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 20]

[Venerable Teacher's Hall]

Principal, Professors.

I know I committed a major taboo.

Not only did I insult the saints, I disgraced the Academy too.

But I know I was wrong and am willing to be punished.

Please be lenient and give me another chance.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Cheerful Scholars @Viki

[Venerable Teacher's Hall]

[Zhu Xiu Academy]

Principal, not everyone is a sage. Who couldn't make a mistake? Since she knows that she's wrong,

can't we give her another chance to change?

Principal, Lanshan is right.

Admit your mistake and change. Isn't this the principle of teaching the students?

This examination may be a small matter,

but what if it was the Imperial Examination?

What if it's an important matter regarding life and death?

I want her to understand that the mistake she has committed

should be born by her alone.

Principal, what you said, makes sense

but isn't the outcome too harsh?

Actually, we have all made mistakes before.

Also, we hope that

we will be given a chance to change.

[Venerable Teacher's Hall]

A'Juan.

Get up now.

Senior Brother.

Senior Brother, let Luo Qiuchi off.

Must you insist on doing this for his sake?

What's so great about him?

He's just a bandit with an exaggerated opinion of his own abilities.

What's so great about me too?

I'm a good-for-nothing child

of a concubine who keeps creating trouble.

I don't care!

You clearly know that...

You clearly know that I don't care about that.

But why do you keep turning a blind eye to that?

It's all because of Luo Qiuchi. It's because of him.

If he didn't appear in our lives,

you wouldn't have changed and be like this now.

But he has already appeared.

Not only did he appear in my life,

he is deeply engraved in my heart.

I can't erase it. No one can replace him.

Senior Brother... I love him.

Fine.

All right then.

You refuse to realize your mistake.

Since you insist on being on the same path as Luo Qiuchi,

I won't care about you again in the future.

You will regret it one day.

♫ Fortunately I met you ♫

♫ I feel that everything I have been waiting for is worth it ♫

♫ I just met you and it rained. Don’t worry about how far the road will be tomorrow, worry about it ♫

♫ It’s just that the best is always the last ♫

♫ The finale is the most beautiful beginning ♫

Everyone, come here for a while. Let's have a discussion.

I think, by doing this, we are being too extreme.

Mengyin is right.

Daring to do it but not daring to take responsibility for it, is not what a man should do.

If we want to be men, we should go and accept our punishment.

But I'm afraid.

If my family finds out,

my father will scold me.

Also, it's too shameful.

The most shameful thing is that everyone

is letting a girl shoulder the responsibility.

Qinghe.

- She just-- - No.

- I'm going with her. - Wait.

We can't do this.

I'm going too.

- Me, too. - I'm going too.

Let's go.

♫ Maybe from the day of meeting ♫

♫ All about you ♫

♫ Became my nostalgia ♫

♫ Destined to be unforgettable ♫

♫ Even if you go round and round ♫

♫ It's also lost in the vast crowd ♫

♫ Even though it will turn a thousand times ♫

♫ There will be no complaints ♫

♫ In this life, ♫

♫ you are my bondage ♫

♫ Maybe I was too stubborn ♫

♫ Bear sadness alone ♫

Qiuchi.

Principal, I, Luo Qiuchi, cheated on the examination.

It had nothing to do with Wenren Juan. Please punish me instead.

Qiuchi, what are you saying?

It wasn't easy for you to join the Academy. You must not lose this opportunity. Leave now.

- I, Luo Qiuchi, - Qiuchi!

cheated at the examination,

It had nothing to do with Wenren Juan. Please punish me instead.

Qiuchi.

I, Luo Qiuchi,

cheated on the examination.

It had nothing to do with Wenren Juan. Please punish me instead.

Luo Qiuchi, are you telling the truth?

Yes, Principal. Every single word is true.

I thought of the cheating method and executed it.

This has nothing to do with her. I'm willing to be punished.

Me too.

I, Hang Ruxue, helped Luo Qiuchi with the plan to cheat.

Principal, please punish me.

Instructor Hang, why are you--

Me too.

Qinghe.

- Me too. - Me too. - Me too.

- I, Sun Zuoyang, - Sun Mengyin, - Yuan Wanqi,

- Zhang Yucai, - Gong Silan, - Ling Shuyou,

assisted Luo Qiuchi and Wenren Juan

in the plan to cheat on the examination.

