Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[The Master of Cheongsam]

[Episode 10]

Father.

What?

Even you are looking for

silk thread for Lu Yuanzhi?

Have you found it yet?

By the way, Father,

have you seen the book on Seamless Stitching?

Why?

I almost forgot about it.

It can help you mend the dress

without silk thread.

Is it really so good?

Tell you what, my master Huang Zhenyang worked

in Jiangning Imperial Silk Manufacturing Bureau

as a full-time tailor for decades.

He made dragon robes for the emperor.

I saw a dragon robe with my own eyes

which was totally seamless.

If it hadn't been because

the Seamless Stitch,

how could Su Jing'an become a tailor

working for the Grand Empress Dowager?

How could he become

the head of the garment-making industry in the capital?

But during all these years at Su's,

I've never seen Master use it.

Never?

Never.

The late Emperor Guangxu was thrifty

and never mentioned making a new dragon robe.

During Su's long service at the palace,

he only made clothes for the Empress Dowager Cixi

and the concubines.

Mosheng.

Do you think that Su Jing'an would be

so pedantic that he sacrificed his whole family

for the rules?

Lingyun.

My lord.

Why isn't dinner served?

Madam said there's no dinner today.

But we've all had dinner.

What's wrong?

You won't even let me eat?

Why are you packing the winter clothes?

It is bitter cold in Ninggu Tower.

I packed up in advance

so I wouldn't forget to bring them.

At this point,

you're still in the mood to read?

There's gonna be a disaster for our family.

I know what you want to say.

Still,

you can take my life.

The book? Never.

You...

I know you have to stick to the old doctrine.

But it's urgent matter and we must be flexible.

Do you really have the heart to

let our whole family be sent into exile?

We're old

and it's no pity if we die.

What about Yuanzhi and Yaoyao?

They are still young.

How could you?

[The Eternal Virtue]

What are you doing?

I married you

for your moral quality.

I know you can protect me

and this family.

But how about now?

I'll live in Yaoyao's room,

unless you hand in the book.

You just live with your old doctrine

and the book.

Fine. Fine.

You like to sleep in your own bed. You stay.

You don't want to see me anyway,

so I... I'll just go.

Grandmaster.

Your unfilial grandson Lu Yuanzhi

wants to borrow the book The Seamless Stitch.

I'm at my wit's end.

I have no other choice but to make this decision.

I wonder if I could borrow it.

[To Respected Master Huang Zhenyang]

If you don't say anything,

I'll take it as an acquiescence.

You approved.

Thank you, grandmaster!

Grandmaster, what I'm doing

has nothing to do with my master.

Please blame me if you want,

but don't blame my master.

That's more like it.

Master, what brings you here?

I heard the noise in the room.

I didn't think it was you.

Master.

[To Respected Master Huang Zhenyang]

It wouldn't matter

if I was the only one exiled to Ninggu Tower.

But it's not just me.

I stole the book

for fear of implicating you and Madam.

Give me the book. Give it to me!

I... I know I don't deserve to study it.

But... But if you are willing to help me,

I'll give it to you.

So you stole it because I didn't help you.

Lu Yuanzhi.

You're being more mischievous!

Master.

It was you who taught Brother and me

that tailoring is like conducting oneself.

The clothes one wears must be fit.

The length of the sleeve and the height of the collar

are fixed.

I agree with all that.

But things have changed now.

People changed,

and so will the clothes.

The book is certainly precious.

But is it more precious than people's lives?

You don't have to teach me how to behave.

Fine Master.

Since you are reluctant to help me,

I'll figure it out myself.

[To Respected Master Huang Zhenyang]

[Su's Mansion]

What is my father thinking?

At this point, working for the imperial family

should no longer be his priority.

Didn't you try to persuade him, Mother?

I did.

I could persuade him

of anything

but this.

Yuanzhi,

is there any other way

besides the book?

I had turned the Triple Cutting House

and the palace inside out.

As for the silk thread and the material,

the duplicates are nowhere to be found,

let alone the exact same one.

If there isn't any at the palace,

there won't be anywhere else.

Young master, you rummaged through the whole warehouse.

There is no foreign silk thread as you're looking for.

Last time Sihe House purchased many rolls of foreign cloth.

Where are they?

We lost a lot of money

because of the cloth.

Lord got angry when he saw them.

So we sold most of them at a low price.

But some of them seemed to be very expensive,

so Lord was not willing to do so.

Where are they?

There. It's locked.

