Original subtitles

[The Lament of Autumn]

[Episode 4]

Look!

Isn't that Fifth Young Master Yu?

It really is him.

It's him.

That's Fifth Young Master Yu!

It really is!

Why is he with Ye Pingjun?

Why is he

with Ye Pingjun?

What exactly are you trying to do?

Isn't it obvious?

An older brother is taking his little sister to school.

No need.

When a woman turns you down,

a man should try even harder.

That's what courting is all about.

Shameless.

There's more where that came from.

Want to see?

Isn't that Fifth Young Master Yu?

Why is he with Ye Pingjun?

No wonder he fired a gun for Ye Pingjun.

Has he changed his type again?

Who he takes to school

or spends time with

is none of my business.

[Xiangxi Hotel]

Changxuan,

we just got word

that Tao Xili has secured

a loan from the central government.

The funds were meant

to provide relief for flood victims,

but the Tao and Mu families

are using them to buy Japanese weapons.

This is a serious matter.

Should we inform the Commander?

The weapons

will come ashore at Xishui.

I'll seize the shipment.

Isn't that a bit too risky?

A nation's downfall

lies in the incompetence of its generals and soldiers.

To restore order and save the nation,

nothing is more urgent

than strengthening the military.

I understand.

You want

to build your own loyal force,

equipped with weapons of your own.

What I want

is true independence,

not to be a pawn

manipulated by the old guard.

But with just our own men,

seizing the weapons on our own

will be difficult.

That's why

I'll work with a trusted aide

of Marshal Xu.

You mean

Staff Officer Yang?

Staff Officer Li.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

that was a pretty underhanded move.

What are you going on about?

I'm talking about that plot of land on Changping Mountain.

[Folder]

That land belongs to Tao Ziyi's uncle, right?

You were hot and cold with Tao Ziyi,

deliberately playing hard to get,

all for that piece of land,

weren't you?

You're getting smarter.

I'm as sharp as a tack.

No wonder!

I always thought Ye Pingjun

was a pretty little thing,

but I couldn't figure out what you saw in her.

So you were using her

to make Tao Ziyi jealous.

Oh, my dear brother,

why keep this from me?

I'm an expert when it comes

to love and romance.

Leave it to me

to make Tao Ziyi eat out

of your hand.

I'll make sure everything goes smoothly,

every step of the way.

What do you say?

Miss Ye,

Lan Qing gave me

the script you wrote last time.

I've read it,

and it's quite impressive.

Your writing

doesn't read like that of a student still in school.

You write

like a seasoned screenwriter who's written several scripts.

Director Liang, you're too kind.

I've only

read a few books here and there

and tried writing a few pieces myself.

Pingjun,

Director Liang genuinely admires your work.

Once your script is staged,

it'll surely be more moving

than any of the new plays out there.

Absolutely.

Lan Qing,

Fifth Young Master Yu sent word

that he'll be here shortly.

All right.

Oh, Lan Qing,

I need to go back

and get some medicine for my mother,

so I'll be off now.

All right.

Take care on your way.

I'll take my leave.

Take care.

I'm off.

[Yuchun Theater]

Are you here alone?

Stop looking.

She's already gone.

Who said I was looking for anyone?

I came to see you.

Word's all over town

that you're courting Pingjun.

You even made a big show of it

by chasing her all the way to the girls' school.

What,

jealous?

Cut the nonsense.

I'm warning you,

you need to stop this.

Pingjun is an innocent girl.

I treat her like my own little sister.

It's only been a few days,

and you're already so protective of her?

She's nothing

like all those girls you fool around with.

She's a decent, respectable girl.

What a coincidence.

I've been wanting to make

a new, respectable friend.

[Mingde Girls' High School]

See you tomorrow.

Goodbye.

I'm off.

Today's lessons were so hard.

Pingjun,

the homework you've been doing for us

has gotten better and better.

We're all very pleased.

A new roller rink just opened

near the Bell and Drum Tower.

We're going to check it out.

Come with us.

I don't know how to roller-skate.

I don't want to spoil your fun,

so I'll pass.

Other girls at our school

offer to do homework for money, too,

but we've always chosen you.

Is this how you treat us

after we've invited you out for the first time?

It's okay if you don't know how to roller-skate.

We can teach you.

Come on!

The more, the merrier.

Come on, it'll be fun!

[Roller Rink]

[Skate Safely, Have Fun!]

Ye Pingjun,

what are you doing over there?

Come on over!

Holding on like that,

how are you ever going to learn?

You've got to be willing to fall

if you want to learn.

-Right. -Right.

Let's help her skate together.

