Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Cheerful Scholars @Viki

"No Return" by Fan Shiqi

♫ Memories slowly surround me, are they happy or sad? ♫

♫ The intersection of being clear-headed and blurry, can’t determine if it’s white or black ♫

♫ Going against the wind yet still pursuing, I must retreat if I cannot advance ♫

♫ You needn’t and I am unwilling for tears to fall ♫

♫ For you I won’t regret anything even if I forget who I am ♫

♫ No matter how many years have passed, even when stars are falling ♫

♫ I’ll spend this long journey nestled together with you ♫

♫ Grant me a cup of deep love, a life of being intoxicated ♫

[Qing Qing Zi Jin]

[Episode 13]

Qiuchi,

will this cause a misunderstanding?

Why? Misunderstand that you...

Misunderstand that you are interested in her.

If this talented girl likes me,

wouldn't this be beautiful?

That's true! Both of you are great and

will be a great match.

This is great, too.

Don't worry! You don't have to think about me.

I don't want to become a burden to you.

Little Monkey!

I was joking.

Joking?

So you were tricking me again.

You did it on purpose, right?

I know! You just want to see me

worried for you and cry.

How many times are there already? Do you think this is funny?

I promise.

- I won't do it again. - If there is a next time,

I will really ignore you.

Little Monkey.

Little Monkey!

Little Monkey!

- Wait for me! - Don't touch me!

- Listen to me! - I don't want to talk to you.

[Zhu Xiu Academy]

Hurry up!

Everyone, take a look.

The other day I met a scholar at the teahouse, Gao Chan.

He gave me this poem.

"Once accompanied by floating clouds to Wancui,

Still with the sound of autumn in the setting sun.

The world is boundless, green pill in hand.

A piece of grief and sadness cannot be drawn."

Can anyone here come up with the next verses?

These two words, grief and sadness, are wonderful.

Master Gao Chan seems to be someone who's in love, too.

All right.

This poem will be your homework for today.

Whoever can come up with the next verses first will get a reward.

Class is over.

Let's take a look at the poem.

Let's look!

Let's take a look.

Let's go.

This...

It's really difficult.

[Dining Hall]

Hurry up and eat.

- I'll take you to eat that later. -This one taste good.

Let's go.

Understood! Let's sit at another table.

But why are there so many people today?

Look! All the tables are full.

Why don't we go over there?

It's fine! If it's not,

I will sit across from him.

Let's go.

Luo Qiuchi. Instructor Hang.

A'Juan, what's wrong with him?

"The world is boundless, green pill in hand.

A piece of grief and sadness cannot be drawn."

Luo Qiuchi, eat your food. Stop fooling around.

"The world is boundless, green pill in hand.

A piece of grief and sadness cannot be drawn."

Instructor Hang, just ignore him.

In his brain now, he won't be able to hear anyone else.

"A piece of grief and sadness cannot be drawn."

Let's eat!

"The world is boundless, green pill in hand."

Thank you. Here.

Qiuchi!

Are you still thinking about Professor Ouyang's homework?

I can't think of the next verses.

I just can't let go of it.

But if you keep frowning and break your head, you won't be able to think of it.

Relax and your inspiration will eventually come.

Luo Qiuchi!

Have you come up with the verses for Professor Ouyang's poem?

Why should I help you?

Have you come up with it?

- Of course. - If you had succeeded, you would have gone to find Professor Ouyang to get credit.

Would you still have the time to show off here?

- I was just about to go find him. - Then, go.

- Besides, you didn't succeed so I'm not in a hurry. - This means, you didn't succeed.

- Okay. You two talk— - Wait!

- I know the next verses for this poem. - How is this possible?

Believe it or not! You'll find out in tomorrow's class.

- Qiuchi, you really thought of it! - No.

"The inscription fairy has traveled here.

We have never met.

The fairy should be at the Phoenix Pavillion. Don't be alone here with an empty bed."

