Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 20]

So, what do you want?

This time,

I have proven

my loyalty and competence to you, General.

I have no other requests.

I only wish to continue serving you,

protecting both of our families

and fulfilling my duties as a husband and son-in-law.

So, are you asking to take her place and manage the family?

I hope you can allow it.

You did all this for Ms. Ji, did you not?

Do you not know the enmity between her and me?

I can ensure she is confined to one place

and never opposes you again, General.

A weapon with leverage

is far easier for you to wield.

In truth, I care little about your motives.

As long as your loyalty to me is unwavering,

I will grant you whatever you ask.

Thank you for your generosity, General.

You may leave.

Yes, sir.

My dear,

we should go home now.

Father,

I admit my wrongs!

Please forgive me!

Father,

I admit my wrongs!

I beg to see you!

Investigations reveal the tribute brocade scandal nine years ago

was not caused by Ji Guinan

but by logistics officer Du Yu,

who broke the law

and framed Ji Guinan.

Du Yu

was punished,

and his assets were seized.

Fifty bolts of silk

were given to the Ji family

to honor

Ji Guinan.

[Proclamation. Investigations reveal the tribute brocade scandal nine years ago]

[was not caused by Ji Guinan,]

[but by logistics officer Du Yu, who broke the law and framed Ji Guinan.]

[Du Yu was punished and his assets were seized.]

[Fifty bolts of silk were given to the Ji family to honor Ji Guinan.]

[Beloved Husband, Ji Guinan's Memorial Tablet]

My dear husband,

the stain of false accusations on your name

for so many years

has finally

been wiped clean.

Father,

Yingying has restored your honor before all the world.

Your name is vindicated.

You can rest in peace now.

Yaoting has joined a brocade workshop.

It is the same one we had back then.

[Beloved Husband, Ji Guinan's Memorial Tablet]

He's working with Mr. Yu on the loom.

Meanwhile, our new brocade will be finished soon.

I told your stubborn daughter

not to investigate,

but she defied me.

She has endured so much

for your case.

It was fine.

Well,

it is all behind us now.

Yingying,

I hope you will agree on something.

No more running around

and no more putting yourself in danger.

All right?

Very well. I promise, Mother. No more running around.

I will always stay by your side and Yaoting's.

I mean no more putting yourself in danger

and no more troublemaking.

Okay!

Come on, get up.

From this day onward,

we will live peacefully as a family.

I believe your father is watching over us

and will protect us.

All right.

Let's eat.

Tonight, you are allowed to drink a little more.

Good!

How happy you are!

Mother, Yaoting,

can you two go outside first?

I would like to speak to Father for a moment.

Are you writing more letters to Father?

You are not tattling on me again, are you?

Last time, you even told him

about the last piece of meat I gave to Guo Kui!

Are you not worried he would laugh at you?

You are a grown-up now,

but you're still behaving like a child.

I will always be Father's little girl.

All right...

Let's not disturb your sister.

We should go out.

Ting,

I just remembered a few more things

I need to tell Yingying.

Take the dishes out to the table, will you?

Okay.

Father,

I know

this is not the whole truth.

I also know

the path ahead

is fraught with danger.

But I have already achieved much.

I founded Bloom Society

and I have a group of friends from the dyehouses

who trust me and support me.

Besides, Mr. Yu

has agreed to weave brocade with me.

Also,

I have an ally in investigating the case.

His name is Yang Jinglan.

He may seem like a frivolous man,

but in truth,

he is sharp but kindhearted.

He is clever and resourceful.

He also has taken care of me

and our family.

Together,

he and I will continue to uncover the truth

and restore peace to the brocade industry.

[Huanhua Dyehouse]

My late husband's name has been cleared

thanks entirely to your tireless efforts, Mr. Yang.

My gratitude is beyond words.

Mrs. Ji, there is no need for this.

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

Apprehending the culprit behind the forgery of the tribute brocade

is merely my duty as the brocade officer.

