Original subtitles

Episode 15

When I took you with me,

I left a Dark Talisman on the door.

A tracking talisman?

I can tell from the spell they used.

If they used evil magic, it would appear black.

If they used Taoist magic, it would emit a white light.

If they were ordinary people, it would not glow.

What if it's vermilion?

Dark cultivation.

Dark cultivation?

Master said so.

Why don't I remember that?

Dark cultivation is evil magic from the Western Regions.

It uses flesh and blood as guides to activate spells.

Although the magical power is limited,

the method of cultivation is extremely cruel.

I think you were poisoned on purpose.

But…

when did I get poisoned?

We eat and live together.

Why was I the only one who got poisoned?

During the banquet just now, I didn't drink the wine.

I didn't touch the food either.

You mean…

Pei Jiya?

But why did he repay kindness with ingratitude?

If he did it on purpose,

then the so-called kindness might have been part of his plan.

Besides, he mentioned the realms of Chang'an just now.

Seeing that it's related to evil magic,

we have to be careful.

In that case…

what should we do?

You should leave now.

Go back to Changxi Palace and explain the situation.

I'll go back to Chang'an

- and see what he's all about. - All right.

Wu Zhen!

Wu Zhen!

Are you all right?

Jiya.

Long time no see, Wu Zhen.

Chang'an

Did you hear about what happened

at Ruyi Pavilion last night?

I heard County Princess Qinghe has a new lover.

Lady Wu hasn't changed at all.

I'm the only one…

who can help you?

That's right.

Mei Si, you attend a lot of banquets.

Do you know anyone in the city?

I do.

What is it?

On my way back to the city, I noticed someone suspicious.

I want to find out something to ease my mind.

If you're not in a hurry, give me two days.

I'll familiarize myself with the people here.

We can ask them anything then.

All right. Thank you, Mei Si.

It's no big deal.

By the way,

on my way back,

I heard a lot of people talking about Lady Wu.

Is she all right?

She's very well.

While you were away from Chang'an for one day,

Wu Zhen has moved on.

Now, the new blood outshines the old.

You're old news now.

Everyone in Chang'an is talking

about how County Princess Qinghe

and a young man were being intimate

in public at Ruyi Pavilion.

A young man?

Uh…

I'll stop teasing you.

This rumor is half true and half false.

Which half is true, and which half is false?

It's true that they were intimate, but the man is not her new lover.

What do you mean?

Let me put it this way.

It's not someone new.

He's Wu Zhen's childhood friend.

He's her uncle's adopted son.

He's the eldest son of the Pei family in Kunzhou,

Pei Jiya.

I am Pei Jiya from Kunzhou.

The tracking talisman

shows the spell that was used.

The vermilion color means…

It's dark cultivation.

Duke Wu's manor

- Young Master Mei. You're back. - Where's Lady Wu?

She's in the back yard.

We have a guest.

It really is you.

Why are you here?

So Lady Wu is the one you're looking for in Chang'an.

Are you surprised?

It seems that you are here for Jiya, Young Master Mei.

I heard about what happened

- between you two from Jiya. - What did he say?

I turned our encounter into an anecdote

and told Wu Zhen about it.

I didn't think you and Wu Zhen knew each other.

What a surprise.

What kind of anecdote?

Don't you know what you did, Young Master Mei?

Don't worry. I only told her the truth.

Young Master Mei and I met by chance.

Later, we encountered bandits.

My maids, Xiao Fu and Xiao Zhen were so scared.

Young Master Mei, you were the hero who saved the damsels in distress.

Later, we ate together and had a long talk.

My maids still idolize you, Young Master Mei.

By the way, Wu Zhen,

Young Master Mei even wishes for us to always be there for each other.

Oh my, isn't he generous?

He has always been generous.

Young Master Mei, what brings you here?

What brings Young Master Pei here?

It's rare for you to be interested in others.

The Pei family started

with the spice business.

Jiya came all the way here

for the Scented Duel.

He will be staying at the Duke manor in the meantime.

Please don't mind me.

I make fragrances for a hobby.

I'm quite sensitive to scents.

Lady Wu.

You took my carriage yesterday.

I had to walk all the way back.

My leg injury must have relapsed.

I can only disturb you for a few more days.

I'm afraid that's against the rules.

How can an outsider

live here?

If you can live here, I can live here too.

You and I are different.

Wu Zhen and I grew up together.

I lived here when I was young.

Lady Wu and I are sworn friends.

I also lived here some time ago.

That's enough.

You can both stay here.

We can take care…

of 10 people here.

Lady Wu Zhen.

Didn't Young Master Mei say he was moving away?

Why did he suddenly come back?

