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 26]

The Firewood Office is amazing.

I refuse to meet any important officials,

even the Emperor himself.

Master, take a look. They're here.

Just turn around and greet them,

and we will take you home straightaway.

Isn't your favorite book "Lu's Criminal Investigations"?

You always said you want to meet the author.

This is Master Lu Gong Lu.

"Master Lu"?

Lu... Greetings, Master Lu.

I have read all your books,

and I have admired you for a long time.

I never thought I would be able to meet you in person.

I'm really fortunate.

I know you want to meet me,

but you shouldn't use Firewood Office to bring me here.

Pardon my insolence,

Please forgive me.

If you're here against your will, we...

We will take you back home now.

Send him back.

We'll take you back now.

Miss, you claimed to have read all my books.

Then tell me.

Which one is your favorite?

The "Case of Zhao" featured in your short story collection

released two years ago.

Many have read my books, but the one you mentioned is rarely mentioned.

They said the story wasn't easy or interesting enough.

The "Case of Zhao" might not be as intriguing as your other works,

but its poignant commentary and critiques of today's society

are shrewd, astute, and bold.

Most people read the mystery genre

as a hobby or to kill time.

But to me,

your work is more akin to a moral analogy.

Miss, it seems that someone

has finally understood the effort I put into my writings.

This is my latest story.

Have a look and give me some input.

Me?

Sure.

[The Blue Bridge]

Official Yuan, if you still wish to question me,

just take me to Main Administrative Office.

Today, Liang Yi went out shopping with that Su Yi Wan.

Liang Yi bought her rouges and jewelry.

He showered her with all she desired.

Even I am jealous

of their romance.

Lord Liang is a young man full of vitality.

He has only one concubine at the moment.

Naturally, he dotes on her.

I wonder how Liang Yi explained his relation with Qiu Yan to you.

The Qiu Family has been pardoned,

but Qiu Yan still remains at his home to be his concubine.

When Qiu Yan was in Royal Academy,

you even helped them put on a show of jealousy.

Were you not worried their act may become real?

Official Yuan. What are you insinuating?

I just think you deserve better, Miss Xiao Xiao.

If you don't want to hear it,

fine, I won't say anything.

I just want to let you know

that I can make your wish come true.

You're just a courtesan at Royal Academy.

You can never marry the Marquis.

But what if Liang Yi loses his title

and becomes a commoner?

Even if he is a commoner,

his heart does not belong to me.

Without a title,

his marriage can be easily arranged.

As long as Liang Yi quits politics, I will let him live.

Main Administrative Office will then say you played a vital role

in capturing an important criminal.

I will bring you to His Majesty so you can be rewarded.

You just have to say you love Liang Yi and let His Majesty arrange this marriage.

By that time,

he can only marry you.

When both of you are together,

knowing your capability, you can easily steal his heart.

Official Yuan, you absolutely detest Lord Liang.

If Lord Liang loses his power,

you will never spare his life.

In my eyes, he shouldn't live.

But his demise is not what I want.

I want to defeat him.

I want to defeat him so badly that he can never rise again.

I suppose you know why

I'm here, Miss Xiao Xiao.

I'm waiting for your answer, Miss Xiao Xiao.

Lord, Miss Qiu Yan bought so many things.

I think she wants to stay in the residence.

She can if she wants. I can support her.

Enough. Go pack up. Don't bother me.

This latest story will be yours now, Miss.

Really?

Thanks, Master Lu.

Your critical feedback regarding my work

is actually more constructive than the ones from professionals.

Have you thought about writing a story yourself?

I haven't entertained that thought.

Can I?

You'll never know if you don't try.

Your logic is airtight.

You have a more refreshing view than men.

You even investigated cases on your own.

You have potential.

But I lack the knowledge.

I don't know where to start.

Then seek your own story

in this realm.

Liang Yi, you brought Master Lu to me.

Do you know? Master Lu gave me this book.

It can't be bought. Only I have it.

Also, did you hear?

Master Lu said I can be an author.

He said my logic is airtight,

with hands-on solving cases.

But I never did something like this.

Do you think I can do it? Can I?

You are always confident.

Why does your confidence waver about this?

You know, writing isn't as hard as you thought.

Remember how you continued my story once?

But you said I did a terrible job.

Let me help you.

