Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Eeny, Meeny, Miny, 2nd ML Team@Viki

"Soft Thistles Blossoms" - Sabrina Zhuang

♫ When the flowers bloom in the afternoon ♫

♫ The signs of spring are fading ♫

♫ An encounter of destiny ♫

♫ I'm not ready and prepared to be caring and gentle ♫

♫ A swan walks with its head held high ♫

♫ Its ambition is spreading far and wide ♫

♫ Over mountains and rivers, waving at the brilliant sun ♫

♫ Take the first step toward realizing one's full potential ♫

♫ Devotedly pursuing my initial aspiration ♫

♫ I'll hold onto my devotion while laughing away my worries ♫

♫ I'll keep moving forward ♫

♫ With these courts standing ♫

♫ Bring justice to people ♫

♫ Rainbows will come after storms ♫

♫ Plans and schemes are all entangled ♫

♫ If we remain committed ♫

♫ At the end of the story ♫

♫ With a great legacy left behind, who will fear ♫

♫ All the years to come ♫

[Miss Chun is a Litigator]

[Episode 15]

Old Madam, I know the idea of me being a litigator doesn't appeal to you.

My father and grandfather were against it because they were conservative.

They didn't want me in court.

But if anyone says anything against me,

they will always defend me, because we're family.

The same goes for Madam, if I have younger brothers and sisters,

I will always defend them because we're family.

And this is what families do.

Mother,

Dashan is highly appreciated.

Tumi is considerate.

Besides, we're family.

Of course, they won't hesitate to help us.

Besides, it's a serious matter.

How can we deal with it by ourselves?

It's not so serious. It's not a big deal. And I'll be fine.

Take her away once you have food.

Tumi is doing so well. Your husband, too.

Go with them and do not come back.

Old Madam, we know what's going on.

Why are you so stubborn?

I'm not.

Just treat my daughter well. Think of her as family.

Take care of her and her unborn child.

Leave the rest to me.

Just go.

Mother, people of the Fan family threw dead chickens and ducks in our yard.

How's that fine?

I'm an upright citizen. No one can frame me.

Mother, Dashan is here to help.

People of the Fan family are barbarians.

We can't easily get rid of them.

Tumi. You have a way to file lawsuits against them, right?

They made a scene. The government office will intervene.

Who cares?

If they keep coming, I'll hire some local hooligans to guard our residence.

In court, we have local litigators.

Or I'll spend a fortune and get someone from You State.

I'll find a way.

Since Old Madam has a thorough plan,

we'll stay out of it then.

I…

I certainly have a thorough plan.

If I want a litigator, I'll get the best who costs the most.

Mother, they all try to take advantage of you.

Tumi is much better.

She knows the distinguished officials.

Maybe the magistrate will do us a favor.

Tumi, you said you'd help me, right?

I thought we were family. But Old Madam seemed to disagree.

In that case, let's keep clear accounts.

Old Madam, I ask for payment as a litigator.

My rate varies depending on my opponent.

So you're also doing this to get money from me.

No problem. Name your price.

I've worked with the Highest Judiciary before.

That makes it 500 taels. I want 1,000 taels extra if I win.

1,500 taels?

With that kind of money, I can get the best litigator in Laishui or even You State.

Why would I waste it on you?

Well, well. You're trying to take advantage of me?

In your dreams.

Tumi, don't listen to her.

I'll take the deal. I'll pay from my pocket.

Please help my mother. She didn't do anything.

Madam, Guo'er is doing chores for the inspectors.

I need a maid. Can I borrow Xiao Qin for a while?

All right.

- Search around. - Understood.

You're following me?

You knew I was hiding under the bed.

I didn't know you had no sense of direction and couldn't even make it out of the forest.

Come on.

Leave me alone.

Let me go!

I said let me go!

Let go!

You're crying over this? I thought you were tough.

I'm not crying.

You're totally crying.

I said I'm not crying.

This kind of injury is nothing.

Fine, if you say so.

Apply it every day.

Here.

I said I'm not crying.

Fine, you're not crying.

Young Master, that was all I had to say.

