Original subtitles

=The Road to Splendor=

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

=Episode 4=

Once you've finished this bowl,

we'll put you in the bridal sedan.

Then Zuo Junjie

won't get anything out of you either.

He can be a widower instead.

The family

will make offerings at your grave.

Let go!

Yuwei!

I...

I won't drink it!

Old Madam really does know you best.

The two of us have never served you before.

Perhaps we're not close enough.

Bring in someone else,

and maybe you'll drink it.

My Lady.

Yuwei.

They told me,

if I fail to get this done,

everyone in my household will die.

I...

I had no choice.

No!

No!

No!

No!

Don't do this, Yuwei!

Let me go!

Yuwei!

Let me go!

Yuwei!

Yuwei!

My Lady.

Do not be afraid.

I...

I'll face death

by your side.

Do not fear.

Yuwei.

(We are)

(a family of standing.)

(And with those three arches at our gate,)

(I will make certain you marry above your station.)

(Would the girl I raised)

(end up wasted within these walls?)

My Lady.

My Lady.

My Lady.

I had no other choice.

My Lady.

Yuwei.

Yuwei.

Yuwei.

Yuwei.

Why?

Yuwei.

Yuwei.

(Biyun Nunnery)

What happened to you?

I was drugged.

Save me please.

I don't want to die.

Whatever.

Spit it out.

Spit it out!

Listen closely.

Only you can save yourself.

I cannot help you.

If you wish to live,

spit out that potion.

If you waste all your strength weeping,

no one can come to your aid.

Stop crying!

Spit it out!

I can't.

What are you doing?

♪The faint incense fades from boughs♪

♪Lone wild geese know not late autumn's woes♪

♪If heaven's will, none can implore♪

♪Mortal world's all absurd lore♪

♪Dying candle burns all light away♪

(I've studied poetry and classics since childhood,)

(learned to manage the household,)

(and mastered etiquette and social conduct)

(I never wished to be)

(a puppet manipulated by others.)

(What I long to be)

(is someone who masters her own fate.)

♪Fate writes its tale, never asking who I am today♪

♪Spend all my remaining years, yet no right can I claim♪

♪All is ash upon the altar, bearing guilt's shame♪

♪Atone for my sin♪

♪Shattered into dust thin♪

♪When wind stirs, all drifts away, no path back to win♪

♪Blossoms sink and sway, whose dreams linger to stay?♪

♪Endless night stretches wide, no need for tears to cry♪

Spare my life, Old Madam!

Old Madam!

Where is she?

We forced the potion down her throat.

We went out

to ask others to help carry her.

When we came back, she was already nowhere to be found.

Mind

your words before you speak.

I understand.

The Ninth Young Lady had terrible luck.

She fell ill

and died.

Old Madam.

The Ninth Young Lady died of illness.

Since she has passed from illness,

seal her coffin at once.

Let her rest in peace.

Understood.

(Tingyun!)

(Tingyun!)

Miss Fan,

this is a gift from Mr. Yu.

Look

how considerate he is.

Who would've thought this marriage would come to pass?

Miss Fan,

you are truly blessed with great luck.

Miss Fan!

Miss Fan!

Why are you in such a fluster?

Miss Fan.

The Ninth Young Lady of the Fu family

has died of illness.

Master has a message for you.

He says you should prepare condolence gifts in advance,

and funeral money.

She's dead?

Dead...

How could she be dead?

Tingyun...

When Tingyun left for Biyun Nunnery,

she was perfectly well, was she not?

Everyone thinks

she went there to recuperate.

But we know the truth.

She fled there to avoid misfortune!

Do not fear, Miss Fan.

Even if she died an unnatural death,

it was...

it was the Fu family that harmed her.

The Fu family...

Right.

If anyone's to blame...

The Fu family...

It's the Ninth Young Lady's lofty pride.

If she'd married Zuo Junjie,

none of this would have come to pass.

Surely.

She'd rather have died than consent to the marriage.

Other ladies marry beneath their station.

Why could she not?

Right.

Exactly.

