Original subtitles

Episode 15

Lord

Miss Meng sent over this soup earlier.

She said that she made the soup herself.

She made it herself?

It doesn't look like it.

It has already gone cold.

Take it away.

Yes, Lord.

Did anyone take notice that

that Lord was not in his study room?

Master, don't worry. I sent them all away.

Let's go.

Qianzhi.

Qianzhi!

Mistress.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I just feel that it's been hard on you.

What did I do when I was drunk yesterday?

You didn't do anything

except cursing all the way in the carriage.

If you were not drunk, Mistress

I wouldn't have known you had been suffering.

- You bastard, Zhong Yelan! - Mistress.

- Mistress, stop. - You lowly Master.

- You can't do this! - I...

- I was so stupid... - Mistress, yes...

to fall in love with you!

- Mistress! - I hate you!

- Who do you think you are? - Mistress!

- Do you think I still like you? - Mistress!

I-If I hadn't come back too late

I wouldn't care about you!

Yes... you are right, Mistress.

You're right. Ignore him.

Ignore him, Mistress.

- And you. - Me?

I'm telling you... yes, that's right.

- Yes, it's me. - Yes, I felt bad.

That's why I let you and Zhong Yelan

be together.

- I... - Don't think that I'm afraid of you!

- Right, Mistress. - I'm telling you.

- Fear not. - Don't you tell me what to do.

I know. I won't tell you what to do, Mistress.

I'm trying to turn over a new leaf

otherwise I might just kill you!

You're right, Mistress.

I...

Mistress.

- I... - Mistress, you can't do this.

Mistress!

It's too dangerous!

I almost forgot to scold you.

You darn fatty.

Yes, it's me...

Tell me.

You're at the prime time of your life.

And what did you do?

You forced girls to be your concubine

and became a good-for-nothing.

All you do is call me "sister" all day long.

I don't want to hear that anymore!

I won't call you "sister" from now on, Mistress.

I've warned you umpteen times

but you still went out and caused trouble for me.

- Yes, I understand. - And, Mother?

She indulges your wayward behaviour.

Everything I said had fallen on deaf ears.

I did listen to you, Mistress.

What do you think you are?

I did listen to you.

Why do I have to tolerate all this?

- Mistress, don't cry. - I took the blame.

And I got hit by an arrow.

In the end, everyone hates me.

No, no one hates you.

Why is my life so hard?

No one hates you, Mistress.

- No one hates you. - Why is my life so hard?

Sit tight... Mistress, stop crying.

Who did I curse at?

Mostly at Master and Young Master Hua.

Followed by Concubine Mu and Butler Hua.

And Lord as well.

Who else heard it?

Mistress, don't worry.

You only started ranting

after Guard Hua helped you onto the carriage.

so only Guard Hua and I heard.

Ask Hua Rongzhou to come over.

Yes, Mistress.

Mistress.

What happened to your face?

I got hurt accidentally

while practising martial arts.

But no one is your match here.

Did Master make things difficult for you?

No.

D-Did I hit you last night?

I didn't see you hit him on the carriage

but I had no idea what happened

when I was looking for the carriage.

Let me take a look. Take off the gauze.

I accidentally hurt myself!

Fine.

You startled me by raising your voice.

Even though I was drunk and out of control

I didn't think I'd hit anyone.

So bright.

Mistress, don't poke my eyes!

What a soft candy!

No, you didn't hit me.

I'm going to Hua Residence later.

Please help me prepare the carriage.

Mistress, why are you going back

all of a sudden?

I'm afraid Mrs Hua...

I've been avoiding the problem for a long time.

It is time for me to face the music.

Mistress.

Butler Hua is in the study right now.

He asked me to come and welcome you.

Where's my mother?

Mrs Hua is not feeling well

so she's resting in her compound.

I'm afraid she's still angry

because of my indifference to her recently.

Are you crazy?

Your brother is still in prison

and you're thinking about the Mu family?

You should make good use of your time

thinking about how to win back Master's heart!

Master is not going to relent

and I can't find a way

to intervene in Shen's case.

If you want my brother to come out of prison

then you should listen to me.

What can you do?

In the past month

you have tried various means, haven't you?

And my brother is still locked up.

Do you have any other way out

besides trusting me?

What made you change so much suddenly?

Who provoked you?

