Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 26]

But based on his age,

he would have been just a child

the year my father had his incident.

That doesn't add up.

However, if he's only involved in smuggling,

why would he personally travel such great distances to Yizhou?

And later, when he approached me,

what was he after?

No need to rush.

Leave these matters

to me to investigate.

Let me handle it.

You have more pressing concerns.

What concerns?

The strange forces within the Yang family

aren't easy to deal with.

Dear,

you must be cautious.

Why is everyone looking at me like that?

Because you're so good-looking.

Jinglan,

this is a family banquet!

Ever since you became the inspector,

you've been throwing your weight around.

Did you even forget the old rule

that women aren't allowed

to join a family banquet?

Is this

how you speak to an inspector?

This is a family banquet,

not the Brocade Bureau.

Is that how you talk to your elders?

Yang Jinglin,

did you forget

how I used to discipline you as a kid?

Hey,

chopsticks are for eating.

Stop pointing them at me.

All right, enough.

We're family.

Can't we have one peaceful meal together?

Jinglan's wife just joined the family,

and our dinner table

can certainly accommodate her.

The main point is to use this opportunity

to introduce her to the family elders.

But no other family's daughters-in-law

have such privileges.

Besides,

Jinglan's wife

didn't come here honorably.

She's not qualified for this grand occasion.

Dear,

look at these chopsticks.

What kind of old, outworn wood are they made from?

How could they break so easily?

Are you all right?

I'll go get another pair of chopsticks.

Jinglan says he's done eating.

Sir, Madam,

uncles,

we'll take our leave now.

Yingying,

sit down first.

I allowed Yingying

to join this banquet.

I'm also a woman.

I can attend this banquet

and manage our Yang family's business

thanks to the trust of all you elders.

I invited Yingying

because she's no ordinary woman.

She's not only the president of the Bloom Society,

but in the future,

she'll also help manage our Yang family's business.

Attending a family banquet is only a matter of time.

There's no reason to make a fuss about it.

Now that you've explained,

I understand.

The president of the Bloom Society

is now a daughter-in-law of our Yang family.

So the Bloom Society

will eventually come under our Yang family's name.

Exactly.

Sir.

Now I see

why this meal was called together.

It was a trap all along!

Jinglan.

I'm not done yet.

No matter how much the Yang family has helped my wife,

it doesn't justify taking her guild

as part of her dowry.

Who does that kind of thing?

Who are you talking about?

Watch your tone!

Don't worry, dear.

Anyone who dares upset you,

I'll make sure they're even more upset.

I'm curious to see

whose head my first flames

as a new official will burn.

This is boring.

Even the food looks unappetizing.

Dear,

why don't we leave?

Sir, Madam,

uncles,

we're truly leaving now.

Such a mess!

What did you say?

Yang Jinglan!

Juxian,

look at his attitude!

Exactly. Who does he mean by "such a mess"?

This meal

is truly meaningless!

I'm not eating anymore!

Jingshan, escort Father back to rest.

Okay.

As expected, they're not easy to deal with.

They're even eyeing your guild.

If Madam really wanted my Bloom Society,

she would've come to negotiate directly.

This only proves she wants more,

and her plans run deeper.

This matriarch is not a bad person,

but her focus is entirely on business.

Frankly,

she's more of a Yang family member than anyone else.

That's why she's the head lady of the house.

In business, credibility is paramount.

Even if she has her own agenda,

I trust she'll deal with me fairly.

But this Yang family

is a large clan.

Surviving in a family like this

is no different from doing business.

If you start by showing your worst side,

any small concession later

will make them think you're considerate.

If you start by showing your best side,

any tiny misstep

will make them think

you're ungrateful and rebellious.

Did you suffer a lot before?

Some lessons can only be learned

through hardship.

Of course not.

I understand this because...

I'm smart.

You know this too.

You're just too concerned about appearances,

worried our family ties will grow even more strained.

No, that's not it.

I'm just...

showing courtesy before resorting to force.

I believe you.

We didn't even get to eat.

I'm actually quite hungry.

Me too.

How about I cook something for you?

You can try my cooking.

I'll cook for you.

Dear,

Jinglan has finally returned home,

and he's now married to the woman he loves.

Can't you just let them be

and stop causing trouble for them?

Master,

are you worried I'll harm Jinglan?

No, not harm, but use.

Why did you let Jinglan's wife

attend the family banquet?

And at the table,

why did you bring up the Bloom Society?

Honestly,

aren't you leveraging Yingying's courage

and Jinglan's position

to deal with those relatives?

Yingying married into our family without a ceremony.

Today, with the family elders present,

it's reasonable to introduce her.

Yingying is talented and beautiful.

You may not know her abilities now,

but you'll see in time.

Others may not know,

but Jinglan stole his brother's fiancée.