- Thanks. - Song Jin.

Bring them to Madam Jin's room for me tomorrow.

Why?

I splurged today because I was preparing a gift.

Everything I bought here is what Madam Jin likes.

Lord Liang.

Eunuch Liu wishes to speak with you.

How may I help, Eunuch Liu?

Official Yuan submitted a memorandum this morning.

I copied it with my hand.

Have a look.

Eunuch Liu.

Official Yuan has been my rival for many years.

He can make up all sorts of things.

Your rivalry is your rivalry.

I don't care about

its veracity or if you are truly involved.

May I remind you

that until he received the Dengxian Pearl,

His Majesty has never been this jovial.

His Majesty is getting old.

He cannot go through something as dramatic as this again.

If His Majesty believes what Official Yuan states here

and gets so angry it affects his health,

I will hate to see this unfold.

I can delay this memorandum for only three days.

Please deal with this problem within three days.

I know Wang Shun. He's prone to lying.

He said he took advantage of Min'er.

As I think, it must be a slip of the tongue.

Even the servants of Royal Academy won't believe this.

I just don't know why Yuan Lang believes him.

Yuan Lang got lucky this time.

It is a desperate move,

but that move hit us on the spot.

Yuan Lang placed all his bets on Wang Shun.

There is something strange.

First our priority is to find a way

to maintain the deception.

If His Majesty finds out

that Min'er has lost her virginity,

her fake identity as the goddess will be discovered.

Any further investigation will lead us all to the death penalty.

That's the worst-case scenario.

Three days is enough to send all of you far away.

Is that your solution?

Of course, the Qiu men will be sent, too.

They should be on their way back to the capital.

I will quietly send people to meet them at once.

As for the future,

you're on your own.

What about you? What will you do?

Are you worried about me?

You're the Qiu Family's benefactor.

It's natural I care about your safety.

I didn't plan thoroughly,

and now someone found my weakness. I must pay the price.

Liang Yi, I really hate your stubbornness.

Why do you shoulder everything alone? Do I need that?

I don't care if others leave or not. I won't leave.

So what can you do if you stay here?

We can think together.

We escaped from so many other predicaments before.

Let's go to Min'er first. She's involved.

No matter what, she'll play a part in the solution.

If we three brainstorm together,

we can find a good solution.

All right.

Min'er will attract attention if she comes here,

but we can meet her outside.

We are not on good terms,

but in this tricky situation, she knows to cast aside personal grudges.

Min'er.

Let's sit down first.

I didn't know the goddess has to be...

I just wanted to help, but I made it worse.

Enough. There's no point lamenting now.

I caused the problem so I should solve it.

Have you figured out a way?

Not me.

Qin Xuan thought of it.

Qiu Yan.

Why is he here?

What does this have to do with him?

Just let me help you this time. Please.

Qiu Yan. I don't think involving Qin Xuan is a mistake.

Don't forget that I lost my virginity to him.

He is just as involved as we are.

Qiu Yan, I know you don't want me to be involved.

But this time, no matter what, I will not let you cast me aside.

Qin Xuan, you don't understand. You might lose your life for this.

Do you think I'm unwilling to die for you?

Sister, I also care about Qin Xuan,

no less than you do.

The way I see it, if you love each other,

you should face adversity together as a team.

Liang Yi, I can't get through to them.

Ask Song Jin to take Qin Xuan away.

Patience. I would like to hear his solution.

Your plan is utterly preposterous!

If there's a slip-up, it makes everything worse.

If it works or not will depend on your performance, too.

Liang Yi. You said you would give me a choice.

You know I will never sit still and watch Qiu Yan die.

But if I proceed with your plan,

Qiu Yan and I can never be together.

That's what you want, isn't it?

You should know very well,

that the moment you spent the night with Qiu Min, You and Qiu Yan will never be together!

You and Qin Xuan arrive together.

You say that you told Qin Xuan.

Don't let Qiu Yan see through our lies.

Lord Liang can make my wish come true.

Surely, I'll cooperate with you.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not doing this for you.

I understand.

You spent so much effort planning this for my sister.

You and I are in similar situations.

Your situation... is not similar.

Lord Liang, you are really sure.

That's my plan.

What do you think?

It might work.

I agree with it.

It sounded reckless at first, but when I think about it,

it's worth a try.

