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 20]

Miss Ying, why do you insist on entertaining guests?

Everyone strives to find their way up as water flows downward.

Qiu Yan didn't know her place and disrespected Shi Xiao Xiao.

If I were entertaining guests, I would never be like her.

Honestly, you can have a better life if you want.

Official Yuan, are you willing to give me an offer?

As long as you do something for me,

I naturally will give you as you deserve.

You just want to be released.

For me, that isn't difficult.

Really?

Then you must tell me honestly.

The days that Liang Yi was with Qiu Yan,

did the two of them discuss anything?

Yes.

My second sister said...

Qiu Yan... Qiu Yan said Lord Liang promised to get us out of Royal Academy.

However, his idea scared the spirit out of me.

I don't find it reliable.

How did they decide it?

Lord Liang said that in half a month,

someone from Marquis Yongming Manor

will hire Qiu Yan to perform.

Then Qiu Yan will take us with her in a carriage.

On the way, men from Firewood Office

disguised as refugees will save us.

He would tell the public we ran into bandits and got captured.

Afterward, Lord Liang said he would find us an escape.

Is everyone ready?

We're almost done.

When we leave, all must follow my lead.

If we succeed or fail relies on it.

Hurry, I'll wait outside for you.

[As Loyal as a Subject] [Distant Waves of Ice and Snow]

Halt!

Bamboo raft replacing the dragon boat,

passengers on the carriage wear vibrant clothes.

We are too impoverished to afford any clothing,

our empty stomachs are so pitiful!

So pitiful!

Who are you?

Don't you know this is the Royal Academy's carriage?

- Spare us some money! - Get lost!

Spare us some money!

Can you spare some money?

Stop right there.

[As Loyal as a Subject]

Officer!

I'm only here for some coins so I can exchange them for buns.

Do you consider this breaking the law?

How was Liang Yi able to find such unkempt people?

Qiu Yan, come out.

Miss Xiao Xiao.

How come it's you?

I was trapped by the beggars.

I was momentarily in danger.

Thank you, Official Yuan, for rescuing me.

Where is Qiu Yan?

Wasn't it said Marquis Yongming Manor hired her to perform a song?

What Qiu Yan?

Marquis Yongming Manor always invited Miss Shi.

We fell for Liang Yi's decoy!

Back to the Royal Academy!

All of you, come with me!

The Qiu women all live in this yard now.

Qiu Yan?

Where are you?

We never saw them leave the place today.

But...

Our family was raided, and Old Madam is gone.

Royal Academy is full of perils.

We can't rely on anyone except each other.

If at this time, we still don't stop fighting, then none of us

will survive this hardship.

Now, only if we unite against the enemy,

we stand a chance at survival.

Miss Yan is right.

Although our family is separated, we will always be the Qiu family wives.

You are always the Qiu family daughters.

We must stand together through thick and thin.

Indeed.

Old institutions die hard.

If we are united, nothing outside can defeat us.

As long as we can dig through the wall within five days,

once we're outside, someone will pick us up.

I checked already.

In the entire Royal Academy, only this courtyard

is just one wall away from the outside and in a remote area.

If we leave at night, we won't be noticed by others.

It turns out you argued with Miss Shi on purpose

- so she'd banish us to this courtyard. - Yes.

We finally see a glimmer of hope.

- Qiu Ying, I'll rely on you to deal with Yuan Lang. - Yes.

Let's go.

- Official Jiang. - Master Jin.

You're in such a hurry. Where are you going?

I'm escorting women from Lord Liang's family out of the city.

Lord Liang's women?

- Let me take a look. - Don't.

They are Old Madam's close family.

Let's not meddle with them.

Main Administrative Office is on a case.

Who are you to stop me?

I must!

In here are Miss Zhao, Miss Li, and Miss Wang.

The point is, all the women are in here.

Move aside!

Move.

Move! Just go quickly!

I'll stop disturbing you, Official Jiang.

We're here, Miss Qiu.

Quickly!

Help me down.

That stench was suffocating!

Stop complaining.

Without Qiu Ying, we might not have gotten out of the city so easily today.

Second Sister, this was my duty.

I made a humble effort for our Qiu family.

Master, please punish me!

I ordered you not to let the Firewood Office's carriage leave.

