Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

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

[Episode 34]

He was fine just now

and he suddenly has a stomach ache.

He has a stomach ache.

Where is he?

He's here.

Hurry up.

Madam.

Yin Zheng.

Yin Zheng.

Yin Zheng, are you all right?

Yin Zheng.

I can hold out a bit longer.

Why hold out?

Let's go to the imperial physician.

Look at the lights

in the water first.

I'm fine.

You are faking it, aren't you?

I didn't mean to pick a fight during the day,

I was just a little...

A little jealous?

I was not jealous.

Yes,

Sixth Young Lord of Xin State was jealous.

In fact, I was the one

who made today's dishes and those that Xiao Yang cooked

last time when he was here.

But I was mad when you said something

very harsh.

I knew you misunderstood.

I learned from him

because I wanted to learn how to cook for you.

If you have any problems in the future, just tell me.

I just thought you were from the same hometown, you had a lot to talk about,

and he could cook.

If...

If we fell in love,

we could always go back to Ji State.

I can't help it if you think so.

I didn't mean that.

What to do?

I just want to go home with you.

Xiao Yang and I are just friends from the same hometown.

He is a good friend of Ninth Young Lord.

Shouldn't we, as his brother and sister-in-law,

take care of him?

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

I didn't know my wise and powerful Sixth Young Lord

would get jealous.

I like you.

I only like you.

I like you the most.

What's wrong?

You don't know how to react if you're not drunk?

Who says I don't know how to react?

Li Wei,

I want to make you my rightful spouse.

Are you saying

you want me to be your wife?

Father has agreed,

but it is up to you if you want to.

If...

There is no if.

I won't let that kind of thing happen again.

♪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♪

Since Third Young Lord took over the Ministry of Revenue,

he has not been slack in his work.

The new monetary system is now being implemented with great success,

so I have written a record of it

for your perusal.

Fourth Young Lord is dedicated to his work and coordinated all parties

to achieve the desired result.

My Lord,

no staff of other ministries was seconded by the Ministry of Revenue

to promote the new money in the outer states.

The two Young Lords have managed well indeed.

I also believe

that it is a blessing for Xin State

that the two young lords are working well together.

I agree.

Very good.

However, you must still have to be diligent in your duties in the future

and not slacken off.

Yes, My Lord.

I will follow Third Young Lord

and do my best.

Fourth Young Lord has gained the support of the people,

including those who used to be under

Second Young Lord's command.

Jun used to hide his talents

because of Song.

The more those who were disliked by Song,

the more he treated them well.

All these

have come in useful now.

I know

your nature.

You know the ways of the world, but you don't try to please anyone.

But the flatterers in the court

are often more favored than the pragmatists.

You must not lose the upper hand because of this.

There is a limit to a person's energy.

If I were to look into the ways of the world,

I would be neglectful of public affairs.

I am not a pedant,

but I have chosen my way.

There is already a definitive conclusion to this.

Those who deserve to win

will always win.

I know this place.

I won't get it wrong again.

Ten li ahead

is the city gate of Ming'an County.

Let's

part ways here.

Take care.

Yin Qi.

Actually,

if you...

Watch out!

Are you dead?

Are you all right?

How are you?

You've hurt your hand.

Are you still hurt anywhere?

No.

Are you still hurt anywhere?

You've hurt your own head

and you don't feel it.

I'm fine.

I have a head of steel.

Are you all right?

Do you feel unwell anywhere else?

I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.

I am being a drag on you.

I am useless.

I'll never follow you again.

Are you sure you won't follow me?

Are you sure?

I was scared.

I was scared

when you rolled down the hill just now.

I was scared

of what I would do

if you were killed

or seriously injured in the fall.

I can't be too good in the martial world by myself anyway.

I need to have some weaknesses.

And you don't know anything.

How are you going to live

without me?

You may as well follow me.

You're right.

You've got something pinching me.

The candy you gave me.

It's sweet.