"I'm willing to be punished!"

Principal, many people have participated.

The law does not punish numerous offenders. We can't expel everyone.

Do you dare to swear to this Academy that

you didn't cheat?

"Students swear that they definitely didn't cheat."

Principal, they definitely had the evil intention

but looking back on it now, they knew how to turn around in time.

This is the virtue that you have always taught them.

In my opinion, starting from today, we can confine them for seven days

and let them repent every day in front of the Academy's image of the Sage.

After that, we'll punish them by having them copy the Tao Te Ching 100 times.

We'll tell their parents about this too.

This period of time should be enough for them to do self-reflections.

No!

This...

Listen carefully. Other than what Professor Xuan said,

the results for everyone here for this year's examination

has been voided.

Everyone, remember this.

In the future, if anyone violates the laws of the Academy,

no matter how many people there are or who pleads for mercy,

they will be expelled.

- Do you understand? - "Yes, understood!"

Go do your punishments now.

"Thank you, Principal."

All right, all right, stop kneeling. Get up.

Luo Qiuchi.

A'Juan.

Your knees are bruised from kneeling.

Can you stretch out your legs?

Don't be scared. I will find the best doctor to treat them for you.

Thank you, Qinghe.

I didn't think you would kneel for such a long time.

What if the Principal hadn't let it go?

I would have continued to kneel then.

I need to remain in the Academy

and be by Qiuichi's side.

Did you think about what would happen to the both of you?

I don't know either.

Before today, I hoped that

he would quickly catch the murderer who would be punished by law.

But I didn't imagine that

the person is my own father.

Qinghe,

I really don't know what to do.

A'Juan, don't worry.

This mistake was made by your father, not you.

I believe Qiuchi will understand.

Besides, he really loves you.

He spent a lot of effort to be with you.

He won't give up that easily.

I will never give up either.

Enter.

- Why are you here? - Instructor Hang.

You are being confined now. Why are you out looking for me?

Well...

It's fine. Just speak.

I know you don't like to mind other people's business,

but can you please persuade Qiuchi

not to give up on A'Juan?

This is between the two of them. Why must you get involved?

Because they love each other.

I don't want such a beautiful love to end just because of this matter.

Moreover, I told A'Juan that everything will be fine.

I don't want her to be disappointed.

Just this once.

You definitely won't let Luo Qiuchi give up.

Thank you.

Don't keep thanking or apologizing to me.

Also, didn't I tell you not to address me as Instructor Hang?

You may call me by my name.

Thank you, Hang... Ruxue.

I'm leaving then.

Qiuchi.

Luo Qiuchi.

Luo Qiuchi...

For someone who has night blindness like you, how did you lead your soldiers in a fight?

There aren't any situations that would affect my battles.

Fortunately, I'm not in the same battle as you.

I'm here to find you,

because I want to tell you,

you should go and look for Wenren Juan.

I feel that in this matter, you two shouldn't

fight because of this situation.

I don't know anything about affections or love,

but I am concerned about my brother.

I fear you will make a mistake and have regret for the rest of your life.

By the way... I heard from Qinghe that

Wen Renjuan, due to the snow-covered ground,

knelt for too long and hurt her legs.

She's unconscious.

She knelt, injured her knees, and is unconscious.

Qiuchi...

Qiuchi.

Qiuchi.

Qiuchi, is that you?

Hang Ruxue, what are you doing?

Coming to the women's dormitory in the middle of the night.

But she already begged me.

I have to tell her what happened.

I shouldn't let her worry for the whole night.

It's still not too late to tell her tomorrow.

Must I do it at this hour?

If someone sees, they will misunderstand again.

I will leave after I'm done talking. I definitely won't stay.

This won't do. This is wallowing in degradation.

Instructor Hang.

I already told Luo Qiuchi.

Really?

I have troubled you.

What is the difference between that and thank you?

You just smiled.

I did not.

So, you are here just to tell me this?

Things that should be done today should be completed today. It's considered lazy to procrastinate until tomorrow.

I have already spoken. I'm leaving now.

Wait...

Rest early, all right?

Yes.

I heard someone in the Imperial Court is asking about the progress on the repairs for the library.

He suspects where the funds for the repairs went.

Lately, expenses everywhere have been very high.