Others could accept such a match.

Why couldn't she?

Why could others accept it,

but not her?

It's all her own doing.

All...

All her own fault!

(Madam Zuo, respectfully)

(Letter to the Fu Family Regarding the Late Fu Tingyun)

(Letter to the Fu Family Regarding the Late Fu Tingyun)

The...

The body identification record.

This is the woman you wanted as your sister-in-law.

The Old Madam has shown mercy.

She lets you leave the Fu family,

return to Ganlin Town at once,

and tend to your chastity memorial arch.

She could even bring herself to harm her own granddaughter.

Once, there was

only a Zuo who married into the Fu family.

Now, there is

also a Fu who married into the Zuo family.

Mr. Zhao, you are so wise.

We can sell that woman for money.

In my opinion,

she's worth ten thousand taels.

If that falls through,

we can sell her by weight.

Find a local slave broker,

and sell her right here.

We'll at least recoup some of our costs.

Mr. Zhao,

what shall we do

with this woman in the end?

The simplest option would be

to pawn her off to the Fu family.

Yet I think

the Fu family is not worthy of striking a deal with us.

We hold the Fu family in contempt too.

The hypocrites dwelling in noble manors

are far less upright than us unashamed knaves,

who lay bare our greed plainly.

Exactly.

Yet we have no choice.

A hundred thousand catties of Ground Snow is being withheld.

This trip to Huaying

has left us with total losses.

We failed to gain any profit,

yet landed ourselves in a terrible mess.

You're awake.

Have some food.

The doctor said you vomited in time.

A couple of days' rest will set you right.

Last time I saw you,

you had quite a sharp tongue.

You're far quieter and milder than usual today.

Mr. Zhao,

could you go see my mother for me?

I wish to send word that I am safe.

Tell me.

What terrible mess you've gotten into

that the Fu family would abandon

someone as valuable as you?

If you refuse to speak,

there is no reason for me to aid you.

They framed me falsely.

I never committed adultery.

I didn't.

Adultery?

A young lady of the Fu family accused of adultery?

How come I've never heard of such a matter?

I was wrongly accused.

Biao, did you know?

I had no idea.

Hush.

I believe you.

All of you, step outside.

Let's go.

Even I find this hard to believe,

so how could your own family believe it?

They don't believe it either.

But for the sake of the arches at the gate,

they cannot protect me.

All under heaven bustle,

chasing profit.

This is human nature.

Now you hold no use

for them any longer.

You've become their castaway.

I do have a plan.

It will let you avenge your wrongs,

and send word to your mother

that you still live.

Would you dare step into a bridal sedan chair?

Well, I am

holding a wedding

tomorrow.

A wedding?

It's all just a show for others.

Tomorrow's wedding ceremony

must be grand

and lavish.

A luxurious bridal sedan,

with the accompaniment of gongs and drums.

In short, its splendor

shall outshine the Fu family's funeral rites.

I intend to make those of the Fu family

pay a steep price.

May your spirit roam beyond.

Farewell, Ninth Young Lady.

May your spirit roam beyond.

Farewell, Ninth Young Lady.

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Lady Fu of the Zuo Family)

May your spirit roam beyond.

Farewell, Ninth Young Lady.

May your spirit roam beyond.

Farewell, Ninth Young Lady.

May your spirit roam beyond.

(Double Happiness)

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Lady Fu of the Zuo Family)

(Grace Lost, Virtue Enduring)

Old Madam.

A wedding procession ahead

is blocking the road.

A wedding always gives way to a funeral.

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Lady Fu of the Zuo Family)

Tell them to move aside

and let us go first.

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Lady Fu of the Zuo Family)

Old Madam!

Old Madam!

My respects, Madam.

I trust you have been well.

What a fortunate coincidence.

My bride happens to be an old acquaintance of yours.

Why not come and see her?

Indeed, I should.

Tingyun.

Mr. Zhao,

you address me as your elder,

and today,

you've wed a lovely lady.

I ought to present a wedding gift.

What would you like?

Ten thousand taels of silver is no small sum to gather,

so grant me a few days' grace.