That's weird!

Qiuchi.

Slow down, slow down.

Did you not sleep last night?

- It was worth it. - You succeeded?

Senior Brother!

Senior Brother,

you also...

You two.

What are you looking at?

Someone completed the next verses for Professor Ouyang's poem.

What?

It's completed!

This is not considered as complete.

[Who said grief and sadness can't be drawn. The heart of the book is the love of the world. You look at six Southern Dynasties. The old wood is full of cold clouds.]

It's more like replying to it.

Then who wrote this?

- Exactly. - Who wrote this?

- Yeah, right. - Who wrote this?

Brother Luo, what's in your hand?

Did you find the answer for this?

Not really! It's a worthless piece of paper.

Yuanzhi, what's in your hand?

- This... - No.

It's a worthless piece of paper.

Who wrote it?

Last night, Wen Xuxing went down?

I don't know.

It's pretty well written.

Qiuchi,

do you think this handwriting looks familiar?

[Who said grief and sadness can't be drawn...]

"Inscribed Fairy has traveled here...

It should be autumn..."

She came here.

"The king, Yan Xiao, won the top prize in the examination.

The sacred dynasty is honest, sincere, and uses Confucianism.

Kangxi's on the way to the battlefield,

the woman of mud is enroute to the sky."

This... What does this mean?

She doesn't want to see me.

Why?

[The king, Yan Xiao, won top prize in the examination....]

She might have just written it.

The ink hasn't completely dried.

She is probably still in the area.

Let's go!

Miss, wait a second!

Is your name Wang Xiaqing?

Did you write the poem on the pavilion?

You must have mistaken me for someone else.

I don't know how to read,

let alone composing a poem.

I even thought it was really her.

It is indeed her.

Why?

Because her hand

still has ink on it.

You must have mistaken me for someone else.

I do not know how to read

let alone composing a poem.

Then, why didn't she admit it?

Perhaps, she has some hidden reasons.

What hidden reasons would there be?

Being able to write such good poems and unable to receive credit for them...

So unfortunate!

If she doesn't want to tell us,

then there's no reason to ask.

Let's go.

You've lost some weight. Have some more.

- Have a bit more! - Let me tell you.

Professor Ouyang must be very happy today.

He has held that poem and had a smile on his face all day.

Then, he criticized all of us.

Eat now! Eat now!

Sit here.

I'm starving.

Girl, bring two sets of utensils here.

- Is Luo Qiuchi not eating here today? - Let's not talk about it.

He said he couldn't even compete with a girl.

He is depressed and stays alone in his room.

Thank you.

You...

Aren't you...

- Wait! Don't run away. - Girl!

A'Juan, where are you going?

Don't leave!

It is really you.

I initially thought you looked familiar.

It turns out, you are a maid at the academy's kitchen.

And also, the verses for Professor Ouyang's poem,

- you were the one who completed it. Weren't you? - No, it wasn't me.

"Just so happy to Yanyue,

His eyebrows hook unconsciously."

You wrote that poem, didn't you?

I wouldn't want to pry, as a maid at the kitchen,

how you could be educated and write poems.

But I want to know,

what kind of person

could write poems with such grief and sadness?

Since I was young, I have always liked poems.

However, my family is poor

and I'm also a female.

I didn't have the opportunity to go to school.

A few years ago, I came to the academy with my aunt to work.

Often, when I'm not busy

I will secretly listen to you guys during class.

I will read the books you guys didn't want.

I will pick up the discarded brush, dip it in black ink,

and practice writing on a piece of paper.

Over time, I learned quite a bit of material.

A few days ago, I saw Professor Ouyang's poem.

I just couldn't resist myself.

So, in the middle of the night,

I completed the verses.

The city is full of old wood and cold clouds.

[Who says grief and sadness can't be drawn...The city if full of old wood and cold clouds]

So that's the situation.

You sure have guts.