I spent the funds for repairing the library a long time ago.

Would I still have any surplus to repair the library?

The biggest expenditure in the ledger report

is the purchase of timber from Qingzhou.

But the timber still hasn't appeared as of today.

I fear if the Imperial Court probes further

and discovers that there was money spent, but no physical items, this matter may blow up.

If an accident happened

during the transportation of this timber,

it would have nothing to do with us then.

Accident? Are you saying...

If Qingzhou City is in chaos,

no one will bother about a few cartloads of timber.

It's time for some actors to come on stage.

[Wenren Manor]

For the past few days, the township government

has received news of many thefts and robberies.

- Keep an eye on this. - Yes.

But I heard Prince Kang has dispatched men to investigate the scene of the robberies

and also included more men to patrol the town.

He is quite fast.

Is he trying to show off in front of His Majesty?

What a hypocrite.

Is this what you should say?

How disrespectful. Make it tighter.

Yes, I received your teaching.

Why is it you today? Where's Wang Quan?

I don't know either. Madam has sent someone to his home to check.

- Tell him to look for me when he's back. - Yes.

- You may leave. - Yes.

A'Juan, your leg...

- Second Miss. - Why are you limping?

Greetings, Seventh Uncle, Father.

Does it still hurt?

I'm much better.

The Principal has already told me about the incident.

You definitely went overboard this time.

No matter how playful you are, there's always a limit.

Don't go against your conscience. Understand?

Brother-in-law, I will wait outside.

A'Juan, take care of your wound. I will come see you later.

What do you want to say to me?

Father,

nine years ago in March,

what did you do?

Did Lu Xingyun tell you this?

So to say, you're admitting it?

That it was done by you?

He holds a grudge against me. Don't listen to him.

But if you didn't make the mistake

why would he hold a grudge against you?

Father, you just said that one must have a limit.

We shouldn't go against our conscience.

What about you?

This has nothing to do with you. Stop talking.

What do you mean?

Do you know what you did almost harmed me forever?

I have always seen you as my role model.

- But you... - A'Juan.

Don't keep asking about this situation, all right?

Forget it then, I'm going back now.

I will get someone to escort you back to the Academy.

No need.

A'Juan.

The capital has not been safe lately.

Be careful on the way there.

♫ Maybe from the day of meeting ♫

♫ All about you ♫

♫ Became my nostalgia ♫

♫ Destined to be unforgettable ♫

♫ Even if you go round and round ♫

♫ It’s also lost in the vast crowd ♫

♫ Even though it will turn a thousand times ♫

If I'm discovered, I will then...

be like this and raise this hand super high.

She won't be able to reach it.

If this still doesn't work,

I will engrave these words, "The hand has an owner. Don't touch it".

Does that work?

But as for you, next time when you throw a tantrum on me,

tell me the reason.

♫ Bear sadness alone ♫

♫ Always used to hiding ♫

♫ No matter how much trouble this path brings ♫

Principal, I have been afraid since childhood.

I wonder if I can find a student

who has a catapult to be my kindred spirit.

You are free to choose one then.

In my opinion,

this classmate is not bad.

♫ In this life, we have each other ♫

♫ You are my bondage ♫

♫ I just want to look at you this like this ♫

♫ I just hope the wind, waves and noise have nothing to do with you ♫

♫ This path has a thousand turns ♫

♫ Still can't beat that phrase ♫

♫ I will never forget you ♫

♫ I want to protect you ♫

What are you saying?

♫ I want to protect you ♫

- Leaving. - Arriving.

Brother Luo, why are you still dreaming? It's time for riding and archery lessons.

A'Juan, don't be too sad.

We should change clothes and go to class.

Let's go.

One...

Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Seven.

One...

Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Seven.

One...

Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Use mine.

One more time.

Again.

Again.

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Seven...

What's wrong? Did you make Luo Qiuchi mad?

It would be nice if it was like that.

I sell top quality Nuerhong wine.

- May I try it first? - Yes, you can.

I want to try too.

- I don't have money. - If you don't have money, go back and get some.

Go get money.

Dear brothers, a gentleman doesn't steal.

Look at how torn and tattered your clothing is.

Why don't you take these clothes first?

Who wants your lousy clothes? Let me tell you, we are robbers.

Say, those gentlemen didn't understand!

