1
00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:32,700
=The Road to Splendor=

2
00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:34,760
(Adapted from China Literature author
Zhizhi's novel of the same name)

3
00:01:35,113 --> 00:01:37,940
=Episode 6=

4
00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:39,680
I'm just gonna lie back down.

5
00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:49,160
You think he's got the plague?

6
00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:50,280
Looks like it.

7
00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:53,200
Let's go. Let's get out of here.

8
00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:00,600
(Sir,)

9
00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:02,200
(were we not supposed)

10
00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,320
(to travel together to Linchun Town?)

11
00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:06,680
(The epidemic struck
with terrifying force.)

12
00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:07,960
(The bond we shared)

13
00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:10,200
(must end here, I'm afraid.)

14
00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:24,840
Have you really caught the epidemic?

15
00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:26,280
Let me check.

16
00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:28,880
Besides the wound he got because of you,

17
00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:31,200
Mr. Zhao is in perfectly good health.

18
00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:34,080
Did you scheme

19
00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:36,080
to drive them away?

20
00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,040
Officials and bandits
have never shared the same fate.

21
00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:39,360
Miss, think carefully.

22
00:02:39,920 --> 00:02:41,040
Are you on the side of the officials,

23
00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:42,520
or the bandits?

24
00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:43,640
Whom will you follow?

25
00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:46,280
But he can help you.

26
00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:47,800
He's an Imperial Envoy.

27
00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:48,720
He wields tremendous authority.

28
00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:49,920
What can he do for me?

29
00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:52,760
Traffic contraband?

30
00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,360
Those who hate Jiuweijiao want you dead,

31
00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:00,720
and Jiuweijiao's men seek your life too.

32
00:03:00,920 --> 00:03:02,400
Hunters chase you
across all the Jianghu.

33
00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:03,680
Everyone is out to slay you.

34
00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,920
The Imperial Envoy is your lifeline,

35
00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:07,240
yet you push him away.

36
00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:09,480
Why are you so impossibly stubborn,

37
00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:10,480
deaf to all advice?

38
00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:13,600
I stay guarded for good reason.

39
00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:17,800
Once I help you finish this mission,

40
00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:19,600
I will be of no more use to you.

41
00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:23,120
What will you do with me then?

42
00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:25,840
Will you merely
utter a hollow word of thanks,

43
00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:27,120
praising my chivalry?

44
00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:29,720
Or will you stop at nothing,

45
00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,520
and hand over all my past misdeeds,

46
00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:34,840
to add another meritorious entry

47
00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:36,280
to your official record?

48
00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:39,000
Fair enough.

49
00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:40,640
All along this journey,

50
00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:42,400
I've never treated you poorly,

51
00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:43,640
nor laid harsh blame on you.

52
00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:46,320
If push comes to shove,

53
00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:47,640
I'll tie you up,

54
00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:49,920
and escort you safely to the capital.

55
00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:52,280
That way you won't want
to go to Linchun Town one day

56
00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,000
and Yongning Prefecture the next.

57
00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:56,760
So no extra trouble will arise.

58
00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:01,840
Exactly.

59
00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:03,440
Once you're tied up,

60
00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:05,200
you won't stir up any trouble.

61
00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:06,720
Let go of me!

62
00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:07,680
Let me go.

63
00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:08,480
Be gentle.

64
00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:10,960
Of course,

65
00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:12,960
you could choose to abandon me,

66
00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:14,560
and leave with them.

67
00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,200
But think of all the people
we've met along the way,

68
00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:20,440
those ravenous, ruthless refugees,

69
00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:22,640
and that woman who was abandoned.

70
00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:25,360
They all could trick you
out of your food.

71
00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:35,520
I finally found you.

72
00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:37,680
Why are you here?

73
00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:41,160
I've come to repay your kindness.

74
00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:43,080
One must keep one's word.

75
00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:44,680
I told you before,

76
00:04:44,840 --> 00:04:46,880
I would serve you as your maid.

77
00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:48,160
I shall not break that promise.

78
00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:50,360
Wherever you go, miss,

79
00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:51,320
I will follow.

80
00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:53,440
She really came to repay the kindness?

81
00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:56,200
Thank you, miss.

82
00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:57,400
Thanks.

83
00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:58,560
Thanks a lot.

84
00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,080
Miss, what are you doing?

85
00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:10,880
We're just having a tiff.

86
00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:13,880
We're out in the middle of nowhere.

87
00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:15,680
If we keep this up,

88
00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:17,640
it'll be dangerous.

89
00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:21,680
Sorry you had to see that mess.

90
00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:24,480
This place isn't safe to linger.

91
00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:25,920
Sen,

92
00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:27,520
let's go.

93
00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:49,320
Mr. Zhao,

94
00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:50,440
we've got a tail.

95
00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:00,680
Mr. Zhao,

96
00:06:01,280 --> 00:06:01,720
it's that man

97
00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:03,440
who fought us at the salt shop.

98
00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:07,360
The second he laid eyes on us,

99
00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:09,760
(Jiu)
He's dead set on getting this token.

100
00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:12,000
He's incredibly persistent.