I'm just trying to atone your sins for you.

Father, I don't think you've committed murder

but do you know how many crimes you have...

no, I should say how many crimes

the Hua family have committed?

Which merchant is completely clean?

I don't know when you became so naive.

Do you think I can get promoted

merely through hard work and kindness?

It was I

who worked so hard

to climb to the position of a butler

which allowed you to sit here

and talk back to me.

Don't forget your last name

when you talk about justice!

Of course, I will never forget.

It is precisely because my last name is Hua

and you are my father

that I have not turned my back

against the Hua family.

It doesn't matter

if you won't listen or believe me.

I will let you know in my own way

that the wealth and honour

you sought after in the past

simply show your short-sightedness

at your high rank.

You...

Do you want to slap me again?

But this time, I won't let you

like I did before.

Now the only person

you can rely on to save my brother is me.

When I get my brother out of his fix

you should calm down

and have a good talk with me.

When can your brother get out of prison?

Don't forget what I said just now, Father.

How fast you act will determine

how long my brother stays in prison.

Mistress, are you leaving now?

Butler Hua ordered me to prepare lunch.

I still have things to do, so I won't eat.

Mistress, won't you go see Mrs Hua?

She has trouble sleeping and eating these days

and has lost a lot of weight.

- No. - Qian.

It's rare that you come home.

Why are you in such a hurry to leave?

There are many things to do.

I have to hurry

lest you feel that I'm not doing anything.

Those things can wait a little while.

I heard that you came back

so I prepared some of your favourite snacks.

Stay with me for a while.

No need.

Come on.

I have something to tell you. Let's go.

Here.

Have some.

I made you your favourite snacks.

You haven't been back for a while.

Try it and see if it still tastes the same.

It's delicious.

Your brother loves these too.

I remember when I made snacks

and he would be watching by my side.

Once ready, he would quickly bring them to you.

And he would eat the leftovers

only when you had your fill.

As I said before

I'll do something about my brother.

Mother, you don't have to tell me that

so euphemistically.

I know

you must think that

I've been partial to your brother, right?

After all, he is my only son.

You haven't given birth to a son

so you don't realise

the importance of a son.

How would I not know?

You were the same in the previous life.

You didn't care about me at all.

You cared only about your son.

When you were a child

I seldom took you home to my maiden home

to see your grandfather.

I thought

you knew what I was thinking.

My grandfather?

You were really young

when your grandmother passed away.

Of course, you don't have

any impression of them.

What happened to Grandmother?

I haven't told you this before.

Now that you are someone's wife

it's time I told you about some things.

Your grandmother

was the legitimate wife of your grandfather.

Although I took the title of the legitimate child

I was not treated as well as

the son of the concubine.

Do you know why?

It was because your grandmother

only gave birth to me, a daughter.

My dear daughter

it's your birthday today.

What do you want as your birthday gift?

I don't want anything.

I just want you to play with me all day.

Sure. What do you want to play?

Let's discuss this.

Master, Second Young Master keeps coughing.

Concubine Jiang asked if

you could go over and take a look.

If he's sick, go get a physician.

Master knows nothing about medicine.

You can't say that.

I'll go and have a look.

Father, you just promised me

that you would play with me all day.

You're being wilful now.

Your brother is sick

and you still want to play.

I'll go and have a look.

I'll come back when he's better.

- Father! - My dear!

- My daughter. - Father.

Miss...

Master gave you this as your birthday gift.

What is in your hand? Let me see.

This is the jade bracelet my father gave me.

I want it too.

You are a boy. What do you want this for?

I don't care.

I want to have whatever you have.

What makes you think you can take my things?

Do you want me to teach you a lesson

on behalf of your mother?

I dare you. I am Father's son.

You're just a daughter

who will marry off sooner or later.

When that happens

the whole house will be mine.

If you dare hit me

I will drive your mother out to be a beggar!

Second Young Master.

Mistress, your daughter is the elder sister.

How could she do this to her younger brother?

So what?

It is a matter of course for the child of the wife

to take in hand the child of the concubine.

I know that you can't give birth to a boy

so you don't like my son.

But even if my son is the child of a concubine

he is still the future heir of Master.

If he is hurt badly

the family line of Master will just end here.

- You! - Enough!

Why are you making so much noise?

You...

Go apologise to your brother.

My dear!

