Original subtitles

EPISODE 7

Master Du, you are quite reckless.

Master Liu is by no means an ordinary wealthy merchant.

His businesses spread throughout the capital of Song

and every state and county.

Even the esteemed nobility in the capital have often received his financial support,

though they deal with him in private. You have deeply offended him today.

He might very well cripple your hand tomorrow.

How will you take the exams?

I know.

You know?

Knowing this, you still dared to mock him in public?

Master Chai, you know what I mean.

If I didn't inscribe those words on his mansion's gate

and let all of Bianjing know he was mad due to his failure in grabbing a groom,

back then,

you would not have been able to rescue me, but to collect my corpse instead.

A mere trifle of fleshly pain is something I can endure.

You are right.

However, Master Du,

Master Liu's daughter

is of fine character and looks, though not comparable

to the goddess of the moon,

and comes with the substantial dowry of the Liu family.

Why not go with it and make it a happy occasion?

Could it be that you already have a wife at home?

No.

I have not yet taken a wife.

Nor do I have a marriage engagement.

But in Bianjing, when taking a wife or marrying off a daughter,

people don't care first about moral characters,

but for dowries and betrothal gifts.

This is absolutely dishonorable.

Won't that make all the Jinshi and Juren

to be beggars and parasites?

I deeply despise such practices.

As for you, Master Chai,

since you have a good relationship with the Liu family,

why not marry their daughter?

In books, there are houses of gold and ladies fair as jade.

Is this not what you scholars pursue?

If all the scholars in the world

study for such purpose,

wouldn't all the talents selected by the state

become those who go after fame and profit and see beauty over righteousness?

We are not the same kind.

We shall part ways here.

Master Du, wait.

It was merely a test for you.

When I make friends with someone,

I don't see backgrounds or talents

but their characters and ambition.

Master Du, I believe we can hit it off.

I spoke frankly. Please take no offense.

If you don't mind my humble house, why not move in and stay for a while?

You can prepare for the exams without trivial matters of money distract you.

I am lodging at Xingguo Temple,

not just because of money.

There are many poor students living there.

It's convenient for us to discuss literature

and exchange learnings there.

-I won't bother you further. -Master Du.

This is not mere politeness.

I am afraid that staying at this wealthy place

will reduce my resolve

to study hard.

Thank you for your kindness.

-I'll take my leave. -Master Du.

Young Master, this person is very stubborn.

He won't let the physician treat him and insists on leaving.

Alright, I'll see you out.

Andao.

PAN RESTAURANT

Master Du,

if Master Liu causes trouble for you again in the future

or if you have any needs, you can find me at Pan Restaurant.

Thank you, Master Chai.

Take care.

I finally met a saint today

who regards money as nothing but dirt.

You believe in his nonsense?

He mentioned the old acquaintance, only to wait for me to rescue him.

The country's official enrollment

starts from being a Jinshi at your exams.

Do not look down upon him for being humble and poor now.

Once he does the best on the exam,

he'll marry the daughter of a high-ranking official.

How will he care for a mere merchant's daughter,

unless he is indeed foolish and sticks to his learnings and readings?

A person who does not seek petty gains must have a steadfast heart.

We must not underestimate them.

The reticent one by his side

doesn't seem to be ordinary either.

Give the order. If he visits again, report to me immediately.

Yes.

-Come in. -Please come inside.

-Please come inside. -Young master,

Sifu House has recently set up a literature contest.

They choose a topic and everyone composes a poem.

The best writer will get the fee waived for the tea.

and given additional gifts.

She is not choosing the best writer.

She's clearly choosing a son-in-law.

But their method

won't last more than two days.

Yuanming.

Since you had no intention of marrying,

you should have concealed your talents before Liu Tang.

Why did you show off your talents on purpose?

In this capital, eminent scholars

emerge in great numbers.

If I hadn't, how'd my reputation be known?

Content with poverty, devout to the path, upholding propriety and righteousness.

