Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available.]

Chef Fang

Episode 20

You must be hungry. I made something.

It’s my lucky day.

Yishao, if you were Luan, after Yuan died,

would you still believe

a scholar’s promise to redeem you?

I wouldn’t if it were me.

Why would the hooker involved in the murder

still believe the scholar and wish to go with him

after what happened

to Luan and Yuan?

It’s easy to understand.

The truth is Yuan was cheated by Liu Ming.

Yuan and Zhang Wenhai

had a pact,

but he didn’t redeem her.

But it’s different for this girl.

The scholar paid a bundle to get her out.

That’s quite odd.

How so?

It must take a fortune

for a girl to redeem herself.

Normally, it takes a girl at least ten years

to save enough money.

Or she couldn’t, even after spending

all her best years in the brothel.

Though these scholars aren’t poor,

they can’t afford

such an expensive redemption.

Look at the scholar in prison,

he even sold his family estate.

However, he insisted on redeeming a hooker.

Does he lost his mind

as if he were possessed by a ghost?

Possessed by a ghost.

That’s it. He’s haunted.

There are no ghosts or immortals.

There has to be a reason we don’t know.

Let’s have dinner first. Food empowers mind.

Alright.

Let’s have dinner.

Yishao, what’s this?

Father, it’s called pork on trees.

Pork?

Pork on trees?

Are you haunted, too?

Do me a favor.

Yong, hold on there.

Father, does it look like trees to you?

It’s a little exaggerating.

I’d say branches.

All right. Branches then.

Do you see the pork on it?

That’s why it’s pork on trees.

Yishao, with pork, it’s pork on trees.

With beef, it’ll be beef on trees.

If fish is used, it’s fish on trees?

Yeah.

Whatever is on trees, it’s the taste that matters.

Father, here.

Thanks.

On trees.

Yong,

stop thinking about the case. You’re obsessed.

Yong.

Father, Jie, come with me.

Yong, where are you going?

The scholars are all like haunted by ghosts.

There has to be a reason.

Pork can’t go on trees by itself.

The cook puts it on.

I need to question them.

Yishao, go to bed. Don’t wait up.

Liang Mansion

What’s up?

Come with me.

Why?

It’s urgent. Go to the prison with me.

Your Honor, here they are.

I asked for you for questioning.

We’ll comply.

You’re scholars.

What brought you to Blue Mist House?

Your Honor,

once my peers and I got on board of a painted boat

and met another boat

where a melodious tune came.

I was curious about

who the player and singer was.

Then I heard it’s Luan from Blue Mist House.

Since then, whenever I felt restless,

I went to Blue Mist House for Luan’s singing.

We fell for each other with time.

What about you?

It’s all because of that shrew I married.

I heard girls in Blue Mist House are tender.

So I went there on a whim.

Who told you that?

Girls from Fragrance Garden are more tender.

A friend I drank liquor with, surnamed Dong.

Is his full name, Dong Mu?

Yes.

Who is this Dong Mu?

I met him only once. We’re not close.

But I know he has lots of friends in Dongxiang.

You know I often go to poem saloons.

When friends outside Dongxiang came,

we’d gather for a few drinks, too.

Do you know what Dong Mu does?

Sorry, I don’t.

I do. He’s a lecturer at the academy.

But he’s nice and generous.

We became close gradually.

Tell us everything.

It was in Zizhu Tea Garden.

What’s with the sigh?

We’re supposed to have fun.

It’s not worth mentioning.

You’re wrong.

Since we’re out together,

if something is bothering you, just let it out.

Perhaps we could help.

That’s right. Do you have any problems with study?

No. My wife fights with me every day.

I can’t focus on books.

I see. There’s no solution to family disputes.

I disagree.

Don’t be upset about this.

Mr. Dong, how do you do?

Let the storm rages at home,

there’s always a wonderland.

All I ask is peace. A wonderland is a dream.

No, no, no. It’s not a dream.

