Original subtitles

Episode 5

You need not be nervous.

I wasn't going to rebuke you.

I was just asking.

After all, Hua Shen didn't take much money.

Lord, Her Highness sent a message

saying that Master Zhong is here

and is looking for Mistress.

All right.

Let's go to my mother's residence.

Mother.

It's been a long time.

Thank you for the lychee, Mother.

Do they taste good?

What's wrong?

Master and Mistress really love each other.

We do envy that.

Senior, I haven't seen you for a long time

and was wondering what you've been up to.

Work has been busy

so I took a break today.

Did someone give you a hard time earlier?

Qian

why do you keep everything to yourself now?

You used to consult everything with me.

I managed to resolve

Mu Yao's hatred for me

and she doesn't want to kill me anymore.

However, Lord Zhong who had nothing to do

with my family before

is beginning to turn against us.

Can the original ending not be altered?

Where did I go wrong this time?

Qian.

Qian.

Qian!

You went into a daze again. Did you hear me?

Sorry.

The fragrance in here makes me a little dizzy

so I didn't hear you just now.

There's no fragrance in the carriage.

But I smell it.

Qian

you seem to have got a lot on your mind

after we got married.

You don't have to tell me

what's on your mind.

Just remember that as long as I'm here

I'll protect you.

You don't have to go to Mistress

even if you're angry

and don't want to spend time with me.

I won't go to you...

if you don't want me to do that.

Am I really the one...

you want to protect?

Miss.

It's late. You'd better go to bed.

Miss, your father asked me

about your situation here a few days ago.

Are you my maid

or my father's maid?

I'm your maid, Miss.

Really?

It doesn't seem like that way.

Your father does care about you.

After all, you've been here for many years

and are about to reach the age of marriage.

But you're not close to Her Highness.

I'm afraid

he'll be unhappy about it.

I've lived in Zhong's Garden as he wanted.

Why is he still dissatisfied?

I only know a maid's life

is in the hands of her master.

If they aren't happy

they can beat us

or sell us at will.

I get it. You can go now.

I'm going to bed.

All right.

Mistress.

Mistress.

Don't wake me up.

Let me sleep a bit more.

I'm not going to Zhong's Garden today.

What's the matter with you today, Mistress?

Qian Zhi has tried to wake you thrice

and it'll be noon soon.

You should get up.

Oh, no.

You're burning up.

Qianzhi, get a physician.

All right.

Physician Xia, how's she doing?

Mistress probably caught a cold last night.

I'll prescribe some medicine

and aromatherapy.

It's my fault. I slept like a log

and didn't hear the wind.

I saw the window

in Mistress's room open this morning.

How could you be so careless?

She's fine.

She only needs to take the medicine.

All right.

Be careful not to let her get cold.

This way, please.

Thank you.

I was going to make up some excuse

but now I have a valid reason

not to go to Zhong's Garden.

If you don't want to go

just don't go, Mistress.

You don't understand.

I go there so often.

If I don't go after what happened yesterday

it'd look very fishy.

What happened yesterday?

Shende Hall

Master.

Mistress just has a cold and she'll be fine.

I've prescribed some medicine

and she only needs to keep warm.

I see. You may go now.

I'll take my leave.

Master.

Are you going to see Mistress, Master?

I'd better not bother her now.

Send a message to Hua Residence.

She must want to see her family very much

when she's sick.

All right.

Mistress, take this before you go to sleep.

Is it too bitter?

I've prepared preserved fruits for you

Mistress.

No need. This is nothing.

Mistress, Butler Ji is here.

Greetings, Mistress.

What's the matter?

Mistress.

We were short of manpower

and new guards have just been recruited.

Here's the roster.

For your inspection, Mistress.

No need. You're experienced.

Just do it your way.

I'll take my leave then.

Your Highness.

It's already noon.

Why hasn't she come here today?

I sent someone to inquire earlier.

Mistress caught a cold.

A cold?

She must be very sick

because Master had sent for a doctor.

Bring me

the incense beads she sent a few days ago.

It shouldn't be put away all the time.

By the way

pick some nourishing medicinal herbs

from the storage for her.

She's so thin.

No wonder she has poor health

and is prone to illness.

Yes, Your Highness.

- Greetings, Lord. - You may rise.

Sit.