How will they know?

Take care.

Come take a look.

Lady, have a look.

CAKES

It smells good.

Sir, are you buying some cakes?

They are all freshly baked and still warm.

Look here.

-I'll have one. -Okay.

Here is the money.

-Here you go. -Okay.

Andao,

I know you hate

those who seek fame.

But I must tell you.

To be a good official,

aside from caring for the country and the people

and being diligent and incorruptible,

you also need to be flexible and quick-witted.

You must not stick to the rules rigidly.

Also,

how is your injury?

You couldn't fight,

and you didn't dodge.

You are truly an honest one.

Mind your own business first.

Wait.

Andao.

Are you here for the literary matchmaking?

-Please come inside. -What's this?

Right here.

The literary matchmaking event is on.

Please come in.

Please.

SIFU HOUSE

A cup of Qibao pounded tea

and a plate of Sanzi are coming.

-Okay, thank you. -Enjoy your meal.

Li, you used this "gaze" word well.

Zhang and Wang,

look at this article.

It's really good, isn't it?

-Another bowl of salted soybean soup. -Alright. Right away.

-That's absolutely amazing. -The brilliance is in this very stroke.

Look at this.

This is written so well.

What a superb verse!

And this one.

It's really well-written.

Young master,

could you take a look?

What does this sentence mean?

You've read this sentence wrong.

This is an acrostic poem.

We need to read it horizontally,

starting from this side.

I see.

Thank you, young master.

To describe wind…

How about using this character?

Well written indeed!

This brushwork is bold and powerful.

Everyone, Pan Restaurant is organizing a poetry contest.

Great scholars from the Imperial College will be judges.

It's published a list of top scholar candidates.

The list of top scholar candidates?

Don't go! You guys?

Wait. Don't leave.

They've all left…

You haven't paid yet.

Is there really not one

that catches the eye?

They all look good to me.

A faint fragrance drifts, seeming there and yet not.

It's the incense most suitable for literati and scholars.

Big sis, the incense you've blended can sell for a high price.

We're worried about you yet you talk about other things.

If Shouhua says they're not good, it must be the truth.

I'd rather skip.

But it has already been three days.

The tea house is full every day.

Not one qualified?

There are quite a few poems here

that you haven't read yet, sis.

Today, I looked with Kangning through the curtain.

None are good-looking.

Good-looking?

Do you care for poetic talent

or appearance?

Poetic talent is indeed important,

but appearance matters more.

The imperial examinations

select scholars with talent.

How can you judge them by appearances?

There'll be provincial examinations next year,

and the palace examination in March.

The top ten papers in the palace examination

will all be ranked before His Majesty.

According to tradition,

His Majesty will personally meet with the top three

to determine the final rankings.

Other than the written works, what else does His Majesty consider?

-Composure? -These are unwritten conventions.

Not to mention the top three.

Aren't the most acclaimed scholars this year

all Juren who are dignified in appearance and extraordinarily elegant?

Besides, we're choosing a husband for Kangning.

An ugly man

is unacceptable.

Shouhua.

I'm furious.

Who upset you again?

Of course, Pan Restaurant.

They've started some kind of top-scholar gambling pool.

They've also invited

some pedantic scholars to judge the poems. They've drawn everyone over there.

Stop that.

I think they are deliberately causing us trouble.

Choosing a husband is a minor issue.

Business is the priority.

I wanted to take this good opportunity

to gain some reputation for Sifu House.

Now, it seems we must find another way.

Kangning.

Come in.

Shouhua.

You're still awake at this late hour?

I remembered Father used to teach me to paint plum blossoms.

So, I felt inspired and picked up the brush again.

What do you need me for?

I have something

to add to your dowry.

-Shao, quickly. -Li.

Sorry for being late.

When did the literary matchmaking start?

Li.

-Pleased to meet you. -Let's go.

Let's go have a look.

SIFU HOUSE

What happened?

