Original subtitles

=The Road to Splendor=

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

=Episode 19=

(Commander,)

(Li Mao has taken poison.)

Commander.

Commander.

Commander.

Commander.

Who else did he see?

The secrets of the capital

aren't yours to uncover.

Didn't you want to know

who's really behind me?

Now that

I'm dying,

you're done for, too.

Investigating beyond your authority,

driving an official to his death...

Just wait.

You'll be

joining me soon enough.

Do you really think

a confession

would've helped me more than your death?

(Xie Residence)

(Virtue Blesses the Hometown)

Miss Xie.

Congratulations, Miss Xie.

I came

especially to congratulate you.

I'm almost embarrassed to say it.

That house next door

I showed you before

turned out to belong to a corrupt official.

The authorities seized it today.

Good thing fortune was on your side.

Just look at the house you bought instead.

It's far more

impressive than the one next door.

Miss, look.

Assistant Commander Zhao

is leading men to raid the house next door.

When it comes to choosing a house,

you need a good eye.

And you've certainly got one, Miss Xie.

Good thing

you didn't choose the place next door.

If you had,

we'd be in real trouble now.

Right, Miss Xie?

They won't let us watch?

This must be serious.

What on earth did they do?

Miss Xie,

let's go back.

We still have guests waiting inside.

Miss Xie,

it's getting chilly.

Let's go inside.

The storm brewing in the capital

is finally coming.

I'm innocent!

Move!

Commander Zhao!

Please, spare us!

Move!

(Xu Residence) I'm innocent!

Master!

Kneel!

Kneel!

Master!

Commander Zhao!

I'm innocent!

I didn't do it!

Commander Zhao!

Commander Zhao!

Commander Zhao!

Please spare us, Commander Zhao!

Commander Zhao!

Please spare me!

Master!

Please spare me, Commander Zhao!

Commander Zhao!

♪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♪

♪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♪

(My fate is uncertain now.)

(If I give in and see her,)

(I'll only put her in harm's way.)

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

Commander Zhao!

Master!

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

Go that way.

Take the long way around.

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

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

Move.

Move.

Move.

(Yu Residence)

Madam,

I've confirmed it.

The one who bought the house

was indeed Ninth Young Lady Fu.

Her?

She's put down roots in the northwest these past few years,

and she's gotten much more capable.

She knows exactly where to strike to do the most damage.

With her helping Zhao Ling,

no wonder he gets things done so quickly.

I think

it's better to mend old grudges

than deepen them.

Why not use Young Master Ji's first-birthday banquet

as an occasion to send an invitation

and ask the Ninth Young Lady to come talk?

The Ninth Young Lady...

Here.

Young Madam.

I heard Miss Xie moved into her new home today

and held quite a housewarming celebration.

Where did she settle?

Shijia Hutong.

The very house you had your eye on.

She has no one to rely on,

and only just arrived in the capital,

yet she can already afford a house beside the Imperial Academy.

She can afford it,

but I can't?

But now,

you're the Young Madam of the Yu family.

In birth,

education,

and marriage,

how could she possibly compare to you?

She's nothing more than

a woman who ran away with a man

only to be abandoned by him.

That mouth of yours...

Young Madam.

A visiting card came from the wife of an Anzhou merchant.

They say she's from Madam Yu's hometown.

She sent me to let you know.

She'd like you to receive them.

I am Sun of the Wu family, and this is my niece.

Greetings, Young Madam Yu.

I've long heard that you excel at both poetry and painting.

(Madam Wu, Salt Merchant from Anzhou) After arriving in the capital,

I realized that all the young ladies in the city

couldn't stop praising

the literary gatherings you host.

Madam Yu

certainly gained a wonderful daughter-in-law.

You flatter me, Madam Wu.

Our family business is modest.

Besides salt,

we also trade in medicinal herbs.

By good fortune,

we recently acquired these two rare purple lingzhi mushrooms.

