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 9]

Here's the Firewood Office's dressing room.

Song Jin,

pick two costumes.

Master.

Miss Qiu Yan, try this on.

Let me see.

I want a different one.

I want this one.

Do I pretend to be a servant boy?

You want to order me around again.

You want to reenact the scene at Calling Crane Building.

Lord Liang, please remember we're currently working together.

But Miss Qiu Yan, you and my lord are going to Wanyan House.

She's right.

We're working together. She can pretend to be whomever she wants.

Song Jin, help stick a mustache on her.

No need. I'll do it myself.

I know how to stick it. I've watched operas.

Help yourself then.

Song Jin, leave her be. Help me change.

Sure.

Song Jin, what do you think?

I didn't expect Miss Qiu to look quite handsome in men's clothing.

Lord Liang.

Childish.

You're here.

Is everything going well?

He's already dead.

It's all thanks to your timely notice.

Oh.

Since he's already dead, shouldn't you honor the promise

you made me before?

I know you're talking about Miss Shao Yao.

But she can't go with you.

Why?

Because I never planned to let you live!

[Wanyan House]

[Wanyan House] [The Sights and Beauty of Spring]

Sir, please come in.

Come and take a look! Come in and have some fun!

Come in.

What are you doing?

You better remember that you're a man now.

It smells so nice.

Why didn't you send anyone to inform Qin Xuan?

If he knows, he'll worry and come along.

Then our target scope will be wider.

Also, I don't want him at risk for me.

You're thoughtful of him.

Since I'm one who climbs the social ladder,

of course, I can't let my benefactor take risks.

I'm telling you. After entering Wanyan House,

as long as you follow whatever I say,

I won't let you be in any danger.

- Song Jin. - Yes, Master.

Set six hours as the time limit.

If I don't exit then, directly go in and get me.

Yes, Master.

Have you made up your mind?

Do you really want to enter?

Since we're already here, say no more.

Then remember your role,

play to the end, even if clenching your teeth to endure it.

Of course.

- Sir, you're here. - Let's go inside for fun!

[Wanyan House]

Miss!

Let's go back to the room.

Miss!

I'll catch...

I've caught you!

Let me see where you can run off to.

Wait for me!

What do you think? Do you like it here?

Yes.

You still have time to leave.

I won't.

Hello, Sirs. You must be new here.

You don't look familiar at all.

Is this your first time to our Wanyan House?

My friend and I are in the tea business.

Rarely, we come to the capital.

Wanyan House's fame spreads far; we came to admire.

How should I address you two, Sirs?

My surname is Song.

This young master's surname is Qin.

Yes.

Each girl's reputation here precedes her.

It's said every minute is worth 1000 gold coins (precious).

Whether it's worth a thousand gold

depends after we see them.

Of course.

Girls, come on out!

Isn't the miss we seek called Shao Yao? Why not directly ask for her?

We aren't regulars here.

It's too obvious if we ask for her.

So what?

Who leads in this kind of place?

You do.

You're a regular here. Of course, I must listen to you.

What did you just say?

Madam, this friend of mine is still a young lad.

His skin is thin (shy).

Then I'll find a caring, thoughtful girl for Master Qin.

He had a different taste from others since young.

Are there any special ones?

"Special ones"?

We do! Wait, just wait here.

Thank you, Madam.

You can just do these things yourself.

Why did you get me involved?

Behave yourself, Brother Qin.

If you were content as my servant boy, you wouldn't get involved.

But you picked this role,

and we entered as friends.

Will you be the upright one, and I'm the immoral one?

This servant's name is Xia He.

Sir, am I soft enough?

Sir, don't go.

Pick me. I'm the most voluptuous here.

Brother Qin, calm down.

You're scaring her.

Pick me.

Help me.

Please help me.

- Madam. - Sir, pick me.

I finally understand now.

You look down on us since we're inexperienced.

You don't even bring us good ones.

Sirs, why do you say that?

Before I came here, a friend said

that Miss Shao Yao of Wanyan House is a charming girl.

Why send this girl and not Miss Shao Yao to see us?

"Shao Yao"?

Your eyes fail to see.

It's not that I purposely hid her.

