Original subtitles

=Yummy Yummy Yummy=

=Episode 4=

No one's eating?

Listen,

this whole "bowing for blessings" thing,

how could he believe that?

And he actually let us out.

In my opinion, it's all thanks to our ancestor.

Bonds across generations.

Even if bones break,

the sinews stay connected.

He didn't believe it at all.

Then why did he release us?

Exactly.

Vice Prefect, if you want me to leave,

I'll take my family and go.

Just say the word.

That's not what I meant.

It's just

that my childhood memories

of the Shen family are unclear.

Many things require confirmation.

Anyway, he didn't believe it.

What time is it now?

How can you still eat?

Exactly.

Since coming to Yong'an,

we've made too many mistakes.

We must review them thoroughly

and figure out whose faults they are.

Sorry, Mom.

My mistake.

I bear responsibility.

As for worshipping the ancestor,

I suggested it.

But you can't blame it

all on me.

If you ask me,

the biggest responsibility lies

with Jicai.

How is this my fault?

How isn't it...?

How isn't it your fault?

You told one lie

and needed a hundred more to cover it.

Wasn't it you who claimed to be

the ancestor's fiancee with that upside-down logic?

Huh?

It...

No words now?

And tracing it back,

I blame her more.

Tell me,

if you hadn't dragged us into filming that short video,

would we be here?

I'd be sleeping soundly at home.

Would I be in Yong'an?

I agree on this point.

What does this have to do with my video?

The script you wrote was about our family

traveling back to ancient times

to cook for our ancestor, right?

Yeah. That dish... What was it called?

- Spring Water Lamb! - Spring Water Lamb!

Auntie's script was about time travel, right?

Jicai,

think carefully.

What else did your script say?

Auntie's script said

that our family accidentally traveled to ancient times,

met a cold-blooded,

ruthless ancestor,

and finally, on a full moon night,

moved him with a perfect bowl

of Spring Water Lamb.

Then we returned to the modern era.

Thinking carefully,

the current plot

really matches my script

almost exactly.

Then this is simple.

Let's just keep acting

according to Jicai's script.

On the full moon night,

make a pot of Spring Water Lamb

for the ancestor.

Won't we go back then?

But the ancestor's suspicion of us

grows heavier.

We must find a way to stabilize him,

or we'll be sliced up

before the full moon.

How do we stabilize him?

By having you break

your limits for a marriage?

Stop talking nonsense!

Listen, if you keep spouting that,

when we all leave,

we'll leave you here alone.

Everyone,

bonding

happens

meal by meal.

Our ancestor eats

prison-like food daily.

If we cook something good,

and he eats happily,

won't he be easier to talk to?

Young Master, if you don't verify

the records of the Cui case personally,

you won't rest easy.

By rights, I should go with you.

But the Court of Judicial Review is heavily guarded.

I...

dare not go.

I can only urge you, Young Master,

to be cautious in all things.

Excellent.

Young Master, without my protection,

you must be careful.

(East Kitchen)

Just marinating meat at night,

why do I feel like a thief?

Vice Prefect.

Good evening, Vice Prefect.

If nothing's wrong, I'll head off first.

You can recognize me?

(TV dramas never lie!)

(Ancient people truly believed)

(that a face mask was a disguise.)

Vice Prefect, your stature is exceptional,

elegant,

and unmatched.

Of course, I recognize you.

Sneaking around late at night,

what are you doing?

Vice Prefect, please don't say that.

Look at yourself...

I didn't get full

from porridge and steamed buns tonight.

I wanted to check the kitchen

for leftovers,

but I found nothing.

You're traveling at night,

must be important business?

Relax.

I saw nothing.

Nothing at all.

(She's threatening me.)

I know where you come from

and your purpose

at Yunshui Manor.

(How could the ancestor know)

(that I'm from the modern era?)

Take me to see them.

Take you to see them?

You want to return with us?

No, that'd cause chaos!

I promise!

I promise to take you back!

(Agreeing so easily)

(and taking me to meet those behind her,)

(is she afraid to die)

(or scheming something else?)

(Am I insane?)

(Promising to take an ancient person to the modern era?)

(Have I lost my mind?)

What do your people

say?