They're for Madam Yu's health.

I hope you'll accept them.

That's very kind of you, Madam Wu.

Mother told me to see

that you were well received.

And this is for you, Young Madam.

What is it?

Anzhou's waters

produce some especially fine dried fish.

Before I came,

I had ten catties prepared

for you to enjoy.

Young Madam,

this dried fish from Anzhou

sells

for dozens of taels per catty here in the capital.

You'll finish it in just a couple of meals.

No need to put it in storage.

You certainly know how to choose an unusual gift, Madam Wu.

I hear

other residences

are a bit larger.

But you've come a long way to the capital.

Why not stay here with us?

Thank you, Young Madam.

Mozhan.

Have the maids prepare everything properly.

See that our guests are well looked after.

Yes.

Are you wearing the orchid fragrance?

Take off your veil.

Lift your head. Let me see you.

Young Madam told you to remove it.

Do it now.

(Miss Wu)

Please wait here a moment.

I'll have the carriage brought around

to take you both to our residence in the west of the city.

Thank you.

You were far too careless.

Young Master loves orchids,

and she just happens to wear orchid fragrance.

Clearly she was trying to seduce him.

Good thing nothing escapes your eye, Young Madam.

Otherwise,

she might actually have gotten away with it.

When I first married Young Master,

I was about her age too.

Sixteen or seventeen,

young and pretty.

What man wouldn't like that?

Where did Madam Wu come from again?

Anzhou.

Anzhou...

I've heard the salt merchants there

buy young girls from entertainment houses

and train them specifically to please men.

They call them "trained courtesans."

Tell me,

why would she parade a girl like that

right in front of Mother?

And she dares call herself a young lady?

What kind of "young lady" is she?

Now even common merchants

dare scheme against me.

All because my birth family has little influence

and no powerful connections.

Fine.

For Ji's birthday banquet,

I'm going to make it a grand affair.

I want everyone to see

if I'm the real Young Madam Yu.

(Virtue Blesses the Hometown)

Miss Xie.

Someone from the Yu family brought this.

They said it's

an invitation to Young Master Ji's first-birthday banquet.

You just snatched that house out from under Young Madam Yu,

on top of all your old grudges.

This is obviously a trap.

(Invitation)

The only way to find out how treacherous the capital's social circles are

and what the Yu family is planning with this banquet

is to go see for myself.

(Invitation from the Yu Residence)

Young Madam Yu is famously possessive.

Even Mozhan, who was merely somewhat pretty,

was married off early.

And you...

you went and hit her right where she's most sensitive.

Madam,

her waist has grown by half a cun.

No dinner

for the next two weeks.

Yes.

Madam,

the Yu family sent an invitation

(Invitation) to Young Master Ji's birthday banquet.

The Yu family's banquet

will be full of powerful guests.

You know exactly

what's at stake.

If you make another mistake,

don't blame me for being harsh with you.

I understand.

Prepare two fine outfits for Miss Wu.

Yes.

Tomorrow,

I'll find you a good household to marry into.

Let's go.

Madam spends every day

sending gifts to rich and powerful families,

yet she won't even let you eat properly

or give you decent clothes.

You've come here only to suffer.

But she's right about one thing.

If I can marry a good man,

I can finally escape her.

(Yu Residence) Congratulations!

Thank you, Madam.

Please, come inside.

Careful with that.

Of course.

Here. Put this away.

This way, Madam.

Please.

This way, please.

Okay.

Sister.

I could hear the firecrackers

from two streets away.

You've certainly made Ji's celebration

both grand and auspicious.

You flatter me.

It's been quite some time.

How have you been lately, Old Madam?

I've been very well.

(Old Madam Wei)

My daughter-in-law often speaks of you.

She says you handle everything

with great care and elegance.

Seeing this banquet today,

I can see she was absolutely right.

Thank you for your kind words, Old Madam.

