Original subtitles

Episode 1

Catch her!

This way! Hurry up!

She's there! Hurry up!

Hurry up!

This way! Hurry up!

- This way. - Yes, sir.

Stop there! Come on.

Yes, sir!

Stop there!

Hurry up!

Come on.

I can't be caught.

I can't be caught like this.

Listen, you guys go that way.

- Yes, sir. - You guys go this way.

- Yes, sir. - The rest of you, follow me.

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

This way.

Let me go!

Send me back to Huangcheng!

Let me go!

I'm the mistress of Zhong Residence.

How dare you catch me!

Let me go!

Let me go!

How dare you!

I'm the mistress of Zhong Residence.

I'm the mistress there!

Send me back to Huangcheng City.

How heartless you are, Miss Hua!

How can you ignore your loved ones?

Mother...

No...

No!

No!

This isn't my brother.

That's not my mother.

I don't know them. No.

20 lashes for helping an exiled prisoner escape.

That was too light a punishment for them.

But I guess even that was too much

for these pampered rich folks.

How dare you!

How dare you!

Stop shouting!

When your family drove Butler Mu to his death

you should have thought of this.

You deserve it!

Wait and see.

You'll soon get your just deserts.

You deserve death.

When you were doing these evil things

did you think this day would befall you?

You get what you deserve.

Yes!

You deserve it!

It's your comeuppance. Yes.

You deserve it!

Why?

Why did this happen?

I did all I could to frame so many people.

This shouldn't happen.

Did I do wrong?

If you have the chance to start over

will you change anything?

I will.

Miss?

Miss?

Miss?

Miss?

Miss?

Are you okay, Miss?

Let me go!

Let go of my mistress. Get off her!

- Miss? - Go!

Let me go!

- Go. - Let go...!

- Qianzhi? - Miss... I mean

Mistress, Master will be here shortly.

Don't doze off again.

You are married to the Zhong family.

You can't act as you were back at home.

Mrs Hua kept telling me to remind you.

I'm married

to the Zhong family?

Didn't this take place two years ago?

How grand the feast is.

- Come on... - Please.

Let's drink...

To the master...

- Let's drink up. - Come on.

- Let's drink together. - Come on.

Have you noticed that

Master doesn't look happy today?

Not at all.

Master has always been taciturn.

- Besides... - Master.

the second daughter of Hua family

is also well-educated.

And her father is

the butler of the Zhong family.

They are a match that's made in heaven.

Master, let me offer you a toast.

That's right.

Come on. After you.

After you.

Okay. Dig in.

All right.

What happened?

Miss?

Is this the day that I marry Zhong Yelan?

Y-Yes.

Where are my mother and big brother?

Ma'am and Master must be

hosting the banquet with Butler Hua

back in your family home now.

My father is still alive?

Miss, what are you saying?

Miss?

Miss, what was that for?

This is not a dream.

I did go back two years in time.

I want to see my mother and brother.

Mistress...

Mistress, you just got married.

You can't go home now.

People would gossip if you do that!

Besides, Master is about to come, Mistress.

No. Let me go see my mother.

- Mistress, no. - My father and brother too.

Mistress.

Master had too much to drink.

He doesn't want to disturb you

and thus sent me to tell you

that he'll sleep in the study.

I've got to go.

Master

the Mu family was just arrested during the day.

Miss Mu is now a wanted criminal.

Maybe you shouldn't hang around her

even if you are friends.

I'll be right back.

Master, this is your wedding day.

Mistress is waiting for you in the bedroom.

Tell her that I've drunk too much

and fallen asleep in the study.

What if she doesn't believe me?

It's the wedding night

of Master and our Mistress.

I'll go check the study to see

if Master is truly drunk.

- Miss Qianzhi... - Get out of the way.

Miss Qianzhi, Master has fallen asleep.

Get out of the way.

- Miss Qianzhi. - You're lying...

I'll check it out. Get out of the way.

Greetings, Mistress.

Mistress.

Mistress, wait here for me.

I'll go and look for Master.

Don't worry. I'll get him to come here.

No.

Let it be. Get me some hot water.

I want to take a bath.

What if Master comes...

No, he won't.

How do you know that, Mistress?

I...

just know it.

Heavenly gods

did you hear my prayers

and give me a chance to start over?

Zhong Residence

- Let go of me! - Leave.

Master...

Hua Qian

you pretended to be Mu Yao to approach me

then drugged and forced me to marry you.

You colluded with your father

to frame the Mu family and landed them in jail.

I know the truth now.

I'll turn a blind eye to your wrongdoings

but it's over between us from this day forth.

We're done.

Master...

Don't force me out.

Master...

Don't force me out.

Master...

