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=The Road to Splendor=

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

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=Episode 34=

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General Zhao.

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Eunuch Lian.

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Since your imprisonment,

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you have not pleaded innocence,

8
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nor appealed.

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Such composure

10
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truly makes me

11
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admire you.

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I trust His Majesty

13
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will not wrong an innocent man.

14
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His Majesty also trusts

15
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you would never collude with merchants.

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But the difficulty

17
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of this case

18
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lies elsewhere.

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Though His Majesty is the supreme ruler,

20
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there are times

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when even he cannot do as he wishes.

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He granted you the courtesy name Huchen,

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hoping you would serve him

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like a fierce tiger.

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That trust and regard

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are absolutely real.

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What does His Majesty mean?

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General Zhao,

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do you remember Madam Yan of Yongning?

30
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Yes.

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She served her husband for a lifetime.

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In the end, she was convicted
as his accomplice

33
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and executed with him.

34
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In ordinary households,

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all domestic affairs

36
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are handled by the wife, are they not?

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She handled

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the business dealings.

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She met

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the merchants.

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And she received

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the silver.

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You knew nothing of it all.

44
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But what if she is innocent?

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The moment she signs the confession,

46
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who will believe she is wronged?

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With a bowl of poison
poured down her throat,

48
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General Zhao,

49
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you will see the light of day again.

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His Majesty will grant you a chance
to redeem yourself.

51
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High rank, generous salary,
wealth and honor

52
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will still be yours.

53
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After all,

54
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you are

55
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His Majesty's Huchen.

56
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Your hands must remain clean.

57
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Lay low for a while,

58
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and you will still be restored to favor.

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Is that not how

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the Yu family protected

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Young Lord Yu?

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General Zhao,

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you

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must think this through carefully.

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Mr. Zhao.

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I'm fine.

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Madam Zhao.

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General Zhao fought his way
to the highest ranks.

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He earned it with his life.

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If such a small case

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brings him down,

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what a waste that would be.

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One bowl of medicine,

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and you

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can secure his future.

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When we first met,

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we were enemies.

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In Linchun Town,

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it was you

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who gave me a new path.

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The Yongning case

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gave me a chance to clear my name.

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Five years in Ganlin Town,

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you stayed with me from banner commander

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to a man
with distinguished military merits.

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In this life,

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I was fortunate to have you.

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In this life,

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I too was fortunate to have you.

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I saved you from Biyun Nunnery

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not to let you end up

92
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in another one.

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No!

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♪Shattered into dust thin♪

95
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Spit it out!

96
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Spit it out now!

97
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Spit it out!

98
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Spit it out now!

99
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Zhao Ling!

100
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Spit it out!

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Spit it out now!

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Quanhui.

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I will never

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abandon you.

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No!

106
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♪Clouds part, mists drift away♪

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Spit it out, Zhao Ling!

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Zhao Ling!

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Every matter,

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big or small,

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was done by me alone.

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They had nothing to do with it!

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Zhao Ling!

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I beg His Majesty for mercy.

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Zhao Ling!

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Spare them.

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I beg His Majesty for mercy.

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Spare them.

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I beg you.

120
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Save Zhao Ling. I beg you.

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Spare them.

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Save him.

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I beg you.

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Spare them.

125
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I beg you.

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Spare them.

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Here they come.

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They're out.

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Madam.

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Quanhui.

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Easy.

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Slow down.

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Madam,

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where is Mr. Zhao?

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Mr. Zhao

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is gone.

137
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What do you mean?

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What do you mean?

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What do you mean, gone?

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I'm going to find him.

141
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Sen.

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I'm going to find him.

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Sen, calm down.

144
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Quanhui, what do you mean?

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What do you mean, gone? Quanhui.

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What do you mean, gone?

147
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What's the point

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of living on alone?

149
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Don't think like that.

150
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Let me go with him.

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I'll join him in the afterlife!

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Fu Tingyun!

153
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Your man is gone,

154
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and you want to die with him?

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Who are you doing right by?

156
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My Lord,

157
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word has come from the imperial prison.

158
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Zhao Ling is dead.

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Dead?

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Just

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like that?

162
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That seems too easy.

163
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How did Fu Tingyun react?

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She nearly killed herself to follow him.

165
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The ladies from the Northwest
stopped her.

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Madam,

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you should go

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and feel them out.

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Young Master.

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Any news?

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Zhao Ling took his own life
in the imperial prison.

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Ninth Young Lady has been pardoned
and released.

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She is staying at the Xie shop for now.

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So she is

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truly safe.

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Young Master,

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shall I go to the Xie shop

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and find out for you?

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Have some water first,

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Madam.

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Tingyun,

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if it hurts too much,

183
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you can cry.

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Stay strong.

185
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How do you plan to arrange

186
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the funeral?

187
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We should start preparing.

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I haven't given it much thought.

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I understand.

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Before,

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you had someone

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to discuss things with.

193
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Now,

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you are the only one left in charge.

195
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But these things

196
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still need to be arranged.

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Let me help you.

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Right.

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Once you've done it before,

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you'll get the hang of it.

201
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Don't worry.

202
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Madam Mo has experience.

203
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I'll handle it.

204
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I have experience.

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When Yu Xiaoqi died,

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I was alone too.

207
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Zhao Ling

208
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has not yet been convicted.

209
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The funerary banner

210
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must follow the third-rank standard.

211
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His Majesty

212
00:16:13,441 --> 00:16:14,601
has granted him a proper burial.

