Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[The Master of Cheongsam]

[Episode 3]

Bai.

Tell Zhang Jinshan.

I know that a murderer must pay with his life.

A life for a life.

I'm gonna die here!

Yuanzhi!

Don't!

Brother, let go!

I'll be the one to die earlier than you.

Get the hell out of here!

Go!

Watch out!

Don't eat it, brother!

Brother!

Don't eat it!

Go! Go!

Brother!

Brother!

Brother!

Sir, all your dishes are here.

Your Highness, do we still want the jade pendant?

If I had been his witness that day,

it may not have ended up like this.

Scented bags! Take a look!

This...

[Master of All Time]

Mosheng, pass me the glue.

You've been learning under the tutelage of Su Jing'an.

You have a stable personality and superb skills.

Across the garment-making industry in the capital,

it's known to all that you're a brilliant apprentice of his.

You will be a great tailor in the future.

So I want you to do something with me.

The Empress Dowager will throw a banquet for foreign envoys in a month.

The Workshop of the Interior Office

and that of the Yangxin Hall are asked

to make a costume each.

Eunuch Gao has been supportive of

Triple Cutting House.

But Zhang Jinshan recommended me.

You want to compete with my master?

What, you think I can't?

What are you doing here?

Brother's not here, so I have to take over.

Nonsense.

After the New Year, you should take the exams for Imperial University of Peking.

Master.

It's been over ten years and you still don't get it?

I'm not cut out to study.

And not to be a tailor either.

But I don't want to study. I just want to be a tailor.

Master, Mosheng used to be in charge here.

He's better than me in everything.

All I could do was to watch by.

But now he's working for Bai.

To redeem myself,

I must take over here.

If you disagree,

I will follow you all the way.

I'll badger you.

I'll glue to you.

You're not leaving?

No.

I am.

What are you following me for?

Are you leaving?

Are you leaving? You...

You can follow me too.

It's fine as long as we stay together.

Go back to study!

No.

Lord, young lord!

What?

You are used to be called master

instead of lord, aren't you?

[Daily Endeavor Is Success]

This is the warehouse.

That's where the servants sleep.

This is our cutting room.

[Daily Endeavor Is Success]

Come on.

So?

Compared with Triple Cutting House,

Sihe House is not bad, huh?

Both Houses are outstanding in

the garment-making business in the capital.

Of course it's not bad here.

When I was managing the work

in Jiangning Imperial Silk Manufacturing Bureau,

Su Jing'an was still

an assistant to Master.

But nowadays,

he's widely recognized as a great tailor

and was conferred a plaque from the Empress Dowager.

But as the saying goes,

every dog has its day.

If I can do a better job than Su Jing'an

in making the costume for Empress Dowager's banquet,

then we'll enjoy a better reputation

than Triple Cutting House.

Check this out.

This is my design for the costume.

You can help me with it.

I won't force you.

I know you're reluctant to help.

But there is one thing I want you to understand.

You're a member of the Bai family now.

The interests of the Bai family and Sihe House

are yours to care about.

All right.

Take a look at it.

It's been a hard day for you.

Take a break now.

The Interior Office today

just delivered the fabrics for the costume.

I'll have to choose carefully.

This time is different from before.

Nothing can go wrong.

You used to ask Mosheng to handle this.

You didn't even have to worry about it.

I know what you're trying to say.

Did Yuanzhi talk to you?

Don't mention this anymore.

Mosheng's gone.

You've lost a good helper.

You're about to make the costume for the Empress Dowager

and in charge of everything.

If you fall ill from overwork,

we can't afford to have any more accidents in our family.

I know you care about me.

I can make it.

Look how old you are.

You're not a 20-year-old anymore.

When Yuanzhi and Mosheng were apprentices,

Yuanzhi learned faster than Mosheng.

I don't want Yuanzhi to work as a tailor.

He doesn't understand why. You don't understand either?

Of course I do.

Yuanzhi is not physically strong

and falls ill often.

You're worried that tailoring is too difficult for him, aren't you?

What's more important

is his personality.

He's unaware of the consequences when he offends people.

