Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Go East]

[Episode 8]

What is willow shooting?

It's a game

where you hang a pigeon cage up

and shoot it with a dart.

If you hit it,

the cage will fall and crack,

and the pigeon will fly away.

It's often played in the palace.

Ah Shu.

Yuchi.

We're watching flowers in the garden.

I didn't expect to see you guys.

This is my sister, Suqin.

Greetings, everyone.

Hua.

You're just in time.

Why don't we play together?

Sure.

It's more interesting to shoot willow in groups.

We from the West Court will form a group.

There are only three of us.

You outnumber us.

We should draw lots to decide the players.

It's only fair.

It's okay. I'm not playing.

I'll just watch you play.

Let them play with you.

This guard of mine has never played this before.

What?

The Yong people are afraid of losing

and don't even dare to compete?

Nonsense.

Okay. Let's draw lots.

Let's switch.

Switch.

I'm not in good form today.

Let's switch.

Respect the rules of the game.

Do you really want me to play?

Kunwu,

we may lose half a year's salary.

Relax. Just do your best.

You're too relaxed.

Each player has three shots.

The team that frees more pigeons wins.

Everyone.

I'll start the game.

Nice shot!

He got it. He got it!

Nice shot, Yikuan!

Is he the scholar from Yanle who has six tops?

Ah Shu,

what does that mean?

It means Young Master Mu

has top grades in all six arts.

Miss.

Hang up three cages for me.

-Great! -Great!

Yanle people are indeed good at shooting darts.

They never miss.

Are you sure he's never played this before?

The first round is over.

One to three.

Great!

We still have a chance.

[One to four]

-Great! -Amazing!

The second round is over. Two to one.

That's three to four in total.

Yuchi.

I'll go help Yuan Mo.

Please.

After you.

Very good.

You're really a master of it.

You…

Calm down, Young Master Long.

You missed.

Yuan Mo will miss as well.

Yuan Mo.

It's your turn.

I'm a sharpshooter!

Yuan Mo!

What are you targeting? Do you want to kill someone?

My hand slipped.

Sorry.

Sorry. My hand slipped.

He said he's a sharpshooter.

Nice shot!

He hurt himself.

Yuan Mo.

Just quit.

It's not too late to tap out.

Kunwu,

I can't do it.

Sorry for letting you down.

Just throw the dart.

I'm really a sharpshooter!

Great!

-Two cages fell. -Nice shot!

The third round is over.

Two to zero.

Great!

Four to five in total.

Amazing! Amazing!

Great!

You broke the rules.

The rule is that each person gets three shots,

but there's no rule about the order of the shots.

Kunwu beat you with only two darts in your round.

So he threw the third dart in this round.

What's the problem?

That stupid pigeon!

It's just a game.

There's no need to kill it.

You pariah.

How dare you defy me!

Stop!

Stop!

Let him go, or I'll go hard on you!

Let's go.

Stop!

You haven't apologized!

Apologize?

I'm the son of the Viceroy of Yanle.

How can I apologize to a pariah?

In terms of family background,

no one has ever outdone me.

If you don't apologize to him,

I'll ask the soldiers of the Yuchi family

to turn your house upside down.

Let's go.

Retainer An.

Are you okay?

Don't forget.

You need to pay half a year's salary.

It's half a year's salary.

Rest assured. I'll pay.

All you think about is money.

I'm not like you.

You're so generous!

Young Master, have some soup.

I've captured that stupid pigeon

and killed it.

It should've behaved.

It tastes good.

I'm afraid someone has played dirty.

I found that the pigeon

had been drugged with Yanle's unique frenzy powder.

It was someone from Yanle?

It was her,

the girl who stalked me?

Her figure is very similar to the person

who eavesdropped outside the door that night.

After the annual exam tomorrow, go find An Xiuyi.

Tell him to get someone to look into that girl

and find out who she is.

Yes.

The annual exam is coming.

Master, should you do some reading and revision?

Put on an act at least,

so it won't look too bad for Viceroy Long.

