Original subtitles

♪Fleeting illusions♪

♪Beautiful yet fragile. Bewildering the people♪

♪Shedding a single tear♪

♪In exchange for your shattered heart♪

♪If you can live in peace, it should be worth it♪

♪I should have no regrets as I encountered you♪

♪Reunited. If time does pass, I won't allow you to be alone♪

♪Returning to the good old days, already dispersed with the wind♪

♪The only one left behind is you, with a radiant smile♪

♪I'm willing to endure hardships♪

♪To protect you for the rest of your life♪

♪Even if we're not meant to be in this life, see you in the next♪

♪I'm willing to endure a thousand years of winter♪

♪In exchange for your warm smile♪

♪May you have a smooth journey ahead♪

=Yong An Dream=

=Episode 6=

Yan.

Greetings, Mother.

Mother,

what brings you here?

Do you know how long

you haven't come home?

Are you not letting me come and see you?

I've been busy with official duties.

Busy, huh?

Mother, please sit.

So busy that you forget about me.

I dare not.

In my mind,

I think of you

all the time, Mother.

You've finally come to your senses.

Mother,

what do you mean by that?

Yan,

you're not young anymore.

There are things

that I can understand.

But we're from the prestigious Duke Zhenguo Residence's household.

This may be only a side courtyard.

But you can't behave recklessly

on certain things.

What did I do?

Just now in the courtyard,

I saw a woman

with heavy makeup.

She's clearly someone

from a brothel.

Mother,

she's an important witness.

I have to keep her close

and protect her personally.

That important?

All right, then.

If she's a witness,

then it doesn't matter if I hit her.

You hit her?

Well, I thought

she came from a brothel.

She even told me she was staying here temporarily.

Women like her

will pull themselves up high when given a chance.

Besides,

you're not good

at handling these things.

So I let her know

the standards of the Duke's household.

Mother,

we're going to Wuzhou tomorrow.

Please watch over us

so we can find Uncle Lu

and the construction plans soon.

Only then can we save Father.

Official Lu,

why are you here?

I'm sorry.

My mother misunderstood you.

It's all right.

From the way I dressed at the time,

it's normal for her to misunderstand.

Your mother wants me to leave right away.

I was thinking since we're setting out to Wuzhou tomorrow

and

I won't

be coming back here anymore,

she won't find fault with me

if I stayed another night, right?

No,

I've explained it to her already.

Why didn't you tell her

that you're Official Shen's daughter?

You're a court official.

It'll tarnish your image for taking in a criminal's daughter.

Besides,

how was I supposed to tell her

that I was a minister's daughter when I dressed like that?

Then why did you insist on going to Wuzhou?

I'm willing to do anything

to save my father.

Give it to me.

What?

I meant the bangle.

Give the bangle to me.

I'll get it fixed for you.

It's all right.

One should compensate accordingly

after damaging someone else's property.

If they can't compensate,

they should at least try to make up for it.

(Li Residence)

Ran.

Dear,

come and look at these.

What are these?

Ran, what are these for?

Last time at the promotion banquet, I didn't treat the guests well.

After giving it a thought,

I was worried gossip

would shame the Li Residence.

So I prepared these high-class gifts

to send to the various departments of the Minister of Water Resources,

to assist you in repairing

the West Canal without issues.

Take a look

and see if these gifts are appropriate.

Why are you

so considerate today?

Previously,

Father and Zhen encountered a series of incidents.

I was at a loss

and panicked

that I forgot that I'm married.

I should prioritize the Li family first.

I was too immature before.

Your thoughts alone are enough.

You don't have

to trouble yourself and spend so much money.

It's hard for you to be an official.

These gifts were purchased

with Baixiang Pavilion's profits.

In the future,

I'll definitely work hard to run the shop

and support the family.

All right. I want to show you something.

This is...

Is this a suet jade bangle?

Something as expensive as this

should be given to Mother.

Don't worry about that.

I've already prepared gifts for her.

Now that I've been promoted

and given a raise,

you don't need

to work so hard anymore.

Just stay home and enjoy your life

as my wife.

Thank you, dear.

You're so kind to me.

Look at this.

What treasure is this?

It's so exquisite.

Yes, it is.

Mother.

Greetings, Mother.

Well,

this is unexpected.

