Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

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

[Episode 20]

Of all people, you picked a bookstore owner.

It's his family business.

His parents had passed away

and he manages the bookstore to feed himself and his sister.

He has even saved enough for his tuition fee

and is preparing for the Imperial Examination with his tutor.

I have met him.

He is a trustworthy person.

But his lowly background...

What if he has a hidden agenda?

Worry not, Madam He.

We have put his character to the test.

He isn't an opportunist.

Madam.

Allow us to recount what happened lately.

You will get the full picture.

Song Wu and I went to the night market,

but we lost our way in the crowd.

[Jingyuan]

What's the matter?

What's going on?

Someone owes you money?

No one.

I need to tell you something. Come.

I helped Song Wu to impress Song Wu.

Her Ladyship knew about it and summoned Song Wu before scolding her.

I was there, so I thought I should defend Song Wu,

but they just laughed at me.

What did you say?

I said

Song Wu's thoughtless tactic was just a one-time thing.

She stapped before it's too late, so she should be forgiven.

But Song Wu admonished me for my pronunciation.

It's S-T-O-P.

Stop before it's too late.

She said when I mispronounced like that, I was slurring.

Then Her Ladyship made me copy a text as my punishment.

I was trying so hard not to correct them.

They are so dumb.

It's S-T-A-P.

Definitely. I agree.

S-T-A-P.

Stap before it's too late.

I know, right?

But I have to say that you can't talk back to Her Ladyship

because it makes her look bad.

Right.

My brain hurts whenever I think about this.

And now that I bring it up... Oh, it hurts.

It hurts so much.

What are you doing?

I'm tired.

I just want to rest my head on your shoulder.

If you're tired,

I can help you copy part of the text.

Sure.

If you copy it...

Your handwriting is illegible.

What about my handwriting?

What about it?

Copy it yourself.

I can't be bothered now.

But Shangguan... I didn't mean that...

I'm sorry.

Can each of us copy half of the text?

Zheng, you finally came here to have dinner with your mother.

Indeed.

He has been busy with Mo State's affairs lately.

Zheng, you did a great job regarding it.

I still haven't asked you what reward you desire.

I do have a favor to ask.

Do tell.

Mother and I found a suitable husband for Princess Kening.

I hope that you can authorize this union, Father.

Who is he?

A candidate.

A commoner.

There is a difference in their statuses.

But Yin Zheng showed me an article he wrote.

I quite like it.

Is that so?

He is talented indeed.

Song Wu is reckless.

Having a serious husband to look after her will do her good,

I reckon.

But she is your adopted daughter and I gave her a title too.

Imagine.

A princess marries a commoner.

Is that appropriate?

Although he came from a lowly background,

he is as smart as his articles, so if he aces the exam...

Even if he does ace the exam,

Song Wu cannot marry him.

Otherwise, all our young lords and princesses

will demand freedom of marriage.

Is that adequate?

For all the heirs of the Xin Palace, marriage is a duty.

You can't indulge her temper and we cannot break the rules

for her alone.

Your Lordship.

I understand your concerns.

It is not right to break the rules for me alone.

And so, I volunteer to relinquish my royal title.

Silence!

Mother.

I did not say that on a whim.

It's a win-win solution.

He is the man I love.

I will not regret this.

By expelling me, it will warn other residents of this palace

that violators

will end up like me.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

I just want to be a commoner.

Please grant me my wish.

Song Wu.

Will you regret what you just said?

Never.

Song Wu.

They said if I remained a princess, I couldn't be with you.

But now, I'm no longer a princess.

I'm not the Princess Kening of the Xin Palace.

I'm not the adopted daughter of Madam He either.

From now on,

I'm just a commoner whose name pronounces similarly to you.

I have nothing with me.

Do you still want to be with me?

I don't care about all that.

I only care about you.

[Chengming Pavilion]

A cup of tea to honor you, Zheng.

I am a commoner now.

Before I get married, I cannot stay in your residence anymore.