Divorce Letter

Butler Hua crossed his master for self-glory.

He framed and drove Mu Yunping to his death.

He will now be beheaded.

His family will be exiled beyond the borders.

20 lashes for helping an exiled prisoner escape.

That was too light a punishment for them.

But I guess even that was too much

for these pampered rich folks.

Why did it have to start

from the day after the wedding?

It's certainly not the time

to confess what I did wrong.

Or Zhong Yelan would think I was playing him.

I need to get something on him first.

Also

Mu Yunping was arrested yesterday.

If my memory serves me right

he will kill himself in prison

to prove his innocence nine days from now

which turns his daughter against my family.

There's still time to change everything.

My ending is not set in stone.

I can't let history repeat itself.

Not for my family, either.

Go...

You, look up.

Check carefully.

Master, what brings you here?

I came to do some errands with my men.

You can go ahead.

Yes, Master. We'll leave you be

and take our leave.

Let's go. Come on.

Go.

Wait.

What's on the cart?

Firewood.

- Go. - Sir, who's that?

He doesn't look like an officer.

You seem more nervous

to see him than seeing the magistrate.

You're clearly a newcomer.

He's the senior of the Lord of the Zhong family.

Don't mess with anyone from the Zhong family

even if you've to provoke the magistrate.

The Zhong family calls the shots

in this town that we're in.

What?

They provide incense for the royal family.

His Majesty even married Her Highness away

to such a remote place.

Think about it.

By the way, stay away from the Hua family too.

- Be careful. - Wait.

I don't want any trouble.

Isn't Mr Hua a butler in Zhong's residence?

He's not an ordinary butler.

He's in charge of purchasing.

The Hua family earns ten times

more than the magistrate does every year.

Nobody else but the Zhong family

is more prosperous than them here.

All right.

Stay close!

Let's go.

Mistress, it's time to get up.

You'll have to greet Her Highness today

in the Zhong's Garden.

Did you not sleep well, Mistress?

Yes. Not so well.

You can nap when we come back.

What's in the incense burner?

It's the bergamot incense you are used to.

No.

It doesn't smell like the bergamot incense.

Is there any other incense in it?

No. Just bergamot incense.

What else did you smell, Mistress?

I can't tell.

Forget it. It's been too long.

Maybe I've forgotten the smell of bergamot.

Mistress.

Butler Ji sent them here this morning

in case we are understaffed.

- I'm Cuizhu. - I'm Banxia.

Greetings to you, Mistress.

You shall look great

for your first visit to Zhong's Garden.

Mistress, time to dress up.

Why are these all white?

Isn't it the only colour you prefer, Mistress?

You told us specifically

to prepare plain dresses

made of white silk after marriage.

Besides, white dresses look soft

and fit you well as you look gorgeous.

Make some new dresses in other colours

for me another day.

White dresses can get dirty easily.

And I've had enough of them.

Time to try something new.

Yes, Mistress.

Greetings to you, Master.

Mistress...

Master.

I drank too much yesterday

and slept in the study to avoid disturbing you.

Are you upset with me, Qian?

Of course not, Master.

We don't need these formal titles.

Call me the way you used to.

Right. He was nice to me

when I fooled him to be guilty.

I've made the mistake once

and paid the price.

Don't make the same mistake this time.

You look like you wanted to tell me something.

No, nothing.

I see. Let's go, then.

Look at this.

Is it ready?

This is yours. You'll be the next one.

I haven't seen such a busy street for years.

I woke up late and haven't eaten anything.

Have you had breakfast?

I almost forgot

that he must be thinking of Mu Yao

whom he saved last night.

She also escaped from being sold

when Mu Yunping was sent to a life of exile.

Hurry up! Go search over there.

Don't let her escape.

- Yes, sir! - Wait.

Just go.

Check carefully.

You may go.

Master, what brings you here?

I came to do some errands with my men.

You can go ahead.

Yes, Master. We will leave you be

and take our leave.

Go search over there.

Come on.

Follow me.

Bailiffs are all out for the fugitive.

You can ignore me

if you want to get caught.

Mu Yao must resent me bitterly

and doesn't want to see me.

I never expected it would be harder

to start over than being impudent.

Go away...!

You took my place!

We're almost there.

Okay.

Bloody beggar!

Look where you're going.

You're an able-bodied young man

who can earn your own living.

Why did you become a beggar

that no one would respect?

I have a good eye for people.

Your eyes are pretty nice looking.

I know many rich families

that need more servants.

Why not come with me?

You can get a place to live

and I can earn some money.

What do you think?

Boss!

- Bloody beggar! - Get the little rat back!

Stop there!

Where's my money bag?

That rascal stole it!

Zhong's Garden

Lord.