My people?

(Not those crappy relatives, right?)

(Wait, how does he know everything?)

(But who dares question this brutal ancestor?)

Speak!

What plans do those people

have for me?

What plans could they have for you?

They'd be terrified seeing you!

We want to find a way back, too.

But we're unsure.

Promising to take you

is just... doing our best.

Even if we take you,

they might refuse to see you.

They don't even see us,

and they rejected our New Year visits over a dozen times!

Our family's fallen on hard times.

We're utterly unwelcome there.

So,

those people abandoned you?

Then what's the use of keeping you?

That's too harsh.

Selecting you

and arranging you here.

There must be a reason.

I wish I knew why, too!

Vice Prefect, rest assured.

If we find a way,

we'll take you back.

Okay?

Why would he want to come home with us?

Did you misunderstand something?

He recently thought

we were his fake relatives.

How does he know everything now?

I'm shocked too.

I wish it were a misunderstanding.

Honestly,

he's truly our ancestor.

All-knowing and omnipotent.

Dad, another mouth

to feed back home.

We return with nothing,

struggling to feed ourselves.

How can we support him?

But he is our ancestor.

If he asks,

can we descendants do nothing?

That's not right.

Filial piety, huh?

Our restaurant's

nearly bankrupt.

You'll starve yourself,

still thinking of supporting him?

Fine.

Since he's your ancestor,

you figure out how to feed him.

That's not what I mean.

Look, first, we travel back.

Then,

see if we can return here.

If successful,

we fetch the ancestor.

But likely, we can't return.

Because this travel

isn't reversible.

Then, we can't

fetch him,

and he can't

hold us

accountable.

Right?

My point is that

he can't blame us.

What do you think?

The people behind the Shen family

abandoned them,

yet sent them here.

That makes...

no sense!

Young Master,

why not interrogate

the Shen family privately?

Wouldn't the truth surface?

Scaring them

was one thing.

Real torture is inappropriate.

This isn't our place.

Everything near the capital requires utmost caution.

Torture is easy.

Dealing with the aftermath isn't.

Young Master, consider this.

Could sending

these five fools

be meant

to lull you?

You mean,

against smart opponents,

you predict their moves.

But when it comes to fools,

they are

unpredictable.

Thus, achieving an unexpected victory?

Yes!

I find you

increasingly perceptive lately.

Young Master, you think so too?

I kept them hoping to trace the source.

But they seem

to be useless pawns.

They can't stay.

Last night, I failed to find the Cui case files

at the Court of Judicial Review.

I'll go again tonight.

Meanwhile,

you handle the Shen family.

Bury

everything here.

Bury?

Wait, this task...

to me?

I don't want to harm anyone.

But I must protect my Young Master.

I must guard him well.

Brother!

Wake up!

Wake...

I truly can't bring myself to do it.

Deeper.

Dig deeper!

Deeper!

You're awake?

How are you awake?

Dramas lie!

You can't knock someone out.

Dad!

Who's there?

That guy broke curfew! After him!

Gongcai! Gongcai, wake up!

Gongcai.

Gongcai!

What's happening?

Lin Yan, you...

Shhh!

Vice Prefect, please!

A thief fled toward Yunshui Manor!

We must search!

Vice Prefect.

Vice Prefect!

What are you doing?

You dare ask?

Vice Prefect, please!

Caught traveling at night, huh?

Vice Prefect!

What now?

I can save you.

But remember, you owe me.

Apologies, everyone.

Tonight, I was traveling outside

and breaking curfew.

Lady,

that night traveler

seemed like

a man.

The night is deep.

Surely you misjudged, sir.

It was me.

I'm the Vice Prefect's cousin.

Tonight, Vice Prefect was hungry.

He's always particular.

I went out

hoping to find the night market.

Sorry for the trouble.

Lady, do you not know

that breaking curfew is a grave crime?

I do. But Vice Prefect...

Knowing violation increases the penalty!

No! No...

I... didn't know! I misspoke!

I'm new to Yong'an and unfamiliar...

Vice Prefect.

Apologies for troubling everyone.

Patrolling at night and encountering this...

My cousin traveled

for my sake,

not willful violation.

She grew up

where curfews were lax.