213
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So the dignity he deserves

214
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must be upheld.

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Sister,

216
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there is something else.

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Don't say it.

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I understand.

219
00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:29,560
Now,

220
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we are both the same.

221
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The past

222
00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:39,841
is best left unspoken.

223
00:16:41,201 --> 00:16:42,800
Let's get through this first.

224
00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:53,001
We women

225
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must learn to take care of ourselves.

226
00:16:57,081 --> 00:16:57,920
Zhao Ling

227
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gave his life to protect you.

228
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So you must live well.

229
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You must hold on.

230
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Just like Mo Yi

231
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gave his life to protect me.

232
00:17:16,161 --> 00:17:17,961
I must live well too.

233
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(Coffin of the Late General Zhaoyong,
Zhao Ling)

234
00:17:39,556 --> 00:17:45,883
(In Memoriam)

235
00:18:10,823 --> 00:18:12,680
(Spirit Tablet of My Late Husband,
General Zhaoyong Zhao Ling)

236
00:18:46,401 --> 00:18:47,241
My condolences.

237
00:18:50,181 --> 00:18:55,180
(Xie Jewelry Shop)

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00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:08,840
Madam Yu has arrived.

239
00:19:27,077 --> 00:19:29,160
(Spirit Tablet of My Late Husband,
General Zhaoyong Zhao Ling)

240
00:19:39,241 --> 00:19:40,441
As is customary,

241
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I have prepared sacrificial offerings,

242
00:19:42,681 --> 00:19:44,161
hand-copied rebirth mantras,

243
00:19:44,161 --> 00:19:45,520
and plain white silk brocade

244
00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:46,961
as my condolence gifts.

245
00:19:58,840 --> 00:19:59,760
Madam Zhao,

246
00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:03,360
how are you holding up?

247
00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:38,681
Madam Yu,

248
00:20:40,001 --> 00:20:41,401
my husband Zhao Ling

249
00:20:42,161 --> 00:20:43,481
died unjustly in prison

250
00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,201
without a proper trial.

251
00:20:48,241 --> 00:20:50,560
I am his lawfully wedded wife.

252
00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:52,481
One day,

253
00:20:55,001 --> 00:20:57,161
I will clear his name.

254
00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:02,921
Madam Zhao,

255
00:21:03,360 --> 00:21:05,201
neither of us is naive.

256
00:21:06,961 --> 00:21:08,600
This performance of yours today...

257
00:21:09,001 --> 00:21:10,600
Is it for the funeral,

258
00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:12,001
or is it an act?

259
00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:14,481
We both know the truth.

260
00:21:16,961 --> 00:21:19,280
If you truly wish
to see this act through,

261
00:21:21,481 --> 00:21:23,481
I do have something

262
00:21:23,681 --> 00:21:25,241
to add to your performance.

263
00:21:31,961 --> 00:21:33,881
The common folk's Chastity Tonic

264
00:21:33,881 --> 00:21:35,080
has a harsh recipe.

265
00:21:35,441 --> 00:21:36,681
It is too painful.

266
00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,001
I had a milder version prepared for you.

267
00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:42,080
It will make your beauty fade too soon

268
00:21:42,161 --> 00:21:43,441
and make childbearing difficult.

269
00:21:45,441 --> 00:21:47,520
If you insist you are a widow,

270
00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,001
you will surely have use for it.

271
00:21:58,201 --> 00:21:59,600
How dare you torment her like this?

272
00:21:59,921 --> 00:22:01,161
There is no such rule in the Northwest.

273
00:22:01,401 --> 00:22:02,600
My sister here

274
00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:03,800
can remain a widow,

275
00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:04,961
remarry,

276
00:22:04,961 --> 00:22:06,481
or have children, as she pleases.

277
00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:07,481
Who do you think you are

278
00:22:07,481 --> 00:22:08,360
to dictate to her?

279
00:22:17,001 --> 00:22:18,641
You pride yourself on your refinement,

280
00:22:19,360 --> 00:22:22,120
yet you stoop to scheme with me,

281
00:22:23,120 --> 00:22:24,800
offering poison as a gift

282
00:22:26,641 --> 00:22:27,921
and without shame.

283
00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:47,921
Madam, no.

284
00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:02,120
It was just a bit of teasing.

285
00:23:02,481 --> 00:23:03,840
You took it too seriously.

286
00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:06,001
At your age,

287
00:23:06,520 --> 00:23:08,040
who would really want to harm you?

288
00:23:09,241 --> 00:23:11,520
I did not come here to fight you.

289
00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:13,961
I came to offer you some advice.

290
00:23:14,721 --> 00:23:16,360
The court

291
00:23:17,481 --> 00:23:19,360
has seen the last of Zhao Ling.

292
00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:23,080
Stopping here

293
00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:25,001
is just right.

294
00:23:25,961 --> 00:23:28,080
If you try to stir up more trouble,

295
00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:30,441
what awaits you in the end

296
00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:35,760
may be far worse
than this bowl of Chastity Tonic.

297
00:23:55,961 --> 00:23:57,840
Let me give you
one more piece of advice.

298
00:24:00,241 --> 00:24:01,840
In this life,

299
00:24:03,001 --> 00:24:05,721
what you end up holding onto
are these things.

300
00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:08,800
If you wish to stand at the top,

301
00:24:09,001 --> 00:24:10,600
and stand there long,

302
00:24:11,241 --> 00:24:13,401
you must give up something,

303
00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:16,520
such as kindness,

304
00:24:17,441 --> 00:24:19,161
or true feelings.

