Original subtitles

Subtitles and synchronization by Time Flies and You Team @ Viki.com

♫ Memories of the past are always vivid ♫

♫ They accompanied me to take every step ♫

♫ On the road ♫

♫ Going through heat and cold ♫

♫ The bumpy journey has rendered my longing ♫

♫ Rock solid ♫

♫ The same moonlight shines on our shoulders ♫

♫ Even if we are separated by a long distance ♫

♫ We are close in our hearts ♫

♫ The wind blew away the past ♫

♫ I look for your distant location on a starry night ♫

♫ In the ocean of faces ♫

♫ For you, my heart burns and races ♫

♫ Despite its turns and twists, fate is in my hands ♫

♫ May waiting convert regrets into a happy ending ♫

♫ May solitary figures find right companions ♫

♫ And become a pair ♫

[Time Flies and You Are Here]

[Episode 19]

[Living in a poor environment makes me lonely at night]

Take a look at this.

This was written by my student

in the capital for my entertainment.

Now, it's known across the entire capital

the Prince Pu Mansion who broke off the engagement

is again connecting with the Shen family through marriage.

Moreover, an order has been issued at the imperial palace.

Why did Her Highness agree to it?

How could Her Highness wish me to marry the daughter of the Shen family?

The balance of interests in the

imperial court changes frequently.

The Shen family is on Her Highness' side.

If you marry their daughter and go to the capital,

you'll be within her control.

I'll reply to them the same thing.

I won't marry Shen Zhaowen.

All I'm thinking about is to help Xie Xiaoman to be conferred as Noble Lady Wuguo.

I know that, in Wujiang Prefecture, you're the only person

who isn't under the control of Prince Pu Mansion.

Please pass this to the Ministry of Imperial Affairs on my behalf.

I don't believe that after Shen Zunfu sees this,

he'll still entrust his daughter to me.

So you're going to go against Prince Pu Mansion?

That's right.

Let me be Prince Pu Mansion's good-for-nothing son until the end.

Such a pity.

For this matter,

[Commandery Prince of Julu's letter] I'm unable to help.

Principal.

Submitting a memorial is beyond my power.

That being said, here's an idea.

Duke Teng of Tongzhou has resigned from his position,

so he isn't controlled by any of the parties.

If he's willing to help, you will have a bigger chance.

Thank you for your help.

Take care, Your Highness.

Why did you help His Highness?

Whenever the roc flies into the sky,

thousands of miles will be passed by.

How did it go?

I don't think I can go with you to the exam hall.

I have to go to Tongzhou on a quick horse.

I understand. Don't worry about the exam.

Take care on your way there.

]The deserter of the Shenwu Army, Huang Liu, will be beheaded in seven days]

What exactly happened to you?

He and Shen Zhaowen are engaged.

- They might get married soon. - Huh?

Xiaoman. [Zheng Hai's wife, Ming Yue]

- Xiaoman? - Ming Yue?

Xiaoman. Save me, Xiaoman!

Save me, Xiaoman!

Save me!

She's Ming Yue,

my childhood friend in Yuyangli Village.

We grew up together.

Since the day you left, our family got a poor harvest.

At the same time, my brother fell ill.

We had no money to hire him a physician,

so they arranged for me to get married here in Wujiang Prefecture.

The matchmaker said

it's a wealthy family looking for a second wife.

I only found out upon arrival

that the man is a local hooligan.

Not only does he not work,

he'd even hit me

whenever things don't go his way.

He even hit you?

Xiaoman, I want to go back to Yuyangli Village.

I want to go home.

- Get up first. - It hurts.

How can he hit you like this?

All these were his doings?

Xiaoman,

I pleaded with him to let me go.

I pleaded with everyone around me, but as you can see, in the end,

I got beaten even more badly.

I've used up all the cash gifts I took from my family.

There's no way I can escape.

I'm trapped here forever.

It won't happen, Ming Yue.

Don't worry.

