Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

[Adapted from the novel "Journey to the Qing Dynasty" by Duomu Muduo]

[Episode 28]

[Prison]

Who's there?

It's the Fifth Young Madam.

Madam.

Move aside.

I'm here to save someone, not to hurt someone.

Madam.

Madam He has arrived.

Shangguan.

Stop.

Why are you here?

Madam He is here.

Lower your spears now.

Who said you could point your blade at the Princess of Dan State?

The Lord of Xin State forced Yin Qi to commit suicide.

I will take him away with me.

Mince your word, Your Grace.

Calm down.

His Lordship will never issue this edict.

A scrambled mind is a faux pas.

Think.

Did someone set you up?

Qi committed a capital crime.

It was actually caused by Zheng, but now that he's safe

and Qi has to bear the serious consequence.

Her Grace is just worried sick about the Fifth Young Lord.

She did not mean anything ill.

Do not tell anyone what happened here.

Understood?

Yes.

Madam Chun will talk to His Lordship tomorrow.

Don't worry.

My Lord.

Have some tea.

How long has she been waiting outside?

My Lord, four hours.

Bring her in.

Noted.

Madam Chun.

Please come in.

I failed to raise my child properly,

so I shall be punished in his stead.

Please punish me, My Lord.

It has nothing to do with you.

It has.

It is my fault.

I failed to teach him to bond with you

so that you could know him better.

Are you saying that I don't know my son?

On the contrary, I know him too well.

He doesn't have the intelligence to meddle in this affair.

I educated him for many years,

but back then,

he acted with his impulse.

He questioned me and rebuked me.

I did not know I had a rebellious son.

He does not respect, his own father,

the state's ruler, at all.

Yin Qi will never go against you, My Lord.

This was just a son talking back to his father.

Zheng works in the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Qi wishes to help him.

Their brotherhood does not harbor any hidden agenda.

Regardless of his original intention,

when he makes a mistake, he will be punished.

He pleads guilty.

If I don't punish him with the law, how can I face

my ministers?

Yin Qi is incapable of serving Xin State.

Please demote him to a commoner

and let him go.

On account of your blood relation to him,

please do not imprison him for all his life.

Are you

giving up on your son?

Yin Qi is incompetent.

He only has kindness.

But that's not enough for politics.

He now committed a grave crime, so please, let him go.

I do not have other wishes,

except for his safety.

Madam.

Madam.

So?

You can visit the Fifth Young Lord now.

However, his status might be revoked.

Madam Chun wants you to talk to him.

Shangguan.

Why are you here?

Madam Chun went to see His Lordship and I am allowed to see you.

But only for a short while.

Okay.

Father...

Father took Zheng away.

He's giving up on me, isn't he?

He still cares about you.

But all ministers are talking now

and they demand an answer.

But His Lordship has promised Madam Chun

that he wouldn't punish you severely.

As long as you stay away from politics and become a commoner.

So it is then.

Father never likes

the useless me anyway.

I probably won't achieve anything great anyway.

This is better.

Everyone told me to cheer you up.

And I said you are cheery enough

and that you wouldn't wallow in self-pity for this.

But look at you.

You look like you lost your soul.

How am I supposed to face them now?

All right.

I won't make you look bad.

I am the most cheerful one.

Don't you know me?

I'm just like you.

It must hurt a lot.

No.

Not at all.

I can even perform with my spear if I'm home now.

Stop joking already.

I'm fine.

Just a few nights in prison.

Look.

How many young lords in the history of Xin State went to prison?

I'm special now.

Right?

All right. Stop frowning.

It's ugly.

You are ugly.

Oh.

For you.

I almost forgot.

They are sweet.

Thank you.

Is it sweet?

Come on.

No.

It's for you.

Taste it.

It's sweet.

Madam.

I have to go now.

Take care.

I'll wait for you back home.

Okay.

Just go.

Go.

[Jingyuan]

His Lordship is back.

Yin Zheng.

How are you feeling?

Madam Chun told us that the Fifth Young Lord would be released soon.

She told you not to worry.

The deposition edict

will be out soon.

[Prison]

All right.

You may speak to me while standing.

You look

defiant.

I didn't do anything wrong,

so I do not accept this outcome.

You study.

You are given wisdom.

As a government official, you are at fault.

You gave up on me.

And I

am no longer a government official.

Feelings are excluded in official business.

But they are not in a family business, isn't that right?

You know very well

what's right and what's wrong.

You needed a scapegoat.

That's all.

Insolence!

Father,

growing up,

everyone said I was dumb.

But I see the truth.

A few words from others

get you all wary

of Zheng.

But he's too useful.

So you need

a useless son

to be the scapegoat.

How can a father do this to a son?

We can use or discard an outsider as we wish.

