Original subtitles

Slow down, sir

One flower is in bloom

Please lend a hand to the poor

Two flowers are in bloom

Two flowers...

Don't go, sir!

Beggars don't approach you often

Can you please spare some change

and help the poor?

You'll be rewarded for your kindness

Three flowers are in bloom

Don't think of money all the time

You can't bring it to the grave

Three flowers are in bloom

Three flowers...

Qin-qiang...

Flowers bloom and flowers wilt

Forget it...

We'll never get anything from him

He won't even help his son-in-law

He's carrying water by the bridge

He's carrying water by the bridge

Flowers bloom and flowers wilt

Go away...

Tell Lin Zhao-de to come see me

Yes, sir

Lin Zhao-de

Master wishes to see you

See me?

Break off the engagement?

Say no more! This is for the best

Did I do something wrong?

If that's not it

What's your reason?

Because you're not worthy

My daughter will never marry

a lowly person like you

Lowly?

Because of a fire

my family went broke

I do not steal or rob anyone

I support my mother with honest labor

Does that make me unworthy?

You know you're penniless

How can you get married?

With your wife's fortune?

I'm poor but I have aspirations

I won't come back until I make a name for myself

Wait!

How long will that take?

I like to keep things simple

If you break the engagement, you can take the money

No!

You have no choice

Men!

Yes, sir?

Bring him over here

Move it!

Get over there...

Let me go!

We're family friends

You and my Father agreed to this marriage

But now we're poor

You force me to break off the engagement

You'll be denounced

for such dishonorable behavior

How dare you lecture me!

Force his print on the letter

You...

I won't do it!

You must...

Miss!

Bad news!

What is it?

Your Father's forced Mr. Lin to break the engagement

Are you sure?

Yes!

I saw Wang An and Wang Sheng

tried to force his print on the letter

Now I can rest assured

I'll find another son-in-law

Father!

Xue-chun told me

Zhao-de was here

Please tell me why he was here

I sent for him

and made him break off the engagement

Because he was dishonorable?

No

Because he's poor

I see

Father!

It's not us mortals who decide our fortune

If you break off the engagement

people will denounce you

Zhao-de has aspirations

If you have my interests in mind

You should help him

What? Help him?

He's my to-be husband

and your son-in-law

His print is on the letter

He's a stranger to us from now on

I will not break the engagement

What?

The letter is already written

What are you doing?

This is outrageous!

What? He forced you?

That old fool!

You must work hard

You can always marry someone else

I know, but I have reservations

I blame my lot

The fire destroyed our family

Don't be a fool, you're worrying me

Do you want to play up to the rich?

Mother!

It's not his fortune that I covet

I just can't forget Wang Qian-jin

We grew up together

Now we're strangers

Qian-jin maybe a romantic

but she's grown up now

Children often take after their parents

What if she's like her Father?

Madam

Madam, Master...

You are...

I'm Miss Wang's maid

My name is Xue-chun

May I ask what brings you here?

I'm here on Miss Wang's orders

to look after Madam and Master

Miss Wang made these clothes and shoes

Here's 10 taels of silver

Your mistress is good and wise

I misjudged her

Master Lin

What our master did was despicable

For this, my Lady even had a squabble with her father

She tore up the letter and sent me here

to convey a message

She'll wait for you

Master, my Lady is true to you

You must work hard and not let her down

Her love is deep as the ocean

I'm eternally grateful

Please tell her

I'll study hard

and make a name for myself

Zhao-de did as he promised

Worked hard in the day and studied at night

Seasons came and seasons went

He's ready to take the exam

So he decided to say goodbye

He left home in a hurry

and arrived at the Wang residence

What are you doing?

The servants are wicked

You can't do this to me

Oh, the thought of Wang Chun's face

Zhao-de knew he'd be humiliated

Amitabha...

He turns to the back door

but the door is shut

Wang Qian-jin is so close yet so far away

The wall separates them forever

Despite all hardships

Zhao-de climbs the wall

Take a stroll in the garden

The fragrant flowers in bloom

The heart-broken girl sighs at the sight

Don't be too sad

Look on the bright side, Miss

This is...

