25:08,799
for the imperial mausoleum fund.

367
00:25:08,799 --> 00:25:10,079
That must not be touched.

368
00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:11,000
I propose

369
00:25:11,759 --> 00:25:13,119
that we implement

370
00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:15,759
the new salt reform
nationwide immediately.

371
00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:16,839
If approved,

372
00:25:17,079 --> 00:25:19,759
the salt merchants' silver will flow
into the Salt Transport Bureau at once.

373
00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:21,519
The eight hundred thousand victims

374
00:25:21,519 --> 00:25:22,359
will have

375
00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:23,720
their immediate needs met.

376
00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:25,640
Yes, Your Majesty.

377
00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:26,440
Yes.

378
00:25:31,759 --> 00:25:32,680
Your Majesty, I beg to report.

379
00:25:33,319 --> 00:25:34,839
The old salt law has been in place
for a hundred years.

380
00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:36,240
Traders and civilians in the northwest

381
00:25:36,319 --> 00:25:38,000
transport grain to the border
in exchange for salt permits.

382
00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:39,960
Thus border grain reserves
have been abundant.

383
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:41,880
If we suddenly switch
to silver payments,

384
00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:43,759
the livelihoods of the northwest people
will be destroyed.

385
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:45,440
The border grain routes
will surely collapse.

386
00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:46,559
Border troops

387
00:25:47,279 --> 00:25:48,400
will have no provisions.

388
00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:49,319
Trade routes will be cut off.

389
00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:51,559
The northwest will fall into ruin.

390
00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:54,759
With border defenses weakened,

391
00:25:54,759 --> 00:25:55,160
I fear...

392
00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:01,839
the Wangur will attack.

393
00:26:03,759 --> 00:26:04,680
Commander Zhao,

394
00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:06,359
you come from the northwest,

395
00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:08,079
and your heart remains with it.

396
00:26:08,279 --> 00:26:09,559
But do not forget this.

397
00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:12,160
The lives
of the northwest people matter.

398
00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:14,680
Are the lives of those other victims
any less important?

399
00:26:15,359 --> 00:26:16,680
Across the realm,

400
00:26:16,759 --> 00:26:19,160
there are millions of mouths to feed.

401
00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:22,400
The drought is now ravaging the land.

402
00:26:23,039 --> 00:26:24,640
The dead lie scattered everywhere.

403
00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:27,319
Zhao Ling.

404
00:26:27,799 --> 00:26:29,079
Apart from the salt reform,

405
00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:31,880
do you have any other way
to raise funds?

406
00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:36,119
Zhao Ling.

407
00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:39,200
Seven years ago,
when you fled with the refugees,

408
00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:41,440
you saw with your own eyes

409
00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:45,440
bodies lying along the roads,

410
00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:47,640
people digging up grass to eat.

411
00:26:47,799 --> 00:26:49,440
Now that you have become an official,

412
00:26:49,839 --> 00:26:50,720
have you forgotten

413
00:26:51,279 --> 00:26:54,160
the common folk
who once ate grass with you?

414
00:27:02,519 --> 00:27:03,279
Your Majesty,

415
00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:06,079
every word Commander Zhao said is true.

416
00:27:06,079 --> 00:27:07,720
His unwavering loyalty
is clear for all to see.

417
00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:08,839
Your Majesty,

418
00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:11,160
the three northwestern garrisons rely

419
00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:12,359
on salt merchants

420
00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:13,839
for thirty percent of their supplies.

421
00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:15,400
If the salt reform is pushed through,

422
00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:16,559
and the grain routes collapse,

423
00:27:16,839 --> 00:27:20,000
the Wangur mounted warriors
will surely sweep in

424
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:21,440
and attack the border.

425
00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:23,200
Your Majesty,

426
00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:25,720
disaster relief is an immediate concern,

427
00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,200
and border defense is a long-term one.

428
00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,559
Both must be taken into account.

429
00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:35,920
I

430
00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:37,440
stake my head on this.

431
00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:38,720
I beg Your Majesty

432
00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:40,000
to postpone the salt reform

433
00:27:40,279 --> 00:27:41,160
and give the northwest

434
00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:42,839
a chance to catch its breath.

435
00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:46,559
I

436
00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:49,039
have already made myself clear.

437
00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:52,240
The most pressing matter now

438
00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:53,400
is the drought!

