Original subtitles

ADAPTED FROM A SHUQI.COM NOVEL ORIGINAL AUTHOR: SENLIN LU

CULTIVATION AND CAUTION

Peiyi.

Just know how I feel,

but don't let it weigh on you.

And I

won't look back on the choice I've made.

What is that?

Airglow. It's extremely rare.

I checked the almanac.

A crimson light stretches

from the Hua constellation to the Ji.

It was the celestial sign on the day of your birth.

Thank you.

You answered every question I had.

CHAI'S BLACKSMITH

You picked a good spot.

Even if someone tries to eavesdrop, they can't hear much.

The blacksmith is a reliable man.

Your Ladyship can rest assured.

I've checked

every clinic and pharmacy on the street

and in the Ghost Market.

Indeed, someone is looking for eye medicine.

PRESCRIPTION

Apiaceae root and licorice neutralize toxins.

Honeysuckle and cassia seeds improve eyesight.

All these various prescriptions

contain four crucial ingredients.

I'd say these patient names

are either fabricated or planted there as a cover-up.

You're right. I looked into them.

These people do exist.

But they never used those medicines.

But as for who actually used the medicine,

that trail has truly gone cold.

That's expected.

His eye is stained with the toxic blood spat out by the old man.

He's having a hard time.

An eye injury is quite special.

It's too obvious.

No wonder he is so low-key and cautious.

He's been poisoned for over a month.

The old man's poison

will make him suffer.

It won't kill him, but it'll leave him in misery.

What poison did Inspector Du use?

He had too many types of poison.

I'm not sure.

We can only try to deduce based on the prescriptions.

The old man probably recognized that person.

Really?

Did he leave any clues?

He exchanged a few moves with him.

Judging from his reaction,

he was no stranger to that man.

That man realized it and killed him.

Perhaps,

he also works for the court.

Maybe of high status, too.

If he really works for the court, it's easy to find him.

Check them one by one.

We will surely find that one-eyed man, or his corpse.

They had the nerve to kill Inspector Du.

Your Ladyship, be careful.

It's not that easy to kill me.

But you…

You must stay safe.

What should we do next?

PRESCRIPTION

Is this meant to cure the eyes or to detoxify?

When it comes to eye treatment,

Physician Liu is the best.

But regarding detoxification,

I'm the one you need.

Keep an eye out for someone with a poisoned left eye.

- A court official? - That's right.

This is strange.

Why wouldn't a court official come to me for that?

This person is cautious.

I don't think he's come here.

It's been more than a month.

He's been seeking medicine under someone else's identity

but to no avail.

Even if he seeks your help, he won't come in person.

Nor will he mention anything about his eyes.

- A perpetrator? - An enemy.

What kind of poison are we talking about?

I'm not sure. But it develops quickly,

causing numbness in the limbs,

difficulty breathing, and vomiting blood.

The Apiaceae root and licorice are meant

to neutralize the poisonous star anise.

The vomiting of blood is likely caused by other toxins.

Give me some time. I'll figure it out.

Thanks in advance.

I thought my wooden figure was one of a kind.

You made so many.

Trying to please someone else?

These ordinary figures

are not comparable to the customized one for you.

They do look rougher.

If you know what I'm doing, you wouldn't blame me.

We have some new female apprentices.

Physician Liu said that I made great figures and told me

to tutor the apprentices.

These wooden figures are tools for teaching.

Congratulations on becoming a mentor.

ASTRONOMICAL BUREAU

You followed me all the way.

What can I do for you?

Come with me.

May I ask who you are?

You're about to die.

Why bother asking?

Naturally, I need to know my killer

to seek justice in the afterworld.

The mortal world has no justice.

Why would the afterworld be any different?

I know you don't know martial arts.

Come with me. Don't try anything smart.

It's not that easy to take me with you.

- I have reinforcements. - Mr. Xiao.

She's not as fast as I am.

You can't be faster than this.

Peiyi.

Are you alright?

- I'm hurt. - Where?

- He hasn't gone far yet. - It's pouring.

Don't go after him.

But he tried to kill you.

He wasn't trying to kill me.

He was forcing me to leave with him.

I'm sure he'll come back.

We can catch him next time.

It's getting chilly. Don't catch a cold.

PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU

What does that man look like?

He is of medium build and wears a bamboo hat

to conceal his face.

I saw his eyes.

Thick eyebrows and small eyes with a scar at the corner.

