Original subtitles

Master.

There's some progress on another matter.

If the Marquis of Wu'an

truly is alive,

what should we do?

That will be a blessing for Great Yin.

There are palace intrigues up ahead

and Prince Changxin's rebellion looming behind.

The Marquis of Wu'an is a pillar of stability.

[Pursuit of Jade]

[Episode 10]

Father,

Mother.

Don't cry.

Master, who is buried behind this nameless stele?

Today is Father's birthday.

Let's be happy.

That way, Father and Mother can be at peace

watching us from heaven.

Fan Erniu. Meng Lihua.

Fan...

Could they have been using another surname?

The current situation is complicated.

So much helplessness lies beneath.

When the time is right,

I will tell you everything.

It's been 16 years.

It's time for the truth to come to light.

Zheng, burn the paper money.

There's still some paper money at home.

When we get back, burn some for your parents too.

Does burning these things...

really work?

Of course.

People burn paper money during festivals

to tell their deceased loved ones

that we still remember them.

Wenkan,

promise me one thing.

If one day I'm gone,

you must take good care of

the two Fan sisters for me.

Never let them get involved.

Master, you are in such good health.

Why say such things?

That day will come.

Promise me.

I promise you.

Don't burn so much.

Don't move.

♪ The scenery is as clear as me ♪

♪ With very pale colors ♪

♪ Just like the outline in the mirror ♪

♪ I think that's me, being naive ♪

♪ Unlocking my heart ♪

♪ I hid you in my soul ♪

You two look just like Father and Mother.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Come, Changning.

What's wrong with your wrist?

The ox cart tipped over when I was collecting pigs yesterday.

I used my hand to break the fall

and sprained it.

Changyu's wrist hurts often.

Butchering pigs is tiring work.

Constant strain on the wrist over the years can lead to tendon pain.

Luckily the bone isn't affected.

But you need to be careful from now on.

On the way back later,

I'll get off at the grocery store to buy something.

You don't have money, right? Here.

No need. I have some.

How would you have money?

Get in the cart first.

Then you two go home first after I'm done shopping.

I'll go buy you some tangerine peel candy.

Okay.

Changyu is the best.

You...

People keep dying

in Xigu Lane.

Maybe we've provoked

some kind of spirit.

It's bad luck.

Exactly.

It seems this rice water isn't enough.

In a moment,

I need to find some dry mugwort leaves

and hang them on this door.

Exactly.

Look at that jinx.

Exactly.

She was actually staring at us.

You're back?

What's wrong?

You look listless.

Why are you all wet?

The snow was deep. It must have been the snow.

Wait.

Was someone bullying you

and saying bad things about you?

Who dares to do that?

I'd knock their teeth out.

I'm going to change my clothes.

[Xigu Lane]

Fan Changyu!

Fan Changyu!

Come out here! Fan Changyu!

Fan Changyu! You...

Fan Changyu,

your sister pushed our Hutou

down the stairs at noon.

Look.

He lost two front teeth.

Tell me, what are you going to do about it?

My sister has always been weak.

Your grandson is years older than her.

How could she possibly push him?

Well...

Granny Kang, let's talk this over calmly.

You're making a scene in front of the neighbors.

The Fan family bullied my grandson.

Why should I be afraid of being laughed at?

Isn't it normal for kids to have

a few bumps and scrapes when they're playing around?

-Stop shouting. -Whether you have the right

to demand justice here or not,

we need to ask Fan Changning first.

Changning, come out.

Come out. It's okay.

Changning, come here.

Come.

Changyu wants to ask you something.

Come here.

Come.

Let me ask you.

Did you push Hutou?

Look at that.

Such a little child already knows how to lie.

She nodded just now,

and now she's shaking her head.

Fan Changning, I'm asking you.

Don't lie.

Lying will make your mouth rot.

You know that?

Get away!

How dare you push me!

Is there no justice left?

The Fan family is so arrogant!

They made my grandson like this,

and... and she's acting as if she's completely in the right!

Stop shouting!

Alright.

See if I will shove your head

into the swill bucket!

I held back earlier

because I didn't know

who my family had offended

to bring trouble to Xigu Lane.

I feel guilty towards the neighbors,

but I haven't wronged you.

