Original subtitles

[Song of Youth]

[Episode 2]

Child.

Child.

Wake up!

What are you trying to do?

I want to learn acting.

I want to go to the Capital to take the exam.

I want to become a man.

I want... to appeal for justice for my father.

Okay, okay, okay.

Do as you please. Don't freeze to death here.

Guo!

Guo!

Coming!

Come out for a bit.

Hurry, bring this child in.

Yes.

You're here.

Master, I have erred.

And how have you erred?

I only know that I have erred, but not how I have erred.

I seek your guidance.

You should know

who that Lady Yu is.

The best pipa player in the Capital.

Then did you consider that

the truth behind the lies you told at the Sun Residence

can easily be discovered?

In this field,

When disciples master the knowledge, the teacher would lose her job.

Even though Lady Yu is not in good health

and not interested in earning money this way,

she wouldn't send her disciple to ruin her own reputation.

That is your first mistake.

Your veiled hat was blown up by the wind,

exposing your face in full view of the audience.

If a malicious person drew a portrait of you

and spread the word of it

unearthing together with its matters of the past,

then what will become of you?

That is your second mistake.

After obtaining the reward, you distributed it generously.

But you will never know a book by its cover.

How would you know who is genuine and who is opportunistic?

What if a jealous person spread this matter to others,

how could you deal with it?

That is your third mistake.

I understand now.

Come here.

We may be putting on an act before others,

but beneath it all, our characters should be firm and unyielding.

In my lifetime,

I have taught two satisfactory disciples.

Your senior, Tao Yao, was very talented,

but she was anxious to achieve quick success

and left even before she mastered everything.

Your senior, Liu Wu Shuang,

was the only person who mastered my Three Arts.

It's a pity that

he only saw the Three Arts as a means to profit.

Those in our circle

should not be anxious to achieve success,

much less harbor ill intentions.

I accepted you then as my disciple

because of your determination to seek justice for your father.

A little girl with such drive is hard to come by.

I could not bring myself to reject you.

I am grateful for your teachings.

I have never forgotten the duty placed upon my shoulders.

Master.

I would like to learn the Third Art.

This Third Art is not something

that can be mastered overnight.

It requires intense training.

Have you thought this through?

I have.

Good.

Starting today,

I will teach you the Third Art.

It looks like I'm going to win again!

Isn't she lucky?

The three of us can't even beat one of her.

Madam, why don't you play with us?

Sit where I'm sitting. I've been getting good hands.

All the luck is here with me.

No, thanks.

You young ones go ahead.

I shan't interfere.

If your luck is good, then win more games.

Don't you think that the days are just flying by?

Before long, all of us are coming of age.

Our fourth brother is old enough to take in a wife.

I have a niece that would be a good match.

My dear aunt.

Who is Fourth Young Master?

Madam's beloved son.

Everyone in the family dotes on him.

I've met your niece.

Although she appears to be fine,

who is her father and what rank does he hold?

We know nothing about those things.

We can't be too eager to match him

with just anyone we see.

You

don't have to worry unnecessarily.

Madam already has an appropriate match.

Which young lady has such good fortune?

It's the young lady

from the Li Family who lives near us.

She is extremely capable.

She has many sisters

and is the one with all the authority in the family.

All her siblings don't dare to disobey her.

Nobody dares to go against what she says.

Our fourth brother

may not even fancy such an impressive young lady.

A person's character is what he was born with.

Nobody is born to belong to another person.

The two persons must be of one mind,

then will they naturally come together.

Our fourth brother's character can be wild.

He lacks someone with the means to deal with him.

The Li Family's daughter has a good reputation.

I wouldn't have to worry if he's in her good hands.

Are we talking about the youngest daughter of the supervisor

of the Heir Apparent in the Li Family?

That daughter's character

bears some resemblance to yours.

Madam, you have certainly found a good match.

If she marries into the family,

then the burden on our third sister

will be reduced by a good half.

Then I should hurry and invite her into the family.

It's your turn.

Third Young Madam, the daughter of the Li Family has arrived.

This must be fate.

You are exceedingly beautiful.

I suppose you must be the daughter of the Li Family.

Who are you? How did you recognize me?

She is the third young madam of the Sun Residence.

It's difficult for me to not know you,

the youngest daughter of the Li Family.

Prettier than Yang Yu Huan, more capable than Ban Jie Yu. [*A famous beauty and a well-known scholar in ancient China]

All the kids on the streets know your name!

I am not worthy of such praise.

I doubt the kids even know what they're saying.

It can't be true.

Third Young Madam has come to pray today as well?

Yes, I have come to make a votive offering.

