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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 3

[Fair Maiden's House]

Master Wu.

House Mistress.

Ms. Hong, please don't blame me.

I didn't expect things to turn out like this.

I'm not a foolish person.

Now that I can still dress so extravagantly

and hold a status here in Jian-An City

I have no complaints.

The two of you should work together to manage Fair Maiden's House.

Ms. Hong, this is already considered a good outcome of this incident.

I'll leave the House Mistress to you.

I have other affairs to attend to, so I'll take my leave now.

Thank you.

House Mistress, this way, please.

House Mistress, these are the account books from last year.

Look through them slowly, and I'll explain the details to you.

Ms. Hong, just call me Yue Er.

House Mistress is but a title.

Yes, House Mistress.

Yue Er.

House Mistress.

Yue Er!

Yes, I know that. Yue Er!

Have a seat.

You're given a heavy responsibility.

Honestly, when Master Wu said that you're coming back, I was really glad.

No matter what, you are appointed by Shi's Shipping's Boat Lord

which means that I finally have reliable support.

Frankly speaking, Master Wu is also in favor

of your friendship with the Ninth Lord.

He hopes that this connection will help bring the plummeting business back to life.

How is business recently?

It's fine that Shuang Shuang left

but she also took away two of our more talented girls.

Ding Ling is actually quite gifted

but she refuses to train hard for it.

All she wants is to leave.

Ding Ling's issue is not that difficult to resolve.

'Desperate times calls for desperate measures.'

Let's try taking a desperate measure.

Ms. Hong.

Ding Ling. come over here.

We seem to have met by fate.

We came to the house and learned performance skills together.

I know that you don't want to stay.

Since I've taken over the management of this house

I wouldn't like to force you to stay.

You may go home if you please.

This is your indenture.

You may have it back.

From now on, you're no longer related to Fair Maiden's House.

You're really giving my indenture back to me and setting me free?

I'll pay to redeem you from your bondage.

Why are you doing this?

Haven't I already told you?

Fate seemed to have drawn us close.

Moreover, I don't wish to keep anyone here against their will.

Ms. Hong, am I really allowed to leave?

The indenture is already in your hands now.

You may leave.

Thank you, Xin Yue!

Come here.

You can go home now.

If you need help in the future

come to me anytime.

We're friends after all.

I'll go now.

I've never seen her this happy since she joined the house.

Are you sure that she will come back to us?

What is definite in this world?

As long as it is half possible, we should do our best.

Besides, the chances are quite high in this case.

But I can't strike out any expenses.

The money we spent to buy Ding Ling

the money we spent on hiring the performance instructors

and the money on food and such, all of that needs to be recorded.

I haven't even made a penny, and I am already in debt.

I am the one who should be sighing.

Shuang Shuang has left, and so has Ling Long.

Even Ding Ling's gone now.

The rest of the girls are very plain.

None of them could possibly become popular.

Fair Maiden's House would be in difficulties without a lead dancer.

Tell me what we should do.

We'll think of what others haven't thought of

and speak of what others haven't spoken of.

We'll take the path not taken to get the attention of others.

Well said.

It's easy to say that we'll think of what others haven't thought of

and speak of what others haven't spoken of.

It's all words, but to put it into action would be very difficult.

It's all up to us now.

Accompany me to a few of the other dance houses these days.

Explain to me about the regulations of dance houses as well.

Two heads are better than one.

We'll come up with something eventually.

You're right.

I've always only focused on getting a female lead.

But I've never paid attention to anything else.

Why are you so clever?

My idea is, first of all

we'll get a few decent-looking ladies and train them with care.

Second, there is a limit to what skillful dance performances attract.

It's hard to come by a beauty who is skilled in all arts.

All others need help of some sort to make up for their weaknesses.

Why don't we focus on this 'help of some sort'?

Third, once we are famous, how hard would it be to hire famous performers?

But this is just my opinion.

That is so well put.

But... I have another idea...

You can't blame me for this.

