Original subtitles

Episode 23

I was fine with being sold.

Ever since my mother passed away

it made no difference to me where I was.

My father would bring up

my late mother from time to time

and that woman got jealous

so she sold me to the notorious

rich merchant Master Li.

Notorious?

The Li family would buy a new batch of children

every once in a while.

Those they previously bought

all ended up being rolled up in a grass mat

and thrown into mass graves.

Stop looking around! Move!

Did they abuse the children?

Not only did they abuse them

but they also treated them like animals.

Come on, more rouge for you.

He treated the servants like dogs.

When he was in the mood

he would make us fight with one another

and only the last one standing could have food.

If we didn't fight with one another

he would whip us.

The louder we cried and screamed...

Run!

the more excited and happier he would be.

More often than not, the servants weren't fed

while suffering from serious injuries.

When they finally died

they would be thrown out.

Is that where you got those scars?

You need not know the details.

Just know that I eventually escaped.

Master Li called the shot in that household.

He was advanced in age

so he wasn't able to move fast.

That was how I managed to escape.

I was afraid they might come after me

so I set the house on fire.

Put out the fire...!

- Hurry up! - Put out the fire!

Come on, get some water!

- Hurry! - Quickly!

- Hurry! Over there! - Water is coming.

Be careful.

You again!

You're an able-bodied person. Go work for food.

Go! Don't interrupt my business.

Get out of here!

After I escaped, I ended up on the streets.

- I became a beggar. - Go!

I didn't want to go back there anymore.

One day, a craftsman named Wei Xian

saw me on the street

and said that I was talented.

She wanted to take me as an apprentice.

I realise

the richer they are

the more likely they are unreasonable.

I made it according to their requirements

and now, they told me it didn't fit.

Do they think they can walk all over me?

They can forget about me

taking their orders again!

You wretched boy!

I should have left you to be a beggar.

Keeping a dog is better than keeping you.

At least a dog knows

how to roll over and make me happy.

What can you do?

What, are you dumb?

Have you lost the ability to speak?

Say something!

All you do is show me that glum face!

Are you asking for a beating...?

Wei Xian wasn't a kind soul.

She was abusive.

She never regarded us as human beings.

She often lectured those who had a quick temper

and those who were stubborn.

Work hard.

Yes, Madam.

Hold it with your hands.

What are you looking at?

I said, hold it with your hands.

Are you longing for more beatings?

Hold it.

This is interesting.

Hold it. Hurry up!

Hold it!

Hurry up!

Work hard! Hold them with your hands!

She kept me restrained

with her hidden weapon and chains.

She only gave me a meal once a few days.

She did that to keep me under her control.

Remember, I'm the one who feeds you

so you are my dog.

If you ever try to escape again

you can forget about removing that thing

around your neck.

Even so, I didn't bow down and beg for mercy.

I tried relentlessly

to pick the lock hoping to escape.

One day

I finally managed to break the lock

and escaped.

I hate it when I hear people say

that I am good looking

because I know they have ill intentions.

But when you said that I was good looking

I felt very happy

because I knew you were praising me.

What about this bracelet...

and the craftsman?

I saw that

you were unarmed and nearly got injured

at the ancestor worship ceremony.

That made me think of

Wei Xian's immaculate craftsmanship.

I went to her disregarding the past.

I wanted to buy a hidden weapon

that's suitable for ladies.

Where is it?

Since you are here

why are you in a hurry to leave?

In any case, I was once your master.

And I looked after you for a few years.

How did I raise such an ungrateful dog

like you?

If it wasn't for me

you would've starved to death a long time ago.

Now that you are back

shouldn't you repay your debt of gratitude?

You should know this.

Those who betrayed their master

won't get any attention

even if they're beaten to death by their master.

There's no way you can unlock

the mechanism I designed.

But if you kowtow to me and show remorse

I might show you mercy on account of

our master and disciple relationship.

I'm not who you used to know.

Open the door or I'll kill you.

Open the door.

She launched a sneak attack at me

with her hidden weapons.

I managed to dodge them by instinct

in turn, she was injured by the hidden weapons

and became the victim of her own evil deeds.

You've never mentioned

that your hometown is in Huiyang County.

You said you'd never go back again.

Then, why didn't you say a word

when I gave you the task?

Hua Rongzhou, I'm sorry.

Miss...

Miss, don't...

Miss, don't cry.

I know I did something wrong.

- But don't worry about me. - No...

It was my fault.

It wasn't all your fault.

Don't worry.

I won't leave you in the lurch.

All right.

I don't care who is in charge here

but my guard hasn't been convicted.

If you torture him again

I will make sure those involved in

unlawful physical punishment won't be spared.