I'll help you. It's not a big deal.

He just wants money.

I have money.

I saved up a lot.

I'll give you all my money.

We can't do that.

He won't let me go.

Nothing is predestined.

Don't worry.

I won't let you live like this.

I resign to my destiny.

I'm not like you.

I've always been timid since I was little.

So what if I leave his side and return to Yuyangli Village?

I'll still be an old maid who can't get married.

Xiaoman, I'll only bring you trouble.

Just let me be.

Ming Yue.

Ming Yue!

Ming Yue!

There are really ladies in this world

who will remain at their husbands' side

even if their marriage is a mistake?

I think...

that's the majority.

How did it go?

[The deserter of the Shenwu Army, Huang Liu, will be beheaded in seven days]

Speak.

Xiaoman... Xiaoman didn't come.

She isn't willing to help?

Aren't you two childhood friends?

She...

She's having some trouble lately.

So she won't help you?

Maybe...

Maybe it's because we haven't seen each other for a long time.

She...

What else did she say to you?

Nothing.

You're useless.

Try again tomorrow.

If it still doesn't work,

I can only use brutal force.

Tomorrow, you all will follow Ming Yue

to Bailu Academy to kidnap Commandery Prince.

A life for a life.

I'm going to save Huang Liu.

But, Zheng Hai,

last time, he...

Zhao Xiaoqian...

doesn't seem to be in Wujiang Prefecture currently.

He's not in Wujiang Prefecture?

Then we'll get hold of his weakness.

What... What weakness?

Commandery Prince of Julu's consort.

- But... But... - There are not "buts."

There are no "buts."

Year after year, we already have four children.

If you don't pass the exam,

how can we carry on then? This time it'll be all right.

Just stay at home to look after the children.

I'll definitely pass the exam this year.

Xingzhou,

don't be anxious.

Just do as you normally would.

I agree. You seem to be more anxious than Xingzhou.

Go away.

A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves.

I'll set my cloud-white sail and cross the sea which raves.

Xiaoman, Hanchen is up to something lately,

but no worries.

You two can talk about it when he gets back.

[Wujiang Examination Hall]

Examinees, please enter the hall.

Good luck.

- Good luck. - Okay.

Xingzhou, my father said to bring a cicada with you during an exam.

If the cicada sounds, the examinee will get first place.

Take it.

Thank you.

Minggu, I have to go.

Where are you going?

I'm going to look for Senior Brother Li.

He said he has something to tell me.

Don't you think Xie Xiaoman and Zhao Xiaoqian have been acting weird recently?

You don't know anything. It's not for you to gossip.

I don't.

You're the one who's been weird.

Xingzhou's taking the exam, and you gave him a cicada as a gift.

If the invigilator heard the noise, what's our Xingzhou going to do?

Our Xingzhou? What do you mean?

Xingzhou isn't your son.

Someone's coming.

Xiaoman, you're here.

Senior Brother, you're teaching here?

Yes. I'm teaching general knowledge.

Since you're here today, you can teach the ladies a chapter from Examples for Women.

Me?

I can't do it.

Who knows. You'll never know unless you give it a try.

Children! Today, I invited a female teacher here to join us.

This is Teacher Xie.

Greetings, Teacher Xie.

Before this, Teacher Li taught you all "Women's Analects."

What do you all think of it?

I didn't understand it.

When I was reading at a younger age,

a farmer's proverb from our village would always come to mind.

"Seedling frame tall in the field vines coiled by itself."

Under the regime of powerful forces,

the disadvantaged will be suppressed and exploited.

At that time, I thought the "Women's Analects"

was all about instructions for the ladies.

In terms of morality, words, appearance, and power,

there are demands for ladies to follow.

But why there aren't demands for men?

And we ladies have to be like the vines on the seedling frames

to be cooped up in one place?

I also heard that in the past, if a woman gives birth to a daughter,

she'll be given a spindle to weave all day.