But your family...

How can you do that to your family?

Unfilial son!

You're no longer

a son to me.

Thank you, Father, for charging me with a crime.

Thank you, Father, for sparing me.

Thank you, Father, for raising me.

[Zhuo Mansion]

Qi'er.

Why are you playing the hero?

For the injury and the whole debacle.

It wasn't you. So why did you claim responsibility?

I know.

But, Mother, you told me

that as Zheng's older brother, I cannot let others bully him.

You protected me when I was young.

But he had no one.

So now,

I have to protect him.

It's my fault.

I didn't protect you.

Please don't resent me.

Why would I?

Mother.

Why are you crying?

I know you care about me.

Besides, without that title, I have more freedom.

The world is vast.

I can travel around.

Oh, Mother.

Back then, Shangguan always said she hadn't visited many places.

And now, I finally have the time to keep her company.

Mother.

Just speak frankly.

I came out of prison alive.

Nothing can faze me now.

Qi'er.

His Lordship revoked your title.

Your wealth will be confiscated.

Shangguan is a princess.

According to the laws for interstate marriage,

she can demand a divorce.

Your Grace.

The Fifth Young Lord has been deposed.

According to the laws laid out by our alliance,

[Shangguan Jing] you can nullify your marriage

[will have the freedom of marriage] to His Lordship.

You can return to Dan State whenever you want.

Please tell Madam Chun that whether Yin Qi

is a young lord or a panhandler, I will not abandon him.

But you

will suffer a lot.

Was I ever afraid of suffering?

Fifth Young Lord is an open-minded person.

He won't care about all this.

They say you two always fight

and live separately.

It seems like

there's something real between you two.

I'm very happy to see this.

At least, you won't be all alone.

But she is still someone else's daughter.

Even if she stays with you,

she won't be able to live as comfortably as before.

So please talk to her

about the future.

I know.

She did say she wouldn't

abandon me?

She's a fool.

It's fine, Mother.

It's fine.

Announce tomorrow

that the Fifth Young Lord, Yin Qi,

is to be deposed.

As for the restaurant run by those women...

Close it down

like what Song said.

Noted.

(How can a father do this to a son?)

(We can use or discard an outsider as we wish.)

(But your family...)

(How can you do that to your family?)

It's crowded outside.

And we have to close the place down just because they say so.

They didn't even give us a reason.

This is unfair.

Be patient.

There will be a solution.

Have some tea.

You're back.

What's the matter?

His Highness suggested the Lord of Xin State

suspend Sixth Young Lord from his duties.

Our restaurant and store have to be closed down too.

Why does the Crown Young Lord pick on us all the time?

Because he didn't want Yin Zheng to use this restaurant

to rally people from other states, so...

Bastard.

Why is he still alive?

There, there.

We'll find a way to help Yin Zheng.

Don't give up on the restaurant and the shop either.

Before we reopen, let's survive with the profit we earned.

We pay the rent and clear our inventory.

We can sell them at a cheaper price for some quick money.

I just did the budget.

If we can survive this, the restaurant will reopen once again.

Don't worry.

Let me see how much money we have now.

Hao Jia.

You have not fully recovered.

Don't overwork.

And don't get mad.

Just rest in your room.

I feel much better now.

Thanks for your help and care lately.

There is a problem now and I want to help.

So please let me know if I can do something for you.

How I wish to arrest Yin Song

and beat the crap out of him.

Calm down.

Your household barely survived.

If you cause another scene, Dan State might be affected too.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

We can beat him once the dust settles.

How we beat him, how many times, and how strong each punch should be.

I have devised a plan for it.

So thorough.

Impressive.

Come now.

Have some tea.

Shangguan.

I heard your restaurant and your store have been closed down?

Yes.

In Dan State, that would never ever happen.

We're just minding our own business.

I don't care about your in-fighting.

But why involve me?

Indeed.

I dragged you into this.

No, I didn't mean that.

Oh no!

Help!

Your Lordship, Madam.

What happened?

They say since Your Lordship has been deposed,

per the effective laws, you have to move out of Zhuo Mansion.

People from the Palace Affairs Ministry are here to seize everything.

The Tenth Young Lord is here too.

Take all of them away!

Song said this mansion will become my office.

Leave everything here.

Princess Shangguan.

As intimidating as ever.

But Qi is not a young lord anymore.

The imperial palace wants to reclaim this mansion.

And that's how the rules work.

What now?

Qi rebelled against our father.

Now, you too?

Whether I'm a young lord or not,

you still have to call me "brother" respectfully.

The Palace Affairs Ministry is here for the seizure.

Why are you here then?

The Palace Affairs Ministry is here for the seizure.

Why are you here then?

Oh, my goodness!

You're already like this, so stop putting on airs.

