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 18]

Lord Liang?

Lord Liang.

Lord Liang, you're early today.

The rouge you told me about, I bought it for you.

Take a look. See if it suits you.

The shopkeeper always tells me they are out of stock.

But you got it so easily, Lord Liang.

Did you use your position to scare him into submission?

As long as I can see you smile, Miss Shi.

Thank you, Lord Liang.

Qiu Yan, why are you staring at Lord Liang?

You didn't even brew the tea.

Oh, no reason.

Lord Liang is all cold and distant when he goes about his business,

but today, I see him treat you so kindly,

and he even bought you rouge.

I learned something new about Lord Liang today.

I'll bring the tea leaves.

No need for that.

Go and get me some food. I haven't eaten today.

Yes.

It's so hot.

You were a handmaid a few days already,

yet you don't know how to serve properly?

What are you looking at?

Is Miss Shi the one to cool it down for me?

Taste it and see if it's still hot.

Do as you are told.

Lord Liang.

It's good now.

Disgusting.

But what I had just now was delicious.

Because you had too little.

It's bitter. Try it yourself.

It's delicious.

Try it again.

Something is wrong with your taste buds!

Taste it again. Stop wasting my time.

My taste buds can tell it took five hours brewing this fish broth.

There is no foul smell whatsoever.

You're just being extra picky.

Lord Liang always praises the chef here.

He wouldn't criticize the food.

Lord Liang must have seen how hard you work

and awarded you this bowl of soup.

Not at all. It does taste different today.

Miss, Master Qiu wants to see you.

Can't you see I'm busy with Lord Liang?

Of course, I can.

But Master Qiu is unsatisfied with the other girls here.

He wants you.

He also has Main Administrative Office people with him.

They said not to keep him waiting long.

My hands are tied, you see.

Miss, imagine this.

If they know you turn them down because of Lord Liang,

it will attract criticism.

Is Master Qiu the gentleman with a mole on his chin?

Yes, that's him.

Madam Wang, wait outside.

Miss Shi will be available soon.

Yes.

Qiu Yan, give us a moment.

Yes.

My lord, are you truly willing to hand me over to another man?

If you don't want to see him,

give him this.

Qiu Yan, I didn't expect to see you here.

Why are you here?

What did you promise Yuan Lang?

Why did he let you go?

Nothing. I just have to frame the entire family.

I'm not a criminal now.

I'm a key witness.

I negotiated with Official Yuan.

As long as he makes me happy, whatever testimony he wants,

I'll write it.

Even though Qiu blood doesn't flow in you,

Old Madam, Fourth Uncle and Aunt

cherished you more than a decade as one of their own.

Is any good conscience left in you?

I never asked to be part of Qiu Family,

but now, I have to.

Once Second Uncle is incriminated, I must lead the Qiu family.

Do you have no...

Master Qiu. Weren't you asking for me?

Why are you dallying with a servant?

I was waiting for you.

You're impatient, Miss Shi. Come. Let's go.

I'll make up for you.

Wait.

I'm busy now, Qiu Yan.

Qiu Di is a shameless scum.

Hurl all your insults at him, and still he won't feel a thing.

My enemy is in front of me, yet I can't do anything,

but watch him walk away arrogantly and have fun.

It's as if someone just stabs my heart.

Qiu Di is your enemy and also mine.

Don't worry.

Xiao Xiao. Wait for me tomorrow night.

Master Qiu, don't forget what I gave you.

Light it all night and when you return tomorrow,

you will experience otherworldly pleasures.

I know.

This, right? Do you think I'll forget?

Of course not.

All right. Bye.

No sign of a break-in,

no external wound either.

The coroner checked the corpse, no sign of poisoning either.

His cause of death is presumed to be asthma.

How can there be such a coincidence?

Who has he been in contact with?

Master, he went to Royal Academy and saw Miss Shi Xiao Xiao.

He was fine when he left Royal Academy.

Once he retired to his room, we stood guard and never left.

What meticulous planning.

Even if I suspect Royal Academy of foul play,

I can't do anything about it.

It's all my fault, Master.

Qiu Di said he wanted fun for a day.

I shouldn't have said yes.

I await my punishment.

It's all right. Get up now.

Thank you, Master.

I set Qiu Di free because I wanted to use him to frame Liang Yi

and ask His Majesty to punish him.

But now, Qiu Di is dead.

Qiu Yi will surely say he is the one behind the embezzlement.

