1 00:01:40,300 --> 00:01:42,970 [Spring of The Blade] 2 00:01:43,530 --> 00:01:45,850 [Episode 4] 3 00:01:47,950 --> 00:01:51,100 -Please! -That corrupt official brought no rice! 4 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:52,820 You corrupt official! 5 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:57,660 Protect His Lordship! 6 00:01:59,039 --> 00:01:59,870 Catch him! 7 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:01,400 Let me go! 8 00:02:06,870 --> 00:02:08,800 I know you've suffered a lot. 9 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,120 I also know this world is unfair to you. 10 00:02:12,750 --> 00:02:13,840 Trust me. 11 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:16,150 I will 12 00:02:17,430 --> 00:02:18,630 definitely help you. 13 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:33,320 You're awake. 14 00:02:34,079 --> 00:02:35,210 How am I still alive? 15 00:02:38,030 --> 00:02:38,960 His Lordship 16 00:02:39,190 --> 00:02:41,150 is the top interrogator in the Criminal Justice Office. 17 00:02:41,150 --> 00:02:42,610 If he didn't want you dead, 18 00:02:43,079 --> 00:02:45,520 he wouldn't miss by half an inch. 19 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:47,720 Now drink your chicken soup. 20 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:50,430 It's made with premium ginseng and silkie chicken. 21 00:02:50,430 --> 00:02:52,190 With just a few superficial wounds like yours, 22 00:02:52,190 --> 00:02:54,250 2 or 3 months' rest and you'll be fine. 23 00:02:56,079 --> 00:02:57,210 I'm not drinking it. 24 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,540 There are still many people who have nothing to eat. 25 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:07,240 Before His Lordship came here, 26 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:08,960 he swore an oath to His Majesty 27 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:10,430 that from this day forth, 28 00:03:10,430 --> 00:03:13,360 there will be no more corrupt officials in Hengtang. 29 00:03:14,310 --> 00:03:15,370 Now that he's here, 30 00:03:15,710 --> 00:03:17,310 those who gave you stale rice 31 00:03:17,710 --> 00:03:19,310 and left you starving 32 00:03:19,750 --> 00:03:21,710 will surely pay 33 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:23,130 for what they have done. 34 00:03:24,470 --> 00:03:25,190 So, 35 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:27,560 just keep the money, 36 00:03:28,310 --> 00:03:29,510 focus on recovering, 37 00:03:29,870 --> 00:03:31,280 and wait for the news. 38 00:03:32,110 --> 00:03:34,120 Leave the rest to us. 39 00:03:37,710 --> 00:03:38,840 Now drink your soup. 40 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:45,870 I can do my part, too. 41 00:03:47,190 --> 00:03:49,650 [Zuixian Tavern] 42 00:03:57,030 --> 00:04:00,120 I've invited you all here today 43 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:03,960 to ask for a favor, to be honest. 44 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,120 Help me collect grain. 45 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:11,800 At 3 times the market price. 46 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:15,610 I hope I can count on your support, gentlemen. 47 00:04:16,070 --> 00:04:16,720 Money 48 00:04:17,269 --> 00:04:18,950 will certainly not be an issue. 49 00:04:18,950 --> 00:04:21,750 This will allow me to answer to the imperial court. 50 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,040 I see. 51 00:04:24,270 --> 00:04:25,330 I'll be counting on 52 00:04:25,390 --> 00:04:28,240 your guidance in the days ahead, Lord Wei. 53 00:04:29,310 --> 00:04:30,040 Lord Yan, 54 00:04:30,310 --> 00:04:32,190 you're too kind. 55 00:04:32,310 --> 00:04:35,120 We're the ones who'll be counting on you. 56 00:04:35,510 --> 00:04:36,159 Right? 57 00:04:36,270 --> 00:04:37,730 -Yes, yes. -That's right. 58 00:04:38,070 --> 00:04:38,720 Alright, 59 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:40,120 enough shop talk. 60 00:04:40,830 --> 00:04:42,480 Let's begin. 61 00:05:07,310 --> 00:05:08,070 Come on. 62 00:05:08,070 --> 00:05:10,560 To Lord Yan. To Lord Yan. 63 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:17,600 -Fire! -Fire! 64 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:19,070 -Put out the fire! -Put out the fire! 65 00:05:19,070 --> 00:05:20,190 Fire! 66 00:05:20,390 --> 00:05:21,310 Put it out! 67 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,120 To Lord Yan. To Lord Yan. 68 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:34,680 Come on. 69 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:38,430 Oh no! 70 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:39,430 Help! 71 00:05:39,430 --> 00:05:40,430 Where's the fire? 72 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:42,600 It seems to be the Xie Residence. 73 00:05:44,310 --> 00:05:45,560 Go help put out the fire! 74 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:46,480 -Yes. Got it. -Go. Hurry. 75 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:47,810 I'll take my leave then. 76 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:48,680 Follow me! 77 00:05:48,870 --> 00:05:50,070 Hurry, hurry, hurry! 78 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:53,560 Fan Zhong. 79 00:05:54,310 --> 00:05:55,040 Follow them. 80 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:55,800 Yes. 81 00:05:58,909 --> 00:06:01,490 [Xie Residence of Hengtang] 82 00:06:00,190 --> 00:06:01,390 Lord Yan, 83 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:02,600 I've long heard of 84 00:06:02,750 --> 00:06:04,210 your remarkable bearing. 85 00:06:04,510 --> 00:06:05,720 Seeing you today, 86 00:06:06,630 --> 00:06:08,090 I see the rumors were true. 87 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:11,060 Old Madam, you flatter me. 88 00:06:11,870 --> 00:06:13,680 I came here today because 89 00:06:13,830 --> 00:06:16,230 I heard there was a fire at your residence. 90 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:18,120 I wanted to see 91 00:06:18,430 --> 00:06:19,480 if there was anything I could do 92 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,240 to help. 93 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:26,050 It was only a small fire. 94 00:06:26,310 --> 00:06:27,630 Hardly worth troubling you over, 95 00:06:27,630 --> 00:06:29,510 Lord Yan. 96 00:06:34,750 --> 00:06:35,390 By the way, 97 00:06:35,950 --> 00:06:37,950 I heard Lord Xie has taken ill, 98 00:06:38,390 --> 00:06:40,480 and His Majesty has allowed him to return home to recuperate. 99 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,010 I wonder when he'll arrive? 100 00:06:45,830 --> 00:06:47,830 I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Lord Yan. 101 00:06:47,830 --> 00:06:48,720 Shu has 102 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:50,510 an old injury in his back 103 00:06:51,190 --> 00:06:53,250 and cannot sit in a carriage for long, 104 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:55,120 so he hired a boat 105 00:06:55,190 --> 00:06:56,250 to travel by water. 