Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 7]

Isn't it beautiful?

My lady, you aren't admiring the velvet flower

but the person who made it, are you?

It's not easy for women to do business.

I am a woman,

so

I'm happy to help other women

if they know what's good for them.

What is Hua Rong up to?

She's pushing the Ji family to take on many orders for Flushed Rose.

She even sent people

to monitor the Brocade Bureau in charge of registration.

What do you think of her?

Smart,

ruthless,

but still not enough.

If there's a mistake

in the registration in Yizhou City,

it's close enough to be dealt with.

Since Miss Ji is so clever,

she must have a plan.

Rest assured, my lady.

I've already prepared

a backup plan for this matter.

Whether we should act or not

depends entirely on your decision.

It all depends on what she decides.

Shu's splendor

is for everyone to share.

Today's Splendor Showcase

celebrates the champion.

Let all trades rejoice!

Let's begin!

Bravo!

Wen... Wen Jun's Wine,

eight wen for a jar,

fifteen wen for two jars.

Wenjun...

Louder!

If you can help me sell ten jars of wine today,

I won't hold you accountable for the damage you caused

in my inn the other day.

It was truly disgraceful.

Please don't bring it up again.

What's the harm?

An elder brother standing up for his younger sister...

that's something I can only envy.

Really?

Of course.

This is livelier than just selling silk.

No one dares stop me from selling now.

What are you selling?

Selling...

selling my charm!

Oh, nothing.

Why isn't Zhao Xiuyuan here?

Isn't he coming today?

He's busy weaving brocade.

He'll come later.

Now even Mr. Zhao Senior

doesn't stop you from seeing him.

Is the marriage getting close?

Now that he's showing his talent,

Mr. Zhao Senior probably thinks he's a rare gem.

You don't seem worried at all.

Do you think I'm not good enough for him?

That's not what I meant.

I was joking with you.

As long as we're of one heart,

nothing can stand between us.

Excuse me, my lady!

You dropped your handkerchief.

Thank you, Miss Ji.

Why is it her, the jinx?

Do you know her?

She's Niu Wuniang,

the youngest daughter

of Vice Commander Niu.

It's said she'll bring misfortune.

She's lost two husbands to death.

She's always wearing either a veil or a mask.

And she's extremely arrogant.

Even more arrogant than you?

Last time, I spoke to her, and she didn't even bother to reply.

If she looks down on you,

then we common folk

must be nothing but dust in her eyes.

She just called me Miss Ji.

She knows me?

Being recognized by her is not a good thing.

Wen Jun's Wine!

Eight wen for a jar!

Fifteen wen for two jars!

Wen Jun's Wine!

When did my brother start selling wine?

Fifteen wen for two jars!

I'll take ten jars,

as gifts.

What are you trying to do?

Are you doing this

to make it up to me,

or just to ease your own conscience?

I must have disturbed you.

I'll take my leave.

This money...

Why not take it?

And this pouch?

I bought it to give him as a gift.

Don't you want it anymore?

No, I don't.

Things or people from the past...

what's worth holding onto?

Wen Jun's Wine, eight wen for a jar!

Fifteen wen for two jars!

Wen Jun's Wine!

Tell me, compared to Mr. Yang, how is my brother?

Compare what aspects? Height?

Is Yang Jingshan tall?

Compare their talents.

Yang Jingshan is Yizhou's Brocade Master.

Then how about personal qualities and demeanor?

My brother surely wins, doesn't he?

In terms of personal qualities,

your brother surely wins.

Mr. Yang, please have a seat.

What are you doing here?

I haven't even settled accounts with you for last time.

I was bored yesterday

and caught this in the mountains.

I was planning to give it to my good buddy,

but...

We're good buddies!

You're the best!

Is this what you're selling today?

Mr. Yang, you want to know about it?

Tell me, what's the price I have to pay?

For today's Splendor Showcase,

brocade families are participating in full!

Of course,

we must compete for the top spot.

Excuse me...

Excuse me, please.

