Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 38]

The moon is finally out.

Let's make mooncakes

and celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival.

Starting today,

let's all work hand in hand

for the brocade.

Whether we're in Yizhou

or Nanzhao,

we all look at the same moon.

Since we can't send our letters,

we shall let the moon carry our longing.

Let the moon carry our longing.

Let the moon carry our longing.

A... Alright then, let's celebrate!

If you know how to make mooncakes,

join me and Pin to make some.

If you love lanterns,

come to me to get one.

Here.

Alright.

Back home, mooncake-making

is a much more elaborate affair.

We have three pastry chefs just for the dough

and five chefs just for the filling.

Take the dough, for example.

It needs

to be folded 81 times.

Each fold

gets a layer of lard.

That is how we get that perfectly flaky and savory mooncake.

When we return,

the first thing I will do

is to take you home

to try our special mooncakes.

Go on.

A... Also the fillings...

The fillings

a... are quite generous too.

Let me say it then.

Shisi,

I like you.

I...

Can you be a little more gentle?

I...

You weren't exactly the man I would like to marry.

I do not know when it all began,

but thoughts of you always make me smile.

When I feel scared,

I cannot help but think of your name.

Sang Shisi,

I like you.

No matter what the future holds,

I just want to be with you.

Kiss me!

I can kiss you now?

I want you

to keep being yourself.

I want our encounter to be

like a bird finding its kin in the sky,

like one breeze merging with another.

It should make you feel happier,

freer,

more unrestrained,

and more vibrant.

But you are not just a bird,

nor just a breeze to me.

You are the moon.

My night has been a long one.

I thought I would walk it alone.

But at some point,

every time I looked up,

the moon was there.

Through the harsh storms and biting frost,

through its ever-changing phases,

it has always been there.

He once told me that

he would always have my back.

You are so sly.

Because I want to live.

Can I buy

one mooncake?

We don't sell the ones we make ourselves.

They are for family and friends.

What is this?

Is it for me?

Thank you.

It is pretty good!

My master once said that Mid-Autumn Festival

is the perfect time to appreciate the moon

and think of our families.

What else did your master say?

Share it with me.

Well, he never said

that the women of Yizhou are this cunning.

Let me ask you. How do you find Yizhou?

To me, it is the best place.

I grew up there.

My family and friends are there.

If you are so curious, why don't you go see it for yourself?

Who said I was curious?

I am not curious.

You wear Nanzhao's clothes,

but you study Yizhou's silk.

That is because you like it, and you are curious.

Wait! How do you know everything?

You...

Do you have some kind of Yizhou voodoo?

Only someone with a clear mind

can create such vibrant color.

I was raised by the people of Yizhou,

but in the end,

I am still the child of Nanzhao.

Even if I wanted to visit Yizhou, I couldn't.

Your clothes

are different from everyone else's

because you combined the weaving and dyeing technique

from Nanzhao and Yizhou.

Yizhou and Nanzhao do not need to always be at odds

or live in battle.

Like your clothes,

we can communicate, blend,

and become friends.

This is a sachet I made myself.

It repels mosquitoes.

It is a gift for a friend.

It is a gift from Yang Jinglan.

Have you seen him?

Where is he?

How is he doing?

He is still alive.

He asked me to pass on a message

to you.

I am safe.

Don't worry.

These are the mooncakes we just made.

All from Yizhou

will get one.

It's okay.

My entire family

was killed by Niu Jin.

There may never

be a reunion for me

in this lifetime.

Yaoting,

Mother,

please be safe.

Wait for me.

Wait for us.

Yang Jinglan and I

will definitely return.

Yingying,

don't think it's ugly.

The one I gave you

is already the finest of the lot.

I want to tell my moon this.

After everything is over,

if he still longs to see the world,

then I will join him to explore its wonders.

Mr. Yang,

how is it?

How do you feel?

Who would have thought

Prince Bai

would resort to using drugs?

Well,

I know

torture

would not work on someone like you,

so

I have no choice

but to take a more unconventional approach

to get you to talk.

What do you want to know?

My plans?

Would you believe it

even if I tell you?

My plan...

...is for you...

...to send me away...

...by yourself...

Yang Jinglan,

do not forget

that you are now in Nanzhao.

No matter how you scheme,

you will not be able

to escape from my grasp.

Her eyes

should carry a hint of a smile.

Her wrists

should be slender

and delicate.

Let go.

It does not look like her at all!

Let go!

