Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 15]

I really can't tell the difference

between these two threads.

Neither can I.

Let's compare them together.

Can you see it clearly now?

This strand seems a bit lighter in color.

Shu brocade is woven with countless threads,

and if the color of just one thread is off,

the entire brocade will lose its brilliance.

Start by observing this bunch,

then take out each thread one by one,

until your eyes can adapt.

When you can distinguish even two threads,

you'll understand

which colors can make a world of difference

and truly enhance the brocade.

Isn't this what the brocade merchants need to learn?

What if we help them master this step?

Our Bloom Society now offers not just Flushed Rose

but also Shu Red Silk

and specialty silk thread from various houses.

But if we want to level up,

we can't just dye silk,

nor can we only sell silk.

Then what else can we sell?

If buyers are willing to pay extra,

we can help match silk and select colors

for their brocade designs.

But the problem is, no one's buying our silk.

Why are you pulling me?

She'll find out eventually.

Yingying,

Zhao Xiuyuan's tribute brocade arrangement

is not equally distributed like with the Yang family.

He only shares it with brocade merchants loyal to him,

with that "submit and prosper,

resist and perish" attitude.

So now that people know you offended him,

they don't dare

to buy silk from our Bloom Society.

On top of that, many are saying

you've crossed Deputy General Niu,

making them even more reluctant to come.

Indeed, I've offended Niu Jin.

If you guys...

If what?

We're already in the same boat.

How could we possibly disembark now?

Even if I told others

I have nothing to do with Ji Yingying

and we'd never interact again,

who would believe me?

Exactly, no one would.

And right now, only the Yizhou brocade merchants

have stopped buying our silk.

At worst, we'll find buyers elsewhere.

Have you heard?

A merchant has arrived in Fan City recently.

He's incredibly rich.

Indeed.

He spends a fortune on brocade.

Really?

And that's not all.

He displays every piece of brocade

offered to him outside his mansion

for public review.

Mother.

Mother, I'm better now.

I don't need to drink it anymore.

It replenishes energy and nourishes blood.

Replenishes energy and nourishes blood...

Mother, it's bitter!

Mother, one isn't enough.

Yingying...

what's wrong with your mother?

I made her angry.

Now she ignores me, except to make me

take medicine or eat.

All mothers in this world

are all the same.

Who else?

My mother!

That makes me feel so much better.

Why isn't Pin here yet?

She...

Her mother dragged her to another blind date?

Another blind date?

No way!

I'm her hero.

I must save her!

I will never leave Bloom Society!

Stop right there!

Ji Yingying is nothing but trouble,

causing problems all day long!

Just look

at what you've become!

Before joining Bloom Society,

you've never acted so rebellious!

I'm telling you,

if you keep this up,

you really won't be able to get married!

Then so be it!

- What's the big deal? - Just stop.

I...

Sir,

please don't be mad...

Don't stop me!

Sir, wait!

You go first!

Sir, please don't be angry!

Mrs.,

don't worry, I'll talk to her.

Rest assured.

Pin!

Pin.

Your mother forced you into another blind date?

Sang Shisi,

can you just leave me alone?

Pin,

some men may lack taste,

but that doesn't mean all men do.

I happen to like you just as you are.

Please,

stop talking.

Pin, don't worry.

If your mother forces you again,

just tell her I'm willing to marry you!

Shut up!

Who wants you to marry me?

I'll never get married in this life.

I won't get married!

It's fine if you don't want to get married.

But don't cry.

You don't understand.

You don't know anything.

Stop following me!

I...

I want to know.

But you won't tell me anything.

Yingying.

Pin, why are you here?

Did you argue with your mother again?

I've run away from home.

I'm never going back.

But I don't know where to go.

Don't cry.

It's fine. You can stay at my place.

My mother likes you so much.

She'd love for you to live with us every day.

I mean

I don't know where I'll go in the future.

I understand.

