Original subtitles

What a great trick, Mr. Song.

If something happens to Mr. Wu,

the emperor will think that the Dou family

hurts someone as we are ambitious and have political differences!

I can be the witness of what happened here today.

Song Mo trespassed on Dou's Residence.

He threatened the official with a knife and stopped people from saving lives.

Even if this matter comes before His Majesty, this will be the truth.

It's lively.

Seems like

you're doing a sword performance to add to the fun.

Old Madam Cui, good day.

I just spent some time to chat with my mother.

What's going on?

Dou Zhao refused to let anyone send Mr. Wu to the physician.

She wanted to treat Mr. Wu.

Mr. Song.

Cope with things slowly and it will be satisfactorily resolved.

The Duke of Ding is loyal.

But you overstepped your authority and searched the residence

to silence your political opponents.

You'll only harm your uncle at this juncture.

You've got to know what's right and what's wrong.

Old Madam Cui.

Although I can't bring this to court,

I've seen it clearly.

I apologize for disturbing you.

Step aside.

Mr. Dai, you came from afar.

I'm sorry for not welcoming you at the door.

If you could do me a favor,

I'd be very grateful.

Since you said so,

I will not pursue what happened today.

Step down.

I made it!

He's awake!

De Zhen!

The physician is here! Hurry up!

Lung abscess will cause blood stasis.

Luckily, you forced out the blood stasis.

Otherwise, he might die.

Old Madam, the young master is fine.

I'm going to cook platycodon with Chinese ginseng for him now.

Follow me.

Thank you, Young Lady Zhao, for saving my life.

Mr. Wu, there's no need for this.

We should be responsible too.

We will prepare tonics and deliver them to your residence.

Lung abscess is a dangerous disease.

You mustn't take it lightly.

Take good care of yourself.

De Zhen, it's true that she saved you.

But this may not be an accident.

Young Lady Zhao must know the truth.

Yan Tang,

look what you're saying.

I got this when I went to help with the disaster relief.

I didn't even tell my grandfather.

Moreover, no one knew the swallowtail butterflies would cause a disturbance.

Young Lady Zhao, Yan Tang has agitated you.

I apologize on his behalf.

Young Lady Zhao, you disregarded the worldly prejudices

and saved my life.

I couldn't have done more to repay you.

-I can only... -Mr. Wu, stop talking for now.

Get well soon.

We can't keep this from Old Mr. Wu.

I'll take you back to the capital.

Su Xin, Su Lan.

-Lu Zheng, Lu Ming, go. -Yes.

Fortunately, Mr. Wu is fine.

Mr. Song, you should be relieved.

When Mr. Wu gets well, the misunderstanding will be resolved.

Quickly prop Mr. Wu to the guest room to take medicine.

That's a very nice embroidery.

Tell me. What is this?

It's a tiger charm.

Is it just a tiger charm?

I ignored ethics and saved Mr. Wu.

You should know that I have nothing to hide.

You're lying.

You owe me an explanation.

(Blossom)

(Episode 7)

Watch out for steps.

It's good that Mr. Wu is fine.

Mr. Wu suffered from a heat stroke. He's fine now.

-Stay here. -Goodbye.

Fortunately, nothing serious happened

and the Wei family didn't see what had happened.

Zhao is really...

Sister, I know that Young Lady Zhao likes me.

But she is unrefined.

From now on, don't use Chenxin Paper or Zijin Inkstone.

Sell all your books.

If you can do this, we can call off the marriage.

You can't bear it when I talk about your precious stuff.

Do you know how hard it is for me to support the family now?

You don't know this. Her dowry is worth a lot!

Wealth is not important.

Marriage is about two people being happy.

Right now, only she likes me.

How can this be done?

The first wife is for the family.

If you want to marry someone whom you love, you can take a concubine.

But don't even think about Young Lady Ming.

Her maternal grandfather is Wang Xing Yi.

You've seen how smart Wang Ying Xue is.

You only have a prominent but false title.

You have no fame or official position.

Fame and official position are vulgar stuff.

It's fine not to become an official who seeks fame and fortune.

Alright, alright. Whatever you decide.

