Original subtitles

Wise men know that spring and summer are the seasons of growth

Autumn and winter are times to take stock

Autumn brings gloom and desolation

loneliness and poverty

the leaves fall, the insects cry

the hills and rivers are silent

morality is guided by heaven

hence our respect for the natural cycle

executions mandated by the court

should await the Autumn equinox

minister xiao he of the han dynasty decreed

that the coming of Autumn

is fitting for executions

Lighting director li yadong

fight arranger chen huilou

camera operator chen kunhou

sound editor huang jinzhi

assistant directors li rongzhi, Yang jiayun

production manager wu menglin

script supervisor zhao jialing

makeup artist jia lushi

Featuring han su, zhou shaoqing

wang yu, chen huilou

chen jiu, wang fei, min min

wan jie, wang yun

Stop!

I don't want to go back!

You have no choice

I don't want to go back!

Kill me! I won't go back to that damned place

I won't go back!

Take him back

Faster!

Faster!

You wretch!

Push!

Open the door! Open the door!

Open the door!

Quick, open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Quick, open the door!

Who is it?

His grandmother

open the door!

Let her in

open the door!

Where's my grandson?

Over there

Stop! Stop pushing that!

Stop it!

Who says so?

I say so

stop pushing it! Stop!

Stop!

Look how you've beaten him!

You've beaten him

how could you do this to my grandson?

You're that hard-hearted?

Stop! Listen to me

stop! Stop pushing it!

You are seriously wounded

you shouldn't move

make him stop! Stop him pushing like that

do you hear me?

This is nothing

if he runs again, I'll break his leg!

You just dare!

Stop pushing it!

If you treat my grandson better

I won't be ungrateful

you're mistaken

your wealth is irrelevant

I had to restrain him

grandma, ignore him!

Throw the money away, don't give it to him!

Punish me all you like!

Unless you kill me, I'll still run!

Then you don't value your life!

Fool! Why try to escape?

Haven't I told you?

Grandma will get you out soon!

Then work faster

you should try being locked up here yourself

you wouldn't last one day

yes I'm more anxious than ou are I

someone is working on it

you'll be free very soon

madam

tell me what you want

to the limits of my ability, I will get it done

I've heard

there's no limit to your abilities!

If you need my help

I am at your service

officer

I hear you are very fond of antiques

this has been in our family for four generations

well...

This is a priceless family treasure!

However

she's part of the family

the child of a relative

when her parents died

I took her in

she won't breathe a word

madam, then I'll see what I can do

the court will sit again the day after tomorrow

they will reach their verdict

try to inform your grandson

to take his lead from me in the court

I'll tell him myself tomorrow

if he gives the correct answers

I'm sure he won't be sentenced to death

officer

I'm not hiring you to prevent his execution

you must get him discharged quickly

well...

Bear this in mind

he's our sole male heir

our family's treasure

pei gang, why did you kill three people?

Explain to me what actually happened

his honour is asking you a question!

Surely you wouldn't kill without reason?

Yes, your honour, I did kill them

but the fault was not mine

confinue!

I will recount it fully

there was a girl named chuntao

I visited her often

to my surprise, she had a baby

and insisted it was mine

I didn't want that bastard child!

How did you know the baby wasn't yours?

I'd been seeing her only occasionally

I wasn't her only visitor

if that baby was mine

I must have a lot more children!

I haven't seen you in months

now that the baby's here

you can't deny that you're the father

I just come here to enjoy myself

the child?

Who knows whose it is

doesn't look like mine

what are you saying?

If it's not yours, whose is it?

Beside you, what other man have I had?

Plenty!

I don't really care about that

it's still not mine

if the baby was not yours

why did she claim it was?

What was she after?

Silver!

She knew my family was wealthy

what! What do you want?

You're a heartless man

I won't forgive you

give me money

if you don't, I won't forgive you!

What can you do to me?

Inside!

Who were those two men?

She said her cousins, but they didn't look like it

what do you mean by that?