Still, now that she's part of our family,

I hope

they can live a good life together.

I've always acted for the good of the Yang family,

with a clear conscience.

No one questions your loyalty to the Yang family.

But

have you considered

what would happen if this fails?

Look at Jingshan.

He still refuses to marry.

Isn't that lesson enough?

Jinglan isn't the same as Jingshan,

and Yingying isn't the same as Yuniang.

Whether two people who love each other can be together

depends not on outside forces

but on themselves.

If two people love each other,

what obstacles could stand between them?

Loving someone and marrying them are two different things.

Those who love each other may not end up together.

But couples like us,

from compatible families,

respectful to each other,

perhaps

can stay together for a lifetime.

Try it.

How is it?

Since my mother and master passed away,

you're the first person

to cook for me.

This noodle

tastes like home.

If you like it,

I'll make it for you often.

There's no need.

From now on, I'll cook for you.

Just wait.

Aren't you thinking about drinking?

How did you know?

You can't drink,

but you can watch me drink.

Fine,

I'll watch you drink.

What a fine wine.

I'm envious.

It smells amazing.

Keep dreaming.

Yang Jinglan,

is life in the martial world as carefree

and joyful as it seems?

Do you dislike being here that much?

Then why stay here?

For you.

Why?

Because we're allies?

Ji Yingying,

do you think

we're just allies?

Do you think everything I've done

is merely

because you're my ally?

I don't know.

I like you.

What about you?

What about you?

Let me take you somewhere.

[Memorial tablet of the late Lady Yang, née Liu]

I'm married,

and I have a home now.

This is Yingying,

my wife.

She is, and always will be,

my one and only wife.

Madam,

I am Ji Yingying,

your daughter-in-law.

I know Jinglan has endured a lot in the past.

From now on,

I'll ensure he takes care of his health

and stays happy every day.

With your spirit watching over us,

rest assured.

In the Yang family,

sons have their own courtyard from the age of five.

But every day,

I'd still come back here.

This is the only place

I've ever missed when I was away.

Is that a birdcage?

Yes.

It's so huge.

My mother loved birds.

She loved watching them

chirp and hop around

in their cage.

So, my father

traveled far and wide,

collecting all kinds of exotic species.

He even had this massive birdcage custom-made

just to make her happy.

My mother

loved my father dearly.

But bound by the rules of the Yang family,

she became overly cautious,

fearing she might trouble him.

Gradually, she lost her freedom,

lost herself,

just like the birds in this cage,

trapped within this courtyard.

The day before she passed,

she told me to open the cage

and release all the birds.

She said to me,

"Give them back

the freedom they deserve."

Yingying,

I won't be like my father.

I want you

to continue being yourself.

I want us to meet and stay together

like a bird finding another bird,

like a breeze meeting another breeze.

To be happier,

freer,

more unrestrained,

and more alive.

But to me, you're not just a bird

or a breeze.

You're the moon.

♪Rain drizzles gently down♪

♪When I first met you, it felt like yesterday's wonder♪

I've walked this night journey alone for so long.

I thought I'd keep walking it by myself.

But at some point,

whenever I look up,

I see the moon.

Through every storm and season,

in all its phases and moods,

it's always been there with me.

It once told me

it would always support me.

♪As dusk falls, with the sound of sea-bloomed flutes♪

And it never broke that promise.

♪Watching swallows gracefully settle upon the branches♪

♪We smell the green plums, and life's sweetness it roots♪

♪I send a silk letter to a high flower tower♪

I want to tell my moon,

♪Golden threads intertwining, hour by hour♪

when all of this is over,

if it still longs for the martial world,

I'll roam the land with it.

♪With the promise of snow, and time that expands♪

♪You and I, together we roam♪

Is this sword tassel

the one I rudely refused

that day?

Yes, it is.

By the way,

the Rippling Grain Brocade

was actually inspired by you.

It was the light shining on you that day

that gave me the idea.

I still remember you saying,

"My promise as Yang Jinglan

is for a lifetime."

♪The Brocade City never sleeps♪

♪Cold dew settles softly on the eaves♪

♪Shu Red Silk weaves a promise♪

♪To warm this chilly autumn eve♪

♪A tapestry of love, woven into my heart♪

♪As dusk falls, with the sound of sea-bloomed flutes♪

♪Watching swallows gracefully settle upon the branches♪

Yingying!

President!

This is my first time seeing you after the wedding.

The Yang family acted so hastily.

I didn't even get to make a scene in your bridal chamber!

Yang Jinglan was injured so badly.

He didn't suffer any lasting damage, did he?

Sang Shisi!

How can you say that in front

of an unmarried lady?

Right.

But is he up to the task?

Shut up!

All right, that's enough joking around.

I'm here today to discuss serious matters.