Don't worry.

Just keep moving forward.

Maybe you'll figure it out later.

I'll take you somewhere right now!

Heads up.

She already owes me three jars of wine!

Yingying, where are we going?

A strange person has come to Fan City.

Let's check him out.

Fan City?

My mother says Fan City is full of crooks.

They're all bad people.

Your mother also says I'm a bad person.

Am I?

You can't just rely on hearsay.

You need to see for yourself.

Besides, we've got Yu with us,

so no worries.

I hope everything goes smoothly today

and we can return home before dark.

Is that strange person surnamed Bai?

He made a big scene

spending money like water.

So you've heard about it too.

Someone throwing money around like that...

either they've lost their mind,

or they have a hidden agenda.

He must have a hidden agenda.

He's using public evaluation

to find out the true value of Shu brocade,

then buying it close to its actual price.

Plus, in a short time,

he's made a name for himself.

So clever.

So cunning.

What an opportunity.

All kinds of rare stones!

Take a look!

Hey there, my friend,

come and check out our gemstones!

Most of the brocade merchants in Yizhou

no longer dare to buy silk from Bloom Society.

I have no choice but to try my luck here.

Since Mr. Bai

spends so lavishly,

he might just be bold enough to work with us.

That's like asking blood from a stone.

It's better than living without hope.

Beautiful!

Thank you!

Ms.,

it's five wen.

Others sell five for one wen,

and you're charging one for five wen?

What a deal... robbery with a bun as a bonus!

The bun's cheap.

It's the dance that's expensive.

No wonder people say

Fan City folks are the best at business.

Where is Mr. Bai in Fan City?

Six wen.

You shouldn't be so greedy.

Yu.

The bun is free,

but flying costs six wen.

So, will you pay or show us the way?

What a great way to make money,

but you should know your limits,

or you might anger people

and can't win them.

It's not worth it.

Try it.

Try it.

A five-wen bun...

This is an authentic Lingyanggong-pattern brocade.

It's been passed down for a hundred years.

If it weren't for my family needing money,

I'd never sell it.

Please, everyone, offer a fair price.

Thank you all.

Thank you all!

A hundred years?

How can the colors still be so vivid?

This is what Shu brocade is all about.

Timeless and enduring.

However...

This is

what you all think

this brocade is worth.

Does anyone else have a different opinion?

Turns out he noticed something.

Noticed what?

That there's something wrong with the brocade.

Anyone else want to bid?

I'll bid!

This Ms. says this brocade

[Zero] is worth absolutely nothing.

She clearly doesn't understand!

Then tell me,

do you think this brocade is fake?

Mr. Bai,

don't listen to this troublemaker's nonsense.

It's obvious to everyone.

This brocade is definitely not fake!

Indeed, it's not fake,

but it's not entirely genuine either.

I may not be highly skilled,

and I am in the silk trade.

But I simply can't stand

any form of deception.

That's why I had to speak up.

If judged on its own,

this brocade is worth some money.

But in business, without integrity,

even the finest goods

become worthless.

This brocade isn't fake,

but it's not a hundred years old either.

The pattern on it

uses the linked bead horse motif.

So what?

Lingyanggong pattern often favored

linked bead and horse motifs.

But that's recent Lingyanggong pattern.

A hundred years ago, Lingyanggong pattern

didn't favor linked bead motifs.

They used Tuanke pattern instead.

Even if they uses linked bead motifs,

it's usually double-linked beads, not this single-link bead style.

This is a pattern from our imitation

of Persian brocade design,

not the early Lingyanggong pattern.

What Tuanke pattern?

You dare spout nonsense in front of Mr. Bai?

You must have a death wish!

How dare you act out?

How dare you act out?

This Ms.

hasn't finished speaking yet.

Do you plan to resort to violence?

Mr. Bai...

She...

She's making baseless accusations,

clearly slandering me!

He says you lack evidence.

