Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 23]

What a so-called "righteous official" serving the people!

Oppressing the people in broad daylight,

ignoring their grievances.

Today it's the Ji family,

who knows whose misfortune it will be tomorrow.

Ji Yaoting sought justice for his mother.

That's reasonable and justified,

yet he suffered punishment.

If one day we are wronged,

won't we follow in the Ji family's footsteps,

with no place to appeal our grievances?

Exactly!

Indeed!

Right!

Who is it?

It's me!

Make way!

Yaoting!

Yaoting!

You all...

Yaoting!

You...

I have arranged for storytellers to spread the word in town.

Starting today,

everyone will know what happened to our Ji family.

Let's see if the governor has the ability

to silence everyone!

No need to go through such trouble!

Do you think this Imperial Uncle is just for show?

I'll write a direct petition

to the emperor.

Let's see if the governor

can silence even the emperor!

No justice for grievances! The governor is unjust!

No justice for grievances! The governor is unjust!

Stop shouting!

Close your mouths!

Close your mouth first.

A bunch of fools!

Who ordered you to use excessive force?

Didn't I tell you to give

a minor punishment as a warning?

Yaoting...

Ji Yaoting,

you stormed into the bureau

and caused a scene,

leaving me no choice but to punish you!

However, considering your dedication

to seeking justice for your mother,

and your sincerity,

regardless of the case's truth,

your filial piety is commendable.

I am not someone

who disregards humanity for the sake of law.

Since your mother is ill,

I will make an exception,

allowing you to deliver medicine to her in prison once.

As for the case,

once your mother recovers,

I will do my utmost

to bring it to trial promptly.

Thank you, Governor.

Governor, you're wise!

Indeed, wise, my lord.

What a disgrace!

Yaoting...

Folks, disperse now!

Yaoting...

Let's go back!

I'm fine.

Yaoting...

I'm fine.

Yaoting, didn't you say

a gentleman avoids dangerous situations?

But with our family in crisis,

someone has to step up.

Yingying...

Yaoting...

I'm fine.

Go quickly and check on Mother.

See how she's doing.

Hurry.

Go on!

Just go.

We've got things covered here.

Greetings, Warden Wang.

Open the door.

Yes.

Mother!

Mother!

Warden Wang,

my mother is gravely ill.

I brought medicine.

Could you help us prepare it?

That's not allowed.

Just this once.

Thank you.

Go in.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Yingying...

Mother.

- Yingying! - Mother!

- Mother. - Yingying.

Why are you here?

Mother,

I came late.

No,

Yingying.

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

You're this ill,

and you say you're fine?

It's nothing.

Don't cry, Yingying.

Yingying,

I didn't kill anyone.

How could I harm

my own sister?

I didn't kill anyone.

I know.

There must be some mistake.

Don't worry, Mother.

I've uncovered some clues,

and I'll get you out of here.

Yingying,

I've been thinking

about that day

these past few days.

But

I just can't make sense of it.

I'll tell you now.

Help me think it through.

That day,

I went to pay off your uncle's debt.

Then...

Are you okay?

Here,

take a seat.

Slowly.

But I never imagined

that when I woke up,

I'd be holding my own hairpin

covered in blood.

It was all blood.

Mother,

I already know.

Leave the rest to us.

The most important thing now

is to take care of yourself.

It's fine.

By the way,

how is everything at home?

How's Yaoting?

Everything at home is fine.

The Governor only allowed one visitor.

Yaoting and Gui are waiting for you at home.

We'll definitely get you out of here.

Then our family will reunite.

I believe in you.

I believe in you.

Here, let me put some medicine on it.

I'll do it myself.

That day, I never said

I wouldn't be friends with you anymore.

I don't mind at all.

Why are you so stubborn?

Give me your hand.

Don't move.

If you don't treat your hands properly, they'll be ruined.

Say something if it hurts.

It hurts.

Why did you go there?

If your hands are ruined,

you won't be able to weave brocade again in this lifetime.

You'll never be able

to do what you love most.

Switch hands.

The Ji family's rule is

the brocade comes first,

but people are above brocade.

Compared to human life,

no matter how precious the brocade, it's insignificant.

As long as I can protect the people I care about,

even if my hands are ruined,

I won't regret it.

Your family's rule

is quite different from his.

Whose family?

If you're ever in trouble,

I'd do the same for you,

without regret!