You have already managed to escape this place

but then you came running back!

Since you wanted this job

and you also represent this house

you mustn't undermine this idea of mine.

Here, I'm not lying to you.

Come on, it's quick and painless.

- Come with me! Quickly! - No!

It's so ugly.

No wonder Uncle Shi squinted his eyes when he saw it.

Xin Yue, do you want your meal or not? The Ninth Lord is still waiting for you!

Just bring me some food.

I'm feeling a bit unwell.

I'd like to eat alone in my room.

Are you ill? Why don't you get the Ninth Lord to treat you?

His lordship was the one who cured my grandfather.

No! It's not serious anyway.

I'll be fine after having a rest.

No wonder he's got some much medicinal herbs in his house.

Women are so troublesome.

I'll bring you your meal later!

How dare he say that I am troublesome!

I'll teach you a lesson when my ears are healed.

I'll let you off today.

Can I really help share the Ninth Lord's burdens

by managing Fair Maiden's House well?

Can I?

Can I do it or not?

Come in!

What's wrong?

Are you unwell?

I'll have a look.

Your ears hurt?

You already know about it?

Don't touch them.

They can be easily inflamed when you just get piercings.

I'll take a look for you.

Both your ears are inflamed.

Didn't Ms. Hong give you the reminders?

Don't move.

I've concocted a balm for you.

You must remember not to touch your ears for the next twenty days.

Aren't you tired in that posture?

Sit over here.

When I was little, I had piercings just like you.

I was quite frail when I was little.

My mother heard from others that

if I had piercings like girls, it would help to build up strength.

So I was just like you when I was five years old.

Did you have such ugly ones on as well?

Mine were slightly better than yours.

They were colorful.

Then yours must have attracted even more attention than mine.

The other side.

Control those hands of yours!

When I was little, I followed the wolf pack

and I learned how to lick my own wounds.

This is the first time that I was taken care of by someone other than Papa.

If it is this heart-warming to be a human

I'm willing to be one.

Papa, I am very happy now.

Happiness is a flower that blossomed from the heart.

It's beautiful and tempting.

When you smell its fragrance, it is sweet and refreshing.

Memories can be deceiving.

I'm afraid that I won't remember today's happiness clearly some day.

Therefore, I'm going to write down everything that happens from now on.

I'll do my best to stay happy.

My brother must be strolling under the moon.

He could be howling at the moon now.

Is he missing me?

Do wolves miss others as well?

I must ask him about it next time when I go home.

Perhaps he's found a mate

who is looking up at the moon together with him.

Looking at the slight sorrow on his face

I feel sad and sorry for him.

If only I could help relieve him of that sorrow.

Right! I must do my best to help him relieve his sorrow

and cheer him up.

Such a sorrowful rendition 'Lament of the White Hair'

was played into such a cheerful tune by you.

That is truly unexpected.

Right at this moment, the clear moon

the beautiful sky, and the swaying bamboo beside you

make one gorgeous scenery.

Most of the time, humans have a lot to learn from the wolves.

Wolves would get agitated under the full moon

but humans usually act as if they hadn't seen it.

You are right.

A gorgeous scenery should be appreciated.

You play the flute really well.

Why don't you play another tune?

Play one that is a bit more cheerful?

Here, be careful.

Hurry.

This performance must attract the attention of the Senior Princess.

Judging from the current situation, that shouldn't be a problem.

Yue Er, within ten days

Fair Maiden's House will be famous throughout Jian-An City.

House Mistress!

Ms. Hong, there's someone here asking if we're hiring musicians.

I already told him that we're not but he won't leave.

He insists to play a tune for the House Mistress.

- We'll take a look then? - Let's have a look.

Are you from elsewhere?

Yes.

I am Qin Yuan Qi, and this is my first visit to Jian-An.

My expertise is in zither playing and dance performances.

I hope that Fair Maiden's House would take me in.

Whether we take you in or not depends on your skills.

We'll make a decision after you have played us a tune.

Yes.