The Splendor Showcase's champion

is selected from legitimate dyehouses

with proper paperwork to sell here.

Those relying on shady tricks have no chance.

They don't qualify.

And yet, they have the nerve to join the fun!

The third-place winner of this Splendor Showcase

sold 170 guan worth.

It goes to Mr. Wang from Wang's Dyehouse!

Well done!

Mr. Wang,

you should thank Mr. Sun properly.

Your prize was thanks to him.

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

Thank you, Mr. Sun.

The second-place winner of the Splendor Showcase

sold 190 guan worth!

It goes to Sun's Dyehouse!

Well done!

Well done!

Well done!

What a coincidence.

Mr. Sun, your prize

was contributed by Mr. Wang.

If you're unhappy with it,

you can always swap it for your jade Kylin.

I like it.

I like it very much.

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

Thank you, Mr. Wang.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the top prize of this Splendor Showcase

sold 230 guan worth!

Well done!

It goes to Hua's Dyehouse!

Well done!

Amazing!

Well done!

Mrs. Hua,

I'm returning this to its original owner.

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

These peonies are too small.

Besides, I'm not a fan of flowers.

Next time, Mrs. Hua, put more thought into your gift.

And also,

to the other shopkeepers, rest assured.

The prizes you've added

will be returned to each of you shortly.

Oh, by the way,

just to mention,

Miss Ji's team from Bloom Society

didn't have the proper entry papers,

so they don't officially count.

But their Flushed Rose sold a total of...

How much was it again?

250 guan!

250 guan!

They sold 250 guan worth!

Thank you.

That's even more than the champion.

I know this Miss Ji,

but what... what exactly

is the Bloom Society?

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen!

Guys, come here!

Our Bloom Society was established jointly

by Huanhua Dyehouse, Luoxia Dyehouse,

Yingxi Dyehouse,

and Liuyue Dyehouse.

It's newly founded,

but we are ambitious.

We aim to become the best dyehouse group in Yizhou!

Your guidance is much appreciated!

Thank you for your guidance!

Thank you for your guidance!

These velvet flowers represent prosperity.

They are our Bloom Society's creation,

dyed with signature silk threads from various houses.

They symbolize wealth and honor,

peace and prosperity!

Today, we present them to all of you

as a token of our humble sincerity.

May Yizhou's silk industry

blossom like all sorts of flowers

and compete in splendor!

This is dyed with our Midnight Purple,

wishing everyone success in all endeavors!

This is our Red Azalea,

wishing you peace and happiness!

This is our Cambodian Indigo,

wishing everyone health and longevity!

These are our Pine Flower and Azure Waves,

offering elegance, dignity, and a slimming effect!

Though my house has no flowers,

I am the honorary president of Bloom Society.

Thank you for your support!

From now on, we're all friends!

If you like it,

please come to Bloom Society

to place silk orders!

Let's go!

Come on!

We're all friends here!

Welcome to place orders for silk!

Thank you, Mr. Yang, for adding this finishing touch.

Welcome to place silk orders!

Here!

Wishing everyone wealth and honor,

peace and prosperity!

Share them around!

Here!

Remember, we're Bloom Society!

For silk orders, come to us at Bloom Society.

Madam, what's wrong?

Here!

Wishing you peace and prosperity, wealth and honor!

Do you still need more?

Madam,

is the master here to see us?

You fool.

The master isn't here to see us.

She comes to see Ji Yingying.

Bloom Society!

Bloom Society!

Good luck!

Keeping Ji Yingying alive

is nothing but trouble.

Bloom Society!

Yingying.

I'm sorry.

I was late.

Apparently, I'm the one who was late.

I was late.

I missed seeing you hand out velvet flowers.

Since you were late,

would you accept a punishment?

I would.

Hit me,

Let that be your vow:

For the decades to come,

you will make it up to me, little by little.

I will!

So it's the Brocade Master you're after.

Because...

my grandfather promised me

if I could win the title of Brocade Master this time,

he would allow me

to propose to you.

