Original subtitles

♫ The falling snow ♫

♫ Is bitter cold ♫

♫ My sigh ♫

♫ Misted the path in front of me ♫

♫ The moonlight knows my intention ♫

♫ I just want to make a place for me in your heart ♫

♫ I laugh and I cry ♫

♫ Quietly building a pond in my heart ♫

♫ I accept all the gifts from sorrow ♫

♫ I can't let down my regrets ♫

♫ I won't admit defeat ♫

♫ I slowly chew on the bitterness of life ♫

♫ The fragrance remains the same after the bleak winter ♫

♫ Awaiting spring to color the way back home ♫

[The Double]

[Episode 26]

The ghost fire was man-made.

Those who were burned to death must have been instructed.

Otherwise, they wouldn't say those things.

Investigate the whereabouts of the deceased before they died.

Find the similarities.

Yes, My Lord.

The ghost fire is just a trigger.

The real show is yet to come.

Any news from the Jiang family?

Tomorrow is the Jiang family's ancestor worship day.

There's not much besides that.

Are you worried about Second Lady Jiang being implicated?

Should I go and follow her?

Come back here.

Did I tell you to go?

Focus on the main task.

Why is His Lordship so indecisive?

One moment, he asked me to deliver a message, and stop me from following the next.

The last time you delivered the message, Second Lady Jiang didn't come to thank him.

Of course, His Lordship is not happy.

That's not right.

Why do you seem to understand everything suddenly?

I've always been like this.

As for you, maybe you've turned into a fool after being punished too many times.

[Virtue Shines Through Time]

Ancestors of the Jiang family, bless our family, throughout the year continuously.

Li.

Jiang Li.

Where is her manner?

Yuanbai, this is against the rules.

[In Memory of Ye Zhenzhen]

Madam Ye, you must be reunited with Jiang Li.

Don't worry.

I'm indebted to her, so I will help her get justice.

Li, women can't join the worship.

You're breaking the rules. Get down here.

That's right.

My dear, it's my fault for not telling her.

Father,

I haven't seen Mother for a long time.

Please forgive me for being rude.

Li, didn't you hear the elders?

It's one thing to act out at home.

But now you are in front of the whole family and ancestors, so control yourself.

I just want to bow to my mother.

Please allow it, Mother.

It seems you are determined to break the rules today.

I just want to pay my respects.

Jiang Li.

Never mind.

Let her worship this once.

These are rules set by our ancestors.

Breaking them will bring trouble to the family.

My dear, someone has to teach her the rules.

If none of you want to be the bad person, I will do it.

My dear.

Jiang Li, get up.

Get up.

- Get up. - Where are your manners?

Get up.

Get up. Stop bowing.

Let me go!

Get up.

Don't disturb my Yue! Don't disturb my Yue!

Don't bother my Yue!

Get out! Get out!

How did she get out?

Someone! Take her back!

- My Yue... - Quickly!

- My dear Yue... - Send her back!

My dear Yue. Yue, my dear Yue.

- Come! - Move it.

My dear Yue. My dear Yue.

Yue, my darling.

Yue... [Aunt Hu]

Madam, are you all right?

Let's go.

Let's go home.

What a mess.

Jiang Li, you are so brave.

Actually, I also wonder why it's unfair that women can't worship.

Who was that woman?

That's Aunt Hu.

Don't you remember? When you were young, you were very close to Jiang Yue.

That is her daughter.

Old Madam, please spare this child.

- Please. - Aunt Hu was originally

a maid in the side court.

But she got pregnant before your mother, who was the legal wife.

Because it was not accepted within the societal norms,

Grandmother didn't allow her to keep the child.

After all, if she gave birth to a son,

the eldest son of the Jiang family would be born by a maid, which was a disgrace.

However, your mother was kind-hearted. So she saved both Aunt Hu and her unborn child.

For the sake of the child, please spare her.

Aunt Hu was grateful for your mother's kindness.

She never competed or caused trouble and was kind to everyone.

About two years later, your mother had you.

The harmony among the wives and concubines of the Jiang family

became a good story among the upper-class households.

What happened after that?

Everything changed after your mother's death.

