Original subtitles

(Guardians of the Dafeng)

(Episode 6)

Deng, you are here early.

I can tell that you are Li based on your voice.

Yan Liang, Cong Kai, long time no see.

You haven't been here for a long time.

I went traveling a few days ago.

I came here right away

after I returned to meet all of you.

You have to drink more today.

What a coincidence.

What a coincidence.

Do the three of you know each other?

Not only do we know each other,

but he is also a buddy of mine.

Li, right?

I am Yang.

We met

at the academy.

Yang...

Ling.

Mr. Ling.

(These two unfilial children. Didn't they say they were busy?)

(Forget about Ci Jiu)

(since he always doesn't mean what he says, )

(but Ning Yan has never been to theaters.)

(Second Uncle said he treated Aunt well last night.)

(I'll go back and tell Aunt.)

(Let's see if I can blackmail him.)

(I thought Ning Yan didn't visit theaters.)

(How shameless.)

(Dad as well.)

(I was wondering why my academy robe went missing.)

Seriously. Xu and Li.

If both of you want to come here,

you can inform me

so we can come here together.

We are friends after all.

We are as close as a family.

A family should be together.

Right?

I was careless.

(Fu Xiang, Oiran of the Imperial Music Bureau)

Great!

Great!

Great!

I got it!

Great!

Where is she?

This is amazing!

That's enough.

Miss.

Go and give the couplet.

Yes.

Miss Fu Xiang has given the first line.

Please come up with the second line

in 15 minutes.

You may begin.

Pine leaves. Bamboo leaves. Each leaf is a verdant green.

A repetitive couplet?

How wonderful.

Very wonderful.

Yang.

Are you interested to begin first?

I didn't expect it to be a couplet. It's not what I'm good at.

Please allow me some time to think.

Li, why don't you start first?

Xu should go first.

That's right. Xu should go first.

The ink is not well-ground.

I still need to grind it.

I will only write it later.

Why are all of you declining?

Why don't I have a go first?

No!

No. Think about it quickly.

Think about it.

Autumn sounds. Wild goose sounds. Every sound is a cold one.

Take this.

It's lacking in harmony,

but the couplet is still balanced.

Miss is inviting Young Master Zhao inside for a cup of tea.

- Congratulations! - Congratulations, Young Master Zhao.

Everyone,

thank you.

Yunlu Academy?

Ci Jiu, think of something.

Ning Yan is good at poems.

Think of something.

Didn't I tell you

all my poems were taken from an old book?

I didn't write them. Why won't you believe me?

Father too.

You don't even know a single word. Why are you pretending to be a scholar?

Exactly.

Why are you joining in the fun?

Now is not the time to talk about this.

He is going to enter the room.

(This is a big loss.)

(Money is secondary, )

(but I won't be able to get any information.)

(Fu Xiang is the top courtesan.)

(She is good at writing poems and playing the guqin.)

Ci Jiu. Help me write this down.

Sparse shadows cast across the shallow, clear water.

A faint fragrance drifts gently in the twilight under the moon.

Fu Xiang.

Someone! Who sent this poem?

Which young master was it?

Where is he now?

Forgive us, Young Master Zhao.

Miss Fu Xiang has chosen someone else.

What?

Young Master Yang, Miss invites you to meet her.

Please follow me.

Why did he go as well?

This is against the rules.

Young Master Zhao.

Greetings, Young Master Yang.

Young Master Yang, please take a seat.

Young Master, you are brilliant at writing

and talented.

I'm sure you've gathered such knowledge

after studying hard for many years.

Not really.

It's all the ancestors' wisdom.

I am just

a mover of poems.

He's still not out yet.

This won't do. I'm going out to catch a breath of fresh air.

We spent money.

Father.

That's right.

I have a question to ask.

Miss Fu Xiang, you're so pretty.

Isn't there anyone who is willing to redeem your freedom?

Courtesans of the Imperial Music Bureau

cannot be redeemed

as they wish.

That's not right.

I heard you have many suitors.

There are many nobles among them.

For example, Zhou Li, the son of Vice Minister of Revenue

is infatuated with you.

This man is ridiculous and perverted.

He is uneducated.

I don't like him.

Every time he comes here for Tea Party Games

or sends me gifts,

I will turn a blind eye to it.

The Imperial Music Bureau is part of the Ministry of Rites.

He is the son of Vice Minister of Revenue.

Although I can't resist him,

I'm not worried about him as well.

What do you mean by being ridiculous or perverted?

Visiting courtesans

is normal for people from rich families.

This is related

to some officials' secrets.