If she gives birth to a boy, she'll be given expensive jade

which represents her jade-like virtue.

Spindle and jade are of course non-comparable.

However, this goes on to show the world's contempt for women.

My teacher, Liu Huaiying, once taught us,

as a human, we don't need to devote to everything,

but one must have high ambitions.

Teacher, what do you mean by high ambitions?

Boys have their own high ambitions and girls

also have girls' high ambitions.

Just like my high ambition is that you all will grow up quickly.

I know.

Boys and girls are both kids.

Boys can attend the imperial exam in the future.

We girls can also do other things.

I want to plant sweet potatoes in the field with my father.

If I grow large, tasty sweet potatoes, I'll be able to make a living.

Isn't that right, Teacher?

You're right.

Being poor doesn't mean we forget about our ambitions.

You all need to be like that as well.

Whether it's attending an imperial exam or growing sweet potatoes,

we need to look ahead to score better in the imperial exam

and grow larger sweet potatoes.

Do you understand?

Yes.

You did a very good job today as if you were really a teacher.

Senior Brother, you're making fun of me again.

I won't become a teacher.

I'm serious.

A teacher must have something they believe in.

All these years, I've been to many places looking for a belief.

I didn't find it, but you did.

But I don't understand

what I'm going to be like in the future.

These few days, Teacher Liu told us to write about our future,

but I couldn't think of anything.

Especially after teaching here today,

in fact, I'm even more confused now.

Although, today I talked about "Women's Analects," if I

really come across problems in books,

I might not be able to think them through.

Just like...

Zhao Xiaoqian and I.

We always worry or fear over something that has yet happened.

However, the future is like this wheat field.

It may seem far and vast, without a direction.

But as you said, a person's high ambition

doesn't have to be a clear goal.

Sometimes, as you walk down the road, you'll find another path.

At a secluded temple made of bamboo,

I listen to the speeches of Buddhist monks.

At the hall in the winter season, I play a game of chess with the woodcutter for fun.

Wearing slippers made of hay, I stride across shrubs climbing steep cliffs, crossing uneven terrains

in search of seclusion and beautiful scenery of streams and rocks. I can reach the furthest place.

When I arrive, I sit down, have a chat and drink with friends whom I haven't seen for so long

to get drunk.

When that happens, I'll climb high and shout, and let the eye travel over great scenery.

When I go to sleep at night, the dream will reflect the same.

Could it be...

Could it be you're "Lunatic of Wild Dreams Hall"?

I have to thank you for this book.

Why?

To be honest, actually, that day at Mount Kunyan Temple,

I was going to bring my broken scroll that no one cares about

to leave Wujiang Prefecture and return to the capital.

Really?

Back then when I left home, I was thinking

to lead the kind of life I always wanted,

and never muddle with the affairs of my father's generation.

However, after all these years,

I've somehow forgotten my intention back then.

My long-time friend parted ways with me,

and the manuscript I wrote with passion was despised by others.

Sometimes, I even doubt whether I chose the right path,

or should I turn around and choose another?

Luckily...

Luckily, I have you by my side.

You read that book and you understood it.

Sometimes, even one reader will become the author's

motivation to keep going.

I'd never thought I'm the one who made "Lunatic of Wild Dreams Hall" stay.

I'm still waiting for you to publish another book.

Teacher.

Greetings, Teacher.

As long as someone by our side is supporting us,

it'll give us the utmost confidence to move on.

You're that person.

But now,

I also have a friend who wants to take a step forward,

but she's afraid of how people will see her.

Senior Brother, do you think I should help her?

What do you think?

Thank you, Senior Brother.

[Lonely Boat At Night, volume four]

Lady Xie.

What do you want?

The nourishment has been sent to your house.

Is it not enough?

I am not here for that.

I came here to look for you.

My Lady would like to meet you.

Why did you bring me here?

What exactly are you up to?

To show you something good, of course.

Go away.

So clumsy. Wait on the side.