Jiang Yue accidentally drowned while playing near the artificial hill.

It took hours before a passing servant girl found her body.

- Someone died! - Help!

Yue, get up.

Wake up. Open your eyes and look at me.

Look at me. I'll take you home, all right?

I'll take you home. Yue!

- Yue! - From then on,

Aunt Hu was heartbroken day and night, eventually developing hysteria.

She wandered around the house looking disheveled.

There was no other choice, but to lock her in the woodshed in the backyard.

Yue!

But if she's locked in the woodshed, how did she end up here?

That is why it's strange.

When you were sent to the Zhennyu Hall, Aunt Hu disappeared from the woodshed.

Ji Shuran searched for her for a long time, but couldn't find her.

Aunt Hu! Aunt Hu!

Later, guess where she went?

She's a madwoman with no carriage.

No one knows how she got here.

But according to Grandmother, she always warned not to bring trouble to the Jiang family.

Grandmother thought it was risky to keep her at home.

So she ordered someone to tidy up this room, and consider her guarding the tomb.

It seems Aunt Hu is also a pitiful soul.

Since she was so close to my mother, I should visit her often in the future.

You can't.

She's mad and can be violent.

Moreover, if you keep coming, what if others see it?

They'll start gossiping.

Never mind. There will be opportunities to visit her in the future.

All right.

Tong, do you find Aunt Hu a little strange?

Strange? How so?

Just now, she seemed to be observing me secretly.

Especially after I confronted Ji Shuran, her gaze was fixed on me.

It was just strange.

Are you suspecting that she's not really hysterical?

But how could an ordinary person pretend to be crazy, and guard a dead person's tomb?

[Jiang Family Ancestral Temple]

Let's go.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

What's going on?

Second Lady, I'm really sorry.

The reins unexpectedly broke.

The horse also ran off.

Why does the rein suddenly break for no reason?

Maybe it's worn out. I'll go and find the horse right away.

Hurry.

What happened to you?

Ruoyao, my horse ran away.

What luck.

Jinhua, stay with her maid here.

- You can ride in my carriage and leave first. - Yes.

Why? Are you planning to go back later

and play the victim in front of Father and Grandmother?

You're always good at spinning tales.

I don't want to go back and have you accuse

my mother of damaging your carriage and plotting against you again.

In that case, thank you for the ride.

You should know about my marriage with the Qi family.

I heard.

You ruined my engagement with Zhou Yanbang.

You must be happy now.

He is not a good husband prospect for you.

You know nothing.

The matter has come to this.

Do you feel remorse?

If I'm not mistaken, it was you and Ji Shuran who tried to set me up first.

That's because you've been targeting us since you returned.

If you had stayed quietly at Zhennyu Hall, none of this would have happened to me.

I'll still be the Jiang's family's only legitimate daughter.

It's all your fault. It's all because of you.

You say I've taken everything from you.

But have you ever thought about where did you get all the things you owned from?

Do you know what kind of life I had at Zhennyu Hall?

What concern is it of mine how you lived at Zhennyu Hall?

Give me your hand.

Does it hurt?

I'm asking you if it hurts.

The pain I endured at Zhennyu Hall was a thousand times worse than this.

When I was eight, did I really cause harm to your mother?

They framed me and sent me to Zhennyu Hall unjustly.

What? Can't I return to clear my name?

I have no bias or grudges against you.

We were both young back then.

I believe it wasn't your idea for me to stay at Zhennyu Hall for so long.

Now that I'm back, I just want to reclaim what rightfully belongs to Jiang Li, nothing more.

If you insist that I took everything from you and keep pressuring me,

I can only tell you one thing. You're a fool.

- What did you say? Say it again. - What's there to be afraid of?

- I... - Jiang Ruoyao,

have you gone mad from staying at the mansion?

As the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family,

you've shattered our sisterly bond for such a worthless person from the Zhou family.

Think carefully about it.

Do you not regret it?

Now that I call you foolish, that's the least of it.

Do you think I would listen to you after talking big in front of me?

No matter what, you owe me.

You must pay for what you've done to me.

What price?

Don't move. Behave and come with me.

Why did you knock her out?

Didn't you say we were only after money?

You could've asked her about the money and left.