She was new to Yong'an customs.

And

a young lady

could hardly cause trouble.

Could we follow the law:

pay a fine,

pledge

no future offenses?

Is that okay?

If you say so,

it...

Thank you.

Without you all,

Yong'an wouldn't be this peaceful.

My family and I

never intended to harm you.

Why did you try to kill us?

You covered for me earlier

only because you feared exposure.

A dignified Vice Prefect

sneaking around at night,

your secret is clearly worse!

But we truly saw you as...

as family!

We promised to take you back.

Do you know how hard that is?

Of course, it's hard.

You spies were

long abandoned by your masters.

You could never take me back.

Spies?

You think we're spies

planted near you?

Aren't you?

You're insane.

Call those soldiers back

and let them see what we are!

My family's only plan

was shelter

and finding a way...

home!

Yesterday, you said you'd return with us.

We thought,

however difficult,

we'd try for you.

Yet you suspect us of spying!

What spy would offer

to take you to their base?

Answer that!

Then earlier,

you said you didn't know why you were "arranged" here.

What does that mean?

Who arranged it?

What arrangement?

Vice Prefect Lin,

is it possible I meant

"why did fate arrange this"?

We didn't want to be stranded in Yong'an, yet here we are.

I don't know why fate arranges things this way!

Then,

how could you easily open

that lock with Huoxun Kingdom numerals?

Huoxun Kingdom numerals?

Vice Prefect,

for the trade, we learn

all counting methods.

What's strange?

I opened that lock by accident!

Eight is homophonic

for prosper.

Is it difficult for merchants?

Next time, if you need anything,

ask on the spot!

Don't invent

Huoxun spy

nonsense later!

How could you think that up?

The sow trotters...

aren't done yet.

I...

Vice Prefect,

please open your eyes.

My brother was drugged unconscious,

yet he snores on the spot.

My dad...

My dad follows my mom.

My mom! My niece, who's barely a few years old!

Who here looks capable of opposing you?

Liu Chang!

Wake up!

Liu Chang,

why did you do this?

Didn't you say that day?

Eyes narrowed, gazing into the distance,

"You handle the Shen family.

Bury everything here."

You told me!

I meant bury the matter,

not the family!

Detain them somewhere,

isn't that fine?

Detain?

Clearly, house arrest!

Lin Yan, do you know what we did tonight?

Cooked a whole table of delicacies

to thank you.

For this meal,

I marinated the meat in the kitchen last night

and wanted to surprise you.

And you?

Your conscience eaten by dogs?

- Lady Shen... - Shut up!

Alright.

I...

misunderstood our Young Master's meaning.

My deepest apologies.

This is how you misunderstand?

Your misunderstanding

nearly buried my family alive!

The misunderstanding was mine.

Your anger is justified,

but I must

still apologize.

Young Master...

Don't blame him!

It's all my fault.

Punishment, beating, or scolding,

I accept it all!

Sorry, Uncle!

Sorry, Auntie! Sorry, Yangyang!

Sorry, Lady Shen!

Enough! Enough!

Stop this!

Vice Prefect, get up!

- Okay, Vice Prefect. - Fine.

- I know. - Okay. Fine.

- Alright, alright. - Get up first.

It seems you two

truly realize your wrongs.

Let this matter pass.

But Vice Prefect Lin,

we do request your help.

We'd like to rely on our family ties

to stay here temporarily.

We have zero ulterior motives.

We also hope

you will stop such suspicions.

I'm truly sorry.

Then... this is settled?

Forget it, forget it.

Forget it.

- Here, Vice Prefect. - Come.

- Sit down. - Improper.

Listen to me!

Come here.

Sit down, Vice Prefect.

Eat it! Yangyang, here.

Starving.

Liu Chang,

eat it!

- This bamboo shoot is tasty. - Not bad.

Eat it.

- Delicious! - Eat more, Vice Prefect.

Nourish your brain.

Thank you, Lady Shen.

Vice Prefect, I'll wash them.

I'll wash them.

Brother Shen, the fault was mine first.

Such small tasks should be mine.

No, this is my job.

Plus, you're our...

landlord!

This isn't proper.

- I'll do it. - No need.

