Original subtitles

[Spring of The Blade]

[Episode 21]

I, Li Congxin, swear here and now:

in this life,

I will marry only you as my wife

and never take a concubine.

I will never let you relive the tragedy

your mother endured amid the intrigues of the inner household.

It's just that...

the daughter-in-law your mother has always wanted...

isn't me,

but Second Sister.

Of course not.

Fourth Sister,

don't worry.

I'll go back

and have a proper talk with my mother.

In this life,

I will marry no one but you, Xie Qingyuan.

So...

will you marry me?

Can't you just sit still

for a moment?

Whatever it is, let's sit down and talk.

I'm troubled!

Madam Hu has been telling me all along

that our son's match would be with their second daughter.

But today, Chunzhi

made it clear to their fourth daughter, Xie Qingyuan,

that he would marry no one but her.

What should we do?

Our son has always been free-spirited.

It's rare for him to care this much about who he marries.

Just let him have his way.

Marquis,

that's not what you said last time!

I hit you too hard?

I'm fine, I'm fine.

It's not that I insist on a highborn lady for our son.

Our son is simple-hearted.

Xie Qingyuan doesn't truly love him.

If they really get married,

there'll be no end of friction down the road.

Doesn't it hurt to think about it?

Though she isn't the principal wife's daughter,

she conducts herself with prudence

and propriety.

If this marriage goes through,

she will never do our son wrong.

Changing your tune just like that.

Fine, fine.

Since Chunzhi has made up his mind,

I can't tear these lovebirds apart, right?

I agree to this marriage

because it is with the Xie family,

not because it is with Fourth Lady Xie.

Exactly.

Alright.

Then let's prepare the betrothal gifts.

Our son is getting married.

The gifts mustn't be skimped on,

lest we become a laughingstock.

Don't you think so?

Sooner or later, you and our son will be the death of me.

My son is getting married.

Come on, come and see.

Why are there so many things?

Gosh, there are 2 whole rows.

I like that one.

I like that hairpin.

[Moonlight Casts Its Radiance]

I still remember that day at the Spring Banquet,

when Chunzhi rode his horse and shot arrows.

He was truly impressive.

[Moonlight Casts Its Radiance]

From that day on,

I made up my mind

that I'd marry him no matter what.

Second Sister, you'll surely get your wish.

Of course.

What do you suppose Chunzhi

has been doing these past few days?

I'd guess Chunzhi...

has been thinking about you.

My Lady!

My Lady!

The Marquis of Danyang household has come to formally propose marriage!

Move aside now!

Look at all these gifts. Who do you think

they are for?

Which young lady could be so fortunate?

Isn't it obvious?

Of course, it's for our Second Lady,

from the Heir of the Marquis of Danyang.

Exactly.

For Second Lady.

Second Lady is so lucky.

Old Madam has arrived!

The Marquis of Danyang household

respectfully addresses the honorable Xie family.

[Formal Marriage Contract]

With reverence, heaven unfurls its brocade clouds,

and earth brings forth its finest jade,

and so a house of noble lineage now comes forward.

Li Congxin, Heir to the Marquisate of Danyang, comes from a family

that has upheld honor and distinguished service for generations.

He is a man of noble character, skilled in the martial arts,

steeped in poetry and propriety,

and observant of the Six Rites.

We therefore humbly seek the good offices of a matchmaker,

in the hope

that you will consent to this union

and let our two families be joined as one.

Congratulations, Fourth Lady Xie Qingyuan.

Old Madam,

Lord Xie,

the Heir put a great deal of thought

into the betrothal gifts for Fourth Lady Xie.

And this pair of wild geese

was hunted by the Heir

himself.

Please accept the betrothal gifts, Fourth Lady Xie.

Please accept the betrothal gifts, Fourth Lady Xie.

Once you and I are married,

you'll be the Young Madam of the Marquis of Danyang household.

And since that murderer

killed the relative of an official,

he should be beheaded for it.

It was agreed that he would marry me.

How did it suddenly become Xie Qingyuan without so much as a word?

When on earth will Mother be let out?

Second Sister,

Mother is still confined to quarters.

If you go now,

you'll only make Grandmother and Father more displeased.

Out of my way.

I want to see my mother.

Second Lady,

Master has ordered that

during Madam's recuperation,

no visits are allowed.

Get out of my way!

I'm only carrying out Master's orders.

Second Lady, you're making such a fuss.

Are you trying to embarrass Madam?

Second Lady, you behave with such disregard for propriety—

did Madam Hu raise you like this?

You...

What did you say?

My Lady!

She's the principal wife's daughter.