It's fine for him to be an average tailor.

He won't be able to earn much money at worst.

But if he's going to take over from me

to serve those rich and powerful people,

making mistakes

will kill him!

You tell him to get over it.

You can't be the only one to do everything here.

We'll see.

My priority now

is to get the costume done.

Otherwise, the future of Tripe Cutting House

will be hard to predict.

My lord, it's been several days already.

But Jiang Mosheng either works in the warehouse

or carries goods and sweeps the backyard.

He doesn't show any intention

to work at the cutting room.

If things go on like this,

then your efforts will be in vain!

He seems to be a gentle man.

But he has a huge ego.

If you want him to help you willingly,

you must let him have it his way.

He was working for Su Jing'an for such a long time.

It's impossible for him

to put the past behind him so soon.

What's going on?

How did the fabrics from the palace just disappear?

My lord, I've asked everybody.

We didn't see anyone come in last night.

You think a thief

would let himself be seen?

Hurry up and report the case!

Master.

It's no big deal. Don't report it.

I know who took the fabrics.

Who?

It's...

me.

You...

How dare...

How dare you!

Madam, please. Madam!

Put it down!

You!

Give back the fabrics now!

Those are from the palace. They're important!

Madam, I'm taking it seriously.

Master.

If you want the fabrics back,

you must promise me

to allow me to work at Triple Cutting House

and teach me tailoring.

No way! Don't even think about it!

Then there's no way I'll return the fabrics.

Don't even think about it!

How dare you threaten your master?

I'm not threatening you.

This is called forced remonstration.

This is how Zhao Kuangyin

rose to power.

Stop it!

Is this how you're taught to do?

You stole from your own family?

Master, it's you who refuse to let me take over here.

Otherwise, all this trouble would be unnecessary!

You...

You think I'm the one to blame.

He's like a piece of driftwood now.

There's no way back.

And there's nothing ahead.

He can't see anything.

You have to give him something to look forward to.

Let him know there is a shore ahead.

That's when he'll slowly come closer.

My lord, you're doing so much

for Jiang Mosheng.

I thought...

You thought

I only took him in

to teach Su Jing'an a lesson?

Have I ever

done anything to the detriment of myself?

My lord, you're killing two birds with one stone.

You've undermined Su Jing'an

and found a good helper for yourself.

I don't believe that my hospitality and sincerity

won't be able to convince this kid.

Father, Yuanzhi learned tailoring only for two years as a kid.

Now you ask him to make the robe.

You're just trying to give him a hard time.

If he wants to work in Triple Cutting House,

he must prove himself.

You didn't even teach him about making robe.

How could he possible make it?

Yuanzhi, what do you say?

Are you able to make the robe?

If you can't,

bring the fabrics back

and forget about being a tailor in the House.

Master,

what if I can make it?

You can?

In that case,

you'll work as a tailor in Triple Cutting House

from tomorrow on.

You're a man of your word!

Sure.

Unlike you, I keep my promise.

You all heard him.

I'll be a tailor tomorrow.

We paid for the fabric.

How could you directly cut it

without measurement and design?

What kind of tailoring is this?

Who taught you this?

Definitely not his master.

When he cuts the fabric,

don't stand across him.

I heard you've been doing manual work these days.

Organizing the warehouse is no manual work.

You must be careful and know the fabrics.

I'm good at it.

I can't idle around.

Gotta find something to do.

This is not what you should be doing.

I can't do what you ask me to do.

Fine.

Do whatever you like

and whatever that pleases you.

Master.

What about the robe I made?

Not bad, huh?

Yuanzhi is good!

My lord.

Look at the neckline, the cuffs and the waistline.

What a nice robe!

Mother, you don't know this.

Yuanzhi is a really good tailor!

He's made several dresses for me already.

Miss.

You two.

Why did you keep this a secret from your master and me?

When did you learn this?

I...When you taught brother,

I would take a peek...a peek.

Then I went back to work on my own.

If I couldn't figure it out,

I would ask brother about it.

And he would teach me too.

Then I...I

managed to do it myself.

Master,

you promised me just now

in front of everybody.

