Original subtitles

Episode 6

Senior, you have so many talents here.

Even a mere maid can play such beautiful music.

Amazing.

I think even established musicians

can't match up to her.

It's just mediocre to me.

Since you think so

why don't you give her to me?

My mother loves music

so perhaps she can relieve her boredom.

Sister-in-law?

Sister-in-law?

What's up?

Mistress, Lord Zhong is calling you.

What are you giggling about?

Please pardon me, Lord.

Mu Yao's music was so beautiful.

I was engrossed

so I didn't hear your question.

I said there are many talents in this household.

Even a mere maid

can play such beautiful music.

I've long heard that

you're one of the best in the city too.

I wonder who's better.

What?

Having studied under a famous master

Hua Qian's skills are exceptional.

Really?

I wonder if I could have the honour of

hearing you play today?

Mu Yao's music really put me to shame.

My senior just said you play well.

You shouldn't belittle yourself.

I'll play for you another day.

Today is Master's birthday.

I'd better not steal the show.

Put the guqin away.

Yes, sir.

Since you value his birthday so much

you must have prepared

some kind of remarkable gift, right?

I didn't...

No wonder he was in such a hurry

to return home.

Now that you won't even showcase

your beautiful music

this birthday gift must be extraordinary.

Lord, Master. Please wait for a while.

I'll be back in a moment.

Qianzhi.

I was just wondering why

you let Mu Yao play the guqin.

Turned out that you prepared something else.

I prepared nothing.

I'd thought they wouldn't talk about me

after hearing Mu Yao's music.

Let me see what I can do now.

Mistress is back.

Longevity noodles is a must for birthdays.

I noticed you ate very little

so I cooked this as a gift for you.

I hope you'll enjoy it

and can see the thought behind the gift.

Thank you.

But I heard that

the Hua family pampers their daughter

frees her from household chores.

Sister-in-law, when did you learn how to cook?

I learned it secretly

to give Master a surprise.

I never thought that

the skills I learnt during my year of exile

would help me so many times.

But how come Mu Yao's music did not cause

a rift between Zhong Yelan and Zhong Xiwu?

Could she not show her excellence

without a comparison to me?

Why is he still here...

I rarely visit

so I'd like to stay a little longer.

I hope that's not a bother.

Absolutely not.

Lately, some shops reported that

many have tried to uncover

the production method of Jiayin Pill.

I don't know who they are

but they make me feel a bit uneasy.

Every year

you and I make the Jiayin Pill personally.

No outsider has ever watched us.

This is a well-kept family recipe

so their curiosity is normal.

Lord, you don't need to worry too much.

Even the Ge family, who's great at imitation

has failed to replicate it.

It doesn't hurt if people pry

but even the shops in the north and south

have experienced this

so I'm sure it's no ordinary person.

By the way

you used to be stationed in the south.

Do you still have the map of the southern city?

Take it out and study the situation of

the shops in the south, shall we?

Sure. The map is in the study.

Let me bring it over.

Sister-in-law, what are you thinking?

You're absorbed in your thoughts.

Where is the master?

We just talked about the shops in the south.

He went to the study to get the map

and will be back shortly.

I guess our chat was so boring

that your mind wandered off.

I'm not clever enough

to understand all this work chat.

Lord, please forgive me.

When Butler Hua pleaded for the Mu family

he spoke much about the shops in the north.

As his daughter, I assumed

you'd be interested in those from the south.

Lord, I guess you're wrong.

Does being here in your own home

give you the courage to speak like that?

Lord, I don't understand.

Are you really Hua Qian?

Put away your petty thoughts.

Don't think you can do as you wish

during the lord's stay here.

If he knows who you are

you'll only end up

being expelled from the city.

You're overthinking.

What can I do now?

You don't even believe me.

How can I expect the Lord

whom I've only met once, to believe me?

Hua Qian is definitely not as you say.

It is you who's blinded by hatred

and cannot see the truth.

Yes.

Hua Qian is delicate

and innocent.

She did not set me up

nor did she frame my father for embezzlement

causing him to be exiled.

But, Zhong Yelan

do you think I'm the kind of person

who barks up the wrong tree freely?

How many times have I told you that

I don't want to hear these words again?

I've never volunteered them.

But you doubted her in your heart

so you questioned me again and again.

