Original subtitles

♪Romantic verses as the preface, imbued with a sense of forlornness♪

♪Who is copying your notebook?♪

♪Fallen petals on the ground, through generations of storms they have weathered♪

♪But the fate cannot be abandoned♪

♪Mesmerized by the dream, woven with joy and sorrow♪

♪Who is testing my sentiment?♪

♪In a weiqi game, several pawns have been placed♪

♪The outcome cannot sever love or hatred♪

♪Many years will pass after we depart♪

♪What good are the merry scenes for without someone to share?♪

♪I try to organize my feelings within love♪

♪But it's too convoluted, too complex♪

♪Feeling the summer breeze with my hand and plucking the chrysanthemums♪

♪Another season has passed without a companion♪

♪As I replay the scenes in my loving memory♪

♪The hustle and bustle conceals all the bumpiness♪

♪Fallen petals turn into the soil, with this ballad♪

♪I can still see our departure in the dream♪

[Love in Flames of War]

[Adapted from Love in a Fallen City by Lingxi]

[Episode 1]

[In 1917, the revolutionaries joined forces with the southwestern warlords]

[to oppose the dictatorial rule of the Beiyang government to protect]

[the "Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China", resulting in the emergence]

[of two opposing regimes in the Republic of China, the North and the South.]

[At the same time, the Chairman of Beiyang and the State Council]

[were engaged in a power struggle.]

[On one hand, warlords and members of the military were indulging in pleasures,]

[on the other, they were gathering troops,]

[sharpening weapons, and preparing themselves for battle.]

[Zhibei Region, Beixin City]

Beichen wants us to watch Chinese opera at a time like this?

Commander Xiao just took care of the rebels.

He'll be back any time now.

The father is hard at work,

while the son makes merry.

Not even the heavens

can change Beichen's mind.

Beichen lives carefreely as if he is among the clouds in heaven.

Reckless and unrestrained like the crashing waves.

What a life in paradise!

Don't you think so, Doofus Xu?

Don't use that pedantic language with me.

I can't understand.

Let's see who gets there first. The loser has to foot the bill!

Challenging me again, are you?

What are you doing, Doofus Xu?

Go on.

Leave. Go.

Go.

I'm heading off first.

See you.

You cheater, Cunning Mo!

[Sengmao Sweaters] [Liyuan Opera House]

Cheater.

You play, you pay.

You're taking care of the bill today.

All right.

Sirs, please come inside.

Park the cars.

All right.

This way, please.

Look.

We came at the perfect time.

Look how many people are here.

Come on.

Great!

Great!

We should get her to come down

and have a drink with us later.

Who are those guys?

Ignore him.

Good!

Great!

Wonderful!

We're in luck today.

One can't even pay Boss Jiu to perform.

He only performs

as he wishes.

Indeed.

It's a great performance.

Indeed.

Great!

Come down and drink with us!

Great!

Don't go!

Where are you going?

Why is she leaving?

Don't go! Stop her.

Stop! Get back here!

Stop right there!

Don't go!

Sirs.

Please excuse us.

Are you the head of the troupe?

Yes.

You are the leader of the troupe?

Yes.

I've got the money for the real deal.

I want to have fun with her today!

Get that actress who played Yang Yuhuan out here now!

Yes! Tell her to come out!

Get her here!

Hurry up!

I'm afraid you can't afford that.

Can't afford that?

Who do you think you are?

Ouch...

-Let go of him! -Let him go right now!

Let go!

What are you doing?

Let go!

Stay put!

No one gets to make trouble here.

Do you know who my uncle is?

He is the top staff officer

under Commander Kang of the Luanhe Armed Forces!

How dare you lay a hand on me?

Commander Kang?

But Beixin City is Commander Xiao's territory.

Have you ever heard of this?

Within the luminous jade lies a dragon, which is known as "Third Young Master".

You mean...

[Beixin Station]

Excuse me, Miss.

Are you Miss Lin Hangjing...

(She can't be Miss Lin, right?)

From Yulin?

I'm sorry. You got the wrong person.

I'm terribly sorry.

It's all right.

Is she not here yet?

Young Lady.

I am the butler of Xiao's Residence, Mr. Gui.

Are you Miss Lin Hangjing

from Yulin?

Yes.