439
00:27:54,279 --> 00:27:56,440
How dare you bargain with me here?

440
00:27:57,119 --> 00:27:57,759
Guards.

441
00:27:58,039 --> 00:27:59,079
Drag him out

442
00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:00,440
and give him thirty strokes.

443
00:28:01,039 --> 00:28:01,680
Your Majesty!

444
00:28:02,079 --> 00:28:02,799
Your Majesty!

445
00:28:03,079 --> 00:28:05,680
- I speak from the heart, Your Majesty!
- Out!

446
00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:07,079
Your Majesty!

447
00:28:12,559 --> 00:28:13,319
Zhao Ling.

448
00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:15,720
I appoint you
as Assistant Censor-in-Chief.

449
00:28:15,799 --> 00:28:16,960
You will take full charge

450
00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:17,759
of implementing

451
00:28:17,759 --> 00:28:19,119
the salt reform nationwide.

452
00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:20,200
If your delays

453
00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:21,640
leave us short of funds,

454
00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:22,119
I

455
00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:23,559
will hold you personally responsible.

456
00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:25,200
Yes,

457
00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:30,359
Your Majesty.

458
00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:36,400
Though you didn't get the post
of Imperial Salt Censor,

459
00:28:37,759 --> 00:28:38,759
the family

460
00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:41,119
has secured you a position

461
00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:42,880
as a Secretary
in the Ministry of Revenue.

462
00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:45,039
Why have you been so listless

463
00:28:45,039 --> 00:28:47,440
these past few days?

464
00:28:49,279 --> 00:28:50,799
My learning is shallow.

465
00:28:51,759 --> 00:28:53,079
I fear I am not up to the task.

466
00:28:57,200 --> 00:28:59,279
If Zhao Ling heard you say that...

467
00:29:00,079 --> 00:29:01,039
- Grand Secretary Yu.
- Grand Secretary Yu.

468
00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:08,480
He would laugh at you.

469
00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:10,839
- I have duties at the ministry.
- Grand Secretary Yu.

470
00:29:10,839 --> 00:29:12,119
Grand Secretary Yu.

471
00:29:12,119 --> 00:29:13,200
I would like to take my leave.

472
00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:15,839
If you refuse to heed my words today,

473
00:29:15,839 --> 00:29:18,000
you will suffer
all the more for it tomorrow.

474
00:29:18,839 --> 00:29:19,920
Do you think Zhao Ling's

475
00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:21,400
predicament in court today

476
00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,519
was because his learning was shallow?

477
00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:25,200
It was because no one taught him.

478
00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:25,720
Father.

479
00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:29,880
The Ministry of Revenue is waiting
for the accounts to be verified.

480
00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:35,559
Go.

481
00:29:35,559 --> 00:29:36,920
Go and see to your important matters.

482
00:29:38,119 --> 00:29:38,960
I take my leave, Father.

483
00:29:44,519 --> 00:29:45,240
Young Master.

484
00:29:45,799 --> 00:29:47,759
Every day after court,
you take a detour to pass by here.

485
00:29:48,279 --> 00:29:49,400
Why do you put yourself through this?

486
00:29:56,720 --> 00:29:58,880
(Xie Residence)

487
00:30:02,799 --> 00:30:04,240
At court today,

488
00:30:04,839 --> 00:30:06,440
Zhao Ling was reprimanded in public.

489
00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:08,359
His future looks uncertain.

490
00:30:11,119 --> 00:30:12,440
They're newly married,

491
00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:14,440
and already this has happened.

492
00:30:15,519 --> 00:30:16,559
I wonder

493
00:30:17,880 --> 00:30:19,359
if she'll regret her choice.

494
00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:24,319
Miss Wu.

495
00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:25,880
Miss Wu.

496
00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:27,640
Young Master's carriage
has just entered the front courtyard.

497
00:30:29,920 --> 00:30:31,279
He and his father
serve at court together.

498
00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:33,480
Master always returns earlier than him.

499
00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:37,839
Did something happen

500
00:30:37,839 --> 00:30:39,240
with Young Master today?

501
00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:43,079
Which direction did his carriage
come from?

502
00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:45,279
The north.

503
00:30:47,319 --> 00:30:49,079
Shijia Hutong is also in the north.