If I can make the robe,

you'll accept me as a tailor in the House.

A man must fulfill his promise.

That's what you taught me.

Master!

Ma... Master!

Young lord.

You...why don't you say anything?

You...

All right. Don't shout.

Your master has agreed.

Really?

Yuanzhi, slow down.

I can't keep up with you.

Then you'd better go back. Stop following me.

No way.

Where are you going?

You're here for Mosheng?

Yes. I'll tell him the good news.

Look who's here!

Are you here for clothes

or Mosheng?

- Mosheng. - Clothes.

- Brother. - Clothes.

No, no, no clothes.

We're here for brother.

You have a problem with that?

No. No problem.

Come on, bring them in.

Yes, my lord.

Wait.

You don't have a problem with that?

You don't believe it?

Mosheng is the young lord of Sihe House.

You can see him anytime you want.

If you're afraid, then forget about it.

What are you talking about?

I'm not afraid of anything.

I'm going inside now!

Follow me.

Young lord is inside. Meet him as you wish.

See? We must be polite before being tough.

Be careful.

Brother!

What are you doing here?

Why can't we come?

Bai Henian let us in.

How can they make you do the manual work?

I'm gonna reason with them!

They didn't make me do this.

I want to do it myself.

Brother,

is that true?

Aren't you afraid to tell me that

they force you into this?

Yuanzhi, it's true.

I want to do it myself.

But I don't know

why Bai Henian doesn't get mad at me because of this.

Did they meet?

Yes.

He must be very happy now.

My lord,

how could you let those two guys

to meet Jiang Mosheng?

If Jiang Mosheng is not completely cut off from the Su family,

he will never be loyal to us.

Even if you can stop them meeting each other,

you can't stop them missing each other.

So it's better

to let them see each other

as long as he's pleased.

You came to see me today.

Does anything go wrong in the family?

No. We just miss you so much.

And we have good news to tell you.

Master has agreed to let me help out at Triple Cutting House.

Really?

Yes.

My father didn't want to accept him at first.

But Yuanzhi made a robe

right in front of him.

Father was so pissed off by it.

That good?

I learned everything

from brother.

You're gifted ever since you were little.

Had Master agreed,

You would have already been a great tailor.

That's a bit exaggerating.

Brother,

whenever I think of making clothes,

I feel so happy and excited.

Am I crazy?

Yes, you are!

Seriously,

you're really not going to help Bai Henian

make the costume, are you?

Bai Henian has been keen

to compete with Master.

If I help him,

doesn't it mean I'm working against Master?

I'll never do that.

But I'm afraid

if you don't help him at all,

your life here will be difficult.

What about doing some petty tailoring for him?

You two, stop discussing about this.

Our eyes are located in the front.

So we must look ahead.

Only by looking ahead

can we live a better life.

Looking back

doesn't help at all!

Yaoyao has really grown up.

She occasionally says things

that make sense.

Yuanzhi, I'll take it as a compliment.

You bully! She doesn't understand it.

What bully?

What are you laughing about?

What exactly are you laughing about?

Yuanzhi

thought he won, didn't he?

You're his master.

Are you jealous of him?

This is meant to be.

Yuanzhi was born to be a tailor.

You can't stop that!

Great!

Since he was born with excellent qualities as a tailor,

I will do my best

to make him the leading tailor in the capital.

Yaoyao,

who do you think is better in craftsmanship between me and Brother?

What do you think?

Personally,

I think Brother is

better in experience and craftsmanship,

but from the perspective

of blind confidence,

he can't compare with me.

Forget it.

There's no comparison between you and Brother.

Brother's workmanship is superb.

It's a mere craft,

what's the point of comparing,

right?

I don't like what you're saying.

Well, since we're making the auspicious dress for the Empress Dowager,

why don't we have a formal competition?

What do you two have to compete with each other?

It would have to be my father to compete with Bai Henian.

You don't know anything.

Now I work tor Triple Cutting House,

while Brother works for Sihe House,

If Master and Bai Henian battle it out,

it means that Brother and I

are differentiated as superior or inferior.