Wonderful.

Please come with me.

This way, please.

Thank you.

Please.

-I was wrong. -I won't do it again.

I won't do it again.

I won't do it again...

I know what I did wrong...

This will be fun.

See if you can dodge this.

Where did these monkeys come from?

How dare they cause trouble at Third Young Master's territory?

They're done for now.

Look at how miserable they are.

Are you happy now?

It's a rare opportunity to see Boss Jiu perform,

but they've ruined it.

We won't get to watch the performance now.

Says who?

The show is just about to start.

We are sorry!

We were wrong!

Spare me!

I was wrong! Please spare me!

Third Young Master.

We were wrong, Third Young Master.

-We were wrong. -We were at fault.

We're sorry...

Don't...

Mercy!

Have mercy, Third Young Master!

I beg you, Third Young Master!

Third Young Master! No!

[Zhibei Delta Army Commander, Xiao Haishan]

Commander.

All rebels have been executed.

They looked like

they were around Beichen's age.

Commander.

It was an order from Warlord Jin.

Leave none of them alive.

All of them are dissidents.

They were going to defect to the south.

Warlord Jin had to use them to set an example.

The Chairman and the Premier

are at loggerheads over the rule of the central government.

Although Warlord Jin is directly under the Premier

and has been governing the Zhibei region,

the forces in the northeast are expanding.

The warlord in the southwest holds considerable power as well.

There is Sir Yan's army in Shanxi

and Sir Xun's Braid Army in Xuzhou as well.

Every one of them is not to be underestimated.

Given such a chaotic situation,

it's expected that those beneath them

would be swayed as well.

In any case,

you annihilated the rebels for Warlord Jin.

That is a great merit.

Congratulations are in order.

You've solidified your position

as Commander-in-Chief of Defense of the Delta Army.

Look, Commander.

The rays of light shining through the clouds are lined with golden rims.

The skies are dark and grey

under the twilight.

A water gun?

It's a water gun.

That water gun of his looks just like the real thing.

That's right.

Shall I get you one?

Get me one.

I want one too.

Please forgive me, Third Young Master!

Third Young Master!

Please spare me, Third Young Master!

Please let us go!

We won't do it again!

I wonder which unfortunate fool

crossed Third Young Master Xiao?

Let me through. Excuse me.

We're sorry, Third Young Master.

We will never do it again.

Young Lady, look.

Don't be scared, Miss Lin.

This is our Third Young Master's territory.

Don't worry.

Nothing will happen.

Third Young Master?

Yes.

Commander Xiao's eldest son.

Xiao Beichen?

You even know his name.

He loves to pull quirky pranks

and have fun like this.

Fun?

Commander Xiao just lets him do what he wants?

Jin Xiang.

Miss Lin.

You'll be a guest at our residence.

You'll run into him often.

Remember.

We must keep him happy.

If he's happy,

everyone is fine.

Do you understand?

-Over there. Let's go and take some photographs. -Okay.

Mr. Gui.

The car can't go anywhere with such a huge crowd.

I would like to get some fresh air.

Please.

Sir, I have a favor to ask of you.

How can I help you?

Nice.

It's just like a real gun.

It's a genuine one-to-one replica of a German gun.

It is?

If you like it, it's yours.

You can have it.

Really?

Thanks, Beichen.

That's nothing.

I have something even better. Want to see it?

Of course!

What is it?

Bring it over.

What is it?

What's this?

What is it?

A bug!

It's just a lizard, Doofus Xu.

Was all that fuss necessary?

It scared me.

Third Young Master.

A few foreign reporters are outside

criticizing and condemning you

for punishing someone without authorization.

Foreign reporters?

What?

[Luminous Jade]

Third Young Master!

-Third Young Master! -Please let us go, Third Young Master!

Silence!

Isn't that a car from my family?

It is.

What are those foreigners doing?

Why are they poking their noses around?

Break their cameras!

Don't be rash, Beichen.

They have diplomatic immunity.

If they make a big deal out of this,

your father will surely find out.

Don't worry. I'll sort things out.

Calm down.

You take care of it.

Don't worry. Leave it to me.

He'll take care of things, Beichen.

Everyone.

Everyone.

Please stop taking pictures.

Please stop, everyone.