Did you know that Young Master Mei was coming back?

I didn't.

It's just that after I heard from Jiya that they met in the western suburbs,

I guessed that Young Master Mei might come back.

He came back because of Young Master Pei?

Young Master Mei sure is strange.

He's not strange.

In fact, Jiya is the one…

I find strange.

I wonder what you think

about those gentlemen, Lady Wu.

You're going to report to sis again.

Please answer, Lady Wu.

I am neither biased nor partial.

I am merely a silent observer.

What do you think of my outfit, Young Master Mei?

May I ask, Young Master Pei?

Was it a coincidence that we met at the western suburbs?

There are no coincidences in this world.

It's all fate.

In that case, did you go into my room last night?

Did you lose something, Young Master Mei?

No.

That's good.

You don't have to make assumptions about why I came to Chang'an.

Although I supposedly came here for the Scented Duel,

I don't care about the contest.

I only care about Wu Zhen.

I can tell.

A few days ago, you said you liked someone.

Is it Wu Zhen?

Yes.

Since you care so much about her,

why did you say it's not meant to be?

I have my reasons.

It seems that Wu Zhen is not that important to you.

Graceful heart, noble character

Young Master Mei, your room is ready. You can rest now.

Hmm.

Graceful heart, noble character

Young Master, I told you!

You should've made it more potent.

I…

am still too kindhearted.

Duke Wu's manor

Graceful heart, noble character

I remember we used to play this when we were children.

But we didn't have many tricks back then.

The arrows weren't as beautiful as they are now.

Life gets better.

But I liked it when we were young.

It was just you and me back then.

But your pitching skills

are not as good as when we were young.

Yes, I haven't played it for years.

I heard that you like books about talented men and beautiful women.

These are the latest trends.

I've collected them for you.

I don't like them anymore.

All these books are filled with romantic stories

about the woman choosing her partner,

and his feelings match hers.

How boring.

Although it's a clichéd story, it has a happy ending.

Happy ending?

What's there to be happy about?

They end up getting married.

The most important thing to a woman

is to find the right man.

- Why? - What?

I asked why

the most important thing for a woman

is to find the right man.

A woman is soft.

She should have someone to rely on and a home to return to.

She should be protected like a treasure. She'll live a carefree life.

Mm.

You are right.

The most important thing in a woman's life

is to find someone reliable to depend on.

Why is a demon picking on him again?

That little book demon sure is useless.

Right.

Do you have all kinds of books here?

What books are you looking for?

The old man from the Four Factions told me to reinforce the Demon Underworld barrier.

I'm here to find a way.

Demon Underworld's barrier?

And you are…

I'm Cat Lord.

I have something to ask you.

Do you still remember how to make sugar cakes?

Yes.

Snake Lord isn't here yet.

It might take a while.

I'm here to send you some food.

I didn't order any food.

Someone told me to bring it to you, Cat Lord.

I've told you before to cut down on the candy.

See? You have a toothache now.

Stop criticizing me.

I'm doing this for your own good.

Don't worry.

For the meeting later, I'll go on your behalf.

I'll say you're in a bad mood because of a toothache,

and you'd end up scolding Elder Hui.

Those old men wouldn't dare do anything to you.

Thank you.

I'll clean up after you.

Isn't this candy banned by Wu Zi Shu?

They say it's too sweet.

It'll damage the younger demons' teeth easily.

Why is it being sold again?

I don't know.

I heard that you've been surrounded by men lately.

You're very carefree.

It's rare for you to be so well-informed, Snake Lord.

I didn't want to be.

It's just that this news has caused a stir in Chang'an.

It's hard for me not to hear it.

Did you ask me to come just to school me?

Actually, there is something.

Are you asking me for a favor?

The Scented Duel is coming up soon.

I've been a Scented Judge all these years.

But lately,

I've been feeling unwell.

You're about to shed.

Mm.

I can't stand you reptilian demons.

You're always shedding your skin.

Tell me. Are you going to help me or not?

Beg me.

Please.

All right, I'll help you.

But…

But what?

Speaking of being a judge for the Scented Duel,

I don't know anything about fragrances.

I doubt I can do it.

A lot of experienced Scented Judges will be present.

You just need to go along with them.

Besides, Ling Xiao will be there too.

He'll help you.

That's all I wanted to talk to you about.

I'll be out of your way.

Xiao…

Cat Lord.

It's time to soak in the hot spring.

About what happened before, I was too extreme.

Please don't be mad.

I've been reciting the Demon Law for days.

I can even recite it backwards.

I got Xuan Feng

to make this sugar cake secretly.

It still tastes the same.

