Original subtitles

EPISODE 20

Cousin, what did you say? Say it again.

Ah Cai was once a maid in the Li family.

When Mr. Li fell ill, he sent his servants away.

She then left the house

and married a butcher.

They had a son, Youlong, now 16.

Sixteen?

He's a posthumous child?

Mother-in-law is so tough. Father-in-law still had affairs?

Stop talking nonsense.

She said there's no such thing.

Who can say for sure?

Now, a lively young man shows up.

He can even accuse them.

It's gone to court now.

Chai.

Yuanming, how's it going?

Lord Shen accepted the case?

Not only that,

their relatives also reported it

to the Kaifeng Court.

What?

The Li family now has two cases against them.

What did Shen Huizhao say?

I asked his teacher, Minister Liu, for a letter

and delivered my request to his house in person,

but he refused to meet.

Not even a polite excuse.

Never seen someone so stubborn.

No wonder people call him Iron Heart.

He's totally heartless.

- Oh no. - What's wrong?

They're after Li's property.

If they want to go to the court,

Li's daughters will appear in court.

Why didn't I think of this? This is bad.

Mom, drink the medicine first.

- Just a sip. - Mom.

I don't want to.

What are you looking for?

I'm checking if Dad left behind any notes

to verify the identity of them.

You heartless child.

You're my daughter.

You still believe those two liars?

If you speak something like that again,

your father's spirit won't forgive you.

Mom.

Say sorry to Mom.

Okay?

Mom, ask Shouhua,

Kangning,

who doesn't think like this?

You can scold or beat me.

Others will just try to appease you.

In this family, besides me,

who dares speak the truth?

Haode.

What are you doing here? What about Jiaojiao?

She's with her grandma.

Mom, this is serious.

When did Dad have another son?

You think so too?

You all think so too?

All of you?

Mom,

we trust Dad,

but we need to clarify things.

We can't blindly go into this lawsuit.

Right?

He was under my nose this whole time.

When did they stir up such trouble?

How could they hide it from me?

Now, you all come asking me questions?

The coffin's already rotting.

How can I dig up the truth now?

Posthumous child?

They only appeared after 16 years.

They are taking advantage that Dad's gone, so they can tell lies as they wish.

But Dad's gone now.

We can't prove he's not his father.

Mom.

Those people are thieves, robbing our land and property.

The little that's left,

we risked our lives to protect.

I'm a Li family daughter.

I'll go to court with you.

No one outside will take what's ours.

If we have to face the punishment,

I'll take it for Mom.

Haode.

Leshan, go.

Bring your brothers-in-law back.

It's rare for Haode to have such courage.

We will surely go.

But what will we say in court?

We need to discuss that.

We're going to court.

The law of the Song Dynasty is there.

They can't just make things up and get away with it.

Alright, we'll do it your way.

- Go, Leshan. - Okay.

KAIFENG COURT

Order.

Li family brothers,

why are you suing your Aunt Li?

My lord,

since Uncle passed and Cousin Shifan tragically died,

the clan head decided we need a successor

to inherit his legacy.

But Aunt refused to adopt one.

This wicked woman

is trying to cut off my uncle's descendant.

Ridiculous.

If a man dies, the wife has the right to judge.

Since Mr. Li and his son are gone

and Madam Li hasn't remarried,

his inheritance should go to his daughters.

Who dares take it from them?

Did you hear that?

It's for the daughters.

Two of my five daughters aren't married.

We wouldn't dare, my lord. You're right.

But my uncle left a will

to let Aunt support us

80 strings per year and 200 catty of grain.

But over the past ten years, Aunt's never mentioned anything about it.

We've had no choice but to sue.

My lord, we have the document,

signed by the clan head and all relatives.

My lord, Aunt even sold land

and moved the family just to avoid the promise.

We ask you to rule on this.

Please, my lord.

You still dare to ask for debts from me?

