Original subtitles

The Rise of Ning

Episode 16

Uncle won't even let him into the family school.

How could Luo Shenyuan...

Ignore anyone else.

You just

need to think about how much effort

your mother has put in,

yet you can't even

come up with a decent poem.

My dear Yiyu,

my aspirations lie elsewhere.

In martial arts or strategy,

I'd win first.

Shanyuan,

and Yiyu.

Today, your zheng playing

is truly elegant and refined.

Even a fairy's music

couldn't be more enchanting than this.

Thanks for the overpraise.

After days apart,

it seems like Yiyu has become distant with me.

Could it be that Mr. Cheng is a bit drunk?

We're only connected through our elders' friendship

and aren't familiar with each other.

Why would you say so, Mr. Cheng?

And please,

don't mention things like the

fairy's music again.

If others hear that,

they might misunderstand.

Shanyuan,

Yixiu isn't feeling well.

Mother asked us to

return early to take care of her.

Who would have thought that

Luo Shenyuan

would become famous all over the capital.

With such patience and timing,

he is definitely not an ordinary person.

Miss Yining.

Just now, your pipa playing

didn't seem to be taught by a female instructor.

What do you mean by that, Lord Lu?

Such a killing aura

is not something a woman should possess.

Haven't you heard

the story of Lady Qiao?

There have been women generals

throughout history, not just one.

The aura of killing

is not unique to men.

What a magnificent spirit you have, Miss Yining!

Other ladies' melodies are all about

beautiful flowers, full moons, and elegant refinement.

Your tragic and solemn aura feels vivid and personal.

As if you've truly experienced it yourself.

Lord Lu, are you praising me?

If it's not a melody you truly love,

it's better to play it less.

You aren't meddling in things.

It is none of your business.

What business is it of yours whether

I love it or not, whether I play it or not?

The poetry banquet is over now.

Lord Lu has many official duties to attend to.

You don't need to stay here any longer.

Miss Yining, you're asking me to leave?

How dare I?

Although the Luo mansion is a century-old garden,

Lord Lu seems to hold it in contempt.

I also need to go back and prepare return

gifts for the guests.

I won't accompany you any further.

My lord,

is Miss Yining

the person you're looking for?

It resembles,

but it also doesn't.

By the way, do we have any leads on Chen Daoyan?

Not yet.

Follow me.

[Modest Like a Bamboo]

Handle gently.

Congratulations!

These items are precious, just put them in the cart.

Congrats, Mr. Shenyuan, on your esteemed master!

Great banquet!

I never expected to witness the

grandeur of the poetry banquet

again after so many years.

It's truly rare.

It's all thanks to Mr. Sun!

You're too kind. Please stay.

Mr. Luo.

Mr. Sun, just a moment, please.

Butler Bai.

Yes.

My Lord, this gift

seems a bit suspicious.

Check it!

Yes, my Lord.

You mustn't,

really mustn't, Mr. Luo.

Mr. Sun, here are some "Four Treasures of the Study"

as a token of my appreciation.

Mr. Luo.

To be able to attend the poetry banquet

is already a great honor for me.

These things, well...

Mr. Sun, to be honest with you,

I've heard that your academy welcomes students from humble backgrounds,

Regardless of their wealth or status, and does not require fees.

My mother was quite moved after hearing it.

Small gift,

please accep.

If that's the case,

I'll accept it then.

And also on behalf of the students,

I thank the Old Lady for her kindness.

Quick, lift it onto the cart!

Mr. Luo, farewell.

Mr. Sun, take your time.

Wait!

I'm sorry for

disturbing Mr. Sun and Mr. Luo.

Mr. Ye,

What brings you here today?

A fugitive's on the run.

We're hunting him.

It so happens that someone

spotted the fugitive here.

Lord Lu has ordered us to pursue the fugitive.

Please forgive any inconvenience we may cause.

Since it's official duty, please go ahead.

It is my duty as an official.

Bring someone here

to open this box for me.

Yes,sir.

Wait.

Mr. Ye.

This box contains

the gift from the Luo mansion to Mr. Sun.

Mr. Ye.

Inside the box are

the "Four Treasures of the Study" given to me.

I suppose there shouldn't be any problems.

Mr. Sun.

It is my duty as an official

to not overlook even an inch.

These are all elegant items,

not for you...

