Original subtitles

[Spring of The Blade]

[Episode 17]

So this is the wish-granting tree

you told me about?

Wait here.

Sir, one wishing plaque, please.

Thank you.

Make a wish.

Your Lordship,

what did you wish for?

Whether my wish comes true or not

doesn't depend on the will of Heaven,

but solely on myself.

So this wish of mine

is for you.

I wish you

auspiciousness every day

and that all your wishes come true.

Shen Run,

I saw you in him

once again.

Now, I can no longer tell the difference between you two.

Is he the person I'm missing?

Perhaps you two really are the same person.

It's said that

Lord Yan Rui from the capital

has swift and decisive methods

and a heart of steel.

He kills corrupt officials,

suppresses famine,

and exterminates northern bandits.

The whole nation is shocked,

and the people praise him.

Great!

But everyone,

do you really think

he is a court official?

An informant

has brought news.

That Lord Yan

isn't even surnamed Yan!

He's a

fake!

A fake?

He's a fake.

A fake?

My Lady.

Lord Yan asked me to tell you

that Cui is fine now

and will be released from prison soon.

Okay, got it.

Did you hear?

That Lord Yan, who provided disaster relief,

is a fake.

What?

Impersonating a court official

is a capital offense!

Keep your voice down.

People are watching.

The real Lord Yan is already dead.

This person right now

is just a mere commoner

who borrowed the identity,

took the title,

and transformed himself

into a great official!

Is that so?

You ask who he is?

It's scary to say.

This person walks the dark path

and talks about rules.

His sword never leaves his side.

When unsheathed, it must see blood.

Legend has it

that in one night,

he beheaded 17 people.

No one has seen him

strike a second time.

Now you know

why he comes from a civil official background,

but can brave the northern bandits.

What?

So he's a bandit.

No wonder he acts so unconventionally.

So what if he is fake?

We still like him even if he is fake.

He works for us common people.

Yes.

Yes.

What? Are we not allowed to speak our minds?

Between true and false,

it's hard to tell loyalty from treason.

Listen to me tell you

the details.

In just one night,

the rumors about Lord Yan's identity

have spread all over Hengtang.

Qingyuan, if you are worried,

why don't you go see him?

I heard

Concubine Mei is not doing well

and might be sent out of the residence.

She deserves it.

Fourth Lady.

The case is settled.

You can leave now.

Yes.

Have you thought about where to go?

Can someone like me

still choose my own future?

Yes, you can.

I can arrange a new identity for you

and give you some money to settle down.

You can go anywhere,

choose to get married,

or start a small business.

You can live

any kind of life you want.

No one will know you.

What do you need me to do?

You don't need to do anything for me.

Do you

not hate me?

You were just a pawn.

Even without you,

there would be someone else.

Cui'er,

live your life well.

When you have the ability,

help those around you

so they can also have the right to choose.

That would be the best way to repay me.

Thank you.

Baoxian.

Baoxian.

She fell asleep.

Isn't Lord Yan with you?

I'm here precisely because of him.

Do you know

he bears heavy responsibilities?

[Danyue Pavilion]

Now, because of you,

he is distracted

and delaying important matters.

If you know him,

you should know that

once he makes up his mind,

no one can sway him.

It's impossible for me to change him.

This path

guarantees certain death.

Any slight distraction

will make him fail completely.

So having you by his side

is a disaster waiting to happen.

[Danyue Pavilion]

Che.

Step aside!

If you still remember your family name,

let me get rid of this disaster!

For what we need to do,

what good does it do?

If it reminds you

of our family's deep grievances,

her death won't be in vain!

[Danyue Pavilion]

Che.

I have never forgotten.

For so many years,

I lived like a walking corpse.

Only when I am by her side

do I feel alive.

[Danyue Pavilion]

You only have one life.

You have a mission to fulfill.

The sword in your hand cannot rust because of feelings.

Think it through.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Who is he?

And what are the deep grievances he just mentioned?

Living in this world,

it's inevitable to have some feuds.

He and I walked out of the same hell.

We bear the same blood debts.

It's just that

he suffers more than I do.

Yan Rui thinks I'm acting out of hatred,

hating him for falling in love.

No.

He is wrong.

What I fear is not Xie Qingyuan herself,

but the people possibly pulling strings behind her.

The Xie family knows too well how to kill.

What if they don't use blades,

but tenderness?

You can't gamble your life on a moment of weakness.