No need.

Don't worry.

I'm well-prepared.

I can ace the exam.

Somehow, I'm feeling restless

and really want to get some exercise.

Go get my sword.

Master.

Master, stop.

Master!

Master, stop.

Master, stop.

These are leaves, Master.

Master.

Master, stop.

Master.

What's wrong with Master?

He's so strange.

He must be exhausted after this.

Looks like I have to prepare pigeon soup again tonight.

Pigeon soup?

Long Ge bought a pigeon today.

He had killed it, so I stewed it.

Master.

Master, go have a rest.

[Literature Hall]

The Ministry of Rites has given a directive.

The annual exam will start today.

The Sifang Pavilion is to verify

the exam permits of scholars from all states.

In collaboration with the Jingzhao Prefecture,

we're to maintain order both inside and outside of the exam hall,

ensuring the annual exam goes smoothly.

Is everyone clear?

Yes!

Get back to work.

Yes.

Scholars, please come in.

Come in. Line up. One at a time.

Sang Muli.

Next.

Ming Yang.

Next.

Take a look.

Young Master Mu,

stay calm during the exam.

After you pass the exam with flying colors, you can marry my cousin.

-I'll do my best. -Hua.

Out of the way!

Yikuan.

What's wrong with you?

Yuchi Hua.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Don't waste your time.

It's useless even if you win first place.

The annual exam is about to begin.

Don't cause any trouble.

Yikuan.

Don't let someone like that upset you

and affect your performance.

Don't worry. I won't.

The annual exam begins.

[Director Bai of Literature Hall]

He's not young anymore.

Shen.

Ah Shu.

What are you doing here?

Ji.

I heard you guys are on duty today.

It's so hot.

I bought you some ice creams.

Come and share them.

Thank you. It's great.

Everyone gets one.

Don't grab. One for each.

Wait.

200 wen each.

Are you robbing me?

You don't have to buy it.

Why is it that I have to pay while they can freeload?

-Who are you talking about? -Who are you talking about?

I just like it this way.

Do you want it or not?

Fine. 200 wen.

Give it to me.

I've earned 200 wen so easily.

It's not so hard to make money.

I can get 21 strings very soon.

I'm leaving.

Bye.

Bye, Ah Shu.

Yikuan.

Suqin.

I've asked Hong Ye to make a reservation at Inebriation Restaurant.

-Long Ge. -Let's celebrate for you later.

The carriage is not back yet.

-We have to wait for a little while. -Long Ge!

I don't want to wait here. Let's take a walk.

Young Master. Young Master.

Come. Look at these flowers.

Yikuan, look.

Suqin.

I just remembered that I have some urgent matters to attend to.

Go back by yourself.

I'll be back soon.

You're a man. How can you attack a weak girl like me?

You made me restless all day.

You're everything but a weak girl!

You actually found it out.

But I only remember drugging the pigeon.

Have you eaten it and gotten influenced too?

You…

Who on earth are you?

What's your issue with me?

I'll tell you if you can catch me.

Stop!

Come and get me.

Run faster!

Stop!

My eyes!

You brat.

You're so stupid

as to be set up so easily.

This is for letting your slave hurt me.

This is for insulting a girl.

This is for bullying around.

And this

is for being the son of Long Tuqi

who is a cancer to both the country and its people.

Sooner or later, I'll make him pay myself.

You brat.

After I become an official of Yong,

I'll kill your whole…

Brat, what did you make me eat?

It's the most lethal poison in the world.

I made it myself.

Do you think I'll buy it?

Touch the spot above your ribs under your elbow.

Put a little pressure on it.

What's wrong with me?

Do you believe it now?

Listen carefully.

Give me one string by the end of every month

and kowtow to me as you do to your mother.

Then I'll give you the antidote in installments.

That's the Zhangmen acupoint.

Anyone will hurt when pressing it.

Young Master.

It's been an hour.

Maybe that Long Beina

has forgotten about you.

Young Master An.