Young Master, you know Ink Dance Pavilion is the life's work of His Majesty.

He hopes that you can prioritize the mission.

You're a young man. It's normal for you to like someone.

But it's not the time for romance.

Young Master, His Majesty gave you this essential task

to prepare you as the future owner of Ink Dance Pavilion.

Please don't let him down.

This...

is a letter from His Majesty.

The inkstone is still not found.

Our great cause relies on it.

As a member of the pavilion, you're obligated to help.

It's your duty.

Only a man carrying great missions can manage his own life.

Once you fulfill the task, we will reunite as father and son.

[Complaint]

[Increased Happiness Guesthouse]

I've hired Mr. Wu, the known litigator from Chang'an, with a handsome payment.

He's handled several important cases in the capital.

- Mother. - Wife.

Old Madam must be doing this for a reason.

How about this?

Stay here for now.

I'll pick you up after the inspection trip.

If anything happens, send a messenger to inform us.

Old Madam cherishes her dignity.

It upsets her to have us here.

Father, Tumi.

Honey, I don't think it's a good idea.

Old Madam, bad news. Old Madam.

What's the fuss? Where are your manners?

The government officers are here.

What for?

Laishui's government office accepted the lawsuit.

According to the regulations, both parties shall be detained.

Xu Qing, the suspect.

It's me.

Come with us.

Madam.

- Mother. - O-Old M-Madam.

Mother.

Wife.

- Wife. - Madam.

Are you okay?

Xiao Qin, help her get back to the room.

Madam.

Madam is not so well after the shock.

Old Madam is detained. The Xu residence is in chaos.

Your grandfather and I will stay and help.

Tumi, once you get back to the inn, take care and rest plenty.

Let Xiao Qin run the errands for you if it's not important.

Don't do everything by yourself.

I get it.

What about the case trial?

Judging from what she said, Old Madam didn't want our help.

But I want to see it. I have doubts about this case.

We're on an inspection tour.

We should find wrongful convictions.

All right.

I'll come with you to the trial.

Remember? The shop owner said that there were places around the lake that were often visited by scholars.

Old Master was a recognized scholar and loved to hold poem salons there.

The man who jumped into the lake never surfaced.

And Old Master is missing until now.

You think there's a link between these two events?

It's just a possibility. I'm just assuming. I'm not sure.

Check the crime scene first.

Let's go.

Brother Ye, this is the crime scene.

Look at all these cargoes.

This one happens to block the view from the shore.

So…

Brother Ye, do you think it's cut by a knife?

Not a knife. A blunt object.

Blunt object?

I got it.

What?

I figured it out.

Help me find someone first.

Here.

M-Miss Chun.

Why aren't you at the Xu residence and hiding here?

Miss Chun. I may have been a maid. But I can't work for the Xu family forever.

I've aged. My health condition is deteriorating.

Therefore, I quit the job.

Is there a problem?

Why do you have to leave when Old Madam is in trouble?

It's just a coincidence.

I told Old Madam about it earlier.

She agreed to it.

What a coincidence.

I'm going to visit Old Madam tomorrow.

Let's see what she says.

Miss Chun.

Miss Chun, don't tell Old Madam where I am.

Please, Miss Chun. Please. I…

Answer my questions.

What happened to the Xu family?

Old Master loved discussing poems

and often stayed out.

Some days ago, Old Master stayed out for days.

Old Madam got mad and sent people to look for him but couldn't find him.

Old Madam chose to hide it so that she wouldn't be ridiculed.

She told everyone that he went on a trip for amusement.

But she couldn't keep it a secret forever.

People in the Fan family are poor and greedy.

Old Master has been helping them out for years.

Now that he disappeared, those people lost their income.

They couldn't lose their cash cow

and made a fuss about it to blackmail Old Madam.

Miss Chun, I didn't want to betray Old Madam.

But I had no option.

So you also think that Old Madam killed Old Master?

No.

But what if she did?

Maidservant Wang served Old Madam for years but chose to flee once something went wrong.

But I get it. She finally freed her son from slavery.

And he managed to marry a citizen.

