Original subtitles

[Episode 14]

Have you made up your mind?

I'm already here.

When will you release Jiang Xue Ting?

Releasing a suspect like him won't be easy.

The evidence is solid.

There are procedures to follow.

But I am a man of my word.

He will come back alive.

Alright.

Then let's begin.

What? You don't want to do this here?

Then where do you want to do it?

You'd really go this far for him?

Yes.

Isn't this what you wanted?

Fine.

I'll give you what you want.

Weren't you just offering yourself to me? What?

You've changed your mind?

Try to be more professional next time.

I want this deal quick and clean, not tragic.

What exactly do you want?

What is it that I can't give you?

I want pure love.

A love with equality, respect, and devotion.

I will never let you marry someone else.

Ye Ping Jun.

Ye Ping Jun.

Ping Jun...

What's wrong? Why are you crying?

You're about to go onstage.

You can't cry before they do your makeup.

- Bravo! - Bravo!

I saw it ages ago. That girl is quite something.

Not like a certain someone, wasted years waiting,

only to end up as a little plaything to keep others amused.

How could Lan Qing turn out like this?

- Yes. - She shouldn't have.

What happened?

You're not singing?

Sing. Why did you stop?

Your voice went dead.

Not like a certain someone, wasted years waiting,

only to end up as a little plaything to keep others amused.

- Keep singing. - What the hell is going on?

- Are you singing or not? - Refunds!

- Refunds! - Sing!

Refunds. Get off the stage.

Refunds.

Refunds.

Refunds.

You caused a disaster. Get off the stage.

Everyone.

Everyone.

Sorry, everyone.

Faster.

Careful.

Don't make another mistake.

You're a dud. Watch me.

Please stop talking.

We're counting on you to carry tonight's show.

You're usually the star of the show.

But you blew it tonight.

Let's see how cocky you are from now on.

You're only fit to be a stepping stone.

Okay. Hurry.

Help Tao Chun onto the stage.

Hold her steady.

Lan Qing.

Xiao Tao Chun also plays young women.

She knows this opera too.

Why don't we take a few days off and stage another opera?

Take off your hat.

Master Chang Xuan.

All checkpoints are secured.

Shang Hong Wen can't possibly leave Nanhuai.

Keep a close watch.

Now we just wait for that slippery eel to show himself.

Yes.

Master Chang Xuan.

Are we heading home to the mansion, Xiangxi Hotel, or Maple Mansion?

Maple Mansion.

Yes.

You hurt me.

I bought you all these clothes.

Why don't you wear them?

And you don't like the jewelry either?

Here's what we'll do.

I'll have Bo Wen take you to the department store.

Buy whatever you like.

I won't go with her. And I won't go.

You don't have to hate her this much.

Do you expect me to thank her profusely?

You never practice.

Your teacher's testing you soon. So you're cramming while you can.

Mom, all you do is criticize me.

You have time for this? Why not say something about Chang Xuan?

He leaves early and comes home late.

Who knows what he's busy with?

True.

Speaking of which,

Chang Xuan hasn't been home for dinner for days.

I heard from Zhou Tai that he's been going to Maple Mansion a lot lately.

Zhou Tai.

What has Chang Xuan been doing at Maple Mansion lately?

Madam, I don't know the details.

I only know that Master Chang Xuan sent a cook there.

He's also carefully arranged everything for day-to-day needs.

Still, Maple Mansion is especially beautiful this time of year.

Perhaps Chang Xuan wants to work there.

I often ask him to stay there with me for a couple of days.

He always says he's too busy with military affairs.

He says it's too quiet there.

He doesn't seem to mind the quiet now.

Keep playing the piano!

I know.

It's so late.

And you actually have time to practice calligraphy here.

Then do you have time for anything else?

They say my handwriting is bold and crisp.

But it could use a touch more grace and warmth.

Your small-script calligraphy is lovely.

Why don't you teach me?

No.

My handwriting isn't fit to show in public.

You'd better find someone else.

If you want to save Jiang Xue Ting, show some sincerity.

You won't serve me, and you won't teach me to write.

What, should you just sit here looking pretty?

Is this how you teach someone to write?

They say small script is like a man.

Every stroke is neat and precise.

But I think small script is like a woman.

It's delicate and full of variation.

The finer details make it all the more beautiful.

My courtyard is full of maple trees.

By late autumn, the red leaves will blanket the hills.

That's why it's called Maple Mansion.

[The Maple Leaf Promise] When the leaves turn red,

I'll watch them with you.

Your handwriting is truly excellent.

I don't think there's anything left for me to teach you.

It's too dark. Bring the candle closer.

What are you doing?

I hear your teachers at school are always praising you.

I wanted to ask you something.

What's the line before "the moon casts a shadow on fragrant flowers"?

I don't remember.

How could you forget?

"A spring night's hour is worth a thousand gold."

Give me back the ring.

Yu Chang Xuan.

Remember this: I'll hate you for the rest of my life.

Ye Ping Jun.

You remember this, too.

From now on, not a trace of another man is to be found on you.

I see.

Excuse me.

What did the people at the Yu Mansion say?

They said that Master Chang Xuan hasn't returned home.

He went straight to the Maple Mansion office again today.

You may leave.

Yes.

Work hard and make something of yourself.

Don't let another man lay a hand on your girlfriend again.

Zi Yi.

Who could have known? How could such a serious accident happen?

Whoever is taken hostage today, Chang Xuan will step up.

But I'm also happy my boyfriend can be so dependable.

Chang Xuan is lucky to have you.

Miss, don't hurt yourself.

Call the Yu family.

Tell them I'll visit Madam tomorrow.

Yes.

You've been reading ever since you went to prison?

