Original subtitles

Subbing and Timing brought to you by the Ancient Modern Chef Team @Viki

♫ Pushing open the windows and looking out, the scenery is breathtaking ♫

♫ The beauty of the spring flower is unforgettable ♫

♫ Lush and ruthless, but always fascinating ♫

♫ Getting drunk alone, I temporarily forget your scent ♫

♫ Beside the broken bridge, loneliness hid under the rocks ♫

♫ The liveliness belongs to the passerbys ♫

♫ Drowning my sorrows with wine, the prosperity can't hide the sorrow ♫

♫ I'm left with the deep feelings alone, missing you with nothing to rely on ♫

♫ I don't wish to admit that this was just a dream ♫

♫ I don't want to see the separation, everything for naught ♫

♫ Past midnight, I allow the sound of the flute to ponder upon the past ♫

♫ I'm drunk tonight, hugging the shadow to sleep ♫

[Episode 30]

You know what, I never felt like I needed money.

- What's wrong? - Where is my pouch?

It seems that my money pouch got lost.

Are you kidding me?!

Aren't you a rich kid? Can't you just let your servant go get some money for you?

I can't.

Don't tell me you just ran away from home.

How did you know? It's my elder brother. I was...

Stop right there.

This is a drama cliche. I just know it.

What can we do now? How about you first...

I only have this amount of money. This isn't even enough for some steamed stuffed buns.

In a minute, we'll just walk out like nothing happened.

- How can we do that? We haven't paid the money! - Shh!

Excuse me. Did you finish your meal?

It seems you two are ready to leave now.

- We put the money on the table. - On the table.

- Keep the extra coins. - Wait.

Come here! Grab these two.

Why?

Why?

Where is this? Hi, friends.

We all live our lives in this world. No need to be violent, right?

Give me some time. I will go out now and raise the money for you.

Wait. Is this what your parents taught you?

At such a young age, you don't even know how to do the right thing.

Not even a penny. Did you come here just to taste the dishes?

- I... - Let me tell you.

You can insult my dignity,

but you can ever insult my cooking skills.

Yes.

Remember, you two will now stay here and work for us.

For two days, until you clear the debt!

Please don't do this.

Move!

You have to unlock these, if you want us to work.

- Are you smiling? - No.

Can I ask you to keep an eye on them?

Yes.

Aiya!

Slow down.

You go first.

All right.

Move your hand for me a bit.

Be quick.

I want to use the toilet as well.

My stomach hurts.

No, no, no.

I am not in such a hurry. Take your time.

Good.

You are too late.

The sand clock is still filling. I am not late.

I think because of the Emperor, you are too short-tempered.

I pay my respects to you, Your Highness.

Everything goes so smoothly for Lord Jing'an.

He has made a connection with the emerging Prince Yu.

No wonder the lady seems confident.

You know my situation as a concubine,

I came to understand early on

that by helping the Eastern Palace is this concubine's only way to survive.

The court knows you are not favored by the Emperor.

Your Highness, I beg you to forgive me.

Enough, enough.

Regarding the incident at the Full Moon Pavilion,

Father only gave him the light punishment of confiscating one year's salary.

But he won't be as nice to me.

If this goes on and on, the situation will get worse.

Do you have any suggestions

to help me fight back?

Over the years,

Prince Yu has been doing a great job with his performance.

Lately, the way he keeps his place in the Emperor's heart

is totally different than before.

However, rising in status and falling heavy

is a fact of life.

The more he feels happy today, the more chances

he'll feel worse when he finally ends up on his own.

Your Highness, please look at this.

This is from the Inner Court. (Tang Dynasty: Contained the Court Ministers' offices)

Ugh!

Take it easy. No one is going to steal your food.

I worked so hard today and just a small steamed bun. I'm starving. Don't say it.

Nowadays people say, it's disrespecting the food to eat when you're hungry.

Here you go.

You're not eating?

We, girl--

I am on a diet to keep my shape. You can eat it.

Really?