[I, Yin An, and Yin Jun propose a reduction in agricultural taxation...]

It seems that Third Young Lord and Fourth Young Lord

have already planned

for the reduction of agricultural taxes in the nine states.

Yes.

My Lord, I think

you have long intended to do this

in consideration of the people.

But it's only because of the differences in the nine states

that it is difficult to implement a unified method,

that's why it has yet to be carried out.

My Lord,

Third Young Lord suggested

that I should first negotiate with the Ministry of Agriculture of each state

and that we should draw up a general charter

and the other parties should reply with suggestions.

It will be completed with the amendment

of its by-laws.

I have done so.

At present, all nine states have responded to the request

except for Jin State and Dan State.

That's good.

Anyway,

why is the Ministry of Revenue doing the work

of dealing with the Ministry of Agriculture of the outer states instead?

My Lord,

this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

However, it was a kind act

of Fourth Young Lord

to save our staff from having to travel.

As a token of appreciation,

the Ministry of Nine States Affairs has also presented something

to the Ministry of Revenue.

The reduction of agricultural taxes is bound to result in a deficit for the treasury

and it would be necessary to balance the books.

Sixth Young Lord's right.

I think

the number of merchants in our state is growing

and their revenue is increasing,

so we should collect additional tax from them,

which is based on the annual income of the merchants.

My Lord,

the market in Xin State has opened,

but there are many small and new businesses,

so they're only making a small profit at this time.

If they were to be taxed at a flat rate,

they would not be able to survive until next year.

Therefore, I suggest

that the rated method be followed.

Merchants with a quarterly income of less than 30,000 taels

are exempted from taxation,

while those with a quarterly income of 30,000 taels or more

are categorized according to a tax scale

in order to benefit the people.

The grain cannot be overfed,

and the wood cannot be overused.

The Ministry of Revenue also intends to do so

but has not yet reported it.

I didn't expect that we actually share the same view.

Sixth Young Lord's thoughtfulness

is truly a blessing to Xin State.

So does the Ministry of Revenue.

Good.

Since you two are in agreement,

this matter will be handled jointly

by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Yes, My Lord.

This is so interesting.

Take it.

Zai.

You're finally back.

Why are you here?

Sixth Young Lord.

Madam went to Nancheng to visit her relatives.

Eleventh Young Lord did not want to live alone in the palace

and kept saying that he wants to see you,

so I brought him here.

I want to live here.

I want to play with you and Wei.

Just stay here then.

All right.

Su Shen,

arrange a room for him.

Okay.

No,

I don't want to be alone.

I want to sleep with you and Wei.

You're old enough

to sleep alone.

I can't sleep by myself.

Zheng, don't let me sleep alone.

You can't sleep with me even if you can't sleep alone.

Come sleep with us then.

It's almost time for bed.

I can't sleep.

Why don't you tell me a story?

Children deserve bedtime stories.

No one read me a bedtime story when I was a kid.

Let your wife read bedtime stories

to you in the future.

That's for later.

What do you want to hear now?

I want to hear your story.

How did you two meet?

That starts with

when Wei stole food.

You can't talk nonsense.

That's not true.

You can't lie.

You can't lie to kids.

Watch your words.

I got it.

Zheng, tell me now.

It was almost two years ago.

I was about to have my lunch

when I suddenly noticed that my food was not right.

Every dish looked like it had been eaten by rats,

especially the cutlet,

which only had four pieces left.

Three pieces.

Only had three pieces left.

I wondered who had stolen my lunch,

and when I got to the kitchen,

I found a girl sneaking around.

A beautiful girl.

She's lying again.

No.

Dig in.

Wei,

I want to eat meat.

Meat?

It's hard to digest meat this early in the morning.

Why don't I ask the kitchen

to make you some meat at lunchtime?

No,

I want to eat meat now.

Try this.

This dish is so tasty.

I brought it from Ji State.

No,

I want to eat meat.

How about we eat eggs?

