Original subtitles

My Lord.

My Lord, the Duke has sent someone to summon you.

The elders from other branches are there as well.

We're not going.

There's no reason for me to pay respects to him.

We already fell out.

Why bother with the pretense now?

My Lord,

His Majesty just issued a decree not that long ago.

If word gets out,

people will say you and Her Ladyship lack decorum

and disregard filial piety.

You'll risk being labeled as ungrateful and dishonorable in court.

My reputation's never been great anyway.

I don't care about it.

We should go.

It'll be good to get a sense of the situation.

Shou Gu.

Even in battle, courtesy comes before conflict.

Besides, the days ahead are long.

We can't avoid them forever.

Since when were you the type to hesitate?

What's wrong?

Are you scared?

Scared of them? Never.

But I promised you

I wouldn't let you deal with these.

And it's only the first day after our wedding.

It's fine.

Let's go.

(Blossom)

(Episode 20)

(Duke of Ying's Residence)

So you went to pay respects to Hui Sun first?

Serving the dead before the living,

No sense of propriety at all.

I didn't realize you all had been waiting for us.

However,

'honor the departed and never forget those who came before us',

those were His Majesty's own words during the royal hunt.

(Eldest Aunt of the Song family) What a sharp tongue you have.

The tea is cold.

Is this is how you serve your elders on your first day here?

Exactly, the tea's cold.

Niece-in-law,

(Third Aunt) why don't you make a fresh pot for us?

Bring it up.

Uncle Mao Chun, Uncle Feng Chun,

have you forgotten what happened before?

Yizhi Hall is separated this household ever since my mother's passing.

Isn't it only natural that relationships grow cold,

just like the tea?

But don't forget,

you're still the heir here.

Father, you're right.

Now that I've married the heir to the Duke of Ying,

that makes me his wife.

Father, please enjoy your tea.

This is a gift I prepared for you, sister-in-law.

My brother used to play chess with me every time he came back.

Though there may be fewer chances now,

I'm glad he has you to keep him company.

Thank you, Han.

Do you think I'm going to keep your brother all to myself?

You'd be like my brother too, so you'd better visit often.

Look at that, Han is so thoughtful.

Actually, we all prepared gifts for you, Dou Zhao.

It just slipped our mind earlier.

Bring them in!

The care and attention from you are,

of course, meant to guide me as the new daughter-in-law.

Since I've married into your family,

I will humbly accept any advice.

Oh, it's not really about advice.

We from the second branch of the family

didn't contribute much to Yan Tang's wedding.

So, we'd like to offer to renovate Yizhi Hall,

as a little gesture of goodwill.

That's a fine idea.

Once the dowry is accounted for and entered into the registry,

sister-in-law, you can start organizing it.

First a show of authority,

then a sugar-coated gesture,

this is just an excuse to get your hands on Dou Zhao's dowry.

In any household, it's the eldest daughter-in-law who manages things.

Eldest Aunt, it's one thing that you won't

hand over the treasury keys and tokens,

but you're even eyeing my wife's dowry.

Yan Tang, that's uncalled for.

Even though we've divided the households after your mother's passing,

your eldest aunt has been managing

all the household affairs,

including the finances.

Your wife has just joined the family.

Surely, someone needs to teach her and guide her.

That won't be necessary.

My wife has audited accounts for

both capitals and thirteen provinces in front of His Majesty.

Her methods of management were even taken

by the Ministry of Revenue as a model.

I didn't care to argue about these matters before,

but since you're eyeing her dowry,

we might as well divide the treasury as well to make things clean and simple.

Nonsense.

Harmony within the family is exactly what His Majesty wishes for.

We can't go against his will right after the wedding, can we?

Besides,

managing a household is a thankless, exhausting task.

With dozens of matters to oversee every day, your aunt is often

up until late night handling them.

-Third Aunt... -Third Aunt,

what you've said is exactly what Yan Tang and I worry about the most.

Money and possessions are fleeting,

but family harmony is what truly matters.

Since you care so much for me,

I'll entrust my dowry to Eldest Aunt for safekeeping.

-Su Lan, call Mr. Chen over. -Yes, Young Lady.

