Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 14]

This is called not learning your lesson until it is too late.

General, do not forget.

The military commissioner just issued an order.

Ms. Ji must dye Shu Red Silk and weave tribute brocade.

To possess such a skill is to invite misfortune.

Ms. Ji's impressive talent

will attract envy.

Her family could be wiped out.

As much as I pity that,

there is nothing

I can do to help.

Mr. Yang?

Mr. Yang,

I have no interest in listening to nonsense.

So

think carefully

before answering me.

I came to Yizhou

not to target you, General,

but to restore order in the brocade industry.

I will investigate

whoever that stands in my way.

Behind me stands

all the imperial officers who still have a shred of conscience.

Yingying?

Yingying!

Yaoting?

Yaoting!

General!

You scoundrel!

Who gave the order to use force?

Are you trying to draw even more attention from the military commissioner?

He is not one of us.

What?

It is me.

Master Gao?

I came on Mr. Yang's orders.

Please cooperate with me, Ms. Ji.

Just act your part.

I will follow your lead.

Chief Sang's men have arrived!

I must leave now.

Wait!

Ms. Ji,

you!

Since this is all an act,

let's make it convincing.

Do not even think about hurting my sister!

Yaoting!

To those inside, listen!

Chief Sang is here!

Yingying?

Yingying!

Yingying?

Yaoting.

What happened?

How did you get hurt?

Ms. Ji, this...

Gui, quickly fetch a doctor!

- Hurry up! - No need.

No need!

Gui, Mother,

I am fine.

But you are bleeding!

How can you say you are fine?

You...

It is just a small cut.

Find a reliable physician

but tell them to make it sound worse than it is.

Open the door immediately!

Chief Sang.

Where is the assassin?

He is gone.

Search the area!

Yes, sir!

Report!

Chief Sang, we found this token.

[Niu]

You punk!

Do not harm me!

I would not dream of it.

This could be a great merit.

This...

General Niu, Governor Zhang,

it is my fault

for troubling both of you.

You are here as well, Mr. Yang. What a coincidence.

Not quite.

But the Ji family is no ordinary household.

Ms. Ji

shoulders the irreplaceable task of weaving the tribute brocade.

As the brocade officer,

it is my duty to give them more attention.

It is just an ordinary silk merchant

attacked by robbers.

Surely that does not warrant troubling Governor Zhang.

Normally, no.

And certainly not enough to disturb you, General.

But during Chief Sang's search,

the thief left behind something curious.

Perhaps,

you would like to take a look, General?

[Niu]

My token?

This thief is truly despicable

to dare steal my token!

Very well.

So, Chief Sang,

are you implying

that I intended to kill Ms. Ji?

I would not dare.

But the token...

The token was clearly planted by someone seeking to frame you, General Niu.

General Niu and I were in the tavern the entire time,

I can vouch

it is certainly not the work of General Niu.

Moreover,

if he truly intended harm,

he would not risk exposure,

nor would he carry anything

that could reveal his identity.

Therefore,

I believe

that this must be a deliberate attempt to slander the general.

In that case,

why trouble the general with this matter, Mr. Yang?

May I say something, Governor Zhang?

Mr. Yang's intentions are only to protect the general's reputation.

Surely, you know

that the general's beloved daughter

is marrying my former betrothed.

Additionally, I have successfully dyed Shu Red Silk.

It is a feat

that has forced the general's son-in-law

to show Zhao Red Silk.

To the public,

it would seem perfectly reasonable

for you to harbor a grudge against me

and wish me harm, general.

This situation has provided the perfect opportunity

for someone to exploit it and stir trouble.

If we ignore this now

and take no action,

I fear

it may escalate,

and bring harm to the general rather than benefits.

Ms. Ji, your reasoning is sound.

But

my conduct is upright and beyond reproach.

I am not afraid of rumors.

If she were an ordinary woman, it would not matter.

But now the tribute brocade depends on her.

If something were to happen to her,

the tribute brocade would not be completed.

It might implicate a general as well.

The imperial court

would send investigators.

General, your conduct is indeed upright and beyond reproach.

But how many others in Yizhou

can withstand such scrutiny?

What is your brilliant solution to this, Mr. Yang?

Governor Zhang,

since someone dared to impersonate General Niu

to assassinate Ms. Ji,

why not turn the tables?

Let General Niu personally protect Ms. Ji.

First, the general's wisdom and valor are unmatched,

ensuring her safety.

Second, as long as Ms. Ji remains unharmed,

the rumors

will naturally fade away on their own.