Xie Qingyuan might be innocent,

but what I must do

[Frugality Cultivates Virtue]

cannot risk any "what-ifs"

and "perhaps."

I'm not killing your beloved.

I'm just eliminating every

possibility that could destroy you.

Che.

What are you doing here?

Do you know how agonizing it was

to lie under Mother's dead body,

and feel her body

turn cold

bit by bit?

Do you know that

I crawled out of a pile of dead bodies?

I faced that dead silence for so long.

Those people

were all our family.

You don't know.

That's why,

for your own selfish feelings,

you forgot

the responsibility on our shoulders.

Che.

I really thought you were dead back then.

Until I saw you again later,

I didn't know you had suffered so much.

Yes.

I've fallen for Qingyuan.

If hatred is involuntary,

what about love?

Can I control love?

But I know

I can control my own life.

My life is tied to yours.

Before our father's name is cleared,

and before our enemies pay in blood,

I will never waver.

I just hope...

I just hope that after we resolve everything,

we can let go of the past

and live a good life.

Somebody...

Somebody!

Second Madam,

it is time for you to leave.

Where am I going?

On the orders of the Head Madam,

I am to take you to the estate

to pray for the Old Madam.

I am not going.

Since marrying into this residence,

I never planned to leave this house.

I'm not going anywhere.

I almost forgot.

Eldest Young Master

has sent a letter.

Give my son's letter

to me.

[Respectfully to Madam Mei of the Xie family in Hengtang, from Xie Zhenglun]

After committing such a grave mistake,

you don't deserve to read the letter from a Xie family descendant.

You lowly maidservant!

From now on,

-the Eldest and Second Young Master -Give me the letter.

will be registered under the Head Madam's name.

Take her away.

Yes.

You lowly maidservant!

Give me the letter!

Stop!

What are you doing?

Second Young Master.

Mother.

Mother!

Get lost!

Zhengjun.

Mother.

Help me.

Your brother sent a letter.

When he left,

I couldn't even see him off.

I want to see what he said to me in the letter.

-Mother. -Help me.

Okay.

Okay.

Mother, don't worry.

Take it easy. I will find a way.

I will think of something.

[Wuzhu Courtyard]

Madam,

the one in Liuhua Courtyard

is probably so angry

that she is about to draw her last breath.

If she really doesn't survive,

she only has herself to blame.

She was competitive her whole life.

Even now,

she's still so stubborn.

Madam,

Young Master Zhengjun

is still waiting outside.

[Wuzhu Courtyard]

Second Young Master.

The Head Madam

has been feeling unwell recently.

She just lay down and hasn't gotten up yet.

Why don't you

come back to visit another day?

I'll just wait here.

Madam.

Young Master Zhengjun said

he'd just wait there.

Forget it.

Let him in.

Head Madam.

I just heard my brother sent a letter.

Could you give me the letter

-so my mother... -I know why you are here.

But do you know

why I made you kneel in the rain for so long?

Your brother

went to the battlefield.

You're now the only man in the Xie family.

We have

high hopes for you,

and we hope you can be sensible

and shoulder the responsibilities of the Xie family.

Your Mother

is a sinner of the Xie family.

According to the rules,

she has no right to read this letter.

So,

I ought to withhold it.

You are absolutely right, Head Madam.

But the bond between my mother and me runs deep.

I really cannot bear to see her

in such a difficult situation.

Zhengjun, you've grown up.

You know how to care for people now.

Good.

Good.

I know you're a filial and good child.

But you must understand that

she

is currently bearing guilt.

If you blindly get close to her,

I'm afraid

it will displease your father

and affect your bright future.

You and Zhenglun

are now registered under my name.

You're like my own biological sons.

I hope you

understand my intentions.

Perhaps

your older brother's words

will carry some weight with your father.

I understand.

Thank you, Head Madam.

Mother has been locked up.

I heard that soon,

she will be sent to that remote estate.

What should we do now?

[Mother has been locked up. I heard that soon,]

[she will be sent to that remote estate.]

[What should we do now?]

Grandmother asked me to call you for dinner.

No matter the problem,

you must first take care of your health

before thinking of a way.

Fourth Sister.

Do you hate my mother and me?

Those things

were all done by Second Madam herself.

The sins of the parents don't fall upon their children.

I can still distinguish right from wrong

and won't take my anger out on others.

I'm sorry.

Are you writing a letter to Big Brother?

They're taking my mother to the estate.

Usually, Brother makes the decisions

on all the major matters.

