Original subtitles

[Glory]

[Episode 2]

[Rong Residence]

This is mine.

Mine.

-Brother Zhang, please. -This is mine.

What brings

so many Young Masters here?

It said that the Tea King, Rong Family, seeks a husband for the daughter.

Really?

The Rong Family is one of the wealthiest in the land.

I wonder which Young Master will

have the honor of being chosen?

So many people here.

What is this huge crowd doing here?

My Lord.

The Rong family is choosing a husband for Miss Rong.

The whole Linji is buzzing about it.

Many noble families

are rushing to the Rong family.

My Lord, it'd be better not to

trouble them

at a time like this.

I shall see for myself

what manner of house this Rong family is,

that so many are drawn to its gate.

Go surround it.

Yes.

- Make way! - Make way!

Make way!

Why are there so many officers?

Make way! Step back!

What are you doing?

We bear an invitation from

Magistrate Lu of Chunning County,

humbly requesting the honor of Lady Rong's presence.

What is this about?

What...What's happening here?

My Lord.

Are we just going to wait like this?

Yes.

Until Lady Rong agrees to see us.

His eyes are too small.

This one's face is longer than a horse's.

Next.

A bulging brow and sunken eyes--so ugly.

What in the world is this face!

Not good. None of these will do.

They do not good indeed.

Jingyi.

Return all the birth charts and portraits.

Send away those who came in person too.

Just tell them.

If they want our Rong family's

precious tea seeds next year,

they should select

their finest clansman

and send them to our place for selection

before the spring tea harvest.

Yes.

Grandmother!

Grandmother!

Grandmother!

Why're you so panic?

Still so immature.

Those people outside are causing trouble again.

I've tried repeatedly to persuade them,

but they refused to move an inch.

Check out this.

Take a look.

How insolent!

Madam Yang

clearly had her husband killed.

What does that have to do with the Rong family?

They demanded a witness for the court,

and we already sent a steward to appear.

We’ve shown them every courtesy.

How dare they expect Grandmother to appear in court herself!

I heard that

the newly appointed Magistrate Lu

seems to be

Minister Xu's prized protégé from the capital.

He's pretty arrogant.

That Prefect Xu demanded double

the usual tribute from

our tea plantation last year,

but Grandmother refused him outright.

It seems this year

he wants to use this young magistrate

to test the Rong family's background.

Prefects and Governors

come and go like revolving lanterns,

yet our Rong family has stood firm in Linji

for centuries.

A mantis cannot block the path of a mighty cart.

With the county exams approaching,

all we need is

to anonymously circulate a few inflammatory posters

and encourage the students to petition for a boycott,

which'd be enough to make Governor Jiang yield.

What do you think, Bao'er?

I see three problems with this plan.

First,

the Rong family'd inevitably be suspected of coercing the Governor,

thus handing others a ready-made accusation.

Second, it'd delay the students from taking the exams,

going against Grandmother’s intention of supporting

poor students to benefit the community.

Thirdly,

in the eyes of ordinary citizens of Linji,

the Rong family'd become unscrupulous gentry

who incited examination boycotts

and disregarded law and order.

Haven't we been supporting those poor students

all along precisely for such a critical time?

If we hesitate and waver now,

won't Grandmother end up being publicly questioned in court

under the gaze of thousands?

Don't forget that

the Wei family's tea plantation,

though now entirely owned by the Yang family,

their ancient tea trees

are rooted in the Rong family garden.

Who knows what the people of Linji

will say.

Indeed.

If you're really so capable,

why don't you come up with a good solution?

I certainly won't let him

act so recklessly in the Rong family.

[Rong Residence]

We bear an invitation from

Magistrate Lu of Chunning County,

humbly requesting the honor of Lady Rong's presence.

We respectfully request the prescene of Lady Rong!

What's happening with the Rong family?

I heard they're harboring a runaway woman

and sheltering criminals.

Who doesn's know Lady Rong's character?

Without any evidence,

isn't this just nonsense?

-Yeah. -Exactly.

Complete nonsense!

My Lord.

It's been three days already.

The Rong family seems to be carrying on as usual,

no sign of any unusual activity.

The whole Linji is talking about this matter.

I don't believe that Lady Rong

can remain so calm as if nothing happens.

