Original subtitles

Episode 21

How stupid I must have been

to have lost to you previously.

You are proud and egoistic.

You would rather suffer than lose your dignity.

You always blame others but yourself

when things go wrong.

Is Zhong Yelan the only man in this vast world?

Can't you live without him?

You live in such a small world!

Who are you to criticise me?

Weren't you the same?

It's not that I can't live without him.

I merely wanted to know about his feelings.

On the cliff that day, I was waiting

for him to make a choice.

If he chose you, I would jump off the cliff

and stop being infatuated with him.

- If he... - What's your mouth for?

Why didn't you ask him?

If you want to break up, break up.

What's all the fanfare about?

Clearly, you couldn't bear to break up with him

but you just wouldn't admit it.

Didn't you lure me here to hear me say this?

The more tragic I am, the happier you are.

I have no interest in your tragedy.

You are here now

because of your scheme

to sound Zhong Yelan out

which led to my brother's death.

I...

I had no intention to harm any of you.

- It's just that someone else... - I know.

If not for your scheming

no one could get a chance.

So, you have to bear some responsibility

for my brother's death.

Now, you know how I felt.

You're now grieving for your brother.

When my maid Lingong died

I was just as heartbroken

that I couldn't eat or sleep.

She was like a family member to me.

And Hua Shen caused her death.

So, an eye for an eye.

We are even now.

I won't go after the Hua family from now on.

No, we're not even.

I fell off the cliff because of your ploy.

I nearly died.

I have surveyed the mountain.

There is a lake below us

and thick vines growing along the cliff side.

You wouldn't have died.

Besides, I never thought

of throwing you down.

I was just...

building a gold bridge for myself.

So what?

In the end, I was the one who fell off the cliff.

Then, what do you want?

Take my life?

Your life is worthless.

I want to know the mastermind

behind the other group.

How would I know who they are?

If you don't, investigate and find out.

Aren't you always persistent?

What happened to your self-confidence?

You have to clean up the mess you created.

I am telling you

Wu Shuomo is not getting any food.

So, you'd better hurry

in case he starves to death.

Are you sure you're going to let Junior Lord Wu

die in your custody?

Who said he was Junior Lord Wu?

The man I caught

is a runaway slave of our household.

- You... - Have you come to a decision?

Leave when you have. I won't see you off.

Lord.

What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?

Lord.

New information has been discovered

about the banquet assassination.

How dare they? What nerve they have!

Lord, we can't confront the culprit

based on the information given by the spies.

Otherwise, it would imply that

the Zhong family's spies are all over the city.

How did I not see it?

Lately, something is brewing

inside and outside of Huangcheng.

It's the same in the South as well.

But they haven't made any moves so far.

On the other hand, the remnants of the Ge family

have not given up the fight.

Given the simmering dangers underneath

we must avoid hasty actions

that could lower the morale of our men.

Of course, I know that!

This is precisely why

they are so arrogant and conceited!

Off you go.

Yes, Lord.

How audacious...

they are!

I'll go to bed soon.

The uninvited guest has already left.

You don't have to guard the compound anymore.

I want to kill someone.

I can help.

You haven't asked who the person is.

What if he was a dignitary?

If you want to kill someone, I will help you.

You're still a kid.

Don't keep talking about killing.

I'm not a kid anymore.

I have killed someone before.

I know that.

No, you don't.

Fine... I don't know, okay?

The older you get

the more you like to argue with me.

Go back to sleep early.

Your people are still here.

I suppose it's not difficult to find out.

Yes, we can find out more

but we can't stand by and do nothing

while our master is captured?

I know Hua Qian well.

She won't harm your master just yet.

But if you continue to drag your feet

I can't guarantee she won't harm him.

Concubine Mu, I need your advice.

Where do we start to investigate?

Ferret out the rat within your group.

Check who the traitor is.

Aren't you going to show yourself, Master?

If I didn't make a sound

how long would you stay in hiding?

Till you talk to me voluntarily.

Master, do you mean

if I decide to keep it from you

you will never ask?

Haven't I been doing that?

The issue with Hua Shen

the banquet assassins

and between you and Wu Shuomo.

You keep saying no one will understand

the bad blood between you and Hua Qian.

If I get involved, you'll think that I'm biased.

So I did what you wanted.

But, Yao

how much longer do you want me

to pretend to be dumb and blind?

At first, you told me

you were trying to clear your family's name.

But what about now?

What exactly are you doing?

Zhong Yelan.

I don't know what is wrong with me.

Lately, I have been thinking about this.

I wish I had let the snake eat that parrot.

Yao.

I just want to tell you

that there are only you and me in this house

and it will be the same in the future.

I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart.

So, you don't have to go far to get help.

I did something wrong.

No one is perfect. To err is human.

I, too, have erred

because of misjudgment and prejudice.

I know you are stubborn

but know that you don't have to

face your problems alone.

As long as you need me

I'm here for you.

It's not too late to turn back.

What's the matter?

Mistr... Miss Hua left in a hurry

and forgot this guqin.

I saw it so I brought it here for her.

Don't you know that Miss Hua's hand

was ruined by your master?

Are you trying to make her sad

by bringing this guqin here?

Miss Qianzhi, wait a minute.

What else do you want?

This is a famous and priceless guqin.

If it were an ordinary thing

I wouldn't send it here.

Priceless?

Priceless?

Give it to me.

Miss.

Still no news from Mu Yao?

It's only the third day.

She probably hasn't found any clues yet.

I'm not keeping watch on her.

Who knows if she's even investigating?

That man is still confined

so Mu Yao probably won't sit on it.

She is too slow.

Do you think I should send her

a body part of Wu Shuomo

to help speed up her investigation?

Well...

Miss, Butler Hua is here.

Are you not going to the shop today, Father?

Qian, do you want to eat some fish today?

Fish?

Yesterday, I saw that

the fish in the lake look big and fat.

And you have nothing to do today.

How about going fishing with me?

Didn't the chefs buy any fish?

This is different.

The ones bought by the chefs

can't compare to those we caught.

You will know the difference

when you eat them tonight.

- Will you go with me? - All right.

Not a single fish take the bait.

Patience is key when it comes to fishing.

You have to be calm.

The fish got startled

when you kept moving the fishing rod.

There's no way you'll catch any fish.

You didn't catch one either, Father.

It takes time.

It's moving.

Here comes one!

See?

I caught one when you said I didn't.

Hold this. See that?

The fish looks so succulent.

Qian.

As long as the bait is fat and succulent

no fish can resist it.

Come on.

Here we go.

Youth is synonymous with impatience.

You just need more practice.

Thank you for your advice, Father.

Your mother hasn't had much of an appetite

so she has lost a lot of weight.

Visit her more frequently

when you are free.

Maybe later.

I have been so busy these days

it's hard for me to control my emotions.

Going to see Mother like this

might upset her even more.

That's fine. It's up to you.

Miss, the kitchen sent you fish soup.

Wait a minute.

A girl brought up in a rich and powerful family

always looks at the bigger picture.

No matter what my daughter does

she is the only daughter of the Hua family

and the wife of Master Zhong.

What brings you here, Mother?

Look at what you did.

You brought shame upon our family.

Now, we only have you.

You don't want to stay in Huangcheng.

Fine, we won't.

From now on

I'll heed your advice.

You told me you wouldn't hurt me again

and I almost believed you.

I wanted to believe that

that you might not be involved

in my family's case.

But what happened to Linglong

made me realise that I could never forgive you.

Numerous people have experienced hardships

at the hands of the Hua family

and it has gone unnoticed.

You are a member of the Hua family.

That makes you uncaring and selfish too.

You can pretend you don't know it

because you don't see it, but...

I can't.

Where's the fish soup?

Bring it here.

Yes, Miss.

I will leave that to you then.

Miss Hua

are you going to sell all the shops you have?

That's...

I heard from my father that

he assigned you to work for my brother

because you are smart

and can control my spendthrift of a brother.

I told you to sell the shops

not to make profits

but to exchange them for cash

to prepare for...

the future.

Just do your best.

Yes, Miss. I'll see to it.

I've already informed the shop managers

that you would go there.

Off you go now.

Yes, Miss.

Are you done yet?

You delivered the guqin last month

the chess pieces a few days ago

and now the chessboard.

Can't you deliver them all at once?

I was careless when I was tidying up

and didn't notice them all at once.

So I'm delivering them to Miss Hua

when I see them.

Miss has sent people to collect her things.

Since she left these there

it means she doesn't want them.

That's improper.

They belong to Miss Hua.

They should be returned to their owner.

Don't come here anymore.

On behalf of Miss Hua

I'm telling you, she doesn't want those things.

Why not? There are still the brushes and ink.

I...

Didn't you say that you would deliver the items

if you saw them?

You didn't forget the brushes and ink.

Why didn't you bring them over together?

I...

Listen up, Nanfeng.

Even if Miss Hua is no longer your master's wife

you don't stand a chance at all.

So, quit finding excuses to come here.

What did you say?

I said there was no way

Miss Hua would be interested in you

so stop your wishful thinking.

No, I'm not interested in Miss Hua...

When we were in Zhong Residence

you always found excuses

to come to our compound.

Don't think I don't know what you're up to.

I thought we were both servants

so I didn't expose you.

But I didn't expect you to push your luck

so I have to give you a firm warning.

No, I...

Stop denying it.

No matter what, you work for Master Zhong

and Miss Hua can never be yours.

I never had any improper thoughts

about Miss Hua.

I saw right through you.

This concerns Miss Hua's reputation

so I won't breathe a word about this.

But spare me your lies.

I will take the chessboard this time.

Please watch what you do from now on.

Stop coming here.

Miss Qianzhi...

How dare you lay your hands on me?

Don't go too far!

As I said, I won't breathe a word about this.

- Let go of me. - Miss Qianzhi.

You're the one I fancy.

Over here.

Right. You missed a spot.

Qianzhi.

Qianzhi!

Did the pot of flowers offend you?

What's wrong with her?

She's been out of sorts all day long.

It seems that you know what happened.

Tell me what I don't know.

I saw that Nanfeng had been coming

to the back door lately

to look for Qianzhi.

Nanfeng? What did he want?

He seemed to be delivering things

you had left behind.

I don't think I've left anything behind

at Zhong Residence.

What else is there...

When we were living in Zhong Residence

Nanfeng had come to our compound

quite frequently.

Qianzhi has been like this

since he came to look for her yesterday.

It seems that Nanfeng has other intentions.

Qianzhi didn't mention a word

about Nanfeng's visits.

I'm afraid this girl is also...

Zhong Yelan's guard and my maid.

What an unusual pairing.

They didn't seem to talk to each other much.

Don't tell me I played a role

in bringing them together?

But, Miss, she...

You don't have to worry.

Qianzhi has her life. I shouldn't interfere.

After so many days of boredom

there is finally some good news.

But, Nanfeng works for Master Zhong.

Yinxing, I know what you're worried about.

But I know Qianzhi well

and you girls are now at a marriageable age.

As long as you're sure of what you want

whoever they are, I will support you.

I won't stop you because of their status.

Life is short.

Your own happiness is of utmost importance.

Got it, Miss.

We don't have much time. I should ask her.

M-Miss, are you looking for me?

You're deep in thought in the broad daylight.

That was wrong of you.

How could you keep it from me?

What?

If I don't ask

are you ever going to tell me about

between you and Nanfeng?

There is nothing between Nanfeng and me!

I deserve to die.

She doesn't look like she's in love.

Hua Rongzhou, come here.

Come on. Go with me to scare someone.

Greetings, Miss Hua.

Lift your head.

I heard you had been coming to Hua Residence

to look for Qianzhi.

Miss Hua, I went to send you

the things you left behind.

Is that so?

I don't recall leaving anything behind.

Those were gifts from Master.

How dare you, Nanfeng!

I thought you were an honest man.

I didn't expect you to come up with that excuse

and meet my maid in secret at Hua Residence.

Miss Hua, Miss Qianzhi and I have never...

Stop lying! You came to Hua Residence openly.

The two of you must have been intimate!

I have sincere feelings for Miss Qianzhi

but she is unaware of them.

So, there's no way we would be intimate.

This is the truth, Miss.

For real?

Miss Qianzhi is your personal maid.

If we're in a relationship

we can't hide it from you.

This is just my wishful thinking.

Miss Qianzhi said...

she wouldn't see me anymore.

What nonsense are you talking about?

I'm not talking nonsense.

You work for Master Zhong.

Miss Hua is in a sorry state because of him.

I'm being nice by coming out here to see you.

How dare you say such nonsense?

I...

Don't come here ever again.

Qian...

These two fools.

If Qianzhi didn't have any feelings for you

why would she not tell me about your visits

but went to see you in private?

Miss Qianzhi scolded me every time she saw me.

She said I insisted on seeing her

so she had no choice but came out to meet me.

If she was really angry with you

why didn't she just send someone

to drive you away?

Why did she still go out and see you?

Miss Hua...

Forget it.

I won't pursue the matter

on account of you...

taking my brother back to Hua Residence.

I owe you a favour.

So, I will pay you back now.

Miss, do you mean you will give me Miss Qianzhi

as a reward?

I have never regarded Qianzhi as a maid

so the word "reward" is not appropriate.

I won't stand in your way.

That's the least I could do.

Do what you need to do.

Thank you, Miss.

I want to ask you a question before you go.

If you had to choose

between your master and Qianzhi

who would you choose?

Why are you asking me such a question?

Qianzhi has been with me

for more than a decade.

I don't want to see her suffer.

As you know, your master and I

have some conflicts.

If you had to choose between the two of them

in the future

what would you do?

Just get it over and done with.

Qianzhi finds it painful to end things

so I shall decide on her behalf.

Miss Hua, please forgive me

for not being able to choose.

Why?

I work for Master Zhong.

I have been serving him since I was a child

so I know his temperament well.

He will never let me sacrifice my family

to protect him.

Miss Qianzhi is the only person I love.

And I know that she's soft-hearted.

She's the only woman I want to be with

but I can't betray my master for her.

A person who lacks loyalty and integrity

cannot be trusted.

I didn't expect you to be quite intelligent.

What I said is from the bottom of my heart.

That's right. Between a couple

at least one should be smart.

Bear this in mind.

Do not go back on your words.

What?

Remember what you said just now.

If you ever have a change of heart

I will be the first to come after you.

Don't expect any help from me.

How things turn out between you and Qianzhi

depends solely on you.

Thank you, Miss Hua.

Qianzhi is shy.

Don't tell anyone about what you heard today.

I will definitely keep my mouth shut.

We rarely come out.

Since we're out, let's prepare her dowry.

- For Qianzhi? - Yes.

That silly girl has a one-track mind.

Despite her age, she knows nothing

about saving money.

Looks like I'm going to spend a fortune today.

Luckily, Huang hasn't sold all the shops yet.

Qianzhi will be an ordinary civilian in future.

It's not good if the shop's location

is too conspicuous.

But with Qianzhi's intelligence

if it is an ordinary shop

I'm afraid she won't know how to run it.

She may end up closing it down

and losing money. What would she do then?

What do you...

- Are you okay... - He's dirty.

Where did you acquire this bias?

Come here.

Your knee got scraped. Does it hurt?

Shall I take you to see a physician?

Let me go...!

Let me go!

Let me go!

Let me go!

Let go of him.

Forget it. Let's go.

Take it. Be good.

Look at me.

Somehow I have sympathy for

people who are suffering.

The little beggar's knee is bleeding.

He's very young

yet he didn't cry or make a fuss.

I wonder if he's unaware of the pain

or simply unafraid of it.

He was just pretending to be pitiful

when he failed to steal.

You shouldn't give him money.

No one would be fooled

by this kind of trick

used by street beggars.

What do you mean, pretending to be pitiful?

His knee is really bleeding.

Besides, we all go through bad times

at some point.

I don't lack the money.

I consider this

earning good karma points for myself.

You're so gullible.

I noticed your bad temper is getting worse.

Yes, I admit.

I haven't been paying much attention to you lot

but I'm trying to improve on that.

Do you think Qianzhi will be angry with me?

She rejected Nanfeng.

I'm sure she must be miserable

and I didn't even notice.

What now?

You're careless indeed, Miss.

I criticised myself because I'm being humble.

It doesn't mean you can criticise me.

Do you still think your first encounter with me

was at the ancestor worship ceremony?

I asked if you recalled

asking for my name on four occasions.

Now it seems you really don't remember.

Give me some hints.

This is where you asked for my name

for the first time.

I see.

If you don't remember, just say so.

It's okay if you don't remember, Miss.

I can tell you the story.

Don't you wonder why I am so familiar

with what beggars do?

It's because I used to be

a beggar on the street.

And I almost ran into your carriage.

Come over here. Beat him up.

What's your name?

Rongzhou.

Your surname is Zhou?

Later on, I found a job at a tea house

and happened to meet you again.

You came to the tea house

to look for Young Master Hua.

It's these two commoners.

I overestimated my abilities

and wanted to help you

but in the end, I was beaten up.

At that time, you told me

that if I wanted to protect someone

I must learn to protect myself first.

What's your name?

- Rongzhou. - Zhou Yong?

The third time I saw you

was at the ancestor worship ceremony.

This time, I managed to protect you

and myself.

You even patted my shoulder

and said I had a bright future ahead of me.

You have a bright future ahead of you.

- What's your name? - Hua...

- Oh, no! I might miss it. - Rongzhou.

And the fourth time was

when I was transferred to guard your compound.

I didn't hear you as it was chaotic.

What's your name again?

My name is...

Hua Rongzhou.

After working in Zhong Residence for half a year

I was finally able to walk beside you

and stand in front of you.

The beggar, the choreman...

That was you?

I said you had a bad memory, didn't I?

It's not that I have a bad memory.

It's because you were stuttering

and couldn't say your name clearly.

Now that I've recounted the past

will you forget those incidents again?

You're usually a man of a few words.

Aren't you talking a lot today?

Well, Miss

you told me to tell you everything.

How obedient.

Yi'er Sanctuary

Second Uncle, why don't you sit down?

I still feel it's too risky.

Are you sure that going forward...

Second Uncle, nothing ventured

nothing gained.

You're right, but, Yifei...

Lord is here!

Greetings, Lord.

You're here too, Mr Meng?

Yes.

My brother wanted me

to bring Yifei some things from the South

so I delivered them here.

My mother and younger sister

just came back a few days ago.

They were exhausted and feeling poorly.

They thought it was a hassle to bring them to me

so they entrusted the task to my uncle.

Good. I was worried that

Butler Meng's absence all year round

would make you and him feel estranged.

Now that I see that you remain close

and Butler Meng misses his family so much

I feel relieved.

Lord, my elder brother is absent all year round

and can't take care of his family.

I will help whenever I can if I have time.

Butler Meng is indeed

the pillar of the Zhong family's business.

The business in the South

relies heavily on him.

Thank you for your concern, Lord.

He's lucky to be able to be of service.

Qianzhi.

Miss.

Take it.

There's a title deed for a shop

that's under my name in there.

I carefully selected it this afternoon.

Although the location isn't ideal

it boasts a loyal clientele and network.

After all, shops in the bustling area

are run by dignitaries.

You might not be able to keep the shop running

without me if it was there.

There's also a set of jewellery in there.

I have never used them before

so they are as good as new.

And your indenture is in there as well.

It's a token of appreciation from me.

Miss, if I have done something wrong

please punish me at will.

I have no objections.

Please don't drive me away, Miss.

- Get up. - Miss.

I'm not driving you away.

This is your dowry when you marry Nanfeng.

Miss, I don't want to leave you.

Nanfeng and I are just...

I may have to leave Huangcheng soon.

Fortunately, I found out about it now.

Otherwise, I would take you with me

and ruin your happiness.

No matter where you go

I will go with you.

Don't worry.

If Nanfeng bullies you in the future

even if I'm not in Huangcheng

I'll come back here to protect you.

No. I'm going to go with you.

Why do you want to follow me?

This marriage concerns the rest of your life.

Nanfeng is a good man

and you're in love with each other.

You don't have to worry about me.

Besides, I can't afford to employ you forever

so don't you think about relying on me.

When did you and Nanfeng start?

Why didn't you tell me?

Were you afraid I might get in your way?

I just knew about how he felt a few days ago.

All this while I thought he had feelings for you.

I didn't tell you

because I thought it was impossible between us.

Impossible?

I have an open mind now

and they are two separate matters.

The conflict between Zhong Yelan and me

doesn't have to implicate others.

Miss, you said you were leaving Huangcheng.

Where are you going?

Who knows?

Anyway, I don't want to be confined here.

The world is vast.

I should go out and broaden my horizons.

Don't you think?

Let's table it until the time comes.

When you meet someone you fancy

come and tell me directly.

No matter who he is

as long as he's the man you want to marry

I'll marry you off in style.

Miss, as long as you're Huangcheng

I will be with you.

Are you trying to rush me to leave?

- Miss! - All right.

Go put away the dowry

and help me prepare some refreshments.

I'm going to Zhong's Garden.

You're going to Zhong's Garden?

That's right. For the sake of your happiness

I can't wait any longer.

I have to hurry and get the problem resolved.

Bonus footage

Is Huang your birth name?

No. Young Master Hua gave me that name.

What's your real name then?

Huang Aotian.

Why did you change your name to Huang?

Young Master Hua said

my name sounded too noble.

As if I were the master instead of him.

So he changed my name to one

that was easy to remember.

That does seem like something he would do.