Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Pretty Guardian of the City]

[Episode 17]

Look at that color.

So ugly.

What are you doing?

I'm changing it for you.

No need.

Such a strange color.

Is it from a girl?

Is it from Yunxi?

I knew it.

Only she would choose

such a tacky color.

I like it.

Stop right there!

You took hers,

so you have to take mine too.

Miss.

Take it back. I don't want it.

If you dare to return it,

I won't talk to you again.

Miss,

please don't force me.

Tang Qing,

I hate you so much!

Miss.

Do you want to know your fortunes?

Marriage. Destiny.

Future. Wealth.

I can look at the flowers and tell your fortunes.

Are you interested?

No. Let's go.

Judging from your faces,

you are destined to be together.

In the future,

you will be a loving couple

and live happily together.

What are you talking about?

How's it possible that he's the one for me?

Miss, you haven't paid.

Nonsense.

You need to pay me more or less.

You...

Poor me.

My brother's condition is getting worse.

I can't even get him to drink the ginseng soup.

He won't last long if this goes on.

I want to go to the Xiao's Mansion again.

No way.

Fengchi

is not in Commander Xiao's hands.

The rumors

about Fengchi

were perhaps spread

by someone deliberately.

I spread

those rumors.

So it was a trap

you set up.

You planned to lure out

the one who took the Swing Painting.

But I accidentally

fell into

your trap.

I didn't expect

you to visit the Xiao's Mansion that night.

It's my fault that you were stabbed.

Fine.

I'll take it as a blessing in disguise.

I saved your life

and we're together now.

But there's one thing

I don't understand.

If the Swing Painting

is really in my uncle's hands,

why hasn't he found Fengchi

in the past eight years?

Actually,

I'm confused about that too.

But I'm sure

that the Swing Painting is in the Xiao's Mansion.

Maybe there's something tricky

about the Swing Painting

and Commander Xiao

hasn't figured it out.

Since you're sure about where it is,

let's find a way

to get it first.

However,

you can't take the risk

of breaking into the Xiao's Mansion again.

But my brother…

Leave it to me.

If we don't want

to alert my uncle again,

we have to bide our time

to get the Swing Painting.

My brother has been lying here alone

for so long.

He must be very lonely.

After he wakes up,

I will take him back to the Jianjia Alley.

With all of us

around him,

he'll be very happy.

So,

you still want to go back to the Jianjia Alley.

It's shabby,

but my home is there.

[The Blueprint of Cangyue City]

Maybe

I should tear down the Jianjia Alley.

Young Master, are you crazy?

It was an effort for us to save it.

Why did you have a change of heart?

You fool.

You know what?

Yunxi's childhood

was very miserable

and depressing.

I want to do something for her.

Money and jewelry

are too vulgar.

I want to rebuild her home for her.

Young Master,

I doubt it will work.

Why?

In my opinion,

you should rebuild

the whole Winding Alleys.

I bet you also want

to build a mansion

in that slum

which will become an easy target for thieves.

Good idea.

Young Master,

I was joking.

You didn't take it seriously, did you?

Rebuilding the Winding Alleys will cost a lot.

Even the City Treasury

may not be able to afford it.

You underestimate me.

Do you think

I'm as stupid as you?

You know you're no better than me.

Go back to your work.

Listen.

Don't let Yunxi know about this.

Forget it.

Don't talk to her

in the next three days.

Otherwise…

I think we'd better

trust each other more

and be more friendly to each other.

You've been in the study for so long.

What are you doing?

I'm learning

mapping skills.

Really?

Tell me.

Are you holding out on me?

No.

We should be honest with each other.

If you lie and keep secrets,

I'll be sad.

That's not necessarily right.

In fact,

sometimes white lies

can bring us

closer to each other.

So,

you admit that you are holding out on me?

Can't you just be honest with me?

Wuyan has told me everything.

An imbecile he is.

I just want to give you a surprise.

That's not a surprise.

It's a bombshell.

Tell me.

Have those aristocrats

gone back on their word?

You couldn't stand the pressure

and decided to tear down

the Winding Alleys.

[Draft of rebuilding the Jianjia Alley into Futian Institution.]

Don't you want to take your brother

back to live in the Jianjia Alley?

So I want to rebuild

the Jianjia Alley.

I wanted to give you a surprise.

It's all Wuyan's fault. That stupid guy.