Young master,

Sifu House has put on a big display, a literary contest to find a son-in-law.

It's caused a sensation in the city.

Everyone is rushing there to watch the event.

Zhao.

Madam Li, even when a prominent family holds a matchmaking session,

they must present their daughter

for the candidates to have a look.

Yes. Exactly.

You promised the literary matchmaking personally,

but you're hiding your daughter away.

Could it be that she is not outstanding at all,

so that you plan this on purpose?

-Right. -Exactly.

He is right.

Please pardon my audacity.

A daughter is born to resemble her mother.

If your daughter resembles you a lot…

Alright.

I think all of us should head over

to Pan Restaurant across the street to evaluate poetry.

-Right? -That's right.

Madam Li, did you summon us

all here just to idly grind ink?

Exactly.

How tasteless you are!

Who hasn't gone through their youthful days?

Back in my youth,

those who came to propose marriage

wore out eight door thresholds of my house.

All of you, on the other hand,

don't provoke me any further.

This is a literary matchmaking.

Rules must be obeyed.

What kind of rules?

Come out.

There's also a prize?

What is this?

It's okay if your daughter is a bit ugly.

Be generous.

These two can be the maids accompanying the bride.

It's an insult to scholarly grace.

Lu, please don't be annoyed.

No one here

really wants to marry the daughter of a tea house owner.

For what? Her ability to make tea?

We're all just here for a bit of fun.

-That's right. -Right.

Well…

-Is this…? -This is a pearl curtain.

This is worth a fortune.

This is indeed worth a fortune.

I can't accept this.

It's the keepsake your ex-husband left for you. Take it back.

This pearl curtain

was left to me by my husband.

He wholeheartedly hoped

that I could live well in the future.

But for me to live well, the Li family must be doing well.

This pearl curtain is not for you in particular, Kangning.

It is a gift to someone

who can shield the Li family from the wind and rain

in the not-too-distant future.

Kangning,

you must remember

all the words I say tonight.

Tomorrow, you must open your eyes wide

and choose carefully.

We've made a big scene,

not just for your marriage.

Although my family is not a large household,

all my daughters have all been carefully raised

and treated like pearls.

In the future, no matter which family my third daughter

marries into, this pearl curtain

will accompany her to the new family.

-This is worth it. -Good indeed.

But let it be said upfront.

My daughter is a hundred times more precious

than this pearl curtain.

This is just a prize of good luck.

If someone wins her over,

it would be a blessing for his whole family

and a fortune that's been prayed for by nine generations of ancestors.

Make way. Make way.

Exactly how ugly

is your daughter

that you're willing to part

with such a treasure, Madam Li?

How ugly is she exactly?

She is so beautiful.

-Indeed. -Right.

-She could be considered stunning. -She's so beautiful.

She is really gorgeous.

She is so charming.

Look.

We will have a poetry topic.

Gentlemen,

take a good look.

-Flower. Gentlemen, please look. -Flower?

The poetry topic is "flower".

Flower?

Flower?

Young master, you were first arrogant and now respectful.

Your attitude has changed too quickly, hasn't it?

-Exactly. -It has changed too fast.

Exactly.

That's right.

He is a man with two faces.

Young lady, don't go.

-Why are you leaving? -Don't go.

SIFU HOUSE

-Young master. -Go.

Summon someone for me.

-Who? -Du Yangxi.

Madam Li, is it true that whoever wins the poetry contest

can marry your daughter?

Mother-in-law.

-Piss off. -A person's word is their bond.

If I were to seriously

start composing poetry,

you must not go back on your word.

Who is your mother-in-law? My poetry skills are better than yours.

In terms of talent,

who can surpass me?

Goose, goose, goose.

Its neck bends as it sings to the sky.

What is this for?

This is…

Inside this house, there is no boundary between men and women.

My daughter willing to show her face

is already an exception.

What I'm baking today

is top-scholar's pastry.

Top-scholar's pastry?

This is good.