I want to consult him.

But he is already working very hard at the front line,

so you don't want to bother him with family matters?

I'll help you.

Everything is fine at home.

[To my dear brother]

Do not worry.

The weather has been getting colder recently.

I hope you take care of yourself, brother.

Put on more clothes

and stay warm.

Mother and I

miss you very much.

We pray day and night

for your good health.

Everything at home

is the same.

Mother is in good health.

I am studying diligently

without slacking off.

I hope you

can find time

to write us a letter

to ease our longing.

We also pray for

your early triumph

and safe return home.

[I hope you can find time to write us a letter]

[to ease our longing.]

[Everything is fine at home. Do not worry. The weather has been getting colder recently.]

[I hope you take care of yourself, brother. Put on more clothes and stay warm.]

Second Brother.

Please make sure to send a trusted person

to deliver this to Big Brother.

Don't let anyone else handle this.

Fourth Sister.

Thank you.

[Everything is fine at home. Do not worry.]

Zhengjun has really grown up.

He knows to report only the good news now.

That won't do.

[Your brother, Zhengjun]

Send this to Zhenglun immediately.

It must not be delayed.

Yes, Madam.

The rainy season in Hengtang has arrived.

I wonder how many flowers and plants

won't survive this time.

Make way!

[Dongmen General Store]

Make way!

Make way!

Make way!

-This way, General. -Report!

Please.

To the family of General Xie Zhenglun,

Vanguard General

of the Ningwu Army.

Since the flames of war ignited at the border,

your son Zhenglun,

loyal and courageous,

rose up

and requested to fight.

He left his home to face the crisis.

He was besieged in an isolated city.

The city fell,

and to protect the people,

he was pierced by countless arrows.

His sacrifice cannot be repaid.

In his final moments,

his mind was still clear.

He remembered your deep grace in raising him,

and regretted that he could not return to care for you.

His words were choked with sobs,

and everyone who heard him was moved.

His loyal and courageous act

and his awe-inspiring heroism

are enough to be a model for the whole army,

and admired by future generations.

I sincerely hope you

and your family will restrain your grief

and take care of yourselves.

His heroic deeds

will surely go down in history

and be remembered forever.

April 20th, 8th year of Jingxi.

Delivered by urgent horse relay.

Zhenglun!

My grandson!

How could you bear to let an elderly like me

bury a young man like you?

Mother! Mother!

Mother, please restrain your grief.

My son!

Second Brother.

About the letter you sent that day,

are you sure

it didn't pass through anyone else's hands?

I don't know what to do.

I can't care about anything else now.

My brother is gone.

What should I do?

What will happen to Mother now?

He was fine the last time he wrote.

My condolences.

But this matter is of great importance.

Second Brother, please think it over.

Here you are.

Qingyuan.

Come with me.

Recently,

much has happened in the household,

with Zhenglun's passing being a huge blow.

After mulling it over,

in this family,

I only feel assured

entrusting this matter to you.

Whatever you order,

as far as I'm capable,

I will definitely do my best.

[Respectfully to Madam Mei of the Xie family in Hengtang]

This is the letter Zhenglun

wrote to Concubine Mei.

Concubine Mei is a sinner,

and I was afraid she'd cause more trouble,

so I held onto it.

Concubine Mei

killed your biological mother.

She also paid the price she deserved.

But no matter what,

she is Zhenglun's biological mother.

Respect for the dead comes first.

This letter can be considered Zhenglun's last words.

Take this letter

along with the obituary

and give them to Concubine Mei.

If you can,

comfort her with a few words.

Yes.

If you don't finish washing

these clothes today,

you're not allowed to eat tonight.

You'll be locked in the woodshed!

She's not asking me to deliver

a letter today.

It's clearly the last straw

that will break Mei Yinghua.

Nanny Qin.

Fourth Lady,

why are you here?

I have to talk to Second Madam.

Mother, on the day of my departure,

I was unable to bid you farewell in person.

I feel quite regretful.

I wonder if Zhengjun

is taking good care of you at home.

I miss you very much.

After all, you are the mother

who has cherished me since I was little.

Mother.

When I'm done with my work here,

I'll go home and accompany you.

Whether you want to chant sutras

or go to the estate,

I'll be there with you, alright?

As long as my son, Zhenglun,

is doing well,

I am assured.

Qingyuan.

Thank you.

Is there anything else?