What do you say?

Mr. Bai, please look here.

The thread color used here

is between water blue and pale white.

It's a new color

known as crust green.

It was first dyed fifteen years ago

by Shen Yang from the Shen's Dyehouse.

So tell me,

how could it possibly appear

on a brocade claimed to be ancestral?

This ancestor seems far too young!

Why do you get to decide its color?

I say

it's just water blue!

It's not up to me to decide.

But the Brocade Bureau can test the silk and dye.

Mr. Bai, you can take it to the Brocade Bureau.

A test will reveal the truth.

I... I'm not selling it anymore!

Sir, please have mercy!

Sir,

please have mercy!

I... I won't do it again.

I... I will never do it again!

I spend a fortune on brocade,

inviting Shu brocade experts to witness it.

Isn't that sincere enough?

And yet you tried to deceive me?

Take him to the authorities.

Mr. Bai...

Please spare me!

Everyone,

today's brocade appraisal

is now over.

Come early tomorrow.

Please disperse.

I am Bai Sheng.

May I ask your name, Ms.?

I am Ji Yingying.

So, you're Ms. Ji.

You've heard of me?

The very first day I arrived in Yizhou,

I saw your phoenix soar.

You have sharp eyes.

I, too, am a lover of brocade

and I have a few pieces at home.

I'd like you to appraise.

If you find any fakes,

how about three gold leaves per fake?

It's almost dark.

I trust you both can keep this a secret

from my mother, right?

[The Bai Residence]

This way, please.

Feel free to take a look around.

This geometric brocade with sheep motifs

was popular during the Wei and Jin dynasties.

It's rarely seen today.

This floral Tuanke brocade with birds,

though a common design,

is exquisitely woven

and naturally colored,

making it a rare treasure.

Ms. Ji, that sigh of yours...

does it mean

you think this brocade is fake?

Your collection consists only of authentic, top-grade pieces.

I doubt I'll earn any gold leaves today.

Ms. Ji,

your righteous intervention today

saved me from being deceived.

This gold leaf is rightfully yours.

Even if I hadn't stepped forward,

you wouldn't have fallen for the scam.

You noticed the brocade had issues.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have repeatedly asked

if anyone else wanted to bid.

You just needed someone

to point it out clearly for you.

That's why I said...

Ms. Ji, you have sharp eyes.

I wonder, Mr. Bai,

would you use your gold leaves to buy silk instead?

Buy silk? What do you mean?

Shu brocade is precious,

but high-quality silk is even harder to come by.

I can dye the finest silk

in all of Yizhou.

To be honest with you,

I don't know how to weave brocade,

nor do I know how to dye silk.

These are merely interests for me,

not business ventures.

Just interests?

Then, in your view,

what is my purpose?

I thought you had

a grand business opportunity waiting for me.

Looks like I'm going to disappoint you.

If it's just about buying brocade,

why go through all this trouble?

I know exactly whose brocade is the best in town.

If you're interested,

I can introduce you to the brocade merchants.

Ms. Ji, by doing this,

what do you hope to gain?

Favors.

Favors?

To be frank,

due to some misunderstandings,

most of the brocade merchants in town

no longer buy my silk.

But if I introduce

your business to them

and they profit handsomely,

how could they refuse to use my silk?

Then, if I were to start a business,

why not deal with them directly

instead of going through you?

You could,

but in Yizhou, do you know

each house's specialties?

Their material quality?

When to buy at the lowest price?

Do you know which designs

are currently trending

and which are outdated stock?

Of course,

you could hire someone to find all this out.

But why hire

a stranger

when you could work with someone

who has no other options

and seeks

mutual benefit with you?

I naturally trust you.

However,

this time I've completed my brocade purchase

and am quite satisfied.

No matter. There's always another day.

I hope there'll be opportunities in the future

to collaborate with you.

Certainly.

Farewell.

I won't see you out.