Once the pastry is well baked,

all your poems

must be ready as well.

I see.

What are you waiting for?

Hurry. Get writing.

-Dear me! -Get me two pieces of pastry.

There are plenty out there who wish to be my son-in-law.

Make way for me quickly.

Have a pot of tea.

Flower.

Alright.

Only these two have the best poems.

That plum-blossom poem is rather ordinary.

But this one…

Whether read from left or right, it doesn't make a poem either way.

Returning from flower viewing The horse flies like the wind

The horse flies like the wind I was drunk with little wine

With the wine, I awake at dusk

It's dusk when I awake Returning from the flower viewing

This is a palindromic poem.

It seems to have only one "flower",

yet two lines both conceal the word "flower".

Clever indeed.

But between the two of them,

who truly is today's champion?

Both are.

And neither are.

Poetry creation requires inspiration.

When everyone sits in the tea house,

writing for the poetry challenge,

how could they write their best?

Knowing they couldn't do well, why would you set such a challenge?

The poetry topic is ordinary.

Who knows whether they've taken someone else's poem

to fool us?

This excellent handwriting

is very rare.

I don't know much about writing.

How does it compare to your writing, Shouhua?

It surpasses mine by far.

The calligraphy takes

at least ten years of diligent practice

throughout seasons.

It's no easy work.

With such perseverance and talent,

the person is well-educated without asking.

However, I still have to test him again.

Limited to the baking time in the inner room

and surrounded by spectators in the outer room,

this round tested

their quick wit and composure.

Finding more about them is not difficult.

Don't we have a second round?

Kangning, go and try them, and then you will know.

It's hard to judge the superior poetry of you two at the moment.

I have a couplet here.

May I ask you to attempt a match?

Please go ahead, young lady.

Here is the first line of the couplet.

Li Boyang has "Li" as the surname,

born with knowledge.

Li Boyang?

It refers

to Laozi, who was born with knowledge of all things.

The difficulty of this first line lies in the fact

that the first sentence has two "Li" characters.

Not just that.

The "birth" character below

also aligns with the right arm of the "surname" character above.

This is a character-dissection game.

Young lady, are you deliberately making things difficult?

Who can match this couplet on the spot?

-Yes, indeed. -It's too difficult.

Then you better listen well.

My match is "Ma Wenyuan had his body wrapped in horsehide,

dead without giving up."

"Ma Yuan" corresponds to "Li Boyang".

"Dead without giving up" corresponds to "born with knowledge".

Very good.

-Good. -And the "death" character

corresponds to the "corpse" character.

Incredibly clever.

Clever.

Splendid.

Young master, may I have your name?

How old are you, and where is your home?

I have a daughter

who is good

in both appearance and character.

I am willing to betroth her to you.

Congratulations, young master.

I'm afraid there's a grand success

to come after the wedding.

Congratulations.

-Congratulations. -Congratulations.

I'm Jia Ming, from Hongzhou.

Thank you for your kind suggestion, Madam.

But are you sure you will betroth your daughter to me?

I set up this literary challenge in public.

Everyone here can be a witness.

How can it be false?

This cannot be rushed.

I need to finish my exams and return home first

and then discuss it with my wife.

Your wife?

So, he has a wife.

Madam Li,

you wouldn't betroth your beautiful daughter to him as a concubine, would you?

All the fuss is for nothing.

You might as well marry your daughter to me.

Wait.

You…

If you are already married,

why didn't you say so earlier?

Madam,

I was just passing by

and saw that it was very lively here.

I thought there was a poetry contest or literary contest going on

to make friends through literature.

Who would have thought your family was so eager to find a son-in-law

before the Ministry of Rites started the exams?

Are you fooling me?

Huh?

Mother, wait.

My third daughter, he is making a fool of us in public.

Young master, since you already have a wife at home,

I naturally cannot marry you.

There's no need to mention the pearl curtain again.

However, you are still the champion of the day.

