Original subtitles

SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

ADAPTED FROM JIA JIN CHAI, ORIGINAL NOVEL BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY

That old lady went to do laundry with the kids.

They won't be back until dusk.

Plus, she is having a high fever.

She can't get out of bed at all.

You can practically do anything to her.

-Is my gambling debt settled now? -Get lost!

We have a deal!

Who are you?

I'm your husband.

For once, your gambler of a father did not lie.

You are in fact a belle.

Today is my lucky day, then.

Somebody! Help!

How could you do this?

Why would you sell your kind daughter off?

-Money! -Do you know what you're doing?

Whoever pays me 300 coins

gets to be my son-in-law.

300 coins.

-Only 300 coins. -Have you no conscience?

Be nice. Just give in, and you won't suffer much.

Understand?

What's happening?

Help!

You wench.

I'll skin you alive.

-I'll sell your sick mother -Help.

and your sister to the brothel.

They will never to rise again,

trodden underfoot by thousands.

Touch me and you'll wish you were dead.

-It's so quiet in there. -Suddenly, it's silent.

What is going on?

Can you go in and check?

She's out.

So much blood.

So much blood.

She killed him?

Pa.

Your 300 coins.

-It's a head! -Oh my!

No, none of them is like her at all.

Take them away.

Move.

Move.

Forgive me.

I told you to find a person, and this is what you got for me?

Look at them.

None of them is as alluring as Rao.

It's difficult to find another beautiful woman

like Lady Rao in the capital on short notice.

I have visited every corner,

and they are the ones who resemble her the most.

Their eyes or manners are quite similar to hers.

-Perhaps you can take another look? -How ridiculous.

You're foolish and blind.

Rao is an unrivaled beauty.

A true gem.

The creatures you found are nothing like her.

Right, right.

I'll look for more.

Execute her!

‎-Throw it at her. ‎-Stone her to death.

-What is the ruckus? -Stone her to death.

Acting in self-defense is enough to acquit her.

Why did they sentence her to death?

-Murderer! -You're a murderer!

That's unjust.

Justice?

The dead man owned a gambling den.

He was a great bully.

I was told he spent a lot of money to hire a thug to…

Enough!

-Murderer! -Poor thing.

-What a tragedy. -Move aside.

-Don't make things up. -Don't make things up.

Murderer.

Murderer.

Throw it at her!

Murderer!

-Throw it at her. -Throw it at her.

Murderer!

Throw it at her.

-Throw it at her. -Stone her to death.

-Stone her to death. -Stone her to death.

An eye for an eye.

-Die! -Go.

Find out the background of the female prisoner

-and the crime she committed. -Throw it at her.

-Now! -Of course.

Murderer.

Luck is on my side.

-You deserve death! -Throw it at her.

Luck really is on my side.

EARL OF CHENG'AN'S RESIDENCE

-Hurry, this way. -Okay.

Why did you kidnap me?

Wash her. Then, I'll take a closer look.

-Yes. -Come. Quick.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

What do you want?

Clean her up.

Don't touch me!

You are right, Madam.

According to our law,

women who acted in self-defense during rape

will be given 40 lashes.

Their family can also pay a fine in lieu of the sentence.

However, she is poor, so she was given a death sentence.

I went to the court office with my name token

and lied that she was my rogue servant.

I claimed that the rapist was trying to damage our property.

Besides, the Luo family had moved away overnight.

The magistrate knew he had meted out an unfair judgment,

so he didn't do much to stop me.

I got her with just a few golden zhus.

Good. You did well.

First Madam, you can't enter.

Madam!

Yufeng, what brought you here?

You brought someone in this late at night.

Is it something you're trying to hide?

Let's speak outside.

We can do it here.

You have always been very observant, Yufeng.

We can never hide anything from you in this household.

I never intended to keep this from you.

Allow me to explain.

Spare me.

I know what you're up to.

You ought to know that the Lus helped found our nation.

They are a prestigious family,

not a family that has fallen from grace.

They will not be puppeteered by anyone.

Your plan is way too bold.

Calm down, Yufeng.

As the saying goes,

only a ruthless man can achieve greatness.

They forced Rao to marry someone who is as good as dead,

making her a widow for a lifetime.

