Original subtitles

This is a poison-detecting cloth made by the palace's imperial physician.

It's been soaked in a special herbal brew.

Once the white cloth comes into contact with the Lost Soul Flower, it will turn red.

His Majesty gave me this cloth to test for poison before everyone

and prove that the heir's wife isn't lying.

The white cloth turned red.

This medicine is indeed the Lost Soul Flower.

Xuefei, bring Hongye here.

Yes, Madam.

Now that His Grace is confirmed to be poisoned with the Lost Soul Flower,

Now that His Grace is confirmed to be poisoned with the Lost Soul Flower,

can he still be saved?

Thanks to Her Lady for expelling the poison using acupuncture,

His Grace managed to vomit out the poisoned blood in time.

His Grace's life is no longer in danger,

but recovery will take time

and a period of recuperation is needed to regain consciousness.

Thank the Heavens.

Jingshu, I'm glad Censor Wei uncovered the truth.

I misjudged you.

Don't resent me.

I understand.

Your immense worry for Father frazzled your mind.

Don't be bothered by this.

Madam!

There's trouble!

Hongye has jumped into the well.

What?

Word of the culprit being found must've spread.

Hongye killed herself to escape punishment.

You didn't even believe that His Grace was poisoned.

Why did Censor Wei's arrival

spur you to suspect Hongye and search her room?

That's because I know a secret.

What is it?

One day, I heard people quarreling when I passed by His Grace's room.

I walked over and saw-

What is it? Tell us.

I saw His Grace forcing himself onto Hongye.

No wonder His Grace's health worsened drastically after the new year.

So, it's because that darned brat poisoned him.

My father has a history,

but he wouldn't force himself onto a maid.

Hongye is probably a scapegoat.

As the saying goes, "The apple never falls far from the tree."

You have such a flamboyant lifestyle.

It's not impossible for His Grace to do that.

What did you say?

Enough.

Don't you find Zhang Xuefei very suspicious?

The Lost Soul Flower comes from the Northern Desert.

Zhang Xuefei is a mere servant.

She doesn't have what it takes to get the flower so easily.

Zhang Xuefei is Zhang Yuanqing's trusted maid.

If she's suspicious, Zhang Yuanqing is even more so.

That's true. Zhang Yuanqing is the most likely suspect.

After all, we heard how she coerced His Grace

under the bed-

What? You were eavesdropping under the bed?

What else have you done?

The ongoings between my wife and I

are none of your business.

We only eavesdropped! Nothing else!

Besides,

according to Zhang Xuefei,

Hongye got this poison after she returned home for the new year.

How about this? You can make a trip to Hongye's home.

Okay.

I'll look for the manor's chief secretary and ask for the location of Hongye's home.

You have to investigate thoroughly.

If she's really Zhang Yuanqing's scapegoat,

there must be clues in Hongye's home.

You can count on me.

Nice.

Changming, you're finally here.

I told you to proceed with the plan slowly.

You insisted on increasing the medicine dosage.

Look at what you've done.

The poisoning didn't just alert His Majesty.

Xiao Renyan almost strangled me to death!

I've already made Hongye the scapegoat.

Besides, the Lost Soul Flower is so obscure.

Who would've expected Liu Jingshu to sniff it out.

General Liu defends the borders.

He is often at war with the Northern Desert.

Liu Jingshu is his only daughter.

She has probably

seen the Lost Soul Flower before.

Even memory loss can't stop this shrew.

We can't be sure

whether this memory loss is real.

I'm planning to plant a spy near Xiao Renyan.

That'll be to check if Liu Jingshu's memory loss is real

and to sow discord between him and Liu Jingshu. We'll be killing two birds with one stone.

Who are you planning to use?

Zhang Xuefei.

Xuefei, come here.

Madam, what are your orders?

I noticed Xiao Renyan exchanging flirting glances with you often.

He seems interested in you.

How about I let him marry you and elevate your status?