Did your useless eyes only watch Song Jin and Firewood Office?

If anyone was really in Song Jin's carriage, would he sit up front?

I was fooled.

I misjudged the situation.

Bian River leads southwest out of the city.

They must have left on a boat.

Dispatch men!

Search every boat on Bian River!

Search upstream and downstream boats!

Hurry it up!

Yes!

Come with me!

- Everyone, get on the boat. - Hurry!

Fast!

Watch your steps.

Madam, hurry.

Come, Min'er.

Sit on the inside.

Be careful.

Steady. Come on.

Sail the boat.

- Sit tight. - Quick.

Sail the boat.

My lord, the bargeman confessed everything.

The boat carrying the Qiu women ran into submerged rocks at night.

The bargeman was the only survivor.

According to his statement, [Feng Capital Prefecture]

only this woman's body got stuck in the cabin.

The others were already carried away by the current

and impossible to retrieve.

Qiu Yan, I could do nothing to help you.

All I can do now is wait for you.

I believe this trying time will be over eventually.

Bei Xue, perfect timing. Help me send this letter to the Royal Academy.

Bei Xue?

Young Master...

I fear... that Miss Qiu Yan can never receive this letter.

[The righteous relinquish their charm.]

What happened?

I was shopping on the street when I overheard people.

They said the Qiu family wives and daughters escaped the Royal Academy yesterday.

Main Administrative Office put them on the wanted list in the city, but found they drowned in the river.

A body was inside the sunken boat, but Feng Capital Prefecture couldn't identify who it was.

Where is it now?

Official Tong, why do you believe the body is Qiu Yan?

The body lay in water and eaten by fish. The face is unrecognizable.

But the clothing indeed was what Qiu Yan wore.

Did you conclude this based on her clothes? That's a little hasty.

Besides, there were seven or eight Qiu Family members.

If the boat sank, where are other Qiu Family fugitives?

Official Yuan, you don't know Bian River is full of moving quicksand.

In the past, bodies of those drowned in the river vanished without a trace.

When the river overflows or gets washed down,

bones are pulled from the sand.

Annually, fishermen dredge up human bones in Bian River.

Official Tong, Young Master Qin is here to identity the Qiu family's remains.

Young Master Qin.

Young Master.

Young Master Qin, Young Master Qin!

Young Master Qin, calm down. It's not her.

Even the Ministry veterans couldn't recognize it.

Young Master Qin's relationship with Qiu Yan was deep.

If he can't even recognize the corpse, I think we can't close the case yet.

Official Yuan, since it's unrecognizable,

it also means we can't be certain the corpse isn't Qiu Yan.

The chance is fifty-fifty. I think it's best we just close the case now.

Officer Tong, such a hurry to close this case. Will it disturb your dinner plans tonight?

I...

I made this hairpin myself.

Many people will be at the Chiuwan Competition. If I wear this on my head, I fear I'll lose or damage it.

Then I'd waste your good intention.

Young Master, are you all right?

Young Master Qin?

Young Master.

This hairpin...

My lord, Young Master Qin carved this hairpin as a gift for Miss Qiu Yan.

Miss Qiu Yan wore it all the time. It never left her side.

- My condolences, Young Master Qin. - Oh, Qiu Yan!

Come, get up, Young Master Qin.

- Young Master! - Young Master Qin.

- Young Master! - Sorry for your loss.

- Let's go, Young Master! - Qiu Yan!

- Young Master! - Young Master Qin!

Qiu Yan!

[Feng Capital Prefecture]

Official Yuan, we have the witness, evidence, and the body.

Even by Main Administrative Office rules, the case should be closed.

So be it, Official Tong.

[Feng Capital Prefecture]

That body looks too deliberate.

But if Qiu Yan is alive, where could they be hiding?

They are a large group with a big goal, a bunch of spoiled wives and young ladies.

If they want to leave the capital, they would surely follow the main road.

But we already stationed guards and patrols at every city exit.

No one saw Qiu Yan's group.

If I were them, I would do the unexpected and stay in the capital.

I would hide on the outskirts.

Take our men and search every village outside the city!

Yes.

Officers.

Is anyone living in this house?

This is Guangji Hall. Mentally ill people live inside.