His fingers are black, rough, and chapped,

with protruding joints.

But I don't think he's a hitman.

Those are the hands of a heavy laborer.

His blade is basic, not made of good steel.

There is rust on the handle.

He doesn't use it often.

But it's possible

that he found an old blade to cover up his identity.

Mr. Xiao.

Have you offended anyone recently?

I am on good terms with my colleagues.

No conflicting patterns in the stars.

Even if I've unknowingly offended someone,

it shouldn't be enough to make them want me dead.

Could he be Silver Mask's subordinate?

He knows martial arts, but he's only average,

definitely no match for Your Ladyship.

Silver Mask's subordinates

were ruthless, nothing like him.

Even though I'm better than him,

I could tell

that he wasn't going all out during the fight.

He just kept blocking, trying to get away.

Who in the world would come after Mr. Xiao?

We need more clues.

That man didn't even confirm my identity.

He wasn't necessarily after me.

Let's not jump to conclusions.

Perhaps,

he saw Your Ladyship and realized that he was mistaken.

Then we don't have to worry.

He lay in ambush outside the Astronomical Bureau

to get Mr. Xiao for sure.

So if he comes again,

he will leave a trace.

With Your Ladyship's skills,

even if you can't capture him,

you'll find out who he is.

Mr. Xiao is right.

I'll find someone to complete a portrait of the perpetrator.

Let me…

It's getting late.

You have work to do tomorrow.

I won't trouble you with such a trivial matter.

Alright.

I'll leave it to you. I take my leave.

Don't go home these days. Just stay here.

He won't come back tonight.

How do you know?

If you're so good at fortune-telling,

why didn't you foresee the assassin coming after you?

But I knew you'd come to my rescue.

Still playing tough, huh?

I have my master's compass for protection.

Even if you didn't show up,

I could have saved myself.

Peiyi.

Do you realize

that if your timing was even a bit off,

I would have to collect your corpse?

It's dangerous at night.

Please

take me in for the night.

Go to rest.

Are you mad?

I was careless earlier.

But you've been investigating Silver Mask

and need clues.

If I can lure him out as bait,

perhaps we can turn the tide.

I can hide here for a while,

but not forever.

Even if we don't care about the gossip,

I don't want to give people more to talk about.

Fine.

Since you insist on being the bait,

go back at dawn.

You and Mr. Gu will protect me, right?

We won't let you die so easily.

Peiyi.

Why did you go to the Astronomical Bureau tonight?

I brought you

an umbrella.

Centipede. Cinnabar. Illicium anisatum.

Physician Zhao.

I asked you for a prescription.

But you wrote me a deadly poison?

This may look deadly, Your Ladyship.

But the truth is,

with a perfectly controlled dosage,

these toxins can work together

as an antidote.

I just don't want it to be too effective.

If that man gets detoxified with one dose,

how can I use it as bait?

That's easy.

Halve the dosage

and add an extra dose of purslane.

The first dose can already take effect.

But the purslane can cause itchy skin.

He will need me to apply acupuncture to go on.

Then I can catch the big fish

and bring him to Your Ladyship.

Give me a second.

This is for you.

What is this?

Apply it under your eyes.

Scrub it off after a ke.

It will remove your dark circles

so no one can tell that you didn't sleep well.

I just developed this paste for the ladies in the palace.

I haven't even named it yet.

Don't mind its look.

Fight poison with poison.

- Fight dark circles with dark paste. - Fight dark circles with dark paste.

EASTERN CAPITAL AGARWOOD

Just do what I say and give out the medicine,

but do not disclose the prescription.

I understand, Your Ladyship.

I owe him big time.

This is all I can do for him.

Be very careful.

This time, I will do you justice.

Thank you for your concern.

You even know about traps?

I read Mojing when I was a child and tried many tricks on the old man.

I have all these mechanics ready.

Set them up before you leave.

If anything looks moved when you come back,

just don't come in.

ENTRANCE

With so many traps,

I'll be caught before that assassin.

You have a great memory.

I'm sure you can avoid the traps.

Just be the bait.

Leave the rest to Prosecutor Gu and me.

It seems that you are worried I might get hurt.

Not at all. I drew it for fun.

You've mapped my residence in such minute detail

that I have no secrets left before you.

What you are willing to reveal

is not exactly a secret.

I'll be counting on you, Mr. Gu.

Mr. Xiao is putting himself at risk.

We can't make a single mistake.

Rest assured.