I heard that you sent for a doctor earlier.

What's the matter with you?

Are you not feeling well?

Nothing.

I just didn't sleep well last night

and had a headache when I woke up

so I asked to see a doctor.

What did he say?

He said it wasn't serious

and prescribed some calming medicine.

You're assisting my mother

to take care of household affairs

and it's hard work.

I'm glad to be able

to share your worries, Lord.

You've lost weight recently.

There's too much work to do here.

If you feel upset

just invite your family over.

Aren't your mother and sister

still in the city?

My sister's birthday

is coming in four or five days.

She's young and spoilt

and insisted on seeing my father.

My mother had no choice

but to take her out of the city yesterday.

They set off to see our father in the south

and will stay there for a while.

Butler Meng has lived there for many years

and seldom comes back.

It's normal for a child to miss her father.

We're very grateful

for your trust in our family, Lord.

By the way, I heard Her Highness

asked for a physician this morning as well.

What's wrong with my mother?

Her Highness is fine.

She just ordered the physician

to prepare some nourishing herbs

and sent them to Mistress

who seems to have a cold.

A cold...

Mistress has changed a lot

and is more likeable

after she got married.

No wonder Her Highness treats her nicer now.

My mother chats well with her

so she naturally cares about her.

That's true.

Be careful, Mother.

Go.

These medicinal herbs are precious.

I'll watch them move it.

You do that.

I'll go to see my sister now.

Stop.

Don't run around.

This is Zhong Residence, not our house.

Did you hear me?

- Got it... - Behave yourself.

Let's go...

Go.

Miss.

Do you know

where your mistress's residence is?

We haven't been here before

and don't know the way.

I wonder if it's convenient

for you to take me there.

Can you?

Sir, I came here before

and I still remember the way.

You're the eldest son of the Hua family?

Do you know me?

Where are you going?

Sir

weren't you going to see your sister?

What's this place?

Shende Hall

It must be Master Zhong's study.

Have you noticed that the maid

looks a little different?

Sir, isn't every one of your concubines

different, too?

Stop.

Tell me what you mean.

How dare you talk to me that way?

Qian. Mother.

Didn't you leave before me?

Why are you so late?

Huang took me in the wrong direction

so we ended up taking the longer route.

Qian, I heard you got sick.

You seem to have lost a lot of weight.

Mother, you feel that way

probably because we haven't met in a while.

Your father and I stayed at the clan house

for over a month

because of what happened to your cousin

in Zhong's Garden.

We just came back

and heard he got you in trouble again.

Yes, he did.

Very big trouble.

Qian.

You've never bought jewellery

since you got married

so I specially bought some for you

in the past few days.

I've got plenty of this.

How can you say that?

Your brother really cares about you

and bought all the good ones

in the jewellery store for you.

He didn't even get any for me.

I know you wouldn't be angry with me.

Foolish child.

You're of the same blood.

Of course, she'll forgive you.

You're right, Mother. Qian is blessed.

This house is really magnificent

and much better than our house.

Not just that. Even the servants here

look different from others.

When I came over

I saw a maid

coming out of my brother-in-law's study.

She looks pretty

but I don't think I've ever seen her

around you before.

Who is she?

Master's study?

There are enough maids in my residence.

Last time I went to your study

I found that it was poorly staffed.

I'll let Mu Yao go there to serve you.

In my previous life, both of us were friends

but she and Hua Shen never knew each other

so it's no wonder he didn't recognise her.

Why are you asking about his maid?

I'm just asking.

Hua Shen!

Get your head screwed on straight!

You know Zhong Yelan is...

His staff

aren't people you can have designs on.

- I... - You've always been a womaniser

but don't get us in trouble!

Qian, simmer down. I was just asking.

I dare not get involved with the staff here.

Let me shut up now.

Don't talk like that.

You know how your brother is like.

He just speaks whatever comes to mind.

By the way

Master now has a maid by his side?

Doesn't he dislike being served by maids?

What do you know about that maid?

Mother, what you should do now

is keep an eye on your son

not meddle in the Zhong family's affairs.

I'm just looking out for your best interests.

Why are you angry?

After all

you just have one sibling in him

and he'll be your only family in the future.

Even if he's a little dull

he still treats you sincerely.

Mother, you've always been partial to him.

