Original subtitles

=Royal Upstart 2= (Based on "Zhenguan Foolish Son-in-Law")

=Episode 13=

(Mother-in-Law Is Better Than Father-in-Law)

So that is the inner palace.

Father-in-law,

you have your three thousand beauties hidden there?

When did I ever have three thousand in the inner palace?

Who said that?

Everyone says so.

Remember this.

I do not.

Do not put words in my mouth.

If you do not believe it, ask Ning'an.

What Father says is true.

All the consorts in the inner palace together

amount to only about thirty.

That is still quite a lot.

If you ask me, this palace is just too big.

Even visiting between family takes forever.

One day,

I will redesign the whole place.

Make it multi-level.

More convenient.

You can design residences?

Of course.

If I design my own estate,

it will absolutely impress you.

Then you should give it a try.

Let me see if you are just boasting.

Father,

what about those impeachment memorials?

What else?

We deal with them.

That can be done,

but

you will need to stay in the Ministry of Justice Prison for a few days.

Is that acceptable?

Father-in-law.

Father.

You are not setting me up, are you?

Do you not trust me?

Go stay in the Ministry of Justice Prison for a few days.

I will investigate and deal with a few officials.

As for the workshop, you can rest assured.

Who would dare compete with the Imperial Family?

Do they have a death wish?

Also,

for now,

do not tell anyone I am your father-in-law.

Otherwise,

it will be harder to deal with them.

Father-in-law,

can you not do this another way?

You are familiar with the Ministry of Justice.

Last time I saw you with the jailers,

you got along quite well.

If I send you somewhere else,

I worry you would not be used to it.

How many days?

Tell me first.

At most ten days.

It will not take that long.

Go back and inform your family.

There is nothing to worry about.

Alright.

But the prison is too cold.

I need to bring some things.

It would be best

if I had a separate space.

I want to bring some tools with me.

What tools?

Books,

writing materials, things like that.

What for?

You plan to do accounts in prison?

Of course.

Look,

the glaze workshop

produces one kiln every five days.

Each kiln is worth forty thousand guan.

In two months, that is four hundred eighty thousand guan.

We split it evenly.

And there is also

the business from Juxian Restaurant.

That is a lot of money.

So much money,

how do you plan to spend it?

Spend it?

I have not even thought about it.

I have not received any money yet.

Father-in-law,

ask her.

Up to now, I have not received a single wen.

It is almost the New Year. I should at least get my share.

He has not been given a single wen?

Exactly.

I have not even recovered my initial investment.

(This boy has truly given up)

(a lot for Ning'an.)

When the Chinese New Year comes,

you will definitely get your share.

Alright.

However,

Wei Hao,

since

you call me father-in-law,

I must remind you of something.

Hmm...

Think about it.

From just one glaze workshop,

you are already earning this much.

As long as I am still here,

I can help you keep it safe.

But if I am gone,

when the Crown Prince ascends the throne,

or the next emperor after him,

whether you can still keep this wealth

is uncertain.

Father,

why say such ominous things?

What I mean

is,

having too much money

is not necessarily a good thing.

It is not that

I have set my sights on your wealth.

Remember this,

a small favor brings gratitude,

but too much breeds resentment.

Do you understand?

Right now,

if I choose not to give you your share,

there is nothing you can do about it.

But future emperors may feel

this harms the dignity of the Imperial Family.

When that time comes,

it could become a disaster instead.

(I did not expect)

(that he would speak so frankly to me.)

Father-in-law,

then what do you suggest?

Keep one share

for yourself.

Sell the remaining four shares

to the Imperial Family.

I

will not pay you in silver.

Instead, I will grant you an imperial estate,

covering over twenty thousand mu,

along with many residences.

Its value should be around one hundred seventy to one hundred eighty thousand guan.

In exchange for your four shares.

What do you say?

Alright.

No problem.

I could not hold on to that much wealth alone anyway.

(Handing it to the Imperial Family is at least safe.)

Also,

have your family

arrange your coming-of-age ceremony as soon as possible.

After that,

enter the palace to take up a post.

A post?

Like Cheng Chuchi?

Can I not get up that early?

I do not want to be an official.

Do not even think about it.

I am telling you,

from now on,

you will be the one opening the gates

for court at Ganlu Palace.

No one else.

I...

And you still dare say I am unreasonable?

Talking nonsense.

I...

Help me talk to Father-in-law.

I do not want to be an official.

Mother-in-law, greetings.

Mother-in-law?

Wei the Fool!