Given that you don't believe me

and you know you'd hurt her

then why did you risk helping me

by leaving on your wedding night

and letting Hua Qian visit home alone?

Zhong Yelan

between us

who's the one that's confused?

Of course, I'm her.

The Hua Qian I know

won't tolerate

any other woman around my senior.

But...

you just praised another woman before him.

I seem to have told you before that

a married woman acts differently.

Tell me more about it.

As a daughter

my parents did a lot for me

so I could focus on one person

without any worry.

I view Master as the only one in my life

so, by hook or by crook

I also want to be

the only one in his eye.

Having got married, I found that

I have a lot more responsibilities now

and must consider the good of the whole.

So, while I still love the master

I don't want to have him

all to myself like before.

My love for him is so great that

it made me understand

that I'd do anything to make him happy.

This confession turns me green with envy.

Are you moved, Senior?

- You... - I'm ashamed of what I just said.

Qianzhi.

Mistress.

Watch out. Be careful.

Qianzhi, close the door quickly!

All right.

No one can match you in terms of charm.

Thank you.

- Mistress, wait up. - You're up early today.

Where are you heading to?

I've been married for such a long time.

I'd like to visit my parents.

Why the sudden urge to do so?

Did you inform them already?

I'm leaving out of embarrassment.

Mistress, wait!

What's wrong with her?

Ask someone else.

I have to catch up with her.

Mistress, wait!

Mistress, wait!

Mistress!

Master.

I just saw Mistress

leaving for her home with her bags packed.

Won't you go after her?

No.

Understood.

Lord

the maid is indeed Mu Yunping's daughter.

He has left the city

leaving her alone in Zhong Residence.

Did my senior know who she is?

The spy reported that before getting married

he knew the first daughter of the Mu family

so he should know her identity.

I know him well.

He always cold-shoulders

those unmarried girls.

Since they're old friends

their relationship should be different.

But he didn't intervene in her family's case.

He only took in their eldest daughter.

The Ge family won't be involved with him.

After all, they hated him the most

and he set up our family business

in the south all by himself.

Since he readily delegated power

to the Meng family

he must not be power hungry.

His unusual behaviour now

seems born out of...

love.

Did Hua Qian know the identity of Mu Yao?

Before she was married

they were close friends.

Then, she's really...

tolerant.

Lord

should we send more people

to keep an eye on their household?

Something seems off.

She resorted to drugs to get married.

Why did she become so tolerant after marriage?

What you report today should be kept secret

and there's no need to

keep an eye on their household.

The Mu family case has been settled.

If there's more to be uncovered

the mastermind will make a move again.

I see, Lord.

Qian.

Father. Mother.

Qian, why did you come back alone?

I haven't been back for a long time

and I missed our parents

so I decided on a whim

to visit for a few days.

Great!

Now I finally have someone to talk to.

Qian...

Qian

did you fall out with your husband?

No.

I'm just missing you.

Nonsense.

You've been married for a while.

Why are you still so childish?

My dear...

Qian, you're now Master Zhong's wife.

Remember what we told you

when you got married?

Being a wife

is not the same as being a daughter.

You can't just run back to your home

whenever you lose your temper.

I didn't fall out with Master Zhong.

I just wanted to visit for a few days.

- Well... - You...

You just got married for two months

and you came back.

What would others think of you

Master Zhong and our family?

Listen, I'll take you home

immediately after dinner.

If you have any grievances

air them before me and him

so that I can do you justice.

There's no need for that, Father.

I'm really fine.

It's just...

It's just a whim.

Fine.

If he didn't do you wrong

you mustn't make any trouble for him.

Don't forget that it was you

who were dying to marry him.

Just skip dinner and go back now.

Qian, you need to curb your temper.

Have you forgotten what I told you?

You might be married to Master Zhong

but he can get a concubine at any time.

You came back right after your wedding.

What would others think of you?

The other maidens and girls may gossip

which will cause him to lose face

and you, as well.

All I did was to visit my home.

Why do you make it out to be so serious?

Do you really care about me?

You...

I'd been praising you for your maturity

but why are you acting childish now?

Master Zhong is an influential figure.

You should put him first, right?

It's not that we don't like having you back.

But you just got married.

People might gossip about this.

Be a good girl.

Think carefully about what I said.

Don't be stubborn.

I'll talk to your father

so that he won't send for the master.

It's better for you

to settle your own affairs.

