Original subtitles

"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 15]

There's something that is different from one person to another

and that's Master Sun's...

fingerprint.

That's right! We won't know if it's genuine or fake.

Master Sun,

it's really admirable how you can drink and paint all day.

Look at how hard you've fallen and hurt your mouth.

See this? I'm done.

I must say, Master Sun! your painting is really

brilliant.

Is it bleeding?

Quick! Let's wipe it off.

This really isn't good.

Is it?

If you tell anyone about this,

then you won't be able to paint any more.

Take care of your mouth!

Got it!

Does the fingerprint on this painting

belong to Master Sun?

He's the only one who can confirm.

Master Sun,

if you lie, your mouth might rot.

Your mouth is the one that'll rot! [Distinct Splendor Court]

You...

Master Sun, since you're already here,

then let us take a look.

Let's just clear things up.

- Wang Quan. - Yes.

- Bring the cinnabar. - Yes.

Please!

Master Sun, we'll have to trouble you.

- Let go of me! - Come.

Come!

Sir Wenren.

All right, all right!

I admit it! I admit it! [Distinct Splendor Court]

I did paint this painting. [Distinct Splendor Court]

You are all ganging up on me.

I'm going home! I'll never come to the capital again.

Be careful, Master Sun!

Just you wait!

Classmate Fu, are you satisfied now?

All right, put it away.

All right! Since we've cleared up this misunderstanding,

then let's go in...

Sir Wenren, please hold on.

Classmate Fu said that he'd prove that I was wrong

at any cost.

He even invited Master Sun over.

I would like to ask...

does this cost include inventing falsehoods?

Master Luo, I've been strict with Yuanzhi since he was young.

He wouldn't do such a thing.

If that's what Sir Fu says, I suppose I must be overthinking it.

I originally thought that Classmate Fu had resented me

for stealing his position as the top student of the academy from him.

- You're overthinking it. - Then it'll be all for the best.

All right. A misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding.

Come on, let's go in!

Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go.

What an embarrassment!

[Very Lucky and Elegant House] [Longevity] (T/N: lit. House of elegance and the luck of ten thousand)

[Longevity]

Everyone,

thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate my birthday.

I, Wenren Jing, am extremely grateful.

I'll drink this toast to you.

Good! Good! Thank you.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

Lord Wenren, may you have fortune as boundless as the East Sea and live as long as the South Mountain!

Lord Wenren, may you have blessings, longevity, wealth, and happiness;

adding brilliance and auspiciousness.

Qinghe, come with me quickly.

Father, we'll be right back.

Let's go!

You two... Where are you two going?

Father, I wish you a flood of good fortune which fills the heavens,

fortune, and longevity.

Good!

What should I do, Qinghe? My sister has already begun her performance.

- It's going to be my turn soon. - It should be all right.

You can do it for sure.

Look! Here she comes.

Is Classmate Fu accompanying your sister?

You're right!

Why is your sister doing a sword dance, too?

Did you arrange this?

She... She didn't say anything about this to me.

Madam, has Shu'er ever learned swordplay?

Good! Excellent!

Good! Good! Brilliant!

Good.

Good! Great!

It's good!

Seeing how good-looking this couple are together,

they really are a good match!

Congratulations, Sir Wenren!

You're a fortunate man!

It's good.

Shu'er, what made you think of performing with a sword?

Shu'er, what made you think of performing with a sword?

I've never seen you touch a sword or a blade before.

I feel that you are always working on official matters.

You're always interacting with scholars and literary characters.

For an event as important as your birthday,

you might want to see something different.

So I asked an instructor to teach me swordplay.

But it's only been half a month,

so I've not had enough practice.

I've embarrassed myself in front of everyone.

Very good! Very good! Very good!

It's fine as long as Father enjoyed it.

Yuanzhi, you've worked hard, too.

I'm just doing what I should.

Isn't it time for A'Juan's performance now?

Where has A'Juan gone?

Is she the next one?

Where has she gone to?

I don't see her.

Don't worry! She will definitely come to wish you a happy birthday.

Why? Sister...

you knew that I was going to perform with a sword.

Really?