Miss Hua, the person in there

was not cooperating.

Moreover, it's not up to us.

We're just following orders.

Tell the man in charge what I just said

and he will assess the gravity of the situation.

They disappeared without a trace?

After you came home and gave me the order

I sent someone to guard

outside the gate of Magistrate Wang

but there was no sign of that couple.

I've also searched almost all the tea houses

and inns in the past few days

but there were no clues.

Maybe our guards are incapable.

But our hands are tied

as we could only do it secretly.

Miss Hua, why don't we ask

Magistrate Wang for help?

He is supposed to investigate this case

to begin with.

He's capable of a more thorough search.

Magistrate Wang won't take my orders.

Qianzhi, come with me to Zhong's Garden.

Yes, Miss.

Zhong's Garden

Lord, Miss Hua is here.

Qian!

Lord.

Can you help me find

the rich merchant Master Li?

It is rare that you come to see me.

I thought you came for me.

There's more to Hua Rongzhou's matter

than meets the eye.

The Li couple has vanished into thin air.

Clearly, they have something to hide.

This shows that what they said is not all true.

I told you. His name is Qi Rongzhou

yet you still call him Hua Rongzhou.

Are you showing me the stand you're taking?

He is my guard.

He saved me from danger many times.

I can't just watch him

be falsely accused and mistreated.

Guard?

The way he looks at you

is nothing like what a guard should be.

So you knew

yet you allowed him to stay by your side.

Who am I to you?

I was merely reporting to you

the truth about Qi Rongzhou.

Lin Jiang's investigation did not completely

align with the truth.

Lord, don't you want to hear me out?

It's his words against theirs.

You believe what your guard told you.

And why can't I believe what my guard told me?

I see that

you bear a grudge against Hua Rongzhou

so it's understandable that

you're skeptical of my words.

It's all right.

I will gather evidence on my own.

You'll see who is right and who is wrong.

But before he's convicted

I hope you will not give orders

to give him unlawful physical punishment.

Qian.

Could you...

come see me

because you simply want to

at least once?

Lord.

In future, could you spare a thought for me

before you act?

There are several ways to convey your message.

Why did you do it that way?

What are you looking at, Miss?

Zhong's Garden is too big for me.

Qianzhi.

I have something to tell you.

I have told you what I had to say, Master.

We're on a busy street.

I don't want to be seen talking to you.

Then I'll wait for you at the tea house ahead.

If you want to help your guard

please come.

Go to the tea house ahead.

Yes, Miss.

Go to the tea house ahead.

Go guard the door

but leave the door open

so as to observe the proprieties.

Yes, Miss.

I heard from Nanfeng

that you were fine with him marrying Qianzhi.

This is between the two of them.

I didn't intervene.

I merely granted Qianzhi her freedom.

She's free to choose her own path in life.

Master, you mentioned

about helping my guard just now.

Can you tell me more now?

I heard about your guard.

I know that you're trying to find out

the whereabouts of that merchant couple.

It took me a while

but I managed to find out their current address.

Where are they?

On what condition? Say it.

I investigated the couple's whereabouts

not to take advantage of you.

This matter is not that simple.

That day, Nanfeng happened to see

Lord Zhong escorting you back.

That's how I found out that

he has feelings for you...

If it's just because of a guard

you'd better not get involved further.

Master, are you asking me

to turn a blind eye to a wronged man

in order to protect myself?

Your guard did commit murder.

He's not wronged.

It depends on who got killed.

If you were him

can you still say such words?

I have just come to realise

that you are so eloquent.

Where is the couple now?

Fine. You should go and meet them yourself.

Five miles to the south of the city

there is a compound that had been deserted.

It became occupied a few days ago.

Thank you, Master.

I'll repay your kindness one day.

No need. Take this as repaying you

for saving my life.

All right.

We're even now.

I'm not in a position

to say such words.

It's just that Zhong's Garden

has too much going on.

If you are after a quiet life

you should not go anywhere near it.

When did I say I would go near it?

You and I can be regarded as...

acquaintances.

Since you're certain

you don't want my protection

I won't force you anymore.

I respect your choice.

If you ever need my help

feel free to come to me

and I will not say no.

Thank you, Master.

Qian.

See you.

Miss, it's getting late.

Why don't we go tomorrow?

No.

Tell Huang to bring some men with him.

We'll act as fast as we can

to avoid trouble.

Don't worry. I have told her the address.

I didn't ask about her.

Knowing her character

she won't let her guard stay in prison

longer than he needs to.

She's probably on the way out of the city now.

Do you want to go meet her?

I...

Why would I do that?

Every time you meet each other

you end up in a conflict.

You probably don't have much chance

to talk to each other again.

