Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 16]

Miss Li Zhen.

Lord Yan has a letter for you.

The medicinal ink treatment might be worth a try,

but the key to this matter

is Xianglan's consent.

Whether my daughter can be persuaded to agree

is up to you, Miss Li Zhen.

What do you think, Miss Li Zhen?

Please lead the way.

This way, please.

Miss Yan.

Using petals as decoration,

though the wound hasn't healed yet,

it looks beautiful.

Man.

My Lady, look.

How is it?

How did you come up with this idea?

I heard that

once in ancient times,

an emperor's concubine

accidentally hit her cheek against a crystal screen,

leaving a rather large scar.

Unexpectedly, after the emperor saw it,

he thought the scar enhanced the concubine's beauty.

So, the women in the palace followed suit,

smearing cinnabar and rouge on their cheeks

to imitate the look of a scar or bloodstain,

creating a unique charm.

Later, people named

this makeup technique "Slanted Red."

What you have today, Miss Yan,

surpasses what "Slanted Red" is!

Exactly.

My Lady's beauty is unmatched in the world.

Right, My Lady?

Don't make fun of me.

Man is right.

Miss Yan.

Don't belittle yourself.

You are very beautiful.

You haven't had a good look around

since you arrived in Huizhou, right?

No.

If you are free today,

shall I take you out for a spin?

Really?

Sure!

Let's go!

All right!

Let's go!

Today is the happiest I've been

since I came to Huizhou.

Even when I was in the Capital,

I have never been this happy.

Li Zhen,

thank you.

If you like it, Miss Yan,

I will take you around more next time.

No one

really wants to spend their whole life

living with a veil.

I recently heard that when you were in the Capital,

you actively sought medical advice.

Why, after coming to Huizhou,

did you refuse to get treated?

If I'm not mistaken,

you did all that

for the sake of Lord Yan,

your father, right?

What are you trying to say?

You are afraid

that your illness will become a burden to him,

and that your father will be deceived by people with ulterior motives.

You are even more afraid that some people,

once they can manipulate your illness,

they can hold it against your father.

Instead of letting him spend too much time on it and worrying,

it's better not to treat it,

right?

Li Zhen,

you are indeed different

from those who flatter

and pander.

I like it.

My illness

cannot be cured.

So I just want

my father to focus,

be a good official,

regain the emperor's favor early,

and return to the Capital.

Have you told your father

this before?

What's the use of saying it?

If there is any chance of a cure,

my father wouldn't let it go.

It will only cause sadness.

Better not to say it.

Miss Yan.

Originally, this time,

I wanted to change your mind.

But after hearing what you just said,

I don't think your condition

can be cured by this ink alone.

As expected.

You think so, too.

The hardest thing to cure in this world

is this.

If the heart cannot be healed,

everything else is in vain.

You and the people who care about you

will still torture each other—

this is the real dead end.

Take this ink stick first.

When you have thought it through,

come find me again.

Xianglan.

I found so many doctors for you,

and you've been through so many treatments,

but they were all to no avail.

The more things like this happen,

the more anxious I get.

I'm afraid that one day,

when I am no longer in this world,

there won't be anyone

guarding you and protecting you like me.

The hardest thing to cure in this world

is this.

If the heart cannot be healed,

everything else is in vain.

You and the people who care about you

will still torture each other—

this is the real dead end.

Man.

Tell Father

to invite

Ms. Li Zhen to our residence tomorrow.

Miss Yan.

Today is the last day of the treatment.

Let's see

if the facial sores have healed.

Are you ready?

Wait a moment.

Lord Yan.

How about you

take off the cloth

for Miss Yan?

Dear.

Don't be afraid.

Zhen, you do it.

Lord Yan, you should do it.

No, you do it.

No, you do it.

You do it.

You do it—

Dear,

let me see your face.

It's healed!

It's healed!

It's healed...

Look,

my daughter's face is healed, isn't it?

Look, dear.

It's healed.

It's healed.

It's healed!

It's healed, Father!

It's healed.

Thank you, Father.

Ms. Li Zhen.

I really don't know how to thank you.

Lord Yan, you're welcome.

It's what I should do.

The healing effect of your Nine-Treasure Ink

is truly remarkable.

Zhen,

thank you!

Don't cry.

If you keep crying,

you won't be pretty anymore.

I'll stop crying.

Thank you!

[Li Jingfu]

Jingfu,

this is the medicinal ink made by Zhen.