Per Song's order, that is the Crown Young Lord's order,

I'm here to prevent certain deposed individuals from staying here

shamelessly.

Say that again?

What now?

You want to assault me now?

Just so you know, we haven't settled the score from the restaurant.

But I shall look past it.

Things have changed.

Qi is nobody now.

You want to attack me?

Look at yourself in the mirror.

Yue.

Karma always catches up to you.

You might have won now,

but in the future...

Oh, that.

I will keep winning in the future.

When Song...

Zheng and you will be done for.

Do you know why Father got rid of you without any hesitation?

Because you're useless.

A deposed young lord.

You have a legacy now, at least.

Protect me!

Protect me!

Don't run away!

You... A bunch of cowards!

Fine.

I will not stoop to your level.

My mother is the Lady of Xin State.

My brother is the Crown Young Lord.

You're just an unkempt woman from Dan State who protects her husband.

By the way, your Qi never likes you.

He likes a soft woman like Hao Jia.

Look at yourself now.

So full of yourself.

I don't even know what to say.

You just keep playing with your spear.

Fine, you two.

I... I just caught a cold.

Once I'm cured, I'll tell my mother.

You two are dead meat.

Get lost!

Shangguan.

Don't let him bother you.

Let's move on.

Shopkeeper Zhou.

No need to clean.

Heaven knows when this restaurant can reopen.

I want to clean it every day.

When we reopen, we won't scramble about.

This is different from what happened with Marquis Yue.

The future of this restaurant is uncertain.

Shopkeeper Zhou, if you want to seek another employment,

we can understand.

Mistress.

Ever since you and your lady friends took over this restaurant,

you have been kind to me.

I daresay you regard me as a family.

Even in this trying time, you never deduct the worker's wage.

I cannot do something ungrateful like that.

I cannot just be this selfish in this hardship.

But we don't know when this will end.

Our profit will buy us some time, but...

Haitang.

Shangguan?

Take this.

Where did you get the money?

It's nothing.

I pawned the weapons I hardly use.

I don't need that many weapons anyway.

But they are your babies.

Just take it.

Consider this an additional reinvestment.

When we reopen, I'll be the biggest stakeholder.

After the closure of our restaurant, our shop will be too.

Considering our rent and the workers' wages,

we will spend at least 132 taels every day.

Add that to the daily expenditure for the Solar Term Ladies...

I did the math.

The saving we have can only last for two months.

From tomorrow onward, we'll clear the inventory.

Let's sell everything at a lower price and get more money.

We need to hunker down for a long closure period.

Yuping and Yuzhan will help out too.

Count me in.

I don't think you should, Your Lordship.

It's all my fault.

I can't just sit by and do nothing.

If I can do something, I want to help.

Don't beat yourself up.

It's not all your fault.

We're in this together.

Together, we can solve all problems.

Madam is as warm as the sun.

Whatever problem comes out way, as long as Madam is here,

it will be solved.

Indeed.

As long as Madam is here, no problem is a problem.

Madam.

When will we go to the restaurant tomorrow?

What's the matter, Madam?

I don't know.

I'm just worried.

But you were fine just now.

You even lifted everyone's spirit.

If everyone gets all despair

with no one to encourage them,

that'll be the real distress.

So you were just

hiding your feelings.

I hope we can also survive this.

Madam.

Superintendent Su.

Madam.

His Lordship asked me to deliver this calming incense

to help you sleep.

He wants you to have a good rest and sleep tight.

I'll place it there then.

He also said you shouldn't bottle everything up.

Don't worry about others too much.

You'll just suffocate yourself.

Thank you.

We're a family.

No need to thank me.

Madam.

Chef Liu?

Madam.

Now is the season for qingtuan. (*a form of dumpling that is green)

Her Grace told us to make them for you.

Also, she changed the rules for you.

We can now have supper.

Really?

Yes!

I'm sure you love that, Madam.

Indeed.

Madam.

Try one.

Yes. Try one.

Careful.

Don't burn yourself.

So?

It's delicious.

Have some too.

I'll take one then.

Thanks, Madam.

Come on.

Thank you, Madam.

It's so yummy, Chef Liu.

So sweet.

His Lordship and Her Grace know you so well.

I know, right?

Madam.

Don't worry.

As long as we're together, we can overcome all obstacles.

Let's overcome all obstacles!

So we can have supper now.

The Crown Young Lord wanted to get rid of me,

but he failed, so he got rid of my right-hand man instead.

Unfortunately for Qi.

I failed him.

At the end of the stream,

one sits to watch the clouds.

If the Lord of Xin State

decided to pin the blame on the Fifth Young Lord,

it means he still wants to keep you.

You are the most important piece.

To protect you, the Fifth Young Lord sacrificed himself.

