Original subtitles

=The Road to Splendor=

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

=Episode 18=

Open the door!

Open the door!

Let me out!

Let me out!

Open the door!

Fire!

Help!

Open the door!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Quick, put out the fire!

Over here!

Hurry!

Coming!

Quick, put out the fire!

Quick!

Get water, hurry!

Put out the fire!

Quick!

Where is she?

She ran away.

Go after her.

Go find her and bring her back!

Yes.

(Qiushui Pavilion)

Sounds like

the army is about to move.

Once the fighting starts,

the Yumen Pass will close in three days.

The post station from Ganlin Town to Nanzhou

will certainly be commandeered by the army.

Young Lord Yu,

if we wait any longer, there'll be no way out.

Pack up.

Hurry.

Wait.

I still have one important thing to do.

It'll be quick.

Go find the Ninth Young Lady!

Enough!

What is there to look for?

Ever since you came to Ganlin,

because of that woman,

you've been completely out of sorts!

Don't forget we're your superior officers,

not your fathers!

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go now.

Young Master,

she set that fire herself.

She's seeking her own death.

She's determined not to leave.

You cannot throw your life away

for a woman.

Let's go, Young Master.

Let's go.

Eat more.

Do you have enough clothes?

Don't worry, Mother.

Keep them safe.

I wish you a safe journey.

Make sure you come back safe.

Move out.

Where's Yucheng?

Where's Yucheng?

This is his blade.

Where is he?

He went with everyone else.

Then why is he the only one left on the mountain?

Say something!

Sen.

Sen.

Sen.

Say something.

Where is Yucheng?

Let's go.

(To my fiancee Fu Tingyun)

Hurry.

Catch up with the main force.

Alright.

(Western Expedition Army)

Let's go.

Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling, where are you?

Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling, where are you?

Miss.

Miss.

Who

are you looking for?

I'm looking for Commander Zhao.

Where is Zhao Ling?

You must be Miss Xie.

Thanks to your restoration of the bamboo slips,

the troops' morale has soared.

Commander Zhao is fine now.

But the third drum for troop assembly has already sounded.

The army has already marched out.

(Tingyun.)

(The war is urgent.)

(Though it pains me to leave you,)

(I want this chance.)

(Not only for you,)

(but for myself,)

(for Sen,)

(for our brothers,)

(for justice in this world.)

(To my fiancee Fu Tingyun.) (Tingyun.)

(Give me five years.)

(If I fall in battle,)

(you must find a good match.)

(I will become the stars that light your wedding day.)

(If I return alive,)

(I will earn you merits beyond measure,)

(offer you a noble title as my betrothal gift,)

(and pledge by the sun and moon.)

(Where your heart goes,)

(there I shall follow.)

Mr. Zhao.

(In our future,)

(will we be married?)

(Some couples in this world)

(share a bed but not a heart,)

(yet play the part in public.)

(Some treat each other with respect,)

(yet remain worlds apart.)

(Some weather the storms together,)

(yet still lose to time.)

(Some have run their course,)

(yet are bound together all the same.)

(Tingyun.)

(I want to ask you something.)

(When we're married someday,)

(what kind of couple do you hope we'll be?)

(Mr. Zhao.)

(I want to cherish you)

(and love you.)

(Are we in love with each other?)

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Zhao Ling!

Tingyun!

Zhao Ling!

Tingyun!

Mr. Zhao.

Don't go.

It's too late.

Tingyun!

I'm here!

I'll catch up soon.

I'll catch up soon.

Alright.

Let's go.

♪The wind sweeps the yellow sands, as a grand ballad rings out♪

♪A lone rider heads for the distant frontier♪

Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao.

♪The road stretches on, swallowed by wind and sand♪

Take care of yourself!

♪The wind howls, yet never chills my soul♪

♪War drums resound across the vast sky♪

♪I laugh to the heavens to hide my sobs♪

♪Looking back, I see this life as a ballad♪

I will wait for you to come back.

♪Let the yellow sands bury the bones of who I was♪

♪Still, my resolve has never wavered♪

♪I lift a cup of humble wine to the passing breeze♪

♪Looking back, I see this life as a ballad♪

♪Looking back, I see this life as a song♪

(Zhao Ling,)

(I owe you a debt of love.)