Open it.

Your Highness.

It was bestowed by the Grand Empress Dowager.

Are you really going to give it to Lu Yuanzhi?

It was a tribute from the last British envoy.

It might be useful.

What if someone finds out

the one who damaged the bestowed dress...

Time is running out.

The color, luster,

thickness and texture are all the same.

This one. Pack it up.

Young master, are you really going to give it to Lu Yuanzhi?

Lord will be sullen

if he finds out.

Why are you still sitting here?

Are you going to give up?

I'm not.

How am I supposed to sew it

without any thread?

Panxia.

What's this?

Don't ask.

Look these two fabrics.

Are they the same?

It's nearly the same.

I can cut it off from here,

and then pull the thread out bit by bit,

and twist it into a string,

and then sew it in here.

Why didn't you take it out before?

Ungrateful.

It was bestowed by the Grand Empress Dowager.

Bestowed?

Mosheng.

Yaoyao.

Why don't you go in there?

I still have something urgent. So I'd better not go in.

I came here today to ask you

that if Yuanzhi can't darn that dress,

will you still go to Ninggu Tower with him?

What if I could help you, Madam and Master stay?

Then please take care of my parents for me.

If Yuanzhi and I have another chance in this life,

we will fulfill our filial duty.

Forget it. I'm certain to lose in this life.

Mosheng.

Mosheng.

You may rest assured.

Nothing will happen to Yuanzhi.

Really?

You really have a way to save Yuanzhi?

Damaging the bestowed thing is a capital crime!

The Grand Empress Dowager has passed away.

No one will know if we keep it a secret.

If it had been that simple,

you wouldn't have

taken it out until now.

You've taken enough risks for me.

I can't let you put yourself at risk this time.

Yeah, if there was another way,

I wouldn't have taken this out.

But the matter is urgent and we have to be flexible.

It's just an old dress.

Nothing will happen.

Just in case.

Greetings to Eunuch.

Panxia.

So the Prince is here too?

Greetings to Your Highness.

No need for that.

Your Highness.

I'm here on an imperial order.

The Empress Dowager summons Lu Yuanzhi to her presence with the dress.

He's still darning the dress.

Please bend the rules and give him more time.

Your Highness.

The deadline is 3:00 p.m. today.

Time is running out.

Even the Princess cannot

disobey the order.

Let alone a servant like me.

I know you're in a pickle.

But this is not trivial matter.

Although it is only a dress,

it's related to the face of the Qing Dynasty.

If the Qing Dynasty is disgraced

just because of a little time,

do you think the Empress Dowager will sit by and do nothing?

In that case,

then I should take the liberty of

giving him 30 more minutes.

Only 30 minutes.

Otherwise,

if the Empress Dowager blames,

none of us can afford it.

Thank you, Eunuch.

Pass.

[Tunyou Gate]

Please take a look, Sir Duke.

I forgot to take the needle off.

Your Highness,

I think it'll take Sir Duke a while

to find the damage.

Please let me show it to him,

so it won't waste our time.

Fine. You may go then.

Yes.

Where is it?

Your Highness.

Lu Yuanzhi's craftsmanship is superb.

I can't find it either.

May I ask you, Sir Duke,

is that the same as before?

The Qing Empire is indeed full of talented people.

Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty more than 200 years ago,

and the time of the first Emperor,

there has never been a foreign country

interfering with the state policy of the Qing Dynasty.

And Sir Duke wanted to shake the foundations of my country

only with a dress.

You may have belittled the Qing Dynasty.

Please don't be angry, Your Highness.

That never crossed my mind.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has always stood for good relations with Qing Dynasty.

I was reckless this time.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

No need for that.

I'm not

a petty one.

Zhang Jinshan, deliver my order.

20 rolls of silk for Sir Duke

as a little compensation

for the damage we have done to his clothes.

Yes.

Thank you, Your Highness.

[Qixiang Gate]

Eunuch Zhang.

What are you doing here?

Bai Henian praised you too highly,

saying that no younger tailor in the capital

can match you.

And?

You're much inferior

to Lu Yuanzhi!

Eunuch, what happened?

You don't know that, do you?

Lu Yuanzhi has darned the dress well.

He's probably getting rewards from the Empress Dowager right now.

It's impossible, he was...

What?

Clearly, Bai Henian was wrong

and demanded a useless one like you!

Piss off.

Lu Yuanzhi.

Kang Ning was right about you.

You've earned face for the Qing Dynasty this time.