This is truly a disgrace to scholarship!

My apologies.

Who dares to act?

Search!

Dare!

Do not be rude.

Lord Lu.

My apologies, I have offended you.

I hope Mr. Sun will forgive me.

Lord Lu,

your men are

truly diligent and devoted in their duties.

By imperial order,

we must catch the criminal.

In my efforts to uphold the law,

I may have offended you.

Lord Lu, this chest is filled with

the Four Treasures of the Study.

It would be best

not to disturb this elegant atmosphere.

This elegance is natural and innate.

It is not I

who have tarnished it.

What I do now

is to uphold

Mr. Sun's reputation.

What if you don't find the fugitive

after searching?

Then I shall definitely apologize to you.

Come here.

Okay.

Open the box

Yes.

It's best not to open the box

and damage these elegant items.

I have been rude.

I hope you will forgive me.

Nonsense!

Farewell, Lord Lu.

Safe travels.

There's plenty of time in the future, Mr. Shenyuan.

My Lord.

How about it?

I followed Sun Jie's carriage

all the way to the academy.

I watched as all the gifts were unloaded,

and there was no issues

until the carriage left.

All the things

that left the Luo Mansion

have been thoroughly searched.

Did the Luo family

send return gifts to anyone else

today besides Sun Jie?

Return gifts?

Gift returned to Cheng mansion.

It's said that

Mr. Cheng brought quite a few gifts when

he visited the Luo Mansion before.

This time,

the Luo family has also

prepared several boxes of gifts.

Let him take them back.

Did you search the Cheng

mansion's carriage thoroughly?

I've already instructed that

all carriages must be thoroughly searched.

But considering his relationship with Lord,

they dare not mess

with the Cheng mansion's carriage.

How foolish!

My Lord believes

that person

escaped with the Cheng mansion's carriage?

I'll send pursuit immediately.

Forget it. It's probably too late now.

But if it's truly as I suspected,

we may encountered

a formidable opponent indeed.

It seems I

underestimated him before.

[Cheng]

Two of you,

come help unload these boxes.

[Jimo Court]

Congratulations, Shenyuan!

You've made a sensation today!

Given time, you'll surely get what you wish for.

I suppose Daoyan

has also managed to escape safely now

Well, I gotta

thank you and Qingqu

for this matter.

I'm such a clever and agile one, indeed.

That's naturally because

a great general has no weak soldiers under his command.

Of course,

it's because of Shenyuan's brilliant strategy.

Knowing Lu Jiaxue's suspicious nature

gave us an opportunity to exploit.

Lu Jiaxue

will figure it out sooner. We can't

keep it from him for too long.

You mean

you're worried he'll fix his gaze on you and never let go?

It's just a matter of time

before it comes to

a life-or-death showdown between us.

I worry about you.

Worry about me?

I don't know why,

Lu Jiaxue seems to be

paying more and more attention to you.

Must be because you played

that tune so wonderfully.

Perhaps it's

because this tune carries too much killing intent.

It just happens to resonate with his current mood.

So it caught his attention.

Alright,

I'll just stop playing it from now on.

By the way,

where did you hide

Daoyan

when he was here before?

So this is actually a secret chamber!

Shenyuan,

what's the purpose of

this secret chamber of yours?

Of course, it's to prevent

something like today from happening.

But aren't you worried that

I might tell others?

Besides Shaoan,

you're the one I trust the most.

Alright,

in your heart,

I'm not as good as Shaoan.

Let me put it this way,

you are the one I trust the most.

That's more like it.

By the way,

Mama Zheng replied in her letter a couple of days ago

that she'll be back soon.

It's better to

face some things

directly than to avoid them.

Yining,

trust me,

I'll be with you

through everything.

[Luo Mansion]

Father.

You're awake.

The doctor said you're fine,

just overworked.

It seems you've really

put in a lot of effort

for the poetry banquet.

Thank you for your understanding.

Indeed, I haven't been sleeping well

these past few days.

So I lost my composure just now.

Shut up!

Studying diligently

is the duty of a scholar.

Suspending head by beam, piercing thigh with awl.

That's quite common.

The literary gathering is the battlefield for scholars.

When the armies are in front,

one should advance bravely.

Your hesitation on the spot

is akin to deserting in battle.