- Bring out the zither, - That's not necessary.

The zither is the heart of the zither player.

I carry it with me at all times.

This gentleman is superbly skilled in zither playing.

Even the most famous Beauties' House would have taken you in.

Why have you chosen to come here instead?

To be honest with you, I have been to Beauties' House.

I am the eldest son in my family.

Both my parents have passed away, so I brought my siblings to Jian-An.

All I ask for is a place to settle down.

Beauties' House was going to take us all in

but yesterday, my younger sister heard that you have put up the performance

of 'Moon and Blossoms.'

Therefore, she is unwilling to join Beauties' House anymore.

She begged me to give it a try here

and make sure that the writer of the playscript could hear me play.

Her sister asked you to turn down the offer at Beauties' House

after she heard about 'Moon and Blossoms'?

Yes. My sister said that the performance of 'Moon and Blossoms' is very unique.

'Moon and Blossoms' is indeed an opportunistic performance.

The music that is written into it is very common.

In the ears of a maestro like you it could only be described as unique.

But it is flattering that your sister is impressed by this show of ours.

My sister has unique tastes.

What is his sister like?

Has she already figured out the true meaning behind this performance?

Ms. Hong and Master Wu couldn't even figure it out

but I didn't even manage to make it unknown to his sister?

Has she really figured out my underlying motive?

Sure!

Since our meeting is one of fate

why don't you bring your siblings over?

They are already waiting outside.

I never thought walking can be so graceful.

I heard from your brother that it was you who decided to join Fair Maiden's House?

However, we are just a dance house that has recently attained some fame.

What is it about us that impressed you?

Musician Bo Ya met his bosom friend Zi Qi through one tune.

Both the House Mistress and I read each other's minds through a dance.

I believe we could become that kind of friends.

Mister Qin's skills in zither playing

could be considered ingenious, and second to none.

Miss Qin walks lightly with grace.

Judging from your movements, you should be skilled in dancing.

Although you are masked

you are still charming and gentle.

In my opinion, you're also a beauty that is hard to come by.

Exactly. You are exactly what we need at Fair Maiden's House...

At Fair Maiden's House, what we need are people who know their own place.

I wouldn't dare to let your talents go to waste.

Please leave now.

House Mistress?

Ms. Hong, people could be categorized.

Miss Qin, you and I are not of the same mind

so we cannot relate to one another.

I am sorry.

What do you mean by this?

Do you think that no one else would hire us?

We've even turned down the offer from Beauties' House.

It's already flattering that we decided to choose you over them!

Yuan Chao, you're not to be rude.

I am telling the truth!

House Mistress, why don't you reconsider our offer?

We bring no harm to Fair Maiden's House if we join you.

We will become bosom friends.

Miss Qin is quite intelligent.

You are a friend who could anticipate one's thoughts.

House Mistress, you are meticulous.

Likewise.

But I have already made up my mind.

Since you have already decided take it that we have disturbed you.

Farewell.

Yue Er, Mister Qin is a great talent.

Why did you let him go?

Moreover, even though Miss Qin is masked

you can still tell that she is a beauty.

They are such talented siblings.

If we could have their assistance

we would surely make great progress.

You only saw the positive side to it.

However, the negative aspect to it might be hazardous.

They are nothing more than a musician and a frail young lady.

It is that simple.

She appears to be frail and beautiful.

She has a deep personality that I couldn't read.

Honestly, I have also been through many different situations in life.

I can tell if someone is good or up to no good.

I don't feel the same way as you do towards her.

Ms. Hong, that is my animal instinct.

It's difficult for me to explain it to you.

But this decision is for the best interest of Fair Maiden's House.

I have Fair Maiden's House's best interests at heart.

You're prejudiced.

I do!

Yes, you are prejudiced!

I am the House Mistress!

Yes! You are the House Mistress!

House Mistress and Ms. Hong, Miss Ding Ling asks to see you.

House Mistress. Ms. Hong.

I'd like to come back here.

