Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Serenade of Youth Team@Viki

♫ Apricot blossoms are floating around during a spring day ♫

♫ The sunlight follow you unconsciously ♫

♫ Our youth is like a small boat drifting to the current ♫

♫ When the mist covers the rivers, worries among people begin to form ♫

♫ The people of our past has gone towards the heavens ♫

♫ When the (zither) string breaks, who will continue to play its song? ♫

♫ Fate has been predetermined but does not help others ♫

♫ Life and death is just like a promise ♫

♫ In my dreams, I'm always drifting towards you but when I'm awake I'm alone ♫

♫ I'll never forget the joy and sorrows ♫

♫ On this path, let's meet as stranger ♫

[Song of Youth]

[Episode 31]

Master.

- Why are you so happy? - I'm not.

Are you going out?

You're still injured. Aren't you supposed to recuperate?

I'm old. I have to get up and walk around.

Don't worry. I've got a lot better.

Oh, now that the wild wolf has been dealt with,

everyone's celebrating by drinking. Why don't you join them?

That's men's celebration. What's the point of me going?

I didn't expect my little disciple to have plans in mind.

Many women don't understand this.

Once a woman falls in love with a man, she'll cling to him.

After a while, the man will eventually get sick and tired of it.

Everyone has different abilities.

He works on military affairs, while I'm busy with something else.

How could we stick together all the time?

That's insightful. No wonder Second Young Master likes you.

Alright. I'm going to sell herbal medicine.

- Take your time. - I will.

Who's that?

Who are you?

I'm not a bad person. I'm not a bad person.

I'm begging you. I'm begging you to save me.

Save me.

Are you also a bandit?

No, no.

I'm not. I'm not. I'm really not.

Who are you then?

How did you get badly injured and hide in the haystack?

I'm Gu Ye.

When I went hunting in the mountains one year ago,

I ran into bandits.

They forced me to join them.

I didn't want to,

so they beat me every day.

I was left with no choice

but to submit.

But I've never hurt anyone.

This is my first time coming out with the wild wolf.

Unexpectedly, I got ambushed when I came out for the first time

I hid in dead bodies to survive that.

Are you telling me the truth?

Absolutely.

If you don't believe me,

go to General Slope ten miles away

and look for a couple whose surname is Liu.

I've been an orphan since I was little.

They brought me up.

We've been neighbors for over ten years.

Once you've found them, you'll know

whether I'm telling the truth by asking them.

Okay. I believe you.

If I find out you're lying, I'll cut you up.

Did you hear me?

Yes, thank you.

Get up.

This medicine boosts blood circulation and dissolves blood clots.

Let's treat your injuries first.

Miss,

you smell nice.

You're young and didn't learn good manners.

I smell nice?

If you want to take advantage of me,

- I'll kill you immediately. - I never dare.

I never dare.

Take some rest.

What makes you so happy?

You look even happier than I am.

- What makes Master happy? - What makes Master happy?

The emperor ordered me and Liang Jingguan to come up with strategies to deal with the deficit in the treasury.

I looked into the past records

and finally found a solution.

- Congratulations, Master. - Congratulations, Master.

What are you doing?

I... I'm just thinking if Master makes another major contribution,

does it mean you'll go down in history?

I like to hear auspicious words like this.

May Master live long.

I wish my wife good luck. Take a seat now.

Wife.

Master, Madam and Concubine.

Why are you here?

I'm here to serve tea to Master and Madam.

Master,

this girl doesn't come from a good family,

but I've observed her for a few days.

I find her understanding and disciplined.

I've told her to take more rest,

but she doesn't want to sit around.

She'd rather do something like serving tea and water.

We have servants here.

You just need to stay healthy during pregnancy.

If the baby is born and turns out to be a descendent of the Sun family,

whether it's a boy or girl,

we won't treat you badly.

Thank you, Master.

I'm already lucky to be able to marry into the family and serve Master and Madam.

I don't dare to ask for more.

But causing trouble once I married into the family,

I do feel guilty.

