Original subtitles

Host

the ceremony?

Sure.

But don't expect me

to pay for it.

The Ji family will handle all costs.

Not just the catering.

I'm her father,

arriving empty-handed

would be humiliating.

The Ji name carries weight.

Ordinary gold

and silk?

Beneath you.

So perhaps

you'd cover

my gift as well?

[Right then, I understood.]

[Every love that ever truly existed]

[was a gift of fortune.]

[Parent and child.]

[Husband and wife.]

[None of them any different.]

[When it's there, it's there.]

[When it isn't...]

[no force on earth can conjure it.]

Grandmother's already

sorted your gift.

It's sitting in the storehouse.

Give us your word,

and

it's yours tomorrow.

To think this slip of a girl

could shadow

my love's entire fate.

Bind her.

Send her away.

Yes, my lord.

[I will never beg]

[to be loved again.]

[I'll only tend to the hearts]

[that have already chosen me.]

What's done is done.

You've had your say.

But the ceremony

will go forward.

And your father will be invited.

Why hold

a ceremony at all?

Every woman comes of age.

There's nothing remarkable about that.

What kind of nonsense is that?

I know it stings,

watching us

go to your father hat in hand.

But hear me:

none of that matters.

What matters is this ceremony.

The defining rite

of a woman's life.

Your first true entrance into the world.

And it determines

the match you'll make.

Without it,

how will anyone ever see

the woman you've become?

What exactly is so amusing?

Grandmother,

rest easy.

The concern isn't that

no one knows her.

It's that far too many already do.

You're asking for it!

Very well.

Honestly?

I'd never feel right

handing her to strangers.

You two are so close already,

why not

keep things simple?

Spare us all those

hollow formalities.

No, no,

Grandmother, please...

That ceremony

is happening.

I was being ridiculous.

I get it now.

Quite right, Grandmother!

A girl like her

deserves nothing less

than the grandest ceremony

imaginable!

Let every village...

no,

let the whole realm

witness her extraordinary grace

and beauty!

Enough.

I know precisely

what you're after.

Now out,

we have matters

to attend to.

Where did you dig those words up?

Hey,

that was uncalled for!

You mocked me first!

So

you did notice.

And I haven't even touched on

your little bonfire yet.

Aren't you the insensitive one!

Every last coin,

I'll earn it back!

I'm not asking you for a single coin.

I'm saying,

at least do it

for Grandmother.

Can you just show some grace?

What would grace accomplish?

If the ceremony falls apart,

my name suffers a little, nothing new.

Grandmother will never bring herself

to give me away to anyone.

And in any case...

I still have you,

my dear cousin, don't I?

Don't flatter yourself.

Hey...

Jinzhao!

Who is...

Greet Lord Chen, now!

My greetings, Lord Chen!

Please, rise.

This is your cousin?

Yes.

She's a bit of a free spirit,

doesn't get out much,

had no idea you'd be here.

My apologies

if she's caused any offense.

Not at all.

You must have come

to see my grandmother.

I wouldn't impose,

we shall withdraw.

Alright, enough!

There's no fire. Walk.

Quiet!

Keep your distance

from him.

He pushed

a sweeping tax reform,

persuaded His Majesty to dispatch

royal auditors to noble estates.

Now half the court hates him.

Prince Glorian especially.

Now he's "taken ill"

and taken refuge here.

Surely he's the very man

Grandmother's often spoken of,

Lord Chen?

She said his reform

would wipe out half their wealth!

You have no idea

how bad it's gotten.

The whole court is a mess.

Those guys

are in the Emperor's ear

every other day.

And as for Lord Chen?

They would

see him destroyed.

You know,

cut their purse, cut their throat.

These are

merciless men.

Assassination is within their reach.

I must see to

more guards at once.

Not a soul in her own family...

Yeah.

Deigned to

hold a ceremony.

Quite.

So she installs herself here,

and lets the Jis bear it...

-My lady... -My lady...

Go...

My lady,

dusk is falling.

Where are you off to?

The back hill.

Do not follow.

What a perverse world.

I had barely

drawn first breath,

when my father cast me out,

a blemish upon his ambitions.

The moment I found my way home,

he barred the door against me.