(Until now, I thought that as your wife,)

(it would be enough)

(to respect and understand you.)

(But now, I regret not loving you more,)

(not cherishing you more.)

(I only pray for your safety on the battlefield.)

(Do not rush to seek glory.)

(I will be in Ganlin Town,)

(longing and waiting)

(Tingyun) (for you.)

(Mo Residence)

Madam Mo.

After the Yellow River Lantern Festival,

to celebrate General Mo's reinstatement,

Miss Xie

had prepared this.

Come.

She's your sworn mother.

My respects.

Looking at this beautiful view,

I feel

my heart has opened up.

In boundless desert lonely smoke rises straight;

Over endless river the sun sinks round.

Miss Xie,

did I recite it right?

With such a beautiful view,

the little troubles at home,

past suffering,

and unhappiness,

all seem

to drift away

like clouds.

(The ginkgo leaves in Ganlin Town)

(are turning yellow.)

(The whole yard will be golden.)

(Sen practices his staff in the yard before dawn every day.)

(When the wind swirls the leaves up,)

(he shouts,)

("Cloud-Splitting Stance, Mr. Zhao taught me this.")

(Now,)

(he can send three wooden stakes flying with one strike.)

(Zheng San fixed the old well pulley in the corner of the yard.)

(Sanniang steamed new wheat buns,)

(stuffed with dates.)

(She said when you return,)

(she'd make sure you have a taste.)

(Five years later) (I did not, like other girls,)

(sit in an empty room shedding tears.)

(You said before you left,)

("Wait for me to earn my military glory.")

(I carved your words into the window paper.)

(Not because I wished you to fight recklessly,)

(but because I believed you would return alive.)

(My love for you has never wavered.)

(I only regret that we parted too soon.)

(When you come back,)

(I will give you a lifetime of devotion)

(in return for the knot we tied.)

(Stay safe.)

(Return soon.)

♪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♪

Yucheng.

Cheers.

(Tomb of Yang Yucheng)

♪Once a bird among the clouds, now fallen into the mortal world♪

♪Inviting frost to my temples, veiling the face of bygone days♪

(Zhao Ling,)

(over these years,)

(I've run a women's school,)

(restored bamboo slips,)

(redesigned military uniforms,)

(been commended three times and entered the county records.)

(I've earned my own footing in this world.)

(Zhao Ling,)

(I want to be your stronghold too.)

♪Through a life adrift♪

♪With wit and strategy♪

(The battlefield stretches endlessly.)

(Beacon fires burn without cease.)

(When I think of fighting alongside my men,)

(knowing it protects our families and loved ones,)

(it feels worth it.)

(Don't worry.)

(For you,)

(I will be careful with my life.)

(The more death I have seen,)

(the more I want to live.)

(The more I want to see you.)

(Tingyun.)

(You are my anchor.)

Miss Xie!

Miss Xie!

Great victory at the border!

Great victory at the border.

The brothers at the front say

Mr. Zhao has earned military merits.

He'll soon return to the capital for his reward.

Should we

also head back to the capital

to welcome Mr. Zhao?

(We'll meet again soon. Take care. Zhao Ling.)

Back to the capital.

(The Capital)

(Li Residence)

(Word spreads in the army)

(that he kills without spilling a drop of blood.)

(And his men)

(stop at nothing to earn military merit.)

(No wonder he's so young)

(yet has earned so many merits.)

(He rose all the way to become)

(a senior fourth-rank assistant commander in the northwest.)

Commander Zhao.

If you have family members to accompany you,

please pack your belongings quickly

and return to the capital with us.

No need.

I will go back alone.

Commander Zhao, I heard

you have a fiancee.

Won't you go to Ganlin Town to pick her up?

I am

not yet betrothed.

Long time no see,

Advisor Li.

Oh no.

Now you're

the Director of the Revenue Division in the Ministry of Revenue.

I see.

Once you board the Yu family's ship,

your career certainly runs smoother.

Speaking of smooth...

