All language subtitles for The Autumn Ballad 21

=The Autumn Ballad=

♪Winter clouds fill up the sky
as the geese leave behind a trail of sorrow♪

♪I lean in front of the window,
gazing from afar♪

♪I heard your singing♪

♪By the west riverbank♪

♪As our eyes meet each other,
our longing is still there♪

♪Mountains and seas apart,
waiting for the full moon♪

♪All for our sweet encounter♪

♪Smiling with you
as I stare at the bead curtains♪

♪I will not disappoint
our mutual affection in this lifetime♪

♪We fly wing to wing
beside the sea of mountains♪

♪Even if all creations go silent♪

♪I will not disappoint
our mutual affection in this lifetime♪

♪We fly wing to wing
beside the sea of mountains♪

♪Even if all creations go silent♪

=The Autumn Ballad=

=Episode 21=

Sir Jin.

This is the final place where Mr. Qin

was last seen with Miss Min.

Who is the owner of this house?

A panhandler.

He's a gambling addict

so he must be at the gambling house now.

We have dispatched people there.

Search this place.

Yes, sir.

Miss Qiu Min.

Sir Jin.

I didn't expect

the Firewood Office to find me
this soon.

Bring me to Qiu Yan then.

Come with me.

(Firewood Office)

Here, please, Miss Qiu Min.

Sir. Miss Qiu Yan.

We found Miss Qiu Min.

Min'er!

I'm glad you're fine.

I'm glad you're fine.

Come back with me.

Lord Liang.

I have some words

for my sister.

Min'er.

We can talk

once we're back.

No.

I won't go back with you.

So

you made Qin Xuan think that I was dead,

and you were all alone

so you can only turn to him.

Yes, I did.

Shouldn't you be worried

that our family's name will be restored,
and when that comes,

everyone will see through your lies?

So?

Either way,

I had slept with Qin Xuan.

He's a gentleman

so I'm sure

he won't abandon me.

Qiu Yan, you're always so prideful

and think you're different
from other women.

But now,

you would hit your own younger sister
for a man.

That was not for Qin Xuan.

That was for Lord Liang.

Do you know

how many people are hunting us
out there?

You ran away from Guangji Hall.

Do you know how risky

your endeavor was?

Fine.

Risk your life if you want to.

But have you ever thought

about those who helped us get out
of the Royal Academy?

Liang Yi, Song Jin,

those panhandlers, those boatmen,

and those people who manage
the Guangji Hall.

They have all committed grave crimes.

If you're captured,

it's the end for them

and for the entire Qiu family.

Why would you risk so many lives

just for a man?

You're so right, Qiu Yan.

Is one slap enough for you?

If not,

please continue.

Once you're done,

do me a favor, Qiu Yan.

I told Qin Xuan

that after the boat disaster,

only I was flushed to the shore.

And I had no idea
that all of you survived.

Please help me

complete this lie in front of Qin Xuan.

Also,

make sure our aunts and madams

know about this too.

That way,

this lie will never be found out.

And if I refuse?

If you refuse,

I will tell everyone
that the Qiu family is hiding

in the Guangji Hall.

You will not get jealous for a man

but I'm different.

For Qin Xuan,

I will sacrifice anyone

without a flinch.

If

I can't be happy,

no one can.

You're crazy.

Min'er.

You used to endure
for the greater good.

But weren't you the one

who said I should fight for myself?

You said

we should rely on ourselves.

I did that and tied Qin Xuan to me.

Qiu Yan,

am I not your obedient sister?

Min'er,

it's only been a day

and you changed completely.

If my sister can seduce Qin Xuan

and discard him away
once she is bored of him,

why can't I do the same?

The Qiu family has fallen from grace.

The pure, innocent,

obedient,

and so malleable Qiu Min is dead.

She was already dead

in the Royal Academy

when you were busy vying for attention

and courting Lord Liang.

In a few months,

those who love me

either left or died.

If I stayed the same,

no one would care if I died

in Guangji Hall or not.

I would.

You left us a letter without reasons.

I was so worried that you might
take your own life.

Do you know

how scared, how frightened I was?

Qiu Yan.

You hugged me once just now.

If I'm not mistaken,

it was your first hug in a long time.

After our mother passed away,

I asked you to hug me.

During a stormy day
in the Royal Academy,

I asked you to hug me again.

But you didn't.

