Original subtitles

Subtitles and Timing provided to you by 🎶 The Copper Sparrow 🪶Team @viki.com

'Go Ahead Fearlessly' - Liu Yuning

♫ Grudges and karma, right and wrong ♫

♫ The past hides blood and tears ♫

♫ It is hard to catch up after years of separation ♫

♫ The truth cannot be fully revealed ♫

♫ Fate is full of twists and turns ♫

♫ Life and death, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand ♫

♫ Obsession is hard to get rid of, keeping the truth and getting rid of the lies, let the wind blow ♫

♫ Tossed about by the wind and rain, I will never regret it, I will accompany you for my whole life ♫

♫ At least you share my joy and sorrow ♫

♫ Unravelling fate, fearlessly, a dream returns ♫

♫ The mountains and rivers are bright and beautiful, holding hands, together we return ♫

♫ In this life, my heart returns untainted of dust and ash ♫

[Melody of Golden Age]

[Episode 9]

How did you get all these injuries?

I fell by accident.

That means Great Chief has been quite careless.

What I mean is, he didn't take good care of you.

Let me tell you. Typically, women who are abused at home all say that. Right?

- Right. - Right.

My Lord!

What happened to you?

Move, move, move aside.

Quick, take a seat. Slow down.

How did this happen?

Where did you get hurt? Slow down.

Where did you get this injury?

How did this happen?

I fell by accident, I fell.

You fell as well?

Jiang the Stickler. Jiang the Stickler.

I just wanted to watch a play.

The opera was only halfway through and my father dragged me back.

It must have been that Jiang the Stickler.

Well, is it Old Wu who sent Jiang the Stickler to torment me?

How on earth did I offend him?

My father said there is no problem that a gold ingot can't solve.

If one ingot isn't enough, use two.

Chuichui, I really can't help you with this.

I have an appointment with Chi today at the Guangyue Restaurant.

- I must go. - You fickle creature!

Sixth Miss.

Your head injury can be said to be from a bump.

But how did your leg get injured?

- It wasn't the White Ghost bullying you, was it? - No.

I'm going.

Boss, a pancake, please.

The weather is really nice today.

Here, your pancake.

- Thanks, put it on my tab. - Okay.

Registrar Lu.

Jiang the Stickler, just speak clearly.

How much do you really want?

What you've given...

is plenty.

Come on up.

Look over there.

Chuichui.

Father, give me an ingot of gold.

[Lu Jinshan] Chuichui, if you buy this kind of poor boy, how can he be worth gold?

A string of coins is sufficient. Here.

No, I want an ingot of gold.

Little Miss, from now on I am your man.

No need, I have enough servants at home.

How can a man spend his whole life serving others?

He must go do more meaningful things and protect more people.

Let's go.

Chi, you and I make friends through letters, corresponding for a long time in the boudoir.

Finally, we're going to meet today.

I'm actually feeling a bit nervous.

I wonder what kind of beautiful lady you are.

Miss, Academician Yan has suddenly fallen critically ill.

Please hurry back to the mansion to see.

My father is critically ill. Postpone our meeting to another time.

Hoping for your understanding.

[Pan Chi]

Father.

Father, how are you?

Now, it's really not easy for me to see you.

If I wish to hear you speak a few words of truth,

that's even harder than reaching the heavens.

I dare not.

Dare not?

You clearly know why I made you marry into the Shen Mansion.

Yet you report to me every day the trivial things like Shen Du's meals.

Prime Minister Zhang, I know since entering the Shen Mansion,

I must share your worries and keep inquiring about Shen Du's information.

But in the Shen Mansion, I'm just a secluded lady.

What can be found out is nothing more than trifles about three meals.

For espionage information, details are important.

I fear omitting anything.

So I had to report everything regardless of importance.

If you still feel it is not enough, for the confidential report next month,

I will report the daily routines, bathing, and conjugal circumstances—

Stop talking.

As a young lady, how can you speak such words?

Academician Yan, this is the good daughter you have raised.

