Original subtitles

[Episode 15]

[Maple Mansion]

So?

Maple Mansion's pretty nice in autumn, right?

Yes, it is.

Every maple tree here is carefully tended.

There's nothing else like it in Nanhuai City.

The brighter they burn, the bleaker it feels when they fall.

The brighter they burn at their peak, the more desolate it feels when they fall.

What's the big deal?

If you like it, I'll bring you here every year.

Have you forgotten?

What's between us is just a trade where each of us gets what we need.

Funny. There is no next year or the year after.

Have you forgotten?

How long you stay here is up to me.

What?

Don't you want Jiang Xue Ting released?

That's more like it.

Stop looking so miserable all the time.

Don't worry.

It will be a year at most.

Once I'm bored with you, I'll let you go.

How did it get bad so fast?

I believe there are some nodules in Madam Ye's lungs.

They must be surgically removed.

Then why hasn't she had the surgery?

I'm really sorry.

We're not equipped to do that here.

But I know a specialist in Jinping named Wei.

He can perform this surgery.

We've reached out to him,

but it turns out he's off to Guangzhou tomorrow.

He's not taking cases for now.

Give me the address.

Chang Xuan, it's late, and it's mountain roads all the way there. Let me go.

And I'll go with Rui Tong.

I'll go myself.

[Jinping Jiyou Clinic]

Excuse me, I'm looking for Dr. Wei.

I'm sorry, we're closed.

What's wrong with you? I told you we're closed.

- What's going on? - He's trying to force his way in.

I told him we're closed.

Sorry, Dr. Wei.

Someone in my family has a lung infection and is coughing up blood.

She needs surgery right away.

Sir, I'm very sorry.

I'm taking a ship to Guangzhou tomorrow.

I can't help you.

Maybe you should find another doctor.

Name your price.

I'm taking you with me tonight.

I'm sorry, but it's not about money.

It's a scheduling conflict.

Do you have time now?

Miss Ye, there are some freshly made lotus pastries.

Let me bring some for you.

No, thanks. I don't have much of an appetite.

Miss Ye, I can tell Master Chang Xuan is really taken with you.

Maple Mansion used to be so quiet and empty.

You're the first woman he's ever brought back here.

- Isn't your cousin in the army? - Yes.

You'd better warn him to be extra careful for the next couple of days.

Why? Did you hear anything?

It's about the mole, of course.

They've got to tighten up military discipline.

Tell your cousin to watch his step. Don't walk into the mess.

Wait, wasn't that the translator who studied in Japan?

What's happened to him?

What do you think?

They executed him at the execution site today. Shot on the spot.

After all the trouble he caused the Yu Army, a bullet was too good for him.

True enough.

Xue Ting...

Xue Ting!

Dr. Wei, how is the patient?

Master Chang Xuan, if I'd known you were him,

- I wouldn't have-- - How is the patient?

Rest assured.

The surgery was a complete success. All she needs now is proper rest.

Now you can relax.

You've been driving all night, and you're hurt. Go home and get some rest.

Bo Ren's right.

We will stay at the hospital and keep an eye on Madam Ye.

- I'll drive you back. - To Maple Mansion.

I've been gone a whole day.

I want to know how she's doing.

Why are you still up so late?

I'm waiting for you.

Let me do it.

Let me.

What's made you so happy today?

Every day that goes by puts Xue Ting one day closer to getting out.

Of course I'm happy.

I've told you over and over.

Why won't you just learn to behave?

Can't stand him that much?

What do you think?

So you killed him.

What are you talking about?

Yu Chang Xuan,

you've been lying to me from the start.

You killed Xue Ting. Today.

Yes.

I killed him.

And now?

Are you going to kill me?

I'm going to kill you!

So love really does make people this brave.

I should've let you two see each other before Jiang Xue Ting died.

Let you lovers have one last good cry in each other's arms.

Yu Chang Xuan...

Do you have any idea how much I hate you right now?

- How much? - I want you to suffer forever.

I wish you'd rot in hell!

Funny.

Jiang Xue Ting said the same thing before he died.

Go on, shoot.

Weren't you going to kill me?

Aim better if you want me dead.

Shoot!

Shoot me!

Shoot!

I was this close.

This close to killing you.

Yes.

What a pity.

So you'll just have to stay right here by my side, be my good girl,

and wait for your next chance.

I'll be waiting for you to try again.

Drinking alone?

How about a dance tonight?

Hey! My sister had it custom-made in Paris! What's wrong with you?

Alright, let's go. Go.

Look at this!

What's with her? What's she so mad about?

God knows. I asked her for a dance tonight, and look, she threw a drink all over me.

Today she's a real tigress.

Poke her or not, she'll bite your head off. Just stay away from her.

- Let's go. - We're off.

That makes sense.

Didn't expect Miss Tao to be in such high spirits,

drinking this much before dark.

Since when is my business any of yours?

Tell me who upset you.

I'll settle it for you. How about that?

Get lost.

Let me tell you,

whoever upset you, they're not worth your tears or your anger.

You're the only one who matters.

Understand?

Li Bo Ren.

When I'm sober, you're always fooling around.

So why are you acting all proper now that I'm drunk?

Let me take you home.

Let go! I'm not going back.

- Just work with me. - I'm not going back!

- You've had enough. - I'm not going back!

So?

Are you feeling better now?

Can we go?