No.

Eggs are considered meat.

I don't like eggs.

They smell like the feces of chicken.

Why are you

such a picky eater?

You know how hard it is to serve a picky eater?

Come on, have some meat.

Zheng,

didn't you use to live in the palace?

Why did you suddenly move out?

Zheng,

you eat with Wei every day.

Why doesn't my father have meals with my mother?

I've heard it said

that the ministers have recently taken a liking to Jun.

Then you can play with me all day.

Zai,

don't ask him so many questions at once.

He can't answer them all.

Why?

My mother said that Zheng is very clever.

Does he

actually know nothing?

The boy is not little anymore.

We can just send him to school.

It makes sense.

Kids should go to school.

That's right.

He should be better off with guidance and discipline

of a teacher.

Yes.

Let's eat.

What is school?

A good place.

A good place.

[Little by Little, A Little Becomes A Lot]

Mister.

Mister.

Sixth Young Lord,

you're finally here.

Sixth Young Lord,

I can't teach this kid anymore.

Eleventh Young Lord

came to the school for only one day

and encouraged the other students to skip classes

and play with mud in the courtyard.

Look at my face

and my clothes.

Mister,

I'm really sorry.

He did go a bit too far.

Just a bit?

He'd gone too far.

What a bad kid.

Eleventh Young Lord must be disciplined

or he will follow in the footsteps

of Fifth Young Lord when he grows up.

If this doesn't work,

we'll have to ask Mr. Dai for help.

Zai seems to be more mischievous

when we are not around.

Can Mr. Dai handle him?

Mr. Dai has taught numerous students.

He can do it.

But Fifth Young Lord was also taught by him.

Sixth Young Lord,

you'll have to find someone else.

Eleventh Young Lord

is the catastrophe of my teaching career.

I asked him to read a book,

but he drew on it.

I taught him how to play weiqi,

but he used the weiqi pieces as stones for a slingshot to shoot birds.

It's only been one night,

and he's ruined all my good stuff!

I'm sorry, Mr. Dai.

Sorry?

These are some good stuff that can be rarely found in the entire Xin State.

Well,

Song Wu's husband has quite a few rare copies of books.

I'll send it all

to you then.

Eleventh Young Lord is so naughty.

A few rare copies...

What does he have?

He has quite many good stuff.

I'll take you to pick

as many copies

as you like.

-Really? -Of course.

I still believe

that you can teach every child well.

Eleventh Young Lord is not that bad actually.

I want to get to the roof.

No!

Don't, Eleventh Young Lord!

You can't get to the roof.

Stop following me.

That's our duty.

Slow down.

We can't catch up.

That's too valuable.

Don't break that, Eleventh Young Lord!

It's okay.

After him!

Yesterday, Mr. Dai was persuaded until midnight,

and he finally agreed to come back in a few days.

Won't he get tired?

Look how tired Baifu is.

I feel older

after just a few days with the kid.

Me too.

It's someone else's child

and we're just helping out for a few days,

but what if it's our own child?

When we have a child,

I will take responsibility.

Are you serious?

Okay.

Write it down later

and sign it.

That's not necessary, is it?

Where is Baifu?

It's been a while and I miss him.

I guess he misses you too.

They're here.

Zheng, Li Wei!

What brings you here?

Zheng asked Song Wu to help him find some books.

He is away on duty,

so I came by myself.

Zai!

Zai!

Stop it!

Who told you to tie up Baifu?

You're hurting him.

Give me the rope.

Give me.

Give it to me.

Give me!

Baifu is having a hard time, right?

You don't like it,

do you?

Where did you find this embroidered ball?

What do you care?

This was my favorite embroidered ball when I was a kid.

Look what you've done to it.

It's all broken.

Pay for it!

I won't!

You...

If you ever touch

anything I leave in this house again,

I'll...

I...

I'll beat you up.

I must touch it.

Say it again.

I must touch it.

Stand there!

Stand there!

