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Marry Me

Episode 1

Since ancient times, marriages...

have always been decided by parents and matchmakers.

The bride and groom-to-be have no say in the affair.

While the parents and matchmaker make the decision,

at the end of the day,

it hinges on status and wealth.

I disagree

Matters of the heart cannot be planned or foretold.

When you meet the love of your life,

naturally,

you'd do anything for him.

Why would wealth and status matter?

Marriage isn't a transaction.

It can't be measured in gold.

Why not?

As with all things,

wealth and status come first.

Marriage is no exception.

It's like doing business.

In a good deal, both parties win.

In a bad deal, both parties lose.

Nurturing a relationship is like making wine.

It takes effort...

and time to mature.

The more mature it is, the more fragrant.

Its value...

cannot be bought or sold.

Let's do the math.

Bride price, food, makeup...

all cost money.

If two families have a falling out over money,

how can they live peacefully?

When two people are married,

their hearts and minds will intertwine as one.

There's no "you" or "me".

After all I've said,

do you follow me?

Wait.

One tael for the tea.

I have to pay for that?

God forbid I hire a matchmaker.

As if the betrothal gifts...

aren't expensive enough.

Please wait.

Ju Sheng, Boss of Ju Wine House

Looks like it fell through again.

I'm in no hurry to get married anyway.

Thank you for your effort.

-Have a nice day. -I will.

Mu'er.

Please deliver the wine.

Coming.

Jinlong Inn

Mr Tie.

Ms Ju.

Why are you delivering wine today?

That's no job for a young lady.

You must be tired.

Not at all...

My father's waist is flaring up. I'm helping him.

Sure...

Thanks.

By the way, Mr Tie,

you're overdue on last month's tab.

No...

I thought your family only started delivery last month?

But...

Let's talk inside.

-Alright. -Come on in.

Take care of Ms Ju's wine.

Yes, Mr Tie.

Thank you.

Come. Follow me.

Watch the step.

Ms Ju.

Like you've said, we do owe...

you money for the wine.

However...

To be honest,

our inn usually settles the bill once every six months.

A monthly payment...

is impossible.

Mr Tie,

your family runs so many businesses.

If you settle every bill on a half-yearly basis,

you must be making a lot of money.

Even the World's Best Inn pays their vendors monthly.

Why don't you settle it today?

Mr Tie.

-Young Master. -We haven't measured...

last month's wine, have we?

Our family is in no shortage of money.

We have no problem paying monthly.

But...

that's beside the point.

We must do things by the book.

One span is ten catty.

Do pour carefully.

Wouldn't want to miss a few drops and accuse us of ripping you off.

Ms Ju,

you treat your wine like gold.

It's nothing compared to you valuing money more than your own life.

Catch.

You have quite a reputation.

I heard...

you were picking bones with a matchmaker over tea money.

Who'd have thought?

No wonder you're still single.

You're no better yourself.

If it weren't for your free wine,

she wouldn't take the trouble...

to find you a suitor.

I'm better off than you.

At least she's willing to work for me.

Unlike you.

Not a single matchmaker in the capital would touch you now.

Says who?

Young Master.

You've emptied the jug.

Please make with the payment.

I have wine to deliver.

See for yourself, Ms Ju.

There's less wine...

than I paid for.

-This... -Not that I'm trying to be unfair,

but facts are facts.

Mr Tie,

deduct her payment.

Yes.

You've spilled all the wine.

There's hardly any left.

You're clearly a conman.

I'm not selling my wine to you.

Be my guest.

It's not yet business hours.

There are no workers to help you.

I'm afraid...

you'll have to repack your wine by yourself.

Long Yue,

you think you can lord it over me because you're rich?

If that's your attitude,

you'll not stay in business for long.

Don't you worry about that.

Take your wine and leave...

-or you'll be late with your deliveries. -Young Master.

Young Master.

It's time.

Ms Ju.

Ms Ju.

This...

You crook!

Young Master Long Yue.

The empress dowager is waiting for you.

Greetings, Your Highness.

I heard...

Empress Dowager

you've come into possession of a rare treasure.

Is that true?

I'm holding it right now.

But the sun is too bright right now,

making it hard to behold its beauty.

That's not a problem.