- My lord. - The wheat you stole from my land.

How much did you sell it for? How much did you sell from my land?

Tell me.

- What're you doing? - What'd you get for the silverware

- at your uncles mourning hall? - Help, my lord.

- How much did you get from his funeral? - My lord.

- Why don't you say that? - My lord.

- Not enough for your coffin? - Mom!

- Order! - Ah!

My lord, you saw it all.

She's hitting me in court.

We're family.

We didn't want to go to court,

but Aunt treats us like enemies.

We're here today because we have no choice.

We ask you to give us justice.

We ask you to give us justice.

Worse than pigs and dogs.

Shouting in court.

Slap 20 times. Guards!

My lord, my cousin's causing a scene,

making false accusations.

My mother was overwhelmed by anger.

Please show mercy

and spare her because of her weak body.

If she does this again,

I'll take her place.

In court,

if anyone dares act up again,

add 20 more lashes.

- Li Shiqian. - My lord.

You said

you want to bring the outside child into the family.

Now, I'm combining both cases into one case.

Any objections from either side?

Let the court decide.

Take the plaintiff, Ah Cai and Li Youlong.

- My lord. - My lord.

I have a warning about a posthumous child.

There's no proof left because his dad's gone.

I won't accept the case.

If you can't provide any proof

to demonstrate your lineage,

I'll treat it as a fraud case.

You'll be punished in the end.

My lord, I would never.

About the origin of Ah Cai's son.

Before my uncle passed, he often sighed.

He feared my aunt's jealousy would harm his son.

He never revealed the truth.

Before he died, he couldn't bring Youlong back to the family.

This became his lifelong regret.

They live in hardship now, struggling to survive.

As his cousin,

I must seek justice for him

and help my poor kin

to finish my uncle's last wish

and let him rest in peace.

You--

Mom.

My lord, my mother's fuming,

so she's kind of acted out.

Please let me respond for her.

Okay.

Shouhua.

You just need to know the marriage law.

I've pointed out the section.

Maybe let bother-in-law accompany Mom in court.

The judge might consider his reputation.

And Kangning, you have a silver tongue.

Your words are more convincing.

Your big sisters are all married,

and we can't even get involved.

Many things should be said by you, the unmarried daughter.

Haode, these sections are fixed.

You should argue based on the rules in court.

We're counting on you.

Remember, you're not just fighting for Mom.

You're fighting for yourself and Leshan.

Li Haode.

Li Haode, do you have a defense?

My lord.

They've been after our estate for years,

and they have even sued us over and over.

They're sworn enemies.

You can't trust them.

This is a sacred court.

A girl shouldn't be speaking here. Leave now.

Leave.

I'm the unmarried daughter of the Li.

The estate should belong to us.

They are accusing their aunt unfairly.

They've disrespected elders and now questioning me?

This doesn't make any sense.

You…

She's right.

Ah Cai, any other proof?

My lord,

in the fifth month of the fifth year of Dazhong Xiangfu,

I left pregnant.

Mr. Li passed in the sixth month.

Youlong was born on the 15th of the second month in the next year.

Granny Liu from Bozi Street

and Li Auntie can testify.

Before coming to Bianjing,

they stamped this paper.

The midwife only knew he was premature.

How could she know if he's Li or Wu?

You're all conspiring together to blackmail us.

- Mom. - The Li couple only had one son.

The Li family is not so rich

but still values education.

How could he let his kid follow a butcher?

His wife, though jealous,

seeing the family fall apart,

she'd rather bear the pressure from the family

than take in the orphan to keep life moving forward.

This doesn't make sense.

My lord.

Don't listen to her.

She didn't even honor my uncle's will.

She's not like other virtuous women.

My lord,

before my father passed, he gave his cousin some property.

It was out of necessity.

Haven't you heard of the three-way split?

The wise minister Zhang Guaiya.

He once judged a case of inheritance.

When someone passed, the son-in-law got seven.