Maidservant Wang's grandson can take the imperial exam.

If Old Madam is convicted, she can't get away with it,

then her grandson's future is ruined.

For her family, it's understandable that she wants to stay away from the controversy.

I'm just scared that someone may use her to testy against Old Madam.

She fled from the Xu family to stay out of this case.

She will run again once approached by the Fan family.

I hope so.

Why's it out?

It's fine.

It's fine. Just a toad.

Let's go.

Brother Ye, will we hang out like this forever?

Of course.

In a few days, though.

Why?

I have things to do.

I'll be back in a few days.

You're leaving?

How come you haven't mentioned it before?

I promise I'll come back as soon as possible.

Do you need my help with something?

No.

I just feel lost because you're leaving.

I don't think that's it.

Tell me what you need. I'll help you.

Nothing.

You have things to do.

Do your things first.

I'll help you one last time.

After that, I'll take care of my business.

All right.

Melons.

Sir, try the melons.

Sweet and juicy.

I promise.

Not bad.

Why are you selling melons here at this hour?

My wife will give me a hard time if I don't sell them all.

Sir, please do me a favor and get all my melons.

I'll give you a discount.

All right. We'll take all your melon.

Thank you, Sir.

Nice melons.

Sir, is the post full of officers these days?

Not officers.

Just a bunch of workers.

It's just that we serve people and they imprison people, right?

Watch it.

Guys, carry the melons to the kitchen.

All right, let's pay up.

You helped my business.

I'm more than grateful.

Let me carry those for you.

Just rest.

- Okay, thanks. - Thanks.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

We changed the cuisine based on your requirement.

Please have some, Miss.

How do I eat with you all staring at me?

You, stay. The others, get lost.

What?

Han Feng put so many guards around the post, even on the rooftop.

You think I'll run away?

It's not like that.

Let's go.

What are you doing?

I just came back from Lord Kang's room.

- I'm heading to my home. - Hurry up.

Leave it.

I'm going to bed now.

Understood.

Who is it?

I-It's you?

Yes, who else can it be?

Why are you in my room?

To see you, of course.

Please don't find me rude.

You're such a busy man.

You can't come to see me. So I came to see you.

Nonsense.

You kept me here.

I'm wasting my time if I don't talk business with you.

I've been catering to your needs for days and you wouldn't talk.

Now you're in my room at this hour...

for business?

Of course, you think I'm lying?

You searched my desk?

- No, I didn't. - Really?

Really. I'd be gone by now if I stole something.

Let's talk business.

Before that, what are you offering?

How dare you negotiate terms with me?

What are you doing?

You came to a man's room in the middle of the night.

Are you...

young and naive or simple and innocent?

What are you doing?

While I still have the patience, think about what to say before coming again.

You…

- Vicious woman! Vile creature! - Vile Creature?

I supported your entire family.

- And you're suing me? - You vicious woman.

I'll make you pay for the murder.

You're full of nonsense.

I was blind back in the day to marry your brother and be your relative.

G-Get off me!

- You have a lover out there. - Nonsense!

Mr. Fan, calm down.

You're family.

The magistrate is here.

Nonsense.

Mr. Fan, calm down.

Who are you? Present yourselves.

My Lord, I am Xu Qing.

My Lord, I am Fan Bai, the second son in the Fan family.

What's your relationship with Fan Jian?

He is my husband.

My Lord, he is my older brother.

Why are you in court today?

- My Lord... - My Lord, this vicious woman killed my brother.

I swear I'll make her pay.

- Please do me justice. - Watch your manners.

Pardon him, My Lord.

Fan Bai misses his big brother and may seem to be a bit aggressive.

Since you're his litigator, tell me why he's suing Mrs. Xu.

As his litigator, I've written everything down in the statement.

My Lord.

Fan Jian disappeared some days ago.

The Fan family asked the Xu family for an explanation.

But the Xus kept the door closed.

Fan Bai was scared that his brother had been killed by this vile woman,

and thus filed a lawsuit.

Please bring justice to the victim, be he dead or alive.

Lord Kang, why did you summon me?