Not doing business,

yet gaining such fame...

either he's crazy or he's scheming.

Master,

we need an opportunity

to break into Yizhou's brocade industry.

And now Ji Yingying

is seeking a partnership.

Since you're interested in her,

why not take this chance

to agree to her proposal?

For now, we are just one option for her,

not her only choice.

When she hits rock bottom,

then we can name our price.

No rush. Let's wait and see.

Brocade Master Zhao,

I've noted the amount of Shu Red Silk.

Once the silk thread and dyes are ready,

I'll begin dyeing.

I promise it won't delay the brocade weaving.

That's not why I came

to see you today.

Recently, there's a rumor

saying you've offended me

and the Niu family,

causing brocade merchants to avoid buying your silk.

I have an idea:

how about the two of us

stroll through the streets together?

If people see us getting along,

the rumors

will fall apart on their own.

Those aren't just rumors.

Niu Jin did offend me,

and so did you.

You're holding General Niu in check,

so Niu Wuniang

is trying to outdo you in business

to curry favor with General Niu.

That's why she spread the rumors.

I'm competing with Niu Wuniang in the Zhao family's domain,

so I can't openly help you.

But, Yingying,

you must know

I would never harm you.

The Yu family has struggled for years,

and they failed to secure the tribute brocade order.

So Yu Shu wants to sell it off.

Why are you telling me this?

Because you once said,

"The one who truly understands me

is Mr. Zhao."

Even if I didn't tell you,

you would find out

and take action.

That place was once your home.

It's filled

with memories of your father.

Moreover, acquiring it

would shorten your journey

from silk to brocade.

This is all my savings.

Take it

as a loan from me for now.

Did you intentionally withhold the order from the Yu family?

Yang Jinglan would take risks for you,

and so would I.

Mr. Zhao,

some things are better left in the past.

If you can't let go,

there's no need to do anything for me.

All I hope is that you face yourself

and live

with a clear conscience.

Tell me,

if my master already knew

there was something wrong on Mount Qingcheng,

why didn't he report it and request aid?

Unless

he was already surrounded,

isolated with no support.

I thought

causing a big stir here

and exposing everything

would bring the culprit to justice.

But who could have guessed

that power could so easily manipulate truth,

turning black into white?

And Niu Jin hesitates

because he's afraid someone powerful might back me.

Otherwise, he wouldn't hold back.

My master, back in the day,

faced his challenges all alone.

It must have been worse

than what we face now.

He knew

if he died,

the first one to investigate would be me.

So,

[Tomb of Shen Rufeng] he left me clues.

He deliberately revealed his movements

to those guards

to let me know

there's something wrong with this mountain.

Your master was truly meticulous,

planning everything thoroughly.

But since he was so certain I'd return,

shouldn't he have left a clue

that only I could find?

Kid,

there are no clues

because the previous two brocade officers were clueless.

When they died,

they didn't think to leave any clues either.

"Even in death, a hero's bones carry fragrance,

unashamed before the world's greats."

This is my master

telling me

that even in death,

his remains can serve as evidence.

Go get me a shovel.

Let me just mention you...

this is your master's grave.

Can you really take

his offhand words seriously?

I know, but I understand him.

I trust him.

Even if it cost his life,

he would leave me a clue.

Master,

your disciple has failed you,

unable to uncover

the Yizhou case alone.

I beg you,

guide me one more time.

[Tomb of Shen Rufeng]

Not bad skills, huh?

Just look at who your master is.

Old man.

Call me Master.

Zhuge, come over here.

Every one of my master's bones is injured,

except this one.

The marks on it are different.

Judging by the traces,

this was definitely not caused by an outsider.

Then this is...

This is...

his final message to me.

No information could get out,

and no one could be trusted.

He had no choice

but to use his blade as a pen

and his bones as paper

to leave me a clue.

Old man,

I got your message.