Ah, my daughter-in-law is so sensible.

Since your elders are offering to take on the burden for you,

you must always be grateful.

Yes, Father.

How...

Didn't you lose all your assets in Futing?

I did.

But what's lost

can always be earned back.

I invested 80% of capital

in Miao family's potato business.

Young Lady, I've just made a quick estimate.

It's roughly 70,000 taels.

Zhao has an incredible eye for business.

This is just this year's dividend.

Are you saying the 70,000 taels here is only the dividend?

These two chests alone could sustain a noble household for ten years!

Don't act like you've never seen money before. It's embarrassing.

I was going to combine my dowry and the profits

into the household accounts

to help ease the elders' burdens

and assist in managing the estate's finances.

With an estimated annual growth of 20%,

investments in properties, businesses, and agriculture

would yield at least 70,000 to 80,000 taels.

Now that it's all entrusted to Eldest Aunt,

I'm sure she'll earn even more.

Earning 70,000 to 80,000 taels a year?

I couldn't possibly manage that.

That's right.

My dowry also includes

some estates and shops

co-invested with some noble ladies in the capital.

If the earnings fall short of expectations,

it could jeopardize those relationships.

Business thrives on trust,

and without credibility,

not only would the ventures falter,

but we might also offend our partners.

(Eldest daughter-in-law of Song family) You're known

for your financial acumen.

Compared to your ventures,

managing the household budget

truly pales in comparison.

Perhaps it's better to keep the management of our finances separate,

so there's no risk of family conflict arising over money.

A real man

doesn't rely on a woman's dowry for wealth, that's just shameful.

Young Lady Miao, move these chests back

before people start saying our family is taking advantage.

Alright, I'll just keep managing the money for Zhao.

Take them back.

Hang on...

Zhao, tell me, how did you manage to earn so much money?

I never expected you to be so capable.

Yi Chun, I think we should entrust

our family's private assets

to Dou Zhao to manage.

She's family, after all, We can trust us, right?

Yes, that's a good idea!

Uncle, your request is an honor I wouldn't dare refuse.

However, without my father-in-law's approval,

I really wouldn't dare go against his wishes.

Yi Chun, come on.

Yi Chun!

I don't care anymore!

Hang on...

Yi Chun!

Yi Chun, don't just walk away.

Zhao, could you reserve a place

for our family in your business ventures as well?

That's right, Zhao.

We've got some savings. We'd be happy to invest.

I always thought she had the talents to navigate and assist in court politics,

but it turns out she's just as skilled in managing

the intrigues of the household.

I know you're trying to protect Young Lady.

But the deaths of the Duke of Ding and Lady Jiang

are intricately connected.

In such a large household,

uncovering the truth often comes down to tracing

the flow of money and the behavior of the servants.

Young Lady is securing control of the estate not for herself,

but for you.

Winning their favors now

will pave the way for her to gain full authority in due time.

Yi Chun,

you can't just leave this alone.

We're talking about 70,000 to 80,000 taels here.

As the saying goes, profit comes first.

Yes. There's nothing to worry about.

The treasury keys and token are still in our hands.

That's right.

Have I treated you poorly all these years?

She's only been here a day,

and she's already got all of you wrapped around her finger!

We're not...

You've brought shame to our ancestors!

You're narrow-minded!

Come on!

Yi Chun, don't go against money.

Feng Chun, don't bother arguing with him. Come on!

Your Grace.

Don't worry.

The residence is filled with your loyal servants.

She's new here.

They won't obey her.

She'll soon realize how difficult it is to gain any footing.

I've underestimated Dou Zhao.

I didn't know an uncouth girl like her

could act with such cunning and precision.

Could it be that I overlooked something

and fell right into my ungrateful son's trap?

Everyone in the capital knows that my father and I have split households.

Don't bother worrying about my relatives

and their little assets.

It's best to avoid them altogether,

no need to upset yourself.

I wanted to see them not because I wanted to make myself miserable.

Your father doesn't want me managing the household,

so he's roped in your uncles to sabotage me.

But they're not really united.

Your uncles are driven purely by profit.