You dared to secretly listen to our classes.

If professor found out—

Miss Wenren,

please forgive and don't report me.

Okay. I was only joking with you.

If I didn't purposely scare you,

you wouldn't have told me the truth, would you?

You are really not angry with me?

Not at all. Why would I be angry at you?

I really admire you.

I really didn't expect that a delicate girl like you

could write such great poems.

By the way, I remember Professor Ouyang promised that

whoever could respond to his poem will receive a big reward.

Let's go and find him to get the reward.

Thank you for your kind intentions.

I... I won't go.

Why not?

I'm not a student of the academy.

I have no right to redeem the prize.

This prize is for your poem.

It's not for your identity.

All right.

Do you really like to compose poems?

Fine! Tomorrow at noon,

wait for me at the garden.

It's raining heavily today.

It looks like our poem

- will use rain as the theme. - Professor Ouyang

likes to summon his students here to write poems for amusement.

This is the perfect opportunity.

Miss Wenren, I think we should just forget this.

I don't have the courage.

Why would you be afraid of?

Even if something does go wrong,

it's Wang Xiaqing's fault. You won't have to take responsibility.

If someone finds out, what will we do?

What if your sister finds out?

I already checked. She went home today and won't return.

Don't worry!

Let's go.

Come!

This poem is beautiful and neatly done.

- Is she your peer? - Great poem!

You are here.

Wenren Juan, who is this?

Principal. Professors.

This is my distant cousin.

His name is Wang Xiaqing.

How talented!

- It was him? - Yes, it was.

Since young, he has been proficient in poems.

I heard the professors were having a poem contest here.

He would like to learn more.

I hope the principal and Professors will allow this.

Young Master Wang is young, talented, and good looking.

Since you have interest,

of course, we welcome him.

By the way, Professor Ouyang, that poem of yours...

was actually completed by my cousin.

Is that so?

I was mumbling at home, when he heard it, he responded immediately.

Since you are so talented,

why didn't you write your name?

My cousin said he isn't part of the academy,

so he was worried that you would be angry if you found out.

Young Master Wang is highly talented, is there a need to care about identity?

Young Master Wang, you are too modest.

What are you doing?

That's the situation.

I want everyone to see Miss Wang's talent.

When the time is right,

we will tell them her true identity.

Otherwise, if she came with her true identity,

she probably wouldn't even be able to set foot on the doorsteps.

Next time, if you do something, could you give me a heads up?

Young Master Wang, you've come just in time.

We are having a friendly poem competition.

We just announced this poem,

"The sounds of the wind and birds are broken."

Young Master Wang, are you willing to try your talent?

I...

- Cousin... - Principal. Professors.

Young Master Wang must be too nervous.

Why don't we let him write it down, instead?

Write down instead?

Okay, fine! Young Master Wang, please.

After you.

He has an air of talent.

- I wasn't able to sleep last night so I'm going back to bed. - You take care of things here, all right?

Principal, I have something going on. I'm taking my leave.

Go ahead.

[The flowers of the day are heavy]

[The flowers of the day are heavy]

Look! "The flowers of the day are heavy."

Great poem!

Great poem!

Great poem!

Principal. Professors. I'm leaving.

Principal. Professors. I'm leaving.

Go ahead!

There's been a great deal of homework these days.

Where are you going?

We just had a friendly poem competition.

It was too boring so we left first.

By the way, Wenrun Shu, when did you have such a handsome cousin?

I've never heard of him.

- Cousin? - Yes.

He's having a friendly poem competition with the professors.

I heard that poem about being unable to draw, is the work of your cousin.

- He's pretty amazing. - So amazing.

Amazing! We can't compete with him.

- Let's go. - Yes.

You guys go back first, I still have something to do.

Then we are leaving.

Let's go.

Cousin?

I'm only an ordinary scholar.

Professors, you've overpraised.

