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 ♫

♫ 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 18]

What's wrong?

I...

Mr. Pan? Why are you here?

Why is the umbrella in a mess?

Young Master spent a lot of money on them for you.

It hasn't been used since Young Lady was hurt.

She is Shangguan Zhi now.

If her identity is exposed, she might be in danger.

Did something happen?

Mr. Pan, why are you so free to visit Miss Shangguan Zhi today?

Have you solved all the cases at the county ya men?

I caught a pheasant just now. We'll roast it in the garden tonight.

Mr. Pan, do you plan to stay and have dinner with us?

There's no need.

Did something really happen?

No.

I'm investigating a case, and I found clues about the Ripple Organization.

What case?

This is a complicated case. I can't explain everything in a few words.

I know you are concerned about the Ripple Organization.

Don't worry. I will inform you immediately if I have any news.

[Heyang Magistrate's Office]

Yang Caiwei took on Shangguan Zhi's appearance.

Then, the one in the ice coffin is Shangguan Zhi.

There was an accident when I came.

I slipped.

Thankfully, I didn't miss the auspicious hour.

Shangguan Zhi impersonated Yang Caiwei to the wedding,

but she was killed by the Ripple Organization due to a coincidence.

Tell me! What is the secret behind the Ripple Token that you'd kill your daughter to protect?

Who ordered you to do it? Tell me!

You offended someone you shouldn't have.

You will only make my death more miserable.

- Gu Yong! - Gu Yong!

Gu Yong!

Shangguan Zhi died in another place.

Yang Caiwei almost died.

They are both related to the Ripple Organization.

I must find the mastermind, and return justice to them.

She is coming back soon.

All of you must grow faster.

Young Lady, Mr. Pan found clues about the Ripple Organization.

Are you going to return to the county ya men?

Can he ask me to leave and go back as he please?

That would be very spineless of me.

He didn't invite me.

I think he came here to boast.

If I go back, I might be given the cold shoulder. I'm not going back.

Go back and rest.

Yes, Young Lady.

I'm investigating a case, and I found clues about the Ripple Organization.

[Edify through music and ritual]

Will she not come here?

[Heyang Magistrate's Office]

Young Lady, where are we going?

Heyang is huge. I'm sure we can find a place.

Forget it.

Even Han Xin could be humiliated.

For the sake of the case, I am ready to yield.

- Write it bigger! - Why don't you write it?

Miss Shangguan, you are finally back!

The county ya men was so quiet when you weren't around.

- It was so boring. - Yes.

Where is Miss Ling?

To be honest, without Miss Ling,

- I couldn't even eat. - Right?

- Do you only miss Ling? - We miss you both.

Where is Mr. Pan?

Mr. Pan is in the second hall.

He has been working throughout the night recently just to wait for you to share his burden.

Mr. Pan, Miss Shangguan is requesting a meeting.

Ask her to come in.

Yes.

Mr. Pan.

Why are you here?

Mr. Pan, didn't you update me about the case because you wanted me to help you?

You are overthinking.

However, if you care so much about the case, I don't mind showing it to you.

Thank you, Mr. Pan.

Why is she addressing me so politely? She's acting so distant from me.

You are no longer a part of the county ya men. There's no need to address me.

I know I'm not part of the county ya men. There's no need to remind me all the time.

It's an eyesore.

Yes. Mr. Pan always thinks I'm an eyesore.

What do you think? Do you notice anything suspicious from the dossier?

Although the case is creepy, I didn't notice any clues about the Ripple Organization.

The criminal, Shen Ci, is held in the prison.

When I visited him, his prison wall had Ripple Organization drawings.

What did he say?

He only said the truth would come to light when the case is solved.

That means he is innocent, and there's more to the case than meets the eye.

If he is really innocent, why didn't he tell everything he knew

and want the county ya men to investigate the case?

Besides, the important point in this case is how the victim was killed.

Shen Ci is just a scholar. How did he blind Chen Fu and the rest,

make them lose consciousness, and jump down the cliff voluntarily?

You've hit the bullseye. As expected of you.

Are you laughing at me?

I was being sincere.

Mr. Pan, if you are willing to tell me clues about the Ripple Organization,

please don't simply tease me.