What does Ms. Ji's safety

have to do with me?

Besides,

the city's defense

fall under Governor Zhang's jurisdiction.

That is true.

In that case, Ms. Ji,

I will need you to follow me to the military camp.

We will present

this wound and token

to the military commissioner

and have him properly investigate the matter,

clearing your name.

Very well.

If I have the opportunity to meet the military commissioner,

I will gladly tell him

everything I know.

Why are we dragging the military commissioner into this?

How tiresome.

Fine.

Mr. Yang, Ms. Ji, you can trust me.

Though my duty is to guard the frontier,

I may not be able to deploy troops to protect you.

But I will not allow Ms. Ji

to fall victim to these vile schemes.

How about that?

Hurry up and thank General Niu.

Thank you, General Niu!

No need. It is a minor matter.

Thank you.

Ms. Niu,

are you all right?

It is nothing.

After so many years, I have grown used to it.

If I had not been held captive in the mountains,

you would not have gone there either.

The matters of the brocade workshop could not be hidden forever.

Even without you,

Yang Jinglan would have found another way

to lure me to the mountains.

You should not blame yourself.

But Ms. Niu,

you have suffered so much

and endured so much hardships.

It was so difficult to get to where you are today.

How could I not blame myself?

But if it were not for you,

who would have supported me

to this day?

I made a promise

on the day you saved me.

I am not a maid of the Niu household,

but I am

your maid, Ms. Niu.

I do not believe in fate.

I refuse to be a man's accessory.

I will live my own life.

Ms. Niu,

I will stand by your side.

Why are you here?

You promised me.

As long as I stayed away from her,

you would keep her safe.

But today, she almost died in the mountains!

Did she die?

Not only is she alive,

but she has also received support

from the military commissioner.

Now,

the two of you will work together to weave the tribute brocade.

Looking at it this way,

should you not be thanking me?

Going back on your word

and twisting facts.

Conducting business this way will get you nowhere.

My dear, have you forgotten?

The decisions on

whether this deal is made,

and how this deal is made

have always been mine to take.

You have been crying.

The wind in the mountains is harsh.

Dust in my eyes, that is all.

Is it dust in your eyes

or the sting of complete defeat?

My dear,

if I lose,

I can simply start over.

But you?

You hold no pieces.

You cannot even make it to the chessboard.

In the end,

I will always be the one moving the pieces.

Is that not right?

Mr. Yang, you found an excuse to keep my brother and mother away.

Is there something you want to tell me?

Did I guess wrong?

You had Gao Fang impersonate an assassin from the Niu family.

Isn't that to strike first

and make Niu Jin hesitate to harm me again?

You guessed it right.

But in my plan,

there was no part where you risked your life

and got yourself stabbed, Ms. Ji.

I was just worried they would turn the tables,

and accuse us of being the ones crying thief.

I wanted to make the act more convincing.

The physician did say I am fine.

I told you I would protect you.

You promised to trust me.

I did trust you.

That is why I played along.

Guo Kui, go back!

Why do you come out again?

Next time, I will be more careful.

Besides,

I have you to back me up.

Niu Jin

would not dare harm you directly for now.

I fear

the day the tribute brocade is completed

might be the day danger resurfaces.

I am not afraid. You will protect me, Mr. Yang.

Bold words.

Even Guo Kui cannot just wander in wherever he likes.

Niu Jin's hesitation today was purely circumstantial.

So, the more valuable the stakes, the less likely he is to act rashly?

What are you planning now?

I only know business.

If I can dye Shu Red Silk

and weave the most unique brocade in the world,

I can become Brocade Master,

a royal merchant,

be the golden goose that no one would dare to touch.

If Niu Jin ever plans to harm me again,

he will have to think twice.

Wait a moment.

These are the records of everyone in my family

who could enter the brocade workshop and dyehouse back then,

as well as the workers involved in transporting the tribute brocade

and liaising with Brocade Bureau.

I also have

the names of the former brocade officer, Liu Chongshan,

and his guards.

But I do not know

the names of the logistics officer who killed my father

and the soldiers involved in the handovers.

If your master

truly investigated my father's case,

perhaps these could help you find the clues

you are looking for.

Yang Jinglan,

I am entrusting my father's case

to you.

After all these years,

you still remember

all these names?

Some things...

Ji Guinan,

passing off inferior goods as tribute,

deceiving the emperor,

and resisting arrest...

It cannot be forgotten, no matter how long it has been.

He will be executed immediately.