I'm just interested.

I won't reveal it to others.

The story begins with last year's Lantern Festival.

Zhou Li is a ridiculous person.

He was interested in a lady

during the Lantern Festival.

While it was busy,

he harassed her.

Unexpectedly, he met the illegitimate son of Marquis Weiwu,

Zhang Yun Ying.

Zhang Yun Ying

was also interested in that lady.

Both of them

were jealous of each other because of her.

In the end,

they fought.

None of the academy's students have a beard like yours.

You can't even get your act together.

What's so strange about that? I think my look is standard.

Indeed, Li.

No wonder you submitted a few taels less every month.

You spent it here, right?

I borrowed this outfit.

Aren't we here to get information to go against Vice Minister Zhou?

They are all excuses.

I won't believe you.

Xin Nian, you're one to talk.

You told me you'd only study and do what a gentleman does

without coming to a place like this.

A gentleman has something he must do.

It depends on the situation.

Excuses!

- What did Fu Xiang say? - Yes.

- Let's go. We'll talk at home. - Hold on.

We're just going home like this?

What else?

You are still too naive.

Zhang.

Give me three of set A.

Sure.

Take it.

- Put it on the tab. - Sure.

Didn't you send our female family members to Yunlu Academy?

We did.

Why are we doing this then?

Your aunt has a sharp nose.

This is to prevent the unexpected.

What if she comes back suddenly?

You are experienced indeed.

No wonder I always smell lime on you, Father.

Quit it.

Help rub it on me.

That's good enough.

- Come on. - My shoes.

Under the armpit.

Marquis Weiwu's illegitimate son,

- Zhang Yun Ying? - That's right.

Zhang Yun Ying hated Zhou Li a lot

and young men from a rich family like him

can easily be used by us.

What do you want to do?

Keep an eye on him

and find an opportunity to take action.

Put the blame on him?

Marquis Weiwu's illegitimate son

will bring some men with him when he goes out,

but there won't be too many of them since he is not the legitimate son.

We can cause chaos

and use the opportunity

to kidnap him.

If we are doing it in the day,

how can we kidnap him when everyone's watching?

We might suffer the consequences.

If we do it at night,

how can we infiltrate the Marquis' residence at night

with just a few of us?

What if I tell you

I can solve this problem?

Second Uncle!

Second Uncle!

Father.

Second Uncle, why are you sleeping here? Wake up!

Second Uncle, are you alright?

What is this place?

Why am I here?

Why would I know?

Wasn't I going to take a bath?

Didn't you say you'd get some hot water for me?

What next?

Ning Yan, did you get the hot water?

Second Uncle,

sorry to trouble you.

A mirror?

I don't know. It's just something that reflects light.

Father is a Qi Refining Realm expert.

How can he be brought here without anyone finding out?

How do you do it?

You'll know tomorrow.

Ning Yan,

did you bring me here?

It's none of your business.

It's cold outside. Take a bath and go to sleep.

I still have some details to discuss with you. Let's go to your house.

What details? Can I join?

I told you to stay out of this.

That's right. You just need to abduct Marquis Weiwu's son.

Marquis Weiwu's son?

What are you trying to do?

Stop acting surprised.

It's just a kidnapping.

- Stop. - Signature beautifying cream

that makes your skin as white as snow.

- Come and take a look. Yes. - It smells nice.

- Take her. - Yes, Young Master.

What are you doing?

Let go!

- Someone! - Save me!

What are you doing? Someone!

Let go!

Move!

- Go and help! - Yes!

Move!

Move!

I'm stomping on you!

Who are you? What are you trying...

This kid is so rich.

I saw a white jade thumb ring on him just now.

Chop off his finger later.

We can't.

There's no need for someone like you

to deal with

Marquis Weiwu's illegitimate son.

(They know who I am)

(and still dared kidnap me?)

Tell me how Young Master is going to punish him.

Keep him in the yard

and torture him.

Starve him,

cut off the tendons in his legs,

and hang him up on the beam of the house.

Whip him

a few hundred times every day.

His father is Marquis Weiwu.

Does Young Master dare do that to him?

Marquis Weiwu is nothing much.

Young Master's father

is the Vice Minister of Revenue.

Why should he be afraid?

(The son of Vice Minister of Revenue?)

(Zhou Li?)

Sure. I think Young Master will be here soon.

Let's go and buy some wine to celebrate with him.

No.

Young Master asked us to keep a close eye on him.

Buying wine won't take too much time.

Let's go.

Did you use this mirror

to capture Zhang Yun Ying?