He'll be fined three months' salary.

Three months are not enough.

Make it three years.

Okay.

The Winding Alleys to the south

are an old

and messy neighborhood.

People there

are living in tough conditions.

They also seriously affect

the overall layout and beauty

of Cangyue City.

So I think

we should tear down the Winding Alleys

and build Futian Institution there.

But this is a serious matter.

You can't come up with it

on a whim

and expect us all to agree.

As for the expense of building Futian Institution,

I've written clearly about it

in the proposal.

[Proposal]

Please take a look, Father.

The City Treasury

will find the money spent worth it.

Young Master, you're not in charge of the City Treasury

so you don't know about it.

The City Treasury can't afford such expense.

Our city has been developing slowly these years

and taxes have been reduced.

We don't have extra money.

Well...

I know

you proposed to rebuild the Winding Alleys

for the well-being of the people.

I don't object to it

and I won't.

But I'm afraid

you have to pay for it out of your own pocket.

Uncle,

you can't say that.

Everyone standing here

is a pillar of Cangyue City.

We all should strive for

the well-being of the people.

Since the City Treasury is cash-strapped,

in my opinion,

Uncle should take the lead

to donate some money

for the construction of Futian Institution.

Sorry to disappoint you, Young Master,

but I've made

lots of donations these years

and don't have

much savings.

However,

Young Master's proposal

will greatly benefit our people.

Therefore,

even if everyone in my household

has to tighten our belts,

I'll be the first one to support Young Master.

I'll donate

a month's salary.

I'm glad to make a bit of a contribution

to the construction of Futian Institution.

Master,

I don't have money,

but I'm willing to

sell the house I prepared for my retirement

to support Young Master!

You've been pretending to be ignorant in the meeting hall

and using all your wits to deal with your uncle

for all these years.

It must have been hard for you.

Father,

you finally

recognize my efforts.

I'm so glad.

Why don't you also donate some money

to build Futian institution?

Cut the crap.

Zhu Wen is my man.

You must have known it.

So I'll be honest with you.

I've been watching

your every move.

Since you were young,

I've liked you the most among your siblings.

You're the smartest one

and are just like me.

But now...

You...

Father.

Enough.

Actually, I know

you have no other options.

Raising money to rebuild the Winding Alleys

is very hard.

But you have to do it

for the prosperity

of our people

and to make them

live a better life.

You must do your best.

I support you from the bottom of my heart.

Then...

What about the donation?

I...

I support you mentally.

So stingy.

-So glib. -What are you murmuring?

I said I really admire you.

Thank you for your support, Father.

If there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave.

Wait.

Now let's talk about family affairs.

Your mother fell sick because of you.

Why haven't you visited her?

I'll go visit her now.

Greetings, Mother.

It's too oily.

Do you want to make me sicker?

Who made the soup?

Madam,

I made it.

Did you?

The soup you kindly made for me

should not be wasted.

You drink it.

Mother,

I've been bustling around for a while

and haven't eaten anything yet.

How about

giving the soup to me?

Mom.

What are you doing?

I'm showing

you kindness

but you made it look like

I'm bullying you.

You're all here.

Chuxian, you're here too.

You visited Mother

more frequently than I did.

Anyway,

you are the most filial one

among our brothers.

Good.

Mother.

How have you been?

Still breathing.

How could you say that?

You know what?

You can't imagine

how much I've missed you these days.

I...

I was impulsive last time.

I'm here

to apologize to you.

Lady Mo,

why don't you and Chuxian take your leave?

Yes.

Did I allow you to leave?

Jiang Chaoxi.

Are you here to see me

or to plead for them?

Mother,

don't get me wrong.

Of course I'm here to see you.

What's wrong?

Has Chuxian done something that made you angry?

Chuxian, how could you?

You've been thoughtless

since you were young.

Why did you make Mother angry so often?

Don't come here again.

All you do is make Mother angry.

Even looking at you is annoying.

Why are you still here?

Leave now.

Yes.

You two…

Don't be angry.

Don't be angry.

Calm down.

If your condition gets worse,

I'll be worried sick.

I'm angry because of you.

Leave now.

No.

You actually want me to stay, right?

You didn't mean what you said.

Mother,

I'm here today

because of a tricky matter.

I want you to help me.

What trouble have you got into this time?

How could you

put it in such a hurtful way?

It's a serious matter.

A serious matter.

