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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 2

How many times have you tried to kill yourself and survived?

You were beaten quite a few times as well.

Do you remember that at all?

You won't have it your way today.

- Move it! - I won't go with you!

Move it!

- Let go of me! - Move it!

- Let go of me! - Get dress, learn from your sisters.

You should know what this place is.

But you aren't scared at all, nor are you making a fuss.

Have you succumbed to your fate, or have you got some plan to escape?

What use is it being scared? What good will crying do?

Will my fear and tears make you set me free?

They might just get me whipped, or punished in some other ways.

Since the result is the same

why shouldn't I choose an easier way out for myself?

From now on, I'll obey your orders.

Have a seat over here.

Have you ever seen someone who fell into the water?

They panic because they can't swim.

So they struggle in hope to float to the surface of the water.

But the truth is, the more they struggle, the faster they sink.

In the end, they didn't die from drowning.

They choked to death from the water they splashed up during the struggle.

The fact is that once they relax their muscles

they could float easily even if they cannot swim.

What is even more ridiculous is that a lot of those who fell into the water

are actually very close to the shore.

More often than not, they could get back on the shore by keeping a breath in.

What is your name?

Xin Yue.

All right.

The maids will take you to your room in a minute.

Let them know if you need anything.

I have actually saved you.

If it isn't for me, you would either starve to death or become a beggar for life.

But with your good looks, it's most likely that you would run into mishap.

Then you would truly be sold into indecent and dirty business.

Here, we'll dance together.

I... I can't.

Fair Maiden's House has been famous for years.

Should anyone from Beauties' House see us dancing such a dance

we would become a laughingstock.

That may not necessarily be so.

Beauties' House may even snatch her from us if they see her.

You're the leading lady of the house. Why don't you teach them a trick or two?

Sure.

You are all dismissed. You two, stay.

The dance of the south excels in its poetic imagery.

Your hands must seem as if you're picking flowers.

Your body must be bent like a new branch of the willow.

Only light music and slow dancing will attract people.

Be careful not to dance like savages from the desert

with no sense of aesthetics at all.

Do you know anything else other than those moves?

No.

Miss Shuang Shuang, why don't you demonstrate for us?

Miss Hong, you want me to train such an impudent lass?

It's such a waste of my energy.

You...

Still fooling around?

Continue to practice. Practice.

Stop!

Steamed buns! Have a look!

It's freshly steamed.

Get me five of them.

Yes, sure. Here.

Grandpa... Grandpa...

Grandpa, sit here for a while.

I'll go and get you a physician.

Sure...

I'm sorry, Xin Yue.

I have to borrow your belongings.

Get that nailed up properly.

- Yes, Ma'am. - Understood?

Yes!

Have you locked the door?

Yes.

Give it a good clean.

Hey. Come here. Come here.

Be careful.

- Are the dumplings cooked? - Yes.

All right.

This fire is good. Go eat.

- Hey, is everyone here? - Yes.

- All right. Come come. - Come, sit.

Sit.

- Cook this. - All right.

Here.

Wine.

Tonight, we will feast and drink to our hearts' content, all right?

Yes!

Here, drink it up!

Cheers!

Here, for you.

Come on, let's toast to Miss Hong.

Here.

Come here. Cheers!

Cheers!

I almost forgot something.

That is to give everyone your red packets!

Xin Yan, come. Collect your red packets!

Here! Xin Yue gets one first!

Xin Yan, here's yours!

- Here, Ding Ling's! - Thank you, Miss Hong!

Do you know that once you take my red packets

you are sure to have great luck in the following year!

Here! Slowly!

Everyone gets to have one!

Here you go!

Miss Hong is beautiful in appearance

and shrewd in running business, but she is very generous.

She is kind and loyal to all of us here who have no families to rely on.

She's done her best to make Lunar New Year lively.

And she's spent so much money to have the whole house decorated in fancy colors.

It might not be pretty

but it is indeed lively and festive.

- Hold on to your red packet. - I seem to...

like her even more.