It's wrong to hit someone anyway.

Besides, you are his elder sister

all the more you should apologise

to your younger brother.

Sure. I'll give in to him

and I don't need anything from now on!

You...

Your grandfather never treated me harshly

but whenever I had a dispute

with my brother

he would be partial to his son.

He felt that

his daughter would marry off sooner or later

and belong to someone else.

Your grandmother failed to give birth to a son

and she suffered all her life.

I never want to live that kind of life again

and I don't want you to suffer like me too.

Your father seems to pour his heart and soul

into the shops

and doesn't intend to take concubines.

It's only because I gave birth

to your brother first.

If I had only given birth to you, a daughter

there would have been many concubines

in Hua Residence a long time ago.

Mother, you said you were suffering

because of preferential treatment.

So, why did you become someone

who has a preference for sons as well?

Qian, this is different.

Shen is your biological brother

and he will protect you

because you are blood related.

Without your brother

do you think your life in Zhong Residence

would be easy?

Your father can marry another woman

at any time

and I can only watch on helplessly.

If your father has another son

he will naturally pay more attention to him.

When you don't have the Hua family as backing

Master may treat you badly

and you will have to suffer in silence

in Zhong Residence.

That's why I've been urging you

to give birth to a son as soon as you can

so even if your father doesn't care about you

your position won't be affected.

And you have your brother.

No matter how unsuccessful he is

he is the only one we can rely on.

Do you understand?

That's right.

You have never experienced life and death

so it's understandable you think this way.

You silly girl.

Do you even understand what I said?

What life and death are you talking about?

It's nothing.

I just want to tell you

that I will get my brother out of prison

so you don't have to worry anymore.

That's good.

That's good.

Here. Eat some.

Have more to eat.

It's rare that you come home.

Greetings, Lord.

Lord, did you try the soup

that I sent you the night before yesterday?

Song'an brought it to me.

It tasted quite good.

I'm glad to hear that.

I was worried that if I had put too much sugar

and you might think it was too sweet.

It was a tad sweet but it was still edible.

Your second uncle

did his tasks quite well

in Huangcheng these few days.

Your mother hasn't come back yet.

If you have time, you can pay

your second uncle a visit.

Although my second uncle

is my father's sibling

we are not close after all

so I don't want to bother him.

A terrible person does have a pathetic side.

Mistress, these are all the money

that could be withdrawn from the shops.

These should be enough.

- Qianzhi. - Yes, Mistress?

Put this away.

Yes, Mistress.

Mistress, why do you need so much money?

It's for something important, of course.

Qianzhi.

Have you ever thought about gaining freedom

and leaving Zhong Residence

to live your own life?

Mistress, what does this mean?

Being a maid and wasting time here every day

is not a good idea after all.

Mistress, are you going to drive me away?

What did I do wrong?

No, I'm not driving you away. I...

Forget it. Let's drop it.

You're such a crybaby.

I can't live without you.

It would kill me to drive you away.

Don't be a crybaby like Qianzhi.

And remember to ask the physician

for some good medicine

to treat the wound on your face.

Don't keep covering it with gauze.

Don't leave any scars

on such your handsome face.

I'll take my leave.

One is a crybaby

and the other one is quick to blush.

Why are the people around me so emotional?

Sir, the damage in the Li family

caused by the Zhang family

has been fully documented.

And all the money that is due

has been calculated as well.

We have urged them many times

but the Zhang family still refuse to carry it out.

Sir!

Sir!

Sir!

What happened to Young Master Hua this time?

He cried and said that

he was bitten by a mouse

and might get sick and die in prison.

Since he's been bitten

get a doctor to check on him.

We did. But he wouldn't let

the physician touch him

saying that he was afraid of being drugged.

All right.

Since he still has the strength to cry

it proves that it is nothing serious.

Give him three meals a day as per normal

and just ignore him.

Sir...

He's been locked up for a month.

When will his interrogation start?

In the past month

all the prison guards got really exhausted

because of him.

Do you think I can have

the interrogation whenever I want?

Wait for the notice.

No more questions!

If there's nothing else, get out of here.

Yes, sir.

After you, sir.

Concubine Mu, why don't you read it tomorrow?

Be careful not to hurt your eyes.

I can't fall asleep anyway.

It's good to read for a while.