- I'll just throw it away. - I'll eat it. I'll eat it. I'll eat it.

How can this steamed bun be so tasty, too?

People will never cherish something until they get in trouble.

Why don't you go home to your parents?

I...

Even you want to go there, it's late.

Then sleep for now. Tomorrow we have to start work early in the morning.

Hey,

sleep farther away from me.

With this... How can I move any further?

All right, fine.

I am so miserable, how can you sleep?

I've encountered a lot worse things than this.

This is not a big deal actually.

I think this isn't so bad. Every day, I was busy as a bee.

I didn't have time to think about something sad.

Hey, I didn't ask you. What is your name?

Didn't I tell you? My name is Li Yao.

Li Yao? I'll remember it.

Today, we both had a bad day.

But you gave me your half of the bun. Let me tell you.

Whenever you need help, just say it. I will surely help you.

Young man, don't promise things so easily.

Those promises are easily broken.

What I have told you is true. I don't make random promises.

Also, my name is Xiao Jing.

We are at almost the same age, can you stop treating me like a child?

Hey, you smiled.

You smiled so that means we are friends, Da (Big) Yao Yao.

Tell me. Who are you? How did you know I'm called, "Da Yao Yao?"

Don't you always think you are an adult?

All right, fine. In the future, I will call you Xiao (Little) Jing Jing.

Xiao Jing Jing. Da Yao Yao. Interesting.

You are not a local, right?

Why are you here in the capital?

I...

I came here for marriage,

but I failed; so I wanted to find a job.

And look, you just ruined my plan.

For marriage? Work?

Isn't it easy to find work?

After we pay back the money,

I will take you to look for work. Agreed?

Da Yao Yao.

Stupid donkey...

I'm not a stupid donkey!

Stupid donkey...

Da Yao Yao has long eyelashes. She's really pretty.

Her skin also has the scent of osmanthus cakes on it.

What this academy teaches are things like

cultivating one's moral character, putting one's family affairs in order, govern the state to make the Empire peaceful and happy.

The matter of governing the state and bringing peace and happiness to the world

is the duty of Imperial Father and the Crown Prince.

- We should study this well. - Fifth Brother.

Imperial Tutor Yang will teach me that.

Why don't we play something more interesting?

That's right. Previously, we played the stacking up of wood

and removing them one by one later. The one who lets it collapse will lose. How about that game?

Come, sit.

You are too playful.

Remember this. When you are young, you must study more.

- Understand? - Your Highness.

The Nanyang tableware that you wanted is here. (T/N: Nanyang refers to South Eastern Asia)

Really?

I'm going to take a look. Be diligent in your studies.

Yes.

Let's go.

Fifth Brother should have a lot of games here.

What is this?

1, 2, 3, 4...

Your Highness, Prince Yong. What are you doing?

Imperial Tutor Yang, I...

About this Marquis of Jing'an,

he's become smarter after being taken advantage of.

The pavilion was not joined together compactly,

but he still spent a lot of effort on the landscape design of this garden.

Relay this. Reward him with six months salary.

Yes.

Your Majesty punishes and rewards. You are a wise ruler.

Your Majesty, I still have one matter to report.

Speak.

The Ancestral Offering Ceremony in the East Temple is happening soon.

The Crown Prince has always been responsible for this.

Should we do the same for this year?

Hearing you say it this way, do you have another person in mind?

I wouldn't dare to.

Speak. Who do you have in mind?

Prince Yu has a kind disposition.

He has just completed a job well.

Today, if we let him organize the East Temple ceremony,

he will surely not disappoint Your Majesty.

Do the rest of you have the same opinion, too?

- We have the same opinion, Your Majesty. - We have the same opinion, Your Majesty.

- Greetings to Imperial Father. - Greetings to Imperial Father.

Rise.

- Thank you, Imperial Father. - Thank you, Imperial Father.

Mingyu, we were just talking about you.

So now, has your Seventeenth Brother been doing well in his studies?

I am embarrassed.