Isn't this yours?

I made this for Master Lin

You didn't give it to him?

I did

Moreover, I gave him the shoes myself

How come it's here?

I don't understand

I treated you like a sister

For 10 taels of silver, how could you...

You think I...

That's so unfair! I would never do that

Why else is it here?

Well...

Miss! It's mine, I dropped it

It's Master Lin, Miss

It's him!

Please stay!

Please don't blame Xue-chun

It was my fault, I dropped the shoe

I...

Why didn't you study at home?

How could you climb over the wall?

You shouldn't be here

You're quite right, Miss

I came here because

I had a reason

I'll soon be leaving for the state exam

I came to say goodbye

I should take the front door, but...

In that case, you should leave

It's inappropriate for us to meet like this

Miss!

Miss!

Miss!

You're engaged

It's not easy to meet like this

Why don't you take this chance

and talk to each other properly?

Xue-chun!

Though we're engaged

It's still inappropriate

Tell him to study hard and don't give up

Poverty will not change my mind

Did you hear that, Master Lin?

Her wish to avoid aspersion is most admirable

Please pass on my message

I will do my best at the state exam

I'm glad you'll apply yourself

But he's too poor

Xue-chun!

Yes?

100 taels of gold should help him out

Tell him to come again at midnight and clap his hands

Await him in the yard and use this gold hairpin as proof

It'll be dark; Hand him the gold when I see the hairpin

I can't accept it

Why not?

Because it's unmerited

Zhao-de

Don't forget we're engaged

It's dark and late

The wind is howling

and the birds are crying

The road is desolate and I'm scared

I'm happy and ashamed too about the gift of gold

The door is left ajar

Xue-chun must be waiting

Xue-chun...

Xue-chun

Xue-chun

Xue-chun

Xue-chun

Open the door!

Coming!

Who is it?

Who are you looking for?

Lin Zhao-de

Lin Zhao-de?

Step aside

Sir...

What's the matter?

Are you Lin Zhao-de?

Yes!

Zhao-de...

What have I done?

You know damn well...search!

Zhao-de...

Mother!

Step aside!

What are you looking for?

The murder weapon!

What? Who's the murderer?

Who? It's your son!

No...

No! My son is not a murderer

I didn't kill anyone

No?

Xue-chun is found dead in the yard

We trailed her blood to your doorstep

Don't bother to deny!

I didn't kill anyone...

How do you explain the blood?

The blood?

Tell me about the blood

You're trying to hide something...

No, I'm not

Speak up!

We found a blood stained shirt

The shirt and the blood prints on the door

That's enough evidence

No, I didn't kill anyone...

Mother, I didn't kill anyone

My son didn't kill anyone, sir...

Mother!

Go to hell!

My son didn't kill anyone, sir...

Mother, I'm innocent

Move it!

My son didn't kill anyone, sir...

Zhao-de...

Blood prints on the door. We found a bloodstained shirt

You must be the killer

You better confess

I have something to say

Speak up!

Minister!

I'm engaged to Miss Wang

But her father thinks I'm unworthy

She had to give me money. Told me to come at midnight

I tripped over the body and stained my shirt

Guess I left the prints when I knocked on the door

I really didn't kill anyone

Miss Wang asked you to be there?

What proof do you have?

The gold hairpin

Where is it now?

In the shirt pocket

Li Wan

Yes, sir

Check the shirt

Yes, sir

There's no hairpin, sir

Liar!

Minister!

I found a hairpin at his house

Why didn't you submit it?

You intend to keep it? Take him away!

Please wait, Minister

I have something to say

I was at the scene

and I found a hairpin

that was gilded

I just forgot to submit it

I didn't intend to keep it

Because it was only gilded

I made a mistake, sir

No, the hairpin is gold

No, it's gilded

It's gold

Shut up!

Gilded or not is not crucial to the case

Your testimony appears credible

Guards!

Yes?

Summon Wang Chun and his daughter

Yes, sir!

Lin Zhao-de is the killer?

Yes, sir

The guards followed the blood trail

and found blood prints and a blood stained shirt

Who else can it be?

