Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 38]

Court is in session.

Hear ye!

Bring in the accused, Tian and his two sons.

Bring in the accused, Luo Wenqian.

Kneel!

After review, it has been established that the man known as Qi Jiu

is in fact Luo Wenqian, son of the convicted traitor Luo Hanzhang.

To escape exile,

he assumed another identity

and served in General Qi's army for years,

deceiving his superiors

and flouting the law.

However, in light of his years of service managing military provisions

and his role in exposing the Tian family's illicit foreign trade,

this court sentences him to 20 years

of hard labor in the southwest.

He is not to leave before his sentence is served.

Luo Wenqian,

do you accept the sentence?

I am Luo Wenqian.

I

accept the charges

and the sentence.

It has been determined

that Tian Benchang, Tian Bensheng, and Tian Huai'an—

father and two sons—

used their connections to powerful officials

to disrupt the ink industry

and went so far as to engage in illicit foreign trade,

committing a grave offense.

I sentence Tian Bensheng and Tian Huai'an

to ten years of hard labor

in the northern territories.

They are not to leave before their terms are completed.

Do you two

accept the charges and the sentence?

I

do.

I do.

Tian Huai'an's wife

is absent today due to illness.

However, she knowingly concealed her son's collusion with foreign forces

and failed to report it.

She shall therefore receive the same punishment.

Tian Ronghua

of the Tian family

has been found

to have no involvement in the collusion with foreign forces.

Moreover, she rendered meritorious service by reporting the crime

and shall not be punished.

As for the principal offender,

Tian Benchang:

as head of Tian Ink

and bearer of the Tribute Ink commission,

he knowingly violated the law.

He colluded with foreign forces for personal gain,

bribed officials to buy influence,

and drove innocent people to their deaths.

His crimes are unforgivable!

I hereby

sentence him to death.

Bravo! Bravo!

Good judgment.

He shall be transferred to the Ministry of Justice

for final review

and then executed!

Tian Benchang,

do you plead guilty and accept the punishment?

Tian Benchang!

I still have something to say.

Do you want to talk about Nanjing Garrison Commander

to back you up, do you?

I might as well tell you,

Wu Ru accepted bribes, colluded with foreign forces,

and abused his authority.

He has already been stripped of office and placed under arrest.

No one can save you today.

Your Excellency,

what I have to say

has nothing to do with Commander Wu or this case.

What I want to say

is the real culprit behind the Tribute Ink Case of the Li family

thirteen years ago.

I have heard a bit about this,

but it is an old story now.

Why bring it up again?

Thirteen years ago,

Li Ink defeated Luo Ink

and won the tribute ink contract.

But while transporting the Tribute Ink to the capital,

a fire broke out

after Li Jingfu got drunk.

The entire shipment of Tribute Ink was reduced to ashes.

As a result, the Li family was severely punished by the authorities.

Li Jingdong lost the use of his leg,

Li Jingqi died in prison,

and Li Ink was burdened with ten years of punitive taxation.

After being punished, Li Jingfu suffered a relapse of an old illness

and died shortly after.

Li Ink's vitality has been greatly damaged since then.

Does everyone still remember

this public case?

Tian Benchang,

what on earth are you trying to say?

Li Zhen,

others may have forgotten,

but I know

you never did.

That autumn,

your branch of the family was cast out and forced to relocate.

Your father was gravely ill,

and you had nowhere to turn for help.

You could only stand by and watch him die before your eyes.

Poor you, only eight years old at the time,

having to endure the pain of losing your father.

Don't you hate them?

Tian Benchang,

stop struggling like a trapped beast.

Whatever scheme you're trying to pull is pointless.

Our Li family has long since reconciled

with the Eighth Branch.

I won't allow you to sow discord here.

Li Jingdong,

you've been

crippled for 13 years,

and you've also hated the Eighth Branch for 13 years.

Over the years,

how many obstacles have you secretly placed in Li Zhen's family's path?

Do you still remember?

You!

It's so ridiculous.

You actually didn't know at all

that you all hated the wrong person.

All these years,

the dispersion of the Li family

and the downfall of Li Ink

were actually a huge misunderstanding,

and a massive injustice.

Benchang,

are you crazy?

Your Excellency,

my son is probably scared out of his wits.

Please don't listen to his nonsense.