-Come on. -Come on.

Come on.

Make sure you keep your balance.

Roller-skating is easy.

You'll get the hang of it in no time.

Exactly.

Sorry,

I couldn't stop in time.

Are you okay?

I'm so sorry.

I didn't see you.

Watch where you're going.

Be more careful!

Exactly! What are you doing?

It's skating.

Falling is part of learning, isn't it?

You don't know how? I'll teach you.

I've got something to do. I'm leaving.

What are you doing?

You actually—

My hand...

Ye Pingjun,

how dare you hurt me like that?

It's skating.

Bumping into someone is pretty normal, isn't it?

I'll be more careful next time.

Are you okay?

Come on, get up. Careful.

[Roller Rink]

Are you okay?

Should we go to the hospital?

I'll take you.

No need to trouble you, Fifth Young Master Yu.

It's no trouble. I'm headed that way anyway.

This way.

Get in.

Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?

I'm fine.

Next Wednesday is my birthday.

I want you

to attend

as my date.

No way.

Don't want your indenture back?

If you do this for me,

I'll waive six months

off our one-year agreement.

Deal?

Deal.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

they may shower you with gold and silver,

but this is what really matters.

Premium astragalus root helps replenish your qi

and promote good health. It'll do you a world of good.

And I personally selected

every single piece.

How thoughtful.

Ye Pingjun?

What's she doing here?

Right!

Isn't she that brat

from Xiangxi Hotel?

Isn't she afraid you'll settle the score with her?

You didn't hear?

Fifth Young Master Yu is courting her.

Really?

Miss Ye is my honored guest.

Whatever misunderstandings there may have been in the past,

we're all friends

from now on.

Miss Ye,

I was out of line before.

Please don't take it to heart.

I was out of line, too.

I'm sorry.

This German-style pistol

was custom-made for you, Fifth Young Master Yu.

Even British dukes use this model.

This is a tiger descending the mountain,

a symbol of wealth and peace.

I hope you'll accept it, Fifth Young Master Yu

I had someone bring this riding crop

back from Britain for you.

The handle is made of rhinoceros horn,

and the whip is crafted from fine calfskin.

See if it suits you.

Thank you, Yayi.

I love it.

Eldest Young Lady Tao really knows

how to give Fifth Young Master Yu exactly what he wants.

Indeed.

-That's right. -That's right.

Miss Ye,

what have you prepared

for Fifth Young Master Yu?

I know

Fifth Young Master Yu usually favors Western things,

but I couldn't afford a birthday cake,

so I made one myself.

I hope you won't mind, Fifth Young Master Yu

What's that supposed to be?

Is that supposed to be Fifth Young Master Yu?

That's way too abstract.

It is Fifth Young Master Yu.

Now, in all fairness,

it may

look abstract,

but it does capture

some of his essence.

No, I mean, your essence...

It may not be particularly refined,

but you can tell

she put a lot of thought into it.

I really appreciate

the sentiment.

I'm glad you like it, Fifth Young Master Yu.

Now,

let's put in the candles and make a wish.

-Great! -Great!

Miss Ye,

here's the knife you asked for.

Here,

give it to me.

Fifth Young Master Yu.

Looks like she's going to

take Fifth Young Master Yu apart.

Let me help you.

Don't get yourself into trouble.

Ye Pingjun is

clearly messing with Fifth Young Master Yu.

In the past,

he would've taught her a lesson for this.

Fifth Young Master Yu isn't even angry with her now.

Keep your voice down.

Come on, get on the horse.

-What are you doing? -Hyah!

That's Fifth Young Master Yu for you!

Ye Pingjun seems

so prim and proper at school.

Who knew she was such a seductress in private?

If you ask me, Yu Changxuan

is the real sly fox.

Stop the horse! Stop!

You weren't afraid of dying

when you insulted me

under the guise of giving me a gift.

If you don't want to fall,

behave yourself.

Let go of me!

Let me go!

Let me down!

Put me down!

If you want something from me,

shouldn't you change your tone?

Please let me down.

I thought we'd settled this.

I didn't expect you

to be so uncooperative.

Yes, I agreed to be your date.

But not

to get this intimate with you.

What's the difference?

Once this is over,

you can walk away unscathed.

What about me?

How am I supposed

to deal with all the gossip?

Are you lecturing me now?

You know

I'm no gentleman.

Let me ask you again.

What am I to you?

My boss.

Second Young Lady Tao,

what can I do for you?

You flirt with both

respectable ladies and loose women.

How could I dare approach you?

You're a lady of good breeding, too.

Have you

no manners?

At least I have more class than you.