We're just playing a game.

It's just a misunderstanding.

Just a misunderstanding.

Everything is fine.

Thank you.

Young Master!

Mr. Gui has picked up Miss Lin,

who came from the south, at the train station.

Won't you come back and see her?

How does she look?

One word.

Ugly.

One word.

Leave.

Come on.

Show your hands.

Seven dots!

Beichen.

Aren't you going to attend it tomorrow?

Attend what?

Your folk's inauguration ceremony.

They're all a bunch of fakes and stuck-ups.

Why should I go?

No, well,

your entire family will be there.

I don't think it's appropriate for us to miss it.

Since when did you become

so understanding, Doofus Xu?

Understanding?

I can't even figure out this game yet.

Understanding?

Come on. Show your hands.

The heck.

Two points.

I can't believe you did that with only two points.

Shuyi!

You guys are finally here!

Come on, I'll take you guys to try

the new treats our chef came up with.

All right.

It's delicious.

Congratulations on becoming

the Commander-in-Chief of Defense of the Zhibei Delta Army, sir.

Thank you.

Commander.

You dare to dream and act.

You have skills and talent.

I, Zheng, will follow you for life.

Oh, enough.

Right.

We're all brothers.

We're a family.

I can only truly be doing good

if all of you are doing great.

Xiao.

Why isn't Warlord Jin here yet?

He has been in talks

with the Premier's secret envoy lately.

He couldn't make the time.

The war in Europe has been fierce.

The Premier

is advocating for a declaration of war on Germany,

but the Chairman disagrees.

We don't know who will win

between the two of them either.

I, Xu,

could care less about the higher-ups' power struggle

or where Warlord Jin stands.

We should focus on our lives.

With Xiao as our leader.

-Right. -You're right.

Oh, no. Bei...

Bei... Beichen!

Beichen!

Quickly!

Hurry!

Get up!

Look at the time! Hurry and get up!

Beichen!

Did you forget about what I told you yesterday?

The inauguration ceremony?

I said I'm not going.

I'm not going!

Is someone going to take me there by force or something?

Beichen.

Oh, no.

Third Young Master, please return to the residence with us.

Doofus Xu...

Take him with us.

No, no, no...

No...

E... Easy there.

Easy there! Beichen!

Easy there! Easy now...

Doofus Xu. Listen up.

You better get a gun ready.

I'm going to shoot you!

I had nothing to do with this! Hear me out!

Don't hold me up! I can walk by myself!

Oh, no.

Well done.

Beichen!

Mo Weiyi! This was all your idea!

Madam Qi.

All our daughter has been talking

about Third Young Master ever since she saw him.

She doesn't have eyes for anyone else.

Perhaps you could play matchmaker for them sometime?

I'll tell you this.

Relationships are all about fate.

My Fengqi and Third Young Master

share the same interests.

Both of them enjoy watching foreign movies

and dancing.

Cha, cha, cha...

Listen.

Our Fengqi had an arranged betrothal

with Third Young Master when they were kids.

That's a type of fate

that others cannot compare.

Madam Qi,

you should be aware of that.

Isn't that right?

Oh, don't you know kids these days?

All they talk about are equality and freedom.

They don't let parents decide their marriages

anymore.

We should just play Mahjong

and let them sort themselves out.

Come on.

-Let's have a toast. -Here.

Let go of me!

Third Young Master.

Let go of me!

How dare you...

Beichen.

What a crowd.

You didn't tell me there were so many people here.

I had no idea either.

Xu Zijun!

I'll deal with you later.

Father!

Weiyi.

Father.

You little brat.

So you've finally come back, huh?

There are a lot of people here today.

Do you have time to lecture me?

You brat...

Oh, Beichen is home.

Commander.

I don't think it's wise to lecture Beichen

in front of everyone.

Everything is fine.

Carry on, everyone.

Carry on.

Come on, Beichen.

The madams are waiting for you.

Let's go.

Ladies, Beichen is here.

Beichen.

Oh, Beichen. You're looking more dashing.

My Fengqi

often mentions you

when she calls back from France.

Beichen.

My daughter

talks about you all day long.

So much so that our Chinese starling

has picked it up and calls your name now too.

That bird is going to be the boss soon.

Oh, Beichen, let me tell you something.