My Lord, the Governor urgently summons you.

[Governor's Office]

We demand to see Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

We need to see Your Excellency!

With no referral,

how can we sit for the exam?

Yes!

If I fail to achieve merit and fame,

I shall forfeit my very life!

If we can't see My Lord,

we're not leaving.

Right, we're not leaving!

We must see Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

Your feet! Step back!

Your Excellency! Your Excellency!

I need to see Your Excellency!

[Book of People]

Your Excellency!

Let us in!

Step back!

My Lord, something seems to have happened.

I saw that.

Use the back door.

Yes.

If you're investigating the case, then you can just investigate.

But who allowed you to provoke the Rong family?

You've even made Lady Rong ill with anger.

Check this.

This is a petition from the students.

They're forcing the Your Excellency to dismiss you.

Anyone who incites students to boycott the exams shall,

by law, face the sentence of death by hanging with a reprieve.

As an imperial official,

how can you be controlled by the Rong family?

Are they actually boycotting the exams?

No.

The stipend scholars of Linji,

our of support and indignation for Lady Rong,

have refused to provide guarantees.

When the students heard of this,

they gathered outside County Office,

appealing to Your Excellency to intervene.

Let me ask you.

Without guarantees from stipend scholars,

how can students enter the exam hall?

What about the county examination?

And what about prefectural and provincial exams?

If the capital holds you accountable,

your head won't be where it is now.

They dare to refuse guarantees?

How dare they not?

Since ancient times, stipend scholars provide guarantees voluntarily.

No matter how you interpret the law,

you won't find any fault with them.

I've repeatedly warned you

to consider the dignity of wealthy families.

The Rong family has great prestige in this area,

and we can't offend them casually.

Look at you now,

creating such a mess.

All I did was spread a simple rumor,

yet the Governor and the Prefect are thrown into disarray.

Who would have thought the Rong family had such a player?

My Lords, don't be so worried.

I've already invited the coroner Chen from Suzhou.

Once they open the coffin for examination,

whether Madam Yang is alive or dead,

the truth will eventually come to light.

Lu Jianglai, you're so insolent!

If you continue this reckless course,

calamity will descend like Mount Tai,

crushing a minor county magistrate like you

to dust.

You are still too young and impulsive.

It's time to rein in before plunging over the cliff.

You...

My Lords, please look at this.

What is this?

[Royal Edict]

Your humble servant receives the decree!

Your humble servant receives the decree!

I carry His Majesty's imperial edict.

I serve not merely as County Magistrate, but as Imperial Inspector,

dispatched to patrol the realm,

assess local governance, redress wrongful grievances,

and adjudicate all cases great and small in the sovereign's name.

No matter how high your rank

or how great your power,

when I say we'll open the coffin for examination,

anyone who dares to obstruct is defying imperial orders

and will be severely punished without mercy.

My Lord.

An urgent message from the capital

brings a letter of Minister Xu.

[To the Chunning Magistrate, Lu Jianglai]

Be cautious.

This case has so quickly

alarmed people in the capital.

My mentor sent me these two words.

What could be his intention?

My Lord, it's about 10 p.m. now.

Time to depart.

Prepare the sedan chair.

Yes.

Has the coroner arrived?

Rest assured, My Lord.

He is waiting for you

at the abandoned grave ahead.

You...

My Lord, you defy powerful gentry

and shield no former allies,

recklessly flaunting your prowess.

Yet don't you know that the treacherous tides of officialdom

are fraught with hidden blades and spears

where every step is hindered,

and you may well destroy your own life in the process?

Chase!

Chase!

Some watch our Miss bask in the glory,

and their eyes are burning green with envy behind your back.

Miss was afraid that after spring

the pest would spread,

so you rushed to the tea garden overnight to treat the diseased plants.

What a relentless labor of devotion this has been!

And now

they've all turned blind to your efforts.

Watch out your mouth!

You should talk less

just in case you will annoy our Miss.

You chatterbox.

You'll be ruined by your mouth someday.

You're asking for a beating.

Miss may look cold but has a warm heart.

You can‘t frighten a maid like me.

Miss, it looks like someone ahead

has fallen down the mountain.