It's only fair for us to retaliate in kind.

Among the four sons of the Duke,

three fell on the battlefield.

One is a cripple.

Lu Zhuo is the only pillar in their family.

With him gone,

the Lu family is just a toothless tiger

whose bite can never hurt.

Don't you agree, Yufeng?

Moreover, worried that Rao will be affected

by the reputation of her birth mother, Zhou,

Mother rarely allows Rao out all these years.

Not many people have seen her.

Besides, the Lu family is quite preoccupied

with internal and external conflicts.

They have no time to verify her identity.

Once the marital rites have been carried out,

it'll be too late to change anything.

But what if Lu Zhuo survives?

Impossible.

Seven imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Bureau affirm

that he will die soon.

It will take a huge miracle for him to survive.

Then, after a year or two, when things have settled down,

we'll marry Rao off somewhere far away as our adopted daughter.

Now that's better than being a widow for the rest of her life.

I see.

You've always been stubborn.

I can't talk you out of anything.

Show her to me.

If she doesn't look like her,

your plan will not work anyway.

Bring her out.

Lift your head.

Who are you?

What do you think?

Even you are taken aback, aren't you?

She's as close as one could get.

After we doll her up a little,

no one will be able to tell them apart.

Yufeng.

Are you all right?

You look distraught.

So similar.

So similar.

But

she's a bit too tanned.

Her mannerisms

need to be refined as well.

This chamber is damp and stuffy. It makes me sick.

I will head back now. Do what you must.

Yufeng,

please don't tell anyone about this.

If Mother finds out, the plan will fall apart.

A lowly prisoner on death row.

Shouldn't you kneel before me?

Madam, you went out of your way to save someone on death row.

You certainly need something important from me.

It is you who seeks a favor.

You should be

the one who kneels.

-Insolent! -Wait.

I love your audacity.

It seems like I found the right person.

Yes.

I need you to do something for me.

Do it well,

and you'll have a life of wealth.

Fail

and you'll see the guillotine.

In that case,

a life of wealth is a faraway ideal

that I must achieve by risking my life.

I have to do everything, but I might end up with nothing.

This won't work.

Just send me back to the guillotine.

Wait.

You…

What else do you want?

Madam, you're back.

Madam, what did I do this time?

GOVERNESS CHANG

Search her residence.

Will you give me what I want?

Gold or silver

at your disposal.

You are affluent and powerful.

Something only a prisoner on death row can do

must be something extremely dangerous.

I want to see my parents

and 50,000 coins.

What? 50,000 coins?

Greedy, aren't you?

50,000 coins is enough to buy 10 beautiful entertainers.

I'm stupid, clumsy, and can't dance.

Perhaps you can ask the entertainers to do the job.

You…

Fine.

It's nothing.

You'll have it.

Guards!

Take her away.

Have her properly perfumed. Get that stink of poverty off her.

I didn't do it, Madam.

Madam.

I didn't do it.

I have served you half my life.

Why won't you trust me?

Madam.

I carry out your orders dutifully.

Some wicked gossip mongers

must have plotted to make you doubt me.

Smash it open.

It was I who poured in

the boiling quick lime back then.

In an instant, the body dissolved.

It was so scary!

If it weren't for this piece of evidence,

I would have died unjustly!

You have followed me for a long time.

Of course, I trust you.

I just need

reassurance.

Thank you, Madam.

Could this just be a coincidence?

Crying? Why are you crying?

We have found ourselves a generous donor.

50,000 coins!

Your flesh and bones

won't even get me 10 coins.

I sold myself to the Wei family.

From now on, you won't be my parents anymore.

We might not see each other again.

I would like to speak to Mother in private.

Sure.

Go ahead.

I'll just count my coins.

An indenture is not worth 50,000 coins.

You can't take the money.

Ma.

From now on,

I won't be able to look after you.

Please lead a good life with my brothers and sisters.

Forget I ever existed.

I don't need it. Keep it for yourself.

We have to be there before dawn. It's time to go.

It's time to go. Come now.

Go.

Let's go.

They even gave me a plot of land to manage.

We're going to be rich.

Our daughter is having a comfortable life. What's there to worry about? Let's go.