What?

[Zhao Xiuyuan and His Beloved: Together Forever] It hasn't been launched yet, and it's already working its magic?

Yingying.

Let's set it off.

Set it off now!

Careful!

Are you okay?

I'm fine. Just a scratch.

It's just a scrape.

A little ointment will fix it.

Thank you, Mr. Yang, for saving us.

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

Don't mention it.

I did this

so that in the future, when I need help

with appraising silk or threads,

I'll feel comfortable asking for assistance.

Mr. Yang, how did you know we were here?

Who do you think would want to harm you?

Mrs. Hua.

Today at the Splendor Showcase,

I completely embarrassed her.

Other than her, I can't think of anyone else.

I was asking you.

How did it turn into you questioning me?

How did you know she wanted to harm me?

At the field, I noticed something was off about her demeanor,

so I stayed alert.

This place is quite remote.

Finding it took me considerable effort.

I've long heard of the bond between you two,

a perfect match, and childhood sweethearts.

Seeing it today,

it's just as they say.

Mr. Yang,

you have a keen eye.

When it's our wedding day,

the two of us should have a good drink together.

I'm fine.

All right.

Today's unexpected disaster

was entirely thanks to your casual mention

at the Splendor Showcase.

Mr. Yang, you won't leave it unattended, will you?

Miss Ji, that's not quite fair.

Don't forget who asked me to add that finishing touch.

But Mrs. Hua was ready to kill someone!

That's clearly a challenge to your authority,

a provocation to your dignity!

Life-and-death matters are handled

by the county magistrate.

If you didn't want to get involved,

why would you have saved me?

You're betting I'd help you?

Please, stand up for the people,

Mr. Yang.

If you help a humble girl like me,

then in the future,

I will serve you with all my heart.

I'm afraid in the future,

you will come up with plenty of excuses.

It's getting late.

Zhao Xiuyuan,

perhaps you should take Miss Ji home now.

Miss Ji, if you don't want Zhao Xiuyuan to escort,

then I can personally see you home.

No need!

We'll leave.

Yingying,

are you close

to Mr. Yang?

I know him because I need his help.

But I know you

because

I want to know you.

Mr. Yang!

Mr. Yang.

Did you track the assassin?

Our people are monitoring them in secret.

Look at this arrow.

It's a military arrow.

Is the person behind the Hua family

that powerful?

The Hua family is a breakthrough point.

We must investigate further.

No improvement in skills,

but your boldness keeps growing.

Please calm down, my lady.

I just wanted to help you

get rid of Ji Yingying, that troublemaker!

You bribed my people

to do something behind me.

Who are you doing all this for?

Do I really need to spell it out?

My lady...

Did you leave any evidence?

Rest assured, my lady.

I had instructed them beforehand:

Whether the assassination succeeded or not,

they would hide in a separate residence

and not show up for a few days.

For someone who doesn't even know

who their real master is,

what's the use of keeping them?

Our lady is merciful,

leaving him a whole body.

I'll serve you with all my might,

with no disloyalty at all!

Please do a fair judgment, my lady!

Our people report

that the assassin is dead.

He was suddenly killed by an arrow of his kind.

Where did he die?

In a separate residence of the Hua family.

My dear,

you're back!

Why so late?

What did the master say?

Why do you look so pale?

My dear,

say something.

Please, say something.

You're scaring me being like this.

Is the master

going to punish us?

She ordered me to turn in all private accounts

and commanded me

never to meddle

in Ji Yingying or the mountain affairs again.

If so, just tell her it was all my doing.

Punish me instead!

Hua Xiangrong,

don't you get it?

She's abandoned us.

I know so many of her secrets.

She'll never let me go.

Then let's leave now.

Run away immediately!

We can't escape.

She's capable of killing!

Who's reckless enough to smash my window?

Shh!

Why are you sneaking into my house so late?

I'm testing you.

After just encountering an assassin, you're this careless.

If I were a villain, I'd have taken you away already.

