Original subtitles

What?

Han Hongzhi is actually this despicable.

I really underestimated the Han family.

It seems that what I said last time

they didn't listen to.

Let's enter the palace.

Um,

sorry about this.

Because I offended the Han family,

this Tea House

probably can't open for a while.

But don't worry,

I'll definitely help you find another way.

I'll help you earn your money back.

I'm the one who should apologize.

I promised to help you with this matter.

Then let's call it even.

This isn't your fault.

The Tea House has always operated properly.

There's nothing wrong with that.

It's all because of those overbearing noble families.

They're the ones who should apologize.

Exactly.

I was just running my business honestly.

How did I end up offending them?

Not only did they ruin my business, they also made me a cuckold.

A cuckold?

Yeah, my wife from the Su family, whom I married into,

got together with Han Hongzhi.

How could I, Xiao Ning, put up with that?

I just divorced her right away.

So, does that mean you...

Don't look at me like that.

I'm not sad at all.

I just can't swallow this anger.

The Han family is very powerful.

In Dajing, everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation

is influenced by them in every industry.

Even His Majesty can't touch them easily.

So it's because the emperor is incompetent

that those noble families can do whatever they want.

How dare you!

Why are you getting so worked up?

I wasn't talking about you.

I just think

no matter what, you can't be disrespectful to His Majesty.

The noble families hold too much power.

His Majesty has his own difficulties he can't speak of.

It's not something

I could possibly know.

So those noble families are just pretending to obey.

It's not easy being the emperor.

As long as you understand.

You don't need to worry about the Han family.

I, Jiang Yun, will definitely deal with them

so they won't dare

to even think about messing with the Tea Pavilion again.

Don't rush.

I didn't plan for you to take the lead this time.

Do you not trust me?

If I didn't trust you, would I tell you all this?

The Tea Pavilion is drawing too much attention right now.

Not only does the Su family want it,

even the Wei family,

the Han family, and even the Huang and Lin families

all want to take over the Tea Pavilion.

That's why Han Hongzhi sealed off the Tea Pavilion.

To some extent, I allowed it.

Since those noble families dare to cover the sky with one hand,

then I, Xiao Ning, will overturn that hand.

I don't fully understand everything you're saying,

but I'm willing to stand with you

and defeat them completely.

But in this business war,

we should also target the foundation.

Strike at the base.

Hit the snake at its vital spot.

The only thing I don't know is

what the Han family's most important pillar industry

actually is.

The Han family's pillar...

I know it now.

Qingfeng.

Yes.

This is the Han family's most important business.

Liquor.

Yes.

The Han family was the first to earn money through brewing.

Then, in every county of Dajing,

they took over hundreds of taverns.

Step by step, they became the leading noble family.

But wineries, taverns, and restaurants—

anyone can open them.

So why is the Han family the only dominant one?

Not to mention Yan Lingluo,

who buys large amounts of grain every year to brew liquor.

Their annual income is quite substantial.

Just a few years ago,

the Han family had already secured the brewing rights

firmly in their hands.

Although anyone can open a tavern,

the liquor itself is not easy to obtain.

Even the liquor sold at my Yuxian Tavern

is supplied by the Han family.

That horse stance is really solid.

Not only does the brewing right belong solely to the Han family,

but brewing liquor is not like roasting tea.

The process is extremely complicated.

It might take several months,

or even years to produce a batch.

I wonder if—

Xiao Ning.

What are you doing?

Uh—

Sorry, I couldn't hold back.

This liquor tastes terrible!

What?

This was bought at the Han family's Wangjiang Tavern,

the top-grade Jinjiang brew.

How could it taste bad?

Are you saying

this is already the best liquor in Shangdu?

Not just in Shangdu—

this is the best liquor in all of Dajing!

I almost forgot.

There's no distillation technology in ancient times.

They just ferment the grains directly.

No wonder it tastes like kitchen waste.

