Original subtitles

[The Lament of Autumn]

[Episode 1]

[8th Year of Republic of China]

[Hundreds of thousands of young men]

[defined patriotism with passion.]

[This revolutionary spirit is like a guiding light in the darkness.]

[Civil war ruins a nation; peace builds a nation]

[Da Feng Bank]

[Nanhuai]

[It lights up the gates to a new era of China.]

[At the end of the same year,]

[the acting president died of illness.]

[The leader of the northern warlords, Cheng Jun,]

[plotted to assume the presidency,]

[and proposed the idea of a coalition to various regions.]

[In an era of clashing ideologies]

[Yu]

[and power struggles,]

[the old gives way to the new]

[and light and darkness intertwine.]

The Commander-in-Chief has arrived!

Greetings, Commander-in-Chief!

[Nanhuai Army Headquarters]

As you all know,

Third Master Cheng and Premier Rui

are fighting for the presidency.

Military Governor Chu is his direct subordinate,

so of course he agreed.

[Yu]

But Commander Mou

politely declined.

Regarding the coalition,

what do you all think?

The Mou family has been growing stronger these years.

Their wings have hardened,

and they now want to stand on equal footing with Military Governor Chu.

In my opinion,

Premier Rui has been at the helm of the central government for many years

and has deep roots there.

[Yu]

As for this Third Master Cheng,

he was just a destitute man in his early years,

making a living by selling cloth.

Later, he relied on

that old monkey, Mr. Wu,

to make his fortune.

With such a foundation,

how can he compete with Premier Rui?

We may have our own concerns,

but we are all just afraid of betting on the wrong person

and losing our capital.

But the current central government

is already a revolving door.

If we just watch from the sidelines,

I'm afraid there will be no seats left for us.

In this great game of life,

if you don't make a move,

you will never win.

I think...

this risk

is worth taking.

We don't need to be too conservative.

What's going on?

Where did this bird come from?

What's going on?

Commander,

this is the parrot raised by

Fifth Young Master in the office.

How absrud.

Yes, it's ridiculous.

Tell him to come see me immediately.

Commander,

Fifth Young Master asked for leave

and hasn't been in the army these past few days.

That scoundrel!

[Xiangxi Hotel]

This way, please.

Open! Open! Open!

Fifth Young Master Yu's luck has been so good!

Yes, he's completely unstoppable.

Thank you, Fifth Young Master Yu.

Yes.

Game!

Great luck, Fifth Young Master Yu!

Winning just this much is no fun.

I'll pay all three of you this round.

I'll double whatever you lost.

Great!

How generous, Fifth Young Master Yu!

Come, come!

See that?

Now that’s what I call a broad-minded person!

If you ask me,

with the Fifth Young Master Yu's luck,

in addition to

this grand spectacle today,

let alone us

playing cards together,

no matter who you bring in,

they'd lose everything they have.

Believe it or not?

I believe, I believe.

He is unstoppable.

A useless card.

I'll let you guys pong.

Pong?

Here in Nanhuai City,

being able to play a round of mahjong with Fifth Young Master Yu

is an honor earned over several lifetimes.

Absolutely.

Speaking of which,

I have a cousin

who has worked in the logistics department for 5 years.

He's very honest

and has always wanted to transfer to the transportation department.

He just lacks an opportunity.

I hope the Fifth Young Master

can help him out.

What's the use of coming to me?

I just happen to be with the staff department,

holding an empty title.

Look at what you're saying.

You are

the crown prince of our Nanhuai City.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

next Wednesday evening,

my uncle's bank is hosting a banquet.

I beg you to do us the honor of taking the main seat.

You just have to show your face.

[Yu’s Residence]

Mingxuan.

[Memorial Tablet of Beloved Son, Yu Mingxuan]

It's getting cold.

I am burning you

a hat and a scarf.

Remember to put them on.

I went to Tianjin Street today

and bought your favorite

tangerine cake.

After all these years,

nothing has changed on Tianjin Street.

Only my son

is gone.

[The Lotus Sutra]

Rest assured, brother.

As a son-in-law of the Yu family,

I will definitely take good care of the family.

Changxuan, slow down!

Fifth Young Master!

Fifth Young Master, are you alright?

Stop there!

Come in!

Everyone's here?

What is that on your cheek?

That's a woman's lipstick!

All you do every day

is to fool around,

eat, drink, and play.

What a disgrace!

Zhou Tai!

I'm here.

Bring the family cane.

Yes.

No need to bother.

You just want to hit me, don't you?

Come on.