Do you feel like

there are millions of ants crawling all over you?

As if they are eating into you? Biting you?

There will come a day

when you are not able to bear the pain

and drink that cup of drug.

By then,

you will let go of your dignity

and beg me!

Do you think that I am

Zhao Xiuyuan?

Yes!

So what if I do?

Inside this dark, hopeless room,

you will only be accompanied by the drugs!

No matter how steely your resolve,

it will still shatter

under its own weight!

Mr. Yang,

you...

Take care of yourself.

I will

come and visit you in a few days.

Yingying,

do not be afraid.

I will think of a way out.

I will take you away from this place

and see us back to Yizhou.

Wait for me.

Ting,

must it be you?

You have always been poor with words,

never one to argue with others.

Does it truly have to be you

who goes to stop Niu Jin this time?

Mother,

the craftsmen have been taken,

and the brocade industry is in shambles.

Niu Jin has turned a blind eye to our suffering,

imposing harsh taxes to exploit us further

and demanding even more Shu brocade as tribute.

If this goes on,

the brocade industry will collapse entirely.

Someone must stand up

and tell him that this cannot continue.

I understand. I understand all of this!

But...

Yingying is in Nanzhao.

We do not know if she is safe.

If something happens to you tomorrow,

I...

I will protect him from the shadows.

No. Yuniang,

you must not go.

If they capture you,

I will lose all will

to do anything else.

Do not worry.

Niu Jin may be ruthless,

but he knows that

killing us all

will bring him no gain.

Ting,

you must be careful.

Do not worry, Mother.

I will wait for your return.

Then...

Let us drink to the moon, a toast for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

May all families be reunited

and safe.

[The Niu Residence]

Mr. Zhuge,

the Ji family's brocade has been sent in.

Thank you for your hard work.

Though we have all worked tirelessly,

these brocades will still fall short

for the tribute.

May I accompany Mr. Zhuge

to meet General Niu?

We need someone to speak out,

to show that trading the future of Yizhou's brocade industry

for short-term gains is a grave mistake.

To be honest,

Mr. Zhuge and I share the same thoughts.

However, before we could enter,

Mr. Yu Shu stopped us.

Mr. Yu went in alone?

Yes.

He said that as long as he is still alive,

this matter

should not be handled by us young ones.

Gentlemen,

the commander has requested your presence inside.

So Mr. Yu is implying

that I have demanded too much as tribute?

It is not that you have asked for too much,

but Yizhou has lost too many craftsmen,

and the brocade industry has been severely impacted.

We are unable to meet your demands at this time.

Good day, Commander.

Mr. Yu

was just telling me

that you are all facing great difficulty now.

You have lost craftsmen

and the silk prices have increased.

In short,

he suggests that

I have demanded too much tribute.

Commander,

they are still young

and lack much life experience.

That is why

they cannot foresee that

if this situation continues,

it will be like

killing the goose for its golden eggs.

It is not that we do not want to pay tribute to you.

In fact, we wish to offer our tribute for the long-term.

That is why we hope you can show mercy and grant us some respite.

A gentle stream never runs dry.

I did not ask you.

I was asking them.

What do you think?

I have checked the records.

Throughout history,

Yizhou's brocade industry has been forced to end five times.

Twice, it was due to war.

As for the other three times...

What about you two?

Please forgive me, Commander.

Even after my family gave it our all,

working day and night,

we were unable to meet your request.

Had it been when the industry was at its peak,

we might have been able to fulfill it.

However...

...the industry has been severely impacted,

and we simply cannot do it now.

To be honest,

you should all know that

I have many ways to make money.

Why would I

focus on Shu brocade?

It is because

when I was younger,

my family was very poor.

My parents died young,

and my brother and I were left to survive on our own.

We worked for a wealthy family together.

One day,

my brother accidentally dirtied the madam's brocade dress,

and he was beaten to death.

From that moment on,

I swore that

if I ever became rich,

I would clothe myself in fine brocade

and make the brocade industry

my source of entertainment.

Haha, alright, enough of that.

I was just reminiscing about the past.

Fine.

Since you all think I have asked for too much,

I am not an unreasonable man.

This will be the full tribute for this year.

Thank you, Commander.

Mr. Yu!

Mr. Yu!

I was not done speaking earlier.

The reason

I want to be dressed in fine brocade

is because

I do not tolerate those who speak against me

regarding it.

Next time, it must be no less than today's tribute.

And you should speak less as well.

Mr. Yu...

My family...

Xi...