Upon hearing the news

I'm thrilled

He'll be executed and I'll be rid of him

Father!

Zhao-de cannot be the killer

I asked him to go to the back yard

so I could give him the gold

Why would he kill Xue-chun?

Someone else did it

You must help him, Father

Nonsense!

I'm outraged to hear this

I broke off the engagement for your own good

But you have no shame and met with him

Watch what you say, Father

Zhao-de and I have done nothing wrong

This is so infuriating...

If you have no mercy on him

I'll speak on his behalf in court

You're a lady

How can you show up in court?

Better ask your father to deal with it

Sir!

Alright...for your sake

I'll bail him out

Really, Father?

I have never lied to you

Minister Xue is a greedy man

I'm afraid we'll have to send him a gift

A gift?

The Minister's door

is only open for those bearing gifts

Besides, this is a murder case

Money alone is not enough

What shall we do?

You must give him something valuable

Bring me the family jade vase

I'll think of something else

that can save his life

Thank you, I'll get it now

The gold, silver, gems

and the jade vase are being gifted to Minister Xue

Please execute that son-in-law of mine

I see. Wang Chun

Yes?

Step aside

Thank you, Minister

How dare you, Lin Zhao-de

You killed Xue-chun

and lied to me! Guards!

Yes!

Give him 40 beatings

Yes, sir

I'm innocent...

Beat him!

Injustice...

Injustice...

Fair and Just

The beating is done, sir

Will you confess, Lin Zhao-de?

About what?

Look!

It's written in Wang Chun's plaint

You're upset about breaking the engagement

Tell me, where is the murder weapon?

Well...

If it wasn't Miss Wang's idea, why was the door open

Why was Xue-chun in the back yard?

You were fair at the last trial, what happened now?

Did you accept a bribe

and torturing me into a confession?

How dare you make allegations?

I must teach you a lesson! Guards!

Yes, sir

Bring the stakes

Yes, sir!

Injustice...

Will you confess, Lin Zhao-de?

I have nothing to confess

Stop!

Yes!

He passed out

Let him loose!

Yes!

Pour water over him

Yes!

Will you confess?

I will

Come!

Yes!

Let him write it down!

Yes!

Xue Chao had no sympathy

He showed favoritism and bent the law

Fearful in case Minister Bao returns

He sentenced Lin to be beheaded in 3 days

Miss...

Master Lin...

What about him?

He's to be executed

How did that happen?

Master did not try to save him;

Instead he bribed Xui Chao

to beat a confession from him

He'll be executed today

Miss...

She passed out, help!

What happened?

The young mistress passed out

Wake up, Miss...

Miss...

Qian-jin...

Father, how could you!

You're more ferocious than a tiger

A tiger would not eat its cub

But you framed your son-in-law!

I'm doing it for you

That's what you've been claiming ever since

My heart belongs to Zhao-de

If he's executed

I'll die with him

-Miss... -Qian-jin...

Miss, you must not give up

Master Lin will be executed at noon

You must go see him

That's right, Miss

You should go

I offer you food and wine

with my own hands

Our love will never die

We'll get married in the next life

Good, we'll get married in the next life

We have limited time

I'll be with you

Once we're parted

We'll meet again in death

The three sounds of the cannon

scares me out of my wits

-Zhao-de... -Qian-jin...

I condemn the corrupted official

You'll have no heir for taking bribes

Shut up! Take her away!

Get on with the execution!

Hold it!

Minister Bao is here!

Mother!

Zhao-de...

Mother!

Zhao-de...

Fair and Just

Minister Bao rules!

Silence!

Bring Lin Zhao-de

Yes, sir! Bring Lin Zhao-de

Greetings, Minister Bao

What were you doing in the Wang residence at midnight?

Did you kill Xue-chun? Speak up!

Sir...

I was there to collect the gold. I didn't kill Xue-chun

The gold hairpin is the proof or you may ask Miss Wang

Summon Wang Qian-jin

Yes, sir

Bring Wang Qian-jin

Greetings, Minister Bao

Wang Qian-jin

did you give this hairpin to Lin Zhao-de?