I don't remember.

If you wanted to do a sword dance,

you could have just told me.

I would never have fought with you over it.

But why did you have to do it this way?

You clearly knew how important this was to me.

Then what about you? You clearly know how much I like Senior.

Why do you still treat me like this?

Aren't you already close to that Luo Qiuchi?

Look at you! You're doing it again.

That innocent, pitiful look!

Surely you are actually very pleased with yourself.

Luo Qiuchi and Senior both run in circles around you every day.

I'm the one who loves Senior the most.

I'm the one who treats him the best.

I've already given him my heart.

But as long as you act like this,

he only cares for you.

So this is what you think of me.

I always thought we were really sisters.

I thought you would sincerely treat me well.

Real sisters?

Are you worthy?

You're just a savage girl whom I can't get rid of.

I left you at Dongyi Mountain and you came back.

I left you among the bandits and you came back, too.

Why can't you stay away from me?

What did you say?

You were the one who left me with the bandits?

You were the one who spooked the horse on purpose?

Yes, it was me.

And let me tell you...

As long as I love Senior,

I will keep doing this.

It'll be forever!

A'Juan, are you all right?

Everyone's looking for you. It's time to perform.

I'm not going.

Qinghe, I'm all right.

I'll be leaving.

What's this?

Qiuchi...

What are you thinking?

Do you think I'm really dumb?

You did warn me about this.

But I didn't believe you.

I'm thinking... you can't just leave like this.

We're the people of Dongyi Mountain.

How can we just bear with it if people bully us?

Doesn't she just want to see you look bad?

Then it's the more that you should perform, and you'll have to do better than her.

But what can I perform?

- I can't do anything. - Not true!

There's one thing that you do better

than anyone else in the capital.

Don't worry! I'll help you.

[Very Lucky and Elegant House]

Father, it's your birthday, I wish you well.

- May you have today's glory forever. - Good! Good!

Also, I've also prepared a performance for you.

That's right. We were all waiting for your performance. Where did you run off to?

It's because my performance can only be done at night.

- What did you prepare? - You'll know very soon.

I hope you'll like it!

All right!

In the faraway border region of Qingzhou,

there was a renowned chief bandit

who was known as the Dongyi Mountain Lord.

He was branded as one of the top 10 evildoers in the world:

The King of Hell!

No one has ever seen his true face.

A shadow play?

Shadow play?

Little Miss, hold on for a little longer!

We're almost there.

Big Brother, why do I feel this place is so dark and eerie?

I'm so afraid! It feels like something scary is going to happen.

Don't worry! With me here, I'll protect you.

Let's go!

Good!

What's this?

Ah! There's a ghost!

Here's another fat lamb for us!

- I'm here. - Who are you?

I planted these trees and I opened this road.

Who do you think I am?

So you're the fabled Dongyi Mountain Lord?

I've been waiting for you. I'm going to catch you!

You think you can catch me?

- Tiger and Rat! - Here!

- Kill! - No! No!

I will hit you!

You can't defeat me.

You can't.

The fighting looks good!

♫ A few years ago, I thought being alone was the best ♫

♫ Often never met ♫

♫ That's right, I feel that it's being silent and everything will be fine ♫

♫ You've been keeping the warmth in your heart all those years ♫

♫ Fortunately, I met you ♫

♫ I then felt that everything ♫

♫ I waited for has been worth it ♫

♫ I just met you and it rained ♫

♫ Don't worry about how far the road will be tomorrow. Don't worry ♫

Please have mercy! Please have mercy!

- It's too late to beg for mercy now! - No!

Madam, since he's dead,

then come to my Dongyi Mountain village and be my wife!

You'll eat and drink well! What do you say?

Dream on! Even if I die,

I'll never submit to you.

This isn't up to you.

- Tiger and Rat! - We're here!

Take her away!

No, no!

This Dongyi Mountain Lord killed the husband and is stealing the woman.

This is pure evil!

Time to enter the marriage chamber!

It's my wedding day today!

Brothers, have fun!

- All right, Mountain Lord, enjoy! - Of course, I will.

Little Miss, here I come!

You smelly bandit! I'll never marry you, even if I die.

