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 24]

[Firewood Office]

Master! Master?

Master! News from the borders.

Our informant said Qiu Yi developed heat illness on his way to Gannan.

It has already been four or five days.

A physician tended to him; he still didn't get better.

Don't tell Qiu Yan about this yet.

Even if we told her, she couldn't help anyway.

It will only bring her more worries.

You're right.

By the way, how is the search for the auspicious item?

The treasure recorded in the Hongzhen Sutra is a pearl of immortality.

Our men found a large Eastern pearl in Japan last time.

But the Eastern pearl can't withstand engravings.

It shattered and crumbled as craftsmen tried to work on it.

After that, we tried Lapis lazuli and Amazonites,

but they were too common and ordinary.

Master, do you remember the family heirloom back at Duke Lu's Manor

when we seized the place?

That Night-luminescent Pearl

is like the pearl of the Hongzhen Sutra.

They regarded that pearl as their lifeblood.

Thus, you were magnanimous

to spare the pearl at their manor raid.

I'm sure it must still be with Gao Yang.

I'll get our men to keep searching.

The world is vast. How could we be unable to find a pearl?

We are out of time.

Qiu Yi has the physique of a scholar.

The journey was bumpy and tiring,

then he got heat illness in a remote place.

I doubt he can hold on for long.

Liang Yi?

Why are you here?

To see how an old friend has been.

I, Gao Yang, have never done anything offensive to the Heavens within reason.

Naturally, I have my blessings.

You have little in your home,

yet you still protect your family heirloom, not letting go.

I truly don't know if you're tough or a fool.

Do you want that pearl?

Name a price.

"A price"?

How much are the Gao Family honor and dignity worth?

Give up.

I have nothing else to lose now.

At the worst, I'll die.

When I do my duty, I never harm the innocent in a family.

Back when Duke Lu killed my father, I overthrew him,

but I let you survive.

So why force yourself to go to your death?

I came today... to offer you a chance.

If you miss it,

you'll never get another fresh start.

Will you write a letter to vindicate my father then?

It's impossible.

You should also know His Majesty's nature.

It's not in my power to do that in our current dynasty.

Tell me a price.

If I sought money, I would have sold that pearl long ago.

Submit a memorial then.

Say that the Gao Family helped you

or they turned over a new leaf.

Ask His Majesty to restore my family's name and status.

Gao Yang.

You're set on making things hard for me.

Yes. After all, who knew a day would come when you would plead to me?

It is karmic retribution indeed.

You ruined my family back then.

Now, I want you

to aid your father's murderer with your own hands,

to suffer so much you'd wish you were dead.

Otherwise, you won't get even a shard of that pearl!

Father.

Will you blame me? [Memorial Tablet of Beloved Father, Liang Yuan Su]

Back when you died by Duke Lu's arrow,

I vowed to you

Duke Lu would pay with his life and have his name ruined.

I would crush the Gao Family and never have them restored.

[Memorial Tablet of Beloved Father, Liang Yuan Su]

I have no other option.

She is very important to me.

This matter is also very important to me,

as avenging you back then.

If you blame someone, blame me.

I am unfilial.

[Memorial Tablet of Beloved Father, Liang Yuan Su]

My lord!

Why did you drink so much?

- I'll have someone carry you inside. - No need.

Don't alert anyone.

Just help me inside.

Slowly.

Are you all right?

Why did you drink so much?

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

I want to drink some water.

Water...

All right. Wait a moment.

Here. Drink some.

Where did you get this?

Today, I looked for something in the chest where you kept your childhood items.

I didn't expect you know how to write an investigative book.

Do you recall I told you at the imperial park...

What are you doing?

I'm hungry.

Get me something to eat.

All right.

I couldn't read much as a child,

but I wanted to study.

In order to cultivate my interest, Mother

let me read investigation books.

I recollect the first one I read was a handwritten copy called

"Mysterious Cases from Dashuo."

Miss Qiu Min?

Miss Qiu Min?

Young Master! There is a letter here!

Don't worry, Cousin.

I won't take my life and cause trouble for you.

I just wanted to find a place to hide.

Perhaps I'll hide away forever.

I know that in your heart,

I am only your disgrace and shame.

But for me, it wasn't.

That night was the happiest, most carefree night of my life.

Cousin Qin, I promised

I wouldn't get between you and Elder Sister.

Elder Sister is still alive.