Talk some sense into your sister.

All right...

Qian, did you really fall out with...

No...

How many times must I say that?

Sorry, I'm not in a good mood.

I want to be alone.

Mistress was in a bad mood.

She did not mean to lose her temper with you.

Sir, have some preserved fruit.

It's good to have a temper

so I'm not afraid that

my sister will be bullied outside.

Mistress, what's up?

Are you still upset

by Butler Hua's reprimanding?

He meant well.

Why do my parents worry so much about

my relationship with Master?

Master Zhong is a sought-after man

of many girls in the city.

It's natural for them to think highly of him.

So, if I tell them now that

I won't choose Zhong Yelan this time

they won't support me, right?

What do you mean, not choosing?

Nothing.

I didn't pin too much hope on my family

but what happened today confirms

that no matter in life past or present

I'm always fighting alone.

Why do you mean, past and present life?

Besides, you're not alone.

Butler Hua and Mrs Hua are still alive.

Master Zhong cherishes you, too.

You're the most fulfilled person in the world.

You don't know.

All the unmarried girls

are very envious of you.

Envy me?

Yeah. Didn't you notice that

those girls turned green with envy

whenever they saw you at banquets?

Mistress, what I said is true.

"A married daughter is someone else' family".

I'd thought things would be better

since I'm given another chance.

But I guess that

I was wrong.

I shouldn't seek refuge at home

when something happens

given that

they don't understand me at all.

Why am I telling you all this?

Anyway, you won't understand.

Sorry, Mistress.

I'm stupid so I don't understand it.

It's not you.

No one can understand.

I was too careless.

Just because in my past life...

Last time she didn't find out anything

before the ancestral worship

so I thought I could also be worry-free.

Today's incident is a good reminder to me.

Some things aren't as easy as I thought.

I had better rely on myself.

Stop.

Servants will do the chores in the study.

You don't need to do these.

I can't stay here doing nothing.

So far, what have you found out?

I told you

Hua Qian had nothing to do with it.

Is it me you don't believe, or yourself?

Otherwise, why would you repeat this?

Nanfeng.

- Master. - Beef up the patrolling team.

Tell them to be extra vigilant.

Master, what happened?

We might have unwanted company.

Perhaps the Ge family has made another move.

The Ge family?

That family was reported by you

and seized for fake incense.

After so many years

why would they come back?

I'm afraid some of them may have escaped.

We should be careful.

All right.

Mistress, why are you up so early?

I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up.

By the way, bring me my ledgers

and those of Zhong Residence.

Call Butler Ji and Housemaid Li over.

I guess I'll need to talk to them

when I go over the ledgers later.

Mistress, are you learning how to run things?

The more skills I pick up

the more I can use in the future.

It says here...

Mistress, I'm not familiar

with your dowry inventory.

The master said that

it should be excluded from the main accounts.

So it's under your own charge.

If you need an assistant

I can recommend one to you.

The master is deliberately

staying out of your dowry inventory.

That means if we get divorced

I can take everything with...

Thanks for your time, Butler Ji.

I'll tell Mistress more about these ledgers.

Go about your own business.

All right. Mistress, I'm off.

Mistress, what was that about?

The good thing is

you're finally

taking over household matters.

In that case

Butler Hua and Mrs Hua can rest assured.

I'm not interested in housekeeping.

I learn this because I don't want to

rely on others in the future.

Mistress, take a look at this first.

Master.

Do you want to go over to the mistress'?

Why do you want me to go to her so much?

I heard that

she's been learning to take over

housekeeping matters.

Don't you want to show your concern?

I don't want to hear these nosy words

from you again.

I should be damned.

Who's there?

It's me.

Who are you?

What, don't you remember my voice?

Catch him! Over there!

- Hurry up! - Search carefully!

- Hurry! - Linglong?

Linglong?

Ling Long?

If you want to live, you'd better be quiet.

What's your purpose

in coming here at this time?

I just need to hide for a moment.

You stay put.

When no one's outside, I'll leave.

Miss, did you just call me?

Unless you want one more hostage

tell her to go.

Miss?

What's wrong with you?

Nothing.

It was too noisy outside just now

so I wanted you to tell them to be quiet.

The soldiers outside said that

they were chasing the thief

so it was noisy.

I'll go and tell them.

Are you injured?

In the third compartment of the bookshelf

there's Jindao powder that could help.