106 00:06:56,830 --> 00:06:58,040 This detour 107 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:00,000 will likely 108 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:02,070 take some time. 109 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:05,120 That's truly a pity. 110 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:06,800 It seems 111 00:07:07,830 --> 00:07:10,290 I won't have the chance to meet him after all. 112 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:14,120 I see the fire did quite a bit of damage. 113 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:15,920 You must've suffered some pretty heavy losses. 114 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:17,040 So, Zhengjun, 115 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:19,060 why don't you consider 116 00:07:19,270 --> 00:07:21,670 selling your family's grain reserve to me? 117 00:07:22,070 --> 00:07:24,530 It might help make up for some of your losses. 118 00:07:24,630 --> 00:07:25,490 Your Lordship, 119 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,430 it's not that I'm unwilling to sell. 120 00:07:27,430 --> 00:07:29,490 We simply have no surplus grain left. 121 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:31,000 Don't try to fool me. 122 00:07:32,390 --> 00:07:34,920 Just a few days ago, you had 30 boatloads of fresh grain. 123 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:36,190 It's true—we transported the grain 124 00:07:36,190 --> 00:07:38,250 out of the city overnight yesterday. 125 00:07:38,510 --> 00:07:39,800 Those 30 boatloads 126 00:07:40,070 --> 00:07:42,000 have already passed Menghu Gorge. 127 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:46,770 What, you don't believe me? 128 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:47,750 Look, 129 00:07:48,310 --> 00:07:50,240 I even have the travel permit here. 130 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:56,590 [Detailed Grain Shipment Record] 131 00:07:56,659 --> 00:07:57,460 [Xie Residence of Hengtang] 132 00:07:59,360 --> 00:07:59,820 My Lord. 133 00:08:00,750 --> 00:08:01,920 Go check immediately 134 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:03,430 to see whether the amount of grain listed on the Xie family's travel permits 135 00:08:03,430 --> 00:08:06,070 matches the quantities recorded in their ledgers. 136 00:08:06,070 --> 00:08:06,750 Yes. 137 00:08:07,870 --> 00:08:09,190 My Lord, are you suggesting 138 00:08:09,190 --> 00:08:10,630 they might've been swapping the grain, 139 00:08:10,630 --> 00:08:11,920 using the Xie family's caravans 140 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,430 to smuggle relief grain out of Hengtang in batches, 141 00:08:14,430 --> 00:08:16,230 sell it, then bring back the same amount of stale rice 142 00:08:16,230 --> 00:08:17,800 to distribute to the refugees? 143 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,060 That's what I suspect. 144 00:08:20,870 --> 00:08:23,190 Hengtang has suffered disasters year after year, 145 00:08:23,190 --> 00:08:25,830 yet the Xie family is constantly shipping out dozens, 146 00:08:25,830 --> 00:08:27,960 even hundreds, of boatloads of grain. 147 00:08:28,830 --> 00:08:30,830 Where is all that grain coming from? 148 00:08:31,630 --> 00:08:34,030 And why have the court's relief officials 149 00:08:34,030 --> 00:08:35,909 repeatedly failed to make any headway? 150 00:08:35,909 --> 00:08:37,240 Something's not right. 151 00:08:40,789 --> 00:08:41,650 I have a feeling 152 00:08:42,510 --> 00:08:44,710 that the Xie family is the breakthrough 153 00:08:45,030 --> 00:08:46,870 we need in this embezzlement case. 154 00:08:46,870 --> 00:08:50,340 [Xie Residence of Hengtang] 155 00:09:05,790 --> 00:09:06,650 Your Lordship. 156 00:09:06,670 --> 00:09:09,200 You're personally adorning the Buddha with auspicious markings. 157 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:11,150 Heaven will surely be moved by your sincerity, 158 00:09:11,150 --> 00:09:13,240 driving away evil spirits and watching over us, 159 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,080 keeping us safe and blessed. 160 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:15,910 Yes, indeed. 161 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:18,790 Lord Wei? 162 00:09:19,910 --> 00:09:20,770 Your Lordship? 163 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,260 Don't panic, you guys. 164 00:09:24,790 --> 00:09:25,650 Your Lordship. 165 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:27,250 Why don't we just 166 00:09:27,270 --> 00:09:28,130 trade our grain 167 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:29,260 with him for money? 168 00:09:29,630 --> 00:09:31,200 Trade? How much are you planning to trade? 169 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:32,200 Would any of the grain we have left 170 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:33,260 survive scrutiny? 171 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:35,600 What if Yan Rui turns on us and denies everything? 172 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,360 We'd have far more to lose. 173 00:09:37,510 --> 00:09:38,120 Exactly. 174 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:40,240 At a time like this, handing over grain 175 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:41,360 would be far too risky. 176 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:42,910 We can't afford to take that gamble. 177 00:09:42,910 --> 00:09:44,310 Yeah, we can't afford it. 178 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:47,200 Lord Wei, 179 00:09:47,550 --> 00:09:48,720 what do you think? 180 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:51,460 Your Lordship. 181 00:09:51,910 --> 00:09:54,040 Your Lordship, please say something! 182 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,150 County Sheriff is absolutely right. 183 00:10:00,150 --> 00:10:00,870 Yes. 184 00:10:06,630 --> 00:10:07,670 Yan Rui 185 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,550 is determined to investigate the Xie family estate manager's case. 186 00:10:11,550 --> 00:10:13,210 If he's only after some grain, 187 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:15,480 that's no great concern. 188 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,360 What worries me is that he may have another motive, 189 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:21,240 so we must not let our guard down. 190 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:23,810 But for now, gentlemen, 191 00:10:23,870 --> 00:10:25,120 stay calm. 192 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:27,620 Go home and await word. 193 00:10:28,510 --> 00:10:30,320 -Well… -Await word? 194 00:10:31,750 --> 00:10:33,550 Please, Buddha, bless us! 195 00:10:33,910 --> 00:10:35,510 Please let that demon Yan Rui 196 00:10:35,510 --> 00:10:38,170 get the hell out of Hengtang as soon as possible! 197 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:45,200 Ji San, 198 00:10:49,630 --> 00:10:50,750 go get Guo Baofeng. 199 00:11:02,270 --> 00:11:02,960 My Lord. 200 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,660 We've found the murderer of the estate manager. 