Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by True Face of Love 🌸 Team @Viki.com

'Paradise is Close' - Hu Xia

♫ Amidst the raging stormy night ♫

♫ The candle's glow reflects the dark hair of a charming woman ♫

♫ Wrapped in memories year after year ♫

♫ I'm left with nothing but feigning indifference ♫

♫ When I'm tracing the outline of your face ♫

♫ Everything converges and disperses like sand ♫

♫ Bound by destiny, I must make peace with myself, love can be restored or destroyed ♫

♫ If I could drift away in the clouds ♫

♫ I'll drive away your carefree pretense ♫

♫ Even in a drunken dream ♫

♫ I will always know the person I cherished the most ♫

♫ Even if you are close by, yet as distant as the horizon ♫

♫ I want to hold you, but I can only feign ignorance ♫

[In Blossom]

[Episode 4]

[Peace and Prosperity]

- Ling'er. - Miss.

- Where is my brother? - Young Master had to take care of business

and left for the capital early in the morning. He didn't want to disturb your sleep.

This is the money he left for you.

And there's more. Come in.

Greetings, Miss.

They're the maids Young Master hired overnight.

Young Master said your life here must be the same as in the capital

and you mustn't suffer one bit.

In the future, how should I explain everything to Shangguan Lan?

Miss, do you need anything else?

No. Send them back and clear out the house. We are moving.

Move?

[Heyang Magistrate Office]

Young Master, are you sure you want Miss Shangguan to go to the county office?

It's going to be a real mess.

It's all right. It won't take long for her to back off.

[Heyang Magistrate Office]

Brother Yue.

Shangguan Zhi. This is the county office.

Yes, Magistrate Pan.

What does this mean?

Sir, my brother's gone back to the capital, and Sunrise Garden has been cleared out.

If you refuse to let me stay at the county office, I'll have to live outside.

Sir, please take me in.

You said yesterday that you'd do anything, even serving tea and water, right?

Yes.

That's good.

- Come on. - Come on, place your bets!

- Put in more money. - Bet more and you'll win more!

- Quick! Place your bet! - Let's see if I can beat you.

- It's got to be small. - Listen to me. All right.

Small!

Constable Liu, what are you doing?

Pick it up. Come on.

Yes.

- Come on, go on! - Quick.

- Come on. - Seriously.

- Come on. - Go on.

- Come on. - I've been unlucky lately.

- Come on, again. - Bet on big.

Pan... Magistrate Pan.

Aren't you taking office tomorrow?

Every evil person has had his day. It's your worst day.

I know you.

Yes. I was there when you broke into the courtroom last time.

You were at the Ghost Market, too.

He's the Imperial Censor, Pan Yue.

Magistrate Pan, I'm very impressed with your grace.

To be under your command this time is a fulfillment of my wish.

You're quick-witted.

I'm new here, and I need a lot of advice from you in the future.

Magistrate Pan, you flatter me.

I have just been staying in Heyang for a little longer.

If you've encountered anything significant, I'm still available to offer advice.

Tell me what are the important things, for an official in Heyang.

Sir, have you heard that Heyang has a magisterial talisman?

Go ahead.

Sir, please take a look.

Silver Rain shrouds Heyang, [Silver Rain Terrace]

brothel away from Hundred Flowers Court, [Hundred Flowers Court]

gambling on life and death for money, [Life and Death House]

Relief Hall helps countless households. [Relief Hall]

To secure your position, remember the Four Greats.

In Heyang, the county office is just a display.

The Four Greats are the real masters of Heyang.

Don't offend them.

This is really very beneficial.

- What's your name? - Liu.

Constable Liu, what should I do if the Four Greats are involved in future cases?

The case doesn't matter at all.

Sir, the first thing to investigate is the identity of the plaintiff and the defendant.

That which is favorable to the four clans is the truth.

Or else, it's an offense.

If we handle the case this way, you'll be in peace in Heyang.

A'Ze, did you hear everything?

What's the punishment for being such an official?

Officials who embezzle, accept, and pay bribes

are treated the same as those who steal, and are sentenced to death, exile,

whipping, caning, and no amnesty shall be given.