You're a breath of fresh air among prisoners.

I want to know that, too.

Why didn't you have me shot as planned?

Because you were only a minor player in the whole affair.

Looks like you know everything already.

You won't kill me, but you keep me here.

What are you trying to accomplish?

What is my purpose?

You really don't know?

Yu Chang Xuan!

If you dare threaten Ping Jun with my life,

as long as I get the chance to walk out alive,

I'll kill you.

I believe you have the guts.

But you'll never have the power.

Yu Chang Xuan.

If you're a man, don't use such despicable tactics to threaten Ping Jun.

Knowing her, you'll never win her heart this way.

What gives you the right?

Did you ever tell her what you did?

Did you ever worry you'd drag her into this and put her in danger?

You want to be a spy and marry her, too.

You call that caring about her?

Even if I have no right,

you could never be the one she ends up with.

You're a warlord with nothing in your heart but conquest and possession.

You will only hurt her.

You're wrong.

I can give her everything she wants.

And I want you to see it clearly.

How she truly chooses to stay by my side.

Yu Chang Xuan.

You stop at nothing.

You will go to hell.

With Ping Jun by my side, how could I go to hell?

Master Chang Xuan.

Should we proceed according to the original plan?

As planned.

Publish the news of the traitor's execution.

Open Qingshan Ferry Terminal.

Monitor it in secret and wait for Shang Hong Wen to take the bait.

Yes.

By the way. Madam called today and asked you to return to the residence.

Miss Ye.

Miss Ye. You haven't eaten or drunk anything today.

You've been searching here for hours.

You'll make yourself sick if you keep this up.

- Leave me alone. - That's not acceptable.

Master Chang Xuan specifically told me to take good care of you.

You must not come to any harm.

Miss Ye.

Careful, Miss Ye.

Miss Ye, you mustn't do that.

What if you catch a chill?

Miss Ye, please come up. You'll catch a cold.

Miss Ye, you're hurt.

Miss Ye, stop looking.

Please get up.

I found it.

Zi Yi, that was thoughtful of you.

You came to keep me company.

Mom, she didn't come to keep you company.

She came to catch Chang Xuan.

But I don't know what's gotten into Chang Xuan lately.

He's hardly ever home.

What are you talking about?

Chang Xuan's been swamped with official business.

Stop covering for him.

At this rate, anyone would think he's keeping a mistress.

What are you saying behind my back, Yu Qi Xuan?

Yu Chang Xuan, don't touch my head.

Here comes the man who'll settle the score. You guys play. I'm done.

You play. I'm going to report to Father.

What's gotten into you?

It took me forever to put this game together.

You show up and ruin it. Now we're one player short.

Where am I supposed to find someone now?

Sit down.

You wouldn't happen to think I'm a lousy player and no fun to play with?

Of course not.

I'm afraid you're too good. I can't afford to lose.

Look at you two.

I have one rule when we play here.

No secret flirting.

We're only playing a few rounds to pass the time.

If your dad gives you trouble, I'll talk to him.

Sit.

Okay.

Your turn.

Eight Bamboos.

Peng.

I have Nine Bamboos, too.

South Wind.

Three Character.

Mahjong.

That was fast.

Chang Xuan.

Are you afraid to win in front of Zi Yi?

Forget it. I'm unlucky. You play.

I'll go report to Father before he starts in on me.

Men, it seems, really do need to start a family before building a career.

He's about to get married, and he's becoming more sensible by the day.

He's taking military affairs more seriously.

Auntie, why not call Min Ru over for a few rounds?

Sure.

Go get Min Ru.

Yes, Madam.

Wait for her.

[Yuchun Opera House, Dream Seeking, Dream Waking, Xiao Tao Chun]

You're humorous.

What is she doing here?

This is our girl's spot.

When did you get to sit here?

Open your stupid eyes!

Who's the star here?

I've had the stage for days.

Your Lan Qing was a total dud.

She's an absolute laughingstock.

Lan Qing was just distracted for a moment.

She'll sing properly next time.

And who are you?

- Bravo! - Bravo!

- Bravo! - Bravo!

Bravo!

For opera singers, mistakes onstage are a cardinal sin.

[The Star of Yuchun Changed Overnight] This time, it even made the papers.

One more time, and your career is over.

People lavish praise on performers and keep them fed.

No different from keeping a cat or walking a dog.

The gong sounds, the strings begin,

and the moment someone else takes the stage, I'm forgotten.

It really is fleeting.

This is the one I picked after visiting several shops.

Hope you like it.

Chang Xuan, you're back.

Why are you so nervous?

You aren't hiding a knife under the pillow, are you?

Why are you going to bed so early?

Nothing. I'm just a little tired.

I went to Laozhengxing and ordered their signature dishes.

And an order of chicken soup dumplings.

How did you know I like these?

I bought them just for you.

Try them.

Do they taste like you remember?

I'm a little tired.

I don't have much appetite.

You still need to eat, no matter how tired you are.

Have some.

You're pretty capable.

You even managed to find this place.

You hid here alone to brood over memories of him?

No matter what, this belongs to me.

Give it back to me.

You talk to me like that just for his ring?

How did you get that injury?

Was it from looking for this ring?

Didn't I tell you not to have anything belonging to other men?

Let go.

Let go.

You never learn.

I'll teach you a lesson.

What are you doing, Yu Chang Xuan?

What are you doing?

Yu Chang Xuan, let go.

Let go.

Let go.

Don't.

Don't.

I'm begging you.

Don't touch me.

Don't touch me.

Master Chang Xuan, I found out.

Her mother said her favorite food growing up was chicken soup dumplings from Laozhengxing.

Yu Chang Xuan, what are you doing?

[Maple Mansion]