Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Destined]

[Episode 18]

No thanks.

It'll just add to my sadness.

When you get old,

you can’t stand parting.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam!

We are here to say our goodbyes.

Madam.

You must take good care of yourself.

Whether it's three years,

five years,

or ten years...

Wait for us.

We'll meet again.

Madam.

We know

you can't bear to leave us.

We also can't bear to be apart from you.

Yes.

We also can't bear to be apart from you.

Madam.

We are here

to bid you farewell.

Madam.

Take care.

Madam.

Take care.

Did Mother really cry?

I've never seen

Mother cry so sadly.

Not only you,

I've never even seen her cry before.

I... I'll go check on her.

It's already very late.

Go tomorrow.

What we can do now

is to finish the liquidation as soon as possible

and donate our property,

so we can start a new life soon.

By the way,

I have something to discuss with you.

Go ahead.

I don't want to hand our property over

to Commissioner Fan directly.

Then how should we donate our property?

Right now, the problem in Youzhou

is not only about food.

Now, famine is plaguing all states.

If Youzhou has enough food,

it will surely attract leading troops from all states

to come and rob them.

So,

Youzhou needs troops and military resources.

So I'm thinking if

we should hand our property over

to Youzhou's chief commandant, General Zhou,

and explain to him

that some of it could be used to replenish the military resources.

This will be a double-layered protection

for Youzhou.

However,

I have another selfish motive.

I want to become an official.

I want to be successful.

You don't want to be a warrior anymore?

Great warriors serve the country and the people.

I don't want to just go with the flow anymore.

I don't want to

lose control of my fate,

fail to protect my family,

and even

fail to resolve the suffering of the people again.

I want to go higher.

I want to become someone

capable enough to change the world.

Since we've donated our property,

why don't we also do them a favor?

It's reasonable to hand it over to Commissioner Fan.

At most, he will think

we're honorable.

We're giving our all

while only getting back half of it in return.

Or we can hand it over to General Zhou,

who is currently worrying about military expenses,

and of a status

that is below that of Commissioner Fan

and hence have fewer people fawning over him.

We can say that

since we're close with Zhou Ye,

we donated it through his father,

and point out that half of it could be used for military expenses.

It's better to provide charcoal in winter

than to add icing to the cake.

I believe

he'll appreciate our well intentions.

That's a good idea.

We can donate our property

and even get a priceless favor

in return.

You're quite good at business.

You are indeed the main disciple of me,

Boss Liu.

Yes.

It's all thanks to your teaching.

In fact, there's also another benefit.

We're taking one more step

to hide the truth

and donate our property secretly,

so it won't let

the commissioners of other states get jealous

and have Youzhou be dreaded by others

and become the target of criticism.

It also won't let the merchants in Youzhou

think that the government is imitating Yangzhou's method

of disguised harvest

and cause panic.

Do you remember

the dice rolling bet in the past?

Then, you were afraid

that I would gamble and risk all my assets.

But now,

I'm really gambling and risking

all my assets.

I think

this is not a gamble.

Then what?

It's a scheme.

Since I was young, I've been doing everything step by step

and meticulously.

This time,

I've calculated everything meticulously too.

Although I can't say that

all my predictions are accurate,

this

is definitely the best choice right now.

What I want

is a place where I can live

and do business in peace.

A home.

No matter what,

we should have a home.

[Be in charge of the business forever]

Wait.

You donated this mansion too?

Since we're donating,

we should do it thoroughly.

But is there a need

to go this far?

Then I...

The Gu family's wealth is equivalent to that of a country.

Even if we donate

all our property,

others may not believe it.

They might think

we're hiding

some treasure in this mansion

and contrarily make others suspicious.

Since we want to protect ourselves,

why don't we do a thorough job?

Liu Yuru,

you're really ruthless.

You just realized that today?

I realized it long ago.

Since I married you,

I should also be considered a brave warrior.

All gone. Everything's gone.

I'm going bankrupt,

with empty hands.

What did you say?

All the property?

Jiusi.

Why are you doing this?

If we can solve Youzhou's problem,

it'll be a blessing to our family.

-Jiusi... -Brother.

We've made up our minds.

No need to persuade me.

Jiusi.

I initially invited you to Youzhou

because I'm here

and can take care of your family.

But now...

Since the Gu family has decided to

settle down in Youzhou,

it's natural to make contributions

to Youzhou.

Now that Lord Liang is plotting a rebellion

and all states are independent,

we also hope

the chaos in this world can end soon.

General Zhou and Commissioner Fan

are ambitious.

I'll give you the money.

