Original subtitles

This play about Lv Bicheng and Qiu Jin,

the two roles are hailed the Twin Heroines,

both devoted to putting the world right.

We need to dig deeper

into their different philosophies.

Both fought for women's standing,

but Qiu Jin advocated revolution

while Lv Bicheng advocated education.

Qiu Jin believed external oppression

had to be removed without delay.

Lv Bicheng believed that

if a woman had no strong inner longing

for independence and freedom,

what use was even the

fiercest external struggle?

Director Liang,

do you think my understanding is right?

I believe

both of their views

are valid.

They simply approach the question

from different angles.

Exactly.

All of you, keep refining it.

- Yes. - Yes.

Pingjun,

what's wrong?

Is something the matter?

It's just some family matters.

Director,

may I

leave work early today?

Of course.

If anything is wrong,

be sure to tell me.

Thank you.

Let go! Who are you?

Help!

- Somebody! - Don't scream.

Help!

Somebody!

Mr. Jin.

Mr. Jin.

Something terrible has happened.

[Thank you for bringing him safely.]

[Have you also come to honor a loved one?]

[You miss him deeply, don't you?]

[Otherwise, this humble woman would never]

[have another chance to thank him.]

[Is he someone you love deeply?]

[It is painful to pretend]

[not to love someone.]

[I have come to fulfill my vow.]

[May we both be well from now on,]

[and may all go smoothly for him.]

Changxuan.

Ruitong, what brings you here?

Mr. Jin called.

He said Miss Ye

was abducted

outside the Imperial West.

Who did it?

He has traced the license plate

to the Tao household.

The gatekeeper saw the car

heading west

from East Second Street.

The intersections are blocked.

Changxuan,

the city guards confirmed that,

at the time Mr. Jin mentioned,

a car did head this way

toward Yuhe Bridge.

I've sent

two guard units there.

To Yuhe Bridge.

Yes.

Come on, hurry.

- Get in. - Move.

I didn't want

to use force

against a young girl like you.

But

you injured my daughter's face before,

and I spared you once.

Now you shamelessly

try to steal my daughter's fiancé.

As her father,

I must give her justice.

Do you...

do you know Ye Zhaohe?

Now you're frightened?

It's too late.

No one can save you today.

Listen carefully:

kneel before my daughter

and apologize,

then take your mother

and leave Nanhuai.

I haven't done anything wrong.

Why should I

apologize to Tao Ziyi?

And why should I

leave Nanhuai?

You insolent wretch!

A lowly

illegitimate girl like you,

what right do you have

to compete with my daughter?

I've never let her

suffer a single grievance

since she was little.

She is the moon in the sky,

while you

are a blade of grass in the mud.

You really are a devoted father.

Tao Ziyi has been doted

on by you all her life.

It's truly enviable.

I know.

It is because you never

had your father's guidance

that you've become so unreasonable,

determined to climb above your station

and become a phoenix.

Too bad

everyone has their own fate.

If you try to climb into the Yu family

by stepping on my daughter,

you'll fall and shatter to pieces.

Then what do you want?

Are you going to kill me?

I'll give you one last chance.

Kneel before

my daughter

and apologize,

and I may spare your life.

Mr. Tao,

I may not have a father,

but that doesn't mean

I can be bullied at will,

or that

I'll admit to

something I never did.

I won't beg Tao Ziyi

for forgiveness,

because I've done

nothing wrong.

Don't move.

Get down!

Get down!

Down!

Down!

Changxuan.

Changxuan.

First you break off

your engagement to my daughter,

and now you brazenly

come to rescue this woman.

You clearly have

no respect for me.

Every mistake began with me.

I will take full responsibility

for all the hurt done to Ziyi.

Direct your anger at me.

Pingjun has been innocent

from the start.

I will never allow anyone

to harm her.

Let's go.

[Do you know Ye Zhaohe?]

Hurry,

chase Yu Changxuan's car.

General Yu,

please rest assured.

The young lady inhaled some water,

but she was rescued in time.

She is in no serious danger.

She only needs

to rest and recover.

We'll step outside now.

Out of my way.

Let me in.

I want to see Yu Changxuan.

Mr. Tao, you cannot go in.

Then have him come out and see me.