No one else is involved.

Master, Liang Yi is a cunning foe, but he will slip up eventually.

Knowing how resourceful you are,

finding his weakness is a matter of time.

Just this morning,

His Majesty ordered

that all Qiu Family men be exiled to Gannan.

Either way,

Liang Yi's plan to ally with the Qiu family can't happen now.

We didn't do everything in vain.

I didn't summon you for a few days.

Do you perhaps feel left out?

You are a very busy man, Your Majesty.

I commit sin by failing to reduce your burden.

Therefore, I do not feel left out.

Not only you must stay out of the Qiu scandal;

I must avoid it, too.

You have a close relationship with Qiu Family.

If other ministers think I favor you

and judge the Qiu case leniently, that will mean trouble.

I'm fine with it.

Those ministers will just complain a bit more than usual,

but I'm worried

that they might try to impeach you.

Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.

Words cannot express my gratitude.

Fortunately, you did a good job with the Qiu family.

You annulled the marriage decisively too.

You view the bigger picture. I can see that.

Let me know which woman catches your eye.

I will arrange a marriage for you.

Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.

Master, what did His Majesty say?

Nothing in particular, he just consoled me.

Since His Majesty is willing to see you,

it means His Majesty starts to trust you again.

So the Qiu scandal is over now?

We can start buying the Qiu women's freedom.

Let's go to Master Qin. He will help us.

Qin Xuan has the spirit but he doesn't have the final say.

Let's go to General He.

After he annulled Qiu Yan's marriage, his wife became bedridden.

He will not help us.

Then let's go to Marquis Yongming's wife.

Using someone close to me is like to doing it myself.

So Yuan Lang doesn't find our weakness,

we will spend a few days to find the best candidate.

It will rain soon; pack it all up.

Hurry, collect the laundry.

Did Madam Liu give you her work again?

Madam Liu was busy this morning making food for me.

She takes good care of me so I should do her work.

She just takes advantage of you, yet you...

Madam Liu is my elder.

An elder can punish the young to teach them.

She's not using me.

You're afraid of thunder.

If she really treated you well,

you would seek refuge with her now,

instead of doing two people's work alone.

You're just too weak to confront anything.

Even if you can't deal with her, you can come to me.

She is your biological mother. You can't do anything about it.

Madam Liu will never change.

I'm the one who gets scolded at the end.

Qiu Yan. You said I should wake up now.

But I would rather live in my dream than witness the truth.

Just let me believe Madam Liu is kind to me as before. All right?

Yes, Madam Liu will never change, but you can change yourself.

Don't be this weak.

Don't lie to yourself anymore.

Sister, the thunder is so loud.

Can you hug me?

Older Sister.

No one can help you forever.

You must rely on yourself one day.

No one can look after you forever.

[As Loyal as a Subject]

Isn't that Miss Shi?

It is her!

I wonder which nobleman's tea party managed to entice Miss Shi.

[Marquis Yongming's Manor]

Look! Look!

Come.

I am Miss Shi's housemaid from the Royal Academy.

I must prepare pear soup to soothe her throat.

May I ask where the kitchen is?

Walk along this path, and you'll find it.

Thank you.

The monk of Taiying Temple once told me

everything has a cause and effect, and that fortune

and misfortune eventually balance out.

The tougher your past is,

the more happiness you will have in the future.

At first, I sneered at those words.

But after I met you,

I really hoped what he said was true.

You are slimmer than the last time I saw you,

too thin.

You haven't been eating

or sleeping well

recently.

I know.

Because I suffer, too.

Qiu Yan.

I know you're Miss Shi's handmaid.

You attend this tea party with her.

No matter how hard I beg my mother,

she won't let me enter Marquis Yongming's Manor.

Out of my wits, I scaled the wall

and ended up falling.

I really want to see you.

I know you must have a reason why you want to cut ties with me.

But can you hear me out just this once?

I don't care if you're a criminal's daughter.

I don't care that you work in Royal Academy.

I just want to be with you.

No matter the hardship,

if it's you in the end, it'll be worth it.

Master Qin...

You ventured out alone, unaccompanied by Bei Xue.

He must be blamed for you in your residence

and is being punished by Madam Qin.

What did you just call me?

You want to sneak out so your servant is the scapegoat.

You want to see me, and should I greet you with a smile?

You don't mind I work at Royal Academy.

Do I kneel and thank your generosity with joyful tears?