Pin, call everyone over.

All right.

- Stop laughing. - Is he up to the task?

- Stop laughing. - Stop.

I'll kick you to death!

Rules!

You're still wet behind the ears.

What do you know about rules?

What brings Second Uncle to our Bloom Society?

The Yang family.

Ms. Ji,

this Bloom Society is under your name, right?

And now that you've married into the Yang family,

from today on,

Bloom Society will merge with the Yang family!

Bloom Society was jointly established by many families.

How can the Yang family

include the other families in this?

The other families?

Fine.

I'll follow what you say.

From now on, the other families will co-manage with the Yang family.

The Yang family runs things properly,

so they'll take the larger share,

and the other families will take the smaller share.

That's settled then.

Based on what?

Because Ji Yingying is your president.

Because she married into the Yang family.

The Yang family's rules

must outweigh Bloom Society's. Got it?

Second Uncle, you really know how to play your cards.

But Bloom Society has nothing to do with me anymore.

He's the new president.

You can discuss this with him.

Greetings, Sir Yang.

I'm doing this

to help Bloom Society go further.

Now that I'm a daughter-in-law of the Yang family,

if I continue as president of Bloom Society,

then Bloom Society

will inevitably become part of the Yang family.

What it can do

and what it cannot do

will all follow the Yang family's rules.

This will greatly limit

Bloom Society's growth.

So, for the long-term,

I must step down as president.

Yingying's concerns are valid.

Just like today,

you wouldn't want Bloom Society

to be controlled by the Yang family in the future, would you?

Fine. Even if you're gone,

this Bloom Society will still have my protection.

All right. What's most important now

is choosing a new president

for Bloom Society.

What? A new president?

The new president

must be talented

and able to earn everyone's respect.

Not just talented,

but also responsible.

Ideally, they'd come from a scholarly family

and have charm and charisma.

All right, everyone, if you trust me,

this position of president...

According to you,

must the new president also be someone

named Sang?

All right.

Here at Bloom Society,

we do everything out in the open.

We've always been transparent.

Anyone who wants to take on the role of president

can raise their hand to vote. Go ahead, raise your hands!

Come on, raise your hands!

All right.

Those in favor of my elder brother becoming president,

please raise your hand.

Those in favor of Mr. Chen becoming president,

please raise your hand.

Currently, Mr. Chen has the most votes.

So,

the position of president

will go to Mr. Chen.

My elder brother and Pin are tied.

They'll both serve as vice presidents.

For the new president's decisions,

if the vice presidents disagree,

the decisions will be void.

Ms. Ji,

this isn't appropriate.

Now that you've married into the Yang family,

how your assets are handled

should be decided by the Yang family.

This...

this isn't appropriate.

Madam hasn't told me about this.

Jinglan hasn't mentioned it either.

Why are you teaching me the rules, Second Uncle?

Is the Yang family's rules up to you to decide?

Don't use Madam to pressure me.

Let me tell you,

now we're in front of outsiders,

and I'm the elder.

If you oppose me,

you're damaging the Yang family's reputation.

And that's a serious matter.

Pardon my interruption.

Is your intention

about

the ownership of Bloom Society?

Exactly.

You're quite perceptive.

I know you all

have a good relationship with Ms. Ji.

If you don't want to see her bullied in the Yang family

in the future,

you'd better align yourselves with me.

Of course,

in business,

I'll be generous to everyone.

What do you say?

Sir Yang, you're truly generous.

Now that I'm the new president,

it's only right to make some changes.

So, Sir Yang,

you can leave

the same way you came.

Say that again.

Oh, I nearly forgot.

I can't decide

this matter on my own.

I'll need to consult with my two vice presidents

and the members of Bloom Society.

Do you agree with my decision?

We agree!

Leave the same way you came!

All of Yizhou City knows

it's Mrs. Yang who calls the shots in the Yang family.

I have no idea about your standing

in the Yang family.

Don't think that invoking the Yang family

gives you the right

to act recklessly here.

This is our first meeting,

so I won't hit you

for causing trouble here.

No, I won't hit you.

But if you continue spouting nonsense,

I'll show you

what the men of Huanhua Creek are capable of!

Ms. Ji,

just you wait!

You've humiliated your second uncle outside.

The Yang family won't let this slide!

President,

am I fit to be the new president?

You have to believe in yourself.

From now on,

Bloom Society will have only Mr. Chen as president,

not Ji Yingying.

We both came out of Bloom Society.

You carried the banner,

while I led the fights.

Reaching this point,

I should step up.

But I still feel

there's quite a gap between us.

Get the banner. Let's head to Huanhua Creek

to hold the ceremony for the new president!

Got it. I'll get it!

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go, new president.

Stop teasing me.

Shisi,

don't be jealous.

Next time, it's your turn.