I've already burnt my indenture.

If you like, I will sign another one.

Ding Ling, if you return

you would be a member of the house.

Then you have to obey me.

You knew that I would return.

Everything has gone according to your wishes.

Are you pleased?

You have no right to complain.

Your stepmother and brothers have forsaken you.

That is your own problem.

You should have thought of that.

Your stepmother sold you to the dance house.

That didn't just happen a few days ago.

But during all this time, your brothers never came for you.

Is it also my fault that you kept lying to yourself?

You didn't fight when you should put up a fight.

You didn't back off when you should.

Now, you have a home that you could not return to.

This is entirely your fault.

Moreover, we sell talent here, not our body.

Why would you care so much about what people think?

Jian-An City is so big, and yet you couldn't make a living elsewhere.

Do you blame me for that as well?

Don't cry. Stop crying.

When I was six years old my parents sold me

so that my older brother could marry a wife.

Now, I couldn't even remember what my parents looked like.

Which of the girls in the house don't share a similar story?

You have at least been loved by your parents for years.

We can only rely on ourselves now.

From now on, you have to learn to start thinking for yourself.

Since we've returned the indenture to you

you are free to do what you will.

If you find a better place in the future

you may leave anytime.

But now, as long as you are in our house

you'd have to abide by our rules.

Do you understand?

Xin Yan, take Ding Ling to her room.

Yes.

Rest well.

How does it feel to play the nice person?

It's pretty nice. I used to play the mean one and was hated by the girls.

It's rare that I get to play a different role.

But now, they hate me.

No, they won't hate you.

They would only respect and fear you.

Because you didn't force them into doing anything.

You gave them choices.

Whereas I used to force them all the time.

But now that I saw how you behave

I realize that forcing someone is the worst strategy.

Since Ding Ling has now returned

we'll get Ding Ling and Xixi to learn how to play Senior Princess.

Zhi Lan and Qiu Xiang will learn to play the General.

Whoever performs well will get to take the center stage.

Firstly, they will do their best only when they have pressure.

Secondly, should any accidents happen we would have substitutes on the side.

How ingenious!

How did you think it all out so well?

I'll have to leave the planning of details in the play to Ms. Hong.

I don't know the people of Jian-An as well as you do.

If there's any inappropriate lines or scenes in the performance

you can correct it according to your ideas.

All right then.

If there are no more questions...

I'm going home now.

Going home?

I'm going back to Shi's Shipping.

When did you start regarding Shi's Shipping as your home?

Qiu Xiang should be a bit more heroic in this scene.

- Who is it? - The Ninth Lord.

My Lord.

I'm here to see if your ears are better.

Sure.

They are almost healed, you won't need any more balm on it.

No!

I'm worried that there would be pus in my ears.

It's better to put some balm on them again.

I noticed that you have been extremely busy these days.

Has there been any troubles at Fair Maiden's House?

Everything's fine.

I'm just making arrangements for a dance performance.

You don't have to worry, Ninth Lord.

Of course. I am not worried.

Since I've handed Fair Maiden's House to you

you're allowed to do whatever you wish.

Moreover, Master Wu could also offer you some assistance.

He is a reliable person with a sense of propriety.

Master Wu has been very helpful.

Thank you, My Lord.

It's getting late.

You should go to bed soon.

I'll see you out.

He has never seen me in this dress.

I'll wear it for him one day.

Xiao Feng, is something the matter?

Xin Yue, I've been to Fair Maiden's House today.

I heard the staff say that you wrote a play about the Senior Princess?

That would be a problem.

The Ninth Lord once said that we are not be associated with officials

nor would we be involved in matters of the imperial court.

Xin Yue, I think that you don't have to do something so risky.

I didn't criticize Senior Princess at all in my performance.

Therefore, it would definitely be fine!

You're not to tell the Ninth Lord about it!

You have to believe in me!

But...

If anything goes wrong, we'd offend the nobility.

Then we would be in trouble!

Offend the nobility?