Please, this way.

Please.

(Yu Residence) How grand.

It really is magnificent.

Why is she here?

Young Madam,

Ms. Shu personally went to Shijia Hutong

to deliver the invitation.

This is my son's first-birthday banquet.

Why invite her?

Are Madam Wu

and Miss Wu

from Anzhou

coming too?

Yes.

Of all days, the palace banquet

falls on the Young Master Ji's first birthday.

And we can't very well ask to be excused.

This way, please.

She's here.

Who's in charge of the cooking today?

From Cuixi House.

Add a dish of sesame flatbread.

Yes.

What's this?

Young Master arranged it.

Ladies,

my husband once went on an inspection tour in the northwest.

When he returned to the capital,

he brought back some local specialties

for me to try.

I especially liked this sesame flatbread.

He's always been thoughtful,

so he remembered.

Young Lord Yu is so considerate.

How enviable.

Then let's have a taste.

Yes.

I hear Commander Zhao has been back in the capital for some time

and hasn't even come to see you.

Could it be that

now that he's risen in rank,

he's forgotten the woman who stood by him through hardship?

We have many distinguished ladies here today,

all from prominent households.

Shall I make some introductions

and help you find a husband,

so you don't waste your youth?

Watch

your mouth! I...

Have you noticed

that right now,

you sound remarkably like

someone we both know?

If you were truly happy with your life,

why come flaunting it in front of me

like some proud rooster?

I wouldn't call it flaunting.

I'm simply living an ordinary life.

I didn't realize that, in your eyes,

even that counted as showing off.

If you're genuinely happy,

after all our years as close friends,

of course I'd be happy for you.

But sometimes, when I think of the past,

I can't help feeling it's a shame.

You, Fan Yake,

once became famous throughout Huaying

with a single painting of narcissus flowers.

But now, on your teacup...

are those still narcissus flowers?

Change them.

Madam Yu specifically ordered it.

You may go.

Young Madam,

everyone in the capital knows

Young Master loves orchids most.

Madam Yu arranged this

because she cares for you.

Go fetch Madam Wu.

The real show is about to begin.

Yes.

This young lady comes from my mother-in-law's hometown.

Her surname is Wu.

That Huzhou silk dress is lovely.

It reminds me of something from years ago.

Back then,

when we were in Yongning,

Miss Xie's fiance

didn't want anyone else

wearing the same fabric as her,

so he bought up

every bolt of Huzhou silk in the city.

He spared no expense.

He cherished her above all else.

There's no comparison.

Miss Xie's fiance

is the renowned Commander Zhao.

Their social standing

is worlds apart.

Commander Zhao, the one who drove Li Mao to his death?

I thought

he wasn't engaged.

I heard

that Miss Xie's so-called fiance

no longer acknowledges their engagement.

Miss Xie may be highborn,

but Miss Wu here

was graciously given a chance by Young Madam to display her talent

by painting at today's banquet

and capturing the celebration.

But in this painting,

why don't I see Miss Xie?

How dare you.

Madam,

the paper is limited in size.

To capture the elegance

of all the distinguished ladies here,

I had no choice

but to leave a few people out.

In that case,

use a larger sheet

and paint it again.

Young Madam, please understand.

For today's painting

to be worthy of the ladies gathered here,

I specifically chose the rarest

Bailu Xuan paper.

This paper is extremely valuable,

and this is already the largest sheet available.

Any other sheet

would only be smaller.

Unfortunately, Miss Wu's skill is still lacking,

so today's painting

will simply have to leave a few people out.

Everyone here

is an honored guest of the Yu family.

How could our neighboring ladies

possibly be left out?

Ladies holding imperial titles

and the mistresses of the great households

must, of course,

all be included.

With Li Mao dead,

Commander Zhao will be in danger himself.

In this picture,

there is no place for you.

I hope you'll forgive us, Miss Xie.