The son only got three.

When the son grew up, they fought over it.

Zhang knew the father's intention.

The son was three when his father died.

His father feared the son would be harmed.

So, he left a will out of desperation.

In the end, Zhang changed the judgment.

The son got seven, the son-in-law three.

Son was young, son-in-law strong.

So, the son-in-law got seven.

My father was poor, but his cousin rich.

My father couldn't be at ease.

Before he died,

he begged the cousins,

asking his cousins to treat us kindly.

Don't you remember?

My family's stolen grain weighed over a thousand.

You greedy thieves still dare to steal?

As for Wu Youlong, he is definitely not my father's son.

My father was kind to the poor, loved talent.

Liu Wang is the son of the tenant.

He came to our house seeking financial help for his studies.

My father helped him with his education.

Before his death, he left a will for his nephews.

He even gave half his old books to Liu.

But he didn't leave anything to his own son?

This is truly weird.

After Ah Cai gave birth,

she did not return her son to the family.

My father and my brother passed away.

They never came to mourn.

The county clerk's register shows,

in the third month this year, butcher Wu Yong died.

They changed their surname from Wu to Li.

Their intentions are clear to everyone.

A letter from a Luoyang,

they only changed their surname in March.

We were staying under someone else's roof.

How could he change his name before the stepfather died?

Young lady, this doesn't make sense.

- Nonsense. - Don't you dare!

Okay.

It's the ironclad proof.

In our family, fathers have a bent little finger.

It can't straighten, and it passed down to sons.

- What? - I don't know.

Really?

You know that?

Never heard of it.

Before that…

My lord, though Wu Yong had a vile trade,

he did give life to him.

Wu Youlong, as a son,

in order to steal inheritance, he changed his surname from Wu to Li.

Such greed and ungratefulness

mustn't have tricked you, my lord.

Justice always prevails.

They're lying, my lord. It's all a lie.

Li Haode's words are clear and logical.

If you still don't confess, I'll have to apply torture.

Pressing sticks.

My lord.

It was him. He came to us.

He urged us to change the surname.

I was just confused.

Please show mercy, my lord.

- Please show mercy. - Please show mercy.

- My lord, they're the greedy ones. - My lord.

We didn't know anything.

My lord, we acted in good faith.

We were just witnesses. Forgive us.

- My lord, we were deceived. - My lord.

- Please, my lord. - My lord.

Show mercy to us.

- My lord. We didn't know. - My lord.

Enough!

Ah Cai and Wu Youlong conspired

with Li family's four nephews to lie about their lineage.

Since this is their first offense, they will be beaten 80 times

as punishment.

Li Shida, Li Shiqian,

Li Shide, Li Shiye.

You forgot the kindness of your uncle

and plotted for inheritance.

Bullying the orphaned, destroying family morals.

Years of disputes, no repentance.

Each will get 100 lashes

and within a month

return the Li family's silver,

boxes, and grain.

From now on, you should never bother them.

If you sue again, you will be exiled and severely punished.

Adjourned.

That must really hurt.

Haode, how did I not know?

Your father and brother's finger thing.

Mom, how could there be a disease like that?

I saw he was not confessing, so, I just tricked him.

That's clever.

I learned it from you, Mom.

Let's go.

This one's nice.

This looks like something Shouhua wears.

Why take it?

I said her pin looks nice.

She said she'd give me a better one

if I win the case.

Don't break it. Give it back.

I like it too.

Can I borrow it?

No way. I'll need it for my wedding.

You…

Haode,

you haven't even seen a matchmaker yet

and you're daydreaming. How shameless.

Let me try.

What are you saying? Give it back to me.

- Shouhua gave it to me. - Give it.

- I-- - That's from--

Let me check it.

Why are you like this?

You take whatever looks good.

You've ruined my gift.

Why are you two arguing?

You even fell down.

What's so special?

Just have her buy it for you.