You would actually come

to pay respects to me today.

Li was promoted at work

and you worked hard in preparing the banquet on my behalf.

So I prepared a small gift

to show my filial piety.

Although the quality is average,

I don't always enjoy your thoughtfulness.

The ring on your finger

looks truly extraordinary.

The gem is well-rounded and pure.

I have never seen such a treasure.

May I know

where did you buy it?

It's a gift from Di.

I heard

it was bought from the Hu merchants in the Western Regions.

In the capital,

it's the only one.

Li really put his heart into it.

In the future,

I'll also follow my husband's example

to be more filial.

Madam,

I have checked the household accounts.

The items in Old Madam's room

were not purchased from the account.

Although Master has been promoted

and has a higher salary now,

he still cannot afford such expensive items.

It seems that Li Di

has secretly made a fortune.

But where did this money come from?

Pick a few clever ladies

from our jewelry and cosmetics shop

to mingle with the He family.

Yes, Madam.

My father suffers from an old ailment.

Every rainy season,

he suffers unbearable pain.

I have some medicine here.

I wonder if you could...

You're just endless.

What do you

take me for?

Forgive me

for being senseless.

But my father

can't hold on much longer.

(I wasn't apprehending her.)

(But I even punished her.)

(But why did it seem)

(I brought her home?)

Was I taking advantage of her?

Was I that brutal?

Oh, Miss Shen.

I beg you

to stop appearing in my dreams.

Please.

Come.

Yang Zong,

why are there so many things?

Don't forget this.

Ask Miss Shen.

These are ours.

What's this?

It's something I need later.

Wait, not there.

Put it in the carriage.

What?

Thank you, Official Lu.

Miss Shen,

the heavy box

that you brought along turns out to be containing legal texts.

You always speak of the law.

So I should study more

about laws.

Maybe it'll be useful

to save my father later.

It sounds like you don't believe me.

Well, no.

Isn't it good for me to know more?

Decapitation, amputation, exposure of body in public,

furry...

It's castration,

and penal servitude are the five levels of punishment.

This one is too hard.

For men, it's...

For women, it's...

I only wanted to ask you

how to pronounce these two characters.

Who wants to get close to you?

Grinding grain.

Do you even know all the characters?

Why are the words so obscure?

What does "grinding grain" mean?

Hard labor.

They can just write it as hard labor.

The law itself is meant

for the people to understand and adhere to.

How do we expect people to understand it

if it's too obscure?

Miss Shen,

are you willing to do anything

to save your father?

Of course,

I'm willing to do anything.

Otherwise, would I willingly be your concubine?

I understand your desire to save your father.

But you must remember

that some things can be done, some things cannot.

What do you mean by some things can and some cannot be done?

You must have a bottom line.

As long as I follow you handling your investigations,

what possibly

could I do

that would cross the bottom line?

(So it's still all up to me.)

Miss, please take a look

and pick any that you like.

Miss, how many seats?

I'm looking for someone.

All right.

People and mountains.

The road is bumpy.

You'll feel nauseated

if you keep reading.

I don't think I feel nauseated from the ride.

It's from reading.

Yang Zong.

Yes, Master?

Is there any inn nearby?

We were delayed in our journey.

I'm afraid we can only find an inn

after we cross that mountain.

I'm all right.

I can continue the journey.

Don't you dare vomit.

No!

Madam,

the ladies from our shop

have been flattering

Madam He so much that she's thrilled.

They are now

on good terms with Madam He

and have learned quite a bit of information.

Madam He is from Meizhou,

Li Di's hometown.

The He family in Meizhou

doesn't own much property.

Their lives were actually quite hard.

But two years ago,

Madam He suddenly left Meizhou to move to the capital.

In just half a year,

she moved into

the current house on Minqin Lane

and frequently visited Xue Money House.

Two years ago?

Isn't that the time

the construction of the West Canal began?

Xue Money House?

(Inn Taoyuan)

Halt!

Master, we've arrived.

From this moment on,

you're Mrs. Qin.

Yes, Wei.

Are you stopping for a break or staying here?

We're staying.

All right.

Qiao, come and lend them a hand.

Sure.

You have so many things.

We can take care of these ourselves.

My apologies.

Apologies.

- Let me put it back down. - Apologies.