Your eldest aunt is all bark and no bite,

while your third aunt wears her emotions on her sleeve.

They appear to follow your father's lead,

but each has their own agenda.

The only one who sees the situation clearly is your eldest cousin-in-law.

She probably realizes that trying to mediate between you and your father

isn't a deal worth making.

She could be our way in.

What?

You figured them out so clearly after meeting them just once.

You're so brilliant, my love.

Back at the country estate, when I saved Wu Shan,

didn't you also see through my family's schemes in an instant?

Your ability in reading people is much more impressive.

If my relatives and my father try any more tricks,

send Mr. Chen to the Imperial Guards to find me.

Don't take it all on yourself.

You were just calling me Lady Zhuge last night.

Are you doubting me already?

I don't doubt you,

I'm just worried about you.

By the way, let me give you something for your protection.

This is my first time.

It's alright.

Keep your balance,

focus on the target,

and aim.

That's louder than firecrackers!

-Careful, it's hot. -You didn't even blink.

It's normal to feel scared the first time.

The more afraid you are, the more you have to stay calm.

Steady your nerves.

Don't worry,

I'm right here with you.

I missed.

You're doing great.

If you hit that wind chime today,

you'll have mastered the basics.

Take your time.

I'll go freshen up.

I hit it!

I hit it!

My love,

you're a natural.

What's wrong with your hand?

Let me see.

Why is it bleeding again?

It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

Yan Tang.

Didn't I say I can bathe myself?

Your hand is injured.

You can't let it get wet until the wound scabs over.

Let me help.

It's fine.

I can handle it myself.

No, I insist.

If I can't even take care of you when you're hurt,

what kind of wife would I be?

You're the mighty General Song,

are you getting shy now?

When I said I could do it myself, it wasn't because I was shy,

I didn't want to scare you.

Back at the Zhaowen Bookstore,

Mr. Chen said that your back was covered in scars

when he was bandaging you.

I never thought I'd actually see them.

Shou Gu, I'm sorry.

These scars were earned

for the country and the people.

And you got this scar on your shoulder because of me.

You have nothing to apologize for.

Yan Tang,

when two people share a life,

the most important thing

is to make each other feel comfortable and at ease.

From now on,

no matter what happens,

let's be honest with each other

and face everything together,

alright?

Alright, I promise you.

My Lord.

Ming.

You won't let me see it?

Now I have to see it.

Let me see.

Ming, I'll let you see it when I finish it.

No, I want to see it now.

Ming.

It's a secret.

Fine.

Have some fruit.

Let me see!

Why won't you let me?

-I'm not letting you. -Come on!

You're impossible, My Lord.

I'll show you once I finish it.

Ming, you look beautiful today.

My Lord, My Lady,

the Bazhen Soup prepared for Her Grace has been served.

It's time to pay your respects.

Paying respects again!

She's always paying respects!

Isn't it exhausting?

-We got it, you may go. -Yes, My Lord.

I'm going then.

It must've been hard for you.

Go on.

How dare you talk back!

What happened? What did Nanny Zhou do?

I overheard some servants gossiping about you,

so I scolded them.

You're the nanny of the Marchioness,

and I'm the nanny of the Duchess.

You scolding me is the same

as the daughter-in-law disrespecting her mother-in-law.

You'd better remember your place

and the proper rules for the sake of Her Ladyship.

My Lady...

-Nanny... -My Lady...

Ming.

Serve the soup.

Hurry up!

My Lady,

you must kneel and hold the bowl above your head.

That's the proper way to show respect.

I personally roasted and added

the rehmannia in this Bazhen Soup.

It's especially beneficial

for replenishing your blood and energy, Your Grace.

The higher the status of a family,

the stricter the rules.

From helping your mother-in-law dress in the morning

to setting down her bed netting at night,

these are all duties of a daughter-in-law.

Learn these rules over the next few days

and follow them.

Since your sister married into the Duke of Ying's family,

she has contributed money and effort to support their estate.

What about you?

Do you even know the accounts of the estate,

or how money we have left to sustain us?

The deficit in the accounts

was due to the expenses for the funerals of the late Marquis and Marchioness

a few years ago.