Sorry, Sir.

- I'm sorry. - Mother.

Didn't you say His Highness isn't willing to marry me?

Today, I'll show you

even if His Highness isn't willing to marry me,

you'll never become his wife.

Do you know...

the imperial palace has agreed to grant Hanchen and me a marriage?

- Someone, pour me a cup of tea. - Coming!

Your tea is here.

- What are you doing? - Lady.

You can't blame others for certain matters

because Hanchen didn't belong to you in the first place.

Are you aware of his identity and your identity?

Are you also aware that...

even without me, there'll be someone else.

Commandery Princess of Julu

will never be someone from your background.

You'll forever be a consort, a servant.

Your son won't call you mother in the future,

and will instead call you nanny.

Your parents will also be inferior to others.

You don't even know how to pour tea. You peasant!

- Mother. - Is staying in the inner courtyard for the rest of your life

what you want?

For so many years, that's what women have gone through.

What?

Do you think just because Zhao Xiaoqian's in love with you,

he'll guarantee your safety?

Zhao Xiaoqian will take care of you,

but what about Princess Consort Pu, Her Highness,

or the imperial palace in the capital?

Lady, I...

Is your hand all right?

I didn't do it on purpose.

Do you know who I am?

My Lady is the Commandery Princess Rong'an.

She'll marry Commandery Prince of Julu in the future as his wife.

She isn't someone you can offend.

You're Lady Xie's mother.

I'm not mistaken, right?

It's my fault that I failed to recognize you.

It's my fault.

I'm really sorry.

What do we do with your hand?

In a royal or nobleman's family, a consort is just a doll.

Lady.

Here.

Take this.

When Your Lady is married to Commandery Prince,

my daughter will need your care.

My daughter is kind, with no underhanded tricks up her sleeve.

She won't cause trouble for you.

Please don't make things difficult for her

and let her stay.

Did you see that?

You'll forever be a consort who's inferior to others.

Even your mother...

This slap is for my mother.

And this slap is for me.

Lady.

[Tongzhou] Duke Teng.

Good child.

Come and have a seat.

Have a seat.

So, what brought you here today?

I'll cut to the chase then. [Commandery Prince of Julu's letter]

I have a consort named Xie Xiaoman.

I'll bring her to meet you next time.

Lady Xie is gentle, modest, and courteous.

I want to help her get conferred as Noble Lady Wuguo,

but people at Wujiang Prefecture will gossip.

That's why I'm asking for your help, Duke Teng.

Don't worry.

I don't have tricks up my sleeve.

I just want the woman I love to have a status.

I don't plan to marry again either.

Ladies prefer to never be apart, right?

Duke Teng, if you will agree to it,

and Lady Xie also agrees to it...

Wife, kids and a warm bed.

I'll have everything.

I won't intervene with what's going on in the capital.

It's fine if you like her,

but will she become your wife?

You know, for someone with your identity,

you'll have a wife eventually.

Favoring the consort and doing away with the wife

are great taboos.

I know.

I won't get a wife.

Childish.

Even if you don't want a wife,

but will Prince Pu Mansion allow it?

Will His Majesty allow it?

Do you plan to defy the imperial order?

If you insist on this, it'll only do her harm.

I'll do anything for her sake.

Even defying the imperial order?

You're muddle-headed.

Hanchen,

with the forthcoming battles at Baichuankou,

are you really going to remain at the tiny Wujiang Prefecture

as the sluggish prince for the rest of your life?

May I ask? Do you know a lady called Ming Yue?

She lives nearby.

No.

You're looking for Ming Yue?

Yes. I'm her friend.

We know where she is. Come on. Let's go. Let's go.

- Who are you people? - Let's go.

Who are you people?

[Zheng Mansion]

Please let her go.

I'll do anything to repay your kindness.

Shut up.

We'll sort it out with you later.

Xiaoman.

You're Xie Xiaoman?

You're Zheng Hai?

That's me.