How could I ever compare to you,

Commander Zhao?

When you were stationed in the Gandu Circuit,

you abused your power

and embezzled silver.

Now the evidence is solid.

By law, I am to arrest you.

You are nothing

but a minor Assistant Commander from the northwest.

What right do you have to arrest a capital official?

By our dynasty's law,

you must report to the Ministry of Justice,

and go through a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices.

Only after conviction can you make an arrest.

Today, you barge into my house with soldiers.

This is outright lawlessness.

It's personal revenge.

Tell me yourself,

what personal grudge do we have?

You have no evidence.

What is there to say to you?

Evidence?

If I want it, it can exist.

As much

as I need.

This is nothing

but a blatant frame-up!

Since I had the nerve to come and arrest you,

I am confident I can find that embezzled silver.

I advise you to hand it over now

and call it a confession.

Name the co-conspirators behind you,

and I'll count it as your merit.

What merit would I need?

I am an honest official.

I have nothing to hide.

As for you,

you overstepped your jurisdiction,

and slandered a loyal official.

I'll petition the Emperor himself!

Then you,

that wretched woman you haven't even married,

and all you

northwestern mongrels

will all come down with me.

What a pity.

I have few family ties.

No faction, no wife.

Nothing to hold me back.

So I will see your case through

to the very end.

(Li Residence)

Mr. Zhao.

Miss Xie arrives in the capital tomorrow.

Aren't you going to see her?

(My Lord,)

(have mercy on me.)

(I've been with him all these years,)

(and never enjoyed a moment of good fortune.)

(I'm only being dragged down by him.)

(I have summoned you back to report on your duties.)

(You are to secretly investigate the embezzlement of military funds.)

(Arrest the corrupt officials)

(who have undermined the state.)

(I have few family ties.)

(No faction, no wife.)

(Nothing to hold me back.)

(To the very end.)

(Capital Specialties)

Your mother

lives outside the capital.

She rarely comes into the city.

You two

should have a good talk.

Thank you, Uncle.

Tingyun.

Mother.

My dear daughter.

Not bad.

You don't look like you've suffered.

But your hands

are a bit rough.

I've failed you, Mother.

All these years,

I couldn't stay by your side.

It's enough that you're back.

I never thought

we

would ever see each other again.

All these years,

reading your letters,

watching you grow,

making new friends,

I felt as though I was

living a new life through you.

If you hadn't entrusted me

to Mr. Zhao back then,

I would never be where I am today.

You've always been a girl with a mind of your own.

I simply

tried whatever I could.

But your judgment was right.

You saw something in Zhao Ling.

The two of you

were meant to be.

But I fear, Mother,

he pulled me

out of one deadly situation,

only for me to lead him

into another,

one where he has to bet his life

on his career and future.

In this world,

loss and gain

balance each other.

What matters is

that the two of you are united in heart.

So you must

stand together

and take the same risks.

All this time, I've longed for your return,

and yet I've also dreaded it.

How have you been all these years, Mother?

And Father,

is he well?

Your father lives outside the capital,

in a hut, observing mourning.

I keep him company, eating simply, living quietly, chanting sutras.

All is well.

Your seventh sister-in-law

is very virtuous and filial.

She travels to and from the outskirts every day,

attending to us

without ever growing weary.

Father...

is he still unable to acknowledge me?

Everything

takes time.

For now, just settle down,

and take care of your own affairs.

I have

my own plans.

You need not worry about me.

Miss.

This area here

is next to the Imperial Academy and the Temple of Confucius.

Those who come and go

are all scholars and learned men.

Every student passing through here

is either rich or noble.

This residence ahead

looks quite fine.

What is the asking price?

You are not yet married, miss.

May I ask which family you come from?

Are you betrothed?

What official post does your future husband hold

at court?

You

just worry about who paid for the house.

Why bother about her husband's family?

You won't be shortchanged either way.

I come from the Xie family of Jiangnan.

The Xie businesses in the capital

belong to my mother and my uncle.

Though I am not from an official family,

I do have some means.

When choosing a residence,

I go by feeling.

I pay in silver, upfront.