201 00:11:08,270 --> 00:11:10,480 But he'd already been silenced by the time we found him. 202 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:11,000 My Lord, 203 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:12,730 we've hit a dead end. 204 00:11:39,030 --> 00:11:41,030 There's very little information on this guy. 205 00:11:41,030 --> 00:11:42,870 We only found that he'd gotten into trouble in the northwest. 206 00:11:42,870 --> 00:11:43,790 Nothing else. 207 00:11:55,550 --> 00:11:57,030 Those hands... 208 00:11:57,360 --> 00:11:59,000 He used to be a carpenter. 209 00:12:05,270 --> 00:12:05,870 Changyan. 210 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:07,480 Come up and talk. 211 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:08,270 Alright. 212 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:13,320 Changyan, 213 00:12:13,550 --> 00:12:14,320 you're really 214 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:15,580 getting the hang of it. 215 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:16,840 Baofeng. 216 00:12:17,630 --> 00:12:18,600 I heard 217 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,330 it was you who killed that estate manager? 218 00:12:22,150 --> 00:12:22,600 Yes, 219 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:23,450 I killed him. 220 00:12:26,790 --> 00:12:27,650 You killed him? 221 00:12:27,910 --> 00:12:28,360 Yes. 222 00:12:28,390 --> 00:12:29,510 You're really something else. 223 00:12:29,510 --> 00:12:30,770 Nothing gets past you. 224 00:12:32,510 --> 00:12:33,640 Why did you kill him? 225 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:38,650 Who ordered you to kill him? 226 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:40,440 Who ordered you to kill him? 227 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:41,630 Changyan! Changyan. 228 00:12:41,630 --> 00:12:42,230 Changyan. 229 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,480 That wretched servant worked at the Xie Estate 230 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,200 and secretly kept a ledger of our dealings. 231 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,480 My men learned he was going to report it to Yan Rui, 232 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:49,240 so I had no choice 233 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:50,390 but to strike first! 234 00:12:50,390 --> 00:12:51,390 You fool! 235 00:12:51,670 --> 00:12:53,080 Yan Rui is notorious. 236 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:54,390 Think about it— 237 00:12:54,670 --> 00:12:55,720 why would that estate manager 238 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:57,440 choose him to expose the truth? 239 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:58,630 Have you ever wondered why? 240 00:12:58,630 --> 00:13:01,030 You mean Yan Rui is hiding something from us? 241 00:13:01,030 --> 00:13:01,840 Changyan! Changyan! 242 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:02,840 I acted rashly. 243 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:04,630 I was only worried 244 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:05,720 that once the ledger was exposed, 245 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:07,390 you'd be implicated, Changyan. 246 00:13:07,390 --> 00:13:08,480 Where's the ledger? 247 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:08,910 Changyan! 248 00:13:08,910 --> 00:13:10,150 The ledger fell into the river 249 00:13:10,150 --> 00:13:11,030 the night the estate manager died 250 00:13:11,030 --> 00:13:12,270 and was swept away by the current! 251 00:13:12,270 --> 00:13:13,730 No one knows where it went! 252 00:13:20,810 --> 00:13:22,910 [Respectfully Awaiting Your Presence at the Shangsi Gathering] 253 00:13:22,930 --> 00:13:25,070 [Presented by the Founding Count's Family to the Esteemed Xie Household] 254 00:13:23,550 --> 00:13:25,120 You could've simply 255 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:27,550 sent a servant to deliver the invitation. 256 00:13:27,550 --> 00:13:29,480 There was no need for you, Lady Prefect, 257 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:30,720 to come in person. 258 00:13:32,390 --> 00:13:33,910 The invitation may be a small matter, 259 00:13:33,910 --> 00:13:35,200 but the banquet is not. 260 00:13:35,630 --> 00:13:37,360 [Lady Prefect] 261 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:36,900 Well, you're aware 262 00:13:37,030 --> 00:13:40,080 why this Spring Banquet is being held. 263 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:44,870 It concerns the selection of the Founding Count family's Head Madam, 264 00:13:44,870 --> 00:13:46,730 so we must take every precaution. 265 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:47,840 Indeed. 266 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:49,630 We'll just have to see 267 00:13:49,750 --> 00:13:51,270 which young lady 268 00:13:51,550 --> 00:13:53,480 can win Her Ladyship's favor then. 269 00:13:55,150 --> 00:13:55,750 By the way, 270 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:59,200 are the introductory gifts for the Spring Banquet ready? 271 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,320 Which young lady made this? 272 00:14:26,630 --> 00:14:28,200 It's exquisite. 273 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,600 These Go stones are beautifully polished. 274 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:36,480 Founding Countess 275 00:14:36,670 --> 00:14:37,910 adores playing Go, 276 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:39,030 so this gift 277 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:41,550 is sure to please her. 278 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,790 Eldest Lady made this in her spare time. 279 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:54,320 And look, 280 00:14:54,630 --> 00:14:57,000 Qingrong's embroidery, "Spring's Unparalleled Beauty", 281 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:58,550 is quite elegant too. 282 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:02,870 Why don't I see Fourth Lady's gift? 283 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:07,020 Qingyuan went out to run an errand for Old Madam. 284 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:09,200 She only recently returned to the family 285 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,080 and still has much to learn, 286 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:12,670 so she didn't have time 287 00:15:12,670 --> 00:15:13,960 to prepare a gift. 288 00:15:14,270 --> 00:15:15,240 Please forgive 289 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:16,570 our lack of manners. 290 00:15:17,150 --> 00:15:18,910 They're all fine young ladies, 291 00:15:19,390 --> 00:15:21,120 and the gifts are all lovely. 292 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,200 Even if Fourth Lady is busy, 293 00:15:23,630 --> 00:15:24,750 it's the thought 294 00:15:24,910 --> 00:15:25,960 that counts. 295 00:15:26,910 --> 00:15:27,630 Of course. 