Surely you have heard how extravagant Dou Zhao's dowry

and personal wealth are.

Our family accepted you,

yet you show no gratitude,

putting all your energy into coaxing my foolish brother.

Have you thought about the future of our family?

Where's the dividend your mother promised me?

What's going on here?

Ming, get up.

Are you alright?

Let me see your hands.

A sister-in-law is setting rules for her younger sister-in-law.

It's only right.

This doesn't concern you.

This is the Marquis of Jining's Residence,

not the Duke of Jing's Residence.

How could it not concern me?

If this is about money,

I'll sell some of my paintings to cover the expenses.

I know you're jealous of Dou Zhao's dowry,

but that doesn't mean you can take it out on Ming!

What did you just say?

All these years, I've used my own savings to help you,

and you never once appreciated me.

Now I'm just asking her to contribute a little to the household,

and you think I'm being unreasonable?

Heaven must be blind

not to strike you down with lightning, you ungrateful wretch!

Your Grace! Your Grace!

It's my fault.

I shouldn't have let you argue with Pei Jin over this.

About what you just asked me,

I'll bring up with Mother when I return home to visit.

Be careful as you lift them up.

Set it down here.

So many return gifts.

This must be unmatched in the entire capital.

I've simply brought a few modest gifts for the return visit.

Let's talk inside.

Please come.

You're trying to humiliate my daughter.

Without all this wealth,

I don't believe Song Mo would treat you the same way.

Unlike my Ming and the Marquis, who are deeply in love.

They don't rely on such worldly possessions.

You, on the other hand,

are nothing but a pitiful person.

Hearing this from you is so ironic.

Money is hard to earn,

but love fades easily.

That's a lesson I learned from watching you all those years ago.

Madam, the Marchioness of Jining has arrived for her return visit.

All these years, you haven't aged a day.

Standing next to me, you look more like my sister

than my mother now.

Isn't that right?

Without you in this household,

I've had far fewer worries.

Naturally, my complexion turns better.

But look at you,

you haven't been married for long,

and you've lost weight.

Is Wei Ting Zhen mistreating you?

What kind of duchess behaves like that?

I'll find an opportunity to settle this score with her.

Mother, Pei Jin looks out for me.

He treats me well.

Treats you well?

When you returned home the other day,

what gifts did he bring?

Compare that to Dou Zhao, it's worlds apart.

Pei Jin and I don't care about material things.

But what about the daily expenses at his residence?

Even if he doesn't care,

can his sister not care?

Mother, you really don't have to worry about me.

Ting Zhen has been treating me well too.

Enough.

Stop trying to fool me.

You think I don't know what kind of person Wei Ting Zhen is?

If she finds out how much dowry Dou Zhao have,

she's going to make your life so hard.

You risked everything to marry into that family.

Now that you're suffering, you don't even dare to tell me.

You're such a useless coward.

It's one thing that others envy my sister's dowry

and gossip about it,

but why do you have to use it to mock me too?

How was I supposed to tell you?

All you've ever seen in me are flaws.

Fine then, I'll get out of your sight and stop upsetting you.

Young Lady...

Look at her!

Her in-law mistreated her,

and she came back to argue with me.

Her temper is exactly like her father's!

Madam, you don't know

how difficult Ming's days have been.

Ming.

What's wrong?

Why are you crying?

She's probably just feeling a little homesick.

Let the sisters talk.

I'll keep you company with a drink.

It wasn't until I got married

that I realized all your advice back then came from the heart.

These noble families aren't

as glamorous as they appear to outsiders.

The foundations are hollow, and yet appearances must be kept up.

I'm not capable enough

to fill the gaps

or maintain the facade.

What's done is done. Don't dwell on the past.

What matters most is making the best of the days ahead.

The more prestigious the family,

the bigger the holes in their accounts.

You have to take it easy.

Compared to these massive deficits, my dowry is nothing

but a drop in the bucket.

I'm just a mere housewife, and yet I'm being forced to figure out

how to conjure money out of thin air.

Many trivial household matters may seem insignificant,

but there's a lot of strategy involved.