Greetings to you, Lord.

Senior.

You finally came, Senior.

I wanted to congratulate you yesterday.

But my mother didn't want me to disturb you.

Thank you for caring, Lord.

You're always so formal

no matter what I've told you.

You're my senior.

Just call me by my name.

I shouldn't break the rules.

I've something to discuss with you.

Let's go to my mother's courtyard first.

Sure.

It won't take long

before the Lord falls for Mu Yao.

No wonder my family's plot was exposed.

Stop doing that.

Who would you choose between us?

These rumours were rife

but I still don't understand

why Mu Yao could make their heads spin.

Mistress?

Mistress?

Mistress, I've been calling you several times.

What were you so deep in thought about?

Nothing. Let's go.

What's the incense today?

It smells like benzoin incense.

Miss Meng is correct.

It's benzoin incense

which can refresh and increase blood flow

and prevent heartache and stomachache.

Yelan rarely visits.

Use his favourite sandalwood instead.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, you're so nice to the master.

Greetings to you, Mother.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Take a seat.

Mother.

Yelan, you're married now.

Since you chose her to be your wife

you shall get along with her.

I'll remember it, Your Highness.

You're the former Lord's last apprentice

and grew up here in the Garden.

Why are you so polite

and won't even call me Mistress?

Yes, Mistress.

And you.

Now that you've been married to him

as you'd wanted to

you shall concentrate on being his wife

and cultivate your virtues and values.

Don't do anything beneath your status.

It seems like Her Highness also knows

the truth of our marriage?

Isn't it a secret?

I'll remember your words, Your Highness.

Do it, instead of saying it.

I will do what I said

restrain myself and develop virtues.

Great.

I'll wait and see.

I will not let you down, Your Highness.

In order to survive

I shall change my image first.

Mother.

Mother.

I've something to discuss with my senior.

- I shall take my leave. - Sure.

Take as much time as you need.

Butler Meng sent some unique cream

and rouge from the South yesterday.

You can pick what you fancy later.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Thank you for your kindness.

But I can't take what my father gave you

Your Highness.

He works so hard for our family in the South.

And you've stayed by me for so many years.

It's nothing compared to your work.

You, too.

Your father works hard to take over the shops

in the North last year.

Yes.

It's his honour to do so.

Her Highness reads sutras every day.

I came across some sutras

that Sister Qi transcribed a few days ago.

Were those for Her Highness?

You're eagle-eyed.

Those are indeed for Her Highness.

I'll bring them another time.

It's rare for a young girl

to devote time to transcribe sutras.

Being refined is better than being impetuous.

Are you disapproving of what I said?

What do you think

is the most important thing for a woman?

Your Highness

great women have four virtues, including

virtues, appearance, eloquence and diligence.

Okay.

It seems that you know virtues come first.

You shall behave and restrain yourself

to be a good wife for Yelan.

I'll remember it, Your Highness.

I heard several goldfish

were brought to the Garden.

Shall we have a look, Your Highness?

Sure.

Let's take a walk.

Aren't you coming?

Yes.

My change of image

seems to be working already.

At least she didn't leave me alone here

as she did in the other lifetime.

Look at that one.

Your Highness.

Look, they're fighting over the food.

Here.

Your Highness, that one is coming over here.

There're several here.

They're fighting for food.

Look.

I had little contact with anyone

in the Garden in the last life.

I never knew these women

could be so boring.

Just the sight of goldfishes

got them all excited.

They ate it.

These two are so pretty.

Yes.

Those two are nice, too.

Yes. Look.

They're fighting.

Look.

Look.

They eat a lot.

Yeah.

Mistress...!

It's the clothes of Mistress Hua.

- Help! - Help her!

Mistress!

What can we do?

Mistress...

Mistress. Here.

Be careful.

Mistress.

When did you learn to swim?

There's nothing I can't learn

after a year in exile.

Mistress...

Go and clean yourself up.

Mistress.

Let's go.

How did Mistress Hua...

How did she fall into the water?

It's Yuzhu, the maid who is close to Hua Man.

Senior, look.

Here are the fake agarwood balls

used in Mu Yunping's embezzling case.

I studied them for two days

to find the forgery technique.

It's quite similar to Ge's technique.

The Ge family?

How could it be?

The Ge family produced harmful incense.

And you solved the case on your own.

You must be aware of their technique.

You can inspect them if you don't believe.

I informed Magistrate Wang

but he hasn't found out anything yet.

It's been about ten years

since the Ge family was raided and caught.

Even if someone escaped

he won't easily show up.

And Mu Yunping

has been transferred here less than a year.

It may have nothing to do with him.

It's hard to say.

Maybe the Ge family has been preparing

to make a comeback.