I came back for the case. I'll leave after I finish working every day. I won't disturb you.

I...

I didn't mean that.

However... I'm satisfied to see you alive before me.

However... I'm satisfied to see you alive before me.

What's wrong with him?

Is he possessed as well while investigating the possession case?

The cause of the case is the haunted forest and the disappearance of Shen Ci.

Talk about ghosts is nonsense.

It seems like I need to start from the source of the problem.

Prepare a carriage.

We'll go to Xinzheng Academy. [Court]

Young Master, should we inform Miss Shangguan?

Forget it. It's getting late. I think she is in a rush to return to Sunrise Garden.

There's no need to call her.

Wait!

We'll go together.

Are you...

Are you used to living in Sunrise Garden?

I'm eating and sleeping well.

There's no one to order me around, and I don't have to be scolded.

It's free and comfortable.

I heard you went to the pier with Young Master Zhuo two days ago.

We got into some trouble.

It's quite good.

Quite good?

Do you think it's quite good for me to get into trouble?

I meant it's quite good that the trouble was resolved

and you could come back to investigate the case.

Mr. Pan, do you feel uncomfortable and keep trying to find a topic because I'm in the carriage?

No. It has been a long time since we met each other, so I was showing some concern.

We just met yesterday.

[Xinzheng Academy]

Mr. Pan, I didn't know you would be visiting,

Sorry for not welcoming you. Please forgive me. [Xinzheng Academy]

Mr. Chen, you are too polite.

Xinzheng Academy is the official academy of Heyang.

It nurtures many talents. It is the holy sanctuary for Heyang's scholars.

I've always wanted to visit, and immerse myself in the academic atmosphere.

Xinzheng Academy is honored to welcome Mr. Pan.

Please come inside.

This way, please.

Even the servants of Xinzheng Academy are well-mannered.

That's too much praise.

They have been here for a long time, and influenced by scholars of the academy.

Hence, the people of the world listened, and stood firm, and stayed silent in fear.

The three rulers lost their way.

Loyal officers do not give advice and strategists do not give ideas.

Hence, the people of the world listened, stood firm, and stayed silent in fear.

The three rulers lost their way.

Loyal officers do not give advice and strategists do not give ideas.

Mr. Pan. This way, please.

Mr. Pan, these are articles written by our academy's students.

Please take a look at them.

The three rulers lost their way.

- Loyal officers do not give advice and strategists do not give ideas. - All of them are insightful.

Xinzheng Academy is indeed amazing.

That's too much praise.

Stood firm, and stayed silent in fear.

The three rulers lost their way.

Loyal officers do not give advice and strategists do not give ideas.

Mr. Chen, which student wrote this article?

Mr. Pan, please take a look.

Stood firm, and stayed silent in fear.

The three rulers lost their way.

Loyal officers do not give advice and strategists do not give ideas.

Hence, the people of the world listened...

Excuse me. I want to ask you about someone.

Who?

There was a Ghostly Fire Case before. Do you know the suspect, Shen Ci?

I don't know him.

Why is this room covered with black cloth during the day?

This is... This is my son's room.

I've heard about your son.

It is really unfortunate.

Since my son became blind, he became delirious and always walked towards the light.

To be safe, I have no choice but to cover the room with black cloth.

Can I go inside and take a look?

Go ahead.

Mr. Chen, Miss Shangguan is well-versed in curses.

Why don't you let her take a look?

Thank you, Miss Shangguan.

Here. Come here.

As far as I know, the suspect is a scholar.

He is currently imprisoned in the county yamen's jail.

I want to know how a weak scholar can do all these.

As a student of Confucianism, we don't talk about the supernatural.

I don't know how he did it.

But when this happened to my son, he kept repeating his name.

It can be no one else but him.

I pity my son for suffering.

In order to keep my son alive,

I went to the prison to beg the murderer a few times to spare my son.

However, he was heartless and wouldn't budge.

I think the academy is weird.

When I asked a student, he was terrified and ran away when I mentioned Shen Ci's name.

I think someone silenced them.

Mr. Pan, why do you say that?

The students were acting uniformly. It didn't feel normal.

It seemed as if everything had been rehearsed.

Besides, Did you hear what they were reciting?

Hence, the people of the world listened, stood firm...