Look.

It's even better than what you made back then.

Father,

for the medicinal ink,

Mother took me into the mountains.

She told me a lot

about what happened between you two back then.

I originally thought

you were only focused on making ink

and were clumsy with words—

not one to say anything romantic.

But I didn't expect

that you had already expressed your deep affection

to Mother long ago.

Silly child,

what do you know?

Let me tell you.

Your father was terrible with his words.

If he really knew how to be romantic,

would I complain about him every day?

Mother, do you know

what the Matchmaker Herb I was looking for is?

Who knows what that is?

I asked you several times,

but you just wouldn't tell me.

This is the Matchmaker Herb I was looking for.

Isn't this

the Red Phoenix Variegated Herb

I used for the medicine I applied to your father?

Yes.

Dad clearly knew

it was called Red Phoenix Variegated Herb,

but still called it Matchmaker Herb in his notes.

That's because this little herb

is the matchmaker that witnessed

your meeting.

You're such a fool.

Why didn't you...

tell me these things back then?

Look at you.

Now you don't even have the chance to say it.

Who says there's no chance?

Mother, what Father didn't get to say,

I will say it for him.

What Father didn't finish doing,

I will continue doing it for him.

From now on,

the New Li's Ink Workshop

will be the hope of our family.

I'll work hard to make the ink I want.

I want to support our family

with my own abilities.

I want our family to be

happy.

Jingfu,

look at your daughter.

She's so sweet with her words.

You really should learn from her.

Mother,

this piece of ink was called

Nine-Treasure Ink by the Li family's ancestors.

But since I won't return to the main family,

there's no need to call it by its original name

and cause misunderstandings.

You told me before

that Father used to say

he wanted to use your name

to name a piece of ink he made.

Although Father is no longer here,

the ink I make

is just like the ink Father made.

I will be naming this ink

Fu Jin Ink

to commemorate the love

between you and Father.

Fu Jin Ink.

Jingfu.

Look.

This is the ink

our daughter made for us.

[House of New Li's Ink]

Miss Li Zhen, how is it?

A... A little bit more to the right.

More to the right?

Right, right.

Miss Li Zhen,

is it even now?

No. This needs to be a little higher.

A little higher?

All right.

-How about now? -The flower has to go a little higher.

A little higher?

Like this?

Yes, yes.

Ronghua!

Why are you here?

I brought you some good stuff.

Come in.

How about this?

Yes! Hang it up first.

Ronghua, why did you

carry this all the way here by yourself?

It's so heavy.

Put it down. Let me see.

New Li's Ink Workshop is opening soon.

I was going to send you an invitation later,

and here you are.

This is great.

It's great.

Zhen,

if only one day

I could be like you,

free to do what I want,

how wonderful that would be.

As long as you want to,

you can do it anytime.

Ronghua, my shop is short of hands.

Do you want to come

and help me?

You're daydreaming again.

With my father and brother around,

it's hard for me to even step into this shop.

I brought you a lot of good stuff today.

What is it?

I can't help you out,

but I have prepared everything you need.

Look.

This is an abacus made of agate.

It's not as precious as fragrant rosewood,

but it's durable.

This is what I usually use.

This account book, too.

I had it custom-made.

It's better than those sold on the market.

And this.

I specifically asked my mother

to buy ejiao from Dong'exian.

New Li's Ink Workshop is opening soon.

It'll be tough on you.

You must remember to take care of yourself.

Only when you are healthy,

can everything go smoothly.

This wooden box, too.

You can use it to

keep money and account books.

I got you a lock too. Look.

Ronghua.

Thank you.

If you stand on ceremony with me,

I will get angry.

Of course not.

I will accept all of these!

If any of them break in the future,

I'll have to come find you, my Goddess of Wealth.

If you would like something,

I wouldn't dare disobey.

This is great, Zhen.

Ronghua, I'll show you around.

Here, put it down.

This way.

Okay.

I did it all myself.

This is...

I once said,

once New Li's Ink Workshop is ready,

I will personally visit

to discuss with Master Qi

and invite you to invest in it.

[Contract]

Five hundred taels.

This amount is...

Don't worry, Master Qi.

Let me calculate it for you.

We have hundreds of medicinal inks now.

Even before it is finished,

half of it has already been ordered.

At the price of three taels of silver,

even before the medicinal ink is completely sold out,

you'd already break even.

