Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

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

[Episode 30]

Let's get a divorce.

What did you just say?

Let's get a divorce.

Think about it.

You don't like me

and nor do I...

Right?

I appreciate that you've taken care of me over these days.

I...

I've already recovered

and I'm very self-sufficient.

We should just

go our separate ways.

This is the best thing for us.

You...

Oh my.

Are you not willing to?

You despise me the most, don't you?

Don't tell me you've fallen for me.

Didn't we

have good times before?

Do you think so?

Look over there.

Is that good?

And there.

Is it good? There's nothing there.

Not even a chair.

You said we have good times?

We're bound because of the allied marriage.

Now that I'm not a young lord.

Everything is just meaningless,

including our allied marriage.

Let's just split ways.

This is not your true thought.

Be honest with me.

Fine.

Since you insist on knowing, I'll tell you.

My heart is already spoken for.

Who's that?

Hao Jia.

Yes.

Don't you know about this?

Finally, Hao Jia left Song.

I can pursue my love now.

Are you insane?

Do you know what you're saying now?

Of course, I do.

You know what?

The one I've always wanted to marry is Hao Jia.

Not you, you know.

We're not a good match.

We don't get along well.

We don't even have a similar preference for food.

We're not fit for each other.

Since we don't have feelings for each other,

let's get a divorce.

Even so, you won't be upset.

Right?

Let's say that I let you down.

Are you satisfied with this?

[Stay true to yourself]

Sorry.

I'm so sorry.

She's obedient.

Baby really grows fast.

She just grows big within a few days.

You've been so busy recently.

You have lost quite a lot of weight.

Isn't that good?

Ever since I've been to Xin State, I keep eating nonstop.

It's good that I don't have to go on a diet

to keep my body in check.

I feel bad as you need to feed and house me

without me paying in return.

I've given it some thought these days.

I know nothing about how to operate a restaurant,

hence, I won't poke my nose into it.

However, I can go out

and do a business that I'm good at

to help you out financially.

Do a business?

[Changle Cosmetics]

Lady.

You have fair skin.

With this rouge

and the peach-pink hairpin,

your beauty will be amplified

and unforgettable.

As for you,

the osmanthus hand cream is suitable for you.

Your hands have cracked skin because you work during the winter.

By applying this hand cream,

your hands will be soft and smooth.

That's nice.

[Zhuo Mansion]

(Shangguan Jing)

(hereby issues a letter of divorce)

(to her husband, Yin Qi.)

(He is at liberty to form a marital bond with another woman.)

(I will not complain about it.)

This...

Did she really write this?

Who else could that be?

She even spelled "letter of divorce" wrongly.

No wonder she was acting weirdly these two days.

Your Lordship,

why did you not inform us

about such a serious matter

and hide it instead?

Your Lordship.

What was with you?

How could you let her leave like this?

What else can I do then?

I can't have her stay in Xin State

and suffer with me.

After Song was imprisoned,

I thought Father...

His Lordship would change his mind,

but the officials of the Palace Affairs Ministry still came to seize my property.

The entire mansion was emptied.

And I realized that I'm such a useless fool.

I didn't save any money.

You see.

I can't even take care of myself,

how am I going to take care of her?

Do I deserve to do so?

Your Lordship.

I'm sorry.

Our hands were tied as we were dealing with our own problems.

We didn't know you...

It has nothing to do with you.

It was because of me

who used to laze around.

Your Lordship.

If I may ask,

Shangguan isn't an indifferent and selfish person.

At this critical moment,

it's impossible for her to abandon you.

What did you say to her

that made her leave?

I said...

I said

I still hung up on Hao Jia.

Were you in your right mind?

How could you say that to her?

Why did you

get the worst excuse?

You were just cutting off your ear

to spite your face.

Indeed, you're outrageous.

Anyway, stop giving him an earful.

He suffers as well.

I know you care about Jingjing too.

Otherwise, you wouldn't worry

that you'd drag her into trouble.

It's useless to talk about this now.

No, it's not useless.

Now that evil is going to meet his demise.

We have no trouble

and concerns anymore.

You should go to Dan State and get her back now.

This dumb Jingjing

definitely took your word to heart for sure.