I...

I didn't mean to curse you with trouble.

Apply medicine once a day.

Avoid water for three days.

Did you hear me?

Yes.

Thank you.

Even though you were reckless today,

you're a man

with courage and responsibility.

[Tangchang County Magistrate]

Yingying,

how is Mrs. Ji's illness?

Those few doses of medicine won't cure her.

Conditions inside are terrible,

and she's anxious and unsettled.

How could she recover like this?

This can't be delayed any longer.

We must get her out quickly.

Otherwise...

Bloom Society can help with business matters,

but as for rescuing Mrs. Ji,

I'm your only option.

Only I can help you.

I have only one condition:

as long as you promise me

you'll stay by my side forever.

If you agree,

I'll get Mrs. Ji out today

and treat her illness.

My mother didn't kill anyone.

I just need to find the real culprit,

and she'll be freed from prison.

I can wait until you find the real culprit,

but can Mrs. Ji's health

wait for you?

I really can help you.

You're Niu Jin's favored son-in-law.

Niu Jin and I are sworn enemies.

Using his influence to help me,

don't you find that laughable?

I found it laughable once too.

But now,

you are just like I was back then.

In the face of power,

neither of us has another choice.

Now do you understand me?

I don't understand.

But if you want to be my friend,

there's only one condition:

be sincere.

You're not someone

who'd make a friend willing to die for you.

Sir.

Sir.

Niu Jin sent a message.

He wants to meet you outside the city.

Understood.

Leave now.

Yes, sir.

You and I were never on the same side.

Naturally, we can't be sincere to each other.

Sit.

Gao,

did you see Prince Bai last night?

I was just pretending to be an assassin,

not a real one.

Why would I meet him?

What's wrong?

Is something off?

I heard that Ning Dai

is deeply devoted to Prince Bai.

When an assassin broke into the residence,

she didn't protect the prince but came after me.

That either means

her feelings for the prince are fake,

or...

Prince Bai himself is an imposter.

Last night at Prince Bai's residence,

I saw the newly developed Rippling Grain Brocade.

Now the one secretly putting a bounty on my head

knows my name is Yang Jinglan

and even recognizes my appearance.

Don't you find that strange?

And also,

Ning Dai

identified me as Yang Jinglan just by my voice.

That means she's been to Yizhou.

So I suspect

the real Prince Bai is now in Yizhou.

In the 13th year of Yuanhe,

I gifted Prince Bai of Nanzhao a brocade.

Alright.

Give me a moment to think.

It features Jingyanggong patterns,

floral trees paired with deer motifs.

That was the Yang family's new brocade.

However, you didn't gift

just one piece

but an entire chest.

In the 3rd year of Yuanhe...

You gifted the Four Heavenly Kings Hunting Lions Brocade.

Back then, I was still young.

You were doing business with my master.

I remember it was the 10th year of Yuanhe

when I took over.

Greetings, Prince Bai.

General, please.

I'm in a risky position right now

and must act with caution.

I hope Your Majesty understand.

Such prudence

is what pleases me.

It was my oversight,

or how could I trouble Your Majesty

to come to Yizhou personally to collect brocade?

But, for future transactions...

Even the finest brocade cannot surpass tribute brocade.

Once the storm has passed,

I shall celebrate with you, General.

This visit

is to discuss our collaboration.

If we can open trade routes in the future,

then the transactions between us

will naturally proceed smoothly.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

As for the escort,

I will take full responsibility.

But I've also heard

Your Majesty have taken an interest

in Ji Yingying.

You risked your life to save her from a fire.

If Your Majesty truly fancy her,

I could have my foolish son-in-law let her go.

Ji Yingying...

Currently, she's the only one

capable of dyeing Shu Red Silk.

If she were to die so easily,

wouldn't that be a pity?

I believe that's why

you haven't rushed to eliminate her.

By the way,

there's one more thing to inform you.

An assassin from the Tang Empire

is relentlessly pursuing the smuggled tribute brocade.

He even went to Nanzhao

and made a scene in my Brocade Vault.

In your opinion,

who could this person be?

It's Yang Jinglan.

On the surface, he returns to Chang'an to report,

but in reality, he advances secretly.

All right.

Since he went to Nanzhao,

he should never return.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

I'll make arrangements immediately.

All you need to do now

is

guard the official road from Yizhou to Nanzhao.