Your honour, they didn't fool me

at a glance, I knew

they were bad types

they'd also been with chuntao

your honour, it was clearly a trap!

Blackmail!

Did you give them money?

Give them money?

I'm no fool

I wanted to show them

So when their extortion failed

they tried to kill you

you had to fight back in self-defence

I had to show them the pei family can't be fooled

I took one of them down first

but the other wouldn't stop

shut up!

You killed men

and you gloat over doing it!

He wanted to kill me!

Your honour, he had no choice

it was self-defence, unavoidable

there's no need to defend him

confinue

once I'd started

I had to finish the job

how ruthless and cruel!

Master pei, I beg you

spare me!

Couldn't you have spared the woman?

I beg you! Please!

Please!

No, I couldn't stand her tone

have mercy on me!

Pei gang

killing the two men was understandable

since they were both armed

but the woman was defenceless

why didn't you let her go?

She wanted to dupe me

she worked with others to entrap me

she wasn't your wife

she owed you no loyalty

she just tried to extort a little money

you killed her

didn't you consider the penalty for murder?

I was overcome by rage

nothing else mattered

pei gang, think carefully

when you killed that woman

maybe you lost your senses?

Lost my senses?

Yes

you just wanted to threaten her

but in your rage you lost control

you struck her without thinking

how do you know it was an accident

and not intentional?

You didn't actually see it

sir, my surmise is based on logic

his state of mind

he acted on impulse

your honour, I cannot lie

one is one, two is two

I speak the truth

I didn't lose my head

I was enraged, I wanted to kill her

put that on the record

it's done

pei gang, you're a brutal man

you took three lives without scruple

and you broke out of prison

I can only sentence you to death

you sentence me to death? I'll kill you first!

This is an outrage!

Take him away

- move! - You just wait!

Move!

You can't execute me

my grandma will get me out!

Sister-in-law, you should have come earlier

why did you wait until now?

I put my trust in that court official

he's notoriously unreliable

you should have been more cautious

second master, I made a mistake

what can I do now?

In my view, the court can be challenged

the magistrate's decision isn't final

he has to report to the county

and then the capital

the emperor has the final say

also, the Autumn equinox has passed

there will be no more executions until next year

we still have a year to work on it

you're right

I know you've worked in the capital

you have connections

so please act quickly

this is not a big case

but it still won't be easy

you need to spend your money wisely

don't worry about the money

I'll spend all I have

the case must be won

well said

I will leave for the capital right away

I have a true brother

in the imperial court

second master, the sooner, the better

I'll be asking pei shun to sell some fields

that'll give you some more cash

leave everything to me, don't worry

you can rely on me

Jailer!

Is anyone there?

Is anyone there?

They must all be dead

Are you all dead?

Are you dead?

You mean me?

Who else?

Why don't you say anything?

I'm going out of my mind

grandma hasn't come to see me

did you hear?

That filthy judge sentenced me to death

death sentence or not

we all die eventually

from our birth, it's inevitable

that we'll die one day

you want to die?

I don't!

Move!

Get in!

Hey!

Hey!

What is it?

Bring my grandma here

why should I waste my time?

Master pei

I never thought we'd be neighbours

who the hell are you?

You don't know me

but I've visited your house

I've never seen you

of course not

I never went in daylight, only at night

to pick up a few things

Good timing!

Your grandson wants to see you

what's in there? Open it

blankets, nothing else

open it

I'd be in big trouble

if you hid a blade in there

never mind, don't pick on people

I'll take you inside

we professionals very much like making friends

we're neighbours now

so next time I burgle your house

be a bit nicer to me

shut up!

Grandma, what took you so long?

Don't you care that I'm facing execution?

Calm down, I've just seen your uncle

he's on his way to the capital

when he gets back, you'll be set free

you're lying to me again

when have I ever misled you?

I don't want to eat

you've never kept your word to me

you said I'd be out soon

next thing, the death sentence

you always promised to get me out of trouble

no matter how serious

now they want to chop off my head

all because of you!