Shao Yao did a wrong before.

It's against the rule for her to entertain guests.

I don't care if it's against the rule. I must see Shao Yao today.

Hey! Hey!

All right then.

I'll make an exception for Master Qin today.

Follow me.

Sirs, this way, please.

She pretended to be reluctant just to extort more money.

I must say, you were generous there.

Just get reimbursed from the public account.

Don't say Firewood Office can't afford this public spending?

Who says we can get reimbursed from the public account?

I say, that was my salary!

I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!

- Madam, have mercy on me! - You're still so careless!

You darn girl, I'll skin you alive later.

Pardon me, Sirs.

This girl is always so clumsy.

Forget it. I'll help her compensate for this tea set.

Take this.

Take it. Why aren't you thanking him?

Thank you, Sirs. Thank you, Sirs.

Let's go, Madam.

All right. Sirs, this way, please.

How do you still have money?

Old Liu, stop cleaning.

- Quickly go help out front. - Yes, Madam.

Sirs, this way, please.

Sirs, come in, please.

Shao Yao greets my two benefactors.

You have no idea I was confined for days.

It's all thanks to you both for getting me out.

Brother, weren't you usually jovial?

Come, Miss Shao Yao. There's no rush.

Let's put your clothes back on.

This brother of mine is shy by nature.

How about we chat first?

So you two want some refined enjoyment.

I wonder if you want to discuss poetry or enjoy pleasure of-

Don't you think mentioning pleasure at a brothel is needless?

As for poetry,

isn't that even more awkward?

I don't think you spent money here

just to hear talk of scenes in the capital, right?

Miss Shao Yao, why not tell me about yourself?

So naughty. What is there to say about me?

Then have you met any interesting people?

Do you mean interesting guests?

I find you two are quite interesting.

Have you met any you find extremely annoying then?

Here, Sirs.

Never mind about this guy.

Let's enjoy this ourselves.

What a thing to say.

They're all my paying customers.

How ridiculous or indecent they behaved, it's not that annoying.

If you must mention annoying ones,

it's customers who don't pay.

Are there such stingy customers?

Can't you decline to see them?

Here.

Normally, the madam would chase away such customers.

But only one visits all the time without paying,

yet I can't refuse him.

Because he is Tao Zhu Gong's subordinate.

- Then... - "Tao Zhu Gong"?

He is Wanyan House's owner.

Speaking of this Tao Zhu Gong,

I think no one has seen his face except Madam Chen.

No one even knows his name.

That's why we call him Tao Zhu Gong in private.

Your boss sure is a mysterious person.

I just don't understand why he hired such a lowly subordinate.

He looks like a refugee fleeing from famine.

Then have you given him anything before?

Why would I give anything to that kind of person?

But I just recall,

a few days ago, the nameplate I hung in the main hall went missing.

Now I think of it, he must be the one who took it.

Then-

Then when was the last time he saw you?

Speaking of that, I coincidentally ran into him when I came to see you.

But it seems he was going to see Tao Zhu Gong.

Then did he...

You two don't look like businessmen.

You look like you're from the government office.

Don't run!

Why do I find those two people just now a bit strange?

Keep a close watch on Shao Yao's room.

Don't cause any trouble.

Yes, Madam.

Besides listening to other people's stories,

why not do something more interesting

with me?

Sir, don't be nervous.

Wanyan House incense has a powerful aphrodisiac effect.

Whether they're a regular or a newcomer to Wanyan House,

I can assure you won't be disappointed and go home with satisfaction.

You... you don't have one!

Couldn't you make your move sooner?

I don't need your interference when to act.

She won't wake up tonight, right?

Don't worry. She won't wake before daybreak.

Who's there?

Sirs, Madam Chen told me to send a contraceptive to Miss Shao Yao.

She doesn't want it.

According to Wanyan House rules, every girl needs to drink it.

Sir.

Don't waste my time. Leave.

Yes, Sir.

Why is it so hot?

Madam, I've checked.

Those two new faces aren't fishy.

At this moment, with Shao Yao...

Seems I was oversensitive.

But it's better to be safe than sorry at this time.

Go lead Official Yao, who's waiting outside, to the back courtyard.