It must be destiny

that led me to meet you here.

You appear to be coming of age.

I'm sure there must be plenty of people offering their hands in marriage?

Did you... receive such a note from our family?

That is up to my parents' wishes and the matchmaker's word.

I don't get a say in this.

That's good as well.

What do you mean?

Good that we have a chance to be sisters-in-law.

Although my brother-in-law doesn't have any official post,

but he is handsome.

He has the looks of someone wealthy.

He has now also reached the age to get married.

It's about time for him to find a suitable wife.

There are many matters to deal with in our family

and we have people deal with them.

If you were to marry into our family, you wouldn't have to do anything.

You can just enjoy life with him.

I've heard that

you work really hard in your family.

Your large family is managed by you alone.

I hope you're not too tired from working so hard?

There's nothing to be tired about.

I'm just helping my family.

I have been rebellious since young.

I don't listen to others, so I have to involve myself in others' affairs.

I charge myself with taking care of my parents' everyday food and clothing,

and every tiny matter of my family's affairs.

I'm used to it.

I'm afraid that if I marry into your family,

I can't change myself.

I don't get to decide whether a man can be a government official.

As for relatives and sisters-in-law,

I'm also not afraid of

those who are unreasonable.

So you see, I will probably still end up doing

the hard work of running the family.

Yes indeed. The capable ones are always busy.

We've been talking for so long. I suppose you're thirsty too.

If you don't mind,

would you like to have some tea with me?

My dear sister, try this tea.

Plums were added to it.

It's refreshing and will quench your thirst.

What are you doing?

You inconsiderate wretch!

I'm sorry, Miss Li.

You stupid wretch!

If you had scalded her,

are you going to compensate her with your life?

You know nothing and here you are putting on an act.

Our family

will need to depend on Miss Li in the future.

Yet you still dare to wreak havoc?

Hurry and fix your mistake!

Go get her a change of clothes!

Yes.

Miss, please go inside and get changed.

Did you hear?

The daughter of the Li Family

has a birthmark on her back.

Really?

Did you see it with your own eyes?

Why would I lie?

How was her waist like?

I can't say.

The birthmark of the daughter of the Li Family

has spread far and wide.

A lady's pure and modest body

is being discussed by those fools as a joke.

Isn't that embarrassing?

Amitabha.

Those people really love to gossip.

Even if they had seen it,

it's not something that they should spread.

Now that it's like this.

How is she going to find a husband?

Madam, then what do you think of my niece...

She can run her family but she can't take care of herself.

I guess she just has an undeserved reputation.

A girl like that cannot marry into our family.

Let's forget about it.

Madam, don't be angry.

Perhaps it's a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding?

Where is her birthmark?

On her back.

If she didn't do anything scandalous,

who would dare to remove her clothes?

That is true.

I have a birthmark on my thigh.

Only my husband knows about it.

You really do not bother about trifles, do you?

Now that you've said it, all of us know about it.

Look at me.

It looks like

we need to find another match for the fourth young master.

Wisdom in the hold, elegance in mould.

Look.

This man's brush strokes are firm and steady.

Have you not seen that the waters of

the Yellow River come from Heaven. (*written by Li Bai)

Yes, yes, it is majestic.

Who can compare to something like this?

Du Fu is not too shabby either. (*a Chinese poet and politician of the Tang dynasty)

Mr. Yu Lou.

Stop pulling such a long face.

Come entertain yourself at our poetry club.

I guarantee that your spirits

will be lifted in no time at all.

Why should I come here?

A bunch of crooks forming a club

to engage in alcoholism.

They lament why their talents remain unrecognized,

yet they refuse to put in the effort required.

They can't wait to take advantage of every

possible opportunity.

As the governor of the Shuntian Superior Prefecture,

you should act for your people.

If you keep hanging out with them,

you'd better beware of your reputation.

We can just hide behind and listen.

No one will notice.

I'd rather not.

Cheng, I've gained a lot from our conversation today.

We can speak more when you come visit.

Thank you both.

Young Master.

Young Master, forgive my insolence.

Do you have any dead sisters?

(Isn't him that fool?)

How dare you speak like this?

You're the one with dead sisters.

I am the only child for three generations.

Why?

Has the funeral business started selling coffins in the poetry club too?

No, no, no.

I just thought that you look familiar.

As though I've met you somewhere.

May I know your name?

Young Master Lin.

Young Master Lin.

Young Master Lin

Let me play host.

Shall we have a drink together?

No.

Who's going to start the session for us today?

I'll do it.

Young Master Lin.

-Let's take a look. -Let's go.

What's going on?