How many rooms do you have here?

Our rooms on the ground and first floor are available.

Perfect.

We'd like to book

the entire inn today.

Please do not accept other guests.

Of course.

I can tell

that both of you are wealthy.

Both of you

must be tired from the journey.

Qiao,

bring these guests to the first floor.

All right.

Please come with me.

Please.

Watch the steps.

Prepare some good wine and food.

Don't worry.

I guarantee

you'll be satisfied.

Hurry up and slaughter the sheep.

All right.

All of you, follow me.

Please get some rest.

What's the matter?

We've only begun, and you can't take it already?

Of course, I can take it.

I never said I can't take it.

Mister,

I'm here to bring water.

Come in.

You must be tired from the journey.

We don't have anything of high quality.

But this herbal foot soak

is the best.

Ma'am, aren't you going to help to soak your husband's feet?

I soak them every night.

I'll light some incense in your room

to get rid of the musty smell.

I'm indeed tired from the journey.

The herbal foot soak is truly the best

for relieving fatigue.

Your feet stink.

That's gross.

Take it off yourself.

Oh, dear.

Is the water too hot?

Do you want to fetch some cool water?

The temperature is just right.

It's only soothing when it's hot, right?

I'm glad to hear that.

Dear,

does it feel good?

Yes, it does.

I'm glad you find it comfortable.

I'm going downstairs to prepare you dinner.

Please take your time and enjoy your foot bath.

Thank you.

As a concubine,

I don't even have the right to wash my feet.

Not only that,

but I also have to wash your feet.

Shen Zhen,

do you know

a concubine's way of life?

After my mother passed away,

my father never remarried.

We don't have that bad habit in our family.

I want to renegotiate our deal.

You want to add another condition?

Yes.

I don't care how other concubines do it.

I'm not doing all those things.

I'm a noble concubine

whom you sought after and begged for.

You must dote on me.

Oh, Shen Zhen.

You're going back on your words after we left the residence.

Previously, you said

I could ask you to do anything.

The circumstances have changed now.

Now, I'm your only wife.

You have to treasure me.

Lu Shiyan,

if you make me suffer

or unhappy,

I'm going to cry.

When I start crying,

I won't be able to stop.

Where are you going?

Wash my hands.

They stink.

Sir, your dish is here.

Mister, Madam. Please come over.

We've just slaughtered a sheep.

It's as fresh as it gets.

Please, sit down.

Qiao, bring some charcoal over.

I'll be right over!

Mister, enjoy your drinks.

Let me fill your cup.

Other inns are mostly run by men.

But you're pretty unique.

This inn is actually run by women.

The men

are out working.

We're just making some extra pocket money here.

Here, try this grilled lamb.

Please, have a taste.

Well,

I haven't even started eating yet,

and you're only thinking about yourself?

It smells delicious.

Delicious.

It's very good.

Madam, your hairpin looks pretty.

I've never seen such a pretty one before.

There are plenty of rare things you haven't seen before.

Don't disturb the lady's meal.

Move aside.

The charcoal is here.

Dear guests, please enjoy your meal.

Add more.

All right.

I'll be over there.

Everyone, please enjoy your meal.

It's really tasty.

Is the lamb leg ready?

Yes.

Dear guests, the lamb leg is ready.

The lamb is ready.

Time to eat, then.

This wine may be harsh.

But it has its own flavor.

My dear, have a sip.

Dear, I can't hold my drinks.

Just try it.

I'm here.

It doesn't matter if you're drunk.

Besides,

it's how much you choose to drink that makes you drunk.

Have some.

Eat up.

Gentlemen,

raise your cup.

It was a long journey.

Thank you for your hard work.

A toast from me.

A toast to you, Master.

Qingxi, drink up.

No.

Dear,

I told you

I can't hold my drinks.

You truly

can't hold your drinks.

The wine you serve

is truly strong.

You tainted it with something.

You know what to do.

You wouldn't dare.

I am the Governor of Wuzhou.

Governor of Wuzhou?

Corrupt official! I'm going to kill you!

- Qiao! - Qiao!

Calm down.

Calm down, Qiao.

If I get out of here,

I'll surely sentence you to death.

We're not afraid of you!

Corrupt official!

I'll chop you into pieces for the dogs!

That's enough!

Take Qiao away.