Mr. Tao,

I've already said

I will bear all the consequences.

I don't mean to harm her.

I want to ask

where she got

this half of the jade pendant

and who gave it to her.

It isn't convenient for you to go in now.

I must get a clear answer from her.

Pingjun.

How is my daughter?

Changxuan,

how is Pingjun really?

Rest easy.

The doctor has already examined her.

She is in no danger.

Who was it?

Whom did Pingjun offend?

I heard Major Li say on the phone

that she was pushed into the lake.

Who could do

such a beastly thing?

Shuwan?

Shuwan,

you left without a word.

Where did you go?

I kept searching for you,

but there was never any news.

When I decided to leave,

I wanted nothing more

to do with you.

I know

it was all my fault,

but listen to me.

I truly had no choice

back then.

I...

No choice?

Tao Xili,

you settled me

in a small courtyard in Yixian

and kept saying

you would marry me.

I believed with all my heart

that a promise had finally come.

Instead, what I waited for

was your wedding announcement

to Miss Tang

in the newspaper.

You call that no choice?

I know

nothing I say now

can make up for my fault,

but one opportunity

can change

a person's whole life.

You know

I was only

a junior bank clerk then,

unable to make ends meet.

I couldn't

even support myself,

let alone you.

But one marriage

could raise me to the top overnight.

I couldn't turn it down.

I did

think of our future.

I planned that

after three years,

once I had secured my position,

I would

bring you home at once. I...

How can you be so shameless?

You broke your word,

clung to wealth and power,

and even planned to make me

a hidden concubine.

Are you even human?

Thank you for saving Pingjun today,

General.

It's getting late,

so I won't keep you.

I'll stay here

until she wakes.

You have a great deal to attend to.

There is no need to trouble yourself

with our family's affairs.

I saved her,

so I have a duty to care for her.

I'll take good care

of my fiancée.

If you

truly could protect her,

I wouldn't have to

appear at her side

again and again,

would I?

Tao Xili,

let me tell you this:

my daughter

will not be dragged into

anyone's romantic affairs.

You destroyed my life,

and now you nearly

took my daughter's life.

What kind of man are you?

No, wait.

Pingjun is my daughter, isn't she?

She isn't.

She was born after I married

another man.

She has nothing to do with you.

Impossible.

If she weren't my daughter,

how would she

have this half

of our love-token jade pendant?

Look.

How come?

She always

thought I

had pawned

this pendant.

You...

then she is...

Pingjun,

you're awake.

So,

you abandoned my mother

and me for your future.

I'm a sinner.

I failed you and your mother.

I...

Mother,

why did you lie to me?

My real father was never

an honorable, stand-up man.

He never

loved our family,

never wanted me as a daughter,

and never

worked tirelessly for us

before dying

in an accident, did he?

Pingjun,

forgive me.

I shouldn't have hidden it.

I've wronged you.

So my own father

nearly killed me

just now.

I'm not fit to be called a man.

I'm a sinner.

I know you hate and resent me,

but why didn't you

tell me at the river?

What was I supposed to say?

That I was your daughter?

Would you then not have kidnapped me,

not made me kneel

before Tao Ziyi,

not called me a bastard,

not thrown me into the river

to drown?

I...

As long as I had no money or power,

I could be insulted

and crushed by you at will.

Mr. Tao,

listen carefully:

I have no father like you, an awful man

who abandoned his wife and daughter.

I...

My father

is at Guanyin Pavilion.

His name on the memorial tablet

is Ye Zhaohe,

and he died long ago.

But...

But what?

You want to drive my daughter to death?

Get out!

Go!

Fine.

I'll go.

I'll go.

I...

I...

Pingjun,

Pingjun,

it's my fault.

All my fault.

Pingjun.

Mr. Yu,

thank you so much for today.

We've caused you

too much trouble.

I'm sorry,

but please go back now.

Don't say that.

I've made arrangements with the hospital.

Whatever you need,

find Dr. Dai.

Or

notify me.

Have you heard?

It's enormous news.

Ye Pingjun

is actually Mr. Tao's

biological daughter.

Really?

How could that be?

It's true.

It came from Ren'ai Hospital.

There was quite a recognition scene.

That pheasant

has really sprouted wings

and become a phoenix.