305
00:24:19,721 --> 00:24:21,241
If you want to stay alive,

306
00:24:22,201 --> 00:24:23,721
stop here.

307
00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:26,560
Right here.

308
00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:43,681
What kind of person is this?

309
00:24:43,881 --> 00:24:44,921
General Zhao's already dead,

310
00:24:45,001 --> 00:24:45,961
and she still pulls this stunt.

311
00:24:48,161 --> 00:24:48,800
Tingyun.

312
00:25:06,881 --> 00:25:08,120
Found anything?

313
00:25:08,921 --> 00:25:10,161
The coffin was sealed.

314
00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:12,080
I didn't see Zhao Ling's body.

315
00:25:13,241 --> 00:25:14,840
But that no longer matters.

316
00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:17,681
It's likely a diversion.

317
00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:20,840
His Majesty

318
00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:22,681
has Zhao Ling working in secret.

319
00:25:22,921 --> 00:25:24,241
If he finds anything,

320
00:25:24,241 --> 00:25:25,360
I will be the one to die.

321
00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:26,721
And Zhao Ling

322
00:25:26,921 --> 00:25:28,201
bears the humiliation,

323
00:25:28,201 --> 00:25:30,241
completes his mission,
and repays the Emperor.

324
00:25:31,241 --> 00:25:32,881
If he finds nothing,

325
00:25:32,881 --> 00:25:34,080
then he dies.

326
00:25:34,721 --> 00:25:36,001
The Emperor and I

327
00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:38,800
can still appear to be harmonious.

328
00:25:39,161 --> 00:25:40,600
For His Majesty,

329
00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:41,840
there is no loss either way.

330
00:25:43,161 --> 00:25:44,800
What matters now

331
00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:46,001
is to find out

332
00:25:46,001 --> 00:25:48,320
what Zhao Ling has really been up to.

333
00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:49,881
Rest assured, Master.

334
00:25:50,201 --> 00:25:51,241
I have already

335
00:25:51,360 --> 00:25:52,641
had the Xie shop watched.

336
00:26:00,881 --> 00:26:01,441
Father.

337
00:26:02,161 --> 00:26:02,721
Mother.

338
00:26:07,681 --> 00:26:09,320
Learn from your father.

339
00:26:14,241 --> 00:26:15,161
What

340
00:26:16,681 --> 00:26:17,721
have you been doing?

341
00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:19,600
I've just been

342
00:26:20,881 --> 00:26:22,120
studying the classics.

343
00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:25,360
Away from the court,

344
00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:27,961
I've lost my hunger for fame and profit.

345
00:26:28,120 --> 00:26:29,401
I feel much more at ease.

346
00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:32,641
You've never truly held power,

347
00:26:34,641 --> 00:26:36,560
yet you claim to be tired of it.

348
00:26:38,360 --> 00:26:39,760
I grew up surrounded by it.

349
00:26:40,961 --> 00:26:42,161
Nothing about it feels new.

350
00:26:55,481 --> 00:26:56,520
Anzhou,

351
00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:57,481
Yuzhou,

352
00:26:58,481 --> 00:27:00,040
Yongning Prefecture.

353
00:27:00,560 --> 00:27:01,921
These three places,

354
00:27:02,441 --> 00:27:03,760
starting today,

355
00:27:04,481 --> 00:27:05,881
salt prices will rise.

356
00:27:06,961 --> 00:27:07,840
At least

357
00:27:07,961 --> 00:27:09,360
eighty copper coins per catty.

358
00:27:11,481 --> 00:27:13,080
You've studied arithmetic

359
00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:14,241
since you were three.

360
00:27:14,881 --> 00:27:17,080
Reading accounts and estimating value
is nothing for you.

361
00:27:17,241 --> 00:27:18,241
So tell me,

362
00:27:18,681 --> 00:27:19,881
after the price change,

363
00:27:20,560 --> 00:27:23,360
how much more will the Yu family
earn in a year?

364
00:27:24,120 --> 00:27:25,120
At least

365
00:27:25,840 --> 00:27:26,840
fifty thousand taels.

366
00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:30,481
Good.

367
00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:34,001
I say raise it by eighty.

368
00:27:34,881 --> 00:27:35,681
The salt price

369
00:27:36,201 --> 00:27:37,681
will not be any lower.

370
00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:39,800
I say start with these places,

371
00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:43,040
and no one below will dare deviate.

372
00:27:43,201 --> 00:27:45,080
I say a catty is not a catty,

373
00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:47,201
but one catty and seven taels.

374
00:27:47,201 --> 00:27:49,681
And the world will accept it.

375
00:27:54,161 --> 00:27:55,681
You were born into the Yu family.

376
00:27:55,681 --> 00:27:57,360
You've known wealth and luxury
since childhood.

377
00:27:58,881 --> 00:28:00,161
What you possess

378
00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:02,040
is what others could never earn

379
00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:03,641
in several lifetimes.

380
00:28:03,641 --> 00:28:05,241
You were born with it.

381
00:28:08,161 --> 00:28:09,881
Do you know why Zhao Ling and I

382
00:28:10,001 --> 00:28:11,401
are locked in this

383
00:28:12,161 --> 00:28:13,401
fight to the death?

384
00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:17,001
Is it because of that woman
you've been thinking about?

385
00:28:19,360 --> 00:28:21,001
Some want to climb up.

386
00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:23,760
Others fear being replaced.

387
00:28:23,881 --> 00:28:25,161
It's that simple.