Father-in-law has already agreed to my marriage with Ning'an.

I did not agree to that.

You were the one insisting on calling me that.

Alright.

Mother-in-law.

I came in a hurry this time,

so I did not bring anything.

I did not know I would be visiting you.

Please do not take offense.

Next time I come,

I will definitely bring you a gift.

I promise you will like it.

It is enough that you have the thought.

Mother-in-law,

you look truly young.

If I did not know you were the Empress,

I would never believe

you are Ning'an's mother.

You look more like

her elder sister.

So youthful.

Is that so?

(This boy has an excellent appearance,)

(and great ability as well.)

(Not bad.)

Wei Hao,

you are the only son in your family,

with eight elder sisters?

Yes.

I am the only son.

Five generations of a single heir.

All eight of my sisters are married off.

They are not in the capital and rarely return during the year.

My father went to Bashu

to visit relatives for over half a year,

and he has not even returned after my title was granted.

But I heard they will come back for the Chinese New Year.

Since I have been granted a title,

my sisters all want to come back to see me.

Very good.

(He is an honest child.)

You will dine here at Fengluan Palace today.

The dishes in the palace may not compare to those at Juxian Restaurant,

so I have

put effort into selecting

the finest ingredients.

Mother-in-law, you are too kind.

In that case,

tomorrow I will have the palace chefs

come to Juxian Restaurant to learn.

Aside from the current dishes,

I will also provide the recipe

for the roast pigeon we are about to introduce.

With more practice, they will master it naturally.

I have long heard the officials speak

of how delicious the food at Juxian Restaurant is,

yet I have never tasted it myself.

Have my wife bring some for you.

Or you could come dine with Mother-in-law.

That sounds wonderful.

Hao has a thoughtful heart.

Mother.

How could I let you

miss out on the food from my Juxian Restaurant?

Good.

Let us go dine.

Mother-in-law, please.

(Still calling himself son-in-law.)

(This fool only knows how to please the Empress.)

(I want to eat it too, yet I have to come here to share a meal.)

(Does he even take me, his father-in-law, seriously?)

Hao.

You are back.

Well, how did it go?

Nothing much.

But you, I told you it was in the morning.

You dragged me up so early,

I ended up waiting there for ages.

If I had not waited that long, I would have been back sooner.

Is that so?

Well,

morning is early, is it not?

You have not eaten all day.

You must be hungry.

I have eaten.

Already ate.

His Majesty had a meal prepared?

No, not really a banquet.

Just a simple meal.

That is great.

It shows His Majesty values you.

Do you know who Ning'an is?

A princess.

The Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess?

Princess Baoqing?

Then...

You and her...

You two are really...

Of course.

I told you before it was real.

You did not believe me, you even hit me.

Now I already call His Majesty father-in-law

and the Empress mother-in-law.

Hao,

you must not lie to me about this.

I will take it seriously.

Of course it is real.

You will see soon enough.

Soon?

Why?

Because I am going to prison.

For a few days.

What?

Prison?

I knew it. You brat, you must have caused trouble again.

Do not act rashly.

Listen to me.

Let me explain.

You just met His Majesty and now you are going to prison.

What is there to explain?

You think this is a joke?

I am going to help His Majesty deal with those great clans.

His Majesty said it himself.

Is that really so?

Of course.

Otherwise, why am I still here now?

Why would I wait until tomorrow?

How could I know in advance that I would be going in tomorrow?

Think about it.

True?

It is true.

By the way, Aunt, help me prepare some things.

I need to set up the cell a bit.

Father-in-law already agreed.

I can set up the cell.

He gave me a partitioned space.

Prepare a table,

a couch,

bedding,

and some books.

Set me up with writing materials, all of it.

And some snacks,

and things I usually like.

Just get them ready.

Are you going to prison or going to enjoy yourself?

That is not your concern.

Just prepare them for me.

Also, Aunt,

do not tell anyone about me and Ning'an.

His Majesty plans to use this opportunity

to deal with those great clans.

If you say anything,

not only would my time in prison be wasted,

His Majesty would also blame me for mishandling things.

(Juxian Restaurant)

This is Father's fault.

Without you,

there would be no glaze workshop at all.

It is nothing.

Besides the glaze workshop,

I can set up many others.

It just is not necessary.

No need to complicate things.

Earning a comfortable living is enough.

But this workshop

was built by you alone.

I did nothing.

I only put in some money.

You were not short on money back then.

You let me invest

because you wanted to help me.

And now,

Father has taken everything.

You are left with only one share.

