Original subtitles

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

Why do I smell something burning?

My dish!

Did something happen?

Qianqian wants to invite you to be her husband.

What?

She sees a good catch and now she wants to snatch him away, huh?

No, she means to "borrow" him.

To drive away a customer who's been harassing her.

That won't work, either.

Dear, why are you pulling me?

If a woman wanted to borrow you from me,

would you be okay with it?

Well, if she were gentle, I guess I wouldn't mind.

Say that again! I dare you!

What kind of reward did she offer

that you'd sell me out just for a few taels of silver?

How could I possibly sell you out for just a few taels?

Yeah, exactly.

A few taels do sound a bit too cheap.

Thirty taels.

-What? -Thirty taels?

Well, Changyu means well, after all.

Yan Zheng, why don't you just help out?

Think of it as doing a good deed.

Hey, wait...

What? Why "hey, wait?"

If you could sell for even 3 or 5 taels,

I'd agree immediately.

You...

Changning.

Let's go. Let's ignore them.

Turns out I'm worth even less than a pig.

And how much do you think you're worth?

Why don't you ask someone else?

Like that... Lord Li or whatever.

Well, he's not in Lin'an.

Even if he were, I wouldn't ask him.

I've got my own husband—

why go to an outsider?

Just help Qianqian out.

It's just for 1 day.

If her Yixiang Restaurant goes under,

our business will suffer as well.

That rice merchant surnamed Qi

clings to her like a stubborn bandage.

He's just impossible to get rid of.

Harmless, but irritating.

The rice merchant surnamed Qi?

Who has he been associating with lately?

It's said to be a rice merchant from the Capital, surnamed Qi.

Just for 1 day?

Just for 1 day.

[Pursuit of Jade]

[Episode 13]

[Welcome guests from far and wide]

This way, please.

Zheng.

In this outfit, let alone a restaurant manager—

you could even pass for a marquis.

Not bad. This way, please.

I'm counting on you today.

Rest assured.

Changyu said

you're her best friend in Lin'an.

If she wants to help you,

I'll do it without hesitation.

This way.

[Heaven-class]

Mr. Qi.

Manager Yu, are you feeling better?

Mr. Qi, this is my husband, Yan Zheng.

He's been away on business recently.

He just returned to Lin'an today,

and I brought him here specifically

to thank you for supporting our humble restaurant's business.

Mr. Qi.

Pleasure to meet you.

So you're Manager Yu's husband.

Naturally.

Yan Zheng, have a good chat with Mr. Qi.

I'll go prepare some food and wine.

Mr. Qi.

Please.

When Master throws his cup as a signal,

that's our cue to tie that guy up.

I heard you came from the Capital, Mr. Qi.

I wonder why you've come to our tiny Lin'an Town

for grain business?

Mr. Yan, you're not a local here either.

So why are you running a restaurant here in Lin'an?

My wife may not have attended to things properly.

Please bear with us, Mr. Qi.

Next time there's business,

please come straight to me.

It's just I wonder how big a deal you can handle, Mr. Yan.

For example...

200,000 piculs of grain.

Pardon me.

With our Yixiang Restaurant doing so well,

it's inevitable that some jealous rivals

cause trouble in the dark.

No wonder Manager Yu

turned down my request to book the whole place earlier.

Apparently, my business wasn't enough to interest you guys.

Alright then.

Let's talk another day.

Where is he?

Gone.

Gone?

He gave up just like that?

Zheng.

My 30 taels were really well spent.

What happened, Master?

You won't believe it—

I just ran into a dead man,

and that woman actually claimed he was her husband.

Master, you mean...

Marquis of Wu'an, Xie Zheng.

Xie Zheng?

Isn't he dead?

If the Marquis of Wu'an is still alive,

I'm afraid Lord Changxin's plan won't go smoothly.

That smart father of mine

intended to use the move of bandits stealing military grain

to drive out refugees and create panic,

and then finish the operation.

But now,

not only is the Marquis of Wu'an not dead,

but he even knows we purchased 200,000 piculs of grain.

Obviously, he's been prepared all along.

It's still hard to say who will win in the end.

This game is getting more and more interesting.

Back then, you intentionally leaked information, Master,

to lead the Marquis of Wu'an to investigate

the Jinzhou Massacre from 16 years ago

because you believed Prime Minister Wei wouldn't allow him to reopen the case.

Your plan was to use Prime Minister Wei

to get rid of that serious threat Xie Zheng.

