Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

[Adapted from the novel "Journey to the Qing Dynasty" by Duomu Muduo]

[Episode 12]

Father, you said I could promote Li of Ji State to my rightful spouse.

Please deliver the promise.

When did I give you my word?

Besides,

can't you see the advantages of marrying the princess?

Advantages?

If I can't even marry someone I want,

what advantages are there?

And speaking of advantages,

I've never lucked out to have one before.

You...

Yin Zheng!

You are the Sixth Young Lord in Xin Palace.

You don't get to decide your own marriage.

This arrangement

is your reward and your duty.

You are allowed to attend the court assembly,

but that can be revoked anytime.

You should also know

that a Young Lord who is expelled from the court assembly

is as good as a commoner.

Yin Zheng.

If you wish to remain headstrong,

you will be viewed as irreverent

and ungrateful.

This matter

has been decided then.

No more discussions.

Madam.

Chef Liu prepared another dish.

Today is the first day His Lordship attends the court assembly,

and you asked the kitchen to prepare such a feast.

His Lordship will be over the moon when he sees this.

Here.

It smells good.

Why didn't you take out the gingers?

I'll do it.

Put them aside.

His Lordship has arrived.

Your Lordship, you have returned.

Your secretariat

is almost ready.

The residential renovation will be completed in two days.

As for the guest list for the Inauguration Banquet

and the feast menu,

I have prepared them too.

You must have had a busy first day.

I made the kitchen prepare an elaborate meal.

Let's have dinner together.

Why?

Did something happen in the assembly?

What happened?

Tell me.

We can solve any problems

that come our way.

Madam,

after the assembly,

His Lordship met with the Sixth Young Lord in private

and arranged a marriage for him.

Madam.

Madam.

This...

Madam.

Go ahead.

Madam.

We have asked around.

She's the only daughter of the Lord of Jin State.

Her name is Yuan Ying.

Madam.

Cheer up.

I'm sure His Lordship is doing this

for both states.

Indeed.

Madam.

You haven't eaten all day.

Eat something.

Don't starve yourself.

But I'm not hungry at all.

Come and sit with me.

God knows if she

will love this garden too.

The bride has arrived.

The fortuitous hour is upon us.

Young Lord, Madam, now please bow to Heaven and Earth.

Here.

So many!

They smell good.

You can have them when you're back.

Bow.

(Another bow.)

Young Lord, Madam,

please bow to His Lordship

and His Ladyship.

Bow.

Another bow.

Young Lord, Madam, bow to each other now.

May your union

be harmonious and eternal.

In Ji State, no matter

how lowly a woman is,

she will not share her spouse with anyone else.

If this is his decision,

I shall return home

to Ji State.

I will never come back again.

Madam.

All right.

I'm tired now.

Leave me alone.

But...

Wei.

Where is she?

I don't know.

Didn't they say she's here?

Exactly.

She's over there.

What happened?

Why are you bawling your eyes out?

Han said you went missing.

We were looking for you.

There, there.

They already did

the ritual?

Yin Zheng.

Princess Yuan Ying traveled far to marry you.

You need to be more understanding.

Also, respect and love each other,

now and forever.

Understood?

Yin Zheng.

I

understand.

Yuan Ying.

Yin Zheng has to attend the assembly every day.

As his spouse,

you will look after his household

and assist him.

Understood.

Even if it's their funeral, it has nothing to do with you.

And I thought Yin Zheng was a good man.

Look what he is doing now.

There, there.

I will go and defend you.

Your Grace.

Li Wei is our priority here.

Let's forget about them.

We'll hang out with you today.

No one is patrolling today anyway.

We just have to come back before they lock the palace gates.

All right?

Come.

It'll take your mind off.

So unfair!

Miss.

Hush now.

There's already a Li Wei.

Now Zheng has to marry another woman?

They are cruel!

Miss Song.

Quiet down, please.

If someone else hears this, they will criticize Sixth Young Lord.

What did Zheng say?

What can he say?

It's a wedding arrangement.

He can only accept it.

He already did the ritual.

He did?

No way.