People keep dying in your family these days.

Everyone in the lane knows that you jinxed them!

You and Mrs. Song gossip about me every day.

Do you think I don't know?

Fine.

I'll grant your wish today.

What are you doing?

The neighbors are watching.

Do you dare commit violence here?

You've already ruined my reputation.

You don't think I still care

what they think, do you?

If I really do something to you,

do you think they'll help you?

Changning.

When I asked if you pushed Hutou just now,

why did you nod first and then shake your head?

I did push him.

But he was too fat.

I couldn't move him.

He chased me,

fell down the stairs himself,

and broke his front teeth.

Hutou said you pushed him!

Shut up!

I knew Hutou fell on his own.

Why did you push him?

He pulled my hair,

snatched my candy,

threw rice water on me,

and called me a jinx's sister,

saying I needed a splash of water to get rid of my bad luck.

You filthy old hag who deserves to be buried with no coffin!

Not only do you have a wicked tongue,

you don't even do good deeds for your grandson.

Aren't you afraid the King of Hell

will rip your tongue out after you die?

How am I wicked?

Did I kill her parents?

Did I kill all those people who died in her family?

Everyone in Lin'an knows

she's a jinx!

Only you and your husband,

who have no one to bury you when you die,

took in this whole cursed family.

Maybe one day,

she'll bring you to your death too.

If you ask me,

the Fan family

should've gotten out of Xigu Lane long ago.

Who knows when their enemies will come looking for them.

-Why are you so mean? -If I'm going to jinx anyone to death,

you'll be the first one, you old hag.

Why should I leave Xigu Lane?

If you're so scared, you leave.

And listen—

if you ever

lay a finger on Fan Changning again,

whichever hand you use, I'll cut it off.

You think I'm scared of you?

Don't try to scare me.

Scare you?

I can chop a pig's trotter clean off with one stroke.

Your hand would be even easier.

Left or right?

Which one do you want to keep?

-How about neither? -Don't!

Hutou!

Hu...

Grandma!

Karma!

This is instant karma!

You saw that, right?

Changyu and I didn't touch this old woman.

She fell on her own.

It was her! She kicked me!

Granny Kang,

we were all watching.

You fell on your own.

You must have been too vicious with your words,

so heaven punished you.

Exactly.

It was this jinx! She jinxed me!

Get lost! Or I'll jinx you to death!

Granny Kang,

be careful.

Or you may knock your teeth out.

Don't blame Changyu for that too.

Changning.

in the future, if anyone bullies you outside,

come back and tell me, alright?

How about you...

not wait for the New Year?

Just go now.

Just because of a few words from others,

you want to chase me away?

My family's troubles

have already dragged you in twice.

You don't owe me anything anymore.

If you cut ties with us sooner,

you'll be safer.

You believe that woman's words?

No.

I don't believe in fate,

nor in that nonsense about being a cursed star

who brings misfortune.

I just think that those people

won't let my family go easily,

so I don't want to drag you down with us.

If you think you can push me away

just because it's for my own good,

then what about Changning?

Are you going to cut ties with her too?

I can't.

She's too young.

I have to keep her with me.

So,

you're only driving me away, is that it?

You're not the type to take an insult lying down.

If someone splashes water on you,

just teach them a lesson right then and there.

There's a saying I once heard from Mr. Wang:

"The law does not punish the masses."

It means that if a large group of people breaks the law,

the authorities usually won't punish them all.

Now the whole town is gossiping about me

behind my back.

I might be able to deal with one of them,

but can I deal with them all?

[Young Xie Zheng]

[Young Wei Xuan]

Then have you ever heard of the saying

"make an example of someone"?

Human nature is evil.

If you're weak and easy to bully,

no matter how kind you are,

no one will help you.

But if you rise to power,

even if you've done terrible things,

plenty of people will rush to flatter you.

Superstitions are just meant to confuse people.

Like the candy that hit Granny Kang just now—

in her eyes,

it was just a ghost playing tricks.

You can say these things to me,

but if you start distancing yourself

from Mr. Zhao and Mrs. Zhao because of it,

they will be heartbroken.

Then take what I said earlier

as a moment of impulse.

Please stay.

So it's up to you

whether I leave or stay, huh?