101
00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,723
(Jiu)

102
00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:26,400
I'll lead him away.

103
00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:34,720
Sen.

104
00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:47,040
Let's go.

105
00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:54,120
I can handle this alone.

106
00:06:54,280 --> 00:06:55,120
Stay here.

107
00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:55,920
Keep an eye on them.

108
00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:58,360
Don't let them wander out.

109
00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:13,360
Miss,

110
00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:15,440
please sit down and rest a while.

111
00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:31,240
Cargo fish swish tails
through Dragon Gate;

112
00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,920
Eaves mice gnaw cash,
three bite marks remain;

113
00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,960
Black bear bears down, scales sink low;

114
00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:44,240
Fox paws shear silver,
split fifty-fifty.

115
00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:46,680
What's this?

116
00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:48,040
The Snow Salt Ballad.

117
00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:50,440
Jiuweijiao's trade code.

118
00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:52,320
You ladies wouldn't understand.

119
00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:03,760
Miss,

120
00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:05,160
let me take you and run away.

121
00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:06,560
I've seen through them long ago.

122
00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:08,040
Those two are human traffickers.

123
00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:10,360
(Jiu)
They say they'll take you there,

124
00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:11,720
but you're such a beautiful young lady.

125
00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:13,920
Who knows where they'll sell you off to.

126
00:08:18,806 --> 00:08:20,880
(The Snow Salt Ballad)

127
00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:25,320
Thank you, miss.

128
00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:26,560
May I know your name?

129
00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:29,680
Just call me Zheng Sanniang.

130
00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:33,880
Sanniang,

131
00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:36,480
would you take me to Linchun Town?

132
00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:38,160
I have a distant relative there,

133
00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:39,120
and I can seek shelter with them.

134
00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:40,560
Of course I'd love to.

135
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That way.

136
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Mr. Zhao.

137
00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:57,160
Mr. Zhao.

138
00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:58,080
Mr. Zhao.

139
00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:00,760
Mr. Zhao.

140
00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:02,120
They knocked me unconscious

141
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and made off with the token.

142
00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,200
She's a daughter of an official.

143
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She doesn't deal in salt at all.

144
00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,360
What would she even need that token for?

145
00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:22,360
She has no use for it,

146
00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:24,360
but the Imperial Envoy
she's currying favor with does.

147
00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:25,880
Remember,

148
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hidden inside the token

149
00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:29,360
is the Snow Salt Ballad.

150
00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:30,760
Imperial Envoy?

151
00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:32,480
Mr. Zhao,

152
00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:33,880
if the Snow Salt Ballad gets out,

153
00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:35,200
more people

154
00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:36,640
will hunt us down.

155
00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:37,640
We need to flee.

156
00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:43,000
We've wandered Jianghu for years.

157
00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:45,400
How could we get outwitted

158
00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:46,720
by some young lady

159
00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:47,480
who's never left home?

160
00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:51,800
Gather our things.

161
00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:57,960
Let's head

162
00:10:58,720 --> 00:10:59,920
for Linchun Town.

163
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(Linchun Station)

164
00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,680
The Sixteenth Master travels incognito
as Imperial Envoy.

165
00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:08,480
Remember to keep this confidential.

166
00:11:09,680 --> 00:11:11,080
I shall keep my lips sealed.

167
00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,600
I have ordered the station
to turn away all outsiders.

168
00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:15,440
Please rest assured, sir.

169
00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:18,520
If

170
00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,680
there is anything I may assist with,

171
00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:23,640
feel free to let me know.

172
00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:26,520
Your arrangements

173
00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:27,600
are perfectly well thought out.

174
00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,560
My son, Jingxiu, is diligent.

175
00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:35,520
Should the Sixteenth Master
need extra hands,

176
00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:36,960
he can be of service.

177
00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:41,240
The autumn provincial exam draws near.

178
00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:42,960
Your son boasts
remarkable talent and knowledge.

179
00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:44,760
A bright future awaits him for sure.

180
00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:46,880
Madam, there is no need to be so hasty.

181
00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:52,640
(Madam Yu?)

182
00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:54,360
(Why is she here?)

183
00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,000
Send more men to guard the station.

184
00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:00,880
Keep all outsiders away.

185
00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:07,440
Since I cannot avoid Madam Yu,

186
00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:10,160
I shall use her

187
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as my stepping stone.

188
00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:15,520
Madam,

189
00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:16,920
a young lady asks for an audience.

190
00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:18,120
She claims to be Fu,

191
00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:19,240
the ninth daughter of the Fu family.

192
00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:24,200
Ninth Young Lady Fu?

193
00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:27,120
I thought she was dead.

194
00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,360
I thought I would never see you again.

195
00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:35,520
Back when I stayed at Biyun Nunnery,

196
00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:37,280
I was

197
00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:38,800
always thinking of you, Madam.

198
00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:42,120
Fortunately, fate did not forsake me.

199
00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,400
I fought my way out
at the cost of my life.

200
00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:46,640
It seems our bond

201
00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:48,160
has not yet run its course.

202
00:12:49,560 --> 00:12:50,440
Back then,

203
00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:52,480
there were some malicious rumors.

