Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

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

[Episode 27]

Look at these.

These were collected from Delicacies of Nine States lately.

How come so much counterfeit money exists

soon after the new monetary system was launched?

Apparently, Song wants to stay out of it.

I want to request Father to send you to my aid.

If Father approves it,

naturally, I'll do my best.

I take you at your word.

Don't welsh on it.

Sure.

I'm going to the palace now.

No need to see me off.

As expected, Third Young Lord came

to seek assistance from you for the investigation.

I've been telling you not to get involved in this, yet you insist.

Even if you get to the bottom of the counterfeit money incident,

you won't get to be in charge of the Ministry of Revenue.

Plus, the credit for this investigation

will belong to Third Young Lord even though it's you who made it.

If worst comes to worst, you'll be blamed for overstepping your authority.

The new monetary system concerns the livelihood of the people.

I'll look into it despite it doesn't benefit me.

If I care for mere benefits of my own,

I won't make history but only a common ledger book.

On the fifth day of the month,

Yin Zheng captured several counterfeit money traders in the market.

Initially, they refused to own up.

However, they confessed after being beaten.

On the eighth day of the month, An and he discovered two illegal mints

and caught those who print the money.

On the ninth day of the month, they got to the bottom of the crime.

They admitted that they knew a smuggler named Chen Xi.

It only took them four days to find the den,

and seizing Chen Xi is the last step to end the investigation.

What's wrong with you?

Father.

Yin Zheng beat the suspects cruelly.

I heard that he launched a stoning punishment on the minting smugglers.

He informed me beforehand.

He didn't actually punish them.

He just buried them in the soil to frighten them.

Even food and water were offered.

None of them died.

Father,

still, he used cruel punishment.

Crown Young Lord.

Are you trying to lecture me on criminal laws?

No, My Lord.

Regarding the counterfeit money incident,

I'll leave it to Yin Zheng.

If you can't manage the Ministry of Revenue well,

you can run the Ministry of Rites with Jun.

Father.

Go back and reflect on yourself.

Yes.

[Jie Mansion]

Next,

we must dig the dirt on Yin Zheng.

This matter has dragged the Ministry of Justice in.

Your Ministry of Rites should keep a close eye on him.

Once he violates the laws, take action immediately.

Understood.

Did you hear from Uncle?

Not yet.

But Marquis Yue said

you may use a new incident to cover this urgent one.

Now that Father's trust in me has worn thin.

I must think of a way to deal with this.

Otherwise, it'll be troublesome.

Jun.

We're in the same boat.

You should know what to do.

No worries.

I know.

[Jie Mansion]

[An Xiyuan, Fourth Young Madam]

There is more than meets the eye.

Don't get involved.

Of course.

Although I curry favor with Song,

I will never get myself into trouble.

There are too many hidden goings-on in this counterfeit money incident.

I know what to do.

As expected.

You never worry me.

[Prison of Xin State]

Jun just went through the motions this time.

I thought he'd take a big move.

Unexpectedly, the Ministry of Rites only composed a few impeachment missives

stating that you launched cruel punishment and that was all.

That wasn't cruel, though.

He couldn't find fault with me.

No worries.

You've always acted like a harmless lamb.

Why are you so cruel now?

Have you been hiding your animalistic nature?

Look what you've said.

You can do it yourself next time.

No.

You do it.

What did he confess?

They're all under Chen Xi.

They said he ran off to Dai State.

Dai State.

Why Dai State?

The people behind Dai State, you should know this well.

I smell a rat.

Do we have to continue the investigation?

Why don't we end it here?

If some names are being uncovered, I'm afraid...

Let's capture Chen Xi.

As for the rest, we'll decide later.

[Borders of Xin]

This place is out of the bounds of Xin.

Do protect yourself well.

As for the rest,

I'll settle it.

You

will go places in the future.

Future?

[Chen Xi]

I don't have much time.

Did you forget what you promised me?

[Minting counterfeit money grants you great fortune and a promising future]

Take care.

We must rush back to the capital before sunrise.