Do not worry, Mr. Yu.

As long as we are here,

we will watch over the Yu family.

Do not be afraid.

There is still a long road ahead.

Mr. Yu!

This is not over.

We must be prepared for what's to come.

These are the reports

from the Qingping Officer.

[Prince Bai murdered Yizhou's Commander, Mu Hui]

You should have a look.

I did not kill Commander Mu!

I am being framed by Niu Jin!

I implore you to investigate this thoroughly.

Regardless of whether the accusation is true or not,

Mu Hui's old troops invading our borders

under the guise of revenge is real.

The whispers of the commoners

and their fear are real!

Please allow me some time

to get to the bottom of this

and uncover the truth.

Your Majesty,

this cannot be delayed any longer!

The Tang army is directly challenging our forces,

claiming they will invade

Nanzhao's city.

They will treat our people

the same way Prince Bai treated Nanzhao's people.

If we wait any longer,

the people will begin to flee.

By then,

Nanzhao will descend into utter chaos.

The Tang army

is stirring trouble under the pretext of revenge.

I fear that

you are now in the greatest danger.

How about this?

You will move into my palace.

It is nestled between the mountains and the sea,

far from many people.

It is easy to defend but hard to attack.

I will also send troops ahead

to keep watch

day and night

to ensure your safety.

I have one more person

who can prove my innocence.

Mu Hui's old troops!

There are no such people!

You were behind all of this!

Given Niu Jin's character,

those people are either his men now

or dead.

There cannot be so many who would come to Nanzhao

for revenge.

Indeed.

Why did you not tell your emperor that?

Because he does not see it as important.

He does not want

the truth.

He wants results.

What will you offer me

if I can stop the chaos at the borders?

I have two questions.

First,

how do you plan to achieve that?

Second,

who are the ones stirring up trouble

at the borders?

Give me a bowl of clean water.

They are just

some of my old friends.

I will tell them that

Niu Jin is the true mastermind behind Yizhou's situation.

Then, I will ask them to head to Chang'an

and urge the government

to deal with Niu Jin.

At this point,

you can only trust me.

Fine!

Tell me, then.

What...

...do you want?

I want to bring one person with me.

She has not completed her brocade.

She will not leave with you.

The root cause of this incident

will be decided by Chang'an.

Shang Shisi is the Imperial Uncle,

and within Chang'an,

his claims carry more weight than mine.

The things the crown prince cannot do,

his sister

and brothers can accomplish.

Fine.

I will agree to that.

Second.

I need you to write a letter

admitting to working with Niu Jin.

You can write whatever you need

to protect yourself,

but I want the government to know

that you had a private relationship with him.

Fine.

I can do that.

Third.

Before I leave,

I want to see my wife.

Fourth.

Fourth?

Mr. Yang,

do you not reckon you are asking for a bit too much?

Fourth.

You are not to lay a finger on Ji Yingying for the span of one year.

This is not a deal between Yizhou's brocade officer

and Nanzhao's Prince Bai.

This is a deal between men.

Have you the courage to strike it?

I...

...promise you.

Uh...

How many times have I told you?

You are only supposed to put the silk in when the water is boiling.

Why did you put it in early again?

Just look at that! Does that color look right to you?

Are you a blockhead?

This is not Yizhou silk.

It has to be dyed using the Nanzhao method.

Do you not understand that? Or are you hard of hearing

or are you just a moron?

I am not a moron! And I am not hard of hearing!

Shu brocade! It's Shu brocade!

Of course you have to dye it using the Shu method!

You are making Nanzhao brocade

with Nanzhao silk!

You must follow Nanzhao's methods!

Does Nanzhao even have any decent silk or brocade?

- Use the Nanzhao method? - Of course, there is! I dyed it myself!

I make fine silk!

I take excellent care of those silkworms!

Please do not argue.

I have just designed a new pattern.

It will need

both Shu and Nanzhao colors.

Perhaps you both can give it a try

and let the results speak for themselves.

Deal!

Just you wait!

I will show you the difference

between true craftsmen and blockheads.

Blockhead!

Hey!

Yingying, look at that despicable Nanzhao woman!

I tried so hard to be polite

and chivalrous!

Look!

This is an exchange of techniques.

A few arguments are to be expected.

Fine.

I will engage in a constructive exchange with her.

Yingying,

can we work together on the brocade?

Sure.

We can leave the past behind for now.

Let's focus on the brocade so we can return home.

I will get back to designing the new pattern.

Thank you.