But now, he's still alive...

Should we reveal his whereabouts

to Wei Yan in secret

and try to get Wei Yan to do the dirty work for us again?

No.

I tried to turn them against each other back then

just to sever Wei Yan's support.

The Marquis of Wu'an has never been our enemy.

Now that the rift between uncle and nephew is a done deal,

and the Marquis of Wu'an has been cast out to the countryside,

we can take this opportunity to win him over.

Take my East Palace seal and use my former identity

as the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace to lure him in.

Got it.

As for Manager Yu...

Her?

Just have someone keep a close eye on her.

[Yixiang Restaurant]

Come on in, ladies. This way.

Please come in, ladies.

Welcome, ladies.

Mrs. Fan.

Changyu.

Come here.

Look.

The restaurant is so lively—

it's all thanks to you.

What do you mean, thanks to me?

Ever since your husband came by,

that Qi fellow hasn't bothered me again.

I can finally focus on running the business.

Now look—the restaurant is so lively.

Of course it's thanks to you.

Come with me.

I wonder what Chef Li is cooking for New Year's Eve.

What are you planning to eat tonight?

Cabbage and tofu,

and stir-fried pork.

Go on.

Hello, Mother. Hello, Auntie Fan.

Sit.

What is Changning doing at home?

I miss her.

How about after New Year's Eve,

you come over to our place and hang out with her?

Mother, can I go?

Fine.

Just this once.

Changning said

she'd show me her family heirloom.

Family heirloom?

She probably meant our butcher knife.

I guess that won't be necessary.

That's so cool!

So it's actually a butcher knife!

I have things to discuss with Auntie Fan.

Go study first.

Let's go.

Qianqian.

Aren't you a bit too strict with Bao'er?

Not at all.

I just want him to succeed in life.

Changyu.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve,

and you'll surely be swamped.

I want to wish you in advance a smooth and happy year ahead.

I'm not a child.

Why give me a lucky money pouch?

Us girls

are forever young.

Come on. Let's get a drink.

Drinking at noon?

We women drink when we feel like it,

not when the clock says so.

If not now, then when?

[Overflowing Joy and Good Fortune]

Cheers!

Qianqian.

The last time I was this happy

was the day I married Yan Zheng.

Changyu,

you've been married for quite some time now.

That husband of yours—

are you satisfied with him?

He's not just all show, is he?

All show?

Yan Zheng is pure gold—

through and through.

He's that good?

I'm going to find someone

to beat Granny Kang up.

She said you two hadn't even consummated your marriage.

You were talking about consummating the marriage?

What else would I mean?

Granny Kang really has a potty mouth.

It's fine. I'll beat her up. I can afford the damages.

Don't worry.

Qianqian.

Actually...

She wasn't entirely wrong.

Which part wasn't wrong?

One day,

Mrs. Zhao locked the two of us in a room.

He probably wanted to kiss me.

Did you eat tangerine peel candy?

You smell like tangerine peel candy.

Do you want some now?

And then?

Then...

We had a fight.

So you two are actually serious?

Actually, I know deep down

that

he'd leave sooner or later.

I've hinted at it several times,

yet he never gave a different answer.

Your man does seem to be

too big a fish for your small pond.

It's okay.

If he insists on leaving,

just have a baby with him before he goes.

Think about it—

if the child turns out as good-looking as him,

that would be a kind of blessing too.

That won't do, right?

Wouldn't that basically be taking advantage of him?

You know the saying, "you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a lamb."

Wait—actually, in this case it's:

you won't get a baby without feeding the wolf.

Don't worry.

Leave this to me.

[Xigu Lane]

Zhao Xun, the shopkeeper of Lin'an Rice Shop, is here to visit.

It's freezing cold.

Won't Your Lordship invite me in?

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship?

[Fill Your Belly]

How did you recognize me?

I used to do business in Jizhou and Yanzhou.

I was lucky enough to have seen Your Lordship there.

So?

Why are you here today?

Your Xie family has always been loyal and virtuous,

which is a fact known throughout the whole country.

Yet Heaven is unjust,

allowing evildoers to bring you harm.

I too feel indignation on Your Lordship's behalf.

I don't understand what you mean.

Wasn't the reason Wei Yan hunted Your Lordship down

because you were investigating

the Jinzhou Massacre from 16 years ago?

Who exactly are you?