Prime Minister Zhang, please forgive me. Please forgive me.

It is my fault for not teaching my daughter properly.

I have not taught my daughter properly.

I am incompetent and failed to find useful intelligence.

Please don't displace anger onto my father.

Sixth Miss,

I know once a girl is married, her husband is her heaven.

In her eyes and in her heart, it's all about the one beside her.

Even if she has been wronged, she must swallow it herself.

But what a girl fears most is that her pillow companion is a jackal from Zhongshan.

The case of Shen Mansion caused a sensation throughout the court and the country back then.

You were little at that time.

But you should have heard of it.

Do you know who dealt the final blow to the Shen family?

It was Shen Du.

Great Chief, after conducting an investigation, I found

for the over ten-year-old case that had been endorsed by the Grand Empress Dowager,

the archives of evidence are all kept at the Secretariat of Lintai.

Lintai?

But the Secretariat has entrenched and interwoven power.

Lintai has always been heavily guarded.

Even the imperial guards may not approach without a reason.

It doesn't matter.

As long as the item is there, there will naturally be a way to get it.

Yes.

Moreover, Madam returned to Yan Mansion tonight.

However, coincidentally, Prime Minister Zhang also went to Yan Mansion tonight.

He did not take the Prime Minister's carriage.

Instead, he took the usual sedan chair.

Understood.

I will wait outside the door.

[Chief's Office]

♫ Heart burned, a withered body, a lifetime of solitude ♫

♫ Heart burned, a withered body, a lifetime of solitude ♫

I denounce.

I, Shen Du, the son of the criminal official Shen Bingzhu,

denounce my father for colluding with foreign lands and conspiring with the rebel army.

I denounce.

I, Shen Du, the son of the criminal official Shen Bingzhu,

denounce my father for colluding with foreign lands and conspiring with the rebel army.

I denounce.

I, Shen Du, the son of the criminal official Shen Bingzhu,

denounce my father for colluding with foreign lands and conspiring with the rebel army.

♫ The lights will intersect ♫

♫ You are my whereabouts ♫

♫ Who can save me from loneliness and confusion? ♫

♫ Understand my vulnerability, no words are needed ♫

♫ Who can save me from my confusion and persistence? ♫

♫ Sheltering my loneliness, never allowing me to surrender ♫

♫ I can't get escape the shackles of our destiny ♫

♫ Embracing the gentleness you've given ♫

Great Chief, why are you mocking me?

I did try to murder my own child.

But what about you? You reported your own father.

We are clearly the same type of people.

♫ Who can save me from grudges and karma? ♫

Father, for the path I chose back then,

I had no choice.

But now as long I can successfully enter Lintai,

I will be able to obtain the correspondence of colluding with the enemy that year.

After it is proved to be forged,

there will be one less piece of evidence against my father's crimes.

♫ Wishing to disappear in the hustle and bustle with you ♫

In the case of the Shen Mansion back then, although the evidence was conclusive,

Minister Shen nevertheless proclaimed his innocence and refused to sign the confession.

Despite enduring torture, he never admitted guilt until his death.

The case was ultimately closed with just physical evidence.

There were no confessions. But who could have expected it?

After many years, the young emperor ascended to the throne.

The Grand Empress Dowager presided over the court.

Your beloved husband Shen Du, in order to escape his criminal record and climb to a high position,

did not hesitate to write a confession.

On behalf of his father, Minister Shen, he admitted the crimes

one by one.

Who is there?

It's me.

Your husband.

What are you doing here?

Why are you covered in blood?

My wife, do you want to know whose blood this is?

It's the blood of the dozen or so people in the Yan family, old and young.

You deserve it...

for being a spy.

Are you truly such a cold-blooded and heartless person?

The porridge is not bad.

Too sweet.

The side dish is quite crisp.

Too salty.

I love to have sweet porridge with salty dishes.

Uncle Zhong, from now on, for breakfast,

prepare salty porridge with sweet desserts.

Shen Du, what do you mean?

I don't mean anything.

Shen Du, are you really such a person?