Sir...

I gave him the hairpin to exchange for gold

I wanted to help him

Little did I expect that it'll lead to his ruin

Father bribed Xue Chao with the jade vase

and fixed the case. Please help Zhao-de

Minister Xue!

Yes, sir?

Miss Wang claimed you took a bribe. Is it true?

Well...

It was a gift from Wang Chun for trying this case

It's common courtesy

What's the big deal?

Was it before the trial

or after the sentence was announced?

What difference does it make?

It's a gift, after the trial

but a bribe if it's before

Well...

I can't remember, ask Wang Chun

Summon Wang Chun

Yes!

Summon Wang Chun!

Greetings, Minister

Wang Chun

Yes?

The gift you sent Minister Xue

was it before or after the trial?

After

No...it was before

I myself handed the jade vase to my Father

in order to save Zhao-de

Shut up! You're lying!

Silence!

Yes!

Wang Chun, how dare you lie to me!

Guards!

Yes?

Give him 40 beatings

Yes, sir

Wait...it was before the trial

Lin Zhao-de is the killer, he deserved it

It was just a small favor

I'm afraid that 'small favour' can land you in trouble

Bao Zheng, don't complicate the issue

You're re-opening the case to find the killer

If you can find the killer

I'll admit taking the bribe

Otherwise, you're in trouble yourself

Wang Chao, Ma Han

Yes, sir!

Head for the Wang residence

Yes, sir

Minister Xue

Have you inspected the scene of the crime?

Well...

The accused admitted his guilt

Why bother?

Clearly it's a homicide

How could you be so sloppy?

You have inspected the place

What have you found out?

Wang Chun

Yes, sir

Where were you after the murder?

Asleep in my room

How did you find out about the murder?

Our groom Zhang Pei-zan yelled thuggery

What time was it?

Almost 1 o'clock

You may step back

Yes, sir

Summon Zhang Pei-zan

Summon Zhang Pei-zan

Greetings, Minister

You discovered the murder?

Yes, sir!

Why were you up at midnight?

To feed the horses

Feed the horses?

Horses need a midnight snack

Just like people need easy money. Zhang Pei-zan

Yes?

You live far from here

How did you come across the corpse?

I found the door open after feeding the horse

So I came over to take a look

And you yelled thuggery?

How did you know it was thuggery?

Well...

Speak up!

Well, as the saying goes:

Only robbers and rapists break in at midnight

Robbers are after money

Right, robbers are after money

Had the killer been after the money alone

why didn't he take this hairpin as well?

Because it's a fake

How did you know?

Speak!

Before I found the corpse

I checked the hairpin

I intended to keep it for myself

When I saw Xue-chun's body

I put it down

Minister, my hairpin is made of gold

Lin Zhao-de

Sir?

Is this the hairpin from Wang Qian-jin?

Sir!

I did tell Minister Xue that this is a different one

Then the real one... Minister Xue

Yes?

Who was in charge of the investigation?

Zhang Qian and Li Wan

Summon Zhang Qian and Li Wan

Summon Zhang Qian and Li Wan

It's my fault...

I kept the gold hairpin

Please have mercy...

How dare you hide evidence!

Have him beheaded!

Wait!

He's crucial to the case and doesn't deserve death

Now we have 2 hairpins

Obviously an imposter showed up with the fake

Ask around and find the owner of this hairpin

Yes, sir

Have you seen this hairpin?

It's mine! I lost it

When?

The next day after the murder

It was gone when I got up in the morning

The hairpin belongs to someone here

which means it's an inside job

Zhang Pei-zan

Sir?

You beguiled the gold with this hairpin

and killed Xue-chun when she exposed you

You better confess

Minister Bao

People say you're fair

How can you frame me?

Minister Xue

The blood prints & the stained shirt are proof enough;

If those are ignored, what can this hairpin prove?

I didn't steal this hairpin

Besides, you have searched

my room

There was no stolen money or murder weapon

How can you accuse me?

You have inspected the scene of the crime

Have you found the killer?

I have an idea

Like what?