It's been almost a month

and the bold criminal who attacked you

is still locked up with no interrogation

and Master is doing nothing about it.

I saw Mistress go out again today.

She doesn't seem to be affected at all.

She went shopping

and visited her parents, as if nothing happened.

This matter has nothing to do with her

so, of course, she doesn't feel anything.

But that criminal is her brother.

You got scared out of your wits

but Master didn't come and comfort you.

He even allows Mistress to do as she pleases.

He's too partial to her.

If it goes on like this

it's not surprising that

Magistrate Wang may suddenly

release that criminal.

Bring me some water.

I want to wash up and go to bed.

Mistress, one of Butler Hua's servants sent this.

My father may be stubborn

and refuses to listen to the truth

but when it comes to his only son

he sure acts quite quickly.

Mistress, who are these people?

Ask Hua Rongzhou to come over.

Yes, Mistress.

I need help. It's a complicated task.

And I don't have trustworthy people

around me.

Would you run this errand for me?

Mistress, of course.

I am willing to die for you.

It's not that serious. Get up.

There is a name list

and enough money in here.

Gather all their indentures within three days.

Consider it done, Mistress.

Our little guard is all grown up now.

He's able to take care of important matters.

That's him.

Indenture

Indenture

Indenture

Well done.

It seems that I have underestimated you.

It's only been a day

and you have finished the task.

Tell Qianzhi to come.

I'll get it over and done with

while it's still early.

Yes, Mistress.

Mistress.

Why does your handwriting

look different from before?

My right hand was injured

so it affected my handwriting.

A woman's hands are so precious.

Even if Master is angry

he can't treat you like that.

Mistress, you used to excel in guqin, chess

calligraphy and painting

but now, he has ruined everything.

Therefore, send this to Zhong Yelan.

Divorce Letter

Mistress, this is...

The divorce letter.

M-Mistress, this is...

I have something else to do, so please hurry.

Mistress...

This is...

Mistress, Concubine Mu says that

she's feeling unwell and will refuse visitors.

Do you know the lightness skill?

Yes.

Carry me over the wall.

Quit dawdling. Just hurry.

How do we do this?

Do you carry me in your arms or on your back?

Hurry!

Hurry up!

Mistress, pardon me.

How did you get in here?

Concubine Mu does not want to see visitors.

You can't go in there.

Concubine Mu!

Concubine Mu!

Let go of me.

Guard Hua, you...

What do you want?

I want to talk to you. I was refused entry

so I had to find an alternative way in.

I have nothing to say to you.

Read this before you speak.

What do you mean by this?

Are you threatening me?

No, I'm here to make a deal.

Make a deal?

With the indentures of the former servants

of the Mu family?

Let Hua Shen go

and I will return all the indentures of

your former servants of the Mu family to you.

What if I don't want to let Hua Shen go?

What will you do then?

I didn't come here to threaten you

so I won't take your servants' lives

as a bargaining chip.

Not to threaten me?

So what does this mean?

It's a warning.

I could easily get hold of

the indentures of your former servants.

This proves that I can do much more.

Whether you are convinced or not

I have the upper hand

when it comes to negotiations.

For the wrong things Hua Shen has done

I have no objection

that he should pay the due price.

But for the things he hasn't done

I will not have you falsely accuse him either.

The perception of right and wrong

differs from person to person.

Even if the Hua family is guilty of heinous crimes

we should not pay the price

for what we did not do.

So, Mu Yao

since you want to take revenge

and overturn the case

then come at me in an upright manner.

I will not obstruct your pursuit of the truth

but if you continue with underhand means

I won't turn a blind eye to it.

Master is the one

who wants to punish Hua Shen.

Do you think it would work coming to me?

Mu Yao

don't underestimate your place

in Zhong Yelan's heart.

And do you think Zhong Yelan doesn't know

that you set it up this time?

Sure enough, people who are in love are fools.

In the past month

Zhong Yelan didn't push for

any punishment for my brother

and just had him locked up.

Why do you think it is so?

In a fit of rage that day

he almost killed my brother.

Don't try to lie to me.

Deep down, you're clear

whether I'm telling the truth or not.

Moreover, Zhong Yelan understands you

better than I do.

Even though anger might have impaired

his judgement at first

he would find questionable points

when he calmed down later on.