Are you truly such a person?

So what if I am?

So what if I'm not?

Yan Xing, I, Shen Du, am exactly this kind of person.

Great Chief, I truly feel injustice on your behalf.

The fact that that woman is not content is one thing. But she even turns out to be a fierce and evil woman.

In the beginning, she at least pretended a bit.

In just a few days, her true nature has been revealed.

You have your orders to obey. I also have my duties to fulfill.

At least, we need to keep up appearances.

But we won't get serious, rest assured.

Jing Lin.

Tell me. Is it that Madam Shen was beaten by her husband

or is it that the White Ghost met a female demon

who could excite the ladies of Xiang'an City even more...

and make the likes of Prime Minister Zhang feel that there's an opportunity to exploit it?

Several days have passed since the wedding day.

It must provide some fodder for gossip.

You mean it's intentional to let those with ulterior motives

believe that the Shen Mansion is not at peace and thereby lower their guard.

You're not stupid.

So the quarrel you had today was deliberate?

Clever indeed.

The injuries on Madam were also inflicted by design?

Hongwen School has always recruited individuals of high status.

This time, the examination does not require recommendation letters

and there's no investigation into one's family background.

So how will character be assessed?

It will be a contest of who writes the best essay.

For those rural louts, as long as they're willing to bury themselves in hard study,

hanging their heads from beams and stabbing their thighs with awls,

they might just win the big prize and enter the school.

I don't want to be their classmate.

Your Majesty, the examination for the Hongwen School is approaching.

This is the first time family backgrounds are not being scrutinized.

Scholars from humble backgrounds who are capable can all compete fairly.

The significance is extraordinary.

Moreover, this time it's especially permitted for students from Xichen and Nanlang to take the exam.

Therefore, every single detail of this examination

must not be taken lightly.

Indeed. What Prime Minister Zhang says is very true.

This examination is unprecedented.

It will affect the face of Great Cang.

Prime Minister Zhang, who do you think

is worthy of this important responsibility?

Prince Xian has made notable contributions to the disaster relief.

Along the way, the common people sang praises of his integrity.

I think perhaps this time we should let His Highness

take charge of the imperial examination.

Everyone knows that Prince Xian and Prime Minister Zhang value the nobility.

If you were to be in charge,

wouldn't there no longer be the slightest chance for the poor scholars throughout the land?

You have misunderstood.

Princess of Valor, who do you think would be more suitable?

I think it might be better to let Shen Du take charge.

Since when has the Princess of Valor held Great Chief Shen in such high esteem?

To actually have the Imperial Guards, who are in charge of martial positions,

oversee the civil service examination.

Vice Minister Lai, your words are incorrect.

Choosing the virtuous and promoting the capable is all in service of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Although the Hongwen School examinations are written tests,

the relevant arrangements involve more than just literary flourish,

but also require a firm hand to manage.

The Imperial Guards have always been meticulous in their work.

They will surely make proper arrangements.

The Imperial Guards are willing to share the worries of Your Majesty and give it our best effort.

Your Majesty, Great Chief Shen spends all day arresting people and handling cases,

causing everyone to be alarmed.

Moreover, the Shen Mansion's inner quarters are in constant turmoil.

He lacks the ability to manage his family.

If we let Shen Du take charge of this imperial examination,

it really is a disgrace to scholars, Your Majesty.

About the matters in my mansion,

Prime Minister Zhang is very clear.

All right. About this matter,

let me think about it.

- I'll take my leave. - I'll take my leave.

[Shen Mansion]

Who is it?

Third Sister? Please get up.

Sixth Miss.

It's me who has wronged you.

Third Sister, why have you come back? Where is Young Master Han?

It was you who suffered on behalf of me.

I discussed it with him. We might as well go home together and ask for forgiveness.

But-But I dare not go home.

I just have to hide outside the Shen Mansion.

I'm sorry.

Third Sister, don't blame yourself.

Let's go home first. We can talk about any issues when we get home.

[Yan Mansion] Right, over there.