We would be in prosperity.

Coming!

Master Wu. You're here rather early in the morning, is something the matter?

I'm looking for a young lady on behalf of the Boat Lord.

Gather all the girls here in the house.

Hurry up.

Yes.

Get up now. Everyone, get up now.

- Get up now. - Get up.

Get up. Get up quickly.

- Get up. - Get up quickly.

Who joined the house three months ago?

Where did she come from?

When did she join the house?

You still won't tell me the truth?

You don't want to live anymore?

She... She came from foreign lands.

She did join the house three months ago.

Is she telling the truth?

Then there is no mistake about it.

Her looks, the timing, and her identity

are all the right match.

She should be the one that the Boat Lord is looking for.

Although I don't know what for

I wouldn't dare to make any speculations of my own.

You have to handle this mess that you got yourself in.

I'll be waiting for you outside.

I will always remember Master Wu's kindness.

Apart from Yue Er, everyone is to return to your rooms.

- Yes. - Yes.

- Miss Hong, you... - I am sorry.

Miss Hong, I don't know who that Master Wu is

and I don't know who that Boat Lord he is referring to.

Don't worry, Miss Hong.

We have no animosity between us, and I hold no grudges against you.

All I know is that during these months, you fed me well and we had fun.

I've also learned a lot of new skills.

This is my first time in Jian-An, so the more friends I have

the easier it is for me to get around.

Moreover, Miss Hong, you didn't hurt me.

I also understand that one should be lenient whenever possible.

Yue Er, you're so understanding.

I will remember that I owe you a favor.

I am not an ungrateful person.

In the future, I will repay your kindness when there's a chance.

Then... Let's go and meet the Boat Lord.

Miss Hong.

Who is this Boat Lord that Master Wu speaks of?

You really don't know the Boat Lord?

I'm new to Jian-An and don't have any relatives here.

How would I know someone as prestigious as the Boat Lord?

If I did, would I be in such a sorry state when you met me or so curious now?

What you said makes sense.

Shi's Shipping runs many businesses in Jian-An.

My house is one of Shi's Shipping's businesses.

I pay them every year according to profit.

Before, Shi's Shipping used to interfere how we run our businesses.

But now, as long as we follow the rules, they don't ask about much.

What rules?

There's quite a lot of rules.

For example...

we're not allowed to abduct girls into the business.

No wonder you're so scared.

You broke the rule.

Here.

Miss Hong, this house looks rather ordinary from the outside.

It doesn't look very grand.

Shush.

Let's go.

Greetings, Old Master.

Is this the one that you brought over?

Yes. After all that searching around, she was right before my eyes.

I reckon the circumstances are correct.

Old Master, take a closer look.

Is she the right one?

I wouldn't dare say if she is the right one or not.

But the previous ones were all sent out right after they went in.

All right, follow me.

It's right this time.

Why don't you leave first?

The Boat Lord has his own ideas about reward and punishment.

I wash my hands of this matter.

Miss, come with me.

Go.

There is more than meets the eye in this house.

The front is no different from everyone else's home.

But the back of it is so unusual.

Although it is winter now

the bamboo grove is still thriving.

The vibrant green makes one's spirits lift up as well.

Looks like Xiao Wei didn't lie to me.

Miss, what did you say?

Nothing. I didn't say anything.

This house is so pretty.

Is it?

If you like it here, come often in the future.

This is the bamboo house.

There's also plum garden, orchid house, and chrysanthemum house.

We'll get there soon. Come with me.

Young lady, please enter on your own.

It's him? I didn't expect it to be him.

Be it in the desert or Jian-An City

he always stands out.

Is it fun in Jian-An?

When I first got to Jian-An, I was too busy feeding myself.

Then I've been spending all my time in Miss Hong's house.

I didn't get to have any fun at all.

I reckon that you've had a good time.

Miss Hong must have been kind to you.

You already look the part of a lady from Jian-An City.

I've always been pretty good.

But everyone need dressing up just as horses need saddles.

Yes.