Look at what he has done.

Calling him dull is a compliment to him.

Listen.

When I was pregnant with you

he was only five.

He came to me every day

asking when you'd be born.

He said that he'd protect you

and love you.

Mother, please pass my father a message

after you go back.

What is it?

"A small leak will sink a great ship".

What does it mean?

Father knows what my brother did

to the shops in his charge.

I don't think I need to say more.

Tell him what my brother did today

and he'll understand what I said.

The shops belong to the Zhong family.

My brother needs to be disciplined.

Hua Residence

How's Qian?

She looks weak

but sounds still energetic

so I don't think she's seriously ill.

Great.

- You may go now. - Yes, Madam.

Where's Shen?

He said

he had not finished his homework

so he went back to his room.

He went back to study?

Did the sun rise from the west today?

He must have sneaked out again

to play with his cronies.

How can that be?

Qian's still sick.

He's worried about her.

So he wouldn't go out to have fun

at a time like this.

You know what?

I don't worry about Qian's marriage now.

But I do worry about Shen's marriage.

He's not young

but hasn't settled down yet.

There's no hurry.

Qian's the wife of Master Zhong now.

Many merchants in this town

want to become our relatives by marriage.

He doesn't need to marry down.

But our son has neither literacy talent

nor excellent martial arts.

In my opinion

it doesn't matter

even if the girl is from an ordinary family.

He can handle her easily

and won't be bullied.

Even if he isn't exceptional

he's still our only son.

Daughters from ordinary families

cannot marry into our family.

I know what you're saying.

But think about this.

Shen has a lot of concubines.

If an aristocrat's daughter marries him

and got to know that

she'll be furious.

You must discipline him.

I've never stopped him

from taking concubines

but he still goes out and fools around.

A man should have ambition

but he fools around

with his concubines all day.

When I go there

there's not even enough room for me.

All right...

Don't be angry.

You're right. I should discipline him

and curb his frivolous ways.

Wait.

This is strange.

- What? - Don't you always side with him?

What happened today?

Why the sudden change?

Did he cause trouble at Zhong Residence?

No...

I...

I just noticed that

Qian had become mature

after getting married

and that Shen can't live up to her.

Store ledger

She has indeed changed a lot

after getting married.

What did she say to you today?

Nothing, just something trivial.

I'll remove these.

My dear...

My dear, don't worry about Shen's marriage.

- He looks so handsome. - Right?

He has fair skin and long eyelashes.

Right?

You're infatuated with him.

What's with the racket?

Mistress is sick. Be quiet.

Qianzhi, I've told you many times

to be gentle.

Don't always behave like this.

I think you're the loudest here.

What happened?

Why are you so happy?

Haven't you heard, Mistress?

Some new guards were recruited.

Butler Ji did mention it to me.

What's the matter?

One of them is so good-looking

that the maids have gone to check him out.

Really?

But I don't have any impression

of this good-looking guard.

Mistress, you fell ill the day he joined us

so you haven't seen him.

Mistress, you'll be surprised

when you finally see him.

I've never seen such a good-looking man.

Both of you are so ignorant.

He's just a guard.

What use can be made out of his beauty?

If you've seen him

you wouldn't say such words.

I'm not as ignorant as you are.

After hearing what you said

I'm curious to see him.

Mistress, you're still in recovery.

By the way, he's just a servant.

No one in the world

can compare to Master Zhong.

It was just a passing remark.

Master's birthday is in half a month.

What's your plan, Mistress?

Birthday?

Master's birthday!

Have you forgotten it, Mistress?

Zhong Yelan's birthday?

I forgot about it.

Wait.

Isn't that what started the relationship

between him and Mu Yao?

Master, it's getting late

and it's time to go back now.

It's your birthday today.

I want to be with my mother a little longer.

Why are you kneeling here?

Did your parents punish you, too?

No one punished me.

I do it of my own will.

What's wrong with you?

Why do you want to kneel here?

My mother's tablet is here.

My father often says

parents like to see their children

live a happy and carefree life.

Do you think

your mother wants you

to kneel in front of her tablet

with a sad face?

I haven't met her before.

On the day I was born

she...

All mothers love their children.

Probably your kneeling

has already broken her heart.

Do you want to go with me to see the release?

I heard this temple delivers our prayers.