Don't you want Brother

to have a better life here?

Yeah, well, you have to compete.

Brother, are you not willing to compete with him

because you think he will win?

I know what you're thinking.

Even if I lose, I’ll lose to Master.

No matter who we lose to,

I think

I think it’s settled,

unless you’re scared.

Yaoyao, am I right?

Yes, that’s settled.

Sachet pendant.

Now there is no hope

to ask father to break off the marriage engagement.

The only way is to let the Wu family break off the marriage,

Princess,

the Wu family has done a a lot to play up to us.

Will they agree to break off the marriage?

If Young Master Wu

thinks as I do,

and also does not want the marriage,

it will be easy.

What if he thinks differently?

Then we need to find another way.

This marriage is never going to happen anyway.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Princess, isn’t that Wu Youtong?

Baozi, hot baozi.

Make sure you iron this cloth later.

Yes, my Lord.

My lord,

the cutting room looks different today.

It’s so clean. Who did it?

Good morning, Master.

Young Master,

I promised you that

as long as you let me work in Triple Cutting House,

I will do all the dirty work.

You brat,

I did not expect you to be obedient.

You need to know,

although I let you work in Triple Cutting House,

you still have to

accumulate over a long period of time,

and study hard to master the craft of making clothes,

without your petty shrewdness.

Yes, Master.

Come on, have a cup of tea.

Starting today,

you have to learn from the beginning.

Ok...

From the beginning?

What's the matter?

Nothing,

as long as you're willing to teach me, so be it.

But Master, since I need to learn from the beginning,

can I start by making auspicious dress for the Empress Dowager?

You,

My lord.

How dare you think about that!?

My lord, you have been waiting for more than two hours.

If Jiang Mosheng had come, he would have come long ago.

"Haste makes waste."

I have said what I want to say,

and if he is still so stubborn,

then I am wrong.

And I won’t bother with him anymore.

I’m late.

No. I came early.

Here,

look at the cloth from the palace,

and help me figure out how to make the auspicious dress with it.

The things from the palace are different.

So beautiful.

Don’t touch.

If you want to use this cloth,

you'll have to wait.

Master,

have you figured out how to make the dress?

I have discussed with your madam,

according to the regulations,

we still make the eight treasures water dragon jacket

with the pattern of five colorful clouds and gold dragons with five claws.

Master,

what’s the point of

making the same pattern every time?

If you ask me,

we could innovate.

Nonsense.

How can the rules of the palace be changed so easily?

The regulation is unchangeable, but we are flexible.

Think about it, Master.

If the Empress Dowager

just wanted a traditional gown,

why didn’t she inform you directly

instead of informing Sihe House

to make one too?

It’s obvious that the Empress Dowager wants something new.

Master, in my opinion,

if we want to beat Sihe House this time,

we'll have to make something novel.

Are you trying to play petty tricks again?

If you want to make something novel, go outside and do it.

You have to do things by rules in my Triple Cutting House.

Master, you...

All right, go to Fu’an House to find Boss Meng

ask him whether the batch of silk thread

I ordered has arrived?

If it arrives, just bring it back.

Yes.

Miss, look at this

feather duster.

It’s very durable.

Come again, junior lord Lu.

Look around.

This is the new fabric.

Come and see. Come and choose.

[Xinyuan Bathhouse]

Come and buy pendants,

take a look,

take a look when you pass by.

Good wine.

Oh, it’ll be ready in a minute.

Take a look.

I will do what I promised you,

and I will be there tomorrow for your trial.

For most of the day,

Wu Youtong has had a meal, watched a cricket fight, and taken a bath.

He didn't let me down, huh?

My father even let me marry such a man.

You're right.

I think he is good,

he has a good looking.

Would it be bad to marry him?

I think he is good.

What's wrong with you?

Have you forgotten

the night we were both in jail?

Shut up.

Come with me.

What do you want?

I should ask you that.

You don't do what you promised me,

and you ask me a question like that.

I went to the Ministry of Penalty that day,

but you were released

by the time I got there.

It doesn’t mean that I’m a deadbeat.