It's unsuitable I live in this courtyard anymore.

I hope you forget me quickly.

At least then,

you won't hate and despise me anymore.

She is too weak and vulnerable. Where could she go?

No. I have to find her.

Wait! Young Master! We don't have a single clue right now.

Seeking her now is like finding a needle in the sea.

And she avoids you on purpose.

How can we find her?

I failed Qiu Yan; now I failed Qiu Min, too.

Liang Yi was right.

I am really not a man.

Mother.

Mother.

Third Sister, where did you go?

You worried us to death!

Second Sister went looking for you, but never returned.

Fortunately, Lord Liang sent us a letter that she is all right.

All that matters is you're back.

You weren't spotted walking all the way back, were you?

I was wrong.

I made Madam and Sister worry about me.

It's all right.

Third Miss.

Didn't you tell us not to look for you?

What? Are you back with your tail between your legs?

Madam.

I'm sorry.

So you know you should be sorry.

How could a person do what you did?

You gave your Second Sister such a big risk to go seek you.

Thankfully, my daughter is capable.

She even managed at Marquis Wei Yuan's as a concubine.

Unlike someone who had to return in shame.

That's enough.

No one will take you as a mute if you don't speak.

Go inside and rest.

First Sister-in-law, was I wrong?

She caused so much trouble.

Now she is back, how come it's as if she did a good deed?

We have so much work to do, and you're letting her rest.

I'll go work right away.

Third Sister, I'll help you.

First Sister-in-law, don't be silly.

- Treat Yan'er well; she can care for us from Marquis Manor. - I'm fine. Sister, go do your own work.

With her,

what could we possibly get?

[Autumn Waters]

Old Madam, quickly come help me!

The paper kite will fly away!

Quick! You need to control it.

Look.

Here.

Otherwise, the string will break.

Like this.

What a nice wind. Rely on its force.

Look.

Look! It's flying so high!

It's beautiful.

It is flying so high.

Look.

Since it was my first, I made a soft-winged one.

Next time, please teach me how to make a hard-winged and long-stringed one.

It's really been hard for you.

I had a lot of fun today.

Old Madam, did you know

His Lordship once wrote an investigative book?

How did you know?

Did he show you the manuscript?

I stumbled on it accidentally when seeking kite paper yesterday.

I read it before when I still lived with my family.

I loved it.

Back then, since the author didn't finish the ending,

I was upset for quite a while.

I didn't expect His Lordship wrote it!

But why did he stop writing later on?

Yi'er was completely different back then.

He was playful and boisterous.

Music, chess, literature, art, not one he couldn't do.

All changed after his father passed away six years ago.

Duke Lu had overbearing manners back then. [Liang Manor]

He took the opportunity when the late Marquis went hunting with His Majesty

and pretended he shot the Marquis' steed by accident.

After he was injured, the late Marquis lost much blood

then fell unconscious with high fever.

He passed away after a few days.

[Memorial Tablet of Beloved Husband, Liang Yuan Su]

[Memorial Tablet of Beloved Husband, Liang Yuan Su]

Yi'er vowed to avenge his father.

So he put all things he liked

into a chest

and never touched them again.

I've heard of this matter.

Four years ago, that Duke Lu

was exiled when a rice warehouse under his rule was emptied.

He died of sudden illness on the way to exile.

Did His Lordship do that?

Actually, before the late Marquis died, he left Yi'er a letter

and repeated not to avenge him.

We both wanted him to live carefree

without worries or burdens.

But Yi'er was stubborn and persistent.

He kept it to himself and wouldn't tell me anything.

In hindsight,

as his mother,

I really failed.

His Lordship may not say it out loud, but in his heart,

he respects you very much.

Who knows how he feels in his heart?

Wan'er. Only when he brought you as his concubine,

I was able to see some emotion in him.

I'll be honest with you.

At first, I liked you because I hoped to see Yi'er start a family

and carry on the family name.

But now, I understand more and more

why he thinks so highly of you.

Wan'er, will you always stay with Yi'er?

I recently captured bandits from Northern Liang.

During the operation,

Gao Yang and his clan gave full assistance.

They made a great contribution.

Back then, Duke Lu abused laws, disregarding lives.

He endangered people.

But his son, Gao Yang, served the nation well.

His loyalty is clear.

I implore Your Majesty

to consider he is a loyal descendant of the Grand Princess' clan,

and let him redeem himself with his merits.