Smashing my window

makes you no different from a villain.

Mr. Yang, this is truly impolite.

I've found out

that the person who tried to assassinate you is Mrs. Hua.

I knew it.

The imperial yellow silk is also from her family.

That's your business.

I'll leave it to you, Mr. Yang.

See you later.

Zhuge and I have reviewed

the Hua family's accounts for a long time,

but we still haven't found any clues.

I know

you're an expert in this area.

I'd like to ask for your help.

Now?

Yes.

Delays will bring complications.

The assassin who tried to kill you

is already dead.

Looks like it's really late.

Let's go.

Let's investigate her thoroughly.

Where will you go toward?

Let's go.

Yang Jinglan,

I'm going to kill you!

All right, it's bright enough.

Be careful.

Don't burn the accounts.

If you can't understand them,

just sit quietly to the side.

Not meddling

is also a way of helping.

You talk as if you can understand them.

Of course I can.

Think about it...

If she really did something wrong,

she must have a private ledger.

How could it be recorded in the public accounts?

Do you know what a fake account is?

It's a mix of truth and lies.

It can't be entirely real,

but it also can't be entirely false.

Even if she has a private ledger,

her public accounts

couldn't possibly leave no traces at all.

Otherwise,

the accounts wouldn't balance.

It sounds like you're an expert in making fake accounts.

Why is it so hot

in the Brocade Bureau?

Zhuge, fan her.

Mr. Yang,

some things

are better done personally.

I'm suffocating here!

Understood.

Why can't I feel any breeze?

Is this better now?

Mr. Yang...

I'll cool your head first, then your feet.

There's something wrong with the accounts.

What did you find?

Look at this.

This account

seems fine,

but

its flaw is that it seems too perfect.

First,

normal accounts inevitably have errors,

with traces of corrections or modifications.

But this one is unusually neat.

Second,

the silk-dyeing business is tough.

Every household has

to play some tricks with the accounts.

Someone like Mrs. Hua,

who always takes advantage where she can,

shows no sign

of any scheming

in her accounts.

The entire account

looks pre-written.

The way she puts it

does make some sense.

Look here.

They purchased a large batch of raw silk,

hired the Shen family to reel and dye it,

but it turned into waste silk.

There's a deficit in the accounts.

From what I know,

in all their years of operation,

the Shen family has never made

such a mistake that ruins an entire batch of silk.

And based on what I know about Mrs. Hua,

if something like this happened,

even if she didn't demand compensation,

she would have found a way

to sell the waste silk out.

Take a look at the subsequent entries.

These subsequent entries in the accounts

show no compensation

nor any discounted sales.

So where did this batch of silk go?

Perhaps the Shen family

never received this batch of silk at all.

Exactly.

[The accounts]

Using fake transactions like this,

how much the Hua family

has exploited in a year?

It's not just fake transactions.

If we compare the ledgers thoroughly one by one,

we'll uncover even more issues.

That's enough. We've found a direction.

Leave the rest to him.

All right.

Can he handle all of these by himself?

Don't worry.

This single discovery alone

is enough to convict the Hua family.

You won't suffer injustice in vain.

I'm not doing this to target the Hua family.

If I told you

I truly love Shu brocade

and don't want anyone to spoil it,

would you believe me?

It doesn't matter if you don't.

Let's go.

No need.

I have another way in.

Besides,

if you disturb Guo Kui inside,

it might bite you to death.

Mr. Yang, just see me off here.

A young lady sneaking through a dog hole every day...

Ji Yingying!

Yang Jinglan!

Look how obedient it is.

Not barking or biting.

Guo Kui, Why are you siding with an outsider?

Guo Kui.

It's true:

An evil dog meets its match in a worse person.

In your eyes,

am I only fit to be called a villain?

If the accounts truly have issues,

would you really arrest the Hua family?

Why we investigate her if we don't plan to arrest her?

All right, good boy.

The Hua family's backer

might be in Chang'an.

So what?

Be cautious.