Madam, that can't be done.

Xuefei, you've served me for years.

You haven't had your period for two months.

Did you really think I wouldn't notice?

Madam, please spare me.

Silly child.

I would never fault you.

Renyan is infertile and can't bear offspring for the manor.

Your child just happens to lack a father.

I'll let you marry Renyan.

This will bring you many benefits.

Madam, this can't be done.

I already have a man I love.

I'd rather never get married.

How can you utter such nonsense?

There's no such thing as picking your own husband.

Besides, what's there to lament when you're marrying the heir?

Be good.

Only then will your child be able to grow up safely in this manor.

Yes, Madam.

Great.

This is excellent.

This isn't just killing two birds with one stone.

You're killing three birds.

Second Lord, I'm pregnant with your flesh and blood.

I, Xiao Ming, am an honorable man! How could I ever have an illegitimate child?

Let's not even talk about you.

Do you think that tigress Meng Hanjiao will spare me?

Second Lord, we've been together for years.

I've never asked for status.

I only want to stay by your side forever.

Now, Madam wants me to marry someone else.

I'd rather die.

Hey, my ancestors are watching.

Don't make me seem like a heartless jerk.

Second Lord!

Xuefei, come, get up.

Xuefei, don't cry.

Xuefei, see?

Eldest Brother is impotent anyway.

You can just stay there for now.

Once I've achieved success later on, I'll ask for you back.

Then... the baby?

When the baby is born in the eldest branch,

he'll be born the eldest legitimate son.

Even not for yourself, you should consider for our child, right?

As long as you don't tell anyone else,

I'll agree to whatever you want in the future.

Second Madam, you wanted to discuss an urgent matter?

What is it? Just say it.

Yan'er, after your father vomited all the poisonous blood, he still shows no sign of awakening.

I want to arrange an auspicious event to expel his bad luck.

Expel his bad luck?

What kind of auspicious event does Second Madam plan for my father?

What do you think of this girl, Zhang Xuefei?

People next to Second Madam are obviously, just like you,

good people.

Xuefei is smart and cute.

She is also pretty.

She was indispensable in helping

to catch the real culprint in the poisoning.

It's not a suffering for you to send her to your household as a concubine, is it?

Second Madam must be jesting.

I'm no match for such a good girl.

Why not give her to Second Brother?

Second Brother is also Father's son.

It'll also be an auspicious event to expel the evil.

I've asked Xuefei.

She prefers you.

Besides, you know about Ming'er's wife.

She is extremely jealous.

I don't know if Young Sister-in-law is jealous.

But Jingshu is very jealous.

Why not do this?

Second Madam, why don't you ask Jingshu yourself?

All right then.

Xuefei,

ask Jingshu to come here.

Yes.

I can't handle you, but I should be able to handle Liu Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu, it's time to test our tacit understanding.

Where is Madam?

Your Highness, Censor Wei is going to Hongye's hometown to investigate the case.

Madam is seeing him off.

What?

What? As a married woman, she is seeing off Censor Wei?

Old Madam, Censor Wei used to be General Liu's subordinate in the mililtary.

He is Madam's old acquaintance.

An old acquaintence indeed.

I want to give Xuefei to Yan'er as a concubine.

Even Yan'er wants to ask her first.

But she's really something.

She has gone to see another man off.

She didn't even tell Yan'er first.

Since she's made an arbitary decision by herself,

I dont' need to be courteous, either.

Let's confirm this matter than.

Damn you girl, I asked you to launder two pieces of clothing.

You only just came back.

You are being lazy and not want to cook, right?

When I wash too slowly, you say I'm not being diligent in working.

Why do you scold me so harshly?

You are talking back?

Damn you girl, I'll beat you to death!

- I'll beat you to death. - Save me!

- You can't hide. - Save me!

Stop!

Bad news, Madam.

What's the matter?

Taking the opportunity of your absence, Old Madam has given Zhang Xuefei to the heir as his concubine.

