Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 37]

Ms. Ji,

this will be your room in the workshop.

From now on,

if you need anything related to dyeing and weaving,

feel free to ask me anytime.

Yingying!

Yingying!

You're finally here!

It really is you!

Yingying,

how have you been?

Did Sheng Fengze ever harm you?

Shh.

Alright, you three chat.

I'll keep watch for you.

Sit down.

Have a seat.

I'll keep it brief.

Sometimes, you have to go along to get along.

But Yizhou is my home.

I will never betray my true self.

We all understand.

You only became the princess consort

and started weaving Nanzhao brocade

to save our lives.

We know

this is only a temporary measure.

You would never actually do it.

I will never become a princess consort.

But weaving Nanzhao brocade

is what I promised the king of Nanzhao,

a one-year term, no less.

But...

are we really going to weave for him?

The Nanzhao people kidnapped us,

treated us as prisoners, captives.

Should we just surrender to this fate

and work for them?

But what else can we do?

Not weaving will lead to our deaths.

Yingying,

this isn't like you.

Have you changed since coming to Nanzhao?

Did Sheng Fengze feed you some kind of mind poison?

We thought you came here with a plan

to lead us in rebellion,

not to make us into slaves.

Right now,

we're like lambs to the slaughter,

completely helpless.

Our only option is to gamble.

So,

I made a deal with the king of Nanzhao.

It's Liu.

Liu got beaten up!

Quick, let's go!

Useless fool!

Do you know how much these dyes are worth?

Delaying the brocade for Prince Bai, you deserve death!

Beat him!

Stop!

Stop it!

Stop! Get up!

What,

do you want to get beaten too?

Let's discuss it!

Let's discuss it!

Stop!

Your King personally made a deal with me.

This is written in his own hand.

We weave brocade for him,

and he will send us home.

[Nanzhao brocade complete, craftsmen return] We are craftsmen invited by Nanzhao,

not slaves!

Are you going to defy your king's orders?

Isn't she the future princess consort of Prince Bai?

Don't try to fool me.

I'm not easily scared.

If you don't believe it,

then call your king here.

Let him decide.

Who do you think you are?

Just a bunch of lowly captives!

Do you think you can just meet the king?

Try it.

If anything happens to us

and we can't weave brocade,

your head

might hang on the gate tomorrow!

You're truly the future princess consort of Prince Bai,

always thinking on his behalf.

If Prince Bai can't produce brocade in a year,

he'll be sent to Tang to face consequences!

If someone had any backbone,

they would simply refuse to work.

At that point, they'd die alongside the real culprit!

What are you doing?

No!

You're lucky this time.

Get out of the way!

Liu,

don't be scared.

It's alright now.

It's okay.

Ever since he witnessed the killing that day,

he's been terrified

by the sound of blades being drawn.

They keep using it to scare him.

Is that thing you showed earlier real?

Can we really go back?

That is indeed written by the king of Nanzhao himself.

Are you afraid Sheng Fengze will be executed for failing to produce brocade,

and you'll lose your chance to be a princess consort?

Shut up!

You...

Yingying is worried we'll get dragged into this.

Why are you saying this?

Watch your words!

Everyone can make their own choice,

but I just want to go back alive.

I want to see my mother and brother again.

Let's go.

Let's help him back first.

Come on, Liu.

Ms. Ji,

the Qingping Officer's people

are not easy to deal with.

If I were you,

I'd stay away from them

and focus on weaving brocade.

It's precisely because I want to focus on brocade

that I can't just sit by.

Brocade comes first,

but people are above the brocade.

The first thing I care about

is people.

Let's go.

Alright, get some rest early.

Whatever it is, leave it for tomorrow.

What have you all been through these past few days?

Even if Chi Hu stayed,

he couldn't stop Du Yan from harassing you, right?

That head guard sent by the Qingping Officer

openly and secretly

humiliates and tortures everyone.

If it's not life-threatening or related to dyeing,

Chi Hu won't intervene.

So now,

everyone either ends up like San,

angry but helpless,

or like Liu, afraid or numb.

Why is it like this again?

It's the head guard's doing again, isn't it?

Who's there?

Are you awake?

It's me.

It's Shisi.

I'm Shisi.

Coming.

Here.

Why are you here?

Haven't you rested yet?

Well, San felt bad,

so he asked me to bring over two quilts.

Is it convenient?

Come in.

It seems this isn't the first time they've done this.

I need to think of a way to deal with him.

What?

Deal with him?

Alright, it's late.

Go back and rest.

I...

Thank you for the quilts.

Then, I'll head back first.

Do you have enough quilts on your side?

We do!

Did that look he gave you just now mean

he wants you to keep an eye on me?

Such growing understanding between you two.