Really, I insist.

- No way. - Improper.

Stop arguing.

Let my brother wash.

Vice Prefect, please come with me.

Go.

Go. I'll handle this.

Oh my, you're washing dishes for me?

I don't want a shortened lifespan.

This is a snack from Qingyang,

rice tofu.

The process is complicated,

and it's freshly made.

Knowing you have had a hard time these years,

you must miss the taste of home.

So I specially made this snack for you.

You almost buried us alive.

And we're still being so good to you.

Aren't you touched?

If you are touched,

then next time, don't do such wicked things.

Sorry.

What were you doing out at night?

About some things,

it's better to know less.

Got it.

I got it.

Only people from Qingyang

know how to make rice tofu.

(Not necessarily. People on the internet know too.)

You said

you wanted to go home,

meaning back to Qingyang?

Actually,

our hometown isn't Qingyang either.

We went to Qingyang later and met...

your parents.

Anyway, it was very circuitous.

We couldn't settle down anywhere,

and finally we came to Yong'an.

But we still really want

to go back to our real home.

Don't worry.

One day,

we'll find a way.

Enough talk, hurry up and eat it.

It won't taste good if it sits too long.

Rice tofu is mostly made savory,

but I like it sweet,

so I made yours sweet.

In the past,

my mother liked to make it sweet too.

Over ten years,

I can hardly remember its taste now.

Your saying

makes my heart soften. I can't stay mad at you.

Regarding today's events,

it was truly my fault.

I hope you can forgive me.

Before he knew Lady Shen,

his personality was cold-blooded, ruthless, and merciless.

He isn't really as vicious as Grandpa said.

What?

I'm saying that for a Vice Prefect like you,

being willing to admit you're wrong and willing to change

is rare.

Actually, seeing you like this,

my family stopped being angry long ago.

What about you?

Then what about you?

Do you trust the Shen family now?

(Sushui City)

(Prince Zhao's Mansion)

(Prince Zhao)

(Li Ang, Fourth Son of Prince Zhao)

I won!

Let me tell you,

if Anran were here,

this game of Chupu

wouldn't have been so easy for me to win.

So boring!

Dad, how many times

have you mentioned Lin Yan?

I think

he must be your real son.

You named him Yan,

following the radical pattern

used in our brothers' names.

One day,

we might as well have him acknowledge his ancestors.

If he really were my own son,

that would actually be better.

What about the letter you sent to Anran?

You gave the order,

how dare I disobey?

The letter has probably arrived by now.

(Gentle and Calm)

Young Master.

Young Master!

This is from His Highness, Prince Zhao,

written from Sushui City.

But didn't His Highness say that

since you entered the capital

and gained His Majesty's favor,

he should avoid suspicion

and reduce

this kind of correspondence?

Perhaps there's something urgent.

(I'm gratified to hear it.)

(She is first to know the situation.)

(Those close to her can also know it.)

Prince Zhao

wants me to find a way to get close to Princess Fuhui

to find out about court developments.

Princess Fuhui?

Is that the one

whose consort fell off a cliff and has been in a coma for over ten years?

The one with the hobby

of widely collecting close servants?

Yes.

But

why would Prince Zhao suddenly

care about court movements?

His Highness has always cared about the common people.

Maybe he just...

wants to care about it?

By the way,

last night I infiltrated the Court of Judicial Review

and looked at the files from the Cui case.

The evidence was solidly fabricated.

The mastermind behind it

must have deep roots in the court

to pull that off.

Then, aren't we in big trouble?

Young Master,

I observe that

you always seem to hold something back

from His Highness.

You've never even mentioned

our plans to overturn the case to him.

At this point,

don't you want

to ask His Highness for help?

Back then, when we fled the Cui family,

wandering destitute,

it was His Highness who lent a hand.

We only survived because of him.

His Highness has been kind to both of us.

I don't want

to implicate him one day.

The Fifth Master Xiao mentioned in Dad's notes

is probably the one from the Princess's family.

The Princess has wide connections at court

and is Fifth Master Xiao's wife.

Getting close to her

is bound to yield new clues.

By the way,

the Shen family

complained that our kitchen cooking is too plain

and they couldn't get used to it.