388
00:28:26,120 --> 00:28:27,161
And you,

389
00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:28,641
my son,

390
00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:32,280
do you wish to enjoy wealth and glory

391
00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:33,921
or be pushed around?

392
00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:40,681
This is the last time

393
00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:43,080
I will speak to you like this.

394
00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:45,320
Keep this in mind.

395
00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:47,120
Yes.

396
00:28:49,001 --> 00:28:49,961
I understand, Father.

397
00:28:56,881 --> 00:28:57,520
My Lord.

398
00:28:57,721 --> 00:28:58,600
Lord Wei from the Ministry of Personnel

399
00:28:58,600 --> 00:28:59,760
has come with pastries to see you.

400
00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:03,641
His father-in-law is making things
difficult for me.

401
00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:05,760
Why is he here?

402
00:29:06,481 --> 00:29:07,320
Do you see?

403
00:29:08,721 --> 00:29:09,681
Power

404
00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:12,401
makes thousands come to beg you,

405
00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:13,441
not

406
00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:15,441
the other way around.

407
00:29:27,130 --> 00:29:29,543
(Map)

408
00:29:29,576 --> 00:29:30,190
(Anzhou Xie Shop)

409
00:29:30,201 --> 00:29:30,961
(Anzhou)
My apologies,

410
00:29:30,961 --> 00:29:32,001
(Anzhou)
you two.

411
00:29:32,001 --> 00:29:32,881
We are closed today.

412
00:29:42,001 --> 00:29:42,560
Who is it?

413
00:29:42,641 --> 00:29:43,481
I'm one of you.

414
00:30:04,161 --> 00:30:05,441
Do you recognize this bracelet?

415
00:30:08,241 --> 00:30:08,921
Mr. Zhao.

416
00:30:09,881 --> 00:30:11,441
(Shen Congsi)
Previously, all letters from Lord Shen

417
00:30:11,441 --> 00:30:12,800
passed through this shop

418
00:30:12,921 --> 00:30:14,280
to reach you.

419
00:30:14,441 --> 00:30:15,441
But two months ago,

420
00:30:15,441 --> 00:30:16,921
Anzhou's mail was strictly controlled.

421
00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:18,600
This letter could not be sent.

422
00:30:18,681 --> 00:30:20,520
Lord Shen left it here,

423
00:30:20,520 --> 00:30:21,161
and soon after,

424
00:30:21,161 --> 00:30:22,001
he died suddenly.

425
00:30:22,001 --> 00:30:22,840
This letter

426
00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:24,080
became his final words.

427
00:30:24,401 --> 00:30:26,401
(I thoroughly investigated
Anzhou's corrupt salt system.)

428
00:30:26,401 --> 00:30:27,641
(Besides the granary loss fraud,)

429
00:30:27,641 --> 00:30:29,481
(I uncovered another monstrous scheme.)

430
00:30:29,721 --> 00:30:32,080
(The official weights used in Anzhou
are fraudulent.)

431
00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:33,481
(Their outer shells are iron,)

432
00:30:33,481 --> 00:30:34,721
(but inside, they are copper.)

433
00:30:34,721 --> 00:30:36,080
(They are called Golden Weights.)

434
00:30:36,441 --> 00:30:38,120
(Salt merchants deliver
one catty and seven taels,)

435
00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:39,040
(but it is recorded as one catty.)

436
00:30:39,401 --> 00:30:40,600
(The seven-tael difference,)

437
00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:41,560
(day after day, month after month,)

438
00:30:41,560 --> 00:30:42,921
(ruins the salt merchants entirely.)

439
00:30:42,921 --> 00:30:44,241
(They are forced to raise salt prices.)

440
00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:45,961
(The common people
can no longer afford salt.)

441
00:30:45,961 --> 00:30:47,641
(The source of this evil lies
within Anzhou's officials.)

442
00:30:47,641 --> 00:30:49,001
(Shen Congsi)
(But I have already alarmed them.)

443
00:30:49,001 --> 00:30:50,001
(Shen Congsi)
(I fear I will not survive.)

444
00:30:50,001 --> 00:30:50,320
(Yet)

445
00:30:50,441 --> 00:30:51,681
(to plead for the people's cause,)

446
00:30:51,681 --> 00:30:52,721
(even death is without regret.)

447
00:30:52,721 --> 00:30:54,080
(If anyone should read this letter,)

448
00:30:54,241 --> 00:30:56,320
(Shen Congsi)
(may they carry on and see it through.)

449
00:30:56,320 --> 00:30:57,401
The key to this case

450
00:30:57,760 --> 00:30:59,001
is still the Golden Weights.

451
00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:01,320
But with our resources,

452
00:31:02,921 --> 00:31:04,481
to take on such a powerful foe,

453
00:31:07,961 --> 00:31:09,641
it seems we must go back
to our old ways.

454
00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:14,481
Young Lord Qin, we need your help.

455
00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:15,520
With what?

456
00:31:15,961 --> 00:31:16,840
You will go

457
00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:18,280
to Minzhou

458
00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:21,280
and borrow some official salt.

459
00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:24,840
I beg His Majesty for mercy!

460
00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:25,800
I beg you.

461
00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:26,280
Spare them!

462
00:31:26,280 --> 00:31:28,241
I beg you. Save Zhao Ling!

463
00:31:28,241 --> 00:31:29,961
I beg you. Save him!

464
00:31:29,961 --> 00:31:31,481
I granted you the courtesy name Huchen,

465
00:31:31,760 --> 00:31:33,161
and I did not misjudge you after all.