Although we share the border with Dai State

where the vein of coal at Tong'an Mountain is found,

according to the agreement of the Nine States alliance

and the historical record, Tong'an Mountain belongs to Xin State.

It's shameless that Dai State oversteps

[Dai State] and fights the vein with us.

My Lord.

Dai State has stepped across the line this time.

Even though I married a lady from Dai State, I can't accept this.

Dai State often suppresses us on the mineral vein.

We must keep them out of it this time.

I suggest locking up the mountain

as well as the main roads and mountain passes to Tong'an Mountain.

My Lord.

Tong'an Mountain is located at the junction of three states.

I think Sixth Young Lord should inform the other two states

in the name of the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Yes.

My Lord.

The barricade will involve Dan State.

Please reconsider.

Enough.

We mustn't lose the mineral vein at Tong'an Mountain.

Set up barriers on the main roads that lead to Dai State's direction first.

We'll discuss the rest later.

But we never allow foreign states to commandeer our property.

- Yes. - Yes.

[Jingyuan]

Will it be long?

Will they wage a war on this?

No.

Please believe in me.

Don't miss me too much.

Cut it out.

Why do you insist on tagging along?

You can't ride a horse.

Hey.

I've taken horse riding lessons before.

I can ride.

Besides, Father asked me to go with Zheng as he wants to train me.

Probably Father will task me with a post after I return.

Don't worry. He can ride.

The thing is he gets dizzy while riding.

He throws up when it's a long journey.

He will vomit all the way which frightens the horse.

I'll get going.

Be careful when you get on the horse.

Don't squeeze the horse with your legs too tightly.

Grab the rein tight.

Enough.

Don't worry about him.

I don't.

Let's go.

All right.

Be careful.

Take care.

[Xin State]

[Dan State]

[Tong'an Stage Station]

Nice.

I'm indeed a genius horse trainer.

The horse behaves well throughout the journey.

Shangguan can't tease me for this now.

By the way, Zheng.

You were helping An on the case of counterfeit money lately, right?

Do you think it's weird that Song suggested Father

send you here to deal with Dai State?

Oh, even you could tell.

What do you mean by that?

Am I dumb?

It's good, anyway.

We can search for Chen Xi.

Luohe Town is near Dan State.

Please send a letter

to the Lady of Dan State to have soldiers guard the place.

So that the people of the two states won't be affected.

For now, we only need to put a barrier

[Pingtong Town] on the main road that leads to Pingtong Town of Dai.

Understood?

[Officials of the stage station]

[Situ Jin, Head of the General Palace Service] Aren't you the female official from Dan State?

Greetings, Your Lordships.

May I ask why all of the main roads leading to Luohe Town are blocked?

The Tea Horse Festival at Luohe Town is going to commence tomorrow.

Northeast townships of Dan State

rely on the Tea Horse Festival held the next few days to save their bacon.

I'm afraid the closure of main roads

will take a toll on the livelihood of the people.

Where did you get this news?

The expedited edict from the capital of Xin State.

Wait. Did I get that wrong?

I remembered

that Father only ordered barricading the main road to Dai State.

Why Dan's is blocked as well?

Is it because...

The priority now is to seek an audience with Lady of Dan State.

I'm not going.

I'll be shaking in my boots when I see her.

Aren't you here for training?

Your Lordship, please.

Oh, gosh.

Let's go.

Good luck.

Qi.

The official letter of the barricade has been issued.

Given Zheng's personality, what decision will he make?

It's a dead end for him

that we asked Father to make the roadblock announcement.

If he acts per the announcement,

he can't return in time for requesting a course of action.

I've had the impeachment missive prepared.

Once we received Zheng's return sign, all is on set.

No worries, Song.

This is big.

Nice game, Song.

Although Dai State has given their words to us,

we must still screen the egresses discreetly

in order to keep the mineral vein in check.

Never allow spies from Dai State to intrude on our state.

- Yes. - Yes.

You may go.

I'm so tired.

Seeing you return in a hurry, probably it's settled.

What did Her Ladyship say?

I didn't get to meet with her.

Her Ladyship is busy pacifying the vendors.