Yes, Madam.

Here, have some water.

What's wrong with me?

The room's fragrance is too strong.

What did you try to do to me just now?

You clearly wanted to do something to me.

Don't worry.

Even if I have the urge, I won't pick you.

Quickly fix your clothes. We have work to do.

By the way,

I won't tell anyone what happened just now, especially Qin Xuan.

Thank you for your kindness (sarcasm).

We're here to investigate a case.

Even if you tell him, he'll understand.

Since this room's incense has a miraculous effect,

why didn't it affect you much?

I learned martial arts since young. Am I like ordinary people?

I thought you had some unspeakable disease.

I dare you to say that again.

I was just kidding.

If this Shao Yao is telling the truth,

the old man who monitored Xiao Tie is Tao Zhu Gong's subordinate.

Then this Tao Zhu Gong is likely the main culprit in printing the fake bank notes.

Then this Wanyan House is actually a cover.

So it's convenient for officials and nobles to buy fake bank notes here.

This is only our assumption.

Next, we must catch them red-handed.

Since they exchange the fake bank notes here,

there must be a warehouse too.

I believe Xiao Tie's murderer must be there.

Wait.

You've made many mistakes the moment you entered Wanyan House.

If you didn't rush to spend a lot of money to see Shao Yao,

the madam wouldn't become suspicious and send someone to check on us.

It's my first time in a place like this.

I don't have any experience.

But in the end, nothing went wrong.

Criminals don't care if you have experience or not.

If you want to continue investigating with me,

follow my orders on everything.

If you want me to follow your orders, be reasonable first.

Drink slowly.

Come here.

Pour it.

Have you seen the madam?

It's the attendant.

What is it?

I know that person.

He's the administrative clerk at Council of State.

Let's follow him.

Madam, Lord Yao has arrived.

Lord Yao, it's been a while.

Madam Chen, have you been well?

Go back and watch the brothel.

Yes, Madam.

These are cash notes worth 500 taels for 15 pieces of yours.

[Ding Rong Banknotes, 100 taels]

Lord Yao, this won't do.

You should know Wanyan House's rules.

First, we don't accept cash since it's hard to transfer.

Second, we don't accept bank notes since it's hard to keep.

You should bring something more decent.

This is our Yao family's heirloom.

If put on the market, its value is no less than 800 taels.

Madam Chen, please stay. I know the way out.

Gently! Gently!

This is it.

Let's quickly go inform Song Jin and shut Wanyan House down immediately.

We mustn't.

With only these few fake notes,

if they deny it to the end or be killed like Xiao Tie,

they'll only be charged with circulating fake notes at most.

So you want to find Tao Zhu Gong first?

Why do you think I came in person?

Just to catch some small fry?

If you ask me,

since a secret passage is here,

we should let Song Jin confiscate it before doing anything.

Or else it's too risky with just us.

Do you still want to investigate?

I must say, why hold me so tightly?

It's too dark. I can't see.

You're scared, right?

Only you saw the murderer's face.

To capture the murderer, you must come along.

You said that yourself.

Let go of me!

So annoying.

You really can't tell

there's such a huge maze tunnel

under Wanyan House.

This must be a naturally formed underground cavern.

So the route is not straight but complex.

Tao Zhu Gong probably liked this natural cavern

so he built Wanyan House above it.

I must say you're quite smart

lighting the path for yourself.

Do you think

you can handle this place without me?

What?

We already walked to this point; no need to pretend anymore.

I really don't know where you get your confidence.

Let's go.

A d-d-dead body!

Is it him?

The white-haired old man from the refugee alley.

He was silenced like Xiao Tie.

It looks like the assassin is here.

Follow me.

We have less than 200 pieces left.

The duke and Minister Lu will send men here tomorrow night.

We could sell all of it.

Good. After tomorrow night, destroy everything here. Leave nothing behind.

I estimate it won't take many days

before those from the Firewood Office to find this place. [Yao]

What about the corpse?

Must I still teach you what to do?

Tao Zhu Gong, please don't be angry. I'll do it cleanly.

[Jia. Cao. Yao. Zhao]

As for these boxes,

don't worry about them.