Confiscate all the assets

of the Ji family.

Search the premises!

Yes, sir!

Mrs. Ji,

Zhao Xiuyuan is waiting at the entrance.

He says he wishes to discuss the weaving of the tribute brocade with Ms. Ji.

Go back!

Sit down.

Though we have past grievances,

this is official business

and cannot be delayed.

Mr. Yang, my daughter is gravely injured.

Is it truly necessary to rush the tribute brocade in these two days?

No, it is not urgent.

Not only is there no rush,

there is also no need for Ms. Ji to be involved in this matter at all.

For the weaving of tribute brocade,

Ms. Ji only needs to dye Shu Red Silk

according to the quantities

provided by Master Zhao.

Once completed, the silk will be delivered to Brocade Bureau

for verification, and then handed over to Master Zhao.

Ms. Ji, you are to stay here and recover.

You cannot go anywhere.

I will go explain it to him myself.

Mr. Yang,

do not forget what I entrusted you with.

Do not worry.

Mother,

I...

Focus on getting better.

The rest can wait for another day.

I will inform Bloom Society

that you have caught a cold

and are resting at home.

They can focus on dyeing silk

without worrying.

Come now, rest.

Get some rest.

[Huanhua Dyehouse]

You could have protected her in other ways.

Why did you let her get hurt?

Other ways?

Like you, Mr. Zhao?

Betraying us

and swallowing your pride for survival?

That is something I cannot do.

She does not want it either.

I have known her since we were children.

I have watched her

prepare for the worst,

endure silently and bide her time.

She will understand my choice.

[Huanhua Dyehouse] Under another's roof,

some things

must indeed be endured.

But some things cannot be endured.

If she endures it, that would mean she is no longer Ji Yingying.

Mr. Zhao,

if you still remember the bond you once shared,

even though you cannot be her man,

then at the very least, be a good man.

If I lose, I can simply start over.

But you?

You hold no pieces.

You cannot even make it to the chessboard.

[The Zhao Residence]

Xiuyuan has indeed been foolish.

If he had not used fake Shu Red,

our family could have won the competition with dignity.

During Brocade Weaving Competition,

the fake Shu Red incident was just a misunderstanding.

Why? Do you have another perspective on the matter?

Shall we pay General Niu

a visit together

and discuss it?

Very well.

Even if we put this matter aside,

there is the incident in the mountains.

Others may not dare to blame the Niu family,

but some are already saying that our family was behind it!

That Ms. Niu

is paired with Xiuyuan, who is always confused.

This...

It is hard to say

how much trouble

this pair will bring to our family in the future.

Back then, you were determined

to forge ties with General Niu's family, sir.

Now that the connection is made,

who would have thought

that Ms. Niu would prove an ill-suited match?

I imagine you are not feeling too pleased about it now, sir.

Are you implying that I have failed to manage this household?

I would not dare.

We would not dare.

Where is Xiuyuan?

He went to the General's residence yesterday for a visit.

That is right.

After all,

Ms. Niu is still General Niu's daughter.

We must not neglect proper etiquette.

Our family

has secured the title of Brocade Master.

The next step

is to unite with other brocade merchants

and collaborate to complete the tribute brocade.

From now on,

you do not need to trouble yourself over it, Grandfather.

Xiuyuan, you have returned.

What did General Niu said?

He said that, given Grandfather's advanced age,

the affairs of the Brocade Master's household

should be handed over to me.

What?

Are you using the Niu family's influence to pressure me?

General Niu's suggestion was likely made

out of consideration

of your age, sir.

Perhaps it is time for you to enjoy some peace.

Xiuyuan may be young,

but he is capable and resourceful,

and now he has General Niu's favor.

If he were to become the patriarch,

our ties with the Niu family

would grow even stronger.

As for the rumors outside,

who would dare to spread them further?

Grandfather, please step down.

You!

How dare he says such a thing?

Back then, my grandfather

managed this household for 50 years,

and my father learned at his side

for 30 years before managing it.

I, too, have spent 30 years learning under my father.

Xiuyuan, you are indeed gifted.

But spend another ten years under my guidance,

and then I will let you manage the family.

Grandfather,

will you not step down?

The Zhao family will be yours one day.

Why rush it?

Then do not blame me for being disrespectful.

Zhao Ping!

You!

Zhao Xiuyuan,

are you rebelling against the patriarch?

Xiuyuan,

what are you doing?

My father-in-law said he was concerned

my succession might face resistance.

So, he lent me some men to help me.