(You cannot rely on someone else
all the time.)

(You have to rely on yourself one day.)

(No one can look after you forever.)

You weren't there
when I needed you most.

And now,

I don't need you anymore.

I have said my piece.

I will ask Lord Liang

to send me back to where Qin Xuan lives.

I will never ever return

to the old and dingy Guangji Hall.

(Qin Xuan.)

(We're drinking pals.)

(Would you drink with me tonight
till we're drunk?)

Qin Xuan, you're awake.

I bought you breakfast.

Min'er,

last night, did I...

Did I force myself on you?

You were drunk yesterday

and you grabbed me while calling
Qiu Yan's name.

I couldn't fight back.

Qin Xuan.

You're a scum.

Don't do this, Qin Xuan.

You're an animal, Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan.

- You took advantage of her.
- Don't do this, Qin Xuan.

I know you did that

because you were devastated.

I know

and I understand.

I won't hold you accountable, Qin Xuan.

Sorry.

I fail you.

I'm all alone now.

I only have you, Qin Xuan.

If Qiu Yan is watching us from above,

she will want you to take care of me.

Sir.

Sir.

(Mude Hall)

You're...

Please tell Marquis Weiyuan

that Official Yuan
of the Main Administrative Office

would like to extend his congratulations.

Congratulations?

Madam Jin!

I am Jiang Yun.

Official Yuan told me

to wish you and Lord Liang happiness.

What's the occasion?

It's about Lord Liang's concubine!

Concubine?

You weren't aware of it?

Liang Yi refrains from overindulgence

and he keeps postponing
his marriage arrangement.

Perhaps, this is just a mistake?

Impossible.

Yesterday, Official Yuan detected
suspicious behavior

from a particular female entertainer.

He confronted her

and suddenly, Lord Liang appeared.

He announced publicly

that the female entertainer was
the concubine that he'd recently wedded.

When Official Yuan returned home,

he was worried that Lord Liang
would hold grudges

so he asked us

to bring you gifts this morning.

It's both an apology

and a congratulation.

The city gate is now open.

Disguise as a man

and I'll escort you out of this city.

Sir.

Miss Qiu Yan can't leave anymore.

Jiang Yun with his cohorts
from the Main Administrative Office

came bearing gifts for your marriage.

They made a huge deal out of it.

And now, I'm afraid half the Capital
has caught wind of it.

Yuan Lang is doing this on purpose.

He wants to keep Qiu Yan here

so he made a huge deal out of it.

(Liang Residence)

(Mude Hall)

Mother.

Good morning.

Why are you in a hurry?

I was about to go
to the Firewood Office.

Many people
from the Main Administrative Office

came to congratulate you.

All the commoners even gathered around
to check out what happened.

I'm sure they have made a mistake.

Greetings, Old Madam.

I am Su Yiwan.

Do you think I'm dumb?

Why didn't you tell me
this serious matter?

It's a complicated story.

It happened so quickly
that I hadn't had the time to tell you.

When did you wed her?

- Two days ago.
- Yesterday.

When?

- Yesterday.
- Two days ago.

Song Jin.

Tell me.

Two...

- Yester...
- So many things happened yesterday

that it feels like
three days have passed.

They must have gotten all confused.

Wan'er and I

wedded yesterday.

Right. Right.

What does this have anything to do
with the Main Administrative Office?

I was shopping and scammed
by an old lady.

She was bullied by a court runner
due to her lowly status.

She was first scammed by an old lady,

and then, she was bullied
by a court runner.

Mother.

Wan'er is an entertainer.
She's illiterate

so she doesn't mince her words.

Please don't mind her, mother.

An entertainer?

Attend the court.

I will grill her

about you two.

Mother.

Your work awaits, my lord.

I'll be fine.

Wan'er.

When you address my mother,

you have to be polite.

Think before you speak.

Of course.

Song Jin.

Follow me.

(Autumn River)

Lord Liang.

Slow down, Lord Liang.

Congratulations.

I heard you found

a beautiful concubine.

Official He,

you know my private life very well.

All thanks to Official Yuan.

Or else, we wouldn't know.

Indeed.

You are always

so cold

and distant.

Who knows that

you actually have emotions like we do?

So, Lord Liang,

if you ever have any good news,

don't hide them.

We've been colleagues for many years.

If you have something to celebrate,

tell us

and we can all celebrate together.

Exactly!