Have you seen Young Master Long?

Is he not with you?

No. I'm looking for him too.

Someone died over there!

Someone died!

Move aside!

Young Master.

It's her.

It must be her.

You know who killed him?

The maid of Yuan Mo from the Sifang Pavilion!

She's the only one who has this poison!

Ah Shu?

It feels so good to have vented my anger.

I can get

20 strings soon.

Yuchi.

Why are you here?

[Sifang Pavilion]

Young Master Long died in Yong.

Yong must seek justice for him,

or Yanle won't let it go!

We're very sorry

about Young Master Long's death.

But you're just his bodyguard,

not the envoy of Yanle.

You can't speak for Yanle.

If Yanle really wants Yong

to seek justice for him,

the Viceroy of Yanle has to send an envoy

to submit related documents

before we discuss it.

Mr. Yu is right.

This concerns the relationship between the two countries.

The etiquette must not be neglected.

You'd better send a letter back

to ask the Viceroy for instructions.

Xiuyi.

What should we do?

The peace between Yong and Yanle

has always been fragile.

Now that this has happened,

I'm afraid we'll fall out with each other.

At this point,

we have to bring the murderer to justice

to appease Yanle.

The murderer?

How could Ah Shu be the murderer?

My god.

Ah Shu stalked Long Beina

before he died.

She had ulterior motives

and is the major suspect.

Impossible!

Ah Shu wouldn't kill anyone.

Yuan Mo.

Ah Shu is good at using poison.

She left some powder at the scene.

How do you explain that?

Ah Shu is indeed a bit naughty

and loves fiddling with herbs.

But she's kind by nature.

It's not what you think!

Before we have solid evidence,

Ah Shu is not the murderer.

Right. Yu,

I need to see Ah Shu.

Mr. Yu.

Yuan Mo can't see Ah Shu.

The victim is a scholar from Yanle.

Yong should assist in the investigation.

But Yuan Mo and Ah Shu are very close.

He should not get involved.

An Xiuyi.

You…

Yuan Mo.

A lot is at stake.

To be on the safe side, you can't see Ah Shu.

Mr. Yu.

I'm willing to work with the Jingzhao Prefecture to investigate this case.

No.

Ah Shu is close with those at the West Court.

I think

you should let the East Court take charge of this case.

An Xiuyi.

Just a friendly reminder.

Don't burn all your bridges.

I'm just doing my job impartially.

Enough.

We'll…

do as Retainer An said.

Yu.

Kunwu.

Keep an eye on Yuan Mo for me.

He can't get involved.

I really don't want anyone to tell me

he's met Ah Shu.

[Sifang Pavilion]

Are you worried about Ah Shu?

I'm not worried about her.

I'm worried that I can't collect the debt she owes me.

You're worried sick.

Stop playing cool.

Ah Shu is such a nice girl.

She bought us ice creams when it was hot.

I don't believe she'd have killed him.

Exactly.

An Xiuyi doesn't allow us to see Ah Shu,

but we can help him find clues.

As long as the real murderer is found,

Ah Shu can be proven innocent.

Right.

But… how can we find any clues?

Where are you going?

I have to pee bad.

Great.

I want to pee too.

Do you have to keep watching me like this?

As long as I'm on duty,

I have to carry out Mr. Yu's order.

Fine.

But when I'm not on duty,

what you do is none of my business.

Retainer Wang

has changed.

Indeed.

He looks so cool from behind.

So cool.

Hurry up.

You two, come with me.

[Jingzhao Prefecture]

[Prison]

Ah Shu.

You'd better confess now.

Someone witnessed you getting into a fight

with Long Beina near the crime scene.

The powder on his face was also from you.

You can't deny it.

This is the Jingzhao Prefecture's prison.

People from the Sifang Pavilion can only assist in the investigation.

You're in no place to interrogate her.

Come back!

Ah Shu.

What on earth happened?

He started it.

I just defended myself.

So you admit that you killed him?

Keep quiet,

or I'll punish you!