Take rice, for example, Liaodong rice is soft and sticky,

costing 900 coins per dan,

while Jiangnan Indica rice is firmer

and only cost 700 coins.

For porridge, use two parts Liaodong rice to one part Indica;

for cooked rice, reverse it.

Both the porridge and rice turn out delicious.

Over a year, this simple method could save 500 to 600 taels.

If you save half into the bank and lend the other half to tea merchants,

you could earn over 1,000 taels in profit.

What a clever idea!

Zhao, you must have been the God of Wealth in your past life!

And don't forget, the family's investments need to be reviewed too.

For instance, any loss-making businesses like old inns or grain stores

should be sold off.

Reinvest in trending businesses like perfume shops or boutiques...

That won't be necessary.

Ming.

Ming has the support of her maternal family.

She doesn't need to stoop to penny-pinching like you.

I will never let Ming lack money.

In a few days,

I'll have her grandfather secure a proper position for the Marquis.

When his career takes off,

she won't have to worry about trivial matters like this.

Let's go.

Mother,

is what you said true?

But Grandfather has always been upright and impartial.

He despises nepotism.

Why would he agree?

When one

has children,

they can't live only for themselves anymore.

Back when my father was demoted,

I had to swallow my pride and sell porridge to make ends meet.

Now, for your sake,

I'll have to humble myself again

and ask him to make an exception.

Take these.

Mother, I can't accept these.

I know exactly

what situation you're in right now.

Where did you even get this much money?

I may be useless,

but I can't be unfilial.

Lending money to bandits is a serious crime.

The court is cracking down hard.

Mother, let's think of another way, alright?

But what other options do women in this household have,

apart from taking advantage

of the title of an official's wife?

Do you want to end up like Dou Zhao,

associating with questionable people

and running disreputable businesses?

Ming,

remember this,

you're the Marchioness.

Never lower yourself to such things.

Take this money

and stand your ground in the Marquis's residence.

I'll always have your back, understand?

When the Marquis has a solid career,

your sister-in-law won't treat you poorly anymore.

Really?

When that day comes,

I'll finally be at ease.

Mother...

Silly girl.

Careful.

Go on.

Madam, you may be tough on Young Lady,

but you actually love her dearly.

Getting a position for the Marquis

means greasing palms all around.

Take another chest

from my private savings and pawn it.

Yes, Madam.

The accounts for these purchases are full of discrepancies.

Go through them carefully.

Find out how much the stewards have been skimming.

Madam, without the authority token,

the servants won't listen to us.

Repairs that need to be done, medicine that needs to be restocked,

everything is outright ignored.

At this rate, we'll be forced to use our own money to cover the expenses.

That's just one issue, My Lady.

The other is that everything you say or do is constantly being spied on,

with reports sent back to the Duke of Ying's Residence by nightfall.

I've written down their names.

These servants are loyal to the Duke, not us.

We've become unwelcome guests

in the Duke of Ying's Residence.

What do you think, My Lord?

Should I replace all the servants here?

Since we can't control the Duke's servants,

at least we can make sure Yizhi Hall is staffed with our own.

It's not that simple.

Most of the servants have ties

going back three generations,

many of them having served my ancestors.

Some even watched me grow up.

Replacing them all isn't just difficult,

it feels heartless.

But we can't just let these servants grow bolder

and let Her Ladyship endure such indignities.

Su Lan, I'm married to His Lordship.

You can't treat him like an outsider anymore.

I was wrong.

I'm sorry, My Lord.

Replacing all the servants now would be risky.

It takes time to cultivate loyal servants,

and there's a chance spies could infiltrate.

Both the Crown Prince and Prince Qing are trying to win over His Lordship.

If their people infiltrate the household,

things could become worse than they are now.

My Lady, My Lord,

not all the servants need to be replaced.

Their loyalty lies with the Duke of Ying's title,

not specifically with Song Yi Chun.

My Lord, you acted tyrannically before.

They assumed you were against the status.

That's why they sided with Song Yi Chun.

That's a good point.

My Lord, if you inherit the title and take control of the residence,

and Her Ladyship secures the treasury keys and household authority,

their allegiance will naturally shift to you.