I'll treat it like marrying a ball of cotton to plug my ears

lest you nag at me every day.

When I got this from Mr. Wu,

it was filled with the fragrance of silk tree flower.

Silk tree flower?

As far as I know, there are no silk tree flowers around.

It's even less likely that there's any pollen from the silk tree flower.

That's right.

I figured it out after thinking about it.

You soaked the tiger charm into the silk tree flower dew in advance.

Only then there was a smell with no pollen.

The sun shone during the day.

There was borneol in the charm to remove the smell and diffuse the fragrance.

In less than two hours, the smell will be gone.

Fortunately, Song Mo only had a background in the military.

He didn't know about the tricks in this family.

Otherwise, it will be a disaster for the family!

This is just a baseless speculation.

I advise you to be careful with your words.

Back then, you ate ephedra but you framed me.

And now, you bewitched Mr. Wu

by swapping the tiger charm with Wei Ting Yu.

Let me tell you. It is useless.

You're destined to marry Wei Ting Yu.

I'm not going to marry Wei Ting Yu.

The parents will decide your marriage.

It's not up to you.

Wu Shan is my father's student.

He is the good son-in-law I selected for Ming.

Don't even think about getting him.

Mrs. Wei came today

to discuss your marriage with Wei Ting Yu.

If I don't make you marry into the Wei family,

as the mother, I feel guilty.

You're very shrewd.

Feeling better?

Young Lady Zhao saved my life.

You shouldn't doubt her.

Did I say I doubted her?

Hadn't you doubted her, you wouldn't have made such a big fuss.

Dou Shi Shu is ambitious

while Dou Shi Ying is not interested in power.

He is credulous.

But Wang Ying Xue is pretentious and has an evil heart.

She is probably the cause of your illness.

But from her reaction,

she didn't want this disgraceful incident

to happen to you and Young Lady Zhao.

As for Young Lady Zhao...

What about Young Lady Zhao?

I can see that she is different from the rest of the Dou family.

I don't know why she hurt you by mistake.

She was sincere in saving you despite criticism.

But she still chose to cover up for the family.

Do you mean that

Young Lady Zhao also has feelings for me?

If that's the case,

it's my fortune.

What I meant is

the Dou family has a lot of tricks.

A simple-minded person like you can't handle it.

How could I not know

the filth within the wealthy family?

But I'm different from you.

You're experienced on the battlefield.

Everyone looks like a bad guy to you.

Young Lady Zhao is astute.

She's a good match.

You've got a thick head.

You don't seem to get it.

You sound like you know Young Lady Zhao better than me.

Could it be that you secretly investigated her?

Take that as a yes.

Just now, you pulled me away and didn't let me talk.

I haven't...

You're still coughing. You should talk less when you have a lung abscess.

I think Young Lady Zhao doesn't have good skills.

I'll get the imperial physician to check on you later.

Sleeve length, one foot and eight inches.

Shoulder width, one and a half feet.

The shoulders are wider.

I need to alter the cloak.

Luckily, you stopped him.

Otherwise, De Zhen would have gone to ask for marriage to repay the favor.

You may leave.

The Dou family's trick is disgusting.

Old Mr. Wu won't let De Zhen do as he wishes for his marriage.

We would rather offend a gentleman than a villain.

The Dou family, especially Dou Shi Shu, is evil.

He will definitely hurt someone.

Fortunately, the Dou residence is far away from the estate.

Madam Wang is also hostile to Dou Zhao.

Dou Shi Shu is hypocritical and greedy for power.

Dou Zhao is smart and resourceful.

If they're of the same mind,

then we'll be in big trouble.

I heard that she had no parents to protect her since she was a child.

She must have a difficult life.

So it's normal for her to be sensitive, thoughtful, alert, and resourceful.

General Song!

General Song, General Yan sent a message saying

that Dou Zhao has nothing to do with the swallowtail butterflies incident.

I got it right.

Although taking the waterway is slow,

I guess my brother is reaching the capital soon.

Mother.

You have issues with peeing and you always feel dizzy and nauseous.

Leave this needlework to the servants.

Are you blaming my needlework poor?

Come here.

It's been years since I altered your clothes.

I've made the summer clothes for your brother and you.