When they go crazy, they don't even recognize their own family and will stab anyone.

Official Chai from the city built this manor to keep the mentally ill inside together.

My lord, should we go in there?

Let's leave.

Master, we searched every town and village within a twenty li (10 km) radius.

But there is no trace of Qiu Yan and the women.

Did they really drown in the river?

How are things on Liang Yi's side?

Our Marquis Manor spy said Liang Yi didn't seem troubled or act out of the ordinary.

However, someone saw him burning joss papers in the yard.

My lord, Young Master Qin says he wants to see you.

Ignore him.

Liang Yi!

Liang Yi, come out! [Liang Manor]

Young Master! We should leave! Lord Liang won't come out.

No. Liang Yi is not such a heartless person.

He must have a reason for not seeing me.

Tell me! Maybe all of this is part of his plan.

Maybe Qiu Yan hasn't died.

The officers are finally gone.

When we were locked up with the insane, they were all drooling.

They almost drooled on me. It was so disgusting.

Exactly, I was halfway through making dinner.

Those with hysteria are like children. Don't hold a grudge against them.

I thought Lord Liang was capable.

First, the boat sunk, then we drowned.

We pulled a switch,

then ended up in this forsaken place.

In the end, it's worse than Royal Academy.

Madam Liu, we are wanted fugitives of Imperial Court.

Thankfully, the person in charge here is Lord Liang's friend.

He took a huge risk for us. Only this way we have shelter.

Indeed.

The longer you live, the less you act like an elder.

And you mention returning to Royal Academy. Have you no shame at all?

Eldest Sister-in-Law, look at those crazy people.

Are you saying we'll live here the rest of our lives?

You still have your life and your honor. Be satisfied.

Where is Min'er?

Who knows? I haven't seen her since morning. She's been lying in bed the whole day.

Second Sister, Second Sister! Third Sister left you a letter.

"A letter"?

What does it say?

Sister, I am slow and incapable.

I was bad at all the work Madam Liu gave me.

I am on my own now. My future is bleak.

I'll only be a liability to the Qiu family.

After much thought, I've decided to leave.

After I leave, don't look for me.

Sister, just assume I've followed our late mother.

The tone of Third Sister isn't right.

"Followed our late mother," surely she won't take her own life, will she?

She probably will end her life at Second Sister-in-law's grave.

Don't be silly.

Second Sister-in-law was burned to ashes and buried in the wild long ago.

- She is but a little girl... - Did you scold her again?

How could I have?

If you hadn't constantly been so mean to her, why would she write such a letter?

I... I've been wronged!

Be reasonable. I haven't seen her since this morning.

How could I have scolded her and where? I'm wronged worse than Dou E ("The Injustice of Dou E").

Where is she now?

I saw her.

Before we got up this morning, Third Sister said she was going to the backyard to forage some fruit.

I thought she'd be safe with no one around so early; I let her go on her own.

Very well, I'll look for her.

No! Did you forget?

Song Jin told us never to step out of Guangji Hall when he sent us here.

What if the soldiers find you?

She is right. I saw it before.

Officers are patrolling the main road at the base of the mountain. If you run into them, you will...

But Min'er is missing. I can't just do nothing.

First Aunt and Madams, don't worry. To the authorities, I'm already a corpse.

Even if officers caught me, they could never guess I'm Qiu Yan.

Don't worry.

But...

[Northern Gate]

[Northern Gate]

Pass.

Hold on.

Officer.

Hold on.

Officer.

It's the same as usual.

Go.

[Northern Gate]

Cousin Qin!

Cousin Min!

Cousin Min!

You're alive.

Wonderful. But how come you look like this?

- Cousin... - Young Master.

Look at this.

[Bounties on Wanted Fugitives: Qiu Min and Qiu Yan]

Miss Min, it's not safe to talk here.

Why don't we speak somewhere else?

Come back to my manor.

No. She is now a fugitive.

Bringing her back will put her in danger.

You are right. This means we can't go to inns and teahouses either.

I know someone who can help us.

Bei Xue, go without me.

You know what to say if anyone asks for me.

Sure.

Follow me.

Come on, welcome inside.

Nothing is willing to come here except for the rats.

It's just a little dirty.

Yao Gai.

Thank you.

But what is this for?