Not just Zhang Yun Ying.

Zhou Li's private residence's servant

and the women in the old woman's house.

All four of them are inside this now.

They are inside?

Don't simply press it. You might get sucked inside.

I'm returning it to you.

Do you think he will fail to escape?

Why did we lock the door?

If we don't lock the door, it'll be too obvious.

The strong desire the survive

will bring out one's potential.

Trust me. He can escape. He just needs to climb over the wall.

He did escape.

Help!

Help!

Help me! I was abducted.

I am Marquis Weiwu's son.

I... I was abducted!

Ying! Are you alright, Ying?

Mother. Father.

Ying. What happened?

It was Zhou Li.

Zhou Li abducted me.

Not only did he try to torture me,

but he also wanted to kill me!

Why did you go out for so long?

What's the result?

Don't mention it.

I'm so exhausted.

I've been following Zhou Li the whole day.

In the beginning, he was brought to the Censorate.

I was about to ask what happened.

Then, people from the Ministry of Justice arrived.

Whatever.

I followed them to the Ministry of Justice.

Unexpectedly,

people from the Imperial Court of Justice arrived

in less than an hour.

They took him to the Imperial Court of Justice.

When I was there,

as I expected,

people from the Censorate were already waiting.

He was brought back to the Censorate again.

I followed them back to the Censorate.

What a tiring day.

Then, what's the situation now?

I don't know. I followed them the whole day.

I have no time to ask other people about it.

He is the son of Vice Minister of Revenue.

He won't be dealt with so easily.

Of course.

He went to the hall in his armor?

Exactly. Not only that,

but Marquis Weiwu even used his ancestors' achievements

to complain about Vice Minister Zhou before His Majesty.

He accused him of conniving his son Zhou Li to abduct Zhang Yun Ying.

He asked His Majesty to help him seek justice

to appease the soldiers.

What does his family matters have to do with the other soldiers?

He was only taking advantage of the opportunity.

What did Father say?

His Majesty was furious.

He ordered the Imperial Court of Justice, Ministry of Justice,

and the Censorate

to solve this case in two days.

Old man, not so rough!

Go away.

When is my father coming?

Young Master, Vice Minister Zhou is still at the Imperial Court of Justice.

He has to go to the Censorate later.

I'm afraid he can't come here today.

The darned Imperial Court of Justice

and the Censorate.

How dare they punish me.

When this case is over,

I will complain about them.

Don't worry, Young Master.

His Majesty set a limit of two days to crack the case.

If your testimony

is in line with the Ministry of Justice

and deny it,

we will turn the situation around

after the time limit is over.

When the time comes, the Imperial Court of Justice and the Censorate

won't be able to do anything.

Then, we just need a scapegoat

and the case will be solved.

I'm not the one who did it. Why should I admit anything?

Yes.

A scapegoat?

Yes.

I do have a candidate on my mind.

Xu Qi An.

He had a grudge against me a few days ago.

Putting the blame on him

is reasonable.

Senior Song.

Why are you acting so clumsily?

The genius in alchemy, Xu Qi An, is here.

He wants to meet you.

Let me show you my recent research.

You told me plants and animals could not combine

so I was thinking

what if it was between two animals?

Look.

This is just a theory of mine,

but I'm already putting it into practice.

Look.

Look.

If we fuse a soldier and a horse,

we can solve the problem of a lack of warhorses in Dafeng.

Then, every soldier is also a horse.

They can run a long distance and fight bravely in battle.

This will increase Dafeng's combat capabilities significantly.

What do you think? Come.

Try it.

Come. Get on.

- No. - Feel it. Come on.

- Senior Song. - Come here.

Feel it. Go ahead.

What do you think? Isn't it mighty?

- Do you want to take a stroll? - No need.

Song, I came here to ask you for help.

Go back.

What do you think?

Senior Song, it's like this.

I'm sure you know that I offended Vice Minister Zhou.

I know. Cai Wei told me about it.

Unfortunately,

the Astronomical Bureau doesn't meddle in political matters.

Moreover, a mere sorcerer like me can't go against

the Vice Minister of Revenue who holds power.

No. Calm down. I just want you to help me with something simple.

Observing Qi?

Impossible.

I am an honest person.

I will never do something like this.

I was being inconsiderate.

Well,

let's talk about your fusion theory.

Forgive me for being blunt.

Your theories

will never succeed.

Why? Master said the same thing as you.

You still don't understand

the true reason why the Imperial Astronomer invalidated your ideas.

Do you know why?

I didn't participate in your research,

but I can provide you

with a theoretical basis.