504
00:30:54,559 --> 00:30:55,400
Join me.

505
00:30:55,720 --> 00:30:56,759
Thank you, Miss Wu.

506
00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:32,920
Did something happen

507
00:31:34,079 --> 00:31:35,319
at court today?

508
00:31:37,359 --> 00:31:38,359
Grand Secretary Yu

509
00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:41,680
used the drought
to push for the salt reform.

510
00:31:42,079 --> 00:31:43,640
Mo is straightforward.

511
00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:46,039
To protect the northwest's grain supply,

512
00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:50,039
he received thirty strokes
from His Majesty.

513
00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:52,440
How badly is General Mo hurt?

514
00:31:53,839 --> 00:31:55,359
His flesh is badly torn.

515
00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:58,240
He'll be bedridden
for at least half a month.

516
00:31:59,519 --> 00:32:01,440
Commander Wang cannot speak up either.

517
00:32:02,119 --> 00:32:04,519
If the northwestern commanders
present a joint petition now,

518
00:32:07,319 --> 00:32:09,440
it will only trouble His Majesty
further.

519
00:32:20,279 --> 00:32:21,440
As for Mo,

520
00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:24,880
if you have time tomorrow,

521
00:32:25,559 --> 00:32:26,799
go to the Mo household.

522
00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:28,519
Bring more wound salve.

523
00:32:28,720 --> 00:32:29,519
Don't worry.

524
00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:31,519
I know all that.

525
00:32:33,480 --> 00:32:35,200
What disturbs me most

526
00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:38,680
is that His Majesty has already agreed
with Grand Secretary Yu.

527
00:32:41,440 --> 00:32:42,960
If I raise any objection,

528
00:32:44,839 --> 00:32:47,200
it means I care only about the northwest
and neglect the rest of the realm.

529
00:32:47,799 --> 00:32:49,480
The lives
of the northwestern people matter.

530
00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:51,000
But I also understand

531
00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:52,880
that the lives of all drought victims
matter even more.

532
00:32:54,079 --> 00:32:55,960
But how to strike the right balance,

533
00:33:00,920 --> 00:33:03,160
I still have no clear idea.

534
00:33:16,640 --> 00:33:18,680
You and I climbed up from the bottom.

535
00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:20,400
We know the suffering
of the victims best.

536
00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:25,000
You are not someone who only cares
about his own advancement.

537
00:33:25,559 --> 00:33:26,440
His Majesty is no tyrant

538
00:33:26,519 --> 00:33:28,839
who ignores the border either.

539
00:33:29,839 --> 00:33:31,079
Today's conflict

540
00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:34,519
is simply because the situation

541
00:33:34,759 --> 00:33:35,880
is far too difficult.

542
00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:43,960
At the small court session yesterday,

543
00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:45,839
His Majesty did not summon me.

544
00:33:48,319 --> 00:33:49,440
Help me think.

545
00:33:51,759 --> 00:33:53,640
Where exactly does the problem lie?

546
00:34:05,279 --> 00:34:06,680
Let me lean on you for a while.

547
00:34:11,719 --> 00:34:13,519
At court today,

548
00:34:19,199 --> 00:34:20,960
I almost couldn't hold it together.

549
00:34:28,119 --> 00:34:29,519
In court,

550
00:34:30,679 --> 00:34:31,920
things can change in an instant.

551
00:34:34,199 --> 00:34:35,119
I will face them

552
00:34:36,440 --> 00:34:37,559
with you.

553
00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:56,280
You tactless fool.

554
00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:57,440
Did you have a death wish,

555
00:34:57,679 --> 00:34:58,880
defying the Emperor in public?

556
00:35:00,159 --> 00:35:01,559
What do you know?

557
00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:04,440
Someone from the northwest army
had to step up.

558
00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:05,920
We can't let Zhao

559
00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:07,159
go into battle alone

560
00:35:07,159 --> 00:35:08,400
without anyone backing him up.

561
00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:10,360
Does Zhao Ling even need you
to back him up?

562
00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:11,880
You both fought for five years.

563
00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:13,880
See what he has accomplished.
Now look at you.

564
00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:15,880
Commander Zhao's career has flourished.

565
00:35:17,159 --> 00:35:17,880
Now,

566
00:35:17,880 --> 00:35:19,480
he's the Emperor's favorite.