Peachbud,

can't you

wash your mouth out

before you speak?

What are you all so smug about?

Do you think

once she is

a banker's daughter,

she'll come back and put on plays

on your shabby little stage?

Modern drama

is her dream

and life's work.

It has nothing to do with whether

she's a rich man's daughter.

Before,

Mr. Yu And Pingjun

were separated by class.

Now they're perfectly matched.

If he really loves her,

he should marry her immediately.

He could book the whole

Imperial West for you

and rename it the Modern Drama Hall.

Let's go.

Sir,

all the tonics are ready.

Would you like me to go with you

to the hospital?

No need.

I'll go myself.

Very well.

Don't let Ziyi find out.

If she asks,

tell her I've gone to the bank.

Yes.

Redo the layout?

Does it have to be delivered tonight?

I'm sorry,

I really can't get back.

Can you think of another way?

Xueting,

if the newspaper has an emergency,

go ahead.

You have work to do.

I'll stay here at the hospital.

It's all right.

I've asked a colleague to handle it.

Go.

And come back and take over for me.

Then we can take turns

watching over Pingjun.

If anything changes with her,

let me know immediately.

Don't worry.

Hurry along.

Changxuan.

How is Ye Pingjun?

Dr. Dai says

she isn't doing well.

She hasn't eaten or drunk

since last night.

Move all this afternoon's meetings

to tomorrow.

Yes.

Come on,

these oranges are fresh.

Try one.

Shuwan.

Pingjun.

What are you doing here again?

Shuwan,

I know my sins are unforgivable,

but it took everything

to find you and Pingjun.

Won't you give me

one more chance

to make amends?

The best amends would be

to stay out of

our sight.

Get out!

Get out!

Get...

Please,

let me finish.

I'll put an announcement right now

and tell everyone

Pingjun is not fatherless.

She is my

biological daughter.

Whether you live in Nanhuai

or anywhere else,

I'll buy you a house

and hire the best servants

to wait on you.

Pingjun,

whatever you want to do,

I will support you

with everything I have.

Mr. Tao,

stop indulging in wishful thinking.

My mother and I

have lived perfectly well without you.

But I'm your real father.

Once more,

I have no father

who clings to the powerful

and abandons his wife and child.

What?

Ziyi?

What...

what are you doing here?

Father,

what did she just mean?

Listen,

don't get upset.

Let's go home,

and I'll explain everything.

I want one answer now.

Is what you said true?

Ziyi,

I've wronged you,

and I've wronged them too.

This is all my fault.

Please don't

take it out on them.

I...

It's not me you've wronged;

it's my mother.

If you announce that

Ye Pingjun is

your daughter,

what does that make me?

What will people think of me,

of my mother?

My mother has been dead for years,

and now she's to be mocked as well?

Have you no conscience?

This is your family's private affair.

It has nothing to do with us.

Settle it at home, please.

For now, I must ask you to leave.

Ye Pingjun,

you play innocent

and pure,

and none of this concerns you, right?

None of it concerns me.

He is your father,

not mine.

I never wanted

to be his daughter.

You're pleased with yourself, aren't you?

A sparrow becoming a phoenix,

about to fly up to the high branch.

You think that makes you

a wealthy young lady?

Dream on.

Miss Tao,

show some respect.

My daughter and I

only want to live

quietly.

Then why bring this

illegitimate girl back?

Blackmail?

To marry him as a second wife?

Buy yourself

a life of luxury?

Tao Ziyi,

don't you dare insult my mother.

Well,

do you know

how my father described you?

He said you were

an ill-bred bastard,

a shameless little fox,

low enough to steal

another woman's fiancé.

He also said

a woman like you

wasn't even fit to kneel before me

and carry my shoes.

He called you worthless.

Even mentioning your name

disgusted him,

soiled his mouth.

Let go!

Father,

have you forgotten?

When you went out yesterday,

you promised

you would make her

unable to stay

in Nanhuai.

You'd make her life worse than death.

You said

you'd take her life.

Well?

Speak.

Cat got your tongue?

Why won't you talk?

Talk to me!

Talk to me!

Please!

You insolent girl!

Are you all right?

Since I was little,

you never even

had the heart to speak harshly to me.