204
00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:54,000
I never believed a word of them,

205
00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:56,560
yet I was merely an outsider after all

206
00:12:57,120 --> 00:12:58,320
and could do nothing to help.

207
00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:00,320
Do not misunderstand me, Madam.

208
00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:03,080
I have come uninvited today

209
00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:04,840
not to rekindle our old bond,

210
00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:06,960
but to strike a deal

211
00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:08,600
with you, Madam.

212
00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,120
I came across a piece of evidence
on the road.

213
00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:13,680
I thought you might find it interesting.

214
00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:16,600
(The Snow Salt Ballad)
This Snow Salt Ballad

215
00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,360
records all parties shared the profits,

216
00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:22,360
and holds pivotal weight
in the salt corruption case.

217
00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:26,880
Something this important...

218
00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:29,400
Where did you get it?

219
00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:31,360
It belongs...

220
00:13:31,592 --> 00:13:32,437
(Jiu)

221
00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:34,080
to the biggest salt smuggler
in the northwest,

222
00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:36,600
Jiuweijiao.

223
00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:47,640
But why is it written as a ballad?

224
00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:49,600
This evidence involves a lot.

225
00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:51,240
If a single word leaks out,

226
00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:52,520
heads will roll.

227
00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,200
Jiuweijiao is extremely cautious,

228
00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:56,800
so he encoded everything into a ballad.

229
00:13:58,080 --> 00:13:59,360
But I hold the key

230
00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:00,640
to decode its meaning.

231
00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:02,320
Once I meet the noble lord,

232
00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:03,920
I shall recite the full truth to him.

233
00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:05,760
As my guarantor, Madam,

234
00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:06,720
you will undoubtedly claim

235
00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:08,040
the foremost merit.

236
00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:11,440
If this is a bargain,

237
00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:13,440
what do you seek in return?

238
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,360
Once you take the greatest credit,

239
00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:17,800
I only ask that my name be recorded
for his contribution.

240
00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:21,600
Silly girl,

241
00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:25,040
you shall surely share the merit.

242
00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:27,920
You've traveled so far to find me,

243
00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,120
and I'll hold you dear in my heart.

244
00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:32,400
Settle here in peace.

245
00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:33,920
Once the time is right,

246
00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:35,320
I will present you to the noble lord.

247
00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:48,680
It's like receiving a pillow
right when drowsiness hits.

248
00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:52,200
Who would've thought Miss Fu
would stumble upon such fortune?

249
00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:53,400
But I still feel

250
00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:55,520
uneasy.

251
00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:56,640
Indeed.

252
00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,040
Back when we were at Huaying,

253
00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:00,600
you did not save her, Madam.

254
00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:02,480
Anyone in that place

255
00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:04,320
would bear a grudge.

256
00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:06,560
It is not about what happened
in the past.

257
00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:09,320
I fear what lies ahead.

258
00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:12,960
After all, she is still an outsider.

259
00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:14,760
There will always be a rift between us.

260
00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,440
I must find a way

261
00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,040
to bind her fate with ours.

262
00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:23,560
Madam,

263
00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:24,960
another person seeks an audience.

264
00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:26,200
Calm down.

265
00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:27,400
Why so flustered?

266
00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:28,920
This is not your first day serving here.

267
00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:30,360
Did you see a jinx?

268
00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:31,520
He's forced his way in.

269
00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:32,680
He goes by the name Zhao Ling.

270
00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:33,800
Zhao Ling?

271
00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:36,040
He is truly a jinx.

272
00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:38,120
It's a matter of great importance.

273
00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,440
We cannot let this ill-omened fellow
ruin our plans.

274
00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:44,280
Where is Fu Tingyun?

275
00:15:58,200 --> 00:15:58,960
Zhao Ling.

276
00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:05,120
You've got quite the nerve.

277
00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:07,680
Do you think
this is the Fu family in Huaying?

278
00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:08,880
How dare you run wild here.

279
00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:11,040
I have no intention of fighting.

280
00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:14,280
Give me the token and the man,

281
00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:15,320
and I'll walk away right now.

282
00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:17,840
And if I say no?

283
00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:21,840
Then I guess

284
00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:25,880
we do this the hard way.

285
00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:27,560
You're a bold one,

286
00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:29,960
but you can't win this fight alone.

287
00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:41,280
Madam Yu.

288
00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,360
He is the leader
of the Western Capital salt bandits,

289
00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:44,280
Jiuweijiao.

290
00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:47,440
You're actually Jiuweijiao?

291
00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:51,000
I...

292
00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:55,200
I have an epidemic upon me.

293
00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:56,560
Stay away from me, all of you.

294
00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:00,000
Don't run!

295
00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:11,080
You rascal, you lied to me.

296
00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:16,280
Xiuchun Blade?

297
00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:19,560
The Imperial Guards?

298
00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,080
(I planned to find him
once this matter was settled,)

299
00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:47,880
(yet he forced his way in uninvited.)

300
00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:50,200
Jiuweijiao has a notorious reputation.

301
00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:52,040
The Sixteenth Master
holds an exalted status.