These days,

he's helped me a lot.

Adversity reveals true feelings...

Adversity reveals true feelings.

Then, when the adversity is over,

will the feelings disappear?

No, they won't.

The moon is almost full.

It seems like Mid-Autumn Festival is near.

Mid-Autumn Festival...

Since we left Yizhou,

I've been pulling one silk thread from my clothes each day.

I tie every ten threads into a bundle.

It's been a month since we left.

Silk threads...

Apply this.

Look at me now,

can I still harm you?

You came from Yizhou?

How is my family?

Niu Jin is now in charge of Yizhou.

And then?

Niu Jin says

that your Zhao family colluded with Nanzhao,

leading Nanzhao troops into the city.

He acted first and reported later,

killing everyone in your Zhao family.

Not a single one was spared.

What did Yang Jinglan say to you?

He didn't say anything.

He still doesn't trust me enough.

But I think,

about why he came to Nanzhao

and who his informant is,

even if he won't tell me,

he'll surely tell Yingying.

What does he want to say to Ji Yingying?

"Stay safe.

Don't worry."

That's all?

That makes sense.

In such a short time,

he wouldn't easily trust you.

Indeed.

Your Highness,

let's take our time and plan this carefully.

Wait a while,

and find another excuse

so I can meet him again.

We'll try once more.

By the way,

did he eat the food and water

sent in?

He must have noticed something was wrong.

He only eats the bare minimum

to stay alive.

And you? Did you eat it?

Since I've decided to work with you,

I will trust

that in the future,

you'll give me the antidote.

Actually, there's no such thing as an antidote.

The more you take this drug,

the more you desire it.

If you go even one day without it,

it'll feel like thousands of ants biting you.

You'll be in unbearable pain.

When the pain becomes too much to bear,

he'll surrender his dignity

and bow to me.

So, I...

Don't worry, Mr. Zhao.

From today on, you don't need to take it anymore.

It doesn't matter.

You and I are on the same side.

I won't harm you.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I have one more request.

Say it.

I beg you, Your Highness,

please be kind

to my family you saved.

Since I saved them,

of course, I will treat them well.

Thank you. I'm willing to serve you loyally!

What else do you want?

Tell me everything at once.

I have no other requests.

I just want to work loyally at your side

and become a person of status in Nanzhao.

After all, this way,

I can still see Yingying from time to time.

To serve me,

it's not that simple.

He...

must learn to obey.

My shoes are dirty.

I know,

it's not easy

to make someone bow.

Kneel now.

Ms. Ji,

someone is looking for you.

What exactly is "Tian Bu Pa"?

Your Nanzhao looms are indeed intricate,

but they can only weave brocade up to seven inches wide.

The loom we're using is unique to Tang.

The patterns it produces are more refined,

with greater luster

and a smoother texture.

This is Nanzhao tiffany.

Your clothes gave me the inspiration for this.

Nanzhao's textile industry has its own characteristics.

Since we're making Nanzhao brocade,

we can learn from and complement each other.

So,

there's really no such thing as "Tian Bu Pa."

Why did you lure me here to see all this?

To weave superior Shu brocade,

you need the finest silk,

meticulously dyed,

with exquisite pattern designs and skilled craftsmanship.

"Tian Bu Pa"

is not a type of leaf.

It's a complete process,

a result of everyone's joint efforts.

This

is my "Tian Bu Pa."

To distinguish between a good lie and a bad one,

you need to see if she deceives you

for your benefit

or for hers.

You came

because you didn't want to let any opportunity slip away.

Because you deeply love those silkworms,

and the brocade.

I told you, you and I are not the same kind of person.

We cannot walk the same path.

Go join Sheng Fengze on his path.

I cannot walk the same path as him.

He wants to keep me here,

but I want to go home.

If we cannot produce brocade,

we will all die.

What's this?

Emotional blackmail?

Back then,

when my master's wife was taken,

nobody sympathized with my master.

Yingying,

the items you asked for are ready.

Alright.

This is Nanzhao silk

dyed using Yizhou methods.

Take a look and see the difference.

If you don't want to look,

you can throw it away.

Let's go.

Mr. Chi Hu,

I need your help

with something.

Ms. Ji, your skills

are truly extraordinary.

But this...

I don't dare accept it.

I never said it was a gift.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon.

In our hometown,

it's a time for families to reunite.

But now, we can't go back.

I want to celebrate the festival with everyone here in the workshop.

I'd like to trouble you

to sell all these

and help me buy things

we need for Mid-Autumn.

The remaining money

can all go to you.

Well...

you could just report this to Prince Bai.

He'd likely approve.

It's unrelated to brocade.

This is our personal matter.

We'll handle it ourselves.

Handle it yourselves?

But you're using silk bought by Prince Bai.