♪ The stars and moon descend ♪

♪ Into the mortal world♪ ♪ Where blossoms wither and hearts break ♪

♪ How persistent ♪

♪ How can such a fleeting grace♪ ♪ Ever be forgotten ♪

♪ Beacon fires rise high ♪

♪ One last dance, then the music ends♪ ♪And the crowd departs ♪

♪ To seek the next crescent moon's light ♪

Bandits often pretend to be dead from starvation.

Check out this blood.

He doesn't look like a good man.

Bury him.

Please.

Help me.

Take him back.

[Young Lu Jianglai]

Help!

Who are you?

Someone who saved you.

Who are you?

Someone who saved you.

Everyone has only ever harmed me.

No one has ever saved me.

Now there is.

[Rong]

That day I heard people

calling him Lord Lu.

I assumed he must be

the new Chunning Magistrate, Lu Jianglai.

But you said

everything at the County Office has been normal lately?

I had people inquire about it.

Everyone at the County Office

is saying the same thing.

They say that Lu Jianglai

was actually an Imperial Inspector

who recently received a confidential letter from the capital

and immediately returned to the capital.

I'm suspicious about this too.

If he's not Lu Jianglai,

then who is he?

You really don't remember anything?

Three fatal wounds.

Eight clear blade wounds.

A bloody mess.

The fall left him senseless.

Miss

sacrificed two century-old ginseng roots

to save his life.

I know he'll definitely be a trouble.

Miss.

Since no one has come looking for him,

he must be a vagrant.

We should just drive him out.

Drive him out?

Where am I supposed to seek payment for the treatment?

If he's fortunate enough to survive in the future,

I'll let him stay at the Rong Residence

and work as my coachman.

[Chongxi Hall]

[Next year February]

[Rong Residence]

Wang Lu from Suzhou

has come to pay respects to Lady Rong.

Please enter.

[Wang Lu]

Song Yifang, from Luxiang of East Mountain, Suzhou,

has come to pay respects.

Zhuang Shimin from Fuliang, Raozhou,

has come to pay respects.

Zuo Liangyu from Nanjing has come to pay respects.

Lin Shishuo from Yi County, Huizhou,

has come to pay respects.

Please enter.

Good heavens!

It's so lively here.

Are they all here

to propose to Miss Rong?

If Miss Rong gets married,

what future is there for the Rong family's

ten-thousand-mu tea legacy?

For hundreds of years, the Rong family has never married off their daughters.

[Bai Yansheng]

They only take in live-in sons-in-law.

If one could become

the Rong family's son-in-law,

wouldn't that be like falling into a pot of gold?

Bai Yingsheng from Wanfeng Academy.

This Young Master is so handsome!

[Yang Dingchen]

Mr. Yang,

please wait in the Flower Hall for tea.

How grand, isn't it?

Look how many there are!

Are you recommended by Principal Liu?

Please.

Who is this Young Master?

So extravagant!

Look at this TYoung Master.

[He Xingming]

Mr. He.

He Xingming from Huqiu

has come to propose to Miss Rong.

I was wondering who it was.

Didn't the He family boast

that their Huqiu Tea of Mountain Wu is the best in the world

and vow to surpass the Rong family?

How come Mr. He has stooped so low

as to come begging for their tea seeds?

When my family's Huqiu Tea

was renowed throughout the world,

Yangxian, Tianchi,

Beiyuan and Songluo

were content to be mere inferiors.

The Rong family's Longjing tea

wasn't even known by anyone

back then.

How come our Young Master isn't good enough to marry her?

Events from just a decadee ago are too shameful to recall,

and yet you dare trumpet achievements

from a hundred years back?

She is mine.

Young Masters, you must be weary from your journey.

Please, take your rest at Xinfang Pavilion.

This courtyard has a beautiful view.

Yes, indeed.

Look over there.

How exquisite. Look, Young Master.

Guess who I am?

Cousin, stop fooling around.

Bao'er, you must have eyes

in the back of your head.

How many times have I told you

to call me Xiangling?

Weren't you studying at the academy?

Why did you suddenly come here?

Does Uncle know?

If I didn't come,

[Wen Can]

and let someone arrange your marriage,

wouldn't I regret it

for the rest of my life?

I'm here to win.

You won't win.