302
00:17:52,120 --> 00:17:53,520
We cannot afford the slightest mishap.

303
00:17:54,120 --> 00:17:56,160
We must silence him
without delay to be safe.

304
00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:10,360
Have you forgotten
how many men I have at my back?

305
00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,480
If any harm befalls me today,

306
00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:18,400
none of you will escape unscathed.

307
00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:22,840
Come to think of it,

308
00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:25,520
you've got a point there.

309
00:18:26,360 --> 00:18:27,040
Right,

310
00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,280
killing one is far less satisfying
than wiping out the whole gang.

311
00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:33,160
Lock him up for now.

312
00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:37,920
Take him away.

313
00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:38,520
Yes, sir.

314
00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:40,200
Take him away.

315
00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:41,560
Go.

316
00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:44,040
No.

317
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:46,560
I must see the noble lord at once.

318
00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:51,760
Tell me,

319
00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:53,440
where are your men?

320
00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,920
If I tell you where they are,

321
00:18:59,360 --> 00:19:00,720
will you set me free?

322
00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:10,600
Jiuweijiao,

323
00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:13,280
don't try to trick me.

324
00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:15,440
You're in no position to bargain.

325
00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:16,000
Tell me!

326
00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:20,040
I'll talk.

327
00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,040
My men

328
00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:24,560
are hot on my trail.

329
00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,240
If I'm not wrong,

330
00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:29,000
they're already on their way
to rescue me.

331
00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:30,480
They're only

332
00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:33,920
a short distance away.

333
00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:35,840
You can't miss Sen.

334
00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:39,120
He's

335
00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:44,360
in his mid-thirties.

336
00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:48,760
Mr. Feng,

337
00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:50,680
Zhao Ling's gang must be nearby.

338
00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:51,920
Search.

339
00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:53,480
He bears a blade scar on his left cheek.

340
00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:55,080
Four moles mark his right cheek.

341
00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:56,720
They're extremely tough foes.

342
00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:58,200
Armed with plenty of weapons.

343
00:19:58,320 --> 00:19:58,720
Let's go.

344
00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:00,720
You'd better take more men with you.

345
00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,160
How do I know you're telling the truth?

346
00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:05,880
I have survived the Jianghu,

347
00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:09,120
all thanks to the Snow Salt Ballad.

348
00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:10,800
I'll tell you the first four lines.

349
00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,320
If they can match them,

350
00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:16,440
they're surely my men.

351
00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:21,000
When will you introduce me

352
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:22,320
to the noble lord?

353
00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:25,160
Don't rush.

354
00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:26,920
I will introduce you,

355
00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:29,480
but first I'll secure you
a proper station.

356
00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:31,720
I wish to lend you a hand.

357
00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:35,560
Such a lovely magnolia

358
00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:36,840
faded to mud.

359
00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:38,760
What a pity it is.

360
00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:40,440
How can I bear to see it?

361
00:20:41,360 --> 00:20:42,360
Why not

362
00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:44,120
become Jingxiu's concubine?

363
00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:45,760
We could pick up our old bond again.

364
00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:47,880
All the wealth and glory you once knew,

365
00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:49,640
fine silks and delicacies
shall remain yours.

366
00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:53,720
You'll once more
be that radiant noble lady.

367
00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:57,240
Why are you humiliating me like this?

368
00:20:57,640 --> 00:20:59,160
I hold you in high regard,

369
00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:00,560
so I plan this path for you.

370
00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:04,520
Aren't you craving merit?

371
00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:07,080
If we stand united
as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law,

372
00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:09,720
we can seize all these immense rewards.

373
00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:11,560
Wouldn't that be perfect?

374
00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:15,320
You just don't want benefits
falling into outsiders' hands, Madam.

375
00:21:16,120 --> 00:21:17,440
With this bond between us,

376
00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:18,520
later on,

377
00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:20,880
you'll have me firmly under your thumb.

378
00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:25,160
I've checked the almanac.

379
00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,240
Today is an auspicious day for weddings.

380
00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:28,440
Why not

381
00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,000
settle the matter tonight?

382
00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:32,440
Tomorrow at dawn,

383
00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,240
I'll take you to meet the noble lord.

384
00:21:46,360 --> 00:21:47,360
As you know,

385
00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,280
our family has few heirs.

386
00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:51,680
Jingxiu carries on both branches.

387
00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:53,520
Any children you bear later

388
00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:55,640
will have to be adopted
by the main branch.

389
00:21:56,360 --> 00:21:58,120
What exactly do you mean, Madam?

390
00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,840
I've picked a maiden for you recently.

391
00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:02,920
With her by your side,

392
00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:05,520
she can share the burden
of bearing heirs.

393
00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:07,600
You may set your mind at ease.

394
00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:10,000
You've thought of everything, Madam.

395
00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:12,760
But there's no rush for this.

396
00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:14,880
We can talk it over another time.

397
00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:16,080
Listen to me.

398
00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:18,320
Let Jingxiu take her as his concubine.

399
00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:22,120
His studies exhaust him.

400
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,920
She may accompany him on the road.