What?

Father,

do you dare to do it but not admit it?

Or are you

afraid that if I expose everything,

you'll be sentenced to death

for all your crimes?

Tian Benchang,

what did you mean just now?

Tell me everything in detail!

Tell me everything in detail!

Li Jingdong,

step down at once.

Uncle Jingdong,

come back.

Today, I will tell the truth

about that Tribute Ink Case

in front of everyone

from the Li family and the Luo family.

Thirteen years ago,

the Li family defeated the Luo family's Ziji Dragon Light Ink

with their Way of Tao pine soot ink

and secured the tribute ink contract.

Luo Hanzhang was unwilling to accept the defeat,

and he had no way of explaining himself to the powerful officials in court.

So,

he summoned my father

and ordered him

to travel to the capital alongside the Li family convoy carrying the Tribute Ink,

waiting for an opportunity to destroy it—

so the Luo family could take its place.

The fire back then was not caused by Li Jingfu's drunken negligence at all.

It was my father

who used that incident as a cover,

secretly infiltrated the Li family's storage house,

and set fire to the Tribute Ink.

He's drugged?

Don't worry, he won't wake up.

Ink!

Ink!

Tian Benchang,

stop talking nonsense!

Say no more!

Li Zhen,

how can you still be so naive?

If not,

why would the Luo family help Tian Ink after the Tribute Ink case,

and help Tian Ink expand step by step?

Even for my sister Ronghua,

why would Luo Hanzhang agree

to her engagement to Luo Wensong?

Presumably,

the Tribute Ink case is also the reason behind this.

Li Zhen,

the one who killed your Li family

was exactly the Luo family.

It was Luo Wenqian's biological father,

Luo Hanzhang.

Nonsense!

No.

Impossible.

Impossible.

Impossible.

Impossible.

How dare you, Luo Wenqian!

Zhen,

it couldn't be my father.

It really couldn't be my father.

It really couldn't be my father.

Not my father!

Wenqian.

You...

Luo Wenqian.

Tian Benchang!

I don't believe

every word you said!

Lord He!

Wenqian!

Lord He,

he is a dying man, Lord He!

He is talking nonsense!

Throw him into prison!

Silence!

Luo Wenqian,

do not disrupt the court.

Step down immediately!

No, Zhen.

Prefect He,

I don't know

what they just said.

I have never harmed the Li family.

He's framing me.

Tian Huai'an,

at this point,

do you still think I know nothing?

Every year you secretly transferred 300 taels of silver

to a

former employee who no longer worked at Tian Ink.

I went through a lot of trouble to find him

and investigated secretly.

I learned that he was the helper

who went to the capital with you back then!

You unfilial son!

I'll beat you to death!

I...

Tian Huai'an!

Lord He,

you can summon this person to the court for questioning,

and then you will know I am speaking the truth.

You

keep saying

that I ruined the Huizhou Ink industry.

Little do you know that 13 years ago, this ink industry

was already rotten to the core.

I just want to live with dignity

and live a better life.

What did I do wrong?

I was just like Lord Luo

and my father—

kneeling and climbing my way up!

What did I do wrong?

If there is any fault,

it lies with everyone who has been driven by the so-called "Tribute Ink" title,

scrambling and scheming for power and profit.

You!

You!

You!

You!

All of you!

All of you!

All of you!

All of you!

Li Zhen.

Luo Wenqian.

I didn't lose.

Your entanglement

has only just begun.

You two will never, ever be together.

Forever.

Just take your time enjoying

the bitter fruit of these past ten-plus years.

Tian Benchang!

Take him down immediately!

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Lord He,

this concerns nearly 20 years

of honor and downfall of the Li family.

I beg you to thoroughly investigate

and restore our family's innocence.

Guards!

Drag Tian Benchang and Tian Bensheng

back to the prison first.

As for Tian Huai'an,

bring him to the constables

for further interrogation.

Court dismissed!

Was it really the Luo family

who did it back then?

Eighth Uncle,

don't worry yet.

The prefectural office is still investigating.

Lord He said he'll send word

as soon as there's news.

But since

Tian Benchang personally confessed,

it's likely true.

Everyone from Li Ink,

I've been sent by the magistrate to deliver a message.

Tian Huai'an has already confessed.

His accomplice from that year

has also been arrested and has admitted guilt.