Jiang Yun.

I've thought of a way to deal with the Han family.

Give me a few months.

I'll let the people of Dajing

experience the impact of a new kind of baijiu.

By the way, I have one more thing.

What is it?

Can I stay here for one night?

I've divorced the Su family.

I definitely can't stay at the Su family's place.

If I go home, it'll just worry my father.

Don't worry.

I definitely won't disturb you.

I never stay overnight here.

Suit yourself.

That's good, then.

Not bad.

So early in the morning,

Yuxian Restaurant even serves breakfast?

Coming.

Coming.

You brat.

They all said you were kicked out by the Su family.

I didn't believe it.

But it looks like it's true.

Don't you run away from me.

Get over here.

I got divorced.

You good-for-nothing.

It wasn't easy for me to find you

a wife who's both talented and beautiful.

You tore up the marriage contract just because of an argument.

She never liked me in the first place.

And I don't have any feelings for her either.

Did you bring this for me?

I was just worried you’d get kicked out by the Su family.

What if you got hungry and had nothing to eat?

Dad, don't worry.

From now on, we won't go hungry.

I've got a big business plan ready.

Come on, let's go home and do something big.

Let's go.

Slow down, slow down.

That smells amazing.

Dad, come here, quick!

Is this wine?

I've never smelled wine this fragrant before.

This is my secret to making money.

Here, have a taste.

What's wrong?

Son.

Illegally using grain to brew alcohol

is a serious crime in our territory.

You must never do this again.

Father, don't worry.

This liquor wasn't made from grain.

I bought some rice wine

and distilled it.

It doesn't break our territory's laws.

Distillation?

How is it?

Good liquor.

Put everything away.

The inn's guest rooms are all ready.

Innkeeper.

Young Master Xiao, do you have any requests?

Bring me ten more jars of Jinjiang wine.

Ten jars?

Young Master Xiao,

just a couple of days ago,

didn't you already order twenty jars of wine?

I haven't heard about this.

Is there a celebration at the Xiao residence lately?

Or maybe he's just drinking to drown his sorrows.

Miss Han.

You Han family still have the nerve to talk?

If it weren't for your Han family,

I...

All who come are guests.

Innkeeper.

Quickly prepare good food and wine.

I want to give Young Master Xiao a proper welcome.

Yes.

Last time it was tying up, this time it's sealing off.

It seems Miss Han

is determined to get my Tea Pavilion.

What happened last time was Hong's recklessness.

If there has been any misunderstanding in all this,

Ling Luo,

apologize to the young master.

The arm can't twist the thigh.

Your Han family is powerful and influential.

Isn't it always whatever you say goes?

After all, the Tea Pavilion is the young master's hard work.

It would be a shame to keep it sealed off like this.

Last time, the young master said

there are other owners of the Tea Pavilion.

I suppose Owner Jiang is also aware of this.

So, what does the young master plan to do?

What plans could I possibly have?

People like Jiang Yun and me are just ordinary folks.

All we can do is resist stubbornly.

At worst, I'll just sell the Tea Pavilion.

Then no one will get it.

Xiao Ning still doesn't know Her Highness the Princess's identity.

In that case, this business will be much easier to discuss.

Young master, you really misunderstood.

Our Han family only wants

to use tea shops across the region

to help you sell your tea.

We just want to earn some commission from it.

We don't want a share of the Tea Pavilion's profits.

You want to be the sole agent for the Tea Pavilion.

With our Han family involved in the Tea Pavilion business,

whether it's the Court of Justice or other noble families,

they'll all have to show us some respect.

This woman is truly skillful.

But her timing is perfect.

I'm a businessman.

As long as there's money to be made, that's enough.

But if you want to be the sole agent,

you'll have to offer something in return.

What do you have in mind, sir?

Doesn't the Han family own a lot of restaurants?

I want to use your channels to sell some alcoholic beverages.

Sell alcohol?