Whether you're using it for the military or the people,

we feel at ease.

Put yourself in my shoes.

If you had my property,

what would you do

in this chaotic world?

That's true.

Brother,

I understand now.

You and Third Sister are honorable

and truly benevolent and righteous.

On behalf of the three million soldiers and people,

let me offer my gratitude to you.

Brother.

You don't have to.

This is what we should do.

Brother,

then, in the future,

you...

Yuru has applied for a business document.

We'll do some small business first.

We haven't figured out what to do exactly yet.

I, Zhou Ye,

offer my gratitude to you.

In the future,

if there's anything

I can help you out with,

even if I have to sacrifice my life, I'll do anything.

Okay.

[Auspiciousness and happiness come together]

Be careful.

Don't break anything.

Yes.

All these items have been inventoried.

They are all to be donated.

Every one of them.

Yes.

Yinhong.

Go watch them load the cars.

Okay.

You two, come with me.

Put these nonessential things

in the car first.

[Gu Mansion]

Everyone is moving things.

You're the only one who's slacking off.

What's wrong?

You look so defeated.

After today,

I don't know if there will still be a tomorrow.

What do you mean?

Didn't you hear what they said?

Young Master and Young Madam

donated all their property.

Everything.

I know.

All the servants have been dismissed.

We

will also definitely be kicked out.

Impossible.

Young Madam wouldn't bear to leave me.

You wish.

I heard

Young Madam discussing it with Young Master.

That only one person managing the household affairs

will be kept.

That'll be Ms. Ruixue.

She has to take care of Madam.

Nonsense!

I heard everything clearly.

When I was a kid,

I was brought back from the streets by Young Master.

If he really kicks me out,

I don't know where I can go.

I grew up

with Young Madam since I was young too.

I've never thought of leaving her.

Munan, what should we do?

I don't know.

I don't know.

Yinhong, Munan.

Come here.

Young Master and I have something to tell you.

Oh no.

See?

She looks so serious.

It must be

about firing us.

What?

Learn about business?

Yes.

You scared me, Young Madam.

I thought

you and Young Master were going to kick me out.

Who said that?

It was Munan. He said it.

I-I just

heard Young Madam say

that she's only keeping one servant.

We're only keeping Ruixue to serve Mother.

Because from now on, you two

will be the employees of the Gu Business.

You'll even be a manager in the future.

More importantly,

we are a family from now on.

Yes.

Your home is here.

Where can you go?

You scared me, Young Madam.

Young Master...

Enough.

This yard seems nice.

Although it's a little small,

it does look nice.

It's well ventilated and quiet.

In a day,

sunlight can come in for most of the time.

I think

Langhua's flowers and plants

can be placed

in this little room next to it.

Okay, don't worry.

Everyone, please

place the flowers and plants in this room.

Yes.

Let's go tidy up too.

You guys,

come in with the boxes.

Madam.

Have the medicine while it's hot.

Is it too bitter?

It's my fault.

I know you hate the bitter taste the most.

But I didn't think of

preparing

a sweet dried persimmon to go with it for you.

It's not your fault.

We're in a different situation.

How can you be thorough with everything?

By the way,

has everyone else

settled down?

Yes, everyone has their assigned rooms.

Since there are fewer people now,

we must be able to move around easily.

That's good.

From now on,

all of the big and small matters

in the family

will have to be handled by you.

You've been with me for so many years.

Yet at this age,

you have to work even more.

I'm fine.

I just feel sorry for you.

You've lived a luxurious life,

yet you have to live a hard life from now on.

I'm not afraid of hardship.

Now, although there are fewer people at home

and it's lonely,

I still have a son and a daughter-in-law.

In the future,

I'll even have a bunch of

lovely grandchildren.

No matter how hard life will be,

I won't feel bitter.

Didn't you always say

you treat Young Madam

as your own daughter?

It's quite nice to have

a son and a daughter.

Ruixue.

Are you hiding something

from me?

I...

Madam.

I don't know

if I should tell you this

or hide this from you.

Just tell me.

I heard...

heard that Young Master and Young Madam

have yet to consummate their marriage.

They're a fake couple.

What?

Madam.

Just now, when you said you were looking forward to grandchildren,

I was afraid...

I was afraid that

if you got your hopes high,

you'd be even more disappointed.

Madam, don't be upset.

Your health is more important.

How did you find out?

I accidentally

overheard Young Madam and Ms. Yinhong

talking in private.

Inferring from what I'd heard,

since Young Master and her got married,

they've never consummated their marriage.

And they'd also planned

to get a divorce sooner or later.

That's fine.

