Original subtitles

[The Autumn Ballad]

Timing and Subtitles by 🍂 The Autumn Ballad 🍁 Team @viki.com

♫ Winter clouds and light skies, the geese fly through leaving a trail of sorrow ♫

♫ I lean against the window and look into the distance ♫

♫ Near the deserted West River ♫

♫ I hear you singing ♫

♫ Every time our eyes meet, the longing is still there ♫

♫ Separated by thousands of mountains and oceans, waiting for the full moon ♫

♫ Just to meet the beautiful lady again ♫

♫ Going through three lifetimes with you while smiling behind the pearl bead curtain ♫

♫ In this life, I will not let you down ♫

♫ I will fly over the lands together with you ♫

♫ Even if everything becomes silent ♫

♫ In this life, I will not let you down ♫

♫ I will fly over the lands together with you ♫

♫ Even if everything becomes silent ♫

[The Autumn Ballad]

[Episode 5]

Liang Yi?

Why are you here?

I just finished talking with your dad

so I stopped by to see you.

Why would you want to see me?

I'm just a rich idler.

I'm no match for Marquis Wei Yuan,

who deals with greatly vital matters.

What's wrong?

Are you angry at me because of the He family?

I wouldn't dare.

Let me ask you,

did you send someone to the prison to take care of Zhao Ming Li?

How do you know that?

In the capital city, nothing can be hidden from Firewood Office,

let alone you.

I advise you.

Zhao Ming Li and that girl are at Firewood Office now.

Stop sending money to Feng Capital Prefecture.

Those scoundrels in Feng Capital Prefecture take advantage of you.

Are those two at Firewood Office?

Are you protecting those two?

I knew it! You're not a coldhearted man!

Who told you that? Don't talk nonsense if you don't know anything.

Look at you.

I shall write Qiu Yan a letter about this so she can relax.

Stop.

If you tell her, they'll lose their lives.

Fine, I will listen to you.

I won't tell her.

Why is this fan here?

Madam invited Qiu Family's daughters to play cards this morning.

One of the ladies must have left it.

I think it belongs to Cousin Min.

I saw her use it at mealtime.

Cousin Min?

Qiu Yan's younger sister, Qiu Min.

She is also my younger cousin.

Give it to me. I will return it to her.

I found it. I will return it to her.

How about I return it another day?

Why must it be another day?

We are in our uniform today. Let's not scare her.

Please pass the message

that Third Miss of Qiu Family left something here.

She wants to look for it.

Are you looking for a folding fan, Miss?

Yes, I am.

I found it in Duke of Ying Manor.

I had never thought it was yours.

Thank you.

May I know your name

so I can send you a gift of thanks?

[The Solitary Moral One]

What's your name?

I don't know your name yet.

It's a trivial matter.

Don't mind it.

Let's go.

Fate really does link people no matter how far apart.

I didn't expect Qiu Family's Third Miss to be whom you rescued back then.

However,

why doesn't she seem to recollect you?

Seeing her educated and dressed well,

she is different from that stubborn girl back then.

I guess she must be living well.

It's a good thing to forget

those past, bad memories.

Since you caused a scene in front of the official matchmaker,

I fear none would dare propose to you in future.

I am worried about you.

That's great. It's peaceful now.

But you can't stay at home your entire life.

Even if Second Madam agrees to it,

Old Madam and the others wouldn't tolerate it.

I can't care about all that now.

I thought all would be fine after we returned from He Manor.

Had I known it would be this way,

I'd rather stay in the temple. It's more peaceful.

The temple has its own difficulties.

Life is nothing more than a boat that must forge ahead against the current or be driven back.

High skies and wide oceans are men's limit, but they have their ways.

However, we women

don't even have a boat.

How nice if we were this wisp of smoke,

able to go anywhere we'd like with the wind?

Qing Dai, will a day come when women can also read

and study freely like men?

Will we have liberty to choose our lifelong partners,

without being despised and controlled by our families?

Miss, don't you want to open the gift from Young Master Qin?

Qin Xuan gave the others jade pendants.

He casually asked Min'er to bring one to me.

It's just a courtesy.

M-Miss, it's not a jade pendant;

it's a wooden hairpin.

Let me see it.

First Miss and Fourth Miss got jade pendants,

but he gave us a broken piece of wood.