Have you heard about

reproductive isolation?

I know about reproduction

but isolation?

What do they have to do with my research?

Senior Song, have you forgotten?

The principle of alchemy

is an exchange of equal values.

Well said.

Don't let them come inside. Go.

Don't let them in. Don't let them come inside!

What are you doing?

Isn't the trial tomorrow?

Disciple of the Astronomical Bureau is here to assist

in the questioning according to His Majesty's orders.

Let me go.

Let me go.

Zhou Li.

Did you abduct Marquis Weiwu's illegitimate son, Zhang Yun Ying?

My Lord,

I was wronged.

It was not me.

It was not me. Let me go!

(In the 36th year of the Yuanjing Era, )

(the Vice Minister of Revenue, Zhou Xian Ping, )

(was demoted and exiled)

(for embezzling the treasury funds and failing to educate his son.)

(His son, Zhou Li, )

(was banished for abducting)

(Marquis Weiwu's illegitimate son, Zhang Yun Ying.)

Does it mean

you bribed the Astronomical Bureau's sorcerer?

How vulgar.

How can you call it a bribe

when it comes to an alchemy sorcerer?

It's called an exchange of equal values.

That's not right.

Wasn't it unrighteous to do that?

Ci Jiu,

you are a scholar after all.

Don't you know

that you'll be bullied if you are weak?

Where are you going?

You'll be beaten if you are behind.

We had no choice

since the Xu family was backed into a corner.

From Zhou Li's point of view,

us going against him

is like an ant trying to shake a tree.

But from the Astronomical Bureau's point of view, he becomes the ant.

It wasn't me.

It wasn't me. Let me go!

It wasn't me, My Lord!

I was wronged! Wronged!

(You are not wronged. You are lying.)

Next, are you going to ask me

why Marquis Weiwu

and the other officials

didn't realize

my lowly act of framing him?

I only know a little.

For the enemies of Vice Minister Zhou,

whether he was framed or not

wasn't important.

They just wanted to use this opportunity

to hurt Vice Minister Zhou.

For Marquis Weiwu,

this is a good opportunity to take revenge.

He couldn't win against Vice Minister Zhou

because he had no one to help him.

This opportunity is a godsend.

That was why he went to the hall in his armor

and cause a stir among the officials.

Whether his son was really abducted by Zhou Li,

he might doubt it,

but getting rid of his enemy

without sufficient evidence

was the priority.

Xin Nian, you do have the talent to become the Chief Advisor.

We got lucky this time.

Next time,

we won't know whether it's a blessing or a disaster.

No need to be dejected.

Look. You are already a disciple of Yunlu Academy.

You have a bright future.

With your talent,

you might become a marquis or a chancellor

in a few years.

Then, no one will dare bully the Xu family anymore.

What about you?

What are you planning to do?

I... I'll be leaving first.

Where are you going?

I don't know.

However, I can't stay in the capital anymore.

I was imprisoned twice in just a few months.

The future of the Xu family depends only on you.

Ci Jiu.

What do you think of the South?

Red-walled buildings with green tiles.

Lush and fragrant grass at the south of the Yangtze River.

Not bad. It's decided then.

You should wait until Father and Mother are back before leaving.

I can't stand farewells.

Well...

Give these two letters to Uncle and Aunt.

What I want to say is inside.

It's almost time.

I'll write to you

when I'm in a new place.

Brother.

Farewell.

When will you come back?

The day you become a marquis or a chancellor,

I will return.

(After I leave, )

(the Xu family probably won't be investigated anymore.)

Ning Yan, play with me.

Didn't you see how emotional I was?

You're so annoying!

Clean these jars and bottles.

Senior Song, thank you for last time.

You're welcome.

What are you busy doing?

Princess Royal is coming to learn about alchemy.

Master ordered us to treat her well.

Princess Royal?

Is the princess interested in alchemy too?

Princess Royal likes to learn from others.

She will come and study alchemy on the 15th of every month.

However, she is coming here two days early this time.

So, everyone is busy.

I won't disturb you anymore.

I came here to say goodbye to you and Lady Cai Wei.

Say goodbye?

Are you leaving the capital?

Yes.

You know many things happened in my house.

I'm sick of it.

There will be a time when people gather and separate.

Our relationship will still remain if we meet again.

Senior Song, thank you.

Take care.

That's right.

I brought you something.

I promised you this previously.

What you want is written in this book.

The road to alchemy is long.

Only people like you can promote this book well.

Ning Yan, that's too much praise.

But don't worry.

I will study it carefully

and not disappoint you.