However, Her Ladyship is aware of the seriousness of the matter.

So, Her Ladyship approved the official letter right away

and clearly said

that Dan State will cooperate with Xin State in the screening of the egresses

to prevent the Dai people sneak into Tong'an Mountain.

What did the Lord of Dai State say?

They said the Ministry of Rites has mistaken them

as Tong'an Mountain did relate to Dai State

according to the historical record.

They were giving themselves a way out.

Besides, they count on us to take care of their coal business.

Hence, no sudden action will be made for the time being.

You know what?

All of the vendors and people were talking about this

when I was in Dan State.

I realized that Tea Horse Festival is important to them.

Of course.

Tea Horse Festival is a significant local event.

The livelihood of the people from both states depends on this.

Do you think we have time to write back to Father

requesting him to rescind the announcement?

What should we do now?

I think...

Qi.

What do you think about this?

In my opinion,

exceptions are tolerated during emergencies.

We should remove the barricade

and then take ownership of our mistakes before Father.

What do you think?

Are you doing this because of Jing?

Zheng.

This concerns the people.

It isn't because of her.

This is a serious matter that concerns the people.

Qi.

You've grown up.

You really have.

Actually, you've already made the decision.

You're testing me.

Seriously.

Here.

Have the pastry.

Don't be angry.

It tastes sweet.

Previously, you mentioned searching for that man named Xi.

Are we going to stay here a little longer?

I've dispatched my men to search for him.

We're going back tomorrow to report to Father.

Right.

Although you've come to an agreement with Dai State,

it's better to report it to Father.

[Zhaoqian Hall]

Sixth Young Lord submitted a missive to seek forgiveness

as he removed the barricade in Dan State for the sake of the people.

However, such an act has neglected the benefits of Xin State

and he overstepped his authority.

He should be punished heavily.

That's right.

His Lordship has defied the edict that racks the state seriously.

True.

How could a young lord of Xin side with the foreign state?

Well... But His Lordship made this choice because of the people.

Though this choice does make some sense, it's unforgivable.

Shangguan always wants to travel around the world.

As you can see, my riding skill has improved.

I won't slow her down by then.

Well.

I'll enter the palace to seek an audience with Father.

Do you think

Father will disapprove of the barricade removal for Dan State

to keep the vein of minerals in check?

What about this?

I'm going to the restaurant to see Shangguan.

I'll meet up with you later.

Okay.

Come on.

Han.

Qi.

What are you doing here?

I'm going to send bird's nest soup for Hao Jia. It's good for her health.

This one?

Let me see.

Can this be useful?

Of course.

It's not for you, though.

Stop questioning me.

I'm just asking.

If it's a fine thing, give me some.

That's all I have.

I specially prepared this for Hao Jia.

Didn't you just come back from the borders of Dai?

Why do you come here instead of the palace?

You've been here a lot lately.

What?

I have?

Because the one I want to see comes here a lot.

Who's that?

Wait.

You!

Are you still hung up on Hao Jia?

You can't betray Jing.

Nonsense.

Then, why do you come here a lot?

Don't tell me you're here for Jing.

Everyone knows that you're not on good terms with her.

Fine.

Listen.

You told me not to betray Shangguan Jing

and claimed that we are not on good terms.

You really have a way with words.

Fine.

Why was there a rumor about you having something to do

with Hao Jia's escape?

Even if you don't like Jing, both of you have married each other.

You should restrain yourself.

Who tells you that I...

Are you my elder brother?

How dare you reprimand me?

Enough.

Off you go.

I got to go.

I'm saying this for your own good.

Shangguan.

Shangguan.

Shangguan.

Shangguan.

Shangguan.

Your Lordship.

Lord of Xin State requests for you.

[Zhuo Mansion]

(Hao Jia.)

This is for you.

Thanks, but I'm fine.

(Can you please be gentle?)

Hao Jia won't act like you.

(Rumors have it that you have something to do)

(with Hao Jia's escape.)

(Even if you don't like Jing, )

(both of you have married each other.)

(You should restrain yourself.)

You may leave.

Are you inside?