Madam Zhuang,

if we hold the governor hostage,

can we exchange him for our husbands?

Shut up.

Tie them up first.

Everyone, get up!

- Let us go! - Let me go!

Don't do anything reckless!

Qingxi.

Qingxi, wake up.

She didn't take the antidote just now.

The smoke

was not very toxic.

She'll wake up soon.

So you've planned from the beginning.

You were the one who plotted against us.

I merely took care of your plot.

I suppose this place

was originally abandoned.

You set it up temporarily.

You lit the incense

only

to cover up the musty smell inside the room.

But the wood endured dampness, extreme heat,

and temperature changes,

causing many cracks.

Even if you have very few guests,

as long as someone stayed in here recently,

there wouldn't be cobwebs under the table.

So

to know

your next plan,

I sent Yang Zong to replace the wine

with an antidote in advance.

I wanted to see

what you're up to.

Ma'am, there are too many loopholes.

According to the law, the crime of gang robbery

is punishable by death by dismemberment.

Dismemberment?

What's dismemberment?

What is that?

Cutting flesh from bones.

Cutting flesh from our bones?

Madam Zhuang.

I was the one

who plotted everything.

They were all forced.

I don't care what you do.

Just come for me alone

and let them go!

- Madam. - Madam.

Madam Zhuang,

we only took

some money.

We never harmed anyone.

You, corrupt officials.

You fear those with money and power.

All you know is to use the law

to bully us

who are barely surviving.

Who do we fear?

Why does she have

such hatred toward Wuzhou's officials?

It's Zhao Chong.

He took our husband away

to be laborers.

He won't release them until they're dead.

As for her,

both her husband's and her son's bodies

were sent back on the same day!

My husband and my son?

That can't be.

No, it's impossible!

I didn't see them.

I didn't see that.

Why did Zhao Chong

take your husbands away?

I didn't see their bodies.

Logging.

Logging?

Logging requires an official document.

For him to resort to forced labor, what kind of wood is he logging?

I secretly followed once.

In the depths of the forest,

they're logging willow.

The logging operates day and night.

As long as they haven't died,

they cannot stop.

Willow?

Where is the timber being transported to?

Could it be related to my father?

Mother!

You hit my mother!

Mother!

All of you are bad people!

Why did you come out here?

Didn't I tell you

not to come out

no matter what happens?

Mother,

we can protect all of you.

We can do it.

We can protect you.

Child, come here.

No, don't!

Bad people!

Don't go near them.

They're orphans from the village.

How can women and children

like us survive

in such a world?

Mother, please don't cry.

You still have me.

Mother.

What are you thinking about?

The wood used for the West Canal

is pine wood

and was purchased from Wuzhou.

But Wuzhou has been privately logging willow wood

in large quantities over the past two years.

Is there

a connection?

If there is a problem with this wood,

it must be related

to my brother-in-law.

Let's not jump to conclusions.

This case is complicated.

We still don't know how much Li Di is involved in this.

What do you plan to do

with Madam Zhuang and the rest?

The evidence of their gang theft is conclusive.

But they are not criminals beyond redemption.

They were forced to do this to survive.

They had no choice.

The existence of the law

is to punish

and deter potential wrongdoing.

If I don't address this today,

everyone will follow suit,

saying they had no choice as a reason

to absolve

all their crimes.

Wouldn't that mean everyone can commit crimes?

The existence of the law

is to punish

and to deter.

It can also protect.

It protects those

who cannot protect themselves

against injustice

and those

who cannot guarantee

their own livelihoods.

No one is born a criminal.

They all have various reasons that lead them astray.

You can sympathize.

But you have no right to forgive their wrongdoing

on behalf of those who have been harmed.

If there are other ways,

they would hope

to live an honest life.

The law

can be the final straw

that overwhelms them.

But it can also

be the last hope

that redeems them.

Eat something.

Thank you.

I also sent food to the others.

How do you plan to deal with those children?

I don't know yet.

You travel here with a purpose.

That man

isn't an official from Wuzhou.

You're also not his concubine.

He was probing every single time.

He also provoked Qiao

on purpose.

As for you and him,

I have enough experience to know.

I have seen all kinds of men

amid debauchery.

But you look like a young lady with a proper upbringing

who has been forcibly taken away.