Actually, it’s in reach.

Mr. Dong, don’t keep us hanging. Do tell us.

Five hundred meters away in Blue Mist House.

A lecturer suggests that you go to a brothel.

Don’t you think it’s strange?

Why? You think all the lecturers

are rid of human desires?

That’s not what I mean.

I mean it isn’t what a decent man would do.

Every family has its problems,

which we don’t want to talk to others.

But Dong Mu

is a friend in need.

We all would like to share our thoughts with him.

Gradually,

we also let out our problems.

I remember

the two scholars I questioned before

also brought up his name.

They were going to an theatre.

I didn’t pay much attention.

What does theatre have to do with the brothel?

They were going to a theatre.

But Dong Mu told them

a girl in Blue Mist House

sings better

than opera singers in the theatre.

So one of them went

and was obsessed with that girl.

That Dong is odd.

Why are all three scholars related to him?

Even if he’s not the murderer,

he must know something. Anyway, he’s related.

Jie, check if anyone else

knows this Dong Mu tomorrow.

All right.

Yong. Yong.

What’s on your mind?

Yishao.

I’m thinking of something bad.

Don’t we have a deal? What do you want?

Should we do that?

What if Dong Mu is clean?

He would be scared to death.

Right.

Let’s ask father first tomorrow.

What’s up?

Can’t sleep.

Let’s check it out now.

Or I can’t let go of it.

OK.

Yong!

Master.

What were you doing? You scared me.

No, you scared me.

Do I really look like a ghost?

No kidding. Dressing in that at midnight?

You should be glad that you met me.

If it were someone else, he’d gone mad.

Jie,

you know the saying, ghosts haunt only the guilty.

Are you guilty?

Come on. Tell us about it.

I’ve been a constable for years.

People I killed are many.

Let’s say I kill a bandit.

He deserves to die, but he may have families,

who, without him, might die in unexpected danger.

Indirectly, I claim innocent lives, too.

Well, I don’t know there’s so much to consider

while bringing a bad guy to justice.

It’s true.

I beg to differ.

If you don’t kill the bandit,

he might hurt more innocent people.

So there’s no need to feel guilty.

People can recognize righteousness.

You’re right.

So I need to continue doing my job.

By the way, where are you going at midnight?

We’re going to scare Dong Mu.

Maybe we can get some information from him.

Dong Mu lives in the suburb.

It’ll be dawn when you’re there.

Father asks me to check him tomorrow.

Can’t you wait till then?

We couldn’t go to sleep. Why not have a try?

Alright.

Let's go.

You two can deal with him. Why bring me along?

Yong said if you come with us,

we’ll have a better chance.

Yishao, you’re so naive.

Your husband needs a scapegoat.

If you succeed,

you can take the credit. But if not,

I’ll have to take the blame.

But I don't mind. Let’s go.

Let’s go.

It’s like a haunted house.

Isn’t he scared to live here alone?

Dong Mansion

Who knows? According to the scholar,

Dong Mu is an optimistic man.

How could he put up with such a house?

Yes, it’s strange.

Are you sure it’s here?

I think so.

Yishao, let me take you in.

Hold my hands.

Yong, his yard is a mess.

Would anyone live here?

Yes. The path is clean.

It’s been cleaned frequently.

Let’s scare him.

Will it work? It’s dawn.

Don’t worry. It’s a good time when people

are about to wake up.

OK.

Who is it visiting so early?

Hold on.

Coming.

What brings you here?

Mission accomplished. I’m here to see you.

Why are you here at this hour?

You didn’t collect the commission for this month,

so I came to bring you the money.

You drew in lots of clients to Blue Mist House.

I should pay you back.

Yong, she sounds familiar.

I think we met her before.

Yes, she does.

I have some questions.

What? You’re not going to let me in?

Please.

It’s Mo.

We came just in time.

So much?

Dong Mu, we’ve known each other for years.