I do some menial work to atone for what I did.

Go. Take some rest.

Master, here's tea.

[Righteous and virtuous]

[Tao Te Ching]

[Grand Councilor Sun Xun]

[Grand Councilor Sun Xun]

- Master. - What are you doing?

Who gives you permission to read my official documents privately?

I was done with my work

and wanted to come in and clean up since the doors were shut.

I didn't know that this is Master's room.

I was going to go out when you came back.

You're not allowed to enter this room again.

Yes.

Go out.

[Righteous and virtuous]

Hold on.

Let servants do

what should be done by them.

You're not the master, but you're a guest.

If a guest does what servants do, it'll be a joke to them.

It'll also break our Sun family's rules.

Do you understand?

Yes, Master.

You can go now.

Just as you thought, Chen Boyuan has been exiled to the frontier.

I immediately sent someone to track him.

but got the news that Chen Boyuan fell into the water and drowned on the way to exile.

So far, he is missing without a trace and not even a corpse can be found.

I knew this incident must be connected to an imperial court official.

Chen Boyuan didn't violate any law but was hastily sent to exile. Isn't this incredible?

We just don't know yet who instigated Tao Yao.

Since we don't have any clues, we must come up with some clues.

Have you heard this phrase: A thief knows he has done something wrong. (T/N: guilty conscience)

Miss, where is a nearby inn?

You are careless. Someone is tracking you.

Thanks.

Make way, Miss.

Looks like we can't go to the silk shop anymore.

Go to the Jia Manor to notify Lord Jia to change to a different contact method.

But Miss, I'm already exposed.

I'm afraid that I'd be tailed when I go out. If we go to Lord Jia now,

wouldn't our deal be revealed?

That makes sense.

Let's do this.

Our manor always needs to buy fresh fruits.

Try to connect with a fruitseller whom we can bribe.

Let him send a letter for us.

Understood, Miss.

Let me tell you, your fruits are very good. Our Concubine Tao especially likes them.

If you have good quality ones, you must remember to deliver them to our manor.

Yes.

- I'll go do my work then. - Yes.

Follow me.

Each of you follow one of them.

See if any of the fruitsellers

is going to a court official's manor. If there is,

immediately come back to report.

- Yes. - Hurry and go.

Miss, we got news from the people we dispatched.

One of the fruitsellers went to the Jia Manor.

- Jia Fengyuan? That's right.

It's that Jia Fengyuan.

That makes it easy. I can get Ingxue to pay attention for me to see what scheme there is.

However, she doesn't appear these days and I can't randomly visit her.

I have an idea.

[Jia Manor]

You asked me to come today. There must be good news?

Uncle, please read.

Sun Xun's national treasury strategy.

That woman named Tao Yao dispatched someone to send it over.

You can't keep this woman around. Just kill her after using her.

Who is it?

I'll go see.

- What is it? - You didn't eat much this morning.

- So I specially sent over some snacks. - No need. Hurry and go back.

Go.

You said you already sent away this woman. She's still here?

No. She is pregnant with my child.

You fool!

Let me tell you. She can be our spy,

but it doesn't mean she won't be used by Sun Xun.

Sooner or later this woman will be a misfortune if you keep her around.

Hurry and get rid of her so that our plan won't be ruined.

Uncle, she is pregnant with my child, so she is naturally on my side.

An embankment of a thousand miles can be ruined by the termite nests. (T/N: don't overlook trivial matters)

She could safely come out of the Sun Manor, it means she is not a simple person.

My advise to you is wasted.

You'd better not discover someday that

your ruin is because of her, and it'll be too late to regret.

A great man will not lack wives.

You've told me before.

You went to the Sun family for me.

I am your woman now.

Why do you still want to kill off the Sun family?

The Sun family?

You actually still have affection for the Sun family?

Let go of me.

If I still had affection for the Sun family, I wouldn't be asking you today.

Further, I wouldn't dispute you.

Let go of me. Let go of me.

Let me tell you. I have a blood grudge against the Sun family.