When we were at He Manor,

seeing Young Master Qin help you that way,

I thought he was a nice man.

I hadn't expected him to be a snob.

"Lone smoke rises off the vast desert;"

"a round sun sets on the long river."

"Even a puff of smoke"

"will reach the blue sky one day."

If you don't give up, things will surely change.

I shall throw it away for you now.

Don't. Though it's a wooden hairpin, it has a deep meaning.

Could wood be better than jade?

He knows I'm trapped in this suffocating place.

He wants to use this wooden hairpin to advise me not to sulk.

But

it has no inscription.

Put it on me. I want to try it.

All right.

Madam said she'd send the matchmaker to Qiu Manor

to propose after you view these betrothal gifts.

Go tell Madam to postpone the proposal for several days.

If she wants to know why, tell her I have my reasons.

I will.

Master, why do you want to postpone it again?

If the matchmaker went to propose,

of course, Qiu Family wouldn't reject it.

But I don't know how Qiu Min feels about me.

Why would you care about her feelings? Since ancient times,

marriage is arranged by parents and a matchmaker.

Originally, I viewed her as an ordinary lady

and would have just married her.

However, I never thought she would be the little girl I rescued.

Since I rescued her back then, why would I make her marry

a man she doesn't like?

Master, then you should just tell her you're her savior.

I'm sure she would agree with it.

Coercing a lady from a small favor, what would that make me?

What is your plan then?

Tomorrow, make a trip to Marquis Yongming's manor.

[Invitation to First Madam Jiang of Qiu Family: Marquis Yongming Manor will hold a Chuiwan (ancient game like golf) gathering]

[In late spring, each Qui Family Miss is invited by Madam Zhao of Marquis Yongming Manor.]

Traditionally, only children of third-rank officials

or higher rank officials can attend Marquis Yongming Manor's Chuiwan gathering.

Second Brother is only a fourth-rank official.

Why did they send us the invitation card?

Marquis Yongming Manor has produced officials for generations

and is supported by the palace.

The capital city's officials and their wives

attend the Chuiwan gathering annually.

It seems to be recreation and fun.

In fact, it's a chance for princes and young masters

to meet young ladies of the same class.

[Madam Kou, Fourth Master Qiu Hong's concubine]

I'm afraid some already have their eyes on our daughters.

Those who can attend Chuiwan gathering rank higher than our family.

This is our daughters' blessing.

Don't show your happiness on your face.

People will look down on you.

Old Madam has agreed to it.

Our Qiu Family will send three daughters.

"Three"?

Old Madam did not say to allow Child Yan to go.

Didn't Yan say she was weak, having hard recovery?

Just let her remain home to recuperate.

I knew Old Madam wouldn't easily stop punishing you.

Clearly, she tries to embarrass you.

It's to be expected.

What is there to be angry about?

Don't you want to personally thank Young Master Qin?

I thought you could meet him at Chuiwan gathering.

Again, there's no hope now.

I must thank Qin Xuan for the gift.

Go tell Second Madam I must go out tomorrow afternoon,

and I'll return in an hour.

[Liang Manor]

Master, Master! Marquis Yongming Manor sent a letter.

It says Qiu Family's three misses will attend,

including Qiu Min.

Young Master,

Second Miss of Qiu Manor sent us an invitation card.

Miss Qiu Yan? How is that possible?

It should be Qui Family's Third Miss. You must have misheard.

Master Jin, I didn't mishear it.

It was Second Miss of Qiu family.

She asked to meet me at Guiyun Teahouse.

She is Qiu Min's elder sister.

I must show her some respect.

Greeting to Lord Liang.

This is from our Miss.

What does Miss Qiu Yan mean by this?

Miss said Lord Liang would know by seeing it.

Qiu Yan,

you put much effort into it.

I believe Lord Liang understands what I'm asking for.

You used this stone to remind me

that it was I who switched your gift

for Noble Consort for a stone.

I owed you.

You want to attend Chuiwan gathering.

Since your marriage with He Family was annulled,

you dishonored your family so they want you to keep a low profile.

You want me to help you.

I like talking to you, Lord Liang.

You're straightforward.

If I recall correctly, you said you hate me.

Why would I help a person who hates me?

I can't help it if you won't aid me,

but I bet you're unwilling to owe any favors.

So arrogant.