Do you know the consequences if you hurt her?

My mother and father have always been devoted to each other.

She's merely been confined to her quarters for a few days.

And you, a lowly servant, dare to walk all over me?

How dare I hurt you, My Lady?

But if you

insist on acting recklessly,

I have no choice but to invoke the family rules.

Family rules?

She even dares to mention family rules!

Fine!

I'll go fetch Grandmother right now

and let her decide

who should be punished under the family rules.

Get lost!

Grandmother,

I just wanted to see my mother,

but this wretched maid, Yuejian,

actually threatened me with the family rules and even cursed at me!

She truly has no regard for her mistress anymore!

Grandmother,

you have to make this right for me.

Yuejian.

Come here and sit.

Grandmother.

Sit.

Yuejian is now

your Sixth Madam.

She is your elder now.

Not to mention

she's acting on the patriarch's orders—

even if she herself

wanted to discipline you,

she would still have every right to do so.

Sixth Madam?

You actually took advantage of my mother's confinement

to seduce my father!

Insolent!

Grandmother,

Second Sister only spoke without thinking because she

was in a moment of distress.

Mothers and daughters share a deep bond.

Grandmother, I believe you

wouldn't want such a trivial matter

to disturb the peace of the household.

Why not

fulfill my sisters' wishes

and let them visit Mother?

That way, there won't be

constant commotion in front of Wuzhu Courtyard.

Fine.

Let your mother see for herself

what

you have done these past days.

Spare me your false kindness.

The Marquis of Danyang household came to offer you betrothal gifts—

what tricks did you play in this?

Don't celebrate just yet.

Whatever is mine,

you can never take away.

Grandmother.

Look at her.

See how her mother has spoiled her.

Listen up, all of you.

Although this is a large household,

it has no room

for servants who outwardly comply while secretly defying orders.

If anyone

relies on their seniority

to throw their weight around

and make things difficult for Sixth Madam,

don't blame me

for showing no mercy.

Yes, Old Madam.

Yuejian.

Take them away.

Qingyuan.

Come sit beside me.

Have you heard people say

that a woman may never leave the inner household,

yet she can still hold the fate of the entire family in her hands?

On a small scale,

it means managing the household well

and handling relationships properly.

On a grand scale,

we too

have a part to play in

who rises to power

and who falls from favor at the imperial court.

Now that you

have secured

such a fine marriage match,

this isn't only your own good fortune

but also our family's.

You do

have quite a knack

for managing money

and quite a way

with people too.

However,

official rank,

status,

and family wealth—

none of these last forever.

One day, without warning,

they can all

be taken from you.

Only blood ties

endure.

After you marry into the Marquis of Danyang household,

don't forget

that you're still a member of the Xie family.

You must speak well of us

and protect our interests.

As for

the grievances of the past...

you

should let them go.

I often think of

the kindness you and Father have shown me.

No matter where I am,

I'll certainly put the Xie family's interests first.

My Lady,

you've been gazing into space for so long now.

What are you thinking about?

I know full well that I've only risen in Grandmother's estimation

because of my engagement to Young Master Li.

In all my life,

other than my own mother,

I've never once been

this close to a blood relative before.

I was wondering

what it's like for those girls who are loved by their parents

in the days

before they marry out.

My Lord,

Fourth Lady Xie really is engaged to the Heir of the Marquis of Danyang.

I just heard that the betrothal gifts have been delivered.

The wild geese and marriage contract have been sent to the Xie Residence.

I hear the Heir's feelings run deep.

He even personally urged

the Marchioness of Danyang to have the marriage contract prepared without delay.

Whether you're Yan Rui

or Shen Run,

since our paths are different,

let's part ways here.

Sir.

Do you sell

yellow paper here?

Third Lady Xie?

How do you know me, sir?

I am Zhou Peian,

a fellow disciple and senior classmate of Pei Lanshan.

I once caught a glimpse of you

at the Spring Banquet, Third Lady Xie.

So, you're Senior Zhou.

We don't have

the yellow paper you're looking for here.

However, it's not hard to find.

I'll keep an eye out

and have it delivered to your residence later.

Then, thank you, Senior Zhou.

Goodbye.

Third Lady Xie.

What's this scripture in your hands?

This is the Rebirth Sutra,

used to pray for my late mother.

This isn't my place to say,

but

there is no room for error in matters concerning the dead.

The scripture in your hands is actually

the Soul-Suppressing Mantra, used to suppress vengeful spirits.

It's an exceedingly rare scripture.

Fourth Sister!

Fourth Sister!

Fourth Sister!