I have a question that needs your answer.

What is it?

Is it you that committed the heinous crime

in Dongxiang recently?

That’s funny. I’m not capable of doing that.

It’s quite an irony.

You made the deal with me back then

to make enough money as soon as possible

so you can redeem Yuan.

But who knows that Yuan

fell for Liu Ming you brought in

and died for him?

I know you’re full of hatred.

But killing innocent people is too much.

Take the money.

Last night, officers came to look into the case.

I already told them about Yuan.

We can’t keep the secret forever. So leave.

Well, money is a good thing.

Mo, you sold the girls

for money, didn’t you?

What are you talking about?

Your business isn’t as good as before, is it?

Clients don’t dare to go to your place, do they?

It’s said there’s a fox demon who haunts people

and wrecks their families, right?

You’re going to report me in after I escape.

The authority will find out I’m the murderer

and will hunt me down.

When the arrest warrant is out,

everyone will know

that there is never a fox demon.

Once the case goes about,

your Blue Mist House will be famous

and your business will flourish.

More poor girls will come to you,

and more leave heart-broken.

But you don’t care if they live or die,

or if they’re happy or not.

Am I right?

Who are you to speak to me like that?

I’m running a brothel.

Girls come to me on their own will.

I do business. Of course I want to make money.

What’s wrong about it?

Don’t pretend that you’re a caring man.

If you care about them,

why did you ruin their chances to be happy?

Happy?

Mo, you’re so good with lies.

On your conscience,

do the redeemed girls

really get rid of woes?

I’m afraid they’re sent to another hell.

What do you mean?

Those young scholars have easy money.

They buy girls’ love with money.

But for love so easy to get,

do you think they would cherish it?

One day, they will abandon the girls.

Their parents or mentors died of humiliation.

Is it the girls’ fault?

Every one of them cut ties with the girls

to put an end to negative comments

for their own sake.

The girls redeemed and abandoned later

are more miserable than those in your place.

Monsters! They’re all monsters.

And you ignore the girls’ lives.

You're even worse!

Alright. You’re such

an ungrateful man.

I’m leaving.

The authority will come and arrest you.

Wanna leave? I don’t think you can.

What will you do to me?

You and the scholars are all murderers.

I never harmed Yuan.

If I let you go, you’d report me to the authority.

I’m not afraid of death. But before I die,

I have to eliminate all the monsters like you.

Don't, please. Look, if I die,

those girls will suffer more.

Municipal Government of Dongxiang

Dong Mu is arrested.

Is the case closed?

Yes, it’s pure luck.

No, it’s not.

It’s your wisdom. Another girl,

no, another two girls would have died.

Father must be happy for you.

Of course. I help him catch the murder.

He should be.

The hell I am.

Father, shouldn’t you sleep at home?

Why are you heading to the office so early?

Oh, I want to have a nice sleep.

Go back home immediately.

We’ll talk about it later.

Did he get up on the wrong side of the bed?

Little Stammer rushes out. Where is he going?

The scholar’s case is on trial today.

I guess he goes to observe.

Mr. Shen scolded young master badly

when he went to work.

Why?

He took Mrs. Shen to the suburb

for investigation without Mr. Shen’s permission.

How dangerous it was!

Where is he now?

Kneeling in the ancestral hall.

Supreme is the law

Court opened.

Fairness to all

Order.

Send for the criminal.

Your Honor, the criminal.

Kneel!

You insolent! How dare you defy His Excellency!

Order.

Uncuff him.

Yes.

Who is it kneeling before me?

Your Honor, I’m Dong Mu.

Dong Mu, how do you plead?

I plead guilty to murder.

Elaborate it.

Yes.

I had a deal with Blue Mist House to introduce

clients and get commission.

I lured scholars to go to the Blue Mist House.

When they were obsessed with the girls,

I encouraged them to redeem them.

If they turned out to be dishonest in love,

I approached them as a friend and killed them.