Do you realize

how many people

are laughing at

our Luo family because of your actions?

This is just

a mere literary gathering.

But you can't even handle it.

The imperial exam is around the corner.

How will you cope?

How?

I'll do my utmost

and not let down...

let down...

I've always thought of

you as a determined child

since you were young.

But I didn't expect

you to still be so narrow-minded.

You are useless.

Father.

Find a doctor to check him out

Xuanyuan, are you alright?

It's all your fault

for forcing me to study day and night.

Pushing me so hard

that I got nervous on the spot.

Embarrassed myself in front of everyone.

What are you talking about?

I'm only doing this for your own good.

For my sake?

All you think about is yourself!

And I've become the laughingstock of the city!

Even

Luo Shengyuan is now better

than me.

Are you satisfied now?

Xuanyuan.

Leave me alone.

Never expected

Cheng Yaojin to appear so suddenly in halfway!

Luo Shenyuan is really something else.

How could he possibly...

I've always

known that he is not ordinary.

He is of silence and tolerance

after being bullied.

But there's

a stubborn streak in his eyes.

I just didn't expect him

to be so deep and concealed.

It's just a humble person

making up a poem.

I can't see how

it's any better than Shanyuan's poem.

However, it seems like

the Second branch got

a big break at the poetry banquet.

If Mr. Sun says it's good,

then it's good.

I just can't stand

them always pushing us

down all these years.

That's just because

Mr. Chengzhang is an official

while Mr. Chengwen's away.

I've received a reply about the favor

I asked of my family recently.

Mr. Chengwen

is about to return to the capital.

That's wonderful news!

Madam,

you won't have to bear

everything alone

and work so hard anymore.

[Crabapple Garden]

Miss Yining,

Qingqu should be arriving soon.

She is pick someone up at the city gate.

Mama Zheng,

you've finally arrived!

I've been waiting for a long time.

Come in, please!

Mama Zheng, please rise.

You're the one who grew up with my mother,

accompanied her on her wedding,

and stayed with her until

the end.

You needn't bow to me.

When I left the Luo Mansion,

Miss Yining was still in swaddling clothes.

Now

you are already grown up.

Qingqu wrote in her letter that

Miss Yining is feeling unwell.

I'll take a look at you right away.

No rush.

Let's go visit Grandmother first.

Oh,

I've forgotten my manners already.

Yes, Miss Yining.

Grandmother.

[Virtue Inscribed]

Zheng rong is greet to Mrs. Luo.

Rise.

Thank you, Madam.

It's been years since

we last met. How is Madam's health?

Indeed, it's been many years.

I just don't understand.

Back then, Yining was so young,

and you were Minglan's

most capable and trusted servant.

I begged you so sincerely

to stay and take care of Yining,

but you left the Luo mansion

so resolutely.

Why have

you come now?

Grandmother,

it was I who asked Mama Zheng to come back.

I thought

she took care of my mother's

entire life.

And she raised Qingqu by my side.

So I asked Qingqu to go

and invite Mama Zheng back

to spend some time in the capital.

Madam.

Please forgive me for having

had my own difficulties back then.

Alright,

let's not mention the past anymore.

Thank you, Madam.

The past

is the past.

[Six Harmonies Tavern]

I would rather perish and be exiled,

than endure such conduct.

The fierce bird does not mix with the flock,

This has been true since ancient times.

Daoyan, your

handwriting is still

as strong and unique as ever.

One who avoids harassment,

avoids sorrow.

Daoyan,

you've just escaped from danger.

How about leaving

worries today?

Daoyan,

here comes Shenyuan!

Come, sample my cooking skills.

It has been a long time

since we last gathered together.

What's wrong with you?

He might still be suffering from his old injury.

Let me call for a doctor for you.

No need.

Just an old throat issue.

Miss Yining.

Mama Zheng

Miss Yining.

You still have things that belonged to

your mother from those years.

After my mother passed away,

Concubine Qiao

sold off all

my mother's dowry.

Even the Minglan Hall was torn down.

Now,

these are all left.

That unscrupulous woman.

Grandmother must have told you

not to say too much else to me.

But

she's already paid for her deeds.

Let bygones

be bygones.

Yeah, it's all in the past now.

As long as you're doing well,

Madam Gu will feel at ease.

Miss Yining,

let me feel pulse for you.