I swear,

I will

hunt down the ones who harmed you,

and bring them to you,

kneel before you.

[The Yu Residence]

Ms. Ji, this way, please.

The head of the household is meeting a guest.

Please wait a moment.

No problem, we're all part of the Shu brocade family.

Let's chat together.

That voice sounds familiar.

I didn't expect it to really be you, Ms. Ji.

Mr. Bai, why are you here?

The Yu family's century-old brocade business

naturally has some treasures worth acquiring.

I'm here today to buy the Yu family's brocade workshop.

Just yesterday, you told me

you neither understand brocade

nor do business.

After hearing your words yesterday,

I was quite inspired.

I thought, why not give it a try?

Especially with such a great opportunity.

Your bold moves are remarkable.

Just a passing thought,

and you aim to swallow up

one of Yizhou's three major brocade merchants.

I believe

that if you're going to do business,

you might as well go big.

Ms. Ji has arrived?

Then please, step inside.

This way, please.

Greetings, Mr. Yu.

Greetings, Mrs. Yang.

Ms. Ji,

as for the balance for the silk thread purchased last time,

I've had it prepared.

You can verify

and collect it at the accounts room shortly.

As for your proposal to collaborate with this workshop,

letting Bloom Society assist in silk selection and matching,

whether to agree

depends on the new manager.

Has the new manager been decided?

Not yet.

But you can listen first

to see what conditions

might satisfy you.

What prices have the two of you offered?

Around 30%

above market rate.

Mr. Yu,

while the Yang family's offer

doesn't match Mr. Bai's high price,

our family has a long history in brocade weaving.

If the workshop is entrusted to us,

it will certainly thrive for generations,

without ruining its name

or mistreating your craftsmen.

Ms. Ji,

between the two of us,

who do you find more appealing?

You offer a high price

while Mrs. Yang values sentiment.

Both are quite sincere.

But in my view,

neither offer

is compelling enough.

The Yu family has a century-old legacy.

If we alter it so drastically,

isn't it a pity?

Mr. Yu has worked tirelessly all his life,

bringing glory to the Yu family's brocade.

Such dedication and achievements

cannot be measured by any price.

The business world has its highs and lows.

Where there is glory, there is also decline.

If I'm not mistaken,

this place

was once the Ji family's old home.

The Ji family's brocade was once so illustrious,

but now?

I don't need to say more, do I?

Mr. Yu, I'm here today

to discuss this very business deal.

Bloom Society is willing to invest in the Yu family,

providing silk while the Yu family weaves brocade.

This partnership would solve your current difficulties

and preserve the Yu family's brand.

Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

Ms. Ji, are you aware

how much this "best of both worlds"

you speak of would cost?

Yesterday you said you were in a difficult position.

How is it that today you can suddenly produce the money?

Yesterday, I said that

because I thought we could collaborate.

I didn't expect we'd become rivals today.

If I successfully acquire

the Yu family's brocade workshop,

I will definitely cooperate with you to purchase silk.

Mr. Yu, you know I never make empty promises.

The financial issues will be resolved,

but I ask you

to give me a chance.

Let me think it over

for another two days.

Mr. Yu,

if you have any concerns,

feel free to speak openly.

Mrs. Niu...

I've heard Mr. Yu intends to sell the brocade workshop.

Is there a safer choice

than selling it to the Brocade Master?

There's no rush for a reply, Mr. Yu.

Today, I mainly came by

to deliver someone along the way.

Grandfather!

Xi!

Xi, why are you in the carriage?

I happened to meet her on the road.

I heard that Ms. Yu has a childlike heart

and lacks worldly experience.

Mr. Yu, you must take good care of your granddaughter.

Next time, she might not be so lucky.

Thank you, Mrs. Niu,

for bringing Xi back to me.

I'll wait for you at the Zhao residence.

Xi,

are you hurt in any way?

Grandfather, I'm fine.

The masked lady

wasn't trying to harm me.