The demonic power you lost a few days ago

has almost recovered.

It's time for you to soak in the hot spring.

Hold!

Be careful.

What's going on?

I'm just popular.

Tomorrow morning,

I'll bring you to the Scented Duel, Lady Wu.

Mm.

Wu Zhen, what is going on?

Tomorrow,

I might not be able to join in on the fun.

I've been entrusted to be a Scented Judge.

Please go easy on me tomorrow.

Scented Duel?

The Scented Judges here today are all the current masters of scents.

For example, Mr. Xie and Mr. Gao.

But my Lord, remember to stay away from them.

Why is that?

You beat up Mr. Xie's second nephew

and Mr. Gao's younger nephew.

However, the most powerful one

is the main judge, Anbilo.

- Master An is here. - Greetings, sirs.

Master An!

That's Anbilo.

- Long time no see. - Currently… No.

He's the best master perfumer in the past century.

Master.

Deputy Minister Wang.

His judgment greatly determines today's outcome.

You're drooling.

He's coming.

May I ask who you are?

Master An.

Lady Liu is unwell.

Unfortunately, she can't be here today.

This is Her Majesty's younger sister

and Duke Wu's second wife, County Princess Qinghe.

Your Highness.

Master An, you don't have to be so polite.

May I ask if you know fragrances too?

Just a little.

Master An, we would be making a fool of ourselves

to talk about fragrances in your presence.

Everyone would say that they only know a thing or two.

Hmm…

Your Highness, am I right?

You're too modest, Your Highness.

You must be

the owner of Yuzhen Pavilion, Mr. Ling Xiao.

You actually know me.

The fragrances at Yuzhen Pavilion is well-known in Chang'an.

I've heard of it too.

At the Scented Duel today,

Your Highness and Mr. Ling Xiao,

please enlighten us with your knowledge.

How could we? You…

You…

Master An knows me. Master An recognizes me!

Master An recognizes…

Ling Xiao.

Do you smell something strange?

What smell?

I think it's the smell of a lapdog.

A lapdog?

Where's the lapdog?

What a strong smell.

Where's the lapdog?

Lapdog? Are you calling me a lapdog?

I'll be one, just because he's Master An!

Hmph.

The fragrances presented at the Scented Duel

are divided into four tiers… Ordinary, Premium,

Exquisite, and Rare.

Depending on the tier,

the highest-ranked fragrances

will advance to the final round.

It's up to the audience and Scented Judges

to choose the final winner.

And this year's prize

is the rare Unicorn Horn Resin.

Wu Zhen.

Why are you here?

Where's Lady Liu?

Young Master Mei, it seems like you like to join in the fun.

I'm was worried about you coming here.

So I asked Mei Si to bring me here.

Master Anbilo will be the Scented Judge.

Please welcome Master An!

Chang'an Scented Duel

begins now!

I'm the perfumer at Jiuhe Fragrance Shop in Qizhou.

I've traveled overseas for years

to look for aloeswood from Molo.

I've sealed it with storax balsam oil for 100 days

and made it into Leyou Incense.

I present it to all of you.

The recipe is simple.

What's so special about aloeswood?

Mr. Gao is right.

I find this incense quite interesting.

The wood fragrance seems to have a jaggery scent.

May I ask who you are?

I am Pei Jiya from Kunzhou.

So it's him.

No wonder.

The Pei family's spices are well-known.

I've long heard that you're good

at fragrances too, Young Master Pei.

No one will have an opinion

about you being a Scented Judge.

Let's light the incense first.

Mm.

What else is there in this fragrant aroma?

It's the smell of blood.

Exquisite

Exquisite

Ordinary

I don't smell any fragrance at all.

Ordinary

Anbilo must've caught typhoid.

- His nose is blocked. - Nonsense.

Master An has excellent taste.

He's extraordinary.

Ordinary

Your Highness.

May I ask why you only give it an "Ordinary"?

I think in this fragrance, there's a hint of blood.

Blood?

Uh, please elaborate, Your Highness.

The incense may have a strange scent,

but the ingredient is not easily obtainable.

I heard that the slave laborers in Molo

are risking their lives

to climb up cliffs

just to get the nectar from aloeswood.

Who knows how much blood and sweat they put into it?

Her Highness must have thought of this,

hence why she feels that the Leyou Incense

doesn't live up to its name.

Sir.

You're knowledgeable.

Premium

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

He's here for the contest, no?

Why is he winking at Wu Zhen?

This incense is called Fragrance of the Past.

Fragrance of the Past?

What…

a random name.

I created this incense myself.

Forget it.

Young Master Pei, please go ahead.

Fragrance of the Past.

Translated by Scarlet