- The Faults of Qin? - Yes.

That article spoke about people of the world who could only listen, but couldn't speak.

Then... Who silenced them?

Then... Who silenced them?

It might be Shen Ci's classmate or Mr. Chen.

Mr. Chen is a victim.

Reasonably speaking, he would want the case to be solved, and punish Shen Ci for his crimes.

There is no reason for him to do that.

Mr. Pan, let's go to the hill.

I have a feeling that the forest haunting is weird.

[Maintaining the Peace]

Young Master.

We found the person who escaped from prison.

When I chased him here, someone arrived before me, and killed him.

- Did you see that person's face? - I didn't see his face,

but when he killed with his sword, there was something odd about his right shoulder.

Young Master, we found remnants of the Gold Water Sect.

To be safe, you can't go back for now.

I have to bother you to stay here for a few days.

The Gold Water Sect is not enough to make me hide in this shell.

Young Master, Gold Water Sect is cruel and uses despicable methods.

Three years ago, The old chief was plotted against.

Young Master must never be careless.

Young Master, please be cautious!

If you don't agree to it, I will kneel forever.

Young Master, why did you call me here?

Young Master.

It has been a long time since we sparred against each other.

After so many years,

you still haven't changed your habit of shrugging your shoulders.

When I learned sword techniques from my master,

I always made mistakes, and my Master would whip my right shoulder.

Perhaps it was traumatic for me. I can't even change it now.

I ask you to come here because I want to ask you

if you've investigated the escape of Gold Water Sect's remnants.

I have.

The spy relied on his close relationship with the guard

and attracted the guard's attention before stealing the keys to escape.

I sent people to investigate with the clues we have, but they have left Heyang.

Are you saying that Silver Rain Terrace has hired a bunch of useless people?

Young Master.

I am incapable and failed to lead the subordinates.

I am Silver Rain Terrace's Young Master.

If you are talking about failure in leading subordinates, I'm the one who should be blamed.

I have been too invested in romantic relationships

and neglected the sect's matters.

That was why I allowed my men to make mistakes.

All right.

You may leave.

Yes.

Is Mr. Sun the spy?

But he was the old chief's foster son. He has been loyal to Silver Rain Terrace.

He risked his life to protect you during the battle with the Gold Water Sect.

Perhaps it is due to our relationship that he only distracted me

or held me back usually to prevent me from getting involved with the Ripple Organization's matters.

Do you mean Mr. Sun and the Ripple Organization are working together?

I can't be sure yet.

However, I made him cautious just now. I'm sure he will do something.

Keep a close eye on him.

I want to see what he is doing behind my back.

Yes.

[Hill Behind the Academy]

The Haunted Forest is in front.

Let's go and have a test of courage.

Didn't you usually use my brother as an excuse to not bring me out?

Why are you so keen today?

That was in the past.

From now on, whether the road ahead is dangerous or safe, I'll also bring you along.

What is this?

The reason why this forest is called the Haunting Forest is because people who come here can't get out.

I'm making a mark so we won't get trapped inside.

Why does your blade look so much like Yang Caiwei's coroner blade?

You made a mistake.

- Oh no. - What's wrong?

See? We've been hoodwinked.

Maybe someone is purposely staging this. Follow me.

Did you see what that was?

I'm sure they are deceiving others for a purpose.

Lend me something.

Don't move.

We won't get separated by doing this.

Do you hear that? It's the sound of water.

There are no rivers or streams here. How could you hear the sound of water?

There is. Listen closely.

Shangguan Zhi, hold me tightly. Don't let go!

Well I'm fine. You can let go of me now.

How are you?

I'm all right.

You are hurt.

It's all right.

Don't move.

What is this?

Smells weird.

- Dye. - Dye?

Rope?

The Haunted Forest is a man-made trap.

There must be a dark secret hidden in this forest, for them to do this.

We finally walked out of the forest.

These traps are very clever. It can't be made without a few years' work.

I'm afraid the mastermind is powerful.

There are no wildflowers around here. Why are there flowers at this place?

What is it?

The soil here is very fertile. That is why wildflowers grow here.

Perhaps something is buried underneath.

It was a blind guess.

I don't know if I'm right or wrong. I think I'm right.

We'll know if we dig it up.