For years, you looked after me and put up with me.

There are too many things I want to thank you for,

but I shall not enumerate them.

This cup of tea will represent my gratitude.

I will not forget your kindness.

I'm not used to your being

all serious and proper.

Regardless if you are a princess or not,

we are a family.

I will always be your brother.

Princess Yuan Ying.

Thank you for your guidance.

Thank you so much.

Have tea, Your Grace.

This is still your home.

Feel free to come back whenever.

Li Wei, do you know?

I used to hate you.

I hate you too.

You just have to say this even though you're leaving.

But now...

I don't want to leave you.

If he mistreats

or bullies you,

we will make him pay.

Jinzhan.

Jinping.

I will leave each of you some of my personal savings.

Once your indenture is over,

it will be your dowry.

Young Lady...

I have to go now.

No need to see me off.

Thank you

for taking care of me all these times.

I shall

bid farewell now.

I envy her.

She can lead the life she wants.

She can go wherever she wants

and do whatever she desires.

I used half the sugar for the dessert today.

It's summertime now

and I figure less sugar will make it less sickening.

It's delicious.

Thank you, Chef Liu.

It's my duty.

Your Lordship, you just took office in the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

According to the precedence, we have to hold a state banquet.

Yes.

State banquet?

All other eight states have ambassadors here

in Xin State for more effective communication.

With a new head of Nine State Affairs,

a state banquet needs to be held to welcome the ambassadors from the eight states.

That's a state banquet.

Since you don't know this, I suppose it's because you haven't finished

reading the Royal Banquets of Nine States that I marked for you?

Copy the text when you're back.

You will be busy, Your Lordship.

Let Li Wei and I handle the banquet.

If she wants to be the Sixth Young Madam,

she needs to be able to hold a banquet on her own.

This is a good learning opportunity.

I shall bring up the feasibility of female entrepreneurship

to Father too after the banquet.

I know all of you are setting up a restaurant,

but please, don't do anything illegal.

It'll be troublesome otherwise.

Don't worry.

Yuan Ying and I will organize the perfect state banquet.

Thank you for your understanding, Your Lordship.

We will do our best.

Thank you.

Come on. Eat.

[State Banquet Plan]

Based on your lecture

and my experience from the inauguration banquet,

I have simplified the plan of the state banquet.

In terms of seating, I separated the ambassadors

from Dan State and Mo State.

They are not on good terms, so they should sit together.

In terms of the menu, Liu Baoquan and I have discussed

and agreed on plainer dishes that go well with the liquor.

That way, no guests will suffer from indigestion or an upset stomach.

In terms of beverages, water for His Lordship.

But liquor will be served to others according to their states.

Miss Yuan Ying, you can have a look at the details later.

Sixth Young Madam, our madam here worked really hard this time.

She spent several sleepless nights planning this.

Praise me.

I'll give you an eight this time.

You made good progress.

Once I leave, you will become an excellent spouse.

I wasn't expecting this.

I wanted to organize this banquet properly

so that the Lord of Xin State would allow women to run a business.

That way, Haitang and others can set up a restaurant out there.

One small step for us, one huge leap for the women of Xin State.

I'll stick with my planning then.

Go ahead.

Is this truly beautiful?

Should we get something less pronounced?

No.

This is great.

You look amazing in this gown.

Indeed, Madam.

You need a bright color to complement your jade-like skin.

Really?

I'm getting shy.

You're strong, Madam.

Come on. Have a seat.

Madam looks so different today.

I know, right?

Madam here is a natural beauty, all right?

What did they say again?

No matter how bad something is, there is still some value in it.

Look.

For this banquet, you planned everything,

from the menu to the schedule.

You are holding your ground as a wife.

Hush now.

I don't want anyone else to hear this.

But this is a fact.

No.

Regardless of how close I am with Princess Yuan Ying,

you cannot say that.

Understood?

- Yes. - Yes.

Madam is so pretty.