I've been ordered by the Emperor to govern Heyang.

On my first day in office, you taught me how to be a corrupt official.

Such intentions are inexcusable.

Take him down. Give him 20 strokes of the cane

and a three-month suspension of his salary as a warning to others.

- Sir. - Go.

Sir. Sir, I won't do it again. Sir.

- Go. - Sir.

Sir, I won't do it again.

Shangguan Zhi.

Shangguan Zhi.

Miss.

Get him caned.

Me?

You want me to be the bad guy?

So you won't be the one who gets hated.

Yes, Sir.

It's so heavy.

You said you wanted to punish the evil and uphold the good.

But are you condoning these corrupt officials?

You'd better go back home and live in comfort.

Although Pan Yue is to build up his authority, he gives me a chance to vent my anger.

These enablers of evil like this one must be taught a stern lesson.

Sir, I'm done.

What about you guys?

No.

Sir, don't blame me. I'm new here.

I'm sick of the way Constable Liu works. Am I right, guys?

Yes.

Although I'm a registrar, I never forget that I'm a disciple of the sage.

I've advised the former magistrate and Constable Liu, but they won't budge.

Fortunately, you're here, Magistrate Pan, so I can fulfill my ambition.

Good.

In two hours, I want to see this place look like a real county office.

Hurry up.

- Let's go. Come on. - Hang in there.

Sir, did I do a good job?

Is there anything else I can do?

Not bad.

It would be a shame for you to be a handyman with your intelligence.

You need to be put to good use.

You flatter me. I'll do anything to help the magistracy.

Go and settle down, and meet me in the second hall tomorrow.

Put it over there. Be careful.

- Close the curtain later. - Okay.

Put this pot of flowers in. It's Miss's favorite.

- Be careful. - Women also go all out chasing after men.

She even came to the county office for him.

- How bold of her. - Come on.

She's not to be messed with.

Be careful.

Miss, look. I've tidied up a bit.

Are you satisfied?

You call that a little tidying up?

- I haven't done it yet. I'm getting to it now. - No.

I'm a lowly clerk at the county office, not the young lady in the Shangguan family.

You don't have to be so extravagant.

Brother Yue didn't like me in the past, right?

It's all because I've been spoiled.

So, I'm going to show him some of my new hard-working self now.

Maybe he'll grow to accept me.

It's like those plays where the prince doesn't like the princess at all,

and prefers the poor girls.

You could interpret it that way.

I got it.

That's Brother Yue's room?

Yes.

I can't believe it went so smoothly.

Pan Yue, you're not that hard to deal with. Wait and see.

Sooner or later, I'm going to make you pay for what you owe me.

Miss.

I've prepared a set of maid's clothes as you ordered yesterday.

You... You're overdoing it.

Isn't this too conspicuously poor?

If it's not conspicuous, how can you attract Magistrate Pan's attention?

That's true.

I want to achieve something great. Why should I be afraid of being conspicuous?

I just wonder what kind of job Magistrate Pan will assign you.

Based on his vindictive nature, I'm sure he'll get back at me.

I can only play it by ear.

Sir.

What do you want me to do?

You don't look like your usual self today.

I've just changed into a plain outfit.

It's not just the outfit.

It's like you're a new person.

I survived a catastrophe, so I'm trying to make a fresh start.

Survived a catastrophe?

I haven't asked you where you went

after you made a scene in my bridal chamber that night

and how the accident happened.

Shangguan Zhi was in Sunrise Garden that night? What was she doing there?

Why don't you say something?

That day, when I saw you marry another woman,

I was so upset that I left after writing a suicide note.

I wanted to find a place to be alone for a few days,

but I didn't expect to be robbed by bandits.

I jumped out of the carriage, fell down the hill, and fainted.

They probably thought I was dead, and that's why I survived.

It's quite thrilling, wasn't it?

It's almost like a play.

Yes.

Life is like a play.

There are many more dramatic stories than this. This is just nothing.

Sir, why do you suddenly care about me?

Nothing.

These days, when I think of all the things that have happened between you and me,

I've indeed let you down,

and that's what brought us to this situation.