It is fine.

Even if we had that wealth, we could not keep it.

Think about it.

Earning hundreds of thousands of guan a year,

could we really hold on to that?

Father-in-law is right.

Right now he favors you, but what about the next emperor?

Will he still favor you?

My brother dotes on me too.

He even

secretly borrows money from me.

You silly girl,

you still do not understand what I mean.

Forget it.

When we get married,

just assign me a few maid attendants.

You fool.

Are you asking for trouble?

Take your time eating.

I am off to prison.

It is cold in there.

You rogue,

bring more blankets.

What are you laughing at?

Keep laughing,

and I will have you all sent over as his attendants.

If we become his attendants,

then Your Highness,

would you not become the proper wife?

Stop laughing.

Eat up.

Mister Wang.

Add some soup.

Young Master,

this is for you.

(Hand warmer) Follow this design and make me a stove.

What is it for?

Just make it first.

It is hard to explain right now.

I am heading to prison.

Alright.

Take care.

(Ministry of Justice Prison)

Handle it carefully.

Thank you for your effort.

Lord Wei.

Another fight?

No fight.

Just got into a bit of trouble.

Nothing serious.

I will be out in ten days or so.

You really are one of a kind.

Bringing all this to prison.

My Lord,

this spot

is the best cell here.

Dry, well ventilated,

and even gets a bit of sunlight.

We even set up this curtain for you.

How is it?

Satisfied?

Not bad.

From now on, this cell is mine.

No one else is to stay here.

Unless you ask me first,

and I agree.

If I am not here,

leave it empty for me.

Have someone come clean it regularly.

Remember that.

My Lord,

this is a prison,

not your home.

Are you trying

to reserve a room here?

I would rather not.

If you ask me,

just stop getting into trouble.

Look around.

Here.

This really is not a good place.

Where is the table I asked for?

Put it in the middle.

Quick.

The table.

Here.

Perfect.

(Hao has done well.)

(Even in prison, he makes something of it.)

Aunt,

you are here.

Come, set it up.

Let us all eat together.

Quick, quick.

Aunt,

did you bring wine for the brothers?

No.

You have not had your coming-of-age yet.

You cannot drink.

That is right, My Lord.

We cannot drink either.

We are

on duty.

Another day,

when we go to Juxian Restaurant,

you can treat us to drinks then.

That works.

Then,

let us eat.

Together.

Thank you, My Lord.

Come on.

Everyone, come.

Smells great.

- Smells great. - Smells great.

This braised pork,

rich but not greasy.

The shrimp is good too.

- Let me try. - Let me try.

So fragrant.

Who is this?

Here to serve time?

♪Everyone says I'm a big silly fool♪

♪When things happen, I only know how to count on my fingers♪

♪They shake their heads and say I'm pitiful♪

♪Sigh and walk away♪

♪Little do they know, I am sharp and bright♪

♪With a heart like a mirror, I understand the world's♪

♪Colors and darkness♪

♪But I keep my edge hidden♪

♪The day I become famous is just around the corner♪

♪In the hotpot restaurant, skewers boil in the broth♪

♪People come and go, with few worries or troubles♪

♪The clacking of the abacus rings out♪

♪See me differently. Who dares to challenge me?♪

♪The world mistakes me♪

♪For an ignorant and stubborn fool♪

♪As the storm approaches♪

♪I just shrug and watch with a smile♪

♪This foolish image is convenient♪

♪I use it as a protective shield♪

♪Navigating with ease, I attract♪

♪A lucky star to accompany me♪

♪In a peaceful golden age♪

♪I hold my lady's hand to watch the world♪

♪Pouring youth and fireworks♪

♪Into a precious glazed cup♪

♪Having experienced life's changes♪

♪And tasted its highs and lows♪

♪My wish has finally come true♪

♪To stay by your side♪

♪In this fleeting world♪

♪We are free and happy♪

♪From a nobody♪

♪To someone now famous♪

♪Ordinary people laugh at me♪

♪But I laugh at how they cannot see through it all♪

♪Let others plot and scheme♪

♪I will keep my heart unchanged♪

♪In this vast world♪

♪I find my own leisurely freedom♪

♪The world is bustling, and things constantly change♪

♪Everything ends eventually♪

♪All that remains before my eyes♪

♪Is this street wandering, still tinged with pity♪

♪No matter how time flies♪

♪Even if the falling snow♪

♪Dyes the hair at our temples white♪

♪All I want now♪

♪Is to pray for my lady's peace and safety♪

♪Year after year♪