So, you can take another prize.

-There is another prize? -What will it be?

-Another prize? -There is another prize.

Besides the pearl curtain and you, there is another prize?

Bright eyes, long ears, big mouth,

and the feet are even more nimble.

Not even knowing what place this is, and they just barged in straightforwardly.

Today's prize actually matches you.

She said I had sharp eyes,

long ears, and a big mouth,

and I just rushed there happily, wherever there is excitement.

At first, I was puzzled.

But after thinking it over carefully, she was talking about a donkey.

Master Chai, you may not know.

But now, the Li family's literary matchmaking

has become the latest joke in all of Bianjing.

Do you know what people call me behind my back?

Top-scholar Donkey.

Luckily that day, I disguised myself.

Otherwise, my reputation

would have been completely ruined by the Third Lady.

What a pity.

What?

Li Boyang has "Li" as the surname, born with knowledge.

She is able to come up with this couplet.

This young lady must have talent that is not beneath mine.

It's a pity that I arrived late and didn't get to witness her beauty.

But to make many scholars bow down,

she must be a beauty with talent.

I don't agree.

Chai,

what deep grudge do you actually have against the Third Lady?

Why did you intend to ruin her marriage?

There's no grudge or resentment. It's just we've crossed paths in business.

The small Sifu House took away the business of the entire street.

Can't I pay back in a little?

Then you are too harsh.

You didn't see

that Madam Li's face almost turned green with anger.

Angry enough to tear me in half.

Do you really think that Li Kangning would be at a loss?

She has already made a fortune.

It's like a dream.

Hurry and put away my precious pearl curtain.

Next year, Haode can still use it.

And the year after, Leshan can still use it.

These two households are originally one. They are separated by only a wall.

It was originally going to be rented out to others.

I've specially kept it for you.

I told you this shop would bring you luck, right?

As I expected, it hasn't been long.

Business is booming.

You've renewed the lease of the shop for another two years.

Now you've rented this courtyard as well.

Your future blessings

will be endless and inexhaustible.

Sorry for keeping you waiting.

The wall between the two households is too low.

If you rent it to someone else,

they'll take the opportunity to spy on my backyard.

Right?

You are right.

Then,

I've handed over the keys to you.

-Make sure to keep them safe. -Alright.

You must call her "good lady" to get some porridge.

Good lady.

This girl is quite a beauty.

-Enough. -Madam.

Alright. Now that I have the keys,

let's cut the formalities.

I will go to you if there is anything. You can leave now.

-Be sure to come to me. -Take care.

-Come to me. -I won't see you off.

Come to me.

Here. Take this.

These peddlers who roam the streets

are really cunning and treacherous.

They find loopholes to sneak into peoples' private quarters.

Your younger sisters are still young.

In the future, when I'm not home,

don't open the door for them.

I know.

Mother, ever since the literary matchmaking,

there are quite a few people hanging outside our door all day.

I've seen them several times when I went out.

-It's so terrifying. -Absolutely.

Our household is all women.

It's inevitable we attract the attention of scoundrels.

Fortunately, we exchange frequent visits with the Fan's.

Otherwise, our life would be

-far from peaceful. -Here.

I should marry you two off sooner rather than later.

That would settle one of my worries.

Madam Li, rest assured.

We're here to guard the gate for you.

Thank you.

This porridge is all ready. Take it back and share it with them.

Okay. Thank you, young lady.

Go ahead. Don't spill it.

Remember to return the bowl.

Okay.

I've got it.

Where's Shouhua?

Leshan has caught a chill. Haode is taking care of her inside.

Shouhua said she thought

of her ex-husband's prescription. She's gone to get the medicine.

She's back.

Shouhua.

You…

-What happened to you? -He was frozen stiff on the way.

I was passing by.

He is frozen.

Poor young man.

-Can he make it through? -Qiongnu, hurry up.

-The water is here. -He is frozen.

He's freezing to death. Hurry.