What does he want?

I shouldn't bother you with this kind of thing.

No matter what happened in the past, I'm in the county office now.

I'll keep my manners and work hard.

It seems I'm the one who's stuck in my ways.

In the past few days, I've been trying to think of a job for you.

I've finally come up with something suitable.

But I don't know if you're willing to do it.

I am. Sir, I'm at your disposal.

The registrar is old, so you'll assist him

by taking notes of the trial and making announcements.

You mustn't leave my side without any exceptional reason.

[Enlighten with Music and Ritual]

I'm the one who's investigating him, but now it's like he's watching me.

Sir, this is the last month's case files that have been inventoried.

Put them in the archive.

Yes, Sir.

I have to take a chance to find the case file of Shangguan Zhi's fall in the archive.

Sir, the carriage is ready. It's time for you to go to the monument.

What's wrong?

Are you not going?

[Even More Marvellous Garden]

Useless official! Get out of the carriage, you useless official!

What's going on?

What's this about? Is she trying to make a scene?

- Who is that? - I have no idea.

- Let's go and take a look. - It's Magistrate Pan.

- It's him. What's going on? - It's Magistrate Pan.

- Yes. - What's it about?

Who are you? Do you have any complaints?

I don't have any complaints.

I just don't like the way you officials act and show off.

- You're shameless! You're a disgrace! - Nice curse.

Do you know that insulting an official in public

is punishable by 30 strokes of the cane and half a year in jail?

That's right. Any other magistrate would have arrested you.

Only Magistrate Pan has the decency not to bother with a shrew like you.

Leave now.

Darling.

Darling.

Why is he here?

Magistrate Pan, I'm Sun Wancai. I'm sorry for the rudeness of my wife.

Thank you, Magistrate Pan, for forgiving us.

Darling, come home with me.

What a useless official! Take me to jail if you can.

Otherwise, I'll curse you day and night.

I'll make your infamy spread all over Heyang!

She's doing it on purpose.

Don't be so hard-headed.

Sir, I think you should punish this woman severely as a warning to others.

You want to help her?

I... How could I have wanted to help her?

I think she's just too rude, and is too much of a troublemaker.

She must be punished severely.

You want to take your wife home?

Of course, I do.

Your wife looks disoriented and incoherent.

Is she ill?

According to the law, a disoriented person is exempt from punishment.

Yes. My wife is disoriented.

Please forgive her.

But I need to make it clear to you that if you take her back,

you will be solely responsible for her behavior.

Can you do that?

I'll keep a close eye on her at home.

If it happens again, I'll take full responsibility.

- All right, you can take her back now. - Thank you. Sir.

- Send her home now. Darling! - Useless official!

Your eyes have been gnawed by pigs, and your conscience eaten by dogs!

Do you know how many wives were beaten to death by Sun Wancai?

You look so upright, but you're an enabler!

You're just like them!

- She's acting up again. - Wait.

Shangguan Zhi, as I mentioned,

what's the punishment for cursing an official in public?

30 strokes of the cane and half a year in jail.

The offender, Madam Sun, is disoriented,

so her behavior is the sole responsibility of her husband, Sun Wancai.

Sir, he's a member of the Four Greats.

Arrest him.

Come on, arrest him.

How dare you? You set me up, huh?

Do you know who I am?

Threatening an official is an additional offense.

Fine.

Wait and see.

Good!

Mr. Justice, I'm sorry for my offense. Please don't punish me.

Get up.

My jail is not for good people.

What a hypocrite.

I wonder what Magistrate Pan is going to say.

Yes. What's going on?

Pan Yue, the new magistrate of Heyang,

I hereby inform the people of this place with all sincerity.

I will devote myself to the concerns and welfare of you all

in return for the Emperor's favor.

It sounds sincere.

Magistrate Pan is a good official.

Yes.

Magistrate Pan, my name is Gan Juncai, a native of Heyang.

I'd like to gift two Night-luminescent Pearls to you.

Two Night-luminescent Pearls? A'Ze, jot it down.

My name is Huang Yanbin. Congratulations on your promotion.

Two boxes of books have been delivered to your residence.