You can't just let it be.

I think Shangguan won't want to see him

after hearing that crap.

I won't go.

I've hurt her by saying that.

She won't forgive me.

Besides,

it won't do her any good

even if she comes back with me

and suffer.

Why should she come back?

[Dan Palace]

You made the correct choice to come back.

Just wait for it.

I'll have someone forge a statue of Yin Qi

and place it at the palace gate.

Anyone can just spit at him.

If he dares set foot in Dan State again,

no one will let him off the hook.

He won't come to Dan State anymore.

Never.

Jing'er.

Don't tell me you really fell for him.

If you do

and he has let you down,

I'll definitely send someone to end his life.

No.

Yan, I don't.

Why would I?

I don't have any feelings for him.

Not even in my next life.

Jing'er.

You're afraid that I'd take revenge on him,

right?

I know you very well.

I'm not.

Forget it.

I'll find you some matrilocal husbands

to end this accursed relationship as soon as possible.

No.

I don't need that.

I'm sorry

to have you stay in the guest room these days.

I'll save my appreciation then.

I'm fine with any place.

Anyway, I'm left alone now.

It's fine.

I apologize

for my incapability.

Later, I'll definitely...

Don't say that.

Sit.

You're my younger brother and I should protect you.

That's fair enough.

Besides,

I think this isn't the worst consequence.

You're saved, at least.

Am I right?

I've done my best.

Also, you've brought down the one who sparked the strife.

You've avenged me.

Once Father calms down, I'll help you...

Forget it.

Father never

unmakes the command he issued.

You suit the role in the imperial court

and you've been doing well.

As for me,

I have no ambitions

and I'm not fit for politics.

Now that I'm granted freedom which is better.

Politics

is just boring.

You pursue fellowships in the court,

but I value brotherhood more.

You can be casual,

but you're not bound by complexities.

I've written to the Lady of Dan State

to explain the reason behind your divorce.

This is her reply.

[To Sixth Young Lord]

Forget it.

What's the point in reading this letter since things have turned out this way?

I can see the letter must be complaining about me.

An.

What's the hurry?

He wasn't that distressed the day he came.

Now he...

Take a look at him.

What...

It's been three days.

He didn't eat or drink anything.

Are you reflecting on yourself?

He even cries.

She wrote a letter to scold me as expected.

She called me a scoundrel.

It's just a small deal.

Life is just tough.

I can't understand what life is.

Quit it then.

Qi.

It's not worth it.

You just lost a wife.

All of my wives left me,

but yours is only one.

That's a small problem

compared

to mine.

Let's go and eat.

No!

Back in the days when we were asked to downsize our living expenses,

Jing put herself in a time-out like this.

Now, she's enlightened,

yet I miss her out.

No, you miss out on the food.

Go.

Don't insult our relationship!

Come on.

Our relationship is more valuable than a bowl of rice.

I want Jing.

Does our relationship value less than the food?

Jing.

Jing.

Jing.

No.

I'm not going to eat.

Here, Qi.

Sweet and sour lotus root.

It's your favorite.

Come on.

Taste it.

Squirrel fish.

Sweet and sour chicken.

Sweet and sour pork ribs.

These are all your favorites, sweet-toothed.

-Have a taste. -Have a taste.

Here you are.

Sweet and sour pork strips.

I want sweet and sour chili.

Give me some chilies if you have them.

But...

Which dishes need chilies?

His injured heart.

Do it now.

Your Lordship.

Adding chilies is like insulting my creation.

Did you create this?

I...

Here you are.

Qi.

My stomach hurts just looking at it.

It's fine.

Qi has a strong stomach.

Spiciness may heal his woe.

Fight fire with fire.

You'll be all right soon.

It's not spicy at all.

It's not spicier than Shangguan Jing's chili.

It sucks.

I'm not eating.

Blimey.

He's hopeless.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

Young Lords.

Madam received some news just now.

Your Lordship.

You must go to Dan State.

No.

Impressive.

How brave.

Why don't you read this first?

This is blank.

By the edict of Her Ladyship,

her sister, Princess Shangguan Jing...

She will take matrilocal husbands.

Shangguan Jing is going to take matrilocal husbands.