You don't want

a childhood sweetheart,

but you insist on choosing from a bunch of strangers

with unknown intentions?

Bao'er, you're so confused.

Miss Rong,

all Young Masters have all arrived at the mansion.

Are you really not going to take a look?

Silly girl.

Xiangling already has me by her side.

Years ago,

my aunt fled to the Wen family,

and she was grateful that my father gave her some soup.

They then became sworn siblings.

When the Wen family declined later,

she'd often bring me

to play with you.

We may be family by oath,

but we're closer than most real family.

You are my cousin who was raised in luxury,

being so innocent and sincere.

When've you ever experienced harsh realities in life?

Once you've experienced

the fierce competition for victory,

then come and speak your heart to me.

Then please await the good news, Xiangling.

Keep a close eye on him.

I understand.

Don't worry, Miss.

They've sent dozens of troublemakers today

without a thought for

whether we can handle them all.

Hey, the new one!

You need to hurry.

If it rains tomorrow,

this stench will spread for miles.

By then, if it bothers those noble guests,

you'll be beaten with a rod.

Move it! Move it!

You...You!

Get that out of my way!

You're really asking for a beating.

The horses eat fresh grass

delivered from the meadows every day.

Fresh horse dung should be greenish.

Only these few horses have droppings

as hard as stones.

These horses also look listless.

We should find someone who can treat sick horses.

This is from being driven too hard on the road

without feeding them enough water.

What do you know?

Miss Rong is kind-hearted

to give you those few bowls of leftovers,

but don't think you're something special?

Mr. Wen brought

these prized horses from Northern Ji

are fed only the finest fodder.

Who'd dare let anything happen to them?

If you dare talk nonsense again,

I'll report you to the steward.

Then they'll pin you to the ground

and give you thirty lashes first.

What are you waiting for?

Before sunset,

hurry and take those vats of

fermented manure

to the garden.

Hurry up!

Dillydallying...

It's not worth arguing with

such a fool over nothing.

I must find out from Miss Rong

about my background and identity.

Then I can leave this wretched place.

Brother Yang.

The host hasn't invited us yet,

but we're sneaking into this garden.

I'm afriad if this is appropriate.

We're not animals that

they can keep us in Xinfang Pavilion,

and only give us some water and grass.

The Rong family never said

we couldn't stroll in their garden.

Besides, with Brother Yang here today,

which one of those

arrogant servants would

dare to stop us?

Yes, yes, yes.

We're just following

to broaden our horizons.

When it comes to

who is most deserving of Miss Rong's hand,

Brother Yang is without a doubt the man.

But I've heard the Rong family's

marriage traditions are different.

They don't allow formal engagements or wedding banquets.

But if the marriage doesn't work out later,

even a son-in-law who has entered the Rong household

will be immediately sent back to his family.

The Rong family's search for a son-in-law

was an old story from thirty years ago.

It's only natural that ordinary folk

wouldn't know the details.

Yangs are a prominent family in Linji.

Even if others are unaware,

how could Brother Yang possibly not know?

I was just about to ask Brother Yang.

Is it real that the Rong family is run by women?

Is it true that women are superior to men?

In years past, when the couple fell out,

did they truly set a precedent by

"removing the father and keeping the offspring"?

And what exactly is this "Tea Bone"

that's been passed down through the generations?

Has the Rong family's immense wealth

truly fallen on

Miss Rong's shoulders alone?

If you're fortunate enough to become the Rong family's son-in-law,

you'll naturally know what you need to know.

I'm afraid you don't have such luck,

so why bother asking?

I'm just curious, that's all.

Although we have some wealth,

compared to the Rong family, it's like a drop in the ocean.

But you, Brother Yang, with your impressive wealth,

why do you also come to join this excitement?

None of your business.

Yes.

Your criticism is most enlightening, Brother Yang.

You thieving beast!

What are you looking at?

Where did this filthy trash come from?

How dare he eavesdrop on our conversation!

I... I'll leave right away.

I am an honored guest invited by the Rong family.

What is that murmuring!

You bastard!

Showing no respect at all!

Clean my shoe!

Young Master Wang, please don't be angry.

I... I...

I'll clean them for you right away.

Wang what?

No wonder he's carrying manure.

It turns out he's half-deaf.