466
00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:34,881
General Zhao,

467
00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:36,800
straighten yourself up.

468
00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:40,080
That was just an ordinary tonic.

469
00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:50,600
Come on.

470
00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:54,881
Good.

471
00:31:55,441 --> 00:31:57,001
I have observed that many couples

472
00:31:57,280 --> 00:31:58,681
abandon each other in times of crisis.

473
00:31:59,080 --> 00:32:00,401
But a couple like you,

474
00:32:00,401 --> 00:32:01,481
who stand together

475
00:32:01,481 --> 00:32:02,401
through life and death,

476
00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:03,721
is truly rare.

477
00:32:04,320 --> 00:32:05,201
You have integrity

478
00:32:05,201 --> 00:32:05,961
and loyalty.

479
00:32:06,201 --> 00:32:07,441
You are worthy of my blessing.

480
00:32:09,690 --> 00:32:10,536
(Report on the Death
of Imperial Salt Censor Shen Congsi)

481
00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:11,040
Look.

482
00:32:12,910 --> 00:32:14,030
(Report on the Death
of Imperial Salt Censor Shen Congsi)

483
00:32:14,070 --> 00:32:15,610
(He died of illness in Anzhou.)

484
00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:19,961
They claim it was an illness,

485
00:32:20,161 --> 00:32:21,241
but I do not believe it.

486
00:32:21,481 --> 00:32:22,241
And

487
00:32:22,241 --> 00:32:24,040
I know one more thing.

488
00:32:24,881 --> 00:32:26,320
During the old salt law,

489
00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:29,001
a so-called Golden Weight was used
throughout the realm.

490
00:32:29,360 --> 00:32:31,120
One catty and seven taels of grain

491
00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:32,520
would be weighed as just one catty.

492
00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:34,520
The surplus

493
00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:36,560
mostly ended up in Yu Guodong's pockets.

494
00:32:38,001 --> 00:32:39,241
I want to bring him down,

495
00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:40,721
but he has many allies

496
00:32:40,721 --> 00:32:41,681
in key positions.

497
00:32:41,681 --> 00:32:42,401
So

498
00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:43,881
I have hesitated.

499
00:32:44,320 --> 00:32:45,921
But he has only grown bolder.

500
00:32:46,280 --> 00:32:47,401
I may not have liked

501
00:32:47,881 --> 00:32:48,921
Shen Congsi,

502
00:32:49,001 --> 00:32:50,080
but he was an imperial censor.

503
00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:51,080
They

504
00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:52,560
dared to kill an imperial censor.

505
00:32:53,241 --> 00:32:55,641
So you imprisoned us both,

506
00:32:56,760 --> 00:32:58,320
raided the Zhao Residence,

507
00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:00,080
all to...

508
00:33:00,721 --> 00:33:01,881
To make a show of one thing

509
00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:03,481
while secretly doing another.

510
00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:04,641
Zhao Ling,

511
00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:06,241
I ask you

512
00:33:06,760 --> 00:33:08,120
to do what you did

513
00:33:08,120 --> 00:33:09,241
in Yongning,

514
00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:10,641
and bring down the Yu family.

515
00:33:11,201 --> 00:33:11,840
Do you

516
00:33:12,241 --> 00:33:13,201
have a way?

517
00:33:17,641 --> 00:33:19,481
Since Huchen could not work,

518
00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,161
then Zhao Ling is out too.

519
00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:29,681
Since this concerns salt,

520
00:33:35,641 --> 00:33:37,241
perhaps Jiuweijiao could.

521
00:33:38,760 --> 00:33:39,560
Good.

522
00:33:47,080 --> 00:33:47,961
Sister.

523
00:33:50,401 --> 00:33:51,600
Between us,

524
00:33:51,721 --> 00:33:53,241
there is no need for such formality.

525
00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:54,360
Let's drink.

526
00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:03,881
I want to tell you something today.

527
00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:06,721
Mr. Zhao is not actually dead.

528
00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:12,640
Not...

529
00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:14,080
Not dead?

530
00:34:19,441 --> 00:34:20,801
He left the capital in secret

531
00:34:23,001 --> 00:34:24,200
to investigate the case.

532
00:34:25,801 --> 00:34:26,961
But right now,

533
00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:28,361
he is in grave danger.

534
00:34:29,160 --> 00:34:30,640
If he cannot find solid evidence,

535
00:34:31,160 --> 00:34:32,040
he will never be able

536
00:34:32,881 --> 00:34:34,640
to return to the capital.

537
00:34:34,961 --> 00:34:36,200
From then on,

538
00:34:37,680 --> 00:34:39,481
he may have to live as a salt trader.

539
00:34:46,401 --> 00:34:47,560
It's good that he's not dead.

540
00:34:55,600 --> 00:34:57,520
I didn't mean to keep this from you.

541
00:34:57,841 --> 00:34:59,281
I thought

542
00:34:59,281 --> 00:35:00,761
the fewer who knew, the better.

543
00:35:01,080 --> 00:35:02,160
The grieving act

544
00:35:03,040 --> 00:35:04,481
must be as convincing as possible.

545
00:35:10,921 --> 00:35:11,560
I understand.

546
00:35:14,001 --> 00:35:16,160
Why don't you scold me, sister?

547
00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:18,160
Please, scold me.

548
00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:27,881
It may sound terrible,

549
00:35:29,080 --> 00:35:30,961
but knowing someone shared my pain

550
00:35:31,640 --> 00:35:33,040
somehow brought me comfort.