Last time, you warned me

that my own mother's death

was not solely Mei Yinghua's doing.

Do you know something?

To be honest,

I don't want anyone else

dragged into this.

But if there truly is

more to it,

then whoever was responsible

has been hiding in the household for 19 years.

That's frightening enough that we can't

afford to let our guard down.

Mei Yinghua knows nothing about medicine.

In this entire household, the person most knowledgeable about medicine

is Concubine Lian.

And on the day my own mother died,

she was the only one nowhere to be found.

Could she be involved in this?

Concubine Lian did tell Concubine Mei

about the toxicity of the euphorbia.

But she's kept to herself, rarely going out for over a decade,

and she can't even decide her own daughter's marriage.

With a temperament like hers,

how could she possibly

have done such a vicious thing?

Those who witnessed it firsthand back then

are either dead

or long gone.

Of those who remain,

Concubine Lian dares not speak,

and Grandmother would rather let the matter rest

than tell you.

Of everyone, Mother is the one

who should tell you.

Even if she doesn't know the full truth,

she shouldn't be stopping you from looking into it.

You're

suspecting...

Third Sister,

can you still recall

the details from back then?

Who

went to Luoying Pavilion?

Who

was the first to find your mother dead?

I remember.

Back then, apart from Cui'er,

only Grandmother and Mother came.

Then they covered her with a white cloth

and carried her away.

Do you still remember what your mother looked like then?

At that time,

I saw that her face was bluish,

and her lips were purple.

What did you say?

Your mother didn't die from a hemorrhage?

A hemorrhage?

No.

I...

Even though I was still young then,

I remember clearly.

There was no heavy bleeding.

Poisoning from the euphorbia

causes miscarriage with severe hemorrhaging.

If the face is deathly pale

and bluish,

with purple lips,

it indicates...

suffocation.

[Danyue Pavilion]

My Lady!

Old Madam has gone to Hanxiang Parlor with Yuejian.

They said

they'll marry Eldest Lady off to the Hu family tonight.

Enough,

Fanqiao.

Stop crying.

Commissioner Hu is a man of great status.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say

he's at the pinnacle of officialdom.

The fact that he's taken a liking to our Qinghe

is her good fortune.

Old Madam,

you suddenly announced

that she'll be married off today.

We haven't prepared anything yet.

Isn't this rather rushed?

I beg you to discuss it further with the patriarch

and delay it a few days.

This marriage

was decided long ago.

The betrothal gifts have also been delivered.

Look,

the wedding robe you sewed yourself for our Qinghe

fits her perfectly,

and now it's finally being put to use.

Qinghe

is going to marry him

as a concubine,

not as a properly wedded principal wife.

There's no need for much preparation.

Right now,

the Hu family's bridal sedan chair is waiting.

How can you expect me to go back on the marriage now?

Not only would that

humiliate the Hu family,

but it would also leave our family

with no way to hold our heads up.

Grandmother,

the Pei family has already come to clarify that

the engagement was broken off because Madam Pei's mourning period is not yet over.

Young Master Pei and I are deeply in love.

I hope you

can give me a few more days.

Old Madam!

The Pei family

has already shown your father

more than enough courtesy

by not spelling things out plainly.

You should know better

and give up on this.

You're 5 years older than Qingyuan.

Now,

she is about to marry into the Marquis's household.

Yet, your engagement with the Pei family was broken off.

If we don't do something,

others

will laugh at our family.

Enough.

This is the decision the patriarch and I

have made together.

There's no room for discussion.

Old Madam?

Old Madam!

Old Madam!

I've endured everything without complaint

for 20 years.

All because I hoped you would find

a husband who truly loved and cherished you,

so you could escape this misery.

Not to be a gift for the Xie family

to curry favor with the powerful.

But...

I have no way to stop this either.

Third Madam.

Eldest Sister.

I have a plan to break this deadlock.

I wonder if you'd be willing to try it.

Old Madam!

Old Madam!

Eldest Lady...

Eldest Lady...

Calm down.

What happened to Eldest Lady?

Eldest Lady is missing!

What?

-Search thoroughly! -Eldest Lady!

Where're you, Eldest Lady?

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

Eldest Lady!

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

She's not here.

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

Search every corner!

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

Eldest Lady!

-Master. -Eldest Lady!

-We still haven't found her. -Eldest Lady!

-Master. -Eldest Lady!

-Someone saw her flee toward the South Gate. -Eldest Lady!

-Go after her. -Where are you?

Head for the South Gate!

She's at the South Gate!

After her!

Let's go. To the South Gate.

Eldest Lady, where are you?