Moreover, on the opening day,

I have invited Lord Yan to be present.

With him there,

I'm sure I can sell another 100 orders of medicinal ink.

If you're not convinced,

you can ask the other banks in the city.

With my conditions,

I bet no one would refuse.

If you have no objections,

let's talk about the profit distribution.

Miss Li Zhen,

I'll keep this contract

for now.

But if you want those five hundred taels,

you have to meet someone first.

Madam, Miss Li Zhen has arrived.

Miss Li Zhen, please.

Miss Li Zhen, please take a seat.

Miss Li Zhen, do you know who I am?

Cuiqiao Cottage's Madam Wang.

[Madam (Da Gu): a polite way to address ladies in ancient times.]

Everyone in Huizhou knows you.

Opening an ink workshop and becoming a manager at such a young age—

Miss Li Zhen,

you are indeed extraordinary.

Madam Wang, you invited me here

because of Master Qi's

investment in New Li's Ink Workshop, right?

You are straightforward and frank, Miss.

I have one thing to ask.

It's difficult for a woman to tread through the world of business.

Doing ink for Li Ink quietly

could've been a good choice.

Why did you choose the difficult path

of opening your own ink workshop?

Madam Wang, your business reputation resonates throughout the Nine Provinces.

Once upon a time, you must have made the same choice

as I did.

May I ask—

have you ever regretted that choice?

You are indeed quick-witted, Miss.

Have some tea.

Madam, the tea merchants have arrived.

Please go over and appraise the tea.

Since Miss Li Zhen is also here,

why not help

with choosing the tea?

I don't know much about tea.

How could I dare to decide this for Madam Wang?

It doesn't matter. Just follow your heart.

All right then, I shall have a go.

Madam Wang is here.

-Hello, Madam Wang. -Hello, Madam Wang.

Today, Miss Li Zhen will select the tea for me.

All right!

Whose tea is this?

This is West Lake Longjing.

The leaves are yellow-green and glossy

with a strong aroma.

It is the top choice for literati to entertain guests.

This is Dongting Bi Luo Chun—

also known as "Astoundingly Fragrant."

It has a silver-green color,

and overflows with fragrance after brewing.

Junshan Silver Needle.

This is a yellow tea,

with an orange-yellow core.

It's also known as...

That's enough.

I got it.

Thank you.

Miss.

This is Yunnan's Pu'er.

It comes from the same source as a tribute tea.

Pu'er?

Good tea.

Sir, compared to other teas,

this tea of yours is not as refined.

What kind of tea is it?

Miss,

this is Wild Tea from Houkeng.

Wild tea?

Houkeng?

if my memory serves me right,

it's in Taipingxian, Ningguofu, right?

Exactly.

Miss, although this is a Wild Tea

and looks ordinary,

after brewing,

it has a strong orchid fragrance

and a sweet, mellow taste.

Have a taste, it's very delicious.

This is the good tea you chose?

Yes, this is the one.

There were so many good teas to choose from,

why did you pick

this ordinary Wild Tea?

I only know how to make ink,

yet you asked me to appraise tea today.

At the end of the day,

it's a test of

my vision and knowledge,

isn't it?

Then tell me,

why did you choose this Wild Tea?

In business, profit comes first.

Making money is naturally the most important.

So I think

it doesn't matter

if the 5 types of tea today is good or bad.

What's important is

I know this Houkeng Wild Tea

has a unique advantage.

What may that be?

It originates from Houkeng.

Houkeng is at the northern foot of Mount Huangshan,

close to Huizhou.

It was also brought here by the village head himself.

Buying from the source leaves more profit.

Just like those ink merchants—

it's the same principle as why

they have to travel a long way to Huizhou

if they want to buy Hui Ink.

I think it's the same for tea and ink.

Before being polished,

they look ordinary.

Once polished, they are extraordinary.

And the village head told me

this tea has an orchid scent.

If pressed into the shape of an orchid,

its appearance will surely be a hundred times better than now,

and the profit goes without saying.

Miss Li Zhen, you have good judgment.

I will have someone deliver the 500 taels of silver

for New Li's ink workshop to your residence.

Thank you, Madam Wang.

Sister, how was it?

I really like this Miss Li Zhen.

I have already sent the 500 taels of silver on your behalf.

I asked you to come here

because there is another urgent matter.

I have found the Gao Kun

you asked me to look for.

He is now in Xu Village on Mount Jinlong.