So you've made up for your mistake.

Thank you so much, Your Highness.

But I have one request.

Lu Yuanzhi, Her Highness's forgiveness

is a heavenly grace.

Don't push your luck.

Your Highness, I made a big mistake.

I've been feeling sorry for you.

Therefore,

I want to go back to work in the Yangxin Hall

and stay by your side to serve you.

You want to go back to the Yangxin Hall?

Yes.

I thought for three days and nights.

I think it's the only way

I can make up for my mistake.

I issued the imperial edict

to make you enter into the Workshop in the Yangxin hall.

Look at what you did!

You made such a mistake

to embarrass me.

You still want to stay here now?

I never expected to continue to be a tailor.

I can do anything

like serving you drink or cleaning.

I only want to

stay with you

and wait on you, You Highness.

Fine.

You can stay here to be a handyman.

Thanks, Your Highness.

For this moment, there should be four bowls of stewed pork offal

a pot of good wine,

and a roast chicken.

I am more hungry.

Le't go! It's my treat.

Stop.

Come here.

What wrong?

What's plan are you going to have?

Plan?

Don't keep the truth from me.

You was not willing to

make auspicious dress to the Empress Dowager.

Now you want to be a handyman in Workshops?

Don't tell me the reason that you want to take care of the Empress Dowager.

Even she didn't believe in you totally,

let alone me.

Moreover,

you'll make troubles if you stay here.

You will have no good luck like this time.

I'll not make troubles.

I will leave here after I achieve my purpose.

See? You actually planed something.

OK. OK.

Since we two were allies

to go through difficulties,

I can tell you.

I want to withdraw the confession this time.

A few days ago,

a man called Fu Wenyan went for me.

He is Yuebai's cousin. They were childhood sweethearts.

The reason why Yuebai cooperated with Bai Henian to frame me

is to save him.

They could have run away together if it had succeeded,

but Yuebai died in the jail.

I suspected that

Yuebai was killed by someone to destroy evidence.

Since the Sichuan brocade is from the palace,

someone from the palace

certainly sent it out, right?

You want to find the sender

to justify yourself.

Yes.

I had no chance to do that previously.

I also found

the thing was not just about me.

I should repay someone's favor.

The one is Jiang Mosheng?

Yes.

You two really

have good friendship.

Jiang Mosheng was willing to be the godson of Bai Henian

just for you,

while you was willing to be exiled to Ninggu Tower.

You should think about it.

If you can justify yourself and declare Bai Henian guilty,

you two friendship

will never as good as that in the past time.

He has his own difficulties and standpoint.

I can understand him well.

I must act myself

according to my conduct norm.

Lu Yuanzhi.

Mosheng.

The Master taught you the Seamless Stitch?

No.

The Master observes his rules strictly.

It's impossible for him to do that.

How did you mend the auspicious dress?

There will be capital crime if damaging bestowed things.

The Empress Dowager Cixi has died.

No one knows it if we two keep it a secret.

Mosheng,

others were involved in the thing,

so it isn't proper for me to tell you.

It isn't proper?

Or you just don't want to tell me?

I...

I already don't belong to Su's.

I don't care

whom the master teaches the Seamless Stitch.

I just don't understand

why you don't tell me.

You don't trust me?

Mosheng, it's not what you think.

I am so self-sentimental.

I just never thought that

I am the most stupid one.

Mosheng, you really misunderstood it.

Never mind.

Now I feel relaxed.

Since I entered into the family of Bai,

I didn't know who I am.

I felt breathless

when the two families both had relations with me.

I now understand it.

I am the young master of Bai's,

and that's enough.

If what you do

is what you want.

That's enough.

I will never change.

If you want it,

so will you.

You really don't consider yourself as an outsider.

What I regret the most

is to choose a tailor.

It has happened.

It's destined to happen.

Let's talk about something serious.

The roll of Sichuan brocade

was brought by Yao Bingsheng.

Yao? Are you sure?

Yes.

I have looked through

the record of access you gave me.

I found that at that time,

only Yao Bingsheng went out from the Workshops.

I don't understand it.

For the large roll of Sichuan brocade,

how could he bring it out

and avoid body search?

You really think that

the Forbidden City is well-guarded?

Mr. Zhao,

the shopkeeper of Zhencui House opposite the Triple Cutting House,

has a lot of things from the palace.

Do you know?

Things from the palace？

Yes.

Not only do members from loyal families

sell something when they have no money,

but also those eunuchs and palace maids

collude with guards and deliver things out of palace.