Come on, below it.

Right. Good.

Come down quickly. Third Miss and Sixth Miss have returned.

My Lord! Madam! Third Miss and Sixth Miss have returned.

My Lord! Madam! Third Miss and Sixth Miss have returned.

My Lord! Madam!

- Third Miss has returned? - Yes, Third Miss and Sixth Miss have returned.

- Mother! - Caiwei!

Caiwei, you're finally back. You had me so worried.

- Daughter. - Mother.

My poor, unfortunate sixth daughter!

So the rumors outside are true.

- That White Ghost really dared to hit you? - No, Mother.

With all your good intentions, you took the risk to go to the Palace of Death for someone else.

They are ungrateful.

Enjoying good food, and mother and daughter reuniting.

Only my poor sixth daughter

was threatened and tormented by that White Ghost.

- You were beaten up! - Mother, stop it!

It didn't happen.

- It's all because— - Sixth Miss,

I was too selfish, thinking only of myself.

Today, outside the Shen Mansion, I heard them say you were insulted by that White Ghost.

I'm deeply pained.

That White Ghost insulted you?

It should be a mutual exchange of insults.

If such a thing happens again next time, I will put it all on the line.

- We'll curse him together. - Mother, it really didn't happen.

Everyone is here.

Stop.

[Naturally Gifted and Refined]

Sixth Sister, I heard that you were beaten by that White Ghost.

Isn't it because you're too foolish and are unable to serve your husband?

- You have a foul temper. I tell you, you're… - You!

- Third Sister, is it really you? Didn't you elope with someone? - Be quiet.

Reeking of alcohol. Not returning all night. What kind of state are you in?

- Old Master! - What kind of propriety?

- Old Master! - How improper!

Old Master!

Go back to your room.

You can't do that.

Father, I remember it.

On my way back just now,

it seemed like I saw that White Ghost

with a squad of imperial guards charging towards our home.

I don't know who they want to capture.

[Naturally Gifted and Refined]

[Naturally Gifted and Refined]

Greetings, Great Chief.

[House of Filial Piety]

Great Chief.

Shen Du, all of this is my fault.

It has nothing to do with Sixth Miss.

If there's anything, let it all come at me.

Who are you?

Yan Caiwei.

Take her away.

Great Chief, I am well aware

the marriage between the Shen and Yan families displeased you.

I feel guilty about it.

But the marriage between you and Sixth Miss has already taken place.

I hope you will consider the marriage and show leniency, Great Chief.

Take away Yan Xing as well.

Take both people away? Great Chief!

- You can't do that, Great Chief! - Don't move.

I, Yan Mojie, am here.

Nobody is allowed to touch my Yan family members.

White Ghost, do you really think you belong to the Palace of Death?

You can take any one's soul you want to take.

- Is there no law and order anymore? - You shut up.

This guy obstructed official duties.

- Take him away together. - Great Chief! - Great Chief!

Please have mercy, Great Chief!

You can't do that, Great Chief!

Great Chief!

Please have mercy, Great Chief!

- Caiwei! Sixth Miss! - Great Chief!

You can't do that, Great Chief!

Great Chief.

Shen Du, what on earth do you want to do?

Yan Caiwei, where is Han Shiyuan?

I…

I don't know.

He is now a murder suspect.

Are you sure you want to cover for him?

- What? - What?

Madam, your absence from the Ministry of Justice today has left you uninformed.

In a cornered well of the Hongwen School, the body of a scholar was found.

Since the case involved a scholar from the Hongwen School, it alarmed the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager instructed that the Imperial Guards were to handle the investigation.

Currently, the prime suspect is Han Shiyuan.

Impossible. He would never commit murder.

Do you think Han Shiyuan and you were eloping for love?

But the evidence shows

that he is a murderer, fleeing from his crime.

How could it be?

Impossible.

Third Sister, do you really not know where Han Shiyuan is?

He must show himself to prove his innocence.

As soon as we returned to Xiang'an, he disappeared.

I-I really don't know.

I really don't know.