♪ Waiting for a dream to sink into the depths of the night ♪

♪ Waiting for a rain to wash away the heat burning in my eyes ♪

[Eighth year of Jingxi, Emergency Delivery from the Privy Council]

♪ Waiting for a few flowers to bloom, then quietly fall ♪

My son, Zhenglun!

♪ Only then do I understand right from what's wrong and bitter ♪

♪ Pear blossoms drift through the courtyard, fluttering like snowflakes in a song ♪

♪ Singing the silence of love and hate ♪

♪ Which moment is hypothetical, and which is a real choice? ♪

♪ Who is drifting aimlessly in the wind? ♪

Zhenglun...

♪ I wonder why joy is always so scarce in this world ♪

I wasn't the only one who harmed Fifth Madam.

♪ I wonder, is that tear a loss or a gain? ♪

You shouldn't have taken the blame!

♪ Two souls trapped on the opposite banks of life and death ♪

♪ May you and I overcome karma's bonds ♪

Zhenglun...

Mother!

♪ Waiting for a dream to sink into the depths of the night ♪

Zhenglun?

Zhenglun...

♪ Waiting for a rain to wash away the heat burning in my eyes ♪

Hurry.

Come home to me.

♪ Waiting for a few flowers to bloom, then quietly fall ♪

Come here.

♪ Only then do I understand right from what's wrong and bitter ♪

Hurry.

♪ Pear blossoms drift through the courtyard, fluttering like snowflakes in a song ♪

And you.

I told you

♪ Singing the silence of love and hate ♪

to pick this flower.

Go over there.

Take that flowerpot away.

♪ Which moment is hypothetical, and which is a real choice? ♪

Toss it.

Clean this up.

Third Madam is kind-hearted.

♪ Who is drifting aimlessly in the wind? ♪

After how Concubine Mei treated her,

she still took the trouble to send people

to deliver all her belongings to the estate.

Concubine Mei used to be the most arrogant and domineering.

♪ I wonder why joy is always so scarce in this world ♪

She always had to be the best at everything.

Who would have thought she'd end up a lunatic?

♪ I wonder, is that tear a loss or a gain? ♪

Sometimes, going mad

is also a relief.

♪ Two souls trapped on the opposite banks of life and death ♪

Hurry up.

I haven't seen Third Madam for a long time.

I'm going to Hanxiang Parlor.

You go back first.

♪ May you and I overcome karma's bonds ♪

Yes.

♪ No more wandering and worrying ♪

The young master is in mourning for his mother,

and with your eldest brother's passing,

your eldest sister is in an even worse mood.

Fortunately, with your support,

the herbal shop

is able to operate normally.

Eldest Sister and the Young Lord

are deeply in love.

They can't marry because of the mourning period,

which is truly a pity.

We rise

and fall together.

Born into this noble household,

we are destined

to share its honor and disgrace.

Who could ever remain untainted?

So did you purge the ranks...

also to keep the peace in the Xie family?

What are you talking about?

I don't understand.

You knew

Concubine Mei loved flowers,

so you poisoned the soil

and drove her insane.

Right?

Second Madam killed Chunqing.

I was just avenging her.

Third Madam.

If you wanted to avenge my mother,

you could have used this poison 9 years ago.

But why did you have to wait till today?

Isn't it because the mastermind

only gave you permission today?

That day, you publicly

testified for me

not because Qinghe persuaded you, right?

It was because the mastermind

instructed you to.

Right?

This person

is First Madam, right?

Who would have thought

that the much-wronged Head Madam

would be the mastermind behind all this?

It's my fault.

I'm the one

who harmed Chunqing

and Fifth Madam.

She threatened me with that

and made me do her bidding.

It was me.

It was me.

Because I could no longer bear Second Madam's disdain

and oppression,

I told First Madam

the secret that euphorbia and Congxian Grass

are lethal when taken together.

But I really didn't expect that

the one who got harmed in the end

would be Chunqing.

I lived in seclusion because

I didn't want to get involved in their fights anymore.

I didn't want to be involved in their crimes anymore.

But this time...

Although I was instigated by her,

I really wanted to avenge Chunqing,

so I fulfilled her wish!

Third Madam.

I don't hate you.

What I hate is,

why is it that every time

the ones who bear the consequences of these struggles

are always innocent people

like my mother and my eldest brother?

Child.

You don't understand.

If the wind in this world never stops blowing,

the trees in this world

will never stop swaying.

One Concubine Mei has gone mad,

but there will be another.

Qingyuan!