296 00:15:28,630 --> 00:15:29,690 Please take a seat. 297 00:15:32,910 --> 00:15:33,630 Put it down! 298 00:15:33,750 --> 00:15:34,550 Shut up! 299 00:15:35,550 --> 00:15:37,150 A born wretch like you 300 00:15:37,390 --> 00:15:39,320 thinks you're fit to use Go stones? 301 00:15:39,670 --> 00:15:41,200 I'd say the mud at the bottom of the pond 302 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:42,600 suits you better. 303 00:15:45,750 --> 00:15:47,060 I polished them myself! 304 00:15:47,060 --> 00:15:48,670 So what if you polished them yourself? 305 00:15:48,670 --> 00:15:50,150 Who do you think you are? 306 00:15:50,630 --> 00:15:51,490 Second Sister, 307 00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:52,540 please. 308 00:15:52,570 --> 00:15:53,960 I won't fight you over anything. 309 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:54,840 Everything's yours. 310 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:55,720 I'm begging you. 311 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:56,440 Stop throwing them! 312 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:57,390 I'm begging you! 313 00:15:57,430 --> 00:15:59,090 You're just like your mother— 314 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:01,100 both utterly beneath notice. 315 00:16:02,870 --> 00:16:03,730 Second Sister. 316 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:08,320 Is this a copy of Zhao Chang's painting? 317 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:13,050 It's beautifully done. 318 00:16:13,150 --> 00:16:14,390 Put it down. 319 00:16:16,870 --> 00:16:17,360 Yes. 320 00:16:19,870 --> 00:16:20,360 You... 321 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:22,290 My hand slipped. 322 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:24,120 Don't listen to her nonsense. 323 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:24,910 She only knows how to play innocent. 324 00:16:24,910 --> 00:16:27,120 -How dare you... -Second Sister. Third Sister. 325 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,720 You both know how to protect your own hard work, 326 00:16:29,870 --> 00:16:31,270 so why treat Eldest Sister's 327 00:16:31,270 --> 00:16:32,870 hard work 328 00:16:33,030 --> 00:16:34,120 as worthless? 329 00:16:34,510 --> 00:16:35,600 You little wretch. 330 00:16:36,030 --> 00:16:37,720 How dare you lecture me? 331 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:39,020 Let go of me! 332 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:39,790 Let go of me! 333 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:41,750 Let go! 334 00:16:42,150 --> 00:16:43,000 What are you waiting for? 335 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:43,790 Get her! 336 00:16:44,750 --> 00:16:46,950 -Throw her into the water! -Let go of me! 337 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:48,600 -Let go of me! -Second Sister! 338 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:50,000 This has nothing to do with Fourth Sister! 339 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:51,080 Let her go! 340 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:51,720 Let me go! 341 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:52,480 Let go! 342 00:16:53,750 --> 00:16:55,320 Today, I'll show you 343 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:56,670 who rules this Xie household! 344 00:16:56,670 --> 00:16:57,480 Push her in! 345 00:16:58,240 --> 00:16:59,030 Stop! 346 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:00,900 What are you doing? 347 00:17:13,030 --> 00:17:14,240 Put it down. 348 00:17:16,310 --> 00:17:16,790 Yes. 349 00:17:18,109 --> 00:17:18,720 You... 350 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:40,750 This is perilla candy Granny taught me to make. 351 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:42,820 Please accept them, Lord Yan. 352 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:47,070 My Lord. 353 00:17:48,070 --> 00:17:49,720 My Lord, are you taking medicine? 354 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:50,480 Are you sick? 355 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:51,440 I'll go get a doctor. 356 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:51,960 No need. 357 00:17:52,590 --> 00:17:53,880 Any leads? 358 00:17:54,270 --> 00:17:56,480 I found a flower token on the murderer 359 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:57,590 and traced it back. 360 00:17:57,880 --> 00:17:58,960 Only Zuixian Tavern 361 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,070 uses this kind of premium flower paper, 362 00:18:01,070 --> 00:18:01,880 with a delicate 363 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:03,880 little wine jug painted on the back. 364 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:06,790 One token is given for every 50 taels spent. 365 00:18:06,790 --> 00:18:08,270 Every official at the Hengtang county government 366 00:18:08,270 --> 00:18:09,480 has one on their desk. 367 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,240 And Second Young Master Xie is a regular there. 368 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:16,640 The Xie family again. 369 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:18,550 My Lord, are you waiting for 370 00:18:18,550 --> 00:18:20,210 Xie Shu to return to Hengtang? 371 00:18:20,750 --> 00:18:22,400 What if he doesn't come back anytime soon? 372 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:23,440 What do we do then? 373 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:27,450 Wine, women, wealth, and power. 374 00:18:27,450 --> 00:18:29,290 There's plenty I can do. 375 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,070 Isn't the Spring Banquet for the Shangsi Festival coming up? 376 00:18:32,070 --> 00:18:33,590 Let's just wait a little longer. 377 00:18:33,590 --> 00:18:34,680 W... Wait? 378 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:36,900 Wait until this rain falls 379 00:18:37,550 --> 00:18:39,680 and the waters of Hengtang turn murky. 380 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:41,490 Once the waters turn murky, 381 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:43,510 we can start fishing. 382 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:52,860 [A Legacy of Virtue for Eternity] 383 00:18:47,790 --> 00:18:49,000 It was all my fault. 384 00:18:49,790 --> 00:18:52,250 I shouldn't have argued with Second Sister. 385 00:18:55,590 --> 00:18:56,680 Just now, 386 00:18:57,790 --> 00:18:59,960 you took all the blame upon yourself... 387 00:18:59,960 --> 00:19:00,790 I'm fine. 388 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:03,010 You needn't worry about me. 389 00:19:03,550 --> 00:19:06,030 When you go back, remember to comfort Third Madam. 390 00:19:06,030 --> 00:19:07,160 Don't let her worry. 391 00:19:09,550 --> 00:19:11,150 But in these inner quarters, 392 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,880 the truth is often the least important thing. 393 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:17,920 I only hope 394 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:20,480 I can live peacefully with my mother 395 00:19:20,830 --> 00:19:22,510 here at Hanxiang Parlor. 