[Jingyuan]

Your Grace.

Please board the carriage.

Madam, may we speak?

Madam... So, only Sixth Young Madam is allowed to attend the banquet.

But why?

Her Ladyship

just instructed so.

But Li Wei was present too during the inauguration banquet.

The inauguration banquet took place in the mansion.

The state banquet is a proper business

and it is held in the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Her Ladyship is overseeing everything, so I can't help it.

It's okay.

Just board.

No...

Don't worry.

It's just a banquet.

And if I attend, I have to meet Sixth Young Lord's colleagues.

I don't know them.

I'll panic.

I can stay.

There are so many things to do in this mansion.

When I went to Mo State,

you had to look after this mansion on your own.

Now, it's Baifu's and my turn.

Don't worry.

But Li Wei...

What's the matter?

Let's go.

Baifu is sick.

I have to stay to look after him.

You can go first.

Yes.

Exactly.

Your Lordship, it's getting late.

This is serious business.

Let's not dally.

Don't miss the auspicious hour.

Go now.

Remember to bring me two packs

of Chen's mung bean cakes when you return.

He won't forget.

Sixth Young Lord will not forget.

Board the carriage now.

I'm telling you.

Madam will crave this when she comes back.

Madam, why are you here?

Where is His Lordship?

I feel tired.

I don't want to go,

so I let them attend it.

Tired?

It can't be.

You were so excited.

I wasn't.

It's just a banquet.

I set the menu myself.

I know what I will eat.

There's nothing delicious anyway.

I have to respect many rules,

and I won't have enough to eat.

Why should I go?

She's crying.

What's going on?

It's just a pipe dream.

I'm used to it.

What?

What pipe dream?

What does it mean?

It means everything is in vain.

Lousy Xin State

with its lousy laws.

The head of nine states?

Any other state is better than you.

Who made those rules anyway?

He must be

cruel,

heartless,

inhumane, and a despicable jerk.

Madam.

Mince your words now.

You're cursing at the previous Lord of Xin State.

Yes, Madam.

Curse softer.

If Sixth Young Lord hears this, you'll be in trouble.

Exactly.

Him?

According to my planning,

he should be...

He should be drinking now.

I hope he got drunk and made a fool of himself in front of everyone.

Made a fool of himself?

No idea.

Careful, Madam.

What?

Even you have to do this to me too?

- Your Lordship! - Your Lordship!

Your Lordship.

Are you okay?

Your Lordship.

Get up now.

Who did this?

Bear with me.

I was worried about you, so I came back early.

You sure had a good aim.

Sorry.

I didn't do it on purpose.

I know it was unfair to you.

I'm sorry.

If you're upset, just tell me.

Don't keep it to yourself.

Xin State has so many lousy rules.

Each of them

is there to make life more difficult.

I worked so hard to make this state banquet happen.

I toiled and devised many, many plans.

And when I was about to witness the fruit of my labor,

I couldn't just because they said no.

You aren't at fault.

I'm not at fault.

Miss Yuan Ying isn't at fault.

But no one is happy.

What can I do?

I have told you everything.

Just leave me alone.

Let me calm down for a few days.

Baifu,

was I too harsh?

Your father has a bruise on his head.

I should be there to look after him.

But I'm sad.

You're a dog from Xin State.

Do you like this place?

One day, I'll bring you to Ji State.

It's picturesque

and free.

You'll love it.

It'll be much, much better than this place.

You're still awake. Are you torturing Baifu here?

You're awake too.

Go play now.

I

came to apologize.

Why?

Her Ladyship did that because I am the Princess of Jin State.

Others are saying that the Sixth Young Lord treats you better.

She forbade your presence because she didn't want to hurt my pride.

You worked so hard yet you couldn't attend it.

It's my fault.

It's not your fault.

It's all the lousy rules in Xin State's fault.

Maybe one day,

we can become the ones who break the status quo.

You handle everything flawlessly.