You and Fengqi are kindred spirits.

Both of you

can dance together.

You guys can go and see those foreign celebrities too.

Beichen, if you...

Mrs. Zheng.

Mrs. Sun.

I have some other matters to attend to.

You guys carry on.

I'll be sure to visit some other time.

Go and get busy then.

All right.

You guys carry on.

Come over later.

All right.

You have to come over.

Let's sit down and talk.

Come on.

He is becoming more and more handsome.

Beichen.

Xu Zijun!

Calm down!

Let's talk about serious matters, Beichen.

Right.

I looked into the thing you asked.

Those foreigners weren't reporters.

They were ordinary tourists.

What?

It was a young lady who instructed them to do so.

She was riding in the Xiao family's car

and had just been picked up from the train station.

My new little sister?

Her?

She just arrived, and she has already caused trouble.

It looks like your ugly little sister

is also a troublemaker.

Shuyi.

Who is that?

Mo...

What's the matter?

(At that time, I didn't understand)

(why his eyes were the only ones)

(that caught mine among the crowd.)

Hangjing, come down.

Hangjing,

I'll take you to see your Uncle Xiao.

Let's go.

Commander, Hangjing is here.

Hello, Uncle Xiao.

Let me introduce her to all of you.

This is

Lin Hangjing, the daughter of my friend, Lin Tangsheng.

Now,

she is my goddaughter.

Greetings, sirs.

Minister Lin's daughter is beautiful indeed.

Indeed.

Your father was the most handsome man

in the Xuehai Academy back then.

He excelled in both academics and martial arts.

Hangjing.

Make yourself

at home.

Let me know if anyone mistreats you.

Thank you, Uncle Xiao.

I'll introduce her to everyone else.

All right.

Xiao.

I think I heard

that Lin Tangsheng seemed to have committed wrongdoing?

Yes, there are rumors going around.

But that's all it is.

Come on, sit.

Beichen, I was just looking for you.

Aunt Qi.

This is your new little sister,

Lin Hangjing.

Lin?

Isn't that just like what's in the operas?

♪A little sister fell from the skies♪ (*Lin Daiyu, a character in Dream of the Red Chamber)

Be serious.

How was I not?

You haven't met him until now, Hangjing.

This is your brother,

Xiao Beichen.

It's nice to meet you, Beichen.

Mo Weiyi.

Xu Zijun.

Hear how nice that word sounds

from her lips?

You guys go ahead and have fun.

Aunt Qi.

We'll head over to the west hall first.

See you later, Beichen.

Go on.

Beichen.

Take Hangjing to the west hall with you.

The young people are having a ball there.

Hangjing, let your brother know

if you need anything.

If he doesn't take care of you, just let your Uncle Xiao know.

Don't worry.

I will take good care of Hangjing.

All right.

I'll return to the other madams now.

Go ahead, Aunt Qi.

Come on. That way.

Take good care of your little sister.

All right.

Don't worry.

Leave her to me.

Hangjing.

You don't appear to be that timid.

The west hall is over there, right?

Young Master.

Young Master!

May I have this dance, Miss?

My young lady doesn't know how to dance.

I'm sorry. I can't dance.

Sorry for disturbing you.

Did you see that?

She turned down

all the invitations.

Xu Zijun.

You go.

Me?

No way.

If I dance, I'll dance with Shuyi.

Right?

I guess

Third Young Master Xiao will have to do it himself then.

Beichen.

I think you shouldn't invite a snub.

There's not a chance.

Isn't that right?

There he goes.

Look.

Can I have a dance, Miss?

My young lady doesn't know how to dance.

I'm sorry. I can't dance.

Oh, Beichen. Excuse me.

What's going on?

What are you guys doing?

Beichen.

Young Lady!

I brought Jin Xiang here with me.

What is the meaning of this?

Don't worry.

It's fine.

However,

we didn't even get to talk yet.

We can't

let a servant interrupt us.

Have a seat.

Jin Xiang and I grew up together.

I've never thought of her as a servant.

Please don't make things difficult for her.

Sure.

But you'll have to dance with me

to the next song.

Aunt Qi told you to take care of me.

I'm sure you won't make things hard

for your sister who doesn't know how to dance.

Since you've said so,

there's no reason for me to force you.