Summon Xue-chun

How can the dead testify?

Then why re-open the case?

I must see justice done

Guards!

Yes, sir!

Bring everyone back to the court

Yes, sir

Who's outside?

It's Bao Xing, sir

Any word?

No, sir!

Only sarcasm from Xue Chao's gang

that's hard to swallow

I have an idea

Summon Xue-chun

Bao Xing!

Yes!

Come...

It's so windy...

How strange!

This is unusually cold for autumn

Must drink to stay warm

Sir...

What?

It's cold

Can I have some wine?

Sure!

Good!

You can't drink in there

Come over here...

Thanks

May I?

Of course

Nobody will know

I'll open the lock

Thanks

Come with me

Sure!

Sit down...

Drinking alone is no fun

I'd welcome your company

Thank you

Here...

Come on...

Hey, brother

What's with your case?

Don't bring it up!

Did someone embroil you?

The killer was caught and the case was closed

But Bao Zheng re-opened the case

and accused me

You're framed?

Yes!

If you didn't do it

You'll be fine

What?

Minister Bao has never convicted an innocent man

He tries cases on earth and in hell

No matter how intricate the case is

it's said that he can even summon the ghost

Summon ghosts?

Take for example the basin case of Ding Yuan

and the double nail in Xiang Fu

He can even solve ancient cases

let alone a minor case like yours

Here's to your release soon

Drink up!

Why are you shaking?

I'm scared

Of what?

What if the ghost doesn't come?

I'm doomed

Then you must pray so that

Xue-chun may testify for you

We're out! I'll get more wine

Buddha, please help me

Please don't summon Xue-chun

Let's go...

Do you recognize me, Zhang Pei-zan?

Who are you?

Me? I'm Xue-chun

Xue-chun?

Please spare me

You killed me!

You deserve to die, follow me to court

I go down on my knees

Please don't expose me

Tell me what you want

Where is the gold?

Inside a tree behind the stable

What about the knife?

Where is the knife? Speak up!

Hidden in the crossbeam of the stable

Here's the stolen money and the murder weapon

Will you confess now?

Yes!

Speak!

I passed the garden after I walked the horse

I heard the mistress talking to Lin Zhao-de

She told him to come back at midnight for the gold

Greed getting the better of me

I stole a gold hairpin

and waited for Xue-chun in the backyard

I clapped 3 times and the door was open

We exchanged the gold

Master Lin!

Master Lin!

You mustn't disappoint the mistress

It's late, you should go!

I was scared and tripped

Master Lin!

Xue-chun recognized me and started to yell

It's you...

Shut up!

I'll kill you if you don't shut up!

Unintentionally I killed her

Help...

I barely had time to hide the knife and the gold

and Master Lin came by

and became the scapegoat

I'm telling the truth

Please have mercy...

You must pay with your life for murder

What more can you say?

Well...

To be executed when the documents are ready! Guards!

Yes!

Take him to the jail

Yes, sir!

Please have mercy...

Please spare me...

Xue Chao!

Sir?

You're part of the royal family

but yet you accepted a bribe

Sir...

Guards!

Yes!

Remove his hat!

Yes, sir

Aren't you afraid of the Empress?

Even if she's here

I'll charge her for not disciplining her kin

Wang Chao, Ma Han

Yes!

Xue-chao is banished to the frontier, take him away!

Yes!

Minister Bao...

Li Wan

Minister Bao...

Knowingly you broke the law;

On account of your aging mom, you're discharged forever

Thank you, Minister!

Wang Chun!

Please spare me...

Wang Chun!

Yes?

You broke off the engagement

and bribed Xue Chao to frame your own son-in-law

You should be heavily penalized

I'll spare you on account of your filial daughter

In exchange for a reconciliation with Lin Zhao-de

Will you comply?

Yes!

Lin Zhao-de, you were framed

But now I have cleared your name

Go home and study hard

Don't disappoint Miss Wang

Yes, Sir

Reclaim these gems and gold later

You may go!

Thank you, Minister

Returning home after being a Number 1 scholar

Lin Zhao-de married Wang Qian-jin

And they lived happily ever after