I was almost beaten to death.

Do you think I'll believe that?

Believe it or not,

I’ve explained it to you,

and I warn you

to stop pestering me,

and if you see me on the street, pretend that you don't know me.

How dare you!

I’ve seen cheek-slapping before.

But I’ve never seen anything like that.

I didn't bother myself arguing with you last time

because you're a girl.

But you've gone too far

to hit me with both hands.

I’m telling you,

I fed the last person who did this to me

to mosquitoes in the woods.

And believe me, I will...

What?

What are you gonna do?

Do you think I can't teach you a leason?

Tell you what,

I know your secret.

Are you going to

marry the young master of the Wu family?

His family is famous and important

in the Dengshikou area.

It they know that

their future daughter-in-law

spent a night with a stranger

in the prison,

along with some exaggerated details,

what will happen to the marriage?

Go ahead. Go.

What do you mean?

You... Wait a minute,

let me sort this matter out.

Young Master Wu is good-looking

and his family is rich.

Why are you still hesitating?

You don’t want to marry him?

There are some things I can't prevent.

Many girls would have some small changes mentally

after meeting me.

It is normal.

What are you doing?

Do you want

someone to help you ruin the marriage?

Sir, this way please.

Come again, sir.

I missed you so much.

What is this place?

This is the most popular place for men

in the capital.

Aren't you ashamed

to bring our young master to a place like this.

Master, let’s go.

Let me tell you,

I agreed to help you

just because I'm in a good mood.

You'll never get another chance.

If you dare to cheat me,

I won't let you off easily.

Do you guys

just want instrumental performance

or the girls you’re familiar with?

Then... Instrumental performance will do.

I’ll take that room.

Sorry, Sir,

that room is already reserved.

Reserved?

Has the man come yet?

No, not yet.

Am I a man?

Yes.

The lord is here.

Give him the money.

Save the room for me.

Ok.

Lu Yuanzhi, are you playing tricks?

What tricks?

Don’t worry. Just wait. It’s gonna be fun.

So you just tricking me into coming the brothel with you.

All right, I’ll just assume that the money was given in charity.

Go.

Sit.

Look at you.

You know what they say, haste makes waste.

Do I look like

a freeloader?

You see,

your young master just likes pleasure and entertainment,

but he must be arty, too.

He is probably finished showering by now

and on his way here.

Do you know why I booked this room?

Because this is the best room here.

Soon

your young master Wu

will walk in.

Young master Wu, here you are.

Inside, please.

Do you think our auspicious dress

can beat what Su Jing’an did?

My master often says that

our duty as a tailor

is to make clothes in a disciplined manner,

and not to be competitive.

He says that

because he is the superior one,

and when he falls,

you see if he'll compete.

I tell you what,

whatever you do,

if you don’t put your heart and soul into it,

you'll get trampled on for the rest of your life.

Young Master Wu, I did tell him,

but the man in there

didn't listen to me.

I thought I booked this room.

Young Master Wu, I...

Isn't this Young Master Wu?

I've long been looking forward to meeting you.

Who are you?

I’m Lu Yuanzhi.

Who is Lu Yuanzhi?

Have you heard of Triple Cutting House?

You’re the one who beat Laner to death.

You brat,

why do you mention this?

I’m just a literate tailor.

But as for this thing,

sometimes I can’t control it.

Got it, got it.

In fact, Laner is terrible.

He took a piece of bronze mirror to my shop last time,

and said it was used by Yang Yuhuan and

defrauded me two hundred taels of silver.

It seems like you did a good thing for the people.

What you meet is fate.

Buddy,

if you ever see someone who doesn't behave,

just tell me,

I have

some buddies who are willing to reach him a lesson.

I didn't know you booked this room.

Sorry, I’m leaving.

Don’t, what you meet is fate,

I’m alone anyway.

We can have a table together if you want.

Isn’t it inappropriate?

That’s all right.

Go and get my stored wine,

Young Master Lu and I will have a good drink.

Yes.

Well, this is on me.

It's my treat.

Sit down.

Come on, come on.

They are

birds of a feather.