Baifu.

They are heartless.

Just one after another.

How many more are there?

When will this end?

Baifu.

They bully me.

Miss,

wipe with this.

So unfair!

Baifu.

Princess Yuan Ying.

I have something to tell you

regarding our marriage.

[Yuan Ying, Princess of Jin State]

Coincidentally,

I need to talk to you too.

Come now.

Sixth Young Lord, I'm sure you're aware

of the importance of commerce

for Jin State.

Our marriage

is but a trade established

by both states.

We

are the goods.

I refuse to be commodified,

and I do not agree with this arrangement either.

However, we're both powerless to change anything.

In that case,

I will become your dutiful spouse.

I know how hard you worked

to earn the qualifications to attend the assembly.

That is telling of your huge ambition.

But

His Lordship hasn't said

what your post would be.

Your career is uncertain.

And at this moment,

you need an impeccable household.

You

need an impeccable spouse.

Are you saying

that you would help me manage the household?

I will be the shield you need.

When you finally have a strong foothold in the court assembly,

I hope you can persuade His Lordship

to release me.

You mean

when the timing is right, we will part ways?

Yes.

However,

the Xin Palace has strict rules.

Women can only be repudiated.

I want you to understand

that I can be a widow or a divorcee,

but I will never be repudiated shamefully.

If I leave you,

I'll leave with pride

and my head held high.

Your reputation precedes you.

I knew you're an ambitious person too.

Do I

take this as a yes from you?

I need to let you know one thing.

I have a concubine called Li Wei.

I plan to promote her to be my rightful spouse

and this hasn't changed.

I see.

I have heard about this Li Wei.

She came from a lowly background

and is lacking in competence.

She isn't cut out for the title of your rightful spouse.

In exchange for your cooperation,

I will fulfill your wish too.

I will groom Li Wei

to become a dutiful Lady.

I wish you two happiness.

To our partnership.

Are you drunk now, Young Lord?

An inferior alcohol tolerance

will weigh me down.

No, I'm not drunk.

Rest now.

I can't believe this Princess Yuan Ying.

She was full of contempt

when she saw how you became drunk after a glass.

It's unbecoming of a Lady.

She shouldn't be my spouse anyway.

Did I

misbehave just now?

No, you didn't.

You put up a solid act.

Act?

You have always been someone unfazed.

You won't forget the etiquette in front of another person.

Before you left, you even greeted the princess.

But you took a tumble right after you left.

You were trying so hard to promote Madam.

But this marriage to Princess Yuan Ying came from nowhere.

What a cruel joke.

I'm just worried that Madam might...

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

Madam is already asleep.

I need to speak to her.

Now isn't the best moment.

Why not?

You can see her,

but now is not the best moment.

Your Lordship.

Please return.

I just want to tell her something.

Please return, Your Lordship.

Madam is asleep now.

Your Lordship.

You can see her,

but not today.

Are you done?

Jerk!

Zheng.

She's fine.

Don't worry.

During the ceremony,

she was very upset.

Jing, Hao Jia, and I

took her out to walk around.

And then this happened.

Yes, that's what happened.

It's up to you

whether you believe me or not.

I have sent her back.

I should go back now.

Thank you.

You promised me.

Yin Zheng.

You're a liar.

You promised me.

You liar.

Sorry.

I will

solve this issue.

Madam,

the Palace Affairs Ministry assigned us here.

Once the secretariat is established,

we will assist you in household management.

I go by Zhuang.

People in the palace call me Zhuang Momo.

We might

have some comments regarding the inner court.

After all, you're young

and inexperienced.

I hope you don't mind, Madam.

The four of us will be in charge of the servants,

the back garden,

the storeroom, and the miscellaneous items.

There are two keys to the storeroom.

One for us,

one for you.

Perhaps the Palace Affairs Department here has its own rules.

But in my residence,

Momos can only speak

after they are given permission.

Madam,

this must be a misunderstanding.

Zhuang Momo

merely wants to help you.

Having a secretariat is a serious matter

and we don't want any mishaps.

