Original subtitles

You don't need to call me Miss Han anymore.

You can see me as

a spy hidden within the Han family.

What?

I was originally the legitimate daughter of the Yan merchant family from Jiangnan.

Han Wuguo wanted to seize my family's business.

He sent people to murder my father and elder brother.

He thought I didn't know.

He even valued my business skills.

He pretended to save me and took me into his household.

All these years,

I've worked desperately to manage business for the Han family.

It was all to gain Han Wuguo's trust.

Only then could I obtain

evidence of their collusion, corruption,

and crimes of greed and murder.

You...

How could you give something so important

to me?

The Han family has deep roots.

I'm afraid even if I risk everything,

I still couldn't shake them at all.

But you're different.

You always do astonishing things.

You're smarter than ordinary people.

I guess you spent so much money

to start a newspaper

just to deal with the powerful families.

Aren't you afraid you've trusted the wrong person?

I'm not afraid.

My confidence in you

is probably greater than my trust in myself.

Such national policies

are far superior to those of Grand Tutor Qian of the Imperial Academy

by several times.

Your Majesty,

these essays were all written by students from humble backgrounds

and submitted through the Shangdu Daily.

Xiao Ning's newspaper has achieved such remarkable results.

Summon those students from humble families.

I wish to meet them in person.

This...

If Your Majesty summons them at this time,

it may arouse the suspicion

and vigilance of the major noble families.

Young Master Xiao said that when the time is right,

he will bring all the talented scholars

before Your Majesty.

Still waiting for the right time?

The three-month deadline is almost up.

Minister, are you trying to help Xiao Ning delay things?

I would never dare to do so.

Young Master Xiao has great foresight.

Please trust him this once, Your Majesty.

Enough, you may withdraw for now.

Boss

Throughout the entire region

we've collected so much news and so many articles

when are we actually going to publish them?

Now, people running teahouses everywhere

are all working on newspapers

and not doing business anymore

If this goes on, we'll be bankrupt in a few days

Wait for Lord Zhang

It should be today

Young Master Xiao, Young Master Xiao

I'm here

Lord Zhang, how did it go?

Young Master Xiao

His Majesty has already read all the submitted articles

He has gone through all of them

He couldn't stop praising them

The talented scholars from humble backgrounds on the list

finally have a chance to enter officialdom

That's wonderful

We've finally waited for this day

Tomorrow, I'll publish ten articles

I'll show you all

what it means to be unable to stop gossiping

Tell Xiao Ning

I trust him this time

Your Majesty is wise

Well caught.

Corrupt official.

Well caught.

So many corrupt officials have been exposed lately.

They should be thrown into the death cell.

His Majesty is wise.

With the Shangdu Daily,

we common people

can finally see the true face of these noble families.

That's right.

These corrupt officials

deserve to be caught.

They'll be beheaded tomorrow.

Just look at the things they've done.

Good.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Be a good official.

I say, you all saw it, right?

The article published in the Shangdu Daily,

can really be seen by His Majesty.

This is a great opportunity

for us students from humble backgrounds to enter officialdom.

Young Master Han, be careful.

Alright, alright.

You sure know how to talk.

Look.

That must be Young Master Han from the Prime Minister's residence.

That day, I

That day, I was passing by

and I saw him at the entrance.

Really?

I think you were there too.

Young master, you have returned.

Did you have an enjoyable night?

Every night is filled with music and beautiful company.

This is the life I deserve.

Young master.

Miss Hua Qianqian is free tomorrow night.

Will you go again?

Of course I will.

Qianqian not only composes poetry,

she also knows how to comfort and care for people.

Compared to that aloof Su Xueyan,

she is so much better.

Hongzhi.

I really don't know

you actually see me this way.

Why are you here?

If I hadn't come,

I'm afraid I'd never see your true nature in this lifetime.

It's another one of Xiao Ning's newspapers.

How did he know I went to the brothel?

Who leaked the information?

It definitely wasn't me, young master.

I didn't expect

the person I thought was as pure as the bright moon

would be so debauched and depraved.

From now on, I have nothing to do with you.

Su Xueyan,

if it weren't for dealing with Xiao Ning,

why would I ever be interested in the daughter of a third-rate merchant?

Now the Su family's business is nearly gone.

If you want the Su family to survive,

then obediently become my concubine.

Do you understand?

Dealing with Xiao Ning—

So from the very beginning, you only ever saw me

as a tool to be used.

Otherwise, what do you think you are?

If you obediently submit to me,

I can still let you keep some dignity.

Otherwise,

Even if I die, I will never submit to you.

Wretch!

Seize her for me!

Remove the official positions of the noble families

Promote people from humble backgrounds into government

They even dare to slander the Han family’s reputation

This Xiao Ning is simply reckless and audacious

Father

Today’s Shangdu Daily

published ten issues in a single day

His Majesty and Xiao Ning

are trying to make all the people of Dajing

believe that the noble families are losing power

If this continues

our noble families will be completely eroded

and will never rise again

I still say the same thing

Dajing

still belongs to the noble families

It has been this way for hundreds of years

Even His Majesty

cannot stand above the noble families

Father

Go

and summon all the heads of the powerful noble families

Bring them all to me

I want His Majesty

to bow to us

and submit

At such a late hour

What are you all doing here, sirs?

We have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty

Prime Minister

His Majesty is already resting

Prime Minister

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

I, Han Wuguo, together with all court officials of second rank and above in Dajing

request an audience with Your Majesty

Minister Han, what is the meaning of this?

There was no memorial to present at the morning court.

Yet now you bring so many officials

to surround my imperial study.

Are you planning to rebel?

Your Majesty,

we have no intention of offending you.

We are merely concerned about the stability of our nation.

That is why we have taken the liberty to request an audience.

Han Wuguo,

explain this to me clearly.

Your Majesty,

Recently, public opinion in our country has been in turmoil.

The Shangdu Daily, founded by Xiao Ning,

has been recklessly spreading news about court affairs and beyond.

This has caused widespread panic among the people.

And the matter of the marriage alliance with Beicang

has been delayed for several months.

If we do not send an envoy soon,

I fear war may break out.

Your Majesty,

In your opinion, what should be done?

Your Majesty,

I believe that, externally, the princess should

be sent to Beicang for a political marriage immediately,

to prevent the outbreak of war.

Internally, a department for commercial affairs should be established,

to oversee all major commercial activities.

This is to guard against cunning people like Xiao Ning,

who might undermine the foundations of our noble families,

and threaten the stability of our nation.

Furthermore,

the Shangdu Daily

has been spreading false information through public opinion,

and should be banned.

I am aware of what you have reported, Minister Han.

I will make a decision after careful consideration.

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty,

The estates of our noble families are already in grave danger.

If we delay any longer,

we may not even be able to collect any taxes.

Your Majesty,

Indeed, Your Majesty.

Beicang has had troops stationed for a long time.

If we do not make a decision soon,

we may regret it when it is too late.

Are you all trying to force me?

Your Majesty,

All our actions are for the sake of our nation.

We hope Your Majesty will see this clearly.

Please see this clearly, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty need not worry.

I have solutions

for everything.

Father Emperor.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Xiao Ning.