On the Nanzhao side, I've set up an inescapable trap.

If he dares to show up,

he won't escape.

Here.

Zhuge had someone

deliver it from Yizhou City.

Yizhou hasn't really encountered trouble, has it?

[Ms. Ji's in trouble, return quickly]

No,

I must return to Yizhou.

Gao,

find someone

to draw a portrait of Prince Bai.

I want to know

if he's the person I think he is.

I'm heading back now.

Out there, both openly and in secret,

it's full of people sent by Prince Bai to kill you.

Are you sure you want to return now?

I promised her

I would stand by her side.

No matter the dangers,

I have to go back.

I'm leaving now.

[Yang Residence]

What brings you here?

Please inform Mrs. Yang

that Ji Yingying from Bloom Society seeks an audience.

Miss, please wait here.

Greetings, Mrs. Yang.

Ms. Ji,

what brings you here today?

I've come today

to propose a business deal with you.

I've heard about the Ji family's misfortune.

What kind of business deal

do you have in mind?

I want to discuss a deal

regarding the Rippling Grain Brocade.

What do you propose?

I wonder if you've heard

that I've taken an order

for 30 bolts of Ripple Brocade with dragon and beast patterns

at 30% above the market price.

I have to complete them within five months.

But now my family's workshop has burned down,

and all the raw silk is destroyed.

What do you mean, Ms. Ji?

I recall that at the auction,

you seemed very interested in the Ripple Brocade.

Are you planning to sell the Ripple Brocade design

to my family?

The Ripple Brocade was co-developed by me and Mr. Yu.

I have no right to sell it.

However, if you are willing

to help me in this critical moment,

in addition to sharing the profits

from this order,

I am also willing

to collaborate with your family on new brocade designs.

I trust your talent,

but the future

is always uncertain.

True. So, I've brought

something else as well today.

I'm willing to teach the Yang family

all the methods for dyeing Shu Red Silk.

For you

to take such a drastic step,

it must not

just be about the order.

Indeed.

I've also come

for the sake of my mother today.

Everyone knows

that your elder brother

was adopted by his uncle

and now works in Chang'an.

If you could ask him for help,

he could certainly save my mother.

Ms. Ji,

you and I both know

who you've offended.

If I help you,

then my Yang family

will surely be pushed into the spotlight.

While Shu Red Silk is valuable,

this deal carries

a significant risk.

If Shu Red Silk isn't enough,

I also have Flushed Rose.

In the future, I'll create even more new colors.

If you feel

the deal lacks weight,

I can

continue adding more chips

until you're satisfied.

Relying on the Yang family's influence

might protect you for now,

but it won't shield you forever.

It may offer short-term safety,

but not lifelong security.

Unless...

you find yourself

a lasting support.

Are you suggesting...

For the Yang family

to take on the Ji family's burden legitimately

and for you to have no worries in the future,

there's only one solution.

What solution?

I propose that my second son, Yang Jinglin,

marry you.

As the head lady of the Yang family,

I dare say

our Yang family

has the courage to take this gamble.

Naturally, I hope you will agree.

But as a woman,

I must advise you to think carefully.

After all, marriage

concerns a woman's entire life.

Right now, the most urgent matter

for you

is not business,

but

your mother.

I can wait for you to find the true culprit,

but can Mrs. Ji's health

wait for you?

What I want is...

you.

As long as you agree

to stay by my side forever...

I agree.

Are you certain?

To be honest,

your family wasn't my first choice.

The others

either required me to fake civility

to mend broken ties,

or forced me to leave my hometown

and sell myself into servanthood.

By comparison,

the Yang family can save my mother

and let me stay in Yizhou.

This is already the best option.

These days,

my friends have been working tirelessly

to help me repay debts.

My brother, seeking justice,

has endured great suffering

without fearing authority.

All I have to do is marry someone,

and it's to a family like yours.

What grievance is there in that?

Good.

Good.

Rest assured.

Once you marry into the Yang family,

you'll be a proper daughter-in-law.

The Yang family will not mistreat you.

As for your wedding,

I'll ensure it's lively and grand,

worthy of the Ji family's honor.

But my mother is still in prison,

gravely ill.

I fear she can't hold on much longer.

Please set the wedding date quickly

without complications.

Your filial piety

is something I cannot refuse.