My daughter.

My daughter.

My daughter.

FIVE DAYS LATER

EARL OF CHENG'AN'S RESIDENCE

I am Lu Ya from the Duke's Residence,

here to pick up the bride on behalf of my brother.

FOWL OF PROSPERITY

Bride, please enter the carriage.

LU YA, ELDEST SON OF THE SECOND WIFE OF THE DUKE OF YING

Mother, the auspicious hour is upon us.

Time to have Rao get into the horse carriage.

Wait.

Look. A carriage from Lady Shou'an.

Who is Lady Shou'an?

The distant grandmother of the bride.

I told you not to tell her.

Why did she come?

You think you can hide everything just because you want to?

LADY SHOU'AN

Old Madam Wei, you sure

have picked a great suitor for Rao.

Do not look around. It is unbecoming.

We should have sent someone to greet you.

Why don't we speak inside?

A coward who's too gutless to do anything.

What? Afraid that others would think you sell your niece off

to please the Duke?

Or do you fear the pointing fingers

that you can't even protect the only daughter

of your younger brother?

The marriage between both families has long been arranged.

The heir to the Duke of Ying is handsome

and is a protector of the nation.

If my granddaughter can bring them peace and prosperity,

or even cure my grandson-in-law,

that's her honor.

Do not interrupt us.

Mother had to make difficult decisions.

Lady Shou'an, you accused her wrongly

without knowing the full story.

We are part of a bigger family.

Lest the outsiders gossip about us,

I invite you to talk in private inside the house.

No need.

We are no longer a family.

I came here today to give my granddaughter some gifts.

As per His Majesty's decree,

EARL OF CHENG'AN'S RESIDENCE

"Lu Zhuo, the heir to the Duke of Ying,

is a valiant warrior

who has protected our society from invaders.

The daughter of the Earl of Cheng'an

is a prestigious woman of virtues

and embodies the morals of feminine codes.

To extend my well wishes for their eternal union,

the bride shall be bestowed a set of golden crowns and hairpins,

and one crimson ritual garment.

These gifts will exalt the bride's virtue and worthiness

and honor the loyalty of our valiant defender of the realm."

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It is indeed a golden crown.

No one can wear it

except for the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the consorts.

So someone in the palace is voicing support for the daughter.

Wear the crown and lift the fan!

Please don't do it!

Greetings, Lady Shou'an.

I believe the groom

should be the one to remove the fan.

Him? He's in bed, unconscious.

How can he lift the fan?

Just back off.

You're worried it's bad luck too, right?

Fine. I won't remove your fan.

I'll walk you to the carriage.

Grandmother.

Good girl.

Wei Rao.

You're so lucky to have grandparents

who care so much about you.

Allow me to repay their kindness on your behalf.

MAY JOY ALWAYS FIND YOU MAY WE NEVER BE FORGOTTEN TO EACH OTHER

The Weis and the Lus have long had a marital arrangement.

The groom is heavily injured and needs a celebration to turn his luck over.

That said, Wei Rao has given her heart to her childhood playmate and cousin.

She refuses to marry into the Lu family.

I bought you for 50,000 coins.

If Lu Zhuo lives, you can enjoy a comfortable life.

If he dies, you'll deal with the hardship alone.

From now on, fate will decide your life. You have no one to blame.

A-Chou,

from now on,

you are Lady Wei Rao,

the new bride of the Duke of Ying's family.

You are Wei Rao.

What are you doing?

Come in here.

How dare you?

If someone recognizes you, our plan will be ruined.

She is wearing my golden crown!

And she is the new bride of the Duke of Ying's family.

But I have to hide myself from everyone.

It's so unfair.

A lowly woman gets to enjoy nobility

and a life of abundance for nothing.

Everything in this life comes with a price.

The heir was seriously injured while he served our nation.

The bride comes from a miserable background.

Instead of turning the luck around, she might worsen it.

Then, in grief and sorrow,

she might follow her husband's footsteps by hanging herself.

That's normal, isn't it?

In the end,

it makes our family look good.

So you already have a plan, Aunt?

I do everything for you.

Of course, I know what you want.

You're not one

to allow others to take your spot and glory.

However,

you must bear with me for the moment.