396 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,030 Is that so? 397 00:19:26,270 --> 00:19:28,270 My mother used to think the same way. 398 00:19:29,070 --> 00:19:30,270 But you've all seen 399 00:19:31,070 --> 00:19:32,350 how it ended for her. 400 00:19:35,070 --> 00:19:36,800 Second Sister and Third Sister 401 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,320 can afford to be so spoiled and overbearing 402 00:19:40,030 --> 00:19:42,350 because they have Head Madam's protection. 403 00:19:42,350 --> 00:19:43,410 But what about you? 404 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,640 When your mother was wrongfully accused, 405 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:48,370 there was nothing you could do. 406 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:53,070 Because you simply didn't stand high enough. 407 00:19:53,070 --> 00:19:54,530 Even if you keep yielding, 408 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:55,650 again and again, 409 00:19:56,070 --> 00:19:57,130 you and your mother 410 00:19:57,680 --> 00:19:59,030 will still be bullied 411 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:00,510 and humiliated. 412 00:20:03,830 --> 00:20:04,690 Eldest Sister. 413 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:06,400 Are you truly 414 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:09,400 willing to be a discarded pawn? 415 00:20:20,550 --> 00:20:21,810 You still have a choice 416 00:20:23,110 --> 00:20:24,480 in which path you take. 417 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:59,260 [A Legacy of Virtue for Eternity] 418 00:21:07,350 --> 00:21:08,110 Lord Yan. 419 00:21:08,830 --> 00:21:12,000 Are you going to keep investigating the estate manager's case? 420 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,680 I need to notify the government 421 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:15,810 and make the necessary arrangements. 422 00:21:21,590 --> 00:21:22,590 You may leave us. 423 00:21:34,590 --> 00:21:36,200 I couldn't care less 424 00:21:36,270 --> 00:21:37,870 how the estate manager died. 425 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:39,110 What I care about 426 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,350 is the grain he had that's now missing. 427 00:21:44,790 --> 00:21:45,850 You mean the grain? 428 00:21:46,350 --> 00:21:47,240 Exactly. 429 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,000 The relief grain we've received is nowhere near enough. 430 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:51,680 If you gentlemen 431 00:21:51,790 --> 00:21:53,160 weren't hoarding your grain so tightly 432 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:54,720 and refusing to sell it to me, 433 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:55,380 I wouldn't have to keep 434 00:21:55,380 --> 00:21:58,240 squeezing grain out of the Xie family day after day. 435 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:02,590 Luckily, I've come into 436 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:04,480 a little extra money today. 437 00:22:05,030 --> 00:22:06,880 If you gentlemen trust me, 438 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:08,880 I'm willing to double the price 439 00:22:09,590 --> 00:22:10,650 I pay for the grain. 440 00:22:11,110 --> 00:22:12,310 All I ask 441 00:22:12,550 --> 00:22:15,210 is that you help me out of this urgent situation. 442 00:22:24,750 --> 00:22:25,720 Nice wine. 443 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:29,680 Since you're being so generous, Lord Yan, 444 00:22:30,350 --> 00:22:31,070 we can 445 00:22:31,590 --> 00:22:33,440 hardly refuse. 446 00:22:34,750 --> 00:22:35,440 Gentlemen, 447 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:39,320 if you'd like to trade your grain with Lord Yan, 448 00:22:39,550 --> 00:22:40,950 please feel free to do so. 449 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:43,310 Great. Excellent. 450 00:22:54,350 --> 00:22:55,590 In that case... 451 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:56,720 Sheriff He. 452 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:57,820 Your Lordship. 453 00:22:58,000 --> 00:22:59,440 Just find some excuse 454 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:02,210 and close the case of the estate manager's death. 455 00:23:02,270 --> 00:23:04,440 We can't let the Xie family's money 456 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:05,110 go to waste, 457 00:23:05,110 --> 00:23:05,880 can we? 458 00:23:07,110 --> 00:23:08,000 I understand. 459 00:23:08,750 --> 00:23:09,310 Come on, 460 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:10,780 a toast to Lord Yan. 461 00:23:10,830 --> 00:23:11,400 Come on. 462 00:23:12,510 --> 00:23:13,970 -To Lord Yan. -To Lord Yan. 463 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:24,500 [Wuzhu Courtyard] 464 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:23,970 Qingru may be thoughtless, 465 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:26,450 but you should know better! 466 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:28,550 With such a distinguished guest present, 467 00:23:28,550 --> 00:23:30,480 how could you be so lacking in tact? 468 00:23:31,590 --> 00:23:32,850 You're right, Mother. 469 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:34,750 I was wrong. 470 00:23:35,350 --> 00:23:36,400 But it was 471 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:38,650 that wretched girl who started it. 472 00:23:38,790 --> 00:23:40,330 She was the one who tore Second Sister's painting first. 473 00:23:40,330 --> 00:23:43,130 Even so, it was not your place to teach her a lesson. 474 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:48,200 Madam. 475 00:23:48,510 --> 00:23:51,750 Qingyuan took all the blame upon herself 476 00:23:52,030 --> 00:23:54,270 and begged Old Madam to release Qinghe. 477 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:56,240 Old Madam agreed, 478 00:23:56,350 --> 00:24:00,480 but she was furious that she had been embarrassed in front of Lady Prefect. 479 00:24:00,830 --> 00:24:01,790 Madam, 480 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,550 you know what Second Madam is like. 481 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:06,420 She's taking this opportunity 482 00:24:06,420 --> 00:24:08,690 to have Nanny Rong handle this matter. 483 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:10,590 With all these old and new grievances, 484 00:24:10,590 --> 00:24:12,390 there's bound to be a commotion. 485 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:15,030 Let's just sit back and enjoy the show. 486 00:24:18,270 --> 00:24:19,330 How dare you smile? 487 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:21,620 Old Madam may have spared you, 488 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:22,940 but I certainly won't. 489 00:24:23,680 --> 00:24:25,960 Go and copy the Heart Sutra 100 times. 