You!

Xiuyuan,

we are family.

Why escalate things like this?

He is just momentarily

confused.

When General Niu was angry in the mountains,

he dared to threaten even imperial officers.

Who among us would dare disobey his words?

Everyone,

do you agree?

Father, stepping down is a minor matter.

But provoking General Niu

is a serious issue.

You

should step down.

Grandfather, I think

there is no harm

in Xiuyuan becoming the patriarch.

Zhao Xiuyuan,

the second grandson

of the Zhao family.

I am here.

You have brought great honor to the Zhao family by becoming Brocade Master.

Today, I pass the position of head of the Zhao family to you.

The responsibility of reviving the Zhao family's legacy

now rests on your shoulders.

I accept it.

Brother, wait!

Could you visit Brocade Bureau

to verify the imperial orders?

Yes,

sir!

My dear, when you took me home yesterday,

you did not meet with Father.

Why is it that, before he left today,

his attitude suddenly shifted

and gave you his men?

I do not recognize these men.

They do not seem to be my family's guards.

I hired people to impersonate them.

How honest of you, my dear.

You will not expose me.

How far I can go determines

how far you can go as Brocade Master's wife.

Do you remember your promise before?

You said you would grant me some freedom after we get married.

What are you planning?

Naturally, I will help you

take control of the entire Shu brocade industry.

I have been weaving brocade for years.

I understand the brocade industry in Yizhou better than you.

But I understand human nature even better.

I also understand my father better than you.

He does not mind you borrowing his name,

but you

must show him

your worth.

[Brocade Bureau]

He is here!

Since the death of Ji Guinan,

the stunning Shu red also vanished.

It has not reappeared for years.

Under the order of the imperial court,

I was sent to Yizhou to investigate.

And today, I can finally deliver results.

Shu Red outshines all reds.

When it appeared

at Brocade Weaving competition,

its brilliance stunned the audience.

Today,

I officially declare

Shu Red Silk

returns to the Wall of Colors!

Good!

Well done!

Good!

Well done!

[Shu Red, Ji Yingying]

[Brocade Bureau]

[Shu Red, Ji Yingying]

You were the one who rediscovered Shu Red.

Naturally, it should bear your name.

♪Upon my brow, a winter's snow descends♪

♪Memories howl where sorrow bends♪

Hang it up!

[Brocade Bureau] Good!

Well done!

♪The past now rests in streams and hills♪

♪Drying the tales of countless dreams♪

Good!

Well done!

♪You are the thread that binds my soul♪

♪A fated tether, whole to whole♪

♪If you will hold fast to our sacred vow♪

♪No life nor death could break me now♪

One day, I will create new colors.

I will become Brocade Master.

Then my name

can be placed right next to my father's.

[Flushed Rose, Ji Yingying. Shu Red, Ji Yingying] Very well.

I will keep a spot open for you right here.

♪Though my days may bathe in crimson streams♪

This is incredible.

I can dye Shu Red Silk now, Father!

♪I will never falter, nor abandon you♪

♪No fear of ashes, no dread of the end♪

This is incredible! I can dye Shu Red Silk now.

♪Only that my heart you still not comprehend♪

♪You will never stand in storms alone♪

♪For I am yours, forever your own♪

Father,

I have done it.

Ms. Ji,

Mr. Yang requests your presence to confirm

the quantity of Shu Red Silk required for the tribute brocade.

This way.

Congratulations, Ms. Ji, for making Shu Red Silk reappear.

After hardship comes happiness.

You are like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

But this is a rabbit.

What does this have to do with a phoenix?

The phoenix is too difficult to draw.

I have not mastered it yet.

So, Ms. Ji, you will have to settle for this.

Did you make this yourself?

How is your injury?

If I were not fine,

would my mother have let me out?

But surely you did not call me in here

just to ask about this.

What if I did?

Have a seat.

I am returning this to its rightful owner.

My master found it.

Where did he find it?

I do not know exactly where. I am still investigating it.

My father lost his life because of fake brocade.

The Niu family built their illegal brocade workshop in the mountains

to make fake brocade.

Perhaps that was how they swapped genuine brocade

for fake ones back then.

When the truth came to light,

my father became the scapegoat.

Is that right?

Ms. Ji,

how about we make a pact?

The investigation is mine to handle.

I will uncover the truth.

What must I do?

Focus on business.

I may seem well-off,

but in truth, I am not far from poverty.

One day,

I might need your support, Ms. Ji.

