Original subtitles

[Moonlit Reunion]

[Adapted from Fuhua's novel, Mrs. Mei's Way of Love]

[Episode 16]

Echoes of Time.

Pass it to me!

- Pillboy! - Pillboy!

Pillboy,

it's not that we don't want to play with you.

You just can't keep up!

- Half a breath, too weak to stand. - Half a breath, too weak to stand.

- One little fall and you're down. - One little fall and you're down.

- Half a breath, too weak to stand. - Half a breath, too weak to stand.

- One little fall and you're down. - One little fall and you're down.

- Half a breath, too weak to stand. - Half a breath, too weak to stand.

- One little fall and you're down. - One little fall and you're down.

Half a breath...

- Who is it? - Who is it?

He can't play with you.

But I can.

- You? - You?

- Run! - Run!

They say you're my cousin.

Let's make incense together.

I need plum blossom buds and azaleas.

Is this enough?

More.

Some Lacha tea powder too.

And turmeric, agastache, licorice.

Also white honey.

[Exquisite]

Mr. Pei, you've traveled a long way

to join this contest.

Why present

such a common incense?

Master, you see,

this incense

is lit for one person alone.

My Lady, do you like it?

I do.

It brings back the garden in my youth, blooming with flowers,

the springtime of old.

But

you've prepared so long for this Incense Contest

and journeyed all this way.

Is it worth it, just to burn

an incense of memory?

I hear some poets

write for the world,

others for one person.

I don't seek to please the world,

but to delight one person.

Now, we present a legendary incense

from Master An Biluo.

The finale of our contest.

We invite you all to enjoy.

Master An's incense?

Master An?

He hasn't made incense himself in nearly two or three years.

This trip was truly worth it.

Indeed.

This is a Rhinoceros Horn Censer.

Such a large vessel.

Exquisite carving.

Truly rare.

This censer is carved from the horn of a Linyi Heaven-Reaching Rhinoceros.

Extremely rare.

But its value

is but one ten-thousandth of that of the incense within.

So, what's the name of this incense?

Divine Spirit Incense!

- Divine Spirit Incense? - Divine Spirit Incense?

So this is the Divine Spirit Incense.

I've heard that this incense is Master An's new creation.

It embodies the essence of heaven and earth.

When burned, its fragrance ascends to the highest heavens,

perceptible for a great distance.

Year-round immersion

can preserve youth

and dispels fatigue.

What is it made from?

Phoenix feathers as the base,

dragon scales ground to powder,

supplemented with styrax, benzoin, ambergris, and a hundred other spices.

Blended and aged for a thousand days.

Phoenix feathers and dragon scales.

Pure mystification.

How can mythical things be real?

Don't say that about Master An.

He must have his reasons.

Is Master An serious?

Why does it smell like poop?

Don't say anything more.

How can you question Master An?

His incense

is unparalleled.

We ordinary folks simply lack the refinement

to appreciate it.

It stinks.

Mr. Xie.

How is my incense?

This?

It stinks.

This incense is truly remarkable.

It carries a hint of

earthy freshness.

Like the spring sun melting the winter snow.

As if all things are sprouting anew.

Simply marvelous.

Marvelous.

I haven't been back to Chang'an for years.

Have their tastes become this peculiar?

Marvelous indeed.

Marvelous.

Marvelous.

Then what grade would you give this incense?

Master, this incense is crafted by you.

How could we presume to judge it?

I'm asking you what grade you'd give it!

Of course...

Of course it's Supreme.

[Common]

[Supreme]

Supreme.

Mr. Gao, what about you?

[Supreme]

Ms. Wu.

What do you think?

I believe

that while previous incenses varied,

they were at least fragrant.

Master An, your incense...

How is this incense?

It smells of the livestock barn.

A livestock barn?

Is it not true?

She's just like she was as a child.

Doesn't spare anyone's feelings.

What does everyone else think?

It really does smell of dung.

Yes.

It does smell of dung.

You see, it's not just me who thinks so.

You young whippersnappers!

You don't understand anything!