567
00:35:19,719 --> 00:35:20,320
And you?

568
00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:22,760
First you got rewarded,

569
00:35:23,639 --> 00:35:24,840
and now you get beaten.

570
00:35:26,480 --> 00:35:28,320
Zhao Ling is His Majesty's trusted aide.

571
00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:29,199
It's different.

572
00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:31,000
You've been with His Majesty

573
00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:32,119
even longer than Zhao Ling.

574
00:35:34,519 --> 00:35:35,519
Easy.

575
00:35:35,519 --> 00:35:36,880
Are you trying to kill your own husband?

576
00:35:37,079 --> 00:35:38,480
With you being so useless,

577
00:35:39,039 --> 00:35:40,480
if His Majesty didn't kill you,

578
00:35:40,559 --> 00:35:41,480
I'd poison you myself.

579
00:35:44,880 --> 00:35:45,480
Mother.

580
00:35:46,079 --> 00:35:48,079
Madam Wang and my sworn mother
are both in the front hall.

581
00:35:48,519 --> 00:35:49,480
Go attend to them first.

582
00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:50,239
I'll be there shortly.

583
00:35:55,679 --> 00:35:56,840
I'll deal with you when I get back.

584
00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:00,480
Take this in to your father.

585
00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:02,280
Please, have a seat.

586
00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:03,360
In this scorching heat,

587
00:36:03,440 --> 00:36:05,199
it's so kind of you two to think of us.

588
00:36:08,719 --> 00:36:09,440
Madam,

589
00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:10,719
it hurts so much!

590
00:36:10,719 --> 00:36:12,239
I'm dying!

591
00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:13,639
What are you yelling about?

592
00:36:13,880 --> 00:36:15,239
I'm not dead yet!

593
00:36:18,119 --> 00:36:19,519
Please excuse us.

594
00:36:19,519 --> 00:36:20,440
It couldn't be

595
00:36:20,440 --> 00:36:21,760
the ointment we just sent in...

596
00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:22,280
No.

597
00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:24,719
I was just a bit rough
when I applied the medicine.

598
00:36:29,119 --> 00:36:31,079
We came to see how you were doing.

599
00:36:31,239 --> 00:36:32,679
It's a relief

600
00:36:32,679 --> 00:36:33,559
to see you doing well.

601
00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:35,840
We're not the type
to worry about losing face.

602
00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:37,159
A few beatings are nothing.

603
00:36:40,519 --> 00:36:41,440
But you...

604
00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:43,119
I heard

605
00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:45,440
His Majesty struck Mo Yi on the surface,

606
00:36:45,519 --> 00:36:46,559
but his true target

607
00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:49,519
was Commander Zhao.

608
00:36:49,920 --> 00:36:51,360
The Emperor's will is hard to read.

609
00:36:52,079 --> 00:36:53,239
For now,

610
00:36:53,800 --> 00:36:55,039
I have no clear answer.

611
00:36:55,679 --> 00:36:56,679
When you got married,

612
00:36:56,679 --> 00:36:57,960
His Majesty didn't send anyone.

613
00:36:57,960 --> 00:36:59,039
I felt something was off then.

614
00:36:59,960 --> 00:37:01,719
Do you know anyone in the capital

615
00:37:01,719 --> 00:37:02,880
who could gather information?

616
00:37:04,928 --> 00:37:07,340
(Xie Residence)

617
00:37:09,519 --> 00:37:10,199
Madam.

618
00:37:11,119 --> 00:37:12,639
Concubine Wu sent you an invitation

619
00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:14,239
(Invitation)
to Hefeng Garden to admire the lotuses.

620
00:37:15,800 --> 00:37:17,000
Admire the lotuses?

621
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:20,360
It's already late summer.

622
00:37:20,360 --> 00:37:21,719
The lotuses are almost gone.

623
00:37:22,039 --> 00:37:23,440
What is there left to admire?

624
00:37:24,639 --> 00:37:26,079
This Concubine Wu...

625
00:37:26,079 --> 00:37:27,159
Every time you meet,

626
00:37:27,280 --> 00:37:28,400
she has something to ask of you.

627
00:37:29,239 --> 00:37:30,239
Now,

628
00:37:30,360 --> 00:37:31,880
she is already part of the Yu family.