I don't mean that.

If you truly wish me well as you claim,

then I have great news for you.

At the moment, I'm Miss Shi's handmaid.

I meet so many officials daily.

I have many targets now.

And now, I just have to pick the best among them

and use my trick to seduce him as I did to you.

Don't worry about me anymore.

I'm doing great now.

And I will do better in the future.

I must prepare pear soup for Miss Shi.

Master Qin, you're in my way.

♫ Meeting you when I was young ♫

♫ I already settled my heart on you ♫

♫ I can only wish to lay on the same pillow with you ♫

♫ I’ll draw your eyebrows ♫

Qiu Yan, I will wait for you!

No matter what you say, I'll always wait for you!

♫ For ten miles ♫

♫ The spring breeze is gentle as we gaze lovingly at each other ♫

♫ Never ending ♫

♫ As we join hands ♫

♫ For a lifetime together ♫

♫ Never changing ♫

Great!

Young Master Meng.

Play us another song!

- Great performance. Give us another. - Great performance.

So beautiful!

Well...

Young Master Meng.

Times have changed.

Even a mere courtesan

dares to disrespect you, an earl's son, so blatantly.

Perhaps she is superior to other women;

she has talents and a vision

of a higher class than other ladies.

What talent?

In the end,

she was just putting on airs and graces.

Miss Xiao Xiao, are you tired?

I'll only play again if it's quiet outside.

Making noise, throwing coins, how do they treat me?

Miss Shi, your pear soup.

Now, now. Don't be angry.

Look at how beautiful you are.

Miss Xiao Xiao.

You performed so well.

Why did you run off suddenly?

I felt unwell. Please forgive me, Young Master.

I know a courtesan's ways.

You may fool others with words, but not me.

You avoided me the moment I praised you.

Are you looking down on me?

You've misunderstood, Young Master Meng.

Out of my way!

I was just getting into the mood.

Who do you think you are?

My little support to cheer girls on,

and you act high and mighty with me.

Did you think you're some innocent girl?

In the end, you are but a wh...

Xiao Xiao, a Royal Academy rule:

Guests may not force the ladies.

Even Lord Liang was respectful and courteous in Miss Shi's company the other day.

Young Master Meng is a gentleman. Why act in such a manner?

The Qiu Family's second daughter,

who do you think you are?

Look at you.

You can't even be a Royal Academy lady; dare you lecture me?

All right. I can't do anything to her.

But I can certainly take care of you!

- Come here! - Let go of me!

- Come here... - Meng Yu!

If you don't stop, I'll hit you!

- Let me go! - Let me have it then!

Let go of me!

Who is it?

I...

What are you doing?

Miss Shi needs peace and quiet.

Liang Yi, I know you like Shi Xiao Xiao.

I didn't touch her.

It was her maid who offended me.

I am the son of Earl Yongyi.

She should be honored that I want her!

Besides, she offended you, too.

Get out.

- I... - Leave!

Fine.

Just wait. Wait and see. Just wait!

Are you all right, Miss Shi?

I'm used to it.

Qiu Yan, bring me a basin of water.

- I want to wash my face. - Yes.

I'll take my leave then.

Stop!

Why did you do that just now?

If I hadn't done something, Meng Yu would have...

It's normal for courtesans to encounter such things.

What can a little maid like you do?

Miss Shi treats me very well.

I can't watch her being forced against her will and not do something.

Why can't you learn to endure? Endure it!

Your father's case is closed.

He will be exiled to Gannan.

I'm asking around for one to redeem you.

Please behave yourself for the time being.

Don't cause any more trouble, all right?

Wait a moment.

I heard Qiu Di is dead.

Did you do it?

Master, ever since Liang Yi met with His Majesty,

he was contacting many officials and their family members lately.

But all Qiu Family men were exiled.

Is he doing all this to reverse the verdict on Qiu Yi's case?

Did he contact their family members too?

Yes.

No.

He wants to redeem the Qiu Family women.

So Liang Yi's ruthlessness at the raid

was all an act to deceive us.

It may seem he hit a man when he was down

by Royal Academy taking Qiu Family women as servants,

but he actually did that to protect their innocence!

Since he wants to protect their innocence,

we can't let him have his way.

Let all court officials see [Liang Yi. Deng Yuan. Chen Jin Hong]

what happens if they ally with Liang Yi.

It's a masterful move, Master. [Royal Academy: Qiu Women]

Liang Yi's plans will fall short.