By delaying like this,

- what if we get caught... - She's the obstacle between us.

Without her, we could have been together long ago.

Think about it. Before Jiang Li came back,

you were the most beautiful lady in the city, with excellent musical talent.

I was also a handsome and talented young man.

We've become like this now.

Shouldn't Jiang Li die?

Shouldn't she?

Are you planning to kill her?

In the deep mountains and forests, who would know we are behind this?

Even if we were caught, family secrets must not be revealed.

The Jiang family and the Zhou family will protect us at all costs.

Are you crazy?

- This is a human life! - She's always been a troublemaker.

We won't have peace until she's gone!

Ruoyao, I'm doing this for us to be together.

Last night, have you forgotten what you said?

Ruoyao, I finally get to see you.

Aren't you already married to Yu'e?

Why are you saying these things now?

Ruoyao, you knew I was set up.

Besides, I've never stopped sending you letters all this time.

I've never touched Jiang Yu'e. You're the only one in my heart.

What's the use of saying all this now? Do you know...

Do you know my mother wants to marry me off to the Qi family?

How about we elope?

What?

Let's elope to another place.

To a place surrounded by green hills and clear waters.

We'll gather some money and live a simple life there.

Away from the capital, and away from everyone and everything you dislike.

Just us.

But my mother is keeping a close eye on me now.

I'm afraid it'll be hard to get money from home.

I can't bear to see you suffer.

I'll gather the money myself.

If necessary, I can work as a laborer.

In any case, I won't let you suffer.

You're from a prestigious family, a scholarly family.

- How can you... - So what?

I just want to be with you.

Ruoyao, I suddenly remembered someone.

She should provide the money.

Who?

Jiang Li.

She has the backing of the wealthy Ye family.

If we capture her, we can get a lot of money.

It'll be enough for our future.

You've wanted to kill her from the start.

Am I right?

- You've been lying to me all along. - Ruoyao, trust me.

I won't harm you.

Ruoyao, believe me.

Ruoyao. Ruoyao, you can't leave. If you leave, it'll be over for us!

- Let me go. Let me go! - Ruoyao, listen to me.

Ruoyao! Ruoyao!

Why are all of you forcing me?

Jiang Li must pay the price.

On the day of the palace banquet, I asked to see you.

It would've been fine if you didn't come.

Why did you have to set me up?

I never intended to set you up.

That day, I was just like you.

I was also a victim of the trap.

Stop deceiving me.

Jiang Yu'e has told me everything. It was you who's been scheming behind my back.

I don't understand what you're saying.

It's you who betrayed me.

It was you who caused me to fall to this point.

You can't escape.

Jiang Li, you do think your status is precious, right?

Well, why don't we do what we haven't done that night now?

Zhou Yanbang, you're the son of the Marquis of Ningyuan.

How can your mind be so muddled?

Can't you even figure out who's the one really harming you?

Who do you think you are?

Who are you to lecture me?

If anything happens to me today, do you think you'll escape?

Even if the Zhou family and the Jiang family don't pursue it,

I still have the Ye family behind me.

If you, a hereditary nobleman end up in jail,

you'll ruin your reputation, and disgrace the Zhou family.

Oh, Jiang Li.

I almost fell for your deception again.

But you've reminded me of something.

After I'm done with you, I'll cut your tendons, your hands, and your tongue.

Finally, I'll gouge out your eyes.

Then you won't be able to speak, write, or see.

How will you accuse me then?

Wait.

Zhou Yanbang,

are you not afraid of breaking Ruoyao's heart, for doing this to me?

Among us Jiang sisters, we each have our own desires and grievances,

except Ruoyao alone. She desires nothing else.

She only has you in her heart.

No matter what I do, she'll forgive me as long as I coax her.

She's been strictly controlled by her mother since childhood.

She lacks determination.

She'll obediently follow me if I coax her a little.

As for you, you're so independent like a wild horse, making people want to conquer you.

Shameless. Ruoyao forgives you because she likes you.

You're using her feelings.

- Do you really have her in your heart? - If she wasn't Jiang Yuanbai's daughter,

would I have been engaged to her?

No more questions, right?

Let's begin.