If it weren't for Sun Xun manipulating powers years ago

and framed my father, my father wouldn't have died and I wouldn't have become the way I am.

Our entire family was harmed to death by Sun Xun. Now that you're with me,

you shouldn't have any ties with them anymore. Do you hear?

In that case,

when you were good to me, it was all a pretense.

You were just using me.

You don't truly love me, do you?

I'm so foolish. I actually...

I actually thought I could stay by your side forever.

Now I see it's just a laughingstock.

If I didn't really cared for you as you said,

then I would have listend to Liang Jingguan and killed you to eliminate future troubles.

But I can't bear to let you die.

How could I hurt you?

I can't do it.

From today on, you are not allowed to step outside the manor.

I will order servants to deliver your needs such as clothing and meals. Don't hate eme.

I only wish that there isn't any obstacle on my road to revenge, and I also wish you and the baby to be safe.

I've sinned.

Everything's fine, so why is there a kite flying?

It's probably kids playing outside.

The kite's string is broken.

It's fallen into our courtyard.

- Bring it over to let me see. - Yes.

Mistress, there is writing on it.

It's Shaocun's handwriting. She wrote down the first verse of the famous song "Paying a debt of gratitude."

Disaster at home. Hope you can help.

What does she want me to do?

Sun Xun's national treasury stretegy.

That woman named Tao Yao dispatched someone to send it over.

You can't keep this woman around. Just kill her after using her.

Oh no, Sun family has a disaster.

What is this?

- It's nothing, just a kite. - Let me see.

That's an old song.

Don't take anything that came out of nowhere.

If you like it, I'll buy you a new one.

- Help Mistress go back to the room to rest. - Yes.

No. Shaochun was kind to me, I can't disappoint her.

Hurry, someone!

- Mistress. - Hurry, someone... - What's wrong?

Hurry, go get the master.

- What's wrong? - My tummy really hurts.

Try to hold it. I'll go get the physician.

How can you gete a physician on something like this?

Go find a midwife. I'm more at east with a midwife.

Alright, don't panic, I'll go find a midwife.

- Take care of Mistress. Help her to the bed. - Yes.

- Quickly, quickly. - Mistress.

Be careful.

- Quickly, quickly. - Mistress, hold it. - Move aside. Move aswide.

I'm entrusting everything to you. - Don't worry. I've been a midwife for over 20 years.

I'm not boasting, but nine of ten children here were born with my help.

Why are so many people looking at me. All of you, get out.

That's right. Go outside. Go outside.

- Yes. - You go outside too.

- Get out. - Alright, alright, I'll go outside.

I'm entrusting it all to you then, Midwife.

Madam, where do you hurt? Tell me, and I'll take a look for you.

- Madam, this... - Help me pass a message.

If you agree, I'll greatly reward you later. But if you don't agree,

I'll tell Lord Jia that you took away my jewelry while I was in pain.

Madam, tell me, as long as this old woman can do it.

What? Tao Yao dares to interfere with national affairs?

Thank you, Midwife. Xiao Cui.

Thank you, Fourth Young Mistress.

Take good care of the lady who asked you to send the message.

Yes.

Isn't Jia Fengyuan trusted by Master?

You see a person's face but don't see his heart. Young Mistress, what do we do now?

- Has Master going to court yet? - This...

Go. Let's go take a look.

Hurry.

Watch your step.

Sorry, Concubine. Where's Master? Has Master gone to the imperial court?

Fourth Young Mistress, what are you doing?

Master has been going to the imperial court early. Why are you looking for him?

It's not looking good.

Fourth Young Mistress.

Why is she in a rush?

Once you give the emperor the four ideas,

he will definitely be pleased and appreciate you.

They will be implemented very soon. Follow-ups are up to you.

Let's make it simple.

As long as the treasury has ten million more taels every year.

all the problems at the imperial court will be solved.

Then the emperor will rely on me more.

That's how we outdo Sun Xun.

When this old man sees you in the future, he can only give in.

[Sun Manor]

Master, I have something to report.