[Borders of Dan State]

[Hawker Stall of Dan] How dare such a shameless heartbreaker exists?

Sir.

Sir, what do you like to have?

Here, take care of my horse.

Yes.

This rat is sent by our rival.

It's from Xin State.

Seeing this portrait, he's not handsome though.

I'm sure he doesn't possess any fine qualities as well.

Look at the face.

He's just sanctimonious

and cheeky.

It shows

that one never acts like a human even with human skin outside.

Rightfully so.

He's a louse.

[Dan people should spit at him] (Yin Qi of Xin State.)

(Princess of Dan State left her husband)

(as he, the monstrous jerk,)

(let down the sincerity of Her Grace.)

It's written that she loved me sincerely.

She's announcing to the world

that she loves me with sincerity.

-Beat the crap out of him! -Beat the crap out of him!

Jing.

Beat him. Over there.

Shangguan.

Shangguan.

Who are you?

I'm Yin Qi.

I'd like to demand an audience with Princess Shangguan Jing.

If so,

please return.

Otherwise, we won't let you off the hook.

I'm not leaving.

Please announce my arrival.

Unless it's Princess herself who turns me down.

Her Grace and Her Ladyship have said

that they won't meet you.

Scram.

Fine.

Since she doesn't want to see me,

then...

I will...

[Danpei Hall]

I will...

I'll wait for her here.

You...

No worries.

I won't bother you.

I'll kneel here

and wait for her.

I won't get up

until she turns up.

My Lady.

Yin Qi came to Dan State

demanding an audience with Her Grace outside the gate.

How shameless he is.

The guard didn't intend to announce his arrival.

But he's been kneeling rock-solid

at the palace gate for a couple of hours.

His behavior has softened them up.

I'll have someone to chuck him out.

Hold on.

Let him be.

Let him suffer.

He deserves this.

Yes.

As for the matrilocal husband selection tomorrow,

pick some fine men

and bring them to the palace.

Have them walk past Yin Qi.

Do you

still want to give him a chance?

He's not worthy of it.

However, Jing'er

should give herself a chance

to listen to him.

Jing'er will decide

what to do to him.

I'm just offering a chance to her.

I will have that.

We'll come by next time.

Mister.

How may I help you?

You look handsome in this outfit.

This is the plum brew.

Here.

Have a taste.

I don't eat night market food.

This is the new dish of Delicacies of Nine States.

Spicy beancurd sheet bun with pickled bamboo shoots.

Pickled bamboo shoots?

Nice?

Yes.

Here.

Drink some plum brew.

Previously,

that man

couldn't care less about visiting you and the baby.

I didn't ask him to come

as I thought you might hate to see him.

He doesn't have to, ever.

I fear

my eyes will rot when I see him.

You have a sharp tongue now.

You kept these to yourself

back then, didn't you?

I did.

He's not worthy of my patience anymore.

Truth be told,

I always

give him the stink eye.

I wonder

why I would love him so much before.

That's you.

I never loved him

but his privilege.

However, little did I know,

I'd fall prey to his wile.

Therefore,

we should be the master of ourselves.

So true.

By the way,

do you want me

to rent a place outside

to look after your child

with you?

No need.

Her godparents are pretty good to her.

I leave my baby with them

when I'm tied up.

Do you refer Zheng

as her godfather?

Isn't he the child's uncle?

How come a child has an uncle when she doesn't have a father?

Impressive.

Come on.

Here's to you.

Your voices are too loud.

Please stop it.

Little cub.

Look at this little cub.

Little cub.

There, there.

I fed her the milk

and changed her nappy.

Why is she still crying?

That's right.

Please stop crying.

I beg of you.

Little cub.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

I'm to blame.

I failed to get her to sleep

and let her bother you.

She stops crying.

She has stopped.

As expected from you, Your Lordship.

You're a natural.

From an eighty-year-old man

to an infant,

you really have a knack

to deal with them.

Yuping, Yuzhan.

Let's go and clean the study.

Yes.

What a lovely scene.

Good.

Changle is a good girl.

How did you manage that?

The medical book has it

that infant suffers from stomach pain when they eat at night.

It's known as "pig's bristle disease" by the folks.