Besides, this was not my doing alone.

Ms. Ji played no small role.

Mr. Yang, you take such good care of Yingying.

This is truly an honor for our family.

Ms. Ji is a leading figure in Yizhou's brocade industry.

She is also my friend.

I am naturally obliged to lend a hand,

both publicly and privately.

Mr. Yang,

since you are Yingying's friend,

I would like to ask

for a small favor.

There is no need to hesitate.

I shall do anything within my power.

Please forgive my candor, Mr. Yang.

You see,

children in other families, at Yingying's age,

have already settled down and started families of their own.

But as her mother, I have been negligent.

Both of my children have been delayed.

Ting is a man, so it is less pressing for him.

But Yingying...

She really cannot be delayed any longer.

So today,

I wish to rely on your keen insight

to take a look at these portraits.

Tell me, which one among them is the most suitable match for my daughter?

Does Ms. Ji

know about this matter?

Marriage has always been

decided by parents

and the matchmakers.

Indeed.

Yes, indeed.

Mrs. Ji,

I do have someone in mind for Yingying.

This man is neither wealthy nor powerful,

but he has modest means.

He is not bound by convention,

but he is a man of his word.

I believe this man

would cherish Ms. Ji and protect her for a lifetime.

But can this man

take Yingying away from all this chaos

and give her a peaceful and stable life?

Although my husband's name has been cleared,

I heard from Yingying

that this case runs deep.

There is still a hidden culprit behind it all.

If Yingying stays in Yizhou,

she will constantly face the danger of revenge.

That is why the suitors I have chosen

are all from distant counties.

As a mother,

I do not wish for my children to achieve wealth or power.

I only hope they can live far from trouble,

leading peaceful and stable lives.

May I ask when you plan for her

to live far from trouble?

Now.

If the person you recommend

can take Yingying away today,

and if they are willing to leave together,

I will grant them my blessing immediately.

To them,

there are things

more important than life and death now.

But for me,

only my daughter's life and death matter.

Mr. Yang,

please do not think I am ungrateful.

No matter how excellent

this man may be,

if he cannot take Yingying far away from danger,

I, as her mother,

cannot agree.

She is my only daughter,

and I hope

you can understand my fears and concerns.

Mrs. Ji,

I understand your concerns now.

From now on,

I will bear all the troubles to come.

I will ensure Yingying is not involved in them.

As for the man

I recommend,

I will bring him to meet you

when the day comes that he can guarantee her safety

and promise her a life of peace.

Well,

I will take my leave.

Take care, Mr. Yang.

It is finished...!

Rippling Grain Brocade is finished!

Here...!

Fresh oranges have arrived!

Here come the oranges!

We have brocade and oranges.

Brocade and oranges...

We have a bright future ahead of us!

That is right!

Here!

Let's dance!

Good!

Mr. Bai,

my mission is accomplished.

I witnessed it all, from nothing to everything.

My dream has been fulfilled. This journey was not in vain.

Are you not going inside?

She deserves her own bright future.

Right now,

I have no right to disturb it.

Are you giving up?

Let's go.

♪Fallen petals, scattered on the ground♪

♪Love awakes♪

♪But it fades before it grows♪

♪The road is ahead♪

If the person you recommend

can take Yingying away today...

♪But it feels so unknown♪

And if they are willing to leave together,

I will grant them my blessing immediately.

♪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♪

You once said

only the weak make wishes and pray to the gods.

The strong rely solely on themselves.

Sheng,

have you forgotten why we came to Yizhou?

Are you truly giving up because of Ji Yingying?

Are you

questioning me?

I am just worried.

Sheng, you think you are the bait,

but in the end,

you might be the one that is hooked

and struggling in the sea of love.

How insolent!

Do you remember what you said

before joining the Bai family?

Tell me.

Once I joined the Bai household,

I would leave my past behind,

become nothing more than a subordinate,

and follow your orders without question.