Two boxes of books?

Books are full of wonders. Please check it out.

A'Ze, jot it down.

My name is Song Mingxuan, and my courtesy name is Rui'ang. It's my honor to meet you, Sir.

- What's your gift? - A jade scepter.

A jade scepter? Good. Jot it down.

Sir, I've prepared a feast for you. Please do come.

[Heyang Magistrate Office]

Miss.

When I passed by the main hall, I saw Magistrate Pan hosting a banquet.

I wonder who the guests are. It's so lively.

It's a bunch of rich new friends.

Magistrate Pan has only just arrived in Heyang. He's made a bunch of rich new friends?

All that glitters is not gold.

Keep an eye on the main hall.

Yes.

I have to find the evidence as soon as possible to bring Pan Yue to justice.

Sir, these are the unsolved cases accumulated in Heyang over the years.

Please send someone to investigate, Sir.

Is there any unsolved case here?

- Can you see it? - No.

Sir, all of these are unsolved. Including this. Well...

Sir, these aren't just pieces of paper with no feelings.

They're lives.

- Master. - Old Jiang, you're old.

You're mentally disturbed and a little crazy.

You should retire as soon as possible.

Sir! Sir! I'm not crazy!

- Master. - Sir!

I'm not crazy, Sir!

Sir!

[The third month of the 11th year of Yongning's reign, not archived.]

Even if Shangguan Zhi's death was a suicide, there should be a case file here.

Where have you been?

Magistrate Pan ordered me to get the case file on Miss Yang's fall a month ago, but I can't find it.

Miss Shangguan, well...

Rumors of Miss Yang's death are spreading, damaging Magistrate Pan's reputation.

Magistrate Pan would like to review the case file to clear up the suspicions and explain it to the public.

But Magistrate Pan took it away that day.

We were like birds in a pair, but you've suddenly left me all alone.

We were like two roaming fish, but you left me halfway.

He's really in love with the princess with all these love words.

If I didn't know your background, I'd think you were a lovesick man.

How did he get so badly injured?

It looks like it's only been a month.

[Tower of Joy]

Come on, go home now.

Hall Leaders, my young master has not returned.

The three of you should make the call on this meeting.

Silver Rain Terrace has no objections.

[Gu Yong, the Head of Relief Hall]

[Cai Sheng, the Head of Life and Death House]

[Qing Di, the Head of Hundred Flowers Court]

Young Master Zhuo should preside over this.

Together we are known as the Four Greats, but the Silver Rain Terrace safeguards Heyang.

Silver Rain Terrace is the greatest in Heyang.

Isn't that right?

Hall Leader Gu, I didn't come here today to listen to your flattery.

Get to the point. I've got a game going on later.

You're still in the mood to gamble?

Sun Wancai was arrested by Pan Yue. His men came to me for help.

As a man who beats his wife, he deserves it.

You can't say that.

Sun Wancai pays us tens of thousands of taels every year.

Pan Yue arresting him makes us lose face.

He's just a nobody. Get rid of him if you have to.

Do you think he is just like those you used to get rid of as you wished?

He's the Emperor's future son-in-law.

If this becomes a big deal, I'm afraid we won't be able to stay in Heyang anymore.

There is nothing to fear. I think he came to Heyang just for appearances.

The Emperor's future son-in-law that you mentioned

has received a lot of congratulatory gifts today.

In a few days, he'll return to the capital to marry the princess.

Do you want to bet?

I admire your confidence, House Leader Cai.

You deal with him, I'll pay you.

Do I need your money?

Hall Leader Gu, Don't use others to your advantage.

No, Qing Di. What is your plan, then?

Diplomacy before violence.

How can I get the key?

[Heyang Magistrate Office]

Come and take a look.

Freshly unearthed old royal artifacts from ancient tombs.

You're not buying jewelry but the same old imperial...

Yang...

Come and take a look.

[Beauty Parlor]

- Miss, what do you think of this? - Let me see.

It's him.

Yes, it's the latest style. Come on, try it.

Let me see. It's nice. It suits you perfectly.

You want to get this? All right?

Have a look around and see if there's anything else you like.

Miss, look over there.