You've got some nerve.

Don't be mad.

The candy I bought you wasn't meant for that.

You should have gone and found some pebbles.

Candy is expensive.

♪ The scenery is as clear as me ♪

It was not worth it.

♪ With very pale colors ♪

♪ Just like the outline in the mirror ♪

♪ I think that's me, being naive ♪

♪ Unlocking my heart ♪

I never had the chance to ask before.

♪ I hid you in my soul ♪

Why did you become an armed escort and risk your life?

Because...

♪ The moon is as quiet as me ♪

there are things I simply must do.

Just like how

♪ The light shines ♪

you want to keep running your father's butcher shop.

♪ It illuminates the turbulence in my heart ♪

My father

♪ It seems to be the fire of love ♪

also had unfinished business.

♪ Just a few sparks ♪

I want to finish it for him.

♪ Let me hide in your heart ♪

So your family ran an escort agency?

And you were the Young Master?

♪ I pray that our love ♪

♪ Will never end ♪

Rebuilding an escort agency costs a lot of money.

♪ It's worth my foolishly waiting ♪

♪ For a lifetime ♪

When I have some money to spare,

I can help you out.

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

No need.

I haven't repaid you

for saving my life yet.

♪ So what if we encounter difficulties? ♪

That's a completely different matter.

♪ I pray that our love will not be like sand ♪

When you agreed to marry into my family,

♪ Slipping into the sea ♪

we were already even.

♪ I'd rather use this life ♪

♪ To guard our love forever ♪

You want to be even with me?

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

That's not what I meant.

♪ Why do we need to seek cause and effect ♪

We've known each other for so long,

yet I still don't know when your birthday is.

My birthday is easy to remember.

It's 2 days after the Lantern Festival.

The holiday spirit is still strong then.

It's very lively.

What do you want?

I want my family all together,

safe and sound.

And if in the spring,

I could keep another litter of piglets, that would be even better.

[Capital]

Your Majesty, I have a proposal.

Grand Tutor, please go ahead.

Your Majesty,

the weather has been erratic this year.

The land is barren, and the crops have failed.

In this year of disaster,

if we still transport grain to the front line,

I fear it will cause a refugee crisis

and shake the foundation of the state.

Your Majesty, I implore you

to revoke the restoration order for the front line.

I humbly ask for Your Majesty's judgment.

The situation on the front line changes rapidly.

Even the Marquis of Wu'an has fallen in battle.

Provisions before a great battle are of the utmost importance.

How can we easily revoke the order?

After years of war,

the treasury is now empty and cannot bear the burden.

If the treasury is empty, levy grain locally

to solve the urgent need.

After we pacify Chongzhou,

we can return it to the people.

It is deep winter now, and the end of the year is approaching.

The people's surplus grain is not enough to fill their own stomachs.

Levying grain locally?

Prime Minister Wei,

are you not worried

that it will incite a civil uprising?

The front line is engulfed in flames of war,

and our soldiers are fighting bloody battles.

Provisions are the lifeline of the army.

How can they go a day without them?

If the enemy takes this chance to march south and breach our cities,

I fear it will bring disaster and ruin to our nation.

Grand Tutor,

do you dare to bear such a heavy responsibility alone?

Surely, Grand Tutor Li,

you do not wish to repeat the tragedy of 16 years ago,

when provisions failed to reach Jinzhou City,

leading to its massacre?

Prime Minister Wei is farsighted.

He is truly the most loyal subject of Great Yin.

[Diligent and Virtuous]

Prime Minister Wei is loyal and righteous.

[Wei Residence]

Uncle,

when I grow up, I want to be like my father,

fighting on the battlefield.

[Mrs. Wei]

Prime Minister.

Come in.

Prime Minister, please have some ginseng tea.

Have Zheng's remains

still not been found?

This child is of the Wei family's bloodline.

And he was raised with such care by you.

They say a maternal uncle is like a second father.

It's such a pity that he died like this.

Please take care of yourself, Prime Minister.

-And Xuan... -Please go back.

I spoke out of turn.

I beg your forgiveness, Prime Minister.

I shall take my leave.

Prime Minister,

He Jingyuan, Governor of Jizhou,

has sent a brocade box by fast horse.