So Your Majesty can benevolently restore his name and status.

Find a skilled craftsman to do as I say.

Yes.

I will count on you tomorrow.

Lord Liang, you went to painstaking lengths

for the Qui family.

I was the one who sought out Qui Family back then.

Now, Qiu Family is in trouble,

if I don't help them,

won't I freeze the public's hearts?

Indeed. Just like how you sought me out back then.

Anti-corruption military efforts were carried out smoothly thanks to you, General He.

Now that incapable sons of influential families were replaced,

the military people are capable and active.

A new culture formed from top to bottom.

It is a major boost in morale.

General He is credited for this matter.

Don't flatter me.

I was merely forced to get on your boat.

Mother, why did you need me?

Yi'er, I invited a group of opera performers.

Watch the performance with me today.

I still have work to do.

You have work every day,

but you don't get to watch performances every day.

Besides, Yi'er, how long was it since you watched a show with me?

You must go with me today.

All right.

I am the newly appointed prefect

of Tianquan County, Murong Yuyan. [Autumn Waters]

If you have any grievances, please report them to me.

[Autumn Waters]

I think the play Wan'er personally choreographed

is much more interesting than ones out there.

As for you,

as for you,

you impersonated a court official.

You deceived His Majesty. You were disloyal.

You oppressed the people.

You unjustly tried a murder case carelessly.

I cannot tolerate disloyal and unrighteous people like you.

This sword is to vanquish demons in this world.

I will use your blood to compensate wronged souls,

and comfort all sorrowful

souls.

How was it? How was my performance?

It was all right, I guess.

Since you helped me

give Mysterious Cases of Dashuo an ending

I will include your pen name when it's reprinted.

Really?

I'll have to ponder properly then.

I must make an astounding, unforgettable name!

Speaking of which, you read many investigative books.

Be fully honest. What do you think of "Mysterious Cases of Dashuo"?

Although many stories about investigations are out there,

"Mysterious Cases of Dashuo" is not like them.

It may seem a story of solving cases,

but it actually explains

law enforcer, Murong Yuyan's ambitions and ideals.

When I read this book, I thought the author

must have his heart's burning fire

to use to shine and light the world.

I'm not as good as you think I am,

or half as good as characters I wrote.

Why I involved the He Family

was to introduce political and military changes.

I asked to marry Qiu Min

to get your father's support.

But due to my ambitions,

I dragged down your father and Qiu Family members.

It is as you said.

I caused so many to suffer.

I'm sorry.

I just said it in a burst of anger once. Why take it to heart?

Even the wisest man has negligent moments,

let alone you.

I only said those words then

since I had nowhere to vent my heart's anger.

If even now, you pin all the blame on yourself,

you must view yourself as too important!

In my six years at Firewood Office,

I've never had a restful night.

Every night when it's quiet,

always a voice questions me

if what I'm doing is right

or wrong.

I don't know about other things,

but regarding Qiu Family's matter,

my father was never coerced by you.

So don't feel guilty or blame yourself.

Do you really think this way?

"Why would the bright sun and moon heed a few floating clouds?"

"How could a great achiever be affected by a few setbacks and hardships?"

You wrote those lines yourself!

How could you forget them?

Liang Yi. We are all ordinary people.

Ordinary people can never do everything perfectly.

But we can do our best, with no guilt left in us.

That's enough.

So...

Was my performance good?

It was more than good.

That's what I was saying!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

General He.

Liu Quan said you had a treasure for me.

What is so precious that you had to make the trip yourself?

It's a divine item indeed.

I dare not be any less cautious.

Please take a look, Your Majesty.

My son acquired this by chance while patrolling the frontier

at the northern border station.

Such a large Night-luminescent Pearl is already a rare find,

but even more peculiar is in the center,

you can faintly see a flying deity.

Around is an auspicious cloud pattern resembling nature itself.

Countless rare treasures are in the palace.

No treasure His Majesty hasn't seen before.

How did a Night-luminescent Pearl

become a heavenly sign of success?

A precious pearl in the Hongzhen Sutra is called Dengxian Pearl.

When Hongzhen, the immortal, was on a pilgrimage to northern borders,

he found true meaning of the five realms of existence.

Finally, the Empyrean Fairy chose him,

and he ascended to Heaven as a deity.

Before that, he used spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth

to place his years of cultivation into a pearl of immortality

and left it in the mortal realm.