You can use it.

You're not afraid of me?

Since you aren't coming for my family

please help yourself.

You're a girl.

Are you really so sure about me?

Please be careful when you leave later.

Don't be discovered by others

and cause trouble for my family.

The Mu family.

What a coincidence.

What?

You were chased and hid here again?

It seems that I'm really memorable

so that you still remember me now.

This is not my place.

If you hide here, don't get me into trouble.

Since this place doesn't belong to you

do you want to leave with me?

Do we know each other well?

I once had a parrot

you and it are very similar.

Are you crazy?

Leave with me.

I'll help you with your father's case.

You know about that?

Some time ago, it went viral in our city.

Everyone has heard of it.

Who on earth are you?

You want to know?

Come with me and I'll tell you.

I've observed that

nobody in this household trusts you.

If you stay here, it won't help you

and you'll find nothing.

If you go with me

I'll help you revoke the case.

Why do you want to help me?

To thank you for you saving my life before.

How's that?

Why should I trust you?

Because I'm the only one that trusts you.

How dare you break in here!

Fine. I'll make them pay for this.

I've alerted them to my presence.

Half a month later

I'll come pick you up openly.

Mu Yao!

- Mu Yao! - Search the place.

Yes, sir.

Keep a close watch in case the thief returns.

Understood.

Where is he?

Over there! Hurry!

Cuizhu.

See what's going on outside.

Yes, Mistress.

Ancestral worship

Mistress, the master is here.

Master.

It's still cold out. Don't catch a chill.

Are you doing okay?

I just heard a lot of noise outside.

What's going on?

A thief broke into our compounds.

Mu Yao found him

and was knocked out.

What's wrong?

How can someone be so brash?

I noticed that

your quarters is short-staffed.

Many things have happened lately.

I'll get Ji Dong

to send you more guards.

That's not necessary.

All right. I'll speak to him tomorrow.

Don't worry about the ancestral worship

happening in two weeks.

I'll handle everything.

You've always been weak.

If you're tired

just let me know.

Thank you for your concern.

You must be tired.

Go back and rest early.

Do you regret marrying me?

What do you mean?

I was drunk

and accidentally ruined your reputation.

I thought you were unwilling to marry me

but on my birthday...

So, while I still love Master

I don't want to keep him

all to myself like before.

I love him deeply.

And I have come to realise

that I'd do anything to make him happy.

Hua Qian.

I've let you down.

Those words I said on your birthday

were passing remarks.

You don't need to take them seriously.

No.

I know it must have bothered you

so you got it off your chest that day.

I've avoided you lately

to do some thinking alone.

Since this was my mistake

I must take responsibility for it.

Qian.

I'll never fail you.

How can I tell you

it wasn't your fault at all?

Master?

I appreciate your thoughts

but these days

I'm busy learning about the ledgers

and preparing for the ancestral worship.

I'm all burnt out.

If you really want to talk to me

let's do it after the ceremony.

Why not now?

It's too complicated to explain.

I've been too busy to speak my mind.

Master, please forgive me.

Fine.

I'll do as you say.

All right. Find Butler Ji tomorrow

and get the person you want.

Yes, Mistress.

What are you doing? That was rude.

My apologies, Qianzhi. Sorry.

Mistress.

What's wrong with her?

She's a girl in love. It's normal.

That's indulgent.

It's so scary to hear

that someone had the nerve

to break into Zhong Residence.

I know who did it.

Mistress, you stayed in all day.

How would you know that?

Do you believe that the intruder

will seek me out a few months later?

Mistress, please go to bed early.

I'll finally meet you.

Mu Yao's admirer number three.

You must not let me down.

Bonus footage

Greetings to you, Master.

How's the investigation going?

The person you want

is now in Zhong Residence.

Zhong Residence?

Isn't it owned by Zhong Yelan

the one who once established

Zhong's family business in the south?

Exactly.

In that case

I'm all the more eager to see him.

Master.

The Mu family case has been kept secret.

Not many would know about it.

You needn't worry.

Three months later

you'll attend the incense banquet.

Between now and then

you should avoid going into the city

lest it cause you trouble as before.

You're teaching me how to do things?

I dare not.

Before the banquet

I'll send a big gift to the Zhong family.

Should we tell the Senior Lord?

No need to inform my father.

When everything's done

I'm sure it will please him.