I'll beat you up.

I must touch it.

You are really a bad boy.

You've got some nerve.

How rude you are.

How dare you hit me.

Hey.

Don't do that.

Why are you fighting?

Miss Song.

Zai.

It hurts.

Don't stop me.

Stop it!

You're so strong.

Zai is naughty,

but why did you take it so seriously with him?

I heard from Yin Zheng

that you moved to his mansion

because of Zai.

Did something happen?

It's nothing really.

It's all about childhood.

After I was adopted by Madam He,

a few years later,

Zai was born.

Since then,

I'd been worried

that Madam He might not like me anymore.

A few years later,

when Zai was a little older,

he always bragged to me

that Madam He was very good to him

and that she bought him this and that,

so I...

I was annoyed.

Then,

I moved into my brother's house as an excuse.

Have you ever thought

that Zai is also afraid that Madam He will like you

more than him?

Lianas twist and grow.

Lianas twist and grow.

-By the banks of the river. -By the banks of the river.

-Brothers have parted. -Brothers have parted.

-They feel deep sorrow. -They feel deep sorrow.

Come on.

I have something to ask you.

Why don't you like Song Wu?

Just tell me.

If it makes sense, I'm on your side.

Mother has preferred her over me

since I was little.

Mother always praises her in front of me instead of me.

Song Wu always brags to me

that she can do everything right.

That's why I don't like her.

But Song Wu is behaving

just like you

to make Mother care for her.

Do you understand?

Song Wu has always thought of you

when she has any good food or toy,

and you still fought with her.

That's not good, right?

Let's apologize to her

next time we see her, shall we?

Good boy.

Zheng,

why did you always ignore me before?

Did you also think that Mother was favoring me,

so you didn't like me?

No,

I've always loved you.

Really?

Yes.

Smile.

Come on.

Read it again.

[Delicacies of Nine States]

Come on, have some meat.

You won't be a picky eater now, will you?

These dishes seem to be different today.

It's Xiao Yang.

He knew that Eleventh Young Lord is here

and he specially made something that children would like.

Here, see if you like it.

Thank you, Sister-in-Law.

Call me Dong.

Dong.

Dig in.

It's tasty.

It's better than the food in the palace.

Xiao Yang is quite something.

I guess we don't have to worry if our children are picky eaters

in the future.

They will get their picky eating habits from you,

but not from me.

Wei,

who owns this seat?

Come in.

Why is she here?

I invited her.

We can't even finish

all these dishes.

Sit down.

You're the one who's always showing off

the new toys Madam He bought you,

but I've heard from others

that

you said I was showing off in front of you.

You're the one who always brags about

Mother complimenting you on your obedience and understanding.

I showed you the toys

because I wanted you to play with me.

Is that so?

I'd be a dog if I lied to you.

And there was once

when you fell down when you were running,

but why did you tell Madam He

that I pushed you?

That's because

Mother had promised

to spend time with me that day,

but you asked her to teach you to arrange flowers,

and she didn't even accompany me.

I...

I didn't know about it.

I didn't do it on purpose anyway.

Zai,

what should a man be like?

Admit your mistakes

and stand straight when you are beaten.

Song Wu, I was wrong.

Let's make up.

Zai,

I forgive you.

I should be the one to forgive you.

Come on.

Eat more.

What's wrong?

Being a picky eater again?

I just want you to have it.

You two mustn't fight anymore.

Mother.

You're back.

You all are here too.

Sit down.

How's it?

Did you have a good time?

Zheng and Wei taught me to read

and took me to eat a lot of good food.

I even played with Song Wu.

You even played with Song Wu?

Thank you so much.

Sorry for the trouble.

No trouble at all.

Zai is our brother.

But only when you are bringing up a child yourself,

you will know how tiring it is.

It must have been hard on you, Madam He.

Right,

tell them to follow this recipe

[Recipe] and he will eat well.

Zheng,

can I go and play with you again?

Sure.