You've seen how disheveled I was back at Crescent Fountains.

Stop teasing me.

Thinking about it, I was doing very well then.

I'm also doing pretty well now.

Xin Yue! Xin Yue!

My Lord.

Doggy boy!

Call me Shi Feng from now on.

Stop calling me Doggy boy.

That was when my talent was still undiscovered.

Yes, Shi Feng! Master Shi Feng!

What are you doing here?

The Ninth Lord took me here with him.

Xiao Feng's grandfather had fallen very ill.

He had no other choice but to pawn off the clothes you left with them.

Coincidentally, the owner of the pawn shop went with me to the desert

so he recognized that outfit.

He reported the matter to me.

I could tell that Xiao Feng is smart and very filial

so I kept him here with me.

My Lord, I'll take my leave then.

You found out from Xiao Feng that I was stranded in Jian-An...

Is Xiao Feng's grandfather well now?

He's in his old age living without regular meals and a home.

But it isn't some serious illness.

He's already better now after being taken care of these days.

He often thinks about you.

Go and visit him when you can.

I would even if you don't tell me to.

Has Miss Hong been hard on you?

Not at all.

What are you so nervous about?

Who knows what regulations you might have here?

What if it's like in the desert, where you chop people's hands off.

Wouldn't a beauty like Miss Hong be killed for nothing?

It isn't a matter simply between you and Miss Hong.

If I let this matter go, this sort of wrongdoing would be committed again.

In the future, more girls would be at risk.

Miss Hong has already promised me that she would never kidnap anyone again.

Is there a way to make this all right?

I'll leave this matter to Wu.

It is his staff who got into trouble.

I shouldn't have to worry about it for him.

It's a bit chilly out here.

Why don't we take a seat indoors?

My Lord.

Have you never heard a stomach growl?

This looks really delicious.

Can I eat it?

That's deep-fried noodle cake.

That's just put up for Lunar New Year.

You can have it as a snack

but as part of a meal, it is too greasy.

What would you like?

I'll have the kitchen make it for you.

I don't know what to order... Anything would do!

The most important thing is that there must be meat! Huge chunks of meat!

Don't dice or slice them like how they did it at Miss Hong's.

It's a new experience when I tried it a few times.

The more I tried them the more depressed I get!

- Xiao Feng. - My Lord.

Get the cooks to prepare a chicken and two vegetarian dishes.

- And make them fast. - Yes.

I seldom have guests over.

This is possibly the first time that I made tea for someone else.

Try it even if you don't like it.

Don't you have a lot of siblings?

Xiao Feng addresses you as the Ninth Lord.

Is there a Tenth Lord as well?

I'm actually the only child.

My father had hoped that our family could grow in abundance.

So he made all the servants address me as the Ninth Young Master.

But it didn't work out the way he wanted.

Then everyone got used to calling me so

and no one got around to change it back anymore.

In my family, besides me, there is a pack of wolves.

The one you saw last time is my older brother.

They told me that your name is Xin Yue.

What about you?

Mo Xun.

Your surname isn't Shi?

Aren't you the owner of Shi's Shipping?

Who said the owner of Shi's Shipping must have the same surname?

I saw that it must be so when I saw the sign for Shi's Shipping.

Mo Xun... It sounds the same as 'untraceable.'

It is such a mysterious name.

Your name is Xin Yue. (Sounds like 'stars and moon')

I didn't see you bring stars and moon here along with you either.

Why don't I bring silver and gold over in the future?

I'm not hungry. Why don't you dig in?

I won't eat with you then.

You're straightforward and spontaneous.

It's really rare to see you eat so happily.

Have some vegetables.

Ladies should eat more vegetables.

It makes your skin look moist and bright.

Is that really true?

Ninth Lord...

You see... When I was staying at Miss Hong's

I was well fed and well accommodated.

Occasionally, I get to learn some new skills.

But now after all the hassle that you stirred up

Miss Hong would be too scared to take me back.

Now, I don't even have much money with me anymore.

As the saying goes

a true man has the courage to accept the consequences of his own actions.