Tell me,

was I wrong

to act?

The gift is burned. So be it.

What truly galls me

is that the ceremony must proceed.

And that man

must still be invited.

I should have

found another way...

I've taken the trouble

to draft a petition,

calling for the full repeal

of

your tax reform.

You need only add your seal

and things

will end here.

And

should I refuse?

Then I shall

end you here.

Then

so be it.

Chen Yanyun...

a secret army...

How dare you!

This is treason!

You're insane!

Chen Yanyun...

Kill me...

and you'll follow me to the grave!

Is that so?

Chen Yanyun...

Spare my life.

And the nobles

will be on your side!

Spare me and

every man of influence

will back your reform.

What is that...

Did I fall asleep?

Jinzhao,

you OK?

Are you in

any pain?

Yao...

you pulled me out?

Wasn't me.

Xuanqing did.

Madam's here.

I must go greet her.

Do not leave her side.

Grandmother.

Madam.

Greetings, Master Chen.

I'm told it was you

who brought her back.

We are deeply

in your debt.

Pray, think nothing of it.

Please,

attend to

Ms. Gu now.

I shall

take my leave,

ma'am.

How does she fare?

Awake. The healer's seen her.

Nothing grave.

And the back hill...

has it been properly attended to?

Taken care of.

Yet something

weighs upon me.

Once she had been

pulled from the water,

he arranged for word to reach me.

But in such a downpour,

a man who leaps into the water

or even lingers at its edge

does not emerge dry.

When I came upon Xuanqing,

there was not a trace of water on him.

Grandmother,

I don't think he's the one

who saved her.

Grandmother,

if it was Lord Chen

who pulled her out...

is it possible she witnessed...

Should Lord Chen have saved her,

whatever she may have seen...

it need not trouble us.

I shall speak with her,

then sound out Lord Chen.

But this

stays quiet.

Even if she asks,

the answer is Chen Xuanqing.

Understood.

Uncle.

And?

Did they

buy your story?

When Ms. Gu woke up,

I didn't speak with her at all.

Mrs. Ji seemed to read

what you intended.

She let the matter lie.

Yeah.

I have

two jars of

royal warming wine here.

Tomorrow,

send them to Ms. Gu.

And remember,

you saved her.

The wine's from you.

Understood.

Apply yourself to the exams.

You may go.

Kneel in honor of the parents.

We don't need that part.

Cut it.

Go and rest.

The rest of you too.

Yes, madam.

My dear child,

what is it now?

You were getting on so well.

I'm not kneeling to Gu Dezhao.

The rites are

the rites, child.

I find myself weary.

But...

It...

Qingpu,

that inkstone

I received a few days back,

go grab it for me.

I wish to present it to Master Chen.

Yes, my lady.

Master Chen.

Ms. Gu.

I was on my way to see you.

Yunting.

After last night's misfortune,

one must guard against the cold.

This is an imperially bestowed

warming wine,

a measure or two

ought to offer some relief.

You are most considerate.

My sincere thanks.

And how perfectly timed,

you arrive bearing wine,

and I have a token of gratitude too.

Qingpu.

A Nightslate inkstone,

and a box of Umbral Ink.

The ink is ordinary enough,

but the inkstone

is an antique.

I find its plainness rather endearing.

It belongs now with you.

A scholar like you

ought to have it.

I accept with gratitude,

Ms. Gu.

Actually,

when you came to my aid,

were you alone upon the hill?

I was.

May I ask what brought you there?

I arrived here but yesterday.

With certain matters weighing on me,

so I went for a walk.

I happened to pass the hill

and saw you in the water.

I see.

I have other pressing matters.

I shall not

impose further.

Take care.

Did you notice?

He couldn't quite look at me.

Maybe it's just... manners?

His words did not

ring true to me.

I can still dimly recall

the figure I glimpsed

before the water took me...

I don't believe it resembled him.

[Lord Chen...]

[That silhouette...]

[Feels like I've seen it somewhere.]

[Could it truly have been him?]

My lady...

What is it you are looking at?

A bird,

my lord.

I thought you might have remembered.

Remembered... what?

The lantern.

So that was you!

Apologies.

Think nothing of it.

My lord,

all is ready.

We may set out at your word.