Master, Miss Qiu Yan doesn't seem to be a sociable person.

Why would she care so much about the Chuiwan gathering?

Everyone knows there will be many princes and young masters at the Chuiwan gathering.

I'm afraid she decided to climb the social ladder.

I have never before seen as shameless a lady as her.

These four Chuiwan clubs,

made from finest scented rosewood picked in autumn and winter,

are crafted during spring.

Rubber is mutually adhered so it's a suitable time to make them.

I'm sure your misses can earn the top slot

by using them to compete.

Thank you, Madam.

It's just that

Qiu Family replied that only three misses would attend.

There is a fourth one.

The extra one is for Miss Qiu Yan of the second branch.

Please have a seat.

Miss, you didn't see it. [Moonlit Stroll]

First Madam looked awful.

She even became sullen and said that you're so capable.

I never would have thought Lord Liang would be willing to help you.

It's just that I don't understand why you didn't ask

Young Master Qin to help you with this matter.

Why I want to attend is to thank Qin Xuan.

How could I ask him for a favor?

That Liang Yi unscrupulously (unethical) used me

so I should use him for a bit.

It's courteous to reciprocate.

Let's go.

Yan'er, be honest with me.

How do you know the wife of Marquis Yongming?

Was it because of Qin Xuan?

You told me that Qin Xuan helped you a lot

when you were at He Manor.

He sounds like a righteous guy.

Is it because of him?

Nothing gets by you, Mother.

When Duke Ying Manor invited our family over,

Qin Xuan asked Min'er to bring this hairpin to me.

He has indeed put a lot of thought into it.

Here at Qui Manor, only you treat me well.

Everyone else despises me.

Since my return from He Manor, life has become more difficult.

To me, this hairpin

is like

a ray of light through dark clouds.

I can't help but grab onto it,

get close to it.

I had never thought Qin Xuan would be so attentive,

but Duke Ying Manor has produced officials for generations.

It's out of our league.

But if I don't take a leap of faith,

I could only be married to those strange bones.

I recollect you told me it's tough to be a woman.

We bear children and educate them.

We must endure many hardships in our lives,

but I'm not afraid to suffer.

I want to entrust my life to a worthy man who is genuinely nice to me.

I don't want to entrust my life to another in a haze.

I understand,

but I'm worried you will get into greater trouble if you do this.

I don't understand why women should wait and be led.

Why can't we have ambitions? We can't speak out if we have them.

I always remember you read to me "Spring Excursion" (Tang poem: passionate girl pursues love).

"If I could just marry him, my destiny would be forever set."

"Even if he ruthlessly abandons me, I wouldn't regret or be ashamed."

No matter how it ends, I want to fight for it

so I won't regret it!

Okay.

Since you made up your mind, calmly go tomorrow.

Since olden days, young men pursue beautiful, virtuous ladies.

Who ruled that a lady can't act as a young man in pursuit?

Indeed, I will be one.

You shall be one.

Hurry. Let's go.

So lively.

Let's go. Everyone is here.

It's so lively.

Let's go. Go there. Let's go.

Come quickly.

Marquis Yongming is very generous.

- Madam is coming. - Madam is here.

- Madam. - Madam.

Madam is here.

Madam, you are here.

How are the young ladies' preparations?

They are ready.

- Sorry for the inadequate care. - Don't mention it.

Min'er, I will take a look over there.

Sure.

You did well on what I've asked of you.

I never owed anyone any favors.

From now on, we are even.

That's all I wanted!

However, why did you come to this Chuiwan gathering?

What about you?

Why did you go to such lengths to come here?

Elder Sister.

What's wrong with you? Are you upset?

Look at that man.

I see him.

What's the matter?

That man heads the Firewood Office,

Liang Yi, Marquis Wei Yuan.

He is hungry for power.

He is hated everywhere he goes.

- Brother Xuan is here. - Brother Xuan.

Brother Xuan, long time no see. Brother Xuan is so handsome.

- Cousin Qin... - Long time no see.

Even if you're as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, he won't heed you.

But...

what should I do then?

Enough. Just look at him.

Did you forget to buy the sandalwood ink I asked you last time?

How would I dare forget things Miss Xue asked me?

Here you go, Master.

Brother Xuan, you're great.

Thank you, Brother Xuan.

Brother Xuan, what is inside your box?