Today, I was busy;

hence, I caused a pause in 17th Little Brother's lecture and was only able to teach him about the "Great Learning."

Seventeenth Prince, do you want me to test you in your recitation?

Imperial Father, the sages say that when one is getting ready to move, even Heaven can't stop him.

He has to have a strong body for him to be able to serve his nation.

Rather than testing me to recite some books, why don't you just watch me and Fifth Brother have a sword fight?

Interesting. Let's do as you said. Come.

Seventeenth Brother,

swords have no eyes. We'll just use these.

Stop once you've hit your opponent.

It's still Fifth Brother that treats me the best.

- Let's start. - Yes.

Where did this come from?

I was naughty! Don't blame Fifth Brother for it!

Mingyu gave this to you?

I found it in Fifth Brother's study.

"Pass the flame, live on in spirit."

[Pass the flame, live on in spirit.]

Imperial Father! There must be a misunderstanding here.

The characters here were written very freely.

It is indeed your penmanship.

Imperial Father, there are a lot of people in this palace that can imitate my penmanship.

There must be someone who wants to frame me.

Is this drawing yours?

Imperial Father, I just felt that this Seven Bridges drawing was interesting.

But about the calligraphy, I wouldn't dare.

Don't you know about the prohibitions of this palace?!

Imperial Father, please forgive me.

Your Majesty, please calm down.

In the past, an envoy from Ximin

used a Seven Bridges drawing as a provocation to test the outstanding talents of our empire.

He said that there is only one way of walking across these seven bridges

without repeating any.

The past Emperor called for all the scholars in the state and after three days of painstaking deliberation, they were unable to come up with an answer.

But at that time, eight-year-old Prince Xiang suddenly stood out and said,

"What's hard about this?"

He used the principle of odd and even numbers to prove it.

"The problem that the envoy of Ximin gave is actually a misconception.

It can never be solved."

With such a move, not only did it cause the Ximin envoy

to return to his nation in low spirits,

it also made the past Emperor very happy.

Too bad that there were two valiant men back then,

but there was only one Crown Prince position.

Prince Xiang and Imperial Father once fought in the Huayang State.

After several days, Prince Xiang died.

Rumors spread all over the palace. They said that it was Imperial Father that caused his death.

Because Prince Xiang was benevolent,

some palace members made offerings to the Seven Bridges map to commemorate Prince Xiang.

Out of anger, Imperial Father

ordered that no Seven Bridges map must ever appear inside of the Inner Court again.

In the past, Prince Xiang

was also not of the direct bloodline,

but he was brimming with talent.

He indeed was very similar to you.

Looks like you not only miss him,

you even want to become the second Prince Xiang.

Imperial Father, I really wouldn't dare.

The Seven Bridges drawing is indeed part of my collection,

but those words were not written by me.

Seventeenth Brother, who wrote those words? Quickly confess it.

I don't know. I really don't know.

Imperial Father, stop scolding Fifth Brother. I was the one who wrote it.

Imperial Father, although I was negligent,

I never had any intention of offending my superiors.

These eight treacherous words were not written by me.

Enough!

As the older brother,

you let your younger brother gain access to a prohibited item in this palace. That is already an unforgivable error!

And now, you're fabricating lies to make excuses.

Do you want your crime to get worse?

Imperial Father, if I did it, I surely would not pass on the blame.

If I didn't do it, I also am not willing to admit to the crime. For I would cause Imperial Father

- to lose the character of a wise king. - You--

Your Majesty, this matter still has a lot of suspicious details.

That's right, Your Majesty. Prince Yu has always been virtuous.

How could he have done an act like that of offending his superiors and deceiving his subordinate?

There must be something strange in this matter.

Your Majesty, please investigate it further.

You, elder officials.

You are on such good terms with Prince Yu.

Let me tell you.

I will not necessarily die in front of you!

- Imperial Father, please do not be angry. - Your Majesty, please do not be angry.

In the past, His Majesty rose above all the other Imperial Princes

and ascended to the throne in the end.