Isn't there?

But don't forget this.

You're staying in our house for the time being.

There'll be plenty of opportunities to discipline

the servants.

The next song is about to begin.

I'm so sorry, Beichen.

I just can't seem to pick up dancing.

I think your steps are particularly precise.

You're too kind, Beichen.

-Great. -Great.

I'll help you.

No need.

Have a seat.

As expected of Beichen.

We've seen a lot of beauties

at Luminous Jade,

but you've never pursued a girl.

You're a novice when it comes to this.

What?

Do you think I can't get her?

All right. Let's make a bet.

We'll see if you can get her in a month.

Tell me.

What if I manage to get her?

If you do,

I'll give you

my new convertible.

Right!

I'll bet a car as well.

If you succeed, I'll give you my car too.

But what if you lose?

Beichen is from a well-to-do family.

Your stakes have to be a little higher, right?

Just a little higher.

Just a car?

I'll say this here.

If I lose,

I'll give up the entire Luminous Jade.

Are you guys in?

There are no "ifs".

I made you some soup to cure your hangover.

Drink it while it's hot.

Sun asked about Tangsheng

during today's banquet.

What did you tell him?

I muddled through.

Will you be able to keep it a secret?

Warlord Cheng intends to settle

this matter discreetly.

They're not going to make it public.

I've been making arrangements

to ensure Tangsheng's safety as well.

Hangjing is a pitiful child.

She lost her mother when she was young.

Now, something has happened to her father as well.

Hangjing's birth mother was a concubine.

Tangsheng's wife hated her the most.

In the end, she was forced to commit suicide.

So what if she was a concubine?

It's all because

you men

are promiscuous.

Oh, look.

I said something wrong again.

That's not what I meant.

That is what you meant!

What I meant to say

is that we must treat Hangjing as one of our own.

Hangjing is beautiful

and knowledgeable.

Yes.

I like her.

So what if she is an illegitimate daughter?

I am one too.

I will think highly of her.

Of course.

Everything you say goes.

Where's the soup?

I'll drink it right now.

Finish all of it.

[Tingxiang Pavilion]

Hangjing.

Get in.

I'll give you a ride.

That won't be necessary.

Aunt Qi has already arranged a car for me.

Is that so?

I just saw Huang drive off with the car.

Mr. Gui probably didn't make the proper arrangements,

and they forgot about you.

What a coincidence, isn't it?

The Shengyi Girls School isn't far from the boys school.

So I'm headed in the same direction.

Stop standing there. Get in.

Third Young Master Xiao?

-It's him. -Who is that?

Third Young Master Xiao personally sent her to school.

This is a girls school.

Men who aren't staff or personnel aren't allowed to enter.

Oh, it's you, Third Young Master Xiao.

My apologies.

I'll wait for you here

after class.

It's fine.

That's too much trouble to ask of you.

Nonsense.

Aunt Qi specifically told me

to take good care of you.

All right.

Thank you, Beichen.

Stand up.

Good day, sir.

Good day.

Please take your seats.

We have a new student joining us today.

I'll introduce myself first.

I am Mr. Chi.

I teach Mandarin.

Let's have the new student introduce herself.

Hello, everyone.

I'm from Yulin.

My name is Lin Hangjing.

A name that paints the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.

A wonderful name.

Please have a seat, Hangjing.

Let's get started with our lesson.

Was it her?

Yes.

Third Young Master Xiao sent her to school himself this morning.

He did that?

He doesn't even do that for Shuyi.

It looks like he likes his new sister better.

Students.

This Chinese quatrain uses begonias to express the poet's thoughts...

Newcomer.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Cheng Yu.

Its subtleness...

Nice to meet you.

Leaves a lasting impression on readers.

[Call for Submissions] "Please send your submissions to the editorial

of Pioneer News Agency at No.38, Qinghe Street."

[Shengyi Girls School]

Lin.

Hello.

I heard you're Commander Xiao's goddaughter.

Yes.

What goddaughter?

She's just someone who needed a place to stay.

I'll be disturbing you during my stay,

Fourth Sister.

Don't call me your "sister".

You make it sound as if we're close.

I

don't acquaint myself with illegitimate children.

Illegitimate?

No wonder.

[Dongping, Zhibei First Army Headquarters]

Warlord.