401
00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:27,320
Could it be

402
00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:29,400
you cannot bear her presence?

403
00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:31,240
Of course not.

404
00:22:32,120 --> 00:22:33,320
It's just that

405
00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:35,160
along this journey,

406
00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:36,920
I've seen no clever maidens.

407
00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:38,800
I wonder who's blessed enough

408
00:22:39,120 --> 00:22:40,480
to win your favor, Madam.

409
00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:42,720
She is no ordinary maiden.

410
00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:45,600
You know her too.

411
00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:47,440
The Magnolia from the Huaying.

412
00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:49,800
Tingyun?

413
00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:52,520
Wasn't she dead?

414
00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:54,120
Not only was she alive,

415
00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:55,680
but she came to seek refuge with me.

416
00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:57,920
Seeing her all alone and destitute,

417
00:22:58,200 --> 00:22:59,760
I wished to grant her a way to survive.

418
00:23:00,120 --> 00:23:01,320
The contract bears witness.

419
00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:02,720
She's Zuo Junjie's wife.

420
00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:04,520
Look at you,

421
00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:06,680
still sulking, aren't you?

422
00:23:08,120 --> 00:23:10,400
I want you to set your mind at ease.

423
00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:13,360
That's why I leave this to you.

424
00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:16,360
The Yu family upholds strict rules.

425
00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:18,360
Wives outrank concubines.

426
00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:20,000
What have you to fear?

427
00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:25,360
Tonight,

428
00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:28,400
take this wine to Jingxiu's chambers.

429
00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:34,680
Miss Fan,

430
00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:36,840
the Yu family has strict rules.

431
00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:38,600
A mother-in-law
always outranks a daughter-in-law.

432
00:23:39,120 --> 00:23:41,200
You must obey the Madam in all things.

433
00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:43,120
Last time, the Madam

434
00:23:43,120 --> 00:23:45,480
only wished to borrow
a chest of manuscripts from you.

435
00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:47,120
Such a trivial matter,

436
00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:48,720
yet you failed to see it done.

437
00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:05,840
Mr. Zhao.

438
00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:07,280
Mr. Zhao.

439
00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:09,440
You've truly fallen under their thumb.

440
00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:11,120
See? You can't do without me.

441
00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:12,320
I've fetched Chuan

442
00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:13,720
and Biao and the others.

443
00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:18,720
I thought you headed for the capital?

444
00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:20,080
How'd you get stuck here?

445
00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:22,080
Luckily we weren't far off.

446
00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:22,600
Otherwise,

447
00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:23,800
you two would've died here.

448
00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:30,360
Chuan and Biao,

449
00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:31,800
you take the men

450
00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:32,760
and wait outside first.

451
00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:34,160
Sen, come with me.

452
00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:36,080
I'd like to see

453
00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:38,800
what tricks the Ninth Young Lady

454
00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:40,280
is really playing.

455
00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:41,520
Mr. Zhao,

456
00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:43,320
the guards here

457
00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:45,520
are not as tough as you said.

458
00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:48,360
I sent half the guards away.

459
00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:49,840
How?

460
00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:51,720
The Snow Salt Ballad has sixteen lines,
right?

461
00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:54,760
As for its first four lines,

462
00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:58,640
every salt gang member knows them well.

463
00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:01,800
Who's there?

464
00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:08,880
Cargo fish swish tails
through Dragon Gate.

465
00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:12,320
Eaves mice gnaw cash,
three bite marks remain.

466
00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:14,600
Good, you've arrived.

467
00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:16,840
We've all been waiting.

468
00:25:17,360 --> 00:25:18,040
Where's Zhao Ling?

469
00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:25,760
How dare you possess restricted weapons?

470
00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:26,880
Listen up.

471
00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:29,920
Jiuweijiao sold all of you to me.

472
00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:31,600
Seize them all.

473
00:25:37,070 --> 00:25:39,523
(Qixia Chamber)

474
00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:47,000
Tingyun,

475
00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:53,480
I never imagined

476
00:25:54,440 --> 00:25:56,280
we'd meet again
under such circumstances.

477
00:25:57,040 --> 00:25:58,120
For a moment,

478
00:25:59,360 --> 00:26:00,960
I'm not sure whether to address you
as Miss Fu

479
00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:03,160
or Miss Xie.

480
00:26:11,360 --> 00:26:12,360
I know

481
00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:14,320
you resent me,

482
00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:16,200
but what could I do?

483
00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:18,040
After tonight,

484
00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:20,080
we'll be living side by side again.

485
00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:23,000
Mr. Yu favors plain, subtle styles.

486
00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:25,520
I've specially picked out fabrics

487
00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:27,480
with patterns to his liking for you.

488
00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:29,680
Aren't these the fabrics
you used to wear?

489
00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:32,560
These are the bolts

490
00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:34,920
we picked out together back then.

491
00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:37,120
I gave them all to you.

492
00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:39,360
Now I hand them back to you.

493
00:26:40,680 --> 00:26:41,560
Isn't this perfect for you?

494
00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:44,640
Strange indeed.

495
00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:47,880
What did you do to anger her so?