Keeping company

with someone so beneath you—

aren't you afraid

of bringing disgrace on yourself?

Second Young Lady Tao, if you have something to say,

why not just say it instead of speaking in riddles?

Don't play dumb.

I'm obviously talking about Ye Pingjun.

Pingjun is gentle and well-behaved.

What has she done to offend you?

She has no place here.

Make her leave.

Since when do I, Yu Changxuan,

need your permission

to associate with anyone?

If you don't care about your own reputation,

aren't you afraid

of tarnishing the Yu family's name?

What does my reputation or the Yu family's

have to do with you?

Turns out,

clothes really do make the person.

You look pretty good all dressed up.

She's long gone.

You can stop pretending now.

What are you trying to say?

I'd been wondering

why you insisted on choosing me

as your date.

Turns out,

it's because of Tao Ziyi.

Go on.

I just realized

that every time

you acted all affectionate with me,

Tao Ziyi was there.

Tell me,

isn't it strange

that you'd enjoy

making the woman you love unhappy?

Either

you have an ulterior motive,

or

you're an idiot.

You're very clever.

But

being too clever isn't always a good thing.

The more you know,

the sooner you'll die.

I don't know exactly

what you're after

with Tao Ziyi,

but you probably don't want her

finding out about your little game

of playing hard to get, do you?

Are you threatening me?

No.

I just want

to renegotiate our deal.

What do you want?

I'll cooperate with you,

but you can't

just waive six months of my indenture.

Once this is over,

you have to return my indenture to me.

Fine,

but you have to give it your all.

No problem,

as long as I can get out of this indenture.

Then I'll see you later.

I'm looking forward to your performance.

Everyone,

I'd like to say a few words.

Today

is Fifth Young Master Yu's birthday banquet.

Someone as young and accomplished as Fifth Young Master Yu,

with both talent and virtue,

is truly a rare find.

Wherever you go,

everyone looks up to you.

So,

let me

start by raising three toasts to you.

Cheers!

What a drinker!

Boren can really hold his liquor.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

have something to eat

before you drink.

Everyone,

ask yourselves honestly:

who among you

hasn't received help from Fifth Young Master Yu?

Who

hasn't been given a leg up by him?

I'm

wholeheartedly devoted to you.

Fifth Young Master Yu, I'll follow you for the rest of my life.

Enough said.

Let me have another big drink.

Cheers!

Good! Good!

You...

No, Fifth Young Master Yu,

you don't have

to be so moved by what I just said.

I...

I meant every word

from the bottom of my heart.

You're

making me embarrassed.

Don't be like that, don't be like that.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

is it good?

Delicious.

Anything you feed me

tastes good.

Everyone,

my sister and I

have prepared some evening entertainment

for Fifth Young Master Yu.

Here's how it works:

the men and women

will each draw lots.

Whichever boat you draw is the one you board,

and the pairings will be entirely random.

Whoever fate brings together

can enjoy a moonlit boat ride and admire the lanterns together.

What do you say?

[Male Guests] [Female Guests]

Sounds great!

As the poem goes,

"as wine takes hold, spring desires awaken;

beneath embroidered quilts, mandarin ducks ride waves of passion."

Now that's interesting.

[Female Guests]

Fold them up

just as I instructed.

-Yes. -Yes.

[Tao Ziyi] [Yu Changxuan]

Yayi,

can you guarantee

I'll end up on the same boat as him?

Don't worry.

[Tao Ziyi] [Yu Changxuan]

[Yu Changxuan]

You don't need to help me.

I can get down myself.

Have fun.

Why is it you?

What's wrong with me?

Why is it you?

Did you rig the draw?

I swear I didn't rig anything!

And now you're acting all hurt?

I...

What bad luck.

It's my birthday party.

Of course things

go the way I want.

Look for yourself.

The boats have already set off,

and everyone's watching from the shore.

Even if you go out there now,

you won't get on Fifth Young Master Yu's boat.

Why don't we

just make do with each other?

Why did you hit me?

Why are we getting farther and farther from the others?

Looks like

we're spending the night

on this little boat.

I'd swim back if I had to.

Let's finish the job first.

Then you can swim back.

Let's go.

Why are there so many soldiers here?

If you don't want to die,

do exactly as I say.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

you must go alone.

This is my woman.

Not a hair on her head is to be harmed.

Don't worry, Fifth Young Master Yu.

If anyone dares lay a hand on you,

shoot them.

I'll take

full responsibility.

All this for some spoiled young master,

keeping us

up late

and freezing out here

in the middle of nowhere.

Meanwhile,

he's got a wineglass in one hand

and a beauty in the other,

living it up.