If that man dares to come again,

I will bring him to you for interrogation.

You don't necessarily have to capture him alive.

Understood.

Your Ladyship. I'll check around again.

I know you don't like blades and swords.

I found someone to make this for you.

You can pull the trigger

without much effort to shoot.

Don't find me paranoid.

Why would I?

If Mr. Gu should overlook something,

I'll be counting on this.

PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU

Your Ladyship.

Someone contacted Jin Niang about the medicine.

You already found him?

Where are we meeting?

He asked to meet tomorrow,

but the exact time and location

won't be revealed until an hour before the meeting.

So cautious.

It's probably Silver Mask.

Your Ladyship. Let me take Physician Zhao's place.

If anything happens, I can handle it.

Absolutely not.

Acupuncture isn't child's play.

If you kill someone, you'll ruin my reputation.

I'm worried about your life,

but you're worried about your reputation?

I…

I'm also worried about you.

He is so cautious.

If he finds out you're an imposter,

you'd give us away at once.

I know acupoints.

Just teach me how to apply acupuncture.

You underestimate our job.

Applying acupuncture to save lives

is not easier than practicing martial arts.

You can't do it without practicing for three or five years.

This person is so cautious.

He will certainly try to test us.

We must be convincing

so that he lets his guard down.

That's how we succeed.

At least let me be an Apprentice Pharmacist

and go with Physician Zhao.

I fear we'll risk her safety without even learning his identity.

It's not worth it.

It's difficult.

He may only meet Physician Zhao alone.

Wuren does have a point.

That man is cruel.

Don't take it lightly.

We'll be around to protect Physician Zhao.

He has a scar on the back of his right hand.

It's just a test this time.

Just remember his appearance

and characteristics this time.

Don't reveal your identity.

Get out as soon as possible.

Don't make any extra moves.

Rest assured. He can't wear his mask

with that eye injury.

I will take a good look at him.

Your Ladyship.

Do you have

any protective gear,

like soft armor for self-defense?

I'm a bit nervous.

PALACE INVESTIGATION BUREAU

Peiyi.

He will suspect that you're luring him out with the antidote.

So someone will be watching you tomorrow.

I know what to do.

I won't use anyone from the bureau.

Only Wuren and Mr. Gu will go in plain clothes.

I'll meet them once I lose the tail.

So stay here tomorrow before we return.

Don't go home alone.

I'll go with you.

That will only distract me.

I'm just trying to reassure you.

I'll stay put nearby.

The wind is rising.

Your Ladyship, come with me.

It's a wind-sensing bird with a flower in its beak.

The spinning flower shows you the wind.

Winter is coming.

Watch the bird to know if it's getting cold,

so you can dress warmer.

You gave me a crossbow.

Naturally, I have to reciprocate.

I appreciate your kindness, then.

- Come on in. - Sir, welcome.

YUNCHUI HOUSE

Table for how many?

‪-Sure thing. ‪-Be careful.

- Coming right up. - Come on in, Sir.

‪Sure.

GET OUT NOW AND GO EAST SOMEONE WILL MEET YOU

Don't move.

He changed the meeting place

to see if someone was following Physician Zhao.

YUNCHUI HOUSE

Her Ladyship asked me

to prepare the maps of this entire area.

Except for a few big mansions in the east,

there are many restaurants and taverns.

He is too cautious

to meet Physician Zhao at home just yet.

Restaurants and taverns

aren't private.

Further east is the Jueshui River.

There are plenty of small boats.

It might be private, but it's impossible for acupuncture.

They wouldn't meet there.

Where can they go?

They can leave by boat.

All those boats look similar.

We can't easily tell them apart.

Here.

Storeroom.

Come with me.

SHUANGHUAN PORT

I can't speak of my difficulties here, and I apologize

for offending you.

If your reward wasn't so generous,

I'd slap you first.

You are really bold.

Aren't you scared of getting killed?

You're waiting for my help.

You won't kill me.

Take a seat.

What are you doing?

How do I apply acupuncture with that mask on?

I saw her going to the pier near Yunchui House and boarded a boat.

I followed her along the riverbank.

Mr. Xiao is right again.

This storeroom is in a secluded spot. Few people pass by.

Next to the Jueshui River with alleys all around,

it's surely a nice spot, flexible and safe.

But Physician Zhao

probably didn't enter by herself.

After Yudi boarded, several small boats set out at once.

I saw them carrying

over a dozen wooden crates from the boats into the storeroom.