Miss Ji,

if I say

I sincerely wish to reform Yizhou's brocade industry

and clear the innocent of false charges,

would you believe me?

It doesn't matter if you don't.

I'm leaving.

He may not be a good man,

but he seems to be a good official.

You're right!

What are you doing?

How dare you trespass on my house?

Mrs. Hua,

how have you been?

Mr. Yang,

how have you been?

Very well.

I recall

that I used to pay my respects to you.

Even if it wasn't much,

it shouldn't warrant you raiding my home today.

[Hua's Dyehouse Ledger] Your family falsified accounts

to evade taxes.

Do you really think I know nothing?

[Hua's Dyehouse Ledger]

Mr. Yang.

We didn't find Hua Xiangrong.

Mrs. Hua,

where is he?

How would I know?

He usually like

to mess around outside.

Last night,

I scolded him a bit,

and he ran off.

Why not

catch him for me?

Fine.

Then I'll trouble you

to come with me first.

Please.

Yang Jinglan

arrested Mrs. Hua without letting her explain.

Did he uncover something?

Or is he just endlessly greedy,

doing this

to gain more benefits?

It has nothing to do with us.

But what if Mrs. Hua

speaks everything she knows?

Should we...

Keep her alive for now.

Let's see

what Yang Jinglan's true motives are.

But Mrs. Hua

knows some details about the mountain.

What if Yang Jinglan investigates the mountain?

If he is as reckless as the previous brocade officer,

then let him go and never return.

What about Ji Yingying?

The general's letter mentioned

that the court is seeking Shu Red Silk.

If we can

make her reveal Shu Red Silk's secret,

wouldn't that be a great achievement?

After Ji Guinan's death,

all of Yizhou has been watching the Ji family.

Have they uncovered anything?

So, you mean...

If there's no real Shu Red Silk,

what we have

will be considered real.

Mr. Yang,

please spare me.

It's been three days,

and she still hasn't spoken?

I've heard it said

that if someone is deprived of sleep for too long,

they may go mad,

or even die.

Mrs. Hua,

I advise you to think carefully before answering.

I...

I confess.

I was greedy,

and I feared

Ji Yingying's talent.

So I deliberately used the Ji family's debts

to suppress them.

Framing Ji Yaoting

was also my plan.

It was to force Ji Yingying

to give up Mr. Zhao Senior's recommendation

so I could enslave the Ji family.

But then Ji Yingying created a new dye color,

and I...

in a moment of foolishness,

resorted to hiring an assassin.

I know I was wrong.

Please, Mr. Yang,

considering that Ji Yingying is unharmed,

spare my life.

If you want to accuse me

of only caring about profit and not people,

there's no need to be so indirect.

Isn't that true?

Have you ever lacked money?

A gentleman loves wealth

but acquires it through proper means.

Have you ever been driven to desperation?

Finding hope in despair,

breaking but not bending.

You're valiant enough.

But I can't do it.

I only care about profit,

petty and selfish.

So,

she truly had no choice.

Other than hiring an assassin,

are there any other crimes?

No.

Truly, no more.

You've done so many bad things at Huanhua Creek.

Who's backing you?

It's all me.

I had my own plans for business.

Then what were you planning

with this imperial yellow silk?

This silk...

Are you planning to weave a dragon robe

for yourself on the mountain?

I'm only responsible for delivering the silk thread

to the cave at Beiling Pass.

After that, I know nothing.

I was just forced to do business.

I don't know anything else...

Who's forcing you?

You won't tell me?

Do you think

the person forcing you will come save you,

or are you hoping

Hua Xiangrong will come save you?

Or is it because of Hua Xiangrong

that someone has to come save you?

Is there

really no way out?

There is.

Let's cut off the source.

Between us,

one must go.

If I leave

taking all the secrets with me,

and you stay behind,

you won't survive.

But if you take all the secrets with you,

she won't dare act rashly.

At least she'll spare my life,

maybe even get me out of there.

Hua Xiangrong,

out there,

you're my hope for survival.