A letter from Qingqu said

you haven't been feeling well.

Though my medical skills are humble,

I'll do my utmost

for you.

Mama Zheng,

I was feeling

uncomfortable before.

But I've been feeling better

these past few days.

But Qingqu said...

It was me who deceived you

and asked Qingqu to lure you back to the capital.

Mama Zheng.

Actually, I have something to ask you.

How much do you really know about

my mother's passing away?

I'll tell you everything I know,

without holding anything back.

In the past, my father favored Concubine Qiao,

so my mother couldn't bear it

and moved to villa.

Did she really propose a divorce to my father?

Is that true?

Yes.

Your father favors his concubine and neglects his wife.

Concubine Qiao

is accustomed to using treacherous means.

She spread rumors everywhere,

falsely accusing Madam Gu trying to harm her.

Madam is noble and pure in character,

and doesn't want to argue with anyone.

If it weren't

for you,

she wouldn't

have come back to the Luo mansion.

Did

my father visit my mother

after she came back?

There was one time,

shortly after you were born.

That time,

your father specially brought some tea

that your mother loved to drink.

Tea?

I remember

it very clearly.

That day,

your father was unexpectedly

kind and played with

you for half a day.

Seeing him like that,

your mother didn't want to embarrass him.

So she drank two sips of the tea he brought.

But after a few words,

he actually had his eye on

the dowry that Madam Gu prepared for you.

He wanted Madam Gu to buy

an official position for him.

She was so angry that

she poured the tea into the begonia.

And

even the begonia is dead.

Begonia?

But Grandmother told me

it was because of the Astragalus Peony Soup

that caused it's roots to rot.

It was because your mother

didn't want to tell Grandmother that

she didn't want to drink

the tea your father brought.

Tea.

Right, that's it.

This is the very tea that

Mr. Luo gave to your mother all those years ago.

It's surprising it's still here.

Could my mother's passing away

have something to do

with... with Father?

Of course it has something to do with your father.

If it weren't for

your father's callousness and ingratitude,

how could your mother

have fallen ill

and passed away so young?

We gotta send Daoyan off

as soon as possible.

Keep it under wraps from Lu Jiaxue's men.

Got it,

Qian will take care of it.

Alright, I'll go myself.

Daoyan is teacher's favorite

student.

He passed the exam young

and got picked by the emperor.

Now all he can do is flee to save his life.

It's all my fault.

I haven't accomplished

anything in three years.

Young Master, you're running the Tavern

and the shipping business.

Protected all the brothers,

found Li Yinglong and Lu Jiaxue.

You're getting a testimony

from the Old Lady too.

How can it be for nothing?

Shenyuan.

Miss Yining, the tea is ready.

Decided?

It seems like

there's no problem.

[No animals were harmed during the filming of this drama.]

It's poisonous.

Yining.

Father.

Where's your maid?

Why isn't she with you?

What brings you

here so late at night?

I'm just about to go see Father.

Recently, while tidying up,

I found some of Mother's belongings.

Seeing her things,

I came out for a walk.

The person is gone,

and the past is over.

Digging up these old things

will only bring you more sorrow.

Father must have forgotten about

these old friends and past events, right?

But I remember Mother's voice, laughter,

and facial expressions all the time.

So

I want to ask Father...

Yining,

What brings you here?

Father.

You don't know any manners at all.

Don't think just

because you impressed at the banquet.

And people outside

are calling you Mr. Shenyuan,

you think you've grown wings and can fly?

Don't forget who you are.

I'm

now a student of Mr. Sun.

Apart from that,

no other identity.

You've even learned to talk back.

Stay put in Jimo Court

for these few days

and don't go anywhere.

Is Father grounding me?

But Mr. Sun said

I should go to the literary gathering with him.

Well, since Father said so,

I won't go then.

Of course

you should go

and behave well.

Okay.

Yining, what do you want to ask me?

Get some early rest.

I understand how you feel.

But that toxic tea alone

doesn't prove anything.

If it really is him,

without any evidence,

he's even less likely to

confess to you.

Shenyuan.

What should I do?

I thought

I had a heart of stone.

I thought I could handle it.

But...

♫ Cause trouble, cause loneliness, ignite a sky full of fireworks ♫

Don't worry.

I'm here for you,

and I got you.