[To Prime Minister Wei of Great Yin]

He has always been cautious.

[To Wei Qilin]

To General Suituo,

Jinzhou is in critical danger.

I must return to the capital for an urgent matter.

Therefore, I am sending my household general, Wei Qilin,

to request immediate reinforcements with the Tiger Tally

to resist Beijue together

and save Crown Prince Chengde.

General, Wei Yan.

Eighth day of the fifth month, the 26th year of Taikang.

It seems He Jingyuan

is using his own life as leverage

to make me spare the two daughters of that traitor.

He Jingyuan is so bold.

Prime Minister, you shouldn't have been soft-hearted back then

and stopped searching for Wei Qilin's body.

Zheng's

sudden investigation into the Jinzhou massacre

must have been instigated by someone with ulterior motives.

Now,

even He Jingyuan goes against my orders.

Why don't you let me

go and get rid of He Jingyuan?

The battle in Chongzhou is critical right now.

If I lose a weapon like He Jingyuan,

the Northwest will be in peril.

I see.

Forget it.

They are just two girls.

[To Wei Qilin]

Let them live.

How much trouble can they possibly cause?

Lord Li?

[Fill Your Belly]

Your husband is not home today?

He went out on business.

Do you need him for something, My Lord?

Just asking casually.

By the way,

regarding the case involving your family,

I have figured out everything.

Who did it?

The Qingzhou Government Office found that the attacks on your family

stemmed from an escort mission your father undertook years ago.

Rumor has it that it involved a treasure map

left by the previous dynasty's royal family.

Over a decade ago,

everyone in the escort agency was killed.

Only your father survived.

That was why he could settle down here in Lin'an Town all these years.

After the turmoil in Chongzhou,

the treasure map was brought up again.

The bandits from Qingfeng Stronghold tracked down your father,

which is why they repeatedly attacked your home—

to get that treasure map.

Treasure map?

I've never heard my parents mention it.

Yes.

So, rumors can be deadly.

Why did Li Huaian make up such a lie

just to close the case?

My parents...

died just because of a rumor?

A few days ago, the rebels in Chongzhou announced

that they had already found the treasure map.

The Qingfeng Stronghold bandits won't come to town anymore.

You can rest assured.

[Memorial Tablet of Meng Lihua] [Memorial Tablet of Fan Erniu]

If there's a chance to catch those bandits

and let my parents rest in peace,

I am at your command, My Lord.

[Fill Your Belly]

This is the relief fund sent

by Governor He of Jizhou, out of

concern for the people. He specially appointed me to deliver it.

Is it all for me?

For those who suffered at the hands of the Qingfeng Stronghold bandits

and lost family members,

the government has issued consolation money.

It's not just your family.

The standard is 10 taels per person.

Here is 30 taels of silver.

Please accept it.

Dry weather!

Beware of fire!

It's flying over!

Changyu,

you talked in your sleep again last night.

What did I say?

You said you were afraid the spices from out of town weren't authentic.

You said,

"Five spices aren't enough, we need six."

Then you said that if Zheng left,

you'd never find such a handsome husband again.

Keep your voice down.

Changyu,

we don't have to move anymore?

But I already told the others in the village

that we were moving.

It's so embarrassing not to move now.

Can we move out for a little while,

then move back?

That would count as moving.

Why are you so smart?

How about this?

Tell them

we don't have to move anymore,

and give them some candy.

Then they won't laugh at you.

Changyu,

when will you go back to sleep with Zheng?

You're squeezing into my small bed every day.

It's hard for me to even turn over.

Mrs. Zhao says

that a husband and wife should sleep together for life.

What?

Are you sick of me already?

I don't care.

I want to sleep with you.

For a lifetime!

How dare you be sick of me!

Take that!

Are you still sick of me?

-No! -Are you?

-No! -Are you?

You're not, are you?

I yield.

Beg for mercy, quickly!

Changyu!

All you do is eat.

You're getting so fat.

I wonder if you can still fly.

Go now.

[Xigu Lane]

Let's go.

Let's go!

Morning, Mrs. Fan.

Morning.

Lord Li?

Why are you at the Song's house?

[Xigu Lane]

I rented a vacant house from a broker.