Rumours speak...

of a race of merpeople that lives in the southern sea,

whose tears form pearls.

I tried my luck in finding them,

and to my surprise, succeeded.

I hope you'll like it.

Today,

let's take a walk through the royal garden.

Many years ago,

virtuoso Shi Bo Yin charmed the world with his compositions.

I admired him deeply.

But later,

he was accused of causing Consort Shu's miscarriage.

The emperor was furious.

Ever since that incident,

he was never heard from again.

Now, I received news...

that Shi Bo Yin is returning to the capital...

and wishes to meet me at the World's Best Inn.

The World's Best Inn?

Long Yue,

you're an outsider.

You can get things done.

I hope...

you can make the necessary arrangements.

But...

Shi Bo Yin must have...

something important to tell me.

You must be careful.

Tell no one about this.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I shall handle it delicately.

Your Highness.

Just now, I marched into your palace...

with an expensive pearl in hand.

I cannot afford to be accused of bribery.

May I ask Your Highness to pay for the Luminous Pearl?

They say...

you never lose money...

on a transaction.

Today,

I have witnessed it for myself.

I hereby order...

a hefty reward for Long Yue for finding the pearl.

Yes.

Thank you, Your Highness.

World's Best Inn

Young Master.

This is it.

I heard...

since its opening, the World's Best Inn...

has stolen many of our customers.

I...

never had the leisure of coming here.

Since I'm here,

I shall see...

what makes it so special.

Young Master,

if we simply waltz in,

wouldn't Zhu Fu laugh at us?

You idiot.

We mustn't take any chances...

with Her Highness's safety.

We must inspect the place inside out.

So, where shall we start from?

The ledger.

The ledger?

We're closed today. Move along.

Move along.

Get out, quickly.

Owner of the World's Best Inn, Zhu Fu

Long Yue, what are you doing?

Are you trying...

to defy a royal decree?

I'll gladly comply...

with the Empress Dowager's orders.

But you're abusing your power...

to gather information on...

a rivalling business in the name of security.

I'm confused.

What does a ledger...

have to do with Her Highness' safety?

Everything.

Everything here,

from the utensils to the furniture,

mustn't be cheap or shoddy.

If they are,

it would tarnish your establishment's reputation,

as well as Her Highness'.

So, we must be thorough.

Scrutinize every item in this place,

from those as big as tables and beds,

to those as minute as wine cups and tea pots.

I want everything checked.

Yes.

Hurry. Scour the whole place.

This is obviously personal.

He is trying...

to get a handle on our business model.

There's nothing I can do to stop him.

Disguising his motives with an official duty.

He truly is the number one crook in the capital.

World's Best Inn

Young Master.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Has Shi Bo Yin yet to show up?

We'll know as soon as...

he enters the city.

You can rest assured.

Master has been gone for years.

Now he's counting on me.

I can't let him down.

World's Best Inn

It's time.

But why is Master not here yet?

Something's fishy about those men.

Master said...

to play his song on the qin...

if he doesn't show up.

Him again.

What a sight for sore eyes.

You might disturb someone.

No playing the qin without permission.

Please leave.

Don't you think it sounds beautiful?

All I heard is jarring noise.

And I thought your ears are the only parts of you that's broken.

I'll have you know...

I have important things to do.

I have no time to squabble. Leave.

I have no time to bicker, either.

Young Master...

Her Highness wishes to see the person who played the tune.

What did you say?

Greetings, Your Highness.

The tune you were playing...

was dedicated to me by Shi Bo Yin...

at a banquet years ago.

I never thought...

I'd hear it again...

after all these years.

Speaking of which, where is Shi Bo Yin?

He had requested a meeting with me.

Instead, he sent this girl?

Your Highness,

I'm Shi Bo Yin's student, Ju Mu'er.

Perhaps Master met with an accident on his way here.

But he had stated on his letter...

that if he doesn't show up by noon,

Your Highness may return to the palace.

My master will contact you again at a more convenient time.

Could Shi Bo Yin be in danger?

Fan Xiao Liu

My lord,

this is the only road.

High Commander of Wujin Imperial Guards, Long Teng

Yet there isn't a trace of our target after so long.

None of our spies found anything.

I worry...

our cover might be blown.