Wife, don't be so rash!

You... what do you want to do? Don't come over here!

What do I want to do?

This is offending public morals.

It's definitely offending public morals.

This Wenren Juan's play is too strange.

This Dongyi Mountain Lord doesn't look scary.

And he isn't even violating the woman.

I remember she was the only one left behind on the mountain.

Could she be talking about what really happened?

After getting to know you these past few days,

I've realized that you're not as scary as they say.

You're tender and thoughtful, and you also have many talents.

It looks like people have really misunderstood you.

Wife, would you like to go out?

Let's go!

You bastard, Mountain Lord!

We've surrounded your village!

You still won't quickly surrender?

Mountain Lord, don't worry about us! Run!

- Mountain Lord, leave us! - How can I leave you?

You can't run! Even if you've killed Bandit Cai Hua,

you'll never change the fact that you've harmed the people for many years.

Bandit Cai Hua? What Bandit Cai Hua?

The other day, the man who was leading you was Bandit Cai Hua.

I saw that he was luring you into the mountain,

and realized he didn't have good intentions towards you.

So I...

So you weren't the one who kidnapped me,

but who saved me?

It was because the first time I saw you, I fell in love with you at first sight.

Mountain Lord, fight for your life!

Duck!

Don't! Don't take him away.

Don't!

Don't take him away! Don't!

Mountain Lord!

Mountain Lord! Mountain Lord, are you all right?

Wife, My Wife...

Mountain Lord, don't leave me!

Don't leave me!

Don't leave me, my Mountain Lord!

Enough!

Come out here, all of you!

What's wrong?

It's too humiliating.

It's scandalous.

Such nonsense!

This is Wenren Manor, not a theater!

You are the second young lady of the Wenren household.

Don't you know your manners? Don't you know how to feel shame?

That's not it, Madam. I just wanted...

That Dongyi Mountain Lord

kidnapped the daughters of our honor guests here.

He insulted all the elders here.

But look at you.

You've even forced all the young gentlemen and ladies to put on this show to praise him!

Even if you aren't afraid to lose face, we are!

Madam, we're not fooling around...

Keep your mouth shut! Come over here.

- Mengyin! - Yes.

Father and Mother, I'm sorry!

What an embarrassment!

Lady Wenren, the children were just having fun.

There's no big harm done.

Boss Zhao, we're not the same.

You merchants prioritize money.

And we prioritize our reputations.

You don't have to worry about this matter.

This... This...

How exciting! It truly is.

This is the first time I've attended such an event.

Every guest here is wealthy and noble.

It turns out that every single one really is

arrogant and looks down their noses at others.

Impertinence!

I'm not done yet.

Madam, where's your good breeding?

You...

This is just a farce.

Classmate Wenren put in so much work to show filial piety to her father.

All of you learned scholars,

not only do you not appreciate this, but you're also even looking to criticize her.

Professors, all those seated here

must have previously been your students.

According to the rules of Zhu Xiu Academy,

if they don't adhere to the right manners of showing gratitude, how should they be punished?

This...

The answer is... no punishment.

Because these people are either in positions of power

or are extremely wealthy.

Even if they cast other people's dignity below their feet,

even if they kill or commit arson,

they will all be allowed to remain in peace.

Luo Qiuchi,

don't think that just because you got into Zhu Xiu Academy

that you are equal to us and can speak to me like this.

Sure! All of what you said are all true.

If you want to blame anyone, just blame yourself for not reincarnating well.

All right, Madam, stop talking!

This Young Master Luo has been invited to Wenren Manor.

He's our guest.

How can you say that to a guest?

You're speaking up for him?

But he's the one who put on this farce with Wenren Juan.

For everyone who came today,

we can consider it a stolen opportunity to have a brief break from our work.

To be able to see the shadow play, we can also consider it a stolen opportunity to have some fun as we rest.

- You... - Isn't that so?

Sir Wenren, you don't need to worry.

Since Madam doesn't welcome me, then I'll leave.

- If Luo Qiuchi goes, we'll go, too! - Yes, we'll go, too!

Let's go!

Let's go!

Wait...