Why aren't you mad?

I'm used to it.

Come on.

Let's go.

Watch your step.

We just wrapped up drills, and we're still buried in work at the arsenal.

What on earth happened?

Master Chang Xuan's been holed up at Maple Mansion for three days straight

and won't even pick up the phone.

What is going on?

Advisor Li, what brings you two here?

How's Master Chang Xuan doing?

Miss Ye hasn't eaten or drunk anything for three days.

Master Chang Xuan is sitting with her right now.

Has she woken up?

She was unconscious back then, still running a fever.

Just now her fingers twitched.

Looked like she might be waking up, but she won't open her eyes.

Get some congee into her, and then give her the medicine.

Yes, sir.

Miss Ye, I've brought you some congee.

Miss Ye.

Get another bowl.

Yes, sir.

Ye Ping Jun, I've put up with you for three days.

You really think I'd just let you have your way and die right in front of me?

If you've got the guts to die,

Jiang Xue Ting dies tonight.

What did you say?

Jiang Xue Ting isn't dead.

You're lying.

But if you die,

I'll make sure Jiang Xue Ting follows you.

You're lying.

That's impossible.

I heard it with my own ears.

Believe it or not.

Master Chang Xuan.

Take the congee.

Open your mouth.

This is bad.

Really bad.

I thought Master Chang Xuan liked Ye Ping Jun because she was pretty and stubborn.

All that bickering and fuss made things interesting.

But now it looks like

Master Chang Xuan values Ye Ping Jun more than his own life.

I thought he was dallying with her.

Turns out he's truly in love.

Looks like he doesn't have time for us today.

Let's go back.

Don't you want to hear the rest?

You're so indifferent.

Ping Jun.

In this life,

you belong to me.

No one's taking you away.

Don't move.

Commander, Shang Hong Wen was caught by Yu Chang Xuan.

I wonder if he can keep his mouth shut.

Then we'll see how much he cares about his wife and child.

Yu Chang Xuan...

I've found myself a worthy opponent.

But we have plenty of time.

Move.

No dawdling.

Move!

Quickly!

Move! Faster!

Go!

Faster!

Get in!

You handed over the evidence.

You made the arrest.

And now you're letting him go?

Keep changing your mind like this...

You owe me an explanation.

A while back, you took a blade for that girl,

and she's Jiang Xue Ting's fiancée.

You did it right out in the open.

You think people can't tell what's really going on?

A man in charge of troops

can't let personal feelings get in the way.

I'll arrange for Jiang Xue Ting to visit your mother in the hospital

so she won't worry.

But after that, he's going to Jiangzhou for three months of hard labor.

And after that?

This is a necessary process.

No one can avoid it.

But once he walks out of the prison, he's safe.

After three months, he will be completely free.

But our terms need to change.

One year isn't enough.

Then how long do you want?

A lifetime.

A lifetime?

Yu Chang Xuan,

you want this shameful relationship of ours to last a lifetime?

Don't you think that's ridiculous?

You said we are worlds apart.

Then I'll have to bring you completely into mine.

And if I don't?

You'll drag Jiang Xue Ting back

and threaten me with his life again?

That could work too.

Ye Ping Jun,

I've hit my limit of patience.

Do you understand?

For opera singers, mistakes onstage are a cardinal sin.

This time, it even made the papers,

and your career is over.

You don't have to perform here forever,

If there's somewhere you want to go in the future,

I'll make the arrangements for you.

I'm not going anywhere.

I'll stay right here.

Whenever you want to hear a tune,

I'll be here.

I've heard about what's been going on with you lately.

Life is like a play.

You can't expect everything to go your way.

But the rough patch will pass.

Thank you, Director Liang.

But in this world, not everything passes.

Lan Qing, have you noticed?

You've changed a little lately.

What do you mean?

The day I was discussing the script with Ping Jun,

you brought Master Chang Xuan by the troupe on purpose, didn't you?

For the next scene, I want him to say this line at the school gate.

I don't know what you're talking about.

It's okay if you won't admit it.

I want you to know that,

to me, you've always been a kind person.

People give in to their dark side sometimes, but that doesn't change who they are.

I've heard bits and pieces about what happened

between you and Master Ming Xuan before.

That's all in the past. I don't want to bring it up again.

All right. We won't.

We won't talk about it.

You know,

everyone has their own obsessions,

their own corners they're backed into.

Greed, anger, delusion, vanity, scheming, struggling...

But those are all passing thoughts.

When you look back later, you'll find they're really nothing much.

In turbulent times like these,

with a background like mine,

who can I rely on?

If the mountain won't come to you, go to the mountain.

Today, a woman can also support herself.

If you're willing to read and write, I can teach you.

Once you can read, you can do so many things you enjoy,

and see a world without limits.

I entered this trade at four.

What else can I do besides performing opera?

It's too late to read and write now.

Over the years, I've seen so many women...

women as fellow performers, as wives, as concubines.

No matter how capable a woman is,

in this world she's like duckweed.

She can't survive without someone to rely on.

Master Chang Xuan.

Master Chang Xuan.

Master Chang Xuan, Miss Ye isn't in her room.

Where is she?

She's in the garden out back.

None of us can get close to her.

She's been sitting there in the rain. Looks like she's trying to ruin her health.

She's been out there all afternoon.

Yu Chang Xuan.

I agree to your terms.

I must have owed you in a past life.