Counselor Shen is here.

[Warlord of Zhibei Region, Jin Cheng]

Warlord.

Take a look at this first.

Sir, this is...

Let's sit down and talk.

Changhe.

Do you remember the inside man

we placed in the central government?

You mean Falcon?

Yes.

Falcon.

He discovered a name list

of undercover revolutionaries in the Beiyang State Council.

Unfortunately,

he was exposed.

The revolutionaries assassinated him.

But before he died,

he told me the location of the list

via a coded telegram.

I need you to do something for me.

Pray tell, sir.

Bring the name list

back to me intact.

Yes, sir.

Be careful.

Remember.

There is a bottom to an abyss,

but not to a person's mind.

It's Third Young Master.

You're right.

I need to get home early.

Your brother came to pick you up.

She's off.

Did you come to pick me up, Beichen?

You should've told me.

I'm not here for you.

Lin Hangjing again?

Seriously?

I am your real sister!

Aunt Qi said it, didn't she?

She is our esteemed guest.

We have to take extra care of her.

There are so many people watching us.

Be considerate.

Go away.

Beichen!

Why are you upset?

I made a promise I was going

to the department store with them.

So sorry

to make you come all this way for nothing.

See you.

Shuyi.

Third Young Master.

You must be waiting for Miss Lin.

How did you know?

She left through the back gate.

What?

When did she leave?

She walked past in front of me earlier.

I saw her with my own eyes.

She left?

Why are you grinning to yourself?

You're so kind, Third Young Master.

You even bought me pastries.

When did I do that?

Look.

Did she give that to you?

Yes.

I was so touched.

I started crying as I ate.

She is playing hard to get.

Keep crying.

Third Young Master!

Third Young Master!

How are things on Xiao Haishan's end?

Many influential figures

[Kang Jingxiong, Commander] in the business and political sphere

[of the Zhibei Luanhe Armed Forces] attended his inauguration ceremony.

He is at his peak.

He may not be as strong as we are right now,

but if this keeps up

and Warlord Jin continues to favor him,

it'll be hard for us to deal with him later on.

That's good.

We'll find an opportunity

to push him to the crest of the wave.

I understand.

We will make him suffer

an even more painful fate for the loss of your son, sir.

Oh, right. Commander.

We have a message from our people in Dongping.

Apparently, Warlord Jin suddenly sent Shen Changhe down south.

Do we know the details?

The undercover agent Warlord Jin placed

in the Southern Revolutionary Party years ago

was exposed and killed.

It is said that he had a list

of the undercover revolutionaries in the Beiyang State Council.

He most likely headed there to retrieve the list.

It would seem Warlord Jin is preparing

to give the higher-ups a big surprise.

Is Xiao Haishan aware of this?

I believe he hasn't been informed yet.

The Chinese Revolutionary Party.

Do you remember the person

Xiao Haishan saved half a year ago,

Zhao Xueli?

Yes, I do.

On the surface,

Zhao Xueli is a teacher.

But he is actually a leader

of the Southern Revolutionary Party in the north.

However, we weren't able to find any proof

of him colluding with Xiao Haishan back then.

Shen Changhe will surely pass through

Xiao Haishan's territory on his way to the south.

War and unrest abound.

I hope

nothing happens to him on his journey.

Understood.

♪Who is craving the caresses of the spring breeze?♪

♪Who is gazing at the dancing flowers?♪

♪Who is staring at the starry summer night?♪

♪Who can remember the ephemeral shooting star?♪

♪Who is afraid of catching feelings? Who denies their heart?♪

♪Let loneliness become our protective shell♪

♪Who is willing to be a short-lived shooting star♪

♪Just to give you a moment of warmth?♪

♪I draw your silhouette on the sky♪

♪Let me illuminate the night sky once more♪

♪At least this time, there will be no obstacle♪

♪I will use my whole life to keep a promise♪

♪I will treasure it, as transient as the joy is♪

♪It gives a mellowness to my history♪

♪Whenever you see the next shooting star, will you remember♪

♪How I long for your outline?♪

♪I draw your silhouette on the sky♪

♪Let me illuminate the night sky once more♪

♪Whenever you see the next shooting star, will you remember♪

♪How I long for your outline?♪