I'll send some men over to move all these boxes out tomorrow night.

By the way,

tell the girls to leave early in the morning the day after tomorrow.

Just tell them Tao Zhu Gong already left the capital

and headed south a few days ago.

If the girls know,

then Firewood Office will know, too.

I'd like to see how those from Firewood Office

can capture a "Tao Zhu Gong" down south.

That person must be Tao Zhu Gong, right?

They wouldn't have expected

we could find Wanyan House this quickly.

Those three look like they practice martial arts.

See

if the assassin is one of them.

I... can't see clearly.

- Who's there? - Run!

Hide in there.

Hurry, call for help!

All right.

Don't think about running. Go to Firewood Office with us!

- Liang Yi! - Qiu Yan, run!

Wait for me.

I'll go this way.

Come back here! Come...

Something isn't right.

Did we come this way before?

Seems we went in circles.

Let's try this way.

The man who hid the crossbow just now

must have assassinated Xiao Tie.

Yet you didn't recognize him.

It was dangerous just now.

It was too dim for me to see clearly.

Qiu Yan, I'll ask you one more time.

Did you actually see the assassin's face?

Fine.

I admit.

I indeed lied to you.

But if I didn't do so,

you wouldn't bring me on the investigation.

No wonder you didn't want to come down here with me.

It wasn't you were scared. You worried your lies would be exposed.

Qiu Yan, do you know

the crime for obstructing Firewood Office's case?

I did lie to you.

But didn't you lie to me before for your own purpose?

If you must calculate it,

then we're both

no better than the other.

Do you think I'll show you mercy

no matter how crazy you behaved for Qin Xuan's sake?

All right. Then I beg my lord to kill me now.

No one else is in this dark tunnel to see anyway.

You can just tell them the bad guys killed me.

Okay.

If you act willfully again, I won't save you anymore!

Hey!

Did you forget what I said at the entrance?

Something is odd about this paper.

I'd be a fool to believe you again.

What's wrong with you?

I'm really not lying to you.

An odd smell is on these papers.

If you don't believe me, smell it.

This smell is Hongzhen Sect's Incense of Worship.

"Hongzhen Sect"?

The smell may be faint.

But the smell gets covered when it meets ink.

Incense of Worship smell is very unique.

There's no mistake about it.

In that case,

someone besides Ministry of Revenue supplies fake notes.

Hongzhen Sect may be in this, too.

This case is far more complex

than I'd imagined.

Let me check for other clues.

It's you?

Are you working for Tao Zhu Gong?

No! I'm not! Sirs, you've got it all wrong!

Why are you here?

I...

Hurry, speak.

I-I'm here to steal the cash notes.

Why exactly?

My name is Ping'er.

My father and I work at Wanyan House.

He's a porter at the entrance.

[Wanyan House]

Father.

Old Liu, stop cleaning.

Quickly go help out front.

Yes, Madam.

Sirs, this way, please.

My father always had poor health.

He needs medicine, but our monthly wages are just a few coins.

So I can only take the risk

to sell the things I stole.

How did you steal from this place?

At first, I stole from customers.

Then I stole from Madam Chen.

I found this place by accident.

I came to steal a fake note every five days.

Since I only stole one or two at a time,

they never noticed it.

I beg you, please spare me for being filial to my father.

If I go to prison, my father can't live on anymore.

That makes sense.

Come, quickly get up first and speak.

All right. From what you said, you came many times.

So you must know the tunnels here.

Do you know the other exit of the tunnel?

I think so. It's just I've never been there.

Show me, and I'll let you go.

Watch your steps.

It's right here.

Please come with me.

Looks like you guessed right.

Hongzhen Sect is indeed involved.

- This is bad. - What is it?

This is the Forbidden Garden.

"Forbidden Garden"?

His Majesty cultivates to be immortal and reveres Grand Preceptor Hong Zhen.

So His Majesty gave land in the capital's suburb

to build Hongzhen Holy Palace.

Besides His Majesty and Hongzhen Sect Masters,

outsiders cannot enter.

So it's the Forbidden Garden.

I came with His Majesty once for a ritual.