The four of us

are the most experienced,

and we're just concerned

because you just arrived.

Since you're that experienced,

let me raise a question.

Someone from the storeroom came to me today.

The person said the charcoal did not tally with the record.

Twenty liang of charcoal is missing.

Maids are the ones who go to claim the charcoals.

Some received the charcoals from the storeroom.

Some retrieved the charcoals on their own.

May I know

if this is how the four of you manage this matter?

You want the profit that comes with this post

but none of its responsibility.

If you can't shoulder the responsibility,

then this post doesn't need you.

I will appoint someone to deal with this.

You will report to me on a monthly basis.

But whenever I ask you something,

you need to have an answer.

I don't have a lot of hobbies

except for reading the ledgers.

I will be in charge

of all the ledgers

and the keys to the storeroom.

But I...

Did I say you can speak?

Unless summoned,

you're not to wander around.

Learn the rules with Superintendent Su here.

If you do well,

you'll be rewarded.

If you make a mistake,

you will be punished.

If you don't want to stay here,

I won't force you.

Just tell the Palace Affairs Department yourself.

Dismiss.

Noted.

Calm down now.

I checked the accounts

and found many discrepancies.

Thus, we need to downsize

and reduce our spending.

The two Momos who spoke just now.

What earrings are they wearing?

Madam,

the one on the right wears jade earrings.

The one beside wears silver earrings.

You two can stay.

As for you two, worry not.

I'll ask the Palace Affairs Department to reassign you somewhere.

-Noted. -Noted.

Tell me your names.

Madam,

I'm Shiliu.

She's Putao.

[Putao, Maid] Head Momo gave us our names

[Shiliu, Maid] to signify fertility.

I'm not here to bear children.

You're good at smooth-talking.

Do that in front of other important people

and you will have benefits from them.

But no need to butter me up.

I don't want those who contribute in silence

to feel disheartened.

Yes,

Madam.

If there's no one around,

don't call me "Madam".

Your Grace will do.

-Yes, Your Grace. -Yes, Your Grace.

Dismiss.

I reorganized the planning and the guest list for the banquet.

The previous one was too drawn-out.

A Water Banquet sounds fun,

but it's not suitable for an Inauguration Banquet.

Switch it back to a traditional feast.

I shall see it done now.

You must be Chef Liu Baoquan.

Yes,

Madam.

The menu for the Inauguration Banquet is here.

Please have a look.

Ask me if you have any questions.

But Madam,

Sixth Young Lord's Concubine's menu...

Her menu is ill-suited for the banquet.

The dishes are complicated.

If you get too busy that day,

you will rush everything.

Also,

people will drink on this occasion.

Avoid preparing sticky desserts that take a long while to digest.

Our guests will have indigestion otherwise.

Noted, Madam.

Thank you.

Back to work now.

Okay.

Grandaunt.

Greetings.

What did you call me, mister?

Mister?

Don't be formal.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Yin An, the Third Young Lord of Xin State.

My mother hails from Jin State.

She is the maternal granddaughter of your cousin.

We're distant enough

so no need to invoke our family.

I have to.

Look.

We're both from Jin State.

I'm sure you are savvy in business too.

I have many shops in Xin State.

If you're up for it,

we can work together.

I'll seek business opportunities out there

while you stay home and hand out loans.

Both of us will leave a legacy.

No, thanks.

I am not interested.

Grandaunt.

If you're not interested in loans,

what about shops?

East, West,

South, North.

Pick an area.

You give the money

and I'll handle the hard labor.

What do you think?

Pick any spot you want.

It's very lucrative.

Grandaunt!

Third Young Lord scares me today.

Is he from Jin State?

He doesn't look like one.

I heard he has many businesses out there.

His shops are all over the capital of Xin State.

That's a very Jin thing to do.

Madam.

I have done

all the things you asked me to.

Don't worry.

They will be executed to perfection.

Thank you.

If there's anything else, I...

There's something

that I need you to remember, Superintendent Su.

Oh, it's about the secretariat.

There are 88 clauses and 372 sub-clauses.

Madam.

Did you write them during your wedding night?