You two hold a grudge against each other.

I suggest you clear up the air once and for all.

Otherwise, the grudge may intensify over time.

She has already released him

but I haven't been able to give her

a satisfactory answer.

Even though I've given her

a piece of useful information

it may not be enough

to dispel her hostility towards me.

If I go see her now

she might hurl insults at me.

Since she released him without being asked

it shows that she is not dissatisfied

with the results of your investigation.

Master, is your horse still capable of running?

Of course.

I've taken good care of it.

Running this distance shouldn't pose any issues.

Miss, this should be it.

I couldn't find their whereabouts before

because they were hiding

in an abandoned house.

Surround the house and knock down the door.

Yes, Miss!

Get them!

Yes, sir!

Come out!

Come out!

- What are you doing? - Go!

- Don't move! Go! - Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Miss.

Why are you here in the middle of the night?

Are you here to kill us?

If I am here to kill you

do you think you still have a chance

to kneel here and talk to me?

You slandered my guard on the street

for no reason that day.

Then you fled when I wasn't paying attention.

Now I'm here to clear the air with you.

Miss, everything I said is true.

I didn't slander him.

If everything you said is true

you'd be in court

instead of hiding in this abandoned house.

Tie them up and break their legs

in case they try to run away again.

They slandered a member of the Hua family.

I can't take this lying down.

- Yes, Miss! - Miss, please hear me out.

We don't have the nerve

to offend the Hua family, Miss.

You don't have the nerve?

Qi Rongzhou is my guard.

You're ruining my reputation by slandering him.

What are you waiting for? Do it!

- Miss, please spare me! - No, please!

- Miss, please spare me! - Don't!

That Qi rascal did an evil deed first.

Shut up!

- Someone told us to come here. - Shut up!

I knew someone told you to come here.

You don't have to try and cover that up.

I won't ask about that.

You shouldn't have slandered him

when you did wrong in the first place.

I'm here to seek justice for Qi Rongzhou.

Everything we said is true.

It's really not a slander.

It's true that that Qi little bastard...

No... I mean, that Qi kid set the house on fire

and killed my father-in-law.

The cheek of you to mention this.

Don't you know what kind of man

your father-in-law was?

Do I have to tell you

the number of servants and children he killed?

Qi Rongzhou didn't pursue the matter

yet you came here to accuse him.

You should be glad that

your father-in-law is dead.

Otherwise, he would suffer

a worse fate than death.

What your father-in-law did wasn't your fault

but you have to go to the yamen

to explain yourselves

and withdraw the letter of indictment.

Admit your mistake

and I will let the matter slide.

Well...

What, are you hesitating?

Do you think you can tell lies in the yamen

and brush me off?

Your hometown is in Huiyang County.

Believe it or not, I can capture

your whole family right now

chop all of you into pieces

and throw you into the river to feed the fish.

No, Miss...

But I doubt the truth is of any help.

Don't talk nonsense...

This is the second time

you stopped your wife from talking.

Do you really think I'm blind?

Miss, your men were threatening to kill us

the moment you came in.

It didn't seem like

you were looking for the truth.

Whatever we say makes no difference.

I already knew the truth

so why should I ask?

The two of you deceived others

for your own selfish motives.

You've been given an opportunity

to come clean

and to save yourselves.

But if you insist on saying nothing

I don't mind using some means

to make you go to the yamen

to withdraw the lawsuit.

These nobles are all the same.

They refuse to listen to anyone.

They act according to their own wishes.

What do you mean?

If we tell you the truth

will you really let bygones be bygones

and leave our family alone?

You have my word.

We had a good life in Huiyang County.

As you said, my father was...

We knew what he was like.

Even though we hated Qi Rongzhou

and later found out his whereabouts

we wanted to hide from him

instead of finding him.

We wouldn't come all the way here.

We cherish our lives.

We made it clear right from the start.

We weren't going to pursue the matter.

But now, we're forced to testify against him.

We wanted to leave Huangcheng

but fearing for our family's safety

upon returning home

we went into hiding.

We thought we would wait

for the matter to blow over.

But now...

It doesn't matter if we tell the truth or not.

Ordinary folk like us don't have a say.

It's not up to us to go back there

and withdraw the lawsuit.

You mean, after you told the truth

you were still forced to come here?

You just need to answer yes or no

and I will deal with the rest.

I will send you away

as if I had never seen you.

I'll also ensure the safety

of you and your family.

But if you lie to me

I will round up all of you including

your family members in the border town

for questioning.

I swear to the heavens

everything I said just now is true.

This is... it?

Who knows?

Let's go back to our hometown.

We can't afford to offend the people here.

If I had known, I wouldn't have sent anyone

to investigate that little bastard.

We have brought trouble upon yourselves.

I was waiting for you.

What's the matter?

What's wrong with you?

Nothing.

Tell your people to keep a distance.

I came here to tell you this.

I know you've already released him.

Although I didn't write much in my letter

and couldn't provide you

with substantial evidence

I went to great lengths

to gather the information.

I understand that you might be upset

but since you've released him

I came here to see you.

Are you listening to me?

What kind of incense are you wearing?

Why does it smell so familiar?

I'm not wearing any incense.

Hua Qian.

Please pay attention to what I have to say.

I'm not feeling well.

I'm afraid I have to go.

I want to avoid further interaction with you

so let's sort it out once and for all.

Then, we won't have to see each other again.

I've thought it through.

Even if Zhong Yelan still likes you

I will not choose to run away.

I will prove to him

and show him who truly cares for him

so I don't need you to let me have him.

Why haven't you gotten past this?

I didn't let you have him.

He chose you.

He did so on our wedding night.

He did it again

on the day I returned to my maiden home.

He did the same on the cliff as well.

And even now, he hasn't changed.

I was the one who lost my head

and did something wrong

but your brother has done wrong too.

Now I understand.

Many aspects of this world entail shades of grey.

Everyone has their own opinions

about what is right and what is wrong.

Although the Mu family has declined

I won't do any more harm to the Hua family.

As long as you don't step on my toes

I will treat you as a stranger.

All right.

Lastly, I want to give you a piece of advice.

I don't know how you got involved with him

but since we're acquaintances

do heed my advice.

I couldn't find any evidence despite my effort.

There's no way to prove that he did it.

Also, even if you've chosen to divorce Lan

for the sake of your family

but high places are precarious

you may die before you can enjoy the benefits.

Let's go.

Go to the prison with me tomorrow.

Yes, Miss.

Miss, why are you here again?

It's filthy in here.

I have met the Li couple.

I got you into this.

But don't worry

I promise I'll get you out of prison

no matter what price I have to pay.

Are you saying...

I mean a lot to you, Miss?

Yes, you mean a lot to me.

I drove Cuizhu away.

It's none of my business.

Why are you telling me this?

You became upset at the drop of a hat.

Qianzhi is about to get married.

I may only have you

by my side in the future.

When you're released

my parents and I

will probably leave Huangcheng.

We're not returning to our hometown in glory.

We won't be bringing many servants with us.

We don't have much money either.

And maybe we won't even have a place to stay

or sufficient food to eat.

Do you still want to come with me?

Miss, I'm not after glory or money

working for you.

So, no matter what

I won't leave

even if you decide to dismiss me.

Tell me something.

Say there is a path ahead

which is full of uncertainties and hardships

and everyone told me not to continue on

shall I stay put

or pick a different path?

Silly me. Why am I telling you this?

Since it's a path full of uncertainties

it's better to turn around while you can.

I said that

because I don't want to see you suffer.

No matter which path you choose

I will always be with you.

Hua Residence

Put them all away.

Aren't these from Young Master Hua?

Miss, are you not going to wear them anymore?

Put them in the chest for now.

I have some jewellery on the dressing table.

I will wear these...

someday.

Miss, Huang sent this just now.

Huang said that this is the money

from selling the last shop.

He completed the task quicker than I expected.

How are you and Nanfeng getting along?

I plan to leave

only after seeing you get married.

Don't make fun of me, Miss.

I merely asked a question.

Why are you running away?

Do you have a crush on anyone?

No... I don't.

Qianzhi has a sharp tongue

and tends to make things difficult for others.

Cui...

The rest are also troublemakers.

I worry about them all the time.

Among my maids

you are the most composed.

I can always rely on you to get things done.

Do you have any plans for your future?

I'm happy if I can serve you, Miss.

You can't marry me, can you?

How can you be with me

for the rest of your life?

Don't worry. Whatever I gave Qianzhi

you will get them too.

It hasn't been easy for you girls

the whole time you've been with me.

I know this may be sudden

but there's still time. How about this?

I'll give you two days to think about

what you want.

Tell me after you've given it some thought.

If I'm able to fulfil your wish, I will.

Bonus footage

Miss...

Miss...

You don't have to worry about Hua Rongzhou.

I'll take care of it.

When we get home

go and look for the housekeeper.

Take the money and your indenture

and leave.

I can let you off the hook for what you did

but I can't keep you by my side anymore.

Miss, I did wrong.

And I'll receive any punishment.

I don't want any money or my indenture.

Just let me stay until I see Guard Hua

return home safe and sound.

After that, you can even sell me away.

Miss...

Do whatever you want.

But I don't want to see you ever again.

As expected

people often make mistakes

when driven by love.