You can wear it when you return to Futing.

Mother, Brother!

Mrs. Song, Young Master Han brought your medicine.

Brother, you finally came home.

But you only spent time with Mother. You didn't chat to me.

Mother said you like broiled venison.

I was planning to bring you a deer back tomorrow.

Alright. If I can have the venison you catch,

I'll ask Father to take you to Futing next year

to join the military.

It's a promise. Do not break the promise.

You can arrange for the praying session now.

We should inform our ancestors

about Dou Zhao's marriage.

Father, Uncle Shi Shu.

I don't want to get married.

Shou Gu.

The current political situation is not stable.

This can be seen from what Song Mo did.

I'm worried that I can't protect you.

You're strong, but you're a woman after all.

If anything happens to the family,

at least you have a husband who can protect you.

I don't need anyone's protection!

All these years, I study hard,

buy property and make money

as I don't want to rely on anyone.

I can protect myself.

Do you think you can have a stable life forever when you have some money?

I told you before.

If a woman delays her marriage for too long,

she will definitely come up with some deviant thoughts.

Had I known this,

I would have tied her to the bridal sedan.

Even if you tie me up,

I will never marry Wei Ting Yu!

-Shou Gu... -Darn you!

We haven't had a chance to talk to you about the things you've done.

You ignored your reputation. Have you thought about our family's reputation?

Shi Shu, what are you doing?

Let's talk this over. Why did you hit her?

Shou Gu.

It's been so many years.

You have never changed at all, Father.

I am your daughter.

Why does Uncle Shi Shu have the final say about my marriage?

You scoundrel. Get out of my way.

-Shi Shu! -Don't stop me!

-Shi Shu, stop hitting her. -Get out of my way!

-Shi Shu! -Enough!

Mother.

-Mother. -Get up.

Are you all right?

Marriage is a matter of joy and sorrow in Shou Gu's life.

How could you decide just like that?

Do you treat her like an item for sale in a pawn shop?

What kind of person Wei Ting Yu is?

He frequents the brothel and has a lot of women in his residence.

He will definitely finish up his fortune sooner or later.

Whoever arranged for this marriage should go and cancel it.

Mother, neither Shi Shu nor I meant this.

So what if we meant that?

Mother, I am now the head of the Dou family.

Unmarried daughter should follow what her father says.

It is fundamental that the wife should follow the husband.

Women are born to bear children,

take care of the husbands and raise the children.

People say that

a father is the guide for his son.

If the father is unkind, the son will leave him.

A husband is the guide for his wife.

If the husband isn't kind, the wife can remarry.

No one has ever said that

women should be forced to obey.

You...

Grandma, don't get mad.

Let's go.

Mother, you were at odds with father,

so you were lonely and resentful.

Is that why you raised Dou Zhao to harm the family?

The fire is burning.

All it needs is the hot oil.

What did you say?

Shi Shu, please stop talking.

Mother-in-law.

Mother-in-law.

Don't get them wrong.

Shi Ying did that for the family.

When you distributed food for disaster relief,

Shi Ying went to the imperial court

and requested a commendation order for you.

He wanted to present it to you at the family dinner

to show his filial piety.

You went to get the award

just to coax me

into letting Shou Gu getting married, right?

Yet I thought

you cared about me.

Mother.

I've missed you, really.

-I didn't intend to coax you. -That's right.

Shi Ying really wanted to take you and Zhao home

to enjoy family happiness.

Do you think that by coming here,

Dou Zhao is at your mercy?

Listen.

As long as I am still alive,

Shou Gu will live with me at the estate.

If the Wei family dares to come and propose a marriage,

I'll see if he can get through the door of the estate.

Mother!

Mother-in-law!

-Mother! -I didn't mean that.

She's ignorant.

This is pissing me off.

Mother-in-law!

Shi Ying and I didn't mean that.

Mother-in-law, don't take it to heart.

Don't affect your health.

You killed my mother back then.

You took my family away and you even hurt me.

I didn't argue with you.

Since I have returned to the estate,

I have never fought with you.

As long as you don't get married,

as your father's wife, I will be uneasy.

My grandmother is the most important person to me.