Qiu Yan. At this point,

think about Min'er, your father, everyone in Qiu Family,

and Liang Yi.

In your eyes, is my life

more valuable than all their lives?

Unless, I'm still an outsider

in your view.

You're right.

Many lives are at stake.

I must consider them.

Qiu Yan.

Ever since I retrieved it from Fengjing Prefecture,

I carry this hairpin with me as a memory.

And now,

let me return it to you.

I am now Su Yi Wan.

If anyone sees me carrying Qiu Yan's belonging...

I didn't think it through.

Don't let anyone find out then.

Qiu Yan. I'll keep it for you.

Let's go.

Cousin.

The Firewood Office made this box.

It's indestructible.

You need a code to open it.

Keep your hairpin in here and remember the code you set.

No one else will be able to open this box.

My mother's birthday is the code.

Why did you tell me?

If I ever forget about it, you can remind me.

All right. I'll remember the code for you.

Qin Xuan's plan

is actually your plan, isn't it?

If it was my plan, I could have just told you directly.

Because you know

if you tell me directly,

if I agree to it or not, it will be a tough decision.

If it comes out of Qin Xuan's mouth,

I would feel better.

When Qin Xuan broke down the plan for us,

you nodded intermittently as if you just heard it for the first time.

Tell me you truly didn't know about this plan.

If you knew Qin Xuan came up with a better plan, you would sulk,

not just nod.

I know you're just being considerate.

I know you care about me,

and what I owe Qin Xuan.

I have to shoulder this guilt.

Only I can shoulder it.

It's getting late.

I have to get ready.

Why did I nod?

Yi'er.

Why do you look for me this late?

Mother, I have something to tell you.

What do you want to say?

You should be by Wan'er's side.

If you want me to be happy, give me a grandchild soon.

Mother, it's something serious.

What's so serious?

Can you ask the Noble Consort

to help the Qiu Family and me?

"The Qiu Family"?

What are you asking for?

I would like to marry Miss Qiu Min.

I have come here

to speak to your mother. [Plain Feathers]

I have not agreed

to your request.

Your Highness, I grew up with you.

It is my true feelings,

and I pray that you will help me.

If you want me to help you,

then answer some questions.

You can lie to your mother

but you have to

be completely honest with me.

Of course, Your Highness.

You raided the Qiu Family yourself because that was your duty.

But I heard

that when the Qiu women were in Royal Academy,

you hung out a lot with Qiu Yan, Qiu Min's sister.

Everyone knows that.

When Qiu Yan passed away,

you married a female performer

who bears a striking resemblance

to Qiu Yan.

If you want me to help you,

for these ridiculous events

you must give me a reasonable explanation.

You are correct, Your Highness. I am at fault here.

Initially, I wanted to marry Qiu Min, but I was then drawn to Qiu Yan.

They are sisters.

One is quiet and elegant, while the other was bold and decisive.

They stole my heart.

Therefore...

Why haven't you told me that?

After Qiu Yan passed away, I took Su Yi Wan as my concubine.

Later on, I heard Qiu Min was still alive.

I want to give Miss Qiu Min a home.

Please grant my wish, Your Highness.

How did I give birth to you, the scumbag?

Your Highness, don't grant him his wish.

Your Highness, Miss Qiu Min went through an ordeal.

I feel I owe her and wish to make amends.

Please grant me my wish.

Oh, well.

Miss Qiu Min is the reincarnation of the goddess.

Her marriage shouldn't be handled the ordinary way.

Also,

if you both reconcile,

it could be a beautiful tale.

Thanks, Your Highness.

Your Highness. You indulge him too much.

If I don't indulge him,

who should I indulge then?

Get up now.

Also,

bring your concubine here.

I wish to see her.

I want to see

if a doppelganger truly exists in this world.

She is sick and bedridden at the moment.

Is she sick?

I was unaware of it.

Madam Su. Madam Su.

Madam Su, stop breaking things.

Madam Su, Old Madam gave those things.

If you break them...

I want to break them.

Why are you standing here? Clean up now!

Yes, Lord.

Get changed now.

Noble Consort Guo wishes to see you.

No, thanks.

I am sick now. I won't see anyone.

Su Yi Wan, don't go overboard.

Who's stepping out of line again?

You said you'd love me forever, but you got bored of me after a few days.