I thought

you got along perfectly with the rules.

But that doesn't mean I agree with them.

I'm just powerless to change them at the moment.

I have always believed that I am better than my brothers

and that I'm more suitable to take office.

But alas, Jin State has never had a female official.

So I can only follow the rules and marry into this place.

Being a female official

is just a dream.

No.

Whatever you want to do, you will achieve it.

I have faith in you.

Thank you.

Maybe one day,

I'll be powerful enough to change the rules,

to be free from discrimination.

And then,

I want to protect more women.

I want them to be able to go wherever and do whatever they want.

I don't have a sublime goal like that.

I just want

a life of freedom where I can protect whoever I want to protect.

May all the women in this world

can live however they want.

That will make all the current hardships worth it.

[Tuanyuan Restaurant]

Zheng.

You got hit, didn't you?

Your face now reminds me of when Shangguan hit me.

It's the same look.

Thou shalt be shamed.

What does it mean?

It means you're ugly.

You're ugly.

Come on, Zheng.

A toast for you.

Your state banquet was a huge success.

Those old-timers in the Ministry of Nine States Affairs

praised you a lot.

It's all thanks to them.

Who?

Them both.

So the three of you are living harmoniously.

What are you implying?

Seems like you're in a good mood.

Zheng.

Do you know?

I feel like Jing and I are becoming closer.

She changed.

Earlier on, Her Ladyship asked me to copy a text as my punishment.

She helped me copy half of it.

Is she... She owes you money?

She wants to flee?

Excuse you!

Not only are you two ugly, but you're also mean.

Whatever.

An, why are you not in the mood today?

I don't get it.

I treated them so well.

Why would they do this to me?

Help yourselves.

Thank you.

What Sixth Young Lord said was real?

He would support our decision to open a restaurant?

He did say that,

but whether the Lord of Xin State would agree to it is another issue.

We'll see about that.

It's already very kind of Sixth Young Lord to voice his support.

He's such a good man.

Much better than Stupid An.

Tell me about it.

We finally got out of that place.

May we never see him again in this life.

Informing the Lord of Xin State is a risky move.

But due to our unusual background, we have to inform the palace.

Otherwise, it might backfire.

But if His Lordship vetoes it,

we'll have to forget about running a restaurant.

Don't worry.

We understand.

We're in the same boat now.

If there's any risk, we will shoulder it together.

Even if we fail, we won't die.

There will be another way.

I've been thinking.

We're setting up a restaurant now.

But in the future, we might be able to help more women.

It's premature to think that far into the future, however.

Who cares?

If you need funds, just come to me.

Cheers.

Come to us too.

Me too.

- Here. - Cheers.

This is the plan Li Wei and I devised.

We can start by selecting the restaurant address.

Using the 48 streets on the East Market as an example,

there are 20 slots in total available to let.

We can split and check those places before deciding.

The details of it!

As expected from Yuan Ying.

How can you talk business without me?

Song Wu!

Come on in.

How dare you exclude me from this great deal?

Have you eaten?

I have.

But the dish here looks way more enticing.

I shall have another meal.

Why are you here by the way?

Speaking of this... All of you, I tell you.

If I hadn't run into Haitang on the street that day,

heaven knows how long you would hide this from me.

We didn't mean to keep you in the dark.

You are planning to marry Mr. Song.

We didn't want you to be too tired, so we didn't tell you.

You're getting married?

Congratulations.

Congratulations!

Thank you, Your Grace.

Thank you, everyone.

My Song Wu is such a wonderful person.

He aced the exam in one go.

So Mother selected an auspicious date for us.

The eighth day of next month.

I expect all of you there.

Definitely.

Let's not change the topic.

Even if I'm getting married, it doesn't mean you can lie to me.

This is a lucrative business.

There's no way I'm staying out of it.

I'll invest in this too.

Sure.

How much?

Tell Yuan Ying and me. We will jot it down.

Good.

My friends, once the restaurant is up and running, if you need help,

just tell me.