If you dare to set me up again

and make her sad,

you're going to get it from me.

Shou Gu, come here!

Don't waste your time with her!

Does it hurt?

It doesn't hurt anymore when you touch it.

I forgot

to hit him back for you.

He talks about ethics and benevolence,

but he does bad things.

What a good son of that animal, Dou Duo.

Grandma, you never wanted to talk about Grandpa.

What really happened back then?

I won't let you follow the path I had gone through.

Dou Duo and I

is the best example of a wrong marriage by following the orders of parents.

The marriage ruined my life.

It also ruined Tuo Niang's life.

Tuo Niang?

Isn't Tuo Niang my mum's personal maid?

Why did you say you hurt her?

Tuo Niang was the maid I brought from my family.

Dou Duo was lewd and lustful.

Not only did he have concubines,

he didn't even spare the family members and servants.

I took care of a lot of his messes.

I didn't expect that

he even hurt Tuo Niang who was already engaged.

I knocked Dou Duo with a bottle

and saved Tuo Niang.

In the Dou family,

no one reprimanded Dou Duo for his lewdness and violence.

But they scolded me for hurting my husband.

They said I committed the seven offenses and deserved a divorce.

But they didn't dare to offend the Cui family, a prominent family.

That's why they sent me to the estate

and regarded me as an abandoned wife.

You seriously injured Father.

You've disgraced the family!

You're unethical and immoral.

It's alright not to have a vicious mother like you!

Leave now!

Close the door!

I didn't care about what they said and did.

But my real son

avoided me like I was a snake or a scorpion.

He accused me of being unworthy of being a mother.

No wonder you've never wanted to take the surname "Dou".

You have been avoiding Dou's Residence.

This is not a family.

They don't deserve to be a family.

So Grandma,

it's not worth feeling sad for them.

Let's forget about this family.

We'll be together

with Zhang Ru and An Su.

The estate is our real home.

You're good with words.

You know how to make me feel good.

Look at me!

You got it on my face!

I'm sorry to make an unexpected visit.

I'm sorry.

It's alright.

-Su Su, let's go. -Let's go.

Zhang Ru!

Do you want to stay here for dinner?

I'll cook a chicken for you. Let's go.

Let's go.

I'd better go to the house and wait for you.

It's alright.

You must have something urgent since you came all the way here.

You can just tell me.

I don't mind.

Leave.

Yes.

I thought

you would follow your father and moved to the capital.

But when I went to Dou's Residence, I didn't see you.

I...

So I came over hurriedly.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, to save me, you...

Took off...

You took off my clothes.

There is no gender distinction when saving someone.

I will do the same for the sick old farmer at the estate.

Mr. Wu, don't take it to heart.

You're easygoing and open-minded.

But as a man,

I can't sit back and see your reputation be damaged.

I should be responsible.

I am also willing to do so.

I will tell the Wei family to cancel the engagement

and ask the matchmaker to perform the formal proposal

to marry you.

Mr. Wu.

You and I have only met three times before.

How can you decide your marriage

based on these three occasions?

You treat me well,

so I will also tell you the truth.

Whether it's Wei Ting Yu or you,

I won't marry.

It's triple. So the total is nine taels of silver.

Give it to me.

He really came to ask for a hand in marriage.

Why isn't there a Wu who wants to be responsible for me?

Alright, alright. I'll be responsible for you.

Let's go.

I'm fascinated by your temperament.

I've missed you all the time.

I thought

we have a good rapport.

Besides that, you and I don't have the same family backgrounds.

I don't care about family background!

Family background cannot change one's wishes,

but it can trap a person's way of living.

Li Yi Shan once said that

washing the feet in the spring and sipping tea while admiring flowers

are indecent actions that ruin the scenery.

But I do that every day.

I feel happy and comfortable.

But this kind of happiness

is not allowed by those prestigious families.

I understand. I really do.

I haven't had it before,

that's why I yearn for it even more.

The infinite glory from the prestigious families

is a prison for me.

Love, marriage, and fame

are a burden.

I don't want to be a virtuous woman.

I only wish to breeze with the wind,

hold the wine

and enjoy it.

I understand.

Since I love your temperament,

I will try my best to protect you.