No matter how absurd Hua Shen was

he wouldn't have the nerve to create havoc

at Master's wedding.

You can't even fool me.

What makes you think you can fool him?

Why do you think you know him better?

It's not that I know him better.

It's just that Zhong Yelan

accidentally revealed his guilt

in front of me a few days ago.

You didn't want to listen to me

and now I don't wish to talk to you either.

My mind is troubled

I'm not in the mood to argue with you.

so please leave me alone.

Hua Qian...

Take my brother's life if you want

as long as you can feel at ease.

You made use of the fact

that Zhong Yelan liked you

and came up with this plan

that was full of loopholes.

If I hadn't stopped him that day

he would have slain my brother

with his sword.

And you would have avenged Linglong.

Hua Qian

I didn't expect to see this side of you.

Finally, let me remind you.

The most vulnerable thing in this world

is humanity.

Sooner or later

your manipulation will consume your goodness.

Because of what happened in the past

I could tolerate what you did this time.

But if you use these underhand means

to set up the Hua family again

I will not show you mercy again.

The indentures I brought you today

serve as a warning.

Hua Qian, what exactly do you want?

I'm teaching you how to behave.

Are you angry?

In that case

think twice before you act.

If you do something wrong

you will get caught.

One more thing.

I have confessed to Zhong Yelan

about me posing as you.

I now return Zhong Yelan to you

so I don't owe you anything.

Return to me?

Qianzhi should have delivered the divorce letter

to Zhong Yelan by now.

You can deal with your affairs and your feelings

by yourself from now on

and I won't get involved anymore.

You want a divorce?

Yes.

Don't involve me in the matter

between you and Zhong Yelan in the future.

Mistress.

Where have you been?

To settle an old score.

What are you doing here?

Didn't Qianzhi explain it clearly to you?

What does this mean?

Once I leave Zhong Residence

everyone will be happy.

Isn't that a good thing?

Do you think it would be better

if you return to Hua Residence?

What do you mean?

The Hua family can't even protect themselves.

You are just a woman

and how long can the Hua family protect you?

Master, what do you mean by this?

You won't say anything?

Let me make a guess then.

You mean you're going to

help Mu Yao reverse the verdict.

Out of sympathy

you would let me stay in Zhong Residence

so I won't get implicated

by the downfall of the Hua family.

If that's the case

you don't have to worry about it, Master.

You saved my life.

I won't turn a blind eye to you.

So, even if you wish to leave

you have to wait for a while.

I can only protect you

if you remain in Zhong Residence.

I saved your life by accident.

I would definitely stand by and watch

if I had another chance to relive the moment.

So, you don't have to take it to heart.

Take it as I was making it up

for my previous mistakes.

You and I don't owe each other.

I don't need you.

I can protect myself.

You can protect yourself?

How?

You will protect yourself

by setting others up as before?

What does it matter to you who I set up?

I was kind enough to ask for a divorce

so you and Mu Yao could be together.

Why are you getting angry with me?

Kind enough?

No, Hua Qian.

You always only think of yourself.

- I... - You said you liked me

so you posed as Mu Yao.

And then you wanted to marry me

so you drugged me.

Even when you took the arrow for me

it was just an excuse

to get yourself off the hook.

Now

you wanted a divorce

and wished to leave Zhong Residence

so you went to Her Highness

to pass down an order to marry Mu Yao to me

and force me to make a choice.

Indeed, you're good at

finding a way around problems.

You always find a way to go around problems.

And you do it...

by manipulating everyone around you.

- You... - What?

You want to call me an ungrateful, inhuman

and lowly man again, right?

Zhong Yelan, you're an ungrateful

and inhuman lowly man!

How can you say that about yourself, Master?

You're putting up an act even now.

About the divorce...

you can't make it happen.

Mistress

Master seems to be very angry.

I have never seen him so angry before.

I was careless.

I merely wanted to act quickly

and didn't take into account his dignity.

I shouldn't provoke him like this.

I think I might have stirred up his urge

to rebel against me.

Does that mean he didn't leave

and overheard me that night?

Then what should we do?

Forget it.

Let's go to Zhong's Garden tomorrow.

Bonus footage

What a waste!

Lord.

Mistress's maid and guard

have followed her downstairs.

Then let's go too.

Yes, Lord.

Tell the tailor to come and see me

a few days later.

Yes, Lord.