Yes.

I have others too,

and I need to hand them to you one by one

in case you mix them up.

Once we establish the secretariat,

everything has to stick to protocols.

Indeed.

One,

inner court attendants are not allowed to wander around.

They are to walk in tandem so that one can supervise the other.

Madam.

You memorized everything?

I always have a good memory.

Two,

it's hard to maintain the cleanliness of the outer court.

Unless duty calls, no one should head out.

Violators will receive 18 canings.

Madam.

I can read.

Please allow me to go through the material.

Listening is the best way of memorizing.

Three,

unless authorized by your masters,

inner court attendants cannot enter the Young Lord's study.

Irrelevant personnel cannot loiter before the study either.

The two doors connecting the study and the inner court

will be guarded by people on three shifts.

None shall leave their posts without a valid reason.

Violators will receive 18 canings.

[Fun]

Madam.

Madam, are you leaving?

I have asked around.

His Lordship mandated this wedding.

It has nothing to do with the Sixth Young Lord.

His hands were tied.

Yuping, say something.

Don't you want Madam

and Young Lord to be together?

At this point,

staying here will just prolong her suffering.

Why don't we give up?

Then...

Bring some food with you, Madam.

There, there.

We will meet again.

It's so hard for two individuals

to be together.

Changes are inevitable.

I don't blame him.

I just don't want him anymore.

I know he was dealt a rough hand,

but I

can't accept this outcome.

His Lordship?

Li Wei isn't here.

Don't come in, Your Lordship.

I want to speak with you.

I don't want to.

I have laid everything bare with Princess Yuan Ying.

The conversation between you and your wife

is none of my business.

Please leave at once.

Li Wei.

Madam.

His Lordship must be upset too.

Please talk to him.

No.

Talk to him if you want.

As I said, I don't want to talk to you.

It's me.

I just passed by the garden.

Guess what I heard.

What?

Yuan Ying asserts her dominance right away.

She returned all the people

the Palace Affairs Department sent here

and made new rules.

No one can approach the study.

Violators will receive 18 canings.

No one can loiter alone.

Violators will receive 18 canings.

No one can leave without permission.

Violators will receive 18 canings!

Let's go.

Let's prank her.

According to the huaben,

I won't survive past this chapter.

I have to run now.

Oh, my!

You coward.

Zheng and you love each other.

How can you hand your lover away?

What love each other?

I do not love him.

I have to flee.

Madam.

My Madam asks for your presence.

Please.

Miss Song.

I would like to speak with Li Wei.

Please give us some privacy.

If I leave now,

who knows what bad things you'll do

to my best friend here?

Besides,

why should I...

I have no reasons to stand here.

God bless you.

Take care.

Miss Li.

Please be at ease.

I...

am not nervous.

Can you read a ledger?

Have you managed the accounts for His Lordship?

No.

[Accounting]

Distribution of monthly wages.

Human resource management.

Do you know them?

I have read some books

so I have an inkling.

[Internal Affairs] No then.

Banquet reception

and dining etiquette.

Do you know them?

I have learned a bit.

Food is my forte.

Your forte?

I have gone through the banquet menu.

There are a lot of problems.

Feel free to amend it.

I'm busy. I have to go.

Stop.

[Hosting, Etiquette, Reception]

Come with me to see the Sixth Young Lord

to sort everything out.

Why?

I don't want to see him.

If you can talk,

you learn to correct the misunderstanding.

If you can hear,

you learn to listen.

Don't run away from problems

because you're embarrassed or afraid.

This back-and-forth

is just a waste of time.

Come.

Misunderstanding?

I have discussed it with the Sixth Young Lord.

When he gains a foothold in the court assembly,

he will release me.

Why?

Surprised?

I do not wish to meddle in your relationship.

My father thinks I'm coveted

and he wishes to sell my marriage.

And so,

he selects the one with the most potential

among the Young Lords of Xin State.

I am forced to be here

but this is just a minor setback.

For Yin Zheng,

I am his tactician.

As for you,

he wants you

to be his rightful spouse.

Make up your mind now.