Back then, this marriage

happened by accident.

But now that I think about it,

Yuru must have been put to a greater inconvenience.

If they're unwilling,

I can't force them.

You're right.

I'll take it

that I have a son and a daughter.

Which shop

are we going to today?

Let's go to the one at Qijiao Alley,

to see if we can negotiate the rent.

Our family is in a different situation now.

Our capital is quite small.

Mao, are you okay?

Get up.

Are you hurt?

Are you hurt from the fall?

Look.

Look at you.

You're careless again.

You're so scatterbrained

that you bumped into Young Madam.

Hurry up.

Say thank you to Young Madam.

Hurry up.

Forget it.

I'm glad that

my younger brother didn't get hurt.

There are many people and things in the yard now.

Don't let him knock or bump into things.

Take him back to the room.

Yes, Young Madam is right.

Our yard is too small.

Children can't play to their heart's content.

I'll take him back to the room immediately.

Let's go.

Seriously.

What did Madam Yue

mean by that?

"The yard is so small

that children can't even play to their heart's content."

Why did that sound so awkward?

It's been so many years.

Don't you know

what kind of a person Mother Yue is?

She's always been strange.

Let her be.

But I think...

something's wrong with Mao.

That's right.

It's been so many days,

but he hasn't even

called you sister.

He used to be very close to you.

He sure is Madam Yue's biological son.

He's an ungrateful person too.

I think he's been acting strange.

He doesn't dare to look me in the eyes

or talk to me.

It's like he's always avoiding me.

It's not about whether we're close or not.

He seems to be afraid of me.

But you are so kind to him.

Why would he be afraid of you?

Maybe it's because Mao is young,

and it was a sudden shift in environment,

that he's not adapted to it yet.

Maybe it'll be fine after a while.

But we've been in Youzhou

for a while now.

He hasn't changed at all.

He's even avoiding you more and more.

Forget it. Let's not think about that.

Let's go check out the shop.

Stop crying. What do you have to cry for?

Mother.

Even if you were frustrated,

why did you hit him?

That's right.

Didn't he just

not thank Eldest Sister?

Now that she's donated all her property,

she's no longer

a noble lady.

We don't have to

be so cautious

and be at her disposal.

Keep your voice down.

Didn't you see

how rashly he behaved?

He's always been intimidated by Yuru.

That girl is so smart.

She will find out about the problem sooner or later.

We are alone here

in Youzhou.

If she finds out about it,

Eldest Sister

must hate us to death.

Do you think that's it?

Are you stupid?

If she finds out about it

and sues our mother in court

for killing her mother,

our mother might

be beheaded.

What nonsense are you talking about?

Who killed her mother?

Who saw it?

Is there a rule in Darong saying that

if someone falls off the cliff,

we have to save them?

Kids, don't be afraid.

When we get to Guazhou Dock

and find the Gu family's merchant ship,

we'll be safe.

Faster! Faster!

Yuying! Yuying!

Are you okay?

Where's Mao?

Mother.

Mother.

I'm here. It hurts.

Mao.

Mother, it hurts.

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Eldest Madam.

Zhao.

Eldest Madam.

Zhao, help me!

Help!

Eldest Madam!

Help me, Zhao!

Zhao, help me!

Mother! Save Eldest Mother.

Eldest Madam.

Take my hand.

Zhao!

Pull Yuzhao back.

Take care of yourself.

Zhao!

Eldest Madam!

Zhao!

Let's go.

Zhao!

Yuru.

Yuru.

Yuru.

We didn't do anything wrong.

As long as you two

keep your mouths shut.

No one will know.

But God knows.

You...

Mother.

I can hear it every night.

Eldest Mother was asking us to save her.

I'm scared.

Mao.

Do I

treat you well?

Yes.

Are you willing to leave me?

No.

I've told you many times.

You are my biological child.

You were not given birth to

by some other person.

As for this matter,

we must

keep it to ourselves.

Otherwise,

you'll lose your mother.

For a child, losing his mother

is even more miserable than death.

You know that?

Good boy.

Good boy.

Madam Yue, ladies.

It's time to cook.

Asking us to cook?

Aren't there maids at home?

Ms. Ruixue has to take care of Madam.

She's tied up.

Yinhong is out doing business

with Young Madam.

What about you?

Why don't you cook?

I have to do physical work.

I have to carry water, chop wood and move stuff.

If you want, we can switch.

Hurry up.

Otherwise, you will also have nothing to eat

when it's time.

Life is so unbearable.

I've never cooked by myself

since I was born.

Forget it.

Beggars can't be choosers.