This Gao Kun is indeed Zhao Shen's confidant.

Catching him will definitely bring down Zhao Shen and the Tian family.

Lord Yan.

Lord Yan.

Zhen, congratulations.

Thank you, Lord Yan!

Greetings, Lord Yan.

Lord Yan!

You look well.

Thank you for the compliment.

Lord Yan.

You were at the completion

of the ancient lacquer-soot ink

to see things through from beginning to end.

This is just a small ink workshop opening.

To have Lord Yan come in person—

what an honor

to Zhen!

You flatter me!

You flatter me.

Lord Yan.

Since you are here today,

I wonder if you can write a calligraphy

for New Li's Ink Workshop

to be passed down to future generations?

Zhen, to be honest,

I was just... thinking the same thing!

Great!

Zhen.

This is such a grand opening,

but you don't have much ink in stock.

What if too many people come

and you can't supply enough ink?

What should we do then?

Mother, don't worry.

I know what I'm doing.

Zhen.

Fu Jin Ink!

Bravo!

-Bravo! -Bravo!

I'm embarrassing myself.

Official Fan has arrived.

Official Fan?

Official Fan, you're here.

Official Fan!

Miss Li Zhen.

Official Fan.

Qi Jiu couldn't come himself,

so he insisted I come to congratulate Miss Li Zhen for him.

Thank you.

Since Lord Yan personally wrote the calligraphy for Fu Jin Ink,

even if the stock is not fully ready,

I would like to order 100 sticks

to add some joy to New Li's Ink Workshop's opening.

What do you think, Miss Li?

Certainly!

If you are willing

to take only 40 sticks first,

I am willing to give

a 30% discount, for the remaining 60 sticks. How's that?

Of course!

Good!

Since you are willing to give a discount,

I'll purchase another 50 sticks.

Great!

Since Official Fan has spoken,

I'll order another 50!

Thank you.

I'll add 50 more too!

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, everyone.

Miss Li Zhen.

It is time.

Let's open for business.

All right!

New Li's Ink Workshop

is officially open!

-Great! -Great!

[House of New Li's Ink]

Zhen.

There were many guests

at the ink workshop's opening today.

I saw you were extremely busy,

so I didn't pass you this congratulatory gift.

What is this?

Open it and see for yourself.

This inkstone has a fine texture.

It works best with medicinal ink.

Who gave this?

[For my granddaughter, Li Zhen]

[Fu Jin Ink]

You made it.

You actually...

You actually made it.

You made it.

Third Brother.

How are you still in the mood to drink here?

Tell me.

We went through so much trouble

putting up all sorts of obstacles.

But Li Zhen

still managed to establish New Li's Ink Workshop.

Not only that,

she also created some kind of medicinal ink.

I heard that for today's opening,

the Ink Affairs Official and his daughter

both went in person to back her up.

Who does she think she is?

Third Brother, I'm asking you.

Why didn't you go stop

New Li's Ink Workshop's opening today?

We should've sent someone

to smash her shop.

Smash her shop?

On what grounds should we smash her shop?

Did she use your pine soot

or your glue?

You took back the old ink workshop.

That's because it belongs to our family—

perfectly justifiable.

But what right do you have to New Li's Ink Workshop?

The recipe is her own.

The staff are her own.

She didn't even use her own grandfather's help.

You want to smash her shop?

Am I some bully or bandit?

Third Brother, how much have you had to drink?

You...

You're speaking up for her?

Hey, what is this?

[To Uncle Jingdong, Invitation to New Li's Ink Workshop's opening]

This is that medicinal ink?

Li Zhen is so bold.

How dare she send ink here to provoke us!

Who said she sent it?

I...

I...

I bought this ink...

for 3 times the price

from an ink merchant.

I just wanted to see

if Li Zhen could really create

the Nine-Treasure Medicinal Ink.

She did.

Have you lost your mind?

She did.

She did...

She really did.

You really have lost your mind.

It's just a piece of medicinal ink.

So what?

So what?

So what?

I'll tell you what.

I, Li Jingdong, have made ink my whole life,

but I can't make this piece of ink.

So what?

So...

Go.

Leave.

Let me be alone for a while.

Go.

Third Brother.

I'm making it clear today.

If you tolerate her,

you're raising a threat yourself.

Today, she sends the invitation here

showing off.

Soon enough,

New Li will take over the main Li.

The family temple, ancestral hall, and ink workshop

will all change their names but not their surname.