[He just meant the lantern.]

[I was imagining things.]

My lord.

A total of

114 crates of classified files

have been salvaged from the water

and secured here.

Mute servants keep vigil here.

You can rest easy.

No one else knows this place exists.

Very well.

My lord...

I have...

a favor to ask...

Last night...

Jinzhao had too much wine.

She stumbled in by accident.

I pressed her on the matter...

She saw nothing...

That girl has never

had a scheming bone in her body.

I ask you to

extend your forgiveness,

for my sake.

Not a scheming bone, huh?

I hear there's

quite a ceremony being planned for her.

Indeed.

It's only a few days

from now.

We'd be very honored

if you could come,

my lord.

It goes without saying.

Actually...

I'll write to my mother,

ask her to come as a guest.

How's that sound?

Oh, truly,

a grace beyond measure...

After the ceremony,

send her to the capital.

As you wish.

I shall

take my leave.

Lord Chen!

Mr. Jiang!

I can see from your face

that our pledge of loyalty

has found its mark.

It has.

From the prime minister himself.

He's giving me the Crown Seneschal.

Our deepest congratulations!

The Cabinet is within reach.

Enough. Rise.

That said,

this one played out

just like you called it.

The PM has had

his eye on

Prince Glorian for a long time.

That wasn't me calling anything.

It was...

Right.

Material like this

on every major figure

means the reform

is as good as done.

We can come back to that.

According to the letter,

the appointment may come any day now.

It may

well coincide with

Ms. Gu's ceremony.

All the

local bigwigs will be there.

We would do well

to raise the land reform.

Test the waters.

Easy there.

Yes.

Pick up the pace.

Hear me, all of you!

Guests are beginning to arrive.

Sharp eyes and ready hands.

Understood.

Word has it Ms. Gu's ceremony

is no ordinary affair.

Nothing like the rites

- one usually sees. - Congratulations!

- Congratulations! - Welcome!

Is that so?

Word is, the capital's finest are in town.

Men and women together,

all bets are off.

Greetings!

Congratulations!

Gentlemen, please!

Women have run the Ji family for ages.

Congratulations!

And Mrs. Ji? A force of nature.

Nothing to raise an eyebrow at.

Uncle!

They say these lotus cakes

are the finest in town.

I bought some.

Do try one.

Meh.

"Meh?"

Fine, what about the plum drops?

Consider this,

she's not of Ji blood,

just the daughter's child.

Yet the family puts on

all this for her?

Some people are

just born under a lucky star.

Lucky for days,

and a temper to match!

A few days ago,

she struck the Chang boy.

His father demanded a proper account

and Ms. Gu declared,

without a trace of remorse,

that Master Chang

had struck first.

Absolutely hilarious!

Please, allow me!

Wait a moment,

could this Ms. Gu be my cousin?

Which cousin?

Uncle Dezhao's eldest daughter.

A diviner said

she'd ruin his prospects,

so they handed her off to the Jis

barely after she was born.

I believe her name is...

Jinzhao.

Has to be her.

Uncle,

it's not like

we've got plans.

Why not swing by the Ji estate

and see what this

mystery cousin of mine

actually

looks like?

Sure, go and strike her.

For what cause?

I am a man of honor.

Greetings!

My respects, Mrs. Chen.

Oh, we've been

like sisters for decades!

None of that, please.

Jinzhao,

come and greet Mrs. Chen.

Greetings,

Mrs. Chen.

That must be...

the cousin I have never met.

So this is our Jinzhao!

Yes.

I met you once, when you were

- barely this tall. - Chen Yanyun?

And now here you are.

It really is him.

Didn't expect to find him sheltered here.

Take the seat of honor!

An imperial edict!

An imperial edict has arrived!

Imperial edict?

Madam, Lord Chen,

an edict has come from the palace.

It's for Lord Chen.

I'm afraid I'll have to ask everyone

to join me.

By imperial decree,

Chen Yanyun, faithful in service

and resolute in duty,

a man of talent and integrity,

is hereby appointed the Crown Seneschal,

with concurrent duties in the Bureau of Coins.

Serve well,

and honor my trust.

So decreed.

Gratitude,

Your Majesty!

Long live the Emperor!