It is time
for the morning court meeting.

All of you are dismissed for now.

Noted.

I must have met you somewhere.

You look familiar too, Old Madam.

It's as if we met in our previous lives.

Since you're a performer,

you must have met Yi'er when you were
performing with your troupe.

You agreed to his proposal yesterday.

I suppose you two
barely know each other?

Old Madam,

I have known His Lordship

for a long time.

This is not a dalliance.

Have a seat.

I spent

the entire morning court meeting

hearing those old ministers debating
how we should name the bridge

over the canal.

How boring.

Anything interesting
in the Capital lately?

Tell me something fun

to wake me up.

Recently,

when Li Wei

took over the late
Governor-general of Zhili, Tang Zhi,

he found no possession

in Tang Zhi's abode.

Liang Yi,

what you said here

is no different from the mumblings
of those old ministers.

I want to hear something fun.

I have nothing else.

Wonderful news came out of
the Liang Residence yesterday.

Have you heard of it, Your Majesty?

Apparently,

an old lady claimed

that a female entertainer caused her

to take a serious fall.

The runner of the Jingzhao Prefecture
tried to investigate this case

just to bump into Lord Liang having
an intimate moment

with the entertainer.

In fact, that entertainer

is actually Lord Liang's concubine

that he took in in secret.

Unfortunately for the runner,

he didn't recognize Lord Liang

and so Lord Liang got so mad
that he drew his sword.

He said whoever touched his concubine

would be beheaded.

Oh, Liang Yi.

I didn't know

you were this bold.

Your Majesty,

it was a lapse of judgment

and I made this careless mistake.

I shall send her back now.

Send her back?

What is she going to do then?

Thanks, Your Majesty.

Ever since you started your position
six years ago,

you handle everything with care.

I almost forget

you're also a man of needs.

You invoked your wrath just to shield
your beloved damsel.

The valor of Lord Liang

should be sung everywhere.

You never said

which woman tickled your fancy.

That's why the Noble Consort
recommended some to you.

And when the Qiu family was raided,

you performed your task dutifully.

But that's also why

your marriage was postponed once more.

Great.

Finally,

you found a woman that you like.

I shall give you a gift.

It's just a concubine.

It is undeserving of your generosity,
Your Majesty.

You have always been aloof and uptight

but I prefer the current you,

the fighting spirit you have
for your loved one.

May your seed continues to prosper.

Thanks, Your Majesty.

And then,

you have to go to Old Madam's chamber

and clean her room.

- Song Luo!
- Also...

Go now.

Master.

Have you seen Wan'er?

The woman I brought back

this morning.

After you left for the court,

Old Madam brought her

to the study to talk to her.

They are not done yet.

That day,

I witnessed my family

leave me to the bandits

in order to protect my little brother.

When all hope was lost,

Lord Liang appeared with Song Jin.

It was him

who freed me from the bandits.

He even gave me a fan as a keepsake.

I survived

but due to my mother's lowly status,

our life was a tough one.

The fan Lord Liang gave me

became the reason I persevered.

I know I'm from a lowly background

but I truly love him.

I don't even want any title.

I just want to stay by his side.

My child.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

I didn't know

you have such

a tragic background.

Now I understand why my son

hid this from me.

He was worried that I would
mind your upbringing

and wouldn't accept you.

He

underestimated his own mother.

Before I married the Marquis,

I was just a maid

to Noble Consort Guo.

I came from a commoner background too.

But here I am,

the spouse of a Marquis.

Miss, do not

sell yourself short anymore.

You're a performer

but you're the first woman who entered
my son's eyes.

If he values you,

I will value you too.

From now on,

you won't be lonely anymore.

Thanks, Old Madam.

Yi'er.

You're back early.

Mother.

I finished early today

so I came back earlier than usual.

Great timing then.

You took her in hastily.

We couldn't prepare anything.

I was thinking

we should pick a room for Wan'er.

You might live with her too

so we can't let her decide alone.

Come with us.

Oh,

change your uniform first.

Okay.

Mother,

the western room is small

but elegant.

Whatever you like, my lord.

No,

the sun glare is strong there.

You can't live inside.

Mother,

what about the north? It's spacious
and there's no sun glare.

There's a fake mountain
and a pool there.

When you two have kids,

they might get injured playing there.

No sun glare. No fake mountain.

This will do, won't it?

No, it's too far from you.