[Chengde Heavenly Treasure]

Sixteen years ago,

in that fire at the Eastern Palace—

I was one of the lucky survivors.

Wei Yan is a treacherous official in power,

supporting a puppet emperor.

We are a group of people

who want to restore order.

So,

do you have any proof?

Crown Prince Chengde and Your Lordship's father

both died tragically in Jinzhou.

Then the Emperor abdicated,

and the Eastern Palace caught fire.

All these suspicious events pointed to Wei Yan.

Your Lordship's father and the Crown Prince both died in battle,

and their bodies were hung on the city wall by the Beijue people for 3 days.

Doesn't Your Lordship want to avenge this blood feud?

Your Lordship had just started reinvestigating the Jinzhou Massacre,

and you immediately got hunted down

and ended up here—

isn't that proof enough?

Not enough.

We also found out that

Wei Yan sent his Suicide Warriors

across the Capital and 17 prefectures

to kill over 10 people—

all retainers who once worked for Wei Yan

and later retired.

What exactly does the Fan family have

that's worth the Wei family's Iron Suicide Warriors coming here for?

It was the Prime Minister.

He sent me here to find a letter.

So Fan Erniu must have also worked for Wei Yan before,

which is why he kept being hunted down.

Your Lordship.

Wei Yan is immensely powerful now,

with ambitions that could overshadow the heavens.

To bring him down,

doesn't Your Lordship need an ally?

How can I trust you?

How can Your Lordship trust me?

Give me a deposit first.

What deposit?

200,000 piculs of grain—

how does that sound?

It seems he really knows about

my grain collection from all across Jizhou and Chongzhou.

We bought from many sources,

with over 100 grain merchants involved.

How did he know so accurately?

I'd actually like to ask you that.

Forgive me, Master. It was my negligence.

But it's good that he's willing to name his terms.

It's business, after all.

Once he quotes a price, we can talk.

200,000 piculs...

Master,

the grain from all across Chongzhou and Jizhou

has almost been emptied by us these past months.

He didn't ask you to give it all at once, did he?

Father never cared about me,

and the position of Crown Prince was meant for Sui Yuanqing.

But if we can gain the support of the Marquis of Wu'an,

our chances of success will soar.

What if the Marquis of Wu'an

doesn't believe your identity,

takes the grain, and turns against us, Master?

What then?

Turn against us?

Who else can he turn to?

Can he possibly go back to work for Wei Yan?

As long as he's willing to help me wholeheartedly,

let alone 200,000 piculs of grain—

I can even grant all 4 prefectures

of the Northwest to him as his fief.

Understood.

I'll see to it immediately.

Wei Yan, oh Wei Yan.

You will soon

be bitten by the ungrateful wolf

you raised yourself.

Prime Minister.

I was investigating Grand Tutor Li's dealings with the rebels,

and I accidentally found out that when the Marquis of Wu'an

was reinvestigating the Jinzhou cases from 16 years ago,

it was exactly Lord Changxin's people who plotted against him.

If Xie Zheng didn't exist in this world,

Lord Changxin would have one less major threat on the battlefield.

The Sui family is

trying to ruin my great plans.

There's one more thing.

Li Huai'an was recalled to the Capital by Grand Tutor Li

for some unknown reason.

With Princess Royal back in the Capital,

that old coot probably wants to push the marriage,

so he hurried to recall his eldest legitimate grandson.

Just leave him be.

Write to He Jingyuan immediately

and tell him to defend Lucheng to the death.

That's the place for the decisive battle.

[New Year's Eve]

Happy New Year.

Come on, everyone, time for dinner.

Coming. Coming.

Happy New Year, Mrs. Wang.

Happy New Year, Mrs. San.

Happy New Year, Mr. San.

Happy New Year.

[Chunfeng Tofu Shop]

Happy New Year to you.

Keep writing. Keep writing.

Horizontal.

Horizontal, vertical.

Vertical.

Horizontal with a turn, left-falling, right-falling.

Sister, Zheng is teaching me how to write.

Good girl.

Do you know how to write Spring Festival couplets?

My mother used to write them every year.

Can you write Spring Festival couplets, Zheng?

Get me the paper.

Okay.

You ground too much ink.

♪ The scenery is as clear as me ♪

Then write a few more pairs.

We can give some to Mrs. Zhao and the others,

♪ With very pale colors ♪

and we can put the rest on the doorframes of all these rooms.

♪ Just like the outline in the mirror ♪

For good omen.