I have been

raising money

to build Futian Institution.

I'm so bothered

that my hair turned grizzled.

I thought of

the valuable things you have.

Mother…

I knew you came to see me

with ulterior motives.

Get out!

I get a headache at the sight of you.

Mother must not have had a headache

because of me.

Let me tell you.

It must be this vase

that has affected my mother's mood.

How dare you make my mother angry.

It's fine.

I'll move them away for you later.

Put it down.

And this bottle.

You have to piss me off, right?

Alright.

I'm fine.

But Her Ladyship

has gone too far.

I don't mind being wronged.

As long as you can live a stable

and safe life,

I'm satisfied.

It's all my fault.

I can't protect you.

In front of outsiders,

call me Lady Mo.

I was Her Ladyship's maid.

I accidentally

became Master's concubine.

Of course Her Ladyship doesn't like me.

I'm used to it.

Just bear with it.

As long as you're fine,

I will be happy.

Mother.

I'll go beg Father

to let us go.

Don't do that!

Silly boy.

How can you think like that?

All these years,

Master and Her Ladyship

have helped us a lot.

You should be polite

and focus on

serving Young Master well.

You are his younger brother.

As long as you behave well

in front of him,

he will not

treat you unfairly in the future.

Got it?

Don't mention

about leaving again.

As long as we follow the rules,

we will live a happy life.

Got it, Mother.

Thank you for saving me today. Young Master.

We are brothers.

Don't treat me as a stranger.

Call me Brother.

Okay. Brother.

Have a seat.

Brother, what can I do for you?

I need your help.

Help me complete the construction

of Futian Institution.

Futian Institution?

Brother, as you know,

I'm just a doctor.

I can save people,

but I'm afraid I can't do construction.

Who said you couldn't?

You study hard

and love the people.

You're a wise man.

It is such a good chance

to make contributions.

As long as you seize the chance

and work hard,

Father and the officials

will be impressed by you.

But, Brother,

as you know,

that's not what I want.

I just want to live a peaceful life

and protect Mother.

That's all.

Third Brother.

I know

you want to protect Lady Mo,

but you can't just

compromise.

You have to make yourself stronger.

Only by being strong

can you

be qualified and able to protect

who you want to protect.

I know

you want to change

and are eager to work for the people.

Why don't you take this opportunity

as a good start?

You know the will of the people

and strategies.

This is the real you, right?

You are ambitious

and devote yourself to the people.

I'm afraid

that you acting dandyishly

is just your disguise.

There's no need to say it clearly.

I have no choice.

All the time,

my uncle and his people

have had strict control over me.

In their hearts,

they want

a foolish

and obedient nephew.

But I couldn't find

the evidence of his corruption.

I didn't expect

you and I were in the same boat.

As you said,

I couldn't even protect

the woman I love.

Third Brother.

You don't have to be like this.

Don't worry

about the wedding.

I will never marry

Fengyi and Miss Nangong,

because Yunxi is the only one

in my heart.

Even if I have to marry someone,

I will only marry her.

I really admire

your deep love.

Since you trust me,

I will do my best.

Okay.

Except for the money

that Young Master pocketed from Her Ladyship,

a total of 2,100 liangs

are raised.

To build Futian Institution,

the money is far from enough.

It's all my uncle's fault.

All the officials

are cowards.

No one dares to surpass him in donation.

The current problem

is how to raise the money.

Shut up!

After all,

I'm one of the intellectuals.

I should have the right to speak.

Dr. Xian.

Brother, I think

we can let Wuyan say something.

Go ahead.

I think we can

be bold.

Let's visit Xiao's Mansion at night

and steal the wealth

that Commander Xiao has coveted

in recent years.

The money can't be exposed.

He won't report it if he loses it.

I think this is a good idea.

You've become smarter. Wuyan.

But

it's a bit risky.

Since this idea

is proposed by Wuyan,

let him have a try.

If you succeed,

you'll be the hero of Futian Institution

and be famous in the future.

If you fail and get caught on the spot,

you will be chopped

by my uncle's soldiers.

I will remember

to tell your story

over and over again

in the future.

How about that?

Wish you success.

You must be joking.

I think this idea

is a little immature.

You talk first.

I'll think about it again.

In order to raise donations,

it seems that

we need to start it from common people.

Don't these officials

care about their dignity the most?

Why don't they care about it

when it comes to donation?