Ten taels for a book.

You're charging me?

Of course.

Everyone from the Astronomical Bureau,

welcome to the launch of the secret booklet of alchemy.

Great!

I want to ask Senior Cai Wei.

- Learning alchemy must be tough, right? - Yes.

To be efficient in alchemy,

you must be feeling anxious all the time,

suffer from serious hair loss,

and gain weight causing you to be out of shape.

If there's a booklet

that can improve your alchemy by one level, will you buy it?

- Yes! - The booklet in Senior Cai Wei's hand is

"How to Improve Your Rate of Success in Fake Tax Money Alchemy".

What is the market price for this booklet now?

It's hard to get this book indeed

so the current market price is 25 taels for one book.

What? 25 taels?

No. 25 taels is too expensive.

It is a huge burden for everyone here.

I must think of something to help benefit them.

I can sell it directly

and take away the middleman's cut

to reduce the price

for everyone!

I wouldn't betray them

if you didn't buy me so much delicious food.

It's what you are supposed to do.

Here you go.

It was nice working with you.

Knowledge is wealth.

Her Highness is here!

(Lin An, Princess Royal)

Who is blocking my path?

How dare you stare at Her Highness without bowing.

Forgive me.

Gang, don't be rude.

Young Master, after you.

No. After you, Your Highness.

(It seems like)

(she is Princess Huai Qing, )

(the most talented lady in Dafeng.)

(It is as they say in the legends.)

(She is elegant, )

(graceful, and generous.)

I didn't know Your Highness was here. Please wait while I inform everyone.

Why should you inform everyone? It's not our first time here.

Gang, I told you many times.

This is the Astronomical Bureau.

We are here for serious matters.

You need to be polite and smile, understand?

Princess Lin An.

What brings you here?

Nothing. I came here on my own.

I benefited a lot from my chat with you

about alchemy last time, Senior Song.

I came here to study purposely.

Your Highness.

Please let me inform Master.

No need.

There's no need to inform him.

I'm familiar with the Astronomical Bureau.

Let's head to the Elixir Refining Chamber immediately.

Sure.

Go and empty the Elixir Refining Chamber.

Your Highness, be careful.

Mind your step. Walk slowly.

Why is it empty?

Where's everything?

Your Highness, I almost forgot.

Yesterday, a thief came to the Elixir Refining Chamber

and robbed the whole place.

Don't worry. I've sent someone to investigate it.

There are still no clues for now.

Why don't we do it another day?

No need.

Someone!

I walked past the Eastern Market just now

and saw someone selling them

so I bought them.

Your Highness, you bought literally everything you need.

Alright.

Let me show you how to make a bronze mirror.

Senior Song, don't brush me off.

I heard

that the Astronomical Bureau has completed the alchemy of fake tax money.

Even Huai Qing came here to learn about it.

Yes.

It's not easy for a talented person like Huai Qing

to complete the alchemy successfully

let alone you?

Princess Lin An, that's not what I mean.

I mean

it would be a waste

for someone like you

who are wiser than others

to carry out this small experiment.

Senior, that's too much praise.

I just want to give it a try

and see if I have the same talent

compared to Huai Qing.

Let's begin.

Step one, melt table salt

and filter it.

What is the next step?

Senior Song.

Come here.

What's the next step? I forgot.

Just put that on the forge.

After burning it with high heat,

you just need to separate the crystal.

I know the next step.

Melt the crystals.

Thankfully, I prepared a magical weapon.

Magical weapon?

Magical weapon from the Astronomical Bureau.

I've never seen this before!

Don't panic, Senior.

I memorized the formula.

Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, and boron.

Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and neon.

- Sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, and phosphorus. Right? - Wait!

Senior.

Are you alright, Senior?

Your Highness.

This is normal when making fake tax money.

You'll cause trouble if you're careless.

Moreover, your magical weapon

isn't from the Astronomical Bureau.

Why don't we continue

after the machinery has arrived?

I know the reason why it failed this time.

Let's do it again!

Someone!

Someone!

We did it. The crystal has melted.

Next, the voltage must be controlled.

- What do you mean by voltage? - The strength of thunder.

Be careful!

Your Highness!

Again.

Do no evil in the middle of the night,

fear not the Night Guardians in broad daylight.

Night Guardians?

- Put down your hand. - Be serious.

Are you Xu Qi An?

Speak.

Yes. I am Xu Qi An.

Great. Come with us.

Hold on. Officers.

I didn't do anything wrong.

Do no evil in the middle of the night,

fear not the Night Guardians in broad daylight.