"The evening wind blows the boat, flowers enter themouth of the river."

I didn't imagine that Young Master Wang would still be so young

but already so talented.

Sister, didn't you already go home?

Why did you come back?

I heard from Xie Ziyun that your cousin is here.

- I have not met your cousin before. I should meet him. - No!

What's wrong?

You are not letting me see your cousin?

Not that!

My cousin is actually...

This cousin is a relative of my mother.

Your mother's relative.

Why is your mother's relative here to see you now?

- Shouldn't we tell father? - No need!

My cousin is only here to visit for a few days.

Coincidentally, we met each other.

He's only here for a short time and then he will leave.

There's no need to tell our family.

All right! I won't meet him then.

Take care of him.

Sister, don't tell Mother about this.

If Mother knew, she would definitely be very unhappy.

Okay. Sister understands.

Relax! Go on.

Thank you, Sister.

Scared me to death.

Young Master Wang, I heard that tomorrow in Huixian Building, there's a Poets Society's gathering.

Young Master Wang, you are brimming with talent.

Can you join in the fun tomorrow?

I... don't think this is appropriate.

How can this not be appropriate?

This is your first time at the capital and you are not familiar with the people and place.

We can make use of the Poets Society to make friends with the poets.

Wouldn't this be wonderful?

Good! Good!

Thank you for mentioning this.

I was too nervous just now.

Could I have exposed some loopholes?

Don't worry too much! I already said,

with your ability, there won't be a problem for you to take the exam.

They indeed gave you a thumbs up

and even let you participate in the Poet's Society.

I haven't even been there.

With this honor, even if I could only do chores in the academy,

I'm contented, too.

I indeed didn't see wrongly.

- It's really unexpected. - Sirs, take care.

You are flattering me.

This poem is very beautiful.

Can't help but admire it.

That many people?

Looking at this scene, I feel like composing a poem, too.

Forget it! In front of such a brilliant person,

I shouldn't show off. Isn't that so, Young Master Wang?

Young Master Wenren, you are flattering me.

The next verse should be...

- Professor Ouyang. - Professor Ouyang.

You are here.

Great poems deserve good wine.

Why are you two still standing there? It's elegant and interesting today.

Let's drink a round.

This young master looks familiar.

I wonder where you are from.

Let me do the introductions.

He's my cousin, Wang Xiaqjing, Young Master Wang.

- Young Master Wang. - Young Master Wang.

He drank too much again.

- Professor Ouyang, you are teasing me. - Let me do the introductions.

This is my student, Wenren Juan.

- Greetings, everyone. - Be at ease.

This is the highly talented Young Master Wang Xiaqing.

- Greetings, everyone. - Greetings, Young Master Wang.

Having the honor of being invited by Professor Ouyang to the Poets Society today,

I'm terrified.

Young Master Wang, it's good that you are here today.

These few are the capital's

extremely talented poets.

You can have discussions and become friends using poems.

That's right! We are all friends here.

Let's make friends using poems. What do you think?

Fine! Great!

How about this? You all go ahead.

Wenren Juan, come with me.

Yes.

Come, let's continue. Where did we stop?

I'm leaving now.

Okay.

Young Master, please.

"In the empty pavilion, crows circle the trees in the sunset,

geese and clouds in the deserted city."

"I can't bear to yell at the edge of the lake..."

"...and the leaves on the east are divided."

- Young Master Wang, let me recite one. What do you think? - Please do.

Silver plum blossom and white snow paint Chang'an.

Withered hair and cold bones become mud."

Great literary talent!

"There is no irritating heat in the dorm.

The deep roots are hard to see and the trees have more wind."

"The mountains overlap the clouds.

Sichuan falls to the east."

This is not difficult, either.

"Golden sands reflect the afterglow.

Clear spring's chasing green trees.

The wind rolls up and lonely smoke arrives.

Clouds scatter, the ruler is elsewhere."

Great poem! Amazing!