I've only offended the noble Xiao Feng.

Xin Yue, stop joking around with me.

Xiao Feng, listen to me.

The performance that I am putting on has to be perfect in every way.

Then I would have the chance to show it to the Senior Princess one day.

When that happens, I could then greet her myself.

In the future, Shi's Shipping would have a strong supporter in Jian-An.

Are you telling the truth, Xin Yue?

Of course!

But you have to keep this a secret.

Keep this from the Ninth Lord?

Just for a while.

This is beneficial to Shi's Shipping.

I know that you'd help me out.

I know that you'd help me out!

Settle down in here first.

We'll discuss the rest in due course.

- Thank you, Ms. Hong. - Thank you, Ms. Hong.

Xin Yan, take them to their rooms.

Yes. This way, please.

- Ms. Hong! - House Mistress.

Ms. Hong... Didn't I say not to take them into our house?

Why have you brought them in here?

Hear me out. I really had to take them in.

Do you know what happened this morning?

If this can be tolerated, then what can be called intolerable?

I went to the restaurant and was walking on the streets.

Do you know what I saw?

- Get moving! - Stop pushing us!

What is this about?

Stop pushing! Don't push so hard.

You're a bunch of treacherous, and untrustworthy vagabonds.

It's your honor that my Beauties' House was willing to take you in!

Are you putting on airs now?

Miss Feng, consider it our fault and accept my apologies to you.

You think that an apology would make up for this?

Listen up.

You've offended Beauties' House

and you would suffer for it!

You'd better reconsider this before telling me your final decision.

Miss Feng, we are grateful that you acknowledge our talents.

But not all flowers are in one garland.

Apart from Fair Maiden's House, we won't join any other houses.

Do you mean to say that Beauties' House is inferior to Fair Maiden's House?

What's good about Fair Maiden's House?

They are already notorious here in Jian-An City.

A dance house? They are just a misfit!

They are just lingering on their last breath.

How could they be compared to Beauties' House?

Impossible!

How dare you!

Who said that Fair Maiden's House is lingering on its last breath

and can't compare to Beauties' House?

What a coincidence. It's Ms. Hong.

- Apologize now. - What for?

I am telling the truth!

Moreover, would I Miss Feng apologize to you?

I've already attracted your leading lady over to mine.

Fair Maiden's House is just like you now.

You're a withering blossom that is no longer attractive.

You! What did you just say?

Ms. Hong, don't be angry.

This is all my fault.

I should know my own place since I came from a lowly birth.

Sadly, I'm still quite persistent.

I refuse to succumb to a lesser choice.

Well said, how right you are.

Have you heard her? She refuses to meddle with the lesser kind.

The clear and muddy are of two streams!

You brought them back just because of that?

It definitely wasn't that simple.

Miss Feng is not one to meddle with!

Most of the dance houses here in Jian-An City are all under my name.

If you swim against the tide

I could easily make you an outcast here in Jian-An with a few words!

Don't... Miss Feng, please don't be mad.

Beauties' House is wealthy and powerful

how would we dare to go against you or offend you?

Please have some mercy on us.

Sister, I understand how you feel

but Fair Maiden's House has no intention to take us in.

We have no other choices left.

It's good that you know better.

Come with me!

I won't go with you!

Qin Xiang would rather be driven out of Jian-An City than succumb to anyone.

I beg Miss Feng not to force us anymore.

Nasty lass!

- Take them away! - Get going!

- Move it! - Stop it!

Let go of her!

From now on, they belong to Fair Maiden's House.

No one is allowed to lay their hands on them.

I'm warning you not to push it too far.

Who cares how mighty Beauties' House is?

As long as Ms. Hong is here in Jian-An City

you won't get to dominate this place!

- You! - We'd never bow to you.

They chose to join Fair Maiden's House.

I will take them all in.

Don't even try to think about laying a finger on them anymore!

Let's go!

It does sound as if you're pitiful.

But thanks to the insults that Miss Feng hurled at you

Miss Hong decided to hire you out of a moment's anger and kindness.