Everything Tian Benchang said in court is true.

Did Lord He say how this case will be judged

and how the grievances of my Li family will be redressed?

There is no one left in the Luo family except Luo Wenqian,

and he never participated in the crime of destroying the Tribute Ink,

so the original verdict remains unchanged.

As for Tian Huai'an and that accomplice,

they still need to be carefully convicted.

But rest assured, everyone.

Prefect He has drafted an official document

to the Directorate of Imperial Household and Shuntian Prefecture.

He has asked them to cooperate with the investigation.

They will definitely give you all an explanation.

Everyone,

it's getting late. Farewell.

Sister-in-law.

Sister-in-law.

Eighth Uncle,

you have suffered so much grievance all these years.

On behalf of the entire Li family, I, Jingdong,

bow and apologize to you

and the Eighth Branch!

Jingfu,

for all these years when we came to pay respects,

we haven't dared to bring wine.

Today, your name is cleared.

Father

specially brought a pot of good wine for you—

drink your fill.

My son, Jingfu.

I'll drink with you today— drink until we're satisfied.

Drink up.

Today, I will let you drink to your heart's content.

I know you were wronged.

You must be thinking every day down there

about the mistakes made back then.

But from now on,

you don't have to be afraid anymore.

We came here today

to clear your name once and for all

and to make sure the King of Hell and every spirit down below hear it—

my husband, Li Jingfu,

was not a criminal.

[Li Jingfu's Tomb]

From now on,

if any wandering ghost

dares look down on you,

hold your head high

and go back.

Tell them

that the Li family

are upright and honest

no matter where we are.

Zhen,

kowtow

to your father

together with your brother.

Father,

after finishing this jug of wine,

you can finally rest in peace.

Thank you for your trouble.

Sister,

have you learned anything from the investigation?

Brother,

I made all these dishes

the way you like them.

Come and try them.

And this is strong liquor

brought from the north.

It used to be

your favorite drink in the army.

I've already arranged everything

at the mining camp in the southwest where you'll be sent.

Someone will be there to look after you when you arrive.

Tian Huai'an confessed,

didn't he?

Sister,

have you seen

Zhen these past few days?

No.

If you want to see her,

I can help you.

I have no face to see Zhen.

Zhen is generous.

She was able to forgive the main branch

and help reconcile the Eighth Branch with the rest of the family.

She's not someone who can't tell right from wrong.

Your father

committed an unforgivable wrong,

but you are innocent.

You shouldn't have to

bear the blame for it.

Sister,

I know what kind of person Zhen is.

The sin my father committed back then

didn't just hurt Zhen,

but also the entire Li family.

How could I possibly

ask her to choose between me

and her family's pain?

I also don't want to

make things difficult for her

by asking her to forgive me

and forgive our Luo family.

Sister,

This is my fate.

My fate...

Brother.

Sister.

What are you doing?

Sister,

I have one request of you.

From this day on,

please look after Zhen

and

my lonely aunt

for me.

As for that brat Xiao Qi,

if he can stay by your side,

he will definitely be much safer than with me.

Of course.

I would do it even if you didn't ask.

I will stay in Huizhou for a few years,

and I will definitely take good care of them.

Ever since

I joined Marshal Qi's command,

I have always been by your side,

following you

and learning how to do business from you.

Although

my family is scattered

and my fate is full of misfortunes,

it is exactly because of your care

that I

could feel the warmth of family.

But I haven't had the chance

to repay your kindness.

Today,

let me borrow your wine

to express my gratitude.

Sister,

take care.

Manager Zhen, Madam Wang is here.

Sister Cuiqiao?

What brings you here?

Quick, serve some tea.

No need.

I just have a few words for you.

I'll leave after that.

The date for Wenqian's exile has been set.

We'll depart in three days.

He didn't want me to tell you,

but after thinking it over,

I felt you should know.

As for everything that happened in the past,

how you choose to understand it

and how you choose to move forward

is entirely up to you. I don't wish to interfere.

But I have always seen

the bond between you two,

and I don't want you to have any regrets.

Don't overthink it.

In his heart,

my brother has always been thinking of you.

If it's truly too hard for you to face him,

he won't blame you.

Take care of yourself.

It has now been established that

Tian Benchang from Huizhou

committed the grave crime of colluding with foreign powers

and was responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians.