If he hadn't lost two sons,

he would have beaten me to death long ago.

Dad!

Dad!

Don't hit him!

Your hand has no sense of moderation.

If you hurt him,

I won't live either.

Get up!

-Carry on! -No!

I'll beat you to death!

I'm never letting you off!

Don't!

Get up!

Mom! Mom!

Stop hitting him, Yu Zhongquan!

I had three sons, and two are dead.

This is my only remaining heir.

Let him go!

If you beat him to death,

you'll truly be all alone!

It's okay, don't cry.

Commander.

Stop hitting him.

Look, Wanxuan is terrified.

Why are you all just standing there?

Hurry up and get him back to his room!

Hurry, hurry.

Let's go.

Bear with it.

Just bear a while more.

I worked so hard

to raise three sons,

and now only this one is left.

Mom, don't be sad anymore.

Here's some bruise ointment.

Bear with it.

It's also hard on Minru.

She had only been married into the Yu family for two months

when Mingxuan died in battle.

The Yu family has let you down.

I know well in my heart.

Mom,

since I am married into the Yu family,

I am therefore a member of the Yu family.

There is no such thing

as letting me down.

I know you care about Changxuan,

but...

you also need to take good care

of your own health.

Say no more.

Mom,

frankly, Changxuan deserves to be taught a lesson.

Look at Xiao Beichen from Beixin.

He's only a year or two older than him,

but on the battlefield, he is a brilliant strategist

who is invincible.

Then look at Changxuan.

What a good-for-nothing!

Yu Qixuan, can you get out?

Your voice annoys me.

Exactly.

Why do you always compare others

with your own brother?

He has a headache. Get out.

Fine, I'll go.

I'm considered annoying here anyway.

Mom, I'm fine.

Just go.

All of you go.

Okay, okay.

We'll all leave. Let's go.

Come.

Come find me quickly if anything happens.

Ruitong.

Get the car ready.

Commander.

Please calm down.

No need.

I haven't lost my mind from anger.

At that critical moment,

Wanxuan suddenly started crying.

You pinched her, didn't you?

I just didn't want you to get angry.

I know.

It's perfectly justified for you to discipline Changxuan.

Being strict with him

is for his own good.

But you shouldn't ruin your health over it.

After all, this family

relies on you to hold it together.

Changxuan.

The rain is getting heavier.

The mountain road to Guanyin Pavilion

might be challenging to travel on.

Are we still going to

pay respects to Mingxuan today?

Forget it.

Let's go back.

Turn around.

What happened?

Someone suddenly rushed out.

Did we hit them?

I don't think so.

But she seems to have dropped things all over the ground.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Thank you.

[Mingde Girls' High School]

[Jiguang Tower, Mingde Girls' High School]

Xueting.

Mother and I are both looking forward to late autumn,

when you return from your studies in Tokyo.

We've kept in touch through letters these past 4 years.

It’s as if it were you, the one who grew up with me,

never went far away.

Pingjun!

Slow down.

Here.

Take these.

Hold on to them.

When I get home,

I'll ask my father for a little more.

No, I can't accept this.

I can't always rely on your financial support.

Why are you acting like a stranger?

Your mother's lung disease has flared up,

and this is exactly when you need money the most.

Hurry up and take it.

Then when I find a job,

I'll pay you back.

I'll get going then.

Take care.

[Da Hua Department Store]

The next item

is the highlight

of this auction.

Everyone, please look.

This piece of jewelry

was once collected by

a Russian duchess.

Even after a century, it remains dazzling.

Now,

let the bidding begin.

Miss Tao,

do you like it?

It's alright.

Miss Tao, if you like it,

how about I bid it for you?

Ziyi.

This guy surnamed Tong

is all show with no substance.

He said he went to study abroad,

but he didn't learn any real skills.

Instead, he became an expert in all things vice.

The starting price is 50,000.

Let the bidding begin.

60,000.

Mr. Tong bids 60,000.

100,000.

110,000.

140,000.

160,000.

400,000.

400,000.

The bid is at 400,000!

Any higher bids?

450,000!

400...

450,000!

450,000 going once.

450,000 going twice.

450,000...

going thrice!

Congratulations, Mr. Tong,

on winning this item!

What's the rush?

It's Fifth Young Master Yu.

What did I tell you?

Knowing you're here,

Yu Changxuan would definitely come.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

you're here.

This item looks good.

This item has already been sold.

There are better ones coming up.

Would you mind looking at those?

Isn't that simple?

Put it up for auction again.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

we have rules to follow here.