490 00:24:27,550 --> 00:24:28,310 Got it. 491 00:24:31,830 --> 00:24:33,400 I took all the blame 492 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:36,450 so Old Madam would feel even more sorry for me— 493 00:24:37,030 --> 00:24:39,230 and so that those with ulterior motives 494 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:41,850 would willingly walk into my trap. 495 00:24:42,110 --> 00:24:46,890 [A Legacy of Virtue for Eternity] 496 00:24:47,550 --> 00:24:48,590 Fourth Lady. 497 00:24:48,750 --> 00:24:50,410 Please come to the front hall. 498 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:00,030 Everyone's waiting. 499 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:02,270 Very well. 500 00:25:03,070 --> 00:25:06,270 It may seem as if I've fallen into the hands of a wicked servant like you, 501 00:25:06,270 --> 00:25:09,600 but this is also my chance to turn your own blade against you. 502 00:25:26,270 --> 00:25:28,640 Fourth Lady, please. 503 00:25:32,490 --> 00:25:35,600 [Jingmu Hall] 504 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:46,720 Old Madam punished me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall, 505 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:48,480 but she never said I'd be flogged. 506 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,280 Are you taking advantage of the situation, Nanny? 507 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:55,720 How could you say that, Fourth Lady? 508 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:58,750 I'd never dare to abuse my position to settle a personal grudge. 509 00:25:58,750 --> 00:26:00,680 According to the Xie family rules, 510 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:03,350 for disobeying your elder sister and offending a distinguished guest, 511 00:26:03,350 --> 00:26:04,830 you deserve 10 lashes. 512 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:06,640 Old Madam 513 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:07,640 simply forgot. 514 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:10,790 So as the governess, 515 00:26:11,480 --> 00:26:13,680 I'm merely helping to enforce the rule. 516 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:27,170 Do the family rules specify 517 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:29,770 that the cane must be dipped in salt water? 518 00:26:31,590 --> 00:26:33,440 You're indeed smart, Fourth Lady. 519 00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:35,240 You even know this is salt water. 520 00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:39,000 The rules only say 10 lashes— 521 00:26:39,590 --> 00:26:42,480 they never specify what kind of whip to use. 522 00:26:43,350 --> 00:26:44,110 Fine. 523 00:26:44,550 --> 00:26:45,950 Since it's a family rule, 524 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,000 then you may carry it out, Nanny. 525 00:26:49,350 --> 00:26:51,200 But let me remind you: 526 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,690 however many lashes you strike me with today, 527 00:26:54,790 --> 00:26:55,640 I will 528 00:26:55,830 --> 00:26:57,680 return them in full one day. 529 00:27:00,350 --> 00:27:01,550 Fourth Lady, 530 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:03,310 that's quite a bold claim. 531 00:27:03,570 --> 00:27:09,370 [Jingmu Hall] 532 00:27:04,070 --> 00:27:05,270 Did you all hear that? 533 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:09,370 Look who's talking. 534 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:11,750 First survive 535 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:13,090 these 10 lashes, 536 00:27:13,510 --> 00:27:14,370 then we'll see. 537 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:17,280 Take her away! 538 00:27:19,220 --> 00:27:20,770 [Jingmu Hall] 539 00:27:26,550 --> 00:27:28,070 Xie Qingyuan, 540 00:27:28,350 --> 00:27:29,790 look at you now! 541 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:32,920 Back off. 542 00:27:49,350 --> 00:27:50,680 Maybe we should call it a day. 543 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:52,310 Keep this up and you'll kill her. 544 00:27:52,310 --> 00:27:54,240 Since when do you get to lecture me? 545 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:19,000 Xie Qingyuan. 546 00:28:19,110 --> 00:28:21,640 You've got quite a stiff backbone, don't you? 547 00:28:22,030 --> 00:28:23,550 Much tougher than your mother was 548 00:28:23,550 --> 00:28:24,960 back then. 549 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:28,610 [Jingmu Hall] 550 00:28:32,110 --> 00:28:35,160 Why don't you follow your mother's example and bow your head in apology? 551 00:28:35,160 --> 00:28:37,790 Then I might let you off the hook. 552 00:28:47,550 --> 00:28:48,750 Very well, very well. 553 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:53,750 Since you refuse to take the easy way out, 554 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:55,660 I'll teach you a lesson 555 00:28:56,920 --> 00:28:58,480 the hard way! 556 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:01,800 [Jingmu Hall] 557 00:29:14,350 --> 00:29:15,680 Lord Yan. 558 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:20,640 I had no idea 559 00:29:21,070 --> 00:29:22,730 the rules of the Xie household 560 00:29:23,550 --> 00:29:25,030 were set by a mere servant. 561 00:29:26,790 --> 00:29:28,000 Lord Yan, 562 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:30,800 this is a private family matter— 563 00:29:43,030 --> 00:29:44,440 Lord Yan, you… 564 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:53,580 Since you're so fond of rules, 565 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:56,440 I'll let you experience your own rules firsthand. 566 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:57,270 Fan Zhong. 567 00:29:58,240 --> 00:29:59,070 No, no, no... 568 00:29:59,830 --> 00:30:00,510 Lord Yan. 569 00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:01,640 Lord Fan. 570 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:03,650 I was simply following orders. 571 00:30:09,350 --> 00:30:13,640 -I can't possibly stand your whipping... -You're so skilled at interrogation. 572 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:15,790 It's a waste of your talent to stay with the Xie family. 573 00:30:15,790 --> 00:30:17,350 Why don't you come work for the Criminal Justice Office instead? 574 00:30:17,350 --> 00:30:19,480 You can have a proper discussion 575 00:30:20,030 --> 00:30:21,830 with my subordinate, Fan Zhong. 576 00:30:23,830 --> 00:30:24,790 Yan Rui! 577 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:27,780 You're being utterly presumptuous! 578 00:30:32,030 --> 00:30:32,750 Keep beating her! 579 00:30:32,750 --> 00:30:33,750 Old Madam! 580 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:35,160 Save me! 581 00:30:40,070 --> 00:30:41,790 What on earth is going on? 582 00:30:42,070 --> 00:30:42,960 Lord Yan. 583 00:30:43,350 --> 00:30:46,010 Our Xie family is a prestigious clan, after all. 584 00:30:46,030 --> 00:30:47,240 Do you truly intend to 585 00:30:47,270 --> 00:30:49,750 show such disrespect to our patriarch? 586 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:51,920 Your patriarch? 