I have an idea.

[Xiao's Mansion]

Uncle,

I'm here to tell you the good news.

What's the good news?

I did a great thing.

If you know it,

you will be very happy.

Yunxi,

send the gift I bought

to Fengyi first.

Yes.

Where are you going?

No, this...

Come here.

Show Uncle.

Let him see.

What?

It's a surprise.

Okay.

Uncle, look.

[The Honour Roll of Futian Institution Construction Donation]

This is the list of donations for Futian Institution.

You top the list.

I've sent someone

to post it on the notice board.

I must

publicize this good deed you did, Uncle.

I'll let everyone in Cangyue City know

how powerful Uncle is.

No, this...

How can you put this on?

Take it down.

It is such a good deed.

How can I take it down?

I must publicize this thing.

Everyone in Cangyue City

must know it.

I...

Stop shaking my chair.

I mean

you are too high-profile.

This is against

my low-key style,

right?

Uncle,

you're wrong.

Didn't you say

in the meeting hall

that you did a lot of good deeds

and donated a lot of money?

But we've never heard of

these good things.

So,

you can be a low-key person,

but you should do things in a high profile.

If you do it well,

Uncle, your modesty

will reach a new level.

So,

in order to make Uncle

become such a person,

this time, I must keep a high profile.

I want everyone in Cangyue City

to know

how Uncle

does things.

You...

Uncle,

we must leave a name for doing good deeds.

We should not only leave your name,

but also make it bold and bigger.

-You… -You know what?

I'll make your...

Cousin.

Cousin, you're here.

Miss.

Have you seen Miss Yunxi?

Is Yunxi here?

Where is she?

I bought you

some gifts.

I asked Yunxi to send them to you.

Maybe the Xiao's Mansion is too big,

so she got lost.

But she's old enough now.

Just leave her alone.

Okay.

We'd better go find her.

If Miss Yunxi gets lost,

she'll be worried.

Go and find her.

Cousin.

I heard that you had been busy

raising donations

for Futian Institution these days.

Have you raised enough money?

Cousin.

Have you raised enough money?

Of course not.

We still need a lot of money.

Father.

You have to donate more.

Uncle donated 100 liangs.

Only 100 liangs?

You are so stingy.

How can I

establish myself in the Noble Lady's circle?

Nangong Siyan

will laugh at me.

I'm stingy.

What do you know?

100 liangs.

100 liangs are enough.

My monthly salary

is only 100 liangs.

You don't need to take care of the family,

so you don't know that the daily necessities are expensive.

Take a look.

There are so many people

living on

my salary

this month.

There's really no money

in the Xiao's Mansion.

Nonsense!

You spend hundreds of liangs

buying cumumber for your face every month.

And facial masks

which can

whiten your skin.

Enough.

Stop talking nonsense.

Feed your rabbit.

No.

This concerns my dignity.

I can't let Father

mess around like this.

How dare you?

You...

Fine.

I have an idea

which can both save her face

and save your embarrassment.

Tell me.

How about

donating some money first

and setting an example for the officials?

With you as the leader,

the officials and rich merchants

will be encouraged

to donate.

When I get

the donations,

I'll return your money to you.

Cousin...

I'll double it for you,

okay?

Write an IOU.

A 5,000-liang note. Take it.

Five thousand?

Thank you, Uncle.

You two!

One is my future husband,

and the other is my father.

How despicable you are!

You even faked the good deeds.

You guys, search separately.

Brother,

where is Miss Fengyi's yard?

Listen.

My uncle is like

a loach in the water.

He is too cunning.

His cunning mind

is devoted to striving for power and profit all his life.

If he owns Fengchi,

I'm afraid Cangyue City is over.

It was such a good opportunity.

I missed it.

Don't worry.

I'll find a chance to bring you here again.

According to my observation today,

the Xiao's Mansion is heavily guarded

and Commander Xiao is suspicious.

I'm afraid it will be very hard

to find another chance

to enter his study.

Yes.

He is too cunning.

It's not easy

to get something from him.

Fortunately, we found something.

We'll find another chance.

Did your fish take the bait?

Of course.

I'm going to spread this.

With my uncle as the leader,

I believe

all the officials will follow him.

The money problem will be solved.

Then how to deal with

the refund?

It's hard, but we still need to do it.

There is a way out.

Trust me.

There is no obstacle that can't be overcome.