He surely exerted an all out effort to obtain that monopoly on power.

Now,

the higher we hold up Prince Yu,

the more His Majesty will fear him.

Prince Yu is very cautious now.

Although he has wild ambitions, he appears polite, modest, and respectful.

There is never a matter that pleases him more than one losing their sense of his measure.

Public opinion is powerful enough to melt metal.

As long as someone speaks up for him and protects him,

His Majesty will surely be unhappy.

Prince Mingyu,

you are more knowledgeable than the others since you were young.

I have always looked at you favorably.

You guided your younger brother wrongly.

Rebelling against your superiors, and making alliances for personal interest.

Very well...

Imperial Father!

Hey, that hurts.

Are you all right?

I'm fine, fine.

What are you doing?

Are you two here to chat or work? Huh?

You are so slow. There is still laundry over there to be done.

Stop it!

We only owed you money for the meal.

We did so much work for the past few days. It should have been enough.

That's right.

I quit. Let's go.

Let's go.

This is bad.

Do you think you can just leave?

This is false imprisonment.

I will show you what false imprisonment really is.

You know crap and you are still teaching others how to evaluate food?

You both deserve it.

Xiao Jing Jing!

- Stop hitting her! - Stop it!

Enough!

Isn't it just work? We said the wrong thing just now.

The laundry, kitchen, and courtyard...

we will complete them in half an hour.

Take this.

- Get back to work. - Okay, okay.

How's your injury?

I'm fine.

I didn't expect a rich kid like you would still protect me.

You have never suffered like this in the past, right?

The tiger descends to the plains and gets bullied by dogs. I'm so mad. (A person can't show full potential under adverse conditions)

We can't continue like this!

- Are you asking to be beaten? Get back to work. - Okay, fine, fine.

Everyone should be asleep at this hour.

Let's sneak out through the back courtyard.

Yes... Liu Qi Sheng!

Who's calling me?

Who's in there?

Darn cat. You didn't catch any mice. Where are you running blindly to?

Hey, Da Yao Yao, stop making that sound. Are you hungry?

I'm hungry, but I didn't do that.

- Whoa! - Sheesh!

Who are you?

You... You...

Who are you? I think...

no one would not know me in this Heavenly Dining Hall.

Are you... the owner here?

- How did you know? - You are dressed so well.

You have a lot of old calluses between your thumb and forefinger. With just one look, I know you use the abacus a lot.

For such a person to be in Heavenly Dining Hall, he must be the owner.

You are smart.

About this then, who are you two?

Oh, you are criminals.

What? Are we criminals just because we are handcuffed together?

What's the situation then?

It's a long story.

It's because of your subordinate, Liu Qi Sheng.

Since you are not criminals, let me unlock these.

For a man and woman to stay together, just the two of you like this, it's so scandalous!

That hurts.

What do you mean? Owner, you have misjudged us.

Although, I look delicate and pretty...

All right, all right, I misjudged you. All right?

Big Yao Yao and I are real men.

Shop owner,

I didn't imagine that you were so skilled.

I won't hide this from you. The lock shop across the street is owned by me, too.

You came here to eat meat in the middle of the night?

When you talk about this, I start to get furious.

Two days ago, I made a bet with the owner of Jufulin.

In the end, I lost. I now need to eat vegetables for a month.

Would someone like me dislike meat?

If I don't eat meat, I will die. Isn't that so?

Is there such a cruel bet anywhere in this empire?

Yes, it's just that cruel.

Meat is so delicious. Not eating it for just a day is like being lovesick, unable to obtain what you ask for.

You might be alive, but it's like you're dead.

You understand me so well!

By the way, it's the middle of the night.

You both are not here to steal meat, right?

We are here to work.

It's so late. What work would you be doing?

Who says we are not? It's your Li Qi Sheng who's too fierce toward us.

He whipped us and also--

- He didn't give us-- - Stop!

I know what Liu Qi Sheng is like,

but he's the best at cooking.