Reporting to Sir Wenren.

It's bad! We've just received the news that His Majesty is missing.

Senior, I'm really sorry.

I didn't think it would get so serious.

I've embarrassed myself in front of you.

For so many years,

you've been manipulating A'Juan with such superficial kindness.

- Isn't that so? - I...

You know I feel indebted to you,

so you got me to perform with you just to make A'Juan look bad?

She's your little sister!

She's so earnest and sincere to you, why do you have to treat her like this?

You really don't know?

Actually, you do know.

You've always known that I love you.

You've just pretended not to know.

With regards to my love for you,

there's no response.

This is a matter between us, it has nothing to do with A'Juan.

- There is no reason for you to humiliate her so. - You don't understand.

Whenever you look at A'Juan so tenderly,

whenever the two of you whisper secrets together,

whenever the two of you neglect me,

do you know how difficult it is for me?

Have you ever cared about how I felt?

I know that it's due to the confusion from too much care,

but...

can you really bear to hurt someone who really loves you?

Yuanzhi! Yuanzhi, we have to go.

- Something big has happened. - But...

Let's go quickly!

Come and take a look!

Come and take a look.

Come and have a look!

Look, Kiddo!

Come and have a look!

Have a look!

I want this one.

- You haven't paid yet! - What do you mean, pay?

- You have to pay. - I don't want it!

This child!

Why can't I do anything well?

What have I done wrong?

I just wanted to perform well at Father's banquet,

so Father can like me a little more.

But in the end...

I still made a joke of myself in front of everyone.

What's the point of writing these books?

I don't get any validation from writing them anyway.

I don't get any appreciation from Father for writing these books.

Why doesn't anyone like me?

[Zhi Duoxing Xiao Yuntian]

Why is the fire gone?

Heaven, are you bullying me, too?

Why won't it light up?

Why is it that even you are bullying me?

Who is it?

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't do it on purpose.

I think you did do it on purpose! You're planning to assassinate me!

You're a bad person! You're too much!

Can't you let me rest for a while?

Tell me. Who sent you?

Is there a problem with your ears?

I already told you I didn't do it on purpose. Don't you understand human language?

- You dare to scold me! - Yeah, I'm scolding you, so what?

I'll have you drawn and quartered.

- Little squirt. - You... You dare to call me a little squirt?

- You are a little squirt! - You'll see how I'll punish you!

- Come down, then! - I'm coming now!

Come on.

Little squirt!

This...

Come on down!

- Just you wait there! - I'm waiting.

Wait there!

Little squirt, where are you going? Where are you going?

Weren't you coming down? Are you scared now?

Little squirt! Even you are bullying me.

Assassin, you can't escape!

This... You can't point this straight at people like that.

Little kiddo, I'll apologize to you, okay?

I was just burning things, I didn't do it on purpose.

Please, go and play somewhere else. Okay?

Burning things? What are you burning?

Can't you see for yourself?

[Genius Xiao Yuntian]

You... You, you, you...!

I... I... what?

Have you seen a kid about this tall?

Have you seen a kid about this tall?

No, I haven't.

You even dare to burn Sir Golden Saber's Master Big Vegetable Ivory's book?

What's wrong with burning useless things like this?

Do you even dare to say that his books are useless?

It's not just their stories that are useless,

but the person is pretty useless, too.

You even dare to say that he's useless?

Can you stop repeating what I say?

I won't let you burn this!

- How is any of this your business? Are you His Majesty? - Yup.

- I'm... not His Majesty. - There you go! I want to burn this. It's none of your business.

What are you doing? Give it back!

- Give it! - I won't!

- Don't force me to use my full strength! - No!

Give it back! You stupid little squirt!

- Give it back! - I won't!

- Give it back to me! - No!

- Give me! - I won't!

- Give it back! - No, I won't!

- Stop! - Qiuchi?

- Where did this little squirt come from? - Who knows! He wanted to snatch this book from me.

Who says this is your book? This is Master Big Vegetable Ivory's book.

Where did you steal it from?

Come here! Did I say you could speak?

You guys... You guys...!

And you even dare to point your finger at me?

You must really be a powerful little squirt!