I heard that the trial of the Xu family went wrong. So I asked you here for an update.

You haven't recovered, but you know everything.

The Xu family is wealthy in Laishui.

Old Madam Xu is known to be domineering and bossy.

And with Old Master Fan missing,

the Fan family wanted to make it huge.

It's hard to miss out on that.

It's very complicated.

Mr. Fan's litigator made Old Madam's servants testify that Old Madam had been bullying Old Master for years.

Then he claimed that Old Master was in fact killed by Old Madam.

Old Madam has no respect for her husband.

"Old Master" is nothing but a title.

Old Madam has full control over him.

Old Madam is very bossy.

She scolds us very often and even beats us up.

I was the one who went to check on Old Master.

He had bruises all over his body.

Old Madam Xu and Old Master Fan have a unique way of getting along.

But it doesn't prove that Old Madam Xu killed Old Master Fan.

Even the best judge can't judge family matters.

Their unhappy marriage cannot be blamed on Old Madam Xu only.

Every coin has two sides. A one-sided story is not enough.

Fan Jian has passed the imperial exam.

But he forgot the teachings of the sages and pursued wealth and vanity.

He voluntarily married into the Xu family for wealth while his parents were still alive.

Is such a man noble and respectable?

Old Madam Xu's litigator was diverting the subject.

He was making a distraction.

But they're suing Old Madam for Old Master's disappearance.

They even think that Old Madam has killed him.

It's not just a matter of money.

It's one argument.

Old Master asks for money all the time.

If we disobey, he will threaten to blame the deficits on us.

Old Master gets things and eats for free. And he takes his family there.

We can't even do business like that.

When Old Madam is not around, Old Master often harasses us

and threatens to sell us to brothels if we dare to disobey him.

Old Master wanted to get concubines, which was normal.

On the contrary, the Old Madam did not fulfill her duties as a wife and never had a child with him.

It put her in a disadvantaged position.

They keep debating about the disputes between the couple.

But no one knew what happened on the day when he disappeared.

Family Xu's litigator really needs a breakthrough.

Lord Kang, have you heard that someone drowned in the lake but never surfaced?

Did Family Xu's litigator say it was Old Master?

He was sure about it.

Magistrate Shan sent people over to search for the body and found nothing.

Family Xu's litigator was sure that it was Old Master.

He must have found witnesses.

Yes.

I did my homework before the court trial.

I asked around with Fan Jian's portrait.

Fan Jian had a nightmare and got haunted.

He screamed as he ran away from the residence and drowned in the lake.

Many people saw it.

A man running and screaming with his hair untied.

Those are ambiguous descriptions.

Also, it was night when it happened.

How can they be so sure that man was Fan Jian?

Old Madam's litigator believed that Old Master was possessed by evil spirits and jumped into the lake.

But he also said that many people followed him and there was a bright light.

How can he convince us that it's a story about ghosts?

It's self-contradictory.

If that man was indeed Old Master Fan, I'm afraid it's not that simple anymore.

If they could…

That was a breakthrough for family Fan's litigator.

My Lord, please call our witness,

the most trusted maid of Old Madam Xu, Maidservant Wang.

Sustained.

My Lord, the witness is here.

Maidservant Wang, tell us everything you know.

You're just a maid.

What your lady did had nothing to do with you.

Just tell us everything and you can go home.

But if you're suspected as an accomplice,

your family will be doomed.

My Lord, Old Master loved traveling and often stayed out.

Usually, Old Madam wouldn't mind it.

But these days, Madam was sent there by her husband.

Old Madam was enraged and wanted to reason with her son-in-law in You State,

but she ran into Old Master who was taking part in a poetry salon at a residence.

For some reason, Old Master asked for a concubine and threatened

to divorce Old Madam if she didn't allow it.

Old Madam was infuriated and chased him around to hit him.

Old Master begged for mercy, but Old Madam didn't care.

She said, "You married into my family."

"Even your life is mine. I swear I'll kill you today."

Old Master said he'd kill himself and ran away.

Old Madam said, "Yeah, go ahead."

"I bet you don't have the guts for it."