I didn't see her.

How long has it been?

Less than a ke.

Both of you, stay alert.

These people all look wary,

probably not the storeroom guards.

There is only one exit.

Yudi should still be in there.

Just wait.

If she doesn't come out in a while,

let's go in to save her.

What's your name?

Zhao Sanniang.

Why haven't I heard of you in the Western Capital

if you are so proficient in medical skills?

I just came this month.

Who told you to make the antidote?

This is a rare poison.

How do you know about it?

The pharmacy people nearby said

someone was offering a fortune for an antidote.

It's not easy to live here.

I have the skills.

Of course, I'll try to make money.

What's wrong?

You are really lucky.

It hasn't even been five days.

If you had come to me later,

I'm afraid this eye would be lost.

How does it feel?

It's hurting less now.

Not that itchy, either.

Boss.

Your badge.

- Open it. - Who are you?

COURT OF JUDICIAL REVIEW BADGE

Someone is smuggling salt via water transportation.

The Court of Judicial Review received a tip.

We're here for inspection.

Go ahead.

No matter what's in these crates,

you can't escape the charge of stealing from your own post.

We only received cloth and silk in the storeroom today.

There's no smuggled salt.

We have even more reason to investigate now.

These are all the goods in the past two days.

What…

No one is allowed to leave

until we are done.

You're alright. This is enough.

Three cents. Leave it in my medicine box.

Please stay.

There's another patient waiting for you.

The one who needs your treatment is this gentleman.

I may not be a noble person,

but I won't let you toy with me like this.

That man is tall.

He has a scar on the back of his right hand.

Sanniang, don't be mad.

You saw it too.

This is a serious matter.

I dare not be reckless.

So I had to verify your medical skills first.

I wasn't toying with you.

You poisoned him

just to test my medical skills?

It's only because

there are too many swindlers out there.

You have exquisite medical skills.

I will pay you handsomely if you cure me.

You are shrewd, ruthless,

and no ordinary person.

How do I address you?

I rank third in my family just like you.

Just call me Third Master.

Third Master. Please.

My eye

is destroyed.

The poison has reached the flesh.

If left untreated, it will get to the bones

and kill you with unbearable headaches.

I'm counting on you.

They dare let us check these crates.

It means Yudi is not in there.

The meridian and collateral needling you performed

were authentic Nine Needling Methods.

Sanniang.

You're not a traveling physician.

I did perform the authentic Nine Needling Methods.

But that evolved from

the folk practice, "Turtle Diagram Eight Techniques."

Third Master, don't start showing off just because I'm good-looking.

These are for the palace.

Show me a warranty

before you touch them.

Behave.

Don't push your luck.

Herbal smell. It's here.

One acupuncture session

can't fully remove the poison.

Steam your eye for a ke in the morning and evening respectively.

Three days later, we will do this again.

In your opinion, how long will it take to heal?

At least a month.

But next time, I won't be here again.

You have a toxin in your system.

Moving around makes it spread faster.

I can go to your mansion.

No need. Just follow me now.

What are you doing?

Let me go.

Let go.

Let go.

Why are you scared?

Isn't it your job as a physician to save lives?

You are a traveling physician who doesn't reside in one place.

Follow me home, and I will provide for you.

Unless you're scared

the Imperial Medical Office won't be able to find you.

Afraid that Li Peiyi won't be able to find you?

Let her go.

I knew it was you behind this.

Which old acquaintance are you?

You owe my master your life.

I need to find you to make you pay.

Did Du Zhixing only teach you to talk tough all these years?

I'm afraid you don't know what I'm capable of.

Last time, that old man died for you.

This time,

you won't be able to escape.

I finally tracked you down.

Why would I rush to leave?

I wanted to have a serious talk with you.

I'm a difficult person.

If you don't make things clear,

I won't leave.

This is my territory.

It's not up to you.

We don't know

who will die first.

You evil woman! What did you do?

I…

I administered acupuncture. I didn't do anything.

Physician Zhao has medical ethics.

She knows that you deserve to die,

but still does her best to cure you.

What a pity. Medical ethics is something

I don't have.

I knew you were cautious enough to test her in advance.

So except for this first row of needles,

I've poisoned all the other needles.

- You… - Your Ladyship.

How can you meddle with my acupuncture kit?

You're ruining my reputation.

A villain like me administered the poison.

You're practically his savior

if you can help him detoxify.

Don't you agree?

Give me the antidote.