What do you call this?

Colluding with each other,

filling your own pockets!

Chi Hu,

you'd better explain this to Prince Bai personally.

Guards!

Take these weavers away!

Yes, sir!

Wait!

Sir,

do you have any idea

how much these velvet flowers

are worth?

Mr. Chi Hu surely knows.

These velvet flowers were already valuable in Yizhou.

Now in Nanzhao,

they're even rarer.

Exactly.

The price would multiply several times.

These things

are worth that much?

Of course.

Sir,

are you thinking of taking a cut?

Ms. Ji,

that's unacceptable.

Why should he get a cut?

Yeah, Yingying,

we can't cooperate with him!

Since we've been discovered,

cooperation is the best option.

Shut up.

Cooperation?

Did I say I wanted to cooperate with you?

I could easily report them.

That's also fine.

But...

we haven't sold these items yet.

Even if you report them,

we can claim

they're gifts for Prince Bai.

I just think,

only a fool

wouldn't make profit.

Even though these are valuable,

will we get caught

selling it on the sly?

There are no marks on the velvet flowers,

no labels either.

No one can trace their origin.

How do we split it?

He takes six, you three,

and I get one share

to buy lanterns and mooncake tools.

Why does he get twice as much as me?

By order, he came before you.

By association,

he tormented us less than you did.

By capability,

he's better at smuggling them out.

I'll handle the transport.

I take six, he takes three.

Otherwise, no deal.

The business can fall through,

but rules cannot be broken.

He gets five, you four.

I get five,

and he gets four.

Let's ask Mr. Chi Hu what he thinks.

Fine.

You get five,

and I get four.

Do we really have to do this?

Qingping Officer wants to make things difficult for them.

That's separate.

I'll take the money,

but I'll still carry out

the punishments.

Send them out.

Understood!

You all,

come with me!

Tell her,

I also don't like

having someone else's dog

barking on my territory every day.

But we can use these velvet flowers

to turn the tables.

By the way,

did she

mention Yang Jinglan?

No, she didn't.

Ji Yingying once endured ten years

to avenge her father.

Given her character,

the less she speaks about it,

the more it weighs on her heart.

Forgetting someone

does take time.

I can't kill Yang Jinglan,

but

I can make his life a living hell.

Give me that.

Yingying,

you invited us to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival?

I've prepared mooncake molds,

osmanthus wine,

and lanterns.

Later, you can light lanterns

or make mooncakes.

I want to go home.

Mid-Autumn is a time for family reunions,

but we're stuck in this awful place.

How can we feel like celebrating?

Are we supposed to treat this place as home?

No.

I hope that missing our hometown

can give us strength,

help us pull ourselves together,

unite as one,

and leave this place

to get back home soon.

Yingying...

Yingying, um...

the other day,

I spoke too harshly to you.

Please don't take it to heart.

About weaving brocade for the Nanzhao people,

I've thought it over for days.

You're right.

But I still can't accept

being enslaved like this.

I'm also worried

once we kneel,

even if we return home,

we may never stand tall again.

It's like tonight's moon,

hidden behind the cloud,

no longer shining.

We're here!

We're here.

Come on!

They're here.

I called everyone.

I went door to door.

No one's missing.

Well, let me say a few words.

Today is Mid-Autumn Festival,

a time when the moon is full.

We...

although there's no moon,

it doesn't matter.

Let's just celebrate together.

No moon?

Then maybe this festival isn't meant for you!

Ji Yingying,

you're not working

but gathering here to cause trouble,

and colluding with outsiders

to smuggle goods!

You've truly betrayed His Majesty's trust in you.

It's an act of deceiving,

a crime

deserving of death!

Hey,

you clearly agreed to buy these!

That item,

and that item as well!

Do you have evidence?

I...

I called the people.

I bought the things.

It has nothing to do with Yingying!

No, it doesn't.

I bought the items.

It has nothing to do with him!

Everyone, shut up!

Ji Yingying,

what kind of spell did you cast on them?

You can't even protect yourself now.

Fine.

Since you're all so united,

take them all out and execute them!

Understood!

Wait!

Sir,

you're just in time.

Sheng Fengze,

I know you're here.

Come out and save them!

Ms. Ji, you're truly clever.

You even guessed this would happen.

Chi Hu.

Here.

Seize them.

Seize them!

Your Highness,

what crime have I committed?

You forced the artisans in the workshop

to make velvet flowers for you,

and sold them privately.

You abused your power for personal gain!

The soldiers transporting and merchants purchasing

have all confessed.

There's both proof and witnesses!

Out of mercy,

and because this is your first offense,

you will be punished with fifty lashes.

But you also...

What about me?

Do you have proof against me?

[Confession]

Fine.