Now you strike me

for these two people

of unknown origin.

Ziyi,

I...

I can explain.

I would never...

I'll kill you today!

You ruined everything!

You ruined me!

Let go!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

Calm yourself.

This is a hospital.

Yu Changxuan?

Seeing you is harder

than climbing to heaven.

But the moment anything happens to her,

you panic like this.

You were born to destroy me!

You stole my fiancé,

and now you steal my father!

Everyone sides

with her

and gangs up on me.

I tell you,

I, Tao Ziyi,

will not endure this.

I will make you all regret it!

Ziyi!

Ziyi!

Pingjun!

Pingjun!

Pingjun!

Pingjun!

Get out!

Get out!

Pingjun!

Pingjun!

Mr. Tao,

under the circumstances,

you should leave.

What?

So Changxuan

broke off

with Tao Ziyi,

and then Uncle Tao,

to avenge her,

nearly drowned Ye Pingjun,

only for a twist of fate

to reveal that

Ye Pingjun is his

own biological daughter?

My goodness.

It's just like a stage play.

Those three words fit perfectly:

tangled by fate.

Don't talk nonsense.

Your father doesn't know yet.

If he finds out,

he'll be furious.

But this has already caused

an uproar at Ren'ai Hospital.

I heard

Tao Ziyi even came to blows.

The whole place was turned upside down.

What's all this uproar?

Go on.

Damn that boy.

He was the one who insisted

on being with Tao Ziyi,

and now he ends it just like that,

causing such a scene.

That brat

keeps pulling these reckless stunts.

Calm down first.

Don't harm your health.

Miss Ye is educated,

refined, and generous.

I quite like her.

Didn't you praise her

recently yourself?

You said she dared stand firm before

Chu Wenfu and argue Changxuan's case

without yielding an inch.

She had real spirit.

Besides,

our families were already going to be

connected through marriage.

Why not let Changxuan have his way?

We could be happy to see it.

It's not that simple.

I still don't know

how to explain myself

to Tao Xili.

He is a clever man.

Surely he can see how the ledger balances.

Let's wait and see.

Wait and see.

Please,

say something.

I know

it's all my fault.

I shouldn't have kept it from you.

Say something,

won't you?

Please.

You stayed here all night?

I thought if you woke

and wanted someone to talk to,

I'd be right here.

Yu Changxuan,

thank you.

I know

you must be heartbroken

and in pain,

but you haven't done anything wrong.

There's no need to punish yourself

for someone else's mistakes.

All these years,

no matter how hard life was,

I did everything I could

to give my mother a better life.

I wanted to be my father's pride,

to become as fine a person

as he was.

Now

I find

it was all a joke.

Do you remember

my elder brother, the one I mentioned

at Guanyin Pavilion?

There are things

I've kept hidden

for years.

Once, my brother and I

went into battle together

and were caught in an enemy raid.

We were both buried

under rubble.

The situation was so desperate

that only one of us could be saved.

My father saved my brother

and gave me up.

But fate played its cruel hand.

My brother died,

and I survived.

He was outstanding.

From childhood,

he had

everyone's attention

and was my father's chosen successor.

For a time,

I treated him as a rival,

comparing myself to him at every turn,

trying to catch up

and beat him.

I grew used to chasing his back.

So

after he died,

everything in my life

suddenly seemed

to lose meaning.

What happened then?

Then I met a girl.

She taught me

not to be trapped

in empty, unreal obsessions,

that one should live for oneself

and not need to prove

the worth of one's life to others.

You've written so many

passionate stage lines,

taught orphans to read and write,

and given so many people

the dignity and courage to keep living.

Did you do all that merely to prove

you were a good daughter to your father?

Because the image of your father

has collapsed,

do you truly have

no courage or strength

to stand

and walk on?

Listen,

you've always

had clear judgment.

You'll work this through.

If a relationship

harms you,

you can keep your distance

from it,

even

redefine it.

You don't have to be

bound by the so-called ties of blood.

What matters now

is living your own life well.

Look,

the sun rises every day.

However long the night,

it always passes.

Your future

holds so many good things

waiting for you.

[Ye Pingjun,]

[I've finally found you.]

[From now on,]

[I will never let you leave again.]