Xinzheng Academy's badge? [Xinzheng Academy]

Is the victim a student from Xinzheng Academy?

- Constable Liu. - Hurry.

Mr. Pan.

Chen San, examine the body immediately.

I want to know this man's identity and cause of death.

Help me.

Mr. Pan, from how decayed the body is, the person has been dead for more than a year.

What else can we find?

Mr. Pan, I mean other people can't do it, but I definitely can.

The victim's fatal wound is on his neck.

I deduce that he was strangled to death by a rope.

The Haunted Forest's vines.

Keep talking.

Mr. Pan, the victim has died for more than a year.

The body is so decayed that his face cannot be recognized.

If you want more details,

- I'm afraid you need to... - Give you more time.

You are wise. You already know my habits of doing an autopsy.

Enough. This matter mustn't be delayed. Give me an answer by noon tomorrow.

Yes.

[Portrait of Mr. Chen, the Master]

Master, I beg you.

Please come early tonight. Don't keep me waiting.

Master, I beg you.

I asked Constable Liu previously.

He said no one has been missing from Xinzheng Academy in the last year.

Who is that person?

I'm guessing that the person's surname is Miao.

Why?

[Xinzheng Academy Register]

How did you get this?

I took it from the academy during the day.

Back then...

Xinzheng Academy is indeed amazing.

That's too much praise. [Xinzheng Academy Register]

I've underestimated you.

Thanks for your praise.

[Miao Zhuang, died in the academy due to the plague]

How do we prove that this person is Miao Zhuang?

I need to find an excuse to leave, so I can examine the body.

I need to find an excuse to leave, so she can examine the body.

- Shangguan Zhi. - Mr. Pan.

- After you. - After you.

I feel bored. I want to go out and take a walk.

Ze is looking for me. I need to head over there.

Then...

- You are going that way. - Sure.

Mr. Pan, what are you looking at by standing here?

The moon.

Why are you here?

- Doing the night rounds. - You are not needed here. Go back.

Come back.

Tell the cook to make a feast, and warm a bottle of wine.

Mr. Pan, it's so late at night. Are you still expecting guests?

Just do it. Cut the nonsense.

Yes.

Who are you?

Six chi and five cun tall. Male.

His age is between 20 to 25.

No signs of poisoning.

The teeth did not fall completely.

This tooth...

Mr. Pan, are you looking for me?

Eat. Don't say that I'm mistreating you.

It seems like this new cook has impressed you.

Miss Shangguan.

Jiang, why are you here?

- Just leave it here. - Sure.

This is...

I heard from Ling that you've come back to work here.

I'm worried that someone might mistreat you, so I asked her to make some dishes.

It seems like my timing is right.

Mr. Pan, let's eat together.

Mr. Pan is annoyed when he sees us. I think he wants some peace.

Let's eat.

Come. Eat first.

Eat. They are all your favorite dishes.

This.

Mr. Pan, I've warmed the wine.

There are so many dishes. Can you finish them alone?

It wasn't supposed to be for me. You've worked hard doing rounds. This is your reward.

Really? Thank you, Mr. Pan.

Can you be mindful when you eat?

You have rice on your face!

You ruined my appetite.

Sorry, Mr. Pan.

Did Pan Yue show you a long face today?

Why? Are you going to defend me?

Yes. If he makes you cry again, I will kill him.

Stop joking.

He didn't show me a long face, but it felt weird.

It felt like he was trying to find faults with me.

However...

We won't get separated by doing this.

Young Master, we are here.

What is it?

It's nothing.

I'm tired from running around. I'm going back to sleep. You should rest early.

He didn't show me a long face, but it felt weird.

It felt like he was trying to find faults with me.

However...

Why are you drinking alone here?

Great timing. Join me.

Are you drinking out of sadness after you got rejected by Caiwei?

Are you underestimating me?

I'm not afraid to be rejected by her.

I'm afraid that she already has someone else in her heart.

Forget it. You won't understand.

Of course I do.

What? Do you have someone you like too?

I am different from all of you. You only know about love.

Isn't it similar to a customer visiting your shop,

talking to you for half a day, and negotiating three times before buying from someone else?

If she doesn't appreciate you, there will be someone who does.

What kind of nonsense are you talking about?