I am blessed with abundant wealth.

On this occasion,

I seek no monetary gain.

What do you want?

I demand the Fu family

return the one hundred thousand catties of Ground Snow

to its rightful owner.

That contraband was seized long ago.

The county yamen has taken it into custody.

The matter has been reported to the imperial court.

The county yamen is practically run by your family.

It would take but one word from you

to release one hundred thousand catties of Ground Snow.

If you refuse me,

my bride

will not stay seated any longer.

She will step out of the sedan chair.

Then every soul in Huaying will learn

that you have a granddaughter

who came back from the dead on her funeral day,

and even married a man like me.

Surrender her to me,

and I will add

ten thousand taels of gold,

guaranteeing

your safe departure from Huaying.

Old Madam, you may misunderstand.

It is not that you lack funds.

It is your fortune itself

that is tainted through and through.

In this world,

there are far too many folk like you,

which leaves common folk unable to afford salt.

I would sooner scatter all the salt

across the streets,

than hand it over to you.

I refuse to let it become

another merit to fuel your meteoric rise in status.

Tingyun,

are you going to turn your back on your grandmother?

I raised you for eighteen years.

Just this once,

I have wronged you.

For the sake of our family,

I failed to let you

become a phoenix

and find

a worthy branch to rest upon.

Grandmother,

am I truly a phoenix?

Or am I merely

the branch meant only

to lure phoenixes for you?

You love me,

yet you cherish the benefits I bring you far more.

You love this family too,

yet you care far more for the power

this family brings you.

This is the girl raised by myself.

Even if I hand over the salt now,

will you ever get out of Huaying?

And even if you do escape,

where will you go?

You need not

trouble yourself over this, Old Madam.

I agreed.

I will give you the salt.

There is one more thing.

Let the mother and daughter meet.

Tingyun.

Mother.

My girl,

I can't imagine how much you'll have to endure.

No.

You died in Huaying.

Do not let anyone spot you.

I long to know

what path you will take hereafter.

Zhao Ling is a righteous man,

but is he truly a worthy match for you?

Rest assured, Mother.

He merely saved my life,

and I have no intention of marrying him.

This ordeal has opened my eyes.

Once, all I craved was a prestigious marriage.

But whether it was Grandmother,

or Madam Yu,

they only saw me as a bargaining tool.

That path can never lead to happiness.

Since I was raised to be a phoenix's perch,

those drawn to me

would surely be noble birds.

Whoever I wed

shall be my perfect match.

All my wish for you

is that you never grow as weak as I am,

nor as cold-hearted as your grandmother.

Mother.

Today, I shall plan

for your future.

I beg you, Mr. Zhao, to grant me a favor.

My birth family is a wealthy family in Jiangnan,

and owns several shops in the capital.

Please

escort her to the capital.

Once she arrives,

I will travel to the capital

to reunite with her.

I am willing to reward you

ten thousand taels of silver

for your trouble.

Please accept these silver notes worth five thousand taels upfront.

I earnestly beg you

to agree to my request.

Once you reach the capital,

you may collect the rest from her uncle.

I accept your request.

Take this

as our token.

I will surely keep

the promise I made to you.

♪Once a bird in a cage, longing for the boundless sky♪

♪To break through a thousand barriers and cast off a life of illusion♪

♪Bearing wings through stormy tides, wash away stain of false accusation♪

♪May all common folk share one roof, every lantern rest in peace♪

♪Let this humble name carry me through a life adrift♪

♪With wit and strategy, I enter this game without regret♪

♪Let the past remain beyond recall♪

♪Trade it for boundless blue skies to fly free and far♪

♪I seek no mercy lent by mortal world♪

♪I crave no clarity from outside my soul♪

Five thousand taels.

Not a single tael missing.

(One thousand taels)

We shall meet again someday.

What should I call you?

Mr. Jin,

may your business thrive

and wealth flow endlessly.

Mr. Zhao,

may you enjoy a long life,

your days endless as the firmament.

Hurry up.

I'll take you to get the salt.