And now, you're marrying someone else.

If you have a legal wife, my suffering will never end.

We'll see about that! The Noble Consort asks for you now!

You're using her to threaten me.

She takes your side anyway. Why should I see her and grovel to her?

What a great man.

Wan'er.

Where are your manners today?

Your Highness, she is usually very respectful.

I suppose

after she learned Yi'er wished to marry the Qiu's Miss, she...

People say

Liang Yi spoils his concubine.

And now, you get a belligerent wife.

Please pardon my incompetence, Your Highness.

Please forgive me.

Excuse yourself to Her Highness now.

Su Yi Wan, the lowly concubine,

bids you a good day, Your Highness.

Lift your head up.

The face is identical,

but unfortunately,

she lacks her demeanor.

Her boldness holds no candle to Qiu Yan.

How can you compare to Qiu Yan?

What did you call yourself again?

Su Yi Wan.

Not that.

I mean your title,

Concubine.

You said you're a concubine,

but you do not know your place.

If your lord wants a legal wife,

you don't have a say in it!

Apologies, Your Highness.

Listen to me carefully.

Qiu Min marries into the Liang family;

she will be your master.

If you ever disrespect her,

even Liang Yi can't protect you.

Noted, Your Highness.

Thank you.

As the mother-in-law,

you overindulged Su Yi Wan, too.

Today, I will make her know her place.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Summon Qiu Min from Qiu Manor.

Yes, Your Highness.

Get up now.

Thanks, Your Highness.

Your Highness, you arranged once to be in-laws.

The Qiu Family will do as you wish.

Qiu Min, you're now the goddess.

Although your family elders agreed to this arrangement,

you deserve the right

to decide for yourself.

Your Highness, I was upset about Lord Liang's

decision,

but your words of wisdom have enlightened me.

Lord Liang just performed his duty.

I should be more understanding.

In that case, do you agree to it?

I am willing.

However, I am obliged to perform my mourning duty.

Lord Liang might need to wait three years for the marriage.

What a tradition-abiding child.

Perhaps...

Perhaps I can talk to His Majesty

and adopt you as my foster daughter.

I will be your foster mother,

and I will marry you off like this.

On behalf of Qiu Family, I thank your generosity, Your Highness.

Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Highness.

Liang Yi, take good care of her.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, you truly overindulge Yi'er. [Liang Manor]

He's an obedient child.

All right.

All of you can go back now.

No need to see me off.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

[Autumn Waters]

I would like to talk to you.

Didn't I tell you to reflect upon yourself in your room?

My lord, Old Madam, Your Highness. Forgive me.

I know Miss Qiu Min is here,

and I can't help but venture out.

I trailed the Qiu's wagon and prayed

that I could take a peek at her.

What were you planning to do?

I just want to behold her beauty and see what she has that I don't.

But

I accidentally

ran into a disgraceful sight.

Stand up and speak.

Yes.

Su Yi Wan. You cannot accuse someone falsely in front of Her Highness.

I'm telling the truth.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Qiu Min and her maid disembarked from the wagon halfway through

and entered an inn.

And then,

her maid guided another gentleman to her room.

Her maid did not enter the room.

Instead, she stood guard by the door.

I think they are hiding a secret.

So I rushed here to tell Old Madam, Your Lordship, and Your Highness.

Wan'er, are you sure?

My eyes did not fool me.

She and her lover must be still in the inn.

Take me there.

My lord, it's unwise for you to go there.

Why?

You usually carry arms with you.

If you hurt someone out of rage...

Perhaps Old Madam, can you come with me?

Me?

I don't think that's right.

I will go.

Your Highness. Think twice, Your Highness.

This is inappropriate.

Your Highness.

I started this so I shall deal with it.

Besides, Qiu Min is my foster daughter now.

I need to know her true character.

Your...

All of you, get out now!

- Your Highness. This is the inn. - Out. Now!

You see nothing.

You ask nothing. Understood?

All of you upstairs, go out now.

Bring her to me.

Your Highness, this woman was standing by the staircase.

She was acting suspiciously so I brought her to you.

I am with Third Young Lady of Qiu Family.

She asked me to bring Lord Qin from Duke Ying Manor here,

then told me to stay here.

That's all I know.

All of you wait here.

Min'er. Does it still hurt?