496
00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:51,480
That she'd plant me right beside you

497
00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:53,680
to make sure you never live in peace.

498
00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:56,800
Peace? It's not about peace.

499
00:26:57,080 --> 00:26:58,280
It's just taking a concubine.

500
00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:00,320
Miss Fan will always be the main wife.

501
00:27:03,360 --> 00:27:05,160
But there might be a way

502
00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:08,680
to spare me from becoming a concubine.

503
00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:12,280
Spare you from being a concubine?

504
00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:16,000
There's an honored guest

505
00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:18,320
staying in your east courtyard, right?

506
00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:20,480
He seems to carry
an even loftier station.

507
00:27:21,720 --> 00:27:23,320
His entourage
consists of men traveling afar

508
00:27:24,120 --> 00:27:26,120
and they lack a gentle lady

509
00:27:26,120 --> 00:27:28,240
to ease their weariness
and lighten their cares.

510
00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,160
This is my chance.

511
00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:34,960
I doubt you'll ever gain access

512
00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:36,880
to that noble lord.

513
00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:38,400
That's right.

514
00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:42,280
But you have the Yu family backing you.

515
00:27:43,120 --> 00:27:44,440
Surely you could lead me there.

516
00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:55,880
Madam Yu sends maids

517
00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:56,840
to wait on the noble guest's baths
every single day.

518
00:27:57,280 --> 00:27:58,800
Miss Fan slipped some silver
to arrange it.

519
00:27:59,080 --> 00:28:00,120
You're the one going tonight.

520
00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:01,800
It's infuriating

521
00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:03,120
she has to suffer the consequences
of your deeds.

522
00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:04,240
Don't worry.

523
00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:07,040
She is far too clever.

524
00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:09,960
She will find a way
to clear her own name.

525
00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:15,560
Your Highness,

526
00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:16,920
news has come from the city.

527
00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:19,000
All our men

528
00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:21,080
have been slain.

529
00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:23,160
How corrupt he is.

530
00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:25,360
How dare they flaunt
such reckless audacity.

531
00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:29,680
Yongning Prefecture is the seat
of government after all.

532
00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:31,080
Its officials are all in cahoots,

533
00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:31,920
leaving no gaps for infiltration.

534
00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:33,880
We must find a fresh recruit

535
00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:35,280
who's trustworthy and unknown locally

536
00:28:35,360 --> 00:28:36,440
to act as our informant

537
00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:37,600
and help us gather evidence.

538
00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:38,920
A total stranger with no ties here.

539
00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:41,920
Also need courage, wit, and integrity,

540
00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:43,440
and earn our complete trust.

541
00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:45,720
Where can we find such a person?

542
00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:55,000
-Halt!
-Halt!

543
00:28:58,160 --> 00:28:59,120
We've come to bring the noble lord

544
00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:00,200
foot-washing water.

545
00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:01,680
It's you.

546
00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:02,720
You...

547
00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:04,480
How did you find your way here?

548
00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:06,440
I have matters to
discuss with my benefactor in person.

549
00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:08,520
I beg you, sir, to pass word to him.

550
00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:09,920
Miss,

551
00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:11,000
if you have business,

552
00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:11,920
come back tomorrow.

553
00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:13,200
It's late at night.

554
00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:14,200
Leave at once.

555
00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:15,200
Shut the gate.

556
00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:27,440
You!

557
00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:28,520
Stop right there.

558
00:29:28,520 --> 00:29:29,200
What are you doing?

559
00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:33,000
Miss,

560
00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:35,040
it's not too late to turn back now

561
00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:35,960
and mend your ways.

562
00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:37,520
Do not commit an irreversible mistake.

563
00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:44,600
Cargo fish swish tails
through Dragon Gate;

564
00:29:44,880 --> 00:29:46,640
Eaves mice gnaw cash,
three bite marks remain;

565
00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:48,440
Black bear bears down,
scales sink low;

566
00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:50,400
Fox paws shear silver,
split fifty-fifty.

567
00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:51,200
Take her away.

568
00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:54,240
West winds carry salt
across dry plateaus far;

569
00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:56,040
Nine winding gullies twist
around East Gate's scar;

570
00:29:56,040 --> 00:29:57,480
Seek the secret trails
where contraband salt marches;

571
00:29:57,800 --> 00:29:59,920
Three lines within the frame,
moon creeps above the arch.

572
00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:01,080
Hold on.

573
00:30:02,120 --> 00:30:03,720
What is being chanted outside?

574
00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:04,680
The Snow Salt Ballad.

575
00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:06,200
Within Western Capital's borders,

576
00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:08,160
it lays bare all corrupt dealings
between officials and merchants.

577
00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:11,240
My fiance is Jiuweijiao,
a salt merchant of Western Capital.

578
00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:12,600
He taught me this ballad.

579
00:30:13,080 --> 00:30:14,840
Though Mr. Zhao
traffics in contraband salt,

580
00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:16,560
in Huaying County,

581
00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:18,400
he dissolved a hundred thousand
catties of salt and distributed it

582
00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:19,320
among the common folk.

583
00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:21,280
He knows right from wrong,

584
00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:22,920
a gallant man of sound judgment.