All you do is argue.

It's giving me a headache.

You have five daughters,

but only I was picked by the river.

What nonsense are you talking?

Why is it that among your five fingers,

I'm always the shortest one?

You always favor her.

You're so biased.

- Where are you going? - Haode.

Are you really angry?

Cut me some slack, okay?

Hurry, go after her.

I--

Mom, trust me.

She will be back soon.

Tonight, we'll have lamb.

Lamb is her favorite.

Trust me, she'll be back.

Alright.

You're not allowed to eat, you little foodie.

Come here.

Shouhua.

My lady,

I thought I'd never see you again.

Mom insisted on going home,

so I sent her back.

On the way back, I met her.

The Yu family sold servant girls.

A passing merchant bought her.

They'd already signed a deal.

I still managed to buy her back.

Shouhua, didn't you always care about her?

Sangma, take her to settle.

Sure.

Shouhua.

I worked hard to buy her back.

How should I be rewarded?

Aren't you busy moving to the new house?

You even have time for small matters like this?

You can't bear to leave your mom,

living in this house,

so I decided not to move.

We're married here.

We'll live here, have children, and grow old here together.

Here's the deed to the land. Keep it.

LAND DEED

Shouhua.

Shouhua, Leshan bullied me.

She bullied me.

You're fighting with her again?

Come, come. Sit down.

Come here.

What happened? Tell me.

Shouhua,

she always mocks me for being dumb.

She says

I'll die alone at home.

How could that be?

You're so honest and cute.

In the future, I'll ask Du to find someone good

among his colleagues for you, alright?

Sure.

I will help you find someone.

Families with strict rules

aren't as good as finding a rich,

talented, and handsome man.

I already have someone in mind.

I hope you can help me

to get to know him.

Haode, marriage is serious, no jokes.

We're family. Let her say.

You have someone in mind.

I must help you.

So, who is he?

It's the man who saved our family,

the Kaifeng Court official,

Mr. Shen. Shen Huizhao.

I liked him the moment I saw him.

SHEN MANSION

Father,

how's Granny's condition today?

Has Dr. Lin arrived?

You little brat…

SHEN RONG, FATHER OF SHEN HUIZHAO

…how dare you show up?

Grandma's illness is because of you.

A man at your age from a family like ours

should already have a wife and kids,

but you've wasted your time.

You're the only one in Bianjing like this.

Over the years,

Grandma's tried to find a suitable match.

All noble girls, talented and beautiful.

Each is a good match.

But you rejected them all.

Other families now are afraid of tying up with us.

I heard that you even rejected Li Shiba.

That's why Grandma got sick.

If you

have any conscience,

marry someone soon.

We don't care about status.

Just marry someone decent.

Take her to Grandma and offer respect.

She'll be better by tomorrow.

We won't need Dr. Lin.

Father, I've said it a thousand times.

I won't marry.

After all these years, I'm still firm.

Please understand.

I'll go meet His Majesty and request the palace doctors.

I'll take my leave.

Not marrying, not marrying.

Are all women tigers?

Will they eat you?

- Did he leave? - Yeah.

Did he agree?

It's all your fault.

When he was little, you sent him to the temple.

What place is that?

Everyone always meditates and tries to understand Zen.

That's where he became so detached.

It's too late.

Mom.

How is this my fault?

Didn't you say

that since his two elder brothers didn't live

and he was weak then,

he should go to the temple to live peacefully?

You said it was for his sickness but not detachment.

Who knew it'd turn out this way?

It's also his job in law enforcement.

Money and women have always caused harm.

Women he saw were never kind.

Over time, he treated women like a threat.

What should we do?

Don't worry.

Madam. Master.

Everyone's here to check on you.

Also, there's a matchmaker visiting.

Look at him, acting all pure and innocent.

Like being with a woman will shorten his life.

Isn't he going to cancel the marriage?

I'll marry for him.