Not anymore.

Qin Xuan, please don't forget about me.

Didn't I tell you to wait downstairs?

Are you worried that I might see?

That I would cover it up?

Don't worry.

I shall handle this with fairness.

Insolence!

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Qiu Min. How dare you lie to me?

Your Highness, we...

It's just a mistake.

Are you Qin Xuan?

Duke Ying's son sure fears nothing!

Your Highness, don't blame Qin Xuan.

It was I who seduced him.

Why did you agree to the marriage arrangement then?

You're just making me look like a fool!

I wouldn't dare, Your Highness.

It's just that I never loved Lord Liang.

Back then, I couldn't defy my father's wish.

And now, Your Highness arranged this marriage for me.

Without parents deciding for me,

I wouldn't dare turn you down.

I already agreed to the arrangement.

I was planning to take my own life

so Lord Liang and Your Highness

would not hold Qiu Family accountable.

Explain your relation with Qin Xuan.

I have always been in love with Qin Xuan.

After I left the Liang Manor,

I was going to die anyway.

I wanted to let Qin Xuan know

how much I loved him.

I asked Qing Dai to bring Qin Xuan here to meet with him.

What a fine rendezvous.

Qiu Min, you ought to know as the goddess,

you should be the role model to all young maidens in the world!

Qin Xuan!

Qin Xuan! It's you!

- My lord. - Move aside.

I treated you as my brother, yet you did this to me!

You're a scoundrel.

Scoundrel!

- You're no brother to me! - Careful, my lord!

Say that again.

I'll kick you to death!

Cousin!

Fine, kill me if you can then!

Are you all right, Cousin?

Don't hit him, Lord Liang.

Hit me first.

You had Qiu Yan, and now you want Min'er, too. You know no shame.

Says the shameless one.

I can kill you without martial arts today.

- Bring it on. - Move aside.

Come!

Play along.

You hit Qin Xuan, I'll hit your concubine.

Liang Yi!

Just because you look like my sister doesn't mean I fear you.

I always hated my sister.

You dare to hit me?

I'll tear your face!

Your sister might be dead, but I'll teach you a lesson for her!

You think...

If Qiu Family wasn't in danger, she would never go to you!

You're just a scoundrel who took advantage!

Where were you when Qiu Yan was in danger then?

You imbecile.

- Cousin, does it hurt? - My lord, are you all right?

So you're serious, Liang Yi?

Stop fighting. Let go!

- Don't hit Qin Xuan. - Stop fighting.

Why are you here?

You don't have a say in this.

How dare you touch my hair!

Who do you think you are?

Remorseful now?

Or are all of you tired from the brawl?

Should I have someone bring you some food?

Forgive me, Your Highness.

At this point,

Liang Yi, your marriage arrangement with Qiu Min will be rejected.

Qiu Min, I will not adopt you as my foster daughter.

I suppose you know it is not I who failed to deliver the promise.

Yes, Your Highness.

Liang Yi, go home and take your concubine.

And you, see Qiu Min back to the Qiu Manor.

That is all for today's fiasco.

None of you are allowed to mention it nor bring this to court.

As you wish, Your Highness.

Cousin.

Are you all right?

Gentle.

Honestly, why can't you stay loyal to Wan'er?

Why do you have to ask for Qiu Min's hand?

Rekindling old feelings? What did you get?

A bunch of bruises.

Mother. Go back to your room.

With you here,

we can't rest.

- Y-You want to rest? - Yes.

Sure. Sure. Take your time to rest up.

Let's rest up.

Gentle.

It went better than expected.

Only you would plot a scheme against the Noble Consort.

I had to do it.

His Majesty is distrustful. If you want to lie to him,

you need to make sure that his confidante is on our side.

So gravely injuring Qin Xuan was also a necessary evil?

Didn't you see how hard he hit me first?

What about you?

Was pulling Qiu Min's hair okay?

I was just playing along.

I heard everything you said to Qiu Min.

Are you telling me those weren't your personal feelings?

What about you?

What you said to Qin Xuan must have been

buried deep inside your heart for a long time.

And I have many more in there!

Tell me then. I'm all ears.

I don't want to tell you.

- Tell me. - I'll tell you.

I will tell you. I will.

I'm worried they can't handle Yuan Lang tomorrow.

Liar!

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.]