-So it's Young Master Lin. -Young Master Lin.

Who would like to challenge Young Master Lin?

Me.

Mr. Li, go ahead.

The first half of the couplet:

A flask is not needed to warm hot wine.

Your turn.

A winnowing machine is not needed to cool a windy hall.

-Fantastic. Bravo!

A nice couplet.

Anyone else wants to challenge Young Master Lin?

Me, me.

-Me, me. -Me.

Young Master Lin.

Go ahead.

The same people pass by the same route, Tong Tuo Ling.

Today, the Jin Ma Guan shall be opened. [*meant to be a matching alliteration in Chinese]

Awesome.

Would Young Master Lin allow me to participate?

Sure.

But I want to change the rules.

The person who loses shall leave immediately.

I will surely obey.

Listen up, Young Master.

The autumn wind surrounds the lush mountains.

The waters of the Jiu Qu Lake are crystal clear.

Nice couplet.

The first half of the couplet.

An inch of soil makes a temple,

someone recites a poem next to the temple. (*Wordplay on how the Chinese words are written.)

The poem reads: We'll send monks to return to the ancient temple next month.

Two trees form a forest,

there is a sign at the forest. (*Wordplay on how the Chinese words are written.)

The sign reads: the woodcutter enters the forest

only at the proper time. (*A quote from the writings of Mencius.)

-Fantastic. -Bravo!

Awesome!

A beautiful face under the splendid moonlight.

This autumn night shall turn into spring.

Isn't this...

A wedding couplet.

Are the two of you...

I have to attend to something at home. I'll make a move first.

Look at that.

Don't leave.

-Young Master Lin. -Young Master Lin.

Where are you going?

Talk to you later.

Do you really not have a younger sister?

What exactly do you want?

I feel like we've known each other for a long time although we've just met.

I would like to befriend you.

We can chat with each other often, and discuss poetry.

You wish.

I'm not interested in men.

I don't like men either.

But you're a woman.

You... what nonsense are you spouting?

Your every move resembles that of a man.

So is the way you dress.

But you neglected one small thing.

The perfume on your body.

I remembered this smell from that day on the bridge.

You don't need to pretend anymore.

Is that so?

Look over there.

I already know what you look like.

If I can't find you,

I'll put up drawings of you all over the Capital.

Please consider carefully.

Fantastic! Bravo!

Senior Shao Chun.

Qing Zi,

get some tea for our guest.

Got it.

Great!

Fantastic!

Awesome! Bravo!

Awesome! Bravo!

Awesome! Bravo!

Why did you bring me here?

You want to befriend me

only because you're curious about me.

I bring you here to show you

what I do for a living.

Fantastic! Wonderful!

Fantastic! Wonderful!

Wonderful! Fantastic! Bravo!

Pastries are here!

Pastries fresh out of the oven!

You only have beautiful melodies in your memory,

but you have never seen the life of everyday folk in the city.

How is it? Did it scare you?

Every profession produces talent.

Nothing wrong with using your hands to make a living.

If you sing well, the whole hall cheers for you.

If not, people roll their eyes at you.

Even if talents join us,

we can't always be performing at our best.

I dressed up as a man to train myself.

If I can fool everyone and not get found out,

then I've done my master proud.

But since you've seen through my act,

may you please be merciful in sparing me,

and not ruin my rice bowl. (*rice bowl is a Chinese saying for livelihood)

It's fine.

But, Miss, may I be so bold to ask

what is your name?

Lin Shao...

You're really called Lin Shao? (*"Shao" means young man in Chinese)

...Chun.

Lin Shao Chun.

I'm Sun Yu Lou.

It's nice to meet you.

The show has ended.

You should return to your residence.

Yes, I should be heading back.

I'm sorry.

-I'm sorry. -It's okay, it's okay.

Sorry.

-I'm sorry. -It's okay.

Take it easy. It's okay.

We'll make a move.

After giving it some thought,

Fourth Master should only marry one of our own.

Isn't there a lady with the surname Yao

in Third Young Madam's Uncle's house?

Yao Di Zhu?

Yes.

She's not a bad choice.

Although she's stubborn, she isn't the sort to vie for power.

It'll be good if she can marry into the family.

We can look out for each other.

Just that things almost went wrong

with the harem selection last year.

I'm not sure what Madam would say.

Miss Yao,

I told you previously that

Her Highness doesn't like an extravagance.

Why are you still dressed like this?

You're the one with the highest chance of being asked to stay this round.

Go change into something new.

Don't anger Her Highness

and miss out on a good opportunity.

This is already my plainest clothing.

You...!

Hurry along in then.