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

-Eldest Lady! -Eldest Lady!

Eldest Lady!

Eldest Lady, where are you?

Eldest Lady, where are you?

Eldest Lady!

[Qiyun Alley]

My Lord,

you see, right now,

we've been catching those small-fry officials.

When are we going after a bigger fish?

Don't rush.

Once the small fry in the river are gone,

even the most patient big fish

will bite the bait

when its food runs out.

Eldest Lady, stop right there!

-Cheers. -Stop!

Catch her!

Go take a look.

Eldest Lady!

You can't elope, Eldest Lady!

Eldest Lady, stop!

Eldest Lady!

Don't run!

Hurry up. Eldest Lady!

-She's over there! -Stop!

-Stop! -Don't run!

What is it?

Nothing major.

-The Xie family seems to be looking for... -Stop!

-their Eldest Lady who ran away. -Eldest Lady!

Don't run!

Eldest Lady Xie?

-Why is she running away? -Eldest Lady!

Who cares.

Let's drink.

Come on.

Stop!

Catch her!

Don't run!

Stop!

Hurry up!

-Stop! -Don't run!

Catch her!

Stop!

Don't run!

-Stop! -Don't run!

Stop!

What are you doing?

[Guan-guan Go the Ospreys]

Putting on a show, all of you?

Honored lords,

this old servant

is in pursuit of the Xie family's Eldest Lady,

who has eloped.

I hope you

can show us some leniency.

What are you waiting for? Go!

Commander,

if I can't bring back the eloping Eldest Lady tonight,

I won't be able to report back!

I hope you can grant us a small favor, Commander.

What if she's not your Eldest Lady?

Fourth Lady?

She's not Eldest Lady.

Commander, please forgive us.

I got the wrong young lady.

Stop right there!

You come and go

as you please.

Have you no regard for me at all?

Fourth Lady,

Commander,

this old servant's eyes must've failed me!

Please forgive me, Commander.

Commander, please calm down.

She's just a crude maidservant.

I beg you to show her mercy.

Thank you, Fourth Lady.

Thank you, Fourth Lady.

Then, according to the Xie family rules,

slap yourself 30 times—

what do you say?

Hurry up and slap yourself.

One.

Two.

Two.

Two.

Two.

Two.

Three.

Three.

Alright, stop it.

Keep slapping yourself!

Hurry up.

Twenty-nine. Thirty.

Get out of here.

Don't forget your lantern.

Take care. We won't see you out!

Mother,

this wedding robe

is really beautiful.

♪ Waiting for a dream to sink into the depths of the night ♪

Try it on and let me see.

♪ Waiting for a rain to wash away the heat burning in my eyes ♪

♪ Waiting for a few flowers to bloom, then quietly fall ♪

♪ Only then do I understand right from what's wrong and bitter ♪

♪ Pear blossoms drift through the courtyard, fluttering like snowflakes in a song ♪

♪ Singing the silence of love and hate ♪

Mother,

am I pretty?

♪ Which moment is hypothetical, and which is a real choice? ♪

Yes.

My Qinghe

is truly beautiful.

♪ Who is drifting aimlessly in the wind? ♪

♪ I wonder why joy is always so scarce in this world ♪

You've

always liked sleeping without enough covers.

Once I'm no longer by your side,

♪ I wonder, is that tear a loss or a gain? ♪

be sure

to keep yourself well covered with blankets at night.

Especially when autumn comes,

wear more layers.

♪ Two souls trapped on the opposite banks of life and death ♪

Don't let yourself get cold.

♪ May you and I overcome karma's bonds ♪

Once you're out there on your own,

it won't be like being at home.

Don't be too picky

about food and drink,

but don't mistreat yourself either.

You must hide the jewelry and valuables

in different places.

If someone steals or robs you,

at least you'll have some left.

If Lanshan ever treats you badly...

Mother,

♪ Waiting for a dream to sink into the depths of the night ♪

please rest assured.

Whether Lanshan treats me well or not,

I'll take good care of myself.

♪ Waiting for a rain to wash away the heat burning in my eyes ♪

♪ Waiting for a few flowers to bloom, then quietly fall ♪

But what about you?

Have you ever thought about

♪ Only then do I understand right from what's wrong and bitter ♪

what will happen after I...

Eldest Lady!

Eldest Lady,

it's time to go.

♪ Pear blossoms drift through the courtyard, fluttering like snowflakes in a song ♪

Mother.

I've already figured out where to go.

♪ Singing the silence of love and hate ♪

Go.

Mother.

Let's go.

-Or it'll be too late. -Go.

Mother.

Go.