Since I've already won it,

how can you simply ask to have it auctioned again?

Aren't you being too demanding?

What exactly do you want?

I heard Mr. Tong just returned from studying abroad.

No wonder.

In Nanhuai City,

I've never seen

anyone as gutsy as you.

So I've decided

to auction off

your pride today.

Auctioning me off like an item?

Starting price is 500.

Let the auction begin.

So this is Xiangxi Hotel.

Hello, do you need any help?

Hello, I'm here for a job interview.

Go up to the 2nd floor from here,

walk to the end of the left corridor,

then turn left with the crowd,

and you'll see

the office for the interview.

Annoying.

Hurry up.

There are so many people interviewing today.

I'm so nervous.

Why are they hiring so few people?

I heard they're look to hire only 4 people today.

I've been waiting forever.

[Recruitment Room]

My father belongs to the Yu Army,

1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division.

He's a platoon leader.

Do you have any relatives

serving in the military?

My uncle

works at the Secretariat of the Army.

The Secretariat?

[Xiangxi Hotel Interview Application] [Name: Zhou Yanchu]

Your father passed away early,

and you are only left with your mother?

Yes.

Does your family own any businesses?

We don't own any as an ordinary family.

I worked at a French restaurant

for a year,

mainly as a receptionist.

I am fluent in

English and French,

know a bit about Western dining etiquette,

and am quite familiar with Western cuisine.

If you give me this job,

I will do my absolute best.

100. Any bids?

100 is simply embarrassing.

50. Any bids?

40. Anyone?

Who would dare to bid?

That would be going against Fifth Young Master Yu.

30. Any bids?

1 dollar. Any bids?

1 dollar? That is ridiculous.

That's as good as giving it away.

No one wants to buy it even for a dollar.

I announce

that with no bids,

Mr. Tong's pride

goes unsold.

Pride

is worthless to me.

Can you just be obedient?

Yes.

Whatever he paid for it,

I'll buy it for double.

I heard a batch of whiskey just arrived.

Yes, Fifth Young Master Yu.

It just got shipped from Scotland.

A bottle for everyone here.

It's on me.

How generous, Fifth Young Master Yu.

Thank you, Fifth Young Master Yu!

Hi!

Hello.

I'd like to know

why I wasn't selected.

Let me put it this way, miss.

A person's outlook and worldview

are related to one's family background.

For example,

take our hotel.

We are the first hotel in the city

to introduce indoor golf.

This kind of western novelty,

popular among foreign aristocrats,

is something many people have never even seen.

If you make a fool of yourself,

people might not remember you,

but they will definitely remember

that it was Xiangxi Hotel's fault.

Actually, golf

originated from

a game played by Scottish shepherds.

While herding sheep,

they used the handles of their crooks

to hit round stones

into rabbit holes.

It has absolutely nothing

to do with aristocrats.

By the way,

when I arrived, I saw

a Western-style oil painting of

a ball at the Sudanese royal palace

hanging in the center of the lobby.

You have a good eye, miss.

I picked it out myself.

It just got hung up yesterday.

What do you think?

The people in that painting are dressed luxuriously,

dancing to their hearts' content.

But what it really depicts

are assassins hiding in the shadows,

which symbolizes danger.

If a guest who understands art sees it...

I'm afraid it might be inappropriate.

So that's what it means.

Thank you for the reminder, miss.

I'll have someone take it down right away.

Miss Ye.

Please wait.

You are?

My friends flatter me

by calling me Master Jin.

I'm the boss here.

I just heard

you speak very elegantly, Miss Ye.

I would like to hire you, Miss Ye,

to try some clerical work.

I wonder if you'd be willing?

I would be!

To be honest,

I really need this job.

Master Jin.

Fifth Young Master Yu wants to dance all night.

We are short of hands in the Lido Hall.

Transfer some people from Yongan Hall first.

I'm going to Shenyang tonight.

Tell the foreman to keep a close eye on things.

Yes, Sir.

If Miss Ye has time tonight,

you can also go and help out.

Fifth Young Master Yu's parties

pay very well.

I can do it.

Thank you, Master Jin.

Then I'll be looking forward to it.

Second Young Lady Tao, let me toast you.

Tao Ziyi?

[Tao Ziyi]

Who drew this?

[Ye Pingjun]

Look at what's drawn here.

It's so funny.

[Recognition for Outstanding Students]

Serves her right.

What qualifications does Ye Pingjun have

to be rated as a grade-A student along with Tao Ziyi?

I heard you really

went all out today.

That's impressive.