♪ I think that's me, being naive ♪

Alright.

♪ Unlocking my heart ♪

♪ I hid you in my soul ♪

♪ The moon is as quiet as me ♪

♪ The light shines ♪

♪ It illuminates the turbulence in my heart ♪

[Sprouting Grass]

♪ It seems to be the fire of love ♪

♪ Just a few sparks ♪

♪ Let me hide in your heart ♪

♪ I pray that our love ♪

♪ Will never end ♪

♪ It's worth my foolishly waiting ♪

♪ For a lifetime ♪

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

D-Did I accidentally touch you?

It's fine. I just got a bit too much ink on the brush.

♪ So what if we encounter difficulties? ♪

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

♪ Slipping into the sea ♪

[Be a Good Person]

♪ I'd rather use this life ♪

Your calligraphy is really good.

♪ To guard our love forever ♪

♪ Clear and quiet as me ♪

What a pity.

But it's okay.

♪ Why do we need to seek cause and effect ♪

[As ice thaws, the springs awaken] [With snow gone, new grass sprouts]

I'll just put this pair on the door of Changning's and my room.

Ice something...

Spring something something...

Snow something... New grass sprouts.

As ice thaws, the springs awaken.

With snow gone, new grass sprouts.

When my mother wrote Spring Festival couplets,

she didn't like writing those

clichéd auspicious phrases either.

Do you like these?

[Be a Good Person]

You know how to paint?

Only a little.

That's enough.

If you go and sell your calligraphy and paintings out there,

you'll definitely make a lot of money.

I don't paint what doesn't please me.

I want to write something too.

Write a top scroll then.

Come on, Changning, write a top scroll.

What should you write?

What should I write?

Just write this.

[You'll Be Rich]

How's this top scroll?

Just like...

Joining a dog's tail to sable fur.

[You'll Be Rich]

That means it's very good, right?

That means it's very good, right?

It's perfect.

[You'll Be Rich]

I wrote it too well.

I'm amazing.

Oh right, we're missing the falcon.

Good falcon,

let's celebrate the New Year together.

With the falcon's claw print,

our family is complete.

[You'll Be Rich]

Look.

Dear.

Lower. Lower.

Alright, alright. Right there.

Don't move. Don't move further. That's it.

-Alright. -Let's go check on Changyu.

Okay.

Dear.

How is the calligraphy?

It's beautiful.

-I've never seen such nice calligraphy before. -He wrote this, right?

-I guess so. -You're illiterate. Can you really understand it?

I may not be able to read,

but I can tell this calligraphy is valuable.

Look how square and upright the characters are.

So neat and proper.

It's obvious it's worth a fortune.

Mr. Zhao, Mrs. Zhao.

The couplets are written so well.

Who wrote these?

Changyu's husband wrote all of these.

Changyu's husband.

Changyu,

your husband writes really nice couplets—

even better than the ones Scholar Song

wrote in previous years.

That's why I say

our Changyu has good taste.

Can he write a pair for me too?

-Yeah. Write a pair for us too. -Write for all of us.

Sis.

I'm sorry.

We ran out of red paper for the couplets.

Oh, red paper for the couplets?

I've got plenty of red paper at home from previous years.

I've got some at home too.

-I have some too. -Me too.

Alright.

Bring the paper over.

Alright!

Quick, go get the red paper.

Okay, thanks.

See you in a bit.

Let's go.

If you aren't willing,

you didn't have to agree.

Don't worry about me.

I am willing.

You just said

you wouldn't paint what didn't please you.

Now it pleases you?

Grind the ink.

Changyu.

Mrs. Zhuang.

Here's some homemade puffed rice candy—

a little snack for Changning.

But...

Take it.

Changyu, I heard your husband was writing Spring Festival couplets for people.

Our family hasn't gotten ours written yet, either,

so I boldly came along.

It's nothing fancy,

just some freshly ground tofu for you to taste.

Ladies,

please have a seat first.

Alright, alright.

Thank you.

Here's the red paper I brought.

Alright, thank you.

Harmony brings peace to all frontiers.

Done.

It's finished.

"Lanterns shine on homes to celebrate the prosperous year."

"The ox carries spring to plow the green fields."

It means that when spring comes next year,

there will be a bumper harvest,

and the whole family will be happy and healthy.

Though storm and darkness fill the sky

and the rooster crows without end,

now that I have met you—

how could my heart not rejoice?