I'll work here too.

It's much better than staying home.

Come if you don't mind.

Staying home is boring anyway.

I envy you.

You have a soulmate and a happy life.

How nice.

For you.

Come on.

May all women in this world live a happy life.

Okay.

Cheers.

Look at your store.

Why can't you let us rent it?

Letting a woman rent a store?

I have never heard of this in Xin State.

This will bring misfortune.

Who said women are a sign of misfortune?

A woman gave birth to you.

Stop making a scene here.

We are not.

No woman should come out and run a business.

Your husband should discipline you.

This is unbelievable.

We just want to start a business and you're here insulting us.

Who is the one making a scene here?

I am not insulting you.

I'm teaching you how to behave.

Read the law, then.

Which clause said [Laws of Xin State] that women couldn't go out

and start a business?

[To Let] I will not rent this store out to women.

Even if I close this place down due to my mismanagement,

it is still a place I inherited.

It will not be defiled.

So renting it to women is defiling it now?

Come out now.

Argue with me.

[No female tenant allowed]

Come out!

Forget it.

He is not going to listen.

The time we spent arguing with him

could be spent on finding a good location.

He is barbaric, but that doesn't mean everyone is.

You two, go that side.

We'll go that side.

See you in a bit.

We have visited all the available stores in the north and the south of the city.

The west of the city is too far, so it's out of our consideration.

We only have the three stores in the east of the city left.

Financially,

if we use part of the fund for the rental and decoration,

and another part of it on daily expenditures...

I have done the calculations.

We will only have enough money to last a month.

Please don't tell me we will run out of money

before we can find a storefront.

What should we do?

Will we be able to find a store within a month?

I wonder too.

What should we do?

Bring this bangle with you.

If you're in a pinch, it might be able to help you.

I still have a bangle here.

No.

You already poured in a lot of money.

And the bangle looks expensive.

Keep it.

But we need the money now.

Wei, just keep it.

Enough. Stop it.

I have the solution.

This... This is... Don't get the wrong idea.

It's not mine.

It's Sisi's.

She couldn't carry it, so I helped her.

Let me unwrap it.

Wow.

Sisi, this is yours?

I don't have anything else.

Except for money.

Sisi.

We can't possibly take this.

You'll have the final say for the restaurant in the future.

No need.

I don't know how to manage it.

I'll let you run it.

I'll take this golden pixiu as your investment.

In the future, you will receive dividends based on its market price.

Sure.

In my opinion, since all of us know nothing about management.

Why don't we let Yuan Ying and Li Wei handle it?

We will just be your assistants.

If you need help, let us know.

Sure.

Oh, right.

How goes the store-hunting?

Don't bring it up.

In the entire Xin State, no one accepts female tenants.

Are they crazy?

I'll come with you later.

If they look down on us, I'll impale them with my spear.

Renting a store

will be the least of the trouble we will face in the future.

Many more problems will arise

and they can't all be solved with violence.

We need another solution.

Enjoy, misters.

Sure.

The sum is right.

All right.

Come again next time.

[Shopkeeper Zhou, Tuanyuan Restaurant] The owner is so stingy.

We have a lot of customers here, but he won't recruit more workers.

He is treating us as slaves.

You won't be able to work even if you want to in a few days.

I heard the owner is selling this place.

Is it true?

The night market is all the rage lately,

so we have to open at night too.

But the owner thinks it's too much work

and he wants to retire in Ji State.

Once the owner sells this place, I don't know where to go.

The owner and I come from the same state.

If he's selling the place, why not me?

Indeed.

We like this place.

Ask your owner to name a price.

You two are...

The sale of this place is a matter that's pending further discussion.

The owner did say this, but he isn't truly looking for a buyer.

You claimed he wants to sell this place just now.

What changed your mind suddenly?

Why?

Because we are women?

Of course not.

Fellow heroines.

Madams, it's not that we don't want to sell it to you.