When the bride enters,

let's see how he backs out.

You mean?

Proceed without telling him.

He stays at the government office often.

Let's say we're celebrating my birthday.

Let's renovate the hall garden.

We'll secretly plan the wedding.

But who'd do such thing?

If it's a family of equal status, who would compromise?

I fear we'll end up at odds because of his stubbornness.

- Not a good idea. - Wait.

Did a matchmaker come?

Which family?

Nonsense.

Marriage is for the parents to decide.

Ask the matchmaker, check the birthdates.

There's no room for self-decision.

If I speak the truth, will you agree to it?

How embarrassing.

The Shen family is not someone we can afford.

It's fine if you're just daydreaming about it yourself,

but if we really let a matchmaker go to their house,

you'll make us the laughingstock.

Mom.

The matchmaker will come with an answer today.

If it works out, it's a good thing.

If not, she can move on.

Where's the luck like this?

I've seen ice chunks in the last month of the year

but never heaven dropping gold.

Mom.

I'm your own daughter.

Yes, you are my daughter.

That's why I told you to give up and stay grounded.

It's for your own good, alright?

Mom, the matchmaker is here.

- Congratulations. - Congratulations.

Madam Li, big news.

It's done. It's done.

What's done?

Is it the marriage?

Yes,

it's the marriage between the Li and Shen families.

About this marriage.

Even though we're supported by Mr. Du,

we didn't dare speak soon.

We'd test the waters first.

But when he heard it was the Li family of Pan Street,

Mr. Du's sister-in-law,

they praised it as a lucky match.

They even brought a preliminary letter and matched her birthdate.

They agreed right away.

No dowry was asked.

Just that Lady Shen is getting worse.

So, they want good luck.

The ceremony will be simple.

The wedding must happen quickly.

Th-the Shen family, the one from Kaifeng?

See,

I brought the matchmaker's letter.

How could it be fake?

Mom, it really is true.

Heaven really does drop gold.

SECOND DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH

SHEN MANSION

Ridiculous.

I was away for work just two days.

You snuck the bridal sedan into our house?

Treating marriage like child's play,

breaking family rules and morals aside,

you've ruined an innocent girl's life.

Enough.

How dare you speak against your elders?

No heir means ending our family line.

An un-filial act.

Don't you know your duty as a child?

Ignoring father's mistakes,

blindly indulging you and causing harm.

That is un-filial.

Shut up.

Enough.

I made the decision for this marriage.

You…

Whether you go along

or resist,

the bride entered through our front door.

She's in your room now,

which makes her your wife.

She's the daughter-in-law of our Shen family.

The Li girl is young

and full of joy as she married in.

Yet you don't want her

and ruin her life out of spite.

That's your own bad karma.

Even your illness was a lie.

Everyone else knew but me.

Who lied to you?

Your grandmother's illness is real.

If you listen to her,

she'll recover and live long.

That's how you show your devotion.

Fine.

Well done.

Such a bold decision.

Really well done!

Come back!

Mom.

Wasn't this too much for him?

You claimed illness to avoid strangers,

skipped the banquet,

and hid it from the Li family.

If this gets out…

Quick, go check on him.

Don't let him cause any trouble in the wedding room.

Yes.

We canceled the banquet due to madam's illness.

Missing the ceremony's time

would offend the Li family.

Hurry things along.

Get out.

You haven't drunk the wedding wine.

That's against tradition.

Please drink with your bride.

Get out!

Let's go.

Li Haode.

I need to tell you.

What is it, husband?

I'm not your husband.

Though the sedan came here,

there was no proper ceremony.

No couple tradition, no rituals,

and no temple visit.

We're not truly married.

- So, you don't want to marry me? - Correct.

This wasn't my wish.

My elders were trying to go against me

and have dragged you in.

I should've discussed it with you.

But since you're young and naive,

I'll decide for you.

The sedan is at the door.

I'll send you back.