Plus if he dares make a move,

we will be able to follow his trail

and prove his secret colluding with Qiu Family.

Summon to me the madam in charge of Royal Academy.

Understood.

[Royal Academy: Qiu Women]

[Liang Yi. Deng Yuan. Chen Jin Hong]

Why did Madam Wang ask us to come here suddenly?

Perhaps the verdict on Qiu Yi's case is decided.

What could it be?

- Madam Wang. - Greetings, Madam Wang.

We called all of you here today

to tell you

the verdict on Qiu Family's case was given.

Qiu Yi embezzled public funds.

All living males of the Qiu Family

have been exiled to Gannan.

"Exiled"?

Now a verdict was made, the Qiu Family women

must be punished as well.

Madam Wang.

From now on, all Qiu Family women

are officially registered in Royal Academy.

All may not be redeemed.

"May not be redeemed"?

What does that mean?

Qiu Yan previously went

to a tea party at Marquis Yongming's Manor with Miss Shi.

She stepped out of line and wounded Earl Yongyi's son.

Therefore, the Qiu Family women

are doubly guilty.

None may leave Royal Academy until your death.

Madam Wang! Why?

Lord Liang told me...

"Lord Liang"?

Royal Academy serves more than one official.

Royal Academy is under Ministry of Rites,

officially part of the government.

These are orders from above.

You are in no place to ask questions.

Not to leave until death...

Doesn't it mean we remain until we die?

If I wash toilet buckets here my entire life,

I would rather die.

My lord.

Rong'er.

Sister-in-law.

Oh my!

Whatever will we do?

You went through the effort and secretly arranged for Official Liu to redeem them.

But Ministry of Rites issued the orders.

They wouldn't even spare the women.

Yuan Lang is absolutely heartless!

[Royal Academy]

What's the matter, Miss?

It's your turn to sing tonight.

The guests are waiting.

Why aren't you getting ready yet?

Madam Wang, I don't feel well today.

I'm unable to sing.

But so many guests are waiting.

What will I tell them

if you don't sing tonight?

Qiu Yan. Tell Miss Yilan to come here.

Have her wear the golden veil to perform tonight.

Miss Yilan went to attend a tea party today.

Then have Qiao'er perform! Hurry!

A guest just asked for Qiao'er.

What will we do?

I have an idea perhaps we can try.

Dear Guests.

I, Qiu Yan, will give a humble performance today.

I will tell a story, "The Vermilion Bird Saves Its Master."

Once a rich man with the surname Ma lived in Anshun Village

in Taikang County, Wenzhou Prefecture.

The rich man had an old servant.

For years, he was dull-witted.

One day,

the old servant suddenly began to recite poetry

and performed cultivation techniques.

He said,

"I was originally the Vermilion Bird from above."

"I was sent to the mortal world."

"I have served my time."

"I will now return to Heaven."

"If any ever find yourselves in trouble,"

"shout, 'Vermilion Bird, help me!' And I will save you."

"With that, he flew away!"

Wang Shun. What do you think?

I didn't expect this. She is good.

Have a new nameplate made.

We'll put up Qiu Yan's nameplate tonight.

Right away.

"A pair of scissors covered in blood."

"And the corpse that had bled out beneath him"

"had long turned cold."

"Ma's son was falsely accused of murder"

"and sent to dungeons to await death."

"The execution was about to take place."

"Just as the guillotine fell,"

"Ma's son suddenly recalled the dull-witted old servant."

"He instantly shouted, 'Vermilion Bird, help me!' "

"Vermilion Bird, help me!"

Master, a message arrived from our Royal Academy informant.

Miss Qiu Yan...

They...

They put up her nameplate.

This way, Master.

- This way, please. - All right.

All right.

Master, I told someone to let Song Jin know

that the Qiu Family second daughter, Qiu Yan,

receives guests in Royal Academy front court today.

Now we wait and see if they come.

He's here.

Lord Liang.

Lord Liang. What a pleasant surprise.

Will you ask for Miss Shi again?

Madam Wang, I remember Qiu Yan was unruly and untamed.

At her house raid, she tried to escape.

Not long ago, she made trouble at Marquis Yongming Manor.

I specifically had her be a servant.

Why was her nameplate suddenly put up today?

My lord, it was her own idea.

I didn't agree at first.

She can't do anything.

But she said she could learn on her own.

And she can tell stories.