That's not right. There's a Buddhist saying...

Money, money...

"Repent and be absolved of one's crimes."

Let me off today and stop being robbers.

Moreover, as a gentleman, not only is one noble,

- one's character also-- - All right, enough.

I'm asking you again, do you want your money or your life?

Brother, looks like you didn't understand what I said.

Ancient people have a saying, a gentleman--

- Lao Shu, take action. - Are you crazy? Did you just call my name, Lao Hu?

Why did you call out my name?

Take action.

Brother, don't be reckless.

There's a book saying, "recklessness makes people crazy, do unwise things"

and it will crush your heart.

Are you hurt?

Recklessness makes people crazy and do unwise things.

Desire brings sin...

This is the best punishment for your recklessness.

You have sinned.

- Sorry to disrespect you. - Sorry, you were great.

Don't leave. Let's continue to chat about the path of a gentleman.

They ran away after a beating.

All these hats are crooked on me.

Lao Shu, this place...

- It's too dangerous. - I want to go home,

but they have such nice clothes in this city.

Let's wear them.

That's right. These clothes are much better than ours.

Let's change in here.

This capital is indeed bigger than Qingzhou City.

There are lots of things I have never seen before.

Look at her, quick.

This...

I wonder which family she's from. We will have meat to eat tonight.

Let's go, let's go.

So annoying.

Textiles for sale.

Let's go back and report first. Let's go.

Fu Yanji! Didn't you say

you have the ability to let Luo Qiuchi encounter bad luck?

Why is he still able to drink and have fun?

The capital is full of my men. If you still don't take action, I will.

Prince Kang, don't get restless.

Where's the fun in killing him now?

Prince Kang, we found the trail of the robbers.

What robbers?

Prince Kang, please take a look.

These two have been committing robberies around here.

You instructed us to go after them.

What are you doing? Hurry and leave.

Leave.

Hurry, hurry.

If you still talk crap, you can forget about leaving.

The thief used a horsewhip.

Luo Qiuchi happens to own a horsewhip

and usually carries it around with him.

We have people following them right now.

As long as they commit a robbery, we can arrest them anytime.

This is a trivial matter. Don't look for me.

- Take care of it yourself. - Yes.

Prince Kang, don't worry and leave Luo Qiuchi to me.

Fine.

I'm giving you one last chance. One last chance.

Prince Kang, your urgent report.

Does His Majesty know about this?

I have already reported this to the palace. As for the rest, they should have already received the report.

Quick, prepare the palanquin. I'm going to the palace.

Yes.

Want to take a look at these gourds?

They are great stuff, Miss.

Take a look.

- Miss, do you want to buy a gourd? - Miss, come take a look.

I'm selling rice.

Look at this gourd.

Look at this gourd.

Let's go.

Quick, go after them.

[Prince Kang Manor]

Take care.

- You must search the entire city and arrest these two men. - Yes.

- Could I take a look at your drawing? - Of course.

Sir, be careful. I heard these two are very fierce and evil.

They won't even spare scholars. They are simply evil and crazy.

Thank you for your advice.

May I ask where they showed up?

I should avoid that place too.

The market near the Zhu Xiu Academy.

Thank you.

Why are you just standing there?

Why are you following me?

So what if we follow you? If you have money to spend, give it to us.

- I don't have money. - If you don't have money, don't blame us.

See if you still dare to create trouble.

Miss.

Lao Hu?

Get up now.

Lao Shu?

Miss.

How could it be you?

We finally found you.

What are you doing in the capital?

- Miss, the mountain fortress... something bad happened to it. - Something bad?

What happened?

Go in there now.

Hurry up.

Hurry.

What's wrong?

Older brother, I encountered robbers.

Where did they go?

They went that way.

Go after them now. You may still be able to catch them.

Let's go.

You didn't eat dinner last night. Didn't eat breakfast. Didn't eat lunch either.

Are you not hungry?

I will go to the kitchen and get you something.

Instructor Hang, the palace relayed a message. They want you to go there immediately. You must not delay.

Go to the palace? Did the messenger say why?

Just go.

Then I will go. What about you?

What's wrong? Afraid I will kill myself?

Don't say random things.

It's fine. Go ahead.

I'm leaving then.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Cheerful Scholars team @Viki

- Mountain God! - Mountain God!

"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 ♫