We can have Miss Wu paint your portrait another day.

A painting depends on

placement and emphasis.

Adding or removing a figure is hardly difficult.

With your skill,

surely you know that.

If you know it, yet claim you can't do it,

then I imagine

there's another reason.

The Yu family invited me here today,

which makes me your guest.

Yet now you coerce others

to humiliate a guest in public.

Young Madam Yu,

is this how your family treats its guests?

Poor painting skills are one thing,

but ranking people by status

and comparing their husbands' offices?

How improper.

I was thoughtless.

Please forgive me, Young Madam.

I'll redo the composition

and include

all the ladies present.

Go on, then.

Zhao Ling

exceeded his authority

and overstepped the court's laws.

Under the law,

he should be dismissed and investigated.

Summon Zhao Ling.

Summon Zhao Ling!

Your Majesty,

I resorted to extraordinary measures

and used torture to extract a confession.

I know I overstepped my authority.

(Grand Secretary Tian, Grand Academician of Wenhua Hall)

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.

Li Mao confessed?

If he did, why would he kill himself?

Exactly.

There is something you don't know.

Zhao Ling

received a secret edict from me.

That is why he came to the capital.

As for the charge that he investigated beyond his authority,

you have

wrongly accused him.

I know you were eager to solve the case

and acted before reporting to the Ministry of Justice.

But the court has laws and procedures.

If I hadn't protected you today,

what would you have done?

I deserve death.

Your Majesty protected me today,

just as you did in Yongning

when you forgave me for concealing my identity.

I am

deeply grateful for Your Majesty's mercy.

You've changed greatly

from the man you were a few years ago.

I intend to thoroughly investigate corruption in the salt administration.

If Li Mao's confession

can serve as a warning,

perhaps those corrupt officials

will learn to rein themselves in.

However,

this assignment

will make you enemies.

If you fail,

it could cost you your head.

Will you take it?

I will give it everything I have

and not fail Your Majesty's trust.

Good.

Then remember this.

You returned to the capital by imperial command

with special authority to make arrests.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

(Yu Residence)

The auspicious hour has arrived.

Let the first-birthday choosing ceremony begin.

In other families,

the child's mother usually holds him for the ceremony.

So why, in the Yu family,

is Madam Yu presiding?

You think Young Madam Yu doesn't want to?

In this family,

Madam Yu is still the one in charge.

She could bear ten children and it wouldn't matter.

There can only be

one true matriarch of the house.

Today is my grandson Ji's first birthday.

Thank you all for joining us to celebrate.

If anything has been lacking in our hospitality,

I hope you'll forgive us.

Just look at the boy.

That high nose, those big eyes...

he looks

just like Madam Yu.

No wonder they say

grandparents and grandchildren share a special bond.

The young master takes after his grandmother,

so one day

he'll surely be especially devoted to her.

Indeed.

How adorable.

Now let's see

what future little Ji chooses for himself.

First, the longevity lock.

Good health,

long life,

and lasting blessings.

Second, the golden spoon.

A lifetime of wealth and honor.

Third, the calligraphy brush.

Intelligence and a love of learning,

with a bright future ahead.

Congratulations, Madam Yu.

Congratulations to the Yu family.

That boy is clearly destined to carry on the family legacy.

He'll surely make something of himself.

Reward them.

(Jiuxiao Banquet Hall) When I was still Crown Prince,

you enlisted with my letter of introduction.

Over the past five years,

you've led your troops to victory time and again

and handled

this case exceptionally well.

It seems

I was right about you.

Zhao Ling,

you deserve a reward.

Senior fourth-rank Assistant Commander of the Capital Guard.

Do you like it?

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Rise.

He's been promoted to fourth-rank?

Yes. That was fast.

Zhao,

do you have a courtesy name?

Your Majesty,

my parents died when I was young,

so I was never given one.

I have little learning,

so I ask Your Majesty to bestow one upon me.