-Get him bowl of ginger soup. -Okay.

This poor thing.

Wait.

It's him.

Don't save him. Stop.

Don't lie down here.

-Get off the bed. -Mother, he's not up yet.

-What are you doing? -Wait. Kangning,

don't you remember him?

He's that man from the other day…

He's the one from the day of the literary matchmaking.

It's him.

-Right? You recognize him now. -It's actually him.

A heartless villain like him deserves to freeze to death.

Let's beat him to death.

-We won't save you. -Mother.

-Stop. -Mother.

Don't. It'd be okay if we let him freeze to death earlier,

but if you throw him out now, those who don't know the whole story

might actually condemn us as heartless and impious.

Mother, I'm the one being teased. I'm not even holding a grudge.

Isn't saving a life better than offering food

-and donating money? -Xing…

Xingguo Temple…

There is someone there.

Who's there?

There is someone there.

He keeps mentioning Xingguo Temple. Who could be there?

Maybe he is a Juren coming here from the imperial exams

and he is worried about his luggage.

In my opinion,

we can send an errand boy to Xingguo Temple

to find out his details

and take care of his belongings,

especially the poems and essays he writes regularly,

-to make sure they're not lost. -You're not allowed to go.

You two are too kind.

Since we know where he's from, we should send him back to Xingguo Temple.

I won't feed this wolf-hearted scoundrel.

He's being forced to stay at Xingguo Temple.

Who's there to take care of him?

If you send him off and he dies on the way…

Mother, he is a Juren after all.

Juren, right?

We have to save him.

But we should still find out if he's married.

We won't save him if he's married.

-We won't save him then. -Okay.

You deserve to freeze to death.

What did you say?

I was ordered to bring Mr. Du charcoal and cotton-padded clothes for winter.

But the temple keeper said he moved away.

Moved to where?

It's said that Mr. Du's close friend had a fever.

He ran around seeking medicine for him.

Unfortunately, he fell ill by the roadside and saved by the Li family.

The Li family also took his luggage away

along with his sick friend.

Well, why is it the Li family of all people?

I have already checked. Leshan has taken the medicine and sweat.

She is now sleeping soundly.

Keep the medicine dregs

and send them to that man

so as to avoid seeking physicians.

Otherwise, given Mother's frugality, she wants to drive those two away.

I see.

Chunlai, you may continue.

Those two people

were cramped in a room

as small as a chicken coop.

Other than a worn ink stone,

a few broken brushes,

and several volumes of old books,

what's left was an oil lamp that you wouldn't get a drop of oil out of

even if you rub it for three days.

The temple keeper says if there is a day when they

don't set up to sell writings,

they probably won't even fill their stomachs.

In this world, there are actually such poor Jurens.

It's really quite astonishing.

Then he was lying

when he said he had a wife.

Being so poor, how could he support a wife?

To raise money for traveling to the capital for the exams,

it's common for people to sell land and borrow money.

Moreover, I find in their collection of books

quite a few rare hand-copied editions, seldom seen on the streets.

It appears

that whenever these two people have a bit of money,

they spend it at the book market of Xiangguo Temple.

Shouhua, are you saying that they are a master and his servant?

No.

The temple keeper says these two are quite strange.

They frequently exchange their clothes.

And they take turns attending their writing stall.

I see.

Although they're poor Jurens coming to the capital for the exams,

they inevitably need to visit friends.

Without a servant by their side, they couldn't enter people's gatehouses.

Pretending to be each other's servant is a good way for them to save face.

Shouhua, your finding was quite something.

You've actually found two Jurens.

These two pedantic scholars are really interesting.

Very peculiar indeed.

-Two scholars. -Mother.

-Leshan is much better now. -Two.

Mother?

Two scholars.

Has Mother heard it?

Heard what exactly?

She looks so happy.

Yuanming,

if Cousin Fan hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known that you moved here.

How can you live in such a humble place?

Deqing.