I also saw a large glazed vase with a height of three feet,

let alone Sichuan brocade.

The Qing Dynasty

will be destroyed by those people sonner or later.

If the Qing Dynasty

ruins because of

losing things,

it has been ruined already.

Lu Yuanzhi!

You said first.

I...

What did you find

after following Yao Bingsheng for so many days?

It is a little wired.

Who is wired?

Yao Bingsheng or Bai Henian?

No. Yuebai is wired.

I want to know

how long are the ordinary cloth and Sichuan brocade?

The ordinary cloth

is about 40 feet.

Although the Sichuan brocade is precious,

it is 35 feet at least.

How long the brocade did Yuebai give me?

More than ten feet.

Do you know

what kind of person he is?

He is certainly a greedy person.

How about the brocade left?

He could still keep it.

Yes.

As long as we can prove that

he kept the rest of brocade,

it means we find evidence.

How can we find it?

It's okay if we search around his room,

but we need a good evidence

and we must be careful.

If he want to hide the brocade,

how can we find it?

I have a idea,

which will make him expose himself.

See you next time.

We have no such cloth.

The Sichuan brocade is rare in the market.

What else do you want?

No. Thank you.

The business is good?

Father.

My lord,

the young master now worked at palace,

so many guests come here for the young master.

It's weird.

Recently, many people came here to ask us if we have Sichuan brocade.

The two guests just now also asked.

Sichuan brocade?

What kind of guests?

Many people.

Some of them were dude of other shops.

I know them.

Some foreigners also wanted to purchase it with high prize,

and said that the more, the better.

Many people want to purchase it

and make money from this.

Go on with your work.

Father, are there some problems?

The thing is strange because there is no good reason.

Think about it.

With no good reason,

why someone want to purchase the Sichuan brocade with high prize?

Lu Yuanzhi

had a narrow escape because of the Empress Dowager's Sichuan brocade.

Father, you think there are some troubles afterwards?

You rush into the palace

and tell Yao Bingsheng

to hide the Sichuan brocade well.

OK. I'll go right now.

Welcome, my lord.

Here are your dishes.

Enjoy yourself.

Tailor Jiang?

Do you see Eunuch Yao?

He had something to deal with,

so he left the palace with the palace token.

Did he say what he want to do?

Er...

Say it! It's the matter of life and death.

What are you doing?

What?

You...

Eunuch Yao.

Are you waiting for the foreigners who will purchase Sichuan brocade?

I don't know what you mean.

You must tell me

what it is?

Tell me!

You're coming.

Sit and have a drink!

You knew I'll come.

I didn't know.

But I know

about the purchase of Sichuan brocade.

It can fool Yao Bingsheng,

but not Bai Henian and you.

Brother,

why have you changed like this?

Like what?

You went to the Family of Bai because of me,

so you were in a pickle.

I don't blame you for that.

But Bai Henian is responsible for Yuebai's death,

which is about human's life! You just sit by and do nothing?

What can I do?

Bai Henian is my godfather!

But I am your brother!

Please!

For sake of our brotherhood,

please show mercy to Bai Henian!

It's too late!

Stop!

My lord!

My lord!

What?

Officer Guo is coming with a squad of Braid Soldiers.

Mr. Guo.

What are you doing at nignt?

What are you doing?

Take him!

Stop!

Mr. Guo.

What crime did I commit?

You ganged up Yao Bingsheng

and stole the Sichuan brocade in the palace.

You also threatened Yubai to frame Lu Yuanzhi up

and then killed Yuebai.

Take him away!

Mr. Guo, you can't take our lord away!

- Mr. Guo. - We need to make it clear! Mr. Guo.

My lord!

Lord!

Mr. Guo.

Lord!

Your Highness,

those stuff

were found from Yao Bingsheng.

It's my fault! My fault!

Your Highness! Please spare my life!

Someone!

Yes!

Please allow me to explain! Your Highness!

I don't have any ill feeling with him.

If he was not instigated by any evil man,

why did he risk his life to frame me up?

Yao Bingsheng!

Who is the evil man?

No! No one!

I did that because I was teased by Lu Yuanzhi many times

and I hate him.

Eunuch Yao.

You offended your superiors

which is a capital crime.

What are you afraid of?

If you tell us about the evil man,

The Empress Dowager will

considers your contributions

and give you a palliation of a crime.

I've told the truth.

I dare to accept the consequences of what I've done.