Then the Li family will be the biggest joke

in Huizhou ever.

Don't you regret it.

No...

It's truly ridiculous.

A woman

opened an ink workshop?

What a disgrace to Hui Ink.

Right.

She is also promoting some medicinal ink

called Nine-Treasure something as her signature.

I heard from others

that this ink has been lost for over a century.

I don't believe she can create it.

It must be a fake.

Wh-Why don't I get someone to buy a few pieces,

and claim it ruined their health?

That will surely ruin New Li's Ink Workshop.

It's just a small ink workshop.

You don't have to bother.

These days,

Lord Yan has been looking after Li Zhen

because she cured

Miss Yan's chronic illness.

If you go now,

you might just bring trouble upon yourself.

I'll have someone else go.

Master.

A letter has arrived from the Capital.

Great!

This is truly joyous news

for our Tian family.

Master, what joyous news is it?

I've found our daughter

an excellent match in the Capital.

Really?

I was just worrying about Ronghua's marriage.

This is wonderful.

Whose son is it?

He is the grandson of

Lord Xu from the Capital.

As far as I know,

this Lord Xu

dotes on his only daughter

very much.

Lord Xu?

If our Tian family

can secure this marriage,

we'll have a backer in the Capital.

In the future,

it will be of great benefit

to our Tian Ink.

Our Tian Ink will be able to thrive.

Then... Then, when I go out drinking,

won't everyone

have to defer to me?

Just thinking about it feels great.

Father.

Lord Xu is no ordinary man.

Would such a prominent family

really be willing to marry someone

from a merchant family like ours?

Brother, what a party pooper you are.

What's wrong with our family?

Since ancient times, officials and merchants are distinct.

The divide is as deep as a chasm.

If you don't understand, shut up.

Master.

Chang is right.

How could a family like that

take a fancy to us?

It's not about whether they fancy us,

it's whether we fancy them.

Rumor has it

that when this child was young, a fever

damaged his brain.

That's why

he's still not engaged at this age.

This is also why we have

the chance to secure this marriage.

Master, he has a damaged brain?

Then he's a fool!

I don't think

it's that serious.

Then again,

if there's nothing wrong with this child,

such a good thing

would never fall into the lap of our Tian family.

No way!

Father, I won't marry him!

You already treated me like an object once.

Are you going to repeat the same mistake today

and do it to me a second time?

What nonsense!

Is this

the same as last time?

Do you know how much money

and effort I've spent

for this marriage?

For the honor of our Tian family,

you will marry him

whether you

want to or not.

Master.

Please don't get mad.

Can we take our time to discuss this?

Discuss what?

What a bunch of useless fools.

There's no need to discuss this.

My word is final.

Chang.

Sheng.

You two stay at home

and keep a close eye on your sister.

Don't let her run around.

Just stay at home

and stop letting your imagination run wild.

Once we get word from the Capital,

we'll leave

and you'll get married right away.

Master.

You...

Is Master back?

Where is he?

Inside.

Master!

You're injured.

I'll go get some medicine.

Rouge ink.

Just apply this.

Gao Kun is very cunning.

It took a lot of effort to catch him.

He's locked up now.

By the way, Master,

you weren't at the House of New Li's Ink's opening.

Miss Li Zhen should be there right now.

It's not far away.

How about we go take a look?

No need.

Business first.

[Huizhou Prefecture Office]

Master Qi, what brings you here

for a visit?

Lord He.

Sorry to bother you.

Please take a look at these.

[Magistrate of Huizhou, He Wenchang]

[Account Ledger of Revenues and Expenditures of Shexian Prefecture]

Master Qi,

what are you trying to say

showing me this?

Lord He,

you've just arrived in Huizhou,

so you might not be fully aware of the situation.

Zhao Shen, Magistrate Zhao,

has been taking bribes for years.

He abuses his power

and oppresses the locals.

Every single detail is recorded here.

Please judge wisely.

This is no small matter.

Master Qi, you must act with caution.

Handling a case requires evidence—

both witnesses and material evidence.

If we only rely on these account books,

I'm afraid they might be suspected of forgery.

Lord He, given your position,

it's perfectly normal for you to have concerns.

But please rest assured, My Lord.

Besides this evidence,

the confidants who helped Zhao Shen

have also been captured by us.

What?

You...

You are just a merchant.

How can you act on behalf of His Majesty?

Qi Jiu,

your actions are truly a transgression.