If you agree to this,

I will tutor you.

I will supervise your study and your etiquette

until you're fit to manage the inner court.

Are you

up for this?

I don't know.

I have to think about it.

My presence

in Xin State is an error that's pending correction.

Forcing a marriage

is like forcing a deal.

I never stop fighting back.

You two have feelings for each other.

Do you

want to admit defeat already?

Li Wei.

I know

you're upset

because he didn't turn back from the arrangement.

But I have failed before too.

It's no surprise that he can get stumped too.

The Sixth Young Lord has potential.

Once he matures,

he can overcome all obstacles

and be with you forever.

Okay.

That's a deal then.

For the future the three of us want,

we

cannot give up.

What are they talking about?

I can't hear anything.

Judging from their expressions,

is Yuan Ying expelling Li Wei?

I don't think so.

Li Wei.

I already have a plan for you.

You will

follow it to the teeth

and be the dutiful spouse you can be.

Shiliu.

Let's not rush things.

I concur, Your Lordship.

These books are for you.

Only the top one

is for Li Wei.

Is that Li Wei's repudiation paper?

I can't believe it.

She asked Zheng to give Li Wei the repudiation paper himself.

I have also devised a plan

[Jin State's Commerce Records] for Your Lordship.

What

Your Lordship has to tackle now

is the amortized payment to Jin State.

Xin State hasn't brought up anything about the repayment,

so I suppose

the financing plans other Young Lords proposed

are not to His Lordship's satisfaction.

This will be the Sixth Young Lord's window of opportunity.

I can't agree further.

May I know

if I can

quit the plan altogether?

I want to go home.

-No. -No.

How can you say no?

What gives you the right to say no, Your Lordship?

Sorry.

If we're clear,

get on with your duties.

Study now.

Yuan Ying.

You will not repudiate Li Wei in an attempt

to claim dominion over this household!

Miss!

It's okay, Li Wei.

I won't run away this time.

Only I get to expel you.

I

won't let her do that.

Song Wu.

She didn't expel me.

You tore the document Yuan Ying gave me.

Song Wu.

Apologize.

I...

Why should I?

Miss Song is the goddaughter of Madam He.

She doesn't belong to this household,

so I have no right to intervene.

I shall inform Madam He of this matter

and let her adjudicate.

I'm sorry.

The document has been shredded.

An apology will not restore it to its former self.

But Li Wei

has to read this book.

So please,

Miss Song,

please glue all those pieces

one by one

together.

♪What can be considered the best delicacies in the world?♪

♪Have some warm tea and enjoy the peace♪

♪Apricot blossoms fall into the river while fish swim around♪

♪Finish the fragrant liquor in front of you♪

♪What kind of life do we yearn for?♪

♪Making a brew with the morning dew while appreciating the moon and stars♪

♪The falling snowflakes and the spring breeze are both mesmerizing♪

♪Magnificent scenery arouses inspiration for poems and paintings♪

♪Seasonal views are gorgeous beyond words♪

♪Meeting you is my greatest pleasure♪

♪Against sparkling city lights and in a candlelit house♪

♪Someone is waiting for me♪

♪A simple meal tastes great too♪

♪Life is precious because you're around♪

♪The red carp and green plums are just in season♪

♪The greatest moment in life♪

♪Is when we're together♪

♪What kind of life do we yearn for?♪

♪Making a brew with the morning dew while appreciating the moon and stars♪

♪The falling snowflakes and the spring breeze are both mesmerizing♪

♪Magnificent scenery arouses inspiration for poems and paintings♪

♪Seasonal views are gorgeous beyond words♪

♪Meeting you is my greatest pleasure♪

♪Against sparkling city lights and in a candlelit house♪

♪Someone is waiting for me♪

♪A simple meal tastes great too♪

♪Life is precious because you're around♪

♪The red carp and green plums are just in season♪

♪The greatest moment in life♪

♪Is when we're together♪

♪A simple meal tastes great too♪

♪Life is precious because you're around♪

♪The red carp and green plums are just in season♪

♪The greatest moment in life♪