Officer,

spare some salt for us.

Officer.

Have mercy on us, Officer.

Get out of my way.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

Hey,

are you alright?

I'm fine.

Wealthy folk scatter salt to melt frost.

Have some.

Yet poor souls

must lick salt off walls to survive.

This world

is utterly unjust.

We went through so much trouble

and nearly lost our lives.

Are we really giving all of this to the common folk?

So long as the hull stays watertight,

we fear no waves crashing the bow.

As long as we hold this token,

we shall never lack fortune.

Huaying

is the Fu family's territory.

The moment we hand out the salt,

the very next instant,

the Fu family will send their man to seize it

and take every last bit back.

Send word around.

Tell every household to place their water vats out front.

We'll hand out salt brine instead.

I want every corner of Huaying

stripped clean of Ground Snow entirely.

Salt!

We've got salt, finally!

No more worries now.

We'll have salt to eat.

It'll last us a good long while.

How pure white this salt is!

We're saved. This is wonderful!

Salt dissolves into water,

so greedy lords have nothing to seize.

The brine flows to common folk.

Those in power

can never cut it off.

(Master Zhao) We've just made inquiries.

Word goes there's a righteous man,

who refuses to leave his name

dissolving salt into brine

to aid the famine-stricken folk.

Interesting.

Dissolve salt into brine.

What bold spirit.

What unrestrained grace.

Someday,

I want to learn this from you.

Learn some good things.

That's Ground Snow we're talking about.

Do you have any idea how valuable it is?

Still, fortune's on my side.

If I escort her back to the capital,

I'll earn five thousand taels in return.

Mr. Zhao,

dry rations and water are all prepared.

Besides,

I've brought cotton cloth and medicinal herbs for you.

Refugees crowd every corner of the Western Capital region right now.

On this journey,

you'll surely brave the elements.

If any other troubles arise,

you must act

as circumstances demand.

Don't worry.

How long

will it take

to reach the capital?

Will we travel by land the whole way?

Or will we take river routes as well?

Just follow us.

Quit chattering so much.

Let's go.

(Huaying)

(Betrothal Letter)

(Fu Family Academy)

Yake,

is this truly what you desire?

Marriage is a lifelong matter,

bound by parents' will,

and arranged by matchmakers' words.

(Betrothal Letter)

Since Madam Yu herself proposed this marriage,

and you have given your consent,

I'll sincerely uphold this marriage,

and never bring shame upon you, Father.

Yake,

you may fool everyone else,

but you cannot fool me.

(Betrothal Letter) You knew they are at odds.

why involve yourself in this marriage?

The Yu family holds great power,

yet a powerful family makes an ill-suited match.

You are the one who will live out every day to come.

Since I brought this marriage to pass,

I shall tend to it faithfully.

Father, do not underestimate me like everyone else.

All right.

Yet,

(Fu Family Academy) I can no longer bear

to stay here.

I own

a residence in Yongning Prefecture.

It is plain and humble,

but sufficient to prepare your dowry.

Your mother passed away long ago,

leaving us to rely on each other.

I know

you have endured many grievances.

I am not fit to teach you any lessons.

But Yake,

you must bear this in mind.

No matter what the future holds,

do not regret the choice you make today.

Fate is decreed by heaven.

Since this is my destined lot,

I shall follow its course willingly.

Father,

all these years,

you've run our household with frugality and diligence.

I've never told you this,

but I loathe leftover cold rice.

Living on leftovers day after day,

a musty, shabby scent clings to the skin.

That odor never fails to remind me

that I am beneath others.

(Next Episode)

Thanks to you,

we're being chased by all sorts of people.

I promised your mother,

I'd take you back to the capital.

If I head to the capital

without clearing things up,

won't I be admitting to adultery?

I beg you! Spare his life!

Let him go!

I'm begging you!

Don't kill him!

♪The past brushes by like a falling leaf♪

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

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

♪Carved into the rings of time♪

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

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

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

♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

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

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

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

♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

♪Kept close within my heart♪

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

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

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

♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

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