I will never let those shackles hurt you.

I know

how you feel.

But your grandfather transferred you to be the officer of the Ministry of Rites.

Did he advise you about this?

You can't even take care of yourself.

Why bother thinking about protecting others?

I hope that you will always be in good health

and have a prosperous career.

We probably won't meet again.

Young Lady Zhao!

I made this myself.

It's not just a thank-you gift.

It's also my reply.

Please accept it.

"We'll share the mutual sensibility

and love together."

"I dare to prove my sincerity."

I'm not good at reciting poems or composing couplets.

But this is one tough guy.

That's a good couplet.

Unfortunately, it was for the wrong person.

Shou Gu,

aren't you even a little moved?

Love is about what we want.

Stop making Zhao sad.

A woman will never get away with it once her heart is tempted.

The price of temptation

is too huge.

I noticed before that his hands were thick with calluses.

He must be very good at woodcrafting.

But he never mentions a word about this in front of outsiders.

Woodcrafting is a humble task.

Even though he likes it,

he can only tuck it in and hide it.

My ladies!

Young Lady Ming sent someone from the capital

to deliver homemade glutinous rice balls.

There are fillings with meat...

Sesame paste.

Sweetened bean paste.

She's attentive.

"On the eve of the 15th, the moon shines brightly."

"I miss Grandma and Zhao very much."

"That's why I made glutinous rice balls and send them over."

"I hope you enjoy it."

"Although it's not the Lantern Festival,

I wish people could reunite with their loved ones."

"I hope you can come to the capital soon and the family will reunite."

"From, Ming."

Wang Ying Xue doesn't want you to return to the capital.

But she's not of the same mind as her mother.

She hopes you will return.

I wonder if it's real.

After experiencing all these

and rejected the marriage with Wei Ting Yu and met Wu Shan,

Wang Ying Xue was getting harsher.

But Dou Ming is not as hypocritical as I thought.

Whatever it is,

Zhao's only home is here

We're her family, right?

That's right.

The Marquis of Jining has returned a gift.

He sent brushes and inkstones to Seventh Master and Fifth Master.

He knows you love calligraphy and painting,

so he sent this Yuban Xuan paper.

This paper is harder than the usual ones.

It's not made of sandalwood bark.

It's the bark of silkworm thorn.

If this branch grows on a tree,

it can protect someone from wind and rain.

The fruits can satisfy one's hunger.

The bark of silkworm thorn can also be made into paper.

They have different usages.

How can you compare them?

The same is true for humans.

What's wrong with the bark of silkworm thorn?

Nothing.

My father loves to write books.

He uses a lot of paper.

Send them to my father.

Alright.

-Hurry up! -Alright.

Remember everything I told you.

-Yes. -Mr. Wu.

-Mr. Wu. -Mr. Dou?

For the past two days, the Office of Transmission and Six Ministries

refuted my memorials.

I had no choice but to send them here.

The Grand Secretariat has good virtues.

Mr. Dou, don't bother.

For Ying Xue and Shi Ying's sake,

I have a message for you.

"There is no path in the world more treacherous than greed,

many people have misplaced their lives because of it."

Mother.

Yan Tang.

Uncle's boat will arrive today.

Gu Yu and I will go and pick him up.

You're going to pick up your uncle.

You can't disgrace the Jiangs.

Rest assured.

I've taken care of everything in the court.

I promise Uncle Mei Sun will be fine.

Maybe after meeting His Majesty during the day,

we can reunite in the evening.

The impeachment memorials

were handed over.

It's a good thing to have His Majesty and your uncle

meet and catch up on old times

at this time.

The Dou family did that.

How could you still believe what Young Lady Zhao said

and prepare to present it to His Majesty?

Everyone is in the game.

Even if she treats me as a pawn,

I can still be the controller.

Anyway, I know what to tell His Majesty.

It's damp in the boat.

I must change my uncle's dressing first.

Gu Yu, isn't that the sedan chair used to pick up my uncle?

Stop.

It's empty!

Where's he?

Get out of the way.

Get out of the way.

Sir, you can't come in.

How dare you stop me?

Get out of the way!

-Get out of the way! -Sir, you can't come in!

