Original subtitles

♪Roaming freely through the cycles of time♪

♪In an ardent and liberated soul♪

♪Over thorny roads, across treacherous heights♪

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars in the dark night♪

♪And stride through fate's ups and downs, leaning toward the sun♪

♪Moments turn into eternity, fleeting years become forever♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead, the light within never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream to completion♪

=The Legend of Zhuohua=

(Adapted from "She Was Once a Playful Soul" by Sui Yu Er An)

=Episode 32=

(This is a work of fiction.)

(Wenzheng Parlor)

Tutor Shang's words

(Eradicating Corruption Proposal) have raised awareness.

Those from noble families are now favored by the Emperor,

but they are complacent and bully the common people.

They're unworthy of being favored.

And look at us.

We studied for years and passed the examination.

We aspire to serve the nation.

But that ambition is being hindered by these pests.

(Eradicating Corruption Proposal)

This is the Eradicating Corruption Proposal that's been widely spread

among grassroots scholars lately?

Yes.

The Protected Appointments System

has carried on for a century.

It is like a towering old tree

that is deeply rooted.

These words hit the nail on the head.

This Tutor Shang is indeed very insightful.

Your Majesty.

Tutor Shang also pointed out in his essay

that if one is an official,

their descendants and relatives

can all become officials with ease.

In the worst case, there will be free riders

acting with impunity.

Your Majesty.

Even a teacher who isn't a court official

knows the harms of the Protected Appointments System.

But those court officials

are afraid to speak up as they fear the power of the noble families.

This shows that the powers of the noble families have been a scourge.

If they are not removed soon,

the nation's foundation might be harmed.

Jinghong.

Why are you suddenly on your knees?

Quickly get up.

I know

you are concerned for the sake of Southern Chen.

The Protected Appointments System has indeed become a threat.

It cannot be condoned any further.

That is very wise, Your Majesty.

You need to hold your breath and concentrate when you shoot an arrow.

You cannot be distracted.

As expected from Mr. Jinghong who outperformed Yemu Jing.

You have excellent archery skills.

That was rude of me.

It's alright.

You did well.

I shall make a toast to you with tea

instead of wine.

The tea has a strong aroma.

But it has a refreshing taste like the green mountains.

That's right.

Sit.

I get to come here

and enjoy a moment of peace from the chaos.

But there are still many people in Southern Chen

who are struggling in the mire.

Not to worry, Your Highness.

The proposal has highlighted

problems of the system.

Now,

it has caused a great stir

among grassroots scholars.

His Majesty is also aware of it

and thinks the essay is substantial.

If so, we will be able to accomplish our plan.

Shang Shou, the author of this essay,

is the teacher of Mu Zhuohua.

Shang Shou and Mu Zhuohua seemed to be

more than just teacher and disciple.

They are more like father and daughter.

Since Shang Shou has become the leader in supporting the abolition

of the Protected Appointments System,

we don't have to worry about Mu Zhuohua not being on board.

(Eradicating Corruption Proposal, Part One, Shang Shou)

This essay was written by Mr. Shang in his early years.

Now, it's being publicized and spread.

I wonder if someone is doing this deliberately.

Mr. Shang is sharp-tongued,

but he would never offend anyone.

I think their target isn't Tutor Shang

but you.

Mr. Shang got dragged into this because of me.

My Lord.

Don't worry.

I will send He Xin to Jiangnan with his squad

to protect Tutor Shang.

Thank you, My Lord.

Old Master.

The writer of the proposal, Shang Shou,

is from Yongding County in Huaizhou, Jiangnan.

Huaizhou?

Yes.

This darn Eradicating Corruption Proposal.

Darn you, Shang Shou.

How dare you stir trouble in the Sun family's territory!

Go.

Bring a few men.

Give him a good warning.

Yes, Old Master.

I'll see to that at once.

Look at that bend.

It must be a big fish.

Ouch, my hand.

Young man.

I guess

you aren't here to fish, are you?

You didn't even put the bait.

I work for Official Sun Ru, the Minister of Works.

He sent me to warn you.

If you still can't watch over your mouth,

then the next time I am here,

I won't just be accompanying you.

(Eradicating Corruption Proposal)

It turns out

that I was the bait.

Alright. That's all for today.

Go home.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye.

Alright.

All of you must remember

to study hard,

especially you girls.

If you want to live a different life

and get out of the house,

you must study hard

and pass the examination.

I will, sir.

It is a big world out there.

Sir.

What's wrong with you today?

Whenever classes were over,

you would run faster than a rabbit.

But today, you are seeing us out at the entrance.