But no records say what the pearl looked like.

Song Jin found a skilled craftsman to forge the Night-luminescent Pearl

to faintly appear to have a deity

ascending to Heaven in the setting.

General He's eldest son is stationed at the northern border all year.

It makes sense for him to bring over the pearl.

His Majesty daily reads the Hongzhen Sutra religiously.

Naturally, he would connect that object to the Dengxian Pearl.

It is written in the Hongzhen Sutra

that one fated to obtain this item

will be graced by the Ninth Heaven Goddess.

In the mortal realm,

she will find a virgin woman to use as her vessel

to cleanse the pearl of the mundane world.

Once the Ninth Heaven Goddess consecrates the pearl,

praying and offering to the pearl day and night will prolong one's life.

Thus, if we present His Majesty with the Dengxian Pearl,

His Majesty will search for the reincarnation of the Ninth Heaven Goddess.

I thought the matter was merely a myth and imagination.

But it turns out the Hongzhen Sect itself is a mystery.

Since ancient times, those who hold highest power

have yearned for longevity and endless rule.

His Majesty is no exception.

The Grand Preceptor and Hongzhen Sect are deeply trusted by the palace.

Turns out they appeal to this desire of His Majesty's.

But I think the Grand Preceptor might not be as devout as he seems.

Would he really believe

the Dengxian Pearl descended to the mortal realm?

He has no reason not to.

Now, His Majesty is older and plagued by illnesses.

It's inevitable His Majesty would doubt cultivation and alchemy's effect.

With such an auspicious sign right at his door,

the Grand Preceptor surely will, for Hongzhen Sect,

make a big deal out of it.

What joyous news, Your Majesty!

Years of sincerity have finally moved the immortal Hongzhen,

and you've been rewarded with success.

According to the Hongzhen Sutra,

the Dengxian Pearl should appear with the goddess' reincarnation.

Precisely.

With the Dengxian Pearl consecrated by the goddess,

Your Majesty will surely be in good health and live a long life.

But where is the goddess?

According to the Hongzhen Sutra, the goddess will find

the purest woman in the world and reincarnate into her body.

This woman must be a virgin,

untainted by any impurities.

The goddess has a water alignment.

So she will appear by the water dressed in white.

As for the exact location... Your Majesty,

I have read a fortune.

Please take a look, Your Majesty.

The place mentioned in the note

is where the goddess will appear.

Good.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Yan, I summoned you to find someone for me.

Imperial Commander Yan.

The matter of the goddess is an auspicious one.

It is of great importance.

You may take only most trusted subordinates with you.

Do not reveal any of this to another.

I will fulfill this dutifully, Your Majesty.

Go on. Go on.

When will I be able to find the goddess?

Your Majesty.

You need only focus on your cultivation.

As long as you are sincere, the goddess surely can sense it.

Truly?

Rest assured.

All right.

Well, Your Majesty, I must return to concocting pills of immortality.

All right. Go on.

I shall take my leave now.

Grand Preceptor.

The pearl appeared out of the blue.

Where could a reincarnated goddess come from?

What if His Majesty fails to find it?

Then we'll just say he wasn't sincere

and comfort him a few times.

What could possibly happen?

So we just have to arrange for the goddess

to appear at the location the Grand Preceptor predicted,

and our plan will succeed.

But based on what you said,

Grand Preceptor will perform divination to select her location.

How will we find that?

I have my ways.

The day after tomorrow, you will go to the Imperial Guards Camp as usual.

Make sure you find out where Imperial Commander Yan will go later.

Understood.

After you complete this task, I plan to redeem you from Royal Academy.

Go find someone suitable and settle down.

My lord.

Do you no longer need me?

Firewood Office fared well over the past few years.

His Majesty trusts me as well.

You've worked hard the past few years.

It's time to live peaceful days and enjoy good fortune.

You are lying, my lord.

Under Yuan Lang, the Main Administrative Office

eyes you as a tiger watching its prey.

Do you want me to leave Royal Academy at such a time?

You are Firewood Office's best informant.

If you have other feelings,

it will be very dangerous for you.

So you still found out.

So...

can I no longer be Your Lordship's informant?

It seems you and I met when we were less important.

We were colleagues three years.

Yet it can't even beat out three months.

What do you mean by that?

You like Qiu Yan,

don't you?

If you're unwilling for this case, it's all right.

I'll think of something else.