There are many eyes back home.

You should stay in our secondary residence for now.

In case of over hearing,

when you go out, don't go by the name Rao.

What should I call myself then?

Jundai.

Jundai it is.

Jundai.

I like the sound of it.

I can't wait to see

how that lowly woman will fare.

FIVE DAYS AGO

HONGXIAN, A-CHOU'S YOUNGER SISTER

Ma, I need to use the toilet.

Me too.

RUNSHENG, A-CHOU'S YOUNGER BROTHER

Halt!

My daughter needs to use the loo.

Can we stop in front?

Besides, it's quite warm.

You two can rest and have some cold tea.

It won't take too long.

Come. Halt.

Over here.

Superintendent Jin, have some tea.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Ma, at night, sleep with one eye open.

If the journey leads to somewhere more and more remote,

they might be up to something.

Your asthma medicine contains henbane flower.

It has a soporific effect.

Mix it with tea and feed it to the coachmen.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Wake up. Those three ran away.

Who? Who ran away?

It's almost dawn.

It's too late.

Get rid of the guy first.

We'll bury him in the woods and report back.

Don't tell anyone about this.

Think you can get 50,000 coins for free?

That's the worth of your entire family.

SONGYUE HALL, DUKE'S RESIDENCE

So, he is Lu Zhuo.

The heir is sick.

The marital rites had to be simplified.

I hope you don't mind.

Old Madam is afraid that having his mother here will only upset her.

So she is receiving guests at the banquet hall now.

But Old Madam is also aware that it's your first time here,

so she asks me to keep you company here.

You may let me know if you need anything.

KONG YINGSHU FOURTH DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AT DUKE'S RESIDENCE

I am the heir's Fourth Aunt.

Greetings, Fourth Aunt.

It is warm tonight.

Why are you wearing gloves?

I was careless in my needlework

and pricked myself while I was getting ready for the marriage.

My hands are full of scars.

I am embarrassed to show them.

That's why I wear gloves.

I see.

I was told that your name is Rao.

I shall call you Rao then.

Lu Zhuo is still unconscious.

Allow me to lift the fan veil on his behalf.

Thank you, Fourth Aunt.

Oh my.

You're so pretty.

They say a beautiful woman can turn a cold cell into a gilded hall.

Seeing what you look like now,

even a gilded hall cannot outshine your charm.

Unfortunately, the heir won't see it tonight.

It's all right, Fourth Aunt.

The heir is a blessed man.

He will recover one day.

I hope he wakes up soon.

He will be over the moon when he sees how beautiful his wife is.

Oh, Governess Miao.

Greetings, Madam.

This is Governess Miao, Mother's confidant.

If you ever need anything,

or if your servant is disrespecting you, just go to her.

Someone sent by the Duchess?

She's clearly here to take over Songyue Hall.

Grandmother sure has thought of everything.

The heir is sick,

and I'm young and inexperienced.

I shall learn from you, Governess Miao.

Once I'm familiar with everything,

I'll care for the heir myself,

that Governess may be spared the hardship.

I will do my best to assist you, Madam.

They are all aware of Lu Zhuo's condition,

so they won't disturb you tonight.

You have had an eventful day, so you must be tired.

Rest now.

You can greet the elderly tomorrow morning.

I shall take my leave now.

Take care, Fourth Aunt.

Madam,

allow me to lead your servants to settle down.

No need for that.

Madam is used to my and Bitao's service.

GOVERNESS WU

We cannot be away from her.

Thanks to your quick wit, Madam. You had already prepared your answer

and cleared Fourth Madam's doubts.

This almond whitening ointment can rejuvenate skin.

In a fortnight, your hands will be smooth and spotless.

How is that enough?

You have done hard labor.

You're nothing like a noble lady.

Since it's your first time in a prestigious family,

there are many rules you don't know.

Keep your mouth shut if you can.

I can be your messenger.

Speak more, and you might slip up.

And if you slip up,

the Earl's reputation will be ruined,

even we servants would get dragged down.

That Governess Miao is obviously an informant planted here.

You have a special identity.

Having outsiders here will just add unnecessary risks.

You should remove them as soon as possible.

Seems to me you're the informant.