585
00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:25,200
The Imperial Envoy aims to clean up
Western Capital's salt administration.

586
00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:26,480
Wait.

587
00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:33,240
This is his perfect chance
to forsake darkness for justice.

588
00:30:34,040 --> 00:30:35,200
I'm begging you.

589
00:30:35,520 --> 00:30:36,760
Please spare his life.

590
00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:39,560
My husband and I shall serve you
with utter devotion,

591
00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:40,640
atone for his crimes
with meritorious deeds.

592
00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:47,280
Have you seen the roads lined
with starving corpses

593
00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:49,840
along your journey?

594
00:30:50,560 --> 00:30:51,680
Mr. Zhao is branded an outlaw,

595
00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:53,600
yet he is a good man at heart.

596
00:30:53,880 --> 00:30:55,440
If those who yearn
to walk the righteous path

597
00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:56,360
are left with no way to survive,

598
00:30:56,840 --> 00:30:58,520
no matter how many cases
you investigate,

599
00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:00,800
the common people will still starve

600
00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:01,920
and shiver in tattered rags.

601
00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:05,240
Good men will keep
being driven to banditry.

602
00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:07,760
Please, calm your anger.

603
00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:11,800
This is my fault
for mismanaging my household.

604
00:31:12,280 --> 00:31:14,440
Some reckless maid
turned up out of nowhere

605
00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:15,720
and disturbed your peace.

606
00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:16,160
Take her away.

607
00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:21,280
I beg for an audience!

608
00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:25,840
(Sixteenth Master)
Do not give her a hard time.

609
00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:37,200
Greetings, Your Highness.

610
00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:40,120
It is you.

611
00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:42,280
Back at Puji Temple that day,

612
00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:43,840
I saw you had remarkable wit,

613
00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:44,920
sharp and quick-minded.

614
00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:46,080
Come inside with me.

615
00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:47,720
Recite that ballad you sang earlier

616
00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:48,880
once more.

617
00:32:10,480 --> 00:32:11,080
Madam.

618
00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:11,880
Madam.

619
00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:16,240
Fu Tingyun has quite the nerve.

620
00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:19,080
Madam.

621
00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:21,440
What if

622
00:32:21,440 --> 00:32:22,520
we run away first?

623
00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:24,280
Let me think for a moment.

624
00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:26,640
You've got quite a lot of courage.

625
00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:28,400
What makes you think

626
00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:30,200
I'd spare you a chance?

627
00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:34,920
I wager

628
00:32:35,760 --> 00:32:36,880
you are an upright official.

629
00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:39,040
Surely you seek to root out

630
00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:41,080
those corrupt boat fish and eaves mice,

631
00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:42,280
black bears and foxes

632
00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:43,560
to purge the Nine Ravines,

633
00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:45,520
rather than hunt down

634
00:32:45,520 --> 00:32:47,000
a helpless little mouse, a salt smuggler

635
00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:48,080
with nowhere to turn.

636
00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:52,160
We are in urgent need of informants.

637
00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:53,640
You're bold and resourceful,

638
00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:55,320
and your fiance knows
all the salt routes.

639
00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:57,120
You would be perfect for the job.

640
00:32:58,080 --> 00:32:58,840
I wonder

641
00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,960
if you can speak for Jiuweijiao.

642
00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:05,080
I will surely persuade him.

643
00:33:14,640 --> 00:33:16,320
(Though Mr. Zhao
traffics contraband salt,)

644
00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:18,040
(in Huaying County,)

645
00:33:18,200 --> 00:33:19,920
(he dissolved a hundred thousand
catties of salt and distributed it)

646
00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:20,880
(among the common folk.)

647
00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:22,760
(He knows right from wrong,)

648
00:33:22,760 --> 00:33:24,440
(a gallant man of sound judgment.)

649
00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:26,520
(If those who yearn
to walk the righteous path)

650
00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:27,440
(are left with no way to survive,)

651
00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:29,600
(no matter how many cases
you investigate,)

652
00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:31,880
(the common people will still starve,)

653
00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:33,000
(and shiver in tattered rags.)

654
00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:55,520
Ninth Young Lady, you came
bearing a blade.

655
00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:01,840
Is there something you wish to say?

656
00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:03,800
I knew you'd come walking to your grave,

657
00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:06,280
so I've come to spare your life.

658
00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:08,600
Do I not owe this wretched state

659
00:34:11,360 --> 00:34:13,200
entirely to your doing,
Ninth Young Lady?

660
00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:16,280
If I so desired,

661
00:34:17,480 --> 00:34:19,160
I could end your life right here.

662
00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:23,880
Mr. Zhao, you have yet
to grasp the current tide of affairs,

663
00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:26,160
so I shall spell it out once more.

664
00:34:26,960 --> 00:34:27,720
You

665
00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:29,560
have two choices: follow me,

666
00:34:29,920 --> 00:34:31,680
aid the Imperial Envoy to solve crimes
and earn merit,

667
00:34:31,920 --> 00:34:32,560
or

668
00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:35,400
face certain death.

669
00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:37,120
I can grant you that end this instant.