"Soft hand and slim fingers touch the water.

Face like smooth cream, feet bare, she stands at the front of the boat.

Playing with lotus, the girl recklessly ignores the chilly air,

But her cloth got wet and now she's envious of the elder countrymen."

This poem is full of sarcasm.

What's wrong?

Young Master Wang, can't complete the rest?

"A rare and beautiful jade hangs around the waist.

Junya folds the fan and shakes it.

The son reciting the poem was unaware

but taught those around to laugh."

Excellent!

Great poem!

Young Master Wang, it's our honor for you to be here.

Here's your wine.

You wrote this very well.

This Young Master Wang is indeed very talented.

His verses are very beautiful.

Look at this! What does it say?

Thank you.

This... This...

She's a girl.

So, she's a girl. No wonder her words are bitterly sarcastic.

She's from a low-class family.

What are you talking about?

I think you are the most bitterly sarcastic person instead.

Wenren Juan, let me ask you.

You already knew that Young Master Wang... No!

Miss Wang is a woman.

Professor Ouyang, my apologies for deceiving you.

She's Wang Xiaqing who's talented in poems.

Because she thinks she's a girl, she dared not display herself.

That's why I took this step.

What great talent? I think she's a con person.

The replies for her poems just now were definitely not written by her.

- She must has stolen them. - You...

Young Master, you can't say that.

Qiuchi?

Young Master Wang's replies to the poem just now,

everyone clapped and exclaimed that they were excellent.

However, knowing that she's a woman now,

how did she turn into a con person?

- Who is this? - His name is Luo Qiuchi.

The Head of Qilin appointed by His Majesty.

Head of Qilin?

I think Luo Qiuchi and Wenren Juan are right.

There was a female emperor before.

So, why can't there be a female poet?

Well said, Professor Ouyang.

Even more so, a talent should be regarded as a talent.

Is there a need to differentiate gender?

Even more so, we are using poems to make friends today.

Why should it matter if he is Young Master Wang

or Miss Wang?

That's right!

- He's right. - That's right.

Rotten girl.

Who let you come here? Go back to the kitchen and work.

How presumptuous! Who are you?

Professor Ouyang, don't you remember me?

I'm a cook at the academy.

Then, Miss Wang is?

She's my subordinate, a kitchen maid, but I don't know why she's here.

I couldn't manage her.

Everyone, please forgive me.

A kitchen maid?

Composing poems?

This is the biggest joke in the kingdom.

Miss Wang, do you really work in the academy's kitchen?

Damn girl! Still embarrassing everyone? Come here now.

Let go!

The Poets Society is an elegant place. How can you use such filthy language here?

Right! This is an elegant place.

How can a servant come here and stain this place?

- You... - Servant?

What's wrong with a servant?

Don't servants have the right to go to school and compose poems?

Miss Wenren, I'm leaving.

- Miss Wang! - Sorry for the disruption.

Take a look!

Miss Xiaqing, I'm sorry.

I didn't think it would become like this.

It's not your fault or anyone else's fault.

You...

Don't worry! I'm not blaming them or feeling guilty.

However, since young, I have understood this principle.

It's just a dream.

I can't regard it as real.

I have already accomplished my dream. It's time to wake up.

That's not true! You will definitely have another opportunity.

Look! Professor Ouyang spoke up for you.

That might be true.

But I dare not think otherwise.

-But— - It's getting late.

I should head back to the kitchen.

Miss Wenren, thank you

for making my dream come true.

Miss!

You've done well! Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you, Miss!

Let's go.

Miss,

I have a matter I don't understand.

Xiaqing may be bold

but she's a good girl.

Did she disrespect you somehow?

Why...

You are worrying too much.

My younger sister is still insensible.

I'm just helping her.

But this Xiaqing is just a maid who lights the fire.

Although she can write some poems,

but can she really climb up to become a refined and elegant person?