Brother Wang,

don't bother arguing with a deaf guy.

It'll be a disgrace to your dignity.

Wang Lu, tell him to leave quickly.

Wang Lu.

Fine. I'll remember you.

Get lost now!

Are you waiting for a slap?

Who?

Even before you beat a dog, you should need to know who its master is.

Our Rong family isn't a place for you to make a scene.

Miss Rong, please don't be angry.

My friend here acted rashly

and offended you.

Wang Lu,

hurry up and apologize to Miss Rong.

Please forgive me, Miss Rong.

I heard everything

you just said.

In the Rong family,

if someone is looked down upon,

it's never because he is a man,

but because he lacks intelligence,

has poor characters,

and fails to serve his family loyally.

When a woman can manage the household and pursue a career,

it's not simply because she is a woman,

but because she possesses both virtue and talent,

earning everyone's respect.

This talk of male superiority

or female superiority

is something I've never heard before.

The Rong family has always disdained such discussions.

Allow me to ask our guests to respect our traditions

and refrain from such disrespectful remarks.

We were all ignorant

and spoke arrogantly.

It's all my fault.

Knowing it was our first meeting,

I refrained from speaking bluntly

to avoid offending you.

Please forgive my impropriety, Miss Rong.

Mr. Wang has a hot temper

and has frightened you.

Take this to calm yourself.

Duplicitous and self-destructive.

This kind of guy is treacherous to the core.

If Miss Rong marries him,

the Rong family line will come to an end.

Thank you for your generosity, Young Master.

Alright, show them out.

Miss Rong.

It's all because of this wretched beast

who made me

lose face in front of Miss Rong!

-I... -Mr. Wang.

We're hosting a banquet today at Xinfang Pavilion

for distinguished guests.

If you don't go back now, you'll be late.

All Young Masters,

please.

Lovely as the peony in spring,

yet cold as the steel that scours bone.

You stepped in with your feigned defense

after I'd already endured all the scolding and blows.

No way.

I need to see you privately

to get a clear explanation.

Miss, I think you're overthinking.

He really did hurt his head.

Otherwise, with his usual scheming nature,

how could he allow others to bully him like this?

Time reveals a person's true nature.

Did he stumble into it by accident,

or deliberately sneak in?

We'll figure that out one day.

If he has ulterior motives,

he'll suffer the consequences.

Send him a bottle of medicine.

Miss.

Reviving Hall's "Corpse-Reviver Elixir"

costs a hundred taels per pill,

which is more than a decade of his wages!

You're certainly being generous.

Then give him one pill only,

in case he dies

and wastes my two old ginseng roots.

So many people are after the Rong family fortune

and Miss Rong herself.

Only if we two join forces against our enemies

do we have a slight chance of success.

So you're saying

you want to form an alliance with me?

At tonight's the Rong family banquet,

I shall first offer you my pledge of loyalty

as the proof of my good sincerity.

How does that sound?

Young Master,

hosting a banquet is one thing,

but why'd the Rong family

consider it necessary

to provide such beautiful companions?

The royal family, to avoid choosing the wrong groom for the princess,

always sends palace maids to test the groom before the wedding.

The Rong family is a prestigious clan.

They want to test their future son-in-law.

I dare to guess,

if a Young Master is fortunate enough to get chosen,

it may well depend on

whether the maid is willing to

put in a good word for him before the hostess.

Let's have another drink.

With a beauty here to warm and serve wine,

even if I don't win Miss Rong's hand,

I can still count the evening well spent.

This trial by wine and beauty will prove

who is clear-headed enough

for what comes next, the real tests.

Let's apply a bit of pressure

and help wash away

a few unworthy grains of sand.

This is excellent wine.

Have some more, Young Master.

Yes, yes, no problem.

I really can't drink anymore.

Mr. Wen.

With the host's wine,

let me first propose a toast to you.

Mr. Wen, why are you

drinking jasmine wine alone?

Young ladies may favor its floral sweetness,

but it's a bit too mild for our tastes.

Here, try this Autumn Dew White.

Here, Brother Wang,

let me toast to you.

Today, two friends of mine

accidentally offended Miss Rong.

They feel deeply regretful

and I was hoping you could help smooth things over.

Here.

Young Master, you worry too much.