OK.

I don't know

why you are so eager to

sell the Sichuan brocade for a good price.

Why?

For property and land?

Or for secret mistresses?

It's not a pity if you die.

If your maids and concubines are involved,

it will be a pity!

Your Highness!

I really don't want you

feel annoyed for this man.

It is about your dignity.

Now that he has admitted his crime,

why not just give an order to flog him to death?

It can overawe others.

Spare my life! Your Highness!

It is Bai Henian who bribed me.

I was obsessed with money and committed that crime!

Please spare my life!

Please spare my life!

Where is Bai Henian?

Your Highness,

the important criminal of the Ministry of Penalty was arrested for interrogation.

Let him come here!

Yes!

Let the Ministry of Penalty bring the criminal Bai Henian here!

Yes!

Bring Yao Bingsheng out

for death penalty of flogging!

Yes!

Please spare my life! Your Highness!

Please spare my life!

Please spare my life!

Please!

Your Highness!

Young master!

How about it?

Do you have any news about my godfather?

Xiaoluzi who is Eunuch Zhang's heeler said

Yao Bingsheng has been killed.

A man died,

and the next will be easy.

The Empress Dowager ordered to kill him.

My godfather will be in danger then?

The Empress Dowager is kind and didn't say what she would do.

That is what Eunuch Zhang said.

Maybe a long delay may cause trouble.

Zhang Jinshan

likes try to figure out the Empress Dowager thoughts.

Sometimes it is not the Empress Dowager's thoughts,

but what he does

will maintain the Empress Dowager's dignity.

I wonder

why my godfather associates with

such a heartless and cruel man.

Young master, please rest assured!

Zhang Jinshan is a henchman of the Empress Dowager.

Our lord will has his luck.

I hope so.

I finally have a clear view

since I worked in the palace.

A merciless man

will become forethoughtful.

Greetings to Your Highness!

Your Highness,

Bai Henian threatened Yuebai to frame Lu Yuanzhi up

and went to the Female Prison

to tell Yuebai not change her testimony.

Your Highness!

Bai Henian did go to the Female Prison.

Bai Sheng who is the steward of Bai Henian's family

is the last people

that Yuebai met before she was dead.

Your Highness!

I am Yuebai's guest and benefactor.

She borrowed money from me.

I felt sad

when she was in prison,

so I went to visit her

to remit that debt.

Please investigate it! Your Highness.

Your Highness! He quibbled over the truth.

How did he explain

that Yuebai died

after Bai Sheng met her?

He went to kill her rather than visit her.

Tell me.

Did you see Bai Sheng killed Yuebai with your own eyes?

I didn't.

So you just guessed.

Do you know

lying to the Empress Dowager is a guilty of malfeasance

that will kill your all families.

I don't dare! I don't dare!

Your Highness!

Bai Henian was suspicious indeed,

but...

but what?

The Princess Kang Ning said

Bai Henian did this

but she can't offer any evidences.

I don't know her real purpose.

And,

whether what Yao Bingsheng said before he died is the truth or not

remains unknown.

Please think twice! Your Highness!

Eunuch Zhang.

How much money have you received from Mr. Bai?

Lu Yuanzhi! Don't speak nonsense!

All people know

you two have good relationship.

Your Highness!

I did associate with Bai Henian,

but I did that to select tailors for you.

We didn't have any association in secret.

I hope you can investigate!

Lu Yuanzhi.

We did so much

to prove your innocency.

I looked down upon you before!

I dare not!

Take it easy! My lady!

My lord must get the news.

Yuanzhi acted on his own

to make such a big trouble.

I must go to see.

My lord!

Where are you going?

My lord!

Are you going to go to the prison of the Ministry of Penalty

or the Palace of Eternal Spring?

My lord, what should we do?

It is reasonable that Yuanzhi went to prove his innocence,

but he irritated

the Empress Dowager!

You also know

although Yuanzhi was entrapped by others,

the Empress Dowager will know

Yuanzhi made clothes for girls in the brothel.

To be in the king's company is tantamount to living with a tiger.

Why doesn't he get it?

Rise!

Thanks! My Empress Dowager!

Thanks for your

mercy and strictness.

But I did this

from Your Highness's perspective.

If it isn't investigated clearly,

it will incorrectly relay an erroneous information.

That is totally wrong!

How dare you

act on hearsay evidence

and speak bestial words?

Do you admit your crime?

Bai Henian.

how do you explain what Yao Bingsheng said?