629
00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:33,239
We

630
00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:35,079
shouldn't get involved in their affairs.

631
00:37:38,920 --> 00:37:39,840
You're right.

632
00:37:41,559 --> 00:37:43,280
Now that she's part of the Yu family,

633
00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:44,760
could it be

634
00:37:45,239 --> 00:37:46,320
that she has some news?

635
00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:54,440
(Hefeng Garden)
You didn't ask me here

636
00:37:55,079 --> 00:37:56,800
just for the lotuses, did you?

637
00:38:01,639 --> 00:38:03,199
You may not know this, Madam.

638
00:38:04,920 --> 00:38:06,559
Though I've married into the Yu family,

639
00:38:07,199 --> 00:38:08,280
I still have to

640
00:38:08,360 --> 00:38:09,440
look to others for permission,

641
00:38:09,440 --> 00:38:11,320
even for something
as small as using ice.

642
00:38:11,960 --> 00:38:12,840
These days

643
00:38:12,960 --> 00:38:14,440
are truly hard to bear.

644
00:38:17,840 --> 00:38:19,360
Last time we met,

645
00:38:20,239 --> 00:38:22,119
you said you couldn't
even get enough to eat.

646
00:38:23,280 --> 00:38:25,079
Now you even get to use ice.

647
00:38:27,719 --> 00:38:29,360
Fan and I are old acquaintances.

648
00:38:30,159 --> 00:38:32,440
I know what she's like.

649
00:38:32,719 --> 00:38:34,800
She may be harsh with you,

650
00:38:35,519 --> 00:38:37,039
but withholding your food
and necessities

651
00:38:37,039 --> 00:38:37,960
is not something she would do.

652
00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:45,519
The real reason I came today

653
00:38:45,639 --> 00:38:47,679
is to ask a favor

654
00:38:48,159 --> 00:38:49,639
of you, Madam.

655
00:38:50,679 --> 00:38:52,320
I'd like to learn
how to make sesame flatbread.

656
00:38:53,199 --> 00:38:54,440
The same kind

657
00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:56,480
you used to make in Ganlin Town.

658
00:39:04,639 --> 00:39:05,880
How did you know about that?

659
00:39:07,039 --> 00:39:08,440
Because I noticed

660
00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:10,000
that Young Madam Yu

661
00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:11,800
hates sesame flatbread above all else.

662
00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:14,159
But at Ji's first-year banquet,

663
00:39:15,199 --> 00:39:17,159
a sesame flatbread dish
suddenly appeared.

664
00:39:18,320 --> 00:39:19,880
And you come from the northwest.

665
00:39:19,880 --> 00:39:21,159
After some thought,

666
00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:23,360
I realized Young Master
must have had it added because of you.

667
00:39:24,480 --> 00:39:25,800
But rest assured, Madam.

668
00:39:26,400 --> 00:39:27,679
I won't take your help for granted.

669
00:39:28,079 --> 00:39:29,559
I'd like to make a trade with you.

670
00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:32,000
I can tell you

671
00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:34,360
how Commander Zhao

672
00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:36,480
fell out of the Emperor's favor.

673
00:39:40,119 --> 00:39:41,199
It was because my aunt

674
00:39:41,199 --> 00:39:42,920
and Madam Yu plotted against you.

675
00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:45,159
By custom, the Grand Empress Dowager
must be buried

676
00:39:45,159 --> 00:39:46,119
in the consorts' mausoleum.

677
00:39:46,440 --> 00:39:48,159
(Hefeng Garden)
She asked every year

678
00:39:48,440 --> 00:39:49,760
to be buried with the founding emperor.

679
00:39:49,840 --> 00:39:50,920
Her son,

680
00:39:51,000 --> 00:39:52,760
the late Emperor, never granted it.

681
00:39:53,360 --> 00:39:54,639
Before his death,

682
00:39:54,639 --> 00:39:56,119
he left a decree

683
00:39:56,840 --> 00:39:58,000
stating

684
00:39:58,320 --> 00:40:00,440
that ancestral laws must not be broken.

685
00:40:01,719 --> 00:40:02,559
And so,

686
00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:04,159
Her Majesty

687
00:40:04,159 --> 00:40:05,800
began to pressure her grandson.