587 00:30:53,750 --> 00:30:55,640 I answer only to His Majesty. 588 00:30:56,270 --> 00:30:57,880 Even a feudal prince 589 00:30:58,310 --> 00:31:00,070 has no hold over me. 590 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:03,550 If you think invoking Xie Shu will intimidate me, 591 00:31:03,550 --> 00:31:05,110 perhaps you've grown senile. 592 00:31:05,110 --> 00:31:05,590 You... 593 00:31:05,590 --> 00:31:06,310 Fan Zhong. 594 00:31:06,750 --> 00:31:07,750 Keep her alive 595 00:31:08,030 --> 00:31:09,430 and take good care of her. 596 00:31:09,510 --> 00:31:10,110 Yes! 597 00:31:11,240 --> 00:31:12,720 Save me, Second Madam! 598 00:31:13,440 --> 00:31:14,270 What a joke! 599 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:17,410 I'd like to see who dares step out that gate today! 600 00:31:17,480 --> 00:31:20,240 Do you truly think you can bully our Xie family 601 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:22,240 just because there's no one here to stand up for us? 602 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:23,770 How formidable, Old Madam. 603 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:26,550 Looks like you've been letting these lackeys 604 00:31:26,550 --> 00:31:29,750 throw their weight around in your name for quite some time. 605 00:31:29,750 --> 00:31:32,550 No wonder they've all grown so full of themselves. 606 00:31:32,550 --> 00:31:34,750 I happen to have some free time tonight, 607 00:31:35,110 --> 00:31:37,570 so I'm kindly teaching them a lesson for you. 608 00:31:41,830 --> 00:31:43,830 Aren't you worried I'll file an imperial petition 609 00:31:43,830 --> 00:31:46,360 -and bring you before His Majesty? -Go ahead. 610 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:48,640 But you'll have to take a number. 611 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:52,030 There must be hundreds of petitions filed against me before His Majesty. 612 00:31:52,030 --> 00:31:53,890 One more won't make a difference. 613 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:55,310 It's just Lord Xie's been 614 00:31:55,310 --> 00:31:58,970 working diligently to build his career in the Northern Frontier, 615 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,750 only to have his reputation ruined 616 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:03,590 by these ignorant women at home. 617 00:32:03,590 --> 00:32:04,750 What a shame. 618 00:32:06,590 --> 00:32:07,200 You... 619 00:32:07,510 --> 00:32:08,110 You... 620 00:32:08,510 --> 00:32:09,110 You... 621 00:32:09,350 --> 00:32:10,310 Xie Qingyuan 622 00:32:10,750 --> 00:32:13,400 is a key witness in a case under my authority. 623 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:16,260 I'm taking her into protective custody. 624 00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:18,240 Any objections? 625 00:32:21,350 --> 00:32:22,440 Even if there is, 626 00:32:23,350 --> 00:32:24,550 I couldn't care less. 627 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:03,090 Thank you for saving my life, Lord Yan. 628 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:05,030 But it's so late. 629 00:33:06,110 --> 00:33:08,240 What brought you to the Xie Residence? 630 00:33:14,070 --> 00:33:16,270 If you hadn't gone to such great lengths 631 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:18,350 to make those poisoned candies for me— 632 00:33:18,350 --> 00:33:20,640 causing my heart to race uncontrollably, my inner energy to stagnate, 633 00:33:20,640 --> 00:33:22,160 and even making me cough up blood— 634 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:23,720 how could I have been so rude 635 00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:26,110 as to go to the Xie Residence to look for you, lady? 636 00:33:26,110 --> 00:33:26,830 Poison? 637 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:32,740 Your Lordship, give me your hand. 638 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:51,200 Your Lordship, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. 639 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:52,590 Did you perhaps 640 00:33:53,030 --> 00:33:55,720 channel your energy or practice martial arts 641 00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:57,760 after eating the perilla candy? 642 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:02,690 It's my fault for not explaining this clearly to Your Lordship. 643 00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:07,240 This perilla candy is meant to refresh the mind and sharpen the senses, 644 00:34:07,270 --> 00:34:10,400 so it contains not only mint and ice leaf, 645 00:34:10,880 --> 00:34:12,280 but also a small amount of 646 00:34:13,110 --> 00:34:14,110 toad venom 647 00:34:14,360 --> 00:34:16,480 to invigorate blood circulation and dispel blood stasis. 648 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:17,710 Both ingredients 649 00:34:18,150 --> 00:34:19,630 are extremely potent. 650 00:34:20,030 --> 00:34:21,320 Within 8 hours 651 00:34:21,630 --> 00:34:23,159 after taking the medicine, 652 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:24,920 you must not practice martial arts 653 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:26,250 or channel your energy. 654 00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:28,630 Ordinary people 655 00:34:29,230 --> 00:34:31,070 won't have any problems after eating it. 656 00:34:31,070 --> 00:34:33,130 If Your Lordship doesn't believe me, 657 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:35,159 you can test it yourself. 658 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:15,480 Now you 659 00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:17,900 believe me, right? 660 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:21,670 It is my fault 661 00:35:22,070 --> 00:35:24,470 that Your Lordship had to suffer like that. 662 00:35:26,190 --> 00:35:28,390 But you accused me of trying to harm you— 663 00:35:28,480 --> 00:35:29,840 how could I have known 664 00:35:30,230 --> 00:35:31,830 when you'd take the medicine 665 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:33,800 or practice martial arts? 666 00:35:40,110 --> 00:35:41,370 Since that's the case, 667 00:35:42,230 --> 00:35:45,070 may I get off the carriage? 668 00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:55,360 Xie Qingyuan. 669 00:35:55,840 --> 00:35:58,510 You certainly have some nerve. 670 00:36:00,190 --> 00:36:02,000 Of all the things you could have done, 671 00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:04,190 you chose to try your tricks on me. 672 00:36:09,670 --> 00:36:11,550 I don't care why you're so determined 673 00:36:11,550 --> 00:36:12,950 to stay in the Xie family, 674 00:36:13,710 --> 00:36:14,770 but remember this: 675 00:36:15,920 --> 00:36:18,440 if you ever provoke me again, I'll formally 676 00:36:19,030 --> 00:36:22,360 send a proposal to the Xie family to take you as my concubine, 677 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:25,030 then lock you away in the Yan Residence 678 00:36:25,030 --> 00:36:26,670 and make sure you never set foot 679 00:36:26,670 --> 00:36:28,200 in the Xie Residence again. 