She told an interesting story so I figured I would let her try.

Lord Liang. What a coincidence.

I had my eye on her first.

Qiu Yan. If I recall right, she should be your sister-in-law.

You have a wide range of interests, Lord Liang.

Since she joined Royal Academy, she is one of the ladies here.

All have the right to ask for her.

That's right.

I picked this nameplate first.

You've always turned your nose up at places like this.

Why the sudden interest today?

Please don't fight.

It isn't unusual for two men to eye the same lady.

How about this?

Let's call Miss Qiu and have her decide.

No matter which person receives the perfume pouch, it is fate.

No regrets after you give the pouch.

Lord Liang, sorry I can't keep you company.

No regrets after you give the pouch.

You can only accompany me tonight.

Well, congratulations on winning the beauty, Lord Liang.

Thanks.

Are you insane?

Yuan Lang was clearly testing if you still care for Qiu Family.

You snatched me from him, exactly as he wanted!

Do you think I could let him have you?

I already lost everything.

I have nothing else to lose.

I can't redeem you girls for now.

But I already took care of everything in Royal Academy.

None can force you to put up your nameplate.

Why put your nameplate up then?

What matters if I remain pure?

I can't leave anyway!

Qin Xuan would be upset.

I and Qin Xuan are no more.

What I do, if I'm well or not,

has nothing to do with him.

Miss Yan.

Come in.

It's your first time attending a guest.

This is a gift, Chunhui wine

for Lord Liang and Miss Yan.

Leave it there.

Yes.

It's Yuan Lang.

Do you dare drink Yuan Lang's wine?

No matter how much he hates me, he wouldn't poison the wine.

Chunhui is fine wine.

It would be a waste not to drink it.

Official Yuan, I delivered the wine.

How was the situation inside?

He was holding her like this.

Not too far, not too intimately.

Probably because they had no wine.

You are dismissed.

Yes.

Master, you are most wise indeed.

Liang Yi still has feelings for Qiu Min, and it extends to her sister.

To protect Qiu Min's sister, Qiu Yan,

he doesn't even bother to avoid others' suspicion.

Based on what that maid said,

they did not have any intimate interactions.

That further proves Liang Yi only did this to protect Qiu Yan's purity.

If he wants to save Qiu Min,

he will surely discuss an escape plan with Qiu Yan.

If we catch their escape,

I can accuse him of law-bending for personal reasons

and harboring criminals.

Harboring a criminal makes him guilty of their same offense.

Qiu Yi was exiled to Gannan.

Liang Yi would get the same punishment.

It seems this trip was well worth it.

It is good wine.

Take it easy.

Don't worry. I can hold my liquor.

Moreover...

If we look a little tipsy,

it would be easier to trick Yuan Lang.

I mean, can't you pretend to be drunk?

How could that compare to the real thing?

Could it be you can't hold your liquor?

So you don't dare drink, Lord Liang?

Yuan Lang is gone.

All right. I'll head back then.

Don't drink anymore.

I didn't drink in a long time.

Let's finish this jar.

I remember my mother once said

people become stars in the sky after passing

and light paths for the living.

Do you think she lights my path?

She does.

But your mother must feel sad

to see you like this.

Is there another reason

behind your mother's death?

How did you know?

You never give up

in the face of obstacles.

Qin Xuan told me he wanted to elope with you.

That would have been a good option for you,

but you turned him down.

Qin Xuan thinks you didn't want to drag him down.

But I think you must have your own reasons.

Yes.

I can't leave.

Whether your father suffers injustice

may be righted...

You must live on

with the Qiu Family's women.

Old Madam told me the secret

and gave me the thumb ring.

How could I leave with Qin Xuan then?

You rejected him.

I'll probably

never meet another guy

that will treat me as well as he did.

My mother said never to hold a grudge or hate,

no matter what happens.

Just live on and live well.

But I still hate them so much.

I hate Yuan Lang! I hate His Majesty!

Six years ago, my father said something similar.

But I couldn't do a single thing he said.

Letting go

is harder than getting revenge.

Do you know whom I hate the most?

It's you.

If not for you, Yuan Lang wouldn't have ruined my family.

You're his target!

The Qiu Family was only collateral damage in your fight with him.

Sorry.

Well, you are not to blame.

You didn't do all of this.

You didn't want it to happen.

But whom else can I blame?

Whom else can I hate?

I will get justice for your family.

I'll help you.

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.]