Ah Shu.

Think carefully before you answer.

Yes.

I made him unable to see with herbal powder

and hit him with a stick.

But that doesn't mean I killed him.

I didn't kill him!

Nonsense!

You're lying!

Stop!

What are you going to do?

I have a way to make her confess.

Let me through!

How dare you!

This is Yong,

not the Viceroy's Mansion in Yanle.

You'd better behave,

or I have to get tough with you!

Get off him.

Get off him.

This is how you Yong people

treat people from Yanle?

Listen.

I've sent a letter to Viceroy Long.

Yanle's delegation will arrive in Changle soon.

By then,

you must give us an explanation.

You.

Get out too.

I represent both the Jingzhao Prefecture

and the Sifang Pavilion.

I don't need a burden like you.

Hua,

I just helped you.

I'm asking you to go out!

Instead of thanking me,

you want to kick me out?

Are you going out or not?

Guards!

Yes!

Fine.

You want me out?

As you wish.

I shouldn't have come.

Yuchi.

Thank you.

Ah Shu.

Actually, An Xiuyi is right.

All the evidence points to you now.

Yuchi.

Do you trust me?

I do.

But I still need to find evidence.

Any clues?

Yeah.

Someone told me

he saw Ah Shu fighting with Long Beina.

Then they entered the alley.

Later, Long Beina died.

I was told the same.

Did Ah Shu really…

No.

It exactly proves that Ah Shu isn't the murderer.

Think about it.

If Ah Shu were the murderer,

why would she have drawn so much attention before the murder?

You have a point.

I've asked the coroner.

Because of the powder over his eyes,

Long Beina couldn't see anything before he died.

And he was beaten hard before he died.

There are many bruises over his body.

But it was the wound on the back of his head that killed him.

Kunwu…

What?

You can investigate it, but I can't?

Retainer Wang may be a bit stern,

but he's a very nice guy.

Yeah.

Ah Shu likes you a lot.

You didn't let her down.

Enough. Stop praising me.

We need to find a way to clear Ah Shu's name.

The fatal wound is on the back of his head.

It means

the murderer attacked him from behind.

If Ah Shu had blinded Long Beina,

why would she have bothered to go behind him?

Since you're sure that the murderer is someone else,

you have to find evidence and catch the murderer as soon as possible.

I'm in charge

of all the matters in the Sifang Pavilion now.

If this really has something to do with someone at the Sifang Pavilion,

people will say I'm an inept leader.

Hold on.

Shouldn't you be the one to find evidence?

Wait, wait.

I'm just kidding.

Just kidding.

You didn't ask me to find evidence,

but won't I take the initiative to do it?

Of course I will.

Hurry. Take me to see Ah Shu.

There's a conflict of interest.

You can't meet Ah Shu.

This is the rule of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Then why did you bring me here?

I have my own rules.

I see.

What rules?

Wait.

Go in.

Yuchi Hua.

What are you doing?

You know me.

I-I'm a good person.

Shut up! Behave!

Yuan Mo?

Yuan Mo.

Ah Shu?

Ah Shu! Ah Shu!

Where are you?

She's in the cell next to yours.

This is not against the rules of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Have a good chat.

Thanks.

Yuan Mo.

Naughty maid.

Tell me.

What did you do this time?

I'm innocent.

Help me out.

Help you out?

What's in it for me?

Yuan Mo!

You've got me in trouble again and again.

You can use a few days in prison.

I knew I couldn't rely on you.

Stop arguing.

Is this a place for arguing?

You can argue all you want after you get out.

What a surprise.

You were put in prison so soon.

How do you feel?

It's much better than staying in the same room with you.

Okay.

Looks like I shouldn't have bothered to bring this.

It's a waste now.

Magnolia, Dahurian Angelica,

Fortune Bogorchid, and Sappan Wood.

What have you brought?

I melted rouge in the water

and then put it in a bottle

to make perfume.

I'm clever, aren't I?

It smells great.

I was worried that

you couldn't bear the smell here.