They insisted on cooking for themselves.

I said that wouldn't do.

They're such a strange family.

If I let them into the kitchen,

what if one day they poison

our food?

Lady Shen was right.

They are indeed simpletons.

They'd never be chosen as spies,

no matter what.

Besides, up until now,

only I've hurt them.

They truly haven't wronged me

in the slightest.

Then...

do I still need to keep an eye on them?

No need.

Their rice tofu

is very authentic.

From now on, they can use the kitchen freely.

You go buy more ingredients, too.

So fragrant.

Choose a lamb with a good mix of lean and fat meat,

and simmer it slowly over low heat for two full hours.

Clear broth, tender meat, and aroma wafting everywhere.

This can absolutely be called

a perfect pot

of Spring Water Lamb!

It's definitely not that perfect.

Why?

But I can prove it.

This is absolutely the best-tasting Spring Water Lamb

your dad is capable of making.

Want it to be better?

Absolutely impossible.

Honey, could you just

occasionally praise me once?

Alright, alright! Quick! Taste it!

Everyone, taste it!

Perfect! Dad is the best!

Really?

- Here, I'll pick you a piece. - Tasty.

Here.

So, as long as we use this perfect pot of Spring Water Lamb

to move our ancestor

on the full moon night,

we can return to modern times?

Most likely, yes.

But the full moon night is still several days away.

How about

we use this last bit of time

to make some money?

Good!

When we came,

weren't my gold jewelry

and Yangyang's longevity lock

all brought over?

Then, the money we earn here,

if we exchange it for gold,

we can take it back, too?

Absolutely, we can!

Okay then! So tomorrow we'll continue...

continue making

- Jian... - Bing...

- Guo... - Zi!

Yeah.

Yeah!

(Shaoguang's Food Notes)

(Let's see the officials' canteen in Yong'an.)

(Speaking of exploiting the ancestor,)

(let me read you the daily ration allocated to Vice Prefect Lin:)

(2.2 sheng of fine rice and 8 ge of non-glutinous rice.)

(2.4 sheng of flour, 1.5 sheng of wine, and 4 fen of lamb.)

(4 ge of sauce, 4 ge of vinegar, and 3 melons.)

(Salt, fermented beans, scallions, ginger, mallow, leeks, etc.)

(If he must attend the court, he'll eat at the canteen at noon.)

(Leaving one portion of rations behind.)

(During festivals, the Emperor bestows various sundries too.)

(Since Vice Prefect Lin usually just eats steamed buns, rice, and pickles,)

(leaving it would be a waste.)

(So we'll confiscate it all to use for the shop.)

♪Wear a sunset glow upon the brow♪

♪Breeze sways, wind chimes hang below the cloud♪

♪Hear one chime ring, tugging at the heart♪

♪True feelings perhaps can only be sensed♪

♪Misty is you, clear is you♪

♪Seeking stars in fog, seeing your shadow under the moon♪

♪Words held back, feelings unrestrained♪

♪Could the road ahead, let us gaze but not doubt♪

♪Mistook all eyes see as cold ice♪

♪Yet let dusk dye the ears and temples red♪

♪Even holding breath couldn't help but stop♪

♪Exposing my warmed heart held tight♪

♪Bustling is you, desolate is you♪

♪Reservedly drawing you into this life♪

♪Hesitating, undecided, the heart hard to deceive♪

♪Worldly rules and taboos, how could they make me give up♪

♪When rushing to you, thoughts in disarray, ruining my sinking♪

♪I still foolishly see it as a good time♪

♪Heart stirs, wind swirls the lightest ripples♪

♪A thousand tangled thoughts concealed♪

♪Saved a whole lifetime, hastening to you, urgent over miles♪

♪To make the wandering heart return home henceforth♪

♪To draw near what seems beyond reach♪

♪Through life and death changes, only we never cease, never yield♪

♪Perhaps affection barely passes muster♪

♪But love forever♪

♪Will make up for our mutual care, mutual bond♪

♪Saved a whole lifetime, hastening to you, urgent over miles♪

♪To make the wandering heart return home from now♪

♪To dare approach what seems beyond reach♪

♪Through life and death changes♪

♪Only you, never cease, never yield♪