It's fruit cake, made with mint and basil.

It can soothe emotions, improve vision,

settle the stomach and spleen.

I really had no appetite lately.

I was thinking about Brother Xuan's fruit cake.

Brother Xuan, how could you be so stingy?

Yes, we want to eat it, too.

How could I be? Take as much as you like.

Thank you, Brother Xuan.

Bei Xue, serve everyone for me.

Yes, Master.

Ladies, Ladies, the fruit cakes are here.

Greetings to Aunt and Sisters.

Qiu Yan, you are here, too.

Good Boy,

is your mother here?

Aunt, my mother handles some family affairs and can't come.

All right, greet her for me.

Mei'er (First Miss), come.

You and your cousin should talk more.

This is a game for young people anyway.

I shall just leave you to it.

I haven't practiced Chuiwan for long.

I heard you won

first place on the previous Chuiwan gathering.

Can you teach me about it?

Sister Mei, our family knows I'm the weakest player.

Older Cousin should teach me first.

Cousin, look. I embroidered it myself. Does it look nice?

It's nice.

Fourth Miss is indeed skilled.

Cousin, you should teach us the rules of Chuiwan.

Meng Yu.

Cousin Ying, Cousin Mei, this Young Master Meng is the true Chuiwan expert.

You may directly ask him your questions.

Qiu Yan, did you receive the hairpin I asked Cousin Min

- to bring to you? - I received it.

Thank you.

I see you didn't wear it. Do you not like it?

Many people are here at the Chuiwan Competition.

I'm afraid to lose or break it if I wear it.

Then I would be betraying your good intentions.

I see. It's fine as long as you like it.

To be honest with you, I made that hairpin myself.

I'm not very skilled

so I feared you'd think it is too coarse and dislike it.

Thank you for your kindness. I will see you at the game.

Qin Xuan, why are you standing here?

Follow me. Some wealthy ladies wish to meet you.

Let's go.

Miss.

I thought Young Master Qin only treated you nicely.

Who knew he would spread his gifts around?

No wonder you treated him that way just now.

I don't have the prettiest face and innate (natural) talents.

Why would he treat only me nicely?

I'm not the female character in a skit.

It will be harder to get what you want now.

Why don't you teach them?

No, no.

Young Master Meng is tired. Just let Qin Xuan teach us.

- All right, let's go over there. - All right, let's go.

If he had eyes only for me, of course, it would be a precious fate.

If there is no such fate,

yet I can make him see only me, then it's due to my capability.

Master, I have asked around.

Miss Qiu Min practices Chuiwan alone over there.

Why do I get the sense that she came here for Qin Xuan?

Fellow Participants,

please provide prizes according to your capacity

as a reward for this Chuiwan competition's winner.

She is offering a wooden hairpin;

how embarrassing.

Fourth Miss is right.

This hairpin was a gift from Young Master Qin.

Miss, you should put it away.

So it's the hairpin Cousin Qin said he gifted you?

It's just a cheap thing.

How is it a cheap thing?

A treasure box is not as worthy as an ebony block.

This hairpin is made of rare Golden Silk Nan Ebony.

Only you who grew up in the wild

would think this is just ordinary wood.

Second Sister, since this hairpin is so valuable,

why don't you give it out as a prize?

That is Young Master Qin's gift to Miss.

It's placed on the tray and already donated.

Will you take it back?

A nobleman wouldn't take what others are fond of.

Why would you two force her?

Greetings to Lord Liang.

It's just a joke between us sisters.

Moreover, I'm having Second Sister donate her beloved item

for our Qiu Family's reputation.

Yes.

Indeed, I have no other valuable item to donate.

I shall help Miss Qiu Yan donate a prize.

Miss Qiu, you should cherish the gifts from others,

even if you don't like them.

Miss, you tried to use the wooden hairpin

to test Young Master Qin's feelings,

and show him the first and fourth branches' true colors.

Who would have thought that Lord Liang would meddle?

Liang Yi is ill-intentioned, and he hates me.

He must have some ulterior motive!

Master, you helped her out and gave away a ring.

Those who don't know will think you are fond of her.

That woman is cunning. I must keep an eye on her.

Instead of waiting for her move to start secretly with Qin Xuan,

why not make a move acting nice

so Qin Xuan sees and won't compete with me?