I'd like to settle it soon

to arrange for my move.

But this residence

has already caught the eye of Young Madam Yu.

She wants to buy it for her father,

Master Fan, to use for his academy.

As for this house,

its previous owner

held the post

of Director of the Revenue Division in the Ministry of Revenue.

I truly mean no offense.

But the Yu family

has long been rooted in the capital.

If she buys this house,

every property on this street will go up in value.

You make a fair point.

But my purchase today

is not just

a single transaction with you.

I come from the Gandu military circuit.

I have ties

to northwest military families.

I have come ahead

to scout the way for them.

We are used to living near one another.

If I settle here

and make this my home,

then the entire street

will be filled with military officers' wives.

If you sell to me,

you are truly

selling an entire street of prosperity.

Sister.

(Wanfang Garden)

- Come. - Long time no see.

Indeed.

Sister,

I'd like to meet

this remarkable woman from Gandu,

and see what she's really like.

One purchase, and she takes an entire street.

Even I have to step back.

You said you wanted to meet her.

So I invited her here

to set the stage for you.

They say

she's a remarkable woman.

She has been

entered into the county records three times.

Three times?

For what, exactly?

First,

establishing a women's school

and educating the people.

Second,

compiling bamboo slips

to restore local history.

Third,

improving military uniforms

to boost troop morale.

Tingyun?

Aren't you the one with all that Huzhou silk?

Why are you here?

Wanfang Garden is open to all.

Scholars from everywhere can rent space and host banquets.

Tingyun must be

a guest invited by one of the poetry clubs.

But

why are you still dressed as an unmarried lady?

If I remember correctly,

you are twenty-four this year.

Twenty-four and still not married.

Indeed.

My betrothed is named Zhao.

He serves in the Gandu military circuit

as a fourth-rank assistant commander.

Could it be

the very same Zhao Ling

who has been making waves in the capital,

Commander Zhao?

Isn't he still unmarried?

Right.

When we were in Yongning Prefecture,

I didn't catch your surname.

I only remember

you were wearing Huzhou silk.

My surname

is Xie.

Xie?

Then

did you come from the northwest?

Yes.

I've been with the army in Ganlin Town for five years now.

You are that remarkable woman.

Miss Xie

of Ganlin Town.

Miss Xie?

What a rare guest indeed.

It's quite sunny out here.

Please go inside and take a seat.

All of you, keep her company.

Look at what I've done.

I didn't get the full picture

before inviting her.

Who would have known

it's Miss Xie, the one with a history with you?

But don't worry.

I'll lend you

whatever money you need.

And as for that residence in Shijia Hutong,

it will be yours soon enough.

Just focus on your lectures.

(Qinfang Pavilion)

Dongshan Poetry Talks

was compiled by my father

with all his life's effort.

He poured his whole life

into compiling it.

Whenever cited...

Tell us about Young Lord Yu.

Young Lord Yu.

Whenever cited, the poem's source is noted.

Every discussion of art

traces its origins.

He examines the evolution of Tang and Song prosody,

and critiques our dynasty's poets.

The chapter on Threefold Essence

is his finest work.

(Dongshan Poetry Talks)

Look.

It's an orchid.

I heard

that Young Madam Yu and Young Lord Yu

first bonded over orchids.

How about

telling us that story?

Yes, please.

Do tell.

Share it with us.

Go on.

Since everyone wants to hear it,

go ahead and share.

When Young Lord Yu

was studying under my father,

he found the orchid I had cultivated.

That was how we first met.

Later, at a poetry gathering,

he chose me as the winner,

saying

I had captured what was in his heart.

How wonderful.

And then what?

I had some talents when I was young.

Later, when Madam Yu passed through Huaying County,

she named me a notable young lady.

And out of gratitude for my father's teaching,

the two families

tied the knot

and set a wedding date.

Young Lord Yu is a top scholar who excelled in all three exams,

and comes from a distinguished family.

Young Madam Yu, you sure made an excellent match.

Truly.

An excellent match.

Then

how can we also find

such a fine husband?

Indeed.

Please, tell us.

Why tell everything all at once?

Let us wait until next time for the rest.