Can you read me

a different bedtime story every day?

-Sure. -Sure.

Can I have candy?

-No. -No.

Why do you still want to eat candy?

You've got no teeth and you still want to eat candy.

Open your mouth.

Is there a leak?

If you eat any more candy, you'll lose all your teeth.

Mother,

take Zai to my place when you have time.

Okay.

Okay?

Louder.

You're a man.

Okay.

Your Lordship, Madam.

It's a bit quiet

once Zai is gone.

If you feel it's quiet, Ma...

Madam, you should stay with His Lordship tonight.

This way, you don't have to move things.

Am I right, Superintendent Su?

Yes.

As the saying goes, the night is long,

but it's not lonely when you have someone to keep you company.

Did you start to read books?

Yuping,

come on.

Look at this.

It's all here, right?

Yes.

Am I right?

This is a little damaged.

Let's get it fixed.

Okay.

Be careful.

Let's get it fixed.

I'm a bit uncomfortable

without someone in between.

You've had a hard time with the kid

these past few days.

You've had a hard time too.

You didn't sleep well, did you?

Yes.

I find it more tiring than work.

(I'm so tired.)

(But I can't sleep like this.)

You have a debriefing tomorrow.

Sleep now.

Yin Zheng,

I'm not ready yet.

I'm cold.

Don't be nervous.

The matter

depends on your will.

Thank you.

Let's sleep.

[Jingyuan]

Be careful.

Upwards, yes.

Hang it up and stretch it flat.

Stretch it flat.

Yes.

Go over there.

Okay.

Good job.

Yuzhan.

Superintendent Su, Happy New Year!

Quick, check it out for me.

Anything is missing so I can make up for it?

Nothing is missing.

It's good.

Did you see it properly?

Stretch it flat.

Be careful.

Don't fall down.

Yes.

Paste it flat.

Stretch it flat.

Mistress.

Line up.

Everyone,

this is the first year we are doing New Year's Eve dinner in our restaurant.

It's up to us to make a name

for ourselves.

Make sure to remember the number of customers

and each group's dining habits.

Prepare all the ingredients in advance.

If someone makes a mistake,

they will be punished.

But if someone does a good job,

there will be a reward.

Thanks, Mistress.

Thank you for your hard work.

Get back to your work.

Mistress, don't worry.

I have followed the plan you set out.

And with me watching over them,

they wouldn't dare make any mistakes.

Thank you for your hard work.

I heard you talking from up there.

I thought Yuan Ying was back.

You

have really got the boss vibe.

Yuan Ying's New Year gifts are all ready.

Now I wonder where Shangguan is.

I'm saving her dividends for now

until she writes back.

It's been a long time

and I miss them.

It's winter,

so I've prepared some thicker clothes for Shangguan.

She'll love them.

You're the most thoughtful girl.

[Jin]

This time, the tax reduction policy of Xin State is,

firstly, to change the tax on agriculture

from a per person basis

to a per mu and asset basis, (*a Chinese measuring uni)

from a four-season levy

to a tax levied only in summer and autumn,

with exemptions for the elderly, the sick, the disabled,

the widowed, and the lonely,

and secondly, to exempt merchants

from the tax

if their quarterly income is less than 30,000 taels

by the rated method.

Are you listening

to what I've been saying?

Yes.

I'm listening.

What did I say?

Repeat it.

It is...

Now that you are in this position, you have to do your duty.

How can you not be concerned

about something as big as a tax cut?

Ying, I'm begging you.

Well,

everyone's off

for the New Year.

Can't we just take a break

and look into it after the New Year?

I'll read it now.

I'll read it.

If you want to do it perfunctorily,

you can't hide it from me.

Your Grace,

New Year goods from Xin State have arrived.

I'll check it out.

[Siyuan Inn]

[Friends Gather Here] This inn looks good.

Why don't we stay here for the night?

Forget it.

Let's save some money

and find a place to camp.

I have to let you sleep well in the New Year.