You seem to have the air of an extraordinary man.

So you will be responsible for me?

I am literate, and I could do calculations.

I am also quite strong.

I'm not stupid either.

Do you need any help in one of your stores?

You wish to stay in Jian-An?

I just came here and I don't want to leave so soon.

I don't know when I plan to leave.

Why don't I ask around to see what position might suit you?

You could give it some thought about what jobs you like as well.

You could stay here at my place first.

Thank you! But I wouldn't stay here without working for it.

I could do whatever Xiao Feng could do.

You're different from Xiao Feng.

He is now an apprentice here at Shi's Shipping.

I am still training his patience.

What about me?

You are my guest.

You're a friend that I reunited with.

Master Wei, please come right in!

- Master Wei. - I'll ask you again.

Has a young girl from the desert visited your place?

There isn't...

Sir, I remember that there was once such a young lady.

She came in alone and didn't even ask about the prices.

She only asked for the best and most expensive dishes.

One meal and she spent all her money.

That's right!

That was a couple of months ago.

Did she mention where she was staying or where she was heading?

She didn't.

Master Wei, take care.

Hurry!

Judging by how she spent her money she would have run out of it very soon.

If I knew it, I should have given her more.

She has no one else here in Jian-An City.

Where could she have gone?

[Nine]

Young lady, I think that we have met somewhere before?

We once met at Crescent Fountains.

I remember it now.

Your partner was there as well.

What are you doing here?

I live here.

She lives here?

How is that possible?

You're here at the right time.

I've just brewed tea. Try some.

Sure!

- My Lord. - My Lord.

The Ninth Lord usually prefers serenity.

Even Xiao Feng and the others don't get to spend the night here.

Because the Ninth Lord must not be disturbed.

What now? Is it because someone is too hospitable

and the other took advantage of it?

My Lord, I've brought you the account book.

I won't keep you from discussing business.

I'm a bit bored in the house.

I'll take a stroll outside.

I wonder how Miss Hong and the girls are doing now.

Have they been well?

Could I have gotten them into trouble?

Young lady, why are you out here all by yourself?

Uncle Shi! Everything's fine.

I was just wondering how Miss Hong and the girls are.

The weather is a lot better now, so why don't you go and visit them?

Or you could take a walk elsewhere?

This is a good suggestion!

I'll head over now!

Wait. I'll send someone to get a carriage for you.

Why are you wearing so little?

I'll send someone to get more clothes for you.

I'm full, I'm not afraid of the cold.

This weather is nothing to me.

It's chilly out, you should put on more clothing.

- Come back soon. - All right, I will.

Who is it? We're not open these days.

Miss Xin Yue.

Why is the door closed? Fair Maiden's House is not open?

It's a long story.

Is Miss Hong in?

She is.

Miss Hong.

Why did you close for business all of a sudden?

It's all my fault.

Master Wu doesn't know what to do.

He can't guess the Boat Lord's mind.

Whether to give out a heavy punishment or a light punishment.

I heard he hasn't slept well these past two days

and still can't think of a good idea.

But he can't let me open for business glamorously as usual.

So he ordered me to close shop for the time being.

Master Wu is in your favor.

He doesn't want you to suffer.

So he's stuck in a dilemma.

Easy for you to say.

I'm so troubled right now.

I'll put in a good word for you at Shi's Shipping.

You shouldn't need to worry to much.

Really?

Then I have to thank you.

Otherwise, Master Wu wouldn't be able to help me even if he wanted to.

So, have you met the Boat Lord yet?

What does he look like?

How old is he?

Everyone here is counting on you to get fed.

Shouldn't you be worried about your business?

Why are you asking about that?

All right, if you're not willing to tell me then I won't ask.

But you should at least let me know why the Boat Lord asked for you.

Didn't you say you don't have any friends or relatives in Jian-An?

We met once.

He's an acquaintance.

It's just that I didn't know he was in Jian-An as well.

Who would have known?

I thought I got lucky.

Turns out that you're the Boat Lord's old acquaintance.