What are you writing?

"Yang Jinglan, male,

from Yizhou.

In his youth, he loved horseback riding and swordplay..."

What?

Are you writing your own confession?

She wants to understand me more deeply,

and I want to tell her.

Right now, the two of us

are growing closer.

How much closer do you want to be

now that you're already married?

Marriage

makes some things harder to say.

No matter what,

I wish you both

harmony and happiness.

May you grow old together.

Marriage is just a stopgap measure.

A stopgap measure?

What, are you planning to break it off?

Don't you want to marry her anymore?

What are you saying?

Is that what I meant?

I mean,

even if I married her,

I can't disregard her feelings.

For us, marriage

is the beginning of our relationship,

not the end.

What's wrong?

Not drinking anymore?

Ms. Yu told me

this is your favorite wine.

It is.

It's my favorite wine.

But Yingying told me

I shouldn't drink.

The foreign merchants are still under investigation.

Both openly and secretly,

many merchants head to Nanzhao.

It'll take some time to sort it all out.

Bai Sheng's place is also under surveillance.

But there are guards outside his residence,

so our people can't get too close.

Zhuge, send someone to Nanzhao again

and ask Gao to bring me something.

What thing?

Something that exposes

someone's true self.

The banner is here!

Back then, we came together

because the big dyehouses forced us into a corner.

We were just trying to survive.

Eventually, we found a path to success.

Bloom Society thrived,

giving every small dyehouse

a way to prosper.

Mr. Chen,

today, I'm handing over the presidency of Bloom Society

to you.

Let me ask you,

do you still remember

the oath we swore when we founded Bloom Society?

We would never judge a person by their background,

never remain stagnant,

and never exclude outsiders.

Together, we would move forward,

making a name for ourselves in Yizhou!

What I achieved,

you have also achieved.

From now on,

you can establish the rules you see fit.

From this day forward,

Bloom Society will always have a place for you.

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

I told you to establish rules for Bloom Society,

not to pledge loyalty to me.

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

Pin!

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

Enough...

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

If Ji Yingying ever needs help,

Bloom Society will provide full support!

♪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♪

All right.

Enough...

Isn't this Mr. Bai?

Long time no see.

What brings you here?

I'm here to see Ms. Ji.

You want to see Ms. Ji?

Why?

You can just talk to me.

Last time, I failed to offer help in your time of need.

Today,

I've come specifically to apologize.

Well,

hold on.

President...

No,

former president, I think there's a problem.

He didn't show up when we were in trouble.

I think you should be cautious.

I understand.

You all can go back now.

I'll hear

what Mr. Bai has to say.

Go ahead, Mr. Bai.

If it were to happen again,

I might still say the same thing.

That I should serve as a servant?

Serve as a servant?

Ms. Ji, have you misunderstood?

That was never my intention.

So you didn't come to apologize today after all.

Well,

I'm just a simple merchant.

Business is business.

Ruining things

with such a great business partner

is the last thing I want.

Besides,

in Yizhou's brocade industry,

I can't avoid you,

and you can't avoid me.

So why don't we shake hands and make peace?

Sheng Fengze...

Bai Sheng...

Could they be the same person?

It's possible.

I agree with your perspective.

We're in the same city,

why be at odds?

But a business partner who takes advantage of others' crises

is something I cannot accept.

Well,

Ms. Ji, your words

are quite disheartening to me.

All I did was name a price,

and you refused to accept it.

How is that taking advantage of someone in distress?

Besides,

I do have

genuine feelings for you.

I see now.

You didn't come to apologize today.

You came to confess your feelings.

Very well.

Thank you for your genuine feelings.

If there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave now.

Ms. Ji,

it's raining.

How about

I escort you home?

A light rain like this

is nothing to worry about.

Thank you, Mr. Bai.

Since you've already accepted

my genuine feelings,

then

holding an umbrella for you

and shielding you from the rain

shouldn't be surprising, right?

Dear!

It's raining.

I've come to take you home!

My husband is here to escort me home.

Thank you, Mr. Bai.

Thank you, Mr. Bai, for escorting my wife!

Mr. Yang, did your legs get injured like this

because you've walked too many dark paths at night?

Otherwise, it wouldn't be this serious.

So let me offer you some advice:

avoid walking dark paths at night.

Your fall might be even worse next time.

Dear,

let's go home.

Bai Sheng is very dangerous.

You shouldn't meet him alone.

And even more so,

you shouldn't get any closer to him.

I know what I'm doing.

On the surface,

Bai Sheng is still just a merchant.

His appearance in Yizhou as a businessman

is certainly no coincidence.

Since that's the case,

I still have a role to play in this matter.

You're planning to continue doing business with him?

That Bai Sheng...

if you ask me,

he's more interested in you

than in business.

♪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♪