You can't talk to grandma like that!

She's left no stone unturned

she even sold fields to help you

and you blame her!

What do you know?

Stay out of our business

ask her yourself

if she's not to blame, who is?

Stop!

Stop! What are you doing?

Teaching this beast a lesson for you

this is a family matter

stay out of this

I deserve the blame

he's absolutely right

it's my fault he's here

he's right to blame me

the pei family has had single sons for three generations

my son and his wife died young

he's the only one left

grandma!

What happened?

Who has bullied you?

Grandma!

What do you want here?

Your young master took our boy's bamboo horse

and he beat our boy

oh, did he really?

That's just a cut

why are you making such a fuss?

Madam, we didn't want to trouble you

but

we have no money for the doctor

peishun

give them this money

yes

thank you, madam

- thank you! - That's alright

- please leave now - thank you! Thank you!

Look at you, your little face is so pale

don't be afraid, whatever trouble you get into

grandma will always get you out

look, grandma!

The bamboo horse you took? Throw it away

I'll get you a real horse tomorrow

grandma

a little pay-off was nothing

easy to deal with

I never thought the problems would grow

until they became unmanageable

it is all my fault

I'm not telling you this to exonerate him

but please don't be too hard on him

I spoiled him, got him locked up

and I can get him out

I've sent someone to the capital

he won't be in here for long

Quick!

Move! Move!

Get outside, get some fresh air

quick

Move!

Move!

Faster!

Move faster!

Who told you to sit down? Stand up!

You're so troublesome

when we lock you up, you try to run off

when we let you out for air

you sulk like a boy

stand up!

Stand up!

Stand up!

Stop! Thinking of running?

Get back!

Stand over there

Help!

You're not a clever man, are you?

In this place

it's not wise to disobey the guards

escape if you can, or live with the hardships

you won't be here your whole life

when I get out, I'll steal again

when I have money

I enjoy myself, I'm untouchable

don't listen to his nonsense

who are you talking about?

He's not like you! You're hopeless

he's not as bad as you are

I've done nothing to offend you

who do you think you are?

Me bad, you good?

If you're good, why are you here?

I'm serving a sentence for my father

my father couldn't pay his debts

so he was given one year in jail

he was too old and frail for this

so I'm here instead

you volunteered!

You must like it here

I get it, you came in here for the food!

Free board and lodging!

Stop squabbling!

Get me out of here!

I can't stand another day!

Here, the old man will torture me to death

in my whole life

nobody has ever dared to lay a finger on me!

That was not a good thing

“it takes a thousand hardships to forge steel from iron”

She's not bad, that one

let's drink!

Grandma, second master is in the tavern

stop here, bring him out

drink!

Second master, grandma is outside

she wants a word with you

Sister-in-law, long time no see!

When did you get back?

A few days ago, I haven't had time to visit you yet

how did it go?

It'll take time, more haste less speed

I'm sorry to report

my friend wasn't in the capital

I was at a loss, so I returned

but I plan to go again

please go home and wait for news

did you really go to the capital?

Indeed

you really have a 'true brother' in the court?

Absolutely

the boy's life is at stake

don't try to trick me!

Sister-in-law

but I can't guarantee success

if you weren't sure, why did you promise me?

I was relying on you

the money doesn't matter

but my boy's life?

You'll pay the price!

That that old woman has a real temper!

He never even set foot in the capital

even an appeal to the imperial court

will do no good

you're saying it's hopeless?

That day in court

he confessed to everything

he was playing the hero

what more could I do?

He put himself beyond help

I won't give up that easily

I can't see you officials behead him

Our pei family line cannot just die out!

As long as I draw breath

I'll go on fighting that verdict!

Madam, if you're intent on pursuing this

I'm afraid I can't help you

what? You won't help?

If you're thinking of an appeal

your grandson won't be acquitted

but in the matter of the family line

I might have a suggestion

what is it?