-You can't come in! -Stop it!

Mr. Gu.

We're working on a case. Please don't obstruct the investigation.

Mr. Dai.

Eunuch Wang.

Why are you two here?

We have duties here.

Who is it over there? I'll go take a look.

Mr. Gu.

You can't go.

I want to see it.

-Gosh. Mr. Gu! -Get out of the way!

-No! -Get out of the way!

Mr. Gu!

Uncle! Wake up, Uncle!

Uncle.

Uncle, wake up. Uncle.

Uncle!

Why?

How dare you disrupt the investigation?

Are you seeking death?

Get out of here!

General Song!

General Song.

The Jiying Guards serve under the emperor's orders.

Anyone who interferes is like a traitor.

Please disembark with Mr. Gu.

The emperor's order is for you to safely send the Duke of Ding to the capital

or bring his body home?

General Song, never speculate on His Majesty's order.

The Duke of Ding was assassinated by pirates last night in revenge.

The Jiying Guards responsible for escorting him

couldn't save him and lost their lives too.

The pirates of Dongyu Sea always use their backhand to attack.

The knife edge will only go from bottom to top,

wide at the front and narrow at the back.

It's completely different from the one on the body.

Eunuch Wang, wouldn't you know that?

The pirates are cunning.

Maybe it was intentional.

Eunuch Wang!

The Duke of Ding is dead!

Tell the truth now!

The death of the Duke of Ding

was definitely not the fault of Criminal Investigation Service

or His Majesty's instruction.

It happened suddenly. We haven't reported this to His Majesty.

Please return to your residence and wait for the decree.

Once the Directorate of Ceremonial investigates this,

we will know what happen.

Uncle.

Had I returned with you,

this wouldn't have happened.

This wouldn't be the case.

-And you still want me to wait! -General Song!

Do you want me to wait until my uncle is accused of something he didn't deserve

or for the decree about executing my whole family?

General Song, you must not be impulsive...

Get lost!

Yan Tang, what are you doing?

Since His Majesty doesn't know of this,

I will take Eunuch Wang with me to report this to His Majesty!

Yan Tang, calm down!

General Song!

Get out of the way!

General Song!

(Wan Min, the Empress)

Wearing the proper clothing

to pray to God.

Solemn

and being sincere.

Kneel.

Bow.

Natural disasters are everywhere now.

The people are suffering.

This is my crime.

I hope that the Heavenly Lord will protect us.

Bless my people.

Never do evil.

Be healthy every year.

Yan Tang!

This is a capital crime. Have you thought about it?

If my life can keep my uncle's name clear

and the many lives in the Jiang family,

it's worth it!

-Back off! Don't come over! -Get out of the way!

I want to see His Majesty!

-Get out of the way! -Song Mo?

He's one of us.

He's one of us.

Gu Yu, he is looking for death.

Why didn't you stop him since you know this is a capital crime?

Aunt Min, this is an emergency.

Get out of the way!

If Your Majesty suspects the officer, you will punish him.

If Your Majesty wanted the Duke of Ding dead,

you could have offered him a poisonous wine.

When an officer dies, he will keep his dignity.

Why must Your Majesty torture him all the way?

Even when he is dead,

Your Majesty used the pirates' revenge as an excuse

to humiliate someone who has fought with pirates for half his life!

I boldly ask Your Majesty

to make this clear.

I will never regret it.

No matter how serious the matter is,

there is no reason for you to do this.

Who... Who is dead?

Your Majesty.

Jiang Mei Sun, the Duke of Ding,

died unjustly in the cabin of the boat on the way back to the capital.

How could that happen?

I... I am still waiting for him.

I'm still waiting for him to return and ask me questions!

Who is it?

Who was so bold to harm him?

Who is it?

Your Majesty...

This is my uncle's belongings.

It's also a token between Your Majesty and him.

He held it

in his hand until he died.

If there's a truth behind this,

Your Majesty, please investigate this!

We're allies.

But General Yan, you actually threatened me.

That's a different story then.

Your Majesty!

Arrest this treacherous and unscrupulous man!

You're committing a capital crime.

If we don't get rid of the roots,

we'll be in big trouble.