551
00:35:34,321 --> 00:35:35,361
And now,

552
00:35:36,240 --> 00:35:38,160
knowing that General Zhao is alive,

553
00:35:40,481 --> 00:35:41,761
I truly feel glad.

554
00:35:44,761 --> 00:35:45,921
In this world,

555
00:35:49,240 --> 00:35:52,080
there is one less broken heart.

556
00:36:03,841 --> 00:36:05,600
Thank you for telling me this.

557
00:36:08,881 --> 00:36:09,560
Thank you.

558
00:36:16,921 --> 00:36:18,401
I have failed you.

559
00:36:20,761 --> 00:36:21,600
Back then,

560
00:36:22,600 --> 00:36:25,080
I truly wanted to save General Mo.

561
00:36:27,321 --> 00:36:29,240
But His Majesty's decision was final

562
00:36:29,560 --> 00:36:31,361
and Mr. Zhao had no choice either.

563
00:36:35,921 --> 00:36:37,481
I understood that long ago.

564
00:36:39,001 --> 00:36:40,881
My anger toward you

565
00:36:42,160 --> 00:36:44,560
was just me looking for someone
to blame.

566
00:36:45,401 --> 00:36:47,040
I was the one

567
00:36:49,200 --> 00:36:51,640
truly to blame, for pushing him

568
00:36:52,281 --> 00:36:54,881
to chase fame and status.

569
00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:10,520
Fine as snow,

570
00:37:10,520 --> 00:37:11,520
white as frost.

571
00:37:12,321 --> 00:37:13,921
Where did you get such good stock?

572
00:37:14,401 --> 00:37:15,720
Have you heard of Ground Snow?

573
00:37:16,120 --> 00:37:18,040
A refining method from the Northwest.

574
00:37:18,441 --> 00:37:19,801
Almost as good as official salt,

575
00:37:19,801 --> 00:37:21,200
only thirty copper coins per catty.

576
00:37:21,321 --> 00:37:22,720
Thirty copper coins?

577
00:37:22,961 --> 00:37:23,321
This...

578
00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:24,841
The current market price

579
00:37:24,921 --> 00:37:26,401
is already eighty.

580
00:37:26,401 --> 00:37:28,040
We're new here.

581
00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:29,160
Just trying to make a living.

582
00:37:29,441 --> 00:37:30,281
We want

583
00:37:30,281 --> 00:37:31,401
to open up the market.

584
00:37:32,200 --> 00:37:33,600
I have good stock here

585
00:37:33,600 --> 00:37:34,881
for thirty copper coins per catty.

586
00:37:34,881 --> 00:37:35,720
Thirty copper coins?

587
00:37:35,720 --> 00:37:36,600
Don't lie to me.

588
00:37:36,600 --> 00:37:37,401
How is that possible?

589
00:37:37,401 --> 00:37:39,200
Not only is it over half cheaper,

590
00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:40,321
but it's top quality too.

591
00:37:42,801 --> 00:37:44,600
Who are you two,

592
00:37:44,841 --> 00:37:46,961
daring to cause trouble in Anzhou?

593
00:37:47,240 --> 00:37:49,040
You take on any business
that comes your way, don't you?

594
00:37:49,240 --> 00:37:50,401
Didn't you bother to ask

595
00:37:50,401 --> 00:37:51,881
whose protection we're under?

596
00:37:55,520 --> 00:37:56,921
You dare touch my men?

597
00:37:58,040 --> 00:37:59,801
Don't you know
they're under my protection?

598
00:37:59,801 --> 00:38:00,600
Who are you?

599
00:38:03,321 --> 00:38:04,441
Jiu

600
00:38:04,921 --> 00:38:05,921
wei

601
00:38:06,481 --> 00:38:07,200
jiao.

602
00:38:07,401 --> 00:38:08,401
What Jiuweijiao?

603
00:38:08,401 --> 00:38:09,401
Don't move.

604
00:38:10,441 --> 00:38:11,040
Stay still.

605
00:38:11,160 --> 00:38:11,640
Don't move!

606
00:38:13,680 --> 00:38:14,240
Don't move!

607
00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:17,321
Come here.

608
00:38:17,321 --> 00:38:18,160
Steal our business,

609
00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:19,321
and now you want to steal our goods too?

610
00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:28,200
This low-grade salt of yours

611
00:38:32,001 --> 00:38:34,401
isn't even fit to pave the road for us.

612
00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:36,961
Someone, come here.

613
00:38:38,240 --> 00:38:39,600
Dump the salt into the water.

614
00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:40,481
Better to sink the boat

615
00:38:40,481 --> 00:38:41,281
than lose the salt!

616
00:38:41,560 --> 00:38:43,001
Don't push it too far!

617
00:38:44,520 --> 00:38:45,600
Sink it.

618
00:38:48,040 --> 00:38:48,680
You...

619
00:38:51,680 --> 00:38:52,240
You

620
00:38:52,240 --> 00:38:53,321
steal business,

621
00:38:53,321 --> 00:38:54,560
and now you want to take the pier too?

622
00:38:54,560 --> 00:38:56,160
Did you ask those above us?

623
00:39:01,441 --> 00:39:02,481
Those above you?

624
00:39:04,001 --> 00:39:04,720
Who?

625
00:39:07,120 --> 00:39:09,240
Want to call them out and have a chat?

626
00:39:12,720 --> 00:39:13,961
Let's see

627
00:39:15,441 --> 00:39:17,080
whose backing

628
00:39:21,961 --> 00:39:23,441
is stronger.