When I got here, I realized it was opposite your home.

So this family is named Song?

Aren't you going back to Jizhou?

I promised I would find

the murderer of your parents.

I must keep my word.

Lord Li?

To catch the murderer, Lord Li

decided to stay for a while.

And he even rented Song Yan's house.

Isn't that a coincidence?

What a coincidence indeed.

I won't disturb you two.

What's wrong?

The falcon is gone.

Maybe the lid wasn't closed tightly last night.

After its wings healed, it flew away on its own.

This falcon has parents of its own.

It needs to go home to find them.

Don't cry.

There's nothing we can do.

The falcon has a family too.

Don't cry.

It will fly back.

Can you pinky-promise me for the falcon?

You're going to leave sooner or later,

aren't you?

In my current situation,

loving someone

only puts them in danger.

People

are not deities who cut off emotions and desires.

It's hard to control

your feelings.

Don't coax her.

Changning is just a bit lonely.

I'll buy a cage of chicks in the spring.

With new playmates, she'll forget the falcon.

In the spring,

I'll buy you a big cage of chicks, okay?

No. I want the falcon.

You don't want that?

I wasn't coaxing her.

To fully tame a falcon,

you have to let it fly first.

Only one that returns

is truly tamed.

But there's no guarantee it will come back.

[Aspiring to the Clouds]

So you're really not leaving Lin'an?

I was so happy when I heard the news

that I couldn't sleep all night.

I'll show you something.

I've been preparing it for a long time.

-Come on. -What is it?

What are you doing?

Look.

The auspicious time has arrived!

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

[Braised Pork Belly] [Braised Pig's Ear]

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

Bravo!

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

Pray to the God of Wealth,

and may your business prosper!

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Let's offer the incense.

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

Okay.

What would you like to eat?

Your meat smells delicious.

I want a piece that's not too fatty.

None of them is too fatty. They're all good.

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

Pick a big one.

Okay.

I'll weigh it for you.

Come back often.

Okay.

Changyu?

It's me, it's me.

Your shop has been closed for a while.

We couldn't buy braised meat anywhere.

Turns out you came to Yixiang Restaurant to make it.

Mrs. Fan

is partnering with Yixiang Restaurant now.

She'll sell exclusively here from now on.

Ma'am, feel free to come by anytime if you like it.

Changyu's pork used to come

with free offal.

Then I won't be polite.

Look at this.

I... this...

This time...

Well, this time...

Changyu's braised meat

used to be home-style.

Now that she's with Yixiang Restaurant,

the ingredients and recipe are upgraded.

Let alone offal,

even the stock is pricier.

Well,

then how can we common folk afford that?

Forget it.

I'll look elsewhere.

We are opening today,

so we want to start on a lucky note.

If you

can bring us 5 customers in the future,

you'll get a 20 percent discount.

25 percent off for 10 customers.

And 30 percent off for 20. How about that?

Alright.

Changyu,

pick two good pieces of meat for me.

[Fan's Braised Meat Shop]

It's my husband's birthday today.

Okay.

I guarantee it'll be delicious and generous.

That piece.

I didn't want to offer free offal before,

and the customers were unwilling to accept it.

You just said a few words,

and they rushed to give us money.

Qianqian, you're really amazing at doing business.

Undercutting isn't business.

Mutual benefit is what business is all about.

The great man is he who is in harmony,

in his attributes, with heaven and earth;

in his brightness, with the sun and moon;

in his orderly procedure, with the four seasons;

and in his relation to what is fortunate and what is calamitous,

with the spiritual beings.

He naturally—

Your Lordship honors me with your presence.

My wait was not in vain.

Tell me. What is your purpose in coming to the Fan family?

I came to the Fan family

only to see you, Your Lordship.

We have known each other since childhood

and both learned martial arts from General He.

Since the conflict between the Li and Wei,

we've been avoiding each other.

It has been

over a decade, hasn't it?

I am curious now.

Are you a Li

or a Wei?

I only serve Great Yin

and the people.

What about you, Your Lordship?

Which side are you on now?

Anyone can say

pretty words.

I have always

only served myself.

The conflict between Li and Wei has become chaotic.

And you intend to establish your own faction in the future.

Do you wish to make this chaos even worse?