I'm worried that they've infiltrated our family.

Magistrate Wang has sent

Mu Yunping into exile.

But one of his family members

who was supposed to be sold

remains missing.

They've searched the entire town.

Is the Ge family involved in any way?

Master, Mistress...

fell into the water.

What?

What happened?

Lord, Her Highness and Mistress Hua

were viewing goldfishes by the pond.

But somehow

Mistress Hua fell into the pond.

But she's fine

because she managed to swim to the bank.

- You can leave now. - Yes.

Tell Chen Yuan to find out more.

Yes, Lord.

Qianzhi?

Congratulations on finally getting

what you want.

As your older cousin

I'm really happy for you.

Miss Man, it's quite startling

to congratulate someone silently

behind their back.

Why are you so distant?

You've been my family.

We never had secrets between us.

I have served

the Senior Lord for over a decade.

If you want to be married into the family

the young Lord will at least

make you the Mistress. What do you think?

You're already the butler, Father.

You don't need me to please

Her Highness and the Lord.

Besides, you know that

Zhong Yelan is the only one

I want to marry.

Fine...

You're my only daughter.

Since you're not keen

I'll send your uncle's eldest daughter.

Someone has to marry into

their family for us.

Family?

Is there anything wrong, Sister?

You're now

a high-ranking maid of the Lord.

You'd better not call me "sister".

I can't live up to it.

I was out of line.

I haven't seen you for a long time.

And it's been hard to arrange this meeting.

I was too excited.

Arrange?

There were so many people around you.

Her Highness also cares about you.

I had no choice but to do what I did

to get the chance.

You ordered someone

to push me?

I had housemaids who could swim on standby.

You weren't in any danger.

After all, it's the only way

to escape all the spies.

Why didn't it happen in the last life?

That's it.

Back then, Her Highness

snubbed me and left me in the room.

Look.

Look.

How dare they.

Do they think it's Hua's Garden here?

I shall see what messages

they're trying to slip through

before my eyes.

You're too cautious, Miss Man.

You can just come and talk to me.

There's no need to do it furtively.

These walls have ears.

I need to ask you

to help pass on a message.

Mu Yunping was imprisoned.

He'll never see the light of day.

- I'd like to ask Butler Hua... - Ridiculous!

Are you out of your mind?

How dare you

gossip about the master's affairs?

Why should my father know anything about it?

I've set everything up here.

No one would notice us.

Don't worry, Mistress.

No wonder the Hua family fell.

They're all so foolish and mean.

You confused me, Miss Man.

Why do we have to be secretive?

How forgetful you are, Mistress.

Butler Hua sent me here

and fostered me

because he wants me to help him.

You must be confused.

It was you who wanted to come here.

Uncle was unable to make it happen.

My father helped you

for his brother's sake.

Why do you frame him for social climbing?

I won't tell others

or hold you accountable

since you're my cousin.

But I hope you can stop playing tricks

and ruin our relationship.

Are you out of your mind today?

How could you say that?

Why would he send me here to help him

if you hadn't wanted to marry the master

at the time?

It's mean for you to say so.

It's true that I love the master.

Even if my father

really wanted to plant someone here

why would he choose you

instead of other more beautiful cousins?

You said you fell for the Lord.

My father made an exception and helped you

for the sake of your father.

I feel bad for him that his kindness

was misunderstood.

How dare you say I'm ugly?

It's funny what you chose to focus on.

I shall tell my father

not to break the rules for his brothers.

Now that you've fallen for the Lord

you should learn to mind your own business.

Do you need me to lecture you

on how to be loyal to your Lord?

You...

How dare you turn against me.

You only became the mistress

by drugging your husband.

Quit acting like you're so noble.

Mistress.

Mistress, why did you come out

with your hair loose?

No one's in there

so I came out to find you.

A maid asked me

to get your wet clothes.

Mistress, let me comb your hair first.

I remember they always liked

to show off their sisterhood.

Do you think

Hua Qian knows that we're here?

I don't know, Master.

Bonus footage

I was told you'd visit your senior tomorrow.

It's his wedding. I've nothing to do here

so I want to join in the fun.

You can meet at any time

except for tomorrow.

Do you not like Butler Hua's daughter?

That's true.

Many women fake weakness to win sympathy.

And not to mention

that the girl got married

by shady means.

A mistress should be stable and refined.

Only concubines would cry for sympathy

to deal with troubles.

Yelan is too honest.

He's determined to be responsible

in spite of our warnings.

Senior is a bit too soft-hearted.

Unlike him, you are lord of the Zhong family.

You mustn't be soft-hearted

and easily bewitched by these wily women.

Mother.

I'm too busy to care

about other things.

That's good to hear.