Now it seems you don't need it at all.

Give it to me.

It stinks here.

Here.

Use it sparingly.

I'm not sure

when I can find the evidence.

You threw the herbal powder at Long Beina, didn't you?

Why did you mess with him?

I just wanted to make money from him to pay you back

so that we could move into a new house as soon as possible.

I told you.

I'm not in a hurry to move out.

Isn't it good now?

I get paid every month.

I can save money little by little.

Our life will get better and better.

So, look at you.

Why go through all this trouble?

Look at what you got.

By the way, Ah Shu.

You have to pay extra for the perfume.

200 wen.

[Archive Room]

You came out of nowhere!

You scared the crap out of me, you know?

What are you looking for?

I'm looking for Long Beina's file.

I can't find any clues on the murderer, so I have to look into the victim.

Don't waste your energy.

It's not here.

It's not here?

I've searched everywhere.

All the files of the scholars from Yanle are here,

except for Long Beina's.

If Long Beina didn't have a file,

how did he get the qualification for the annual exam?

What are you doing?

It's in the middle of the night.

What do you want?

Listen.

At my age, getting a full night's sleep

is such a luxury.

About Long Beina,

are you hiding something from us?

Didn't I tell you

to stay away from this case?

Wang Kunwu.

I told you to keep an eye on him!

You said he's not allowed to see Ah Shu.

You didn't say he can't check Long Beina's file.

You didn't.

Fine.

Fine.

What a mess!

[Discretion and Respect]

Poor me.

My career

and my reputation

will be ruined by you two.

Mr. Yu.

Long Beina was the son of the Viceroy of Yanle.

He died in Changle, and we don't know who killed him.

The Sifang Pavilion

will inevitably be held accountable.

Yes.

We're going all out for your career

and your reputation!

Do you understand?

Just be honest with us.

What is Long Beina's secret?

Why don't we have his file?

I give in.

I'll tell you.

But don't tell anyone else.

This is the secret agreement

between Yong and other countries.

The answer you want is here.

See for yourselves.

You just grabbed it.

[Official Positions for Scholars Participating in the Annual Exam in in the 22nd Year of Anping]

Long Beina's position has been decided?

The annual exam was just for show?

There are no other choices.

The number of positions allocated to each country is fixed.

Yanle got only one position this year.

Who do you think it should be given to?

Do we have other choices other than Long Beina?

He was the son of the Viceroy of Yanle.

Who else knows about this?

It was just me,

the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Rites,

Long Beina, and his father.

But Young Master Long was so imperious.

He might have told a lot of people about it.

So,

Mu Yikuan should have known it too.

No wonder.

No wonder what?

Do you remember what happened before the annual exam?

Don't waste your time.

It's useless even if you win first place.

When we shot willow that day,

Long Beina

insulted Mu Yikuan many times.

But Mu Yikuan just laughed it off.

However, on the day of the annual exam,

he was pissed off by Long Beina

just because of what he said.

It turns out Long hit him where it hurt.

No matter how talented he is,

he's bound to lose to

highborn good-for-nothings.

He already knew that,

but there was nothing he could do.

You think Mu Yikuan is suspicious?

At least he can benefit the most

from Long Beina's death.

[Bai's Mansion]

What brings you two here today?

Mu, you still don't know?

Know what?

Long Beina is dead.

What?

Dead?

Wasn't he perfectly fine at the annual exam yesterday?

Where did you go

after the annual exam yesterday?

Are you officials from the Jingzhao Prefecture?

Do you have a decree from the magistrate of Jingzhao?

Don't be so serious, Ms. Bai.

I'm just asking…

You're not officials and don't have a decree.

Please forgive us for not telling you anything.

Hong Ye.

See them out.

Yes.

Wait.

Suqin.

I'm a man of integrity.

If I refuse to talk,

it'll appear that I have something to hide.

Yesterday, after the annual exam,

Suqin came to pick me up.

She also sent Hong Ye to Inebriation Restaurant

to make a reservation for celebration.