If it really is him,

just act according to your heart and do as you please.

Even if you're against the whole world,

I'll stand by

your side, for sure.

♫ Your gentle flow is like a song, inking in the depths of my heart ♫

♫ Just one cross, a lifelong pattern forms ♫

♫ Among countless figures flickering, I recognize your outline ♫

♫ Love knows no limits, fulfilling promises with my whole life ♫

Isn't my mother

beautiful?

Yes.

So, am I also considered good-looking?

Yes.

Yining is the most

beautiful person.

Shenyuan,

I won't have peace

until I find out

if this has anything to do

with my father.

[Ancient City Yifu]

Please.

Sorry for disturbing you again.

Doctor Zhao,

there's a question that's been bugging me,

and I'd like to ask you.

Has Miss Yining

discovered any new clues?

I asked

the maid who serves my mother.

She said my mother was in great pain

before she passed away.

Is this caused by illness,

with a numb tongue,

pricking pains all

over the body, and slurred speech?

I've never heard of Madam Gu

having such symptoms.

From what you've described,

it sounds like she might have taken the

wrong medicine or been poisoned.

This is the tea my mother

drank before she passed away.

I've tested it,

and it's indeed poisoned.

Please help me find out

what poison it is.

Daoyan.

Take good care of yourself

after we part today.

Shenyuan,

I hope the day we meet again is when

the investigation into Teacher's case is reopened.

Don't worry,

I won't let the brothers hide away

for their whole lives.

Qian.

Be careful and

take good care of him.

Yes, Young Master.

Young Master.

I've already prepared

everything for Miss Yining.

[Luo Mansion]

Father.

Yining is here.

Mother.

I'm here to greet to you.

Be seated.

Yining

came to join me for breakfast early in the morning.

I've been craving the cuisine from

grandmother's kitchen.

I've heard there's a

new seasonal osmanthus cake

so I've come specially to taste it.

If you like it so much,

I can ask the cook to make some especially

for you and send it over

But nothing beats the joy of

enjoying a meal together.

Hmm?

You come up with

so many excuses

just for a bite to eat.

Grandmother

isn't one to just take and not give back.

Today, I've brought along

some fine, fragrant tea.

It's already been roasted

and ground into fine tea powder.

Since Father is here today as well,

let's all have a taste together.

Xuezhi.

I have

some engagements outside today,

so I won't be having any tea.

Since Mother is well,

I'll take my leave now.

Father, please stay.

This tea today is particularly special.

I hope Father will join me in tasting it.

I've tasted every kind of tea under the sun.

Chengzhang,

why don't you stay and have a cup of tea?

It won't interfere with your other engagements.

I wonder what

kind of trick this child is up to.

♫ The southern breeze weaves through the world like silk ♫

♫ Crimson blossoms nestle by the jade pond's edge ♫

♫ Tea scents drift softly down the long street ♫

♫ With a joyful heart every day feels like sunshine ♫

♫ Home is like a port for you nesting in ♫

Grandmother,

this serving of tea is quite small,

it won't affect your nap in the afternoon.

Father,

Yining knows

you're a tea connoisseur.

This tea preserves its natural flavor.

Please try it.

♫ Red ropes twirl around eaves, youth's hair turns to frost ♫

♫ Half a lifetime, then a fleeting dream ♫

Father, how do you find

the taste of this tea soup?

Is this the Dragon Phoenix Cake Tea?

Dad, do you recall this?

It's the tea you gifted to

Mom in those old days.

This is

the tea that Minglan left behind.

Grandmother,

on that day, when I found this tea among

Mother's belongings,

I was overcome with emotion.

I brought it straight to

Father and asked him about it right away.

That night, you came to see me

just because of this tea.

This Dragon Phoenix Cake Tea is incredibly precious.

Even royalty struggles

to get a cake now.

I managed to get a bit

after quite some effort.

I still remember the day

Minglan and I had a huge fight.

I thought

your mother had

thrown this tea away.

Unexpectedly,

it's been kept for over a decade.

Why did you argue then?

Was it

another fight over that Qiao Yuechan?

No, it wasn't.

I hit a career low

that time.

Father is upright and

refuses to favor relatives.

I wanted to

use some silver to pave my way in officialdom.

So I asked your mother

for some of her dowry money.

You're really being extremely foolish.