I have something to tell you.

I've heard the conversation between you and Han just now.

And it bothers me a lot.

Anyway, I want to ask you this seriously.

Deep inside you,

is there a place for Hao Jia?

Answer me, Yin Qi.

Do you hear me?

Madam.

Madam.

Something bad has happened.

Madam, something bad has happened.

His Lordship hasn't shown up long after greeting the Lord in the palace.

Hence, I went to ask around.

I heard that both Fifth and Sixth Young Lords are detained.

What?

This missive

from the Ministry of Revenue impeaches Sixth Young Lord for defying the edict

by removing the barricade in Dan State without permission

and has overstepped the authority.

This missive accuses Sixth Young Lord of being disdainful

and ignoring the benefit of Xin State.

The Ministry of Revenue complains that Sixth Young Lord

ingratiated himself with the Lady of Dan State

and disregarded the vein of minerals.

Supervising Secretary impeaches Sixth Young Lord

for disobeying the edict and acting on his own accord.

I didn't know

you were that bold.

I dare not, My Lord.

The closure of the main road influences the people greatly,

and it was urgent.

So, I ventured... You ventured to go against the edict.

Zheng.

I've read your missive about seeking forgiveness.

If you claimed that it was all done by you, I find it hard to believe.

Qi, you're the brother-in-law of the Lady of Dan State. Are you unaware of this?

Qi has totally no idea about this.

He's ingenuous and rarely pries into state affairs.

You know that well.

Father.

I agree that such a decision is beyond Qi.

All of the officials know that Zheng is in charge of this.

I couldn't believe that he made this decision without your permission.

Does he think that he knows better than the Lord of Xin State?

No need to exaggerate it, Your Highness.

My Lord.

Lady of Dan State has agreed to screen the egresses strictly

to prevent any spies from Dai State to intrude.

Zheng.

Has it occurred to you why I'd barricade the main roads

before Tea Horse Festival commences?

All kinds of people went to Luohe Town during Tea Horse Festival.

If Dai State harbors an ill intention

to send a spy to mix into the crowd

and sneak into Tong'an Mountain passing through Dan State,

we might lose the vein of minerals, then.

What would you do?

I'm sure you can foresee this.

Are you too conceited or did you defy the edict purposely?

Dai State has given their response to this...

Supposedly, Zheng has to negotiate with the Lord of Dai State

as it's the duty of the Ministry of Nine State Affairs.

However, due to his incompetency,

I have no choice but to act on his behalf to negotiate with Dai State.

Did you negotiate with Dai State?

When did you?

My father-in-law is the mine owner in Dai State.

He has collaborated with other mine owners

to persuade the Lord of Dai State to give up on the mineral vein of Tong'an Mountain.

They've reached an agreement now.

This is their reply.

It seems the Lord of Dai State has come around

to the fact that Tong'an Mountain belongs to us

which they shouldn't covet.

Zheng.

You're the Young Lord of Xin State, not the Dan State.

Father sent you to Tong'an Mountain to keep the mineral vein

by negotiating with Dai State.

However, you went against the edict.

Fortunately,

we're family.

You got to stay out of trouble with a missive seeking forgiveness

over your defiance.

Zheng.

Do you admit you're wrong?

As for the crime of defiance, you should be deposed and interrogated.

Your charge will be decided later.

From tomorrow on,

you don't have to attend the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Father.

No, Father.

Zheng did negotiate with Dai State several times on the matter.

Besides, it'll be a disgrace if he's deposed for the second time.

Father.

Please scrutinize the case, Father.

Truth be told, the one who removed the barricade in Dan

was me.

What does it have to do with you?

I'm the brother-in-law of the Lady of Dan State.

I made a rash decision on my accord

as I wanted to protect my sister-in-law.

Zheng is unaware of this.

Father.

Qi.

You should get reasonable excuses for your lie.

You went to Tong'an Mountain with him, and you're under him.

Could you even decide

without his order?

Why wouldn't I?

I even dared to dismiss the order of barricading the main road in Dan State.

Would I fear that he'd stop me?

Father.