But Maidservant Wang's testimony only proves that the last person Old Master saw before he disappeared was Old Madam.

Even though they fought, Old Madam Xu stayed with the servants.

That's her alibi.

But her final remark can make her an easy target.

Fan Jian was a healthy man with academic achievements and his wife was rich.

Why would he kill himself?

He must have felt humiliated by someone.

Even so, Old Master Fan jumped into the lake by himself.

It doesn't prove that Old Madam Xu didn't do anything.

Or they're accusing her of accidental murder?

Our law stipulates that both intentional and accidental murders are murders in nature.

Family Fan's litigator used this and argued that verbal attacks can also be lethal weapons.

My Lord, Old Madam Xu may have been providing for her husband,

but she's been tormenting him psychologically for over two decades.

And she humiliated him that day, which made him commit suicide.

Even though she didn't push him into the lake, she did kill him in another way.

Couples should be the closest.

What happened between them?

How did it end up like this?

I have another question.

Why didn't the body float in the water?

I heard that good swimmers could stay underwater for quite a long time.

Could it be that Fan Jian was the one running,

but the one who jumped…

The one who jumped into the lake could be someone else.

My Lord, Old Madam Fan has two sons.

Fan Jian, the older. Fan Bai, the younger.

I once heard that Fan Bai is an excellent swimmer.

Even the fish couldn't stay underwater longer than him.

Fan Jian is his older brother.

They must look alike from the back.

Maybe they colluded to frame Old Madam Xu to take over her properties.

Brothers usually look alike.

Also, Fan Bai knows how to swim.

Everything fits perfectly.

You haven't seen Fan Bai.

Family Xu's Litigator, it seems that you don't know how my brother looked.

Ask this vile woman why she was so eager to marry my brother.

It's because he was handsome.

Family Xu's litigator didn't get enough information on the Fan brothers.

He thought it was a powerful strike, but made a fool of himself and lost credibility.

We need evidence to raise a possibility.

Without evidence, the judge wouldn't agree with his argument and would listen to the Fan's family litigator.

So, Old Madam may be convicted.

Mrs. Xu, I'm giving you one more chance because you're a poor woman

and keep saying that you're innocent.

If you still can't defend yourself,

I won't show mercy. As the magistrate, I will stick to the law.

- My Lord, I… - My Lord.

This woman is a vile creature.

We have solid evidence.

My Lord, please bring justice to my poor brother.

My Lord, we have all the facts on the table.

Mrs. Xu made the victim desperate, refused to rescue him, and hid the truth.

A fine is not enough for those three crimes.

Please do her justice with severe punishment.

Let us get Fan Jian out of the lake and buried to rest in peace.

Mrs. Xu killed her husband due to domestic disputes.

There is solid evidence.

I hereby announce that...

- Mrs. Xu- - My Lord, wait.

W-Who are you?

My Lord, my name is Chun Tumi.

I came to court to represent Old Madam Xu.

So you took on the case.

Yes.

At 1 p.m. tomorrow, the second trial will be heard next to the lake.

In that case, let me raise a toast to you with tea.

Wish you success in the trial.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Eeny, Meeny, Miny, 2nd ML Team@Viki

"Spring Light" - Shuang Sheng

♫ Wind chimes jingling in the middle of the night ♫

♫ You're the roots for the blooming flowers ♫

♫ Like yesterday's twilight, geese have already embarked on their journey ♫

♫ When you're by my side ♫

♫ A sweet feeling of ever-growing longing is hard to hide ♫

♫ I see you without looking at you ♫

♫ Spring makes me hope for more romantic moments ♫

♫ Flowers are still blooming and dreams haven't ended ♫

♫ Our love can't be contained as we wander the world together ♫

♫ We'll be together through fates many twists ♫

♫ Wherever you go, it's endless Spring for me ♫

♫ We'll continue the journey over mountains and rivers, into the setting sun ♫

♫ Our love can't be contained as we wander the world together ♫

♫ We'll be together through fates many twists ♫

♫ Wherever you go, it's endless Spring for me ♫

♫ We'll continue the journey over mountains and rivers, into the setting sun ♫