Can I take a look at the corpse of the deceased?

Inside the corpse's mouth and nose, there is no signs of drowning.

It excludes death by drowning. There are multiple bruises on the body and there are signs of a struggle.

The time of death was about a month ago.

Madam, the time of death should be the seventh day of the fifth month.

Thank you.

The coroner from the Imperial Guards is impressive.

To deduce so accurately is admirable.

I have much to learn from you.

Madam and her weeping sister really are quite different.

You're standing so far away. Are you afraid the body will decompose excessively and suddenly explode?

No need to worry. The decomposition is not yet at that stage. It won't explode.

This is far too different.

Are there any other pieces of evidence?

From the bottom of the well, a piece of clothing and a notebook were also retrieved.

Upon examination, the clothing is Han Shiyuan's.

The notebook is from the day of the seventh.

It's the post-class test left by the teacher from Hongwen School.

So the date of death is deduced based on this.

Acquisition of the deceased's information...

is not limited to coroner's autopsy.

Case handling by the Imperial Guards.

- Where is Han Shiyuan? - I don't know.

- You! Where is Han Shiyuan? - I don't know either.

Not telling me, huh?

Jing Lin.

What kind of questioning is this, forcing a confession? They are almost scared to death. Get out now.

I almost had it out of them.

Let me do the questioning.

Madam might have forgotten that she is also wearing the clothes of the Ministry of Justice.

Usually very low-profile. Not much interaction with us.

Excuse me. During this period of time, did you see Han Shiyuan?

The last time I saw Han Shiyuan was on the evening of the seventh day of the fifth month.

That day I passed by his dormitory.

After he said goodbye to his classmates, he left.

On the evening of the seventh day of the fifth month? Are you so sure?

That day he went out and headed west. I was about to greet him.

But when I turned around, I saw flames to the east.

Then I heard about the great fire at Ming Hall.

So I remember it.

Han Shiyuan is one of the most handsome students in our school.

He normally has little interaction with others.

Oh, yes! You can ask his roommate Lan Guizhou.

However, Lan Guizhou is a person who is always reserved and gloomy.

He only talks to Han Shiyuan.

- Are you Lan Guizhou? - Yes.

Did you see Han Shiyuan on the seventh day of the fifth month?

Yes.

Shiyuan said he was leaving Xiang'an to get married.

After saying goodbye, he headed west.

Okay, thank you.

Sister!

Sister!

Is there anything I can help with?

How come you are everywhere?

I'm here to collect the students' pawned items.

To investigate, one must be like her, going deep into the field.

Her appearance while investigating is truly valiant and spirited.

When can I take her as my teacher and investigate cases with her?

Sister!

No one is allowed to interfere with Clerk Yan's investigation.

What are you worried about?

I just feel something is not right.

Is there a problem with the evidence?

No.

But it's precisely because there is none that I feel it's a bit strange.

Too perfect.

Come and look, take a look.

The testimonial evidence and physical evidence are both overly conclusive.

So much so that it feels a bit contrived.

One can't rely solely on intuition when investigating a case.

I only believe in evidence.

I also believe in evidence. But what if the evidence is fake?

Look over here.

And here as well.

What are you doing?

Too dark.

Where is it dark?

This room is as bright as daylight. I find it dazzling. Okay?

Let's talk about the physical evidence first. It's both the notebook and the piece of clothing.

These two pieces of evidence. It's as if someone is afraid of people not finding Han Shiyuan guilty.

The color of Han Shiyuan's piece of clothing is so conspicuous.

If it were torn off, how could it not be noticeable?

Now look at this. These two student testimonies.

Both say that on the night of the seventh day of the fifth month, they saw Han Shiyuan

and they are very certain.

But that day was the day of our wedding.

Caiwei and Han Shiyuan ran away on the sixth day of the fifth month.

Running away might have been just to avoid your Yan family.

Perhaps they were still in the city on the seventh day of the fifth month,

watching you, the fool, take part in the substitute marriage.