What are you looking at?

A playboy like you

should stay snug

in your little

love nest.

And you think you can strike a deal with Staff Officer Yang?

Dream on!

Stand down!

When I got the news,

I couldn't believe it.

Fifth Young Master Yu,

you really did dare to come alone.

The plan we're discussing

would benefit us both.

Why bring troops into this?

"Benefit us both?"

You're getting ahead of yourself.

Fifth Young Master Yu, you want to join forces

with us to hijack the arms shipment

the Tao and Mu families are smuggling.

But you can

only command a dozen or so men.

You expect us to do all the work,

spend our own resources,

and risk making enemies of both families

based on nothing but your words?

Any way you look at it,

it's a losing deal.

I have the exact landing time and location

for that arms shipment.

Without my intelligence,

Staff Officer Yang, taking the whole shipment for yourself

would be next to impossible.

Besides,

Marshal Xu commands three divisions,

but

his troops are still equipped

with outdated weapons.

He's been worried

about getting new ones.

Am I wrong?

And

I recommend that Marshal Xu

join Third Master Cheng's camp.

Because if war breaks out,

Premier Rui won't stand a chance.

Premier Rui is at the height of his power.

What makes you think he'll lose?

All right,

yours is done.

What do you want to write?

Miss, please tell my mother

I've received the cotton shoes

she sent me last time.

All right.

Anything else?

That's all for now.

Okay.

Me, me.

Miss,

please tell my father

not to overwork himself

during the autumn harvest.

He can

ask my maternal uncle and the others for help.

All right.

I'll thank them in person

when I get home.

Okay.

Oh,

I want to write to my father, too.

Then I want to write to my mother.

Don't rush. Take your time.

I'll write yours first.

Okay.

Here.

I just can't read it.

Autumn harvest.

Pu,

look

what I've written!

What time is it already?

Why aren't they back yet?

Don't worry.

Director Gu has already sent people to look for them.

Maybe they stopped somewhere to admire the scenery

and lost track of time.

If you ask me,

maybe they got carried away by their feelings

and decided to spend the night together.

Why did you hit me again?

Because you're shameless.

I—

Ziyi.

I—

Well...

was I really shameless just now?

Fifth Young Master Yu,

I won't see you out.

Until next time.

Until next time.

Staff Officer Yang,

I just don't understand.

Why agree to work

with a spoiled rich kid like him?

Premier Rui is at the height of his power.

What makes you think he'll lose?

First,

we lost Shandong,

and instead of defending the nation's interests,

Premier Rui cracked down hard on the protesting civilians,

losing the people's support.

Second,

he has no loyal troops

of his own.

The few divisions under his command

are cobbled together from different forces and lack cohesion.

So I'm betting on Third Master Cheng.

If Marshal Xu

can upgrade his weaponry

and distinguish himself

in Third Master Cheng's camp,

it'll be an excellent opportunity

to enter the central government.

Our outdated weaponry

and our distance from the center of power

have always weighed heavily

on the Marshal's mind.

Although we've never worked

with Yu Changxuan before,

every word he said

struck a chord with the Marshal.

What have you been sneaking around doing

all this time?

You're clever

and quick-witted,

but your memory isn't so good.

The more you know,

the sooner you'll die.

Can we go back now?

We'll go back after spending the night here.

If anyone asks,

just say

you stayed on the boat with me the whole time.

No way.

If I agree to that,

my reputation will be ruined.

You're already

my woman.

Even if you deny it,

do you think they'll believe

nothing happened between us?

I've never met anyone as shameless as you.

You'll stoop to anything

to get what you want.

Keep talking back to your boss,

and you'll never get

your indenture back.

What are you reading?

"Mu Guiying Takes Command."

Pingjun,

you're truly a heroine among women.

What are you reading?

[The Illustrated Original Edition of The Golden Lotus]

A real ladies' man, as expected.

I just pulled a book out of the drawer

without looking.

This really is Li Boren's boat.

This boat isn't that big.

Where do you think you can hide?

From now on, you must look at me

whenever I talk to you.

You like people who obey?

No.

I like people who don't obey.

I especially like

seeing how disobedient people look

once they've learned to obey.

♪ A riot of colors ♪

Listen.

Isn't that beautiful?

"A little tenderness.

A touch of earth.

A sweep of sunset".

Even a little sincerity

is like a ray of sunshine.

It will find its moment to shine.

You ask for no forever,

just a fleeting moment of pleasure.

Tell me, what woman in this world

would believe

such cold,

hollow sweet talk?

Only womanizers

like you

would mistake such nonsense

for the truth

and feel so smug about it.