You’re a scholar yourself. Why did you do that?

Revenge.

Whom do you hold a grudge against?

All dishonest men,

who speak of high morality,

but in fact, are hypocrites.

Isn’t it a good thing to punish them?

You hate them. But you didn’t punish them,

instead, you hurt their families. Why?

Your Honor, death isn’t scary.

It’s easier to kill them than to make them suffer.

To punish people,

we put his conscience in suffering.

Nonsense!

How dare you say that till now?

You killed brutally for your own sake,

not for Yuan.

Miss Yuan was indeed a poor girl.

If it wasn’t you,

how could she commit suicide?

Don’t you think you are as guilty as those men?

Instead of reflecting on yourself, you made excuses.

You have knowledge but no conscience.

You are a monster, too!

Heaven witnesses the truth.

As to their responsibilities, I’ll be the judge.

There are countless dishonest men.

Issues concerning love and family are complicated.

It’s not your place to convict them.

It’s another crime to shirk responsibility.

Killing the innocent is unforgivable.

I, hereby, sentence you to death penalty.

Effective immediately.

That’s right. He should be executed!

He deserves to die!

I’m guilty.

Now I see.

I’m sorry.

Yuan!

Yuan!

I’m going to see you soon.

Go.

Supreme is the law

From now on, no brothels

in Dongxiang should hire pimps.

The law-breaker will be punished.

Court adjourned.

Mr. Shen, you’re still kneeling here.

It’s you. You give me a jump.

What are you doing here? Is the case closed?

Dong Mu confessed.

Mr. Shen, it’s an incredible feat.

A feat?

Don’t you see I’m still kneeling here?

Mr. Shen, you cracked the case.

Why does His Lordship punish you?

Is he angry that you take all the credits?

My father is angry with me for not telling him.

I’m lucky this time.

If I were not,

I could have alerted Dong Mu.

His Lordship is right.

Is he?

You think I’d be so careless?

Who am I?

I’m blessed by Heavenly Lords.

It’s sheer luck.

Tell me.

Do you have the salary for this month?

Yes.

Really?

This is your bonus.

Save it for your marriage.

Thank you, Mr. Shen.

Come here.

I’m not giving it to you for nothing.

Do me a favor.

Mr. Shen, what are you doing?

Don't move.

Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen.

Don't move or speak. I’ll be back soon.

Just a moment. Don’t move until it cools.

Mr. Shen.

Yishao, anything to eat? I’m hungry.

Just a minute. Father said

he and Jie would return when the case is closed.

We’ll have a late lunch.

What do we have here?

Tea-flavored drumsticks.

Look, I bought some quality tea

from Blue Mist House.

I’m making tea-themed foods

for you and our parents.

What? Food made of tea?

It’s delicious. It has tea’s aroma.

Of course it does.

Marinate drumsticks with onions and liquor

and scatter salt, green onions and pepper.

Then fry them

with Kungfu tea.

Lastly, cover them with sugar,

wrap it in a lotus leaf and tie it with straws

and roast them.

It won’t be overcooked.

They taste soft and tender.

and bear a strong aroma of tea.

They’re good with rice.

Delicious!

My lord, my lady, the table is set.

My lord, let’s go.

I’m busy with the case

and haven’t had a decent meal recently.

Yes.

I wonder what Yishao has made for us.

Father and Yong are stressed out.

So I made a few dishes with tea

to refresh you.

Father.

Take a seat.

Tea could be made into foods. I never heard of it.

Father,

tea could be made into lots of delicious foods.

Look, this is tea-flavored drumsticks.

Jasmine tea-scented fish, potatoes with green tea.

Wulong-pickled eggs and fried spring shoots.

And scallop soup with tea sprouts.

Come on. Have some.

OK.

Time to eat.

Yong, try one more.

It smells like tea.

Hmm, it tastes good.

Shitou, here. Have some.

None for me?

No, here’s yours.

-Is it good? -Yes.