That man is my friend. It's his first time in a place like this and he's not comfortable with it.

Please help him to trim his face.

All right.

- All right, I want these two. - I'll wrap them up for you later.

Mister, this is your first time here, isn't it? Let me trim your face.

- It's very effective. - No, thanks.

Come on. Come and have a try.

Sister, you're being tailed.

It's Pan Yue's man.

Is he suspicious of you?

I'm not sure.

He could simply be watching me to find an excuse to kick me out of the county office.

Let's not worry about him. I came to ask you to do me a favor.

Go ahead.

I remember you used to sell a jar of something called...

Hundred Miles Fragrance.

- Hundred Paces Fragrance. - Hundred Paces Fragrance.

It's a strong drink. After drinking it, everyone will collapse within a hundred steps.

Yes, that's it. Get me a jar.

Why do you need it? You can't drink that.

I won't drink it. Get me a jar.

All right.

I've got news about Master Jiang.

Really?

I heard about a medical center selling medicines to an old man.

From the description, age, appearance, and so on, it must be Master Jiang.

I'll check it out. If there's any news, I'll come back and tell you.

That means Master is still alive. That's great.

[Heyang Magistrate Office]

Miss, where have you been?

I was bored, so I went out to buy some food.

Who's here to present gifts again?

Constable Liu said the guest was from the Four Greats in Heyang.

The Four Greats?

Magistrate Pan, how have you considered my request?

This isn't easy.

Please tell me what you're worried about.

Look, I arrested Sun Wancai in front of the public, in front of everyone decisively.

Now you're asking me to let him go, isn't that eating my words?

We're willing to pay some money to compensate for your loss of face.

Sir, name your price.

Four thousand taels?

Forty thousand?

Four hundred thousand?

Forty...

He was so upright when he was a kid, but how did he grow up to be so bad?

You like drinking so much, I'll let you have a good drink.

[Du Kang]

[Antidote to alcohol]

- Nice. - Constable Liu, don't go.

I've prepared some food and wine.

I'm new here, so I'm grateful for all your kindness.

I'd like to express my gratitude. Firstly, as a token of my appreciation,

and secondly, to mark Magistrate Pan's first arrest on the streets.

- Please sit down. Sit down. - Sure.

- Come on, don't keep standing there. Quick. - Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Shangguan.

- There are so many delicious dishes. - Yes.

Actually, Magistrate Pan would like to get close to everyone.

It's just that he's cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

He's embarrassed to take the initiative, so you guys should be more proactive.

Sure.

That's true.

If we don't accommodate him, do we want him to accommodate us?

- That's right. - Of course.

- Don't just talk about it. - He's coming. Go.

Go now. Go.

Tell him to come and have a drink.

Magistrate Pan, we're celebrating the first arrest on the streets.

Would you like to join us for a drink?

Sure.

Come on, a toast to Magistrate Pan.

Come on, Sir.

Flattery always works.

I know people like you love flattery.

- I don't believe I can't get you drunk today. - Shangguan Zhi.

Aren't you going to give me a toast?

Of course. I am.

I wish you fame and fortune in Heyang.

I hope it'll be as you wish.

I hope you lose your reputation and reap what you sow.

It's rare for the masters to be so happy today. I'll give you a toast too.

- I don't drink. - Why don't you drink?

You're looking down on me because I'm a girl, aren't you?

I didn't mean that.

If so, drink it.

Sir.

Sir.

Miss Shangguan, Magistrate Pan is...

He's drunk. I'll help him back.

You guys clean up this place.

Magistrate Pan is drunk. I'll take him back.

Sir, be careful.

Don't bump into anything. Don't get injured.

There are too many mosquitoes. I'll kill them for you.

[The Case of Miss Yang's Fall]

No one was in the room when she fell.

The autopsy showed no poison and no trauma.

There's no sign of burglary, or damage to the bridal chamber,

except for a water stain from who-knows-where next to the body.

Water stain?

Why is there a water stain next to the body?

Magistrate Pan, get some rest. I'll go back first.

The candle in the room went out once.

Before relighting the candle, Pan Yue should have knocked out Shangguan Zhi.