In three days,

my father and I will apologize in person.

He'll compensate you generously.

Don't agree to less.

The Shen family owns 200 acres near the capital.

They yield 600 bushels of grain yearly.

There are two estates in Luoyang

worth 3,000 strings of cash.

Demand those two.

If he refuses, threaten to sue for fraud.

He tricked you first.

So, he must say yes for the sake of family's reputation.

Li Haode.

Rushed marriages don't end well.

When you marry again, look carefully.

Don't let the matchmaker deceive you.

When you find someone at your age and suitable for you,

I'll explain everything myself.

I won't let you miss another good match.

Was she safely returned to her home?

- Master, something's happened. - What?

I was ready to send her back as your ordered,

but when the sedan arrived, she was gone.

Who's that knocking like this?

Did Chunlai oversleep again?

Sleeping so soundly.

- Coming, coming. - Mom.

I'll open the door.

Coming.

- Who is it? - Who's there?

- Haode? - Qiongnu.

Haode?

Mom.

Mom.

Mom.

What's going on?

Why are you alone?

Why are you shaking?

Alright, alright.

Put this on.

Let's talk inside.

Come on. Inside.

Haode.

Let's go.

Be careful.

I won't ride in their sedan.

I ran off while they weren't looking.

Look. Look at this.

When it was arranged,

I suspected something was off,

but no one listened.

You think it's perfect,

letting the Shen family rush the wedding.

They quickly married Haode off.

They assumed our family wouldn't protest

even if we knew the truth.

This is too much.

The Shen family seems well-respected.

Shen Huizhao's reputation is good.

He even helped us last time.

I thought he chose Haode because of that day in court.

I was careless.

What did Mom say?

Last night, after knowing the truth,

she wanted to confront them,

but I stopped her.

She was too angry,

complaining about a headache.

Qiongnu's with her inside.

Mr. Shen might have some hidden illness?

A man of his age should be married.

They're all from prestigious families.

Even if the engagement was broken, they'd keep it quiet.

They hid it well.

We can't keep looking into this.

Haode…

Don't worry about him.

It's their fault.

He shouldn't be let off so easily.

When he comes, strip him of everything.

Take the land and property they offer.

With a good dowry and land,

Haode won't lack a good match.

Haode,

you said that Mr. Shen,

though cold,

is a gentleman.

If we take the land

and cut all ties with him, what do you think?

The Shen family

is not someone we can afford.

It's fine if you're just daydreaming about it yourself.

But if we really let a matchmaker go to their house,

you'll make us the laughingstock.

Yes, this wasn't my wish.

- Qingshi. - Master?

Get a sedan chair.

- Send her back. - Sure.

Growing up,

I wasn't as talented as Shouhua

or as beautiful and decisive as Fuhui.

I wasn't as smart or good with words like Kangning.

Even Leshan's is more lovable than me.

But this is the first time I've been humiliated.

If I give up now, I'd never forgive myself.

Who compares their weaknesses

to someone else's strengths?

If you want to compare,

Leshan wouldn't dare go to court with Mom.

Oh, my dear Haode.

Seems you really care for him.

You never compliment me like this.

Leshan.

You're being foolish.

Keep making mistakes and it'll be stubbornness.

A young girl's youth mustn't be wasted.

Haode's so charming and sweet and honest.

No one sees her coming.

Shen Huizhao rejected three marriages.

He can't always use land to make up for it.

Silly sister,

you've got a face that can't lie,

and when you cry, it's so cute.

Is that your strength?

Are you praising me?

If you really care for him,

let's figure out how to get him.

The daughters of the Li family succeed in business,

win lawsuits, and even charm men.

Show him the same courage you have in court.

Don't let him think he can do anything.

If he falls into your hands, he'll have to obey you.

With Haode,

I don't think so.

Haode, how about this?

Let's do a bet.

If you can't tame him,

I'll take one of the lands you win.