We are... I understand your concern.

No woman in Xin State has started a business before.

But since we're here for business, let's talk about mutual profits.

Mutual profits?

Are you saying that you can give the owner

a much better deal than others?

It's not a deal with the owner.

It's a deal with you.

Me?

A deal with me?

Tuanyuan Restaurant is located by the main thoroughfare.

Any businessman who can buy this place

must already have a solid foothold in this city.

They will already have a shopkeeper they trust.

In that case, they won't keep all of you here.

Shopkeeper Zhou, if you can help us convince the owner, I promise

that I won't fire those who wish to work here.

I don't know all of you very well.

As you're already aware, Xin State

has never had a business run by women before.

If you mismanage the restaurant and it has to be closed down...

If we have to close down, you'll need to hire new people.

We can leave a promissory note

that says if the restaurant is closed down due to mismanagement,

you're allowed to seek another employer.

But we will continue to pay you for six months.

Besides, if you help us close this deal,

you are entitled to a commission fee.

No matter what,

you won't suffer a loss.

I suppose I can tell you this too.

We plan to buy this place

to set up a restaurant that sells dishes from all states.

We can use exotic dishes to attract local customers

and allow foreigners to have a taste of home.

Xin State is a melting pot.

Many travelers crave their comfort food.

Shopkeeper Zhou.

Judging from your accent, you must be a foreigner too.

Yes, I am.

You have to leave home and work here.

Having a taste of home will make you feel good, won't it?

We will welcome female customers too.

Xin State is lacking in a women-friendly leisure spot.

It's a gold mine, isn't it?

Shopkeeper Zhou.

I'm sure you're experienced and knowledgeable.

Surely you understand the profits in this endeavor?

Pioneers often make the biggest fortune.

I see.

[Tuanyuan Restaurant]

We are already here.

Are we just going to sit here and do nothing?

You're the one doing nothing.

Fine, you're doing something.

Are we not going in to help them?

They said they want to do it on their own.

We have to give them autonomy.

So have faith in them.

Have faith? That's easy to say.

Do you have faith in them?

Why are you here then?

Well, I don't have faith in you.

It seems like you care a lot about Princess Shangguan now.

No way.

I... Staying home alone is boring.

I want to get some air.

You...

I miss her.

What's wrong with that?

She's my wife.

I miss her.

I'm within my rights to miss her.

I should miss her.

I can miss her.

Don't you miss Li Wei?

They're out now.

Let's go, Yuan Ying.

Here.

Careful.

Come on.

They look happy.

It went well, I suppose.

Just smile already.

Don't hold it in.

Get your horse off you.

It's "get off your high horse".

Back to home.

♪ The southern wind meets the dew ♪

♪ The moonlight is whispering to the red candle ♪

♪ There is nothing special ♪

♪ But why is my mind in a trance? ♪

♪ And why am I hesitating? ♪

♪ I'm afraid you might find out my feelings for you when you look into my eyes ♪

♪ I try hard to remain calm ♪

♪ But my heart is racing because of you ♪

♪ I try hard to hide my feelings ♪

♪ But where should I lay my eyes on? ♪

♪ No words are needed now ♪

♪ My feelings do not matter anymore ♪

♪ I turn those wonderful memories into a story ♪

♪ There's no need for words if the feeling is mutual ♪

♪ I got lost in my emotions ♪

♪ Love is nowhere to be found ♪

♪ There are no more distractions ♪

♪ I only wish we could enjoy three meals and four seasons together ♪

♪ The southern wind meets the dew ♪

♪ The moonlight is whispering to the red candle ♪

♪ There is nothing special ♪

♪ But why is my mind in a trance? ♪

♪ And why am I hesitating? ♪

♪ I'm afraid you might find out my feelings for you when you look into my eyes ♪

♪ I try hard to remain calm ♪

♪ But my heart is racing because of you ♪

♪ I try hard to hide my feelings ♪

♪ But where should I lay my eyes on? ♪