But the topic of the annual exam this year intrigued me very much,

so I went back to Literature Hall halfway

to write a new article.

I kept writing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Then I left.

You said you stayed in Literature Hall.

Do you have a witness?

Director Bai of Literature Hall can testify for me.

This is the article Yikuan wrote.

The one who rules the country

should regard his people as the foundation.

The one who governs the country

should regard talent as the foundation.

Even people of the humblest origins

can have great talent.

Yikuan wishes

that all the impoverished scholars in the world

could have the chance to achieve their ambitions.

Director Bai.

When Mu Yikuan wrote this article,

were you there the whole time?

I wasn't there the whole time,

but it's already very challenging

to conceive this article and write it down

within two hours.

I don't think he had the time

to commit murder.

Then in your eyes,

what kind of person is Mu Yikuan?

Yikuan is dedicated to studying

and good-natured.

He never holds grudges against anyone,

let alone mess with Long Beina.

I intend to let him teach

in Literature Hall after the annual exam

and marry my daughter, Suqin, to him.

Yikuan.

What's wrong?

Are you unwilling to marry me early

as Father asked?

Of course not.

It's just that I want to give you a grand wedding

after I succeed in the imperial exam.

Yikuan.

I don't care if you're successful.

I just want to be your wife as soon as possible.

My Lady.

Someone's selling pears over there.

Let's go buy some pears.

Okay.

I'll be right back.

Let's go.

Madam.

How much is the pear?

Two wen each.

These big pears are fresh and delicious.

Move!

Move!

Move!

Move!

The horse has been startled. Get out of the way!

Suqin!

Are you okay? Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

Good.

Hong Ye.

A-Are you okay?

Come on. Get up.

Let's go see a doctor.

Be careful.

Ji and the others should be back soon.

Long Tuqi, the Viceroy of Yanle,

has been informed of the death of Long Beina.

Yanle's delegation is rushing here day and night to seek justice.

They'll arrive in Changle in ten days at most.

By then,

if we still haven't found anything,

Ah Shu will be the only suspect

and be executed according to the law.

Then I'll break into the prison

and get her out!

Ah Shu couldn't have killed him.

There must be other clues.

Ah Shu is very good at using poison.

Who on earth is she?

Why do you trust her so much?

Ah Shu is very pitiful.

She just wants to gain a foothold in Changle.

But on her way here,

she must have gone through a lot.

I don't know her past,

but the scars and wounds on her body

told me

she must have been through a lot of terrible things.

Wounds?

She wouldn't tell me about them.

I won't force her.

Everyone has a past they don't want to talk about.

You don't talk about your past either.

They're back.

Have you found anything?

Give it to me.

No. You…

Leave some for him.

After Mu Yikuan arrived in Changle,

what was the first thing he did?

Take a guess.

What was it?

-He learned willow shooting. -He learned willow shooting.

And he learned it in three months.

That's all?

When Mu Yikuan first met Bai Suqing,

he saved her like a hero.

On the shooting range,

darts were flying like rain.

Mu Yikuan threw one dart after another

and never missed.

At this time, Bai Suqin accidentally entered the shooting range

and saw a dart flying straight towards her.

At this critical moment,

Mu Yikuan came to her rescue

like a superhero.

At this moment, Bai Suqin's world

seemed to have stopped.

All she could see was Mu Yikuan.

That's what they told me.

I'm just retelling the story.

Alright. Let go of me, Ji.

-Let go. -Let's keep acting.

Close your eyes.

Let go of me!

I asked you to find evidence.

Why did you go to Inebriation Restaurant?

Inebriation Restaurant

is near the crime scene.

The murderer has to eat, right?

And I heard that

murderers usually go back

to the crime scenes after the murders.

I just wanted to try my luck

to see if I could run into the murderer.

So did you run into the murderer?

No.

I wasn't so lucky.

By the way…

can you pay for the meal?

You…

Sorry. It was written just now.

It stinks.

I-It's the smell just now.