Ms. Ji,

someone is asking for you.

This way, please.

I said I would let you see her,

but I never said

how you would go about it.

Ms. Ji.

♪Who weaved their thoughts into words of love♪

♪Hidden in my gaze, stories softly unfold♪

♪Threads of fate unravel, weaving dependence bold♪

♪An old dream suddenly blooms anew♪

♪The boundless sea within your gentle gaze♪

♪My heart's a lone boat, sailing to your hold♪

♪As time stands still covered in a layer of moss♪

This Rippling Grain Brocade

was made for you.

♪In memories, I find the way we unfold♪

I keep the promises I made.

♪Seasons pass, the winds whisper and sigh♪

A lifetime is a lifetime.

For better or for worse,

I will never leave you behind.

♪Clad in white♪

♪Our vows were made♪

♪Though the horizon seems far and wide♪

♪Still waters run deep, where love resides♪

♪This heart cannot be buried in time's haze♪

♪Blossoms bloom, their beauty will not decay♪

♪Unafraid of life's foggy maze♪

♪May the days ahead bring no more despair♪

I will not leave you.

I will not forget my heart.

No matter what happens from here on out,

you and I

will not lose each other.

♪Birds soar as lush grass lines the rugged way♪

♪Rippling waters sing as the wind sways♪

♪Like a loom, longing weaves love into thread♪

Mr. Yang,

♪Even tears flow with colors of our love♪

make haste.

It is time you leave.

♪Seasons pass, the winds whisper and sigh♪

♪Who will untangle this knot of ties♪

♪How could yesterday's memories fade♪

♪Clad in white♪

♪Our vows were made♪

♪Though the horizon seems far and wide♪

♪Still waters run deep, where love resides♪

♪This heart cannot be buried in time's haze♪

♪Through frost and blades, I'll stand by your side♪

♪Guarding the hope you've always held inside♪

♪Until snow melts, and spring returns to abide♪

[Station Wangxing]

Gentlemen,

after this stop,

you will be in the Tang Empire's territory.

From here on,

your fate

will be in your own hands.

Farewell.

Hey!

Hey! You...

You!

Given the current situation,

they have decided to stay out of it

now that you have managed to drive the invaders away from their borders.

Why are the people of Nanzhao so treacherous?

Are they even human?

Shisi,

we will have to continue

the rest of the journey on our own.

Are you scared?

I must press on, even if fear grips me.

I have promised Pin

I will bring them home

safely and in style.

Mr. Yang,

you are far cleverer than I am.

I will follow your lead for the journey ahead.

You need not worry about me.

Just keep me alive.

Do not worry.

Yang Jinglin?

Why are you here?

Why are you being so rude?

You addressed me by my full name?

Fine! Tell me this.

You are now a fugitive.

There are countless obstacles

ahead.

How do you plan to reach Chang'an?

So...

You have a plan?

Now you remember me?

Fine, I will tell you.

The moment

we learned you left for Nanzhao,

Father assembled a team of merchants.

We have been waiting

at the station between both borders.

The moment you arrive,

we will set off for Chang'an.

By the way,

this is the new identity we have prepared for you.

Keep it safe!

Traveling with a fugitive?

Are you not worried

about being dragged into this mess?

I know everything

you have done.

You are truly a member of the Yang family!

I respect you.

But I am also a Yang.

I have also been taught

the values of loyalty and filial piety.

Yizhou

is not just your home.

It is mine as well.

Who would not want to return home?

Very well.

Let us all head to Chang'an

and return home together.

Come!

Let us go home!

[Station Wangxing] Let's go!

Come on!

This is the brocade

woven with the finest silk

we have.

Next, we will have you test

if it can be crafted

into an acceptable Nanzhao brocade.

The pattern is clear,

the colors sharp,

and the flower perfectly formed.

There is no flaw in its weave.

Here.

The color does not fade in salt water.

Its hues remain as sharp as before.

There is no issue with its dye.

I will test

its durability.

Let me!

Let me!

Be gentle!

Let me!

Gentle!

Blockhead, why did you use so much strength!

We spent months on it.

How could I be careless with it?

Regular brocade

can withstand this level of pulling.

It tore

because we failed once more.

It is still not good enough.

The silk is still not durable enough,

but it is much better than when we started.

Let us try harder.

We have tried so hard,

yet the outcome is still the same!

Our one-year deadline is nearly up!

If we still cannot make it, we...

I don't even know what I was hoping for anymore.

♪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♪