That's so strange.

You rascal!

You naughty little thing.

Use that intelligence in your studies from now on.

Isn't it better?

Go home.

That's more like you, sir.

Scram!

See you tomorrow, sir.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye.

Go on.

All of you should leave.

I should leave, too.

If that old geezer finds out

that I dreamed of him,

he is going to be so delighted.

Old geezer, why aren't you fishing today?

Old geezer!

Young Lady.

Young Lady, what's wrong?

Juli.

I dreamed of Mr. Shang.

Mr. Shang?

What happened to him?

Young Lady, are you alright?

Coming.

My Lord.

My Lord.

So? Do you have news about Mr. Shang?

The Falcon Squad sent news from Jiangnan.

They have found Tutor Shang.

How is he?

Tutor Shang...

He has passed away.

He has passed away?

This old man.

How can he leave without caring?

Did he not even leave me any last words?

Although Tutor Shang

did not leave behind any last wishes,

he has always

worried about you the most.

I know.

He didn't want me to fall under someone's control.

Zhuohua.

Stop blaming yourself.

(Mu's Residence)

As per my investigation,

two groups of people looked for Mr. Shang.

The first group was sent by Sun Ru.

The second group was unknown.

They were

the ones who killed Mr. Shang.

Their purpose was unclear.

But I am assuming

it is related to the essay written by Mr. Shang.

Noted.

Keep investigating.

Be sure to get to the bottom of it.

Yes, My Lord.

Two groups of people.

Besides the Sun family,

who else can it be?

The wind is cold at night.

Here.

Warm yourself with some tea.

Your Highness.

Did you hear about it?

Are you referring

to Zhuohua's teacher being murdered?

If only

I hadn't pushed ahead with the Eradicating Corruption Proposal

and dragged him into this,

this innocent man

wouldn't have been killed.

That is the Sun family's sin.

It has nothing to do with you.

However,

if Shang Shou hadn't died,

it would have been hard for us to make our next move.

Why do you say so?

Mu Zhuohua has been hesitant

about going against noble families.

Now that Shang Shou has been killed,

as his student,

how can she stay silent?

I suppose you know

what we have to do next.

But Shang Shou was just murdered.

Do we have to be so eager

to make an issue of his death?

We must proceed with the abolition of the system.

We have no time to waste.

Don't you want to root out noble families

and give grassroots scholars

a world to shine?

Besides, the imperial court

is a dog-eat-dog world.

Since you have chosen this path, you should be aware

that you often don't have a choice.

(She never believed in Buddhism.)

(I pray for the benevolence of the Goddess of Mercy.)

(Please let my teacher, Shang Shou, ascend to Heaven soon)

(and be free of the world's sufferings.)

Young Lady.

If we let Tutor Shang stay here,

will it disrupt his tranquility?

This is a tranquil place in the city.

He will like it here.

Zhuohua, we should go.

Let's go home.

Sir.

I have waited all day.

Why hasn't the fish taken the bait?

Do you know what it means by

"where there is a will, there is a way"?

No matter what you do,

you mustn't be in two minds about it.

Imagine doing something

in fits and starts.

How can you

accomplish something without putting in

time and effort?

You are right. I will keep that in mind.

Young Lady.

Juli.

Bring me my official robe.

Your official robe?

Mr. Shang died for my sake.

His grievances.

His expectations.

He had placed them all on me.

I mustn't be here grieving over his death.

I want to see Shen Jinghong.

(Mu's Residence)

About Tutor Shang...

I'm...

I was just about

to see you.

If you need my help with anything,

I am willing to help.

Do you have the bylaws

for the abolition of the Protected Appointments System?

Are you saying

that you are joining me?

I was once taught to take it slow.

But noble families have operated in Southern Chen for years.

Now,

they have become like a tumor.

A strong medicine is needed to cure a serious illness.

I am willing to be the knife

to make the first cut.

Very well.

Your Majesty.

Noble families have pocketed public funds

and taken national treasures,

causing a flood of complaints from commoners.

This is their first offense.

Ignoring the law.

Disregarding people's lives.

That is their second offense.

Using the Protected Appointments System as a shield

to help those without virtue and talent hold a high position,

while those with competence and knowledge are not appreciated.

That is their third offense.

In my opinion,

noble families have committed

a long list of offenses.

In order to appease the people and correct the law,

we must first get rid of them.

Show the nation

to ease their hearts.

Your Majesty.

I think what Official Mu said is very true.

The Protected Appointments System

has not protected loyal subjects

but pests who feed on the nation over the years.

There is no making without breaking

or gain without pain.