Mr. Yu.

Ms. Ji,

without my company,

Xi

would never go out alone.

Let me be honest with you:

I can do without the brocade workshop,

but...

I will never allow any harm

to come to my Xi.

When power meddles

in business,

it ceases to be just business.

Mr. Yang,

I hope you'll cut through these villains sooner.

Zhuge,

take a look.

Does this seem familiar to you?

Spin them.

This pattern looks like the one

on the back of a logistics officer's order.

Are you sure?

We agreed

action is your part,

and writing is mine.

Before coming here,

I specifically reviewed all reports

and official documents about Shu brocade.

Logistics officer?

Shu region's logistics officers

are always appointed by the military commissioner.

And every year,

a different person is assigned.

Then we'll meet them all.

You're planning to meet the military commissioner?

Even though Niu Jin and the military commissioner

are stationed in different locations,

if you meet the military commissioner,

Niu Jin will likely find out.

Killers aren't afraid,

but saviors have to hide.

This world isn't right.

I'm going to change it.

Should we

inform Ms. Ji about this?

No need.

Capturing the culprit and revealing the truth

is our responsibility.

She's just an ordinary person.

She should happily run her business

and live her life in peace.

All right.

[The Yu Residence]

Yingying,

should we just knock on the door?

This isn't the first time you've met Mr. Yu.

When he says no visitors,

he means no visitors.

If he's refusing visitors,

does that mean the brocade workshop is no longer for sale?

If someone wants to sell their brocade workshop,

what do they want most?

If he wants money,

Mr. Bai is willing to spend extravagantly.

If he wants support for Yu family craftsmen

and techniques,

the Yang family is the best choice.

If he wants to preserve the Yu family's legacy

and get through this crisis,

then he should choose me.

But he hasn't chosen anyone.

Could it be that Niu Wuniang has threatened him?

He's not the type to hesitate.

Besides, if he had truly caved to Niu Wuniang's threats,

his workshop would already belong to the Zhao family.

Now that he's shut himself away,

he must be conflicted.

He's unsure whether he should sell the workshop.

This also shows

that none of our offers

are what he truly wants.

Then what does he want?

That's why I'm here.

Let me tell you, in the Yu family,

there's one person who understands Yu Shu

even better than Yu Shu himself.

You lost again.

Chickens lay eggs,

and eggs hatch chickens.

So tell me,

which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I...

I wouldn't know.

You figured out Mr. Yu so quickly.

You really can't be underestimated.

If pigs have another life and become human,

then is this person a human or a pig?

What on earth

is going on in your head every day?

They all say I'm silly,

but I think you're even sillier than I am.

You...

Ms. Ji.

Ms. Yu.

Oh, Mr. Bai, you're here too.

Ms. Ji,

what brings you here?

Whatever brought Mr. Bai

is what brought me.

What's this? Losing to Ms. Yu?

As you can see,

a complete loss.

Ms. Yu, you're quite impressive.

Is your grandfather at home?

My grandfather is preparing for a trip in a few days.

He's packing his things.

A trip?

Where's he going?

You have to do the same as Mr. Bai.

Win me first, then I'll tell you.

You're really good!

I'm still one step behind.

You're seven steps behind.

If you land more than seven, you win.

Exactly seven steps.

You win!

This round doesn't count.

I lost.

That wasn't a five just now.

It was a four.

Then why did it change on its own?

When I do business,

I stick to my principles.

If people treat me sincerely,

I'll return the sincerity.

It's just a game.

Ms. Ji,

you haven't forgotten why you came here, right?

Want to play another round?

No need.

Ask me whatever you want.

I'll tell you everything.

If people treat me sincerely,

I'll return the sincerity.

You said it.

All right, tell me,

if your grandfather

isn't preparing to sell the workshop,

what's he planning to do?

You all want the workshop,

but my grandfather

wants this.

♪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♪