It has nothing to do with Qi.

Father.

This is all done by me.

Please punish me.

Father.

Zheng is clueless about this, Father.

Enough!

Men.

- Yes. - Yes.

Take Fifth and Sixth Young Lords out for bludgeoning for 20 strokes

and then get them imprisoned.

- Yes. - Yes.

Father.

Please punish me alone.

Zheng knows nothing about this.

Father.

Father, Zheng knows nothing about this.

Father.

Father.

Momo.

How's it now?

Madam.

His Lordship lashed out and he said

that he was going to renounce the title of Sixth Young Lord.

[Fu Momo, Madam Chun's maidservant] Besides, the two young lords got bludgeoned.

Even though he often acts foolishly

and the Lord of Xin State doesn't have expectations for him,

this is the first time that he's been punished heavily.

That can't be.

I should ask my sister to write to the Lord of Xin State.

Madam.

Though I'm not shrewd, I can judge the situation.

In my view, given the current situation,

it's better for the Lord to vent his anger.

We have to wait.

But I fear that he'll throw a fist and refuse to admit his mistake.

Madam.

Stop overthinking.

I reckon it's a good sign if they're bludgeoned.

It shows that His Lordship vents his anger.

If otherwise, it means he's completely disappointed.

It's late now.

You should go better and get some rest.

You look tired.

Please go back.

I can't understand what's going on now.

They did something good,

yet someone used them and pinned a crime on them.

I heard

that Fifth Young Lord was left out of the accusation initially.

But he was nervous

and took the blame

after hearing Sixth Young Lord would be punished by the Lord of Xin State.

I wonder what will befall them.

Shangguan.

You go back and write to the Lady of Dan State

telling her not to plead for them.

Overstepping one's authority is a serious offense.

If a foreign force intercedes for them, someone will make use of this.

We shall straighten the whole thing out first.

It's better not to speculate before a judgment is made,

otherwise, you'll upset yourself.

Don't worry.

Yuan Ying and I will try to go to the palace

and seek help from Madam He and Madam Chun.

Thank you so much.

Everything will be all right.

Your Lordship.

His Lordship didn't mean to incarcerate you.

Now that you're released, everything will be a flash in the pan

if you bend your knee.

What's the decision

His Lordship made?

Probably Fifth Young Lord has to be held accountable and get punished.

Your Lordship, please keep yourself out of trouble.

Greetings, My Lord.

Do you admit you're wrong?

I defied the command and removed the barricade

without your permission.

I shall be punished per the laws.

I'll accept the renouncement of my title

without complaints.

Father, could you please release Qi?

He has nothing to do with this.

You acknowledge your offense

but don't admit you're wrong.

Do you think that you possess perfect strength of character?

You want to keep Qi out of this?

I'm well aware of whether he's involved or not.

Do you think this is the right time to relate yourself to your brotherhood?

Qi couldn't make any decisions.

It was me who made it.

I ordered to remove the barricade,

hence, I should be the one to accept the punishment.

Why would Qi take the blame instead?

By any chance,

it's because you can get nothing out of him as compared to me?

Shut your mouth!

Is this how you regard your father?

I tried my best to groom you.

Do you know that the impeachment missives flood in like snowflakes?

Qi has admitted it was done by him.

Plus, he's the brother-in-law of the Lady of Dan State.

How would the officials believe

that he's not involved in this?

But the one who defied the edict

was me.

Not him.

Are you

pressing me?

[Fourth Young Lord's Mansion, Heng Mansion]

You lost again, Jun.

Are you going to take my salary next month too?

I'll give you a chance to win back all your money.

What do you want to put your wager on this time?

Let's bet on

how long Zheng can barely be alive.

Your Lordship.

You're so stubborn.

Will His Lordship offer clemency

on Qi?

I can't speculate what the Lord is thinking.

I was asked to take you to the side hall to reflect on yourself.

Please relay my message

to His Lordship.

Jade is made into a vessel after being polished and cut.

However, regarding your sons as instruments

rather than humans,

it will lead to the growth of estrangement between

and they will abandon you and leave eventually.