This drastic measure might seem to be completely innocent

but if I take a closer look at it

it seems to be someone's meticulous scheme.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

I can finally fulfill my wish.

It is indeed a stroke of luck.

I have to thank Ms. Hong for standing up for us today.

We are deeply grateful.

I wouldn't dare to ask for more.

All I ask is that the House Mistress could set your prejudice aside

and give us a chance.

Thank you for taking us in, House Mistress.

I would definitely do my best for Fair Maiden's House.

Yue Er, for my sake

just give them a chance.

They are sincere and very talented.

Beauties' House attacks us head on

so we have to come up with a countermeasure as well.

Won't we succeed more easily with their assistance?

All in all, I will bear all the consequences.

Is that fine?

Madam Yue, I don't have much experience in life

but I do know that someone who could play zither well

can't possibly be a terrible person.

We're all out here to make a living.

We should look out for one another.

Yes, yes! Let them stay!

Let's teach Beauties' House a lesson!

All right, all right! Are we keeping them or not?

The House Mistress has to make the decision.

Fine! Since everyone agrees to keep them

as your House Mistress, I should adopt the opinion of the majority.

We'll let them stay.

- Thank you, House Mistress! - You're welcome!

We're all in the same family now.

You should all address the House Mistress as Madam Yue like everyone else.

Madam Yue.

Ding Ling.

You have to dance with lingering emotions and struggles.

You have much to say, but you have to hold yourself back from saying it.

Do you understand?

I'll give it another try.

As for Qiu Xiang, you have to bear in mind that

you might be a stable boy but you are also a general.

You have to be firm and masculine.

I understand.

Try it again.

Although 'Moon and Blossoms' has already debuted

and everyone is familiar with it by now

we still have to rehearse over and over again.

We ask that every detail be presented perfectly.

Now that I see it now, the play itself is almost near perfection.

But it is a pity that it isn't yet perfect.

So you mean that 'Moon and Blossoms' is still in need of some elements?

Madam Yue, my sister means for me to combine my music with the play.

That is all.

Please, Mister Qin.

Great! This is wonderful!

The dance is elegant and the music is superb.

Who knew that Mister Qin and Ding Ling's first collaboration would be so perfect?

It is a perfect match!

I didn't dance well.

It's Mister Qin who played well.

My music only serves as a foil.

Miss Ding's dance is extremely superb.

Anyway, it will take the both of you to make the performance perfect.

Qin Xiang, am I right?

See? I told you that you wouldn't be disappointed by us.

- How about that? - Don't worry.

Yue Er is very observant when it comes to judging a person.

She uses those who are talented.

As long as you're talented, she wouldn't mistreat you.

Miss Hong is right.

I'm best at judging people.

Mister Qin treats others with great modesty and politeness.

Your talent is appreciated by all.

Your music reflects your personality.

You're a modest gentleman who acts open and upright.

As for you, you're reckless and boastful.

You're ignorant and have a false sense of pride.

That is also very obvious.

What do you mean by that? I...

You're talking through your hat and making unfounded remarks!

You have bruises on your hands. You must have fought with someone today.

But you're too ashamed to bring it up because you were defeated.

Beauties' House bullied me. It was one against many!

How could I have lost if we fought one on one?

As for Miss Qin...

Qin Xiang is a stunning beauty.

Yue Er must be very impressed.

Since you're a stunning beauty, as gorgeous as a blooming flower

you deliberately masked yourself instead.

You don't wish to show your beauty to others.

There must be a reason behind it.

The makeup you have on under the mask is fine and delicate.

It proves that you might seem pure, but deep down, there's much to be debated.

We have been traveling

and making a living with our talents.

I ask Madam Yue not to make such groundless remarks.

Please stop arguing.

All in all, we are now on the same boat.

Our common goal is to perform 'Moon and Blossoms' to perfection.

Miss Hong is right.

Continue with your rehearsals then.

We won't disturb you anymore.

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