How could you resort to such tricks?

You actually want to use

Minglan's dowry too?

Mother, you're absolutely right.

I deeply regret it.

I dare not

entertain such thoughts again.

Your dad

had known about

this back then,

he would have definitely enforced the family rules.

I was momentarily

blinded by greed.

Fortunately, I haven't brought shame upon the family.

Thank you for finding this Dragon Phoenix

Cake Tea from over a decade ago for me.

If it weren't for this tea,

I wouldn't have had the chance

to test Father's reaction.

Are you relieved now?

Father's demeanor

doesn't seem fake.

If he had something to hide,

he would surely show some signs of guilt.

But if

it's not him,

then who could it be?

Maybe we'll get a clue

once Doctor Zhao finds out

what poison is in the tea.

Even if it really is him,

I don't think you'd have

the heart to do it.

Even though he has done many things

that have disappointed you.

But a father is a father,

no matter what.

And you?

Do you hate him?

Yes.

But as a son,

I cannot choose my parents.

I'll just do what's

right for me to do.

With the exam approaching,

we can't delay including your name in

the family register any longer.

Last time, though Father's attitude

towards you improved,

it was only

because of Mr. Sun.

If we want Father to allow

you to be included in the family register,

we might need to give it another push.

[Lotus Courtyard]

Mother's really good at business

and accounting.

If you hadn't married into the Luo family,

you'd definitely be a powerful and influential

businesswoman.

At this age,

I'll have to marry into the Luo family

or some other place.

At home, obey your father;

after marriage, obey your husband.

Whether it's good or bad,

no one can really say for sure.

Compared to other places,

I think marrying into the Luo family

is pretty good.

Because there's you here,

and the Old Lady

treats me well too.

So, are you

just going to keep this respectful but distant

relationship with Father for your life?

Your father and I

are living separate lives now.

No meddling.

It's not a bad thing.

Why are you suddenly asking about this?

I'll support whatever kind of life

you want to live, of course.

But I think

it's better to plan

more for the future.

What if I

get married later,

or if that

Concubine Qiao comes back?

What do you mean by that?

Mother, even after the poetry banquet,

Father still

doesn't like Shenyuan.

But in front of everyone,

he has to admit that Shenyuan

is indeed

a member of our Luo family.

If he's adopted under your name,

then you'll have a legitimate son.

Then you'll have someone

to rely on in the future.

And Shenyuan is not only a good person

but also talented.

If he becomes a successful candidate,

you'll be the mother of a candidate.

If he becomes the top scholar,

you might even be

the mother of the Number One Scholar!

Oh, come on,

it's not something that can be achieved easily, you know.

And now that he's grown up,

I'm afraid I won't be a good mother to him.

If you can't

do it well in this mansion,

I'm afraid no one else can.

Since you took over,

you always save something

for him every month.

Isn't it only natural to

treat everyone equally?

And Mother,

Last time when Shenyuan was at the farmland,

he carried you

to the farmland

when you hurt your ankle.

That's true filial piety.

As for him,

I always thought he had a serious face before.

But this time,

I found out that he's actually quite kind-hearted.

And he's

the kind of person who knows how to repay kindness.

He'll definitely treat Mother well in the future.

We still need to

discuss this with your father.

You know,

it won't be easy to

get your father's approval.

♫ What is there to fear in the haze of uncertainty ♫

♫ In the heartbeat, there's a trace of light ♫

♫ I dive into the whirlpool following the threads of time ♫

♫ For you, for me, in pursuit of an outcome ♫

♫ I'd rather plunge into the flames just to break through the night's blockade ♫

♫ I'd rather fall revealing the fate that lies ahead ♫

♫ I'd rather bear no fruit just to become your support ♫

♫ What is there to fear in turning to foam ♫

♫ Love is a shared journey One day, we'll find our place ♫

♫ Even if I become tiny dust ♫

♫ I will still dance in my own brilliance ♫

♫ I'll navigate through endless doubts and calm the storms ♫

♫ For you, for me, to turn promises into amber ♫

♫ I'd rather plunge into the flames using my moment to light up more ♫

♫ I'd rather let go, allowing longing to fade ♫

♫ I'd rather bear no fruit as long as love stretches far and wide ♫

♫ What is there to fear in turning to foam ♫

♫ Love is you and me, side by side ♫