I'll send someone to make the necessary arrangements

to get Mrs. Ji out of prison as soon as possible.

As for Mr. Qian's matter,

the Yang family will provide the silk and dyes,

ensuring the new brocade is completed on time.

Thank you.

The Yang family is truly shameless!

Yu!

Yu!

This is already the best choice.

They've gone too far!

For the Yang family, it's always just about business.

Yu!

Ms. Yu.

Ms. Yu!

Stay here and keep watch.

I'll go inform Mr. Yang Jingshan.

Yuniang,

the Yang family has never been just mine alone.

If my mother agrees to this,

it surely aligns

with the wishes of the family elders.

No matter what,

I cannot change this.

The family elders?

With Yingying's personality, marrying into your family

and following your rules

would be no different from imprisonment.

The Yang family chose Ms. Ji

for her abilities.

She isn't marrying in to be a housewife.

My mother will have her help

manage the family business together.

So, this marriage contract is nothing but a bondage agreement,

buying Yingying's entire life

to work in your Yang family?

I know

Ms. Ji is your best friend.

But things have come to this,

and there's no turning back.

Once she marries into my family,

I will do my utmost to protect her.

Protect her?

You can protect her?

You can't protect anyone.

It was true eight years ago,

and it's true now!

If Yingying suffers in your Yang family,

I'll burn the Yang family to the ground!

I, Yu Linglong, mean what I say.

[Nanzhao]

On guard! Quickly!

Archers, prepare!

Hurry! On guard!

Close the gate!

Spears ready!

Attack!

My mother always wanted me to get married.

Now she can finally have her wish.

But sadly, she won't see

what I look like as a bride.

If your heart aches,

don't smile.

When you choose your own path, you must walk it with a smile.

What's the point of crying

and giving those who hurt me a reason to laugh?

Are you really not waiting for Yang Jinglan to return?

Yang Jinglan,

I'll wait for your return!

My mother's health has always been poor,

and I can't gamble with her life.

Last time, he and I missed our chance.

This time,

I don't have the time to wait for him.

Perhaps we're not fated to be together.

Yu,

honestly,

marrying someone you don't love isn't always a bad thing.

Ordinary women

serve their husbands in the inner chambers,

competing for favor.

But I won't have to.

Both the Yang family and I understand this is a transaction.

I won't have to deal with household conflicts.

I can learn business from Mrs. Yang.

She's so capable,

I'm sure I can learn a lot from her.

Are these words

truly from your heart?

We both know

this is the best choice.

I don't want my brother

or Pin to know about this too soon.

You're the only one who can help me.

Alright,

I'll help you.

Yang Jinglan!

♪If the passing years understood♪

I'll wait for your return!

♪Fate sighs, flowing like a river♪

♪How could this hidden pain♪

Yang Jinglan...

♪Fade like Shu Red?♪

This time...

I really can't wait for you anymore.

♪Drifting through a stained world♪

♪My heart twists a thousand times♪

♪How to choose on this unfamiliar path?♪

♪The wind whispers of the past, how can sorrow be told?♪

♪When the long night paints your silhouette♪

♪That stunned glance♪

♪Scattered like smoke in the wind♪

♪Gathering and parting, how can sorrow be told?♪

♪When will love's silk be woven into brocade?♪

[Yuebuhuan Inn]

♪May my deepest affection last forever, like clouds with starlight♪

♪Who will hold my hand, bound by life and death?♪

Yaoting...

We've come to this point.

Don't hide the truth from me anymore.

I know

I can never dissuade you

from your decisions.

Take this with you.

I don't need it, Yaoting.

You should keep it.

What bride goes to her wedding

without something for protection?

Take it.

Take it.

Your brother is useless.

This is all I can do

for you.

Thank you, Yaoting.

Ms. Ji,

it's time to leave.

Don't miss the auspicious hour.

After I get married,

all matters of the household

are entrusted to you.

Rest assured.

May your journey ahead

a harmonious family,

a match made in heaven,

and a long and happy life together.

To my elder brother,

I bid you farewell.

Get up quickly.

♪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♪

Mr. Yang,

General Niu has sent me to take your head!

Then, let's see

if you

have the skill to do so.

Ta Xue!

Speak.

How many more troops are ahead?

Speak!

The main road to Yizhou is blocked.

Every corner is filled with archers.

They're waiting for you.

Escape is impossible.

♪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♪