You must set out in three days.

Take everything we have procured and go back.

Prepare the grounds as instructed.

Do not come back without my command.

As for

the tribute brocade case,

Yang Jinglan will not stop

after he has uncovered the logistics officer.

The family must remain vigilant.

Do you understand,

Ms. Ning?

Yes,

I understand.

Is everything prepared?

Are you truly going to Nanzhao?

Though the past few years have been peaceful,

there is no telling

when conflict might break out again.

Moreover,

if they really are colluding

with Niu Jin,

it is a place too far from our reach.

You are walking straight into a trap.

I think

this might just be a coincidence.

Should we further...

Since when did you become so talkative?

What are you looking for?

Found it.

Here, take this.

What is it?

My senior once told me that

you are someone

who loves reading more than anything.

Your lifelong ambition is to become the top scholar.

But since you came with me to Yizhou,

I have not seen you touch a single book.

That will not do.

You had better read more.

If I do not make it back

from this trip,

you will head straight back to Chang'an

and take the imperial exams!

I am not studying

because I promised Master I would stay here

to help you with the case.

If it is not solved,

I will not study.

Besides, I am an idiot.

I am not good at multitasking.

So you had better make sure

you come back safe and sound.

Let me ask you this one last time.

Must you go?

Where are you going?

Ms. Ji.

A place.

Why are you here?

Our new brocade is finished.

I am here to share the good fortune,

After all the twists and turns,

things finally turned out as hoped.

Thank you, Ms. Ji.

I have something I must attend to.

Please excuse me.

My father's exoneration is all thanks to you.

My mother asked me to bring this gift.

No need for such formalities.

The items in that box were prepared by my mother and Yaoting.

This sword tassel

is a gift from me.

I asked for blessings at the temple.

I prayed for your safety and success.

This is made from Ripple Brocade, is it not?

You recognized it.

Such a precious item.

Is this not considered bribery?

I am not sure I dare accept.

Then give me money and consider it bought.

This kind of thing is priceless.

No matter what I offer,

it would not be enough.

Then think of it as a down payment

for securing my safety.

But can this man

take Yingying away from all this chaos

and give her a peaceful and stable life?

Ms. Ji, you and I are allies.

It is our mutual responsibility to benefit each other.

But you gave me such a valuable gift.

I truly do not know how I can repay this favor.

Repay the favor?

Am I just an ally

to you?

For now, that is all we can be.

What happened?

Nothing happened.

I have just realized

I have acted recklessly in the past.

I might have inadvertently offended you, Ms. Ji.

Wait!

I will be busy for a while.

Take care of yourself.

If anything happens,

send word to Brocade Bureau.

Do not try to handle it all on your own.

One more thing.

Although Niu Jin has used the excuse of assisting in the war

to leave Yizhou temporarily,

he has surely left plenty of his men

behind in the city.

It is easier to dodge a visible bow

than to guard against a hidden strike.

Be cautious.

Do not take unnecessary risks in the future.

Never ever bet everything on a single move again.

Yang Jinglan,

are you out of your mind?

If we are mere allies,

why bother crossing the line?

Do you want to ask me the reason

why I still act like I do not like her

when I do?

I know you are going to say

there are

more important things in this world than love.

For example, peace and safety.

Your path is fraught with peril.

You have no right to make promises to her.

Then why did you promise

to protect her?

The promises you make to an ally

are not the same as the promises you make

to the one you love.

What is the difference?

If she is an ally,

I will fight to the death to protect her.

But if she is the one I love,

I must live well.

I must live and stay by her side

and share this mundane, imperfect world

with her.

Have you made preparations for me to leave?

The matter of the logistics officer

is serious.

It makes sense for a brocade officer to report back to Chang'an.

I will impersonate you and head to Chang'an.

Just focus on heading to Nanzhao.

I have prepared

the maps and rations.

When do you want to leave?

Ally?

What a fool you are!