688
00:40:06,559 --> 00:40:07,440
She said

689
00:40:08,679 --> 00:40:10,119
one cannot honor only one's father

690
00:40:10,480 --> 00:40:11,559
and neglect one's grandmother.

691
00:40:12,559 --> 00:40:14,480
That was the true purpose

692
00:40:15,119 --> 00:40:16,239
behind that birthday banquet.

693
00:40:18,760 --> 00:40:20,239
(As descendants,)

694
00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:22,000
(we cannot honor only our father)

695
00:40:22,199 --> 00:40:24,199
(and neglect our grandmother.)

696
00:40:28,360 --> 00:40:29,800
You're an interesting one.

697
00:40:30,679 --> 00:40:31,800
Making a trade

698
00:40:32,039 --> 00:40:33,320
by showing all your cards.

699
00:40:38,239 --> 00:40:40,239
Because I trust your reputation, Madam.

700
00:40:42,719 --> 00:40:43,760
So, Madam,

701
00:40:44,119 --> 00:40:45,960
will you teach me
how to make sesame flatbread now?

702
00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:54,840
But I don't want to make this trade.

703
00:40:55,719 --> 00:40:57,519
I no longer wish to have

704
00:40:58,480 --> 00:41:00,039
any involvement with Yu Jingxiu.

705
00:41:00,440 --> 00:41:01,440
Then how about

706
00:41:02,079 --> 00:41:03,440
I put it another way?

707
00:41:05,400 --> 00:41:07,159
Can you promise me

708
00:41:07,679 --> 00:41:09,000
that the young master of the Yu family

709
00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:11,639
will never taste your flatbread?

710
00:41:18,140 --> 00:41:20,176
(Next Episode)

711
00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:22,639
To gain the Emperor's favor,

712
00:41:23,079 --> 00:41:25,440
Zhao Ling dared to take on
the imperial mausoleum project.

713
00:41:25,880 --> 00:41:28,519
Since he insists
on jumping into the flames,

714
00:41:28,760 --> 00:41:30,400
we might as well

715
00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:33,480
add fuel to the fire.

716
00:41:34,039 --> 00:41:35,320
Where will the million taels

717
00:41:35,320 --> 00:41:36,320
come from?

718
00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:37,159
Effective immediately,

719
00:41:37,360 --> 00:41:38,800
strip Zhao Ling of all his posts

720
00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:39,679
and reduce him to a commoner.

721
00:41:39,960 --> 00:41:40,800
Now,

722
00:41:41,039 --> 00:41:42,360
the court is in turmoil,

723
00:41:42,679 --> 00:41:44,400
and the people
are seething with resentment.

724
00:41:44,639 --> 00:41:45,599
Fu,

725
00:41:46,199 --> 00:41:47,360
do you acknowledge your crimes?

726
00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:05,120
♪The past brushes by
like a falling leaf♪

727
00:42:08,720 --> 00:42:13,080
♪So light, yet my steps still pause
for you♪

728
00:42:15,200 --> 00:42:19,840
♪Through every rise and fall,
our memories remain without regret♪

729
00:42:20,080 --> 00:42:22,880
♪Carved into the rings of time♪

730
00:42:24,040 --> 00:42:28,680
♪How I wish I could stay
a little longer, but I can't♪

731
00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:38,720
♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill
my eyes with tears♪

732
00:42:39,600 --> 00:42:46,120
♪Etched deep within my heart,
yet buried without a word♪

733
00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:50,520
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

734
00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:55,240
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

735
00:42:55,520 --> 00:43:01,200
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

736
00:43:13,320 --> 00:43:17,200
♪For one fleeting moment, I found you
in the crowd♪

737
00:43:21,120 --> 00:43:25,120
♪Without a word, you lit up
half my life♪

738
00:43:26,840 --> 00:43:31,520
♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

739
00:43:31,840 --> 00:43:34,520
♪Kept close within my heart♪

740
00:43:35,600 --> 00:43:40,440
♪From now on, no one else
is worth waiting for♪

741
00:43:43,960 --> 00:43:50,880
♪I turn away, afraid no one
will ever come home to me again♪

742
00:43:51,760 --> 00:43:58,240
♪If we can build our future together,
no storm can chill my heart♪

743
00:43:59,120 --> 00:44:02,640
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

744
00:44:03,080 --> 00:44:07,440
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

745
00:44:07,640 --> 00:44:13,360
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