Hurry and pack Mr. Du's luggage. Take him to my house to recuperate.

-Master Chai… -Yuanming,

this time, you must listen to me.

Do it.

-Mother-in-law. -Madam Li.

What's wrong with my place?

He can't live here?

My entire family lives here,

and we are just fine.

Madam Li, you've misunderstood.

I absolutely didn't mean that.

Mother-in-law,

my cousin didn't mean that.

He means this courtyard was originally used for storage.

And it will be quite inconvenient for Master Du

-if he wants to study for the exam. -What's inconvenient about it?

He lived in Xingguo Temple's wing room.

Now he can't live here?

Is the roof missing a tile

or the floor missing a brick?

Or does the Chai's mansion have one more wall than others?

Madam Li,

I sincerely meant well.

The Li household is all women.

It would be quite inconvenient for young men to live here for long.

The two courtyards are separated by a wall,

and they each have their own gate.

They are simply unrelated.

As for me, I had already planned

to rent out the east and west wings

and use the main room as a storeroom.

But our household is all women.

It's not proper to rent to complicated tenants.

As for you two, you are both decent scholars.

If you live at my place,

you can study with peace of mind

and help me guard my home.

Sifu House is frequented by many literary guests.

So, there will be no shortage of repartee.

I will reduce the rent

and provide meals every day.

And you can help with writing on the counter.

Isn't it convenient for both sides?

But Madam Li, if Yuanming stays--

But the physician also said

the situation of your friend in the other room

is greatly undermined.

He's like a tree with its roots damaged.

If moved, that could mean death to him.

Young Master Du,

you have to decide for yourself.

Yuanming, say something.

Chai, well, Madam Li is full of good intentions

and considerate in every aspect.

To decline her would actually be rude.

So, I have no choice but to accept her kindness

and repay her in the future.

You called me out early in the morning

to accompany you to see these two scholars.

If you didn't come, would the Li family let me in?

Cousin, what in the world do you want?

What are you doing?

I want to know what's wrong with this wall that it's worth staring at it for so long.

This wall

is too high.

Too high?

Mother.

Shouhua. Kangning.

Come quickly.

-Come quickly. -What's the rush?

W-What are you doing?

What's this for?

You… This…

You…

Who are you people?

How can you start redoing the wall without talking to the owner?

Who are they?

Madam Li, do not be upset.

My master has ordered us to clean up and reorganize this place

so that Master Du can live more comfortably.

I'll tell them to be gentler

and not to disturb you.

-Then, what's the deal with this wall? -The household over the wall is all women.

A gentleman prevents trouble and avoids sketchy places.

I've ordered them to raise this low wall by a few feet

to remove any ground for gossip.

And Master Du agreed to this.

-What do you say? -I say…

You…

Yuanming, you are still ill.

You need someone to take care of you.

I will leave these two people here

to prepare medicine, serve tea,

and make the bed for you.

You can't always trouble the Li family.

After all, they are all women.

Chai,

you may not know

Andao, the guy who lives next door, how stubborn he can be.

If a woman were to serve him closely,

I'm afraid he'd want to throw himself into a lake when he wakes.

As for me, when studying,

I fear nothing more than the clamor of people.

I can't simply ask them to not say a word. So, there is no need to let them stay.

I knew you would be unaccustomed.

-Lingyao. -Yes.

Starting from today,

you will stay here to serve Yuanming.

Understood.

Well…

You shouldn't reject a mere page boy.

If you say another word of refusal, I will truly become angry.

Alright.

I'll accept him.

I heard that Master Sang

still hasn't recovered after taking medicine.

Perhaps the physician here isn't very effective.

To avoid any mishaps, I have specially invited

Physician Liu of Yutang Alley

whose expertise is treating colds.

He's guaranteed to cure as soon as he treats.

Be careful.

Be careful. Slowly. I've got you.

Not only did they raise the wall,

they also assigned a servant to watch the gate.

They treat us as if we were thieves.