Never tell anyone I told you this

you might send a girl into his cell

you'd need to arrange it with the guards

the governor is a rather stubborn man

whatever comes about

never come to see me again

I've done all I can

I'll take my leave

Wait here

chief!

The food has arrived

then take delivery! Why are you shouting?

You must go now

I will never agree to this

not even if the sun changes course

in all my life here

I've never heard such an idea

you've never heard?

I'd never suggest it, if it weren't for my grandson

you know I can't allow this

why do you insist?

I have no other choice!

A small gift for you

take it back!

There's no point in trying

I told you before

I'm not open to bribery

then what can I do?

It would be just one night

can't you think of it as a good deed?

I can do good deeds

this is no such thing

it's entirely beyond the pale!

What kind of girl would even agree to it?

Don't worry, I'll find one

I don't believe any girl would agree

ruining her entire life

just to maintain your family line!

If I find the girl

will you agree?

I didn't say that

no need to agree right now

maybe I won't succeed

but if I find someone willing

Grant me this one favour

turn a blind eye

Lian'er

grandma wants to speak with you

Ever since the incident with gang

you've been a great support for me

it's nothing

you came into this family when you were six or seven

I have always treated you

like my own child

I know, without grandma's kindness

I would never have survived

it's good you know that

my efforts were worth it

grandma, have the soup before it gets cold

you've heard that

the court official came a few days ago

there's now no hope for gang's case

It's all my fault

I didn't discipline him

my laxity led to his death sentence

and the end of the pei family line

is there nothing else we can do?

The official had one suggestion

he wants me to send a girl into the jail

to marry gang

I never dreamed I'd have to do such a thing

I asked pei shun to find a country girl

but no-one was willing to do it

the warden was right

what did he say?

At first he refused outright

but then he said

“you'll never find anyone willing”

“if you do, I'll help you”

grandma, let's take time and think again

this concerns the future of the pei family

I can't just seek out

some random woman

grandma, are you asking me to be that girl?

Lian'er, I didn't say that

you're from my parents' family

who loves you more than I do?

But consider my predicament

who else can help me?

I brought you up

if you won't help, who will?

Lian'er, do you understand what I'm saying?

Grandma, if you order it, I'll obey

I'm not forcing you

it's fate

fate brought us together

I don't want to ruin your life

the birth of a male heir

to the pei family depends on you

say no more, grandma

if grandma wishes it, I am willing

I've always hated pedants like you

read a few books and you're all windy words

you say death isn't fearsome

so what is there to fear?

If I told you, you wouldn't understand

wouldn't I?

I've eaten, I've had fun

I can't match master pei

but I've seen much more than you

life is to be enjoyed!

Until death ends it all

you live as a walking corpse

you're shameless, you pedant!

How dare you call me that!

Shut up!

Stop talking about death!

I hate death

look, it's snowing outside, winter is here

leaves have fallen from the trees

the grass has withered on the mountain

have they all died?

But when spring comes

the trees will grow new leaves

the mountains will turn green again

everything you say is stupid!

What's the point of saying it?

Leaves may grow again

but people stay dead

if they came back, they'd be ghosts

you know, every day some die

and every day some are born

one generation is buried

another generation arrives

why trouble ourselves with thoughts of life and death?

I'm fed up with your nonsense

I tell you, I'm not going to die!

My grandma will get me out somehow

my uncle will soon be back from the capital

Come out

move

what the hell do you want? More torture?

Master, he did nothing wrong

don't punish him, show some mercy!

What the hell is this?

Hurry up

What is it this time?

Putting me in solitary?

Grandma

no need for that

Ancestors of the pei family

you see all from above

I have failed the family

this child lian'er is our saviour

she bears the burden for my mistakes

punish me if you see fit

but protect this child!

The family's future rests with her

Master

She goes in alone, you go home

grandma

Madam, let's go home

I want to wait for her

Don't take all night

Lian'er, what are you doing here?