My Lord.

Sixth Young Lord shouldn't have said this.

As brothers, it's his duty for helping you

to provoke Crown Young Lord, My Lord.

He just

went overboard with his worries for Fifth Young Lord.

He knows

that I'm using him to suppress Song and he's willing to be of my help.

Yet now he blames me

for using the sons as instruments

and says that they'll abandon me one day.

My Lord.

Sixth Young Lord just... Enough.

He said this in the heat of the moment.

He's taking it too far for his brotherhood.

Yes.

My Lord.

What will you do to Fifth Young Lord?

The Ministry of Rites sends in the impeachment missives again.

I should respond to this no matter what.

The charge of overstepping authorities

can never fall on Zheng.

But Qi...

Jing.

Jing.

What brings you here, Xiyuan?

Jing.

My husband and I survive under the wings of the Crown Young Lord.

His Highness wants us to send you a message and we should obey him.

But my husband is a man and it's inappropriate to pay you a call.

Hence, I was asked to pass on the message.

Please cut to the chase.

Qi's life is at stake.

Pardon?

How could that be?

I thought he's imprisoned for the time being?

Qi commits a capital crime.

Something has gone wrong, though.

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

and Qi has to bear the serious consequence.

Jing.

Crown Young Lord doesn't wish Qi to suffer.

That's why we're asked to relay his message.

He reckons that you're the Princess of Dan State.

You should think of something to rescue Qi.

But...

His Lordship wants to grant suicide to Yin Qi.

[Madam Chun, Fifth Young Lord's biological mother]

Previously, you requested to seek an audience several times

and were denied.

Probably His Lordship hadn't made up his mind yet.

Since you're allowed in now,

he must have come to a conclusion.

During the day, Zheng was released and detained in the side hall now.

But I hear nothing from Qi after he's imprisoned.

Did you receive news from the Lady of Dan State?

Shangguan inquired of the Lady of Dan State,

and Her Ladyship replied that Zheng and Qi didn't do anything wrong.

They just wanted to maintain harmony between the two states.

Yin Zheng has already come to an agreement with Dai State.

However, Second Young Lord was one step ahead of them to announce it.

Even Second Young Madam was yet to be aware of this,

and she couldn't get to inform us in time, which leads to this chaos.

Though it's not a smart move, it's destructive.

The accusation of overstepping the authorities

should be borne by someone.

Whoever is being pinned with this will receive life imprisonment.

His Lordship won't allow things like losing two sons at the same time to happen.

I'm afraid

that he has already made the decision after much calculation.

Chun.

I will seek an audience with His Lordship.

No,

I'll go by myself.

In this world,

he's not the only one who can make wise decisions.

Something bad has happened!

Fifth Young Madam wants to break into the prison.

♪ The weather turns cold and the fog dissipates ♪

♪ The water flows gently ♪

♪ Amidst the light breeze ♪

♪ You smile faintly ♪

♪ And I can't stop thinking about you ♪

♪ As the wind blows, the red tassel sways ♪

♪ As the spear falls, time moves slowly ♪

♪ Everything is gone with the wind ♪

♪ Just by thinking of you ♪

♪ It mesmerizes me all day ♪

♪ Everything reminds me of you ♪

♪ I fell for you without realizing it after our accidental encounter ♪

♪ Wind and rain ♪

♪ Cover our footsteps ♪

♪ You're my inspiration ♪

♪ Mountains and rivers thrive unceasingly because of you ♪

♪ Beside the riverside pavilion, there is this prairie ♪

♪ I refuse to let go ♪

♪ I will stay rock-solid ♪

♪ And wait for you forever ♪

♪ As the wind blows, the red tassel sways ♪

♪ As the spear falls, time moves slowly ♪

♪ Everything is gone with the wind ♪

♪ Just by thinking of you ♪

♪ It mesmerizes me all day ♪

♪ I want to spend my every second with you ♪

♪ Time passes in the blink of an eye and I fell for you without realizing it ♪

♪ Wind and rain ♪

♪ Cover our footsteps ♪

♪ You're my inspiration ♪