Greetings, Your Highness.

The harem selection focuses on virtue, not appearances.

Seems like some people don't know the rules.

Everyone is dressed modestly,

but you're the only one all dressed up.

Are you trying to distract the emperor

by being so seductive?

To answer Your Highness,

I only wish to do my duty and I have no other motives.

My appearances were given to me by my parents.

Even if I covered myself up, nothing would change that fact.

I seek Your Highness's understanding.

What a sweet talker you are.

You're saying no one here can compare

to your good looks?

I wouldn't dare to.

Don't deny it.

Somebody.

Yes.

Slap her.

Yes.

Your Highness, the harem selection is for His Majesty.

Your Highness is helping His Majesty to take a look

and all the more should hold His Majesty in high regard.

Your Highness shouldn't act based on your emotions

and shouldn't abuse your power.

I'm an imperial consort.

Since I'm the one hosting the harem selection,

I get to decide everything.

What are you waiting for?

Yes.

Your Highness,

that's what Di Zhu meant.

Then what did she mean?

Di Zhu has had a visual impairment since young.

She's colorblind.

Even the grass is blue to her.

That's why she isn't good at dressing up.

Her servants prepare it for her beforehand.

The extravagant clothing Your Highness is referring to

is no different from the plain clothing to her.

May Your Highness be merciful and spare her.

Just this once.

If she has a visual impairment, she shouldn't have come for the harem selection.

Knowingly committing a wrong, she should be punished all the more.

If you wish to punish her,

you may do so anytime.

Just not today.

Why not?

His Majesty selecting a concubine is a joyous occasion.

Which is why it was specially arranged for the first day of spring.

Not only because

His Majesty wants Your Highness

to select the best flower of the spring (*the most beautiful lady)

because today is also the day Nüwa patched up the sky. (*ancient Chinese mythology)

Better to invite blessings through a marriage, than to get angry and see bloodshed.

May Your Highness take care of your precious body

and not ruin this auspicious day

His Majesty has chosen for Your Highness.

What's your name?

I'm Pan Xi Niang.

You're pretty smart.

I shouldn't return with nothing.

You can stay.

As for that colorblind girl,

get her out of the palace immediately。

Thank you, Your Highness.

Are you bent on making me angry?

Pan Xi Niang's position should be yours.

Look at what you've done!

Father, I've never thought about entering the palace.

I'm not willing to share a husband

with so many other women.

You!

I just want someone who understands me.

And that person is definitely not His Majesty.

Look at this...

My sister, you don't even fancy the royal family.

Then what kind of person are you looking for?

Someone who is devoted to me and will never leave me.

Although Di Zhu

is stubborn,

she has a big heart. She won't be a threat to my position.

But what if Miss Di Zhu doesn't like Fourth Young Master?

Don't we just have to match them together?

I have my ways to get her to fall for him.

Pick a day to go to Uncle's house.

Yes.

Come, come, come.

Here.

Come, come, come.

What are...

What are you doing?

No entry allowed.

Wait...

What's going on?

What's happening?

I don't know.

Who are these people?

Who are they?

So much stuff. Let me take a look.

What are you doing?

These are the gifts our Fourth Young Master has bestowed upon Miss Lin.

Your Fourth Young Master?

Yes.

He's here, he's here.

That's the one.

Look, that's him.

What a huge ginseng!

That's huge ginseng.

This is amazing.

Good chap!

Just a little gift to show my sincerity towards you.

This is considered little?

Take it!

Take it, Senior!

It's Fourth Young Master Sun!

Precisely.

Shao Chun!

What are you trying to do?

It's tough performing every day.

Don't neglect to take care of your body.

I didn't know what I should give you.

I picked these osmanthus cakes and cherry wine for you.

You're a lady.

You should have some nice hair accessories.

The agate hairpin looked pretty nice,

so I took a few.

And I got someone to tailor two outfits.

You can put it on first.

If it's not enough, you can let me know.

I'll bring more for you.

Bring it all back. I don't want it.

Why?

I've seen a lot of rich playboys like you.

Today you watch a cockfight,

Tomorrow you walk your dog. (*affections and interests change quickly)

You do all these just to fill your time.

Look at the kind of people here.

Today I'll put on the hairpin you bought for me.

Tomorrow I'll put on a brocade another man gives me.

See?

You're just spending money on an entertainer.

What's the point?

Am I such a vulgar person to you?

Young Master, you don't need to be modest.

Since that's the case, I shan't impose any longer.

All these vulgar items, you can keep them if you want.

If not, you can throw them away.

My sister,

how could there be a man like that on this earth?

I don't care.