To get rid of this corruption,

we cannot have mercy.

Please abolish the Protected Appointments System

and remove all free riders from the imperial court

so that those who are competent can serve the nation.

Your Majesty.

Doing so might weaken the nation's foundation.

Official Mu and Official Shen are acting rashly

without considering the consequences.

Do not blindly listen to them.

Official Zhou is absolutely right.

Please consider it carefully before making a decision.

This is a great matter.

We shall discuss this again.

Court adjourned!

Do you have orders for me, Your Majesty?

I just heard

about what happened to Tutor Shang.

Are you

alright?

The court is still unstable.

I dare not be careless towards my health.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I will take care of myself

as I wait for the day justice is prevailed.

I knew

you would definitely pull through.

(Department of State Affairs)

You acted sort of rashly today.

Do you think

what I said wasn't true?

You spoke the truth.

But right now,

it is not the best time

to have a head-on fight with the noble families.

As you know,

someone is standing by and watching the fire.

They have set a trap.

You can't...

Why can't I?

Someone has to do it.

Am I wrong?

No.

It can't be you.

Still, I should do something.

Fine.

You can do whatever you want.

I won't interfere.

Thank you, My Lord.

My Lord.

What did Official Mu do

to make you so worried?

Did I say something wrong?

Have you forgotten how you were set on taking revenge

and fighting to the death with Roujia?

My Lord, I...

I was just...

She lost her mother

and wasn't cared for by her father.

Tutor Shang was like her second father.

Anyone who has lost their family

would feel devastated

and aggrieved.

Give her some time.

What Zhuohua did was no different

from declaring war against the noble families.

I'm worried the Sun family will harm her.

From this moment on,

stay close to her and keep her safe.

Yes, My Lord.

Qi.

Qi!

Father.

- Mother. - Qi.

Listen. Our house has been seized.

I have nowhere to go now.

You have to help me.

I'm telling you...

Zhijian?

My Lord.

Seeing

that we will be a family in the future,

please help me.

If anything bad happens to me,

you will no longer have a father-in-law.

Mother.

Why did you and Father come to the capital?

It's a long story.

What?

Tutor Shang is dead?

Yes.

I heard

that some ruffians broke into his house late at night.

When the officials arrived the next day,

the ground was covered in blood.

How awful.

This won't do.

We must leave for the capital at once.

The capital?

Why are you so impulsive?

There must be more to Tutor Shang's death.

The next to be targeted

might be our family.

Us?

Seems like I have put you and Father through trouble.

I suppose you don't know.

Not long ago, I had conflicts with the Sun family

in the imperial court

due to the abolition of the Protected Appointments System.

Seems like Sun Ru dragged the Mu family into this

in order to get revenge on me.

What do you mean?

Sun,

that nasty thing!

What a corrupted official.

He has benefited so much

from my family all these years.

What's the use of saying this now?

Qi.

We don't mind losing all our money

as long as we can overcome this crisis.

What are you talking about?

Lose all our money?

Then all my efforts

will go to waste.

What else can we do?

The Mu family has fallen into poverty,

but as long as we are still alive,

we will always get a chance to start over.

Qi.

You are now a court official.

Find a way to help me.

It wasn't easy for me to establish

a family business.

You value money more than your life.

You are just a young girl.

What do you know?

Old Master Mu, you have been a businessman for years.

You should know that you can't have your cake

and eat it too.

I can find a way to save your business.

But there's no mercy in the law.

So I cannot guarantee

if I can save your life.

Why, you little...

Qi, I will do as you say.

I will leave it to you.

Dear.

When Lord Ding glared at me earlier,

it was terrifying.

Seriously. This brat.

She didn't show me any respect.

She even said there's no mercy in the law.

She doesn't care about her old man at all.

Why didn't you say that earlier?

That's because of

our son-in-law, who is second only to the Emperor.

How would I dare?

Don't worry about the Mu family.

I will take care of it.

Thank you, My Lord.

But as you said,

it is the Mu family.

I want to handle it myself.

Must you draw a line with me?

If you need me to do anything,

just let me know.

Mu Rong is greedy for money and personal gains.

He Xin.

Keep a close eye on him.

Don't let him do anything wrong

that can be used against him.

Yes, My Lord.

My Lord, why do you care about him?

He is Zhuohua's father, after all.

I don't want to see what happened to Tutor Shang happen again.

My Lord.

Official Mu asked you to stay out of it.

Are you really not doing anything?

I trust her.

She will be able to take care of it in her own way.

(Xuanzheng Hall)

Your Majesty.

Mu Rong disregarded the law

for his personal gain.