You like him.

Who likes him?

Then why are you running away from home?

I do not want to go on blind dates!

It is because of him.

Whether you two end up together is not just up to him.

It is up to you.

If you like him, stay close to him.

If you do not like him, just walk away.

What he thinks does not matter.

I gave him a sword tassel.

Was that not obvious enough?

If he does not like me,

why should I cling to him?

Yingying?

Yingying!

First, I am not going home.

Second, I am not going on blind dates.

I...

Well, I...

I am here not because...

Wait a second.

You drove her away.

You had better finish the work she left behind.

All right.

What are the things

in that bundle?

Yingying is determined

to stand her ground against our mother.

I figured

she would be staying with you for a while,

so I packed her some clothes and necessities.

I did not expect you to be so thoughtful.

So you are not here

to drag her back for the blind dates?

She has a mind of her own.

If it is not someone she truly admires,

she would rather never marry.

As her brother,

I only want her to be happy.

How can I force her into something she does not want?

You understand her so well.

But why does your mother keep pushing her?

But

not every woman

truly knows what she likes

or what she wants.

Well...

For instance,

do you know

what kind of man you like, Yuniang?

I thought we were talking about Yingying.

How did this conversation suddenly turn to me?

I was just... casually asking.

I like all kinds of men!

I like those with handsome looks

and strong build.

I also like those who are rich and witty.

It is best to have wealth and power,

and no parents to interfere!

But

no one could possibly have

all those traits at once.

Could it be...?

That is why I do not plan to remarry.

As long as I stay single,

I can admire

any fine young man,

appreciate him,

and even tease him.

You really do not plan to marry again?

No.

Being a bride once was enough. It is boring.

Yuniang, please take care of Yingying.

I have got some matters to attend to at home.

I will leave first.

Do you really not like Yaoting?

He is just fine.

What is that supposed to mean?

I enjoy his company.

But he is not someone I cannot live without.

There are things more important than love,

such as freedom

and joy.

That is not what you were saying to me earlier!

People can justify anything with words,

and every path in life can eventually reach its end.

So, Yingying,

stop listening to what others say.

You should ask yourself more often.

It is the second watch of the Hai hour.

Lock your doors, close your windows,

and guard against thieves!

I will rely on myself

to protect you through storms and blades, Ms. Ji.

From this day forward,

you will no longer bear the name of a disgraced family.

Your father

remains the noble and righteous Brocade Master.

Our life is intertwined.

Our trust is exchanged for loyalty.

What ally could ever offer such devotion?

But he is not one to play games or deceive.

No,

I must know the truth!

It is already late.

Ji Yingying,

if you wake up tomorrow feeling the same,

go ask him about it directly.

No more tormenting yourself with doubt.

Take care.

[Brocade Bureau]

Ms. Ji.

He has gone to Nanzhao.

He left less than half an hour ago.

Ms. Ji, if you hurry,

you can still catch up with him.

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

♪Memories howl where sorrow bends♪

Mister, faster! Please!

♪The past now rests in streams and hills♪

♪Drying the tales of countless dreams♪

Stop...!

♪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♪

♪I care not if you are fate or trial♪

♪This love remains steadfast, unbeguiled♪

♪Though my days may bathe in crimson streams♪

♪I will never falter, nor abandon you♪

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

♪Only that my heart you still not comprehend♪

♪You will never stand in storms alone♪

♪For I am yours, forever your own♪

♪I care not if you are fate or trial♪

Yingying...

♪I will never regret falling for you♪

Wait for me.

♪Even if we part beneath heaven's vast hue♪

♪This love will transcend in an instant, too♪

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

Yang Jinglan,

I will wait for you to return!

♪I yearn to be with you, as wind and snow♪

♪For I am yours, forever your own♪

Master.

Listen to me.

Send someone to infiltrate the Yu residence.

Have them copy the Rippling Grain Brocade pattern.