Don't touch me!

Get off me!

Zhou Yanbang,

you brought this upon yourself.

I killed him.

I killed him.

I killed him.

I killed him.

Don't panic.

He's not dead.

Jiang Ruoyao, you've sacrificed so much for such a scum.

Once you're done crying, we should hurry up and go home.

This matter might not be easy to handle.

Considering that you promptly knocked out Zhou Yanbang in time,

I'll let go of your role in bringing me here.

You need to figure out how to explain this to the Zhou family.

[Jiang's Residence]

Madam.

- Madam. - Has Ruoyao returned?

Why hasn't she come back yet?

Wasn't she supposed to return with our convoy?

I find it strange too.

Even Jiang Li hasn't returned.

- What? - Ms. Sun.

Ms. Sun.

- All right. - What happened?

She said Jiang Li and the Third Lady returned together.

But they were covered in blood.

What?

The daughter of the Grand Chancellor,

making such a ridiculous mistake of eloping with someone.

Don't you care about your reputation?

Don't you even know you were being used?

How did I raise such a foolish daughter?

Mother, what should I do?

What should I do?

Why didn't you think about the outcome before causing trouble?

I'm scared, Mother.

You brought this upon yourself.

- Mother. - Don't call me.

From today on, stay in this courtyard.

You're not allowed to leave without my permission.

Mother.

Madam, Third Lady is scared right now.

- She should be comforted. - Comfort?

What foolish things she's done!

I spoiled her too much in the past, which led to her being so reckless.

Now, let her reflect on her actions.

Go and pass a message to Jiang Yu'e.

Remember, don't let anyone see you.

Just say...

Yes, Madam.

Oh, my son. Yanbang.

My poor son.

What am I supposed to do now?

I hurriedly went and saw Li was leaving.

My husband covered in blood, unconscious on the ground.

My poor son.

Jiang Li!

Come out!

- You can't go in. - How dare you stopping me?

Don't stop me! Get out of my way!

- What are you doing? - Grand Chancellor Jiang.

Grand Chancellor Jiang!

- My son is dying. - Madam.

It's because of Jiang Li.

She must come out and explain today.

- Jiang Li, come out here! - Calm down, Madam.

Or else I won't leave today.

Jiang Li, come out!

Come out!

Have you found Jiuyue?

My Lord, you know her.

She's the one who usually comes and finds us. When have we ever managed to track her?

Why are you so anxious?

Second Lady Jiang is in trouble.

Second Lady, Master summons you to the main hall.

The Jiang family owes me an explanation.

My son, a healthy man, was beaten like that.

If I hadn't arrived in time to treat him, he might have died.

Jiang Li, tell us.

What on earth happened?

Father, yesterday after the ritual, the carriage driver took me to a remote area.

By the time I realized, he had already disappeared.

Then Zhou Yanbang knocked me out, tied me up, and took me to an abandoned house.

He tried to sexually assault me.

But luckily, Ruoyao arrived just in time and stopped him.

I had sent Ruoyao to buy some things.

That's why she returned late.

She never mentioned seeing you.

See?

You lying little girl!

It must be you who tried to seduce Yan but failed.

You were afraid he'd expose you,

so you attacked him to silence him!

If what you said is true, how do you explain my injuries?

Did I do this to myself?

You better confess it yourself.

Father, Ruoyao was there yesterday.

Why not call Ruoyao and ask her?

That'd be best. I'll go and get her.

Remember what I told you?

Just say you don't know anything.

I've taken care of the rest.

Mother, I don't want to go.

Yesterday, you were asking me what to do.

Now, you're scared?

Are you letting Jiang Li blame everything on you?

Do you want to protect yourself or not?

Show some courage.

Don't let Jiang Li outshine you.

Go and wash up.

Mother, you've been scolding me since yesterday.

Am I really your daughter?

What are you saying?

Who am I doing this for?

Yao, be good and do as I say.

I'm doing this for your own good.

I've already spoken to the Qi family.

Once we take care of Jiang Li, your marriage will be arranged.

When you're married to the Qi family, you'll be well taken care of.

Ruoyao, tell me.

Were you there when Yan and Jiang Li were together yesterday?

What did you say?