Mother!

♪ Which moment is hypothetical, and which is a real choice? ♪

♪ Who is drifting aimlessly in the wind? ♪

♪ I wonder why joy is always so scarce in this world ♪

♪ I wonder, is that tear a loss or a gain? ♪

♪ Two souls trapped on the opposite banks of life and death ♪

Today, through tears,

I see you off by the riverbank.

The east wind blows for a thousand miles,

like a distant dream.

♪ May you and I overcome karma's bonds ♪

Eldest Sister has finally escaped this cage,

with a whole world before her.

Now she can live for herself.

♪ The wind blows away old memories, piling them in heaps before the door ♪

So envious, are you?

If you could let go of your hatred,

you could also leave here.

♪ No one speaks for anyone else ♪

Why envy others?

What about you?

Commander, would you be willing to

return to Anxiang Village with me,

♪ Which page is a missed opportunity, and which holds my hopes? ♪

to never concern yourself with worldly affairs again,

and to set aside all grudges?

♪ Forgotten in a lonely corner ♪

♪ Waiting for time to teach us both how to let go ♪

I can't.

What about you, Fourth Lady Xie?

♪ Waiting for our wounds to heal, no longer asking why ♪

You already know the answer.

♪ Waiting for us to slowly learn the shapes of love and hate in this life ♪

People like us,

with hearts full of hatred

and schemes,

can never find peace.

♪ Waiting for one final goodbye, then letting go ♪

Regardless,

♪ No more wandering and worrying ♪

thank you,

Lord Shen, for helping me out tonight.

You don't owe me anything.

No need to thank me.

I'm thanking you on behalf of my eldest sister.

May she

be safe and well,

free of hatred and grudges.

A mere servant of yours went out to catch

your daughter in an illicit affair, and actually dragged me into it.

My Lord, you truly ought to think carefully

about what explanation you owe me.

In a single night,

my most obedient eldest daughter

eloped with a man.

And my most beloved youngest daughter,

who is already engaged,

was caught meeting another man in secret late at night

and disturbed the Commander.

Great.

Just great, all of you.

This was entirely my doing.

It has nothing to do with Qingyuan.

She couldn't bear to see her own sister

forced to marry an old man as a concubine.

What did she do wrong?

Concubine Lian,

I always thought you were gentle and well-mannered.

And I believed

I'd treated your branch fairly.

Do you realize that because of you,

the reputation of the Xie family

has been ruined

overnight?

Do you realize your wrongdoing?

The reputation and face

of the Xie family again.

You haven't grown tired of

saying these high-sounding things all these years,

but I'm sick of hearing them.

Xie Shu!

You keep claiming

that everything you do is for the Xie family.

Then let me ask you—

you used your son's death

to claim credit and gain a title,

and then you forced your daughter

to marry a 60-year-old man

from the Hu family—the very family responsible for your son's death!

In your heart,

does this so-called Xie family

include them?

Does it include me?

Or is it only ever about you?

Servants,

punish her according to the family rules.

Right here in the hall.

Fifty strokes of the cane!

Yes, Master.

No, Father.

You'd better keep out of this!

Father,

my own mother and Fifth Madam are dead.

Mother is confined in Wuzhu Courtyard.

Second Madam's gone mad and has been sent to a suburban estate.

If something happens to Third Madam as well,

I'm afraid

the disgrace brought upon the Xie family will be far greater

than the things Eldest Sister and I have done.

I know you are furious right now, Father,

but this matter carries too much weight.

I feel I must advise against it.

What fine twisted logic.

By your reasoning,

after all this commotion,

we can't even punish

Lian Fanqiao?

Father, Grandmother, you blame me,

and I have nothing to say to that.

I am willing to accept punishment.

Qingyuan,

no need to beg him.

In over 20 years...

I've never felt more alive

than I do right now.

All these years,

I never dared ask for fine silks or jewelry,

nor ask for love or affection.

Even when my best friend was wronged,

I could only stand by and watch,

not daring to utter a single word of protest.

Because I know

that in this household,

there isn't a single living soul

who doesn't

swallow their own suffering in silence!

Shut up!

I'm not finished!

You can bully me,

but you cannot bully my daughter.

All these years I've swallowed my pride and endured everything

just to keep her safe.

She's not an object.

And she certainly isn't

a stepping stone for you to climb the social ladder!

Impertinent!

Today,

I've finally set my Qinghe free

from this den of horrors that devours people.

I, Lian Fanqiao...

have no regrets in this life.

Kill me, torture me,

or throw me into the pond—

do as you please.

I've had enough

of this cage for far too long!