I want a complete list of every craftsman

in the entire Yizhou.

Yes, sir.

As for Zhao Xiuyuan,

if he seeks me out,

bring him directly to me.

Zhao Xiuyuan?

Master, do you wish to collaborate with him?

Leveraging the Yu family

and pitting the Zhao family against the Yang family

is an excellent strategy.

Besides,

Zhao Xiuyuan and I share one thing in common.

We will not let go of Ji Yingying.

So why not work together?

Understood.

Ms. Niu!

Yu Yuan?

Zhao Xiuyuan has you confined here.

You have suffered enough.

There are guards watching at all hours.

The place is fortified.

How did you get inside?

I found a way.

As long as I can see you,

I will be at ease.

You foolish girl.

You have endured so much.

Come here.

What should we do next, Ms. Niu?

How can I get you out of here?

What is happening outside?

The general has requested to lead troops to the southwest front.

Half of the forces in the city have been handed to Zhao Xiuyuan.

The other half remains in the Niu residence

under the butler's command.

My dear father is always quick to dodge responsibility.

How about Ji Yingying and Yang Jinglan?

Bloom Society has completed its Ripple Brocade.

They are now

publicly selling it across the city

with great fanfare.

Yang Jinglan

has returned to Chang'an

to report on the matter of the logistics officer.

How about Zhao Xiuyuan?

What is he doing?

Nothing.

Has he made any move against Ji Yingying?

No, he has not.

For the past few days, Mr. Zhao stayed in the house

and handled family matters.

He did not even attend

the event where Ji Yingying unveiled her new brocade.

Miss,

has he truly given up on Ji Yingying?

In the past, he had nothing,

yet he still refused to let go.

Now, he has power in his hands,

so there is no way he will give up so easily.

Right now,

we need someone to give him a push

and pierce through his final layer of hypocrisy.

What do you need me to do?

Find a way

to bring Mrs. Zhao to see me.

If you must drink,

go do it at a business discussion.

What is the point of sulking here?

Mother,

all business matters have been delegated.

Everything is under control.

A little drink will not cause harm.

Will it not cause harm?

You cannot even hold this wine jug steadily.

How will you draw patterns

or throw the shuttle to weave brocade?

I used to weave brocade for one person alone,

but now that they are gone,

what meaning is there in weaving anymore?

You are still pining for Ji Yingying, right?

Then, marry her!

With Bloom Society's recent success,

she is more than worthy of becoming part of our family now.

But

she no longer wants to marry me.

I used to claim everything I did

was for her.

But in the end,

I was the one who hurt her the most.

Mother,

I do not deserve her.

Marriage

is decided by parents

and matchmakers.

Once she becomes your wife,

she will come to terms with it sooner or later.

Why bring this up now, Mother?

Now,

Ms. Ji has joined forces with the Yu family

to create the new brocade.

They are stealing the spotlight.

Yet, my husband sits idly by,

allowing the Zhao family to be overshadowed.

He is indulging in these trivial feelings.

How can he achieve greatness?

How can he secure his position as the patriarch of the family

and gain my father's trust?

So, I am willing to let him take another bride

to settle this lingering matter in his heart.

But Xiuyuan is simply too stubborn.

If he is unwilling,

I am afraid

even I will not be able to persuade him.

My husband's heart is as hard as stone.

Ordinary words will not sway him,

but I do have something in mind

that you can say to him.

I cannot bear to see you so defeated.

Lost business

can be won back.

And so can love.

If a man truly desires a woman,

all it takes is the resolve to act.

It will not be that difficult.

If you truly care for her,

can you not muster even a shred of courage?

How long has she known Yang Jinglan

compared to the time she has spent with you?

Are you really willing

to let someone else take the flower you have nurtured

with your own hands?

I cannot accept it!

Mother, you do not understand.

That boy is unreliable.

I worry every day

that Yingying will suffer under his care!

Then take her back!

She belongs to you in the first place!

♪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♪