Mr. Wen.

Your two families are so related.

Since you'll be visiting each other often in the future,

I hope we may call upon your kindness often.

Mr. Wen, such small cups are no way to enjoy a drink!

Let's switch to bigger cups.

-Come on, Mr. Wen. -No, no, thanks.

Come on.

Come.

Here, come.

-Let me fill your cup. -Mr. Wen.

Let's all have a drink together.

We won't leave until we're drunk tonight.

Brother Bai.

Let's just enjoy our drinks.

Brother Bai, we've not finished yet.

Exactly. I have a fine piece of

calligraphy at my place.

Let's go to my place.

-No, no. -Let’s go.

-Let's go. -Come on.

-Bottoms up. -No need.

Really, there's no need.

Let's go, Brother Bai.

Drink.

Bottoms up.

Bottoms up.

Come on.

Good tolerance.

Here, let me fill your cup.

Slow down.

Don't rush. Let me close the door first.

Who are you?

What are you doing?

Who is it?

You drive away and beat your guests for no reason.

How can you justify this?

-That’s right. -Yeah.

I want to speak to Miss Rong about this.

Our Rong family meant to kindly host

guests from afar.

But we don't treat lecherous scoundrels.

We served you with good wine and meat,

but we've fed a bunch of swine!

How dare you get drunk and harass our maids?

Have you lost your minds?

One more word out of any of you,

and you'll be tied up and hauled to the County Office,

Let them have your backs beaten to pulp!

But...

Didn't your family mention a trial marriage?

What trial?

Trial your fool head!

Have you been swilling so much wine

that your mouth spews filth?

You're not fit to so much as hand me,

a maid's slippers,

let alone aspire to

our Miss!

I...

You...

Get lost!

Leave quickly.

How embarrassing.

Go!

Pah!

Fourth Miss,

Miss Rong's courtyard

never allows unauthorized entry.

While no one notices,

let's leave quickly.

The new tea is about to harvest,

Rong Shanbao is holding a meeting at Chongxi Hall.

All attendants around her were assigned to leave here.

How could she pay attention to this place?

It's tricky as someone is guarding there.

I want to see Miss Rong.

Could it be that someone else

is also looking for Miss Rong?

Oh no!

I forgot to apply the honey.

Rong Shanbao

really did hide you here.

[Sixth Miss of the Rong family, Rong Yunwan]

You know what to do?

Yes, yes, I understand.

I won't let this stand in the way of your important work, Young Master.

But if others find out...

Even if all of my ten fingers

were put in finger crushers,

it'd be due to his own lust and folly,

and he deserved it.

To be a son-in-law of the Rong family,

one must first maintain proper conduct.

Wen Can was drunk and misbehaved tonight,

how could Miss Rong still want him?

After all the commotion this evening, I can't sleep at all.

Let's go.

Come to my room for some chess games.

Please.

This is terrible.

Wanwan, what are you afraid of?

I'm your sister.

I won't bite you.

Come here.

Come here quickly.

It's been a while.

You idiot have finally

grown some brains.

It's not as easy to fool as you used to be.

Fourth Sister is mean!

-Fourth Sister is so fierce. -Stay still.

Let me go!

Let go!

Why are you running?

You ill-fated scourge, who doomed your own mother!

How many more people in my family do you want to harm?

[Tea Tax]

That Prefect Xu demanded

double the usual tribute

from our tea plantation last year.

Tea tax was one of the ancient government's

[Hand over the tea tax!]

most important sources of revenue.

[Abuse of power? Shackle/Exile!]

The Ming Dynasty's tea tax

was administered on a regional basis.

The Sichuan region implemented the Official Tea System

to facilitate the tea-for-horses trade

with frontier tribes for horses.

While Jiangnan region

adopted the merchant tea system.

Under the Tea License System,

merchants paid corresponding taxes

for selling tea for profits.

Ming Dynasty's tea taxation system

was a product of political prioritization.

Its primary design objective

was to consolidate border security

rather than to generate revenue.

The paradox of low tax rates

coupled with strict control ultimately led to depressed tax yields.

Although the tea-for-horses trade

helped maintain frontier stability,

it failed to translate effectively

into a fiscal advantage.

Instead, it created fertile ground

for smuggling and corruption.