Yi'er.

Perhaps

she could live in the study you used
when you were young?

That room is spacious and
has great lighting.

I think it's good.

But mother,

it's the study I used when I was young.

All my childhood keepsakes are inside.

It will be a chore to pack them up.

If I live with His Lordship,

I might bother him.

It's fine.

You should bother him.

We will

place a tea table here.

The color of these curtains
is not festive enough.

Change them.

Use red ones.

And this folding screen? Remove it.

And this place

should be the bed.

The duvet has to be cozy and
has a bright color.

Did you get everything?

Yes, I will see it done now.

Do you know what you need to get me now?

Yes.

All right. Now move.

Yes.

Miss Song Luo.

You serve Old Madam.

Can you tell me

why our Master took in a concubine
out of a sudden?

Where does she come from?

It's our Master's business.

Why do you want to know?

Right.

But Old Madam is over the moon today.

I'm curious about this concubine.

Isn't Old Madam's wish obvious?

She has always wanted our Master
to have a family.

Regardless of her background,

if she can impress our Master,
she is no ordinary woman.

Red and green,

they are the colors that suit
young women like you.

Look.

You look so much fairer in them.

How adorable.

Do you like them, Wan'er?

Mother,

she doesn't like them.

She prefers something plain.

I like whatever you pick,

Old Madam.

Wan'er loves it.

I also have Huanhua fabric lying around.

Let me find it.

Why did you have
to turn your mother down?

Since we're acting,

just play along.

Are you willing to put on
those floral clothes then?

I can take one
for satisfying your mother.

I don't like you in them.

Look.

This is Huanhua fabric,

given by the Noble Consort.

I appreciate

your kindness, Old Madam.

Here.

I'll save all these fabrics

for you.

She is beautiful so she looks good
in anything.

A young woman should have many clothes.

And this

folding screen with dragon and phoenix.

Do you like it?

Embroidered by gold threads,

under the sunlight,

it sparkles like the ripples
on the lake surface.

I also have one with a couple
of lovebirds on it.

Do you want it?

Mother, she might feel dazed
when she wakes up then.

You don't get to decide.

Tell me, Wan'er.

Bring all of them in.

Mother,
when it comes to a folding screen,

she prefers a yarn folding screen.

Place a black soapstone ding
on the table

and hang the Hidden Gem Painting

that depicts how Judge Di tried to prove

his innocence.

If you want to have clothes
made for her,

use Ruanyan silk given by His Majesty.

When did you

buy them?

Mother.

That's all for Wan'er room then.

I still have work to do.

Wan'er,

do you like these decorations?

His Lordship

did pick what I like.

It seems like he likes you a lot.

I don't think he even knows

what I like.

(Spring Hill)
I'm sure he does, Old Madam.

I'm not angry.

I'm really happy to know

that he cares a lot about you.

I have sent the servants here away.

It should be safe for now.

Just stay here then.

Last time when Qiu Yan and I hid here,

everything was in a rush

so I couldn't appreciate
the decor properly.

I promised your sister

that I would build her a library

that contains all storytelling scripts
about court cases.

I'm sure Qiu Yan

appreciates it

from high above.

All right.

Without any servant here,

you might run into some troubles.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

It is I who should apologize.

You took such a huge risk for me.

There's no inconvenience at all.

Don't apologize.

As long as I'm here,

you will be protected.

Besides, the Qiu family is innocent.

I'm sure

you'll have your appeal one day.

Wan'er's order is like my order.

Whoever disrespects her,

disrespects me too.

You heard me?

Greetings, Concubine Su.

Concubine Su?

Lord Liang doesn't have a legal wife yet

so she should be Madam Su.

Greetings, Madam Su.

You're dismissed.

Yes, madam.

Wan'er. Come.

Let's have dinner.

Yi'er, bring some food for Wan'er.

Thanks, my lord.

Wan'er.

Don't you know Yi'er is allergic

to eggs?

That was when I was young.

I'm fine now.

Some more.

I'm fine.

It's so delicious.

Another bite, please.

Wan'er.

Have some too.

Okay.

Tell me what you like.

I'll have the chefs
prepare them for you.

I'm not picky.

I like everything.

Something just came to my mind.

I need to read an important document.

I have to go now.

But you barely ate.

I should go check up on him.

All right then.

I will have the servants

deliver the food to both of you then.

Thanks, Old Madam.