This could make him give up his aim.

The preliminary round,

Participants, ready?

Participants, take your positions!

The match begins now!

Madam.

She is good.

I hadn't expected that.

It's all right. Leave it to me.

Eldest Sister!

Eldest Sister, are you all right?

Eldest Sister!

Fourth Sister, even if you envy her skills,

you can't purposely hit her face!

You went too far! Let me see.

Eldest Sister's face is swollen!

Someone come help Eldest Sister and take her to rest.

Ask Second Madam to send over a physician.

- How can I face people like this? - Right.

Careful...

Eldest Sister, rest well.

Eldest Sister!

Eldest Sister, I didn't do it on purpose!

Of course not.

You tried to hit me, didn't you?

Fortunately, I guarded against you and stood behind Eldest Sister.

I see. You framed me!

Your skills are just horrible.

Elder Sister!

Act by the competition's rules.

- Qiu Yan, are you all right? - Elder Sister!

Sister.

Cousin Ying, what have you done?

- I didn't do it! - Ladies and Gentlemen,

this is a message from Madam.

Since Qiu Family's Fourth Miss lost her temper and harmed others,

by the rules, Qiu Ying is disqualified from the game.

Host, Cousin Qin, she framed me.

Fourth Sister, the club is in your hand!

Why would you hit Eldest Sister and me if you didn't have evil intentions toward us?

Miss.

Just wait and see!

What a good tactic, goading one into action.

She uses all means to get rid of her bad reputation.

Master, should I call Young Master Qin back?

Elm...

Head? (Elm is tough; elm head is stubborn, dense)

Qiu Yan, can you continue?

I'm fine.

In the next match, please show me your true capabilities.

Don't let me win unfairly.

How could I? You are a lady-

Since we are playing on the field, all are equal!

Please give your opponents respect they rightfully deserve.

Then I shall do so.

Miss Qiu Yan,

I saw you had quite a fall.

Don't be in a hurry to move around.

Lord Liang, I thank your concern. I'm fine.

As a delicate lady,

you're not a man used to falls or being hit.

You may have lifelong regret if you hurt your body.

Let me escort you off the field.

Sis...

Liang Yi!

The more you move, the more suspicious you look.

Liang Yi, what are you trying to do?

What do you think?

I can't bear to see you having contact

with the other man on the field, can I?

Since you knew it was a fake fall, why didn't you expose me then?

Why would I expose you?

I don't want you angry with me.

Elder Sister, how is your injury?

It's fine.

As usual, I will let you have a free point.

No need, I want to compete fairly with you.

Do you refer to Chuiwan or to Qiu Yan?

Semifinal, Participants, get ready!

Take your positions!

The match begins now!

Brother Xuan, you can do this!

Qin Xuan,

have you really fallen for that girl?

Yes.

I tell you this for your own good.

Stay away from her.

Brother Liang, I may listen to you in other matters.

This matter is the only exception.

Go on.

Nice shot, Brother Xuan!

Good job, Qin Xuan!

Great!

Qin Xuan, Young Master of Duke Ying Manor, wins!

Young Master Qin, congratulations on winning the match.

These prizes are all yours.

Young Master Liang, congratulations to you, too.

Keep it up.

Brother Liang, I didn't beat you for these useless gold and jade items.

You can have them all.

As I can beat you in Chuiwan, I can also win over Qiu Yan.

You...

Ladies, Young Master Qin won the match.

He asked my master to distribute today's prizes

to all the participants.

Young Master Qin said rather than be happy alone, all should be happy together.

These gold and jade items are useless to him.

He would rather make everyone happy.

Come on.

Let me see.

Let me see this.

Look, this is nice.

I like this.

Let me see yours.

Miss Qiu Yan, why don't you pick an item you like?

It's a token of Young Master Qin's regard.

Song Jin.

Since Lord Liang preserved my ebony hairpin,

I should give this back to you.

Like you, I don't want to owe any favors.

Isn't that Brother Xuan?

Brother Xuan!

- Qin... - Brother Xuan!

I thought you forgot about us after winning the competition.

How could it be? Brother Xuan is not that kind of person.

- This item you gave me looks very nice. - Thank you, Brother Xuan.

This looks very nice, yes.

I'm serious.

- This is particularly nice. It suits me. - Is that so?