629
00:39:24,720 --> 00:39:25,361
My Lord.

630
00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:26,921
A salt smuggler

631
00:39:26,921 --> 00:39:28,560
has recently come to Anzhou.

632
00:39:28,841 --> 00:39:29,560
He goes by

633
00:39:29,560 --> 00:39:30,361
Jiuweijiao.

634
00:39:30,481 --> 00:39:31,801
He has good salt

635
00:39:32,240 --> 00:39:33,120
and sells it cheap.

636
00:39:33,600 --> 00:39:34,841
If this continues,

637
00:39:35,200 --> 00:39:36,481
(Anzhou, Prefect Liu)
I'm afraid

638
00:39:37,046 --> 00:39:38,726
we will have little left to offer you.

639
00:39:39,802 --> 00:39:41,020
(Five hundred taels)

640
00:39:44,640 --> 00:39:46,001
What's the big deal?

641
00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:48,680
I'll send someone to get rid of him.

642
00:39:49,281 --> 00:39:50,120
Thank you, My Lord.

643
00:39:52,560 --> 00:39:54,001
Who

644
00:39:54,361 --> 00:39:55,441
is this Jiuweijiao?

645
00:39:55,441 --> 00:39:57,841
He smuggled salt in the Northwest
years ago.

646
00:39:58,001 --> 00:39:59,481
He has a big name in Jianghu.

647
00:40:00,361 --> 00:40:01,720
I've already sent men

648
00:40:01,921 --> 00:40:02,881
to the Northwest

649
00:40:02,881 --> 00:40:03,961
to look into his background.

650
00:40:04,080 --> 00:40:05,240
For now,

651
00:40:06,600 --> 00:40:07,640
do you think

652
00:40:07,841 --> 00:40:08,680
we should

653
00:40:08,921 --> 00:40:10,401
teach him a lesson?

654
00:40:13,120 --> 00:40:14,680
He has good salt

655
00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:16,481
and sells it cheap.

656
00:40:17,401 --> 00:40:19,441
He can sell to anyone, can't he?

657
00:40:22,761 --> 00:40:24,761
I've sold smuggled salt as official salt

658
00:40:24,881 --> 00:40:25,881
plenty of times.

659
00:40:26,361 --> 00:40:28,560
But selling official salt
as smuggled salt?

660
00:40:28,640 --> 00:40:30,001
That's a first for me.

661
00:40:30,401 --> 00:40:31,240
Right.

662
00:40:31,321 --> 00:40:32,640
Then you should thank Lord Qin.

663
00:40:33,281 --> 00:40:35,040
He borrowed official salt
from Minzhou for us.

664
00:40:35,240 --> 00:40:37,001
His Majesty personally instructed me

665
00:40:37,321 --> 00:40:38,160
to give you

666
00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:39,120
my full support on this trip.

667
00:40:39,481 --> 00:40:40,520
Opening a couple of salt warehouses

668
00:40:40,600 --> 00:40:41,401
is no trouble at all.

669
00:40:42,720 --> 00:40:44,481
Well then,

670
00:40:45,881 --> 00:40:47,040
I have one more favor to ask.

671
00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:48,921
What do you want?

672
00:40:49,281 --> 00:40:50,600
Help me block a water route.

673
00:40:52,001 --> 00:40:53,881
That's a bit much to ask.

674
00:40:54,240 --> 00:40:56,001
Jiuweijiao thrived in the Northwest

675
00:40:56,001 --> 00:40:57,680
because he had his own smuggling routes.

676
00:40:58,481 --> 00:41:00,401
We need to show them our routes

677
00:41:00,761 --> 00:41:01,961
and make the act real.

678
00:41:02,841 --> 00:41:04,401
This is different from borrowing salt.

679
00:41:04,720 --> 00:41:06,600
I can't just block a water route
on a whim.

680
00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:09,001
Please go upstairs.

681
00:41:09,001 --> 00:41:09,520
Alright.

682
00:41:11,040 --> 00:41:12,080
The fish has taken the bait.

683
00:41:16,520 --> 00:41:17,921
Then we'll play it by ear.

684
00:41:19,200 --> 00:41:20,481
You're something else.

685
00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:21,680
Out here,

686
00:41:22,040 --> 00:41:23,640
you are whoever you say you are.

687
00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:33,281
My lord

688
00:41:33,761 --> 00:41:35,441
invites you to his residence, Mr. Jiu.

689
00:41:38,083 --> 00:41:38,563
(Invitation)

690
00:41:38,590 --> 00:41:39,690
(Prefect Liu Wenyuan of Anzhou invites)

691
00:41:39,720 --> 00:41:41,200
(Mr. Jiu for tea and a discussion.)
Since Prefect Liu invites me,

692
00:41:41,520 --> 00:41:43,281
I must receive him with proper ceremony.

693
00:41:45,600 --> 00:41:46,841
We'll find a place

694
00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:48,160
to host him.

695
00:41:48,321 --> 00:41:49,160
Then

696
00:41:50,120 --> 00:41:51,321
we'll invite him over.

697
00:41:51,321 --> 00:41:52,640
Where will you host him?

698
00:41:54,640 --> 00:41:55,321
On the An River.

699
00:41:55,560 --> 00:41:56,961
On a cargo boat?

700
00:41:56,961 --> 00:41:58,281
We won't just show the goods.

701
00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:00,080
We also want him

702
00:42:00,361 --> 00:42:01,600
to see our routes.