Now, don't let his effort be in vain.

You know the current situation better than I do.

Guilt will not do you good.

If Second Young Lord wants to fight me,

then I will do him in.

Strong

and poignant.

Your calligraphy is getting better.

Thanks, Father.

Your Lordship, you are strict with Song'er.

To earn your compliment, he has worked very hard on his calligraphy.

And when he's working, he also works laboriously

to lessen your burden.

You keep telling me how excellent he is.

I guess in your eyes,

he's flawless.

Of course not, Father.

Of course not.

Song'er dares not to make a mistake before you.

He retains every advice you gave him.

Right.

The Ministry of Revenue is doing very well lately.

The recalling of counterfeit money is almost done.

The Supervising Secretary also said the auxiliary matters

had been dealt with thoroughly.

You start to act like a proper Crown Young Lord.

I still have work to do, so I shall leave now.

See you, Father.

He didn't mention letting your brothers

manage the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Just let the officials run it on their own.

Father is a wise ruler.

My brothers of non-lineal descent bit more than they could chew.

Father said he put them around me to motivate me.

How accurate is that information?

Did Chen Xi sneak back into Xin State?

He isn't done with the Crown Young Lord, I bet.

Crown Young Lord...

Crown Young Lord...

An, are you afraid?

No.

Your position has been suspended,

and yet, you are investigating privately.

That's against the rules.

And Chen Xi is related to Song.

It's serious.

No one wants you to get to the bottom of it.

That's why I invited you here.

I want you to stay out of it.

But surely, you'll do that without my reminder.

Stop it already.

I'm being serious here.

We both know Song does not have the gut to issue counterfeit money.

He merely wanted to profit from it.

But then he got hold of what Chen Xi did.

It was too late.

He is already implicated.

Can't you just pin the blame on Chen Xi?

I don't want to see you end up like Qi.

Thank you for your concern, An.

But Crown Young Lord

should pay for what he did.

When do you plan to deal with Chen Xi?

Tonight.

He's here.

You wanted to see me?

I made a mysterious dish

in preparation for the reopening of the restaurant.

Can you try it?

A mysterious dish.

The dish will be hidden inside a tightly-sealed container,

such as a duck belly, winter melon, or a copper pot.

Before the customers open it, they won't know what awaits them.

If you like it, others will like it too.

The winter melon of Yan State and the seafood of Jin State.

Fresh and crunchy.

I'm a genius.

But I don't like seafood.

Why don't you ask the Princess to help you?

She said she wants to reduce her consumption, so she said no.

And then you turn to me?

I have things to do.

So I... Yin Zheng.

Okay.

Do you like it?

The winter melon does bring out the umami flavor.

It's a good dish.

Not bad.

Do you feel less nervous now?

Tonight will be your big night.

I don't want you to be too nervous, so I did this.

I told Su Shen that if something happens to me...

Nothing will happen to you.

But I'm investigating on my own.

I could be punished for it and be demoted to a commoner.

Aren't you afraid?

But that's great.

You'll be like me.

The almighty Sixth Young Lord

can finally come down and be on my level.

You don't eat a lot, so I can feed you.

Why are you laughing?

My family has land.

We also have live stocks.

And we have an osmanthus tree in our garden.

We can make wine from it in autumn.

But you can't just be a leech there.

You have to work.

Sure.

As you wish.

It's getting late now.

I have to go.

I can't finish the entire winter melon on my own.

You have to come back.

I'll wait for you.

Okay.

♪ The southern wind meets the dew ♪

♪ The moonlight is whispering to the red candle ♪

♪ There is nothing special ♪

♪ But why is my mind in a trance? ♪

♪ And why am I hesitating? ♪

♪ I'm afraid you might find out my feelings for you when you look into my eyes ♪

♪ I try hard to remain calm ♪

♪ But my heart is racing because of you ♪

♪ I try hard to hide my feelings ♪

♪ But where should I lay my eyes on? ♪

♪ No words are needed now ♪

♪ My feelings do not matter anymore ♪

♪ I turn those wonderful memories into a story ♪

♪ There's no need for words if the feeling is mutual ♪

♪ I got lost in my emotions ♪

♪ Love is nowhere to be found ♪

♪ There are no more distractions ♪

♪ I only wish we could enjoy three meals and four seasons together ♪

♪ The southern wind meets the dew ♪

♪ The moonlight is whispering to the red candle ♪

♪ There is nothing special ♪

♪ But why is my mind in a trance? ♪

♪ And why am I hesitating? ♪

♪ I'm afraid you might find out my feelings for you when you look into my eyes ♪

♪ I try hard to remain calm ♪

♪ But my heart is racing because of you ♪

♪ I try hard to hide my feelings ♪