670
00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:40,920
Ninth Young Lady,

671
00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:43,880
you've picked the wrong foe
to vent your rage on,

672
00:34:44,480 --> 00:34:45,560
taking it all out on me, have you not?

673
00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:50,640
Save your glib words for someone else.

674
00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:52,840
You yearn to walk the righteous path,

675
00:34:53,240 --> 00:34:55,280
sick of a world
where power crushes the weak.

676
00:34:55,880 --> 00:34:57,640
But empty brute force

677
00:34:57,640 --> 00:34:59,400
will only leave you
at the mercy of tyrants,

678
00:34:59,880 --> 00:35:02,320
dragging you deeper into the mire.

679
00:35:03,120 --> 00:35:04,120
As you said yourself,

680
00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:05,960
they're all cut from the same cloth.

681
00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:08,360
But mark my words,

682
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,920
the Envoy is unlike any official
you've known.

683
00:35:16,520 --> 00:35:18,360
He is the Crown Prince of the realm.

684
00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:25,840
The Crown

685
00:35:30,320 --> 00:35:31,160
Prince?

686
00:35:38,880 --> 00:35:40,760
No wonder there are Imperial Guards
and hand cannons.

687
00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:48,400
This game is beyond me.

688
00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:50,480
I take my leave.

689
00:35:51,360 --> 00:35:52,320
Zhao Ling, wait!

690
00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:55,520
Can you truly resign yourself

691
00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:57,960
to being a pawn
on their gambling table forever?

692
00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:01,240
Pretending to be Jiuweijiao
is no great feat.

693
00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:03,440
With your talent,

694
00:36:03,440 --> 00:36:04,400
you could hold the game's reins,

695
00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:05,240
place your own bets,

696
00:36:05,240 --> 00:36:06,640
and achieve more than he ever could.

697
00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,080
Ninth Young Lady,
you're full of schemes,

698
00:36:09,080 --> 00:36:10,480
fully capable of handling
all this alone.

699
00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:12,520
Why drag me into this mess?

700
00:36:17,600 --> 00:36:18,680
Unmarried women

701
00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:20,840
can't navigate official social circles.

702
00:36:21,960 --> 00:36:23,280
I need a man by my side.

703
00:36:30,570 --> 00:36:33,120
(Next Episode)

704
00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:35,000
You possess loyal courage,

705
00:36:35,080 --> 00:36:36,440
and Miss Xie is full of stratagems.

706
00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:38,400
If this case is solved,

707
00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:40,360
I shall bestow great rewards.

708
00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:43,960
I wish to take over
Jiuweijiao's enterprises.

709
00:36:44,720 --> 00:36:45,840
You are his most trusted subordinate.

710
00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:47,080
No one but you

711
00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:48,920
can help me.

712
00:36:49,120 --> 00:36:51,000
I utterly detest the Ninth Young Lady,

713
00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:52,080
as you well know.

714
00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:53,520
Why must you choose her

715
00:36:53,520 --> 00:36:55,080
to stand before me and irk my eyes?

716
00:36:55,200 --> 00:36:56,920
Do you loathe her,
or loathe my decision?

717
00:36:57,240 --> 00:36:58,840
If you wish to sit at my table,

718
00:36:59,680 --> 00:37:00,720
either obey my will,

719
00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:01,920
or

720
00:37:02,840 --> 00:37:03,800
take your leave.

721
00:37:15,601 --> 00:37:19,921
♪The past brushes by
like a falling leaf♪

722
00:37:23,521 --> 00:37:27,881
♪So light, yet my steps still pause
for you♪

723
00:37:30,001 --> 00:37:34,641
♪Through every rise and fall,
our memories remain without regret♪

724
00:37:34,881 --> 00:37:37,681
♪Carved into the rings of time♪

725
00:37:38,841 --> 00:37:43,481
♪How I wish I could stay
a little longer, but I can't♪

726
00:37:46,681 --> 00:37:53,521
♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill
my eyes with tears♪

727
00:37:54,401 --> 00:38:00,921
♪Etched deep within my heart,
yet buried without a word♪

728
00:38:01,881 --> 00:38:05,321
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

729
00:38:05,841 --> 00:38:10,041
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

730
00:38:10,321 --> 00:38:16,001
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

731
00:38:28,121 --> 00:38:32,001
♪For one fleeting moment, I found you
in the crowd♪

732
00:38:35,921 --> 00:38:39,921
♪Without a word, you lit up
half my life♪

733
00:38:41,641 --> 00:38:46,321
♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

734
00:38:46,641 --> 00:38:49,321
♪Kept close within my heart♪

735
00:38:50,401 --> 00:38:55,241
♪From now on, no one else
is worth waiting for♪

736
00:38:58,761 --> 00:39:05,681
♪I turn away, afraid no one
will ever come home to me again♪

737
00:39:06,561 --> 00:39:13,041
♪If we can build our future together,
no storm can chill my heart♪

738
00:39:13,921 --> 00:39:17,441
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

739
00:39:17,881 --> 00:39:22,241
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

740
00:39:22,441 --> 00:39:28,161
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