He must be condemned for such immoral conduct.

Ministry of Revenue Director, Mu Zhuohua, condoned her father's abuse of the law.

She is just as guilty.

Ms. Mu.

Mu Rong is your father.

Do you have anything to say?

Your Majesty.

My father is well aware of his wrongdoings.

He feels ashamed,

looking back on his past actions.

As such,

he has come to the capital with his wife to plead guilty.

He is now kneeling before the Capital Governor Hall.

He's just putting on an act.

Who knows if Mu Rong has truly repented?

Your Majesty.

My father is willing to hand over all his property to the treasury

as a gesture of repentance.

He knows it can barely make up for his wrong actions.

He is willing to obey the judgments of Your Majesty.

Mu Rong's unlawful act

is indeed outrageous.

However,

since the Mu family has been charitable for years,

gained merits through disaster relief,

and handed over all their property,

I will consider that as atonement and reduce their punishment.

Mu Rong will be flogged 30 times as punishment,

while his wife will be imprisoned with him for ten days

to serve as a warning to others.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Move it.

What?

Why?

What for?

Move it.

Where are you taking me?

Hurry up.

Where are we going?

Dear.

Why?

- Dear. - My dear!

Dear!

Where?

Please have mercy!

Don't kill me!

Please have mercy!

Dear.

Dear.

(Wende Hall)

Due to the abolition of the Protected Appointments System,

crisis after crisis has been occurring in the capital,

while court officials kept stirring trouble.

I have decided to quickly put an end to this.

I want both of you to present a bylaw as soon as possible.

Be sure to root out this tumor in the imperial court.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Zhuohua is now in our trap.

We can proceed to the next step.

Since Uncle has put a target on the Sun family,

why don't we start with them?

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I was just

thinking of Mr. Sun.

Sun Yunqian?

Yes.

He is indeed different from other noble scholars.

He has no arrogant and peremptory manner.

Sun remained pure and untainted.

He is a breath of fresh air among the noble families.

But dragging him into this movement

is inevitable.

I would like to ask Your Highness

to keep him out of this when the time comes.

He never had anything to do with this.

And he is your good friend.

I will obviously leave a way out for him.

In that case,

I shall thank Your Highness in advance.

How do you plan to thank me?

I am at your disposal.

Father.

I resigned on your behalf from your position at the academy.

Take the office at the Ministry of Works tomorrow.

Father.

I like teaching children.

Who are you to decide for me?

Who am I?

I am your father.

You are the eldest son of the Sun family.

Since you carry the family name,

being an official and stepping into politics

is the only future you have.

Alright. It is decided.

Take office tomorrow.

Fine.

But I'm taking the imperial examination

to enter the Ministry of Works on my own merits.

You despise the privilege of protected appointments.

You want to take the exam?

Fine.

Go ahead.

But don't forget.

Your family name is Sun.

You have the blood of the Sun family.

No matter how capable you are,

people will still see you

as just a member of the Sun family.

I knew you would be here.

You made it back home.

Did you have fun outside?

There's nothing to be happy about.

They just know

that I didn't get married to Prince Regent.

They fear I will disgrace the family.

Once I got back, I heard

that you and Father had an argument.

What you're trying to do is just a hopeless endeavor.

Just let it go.

What about you?

You can't let go of Prince Regent.

Isn't that a hopeless endeavor as well?

Prince Regent?

You're right.

He is now Prince Regent.

I can't believe I missed my chance.

As a member of this family,

I have to be the most praiseworthy young lady.

This way, I won't get a carelessly arranged marriage.

Furthermore,

His Lordship is someone I like.

He is also my best choice.

Why should I give up?

I can't be bothered fighting to be the best.

I don't care if you say I'm not ambitious

or call me ungrateful.

I just wish for my family to be safe.

And to be free.

♪Unceasing love stalks my mind♪

♪Couldn't get over it♪

♪Memories touch the edges of our souls♪

♪Nowhere to anchor, lost in the expanse♪

♪We gaze at each other in the drizzling rain♪

♪But you have gone without a trace♪

♪Leaving me all alone in the world♪

♪Like waves without a shore♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know, clearly I understand♪

♪We swear to stay together in every lifetime♪

♪For this heartbeat, I can suffer for aye♪

♪Never part ways, we made this promise long ago♪

♪Love and hate entwined, unforgettable♪

♪Even if we are far apart♪

♪Two souls embrace in chaos♪

♪Impossible to erase, destiny's light♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Our minds occupied with each other♪

♪For this heartbeat♪

♪I can suffer for aye♪

♪Want to have one more glimpse of you, even just for a second more♪