You bought that necklace today

for Second Young Lady Tao, right?

Make a guess.

Again?

You were very attentive to her

a while ago.

But recently,

you've been acting hot and cold toward her.

I guess...

Either

you are playing hard to get,

or

you have other intentions.

Li Boren.

You have many flaws,

but your biggest one

is that you talk too much.

Got it.

Talk less.

Why didn't Fifth Young Master ask you to dance?

I don't care if he does or not.

When he danced with you a while back,

it felt like you two were inseparable.

Suddenly, he turned his back and played with others.

Ziyi.

I must remind you,

he has countless female admirers.

He won't be not easy to control.

You should pull out early.

Don't fall too deep.

It's not clear who will fall for whom.

Sister,

you don't understand men,

especially men like Yu Changxuan.

Don't worry.

The night is still young.

Miss.

May I have this dance?

It'll be my honor.

[Xiangxi Hotel]

After dinner,

I'll have someone take you home.

Okay.

Fifth Young Master Yu made quite a splash

at the auction.

I wonder which beauty

will receive the necklace

you went to such great lengths to get.

The necklace?

It's for Jinxuan.

Why?

Do you like it?

I wouldn't dare to claim such an honor.

I heard

that a few days ago,

you bought 10 sets of

pure gold hair ornaments

for the leading actress of a theater troupe.

Yesterday, you booked a whole dance hall.

Fifth Young Master Yu has been really busy

treating everyone equally.

Miss Tao, you are usually so cold and aloof,

not even giving me a passing glance.

But now, you know my private affairs

like the back of your hand.

Second Young Lady Tao's heart

is truly more unpredictable

than the spring breeze in April.

Someone's shooting!

Ziyi!

Ziyi!

Run!

Go over there!

Mom!

Mom!

Don't be afraid. It's okay.

Mom!

Close the hall doors!

Close the doors!

Changxuan.

The Tao sisters have been sent away.

Where is Master Jin?

Master Jin took the evening train

to Shenyang for procurement.

Call your Master Jin back immediately.

He just left,

and this Xiangxi Hotel

becomes riddled with holes.

Fifth Young Master Yu.

If you ask me,

we should arrest them all

and interrogate them thoroughly.

Search them one by one.

-Yes. -Yes.

See who has a silver fountain pen.

A silver fountain pen?

The killers all had

silver fountain pens on their chests.

It should be a mark

to identify accomplices.

Indeed.

There's a silver fountain pen here.

Don't move!

This pen isn't mine.

It's you.

You know her?

Take her back to the headquarters.

I'll interrogate her personally.

Come, Miss Ye.

Let's begin officially.

[Nanhuai Army Headquarters]

Enough.

This is our headquarter's interrogation room.

We are very thorough with our hospitality.

Are you still refusing to tell the truth?

I'm telling the truth.

I went for an interview this afternoon.

They were short-handed,

so I was transferred there.

You can check if you don't believe me.

You're not likeable when you're not sincere in a conversation.

Do you see that meat grinder over there?

Come,

put your hand in.

Once the power is on,

soon there will be nothing left

but crushed bones and mangled flesh.

Have you ever had cupping therapy?

Tell me,

who is the mastermind behind this?

This is your last chance.

I really don't know.

Ye Pingjun.

Class 3, Grade 2 of Mingde Girls' School.

You live in Tianshuijing Alley in the east of the city.

You only have your mother at home,

who has a chronic lung disease.

She goes to Ren'ai Hospital for consultations every month.

Her attending doctor is Wang Zhiyuan.

She has been treated for three years.

Her condition has improved,

but

she still falls ill whenever it gets cold.

Right?

What do you want to do?

What I want to do

is already very clear.

As long as you name your accomplices,

I will be lenient

and let you go home.

Your mother is still waiting for you at home.

Calm down.

I must calm down.

I remember during the interview...

Feng Yao.

What a coincidence.

Are you here for the interview too?

When the interview results were announced,

she wasn't among those accepted.

But during the ball,

why was she wearing

a waiter's uniform?

Fifth Young Master Yu.

I have a proposal.

A proposal?

Yes.

Let's hear it.

Let me out.

Within ten days,

I will catch the real culprit

who framed me.

I didn't expect you to still be in the mood

to joke with me.

I'm not joking with you.

Since Fifth Young Master Yu has investigated

so thoroughly

and knows I have a

bedridden mother at home,

it's impossible for me to run away.

Within ten days,

if I really can't find the person,

it won't be too late for you to arrest me again.

Fifth Young Master Yu.

Do you dare to bet with me?