When I was in my most difficult times, you and Miss Qiu Yan helped me.

Now, I can do something for you.

I...

I'm so glad.

You... you two can carry on.

I'll leave you.

Carry on.

Cousin Min, take a seat.

I knew it! I knew it!

This was a plan.

This is his plan, am I right?

Cousin, what do you mean?

You got out of Royal Academy with Liang Yi's help!

He must also have switched the body!

I should have known!

Where is Qiu Yan?

Where is your sister?

Cousin Min...

It was Lord Liang's plan to get us out of Royal Academy,

but the boat accident wasn't.

Are... are you saying...

Lord Liang ordered his men from Firewood Office

to escort us out of the city.

We left on a boat and followed the current.

We evaded the checkpoints.

But unexpectedly,

our boat hit a submerged rock.

None of us know how to swim.

In the end, only I was washed ashore.

I... I had no idea what to do

so I risked my return to the city to seek your help.

Is Qiu Yan...

Did you personally see her?

At the time... at the time, it was too chaotic.

I only recall Elder Sister was in the cabin.

When the last wave hit, we got separated.

No...

No!

She said it herself.

She said she was tough.

No...

No!

Boss, I'll have a bowl of wontons.

All right.

Lady, you bumped into me!

I'm an old woman with brittle bones!

Madam.

I know you want money, but I have none.

This is my purse.

It's worth some silver.

You bumped into me, yet you want to get away with it!

You seem like a nice girl. How could you be so unreasonable?

You knocked me down!

Everyone, you saw what happened!

Give me ten silver taels to see a physician!

All of you, dismiss!

What's going on?

Officers!

- Officers, my legs! - Are you all right?

She knocked me down and refused to pay!

She knocked me down.

My legs!

Stop right there!

[Hundred Grasses]

Stop!

Stop running!

Stop right there!

She's there! Stop right there!

Make way!

Stop!

Move aside.

Make way!

Stand aside!

[Traditional Chinese Baijiu (liquor)]

Over there!

Go!

Why did you come back to the city?

Come with me.

[Calling Crane Building]

[Calling Crane Building]

Why didn't you say you were seeking Qiu Min?

Didn't you think of the consequences?

Lucky I came to Calling Crane Building on a case.

Do you realize you were almost arrested by Feng Capital Prefecture?

I know!

I know I was really reckless on this matter.

You knew yet still did it? Another crime to your list?

But it was an emergency.

Firewood officers won't send us food for another three days.

By the time you heard, Min'er would be in danger long ago.

Min'er is my mother's only biological child.

If she was harmed, how could I ever face Mother?

Lord Liang, I know I messed up; I don't mind if you hit or punish me.

But my lord, can you help me find Qiu Min first?

Our biggest priority right now is to get you out of the city.

I'll send my men to look for Qiu Min.

Do not act recklessly again.

- Lord Liang... - My lord.

Something is not right outside.

Men of Main Administrative Office have surrounded us.

The commotion must have compromised your identity.

[Calling Crane Building]

My lord!

Quick!

Official Yuan.

Official Yuan, the Calling Crane Building is closed today.

What brings you here?

- Search the place. - Yes!

Official Yuan!

Goodness.

Official Yuan!

The troupe is not performing today.

There is no one here.

What are you searching for?

Besides, we've known each other for a long time.

There is no need to send soldiers here.

Stay still.

What are you doing?

Sweetheart...

Who is it?

Official Yuan, you are getting better at spoiling the moment.

My lord,

what is going on?

I came here for pleasure, but you barged right in, Official Yuan.

Are you here

to join us?

Liang Yi, you are abetting the fugitive, Qiu Yan.

I just caught you red-handed.

What did you say?

Tell him your name.

My lord, my name is Su Yi Wan.

Did you hear that?

You two were just caught in the act by us.

Do you intend to deceive me and confuse true and false?

Arrest the fugitive, Qiu Yan.

Who dares?

My lord.

Official Tong is here.

Why is he here?

Official Yuan, let my lover put on her clothes and meet Official Tong.

It's enough that you've wronged me. Do you

also want to watch me get changed?

Official Tong.

Lord Liang.

I received reports of fighting in this place.

I didn't think it'd be you two officials having an argument.

Her name is Su Yi Wan.