Add two more fire pits for Mrs. Hua.

Make this place brighter!

Beat the gong more frequently!

Do you think what she says is credible?

Even if there's deceit, there must be some truth.

Otherwise, how could she deceive me?

You're playing with fire.

Don't worry. It won't burn you.

Right now, we have

no other leads.

Even if it's a trap,

we have to give it a try.

Send the secret guards

to search the area

she mentioned.

If anything seems off, don't act recklessly.

Wait for me to arrive.

Understood.

[Yuebuhuan Inn]

Keep your arm straight.

Bend your knees.

They're bent already...

Don't stick your butt out.

Shift your weight lower.

Not that low.

Stand up.

All right, stop.

Keep your back straight.

Yu,

I still have to dye silk.

I can't just be slacking off

while everyone else is working hard.

Don't you remember

who almost got hurt a few days ago?

I know you mean well,

but...

Squat down.

But if I face danger again,

I can't just squat there, can I?

Why don't you teach me something else...

Something more practical,

a one-move takedown kind of thing?

It's so quiet in the shop,

not a single customer.

Oh, you're practicing martial arts?

Come on,

I'll teach you some moves.

No...

If you're going to teach me

horse stance or striking wooden stakes again,

then forget it.

I'm really not cut out for this.

Don't worry.

Based on what I saw of you that day,

this move is perfect for you.

Watch carefully.

If you're in danger,

aim for the enemy's lower body

and kick with all your might.

One move to defeat them.

It's very effective.

That's not a bad idea.

Give it a try.

You're really going to try?

That looks painful.

Your foot will hurt more.

Stop laughing.

Can't you teach her something proper?

All right.

I'll teach you something else.

What other move?

How about learning to ride a horse?

What's the use of that?

If you can't fight, you can run.

On horseback,

nobody can catch you.

Guaranteed success.

But...

If you're teaching, teach properly.

I'll go get you some snacks.

You didn't come here today

just to teach me self-defense, did you?

I came today

to clear your worries.

Right now, there's only one thing

on my mind:

registering Flushed Rose for the records.

The inspection in Yizhou

is complete.

As for the seal,

I've already stamped it.

Tomorrow, I'll send someone to deliver it.

Who's delivering it? Zhuge?

Him? That'd be more like delivering his life.

[Please approve Ji Yingying to sell Flushed Rose silk]

The person behind Mrs. Hua

is no ordinary figure.

She has confessed to me

everything she's done.

I used to think

you were solely focused on business,

uninterested in anything else.

But now I see

you really don't have that time.

Just managing the present

is already no small task.

I misspoke.

In the entire city of Yizhou,

some people have wronged my family,

scorned my family,

or falsely accused my family...

Of them all, you're the first one

to apologize to my family.

♪Fallen petals, scattered on the ground♪

♪Love awakes, but it fades before it grows♪

♪Like dust in the creek, it slips away♪

♪Time just spins, tearing at the seams♪

♪I walk through the pain, but I still chase the dream♪

♪The road is ahead, but it feels so unknown♪

♪How can we, so small, fight against this tide?♪

♪Holding on tight, as the ropes pull me inside♪

♪To show that the soaring crimson is mine to own♪

♪Red like a vow, that's burning slow♪

♪Silent red, where all my memories go♪

♪Throw the thread, and let the heartache show♪

♪Drowning in this, can't let it go♪

♪Red like flames, that burn through my soul♪

♪I walk these miles alone, through sleepless nights.♪

♪Love in the wind, alive, it's everywhere we've been♪

♪Red blooms bright, but it dies all alone♪

♪Red like a vow, that's burning slow♪

♪Silent red, where all my memories go♪

♪Throw the thread, and let the heartache show♪

♪Drowning in this, can't let it go♪

♪Red like flames, that burn through my soul♪

♪I walk these miles alone, through sleepless nights.♪

♪Love in the wind, alive, it's everywhere we've been♪

♪Red blooms bright, but it dies all alone♪