The guest takes over to be the owner.

The visitor turns into the host.

What do they want?

Shouhua, what are you laughing at?

Today, I finally understand

what "evil always prevails

over justice" means.

Kangning,

we've managed to keep them here. But it's still hard to have our way.

Then, let's wait and see

who plays the evil in the end.

Young master,

the courtyard is all cleaned up.

Do you have any further instructions?

Too short.

Short?

Where is the flute sound coming from?

A crow has nested here,

clamoring day and night

and startling the patients, so they can't rest.

How can they recuperate with this?

Do you even know how to handle things?

Young master, I told them to saw down this tree early on.

But I was afraid the sound of cutting wood would disturb the peace.

The elders often say

that when crows nest somewhere,

there must be misfortune.

I don't care about these superstitions.

But they are facing important examinations.

So, it feels somewhat unlucky.

Besides that, sawing a tree down will only take half a day.

If they can't endure the sawing, it'll be crows another two months.

You can't do the math? You know it's because you're lazy.

You're right. It's all my fault.

Young master, you do have the resolve. Without the crow's noise in the future,

they can concentrate on their studies.

No.

He's waiting for me to argue with him.

Don't fall for his trick.

Kangning.

Kangning.

Put in a little more effort. You get two more dishes at Pan Restaurant.

Alright.

The crow causes a ruckus every night,

making Master Sang toss and turn all last night.

It's really annoying.

Sawing the tree down is a good thing.

Lingyao,

your master

is truly an interesting person.

No. I must intervene. If I don't,

they will tear down my courtyard.

Mother,

didn't you previously dislike that crow

because it was noisy?

You also complained the tree sheds leaves all over the ground,

which can't be swept away.

You said someone would saw it down.

Well, they were interrupting Kangning's performance.

Kangning, you don't look well. I hope you're not upset.

Fuhui, stop teasing me. Can't you see Mother is also annoyed?

It's so annoying

that I'm going crazy.

Mother, if you're so anxious,

it's better to hire a good matchmaker to talk with them directly.

You silly girl, you don't know anything.

Go away.

You think Mother doesn't want to?

These past few days,

I have inquired clearly.

That Du Yangxi is very aloof.

He publicly refused the Liu family's marriage proposal.

Do you know the Liu family?

They are wealthy and powerful.

On the main street outside Chongming Gate, more than half of the shops are theirs.

Now that the news has spread,

everyone praises him

for his modesty and high integrity and thinks he's a true gentleman.

He rejected a wealthy and noble family.

How could he possibly fancy the daughter of a humble tea house?

As for that Sang…

-Sang Yanrang. -Right.

When he was at Xingguo Temple,

he either read in his room or sold calligraphy at their stall.

He never mingled

with other scholars.

Because of his reticence,

people gave him the nickname "Sang the Stone".

He's also a strange one.

So what?

On the day of heavy snow, if my family hadn't kindly taken him in

and offered food and medicine, he'd be dead of hunger or cold somewhere.

If he dares not to repay the kindness,

Mother will make him notorious in Bianjing.

A marriage obtained by imposing gratitude will only lead to endless dislike

and hostility.

Mother, we know you want to marry off Kangning.

But you can't push her into a pit of fire.

Haode is right.

Unless this marriage is something he pursues by all means.

That will be even more difficult.

We can't have a girl waiting in the boudoir

to propose first, right?

What's that over there?

Mother worries that none of them will pass the exams.

She had me move all of their old books and writings here to find out more about them.

Got it.

They said one can't do business with a chasing heart.

If we want them to come asking willingly,

we have to set up slowly.

Ask them to give the books back to me.

Andao,

no one has kidnapped your books.

It's the physician who said you've just come around.

-You shouldn't be too tired. -I'll say it again.

I want my books. Tell them to return them to me.

If I can't smell the fragrance of books, I am truly going to die.

My books. I want my books.

Subtitle translation by: Yun Zhao