The emperor has ordered me...

to take Shi Bo Yin to the palace...

so as to solve the age-long mystery.

Looks like someone beat us to the punch.

We mustn't let Shi Bo Yin fall into his hands.

Master Musician Shi Bo Yin

His Majesty ordered me to take you to the palace.

Please cooperate.

His Majesty's orders...

or someone else's?

I'm the leader of Wujin Imperial Guard.

I answer only to His Majesty.

I'm here under the emperor's order...

to escort you to the palace.

With your cooperation, the truth...

behind Consort Shu's miscarriage...

will hopefully come to light.

I'm afraid the palace affairs...

isn't under your jurisdiction,

but Consort Shu's elder brother, Shu Bo's.

Once I enter his domain,

the truth may never see the light of day.

Hordes of assassins laid in ambush...

for you on your way to the capital.

This is serious.

Even after all these years,

there are still people who want me dead.

Assassin!

Someone's after Shi Bo Yin.

We're no safer.

What shall we do?

Young Master.

Li Ke?

Come on.

Your Highness, after you.

I can do this.

I've been through worse scrapes.

Jumping off a building is nothing.

Here.

Jump.

Forgive me.

Allow me.

You do it.

I'll do it.

You seem very calm, master musician.

I suppose...

you know who's after your life?

Guards, listen up.

Take the master musician to the palace.

-Make sure he doesn't get away. -Yes.

Long Teng.

Save your breath.

If your guards won't let me go,

I'll draw their blood.

Let him go.

Sir, are we really letting him off?

Li Ke, let's bait and switch.

-Yes. -Pardon me, Your Highness.

Li Ke will escort you.

Your Highness.

Let's go.

Hurry.

Long Yue,

what did you drag me into this carriage for?

If I hadn't done that,

you would've been dead.

Show some gratitude, will you?

You...

Then again,

what's so great...

about your master's music...

that the empress dowager...

would risk her life to come out?

My letter!

A murder!

Martial arts sect leader, Long Fei

Retreat. Hurry.

What took you so long?

Long Yue,

I came as soon as I heard the news.

Wasn't that quick enough?

Are you okay, Ms Ju?

Long Yue,

do my ears deceive me?

You actually care about her?

I...

I'm fine.

Thank you for saving me just now.

I must return to my master.

Goodbye.

Hold on, Ms Ju.

You may be fine.

But I was kicked in the chest.

It feels mighty serious.

That's right.

You should see a physician at once.

Don't wait.

Ms Ju,

I got injured because of you.

Besides,

you said you owe me one.

So,

how about you pay...

for the carriage...

as well as my medical expenses?

What?

Medical expenses?

That's my brother.

Master, you've finally returned.

Have you completed the task I gave you?

As you've requested,

I've met the empress dowager using your composition.

Unfortunately,

assassins broke into the World's Best Inn.

Thank god for the Longs' protection.

They've escorted...

the empress dowager back to safety.

But in the confusion,

I forgot to give the empress dowager the letter.

I didn't know they'd have the guts to hurt the empress dowager.

Looks like they came prepared.

Never mind.

I'll think of another plan.

Master,

you've caused such a stir just to see the empress dowager.

May I ask...

what the reason is?

The less you know about it,

the safer you are.

Where are you going, Master?

Jinlong Inn.

-Leave us. -Yes.

Your Highness,

calm your nerves with some ginseng soup.

Just leave it.

I have no appetite to drink anything.

After years of hiatus,

Shi Bo Yin sent his student to arrange a secret meeting.

It must about something of paramount importance.

I wonder who went to such great lengths...

to stop me...

from meeting Shi Bo Yin.

Qin'er, quick.

Prepare ink and paper.

Yes.

Jinlong Inn

Long Yue,

my men worked hard to save you.

Let's talk compensation.

You despicable scum!

I make all the money...

only to be spent by you.

Long Yue, how can you say that?

I'd gladly save lives and...

help the wounded for free.

But you're neither dead nor wounded.

Besides,

business is business.

Isn't that your motto?

Sister Qin sent us a message saying...

as thanks for protecting her,

Her Highness...

has decided to patronise our inn.

Tonight, I will...

recoup all the money we've lost...

to World's Best Inn.

She's here.