Wait till everyone's here.

Yes.

- Master, Madam. - Master, Madam.

Master, Madam.

Please take a seat.

What's wrong? Do you feel unwell?

I'm fine. Take a seat now.

Yulou's wife, you can say it now.

It's difficult to keep thieves in the family away.

I believe Master has no idea why your strategy for the treasury

was said by someone else.

Do you know why?

Tao Yao is the reason.

Do you have evidence?

I've been observing Tao Yao lately. She always sneaks into Master's study room.

Master has been coming up with strategies for the treasury.

What Tao Yao's been doing makes me suspect that she stole the information.

That's why I put some gold dust on Master's papers in the room.

Once someone touched the papers, they'd leave fingerprints on them.

We'll know whether it's her by comparing the fingerprints.

Tao Yao, what can you say about this?

Madam, I have nothing to say. I did touch the papers.

But I have a question for Fourth Young Mistress.

Since you knew it,

why did you wait till the meeting was over to report me?

I did want to report you,

but I actually have no evidence of you stealing the information.

I just tricked you into telling the truth,

and you really fell for it and admitted it.

Justice does have long arms.

- Listen. - Yes.

Catch this woman who betrayed us now.

Master, Tao Yao is pregnant with my baby.

What's wrong with you? Are you still defending her?

Why don't we lock her up for now

and deal with her after the baby's born?

Master, no matter who violates the law,

we should deal with them according to the law. Don't be lenient.

I mean... that's right.

Tao Yao didn't betray our Sun family.

Master, I have something to tell you.

This has been torturing me so much for days.

If I don't tell you, I'm afraid it'll spell disaster.

Someone called Jia Fengyuan had talked to me before I married into the family.

He gave me a lot of money to make me steal your official documents.

I refused immediately,

but Jia Fengyuan threatened me

and said if I didn't do as he said,

he'd bring to light the fact that I was once a performer in a brothel.

Why are you telling me this?

I come from a poor family,

but I know how to repay someone who's helped me.

Master, Madam, Concubine and Young Mistresses treat me well.

If I betray the family, I'll be unforgivable.

So even if... even if I sacrifice my life,

I have to tell you everything.

I beg Master to make a decision for me.

I know I made a mistake. I'll confront Jia Fengyuan with it.

Even if I die, I won't lie to you.

Hold on.

Do what you've planned for now, but...

you need to modify this official document you saw.

I know how to deal with other things.

I see.

Why didn't you tell me?

Master told me not to tell anyone.

But Master, since the strategy was modified,

why did Liang Jingguan still get rewarded?

The strategy for the treasury is being implemented on a large scale now.

Judging by that old man's ability,

he's no match for me when it comes to strategies.

I'll let him be complacent for a few days.

He thinks everything is flawless,

but he has no idea what kind of disaster is waiting for him.

You're so clever that you figured out Lin Shaochun's plot.

I'm ashamed to say that I didn't know it.

How could you still get out of trouble

by deceiving Master in advance?

Not that I know how to get out of trouble,

but I understand that a wise bird chooses a tree to nest in.

Think about it.

How much would I benefit from being used by Jia Fengyuan?

Just 1,800 taels.

What if I helped the Sun family?

Riches for the rest of your life.

I've done so much for Your Majesty. Have Your Majesty forgotten? [Virtuous, Diligence, Generosity, Peace]

- I, Liang Jingguan, - I, Sun Xun,

- see Your Majesty. - see Your Majesty.

- Long live the emperor. - Long live the emperor.

Liang Jingguan, look at what you did!

Your Majesty, I'm clueless.

What did I do wrong?

Listen. Listen.

Everyone says I'm ungrateful.

The four ideas you proposed make people dissatisfied with me.

It's like backbiting me.

I made a huge mistake.

You did!

What should we do to turn this around?

I made a huge mistake.

What's the point?

I have something to report.

What can you say?

You didn't say anything about the strategy for the treasury.

You even agreed with him!