Yesterday, the carriage driver took me to a remote place.

Zhou Yanbang tried to sexually assault me.

It was you who arrived just in time and saved me.

Ruoyao, tell us.

What exactly happened yesterday?

Li, even if you fear punishment for hurting Zhou Yanbang,

you shouldn't pin it on your sister.

Even if Zhou Yanbang tried to assault you as you said, why was Ruoyao there?

Do you think Yanbang brought Ruoyao to harm you?

Mother.

Father. Mother.

Ruoyao saw that I hadn't returned after so long.

She was worried about me, so she went searching for me.

She was concerned I might be in danger and saved me.

If it wasn't for Ruoyao, I would have been harmed.

I watched Ruoyao grow up.

She would never hit Yan.

It must be you making up lies to avoid punishment.

Enough. I don't want to hear any more of this.

Madam, please calm down.

Mrs. Jiang, I came here first to ask for an explanation out of respect for our family ties.

Otherwise, I would have reported this to the authorities directly.

As her parents, are you letting this girl twist her words?

In that case, we'll go to the Yamen.

Let's all face public humiliation.

Maybe then you'll give a proper explanation.

Li, I'll ask you one more time.

What exactly happened between you and Zhou Yanbang?

Father, I already told you the truth.

Fine, keep denying it.

My son can't move and might not survive.

In that case, why should I save face for you?

Someone! Take her to the Yamen!

Yes, Madam.

Wait.

Do you have something else to say?

I don't want to see a poor person's reputation ruined at the Yamen.

What nonsense are you spouting?

I've said everything I needed to.

I'm waiting for Ruoyao to speak.

Ruoyao, why are you still silent?

We're sisters.

No matter for what, you saved my honor yesterday.

I'll never forget this kindness.

You've always been brave.

Even if you trusted the wrong person, it's not a big deal.

The real mistake is covering for someone who makes you live in fear.

Li, stop pressuring your sister.

She can't lie for your sake.

I'm not pressuring her.

I'm waiting for her to speak up.

She's old enough.

She can't rely on Mother forever.

She needs to discern right from wrong on her own.

She can't let the others control her life forever.

What are you saying?

Are you trying to drive a wedge between us?

You've been wronged for so long, and didn't even realize it.

Whenever you face any trouble,

you always hide in your room, and wait for others to comfort you.

A few kind words and you're easily swayed, willing to be manipulated.

Have you truly lived freely?

You've had no opinions of your own, always controlled by others.

Ruoyao, do you understand what I'm saying?

She's been under Mother's strict watch and lacks her own will.

As long as I coax her a bit, she'll be completely devoted to me.

Ruoyao isn't feeling well.

- Ms. Sun. - Yes, Madam.

Take her back to her room to rest.

Yes, Madam.

Third Lady, come. Let's go back and rest.

- Let's go. - Jiang Ruoyao,

are you going to hide in your room again?

Do you want to live like this for the rest of your life?

How deceptively persuasive.

Someone! Tie her up and report to the authorities!

- Yes, Madam. - Let's go.

Father, what Li said is true.

I was there yesterday.

I was the one who accidentally hit Zhou Yanbang.

- What nonsense are you talking about? - I'm not talking nonsense.

Jiang Ruoyao, do you know what you're saying?

I know.

Zhou Yanbang was bullying and trying to assault Li.

I couldn't bear to see her suffer.

So in a moment of desperation, I accidentally hit him too hard.

Everything I said is true, and I'm willing to take responsibility.

Ruoyao, you...

Grand Chancellor Jiang, you must seek justice for our Yan.

Justice?

Shouldn't we also ask the Marquis of Ningyuan to seek justice for my daughter, Jiang Li?

You wanted to report to the Yamen, right?

Let's go together and get to the bottom of this.

You... All of you...

The Jiang family... You...

- Madam. - Fetch the physician.

- Madam. - Yes, Madam.

- Madam. - Madam.

Madam.

- Madam. - Go back to your rooms.

Madam.

Madam.

Wait.

Why didn't you reveal that I was the one who took you to Zhou Yanbang?

If I revealed it, you would say you don't know anything.

You still set me up.