Hence, everything here is managed by him.

Also, regarding my secret consumption of meat,

you are not allowed to tell anyone. Or else, the both of you...

- Understand. - We will definitely not tell anyone.

All right. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving.

- Clean up the place. - Owner!

What is it now?

It's not good for your health if you always eat greasy food.

Looking at your body, you must have the Rich Man Syndrome.

I think you should eat more vegetables.

I want to eat meat. I want to eat meat! I want to eat meat!

Yes, yes, yes, okay.

But think about this. If vegetables

can be made to taste like a meat dish, wouldn't that be great?

A meat dish made from vegetables...

Do you have a method?

Wait till tomorrow. Try it then and you will know.

- Once it's spoken-- - The words can't be taken back.

See you tomorrow.

- Bye-bye. - Da Yao Yao, let's leave now.

I have decided not to leave.

You are really going to stay here and cook?

Think about it. Liu Qi Sheng is so arrogant.

Just because his culinary skills are good, his boss appreciates him.

Talking about his boss, he is a pleasant and sentimental man.

If I can cook for him,

not only would I not suffer, I will also have a good job.

Heavenly Dining Hall is also considered a big establishment, right?

What you said, makes sense.

But you should go home now. It has been many days. Your family should be anxious.

No, I'm not leaving. I will go wherever you go.

- Really? - We already agreed

that we'll go through good and bad times together.

What else are we waiting for? Let's raise our sleeves and do our best. Fighting!

Pies will not fall from the sky!

Yeah... That will do, too. Let's go.

Let's go.

Xiao Jing Jing!

Help me to prepare some mushrooms, bean curd skins and vegetables.

Yes. All right, all right.

General, His Highness right now is faced with adversaries on all sides.

Please say some good words for him in front of His Majesty.

Get up first.

About Prince Yu,

he has caused His Majesty to be furious. No matter what I say now,

it won't change anything.

When you got involved in the Xie family case in Shilin,

when His Highness, the Crown Prince, kept targeting you,

fortunately, he was there to help you!

Are you going to abandon him now?

The crime that His Majesty sentenced Prince Yu with is

forming alliances for personal interest. While we're at the heart of the struggle,

I advise you to keep quiet and don't do anything.

He was harmed by an evil person!

As long as you investigate, you will know who wrote the words on the Seven Bridges map.

You are thinking too simply about this.

Harmed by an evil person?

Tell me. Who is this evil person then?

Ice doesn't increase by three chi in just one day. (chi - unit of length)

One drawing can be a huge or a small matter,

but His Majesty sentenced Prince Yu for such a crime.

This means, His Majesty already has a prejudice against Prince Yu.

I won't hide this from you. Recently, my younger brother went missing.

Everyone in my manor is now so busy out looking for him.

I really have no time to care about other people.

Please just leave.

Peng Wu.

Tell me. If I go against him in this manner now, wouldn't that be too heartless?

A bird will choose the tree that it will nest in. A wise man knows how to adapt to the circumstances.

Abandoning Prince Yu is a wise move.

Why would you talk about being heartless?

You really are not that uneducated.

If you weren't, why would I keep you by my side?

I thank you very much, General, for your care.

I surely will do my best to assist you.

Using salt water to blanch the tofu so it won't burn even if cooked for a long time.

You are using mushrooms to substitute for beef

for cooking Mapo Tofu?

Bingo!

Huh? What "go"?

It's nothing. It just means that you are smart.

Seriously, it smells so good.

Be careful, it's hot.

The mushroom has the quality of meat but none of its greasiness.

Such a tasty soup.

The tofu didn't burn despite being cooked so long and is very delicious.

You lifted the wok to thicken the cornstarch as the water was absorbed in such a perfect manner.

But the fresh taste is unexpected.

Da Yao Yao, what did you just add?

Fermented bean paste.

What paste?

This sticky chili bean sauce is the essence of Mapo Tofu.

But why is it so bland?