This is

Physician Zhao, the top expert in detoxification.

She's here.

So I didn't bring the antidote.

You…

You…

You should remain calm.

I know you're in pain.

B-But don't get worked up. Let me see.

Li Peiyi.

Tell her what poison you used.

No, no. Don't give me tips.

Let me insert the needles now.

Aren't the needles poisonous?

I took the first row ones. They're safe. Stop talking.

Or I can't save you anymore.

Sit down.

I can't detoxify you yet, but I can relieve your pain.

You won't die.

Just answer Her Ladyship's questions.

I'll come up with a prescription tonight.

But I'll bring it to you once you go back

with Her Ladyship.

Lunatic.

Both of you. You're crazy.

Wuren, Mr. Xiao, please take Physician Zhao

back to the palace.

Get up.

Confess. Who are you?

Callused hands with deformed knuckles.

Signs of martial arts training.

You are a military man with an official title.

That's for sure.

Even if I don't remember the names of every military official,

I've seen most of them.

But I've never seen you.

You are a stationed officer?

I've seen men who have campaigned for years,

sleeping rough in the grass, buried in snow,

their wrists and shoulders scarred by armor.

But nothing on you.

So the Protectorate you serve

must have known peace for at least five years.

That means…

Andong Protectorate.

Military officials can't return unless they are called.

You've been in the Western Capital for quite a while

but haven't seen His Majesty.

You must have come with the Protector-General

to deliver his official report.

But given your rank,

you weren't allowed to see His Majesty.

I'll leave it at that.

It's easy, even if you don't confess.

I'll cut off your head and show it around.

Someone will recognize you.

‪LV CHONGSHAN, ‪GENERAL OF THE ANDONG PROTECTORATE

At this point,

there's no point in hiding anything.

I'm Lv Chongshan. General of the Andong Protectorate.

Lv Chongshan.

Even if I ask you who sent you to kill me,

I bet you won't tell me.

I thought you were just a pawn.

Now it seems

that you were involved in that massacre

15 years ago.

Didn't you lose your memory?

Why don't you live an easy life in peace?

Why bother sneaking around and looking into what happened back then?

That's typical of women.

When things get real, you lose your head.

I'm a woman, so what?

I will be able to take revenge.

Take revenge?

We don't let you look into it

to protect the reputation of your parents.

So what if you kill me?

You're just a petty general.

They will abandon you

when necessary, no matter how capable you are.

Tell me everything you know.

Maybe I can save you.

I don't need you to save me.

I'm afraid you think too highly of yourself.

His Majesty does adore you.

But if you bring up that scandal,

he won't tolerate you.

In the end, you people

only care about ranks and wages,

life and death, and His Majesty's favor.

But I don't care at all.

But you

seem rather terrified that your master will abandon you.

You should be.

After all, he let you roam around and seek treatment

all by yourself.

The Prince of Duan colluded with foreign powers

and plotted rebellion in secret.

He thought highly of himself and defied His Majesty.

Should I go on?

You worked so hard to fabricate this story.

Can you leave it unfinished?

At the end of that year,

Prince of Duan returned

and secretly brought a branch of the Jianning Iron Army

to station in the Western Capital.

Everyone said that he was planning to rebel on the Lantern Festival.

His Majesty naturally heard about it.

But considering the Prince of Duan's military achievements,

His Majesty still summoned him at the Hai hour that night.

But the Prince of Duan defied His Majesty

and refused to enter the palace out of arrogance.

That day, Father and I were celebrating at home.

He never mentioned any decree from His Majesty.

He was plotting a rebellion.

Of course, he wouldn't care about the imperial decrees.

Your stories are full of loopholes

and make no sense.

If he was plotting a rebellion,

why did he lose it and kill everyone?

That night,

over a dozen armed Jianning troops

were arrested in the Western Capital.

As the Left General of the Imperial Guards,

I went to invite the Prince of Duan by His Majesty's decree.

Knowing that his plan was exposed, he was cornered

and intended to fight us.

Princess Consort of Duan tried to reason with him.

But he suddenly lost it

and killed everyone in the mansion,

including Princess Consort of Duan.

I narrowly escaped

with serious injury and reported it to His Majesty.

To preserve the dignity of Prince of Duan,

His Majesty never mentioned the potential rebellion.

The illustrious Jianning Iron Army

was quietly dismissed after the incident.

The leading generals disappeared into thin air.

Has Your Ladyship truly

never wondered what lies behind all this?