We have to listen to their order.

You guys, be careful these days.

We have no one to rely on

in Youzhou.

If we offend them,

we'll have nowhere to go.

Let's go.

[Commissioner's Mansion]

I'm Gu Jiusi.

I'm here to talk business

at the invitation of Commissioner and General Zhou.

[Invitation Letter]

[Zhou Gaolang kowtows]

Please wait here for a moment.

I'll inform them.

Thank you.

[Commissioner's Mansion]

The Gu family really

donated all their fortune this time

without keeping anything back.

It really surprised me.

I wonder

[Commissioner of Youzhou, Fan Xuan]

what the Gu family wants.

What can they possibly want?

[Commanding General of Youzhou, Zhou Gaolang]

The Gu family just suffered a loss in Yangzhou.

Wang Shanquan deceived everyone

and took advantage of the chaos to rob and kill.

The Gu family is just scared.

So they came to Youzhou, our territory,

and paid their family fortune as tribute

in order to look for protection

and peace.

The Gu family are worldly.

Their request

can't be that simple.

So what do you think, Fan?

Jiang Rou won't show up.

He only sent a young man, Gu Jiusi,

to come and see us.

I guess he wants a position as an official.

Since it's a merchants' family,

what they want must be to be the military supplier

and make a living from it.

Brother.

What Youzhou purchases in ten years

is less than

half of the Gu family's fortune.

They are businessmen.

Of course

they are clear about this.

You're right.

People all come for profits.

Fame.

Money.

Power.

They can only be pursuing these three things.

Since they don't lack money,

excluding money,

it's most likely to be power.

Or

this young man wants to make a noise in the world

and win people's hearts.

Maybe he wants to build his career

in Eastern Capital in the future?

Eastern Capital?

Fan.

It's not that complex.

Gu Jiusi

is only at the age of 20.

And I heard that

he's a playboy.

What can he possibly do?

In my opinion,

you don't even have to see him in person.

I'll handle it.

In case he gets too frivolous

or arrogant.

Fine.

Go meet him on my behalf.

As long as we get to know

what kind of position he wants,

we'll know his ambition.

Don't worry.

Report!

General Zhou, Commissioner.

Gu Jiusi is waiting outside.

Let him in.

Yes.

Gu.

Fan Yu.

[Commissioner's Mansion]

Gu, it really is you.

I heard you were in Youzhou.

I've been wanting to see you.

But my father

asked me to work in the camp.

Today is my day off.

I was going to see you.

I didn't expect to see you here.

You look much stronger.

Of course.

Now is time for me

to do something for my father.

I've been training every day since I joined the camp.

By the way,

Gu,

I heard from Zhou Ye that

you were about to donate all your family fortune.

Is that true?

Are you going to travel around the world

and be a swordsman?

I...

Mr. Fan. Mr. Gu.

Commissioner and General Zhou

are waiting for you inside.

Please come with me.

Go, Gu.

Remember to come visit me in the camp.

OK.

Greetings, General Zhou. I'm Gu Jiusi.

As you were.

Mr. Gu, you're a righteous man.

I have to thank you

on behalf of

Youzhou's people and troops.

It's the Gu family's honor

to be able to

make our humble contribution to Youzhou.

But I do have a request.

I hope you can grant it, General.

Mr. Gu.

This time you've donated all your family fortune

and done such a good deed to Youzhou.

I wonder what you want.

I'd like to

ask for a position

as a civil servant.

Mother, maybe General Zhou

had a good chat with Jiusi,

and asked him to have dinner there.

Let's eat first.

Okay.

Mother.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

You're finally back.

You must be hungry.

Have some.

Mother.

How was the talk

with General Zhou today?

He's pretty solid.

He seems like a reliable official.

Nothing like

Wang Shanquan and his men.

I

asked for a position from him.

Eat slowly.

Tell me,

what position did you get?

With my position,

the people have to make way

when I'm on the streets.

Are you going to be a county magistrate?

That's not a good trade.

If we trade

our whole family fortune

for a junior position,

not only will this be buying a job,

it's also beneath us.

A county magistrate

has to read complaints and review documents every day.

His job is not as good as mine.

Tell me.

What position did you get?

Yamen runner.

I'll start my duty tomorrow morning.

[Commissioner's Mansion]

What do you think Gu Jiusi

meant?

He donated all his family fortune

just to be a Yamen runner?

This young man

is quite interesting.

Gaolang.

I'm afraid

we might both have guessed his ambition wrong.

What do you mean?

Just wait and see.

Gu Jiusi

may be a great talent in the future.

A young man like this can appear

in such a chaotic world.