It can't be. When I tasted it just now, it was just right.

Do you people here in the capital have such bland tastes?

You--

Why is it still so tasteless?

Hey...

Hey, hey, Da Yao Yao.

- This is it. - Let me try.

It's the salt.

There is a problem with this salt.

It's too salty now!

Try this one! I'll try it, too!

Why can't I feel anything?

Why couldn't I taste the spiciness?

Stop trying.

Xiao Jing Jing.

Sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. I can't taste any of them.

I have lost my sense of taste.

If a chef loses her sense of taste,

how am I going to cook in the future?

Subbing and Timing brought to you by the Ancient Modern Chef Team @Viki

♫ Look at my attack, this speed is so advanced ♫

♫ My prominent name will cut off your devilish lies ♫

♫ So whether you are a scout or a recruiter ♫

♫ I will get involved in this trouble, since most heroes are youths ♫

♫ In day and in night, I am like a tireless horse ♫

♫ I can use all weapons, like knives, guns, sticks, and clubs ♫

♫ My internal strength grows exponentially ♫

♫ Everyone is trying to figure out how to attack and defeat me ♫

♫ What's to fear? I live freely ♫

♫ I bring trouble because of my reputation ♫

♫ Uninvited guests, take this punch ♫

♫ Liars, watch out for the cars and boats ♫

♫ Almost forgot to tell you that with nunchucks in my hands, ♫

♫ I am so skilled that no other weapons can compare ♫

♫ It takes control of my body, and it takes no effort to defeat you ♫

♫ My righteous aura will trample all lowlives underfoot ♫

♫ Please don't come near me, I can play it by ear ♫

♫ Even if you guard left and right, you can't withstand three of my hits ♫

♫ With my brandish weapons, I'll beat you to the ground ♫

♫ With just nunchucks, I can knock you down ♫

♫ Please don't come near me, I can play it by ear ♫

♫ Even if you guard left and right, you can't withstand three of my hits ♫

♫ With my brandish weapons, I'll beat you to the ground ♫

♫ With just nunchucks, I can knock you down ♫

♫ I only need one breath to sink my breath to my lower stomach ♫

♫ Fighting skills are not used to gain advantages ♫

♫ The loyalty inside my heart allows my blood to flow smoothly ♫

♫ My strong zeal is for my brothers ♫

♫ So I've been repeatedly making it slowly assimilate into my body ♫

♫ To become my fatal poison, I must be very familiar with it ♫

♫ Every time I look at my strong arm, I swear to become this world's number one master ♫

♫ What's to fear? I live freely ♫

♫ I bring trouble because of my reputation ♫

♫ Uninvited guests, take this punch ♫

♫ Liars, watch out for the cars and boats ♫

♫ I have a loyal and righteous heart, but I keep a low profile ♫

♫ Martial morality will always come first, and not even thunder can break this faith ♫

♫ In the future when my name is mentioned, not many stories will ♫

♫ come up ♫

♫ They'll say I trained hard, had a bitter willpower, and slept on the streets everyday ♫

♫ Please don't come near me, I can play it by ear ♫

♫ Even if you guard left and right, you can't withstand three of my hits ♫

♫ With my brandish weapons, I'll beat you to the ground ♫

♫ With just nunchucks, I can knock you down ♫

♫ Don't come near me, I can play it by ear ♫

♫ Even if you guard left and right, you can't withstand three of my hits ♫

♫ With my brandish weapons, I'll beat you to the ground ♫

♫ With just nunchucks, I can knock you down ♫

♫ Don't come near me, I can play it by ear ♫

♫ Even if you guard left and right, you can't withstand three of my hits ♫

♫ With my brandish weapons, I'll beat you to the ground ♫

♫ With just nunchucks, I can knock you down ♫

♫ Don't come near me, I can play it by ear ♫

♫ Even if you guard left and right, you can't withstand three of my hits ♫

♫ With my brandish weapons, I'll beat you to the ground ♫

♫ With just nunchucks, I can knock you down ♫