In that case,

the one behind Tao Zhu Gong

is the Grand Preceptor.

If that's the case,

this shocking case can shake the country's foundation.

We can't stay longer. Quickly leave.

Who's there?

Liang Yi from Firewood Office requests an audience with the Grand Preceptor.

Based on what you said,

Wanyan House's tunnel leads directly to my Forbidden Garden?

Yes.

If I wasn't after the villain,

I wouldn't dare break into Forbidden Garden

and disturb your rest.

I hope you can lift the restriction on Forbidden Garden and let Firewood Office search the place.

Outrageous! Forbidden Garden is Hongzhen Sect's holy place.

If you use force to solve this,

it'll anger Heaven and incur its wrath!

What is this so-called Heaven's wrath?

You clearly fear this scandal will be exposed to all.

Audacious! Apologize to Grand Preceptor now!

Grand Preceptor, I failed to teach her well.

She knows very well you have nothing to do with it.

I worry your sect's disciples are in this behind your back.

If several ungrateful disciples

affect His Majesty's trust in you,

I truly find it unfair to you, Grand Preceptor.

Miss, get up first.

Lord Liang, no need to put on an act for me.

If one from Hongzhen Sect does evil,

I'll never tolerate it if I find out.

I'm just afraid

someone deliberately frames me.

I truly admire your righteousness.

It's just if you investigate,

regardless of the outcome,

you'll be said to harbor the villains.

Lord Liang, are you doubting me?

I dare not.

It's actually very simple if you want to convince the public.

The suspect who escaped was injured in the leg.

If you gather all from Forbidden Garden

and let us check each one, you can prove Hongzhen Sect's innocence.

What a joke!

Why must I prove our innocence to Firewood Office?

What if Firewood Office insists on investigating?

Then I can only report to His Majesty,

you broke into Forbidden Garden at night with evil intent.

We'll let His Majesty choose between you and me.

Master, I saw a flustered Xuan Jing

go in the meditation room

with an injury, as I patrolled.

I asked him about it, but he won't answer.

I saw him act suspiciously

- Who is this person? - so I brought him here, Master.

Head of Hongzhen Sect, Ling Zheng.

The second person under Grand Preceptor.

Bring him here.

He's the one we were after.

Xuan Jing, are you really involved in the fake notes business at Wanyan House?

I take responsibility.

Punish me according to the sect's rules.

How dare you do such a shameful thing?

How will I face His Majesty in the future?

Grand Preceptor, please be calm.

Many disciples are in Hongzhen Sect. It's hard to find one or two vermin.

I'm sure His Majesty won't blame you.

I won't publicize this case, either.

I just need to take the suspect to Firewood Office

for careful questioning.

Lord Liang, you're truly transparent in handling things.

Ling Zheng, hand Xuan Jing to Lord Liang.

Grand Preceptor, I'll take my leave then.

This...

Lord Liang, you're truly skilled.

If I don't put effort in it,

how can I easily control you?

Seems you're the mastermind.

Lord Liang, your deduction is reasonable.

You solve cases speedily.

However,

I never expected

that you'd force me

to do it myself!

Ling Zheng,

are you insane?

How dare you point your sword at me?

Shut your stinky mouth!

Master, you cultivate with heart and soul

so you didn't know Forbidden Garden already fell into my hands.

The current emperor already nears his end.

How much longer can he dote on you?

When Crown Prince succeeds the throne,

Hongzhen Sect will first meet its doom!

The fake notes profit

is used to bribe Crown Prince's trusted follower

to give our Hongzhen Sect a chance to survive.

What's so funny, Lord Liang?

I laughed about your well-played chess board and strategy.

But if Grand Preceptor and I

die at Forbidden Garden together,

how will you explain to His Majesty?

You're right about that, Lord Liang.

You're the emperor's favorite now.

If things didn't come to this point,

I didn't have to do this.

Why don't you end him for me

and frame the fake notes business on him.

When I become Grand Preceptor,

I'll surely repay you, Lord Liang.

You underestimate me too much.

Why should I listen to you?

Of course, you won't listen to me.

However, your beautiful friend

will have to die here today.

Fine.

Give me one night.

I shall wait for your news.

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.]