I will send someone to take those children

to the orphanages in the capital.

Those orphanages

will receive financial aid from me.

So don't worry.

Really?

Thank you so much.

As for you ladies...

She knows Zhao Chong.

She has been to Wuzhou

and knows about the logging.

If she can assist in the investigation,

can her punishment be lightened?

Are you investigating Zhao Chong?

You're an official?

I'm Lu Shiyan, an Imperial Inspector from the Magistrate Office.

You may be the Imperial Inspector.

But Zhao Chong has been rampant in Wuzhou for a long time.

Do you have the capability to do it?

Are you saying we shouldn't do it

because we can't?

We don't ask for leniency,

just a temporary reprieve.

I'm willing to risk my life to help you.

In this life,

I only want to see Zhao Chong

brought to justice.

Don't you trust me?

Madam Zhuang,

you hate Zhao Chong to the core.

And I need to tread carefully.

I

shall obey your every word,

and I will not act rashly.

We shall depart tomorrow.

I'm fine.

I'm all right.

Shen Zhen.

Don't catch my father.

Father.

Father.

Father, don't go.

Shen Zhen.

Father.

Don't take my father away.

Shen Zhen.

Don't go.

Father.

Father.

All right.

Father.

I won't leave.

Stop crying.

Father...

Shen Zhen.

Official Lu treats me well.

So don't worry, Father.

(Inn Taoyuan)

That's not right.

Again.

Be more gentle.

That hurts.

If I cry,

his heart will ache.

That's it.

I'm being serious.

Since you're his concubine,

that means he's everything to you.

You have to work hard in admiring him,

be gentle, and your eyes must be filled with affection.

Come, repeat after me.

Dear Wei.

Don't they find it embarrassing to say it so loudly?

Dear Wei.

What are you doing?

Dear Wei.

Dear Wei!

Why aren't you in the room?

Should I be inside?

It's been a long time since I last visited.

(Baixiang Pavilion) That's right.

(Baixiang Pavilion)

- Here. - Thank you.

I finally bought it.

Take care.

Mother,

we have some new fragrances.

I've already selected some for you.

Have a look.

If you want to be filial to me,

quickly give birth to a grandson for me.

You're right.

So many fragrances.

Where is the thing I want?

Madam He,

I've kept

the fragrance

you saw that day.

Bring it for her quickly.

How about

you take a look

at the other fragrances in our shop?

It's really unfortunate today.

The batch of items you wanted

was taken by someone else a moment ago.

Taken away?

But I ordered it first.

Why did you let others have it?

They are officials' family members.

A small shop like ours

can't afford to offend them.

Officials' family members?

So what if they are?

I'm also a family member of an official.

My husband

is Official Li of the Ministry of Water Resources.

Did you say you're the wife of Official Li

from the Ministry of Water Resources?

Yes.

Ru,

what are you doing here?

Mother.

Mother, do you know her?

Why does she claim

to be Official Li's wife?

Li Di is my husband.

I know who you are.

You're...

You...

Stop talking nonsense here.

It's a serious crime for a man to marry another woman while married.

It's a serious taboo for officials.

You actually claim to be Official Li's wife

to harm my husband.

Who are you?

What's your intention?

You... You better leave quickly.

- Madam! - Li Residence doesn't have anyone like you.

Mother!

Don't ever come again.

You better don't implicate my son.

Mother!

I'm pregnant.

♪The old scenes entering my sight as the wind blows♪

♪Reminded of the past, the polished mountain♪

♪The story has been written, but who am I reserving my time for?♪

♪It's a name that love and hate avoid♪

♪Using my shattered heart to make it up to the tear you shed♪

♪To get rid of the ups and downs♪

♪If there's no debt, there's no reincarnation♪

♪If it's not you, both joy and sorrow feel out of place♪

♪Missing out on each other in our past lives♪

♪We have to be together in this life♪

♪No matter what danger is ahead, we shall face them together♪

♪Looking forward to our union♪

♪As we sleep on the same bed♪

♪Dreaming about the good days♪

♪Missing out on each other in our past lives♪

♪We have to be together in this life♪

♪No matter what danger is ahead, we shall face them together♪

♪Looking forward to our union♪

♪As we sleep on the same bed♪

♪Dreaming about the good days♪