680 00:36:32,070 --> 00:36:33,070 Let me get off. 681 00:36:39,030 --> 00:36:40,360 Old Madam! 682 00:36:41,360 --> 00:36:43,590 You must stand up for me! 683 00:36:43,840 --> 00:36:46,710 Even when you beat a dog, you have to consider its owner, right? 684 00:36:46,710 --> 00:36:48,670 Look what Lord Yan 685 00:36:49,230 --> 00:36:50,110 did to me 686 00:36:50,110 --> 00:36:53,000 just for the sake of Fourth Lady! 687 00:36:53,630 --> 00:36:56,550 If you'd arrived a bit later, 688 00:36:56,880 --> 00:37:00,480 I'd never have been able to serve you again... 689 00:37:03,230 --> 00:37:04,030 Old Madam, 690 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:05,590 just look at her. 691 00:37:06,070 --> 00:37:08,900 Whether we brought in a mascot or a jinx, 692 00:37:09,190 --> 00:37:10,850 we have to judge by the events. 693 00:37:11,150 --> 00:37:12,710 With all the commotion tonight— 694 00:37:12,710 --> 00:37:14,110 the chaos and uproar— 695 00:37:14,480 --> 00:37:17,540 how are we, the Xie family, supposed to hold our heads up 696 00:37:17,670 --> 00:37:19,130 anywhere in Hengtang now? 697 00:37:23,230 --> 00:37:24,030 Mother. 698 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:27,480 Lord Yan is, after all, a rising star at court. 699 00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:28,710 Perhaps... 700 00:37:30,550 --> 00:37:32,510 Perhaps he simply couldn't control 701 00:37:32,510 --> 00:37:33,920 his feelings for Qingyuan 702 00:37:33,920 --> 00:37:35,480 and, out of concern for her safety, 703 00:37:35,480 --> 00:37:37,410 resorted to this absurd behavior. 704 00:37:37,550 --> 00:37:39,000 My dear Head Madam. 705 00:37:39,840 --> 00:37:42,500 You think Qingyuan is some priceless treasure? 706 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:44,400 To be snatched away 707 00:37:44,480 --> 00:37:46,590 by a stranger in the dead of night… 708 00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:51,190 Sorry, I misspoke. 709 00:37:52,230 --> 00:37:54,590 I mean, she was "escorted away." 710 00:37:55,320 --> 00:37:56,650 If word of this gets out, 711 00:37:57,030 --> 00:37:58,260 the whole of Hengtang 712 00:37:58,280 --> 00:37:59,880 will laugh themselves sick. 713 00:38:00,230 --> 00:38:02,710 No one will say your daughter 714 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:05,960 is a virtuous maiden worthy of a gentleman's courtship. 715 00:38:05,960 --> 00:38:08,070 They'll only say our Xie family 716 00:38:08,070 --> 00:38:10,630 -has raised a shameless little... -Enough. 717 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:16,760 Old Madam! 718 00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:17,630 Old Madam! 719 00:38:18,030 --> 00:38:19,280 A letter from Master. 720 00:38:32,750 --> 00:38:33,710 Young Master! 721 00:38:32,770 --> 00:38:35,340 [Zuixian Tavern] 722 00:38:40,190 --> 00:38:41,710 I want to go back to the tea house. 723 00:38:41,710 --> 00:38:43,590 If you go back looking like this, 724 00:38:44,070 --> 00:38:45,930 Granny Chen will be worried sick. 725 00:38:46,230 --> 00:38:47,000 Fine. 726 00:38:47,670 --> 00:38:49,870 Then I'll just stand out here all night. 727 00:38:53,150 --> 00:38:54,150 Xie Qingyuan. 728 00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:58,360 You've always prided yourself on being able to see through people, right? 729 00:38:58,360 --> 00:38:59,840 How come you can't tell 730 00:39:02,880 --> 00:39:04,550 that I mean you no harm? 731 00:39:08,440 --> 00:39:09,800 At least, not for now. 732 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:16,670 Mother, 733 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:19,290 what did Jingzhi say in the letter? 734 00:39:27,590 --> 00:39:28,630 A few days ago, 735 00:39:29,840 --> 00:39:31,070 I sent someone 736 00:39:31,190 --> 00:39:33,430 to deliver a letter to Shu, 737 00:39:34,230 --> 00:39:36,230 informing him of Qingyuan's return 738 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:40,400 and Yan Rui's arrival in Hengtang. 739 00:39:41,150 --> 00:39:43,710 I asked him to look into 740 00:39:44,150 --> 00:39:45,880 Yan Rui's background thoroughly, 741 00:39:45,880 --> 00:39:46,800 so we'd know 742 00:39:47,230 --> 00:39:49,630 how best to deal with him in the future. 743 00:39:50,320 --> 00:39:52,400 This reply 744 00:39:54,030 --> 00:39:55,960 has certainly made things clear. 745 00:39:56,590 --> 00:39:57,480 Old Madam, 746 00:39:57,590 --> 00:39:58,480 so Master... 747 00:40:01,880 --> 00:40:02,960 Yan Rui 748 00:40:04,510 --> 00:40:06,510 is a close confidant of His Majesty, 749 00:40:06,840 --> 00:40:08,670 serving at His Majesty's side 750 00:40:08,760 --> 00:40:10,510 and enjoying 751 00:40:10,630 --> 00:40:12,360 His Majesty's profound favor. 752 00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:14,880 He has received countless lavish rewards, 753 00:40:14,920 --> 00:40:16,190 enjoys free access to the imperial palace, 754 00:40:16,190 --> 00:40:18,440 and travels with a large retinue. 755 00:40:19,070 --> 00:40:20,360 Everyone at court 756 00:40:20,440 --> 00:40:22,710 knows the extent of his power and influence, 757 00:40:22,710 --> 00:40:24,400 and none dares take him lightly. 758 00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:26,320 Moreover, Yan Rui 759 00:40:26,670 --> 00:40:28,150 has amassed a considerable faction of his own. 760 00:40:28,150 --> 00:40:30,710 Corruption runs rampant among his associates. 761 00:40:30,710 --> 00:40:33,000 Though some officials have voiced quiet objections, 762 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:34,550 they fear his power too much 763 00:40:34,630 --> 00:40:36,550 to speak openly. 764 00:40:36,840 --> 00:40:38,840 Most keep silent or flatter him 765 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:42,030 to protect themselves. 766 00:40:43,840 --> 00:40:46,960 So Jingzhi and Brother can't do anything about it, either? 767 00:40:46,960 --> 00:40:49,440 Never mind your brother and Shu— 768 00:40:50,590 --> 00:40:53,250 even Shen Run, His Majesty's trusted confidant 769 00:40:53,760 --> 00:40:57,000 and the Commander of the Palace Guard, 770 00:40:58,230 --> 00:41:00,550 submitted 18 memorials in succession 771 00:41:00,880 --> 00:41:02,610 and petitioned the Censorate, 772 00:41:03,000 --> 00:41:05,230 and all Yan Rui got for it 773 00:41:05,320 --> 00:41:08,450 was the cushy assignment of overseeing disaster relief 774 00:41:08,510 --> 00:41:09,920 in Hengtang. 775 00:41:13,670 --> 00:41:14,360 Mother. 776 00:41:15,670 --> 00:41:17,360 Since our Qingyuan 777 00:41:18,360 --> 00:41:20,110 has caught Lord Yan's eye, 778 00:41:21,110 --> 00:41:22,030 why don't we 779 00:41:26,510 --> 00:41:28,240 make the best of the situation? 780 00:41:36,030 --> 00:41:37,690 I'm just worried that Yan Rui, 781 00:41:37,840 --> 00:41:39,280 who's always been reckless with women, 782 00:41:39,280 --> 00:41:41,630 only wants a fleeting affair. 783 00:41:41,630 --> 00:41:42,490 Preposterous. 784 00:41:42,880 --> 00:41:45,410 She's a daughter of our Xie family, after all. 785 00:41:45,510 --> 00:41:47,840 How could we let him treat her so casually? 786 00:41:58,710 --> 00:42:00,230 Prepare the red stationery.