Your Majesty, in terms of the treasury strategy,

I share the same views with Lord Liang but there are some differences.

Tell me about them.

Good. I'll let Lord Sun be fully in charge of it.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But this task is complicated. If I'm doing it all by myself, I'm afraid...

I allow Sun Shijie to resume his post and help you with it.

Thank you for your kindness. My son and I will definitely do whatever it takes to live up to Your Majesty's expectations.

Lord Sun, please rise.

Lord Liang.

Your Majesty.

You're really getting old and your ideas are badly thought out,

which almost provoked popular outrage.

Considering your assistance over the years, I won't punish you.

Go home and introspect.

Your Majesty.

Go out.

I'll leave now.

Thank you for your kindness.

It must've been hard for you to kneel for so long.

- Thank you for your kindness. - Go out now!

[Virtuous, Diligence, Generosity, Peace]

Your Majesty, you can't abandon us!

Lord Liang has been exhausting all schemes. Are you only an armchair strategist?

Don't think that I don't know that it's you who has deliberately framed me.

I'm innocent. How did I offend Lord Liang?

Oh yes, there was a theft in my house a few days ago. Wasn't Lord Liang being secretly mischievous?

It wasn't?

If Lord Liang feels aggrieved, we can ask His Majesty to judge.

- Let's go. - Enough, enough.

Just consider that I misspoke.

I'm not as skillful. Sun Xun, you are the devil that's more powerful. Alright? (T/N: original idiom: Virtue is one-ft tall, but devil is ten-ft high)

- I'm leaving. - Wait.

- How can you leave? - What else do you want?

Look at all these people who have kneeled under the blazing sun for such a long time.

There should be an explanation, right?

- Everyone, it was this Lord Liang who advised the proposal to His Majesty. - No, no, no.

It was meant to help the imperial court. So don't blame him.

What? So it was you?

- Don't listen to Sun Xun. - You made us all lose our jobs.

- What are you doing? How are you? - You old bastard!

You must return justice to us today.

A gentleman only fights with his mouth not his hands.

You are denigrating the scholars in front of His Majesty.

Stop!

Why are you leaving in such a rush?

That old cunning Sun Xun. He deliberately frame me and Lord Liang.

Lord Liang is now self-reflecting behind closed doors.

His Majesty has given me a promotion that is actually a demotion. I'm transferred to Lingnan, so I need to take office right away.

What do we do then? It's a far journey.

Will it be fortunate or misfortune when you leave?

It will be great misfortune if I stay in the capital.

It's not bad to go to Lingnan and avoid the turbulence for now.

Lord, Lord Sun is asking to meet.

- He still came. - I'll avoid him.

- As him in. - Yes.

Benevolent Teacher, why didn't you dispatch someone to notify in advance?

This student would have cleaned the house to wait for you. Benevolent Teacher, please sit.

For Lord Jia to call me Benevolent Teacher, I really can't bear it.

Lord Jia has changed greatly from the past.

I am embarrassing myself by coming to plead for a meeting.

Benevolent Teacher, you are killing me when you say that.

Here.

I always thought you were the relative of Magistrate Jia Shicai of Fengtai Prefecture.

I saw your pitiful background and kept promoting you.

I had no idea that you are actually Jia Zhen's son.

I understand your determination to avenge your father.

Too bad that you went for the wrong person. Your real enemy is not me but the current emperor.

Back then, I was ordered to investigate your father. I intended to tell him to repent.

But His Majesty was determined to take his life.

If I weren't compassionate and softhearted, do you think you would have lived til now?

Truthfully, you should be grateful for my kindness.

I didn't expect that you would hate me so.

You can say in Lingnan for good.

[Think Carefully Look Far]

Fengyuan, is it alright?

No matter it's life or death, I will always be with you.

Here.

This is the money for the journey. I'll go pack.

Yingxue.

Thank you.

To have someone treat me with true love, I haven't wasted this lifetime.

It's just that this journey is arduous and risky.

You are also pregnant, I can't let you take the risk.

You stay to take good care of our child and wait for my return, alright?