All right.

It's decided then.

Listen to me.

Waiter.

Coming.

Come on.

Please enjoy your meal.

You even bought a hotpot for dinner?

We should at least have a good meal

for the New Year.

Come on.

And your favorite chili.

It's good.

We'll be in Cang State

in a few days.

I'm angry when you talk about it.

We've been out for a long time,

but I only met a few thugs

when I first came out of Dan State,

and I haven't seen

any bandits since.

I have no chance to use my spear.

That's a good thing.

It means that the world is peaceful

and the people are living in peace and happiness.

Don't you think?

True.

Come on.

This is for you.

It's snowing!

Yes.

It's so beautiful.

Yes.

This is great.

You've always wanted to see snow,

and now you can see it for real.

But

this winter is just extraordinarily cold.

The people must be having a hard time

with such a rare cold day.

Wait a minute.

Are you still cold?

If you have something to say, say it.

Shangguan,

I want to tell you...

Guess what others are doing now?

I don't know.

You don't know?

Let me tell you.

My father must be like this now.

Yin Zai,

come here.

Recite the new poem you have learned this year.

Show me what you've learned this year.

Lianas twist and grow.

By the banks of the river.

Brothers have parted.

They feel deep sorrow.

Good.

What would your mother, Madam Chun, be doing?

My mother?

My mother must be urging someone to have a baby.

She will definitely say this

to whoever she meets.

Yan,

you've been married for a while now.

Why hasn't your wife gotten pregnant?

You've got to work harder.

Yes.

But you have to educate your children well

when you have them.

Don't ever slack off.

Don't let them be men like Qi who has married into a woman's family.

Shangguan.

Your sister said you used to smile a lot,

but I haven't seen you smile much in Xin State.

I thought she was fooling me at the time.

But you probably

weren't happy.

But it's okay.

Now I can make you happy.

Actually,

you know that's not what I wanted to tell you.

I didn't mean to ask you what everyone is doing.

I am trying to tell you that...

That...

Say it.

Shangguan,

we have traveled a lot

this time.

I love living like this so much.

As long as I'm with you,

no matter where we go

or what we do,

I'm always happy.

I just fall asleep happily

and get up happily every day.

What is the word

that describes a person

who is extremely content?

Carefree and chubby.

I've been putting on a bit of weight lately.

But that word

means fat, right?

It's okay.

Whatever you say.

As long as I can be with you,

from today onward,

I'm carefree and chubby.

Shangguan,

I've thought about it.

You're the only one I have

in my life.

I'm stuck with you.

You can't get rid of me even if you beat me up.

I can't get rid of you even if I beat you up?

But don't beat me to death.

You can just allow me to breathe for a bit.

You laughed.

You're happy.

So this means yes?

That's great.

♪Everything reminds me of you♪

♪I fell for you without realizing it after our accidental encounter♪

♪Wind and rain♪

♪Cover our footsteps♪

♪You're my inspiration♪

♪Mountains and rivers thrive unceasingly because of you♪

♪Beside the riverside pavilion, there is this prairie♪

♪I refuse to let go♪

♪I will stay rock-solid♪

♪And wait for you forever♪

♪As the wind blows, the red tassel sways♪

♪As the spear falls, time moves slowly♪

♪Everything is gone with the wind♪

♪Just by thinking of you♪

♪It mesmerizes me all day♪

♪I want to spend my every second with you♪

♪Time passes in the blink of an eye and I fell for you without realizing it♪

♪Wind and rain♪

♪Cover our footsteps♪

♪You're my inspiration♪

♪Nature thrives unceasingly because of you♪

♪Sitting in a pavilion appreciating the never-ending spring rain♪

♪Life is long, and I'm in tune with you♪

♪I'd like to spend my days with you♪

♪When I look at you, I see all our memories♪

♪And everything reminds me of you♪

♪A bright future awaits us♪

♪I want to be with you even if it's a long and arduous journey♪