They will feel better after rubbing on their tummies.

You're amazing.

From an eighty-year-old man

to an infant,

you really have a knack to deal with them.

Why? Can't I praise you?

She doesn't look like Song.

What a beautiful baby.

Time for a shift change.

I've told you

Her Grace won't see you.

Leave now.

No.

I want to wait for her here

until she hears my apology.

They are the matrilocal husband candidates for Her Grace.

Open the door.

Wait.

I'm in too.

What did you say?

Since Shangguan is taking a matrilocal husband,

I'll join the contest.

I'm going to

be her matrilocal husband.

We choose

the most suitable candidate amongst you.

There'll be three sessions.

As for the first session,

as you know,

Her Grace likes hot food.

The one who finishes

the most beef aorta, fish eyeball, and goose intestine within 30 minutes

is the winner.

Candidates,

you may start now.

The spiciness of this hotpot is extraordinary.

Don't think you can handle this

even if you are from Dan State.

Since when you can

manage to eat hot food?

Back in Xin State,

I started to enjoy hot food

when I was with Shangguan.

Maybe

the burning pain

is way plainer than the pain of losing her.

Her Grace likes using spears.

In this session,

you'll be judged whether you're worthy of the sparring partner for Her Grace.

Pick your weapons.

Start from you.

Next.

Next.

It's your turn.

Not taking any weapons with you?

Are you sure?

Enough talking.

Let's start.

When do you become so skillful?

Shangguan used to beat me every day.

This is nothing for me.

In the last session,

every one of you will choose a present

for Her Grace

to please her.

Whose present is favored by Her Grace

is the winner.

Yan.

I don't need a matrilocal husband.

Didn't we reach a consensus on this?

You promised

to allow me to do anything I want.

Why did you bring up this contest again?

I know you don't need this.

What if

you need a companion afterward

and there's no suitable man

of marriageable age?

I have to get a spare one

beforehand.

Yan.

Say no more. Just listen to me.

My Lady.

Your Grace.

The matrilocal husband contest is over.

This is the answer to their last session.

[Sincerity]

I didn't tell you

that this fool has come here.

You said he wouldn't come,

but he's here.

It's up to you

whether to meet him or not.

[Two days later] Here's the result of the contest.

None of you is selected.

Please claim 50 taels at the palace gate

and go home.

Fifty taels?

Oh my, 50 taels.

Why are we still standing here?

Let's claim the reward and go home.

Let's go.

Please allow me to see her.

I want to meet her

even though I don't deserve to be her matrilocal husband.

Insolence!

Drag him out.

No.

Please don't drive me away.

I just want to see her

and apologize to her.

I'll leave immediately if she refuses to accept my apology.

Please.

I beg of you.

I accept whatever you to do me afterward.

I just ask for a chance to meet her.

I want to make an apology to her.

Let go of me.

Let go of me!

Release him.

Her Grace isn't here in Dan State now.

Her Ladyship permitted her to go traveling.

Where did she go?

In Dan State,

men will be sentenced to whipping due to immorality.

If you can take 100 lashes...

Go ahead.

Take your whip out now.

I'll accept the punishment

even if you stab me and twist the knife.

As long as you tell me her whereabouts,

do as you like.

Yesterday, Her Grace sent a letter from Stage Station of Danxia Lake.

Stage Station of Danxia Lake.

Thank you.

I can't thank you enough.

Danxia Lake.

Danxia Lake.

Danxia Lake.

Today, I gather you here

for the Ministry of Revenue.

The Ministry of Revenue must be led by other young lords.

Do you have any recommendations?

In my humble opinion,

Sixth Young Lord has done a great job

in the market reformation,

promoting the new monetary system,

and resolving the case of counterfeit money.

It has to be him.

I second that.

I reckon that Sixth Young Lord is the best choice.

I second that.

What do you say, Sixth Young Lord?

My Lord.

I have too much on my plate dealing with the Ministry of Nine States Affairs.

Hence, I shouldn't take over the post.

In my opinion,

the most suitable choice is Third Young Lord.

He's been in the Ministry of Revenue for years

and knows well about its operation.

He has already made some achievements as the assistant administrator.