Please rise, my lord.

Congratulations!

He's officially

the Crown Seneschal.

One foot in the door

of real power.

He knows precisely

whose favor is worth cultivating.

A long journey, my lord,

a room's been

set for you.

Right this way.

I'll excuse myself.

Please, my lord.

Congratulations, my lord.

Congratulations, Lord Chen!

Xu Shiqi, at your service!

Silk merchants, generations running.

Should you find a moment,

I'd be most honored

to host you at my table.

How did my ceremony...

Aye.

turn into his victory party?

Your kindness, Mr. Xu,

- I shall look forward to it. - That cousin of yours...

is quite the character!

Where are you going?

You're not greeting Lord Chen?

[the heir of Lord Changxing...]

[What's he doing here?]

The nerve!

Chen Yanyun gets promoted, fine!

But did he have to steal my thunder?

Maybe he

didn't know

the edict was coming today.

He knew.

He absolutely knew.

I should have seen it

from the start.

Why would someone like him

show up to

my ceremony?

He just needed a stage.

And I handed it to him!

What is it?

Is Gu Dezhao here?

Never mind.

I'll deal with it when it comes.

No, my lady...

It is...

What is it?

Your father...

he did not bring your mother.

He came with a concubine.

Where are they?

With Madam...

That

is the concubine.

Let's go.

I have

come as promised.

The ceremony has concluded.

Her marriage must be considered.

For her own sake,

she should come home with me.

How very convenient.

Was it not you who refused

to hold the ceremony at all?

We had to

pay you

to come today.

And now you want to take her back.

You take me for a fool?

Show him

the gazette.

Yes, ma'am.

Four men in the capital,

reprimanded.

All for neglecting their families.

The censorate is watching.

You're terrified of being

named among them.

So now, suddenly,

you want her back.

Tell me I'm wrong.

This is... preposterous!

Yes, she's been raised here.

But abandoning my own flesh?

That's a very serious accusation!

You absolute...

Enough!

You've already burnt a fortune!

Don't make a scene!

My lady...

I'm not making a scene.

I don't need to.

He wants to bring me home?

Welcome to keep wanting.

It's him...

OK, listen...

Exquisite.

Quite so.

Simply exquisite.

That bamboo...

It's so vivid.

Almost like it's breathing.

Lovely view from out here.

There is... lotus...

Lord Chen is staying here,

they say.

We must present ourselves...

Jinzhao?

You have some nerve.

What was that!

No quarrel from me, it demeans.

You stand before your father;

is this your manner of greeting?

I see so little of you, Father.

I cannot even recall your rank.

What office do you hold now?

Entered the cabinet yet?

Watch how you speak!

Gentlemen, tea!

Right this way...

Ah, yes, right...

Please!

Maybe Father didn't catch that.

Then I shall repeat.

You cast me aside,

afraid I'd curse

your precious career.

Fifteen years have passed.

What office do you hold now?

Entered the cabinet yet?

You... you insolent...

Talk reached me,

of your boundless disgrace.

I called it lies.

Alas,

they ring true!

Grandmother's

coddling

bred your chaos.

Post-ceremony,

you join me in the capital.

Speak no further!

Not happening!

I will do no such thing!

You...

Kneel! Now!

Fine...

I tried...

being reasonable!

Go for it!

Lord Chen, newly elevated

and presently overseeing

the entirety of

the Bureau of Coins,

stands behind you,

observing.

Impress him enough,

and he might

vouch for you.

Your career shall advance, shall it not?

Of all things ungovernable,

women top the list.

Truer words were never written!

My lord...

Tell her,

I stole her thunder.

She just called it even.

We're square.

Gratitude, my lord.

My lord,

Lord Changxing's heir

came with the Gu boy,

purely for leisure's sake.

He came without

making himself known.

Fine, let him be.

Understood.

My lady,

those two

are from the Gus.

Maybe we go around?

I'd avoid anyone else.

The Gus?

Absolutely not.

Quite the boldness,

to pass before me

without a greeting.

I don't even flinch at Lord Chen.

And you think I'd bow for you?

Unbelievable...

Please.

The Jis have mounted

quite the spectacle!

What are they up to?

I know.

Let the ceremony begin!