This Divine Spirit Incense...

I put so much effort

into making this Divine Spirit Incense.

The dragon scales in the incense are actually Ling Fish scales.

The so-called phoenix feathers

are white goose feathers!

Though common,

the method of plucking is quite particular.

The more terrified and suffering the gosling,

the richer and more fragrant

the feathers under their chins will be!

With pure intent rising,

the spirits align.

The dark evils crumble,

all demons disperse.

Break!

Where is Zhen?

I know your pain.

An Biluo has committed too much needless slaughter.

You controlled him to stop the killing

and seek revenge. I understand.

But this body belongs to him.

Even if you use it to vent your hatred,

it's just a temporary solution.

How...

How did you know?

I am the Cat Lord of Chang'an's Demon Market.

The human realm is complicated.

Why don't you

come back to the Demon Market with me?

I will find you a vessel at the Husk House

to aid your cultivation.

And I'll punish the wicked for you

and grant you justice.

The Demon Market?

Cat Lord?

Lord,

now that this matter is settled,

we should return to the Demon Market now.

Let's first inform those people.

Lord.

Ling Xiao.

In the end,

you still intend to hand me over to them!

Report! No one found on the east side.

Nothing from the west.

Nothing from the north.

Enough reports!

Report only when you find someone!

Cat Lord?

You don't have a trace of demonic power.

You're clearly a fraud!

Over there!

Zhen?

Wait, how did they get over there?

Did they fly across?

Impossible.

You were just stalling for time.

Before I deal with them,

I'll take care of you, you fraud!

There's a spirit attached to the back of his neck.

Are you alright?

Zhen!

Zhen.

Zhen, are you alright?

Zhuyu, Zhuyu.

You're so amazing.

Why did you never tell me?

Mr. Mei, that sword move was so cool just now.

Where's my sword?

Mr. Mei.

Oh no.

Now I'm truly the worst one in the Mei family.

Mr. Mei,

have you considered joining the Jinwu Guard?

Mr. Mei,

have you considered joining the Jinwu Guard?

- Zhu... - Mr. Mei.

- Mr. Mei. - Zhuyu!

I'm leaving.

Zhuyu, I can hardly believe it.

How did you do that just now?

have you considered joining us?

Come here.

Why didn't you call me over?

My Lord, I've obtained the Qilin Horn Resin.

Help! Help!

Kid, you'd better not meddle in this.

Leave!

Sir, if you save me,

I, Pei Jiya from Kun, will be at your service!

Let's run!

[To My Rescuer]

Blood as the guide, heed my command.

He can draw talismans,

and his techniques are similar to my rescuer's.

Is Mei Zhuyu also connected to Changxi Palace?

Demonic creatures

deserve to be eradicated.

But I won't kill you.

I know that at the Incense Contest,

you didn't intentionally harm innocent people.

You chose An Biluo to intimidate the crowd

and stop them from slaughtering living beings

for their own selfish gains.

He has committed numerous crimes.

The law will deliver the punishment he deserves.

Fear will haunt him every night.

But you,

your hatred runs deep.

Are you really going to feed on resentment

for all eternity?

The stars of the Supreme Mystery Platform,

adapting to changes without form.

The mirror of stellar wisdom,

pacifying the six spirits.

Disperse.

It's you.

Did... Did An Biluo do all this?

Yes.

For his own selfish desires,

he harmed so many lives.

It's truly...

Why are you here?

I recalled what An Biluo said while possessed

and followed the clues here.

This is where he stayed two months ago.

I guess it's related to the Incense Contest,

so I came to investigate.

Me too.

It's a pity

only these remains are left.

That's not true.

Upon hearing about the incident at the Incense Contest,

Her Majesty was furious.

She intended to issue an order to permanently ban the Incense Contest.

Consort Mei and Princess Yuanzhen persuaded her for a long time

before she changed her mind.

The Incense Contest is a grand event for the people.

It shouldn't be completely denied

just because of An Biluo.

Therefore, His Majesty has decreed

that from now on,

no incense made from ingredients

obtained through animal cruelty may be used in the contest.