Who brought you here?

Grandma brought me, she's gone home

lian'er, you look like a bride!

Didn't they tell you?

I got married today, to you...

To me?

That was grandma's idea, wasn't it?

You look beautiful tonight.

Since you came to our house

I've always seen you as a little girl

I'd never thought of marrying you

I never thought of marrying you either

it's been months since I touched a woman

you've come here

I now understand

why I've been locked up alone

it was because of you!

Why couldn't grandma wait till I get out?

Is uncle back from the capital?

Tell me, is uncle back?

He tricked us, he never went

that son of a bitch!

Where does that leave me?

Will they still let me out?

It's hopeless

grandma has given up on me

so that's why you're here

liars! All of you!

You're lying to me just like them!

Since I face certain execution

you've come to spend one night with me

to give the pei family an heir

am I right?

Whatever you say

so I am right

this is grandma's scheme

go tell her I won't do it

I'm not an animal!

That's three bells

I don't care what time it is! Leave if you want to

what should I tell grandma?

Grandma!

Stop saying 'grandma'!

She promised I'd get out

wait a few days, she said, wait a few days

I waited and now she's given up on me!

That old woman

she's really ruined my life

why do you hate her so much?

I shouldn't have listened to her!

I should have tried to escape again!

Now it's too late

they know I'll be executed

I'll die, without doubt

still here? What are you waiting for?

I'm a dead man, why should I care

about giving her an heir?

Aside from blaming grandma, what use are you?

Have you ever thought about your own mistakes?

What mistakes?

My mistake was trusting her!

Grandma didn't make you kill those people

that was your own fault

she's spoiled you because she loves you so much

if you'd been a decent man

I wouldn't be marrying you in jail

it wasn't me who asked you to come

I don't blame grandma

she's doing this for you, for the pei family

that's why I agreed to come

leave quickly, I won't touch you tonight

and don't ever come back!

I don't want you to hate me all your life

Marry someone else, as far from here as you can!

And don't let anyone know about this!

After all these years

only now do I understand you

you're not as bad as I thought

get out of here, quickly!

Lian'er!

Grandma, you didn't go home?

I waited for you

What's wrong?

My legs won't listen to me

master, I beg you, can you let me go?

My grandma has given up on me

so I'm really facing execution

master, only you can help me now

I beg you, let me go

stand up, what are you doing?

Free me, and I'll be indebted for life!

Once I'm free, I'll study well

wretch!

Before dying, you ruin a nice girl

I didn't!

You lie to my face

I really didn't!

I swear I never touched her

you can ask her, I really didn't

master, I beg you

please set me free

set you free? You're sentenced to death!

I'd be finished if I let you go

I don't want to die, I don't want to die

master, let me go, I beg you, let me go

I was widowed in my twenties

it was hard to support a family on my own

from now on, that duty passes to you

grandma, don't say such things

I didn't intend to live beyond next Autumn

don't leave me alone!

What should I do? Think of me!

Pei shun is a good man

he'll look after you

don't let anyone take advantage of you

if someone gets tough with you, you get tougher

that's the way

I can't return to the jail

not a word to gang

he said he wants me dead

let him cling to that hope

Lian'er

look at me

when the baby is born

bring him to my grave

I'll want to get a look at him

better than burning offerings for me

don't forget!

Young madam, the medicine is ready

Grandma, your medicine

take the medicine and sleep

grandma! Grandma!

Grandma!

Can I have a word with him?

Make it quick

master pei, your little brother won't see you again

is there anything I can do for you?

Pass a message to my grandmother

she hasn't come to see me for ages

she may not care

but I still want to hear from her

I'll get the message to her

maybe she'll invite me to dinner!

Move it! Move it!

I'm going

Move!

Don't envy him

his life is worthless

I don't want to talk to you

Who is it?

Master

I'm sorry to disturb you at this late hour

stand up. Stand up

what's wrong?

Grandma passed away, I need your help

to fulfil her dying wish

Grandma sent you here again?