I've grown weary.

We can talk tomorrow.

Governess Wu, stay here.

Attend the patient for his needs.

What?

First Madam assigned me here

to teach you how to run a household and how to act like a lady.

I… There's no way I can tend to the sick.

If you can't handle such a small thing,

don't stand there then.

Find someone who can.

I… You…

I will do as Madam says. I shall take my leave now.

BLISS

Bitao, prepare me for bed.

Is that how you say it?

Yes, My Lady. You're so smart.

It seems like fate hates you.

It turns you into a living corpse,

and even gives you a night soil collector as your wife.

A poor woman from a humble family

and a noble gentleman.

It feels like a dream.

I've spent five days practicing the etiquette.

I cannot afford to slip up.

Lord Lu.

You are handsome,

but you are gravely ill and emaciated.

It makes you less attractive.

Please turn around, for your face might frighten me at night.

I know you can't move. Let me

help you.

You want to break off our engagement?

In your dreams.

You say I'm as venomous as a snake?

How pitiful.

You are destined to share a bed with one,

and you'll never escape me for as long as you live.

You're awake?

Get away from me.

What?

Get away from my bed.

Someone!

Someone! The heir is awake!

Someone!

The heir is awake! Someone!

-His Lordship. -His Lordship.

Quick.

HERITAGE PRESERVED, GOODNESS PROCLAIMED

-His Lordship is awake. -His Lordship is awake.

How wonderful.

Does Lu Zhuo hold any grudges against Wei Rao?

He looks at me as if I were a beast.

His Lordship's pulse is steady. He is in good health.

He is one lucky soul.

However, he still needs to convalesce.

All right.

He woke up. Let's speak outside.

Great news.

Come, Physician Zhao.

The toxin is still inside him, but he is no longer in danger.

His Lordship just needs to rest.

I'll write up a medicinal diet prescription.

His Lordship hasn't eaten for a long time.

He needs to have many small meals over the day to regain his vigor.

Once he is nourished, his body will become strong again.

The residual toxin will not hurt him.

Physician Zhao, you have saved my grandson.

Once Lu Zhuo makes a full recovery, I'll have him thank you in person.

Governess Miao, please see him off.

Farewell.

How great.

Zhuo finally woke up.

This feels like a dream.

Young child,

it's all thanks to you.

Back then,

Lu Zhuo had fallen into a coma for days without any sign of waking.

Even the imperial physicians were stumped.

I had no choice

but to beg for a marriage to turn over his luck.

Given the circumstances,

no one wanted to marry their daughter off like that.

But Old Madam Wei

was kind enough. She learned of our hardship,

and you're generous enough to agree to this marriage.

I will always remember this kindness from you.

Yes, Rao.

You are a blessing to the Lu family.

Lu Zhuo will treat you with love and care.

He will repay your favor.

His Lordship is blessed by the gods.

It is not my doing at all.

However, His Lordship just woke up.

He is quite weak now.

Why don't all of you rest now?

I shall look after His Lordship.

Under the guidance of Governess Miao,

I'm sure nothing will go wrong.

Sure.

Anyway, we can always talk once Lu Zhuo makes a full recovery. Come.

Thank you so much.

Let's go.

Farewell.

Turning over my luck? That's nonsense.

I woke up

because it's not my time to die yet.

As to you,

you venomous, treacherous woman.

Who are you after this time?

Jiede.

Jiede.

Your Lordship.

Bring my servant here.

Now!

Compared to Your Lordship's thoroughness, I sure am short-sighted.

Bitao,

His Lordship will often need to see

the physician and the male servants.

The female servants in the rear court will be an inconvenience.

Therefore, he will move to the study to recuperate.

Inform Governess Miao of that decision and tell her to inform Old Madam as well.

Then, tell Jiede in the study in the front court

to bring several attentive helpers with him tomorrow morning.

Yes.

Old Madam and Mother prayed so hard

for you to wake up.

Your Lordship, it is imperative that you take good care of yourself.

Avoid emotional outbursts

lest the elderly worry about you.

You don't want to be unfilial, do you?

Not only are you a venomous snake,

you are also a hypocritical snake

with a silver tongue.

Get away from me!

‎NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‎IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW