Original subtitles

Episode 17

Brother Zhuqing.

I embroidered this myself.

Don't worry.

Her Highness doesn't care about me anymore.

Sooner or later, she will let me leave.

My father has arranged a marriage for me.

I want you to move on.

And I wish you wealth

and happiness.

You...

You're getting married?

Yes, next month.

When I asked you to take me away

you said you didn't want to leave your family

and was afraid to.

And now you've come to rub salt in my wound.

Zhuqing...

Why did I fall in love with someone like you?

Forget it.

Forget it.

I misjudged you.

I was unlucky to have met you.

You're in charge of the delivery

to Huangcheng this time.

Is it true?

Yes

but the purpose of you going

is to make Ruxin forget you completely.

She is not young anymore.

One of her maids sent me a message

saying that she still has feelings for you

after all these years.

This time

you will go

and make her forget you completely.

What if I don't want to do that?

Then you will never see her again.

Don't forget

you and your family

are my slaves.

Spare a thought for her.

Between the son of a servant

and Lord of the Zhong family

in Huangcheng,

who is the better choice?

It's obvious.

Do as I say

and I will return your indentures to you

so that you and your family will be free.

But if you insist on not doing it

you will never see Ruxin again.

You can take this chance

to say goodbye to her.

Ruxin

I sincerely hope

you will live

a life of wealth and glory.

Miss...

Miss...

Miss, calm down.

Miss...

I agreed to come to Zhong's Garden

because I didn't want my father to punish him.

- Miss... - But what did I get?

- Miss... - What did I get?

Miss.

Miss, Jin Lin is a servant.

You have better choices.

I'm sure your father did the right thing.

Better choices?

What other choices do I have?

I suffered for so long

and got this outcome.

- Tell me. - I...

Why am I the only one feeling miserable?

Calm down, Miss...

Love is the most worthless thing

in the world.

Since nothing is going right for me

I shall make the rest feel what I'm feeling.

Take a seat, Second Aunt.

Did you come alone, Second Aunt?

Yes.

We hadn't seen each other for a long time

and I heard you missed us

so I made my way here immediately.

Zhong's Garden is amazing.

Everything here is of much better quality

than what your uncle's using.

I'm grateful to Her Highness for her care.

Your mother had praised your sister

for being sensible when she was in the city.

In my opinion, you're much more sensible

than her.

She lives with my sister.

It's only right that she thinks

my sister is more likable.

Not at all.

How can your sister compare to you?

You have spent so much time with Her Highness.

It's highly possible that

you'll be the Zhong family's...

Anyway, our family

will be depending on you.

How are my cousin and uncle?

I haven't seen them for a while

and I miss them a little bit.

It's all right. I'll tell them

to come to see you.

That will be great.

I have something to ask my uncle.

After all, my father often communicates

with him through letters.

That's true.

Have some tea, Second Aunt.

All right.

How have you been doing?

Can you tell

what kind of incense it is today?

It's a little familiar to me

but I can't put my finger on it.

Mother, be careful.

It's the Mid-Autumn incense.

- Butler Hua. - You're indeed Head Butler.

You could tell from afar.

Come, my dear.

Mother, I'll take a seat over there.

- It's been a long time. - Indeed.

How's your business?

- What happened? - Here, please.

Eat your food and be good, all right?

Is he going to eat more?

He can't even pass through this wide aisle.

Doesn't he know how fat he is?

Keep it down. Isn't he your son?

All right.

The Mid-Autumn incense is very expensive.

Ordinary butlers like us can't afford it at all.

We can only smell it here.

No wonder I didn't recognise it.

Yes. Hua Residence must have a lot of it

that's why he could identify it.

That's why people say

the Hua family is second

to the Zhong family in wealth.

There are some paintings and calligraphy.

May I have you appraise them?

Sure...

Hello, everyone.

It's been a long time.

Father. Mother.

Qian...

Come...

Qian.

Princess Royal has arrived.

Greetings, Lord, Your Highness.

Take a seat, everyone.

Thank you, Lord.

Wish all of you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.

You have worked hard in the past year.

Let me offer you a toast.

Make yourselves at home.

Thank you, Your Highness.

- Please, sir. - Let me help you.

Why are you sitting here, Qian?

Eat your food.

I just want to talk to you.

I haven't seen you for a month.

You seem to have lost weight again.

Let's talk after the banquet is over.

The last time you were in my room

you told me you would come to see me

but you didn't.

The nerve of you to bring this up.

Think about what you did

and cause me less trouble

I don't have to be so worried.

I-I-I didn't screw up anything this time.

What? Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?

You want me to praise you for this?

Say another word and I'll be done with you.

All right.

Qian, we're at a banquet.

Can you be nicer to him?

It's been a month

I'm still waiting for your reply, Father.

So, I'm now asking you in person.

Have you made up your mind, Father?

It wasn't easy for us

to reach where we are today.

Don't mention this matter again.

All right. I understood.

Father, I have tried my best.

Qian, you worry too much.

Why not go home

and get a few days' rest?

That won't be necessary.

Where are you going?

Qian!

Who did she get her temper from?

Are you going to leave, Miss Hua?

Lord.

The divorce letter will be sent

to your residence later.

- The divorce letter? - Yes.

It has my seal on it

so it can take effect

without you signing your names.

Thank you, Lord.

I'll go back and wait for it.

Hua Qian...

Lord, we're in Zhong's Garden.

Many people are going through here.

No one knows about the divorce yet.

I don't want rumours to spread.

That will ruin your reputation too.

Who is he?

He is Hua Rongzhou

a guard of Zhong Residence.

He's like a block of wood.

He offended you out of concern

for my reputation.

His surname is Hua?

We share the same surname

but we are not related.

My father told me not to go too far.

Lord, I'd better get back.

Does he look familiar to you?

He's Mistress's personal guard.

I have seen him several times before.

I think I have seen him way back.

Get Lin Jiang to check his identity.

Yes, Lord.

I know you're at an age

when you're quick to stand up for justice

but you must consider who you are dealing with.

If you offend Lord

even I may not be able to save you.

Mistress, Guard Hua did that

to protect your reputation.

After all, the news of your divorce

hasn't been known.

If someone were to see that

tongues will wag.

I know.

Here's to you.

All right. Let's drink it together.

Kill Zhong Xiwu to avenge our family!

Protect Lord!

Xiwu!

Run!

Let's go, Miss! Hurry!

Let's go, Miss!

Let's go, Your Highness!

Let's go, Your Highness!

- Qian...Shen...! - Let's go!

Qian, let's go!

- My dear... - Hurry! Let's go!

- Hurry! - Shen!

Mother...

My dear...

- Come on. - What are you looking at?

- Go! - Hurry!

- Hua Rongzhou! - Go! Quick!

Let's go!

- Shen... - Brother.

Get up. Quick!

- Father. - Qian...

- Qian! - Father!

Go.

Go protect Cuizhu.

Am I their target?

Watch out!

- My dear... - Shen!

Hurry.

Qian!

Brother!

- Shen! - Shen!

Brother.

Qian...

Did it hurt this much

when you got hit by an arrow?

Why did you take the blow for me?

Qian, you also shield me from Master

didn't you?

I... I am your elder brother.

How could I stand by and do nothing

when I saw you were in danger?

Brother...

Qian, don't be afraid...

I-I'm fine.

I'll protect you.

I'll protect you.

I'm with you. I'll...

I'll take you home.

No, Brother. You'll be fine.

I'll take you to...

Qian...

Qian!

Qian!

Qian...

Qian...

Lord.

The reception hall has been cleaned up.

Have the assassins been caught?

There were many women in the hall

which made it hard for the guards to catch them.

Most of the assassins fled

and the few we caught

took poison and committed suicide.

They also took a few ladies

as hostages as they fled.

Who are they?

Butler Li's eldest daughter

Butler Wu's wife

Concubine Mu...

and Mistress.

Magistrate Wang has ordered a lockdown

and Master is searching for them.

Go assist Master.

No, we can't, Lord.

We are your private guards.

We don't show up until we have to.

Otherwise, we're like ordinary guards.

Saving them is the priority.

- Lord! - Yes, Lord.

Let's go there. Come on!

Nothing here, Master.

- Search. - Yes, Master.

Get out of the way.

No suspicious people are found, Master.

- Keep searching. - Yes, Master.

Nothing here either, Master.

- Keep searching. - Yes, Master.

- Nothing here either. - Carry on searching.

Yes, Master.

Master, there are no suspicious people nearby.

Search more thoroughly.

Yes, Master.

Master, are you all right?

If you want to save Hua Qian and Mu Yao

come to the cliff at Eastern Town alone

- Nanfeng. - I'm here.

Continue the search with the men.

Where are you going, Master? I'll go with you.

No. You carry on with the search.

- Keep searching. - Yes, sir.

Mu Yao.

Mu Yao.

Mu Yao.

You finally woke up.

Who are you?

What's the point of tying me up

if you want to kill me?

It's not us who want to kill you.

What do you want?

Do you have a grudge against me?

You'll know later.

How is my brother?

Mu Yao, you finally woke up.

Come on. Can you be like a normal person?

Look down. It's a cliff!

- Zhong Yelan. - Stop!

Zhong Yelan, how's my brother?

How is he, Zhong Yelan?

You came here really quickly.

But you'd better stay back.

How dare you!

Do you know who you have kidnapped?

We did it. Of course, we know.

I came alone.

Tell me. What do you want?

Zhong Yelan, pick one.

What nonsense are you talking about?

What exactly do you want?

We don't want anything.

We just want to see you and your family suffer.

Are you from the Ge family?

Yeah. You destroyed my family

so today you shall have a taste

of losing your beloved ones!

Stop!

You did it to yourselves.

And if you want to take revenge

wouldn't it be easier to just kill Zhong Yelan?

Why did you abduct us?

I heard you love your wife

and concubine very much

so it must be difficult for you

to make a choice, right?

Yes. Their lives are in your hands now.

Pick one

and we will release the other one.

But the unchosen one will be food

for the fish in the lake.

The lake?

Which one will you pick?

Why don't you pick none?

Save yourself from self-blame

for only picking one.

Who choreographed this act?

You did all this just to make a joke?

Is this your first time kidnapping?

Don't you know you should conduct a frisk search

before holding someone hostage?

You owe me one, Mu Yao.

- Mistress! - Qian!

Qian!

I never expected that one day I would be glad

I was once exiled.

Thanks to the exile, I learnt how to swim.

I can't stay here.

Beasts will come out at night.

When I was in Lingnan

I once heard

that there are usually people

living in the upper reaches.

What are you trying to prove?

You should have stayed on the cliff

and wait for Zhong Yelan to make a choice.

He could be so nervous

that he made the wrong choice

and I wouldn't be the one he gave up.

The terrain here is extremely rugged.

Even if Zhong Yelan sends men to search for me

they won't reach so soon.

I doubt it's them.

I finally found you.

I'm so glad it's you!

I was freaked out just now.

I didn't expect you to find me.

I finally have someone by my side.

I gave you this bracelet

for your self-defence

not for you to kill yourself.

Are you Hua Rongzhou?

No bone fractures.

You would need some ointment.

I'll carry you on my back.

I can walk.

We've walked a long distance.

Why don't I see anyone around?

By the way, my brother...

Get on my back.

I'm all right.

Get on my back.

Hurry.

I can't hold my liquor well.

I'm afraid I'll do something embarrassing later.

I need you to carry me downstairs.

Mistress, you know you can't hold your liquor.

- Hurry and go. - Then why did you...

What's the matter?

How did you know I was there?

What happened later?

How is my brother?

After you and Concubine Mu were taken away

I followed Master to the top of the mountain.

I don't know much about what happened

after the banquet

and the condition of Young Master Hua.

My brother must be fine, right?

You said you followed Master

to the mountain top

but I didn't see you.

You never pay attention to me.

I'm used to it.

No, that's not true.

I was dizzy from being hung up on the cliff

so I didn't notice you.

Then, do you remember...

when was the first time you met me?

Was it at the ancestor worship ceremony?

As I expected.

What do you mean?

Mistress, do you remember

you asked for my name four times?

No way, I...

Why do I smell blood?

Are you hurt?

Just a small scratch.

A scratch? Did you get hurt in the woods?

Put me down. I can walk by myself.

I have medicine on me.

By the way, how did you get here?

And why were you alone?

Who else did you expect to see?

Watch your tone!

How dare you talk to me like that?

How disrespectful! I'm your mistress.

You're divorced now, aren't you?

I...

I am older than you

so you still have to respect me.

What should I call you...

after your divorce?

Right.

When they leave Huangcheng with me

should they call me Miss?

But I would like them to be free

and live their own lives.

Or did it never cross your mind

to take me with you

when you leave Zhong Residence?

That's not true.

For Cuizhu's sake

I'll take you away from Zhong Residence.

Why did you stop? Are you tired?

I said I could walk by myself.

Get some rest. I'll...

Don't match me up with Cuizhu again.

Be it playing in the yard

or when you were attacked

I didn't want you to push me to Cuizhu.

I told you to rescue Cuizhu. You heard me.

Then, why didn't you...

Because I have a crush on someone.

Who is she?

Is she someone in my compound?

Yes.

It's not Cuizhu. Is it Qianzhi?

- No. - Yinxing?

No.

I've named all the people in my compound.

Don't tell me it's me.

Say something.

Did you say something?

Did you say something just now?

You are a good-looking man

but just to be clear

I no longer care about worldly pleasures

and don't have the mood to fall in love

not to mention

I don't like men who are younger than me.

If there was someone like Hua Rongzhou

in the previous life

who protected me like his life depended on it

would I have not made all those mistakes?

Mistress, can I quit being your guard

after I help you get what you want?

Sure you can. You're a free man.

But how do you know what I want?

Why are you keeping silent again?

Say something.

Isn't this my room in Hua Residence, Qianzhi?

Yes, it is.

Hua Rongzhou brought me back here?

Yes.

Thank goodness. I panicked for a while.

I thought I got reborn again.

By the way, how is my brother?

I believe he wasn't too badly hurt.

Qianzhi.

Why are you crying?

Mistress, Young Master Hua...

Mistress!

Stop.

Stop.

Where's my brother?

He...

Bonus footage

Tell the cooks to prepare

some bamboo shoot soup for Qi Ruxin.

It's her favourite dish.

I see that she hasn't eaten anything.

Yes, Your Highness.

Throw it away.

Yes.

What happened to that girl?