I want to add some beads

to the collar and cuffs of the auspicious dress.

I have drawn some patterns

for you to see.

Very good,

this doesn't violate the rules,

and makes the dress more luxurious and vivid.

Do it.

Have you thought this through?

No need for hesitation.

Since I want you to help me,

I believe you have the ability to do it,

do it.

Then I’ll go get the beads ready.

Trust me. I’m really trying to help you.

I know you really don’t want to do it,

but I have faith in your moral quality.

Since you have said yes,

you won’ skimp your work.

Go.

What you meet is fate, a toast to you.

Yeah.

Top up.

Let me do it.

Let me. Let me.

How long are they gonna drink?

Are they here just for

music and drinking?

This is not right. I have to ask.

Don't go.

We can't appear in front of Wu Youtong.

Yeah,

keep an eye on it.

My lord, here you are.

What are you doing?

- My lords. - My lord.

What are you doing? Get out.

Come on, sit.

- Yeah, sit down. - Why are you standing up?

Have a drink.

Wait, what are you doing here?

You’re the one who called us,

now you're asking why we are here.

Have a drink, my lord.

My lords.

You deserve it.

What did you say?

Nothing, nothing.

By the way, buddy,

I heard you say that

your father has made

an engagement for you lately?

Don't mention it.

There are so many suitable families,

why my father chose that one?

If I want the girls to play instruments or

want to gamble in the future,

I won’t be as free as I am now.

What’s wrong with that?

Is she paralyzed or mentally handicapped

and need your care?

You don’t know,

my father match me a noble girl,

and she is a real princess in the imperial family,.

Her title was conferred by Grand Empress Dowager.

If I marry her,

I'll be the inferior one in this marriage.

How will I have happy days?

Don't be afraid, my lord, we won't bite you.

Don't touch me.

Get out. All of you!

Hurry up, you hear me?

What is this?

Brother. Brother.

No, no.

What did you say? Who is she?

Princess Kang Ning, from the emperor’s son-in-law’s house in Iron Lion Hutong.

How dare you!

Doomed.

Who's doomed?

Your brother, I, am doomed.

What's going on here?

What's the matter?

What do you guys do here?

Who let you in?

This is my friend, my guest, okay?

All that whining and flirting.

Where are your manners?

Get out of here.

Lu Yuanzhi, did you do this on purpose?

Are you trying to trick me?

What are you doing

with a knife?

Put it down.

You are so narrow-minded,

I said I did not break my promise,

I was there, why don't you believe me?

I believe you. Okay?

I was trying to solve the problem next door.

I'm helping you.

Rascal! Liar!

Hey hey hey.

Bah.

I asked you to pick a pattern for the cloud collar,

it has been a few days,

why haven’t you picked it up yet?

Master,

Peace and Wish sounds auspicious,

but it doesn't feel like a grand one.

Good Fortune and Longevity. It looks beautiful.

But it's also too conservative.

All right, that’s it.

Five Blessings and Eight Treasures Chinese knot.

That’s a good implied meaning, but...

Good meaning is enough.

Remember,

if you make clothes for the royal family,

you should seek not to be meritorious, but only to avoid blame.

It doesn't matter if there's nothing new,

what’s important is not to break the rules or violate the taboos.

Do you understand?

Master,

rules must be obeyed.

Then that's it.

Think again.

What pattern should be embroidered on this auspicious dress?

I have to think about it.

My Lord.

My Lord.

There’s someone from the palace

who wants to see you.

What’s the matter? Young master.

Who’s looking for Master? What’s wrong?

I don't know.

It's a guy who works for.

Eunuch Gao?

I don't think he's for complaints.

Complaints? Of whom?

Young Master, you’re not getting in trouble again, are you?

Stop asking.

Are you the young master or am I the young master?

Wuzi, get the carriage ready, I'm going to the palace.

Here we go, my Lord.

Young Master, I’ll go first.

Father, what’s the matter?

What's the matter?

I should ask you that.

Why did the Wu family break off the engagement all of a sudden?

The Wu family break off the engagement?

Really?

Lord Wu just said it himself.