The evidence is conclusive and his crimes are beyond pardon.

According to the laws of Ming,

he shall be executed.

His father, Tian Huai'an,

knowingly concealed the crime of collusion with foreign powers.

Furthermore, 13 years ago,

he framed the Li family of Huizhou in the Imperial Tribute Ink Case,

causing deaths and injuries among the Li clan

and costing them their Tribute Ink title.

His crimes are likewise heinous

and, by law,

punishable by death.

Under the order of the Emperor,

he shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice of Nanjing

and publicly beheaded,

so that the law of the realm may be upheld.

Order of the Directorate of Imperial Household:

the old Li Ink case has been vindicated,

and the long-standing corruption within Huizhou's ink industry

has finally been swept away.

However, with the Tian family disgraced

and their Imperial Tribute Ink privileges revoked,

the court cannot go without Tribute Ink.

After careful consideration,

I hereby decree that Li Ink shall assume the tribute ink contract

until the next selection and evaluation,

four years from now.

By order of the Directorate of Imperial Household.

Li Zhen,

this matter has reached the Inner Palace.

In the end, it was decided by His Majesty

that the Li family temporarily assume the tribute ink contract.

Such imperial grace must not be taken lightly.

Make sure you carry out this duty well.

As head of Li Ink, I, Li Zhen,

will lead the company with diligence and integrity

and will not fail the trust His Majesty has placed in us.

Hurry up and go.

Aunt, I'm hungry.

Zhengrun,

don't be anxious.

Wait a little longer.

How about I take them to the kitchen

and have some snacks?

Sure.

Let's go eat snacks, okay?

Instead of keeping busy with your work,

why do you insist

on keeping me company while fishing?

No,

I just haven't spent time with you for a long time,

and wanted to go fishing with you.

That's good too.

Today, let's

enjoy some good fishing.

Grandpa,

in this pool of stagnant water,

the fish are trapped.

Do you think

they can swim out?

Silly girl.

There's always a way out.

If there's a will,

every living thing

can find its own path.

A rainfall

or a snowfall

can bring fresh water into the pond,

and that fresh water may lead the fish to a way out.

People are like fish.

We can't trap ourselves.

We

also need to rely on rain

or snow

to free ourselves

from our pain.

Right?

Go ahead.

I asked your mother to leave you some food and dishes.

Come back and have some early.

I pay my respect to General Yu

and my sister.

Please rise.

I am no general today.

You don't need to bow so formally.

Even setting military protocol aside,

I still owe Uncle Yu a debt

of gratitude for taking us in

all those years ago.

I know that

I've done many wrong things lately.

I hope Uncle Yu

can forgive me.

Take good care of yourself when you reach the southwest.

The world is vast.

Even in exile,

you must not lose your will.

I

will wait for your return.

Young Master.

Jixiang.

From now on, we no longer need to hide our names.

This is a good thing.

Don't cry.

After I leave,

you must listen well to General Yu

and my sister.

Help my sister take good care of our aunt.

And the Li family

has been kind to us.

If one day they ever need any help,

you must do your best to assist.

Take care, Young Master.

Officers,

let's go.

Brother,

take care.

Luo Wenqian!

This journey

will be full of hardships.

I came to see you off.

Take good care of yourself.

You too.

I heard the Li family

has already taken over the tribute ink contract.

Congratulations.

But the days ahead will be more tiring

and harder.

Take care of yourself.

Don't work too hard.

Zhen,

it seems

we were fated to meet in this life,

but not to be together.

I once naïvely believed that

when my family's grievances were finally settled,

I could build a future

with you.

But I never imagined

that the person I most wanted to

protect

and cherish

had been so deeply hurt by my own family.

Zhen,

our Luo family

owes you

and the Li family.

From now on,

forget me

and walk forward.

Don't look back.

Don't look back.

You too.

You survived the vast,

desolate north.

The southwest

won't be able to hold you either.

From now on,

you can finally proudly

tell everyone your name—

Luo Wenqian.

Luo Wenqian.

I, Luo Wenqian,

wish Li Ink

prosperity

and endless blessings.

I also wish

Miss Li Zhen

a good marriage

and a bright future.

in this life.

I have no regrets

about meeting you in this lifetime.

We part here.

Take care!