He wouldn't agree to it.

But, he has already agreed.

That's impossible. You must be mistaken!

It's true. I saw the both of them enjoying the flowers in the back garden.

They were quite affectionate.

Why has Young Master appeared here?

I was just passing by and wanted to asked for water to drink.

Officer, please drink some water.

This is a Censor's tally.

If you dare to torment this young miss again,

I'll take you to the authorities.

Even if she is your biological granddaughter, you'll still get a flogging.

- Understand? - Yes, I understand.

I wouldn't dare anymore.

I'll give you this tally.

If she bullies you again,

just take her to the authorities and complain.

How can you give me such an important item?

I dare to give it to you because I know what I'm doing.

Then... Thank you, Young Master.

It's a simple gesture. Don't worry about it.

Young Miss, do you know how to go to Hongye's house?

Don't you know Hongye's home?

She is from the Li Village.

She is about your age.

I was very ill recently.

I don't remember many things.

What? You lost your memory?

Hmm.

Hongye's home? I know. I know.

Officer, follow this road and head to the east.

Her home is right under the big locust tree.

All right.

Don't you dare bullying her again!

I won't dare. I won't dare.

I'm leaving.

Young Master, safe travels.

You...

- Look at this. - These flowers are really pretty.

No matter how pretty they are, they aren't as pretty as you.

- Your Highness, you are bad. - Oh my, isn't that Marquis Xiao's heir?

Your Highness, are you enjoying the flowers?

Censor Wei, you've come.

Zhang Xuefei greets Censor Wei.

Go back first. I want to talk with him.

Yes.

When did you become so close with each other?

When you went to Hongye's hometown,

I took her as a concubine.

You bastard!

You dare to hit me?

Can you please be clear first before you hit me next time?

Come.

I wonder if Wei Honghe was successful in his journey.

I didn't get any news for the past few days.

Censor Wei, you had an arduous journey.

When you went to Hongye's hometown, did you find anything?

Hongye's family are honest people.

The older brother is 30 years old but still unmarried.

It's not a surprise that a loyal daughter was born to such an honest family.

But how did such an honest family have poison from the Northern Desert?

It's quite a coincidence.

His older brother met a western merchant at a temple fair.

He bought rat poison from the merchant.

The Lost Soul Flower is rarely seen in the Central Plains.

But the western merchants have all sorts of exotic things.

It's not strange that he was able to buy from them.

That's true. The western merchants travel nomadically.

A temple fair is a temporary market.

It would appear this is as far as the case can be investigated.

It's enough to find this much.

That Hongye is inexcusable, but it can be understood.

I will report His Majesty and close this case.

I worked with Hongye for many years.

It's really incredible that she could do something like this.

Censor Wei worked hard in the investigation.

Allow me to make you a toast.

Thank you, Sister-in-law, for granting me a drink.

Censor Wei, I really don't deserve

to be called sister-in-law by you.

I told him to call you this way.

Your Highness, aren't you afraid Madam will hear?

So what if she heard? What can she do?

I'll flog you to death!

I should be leaving then. I still need to go back to report.

As you please. I'll see you off.

Stand right there.

I'm seeing a guest off.

As the madam, you turn your back and leave. Is this proper?

Madam simply didn't see me.

When you get angry for such a trivial matter,

how can I live with myself?

Everyone, please stay here.

I bid you farewell.

Censor Wei, safe travel.

During this time, you've worked hard in serving me.

You can return to the room to rest.

You are getting more and more unruly.

Come with me.

All you know is Zhang Xuefei every day.

All you know is Zhang Xuefie.

Were you eavesdropping just now?

The news that Wei Honghe talked about, we only talked about half of it in front of Zhang Xuefei.

It's indeed true that Hongye's older brother is still unmarried at the age of 30.

But he is suddenly going to get married now.

The betrothal gift is also quite abundant.

That money was from selling Hongye's life.

Guess who gave the money?