It's a blessing to our people.

Not necessarily, I think.

Look how fragile he seems to be.

Can he endure the hardship?

Maybe in less than three months,

he'll quit.

You don't believe me?

Let's have a bet.

On what?

I bet Gu Jiusi is a jade.

He can endure the hardship.

And after being polished,

he will definitely be too glorious to be looked directly at.

Fine.

But let's make the bet big.

Three glasses of wine.

Okay, it's a deal.

Deal.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Aren't you going to ask me

why I only asked for

a position of Yamen runner?

You must have your own plan, My Lord.

You trust me like this?

Yes.

Fine, with this attitude,

I'd risk my life to make you

a titled madam.

Don't say "risk your life".

You're my husband.

Be more sedate.

Okay, I will.

Actually,

I've thought about this for a long time.

If I ask for a position too low,

it will be beneath us.

If I ask for something too high,

it'll intimidate others.

So you asked for the position as Yamen runner,

which is completely out of their expectation

and can let them feel that they owe you?

You know me best.

But there's one more thing.

I grew up in a wealthy family.

If I really want to do something

for the people,

I need to climb up

step by step.

This way, they will think

I'm worth it,

or they may think I don't deserve the position.

Do you have my back?

Yes.

I'm just like you.

As a boss,

without a patron,

it's up to my own ability

if I can build my business from scratch.

By the way,

I also got something done today.

What is it?

I rented a shop.

We have

200 taels of silver on our account.

The business document

has just been approved.

Starting tomorrow,

we can prepare for the reopening.

Let's wish us both

a successful comeback.

Okay.

Well,

what do you want to do?

I have an idea,

but it's not final yet.

What?

Tell me about it.

I want to sell rouge.

Rouge?

In this chaotic time,

why would you sell

something that isn't a must?

Don't underestimate

things that aren't a must.

When men are farming and running errands outside,

women are doing chores at home

and taking care of

the whole family.

Life is hard for them.

But the harder it is,

the more they'll want to do something

that can cheer them up.

If they don't have a lot of money,

only cosmetics, like rouge,

are cheap

and can make them feel like

they are living a good life.

Even for a moment,

it can help them forget about the hardship,

and it's also a comfort.

You don't know.

For women,

we are unhappy if we don't get to spend money,

but we are even unhappier if we spend too much money.

The thing that makes us

the happiest

is to buy something nice

but useless with a little money.

In that case,

this is really a good business.

You have a bright future, Boss Liu.

I will also

have nothing to worry about.

Just wait and see

me make a comeback.

What are you doing?

You used to be Young Madam Gu.

From now on,

I can also be Young Master Liu.

Are you spineless?

I'm a kept man.

Of course I'm spineless.

Let me tell you.

Not everyone

can be

a kept man.

Get up.

No, I can't.

Get up.

I said I'm spineless.

Get up.

[Youzhou Government]

Boss.

Long.

I heard there's a newcomer.

He's from a rich family.

He's not from some

average rich family.

He's the son of the richest man in Yangzhou.

How could such a rich man

end up

competing with us for a job?

Who knows?

Maybe he's a spendthrift.

A starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

Doesn't he have some friend with power

to look after him?

Of course.

Young General Zhou Ye

came to the county government yesterday himself

to notify the higher-ups.

The higher-ups told us

to take good care of him.

Don't treat him badly.

We only earn so little,

but we have so much to do.

We've always been short-handed.

But the higher-ups

appointed a spoiled rich dandy

to join us.

Didn't you say

a starved camel is still bigger than a horse?

I heard that the tip a rich guy

gives to a showgirl or a servant

could equal our annual salary.

They give out money

in ingots.

If he treats us well

and subsidizes us by treating us to dinner often,

we can take care of him.

You all

have aged parents and young children to provide for.

You don't have enough money to spend, do you?

Of course not.

You can play a trick on him.

We don't even have enough time and energy

for our work.

Who has time to take care of an idler?

Exactly.

Who has time to take care of him?

What do you think? Am I handsome?

Is this the official uniform

you'll wear every day?

You look like a night watchman.

Forget it.

I'm just a kept man.

Someone also said that

they don't count on me to be a high official.

But now...

Yes.

I love how talkative and handsome you are.

You are a top-class,

handsome night watchman.

Talking about me.

Your dress is so plain.

You look like Wenjun who was selling alcohol.

We do seem to be

a good match.

How arrogant.

You're comparing yourself to Sima Xiangru.

Well,

we do have something in common,

that is our wives both

have good taste.

Look at you.

Sit down and have breakfast.

Eat.