I fear my younger sister gave her false hopes.

She will only be living in her unrealistic dream.

This is harming her.

I did this to prevent her from suffering more.

I see. Look! I've wrongly blamed you.

Okay, go back to what you are doing. I'm leaving.

All right.

[Welcome Spring Pavilion]

- Place this in an eye-catching location. - Yes.

Be careful!

Sir Wenren.

What are you doing?

- That's right, cousin. - What are you doing?

- What happy occasion is it? - Husband.

Your birthday is almost here.

We need to start preparing your birthday feast.

You know that day is...

I hate celebrating my birthday.

This matter doesn't only involve you.

This has to do with me, Shu'er, and our family reputation, too.

It's been this many years already.

Why can't you still be tolerant of this?

I understand that you still love that person.

But a birthday still needs to be celebrated.

Madam.

[Banquet Seating Arrangement for Guests]

I've already prepared the guest list.

The seating at the feast

has already been arranged.

[Fu Yanzhi, Sun Yuheng, Duan Xueya, etc.]

My cousin is indeed the female head of the household.

This birthday banquet will definitely be grand.

Very grand.

Very grand.

It's not a very important birthday. Why make it so grand and extravagant?

Just gather some close families and friends instead.

Isn't it because of you who keeps being promoted year after year?

If this birthday banquet is shabby,

you will embarrass His Highness.

You always shove false arguments down people's throats.

Just based on what you said, invite some families, close friends, and important officials.

Which family doesn't have ties of kinship?

If you don't call them, who would be suitable?

That's right, Brother-in-Law. Don't worry about squandering money.

It's such a list of famous people. Would they come without gifts?

Just have enough tables for the birthday banquet.

This will be more than your salary.

Presumptuous!

Your brother-in-law is now the Deputy Head of the Legislative Bureau.

How can he use this kind of method to increase his wealth?

He worked hard to help you find a job at the Ministry of Household Registration.

Are you trying to harm him?

What's on your mind nowdays?

I'm wrong, Brother-in-Law.

Cousin, don't take this to heart.

I was merely mentioning it.

Okay.

Just do it accordingly.

Don't go overboard.

Remember this! During the birthday banquet,

return all the gifts.

I know.

I'm going to the study.

- I... - So useless.

[Zhu Xiu Academy]

Didn't the Little Monkey come to eat?

She is in her room feeling guilty about Miss Xiaqing's situation.

Try this one!

This tastes great.

Isn't it tasty?

Why is she back?

- Is it her? - Is it?

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Cheerful Scholars @Viki

You still didn't get up when you heard movements? What if it were a villain?

Where would there be a villain?

Upon hearing the movements, I already knew it was you.

All right.

I specially went back to Huixian Building to buy this for you.

Thank you.

Don't think too much!

All right.

I've already tried my best.

But in the end, I still didn't accomplish anything.

I'm not criticizing you but you give all your effort and sincerity to people

who has no relations to you. What are you doing it for?

- Just to get a thank you? - Exactly.

You sure are honest.

One day, if there is someone who is grateful to me because of something I've done,

then that proves that I, Wenren Juan,

has a purpose in this lifetime.

Is this thought

very silly and selfish?

Not only is it selfish, right now,

even if I want to be selfish, I can't do anything.

Such a failure!

Forget it! I might as well continue to be the

obscure and known rice weevil in the Wenren family.

You are such a failure.

"Pear Blossoms Bloom" by Su Miaoling

♫ Pear flowers are blossoming, pear flowers are blossoming ♫

♫ Fluttering in the wind ♫

♫ Waving to and fro on the mountain ♫

♫ Thousands of miles away ♫

♫ Thousands of miles away ♫

♫ Is she still waiting there ♫

♫ Dear wind please blow gently ♫

♫ Slowly blowing the ends of her hair ♫

♫ Rain, please drizzle slowly ♫

♫ Don’t dampen her face ♫