Forget it. Let's drink.

Do you want to eat? The glutinous rice balls sold by the lady over there are delicious.

Let me buy you a bowl. It's my treat.

Lady, give me a bowl of glutinous rice balls.

Sure.

I'm leaving the money here.

Xiaosheng?

We haven't met for years. I didn't recognize you as you look so pretty now.

If I knew this, I would not let you go back then.

Don't be in a rush to leave. I'm not done yet.

I have nothing to say to you. Let go.

Why are you acting arrogantly?

Think about it. You would've been dead if it wasn't for me.

Let go.

- Help! - How dare you!

Help! Help!

Do you have a death wish?

Stop. Don't kill him.

Zhuo Lanjiang, let him leave!

Zhuo Lanjiang, let him leave!

I'll leave! I'll leave!

Why aren't you asking anything?

If you won't tell me, I won't ask.

If you want to tell me,

I'll listen.

I lost my father when I was young.

My mother was a gambler.

Whenever I woke up, there would be debt collectors at my house.

One day, my mother told me he could take me

away from Heyang to rely on a rich cousin.

She said

we could begin a new life there.

You didn't know how happy I was back then.

Mother, where are we going?

To a very good place.

There will no longer be debt collectors and you won't need to worry about food and clothing anymore.

How long does it take to get there?

Xiaosheng, sleep for now. I'll wake you up when we arrive.

When I woke up,

we did arrive at a place.

The place looked rich,

but it wasn't my cousin.

It was a place where my mother sold me, for ten taels of silver.

She abandoned me

and never came back.

I was only ten years old that year.

Later, I found an opportunity to escape.

I begged and stole to feed myself.

When I had some savings, I started a small business.

Anyway, I spent ten times the money to redeem myself.

This is the reason why you like making money so much.

Even my mother was not reliable. Money is the most important thing.

It's fine.

It's bustling when there's profit.

It's empty when profit goes away.

Isn't it the same for people as well?

You lie to me and I lie to you.

Let me teach you a trick.

Whenever you are sad, just eat something sweet.

When you feel sad in the future, you will remember the sweetness in your mouth.

It will wash away your sadness.

Are you coaxing a child?

Besides, I'm not sad now.

Think of it as giving to the ten-year-old Xiaosheng.

You are so foolish.

[Heyang Magistrate's Office]

Mr. Pan.

Wait until everyone's here.

Mr. Pan, are you waiting for Miss Shangguan?

I'm waiting for Constable Liu.

[The filling of the molar is made from tin and silver foil.]

[It is a common method to repair a decayed tooth in the Yongqi period.]

Why isn't she here yet? Did Zhuo Lanjiang do something to stop her from coming?

Mr. Pan.

Mr. Pan, I examined the body and found a black molar on the body.

I spent a lot of effort cleaning it with tooth powder

and discovered that the center of the molar is filled with tin and...

Tin and...

And silver foil, right?

That's right. Silver foil.

I met Shuang on the way. I especially bought it for you.

Especially for me?

Mr. Pan.

Time to have some iced beverages.

All right. Thank you.

Here you go.

Delicious.

It's quite delicious.

Chen San. Keep talking.

Mr. Pan, the center of the molar is an amalgam made from tin, silver foil, and mercury.

Physicians among the folk use this to fill the space in a tooth.

However, the silver foil turns black easily when it is buried, for too long.

Turns black?

Are you saying that the victim had his molar restored when he was alive?

That's right. Mr. Pan, from the condition of the amalgam's wear and tear,

it hadn't been used for too long.

It should be used for about a year or two.

Find every physician who knows how to restore a tooth in Heyang.

We must find out this person's identity.

Yes!

That's right. I restored this tooth.

I always add a little mercury to the teeth I've restored.

Not many physicians in Heyang are willing to use mercury.

Do you still remember who the person is?

I can't remember which person from Xinzheng Academy came,

but I always keep a record whenever I go for house calls.

Perhaps there's a record on the ledger.

Found it.

Two years ago, I restored a decayed tooth.

The fee was two taels of silver.

The patient's name was Shen Ci.

[22nd day of the fifth month, Shen Ci Tooth decay treatment, treatment fee, two taels of silver]

If this body is Shen Ci, who is the one in prison?

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 ♫