Let me down!

- Apologize to her first. - I won't!

You won't apologize? Then you don't have to come down.

I already remember your faces.

I'll get people to come and arrest you.

And shut you in the dungeons.

- Let's make a deal! - Who wants to deal with you?

You like Sir Golden Saber's Master Big Vegetable Ivory, don't you?

How about this! You agree to one of my conditions

and I'll get them to

write you as the male lead of their next story.

You know Golden Saber's Big Vegetable Ivory?

Qiuchi, how could you tell him?

You are Golden Saber's Big Vegetable Ivory?

That's not possible!

Little squirt! Don't believe it if you don't want to.

- Do you know who I am? - Who?

I'm the great talent, Luo Qiuchi.

Do you remember the jade pendant you gave me, Your Majesty?

Majesty?

You... You... You really are Big Vegetable Ivory?

You... You... You really are His Majesty?

- Your Majesty— - Master Big Vegetable Ivory, dispense with the proprieties.

You're too talented!

I followed the methods that you wrote

in that story about Princess Xiaoyanzi escaping from a wedding.

That's how I got the chance to escape those annoying eunuchs.

I've never had so much freedom before.

- R-Really? - Of course!

You have no idea how boring it is in the palace.

My royal uncle always sends people to watch me study every day.

I snuck your stories in my books.

They were actually fooled!

When the Head Eunuch went out of the palace to buy it,

he met someone at the tavern and bought it, the only copy.

It's even the book that he personally transcribed on.

It's so hard to obtain.

I was just writing it for fun.

Why don't you come back to the palace with me?

- Me? - That's right.

I'll give you a room just for you to write stories.

What do you think of the empress' palace?

No... No... There's no need, Your Majesty! Really, no need.

Your Majesty, I already told you the identity of Golden Saber's Big Vegetable Ivory.

Shouldn't you consider my condition?

Qiuchi, how can you talk about conditions with His Majesty?

No problem. Tell me!

Of course, it's not for right now but for the future.

If we need help in the future,

then Your Majesty will have to help us.

As for this...

That's simple! You can have whatever you want in my empire.

Then I will thank Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity.

But you'll have to fulfill a wish of mine.

My Little Ancestor, come out now.

Quick! Over there.

Go after him. Quick!

Little bandit, you won't get away today.

Let's see where you will escape.

My Little Ancestor, I finally found you.

- Retreat! - How dare you, bandit?

- You even dare to— - Retreat!

Retreat now! Whoever doesn't retreat, you are defying an imperial order!

I'm the Monkey King who kills people without any regard.

Even if you are the emperor, I won't spare your life, either.

So, you are that rotten Monkey King?

You rape women and rob people. There's nothing you won't do.

You harm my people.

I must execute you today.

A little brat like you is going to arrest me?

Here comes my martial arts.

Move back!

Move back further!

Move back! Move back!

You are ruthless.

Don't run away! Don't run away!

- I'm not done playing yet. - No need to chase him.

Up ahead is a dead end, can you all fly?

Let me tell you! He was struck by my unique martial arts.

He won't live beyond the burning time of an incense stick.

Seeing how fearful that he's going to die,

he will reflect on his evil deeds.

- Return to the palace! - Come back! We're returning to the palace.

Qiuchi?

Did anything go wrong?

What could go wrong?

I never thought I would meet the emperor today.

I didn't expect the noble emperor to be so cute.

Cute?

Don't you think so?

- You dare say he's cute? - Isn't he?

Even more so, you called him cute in front of me?

Qiuchi, he's just a child.

- How could you be jealous of a child? - So what?

Don't forget to write him as nine feet tall

and a hero with great martial arts skills.

I put on two major performances today.

The top actor, Qing Yifang, is not even as busy as me.

Fine! I will go back and massage you. Okay?

Fine! Let's treat this work as urgent now.

I'll help you burn the books.

Let's keep them for now.

You've thought it through?

Help me burn them when I want to.

Okay.

I'll definitely keep you company when you want to burn them.

[Wenren Manor]

Second Miss.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Cheerful Scholars @Viki

Father.

Follow me!

"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 ♫