Extravagance is also prohibited.

Piority should be given to incenses that are affordable for common people.

An Biluo has been struck off the list of the contest's participants.

It's said that when he left the city today, no one saw him off,

and a crowd chased him, throwing vegetable leaves at him.

If this incident

can put an end to the extravagant trend

among the young noblemen in the city

who splurge on incenses, valuing expense over quality,

it will be a good thing.

You and Her Majesty are of the same mind.

Her Majesty is worried about you.

She asks that you visit the palace in the next couple of days.

I see.

What should I name you?

A goose?

Goosey, goosey, goosey.

Goosey, goosey, goosey,

craning your neck, singing to the sky.

White feathers on emerald waters,

red feet rippling the clear waves.

Zhen,

your literary skills have declined quite a bit.

Should I get you a copy of the "Three-Character Classic"

in a few days?

Mind your own business.

When did you get here?

When you were reciting the goose poem.

Ms. Wu, are you naming that goose?

Naming the goose?

What, are you erecting a memorial for it

when it's time for soup?

Watch your tongue.

You're scaring my gosling.

Your son?

Gosling.

That's its name.

From now on, you are my gosling.

Your son?

Guess who I am!

Can't see me, can you?

Still can't see me?

Still invisible, right?

This is a new item

I acquired during my travels.

A master of sorcery.

specially sold me this invisible cloak.

Do you really think this has anything to do with sorcery?

Let's not discuss that for now.

You...

I've only been traveling for three months,

and I'm already a grandfather?

That was fast.

You.

You.

And you.

Whose is this?

Uncle.

Mr. Wu.

Mr. Wu, I, Mei Zhuyu, pay my respects.

Good.

Those I see often,

those I haven't seen in ages,

and

those I'm meeting for the first time.

Good.

If you hadn't come back,

I'd have thought I no longer had a father.

I just heard

that two gentlemen are staying at our place.

The rumors

are swirling all over Chang'an.

Everyone is placing bets.

I'm deeply concerned.

So you came back just to enjoy the drama.

No, I was just worried about you, sweetie.

So,

well,

which of these two is my future son-in-law?

Father, which one do you prefer?

Me?

It's hard to choose.

Hard to choose?

Well, hold your grandson.

Zhen.

Mr. Mei,

what are your feelings about Zhen...

Uncle,

Mr. Mei is staying at the mansion because of me.

And I have come to Chang'an

to propose to Zhen.

Hope you'll grant your permission.

Zhen.

Are you going to ask about Liu Taizhen?

What exactly happened to Ms. Liu?

Why were you the one who went to the Incense Contest?

I thought

I'd have a chance to see her that day.

Why are you so anxious to ask about her?

I've been copying the Chronicles of the Uncanny lately.

I wanted to finish it and show it to her first.

Mr. Ling invited me to attend

the Incense Contest that day.

As for Liu Taizhen...

She's sick.

Sick?

What's wrong with her?

Is it serious?

Could she die? Has she seen a physician?

Calm down.

She's fine.

She's just not in Chang'an.

She...

She'll be back in about three days.

In three days?

You unscrupulous cultivator.

You actually use dark arts to drain the essence of that rabbit demon.

Looks like another prey has come knocking.

Make it quick. Don't meddle in others' affairs.

Just asking about someone,

and you're this impatient.

- My Lord, what should we do now? - My Lord, what should we do now?

Forget it.

After all, my rescuer taught me magic

to make me stronger.

Since he's in a hurry,

let's attend to his matters first.

[Mei Mansion]

How can this be? It doesn't make sense.

She seemed perfectly fine.

What are you muttering about?

Your pacing

is making me dizzy.

Ms. Liu didn't attend the Incense Contest.

So what?

She looked perfectly healthy.

How could she suddenly fall ill?

You mortals have short lifespans.

Falling ill is quite normal.

Do you demons

occupy someone's home?

Demons have their own affairs to attend to.

Why would we bother going to mortal homes for no reason?

But you're in my home right now.