You'll be my little sister from now on.

I've always been the youngest.

I'll get to play the big sister role.

Dream on.

Just watch me.

I'll get it done.

Trust me.

Just follow your heart.

You all love causing trouble.

SHEN MANSION

Mom, you look well today.

What did I tell you?

Even if he tries to avoid it,

once the bride enters,

they'll be a perfect couple.

In a year or two,

I'll have a great-grandchild.

Master.

The old lady's waiting for tea ritual.

She's up at dawn.

Mom.

The bride's from a humble family,

so her manners might not be perfect.

I think we should let Liu teach her some more first.

Then she can greet you here.

There's no one else here.

No need for formalities.

Right, right.

Old Lady, Master, young master's here.

Granny.

Father.

Why are you alone?

Aren't you going

to call the bride to greet your grandmother?

I'm not un-filial.

I didn't want to upset you.

I've already set my vow.

I can't eat my words and waste her time.

Last night, I already told her and sent her home.

Please forgive me for reporting late.

You…

- Old lady. - Mom.

- Old lady. - Granny.

Mom.

You didn't even try to cover up.

Sending her back mid-way,

you've gone too far.

Long life to you, Granny.

I've come to greet you.

Dad, long life.

Husband.

You…

Didn't you go home?

I didn't inform Granny and Dad beforehand.

Even with my husband's orders,

I can't act on my own.

Good child, come here.

Bright eyes,

graceful features,

full forehead, rounded chin.

You can't help but like her.

Granny, about this--

Sending Haode away means sending my life.

Don't talk about medicine.

Even dragon meat from the sky won't help.

If you dare speak against me,

you'll be disowned.

You won't be a part of the Shen family.

Don't worry.

As long as I'm alive,

no one will dare chase you away.

Sure.

Li Haode, what do you want?

Leaving on the wedding day, people will blame me.

I can't take this insult.

You can treat me as a wife,

living with you day by day.

If I can change your heart,

we'll be a good couple.

If not, will you stay with us forever?

- Let's set a deadline. Three years. - One year.

Just one year.

At that time,

I'll prepare dowry for you to marry someone else.

You must keep your promise.

You can't change your mind.

- Two years. - Six months.

- Eighteen. - Three.

Okay, fine. One year. Thank you.

I don't believe I can't win you over.

Let's see how long your pride lasts.

Mrs. Shen.

Master's busy this month.

He'll be staying in the study.

I was told to pack up.

I don't want to delay his work.

Go ahead.

No need to trouble you. Let me do it.

It's no trouble at all.

Thank you, my lady.

Look at this.

It's like he's guarding against me.

He won't even step inside the room.

As if I'll eat him alive.

I told you not to come, yet you insisted.

It's not that. Mom's worried their family's powerful,

that you might be mistreated.

I'm here to help you gain strength.

Don't worry.

The Shen family doesn't know me,

so don't be afraid.

Just don't cause trouble, then I'll be grateful.

You can stay here, but do not cause trouble.

The Shen family has strict rules, lots of customs.

If I didn't come,

your efforts might have been in vain.

I've gathered some useful info

because of my little tricks.

The Shen family has four branches,

but the eldest is the legitimate heir.

The others live separately.

The eldest has one son, your troublesome husband.

His two older brothers passed away,

and his granny had no choice

but to follow the old custom, sending him to the temple.

I see.

Exactly.

The eldest branch has no heirs,

so who will inherit the Shen family?

It must be troubling for the old lady.

If it were me,

I'd lose sleep too.

What's the plan moving forward?

The Li family's teachings are clear.

We must focus and act when the time comes.

I watch my sisters closely.

I'll follow their example, even if just a bit.

When did our family have such teachings?

Mom always said,

if you see something good, take it.

Don't let others get it first.

We used to sleep in the same bed and still do.

We are close enemies, aren't we?

Let's sleep.

Subtitle translation by: Yi Yang