Are you all right?

You look so pale.

So you truly are allergic to eggs?

Since young, eating eggs has given me
an upset tummy.

I almost lost my life.

I'll summon the physician.

No!

I told my mother that it was gone now.

If you summon the physician,
she'll know it's a lie.

I can endure this.

Are you sure?

I'm fine.

Wake up!

Liang Yi!

Oh, both of you are inseparable.

Song Luo, place the food here.

Don't disturb them.

Noted.

I just want to say

that

the food will be delivered to your room
from now on.

You two can dine together if you want.

No need to eat with me all the time.

Yes, Old Madam.

It seems like
I'll have grandchildren soon.

Song Luo.

You can retire now.

Noted.

Who would have thought

that the intimidating

inspector of the Firewood Office

is also afraid of something?

What did you say?

You woke up.

Are you all right?

Are you feeling better?

I'm a lot better now.

I said I had work to do,

didn't I?

I should head back then.

What's the matter?

Numb?

It's just steamed eggs.

Do you have to make me suffer too?

Stay.

Stimulate the acupuncture point
to get rid of it.

Old Madam.

You were here all the time?

No,

I just arrived.

Wan'er, it's late already.

Why haven't you two retired
to your room now?

His Lordship still has work to do.

This is unacceptable.

Yi'er!

Both of you just got married.

You can't possibly let her

spend the night alone.

She'll be the laughing stock here.

She doesn't mind.

Nonsense.

No girl

will want to spend
her first marital night alone.

Wan'er.

Does it bother you?

You're so considerate, Old Madam.

It does,

actually.

Fine then.

Mother.

It's getting late now.

You should go to bed.

All right.

Both of you should go to bed early too.

Yes, mother.

Oh,

I took a three-day leave for you.

Both of you should rest up here

during these three days.

How could you do...

My lord,

is Wan'er not as interesting
as those documents?

Of course, you are.

You must have had a long day.

Let's go to bed early

and make my mother proud.

Come.

Is she gone?

Yes.

What are you doing?

Someone's there.

She's gone.

Was it Song Luo?

So you noticed.

Song Luo serves Old Madam.

If she's just eavesdropping
for Old Madam, it's understandable.

But she's overdoing it.

When Old Madam was questioning me
during the day,

she dismissed all servants

but Song Luo used tea-serving
as an excuse

to linger in the forecourt.

It's just way too obvious.

Yuan Lang already planted
his spy in my residence.

For many years,

he hasn't done anything.

And now, it has begun.

If you know she's Yuan Lang's spy,

why not send her away?

Yuan Lang will find someone else
to replace her.

Letting her stay

means I can monitor my enemy in secret.

She's ready to be manipulated whenever.

So you're planning

to feed her false info

when the time comes?

Indeed.

Go to bed now.

Who did this?

Who else?

Unlock the door tomorrow morning.

But not too early.

But how are they
supposed to relieve themselves?

My mother thought about this too.

What should we do?

Thank you, Lord Liang.

How polite of you.

You took me in out of kindness.

Naturally, I have to thank you.

Thanks for the sacrifice.

What?

I laid out your duvet already.

Goodnight.

You won't let me take the bed?

You want to watch me get changed too?

Qiu Min.

Qiu Min.

What's the matter?

Qin Xuan, the thunder is so loud.

I'm so scared.

It is quite loud.

I'm here to send you a blanket.

Autumn rain makes the day extra cold.

I don't want you to catch a cold
when you sleep.

Make sure you're covered.

I'll leave now.

Don't go, Qin Xuan.

Don't abandon me here.

Being alone in this spacious house

can be scary.

Can you keep me company?

Just this once?

You can leave when I fall asleep,

okay?

♪A sliver of moonlight
passes through the roof♪

♪Your sweet smile had warmed my heart♪

♪If the hazy night is a garment♪

♪Your appearance will be the pigment♪

♪Looking at your direction♪

♪All the scenes appear in my mind♪

♪As I draw your eyebrows♪

♪I'm willing to wait for you
for an entire lifetime♪

♪A sliver of moonlight
passes through the roof♪

♪Your sweet smile had warmed my heart♪

♪If the hazy night is a garment♪

♪Your appearance will be the pigment♪

♪As people part from one another♪

♪I hope the story goes your way♪

♪I was reminded of your vow♪

♪I'm willing to wait for you
for an entire lifetime♪