She doesn't know I've come to see you

I told you to marry someone else!

Why did you come?

I can't marry anyone else

I've already sworn to our ancestors

you're willing to marry a dying man just to provide an heir?

I don't care how long you'll live

even one day or night

will last a lifetime

we are husband and wife

I didn't consent

and you've never liked me

some couples don't even meet before they marry

at least we grew up side by side

so you say today, you may regret it tomorrow

you know what'll happen next Autumn?

By then, I'll have your son

the child will keep me company

really?

You want to spend your life as a widow?

If I thought I'd regret it

I wouldn't have come

Look at me

you've never taken a good look at me

Hurry away, I don't want to ruin your life

if you insist

I won't come back again

You won't regret this?

When spring comes

the trees will grow new leaves

Come and sit down

It must almost be qingming festival

not yet, it's only February

How's grandma?

She refuses to see me?

She hasn't been here for a long time

she wanted to see you

but I told her not to come

she's too old to come all this way

sitting down again?

You forgot the beating?

Don't blame him, it's my fault

I asked him to sit

get up quickly

all of you, back inside

You go home

Come on, back inside

Come on out

this isn't your home

you've been here all day

yes, sir

I'm leaving

When did he arrive?

He came early and he wouldn't leave

he didn't say what he wanted

I've been waiting for you

lian'er, you went to the prison?

Second master, before madam left us

lian'er married our young master

she is now our young mistress

young mistress?

That's preposterous

one in jail, one at home

how did you get married?

It's laughable, a joke!

A marriage is a big thing

at least the relatives should be informed about it

how could I not have been told?

Why should you be informed?

Maybe grandma didn't want you to know

should I call a meeting and see what

our relatives have to say about it?

I doubt any of them will accept you as the family's young mistress

second master, this cannot be wrong

madam herself witnessed the ceremony

quiet! What right have you to speak

what's the purpose of your visit today?

You want me to hand over our properties to you?

I was thinking of you

you are still young

why sacrifice your future for a dying man?

Fine, convene a meeting with the relatives

all of them? Is that what you really want?

Yes

they can judge for themselves

I'll stay silent, you can tell them

how you lied to us, ran off with our money

delayed my husband's case

and now want even more

how can you say such things?

What should I say?

Now that grandma isn't here

you think you can bully me?

I've devoted my life to the pei family

I don't need you to affirm that

go ahead and convene a meeting

who will come in good faith?

Which of them ever offered us help?

Apart from you, second master!

You with your 'true brother' in the court?

You ignorant girl!

This conversation is over!

You just walk away like that?

What are you going to do about it?

All we have now is an empty house

nothing else

when I've given birth, our days will be even harder

you took all our money

I'll pay you back for that

just try!

You're worse than the old woman

I'm leaving, so you'll be lonely on your own

I don't think we'll meet again

perhaps in the next life, if the gods will it

I don't need to hear this, just leave

I know it annoys you

but I still want to say

no-one lives forever

we can't decide to die early or late

could you stop talking about death?

Death should come peacefully and honourably

that's the part you can control yourself

Master, thank you for your kindness

my regards to your father

Would you like to go outside for a walk?

I'm talking to you!

Leave me alone

cool down, clean up the yard

Unlock my hands and I'll clean the yard

I'll do that, but don't try to escape

You don't want to live, my boy?

You ungrateful creature!

I'll kill you!

Kill me if you want, I'll die soon anyway

waiting for Autumn just prolongs the pain

All these days I've restrained myself

today I'll tell you clearly

I really don't want to beat you

I had a son of my own

he'd be about your age

and a bad egg like you

his mother died soon after giving birth

I couldn't bear to discipline him

I spoiled him, and he ran wild

he drowned in a river during a fight...