The meaning of this poem line is that

amidst the gloom and pouring rain,

the roosters crow in panic.

Yet, precisely in this chaotic moment,

I glance around,

and I catch sight of her.

It's like parting the clouds and mist,

and a beam of light falls upon me—

warm and radiant,

filling my heart with joy.

When I heard him recite this line before,

I just thought it sounded nice,

but I had no idea what was so good about it.

Until just now,

when he turned his head and looked at me.

In that instant,

the courtyard fell completely silent.

Even the falling snow seemed lighter,

and even the wind blowing over

felt softer and gentler.

It was like the sun on the Winter Solstice—

neither slanting nor skewed,

shining perfectly on me.

It turns out when you are truly happy,

your heart sings.

Just like when you sit by the stove,

and the firewood crackles softly,

crisp and warm.

Your hand must hurt, right?

It's nothing.

Still toughing it out.

Are you here for couplets too?

Before...

Before, it was always my elder grandson, Kang Dan, who wrote the Spring Festival couplets.

But later, he got into trouble

and was sent off for forced labor.

After that,

Scholar Song helped out.

You see, Kang Dan turned 18 this year.

He's timid and simple-minded.

I just hope

that my younger grandson, Xiaohu,

could be smarter and sharper than his older brother.

You know,

by the end of the year,

isn't life really just about having something to look forward to?

Next year, or the year after—

perhaps

things will get better.

Please sit.

What do you want me to write?

Just no more wars,

so that our Kang family

could continue our line.

And I hope my two grandsons,

without their parents to protect them,

could still grow up safe and sound.

Okay.

[Composed]

[Ornamented Beauty]

Greetings, Mother.

May I ask why

you summoned me here, Mother?

It's New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion.

Do I really need a reason

just to see you?

That's not what I meant.

I wish you a prosperous New Year, Mother.

May peace and health be with you always.

You were betrothed to the Marquis of Wu'an since birth.

Back when the Marquis of Wu'an was still around,

he was a heroic young man with great military merits.

Such a fine man would have been a great match for you,

yet you said you only saw him as an older brother

and refused to take him as your Prince Consort.

And now, this failed scheme

has consumed you.

What do you mean by that, Mother?

Ever since you returned to the palace,

you've used illness as an excuse multiple times to put off meeting Li Huai'an.

I have already made arrangements.

You will go to the Lantern Festival with him on the fifteenth.

Mother!

The Gongsun family has been barred from holding office in the court for generations.

This is an imperial regulation

and must never be defied.

As the Princess Royal,

you must not let that scheme

ruin the grand cause of our imperial family.

I'm not your pawn, Mother.

And I refuse to be manipulated in this palace scheme.

You only care about family glory

and imperial regulations, Mother.

Have you ever truly cared about my happiness or sorrow?

In short, from now on,

you must not see anyone from the Gongsun family again.

Just cut that thought off now.

If there's nothing else, Mother,

I shall take my leave.

Shu!

Your Highness, where are you going?

[Ornamented Beauty]

I'm going to hang myself.

Do you want to join me, Nanny?

[Composed]

Though loved for its clever words,

the bird yearns to fly free.

Come on.

Let's eat.

It smells so good.

Smells so good.

Thank you. Thank you.

Here.

Yummy, yummy.

Yummy.

Eat up.

It's so good.

Coming up.

-Happy New Year! -Happy New Year!

Let's have another cup.

Fill it up.

Fill it up.

I want some too.

No, you're still injured.

This light liquor won't hurt.

Have some tea instead.

The doctor said

no alcohol until you recover.

I want some too.

Changning, you can't drink either.

Come on, have tea with Zheng.

Eat and drink well. Peace year after year.

Cheers.

Come on.

Yan Zheng.

Why don't we...

Fireworks!

Let's go watch the fireworks.

Come on, let's go watch the fireworks.

Be careful, Changning.

What did you just say?

I didn't catch that.

I... I said I wanted to drink more.

-Come on, let's go upstairs. -Let's go upstairs and watch.

Good wine.

Don't drink too much.

I'm perfectly sober.

This wine isn't strong at all.

I'll pour you some tea.

Sober up with some tea.

Looking down on me, huh?

My father can drink a whole jar of strong liquor,

so I can handle at least half a jar.

This wine isn't intoxicating at all.

Come on, bottoms up.

Come on.

You really are drunk.

I'm totally fine.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

You won't get a baby

without feeding the wolf.

What baby?