So, he should earn his place

as the chief.

Haitang.

You...

I've made some money.

Finally, I get to pay you the rent.

I can't take this.

Take it back.

Please accept it.

You're raising your child and you need the money more than I do.

I can't take the money.

If you want Changle and me

to stay here without worries,

just take the money.

Now that the shop is in trouble,

I know that you need monetary aid.

Plus, you all helped a lot

in preparing the ingredients

for my products.

So stop

being courteous.

All right.

I'll accept this then.

I did make a lot of money.

Haitang.

Haitang.

Someone from the yamen came.

They said Stupid An has taken over the Ministry of Revenue.

We can reopen the restaurant soon.

That's great.

Fortunately, Stupid An

still has a conscience.

[Delicacies of Nine States]

Ladies and gentlemen,

today is the reopening of Delicacies of Nine States.

We've readjusted the menu.

Do you want to have a taste of it?

Come on in.

Please come in.

We meet again.

Welcome.

Just leave it here.

This is our new dish.

Have a taste.

Guests,

this is one of the mysterious dishes,

Eight Treasure Duck.

It's stuffed with eight different kinds of ingredients.

Only the chef knows what's inside.

If you're curious about it,

please taste it yourselves.

If you're lucky,

there'll be abalone and shark fin inside.

If not,

please try it again next time.

These four seasoning dishes

are specially created by us.

The signature salted sauce,

the classic smoky barbecue sauce,

the refreshing lemon pepper sauce,

and the savory ghee garlic sauce.

Please enjoy your meal.

Please enjoy your meal.

Thank you, miss.

Thank you.

Come on, have a taste.

Haitang.

You have to reorganize

the ledger for this month.

Please separate the sales record during the closing period

and after the reopening

so that we can calculate the profit and loss easily.

Sure.

Wei.

I found that you've become more and more like Yuan Ying.

Of course.

She's my teacher.

Miss Yuan Ying.

Can I get five points for my performance this time?

Eight points.

Two points left to the perfect score.

I'm amazing.

Keep up the good work to achieve the two points left.

I'll get going.

[Prison]

Please let us in for a while.

Please do us this favor, sir.

Hao Jia.

Fangru.

I'm surprised

that you're worried about me so much.

Worried about you?

Get real, please.

Don't you know

how you treated us back then?

What makes you have such a stupid thought?

You're indeed heartless.

Your Lordship,

I'm afraid this is the last time I call you that.

Today, I came here

as I want you to acknowledge this.

This is a repudiation letter.

This is ridiculous.

Ridiculous?

Instead,

I think it was ridiculous

that I was with you for such a long time.

I came here to inform you

there's no going back

between us.

[Repudiation Letter] [Zhao Fangru]

I'll tell my child

the true colors of her father,

and she'll judge it by herself

when she grows up.

By the way,

I forgot to tell you one thing.

My daughter's last name

is Hao.

♪I desire warmth♪

♪So I caused an aftermath♪

♪I asked for a moment of pleasure♪

♪As I had endured too much bitterness in life♪

♪I wrote an elegy♪

♪But it's not appreciated♪

♪How do I survive in this life?♪

♪Like autumn♪

♪Like a flaming fire♪

♪It withered in a moment♪

♪Yet silent♪

♪And persistent♪

♪I wish to be a moth flying toward the fire♪

♪I step on a plank bridge in the wind to embrace a new journey alone, but I got lost♪

♪There's no looking back on the endless road ahead♪

♪Let obsession stop me from going further and I'm at a low ebb♪

♪You will never know how I used to be♪

♪The old days drift with the wind♪

♪Don't let the world turn murky♪

♪Just for a promise♪

♪How many joys and sorrows have we experienced?♪

♪How many obstacles have we overcome?♪

♪Time reveals the true character of a person♪

♪How should we make our choice when life in the palace is this complicated?♪

♪Sigh as the flowers fall♪

♪Sigh as the sun goes down♪

♪A sight that's somewhat bleak♪

♪So weak♪

♪So lonely♪

♪What can be done even if we know we can't make a difference?♪

♪I step on a plank bridge in the wind to embrace a new journey alone, but I got lost♪

♪There's no looking back on the endless road ahead♪