The empress dowager has arrived.

She's here.

Welcome the guest.

Greetings, Your Highness.

I wish you good health and good spirits.

Is the empress dowager's hand...

so smooth and supple?

It's you?

How come it's you?

Good show, Young Master Long.

I spent a fortune in the fireworks.

You'd better like it.

Business is slow here anyway.

Maybe I can liven things up a bit.

I order you, Long Yue.

I'm here on Her Highness' behalf.

To Shi Bo Yin

Pass this letter and my imperial token...

to Shi Bo Yin's student, Ju Mu'er.

Tell her to do whatever it takes...

to give them to her master.

When all else fails,

these should open up a few doors.

May I know...

if this imperial token...

grants its bearer the empress dowager's authority?

Naturally.

I know how we can contact Master.

But first, can you do me a favour?

I suggest you treat me with more respect.

Otherwise, you'd be insulting Her Highness' authority.

Long Yue, she...

-Ready? -Greetings, Your Highness.

Look,

don't try anything funny, okay?

I'm not afraid of you.

This imperial token represents Her Highness' authority.

Young Master Long, do you want...

to be charged for disrespecting royalty?

Ju Mu'er, I'm warning you.

You think you can do anything...

because of that imperial token?

But I can.

I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine.

Besides showing Her Highness' gratitude,

I've come here today...

for three things.

-Mr Tie. -Yes.

-Show her the door. -Sure.

Long Yue, I command you.

Long live the empress dowager!

The first thing...

is regarding your overdue payment to all your vendors.

I hereby command you to pay all your bills...

on a monthly basis.

Second,

I heard every shop in Dongda Street...

is owned by the Long family.

I command you refurbish...

all your shop fronts...

by the end of the month.

Don't push it.

Last but not least.

Tell me which room my master...

is staying in.

Very well.

I'll tell you.

Your master...

is...

He's not staying here.

Even if he is,

I would not reveal my patron's private information.

My master isn't here?

Minister of Personnel, Shi Ze Chun

You can be honest with me.

I've thought about it.

Your plan won't work.

If you could see the empress dowager,

it would be best.

But there are eyes and ears everywhere.

I'm afraid...

We have no other choice.

My meeting with the empress dowager fell through.

My student failed to deliver my letter.

Only you can carry my message to the empress dowager...

and arrange a rendezvous at Jinlong Inn.

This is...

too risky.

I received a tip...

that Shu Bo knows that the child resides in your abode.

We have no choice.

If the empress dowager fails to protect the child,

we'll resort to our backup plan.

I'll take him with me.

Blast. You should go.

Alright.

Shi Bo Yin,

I was ordered to kill you.

Don't waste my time.

Come out.

I've lost a fortune on the fireworks.

Now you...

Let him go.

Master.

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

By the way,

the empress dowager wanted you to have this.

Stay out of this from now on.

And stop following me.

Or call yourself my student.

You and I...

are no longer related.

Master.

It was the perfect opportunity.

Brother,

how could you let it slip by?

You let Shi Bo Yin live.

I'm so frustrated.

Commander of Kun Palace, Shu Bo

Don't worry, my lady.

Shi Bo Yin has returned to the city.

Consort Shu

I won't let him leave this place alive.

Jinlong Inn

There goes our money for the fireworks.

Check out...

Nothing but check outs.

Where's the payment?

Look, it's Ms Ju.

-Good day, Mr Tie. -Ms Ju.

I'd like to see my master.

Which room is he staying in?

Well... Shi Bo Yin has checked out.

I have no idea...

where he's gone to.

He left?

Ms Ju, please have a seat.

I'll get you tea.

Looks like somebody's master couldn't wait...

to sever ties with her.

You...

What's it to you anyway?

It's almost noon.

Why isn't there a single customer here?

Isn't it boring having no business?

Why, you...

Here, Ms Ju.

-Here's your tea. -Thanks.

Enjoy.

How's the tea?

Exquisite.

It's top grade Longjing.

That'll be one tael.

You...

You crook.

Laundry.

One tael.

Here's three taels.

Keep the change.

Enjoy it while you can.

If you cross me again,

it'll be 200 taels.

I shan't see you off, then.

Don't you forget...

it is me who gets to call the shots in this city.

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