I'm not as scheming as you. I can't guess.

When you go for the greeting tomorrow morning,

pay attention to Second Madam's facial expression.

I'm sure she'll look relieved and cheerful.

Oh?

Now, do you know why I agreed to take a concubine?

I do know.

It's because she is pretty.

Wait.

What are you doing?

No matter how pretty,

can she compare to the capital's top beauty?

You're so glib.

This is mariticide. (killing one's own husband)

Say that again, and I'll really kill you.

Censor Wei said he'll close the case as is?

Yes.

From now on, whatever the marquis' heir says in the bedroom,

you must pay attention when you listen.

Yes.

You've entered his household for some days.

Have you consummated with him?

His Highness is indeed... impotent.

He said that he will seek medicine from physicians.

But it's unknown when it'll be effective.

If we still can't consummate,

my belly...

Don't be anxious.

I'm looking for medicine, too.

If it really doesn't work,

we can drug Xiao Ranyan to make him pass out and fake the consummation.

After you've given birth to your child,

I'll elevate you as an official wife

to have equal status with Liu Jingshu.

Thank you, Madam.

Enough now.

Go on. Spend more time with the heir.

You don't need to visit me often.

I understand.

Liu Jingshu, you escaped last time.

You won't be lucky this time.

When I kill you, I'll be number one!

I'll be number one!

Meng Hanjiao, what are you doing?

Let go of me!

Mother,

my body has recovered.

I just have a hazy memory and can't remember things clearly.

They retained a physician in the manor.

I was told it was enough to rest quietly.

No need to take medications.

That slut's amnesia continues on.

We don't know for sure

if she really has amnesia.

I pray for Buddha's protection to grant my wish.

Once Liu Jingshu is finished off,

you'll be next, Xiao Renyan.

It's been quite sometime since I married into the Marquis' Manor.

I can clearly sense the connection between Older Sister's disappearance and the Marquis' Manor.

Why can't I find any clues yet?

No, I have to hurry to search for Older Sister.

The flowers are looking good.

Ghost! Ghost!

What ghost? Me?

It's not me. It's not me.

It's not me.

What ghost?

Older Sister-in-law, be careful.

- I'm asking you a question. - Older Sister-in-law, be careful.

Be careful that she may hurt you.

- I'm fine. Let me... - Older Sister, she is crazy.

Be careful that she may hurt you.

Drowning ghost! Drowning ghost!

Scram!

But...

Older Sister-in-law, this nanny is an old servant in the manor.

She was benevolent to Grandmother, so we still keep her even though she is crazy.

She talks nonsense all day, and she'd even scratch and bite people.

Be careful that she may hurt you.

Thank you for the reminder.

Older Sister-in-law,

it's time to do greetings.

Why don't we go there together?

All right.

Now that your father is seriously ill,

I'm busy taking care of him every day.

I don't have the energy to mind the affairs in the manor.

Mother, you should take good care of yourself as well.

It'll be the grand memorial service in the manor next month.

I used to manage it myself in the past years.

This year, both daughers-in-law have entered the manor.

Mother, I often helped take care of things at my home.

Just let me manage the grand memorial service in the manor this year.

I'll definitely do a good job.

There are lots of things involved in the manor's grand memorial service.

The rites must be thorough and complete.

The staffing arrangement must be properly done, too.

Mother, let me do it.

I am the wife of the Marquis' heir and the daughter-in-law of the eldest official wife.

I should be the one to handle such an important matter.

Since both of you want to help relieve my burden,

I'll let both of you do it together.

It's truly whatever one wants one will get.

In the entire manor, the ancestral hall is the only place that hasn't been searched.

Heaven is helping me.

This is a good opportunity to search it thoroughly under the name of the grand memorial service.

What's this about the official wife of the eldest legitimamte son?

I thought you were stoic.

Aren't you competing to show off in front of Mother?

What a schemer.