I've long heard about you

and wanted to meet you this way.

Tell me.

If I slash your beautiful face with a knife,

perhaps you won't be so sharp-tongued?

What are you trying to do?

Zhao Xiaoqian.

If it wasn't because of him,

my brother wouldn't have been arrested by the magistrate office

or set to be executed a week later.

I'm worried about my brother, isn't that right?

You've got the wrong person.

I'm nothing at the Commandery Prince Mansion.

Zhao Xiaoqian won't risk himself for me.

Doing so not only won't help your brother,

but bring then more trouble.

Xiaoman, I'm sorry. Xiaoman, I'm sorry.

I brought this onto you.

Shut up, woman!

Inform the Commandery Prince Mansion to come and get the hostage tomorrow.

Xiaoman.

You knew he was going to kidnap me.

That's why you tried to approach me, is that right?

I'm sorry.

I didn't know you'd come.

Come out quickly!

Search quickly! Hurry! Search carefully!

[Lotus Garden]

- She isn't here. - The front courtyard. Search the front courtyard.

- Okay. - Oh, right. Did you ask the Su family?

Yes. They said she wasn't seen the entire night.

It must be the Shen family. The Shen family must've harmed Lady Xie.

We've asked the Shen family. They haven't seen Lady Xie.

Ridiculous. The Shen family must've kidnapped Lady Xie.

Mr. Liangji! Mr. Liangji.

Someone said she knows where the lady is.

Who is it?

Ming Yue?

Is My Lady with you?

I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

What's going on?

[Commandery Prince Mansion]

It's Zheng Hai.

Zheng Hai kidnapped Xiaoman

so he could threaten the Commandery Prince of Julu.

- Your Highness. - You're back, Your Highness.

What did you just say?

It's Zheng Hai, a local gangster at Xushui, Wazi.

He kidnapped Xiaoman

to exchange for terms with her life.

It's him? Quickly inform Arms Instructor Qin.

Your Highness! Your Highness mustn't go.

They're after Your Highness.

Let me tell you. Zhao Xiaoqian will never come.

Just give up.

[Zheng Mansion] If Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't come,

you and I will have a good time together.

I'm in need of a lady to warm the bed, too.

Apart from you, I still have other ways to teach him a lesson.

[Zheng Mansion]

You're here so quickly.

Zhao Xiaoqian, are you an idiot?

Why did you come here alone?

Say it.

What do I need to do so you'll release her?

Now you're negotiating with me.

That day when you stepped on me, that's not how you spoke to me.

The tone I'm speaking now isn't much better either.

If you act this way, our deal

won't be so easy.

If it wasn't because of you,

my fellow brother wouldn't have been arrested

or set to be executed a week later.

If you want to save her,

the conditions now are that I'll beat you up

and you'll get my brother back uninjured to exchange for her.

That's right. Release Huang Liu.

If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have been arrested.

Desertion is a capital offense.

The army has ironclad rules.

Justice is military law.

What's wrong with it?

Huang Liu's mother passed away.

He went home for the funeral

which was later blamed by his superior for desertion.

That's what you mean by justice?

A royal's life is worth living

and our commoners' are nothing?

Xiaoman,

close your eyes.

I'll bring you home soon.

Zhao Xiaoqian.

Come on.

What are you waiting for?

Hit him!

Brother Hai! Brother Hai!

- Brother Hai, are you all right? - Hit him!

Hit him!

A bunch of useless people.

Stop!

Let's see who dares move an inch!

Bring them away!

- Great. Come on! Not bad. - You terrible woman!

- Let's go. - You betrayed me!

Your Highness, let's go.

Xiaoman,

I'm sorry.

You should come with me, too.

Are you all right?

Does it hurt?

In the future, don't do this on your own.

You have a husband.

I'll help you with everything.

I know you and that lady are long-time friends,

but now she's been sent to prison.

Do you want to visit her?

[Prison]

Ming Yue.

Xiaoman.