He used a mechanism to make Shangguan Zhi delay the fall to create an alibi.

Why was there a water stain next to the body?

Water?

Could it be...

If Shangguan Zhi had been knocked out before she fell, there must have been trauma on her body.

It's been a month. Her body may have decomposed.

But it's also the only clue I've got so far.

But where would Pan Yue bury Shangguan Zhi?

Miss.

Miss. Magistrate Pan asked you to go out with him.

What?

That's great, Miss. All your hard work is finally coming to fruition.

I heard you sent me back to my room last night.

Yes.

I didn't know that wine was so strong that even A'Ze got drunk.

I didn't expect you to be the best drinker.

I remember you drank a lot last night, too.

Maybe I didn't feel drunk when I met my soulmate.

But why do I remember in a trance that you seem to treat me...

What? What did I do to you?

- I didn't do anything to you. - What is this?

A mosquito bite.

You know that there are a lot of mosquitoes at the county office.

In fact, I killed them for a while yesterday, so as not to disturb your rest.

Well, that's very kind of you.

Don't mention it.

Sir, where are you taking me?

I've searched everywhere and finally found a bandit who injured you a month ago.

Now I take you to identify him.

Let's go.

Lai Laosan.

Who are you? Who are you?

Who let you in? Get out.

This is the new magistrate, Magistrate Pan.

Pan... Magistrate Pan.

Look at him. Is he the bandit who hurt you the other day?

I'm not sure. The bandits were masked.

Masked?

Why didn't I think of that?

Looks like we'll need physical evidence.

Lai Laosan, you pawned this at the pawnshop the other day.

You're a poor man. Where did you get this?

This I picked it up somewhere.

You picked it up somewhere? Where did you pick it up?

This jewelry is unique to the Shangguan family's carriages.

Shangguan Zhi, am I right?

Is that so?

Tell me. How did you get this?

You're the one who killed someone and stole the carriage, aren't you?

No, I didn't.

Sir, I didn't hurt anyone and I wasn't a bandit.

Did the carriage come to your house by itself?

Well...

I... I stole it.

That was the day... you got married.

I lost all my money again.

I passed the residence where you were married on my way home.

I thought that a nobleman from the capital must have a lot of valuable things

and would be too careless to take precautions on the wedding day.

So I thought I'd break into the backyard, and steal something valuable.

I shouldn't have stolen things. But I definitely didn't rob and kill anyone.

Please see to it, Sir.

Where's the carriage now?

Sir.

You said you ran into bandits on your way out,

but why was the carriage in Sunrise Garden?

Yes. Why was my carriage in Sunrise Garden?

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by True Face of Love 🌸 Team @Viki.com

'Door' - Zhou Shen

♫ Like the dew, waiting for a glimmer of sunlight to welcome the morning ♫

♫ How many glances to we need to exchange to affirm each other? ♫

♫ Your sincerity fools me ♫

♫ And my seriousness traps you ♫

♫ The depth of the past is best left unexplored ♫

♫ How many more failures do I have to experience? ♫

♫ Before I can face love and hared with confidence? ♫

♫ No one should ask about the moment of letting go ♫

♫ Is it a moment of liberation or cowardice? ♫

♫ Perhaps I've mistakenly entered your heart, and now I'm feeling unsettled ♫

♫ I'm unwilling to just be a passer-by with you ♫

♫ I'm not going to give up without a fight ♫

♫ My life would have been worth living ♫

♫ If grass and trees are sharp blades, if mountains and waters are temples ♫

♫ Every moment with you is a blessing ♫

♫ I will never take you for granted ♫

♫ And I want to be worthy of your love ♫

♫ Perhaps I've mistakenly entered your heart, and now I'm feeling unsettled ♫

♫ I'm unwilling to just be a passer-by with you ♫

♫ I'm not going to give up without a fight ♫

♫ My life would have been worth living ♫

♫ If grass and trees are sharp blades, if mountains and waters are temples ♫

♫ Every moment with you is a blessing ♫

♫ I will never take you for granted ♫

♫ And I want to be worthy of your love ♫

♫ Be worthy of your love ♫