You did great on today's match.

Yes.

Young Master Qin grew up in a setting full of women.

He is nice to everyone.

Then I won't approach him like the other ladies.

That way he will think of me.

Later, go find an excuse to draw Qin Xuan here.

Remember to avoid Liang Yi.

Everyone else can play Chuiwan well. Why am I so stupid?

You are too nervous so you can't play it well.

Let me help you.

Are you afraid of me?

You were poised and dignified last time I saw you.

Today, you are trembling with fear.

Why is that?

That man heads the Firewood Office,

Liang Yi, Marquis Wei Yuan.

He is hungry for power.

He is hated everywhere he goes.

It's nothing.

I understand.

An admonition within Firewood Office:

"What one sees may not be real, and what one hears untrue."

Let me teach you.

Okay.

I turn away for a brief moment and Qin Xuan's soul is drawn away

by that cunning vixen again.

- Song Jin. - Yes.

Come here.

Teach Miss Qiu Min Chuiwan for me.

Do you want Miss Qiu Min and me to be alone together?

I don't think that's appropriate.

Look.

Qiu Yan, I looked for you, but I couldn't find you.

Luckily, I met Qing Dai.

Can you sit by and watch a brother leap in the fiery pit?

I can't bear to see it. Just go.

Brother Liang, Brother Liang, I need you to help me with something!

What does Qin Xuan have that I don't?

Brother Meng, I have a matter.

All happens for a reason.

Regarding family, we both descend from important court ministers.

In education, we are also evenly matched.

Besides, I'm good at playing Chuiwan!

Why do the ladies only like him?

This is fu ling (poria fungus sweet rice) cake.

It can moisturize the skin and settle the stomach.

I don't want it!

Why not? I specially made this for you.

If you treat women equally nice, I'd rather not accept it.

Maybe it's due to my appearance!

I'm so handsome that ladies feel inferior to me.

- Right? - Song Jin.

Help me counsel Young Master Meng.

Come.

Brother Liang, Brother Liang!

Young Master Meng.

- Min'er. - Elder Sister.

Where were you just now?

Lord Liang from Firewood Office taught me Chuiwan.

Liang Yi?

When did you get acquainted with him?

I never got acquainted with him.

He was just patient enough to teach me Chuiwan as he saw I was bad at it.

Also, I met him once before at Duke Ying Manor.

Miss, have some water.

Okay, thank you.

Last round.

Ladies, please place an earring as a keepsake.

Gentlemen, please present a marked folding fan as a keepsake.

Madam will pair you up.

Men and women will get paired.

The final winners will get the grand reward from the Noble Consort.

I think you are coming after me today.

You are right. I'm coming after you today.

Qiu Yan is very cunning. Don't mix with her.

I think you were in Firewood Office too long.

You think everyone is a criminal.

Her marriage with He Family was annulled.

She is distressed about a ruined future.

So she wants to use tricks to seduce a stately house.

She has her eye on your lineage, Duke Ying Manor.

Liang Yi, I think you have a deep bias against Miss Qiu Yan.

Let's make a bet on the last round.

If I win, I hope you will stop

meddling between Qiu Yan and me.

Why are you so stubborn?

You don't believe anything I say.

Which earring belongs to Miss Qiu Min?

Madam, this one.

Timing and Subtitles by 🍂 The Autumn Ballad 🍁 Team @viki.com

♫ The roof's eave blocks the moon, letting through only a shimmer ♫

♫ Your sweet smile warms my heart ♫

♫ As if the night haze were a silk garment ♫

♫ Only your appearance can bring color to the silk ♫

♫ Looking in your direction ♫

♫ All the images flood my mind ♫

♫ As I trace your eyebrows ♫

♫ I am willing to wait a lifetime for you ♫

♫ The roof's eave blocks the moon, letting through only a shimmer ♫

♫ Your sweet smile warms my heart ♫

♫ As if the night haze were a silk garment ♫

♫ Only your appearance can bring color to the silk ♫

♫ Seeing loved ones parting ways ♫

♫ I hope the story goes your way ♫

♫ I remember your promise ♫

♫ I am willing to wait a lifetime for you ♫

[Produced by Quhe Film Pictures Production (Beijing) Co., Ltd.]

[Produced by Shanghai Tencent Penguin Film Culture Communication Co., Ltd.]