I made you speak the truth, reveal Zhou Yanbang's true colors,

make you see the truth, and stop being so deluded.

Is this setting you up?

Enough with your smooth talk.

You must be very satisfied now, right?

You walk away unscathed while making Marchioness Ningyuan hate me even more.

Jiang Li, since my coming-of-age ceremony, you've stolen my spotlight,

taken my man, and snatched away everything from me.

After all this time, why do you still oppose me?

If you hadn't come back, I wouldn't have been this miserable, selfish, cold, and incompetent.

If I hadn't come back, you wouldn't have turned out this way?

You've said this to me so many times. Does it work?

Is it really because of me that you've become someone you don't even like?

If things had gone smoothly for you, and you married Zhou Yanbang, the despicable person,

wouldn't you be scared now?

Are you going to hide again?

You refuse to admit your mistakes and hide when you're scared.

People out there are ruthless, and extremely exploitative.

How long can your little room protect you?

Stop talking already!

I made you tell the truth to clear my name.

But not every word was insincere.

I said you have courage.

When Zhou Yanbang was in trouble, the Qi family was more powerful than the Zhou family.

Yet, you still held on to your old sweetheart.

It shows you're not heartless.

But Zhou Yanbang is a scoundrel. He's unworthy of you.

Jiang Ruoyao, think about this carefully.

What kind of person you truly are?

No one really cares what Jiang Ruoyao is truly like.

She tried everything for her daughter.

But she never considers that she's almost pushed her to the brink.

It's truly sad.

Miss Jiang, someone is here to see you.

Where's Jiang Li?

Greetings, Official Ye. Second Lady has gone out on some matters.

Some matters?

I came as soon as I heard about the Marquis of Ningyuan's incident.

Did Marchioness Ningyuan take her away?

The matter has been resolved.

No more problems from Marchioness Ningyuan.

So why did Jiang Li go out?

No need to explain.

I think I know.

I remember the last time you invited me to dinner, it was in Luyang for some baozi.

This time, you're really generous.

That day, you beat Tong Zhiyang.

But you weren't happy.

How about now?

- Can we have a drink to celebrate? - Do you think I won this time?

Winning or losing isn't important.

But you can't skip the meal.

Do you know every move that I make?

A player always knows where their pieces are.

Do we have a chance to switch roles?

I'd like to play the game.

I want to compete with those people in the capital of the Great Yan.

Using what pieces?

Me?

You can say that.

But I dare not.

But I do wonder if a woman like me could ever see a bigger world?

Enough talk.

I should thank you for today's feast.

I am happy today.

But I must say, I can't drink much. Just this one cup.

If I offend you, please don't send me away.

Well, I won't go that far.

By the way, Situ Jiuyue is not in the capital.

It might take some time to find her.

I thank you on behalf of Magistrate Xue.

Are you already drunk with just one cup?

No, I'm just tired after the commotion this morning.

I'd like to take a nap.

Then sleep.

Everywhere else is not comfortable.

But the place you picked sure is not bad.

I'm glad you like it.

I have something for you.

What is it?

When you need help, blow this whistle.

My men will come to protect you.

Does that mean you will always have someone watching me?

You could see it that way.

Take it.

I just don't want my game to end prematurely

because someone else will take my piece.

♫ Pushing with fingertips, hoping time will rewind ♫

♫ If there are no happy memories ♫

♫ How can we traverse the forbidden land of sorrow? ♫

♫ Two cold and unfeeling bodies ♫

♫ Holding hands, can we get through the snow season? ♫

♫ In the cold wind, in the long night ♫

♫ Embracing the remaining warmth ♫

♫ The depth of the sea, unfathomable ♫

♫ Can it bury yesterday's sighs? ♫

♫ Continue to love, cherishing it with my life ♫

♫ Continue to live, even with only a glimmer of hope ♫

♫ Whether in sorrow or joy, I believe in you ♫

♫ I'd rather be trapped in the world's extremes ♫

♫ Continue to live, exhausting all courage ♫

♫ Continue to love, until the breath runs out ♫

♫ Traversing half a lifetime of loneliness, just to meet you ♫

♫ After the hardships, never to part again ♫

♫ After the hardships, never to part again ♫