She is my lover.

She came to Calling Crane Building to meet me today.

But Official Yuan mistook her for the fugitive, Qiu Yan,

and insisted that I abetted a criminal.

The world never ceases to surprise.

In such a vast world, many have the same name.

So of course, there will be similar faces.

Official Tong, you've seen a lot. I'm sure you know the possibility of this happening.

However, Official Yuan identified the wrong person and refused to let her go.

Official Tong, you've seen Qiu Yan before.

Official Yuan and I have reached a stalemate.

You should be the judge here.

Official Tong. Take a close look.

Official Tong.

I've heard the name "Su Yi Wan" before.

But only a handful of people have seen her.

She is a songstress from Jizhou.

From what I see,

this woman looks exactly the same as Qiu Yan,

but her aura is quite different.

Official Tong. Is she her or not?

She has the appearance,

but with a closer look, they are very different.

She is not Qiu Yan.

You have a good eye, Official Tong.

Old Tong, Old Tong. No wonder you're known as a slippery eel.

Since you're a songstress, sing a song for us.

Who are you to me?

Why should I do as you order?

Then I have to ask...

No.

Miss Su Yi Wan,

I'll need you to come to Main Administrative Office.

Official Yuan.

I forgot to mention it to you just now.

Because of the great time we had, Wan'er is now my concubine.

She only sings for me.

Very well.

Since it is a misunderstanding,

I will drop it.

Let's leave.

Since your misunderstanding has been resolved,

and I have work in the Office, I'll leave first.

Thank you, Official Tong.

[Calling Crane Building]

Official, why did you let them go so easily?

We lack evidence and witnesses to prove she is Qiu Yan.

Now Liang Yi insists she is his concubine, on what reason do I arrest her?

However, now I've startled his beloved concubine,

I owe him a proper apology.

You handled it quite well.

You summoning Official Tong was an outstanding idea.

Official, was that woman really not Qiu Yan?

I'd say she looks exactly like the person on the wanted poster.

Even if she were Qiu Yan, I must insist she is not.

I closed the case of Qiu Family's escape.

How could I bring trouble on myself?

Min'er. I asked Yao Gai to prepare this food.

At least eat some.

I know the person you want to see is my sister.

The person who should come did not.

But the unwanted person came.

I've lost my family.

I have no attachment to this world left.

I wanted to only see you, Cousin.

That's enough.

Do not say that. You must live well.

Your elder sister is no longer with us.

Nothing can happen to you.

Eat some.

Cousin, could you spend some time with me?

Sure.

Eat a bit first.

[Firewood Office]

Don't worry about the Calling Crane Building.

I saved the troupe leader once.

He won't say anything.

The city gate is closed already.

Get some rest here.

Tomorrow morning, I'll escort you to Guangji Hall.

Is there still no news of Min'er?

I dispatched my men to search the city for her.

No office has any report of Qiu Min being arrested.

On the bright side, at least she wasn't exposed.

I forgot to mention something to you.

Qin Xuan came to me today.

I think he knows something about you in the boat accident.

So?

Are you going to just hide from him forever?

He and I broke up already.

You don't want to involve him in the trouble.

All I want now

is to find Min'er soon

and solve how to clear my family's name.

As for everyone and everything else,

I don't have time to think about it.

I am so useless.

If I could've taken her with me earlier without hesitation,

she would still...

I did nothing at all.

I could only watch as your family fell into danger

and do nothing as your family was sent to Royal Academy.

I could only watch

as her corpse lay in Feng Capital Prefecture.

I did nothing to save her,

nothing at all.

Why wasn't I the one who died?

Cousin, have my drink instead.

Back then,

your sister and I first met

in your family garden.

We were drinking at the pavilion.

She was drunk,

but I wasn't yet.

She came to see me later,

saying I was her drinking buddy.

I know you are heartbroken right now.

Perhaps...

you can think of me as Elder Sister and intoxicate yourself once more.

Think of you as Qiu Yan?

Qin Xuan, you and I are drinking buddies.

Tonight, do you dare drink with me until we're both drunk?

Why not?

Qiu Yan! Qiu Yan, don't go!

Qiu Yan!

You are not her.

She is already dead.

She died.

Qin Xuan,

could you give me a kiss?

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.]