But the real issue lies in

the mysteries surrounding His Lordship being attacked

and my mother-in-law's sudden death.

Even though many of the servants have been replaced,

there may still be

those among them who know the truth.

That's why you can't remove them, My Lord.

Did I say something wrong, My Lord?

You just scolded Su Lan

for treating me like an outsider.

But what did you just call me?

Yan Tang.

Say it again.

Yan Tang.

They're all here. What are you doing?

We'll be gone right away.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I used to say I had a bad reputation,

but now that I think about it,

you weren't exactly spared from gossip either.

I didn't care what they said

because I wasn't planning on getting married.

But now that we're married, your reputation is tied to mine.

If you're to advance in your career,

I can't allow Wang Ying Xue or Song Yi Chun

to spread rumors and damage your reputation.

I'll make sure they lose the ability to do so.

I wanted to let you live freely and happily,

but now

you're caught up in these endless domestic battles.

I've let you down.

My family was a den of wolves and tigers too.

So, you don't owe me anything.

Besides, you said I'm your strategist, didn't you?

Of course I have to share your burdens.

Strategist again, huh?

What's wrong with that?

Look at you,

what are you doing?

We were discussing serious matters.

This room isn't meant for discussing those matters.

Then what matters are meant to be discussed here?

-Say 'my love.' -Song Mo!

I was wondering why His Lordship had been sulking.

Turns out it's because Young Lady hadn't changed her address.

I never thought we'd end up as advisors under the same roof.

Just a few months ago,

we were enemies.

Life is full of surprises.

I was just thinking,

what if my arrow hadn't missed?

during the siege that day?

How different things might be.

Well, my friend,

the scar from that arrow is still here.

Mr. Chen,

Yizhi Hall has some excellent Ganlubai wine.

Let's have a small drink. I owe you an apology.

Alright.

Let's go.

Your Grace, something has happened!

Why are you yelling?

Where are your manners?

Something is amiss.

The entire Yizhi Hall is busy moving goods.

The camphorwood chests

are packed full of money.

Six or seven people in the main hall are calculating on abacuses

without even stopping for a drink of water.

Even during our estate's annual account settling,

it's never taken more than a day or two.

How much of a dowry must that be?

The Dou family may be known for their wealth as merchants,

but they couldn't possibly have this much money.

That's right.

Keep a close eye on it.

Find out what's really going on.

Yes, Your Grace.

If you see bad weather coming,

bring in His Lordship's paintings.

He'll be heartbroken if they get wet.

Yes, My Lady.

So?

Do you like it?

I love it.

As long as you like it,

I'm happy.

Is this the one you were painting last time?

Yes.

I wanted to surprise you.

It's beautiful.

My Lady.

My Lady, Her Grace has summoned you.

We got it.

Will you come with me, My Lord?

I have to finish my painting, Ming.

-Maybe later. -But...

Ming.

Don't worry, Ming.

My sister may act like a matriarch,

but you are my officially wedded Marchioness.

You have to carry yourself

as the true mistress of this household,

so they won't push you around.

Your Grace.

Look at this!

Is this how a mistress of the house should act?

The accounts are such a disaster.

How could you let this happen?

What a disgrace to the family!

If it weren't for that bride swap nonsense,

would our household be in this state?

Say something!

You're right, Your Grace.

My mother just contributed some money last month.

It hasn't been long since.

I was wondering if we could cut back on expenses a little more.

Cut back?

Do you expect us

to scrape by on your petty contributions?

As the mistress,

don't you feel ashamed for even suggesting such a thing?

If the household only spends without bringing in income,

no matter how deep our reserves, they'll eventually run dry.

So, my mother went to ask my grandfather

to secure a position for His Lordship,

as the Deputy Commander of the North City Patrol.

Here's his appointment letter.

I was planning to share this good news with you and His Lordship together.

That's more like it.

You killed Ming's child!

If you can't give me an explanation today,

we'll take this to the authorities!

You warned me long ago

that His Lordship wouldn't be a good husband.

Do you regret it?

I'm a terrible man!

(Divorce Agreement) Please forgive me, Ming!