According to the law,

bribery is punishable by imprisonment

and accepting bribes is punishable by death.

I would not dare.

When the time comes,

you can toss a money pouch on the ground.

I will pretend to pick it up.

At most, it is just keeping what I found and not turning it in.

I would be accused of moral failing,

not breaking the law.

You are a corrupt officer!

Mr. Yang, I hope

you can clear my father's name soon.

When that day comes, I will fund the construction of a shrine in your honor.

Mr. Yang?

Come inside.

Mr. Yang,

Mr. Yang Juxian has requested an audience.

No.

But he said

if you do not want to see-

Leave!

Yes, sir.

Honestly, I do not have

any deep grudge against him.

The past

was not entirely his fault.

I was just too young to understand.

But the past is the past.

There is no need to reconcile,

and even less need for apologies.

I am not used to,

nor do I need,

a father who suddenly decides to reappear.

My mother was furious

with me this time too.

It seemed like if I do not listen to her,

she would disown me.

But I am myself first,

and only then am I her daughter.

I can care for her, honor her,

even trade my life for hers.

But I cannot live

the way she says I should.

If I did,

I would lose myself.

I would not know why I was born into this world.

My mother would live with that guilt forever.

So what you are saying is

I should not reconcile with him?

Then should I reconcile with him?

What exactly do you want me to choose?

You should choose what your heart truly wants.

Whatever you decide,

I will support you.

It is because we are allies.

This is what I am here for.

Here, have something sweet.

Ms. Ji, your method of offering comfort

is rather lacking.

[The Bai Residence]

I was wearing a veil

and no one saw me come in.

[Ning Dai, Bai Sheng's junior] It will not hinder my covert activities.

Sheng, do not be upset.

I have already gathered information

on the major brocade merchants in Yizhou.

Three families are worth your attention.

The Yang, Zhao, and Yu families.

The Yang family consistently claims the title of Brocade Master,

with strong connections and reputation in Chang'an.

But

the second son of the Zhao family

has now become the son-in-law of Niu Jin

and recently won first place at Brocade Weaving Competition.

The eldest son of the Yu family tragically passed away young,

leaving them without an heir.

They have fallen into decline.

The red phoenix you saw when you entered the city belongs to Ji Yingying,

the president of Bloom Society.

She is the daughter of Ji Guinan,

and heir to Shu Red Silk legacy.

But

she can only dye silk,

and does not know how to weave brocade.

If you want to join the brocade industry,

one of these three families is your best bet.

Join the brocade industry?

How do you propose I do that?

Should I open a brocade store,

or build a trade caravan?

If it were that simple,

why would I need to come in person?

There is a saying among the people of Zhongyuan.

[Idiom originates from Huainanzi, Shuo Lin Xun] Teach a man to fish,

rather than give him a fish.

Everyone,

my master has long admired the magnificence of Shu brocade.

He has traveled far in pursuit of its splendor.

[Gilded Weave Atelier]

Shu brocade has a thousand patterns, and each pattern carries its own value.

We find ourselves at a loss on how to price such treasures.

Price it too low, and we fear we will insult the craftsmanship.

Price it too high, and it might cheapen the rarity of true masterpieces.

Thus, we have come to seek the wisdom

of you esteemed experts in the brocade industry.

Help us estimate the value.

We welcome brocade from anyone

willing to offer them.

[Gilded Weave Atelier]

We will hang the brocade here,

for all to evaluate.

If you have exceptional item,

we are willing to pay handsomely for it.

Each of you will write down

the value you believe this brocade holds.

The final price

will be the average of your valuations.

Your method is certainly novel.

But what is the benefit

for us?

Yes! Exactly!

Everyone, please watch this.

The show has started!

[Gilded Weave Atelier]

It is

an excellent question.

Business

is about fairness,

a balance of giving and taking.

Everyone,

I am asking for your help,

but I would never let your efforts go unrewarded.

What is that supposed to mean?

Write your name

on one side of this bamboo.

Write your price on the other side.

Whoever's price is closest to the final amount,

I will

reward them with a gold leaf.

A gold leaf?

How do we know it is not fake?

Why did he receive one?

We have not even started.

You are the first to talk to my servant.

We have traveled a long way to be here.

You welcomed us

with sincerity and respect.

This gold leaf is rightfully yours.

Is it true?

Is it real?

Is it truly gold?

It is real!

In less than three days,

all of Yizhou will know

that a new foreign merchant has arrived.

One who spends lavishly

and cherishes brocade with an unmatched passion.

♪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♪