You certainly know how to seize an opportunity.

Huchen.

How do you like

that courtesy name?

Thank you, Your Majesty.

So when do we get to celebrate

your marriage to Miss Xie?

She is

at a banquet at the Yu Residence right now.

Then go with Minister Yu

and bring your sweetheart home.

Yes.

Come, sit. Please.

It's been so long since we've all been together.

Sit here.

Forgive my poor hospitality.

Please make yourselves at home.

I'll sit right beside you.

We can finally catch up properly today.

Exactly.

Then let me offer a few toasts first.

Here.

No need to be so formal with me.

So graceful and elegant.

A true lady of good breeding.

What were you thinking?

Miss Xie is an honored guest I personally invited.

Why was she seated at the last table?

Mother,

Mozhan arranged the seating according to precedent.

I should have thought it through more carefully.

Ridiculous.

Miss Xie.

Come.

Sit beside me.

We haven't seen each other in years.

We have so much to catch up on.

Come.

Madam Yu,

I'm afraid such an honor is more than I deserve.

Have a seat.

Miss Xie, perhaps you haven't heard.

At the palace banquet just now,

His Majesty bestowed the courtesy name Huchen upon Commander Zhao

and granted him special permission

to remain in the capital as an official.

From a regional post to the capital,

he's certainly risen fast.

From now on,

you'll both be staying in the capital.

His Majesty even mentioned your marriage just now.

Come sit closer

and tell me all about it.

Thank you for telling me, Madam.

I'm deeply grateful for His Majesty's favor.

Then congratulations are certainly in order.

Looks like you backed the right man.

Miss Xie and Commander Zhao

truly are devoted to each other.

Here.

A toast to Miss Xie.

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Who would've thought

things would turn around so suddenly?

Miss Xie

is clearly no ordinary woman.

Five years ago,

you told me

I could spend ten years,

even decades,

to reach your father's level.

So how far have I climbed now?

Am I high enough

to sit

at the same table as your father?

I'd rather know

whether she likes the man you've become.

Have the two of you

set a wedding date yet?

That's none of your concern.

I was occupied in the rear rooms just now

and didn't know my daughter-in-law had offended you in the main hall.

I failed to keep her in line.

Please forgive us, Miss Xie.

I hope this

won't damage the bond we've shared all these years.

I took a liking to you back in Huaying,

and it seems fate has brought us together again.

Why don't we put our age difference aside

and just be friends?

You and Zhao Ling are new to the capital.

It would be good for us to look out for one another.

Surely you jest, Madam.

Yake and I

grew up together.

If I were to treat her mother-in-law as my peer,

where would that

leave Yake?

It was my daughter-in-law

who hurt you back then.

Was Yake the only one who hurt me?

When Young Lord Yu

came to Ganlin on his inspection,

the matter of those four written confessions

was settled once and for all.

Four?

Allow me one word of advice today

to Commander Zhao.

Be more careful from now on.

There's more to the capital

than meets the eye.

Don't let one impulsive move

cost you everything you've built.

Please.

(May Virtue and Grace Endure)

Let's go.

Good thing we brought umbrellas.

Look how hard it's raining.

Look. Who's that over there?

Who?

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

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

♪With a feather in my beak, I brave the storm away every false accusation♪

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

♪Let this humble name carry me♪

It's Commander Zhao.

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

♪Let the past remain beyond recall♪

♪In exchange for boundless skies♪

(Next Episode)

(The struggle for power at court)

(is like rowing against the current.)

(If you don't move forward, you fall behind.)

(There's a staircase before me.)

(I have no choice but to keep climbing,)

(all the way to the top.)

Only by standing high enough

can I truly protect us

from the storm of arrows aimed our way.

Since it's come to this,

from now on, our two families

will fight until one of us falls.

I've set the stage for you.

From here on out, you'll have

plenty of people willing to do the dirty work.

♪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♪