This is... [Memorial Table of Madam Zhang, wife of Xiao Yunting]

the memorial table of Xiao Renyan's mother?

I've got an idea.

Liu Jingshu was right in what she said just now.

She is the wife of the' heir and also the daughter-in-law of the eldest official wife.

If you want to be in charge, you can't step over her.

What do I do then?

Unless...

she is gone.

Eldest Sister-in-law, you are tall. I can't reach over there.

Why don't you clean it up?

Who do you think you are?

Which one?

That one.

Your Highness!

This is bad.

What's the matter?

Older sister and Second Young Madam were preparing for the grand memorial service in the ancestral hall.

I heard that they got into a huge argument.

Where is there so much dust on the memorial tablet?

How did it get up there?

How could you break the memorial tablet of the heir's mother?

Mother!

Mother!

Xiao Renyan, I...

I really didn't do it deliberately.

Previously you said you are the wife of the heir and the daughter-in-law of the eldest official wife.

You were arrogant because of your status. I tolerated it all.

But you've actually smashed the memorial tablet of the heir's own mother.

Liu Jingshu, you are out of line.

Mother, Older Sister-in-law probably made a mistake accidentally.

Even an accidental mistake could result in smashing the memorial tablet of the late Marchioness.

What if she was deliberate, wouldn't she have burned down the ancestral hall?

Meng Hanjiao siad the memorial tablet was dirty, that's why I went to dust it off.

You didn't notice your mother-in-law's tablet was dirty.

I reminded you out of kindness, so it's my mistake?

You were the reckless one who smashed the tablet.

Fine. I indeeed was the one who smashed the memorial tablet.

I admit it. How will you punish me?

Just say it.

What is this attitude?

On the day of your wedding, Yan'er especially brought out the memorial tablet.

You first bowed to the tablet before you bowed to the living.

Yan'er is so respectful of his birth mother.

As a daughter-in-law, you dared to smash the memorial tablet

and even talk back here.

Yan'er, if you have any sense of filial piety,

you should divorce her.

I don't need Second Madam to tell me how I should be filial to my mother.

Xiao Renyan!

Xiao Renyan, stop right there.

I was really framed.

Even your toes can think of that.

Am I such a branless and heartless person who would break your mother's memorial tablet?

Sorry, I'm not in the mood to talk with you right now.

Fine. Even if I broke it,

can I repair it for you?

Repair it? How can you repair it?

I made it with my own hands.

Xiao Renyan!

Based on my understanding of Liu Jingshu, she indeed couldn't have been so reckless.

Someone must have done a trick.

Your Highness, aren't you sleeping yet?

You go ahead. Don't wait for me.

Ever since I married you,

I've been sleeping in your embrace every night.

If you don't sleep, I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Young Madam has always been reckless and domineering.

You've never liked her.

Why feel bothered by her?

You are right.

It's such a nice night, why waste the time on her?

Come, little beauty.

You can serve me well tonight.

Xiao Renyan, you big pig hooves! (You scumbag!)

I've been good to you, but you wouldn't believe me!

I...

I know that was your mother's memorial tablet.

I also know that you made it with your hands.

Why can't I also make one with my hands?

That's right. Why don't I make one for you?

She wants to sleep with me every night.

Keep dreaming!

Done!

Madam, although you passed a long time ago,

Xiao Renyan has always kept you in his heart.

He's never forgotten you.

Although he looks unconventional and unruly on surface,

he is really inscrutable.

I think he must hold a great secret.

Although I don't know what it is,

I also don't know what he is doing,

but I hope your spirit in heaven [Memorial Tablet of Madame Zhang, Wife of Xiao Yunting]

will protect him and keep him safe.

You aren't asleep yet, are you?

Don't be angry anymore.

During the day, I was wrong in my tone of voice.

But I didn't disbelieve you.

I was angry that you made your own decision to participate in the manor's grand memorial service.

Why didn't you keep an eye out?

What if you got bullied when I'm not at home?

Fire!