No, before our wedding, Caiwei and Han Shiyuan had already left the city.

You trust Caiwei this much?

Why did she have you substitute in the marriage?

Caiwei had no other choice. Who would want to marry you, the White Ghost?

So aggrieved.

Then you leave as well.

The Palace of Death doesn't welcome you.

I'm leaving then.

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Wonderful!

Do it again.

Awesome.

Here it comes, the hanging ghost is at the door claiming lives.

Here it comes, the hanging ghost is at the door claiming lives.

Bravo!

Bravo!

Look!

Caught. The ghost has been captured.

- The ghost has been captured. - Such divine power.

That's amazing.

Bravo!

What divine power do I have?

This is merely the most common sleight of hand.

I operate the mechanism inside. When I operate downwards,

what is shown on this white cloth is an image projected upwards.

Everyone must remember that if someone claims in the future that they can use this magic

to catch ghosts, that person is definitely a charlatan.

I see.

Now I know.

You're so direct in revealing secrets.

Aren't you afraid of ruining your peers' livelihood

so that they'll give you trouble?

Mozi said, "When the shadow reaches the end at noon, the length of the shadow is determined by the end."

Mozi said, "When the shadow reaches the end at noon, the length of the shadow is determined by the end."

This was known by the ancients thousands of years ago.

Therefore, I think anyone who is a scholar should be aware of this.

So this is not any kind of secret.

Much less should we deceive the common people.

You are quite interesting indeed.

Although you're in the Ghost Market, you're a scholar with integrity.

I just heard that Hongwen School recruits scholars regardless of background.

I came to join in the excitement.

I see. Let me wish you success in advance.

I usually enjoy reading idle books.

When it comes to the classics, I can't really get into them.

I'm afraid I might not meet the standards of Hongwen School.

I can only make a living in this Ghost Market.

You're being modest.

I see you have a study of this art of light and shadow.

There is one thing I would like to ask.

Don't be so formal. Just call me Pan.

If you want to ask about anything, feel free to do it.

Whether it's the art of self-defense or the way to manage a husband,

I know a thing or two.

I have no need for these.

In this contraption of yours, originally there is no ghost.

Yet it seems as if there is one.

Do you know whether there is a way

to make people outside feel as if they see him when there is no one in the room?

There are no ghosts or gods in this world.

Nor does anyone know the true form of ghosts and gods.

But it's different with the living. Living people all look different.

It's not easy to disguise.

Exactly so.

Miss, you may articulate your question and elaborate upon it.

For example, the time, the lighting, the position within the room,

or the appearances of the people inside and outside the room, and so on.

Okay.

Bravo!

What brings you to the Imperial Guards?

I have found the evidence. Han Shiyuan has been wronged.

Oh? What evidence?

Follow me to the Hongwen School tonight.

I will have you capture the criminal on the spot.

Subtitles and Timing provided to you by 🎶 The Copper Sparrow 🪶Team @viki.com

"Only Want You" - Ding Yuxi, Deng Enxi

♫ One look confirmed our fate ♫

♫ Upon meeting again, I know you're the one for me ♫

♫ Gaze at the stars, dreaming about old times ♫

♫ A pair of people have already taken root ♫

♫ Lovers before the candlelight, do not ask their thoughts ♫

♫ Affection is bound, lasting forever ♫

♫ Using the evening breeze to express deep love ♫

♫ I have someone I long for in this life ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫

♫ Embracing each other, how serious we are about our love ♫

♫ Every moment is treasured ♫

♫ From dawn to dusk ♫

♫ You and I, forever inseparable ♫

♫ Without noticing, you broke into my heart ♫

♫ Slowly immersing myself, I become undaunted by perils for love ♫

♫ I charge into battle with unmatched resilience ♫

♫ Because you are my responsibility ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ Deeply in love, you are the one I have chosen ♫

♫ Autumn moon and spring breeze, I only want you for my whole life ♫

♫ The trace of your palm ♫

​♫ Your gaze ♫

♫ Our love is heating up ♫

♫ You are the only one for me ♫