I admit to selling velvet flowers,

but I had them brought from Yizhou.

It has nothing to do with the artisans here!

Those velvet flowers are called "Flushed Rose."

I dyed them myself.

Just a few days ago, I found them a bit plain,

so I added lighter colors

to every one made in Nanzhao.

If you can find the same color scheme in Yizhou,

then I'm slandering you.

If you can't,

then admit your guilt.

Fine...

You've been scheming against me from the start.

Take him away!

Wait a moment.

Prince Bai, since you're punishing him,

may we, his victims,

have a chance

for revenge?

He's one of Du Yan's men.

I think

that's a great idea.

Hit him twice for me,

for yourselves,

and for all the artisans he bullied.

Hit him!

Go on!

Hit him!

You wouldn't dare!

Hit him!

Your Highness,

I'm the Qingping Officer's person.

I'll accept your punishment,

but how can you let these Yizhou peasants...

Who are you calling peasants?

Who are you calling peasants?

Who's a peasant?

Who's a peasant?

Hit him!

Who's a peasant?

I'll help you hit him!

Who's a peasant?

Who's a peasant?

Who's a peasant?

You like drawing swords, huh?

You enjoy drawing blades, huh?

You think you're tough, huh?

Come on, hit him!

Hit him!

Hit him!

This is for picking on us!

This is for bullying us!

Let's go.

Drag him out.

Fifty lashes!

Prince Bai,

since we're weaving brocade here,

shouldn't we be given

proper working conditions?

Agreed.

What do you want?

First,

the guards here should only restrict us

from leaving this place.

They must not interfere otherwise,

nor insult or beat the artisans.

Alright, I agree.

Second,

the artisans' basic living needs

should match those in Yizhou.

We must have enough food, proper clothing,

and medical care.

Of course.

I agree with that as well.

One last thing,

please allow each of us to write a letter home.

This request...

I might not be able to grant it.

You don't understand.

Right now in Yizhou,

Niu Jin holds all the power.

He's declared himself Military Commissioner.

Not only are letters from Nanzhao blocked,

even letters from Chang'an can't get through.

Moreover,

he's been exploiting Yizhou's brocade industry.

Right now,

the artisans in Yizhou

are living far worse than you.

So...

I think it's better for you

not to return to Yizhou for now.

Stay here in Nanzhao for a while.

No matter how chaotic Yizhou gets,

it's still our home.

We'll return there someday.

Do you know why I didn't take advantage

of today's opportunity

to drive Du Yan's men out?

Such exquisite items...

are they really made in the weaving workshop?

They are.

However,

as delicate and beautiful as these velvet flowers are,

they're nowhere near as valuable as Shu brocade.

Right now,

the top priority for the weaving workshop

is to produce our Nanzhao brocade.

Since he abused his power

and delayed brocade production,

deal with him as you see fit.

Is it because

you don't dare to deal with the Qingping Officer's people

that you came to me?

Actually,

this is Ji Yingying's plan.

That head guard

bullied the Yizhou artisans

far too cruelly.

Ji Yingying wanted to lift their spirits

so they could focus

on weaving brocade.

That man had to go.

So,

Ji Yingying and I

seized this opportunity

and presented it to you, Your Majesty.

You're quite honest.

Between you and me,

we're not just lord and subject,

we're also brothers.

We're family.

I don't need to hide anything from you.

Alright.

If that's the case,

for the next year,

I'll put you in charge

of all brocade production.

Actually, that wasn't my intention.

Then what is your intention?

With this one-year agreement,

I'll do my best.

However,

it's unavoidable

that someone will try to cause trouble.

So,

I wish to work with Qingping Officer.

If the brocade is completed,

we'll share the rewards.

If it isn't,

we'll share the blame.

If you force them to withdraw openly,

they'll secretly try to undermine you.

Only by making them share both the rewards and punishments

will they stop making reckless moves

and truly step aside.

You understand me,

because

you and I are the same kind of person.

Then why do you always act

like you're the good guy and I'm the bad guy,

keeping me at arm's length?

Thank you

for today's help.

We still have a festival to celebrate.

Please excuse yourself.

As the princess consort, won't you invite me to join?

Have you forgotten

why we're celebrating here at all?

Everyone,

I trust that a king

wouldn't break his word.

All I can do is

fight for as much freedom and dignity as possible.

I want to give my all to weave the brocade

and take everyone home.

Will you trust me?

Home!

I want to go home!

Ji Yingying,

take me home!

Home!

We want to go home!

We want to go home!

Yingying, take us home!

Home!

Home!

Take us home!

Home!

Home!

Home!

Take us home!

Pin,

we're going home!

Home!

Wait!

What is it?

Look,

the moon...

It's out.

♪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♪