Let's go pray together.

All right. Now that I've brought you here

I'll go to my father.

What's your name?

My father said

I shouldn't tell my name to strangers.

Can I see your face?

No. I have a rash on my face

so I can't remove my veil.

This is for you.

If you want to see me next time

just show it

to the abbot of this temple.

All right... I'll take it.

See you around.

Mother, I'll visit you another day.

Oh, Heavens

if you'd wanted to give me another chance

why didn't you send me back

before I started impersonating her?

It's too hard to turn it around now.

Mistress.

All right.

How will you plan the birthday banquet?

Wait.

I remember that day

Lord would come to the banquet unexpectedly

and fall in love with Mu Yao at first sight.

He treated me like that a few days ago.

This is the perfect time to distract him

so he won't be preoccupied with

harming my family.

Let's keep it low-key.

After all, it's also his mother's...

I don't think he'd appreciate fanfare.

Mistress, how about I go to the storage now

and retrieve the guqin Master gave you?

The exquisite guqin

and your excellent playing skills

will surely astound everyone.

No need.

Yes. Go retrieve it.

Sure.

Master.

Mistress's maid, Qianzhi, wants to see you.

Greetings, Master.

Mistress asked me to send you a message.

She wants you to come back early

after work today.

She has prepared a birthday banquet for you.

No need. I never celebrate my birthday.

But she started preparing for it

half a month ago.

All right.

Shende Hall

The guqin is prepared.

Should I bring it out now?

No need. Follow my lead later.

By the way, put another chair here

for Lord to sit.

Is he coming, too?

Master didn't mention it.

Just trust me.

The quality of this batch of blood amber

isn't as good as the previous batch.

If we use it to make Jiayin Pills

they'll be much less effective

and that'd ruin our reputation.

If the supply is insufficient

I'm afraid we'll have to sell

fewer pills each year.

Senior.

Senior!

What's the matter?

Have you got other things to do?

Lord.

I've got something else to do today.

Let's compound the fragrance another day.

I almost forgot.

Are you going to the temple this year, too?

No, I'm not.

When I went out this morning

Qian sent a message

saying that she had prepared a banquet

and wanted me to go back early today.

I'd like to attend this banquet

since it has piqued your interest.

It's just a family dinner.

I'd be glad

if you come with me, Lord.

Let me change into another outfit.

All right.

Greetings, Lord.

Today is my senior's birthday

and I'm just tagging along.

There's no need for such formalities.

Mistress, you were right.

Lord really came.

Go get ready.

It seems that the cook in your residence

is very good at making spicy meals.

Master loves this taste

so I specially told the cook about it today.

Master's stomach has been upset these days

and the physician told him to avoid spices.

Shall I ask the cook to make other dishes?

It's fine. I'm already much better now.

Mistress, it's ready for you.

It's a bit boring to just eat.

Previously, Master gave me a rare guqin.

Today is your birthday

so I took it out for you today.

I heard Mu Yao plays guqin very well.

I wonder

if you could perform a tune for Master.

Mistress...

Do you need anything else, Mu Yao?

In my previous life, I played a song first

and provoked Mu Yao.

But that caused me a lot of trouble.

This time I'll help her become famous

so she won't need to make use of me.

There are so many talents in your residence.

A mere maid can play such beautiful music.

That's amazing.

You're flattering her.

Her playing is very ordinary.

Not at all.

The music played by this woman

conveys the heroic spirit of soldiers.

Even established musicians

aren't as good as her.

It's just mediocre to me.

Well, then...

Why don't you give her to me?

My mother loves music.

She may relieve her boredom.

Bonus footage

The guard selection has concluded

Butler Ji has picked some agile ones.

Are there talents amongst them?

When I was watching

I noticed an agile man.

He didn't seem to have learnt martial arts

but he could handle the pros very well.

So that makes him a born martial artist?

Rather than that

it was more like he was risking his life.

No matter how powerful his opponents were

they'd inevitably feel a little afraid

when they fought with him.

Someone. Get him down.

All right.

You may go in and register.

From now, you'll live in the guardhouse.

Thank you, Butler Ji.

Coach him later.

If a person with such a temperament

can really be used by you

he'll never betray you.

Noted.

Wait.

What's your name?

Hua Rongzhou.