Xiaoman, I'm sorry for lying to you.

I got you involved.

I'm sorry.

Yes,

it's your fault.

Because of you, my husband was injured, I was kidnapped,

and you're jailed.

But at the same time,

you'd helped me.

Didn't you defy Zheng Hai for my sake?

Also, you admitted your wrongdoing to Zhao Xiaoqian.

I blame you,

but more than that, I want you to be all right.

I'm not here to seek revenge.

You left the lady at home

to come and meet us here.

Interesting.

Which camp was he in?

Third Commander of Shenwu Army,

Huang Liu, a scout under General Meng Liang,

is here to greet Your Highness.

Shenwu Army is stationed at Gu City,

a part of Zhending Prefecture's army camp.

It was once led by General Xu Zi.

Am I correct?

Yes.

Zhending Prefecture is situated near our enemies.

Five years ago, there was the battle at Heyuan.

There was a severe drought in Zhending

and the army lacked food supplies.

However, General Xu Zi

led the soldiers to fight the enemy

for three months and killed 40,000 of the enemy.

More than 300 of their leaders were captured as prisoners

along with 3,000 soldiers and more than 10,000 weapons.

More importantly, they took back Shun City

so the people didn't lose their homes.

Am I correct?

Yes.

Did you know...

I've been dreaming of being a soldier all my life

yet you deserted.

No matter what, the battle at Heyuan

was a significant battle of the nation.

I respect that.

A true man has nothing to hide.

I won't make things difficult for you today,

but what lays before you

other than returning to Wazi to keep on being a gangster,

there's also another way.

Huang Liu,

I'll give you one more chance.

General Xu's going to Zhending again three months later.

You're allowed to join his army.

A man like you, hiding your identity in the black market at Wazi

and fighting with others every day.

If you have this kind of energy, why not return to the battlefield

to carry out a man's duty?

Zheng Hai...

doesn't fear power for the sake of his brother.

He differentiates love from hatred.

However, he isn't aware of the severity of his actions and acts frivolously towards ladies.

After three years of conscription,

I'll also allow you to join the army

and go to the battlefield with your comrades.

What do you think?

We wear gold armor to go through hundreds of battles.

A sparrow cannot understand the ambition of a swan.

If you two are swans, then don't let me down.

If you're willing to join General Xu's army,

toss your cup in an oath.

I'm willing to go!

I, Zheng Hai,

have always done things my own way since I was a kid.

I've never thought of doing something great or noble.

Since you think so highly of me,

I'll go ahead and do it.

I wish for your victorious return.

By telling us these, it seems Your Highness

isn't entirely disinterested in joining the army.

So, why do you choose to stay at Wujiang Prefecture?

Subtitles and synchronization by Time Flies and You Team @ Viki.com

♫ Ask the moon whether it has seen ♫

♫ The other end of the earth ♫

♫ Your feelings wane and wax like the moon ♫

♫ Have they ever been the same? ♫

♫ Carried by misty clouds, the moon came into your eyes ♫

♫ As a substitute for me, it appeared ♫

♫ Cast our eyes over the bustling street ♫

♫ Don't shed tears when we part ♫

♫ Since our parting, I have been recalling your look ♫

♫ Every night, I miss you too much to sleep ♫

♫ In my heart, I stored our affectionate past ♫

♫ As time went by, it faded like smoke ♫

♫ In my ears, rings your old whisper ♫

♫ Every night, I look forward to meeting you again ♫

♫ On the day we brushed past each other ♫

♫ We got tied by a permanent bond ♫

♫ Since our parting, I have been recalling your look ♫

♫ Every night, I miss you too much to sleep ♫

♫ In my heart, I stored our affectionate past ♫

♫ As time went by, it faded like smoke ♫

♫ In my ears, rings your old whisper ♫

♫ Every night, I look forward to meeting you again ♫

♫ On the day we brushed past each other ♫

♫ We got tied by a permanent bond ♫