There are millions of people on this earth. I don't believe there isn't one like that.

If you say so.

But if you don't get married soon,

those men will get old.

I'll definitely find one.

If I can't find one,

I'll shave my head and become a nun.

Look at you.

If you really become a nun,

all the men

will live in the nunnery.

My sister,

I have someone suitable for you.

Are you interested?

You've seen our Fourth Young Master.

What do you think of him?

I don't remember what he looks like.

I just remember he is playful since young, like a monkey.

Women change quickly.

So do men.

Since you have nothing to do now,

why not take a look?

I came here to tell you that

you can't judge someone by his appearance.

Although I was born in a family of officials,

I'm different from those rich playboys.

I hope you'll give me a second chance.

One person's character is seen through time.

By then,

you'll know my character.

Bravo!

What's good about this?

Does he know anything about operatic acting?

You've been losing focus recently.

What?

You even forgot operatic acting?

Master,

someone has been coming to watch the show every day.

The moment I step on stage, his eyes are on me.

How am I supposed to perform like that?

What's wrong with looking at you when you're there to perform?

What's there to feel uncomfortable?

He doesn't mean anything.

You're the one getting jittery.

I...

If it continues like this,

all our efforts will be wasted.

You're trained in the art of performing.

Do I need to teach you

how you should perform?

One more glass!

Come, come, come.

You can hold your liquor. Pour more, pour more!

Come on, pour more, pour more!

Cheers to everyone.

Miss Shao Chun, do drink one more.

Drink one more!

One more glass to you! You're holing your liquor!

Come on.

Pour it full, come on.

Miss Shao Chun.

Great. Great.

One more glass.

One more glass. Impressive.

Who's this?

I went to look for you.

They said you're here.

Why are you doing this?

This is who I am.

I drink merrily with my customers.

What's wrong with that?

You...

If you don't like seeing this,

you can leave.

Who was that? Come on.

Come on, let's continue drinking.

Come on.

Miss Shao Chun, I'll fill your glass for you.

Fill it. Everyone fill your glasses.

Come on, we've not drunk enough yet.

Let's drink first. Hurry pour us more.

Come on.

Mr. Yu Lou.

Mr. Du, great that you're here.

Can you do me a favor?

What's up?

Come drink with me.

I won't.

You've already come to a place like this.

Still want to pretend to be upright?

Come drink with me.

Let go of me.

What happened?

Governor.

-Governor. -Governor.

Are you okay, Governor?

Hurry get up.

Did you hurt yourself, Governor?

Hurry get up.

Hurry apologize to the governor.

You filthy woman!

Think you can cross the line just because we were nice to you?

For someone like you,

to put it nicely, you're an entertainer.

To put it bluntly, you're a prostitute.

Apologize to the governor now.

That's right.

What did you say?

Say it again if you dare.

Are you trying to seduce the beauty?

Who do you think you are?

I said she's a prostitute.

What has that got to do with you?

Who are you?

Precisely.

Who are you?

Governor.

Let's go!

Stop right there!

You're stepping on me!

Let me go!

You don't need to chase me away like this.

You perform and I watch.

There's nothing wrong with that.

So many people watch the performances.

Why do you chase just me away?

Fine.

You said you're just there to watch.

From now on just watch the performance

and not interfere in anything else.

Am I that lousy?

You're not lousy.

I'm the lousy one.

I don't want to drag you down.

I'm not afraid of being dragged down.

I won't give up.

No one can stop me from doing what I want to do.

I won't give up.

-Lin Shao Chun. -Lin Shao Chun.

Come out.

What are you looking at?

Scram.

Lin Shao Chun previously said that

she wouldn't attend any banquets.

But she attended one this time

and stole our business!

Smash this place!

What are you doing?

Let go!

-Move. -Stop!

-Senior. -Senior.

Shao Chun!

Fantastic! Bravo!

Qing Zi,

has Shao Chun finished her performance?

I'm afraid you won't be

able to see Miss Shao Chun from now on.

How so?

Miss Shao Chun's face has been disfigured.

Shao Chun.

Shao Chun.

Shao Chun.

Shao Chun.

Shao Chun.

Let me take a look,

okay?

My face has been disfigured.

I'll never be able to perform on stage

or sing any opera.

Why did you still come?

Don't worry.

I'll find a way for you.

Men do care about appearances.

My face has been disfigured. I'm too ashamed to see anyone.

Please go.

Since when did I care about your appearance?

I care about you as a person.

Now that you're in trouble,

how can I just stand by and watch?

Shao Chun,

don't worry.

I'll find a solution.

I'll think of a solution for you.