(Dongshan Poetry Talks)

Young Madam Yu is indeed talented.

She certainly knows how to make things up.

She relies on that to hold her own.

Why spoil it for her?

No matter.

Madam Wei, you're quite something.

You've made this gathering

a great success.

Young ladies of the capital

all vie for invitations.

It's only reading books

and selling them,

earning a bit of silver.

It also expands your network

and helps with social connections.

Have you ever wondered, Madam,

why Young Madam Yu

insists on buying that residence in Shijia Hutong?

It's for her father, Master Fan.

That's quite filial of her.

I've heard that Master Fan

prefers peace and quiet,

and detests bustling places.

What do you mean?

The neighbors around that residence

are all high-ranking officials.

She won't lack for tuition fees,

nor for students of good standing.

It raises her status

and expands her network.

Once she's strong enough,

these gatherings

won't need to rely on you anymore.

I heard it from the matchmaker.

Young Madam Yu wants to set up a school for her father.

That's what made me think of this.

It seems Young Madam Yu

wants to start her own operation.

If Huzhou Silk hadn't reminded me,

I'd still be in the dark.

Go and tell Young Madam Yu

that

the silver in my account is needed elsewhere.

She'll have to figure it out herself.

Yes.

Miss Xie.

(Deed)

(Deed drawn up by Li Mao)

(The original owner of this residence is Lord Li.)

This deed, dated twenty years ago,

(Ninth Year of Dacheng) is written

on paper made last year.

This is clearly a forged deed.

Zheng San.

Take this deed

to

the Ministry of Justice prison,

(Deed) and give it to Mr. Zhao.

Lord Li.

What do you have

to say about this residence?

This residence

was already sold twenty years ago.

At that time,

I had not yet taken up my post.

So how

could there be embezzlement?

Then how is it

that this deed is written on paper

that was only made last year?

Forging an official deed

and giving false testimony.

By law,

100 strokes

and exile for 3,000 li.

Lord Li, you're already standing

at death's door.

The one behind you

is already distancing himself from you.

He is certainly not going to help you.

Confess now,

and it will count as your merit.

Perhaps you may keep your life.

How about

filling out this list

of names?

Miss Xie.

Mr. Zhao

hasn't returned yet.

Could something have happened to him?

Zhao Ling has been too arrogant lately.

Get someone to take care of it.

Yes, My Lord.

(Rose Pastries.)

(Tingyun used to long for this treat)

(when she was in Ganlin Town.)

(Today is her birthday.)

(She'll probably like it.)

Excuse me.

I'll take two boxes of rose pastries.

Sure thing.

Make sure they're fresh.

Got it.

They're all freshly made.

Murder!

Mr. Zhao.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

As expected,

it's still not time to go home.

Keep your mouths shut.

Don't let Miss Xie know.

Miss Xie.

Have some water.

These fireworks are truly beautiful.

Even more so than the ones in Ganlin Town that year...

No.

I've said it before.

No fireworks

can compare to the display

Mr. Zhao put on.

None can compare.

♪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♪

Mr. Zhao.

Your wound hasn't been dressed yet.

Mr. Zhao.

Why not go up

and take a look?

My duty is unfinished.

My fate is uncertain.

If I die in this storm,

what then?

I won't see her.

Better to spare us both the sorrow.

♪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♪

(Yu Residence)

I heard your husband works in the Ministry of Justice

and oversees the prison.

He's about to earn some new merit.

They say

Li Mao

is about to confess.

This bird has fine plumage.

Though beautiful,

it is noisy.

It just can't keep its beak shut.

If a tongue is prone to cause trouble,

it should have been cut out long ago.

Madam.

Do you understand what I mean?

(Next Episode)

(Miss, look.)

(Commander Zhao)

(is leading men to raid the house next door.)

Once Li Mao dies,

Commander Zhao will be in danger himself.

In this picture,

there is no place for you.

However,

the convicted official Li Mao

repented on his deathbed

and confessed to his crimes.

(Memorial: Gandu Military Embezzlement) He also wrote down his co-conspirators.

I await Your Majesty's judgment.

♪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♪