I'm here to recover from my injuries.

It's a special circumstance. Understand?

Fine, fine.

So, under special circumstances,

you would occupy someone's home.

Of course.

Listen,

I saw a huge white snake at Ms. Liu's place.

A white snake?

As thick as a bucket and three or four zhang tall.

A white snake that huge

must be a demon.

Do you think Ms. Liu

fell ill because of

that white snake demon?

Well,

only seeing it would tell.

Are you saying

the Zhuan Fish demon from the hot springs

and the little demons from Massage Parlor

are competing for business?

I've heard that your place has been quite lively recently.

You haven't even had time to come to the Demon Market.

There are some matters I don't know how to handle.

I want you to take a look.

There are things even you can't handle?

I thought you were incredibly clever

and capable of anything, Mr. Shu.

Wait.

I feel like Huzhu mentioned

this matter to me before.

Seems like it happened a long time ago.

Perhaps

they're arguing again.

These are the account books for the hot springs

and the Massage Parlor.

Look them over with me.

Let's see where the problem lies.

I hate looking at account books.

Arithmetic give me a headache.

[Liu Mansion]

It's this late already, and she still isn't back.

Loach, you...

Hey, what are you doing?

Since she won't be back for a while

and they won't let you into the mansion,

why are you still waiting?

Why not take me out to explore?

I've been stuck at your place for so long.

I'm bored.

Where do you want to go?

Somewhere with food.

You?

You're not even as big as a pancake. What are you going to eat?

No!

I... I'll take you there.

I'll take you to eat.

Eat.

Chang'an

isn't just full of local delicacies.

It also has rare flavors from the Western Regions

and the Southern Borders.

Up ahead, there's lamb stew and sliced ox intestine.

Of course, there's also my favorite puff pastry.

This place serves excellent chicken in wine sauce.

Hey, you...

Take care.

Wait, you...

Take care.

Where did this loach come from?

Well...

Sir,

I'll take this one.

I just saw a loach climb onto it.

Let me get you another one.

I want this one.

Alright then.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Take care.

Are you alright?

He hit me on the head.

He actually hit me on the head with a colander!

Count yourself lucky.

Didn't you see he had a knife?

What kind of shop is this?

Why is it so dark?

This is an ink house.

They sell ink.

This isn't to my taste.

It's not for eating.

It's for painting.

Painting?

I get it.

This black ink is specially for painting me, right?

They couldn't capture my heroic demeanor anyway.

I've run out of ink at home.

I came to buy some good quality ones.

Sir.

In a minute.

Mei Si, long time no see.

I need some high-quality styrax ink.

What unfortunate timing.

A wealthy customer came by a couple of days ago

and bought up all our finest ink.

All of it?

Yes.

Normally, we don't sell even a single liang in months.

But this time, it was all bought up.

I regret not stocking more.

But I urgently need ink.

Wait a moment.

Mei Si, if you're interested, why not try this?

It's consigned here by someone else.

Look.

Rich texture, glossy as lacquer.

This is definitely top quality.

Top quality?

Absolutely.

Better than styrax ink?

I'll take it.

Alright.

Thank you, sir.

Take care, Mei Si.

Qiangyijun.

I finally have a moment with her today.

You're just a wisp of its remnant soul.

Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself showed up,

I wouldn't allow anyone to disturb us!

♪Blossoms drift, and the world grows pale♪

♪Memory brews a bitter tale♪

♪Vows of forever fade in the breeze♪

♪Without you, all fades into nothing♪

♪Past joys and sorrows tangle in dreams♪

♪The deepest pain is parting's gleam♪

♪A lifetime vowed to share with you♪

♪Yet still beyond my reach, it flew♪

♪Petals drift, then fade from sight♪

♪How is falling for love not right?♪

♪Moonlight chills the breath I keep♪

♪I hold you close, but silence runs deep♪

♪Petals drift, then fade from sight♪

♪How is falling for love not right?♪

♪Your glance flickers, memories bloom♪

♪How can I find you through the gloom?♪

♪What hope survives beyond the doom?♪