703
00:42:01,921 --> 00:42:03,281
Without real strength,

704
00:42:03,441 --> 00:42:06,281
how could we survive in Anzhou's trade?

705
00:42:16,080 --> 00:42:17,200
Put everything down!

706
00:42:17,600 --> 00:42:18,281
Don't move!

707
00:42:19,001 --> 00:42:20,240
Patrol inspection!

708
00:42:26,361 --> 00:42:27,720
Under Lord Ruan, I presume?

709
00:42:29,921 --> 00:42:31,321
We're on the same side.

710
00:42:31,881 --> 00:42:32,921
You should choose

711
00:42:33,160 --> 00:42:34,441
a better time to move goods!

712
00:42:34,441 --> 00:42:34,921
Yes.

713
00:42:35,240 --> 00:42:35,921
Got it.

714
00:42:35,921 --> 00:42:36,401
Let's go.

715
00:42:44,801 --> 00:42:46,281
I won't ask

716
00:42:46,441 --> 00:42:47,881
about your connections.

717
00:42:48,240 --> 00:42:49,640
But I will tell you

718
00:42:50,160 --> 00:42:51,720
who mine are.

719
00:42:52,137 --> 00:42:52,530
Oh?

720
00:42:57,361 --> 00:43:00,120
Thanks to the Yu family's favor,

721
00:43:00,801 --> 00:43:02,401
I get to enjoy such fine food

722
00:43:02,401 --> 00:43:04,680
here in Anzhou.

723
00:43:08,560 --> 00:43:09,961
Now you've seen my connections.

724
00:43:10,600 --> 00:43:11,520
I'll do business

725
00:43:13,361 --> 00:43:14,281
with you.

726
00:43:14,801 --> 00:43:15,520
But

727
00:43:16,001 --> 00:43:17,200
thirty copper coins per catty

728
00:43:17,520 --> 00:43:19,040
is not negotiable.

729
00:43:19,921 --> 00:43:21,761
Otherwise, I can't answer to my men.

730
00:43:27,080 --> 00:43:28,801
If you're not agreeable,

731
00:43:29,120 --> 00:43:30,520
I can always follow the An River

732
00:43:31,080 --> 00:43:32,841
and seek my fortune in Minzhou.

733
00:43:34,281 --> 00:43:34,881
Fine.

734
00:43:35,961 --> 00:43:37,481
Thirty copper coins, then.

735
00:43:38,600 --> 00:43:39,640
But

736
00:43:41,361 --> 00:43:42,841
we'll use my scale.

737
00:43:45,120 --> 00:43:46,120
Deal.

738
00:43:50,370 --> 00:43:52,910
(Next Episode)

739
00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:54,600
No matter what,

740
00:43:54,720 --> 00:43:57,321
I will expose the Yu family's lies

741
00:43:58,040 --> 00:43:59,640
and give the people the justice
they deserve.

742
00:43:59,921 --> 00:44:01,361
At any cost,

743
00:44:01,361 --> 00:44:02,560
Zhao Ling must not

744
00:44:02,640 --> 00:44:03,881
return to the capital alive.

745
00:44:09,240 --> 00:44:10,040
Madam,

746
00:44:10,481 --> 00:44:11,921
you don't have much time left.

747
00:44:12,040 --> 00:44:12,921
I beg you, Madam,

748
00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:14,481
to help him through the final stretch

749
00:44:14,481 --> 00:44:15,441
and see him safely to the capital.

750
00:44:15,481 --> 00:44:16,640
This court

751
00:44:16,640 --> 00:44:19,200
would be entirely
under Grand Secretary Yu's control.

752
00:44:19,600 --> 00:44:20,961
We're burning time.

753
00:44:21,600 --> 00:44:22,841
She's burning money.

754
00:44:23,441 --> 00:44:25,481
We'll see who gives in first.

755
00:44:38,240 --> 00:44:42,560
♪The past brushes by
like a falling leaf♪

756
00:44:46,160 --> 00:44:50,520
♪So light, yet my steps still pause
for you♪

757
00:44:52,640 --> 00:44:57,280
♪Through every rise and fall,
our memories remain without regret♪

758
00:44:57,520 --> 00:45:00,320
♪Carved into the rings of time♪

759
00:45:01,480 --> 00:45:06,120
♪How I wish I could stay
a little longer, but I can't♪

760
00:45:09,320 --> 00:45:16,160
♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill
my eyes with tears♪

761
00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:23,560
♪Etched deep within my heart,
yet buried without a word♪

762
00:45:24,520 --> 00:45:27,960
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

763
00:45:28,480 --> 00:45:32,680
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

764
00:45:32,960 --> 00:45:38,640
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

765
00:45:50,760 --> 00:45:54,640
♪For one fleeting moment, I found you
in the crowd♪

766
00:45:58,560 --> 00:46:02,560
♪Without a word, you lit up
half my life♪

767
00:46:04,280 --> 00:46:08,960
♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

768
00:46:09,280 --> 00:46:11,960
♪Kept close within my heart♪

769
00:46:13,040 --> 00:46:17,880
♪From now on, no one else
is worth waiting for♪

770
00:46:21,400 --> 00:46:28,320
♪I turn away, afraid no one
will ever come home to me again♪

771
00:46:29,200 --> 00:46:35,680
♪If we can build our future together,
no storm can chill my heart♪

772
00:46:36,560 --> 00:46:40,080
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

773
00:46:40,520 --> 00:46:44,880
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

774
00:46:45,080 --> 00:46:50,800
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