But no matter what, I will redeem you.

No.

I will accomplish every task you ask of me.

And please do not redeem me.

I was in Royal Academy three years.

It is my home already.

I will bring tea and pastries for you.

Brothers.

I am in a good mood today.

Drink to your heart's content!

Drink!

Congratulations, Imperial Commander.

Congratulations to all!

Drink! Raise your cups!

Drink however you want.

Good wine.

Drink more then, if it's good.

Give me another cup.

Fill it up.

Here.

You drink some, too.

Come! Drink!

Miss Xiao Xiao.

I just love your ice cold demeanor.

Before you, even a shiver would numb my entire body.

I wonder, for what reason

you are in such a good mood, Imperial Commander Yan?

Me?

I'll tell you honestly.

I accepted an important mission today.

This mission differs from all past ones!

If I complete it, an enormous reward will be waiting for me!

What mission would merit such a great reward?

Finding someone.

Who?

Military rules are above all.

I can't tell anyone that.

Can you not even tell me, Imperial Commander Yan?

Well, if Miss Xiao Xiao wants to know,

then rules aren't over all.

All right.

My lord!

This is what our informant received from

Imperial Commander Yan's place.

[Luggage, one straw raincoat, one pair of wooden clogs to wade]

Didn't you say your informant

could get us information about where to search?

This is just a list of items.

Imperial Commander Yan has held His Majesty's trust many years.

I guess we can't get it out of him.

She could only write us about all she saw.

I understand now.

Based on the items prepared for tomorrow's departure,

we may tell which direction they will go.

The Hongzhen Sutra says

the goddess will appear around water.

Not many water sources are in the capital.

We need only be sure of the general direction,

and we can identify where the goddess will appear.

One would bring a raincoat to avoid getting wet.

But it's mid-summer right now. Every day was dry.

Where would there be rain?

Huilong Mountain in the west has unique topography.

Rain showers are in that area.

- Is a water source around there? - Yes.

It's called Jinxian Spring.

But Jinxian Spring extends for many lis (miles).

The range is too wide. [Jinxian Spring]

They will need wooden clogs.

They must pass through shallow water.

You would need to wade.

That must be upstream then, around the spring cave.

The water is shallow, and you need to wade through it.

Song Jin. This place.

Have you memorized it? [Luggage, one straw raincoat, one pair of wooden clogs to wade. Jinxian Spring]

Tomorrow, follow the marked location

and bring our "goddess" to await them there.

Understood.

Let's go and see them.

Let's go.

Qiu... Qiu Mei...

My name is... Qiu Mei...

I, Qiu Mei, greet His Majesty.

Are you the daughter of the criminal official Qiu?

Didn't you all die?

Yes.

No! That's not it.

Yes. We... Our Qiu Family...

The Qiu Family met an accident on Bian River.

Then... then...

After that...

Eldest Miss.

Our whole family is counting on you.

Who are you trying to kill with anxiety?

My daughter has never told a single lie her entire life.

Asking her to lie before His Majesty at the Hall of Supreme Harmony

puts her in a hard place!

Mother, I really had it all memorized earlier.

But when she yelled harshly at me just now, I...

I forgot everything!

Fourth Miss. You are braver.

Instead, why don't you go tomorrow?

I'm scared. I can't do it.

Eldest Sister memorized those lines so long, yet still can't say them.

How could I memorize them in just one night?

I will go.

In the past couple days, I heard Sister Mei practice.

I memorized the lines already.

Sister Mei is doing this to save Father.

It's crucial for Qiu Family.

As Father's legitimate daughter, I should do my duty.

- You can't. - Why?

You've always been timid and weak-willed. You are not fit for the task.

Miss Min.

You've always been sheltered, and you have frail health.

Don't involve yourself in this matter.

Second Miss.

Look. If this plan succeeds, it would be joyous for all.

But if it doesn't,

wouldn't we have committed a crime to deceive His Majesty?

That's right.

Our men were only exiled so far.

Although life is hard for us at Guangji Hall,

it's better than having the entire family all executed.

That's right.

If we fail, they will behead us.

Second Miss, you don't fear death, but I do.

We are all women.

Even our family's men are no use now.

If you rely on us, can we do it?

If you ask me, we shouldn't take the risk.

Yan'er.

Just be good and stay at Marquis' Manor as the Young Madam.

Just send us some money now and then.

It'll show you care about us.

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.]