Madam.

- I'm not in the mood to look. - Why hasn't Master returned?

Yulou's wife, what's the matter with you?

Madam, I'm fine.

What do you mean you're fine. Your lung is about to be coughed out.

- Have you been seen by a physician? - Yes, but it's useless.

She is fated to work hard. The physician says she needs to rest quietly.

But how can such a great load in the household be taken away from her?

This isn't good. Let's do this. From now on, you don't need to take care of the household.

Madam, I-I'm fine.

I know that you are filial, but your health is most importnat. Listen to me.

Yes.

Usually at this hour, Master should have arrived.

Madam, don't be too anxious. Perhaps good news will come when Master gets home.

Master is home.

- Master is back. - Master, how did things go?

Liang Jingguan has been ordered by His Majesty to stay home.

- I can relax for a while during this period of time. - Wonderful.

There is another good news.

His Majesty has given the permission to reinstate Shiiie to the original position. He will follow me to manage the treasury.

Shijie, use this good opportunity to redeem yourself and establish merits.

Yes, Father. I will definitely not disappoint you.

This is fantastic news.

This is all thanks to Tao Yao. If it weren't for her, that Liang guy would be taking credit and asking for reward now.

As I see it, our master is a blessed with fortunte.

Husband, drink tea.

This-This is all thanks to Madam's caring efforts.

What's the matter with her?

Yulou's wife doesn't feel well.

It's great that Master can trust Tao Yao.

Yulou's wife happens to feel unwell.

I waived her from the housekeeping work. Such a large household,

it's too much for Jingge's wife to handle.

Ever since Tao Yao entered the manor, she has been willing to learn all the affairs in the household.

Why not just let Tao Yao help Jingge's wife a little?

Tao Yao, are you willing?

It's my blessing to be able to relieve Madam. I am certainly willing.

Tao Yao is pregnant and shouldn't get too tired from working. Forget about housekeeping.

Youlou's wife, take good care to recuperate.

Yes, Master.

When Tao Yao was serving me, she taught me some new ways to organize the accounting.

Look at this, Husband. It's very organized and clear at one glance.

Husband, take a look.

It is indeed quite good.

Let's temporarily let her manage the housekeeping then.

But you must be careful of your body. After all, you are pregnant.

Thank you, Master and Madam. I will definitely not disappoint you.

The weather has been hot lately. It gets stuffy at noon.

It's not too bad here because it's next to the lake.

I installed these windmills by the window. Whenever a breeze comes by, they will rotate

and send the cool wind into the room.

It's more comfortable.

Yes.

I'll place a few pots of flowers in front of the windmills. The cool breeze will drive the fragrance of the flowers.

Wouldn't it be exquisite? Do you agree?

Yes.

What's the matter? Are you tired?

Young Master, what have you been busy with? You haven't come to visit me for a long while.

I have been handling Treasury's affairs with Master.

I really can't extricate myself and can't take a break.

- Let me knead you a little. - No need.

I-I still have to go into the palace in a while.

You take care. I have to leave now.

Shijie?

Miss.

He is different to me than before.

He is probably just tired.

I hope so.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Serenade of Youth Team@Viki

♫ As the winds starts, flower and snow falls ♫

♫ Frost begin to fall like jade ♫

♫ Let's promise to meet ♫

♫ Let's promise to be content ♫

♫ Let the bow of our boat be like the clouds and conceal the moon ♫

♫ Waking from a dream and listening to the misty rain ♫

♫ The sound of a brokenhearted in form of a poem ♫

♫ With a heart full of regrets ♫

♫ But you're already gone into the distance ♫

♫ When can we meet again? ♫

♫ Since olden days, we are empowered to love ♫

♫ Every broken heart to remain silent ♫

♫ Just like a pond of spring water ♫

♫ Happiness to last a lifetime ♫

♫ Men and women have reincarnated many times ♫

♫ Just to gamble with the game of love

♫ We'll blossom into two trees growing together as one ♫

♫ And compelled to be by each other side ♫