He was still very young

Do you know? When I beat you

I'm actually beating my son

It's so long since she came to see me

she's given up on me because it's hopeless

Go tell my grandma

she can stop worrying when I'm dead

she'll never have to see me again

don't blame madam

she did nothing wrong to you

I didn't say she had

I said she shouldn't avoid me

she worried about you all her life

until she took her last breath

what did you say?

Madam passed away last year

last winter

she sent young mistress here

it snowed all night

but she waited outside

she never really recovered from that

I shouldn't have told you

young mistress told me not to

I've been in the family for decades

I'm sure no-one will blame me

how could I not tell you, how couldn't I?

She suffered her whole life, for your sake

how can you go on blaming her?

Did grandma freeze to death last year?

I told him not to tell you

but he did

why didn't you tell me?

Why hide it from me?

It was grandma's dying wish

she said I shouldn't tell you, you hated her

I do hate her, I've always hated her

I hate her for spoiling me

I hate her for never beating me

I hate her for being too good to me

I hate her for freezing to death for me

I hate, I've always hated

I hate her for spoiling me

I hate her for never beating me

I hate her for being too good to me

I hate her for freezing to death for me, I hate her

I hate her for being too good to me

I hate her for freezing to death for me, I hate her

I hate her for not teaching me right from wrong

Grandma, I never took your advice

I always talked back

I was never nice to you

grandma!

Why didn't you hit me before you died?

Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!

I hear pei gang has changed a lot

yes, he has

you've come to see him?

Yes

his wife is in there

then I won't go in

tell him when she's gone

the order has come from the capital

the date is fixed?

By the magistrate

the day after tomorrow, at noon

I was always a bit frightened of you

you used to ignore me at home

I didn't dare to speak to you

you weren't afraid, you just disliked me

you believe that?

If grandma had asked me to marry you then

I wouldn't have agreed

really? You'd have been thrown out

that wouldn't scare me

I'd been homeless before

lian'er, if grandma hadn't forced you

she didn't force me

what kind of man did you think you'd marry?

Are you too shy to tell me?

You'd be angry if I told you

I just wanted to marry an honest man

someone who worked the fields?

He'd go out early to the fields

I'd wait for him to return, cook for him

not an easy life

I don't mind hardship if the harvest gives us enough food

you'd take good care of the home

nice and neat

a farmer works all day

he deserves a nice home

you'd give him a big family

they'd all yell

"daddy's home! Daddy's home!"

The children would all be well-behaved

living peaceful lives with him

Why didn't you tell me this before?

You didn't like me back then

I'd like a day like that

the child calling me "daddy"

you can, you'll see our child

It's too late

This summer went faster than ever

Autumn is already upon us

Master!

Where are you going?

I'm going home

stay here

keep him company

He doesn't have long

No! No!

Lian'er! Lian'er! Lian'er!

Lian'er, what is it?

Master, has the day come?

Has it?

Don't cry, this day comes to each of us

I wish tonight could last a lifetime

you once said

“even one day

could be like a lifetime!

Let's give the child a name

a farmer's name

what if it's a girl?

Rather than a boy like me

I'd prefer a girl like you

Don't come back

and don't go to the execution

I worry that life will be hard for you

I didn't think about that before

I don't mind

I can stand times of hardship

if only the three of us could be together

How can the heavens be so unfair?

Thank you, master. My husband thanks you too

leave now

Master, what are you doing?

On your feet, run!

Escape!

Run far away!

Don't let them catch you

run! Run!

What are you waiting for?

I can't leave! What would happen to you?

Don't mind me

leave before dawn or it'll be too late

they can kill me

go on, get away quickly!

Master, I can't do that to you!

I release you and you don't leave!

They'll execute you tomorrow

I know

I deserve it, it's the penalty for my crime

we all have to die

but we must die in peace and honour

why did you listen to that bookworm?

Your wife is having a baby

what happens to them after you die?

For their sakes, I can't go on the run

I'd always be a convict, even if I got away

they'd never have peace of mind, not for one day

my death will let them live peacefully

Master, you told me I am like your son

I wish I'd had a father like you

Move!

Young mistress!