Even someone as smart as I can't win over God's will.

Miss Hong. It's bad.

Miss Shuang Shuang is leaving Fair Maiden's House.

I couldn't stop her and got a scolding from her too.

What did she say?

She says she has no reason to not do business because of one person.

If there's no business today and tomorrow, what will she live on?

A woman's beauty is limited to just a couple of years.

Beauties' House made a high offer.

She didn't go for old time's sake, but now it's better to go.

Let her be.

- Leave. - Yes.

But Shuang Shuang is Fair Maiden's House's leading lady.

How can you let her go?

I can't even save myself, how can I make her stay?

Is Beauties' House also part of Shi's Shipping?

It used to be. Now it's not.

I don't know what happened either.

Beauties' House has been getting grander and grander these past two years.

Shi's Shipping's dance houses don't interfere with each other.

I think it's only a matter of time before

Beauties House become the top dance house in Jian-An.

I don't know what's on the Boat Lord's mind.

He'd actually let them get so big.

Seems like I should think of a way to help Shi's Shipping.

Let's not talk about such troubling matters.

It's not my place to worry about it either.

We can't do business anyway.

Take a walk with me.

All right.

- Get out of the way! - Get out of the way!

Get out of the way!

- Get out of the way! - Hurry up and get lost!

- Stop! Get out out of the way! - Yes.

Look over there! Look!

Who is that?

It's him.

What do you mean 'him'?

Who is he?

You have a really good taste!

He might be from a noble family

but he is very unique.

And he isn't bestowed a marriage yet.

He doesn't even have any wedding proposals yet.

Miss Hong is really a good matchmaker.

It's a pity that you got into the wrong business!

His uncle is appointed as the Great General.

His uncle's wife is the Senior Princess.

His name is Wei Wu Ji.

He's the famous tyrant of Jian-An City.

I once thought that I would see him at those times when I felt lost.

But I didn't.

Although I did guess that his identity must be quite special

little did I expect him to be the nephew of the Emperor

and Great General Wan Qian.

What's the matter?

Years ago, Empress Wan was a maidservant in Senior Princess's manor.

She was an illegitimate child

with no father to be named for.

Therefore she could only take the surname of Wan.

When she grew up, she was just the songstress in the princess's manor.

But she won the heart of the Emperor with her good looks

and became the Empress.

As for General Wan, he is an illegitimate child as well.

When he was young, he looked after horses for a living.

Not only was he often starved

but he was also abused by his owner often.

Then he achieved victory in fighting against the Jie tribe

and became the most influential official.

He even married Senior Princess Zhaoyang and made it right to the top.

Therefore, in Jian-An City, as long as you have the will, everything is possible.

You said that a songstress became the Empress

and a stable boy became a general.

I understand the theory.

'Do those gentry have blue blood?'

Where did you hear that saying from?

If I could understand that theory when I was your age

I could have been very different now.

If I could be connected to nobility

wouldn't I be able to help the Ninth Lord even more?

When I used to stay out late

Papa would also sit under the lights reading while he waited up for me.

One lamp, one person.

That is what warmth feels like.

Why are you standing there not coming inside?

I've been to see Miss Hong.

Then we went out of the city to admire some plum blossoms.

Have you had dinner?

I didn't have a proper meal.

But Miss Hong brought quite a lot of delicacies with her.

We snacked on them while we were out having fun, so I'm quite full.

I'd like to know why you allowed Shi's Shipping's dance houses

to operate separately on their own.

Not only could they not work together against the competitors

but they would also be competing with each other.

People are wondering if there's an inner conflict within Shi's Shipping

and yet the Boat Lord could do nothing about it?

They are right.

I do indeed have the will, but not the strength.

Send me back to Fair Maiden's House for training.

I could either work on the account books or simply do random chores.

I'd like to learn how to run a dance house.

Since you've already thought it through

I'll give orders to Shen Xing tomorrow...

so that he could make the arrangements for you.

This should be returned to its rightful owner.

Thank you.

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