Original subtitles

Prune them.

Don't just prune this one.

Tong'er, stop playing with water.

Hurry up and water these.

You, wipe the posts.

Wipe all eight posts down.

You…

Come.

Put them here, on the ground.

Then put one here and another here. Understand?

-Yes. -Xiangqiao.

My lady.

This is my favorite bracelet.

It's so nice.

What a perfect fit.

-It's… -It's so beautiful.

Bootlicker.

Thank you, my lady.

My lady.

You must be thirsty.

Should I get you some tea and pastries?

-Sure. -You guys!

What's with the flower placement?

They look so ugly.

Who told you to place them that way?

Rearrange them!

Flower planting?

What flowers?

Just some common garden peonies, tree peonies,

and chrysanthemums.

Pretty common.

But it's

quite a lot.

I heard that Xiangqiao and Yunshuang

moved them back and forth

to fill the courtyard.

It's still something to talk about.

Ask everyone in the Jiang Residence to say

that Ms. Jiang Li is making a mess as soon as she's back.

Not only does she squander money,

she also mistreats servants.

Got it.

Is the gift for Mr. Shen ready?

Yes. Come.

Take a look.

These are the best snacks in the Ji family. Here.

The credit for compiling the book goes to you.

I just shared some ideas with you.

It makes us look distant

that you came to offer thanks.

Without your guidance,

I would not have been able to satisfy His Majesty.

I'm honored to pay you a visit

and take this opportunity

to thank you for your help.

Are you done talking?

My husband often compliments you

for being the younger generation's role model in the imperial court.

Thank you, Chancellor Jiang.

Mr. Shen.

This is a token from us.

Please accept it.

Thank you, Chancellor. Thank you, Madam Ji.

Next month is the hairpin ceremony of our daughter.

You're welcome

to attend.

It'll be a great honor.

I should leave now.

All right.

-Please see Mr. Shen off. -Yes.

This way, please.

My lady, should I put this over here?

Yes, just put it over there.

All right.

Put these here.

Be careful.

Slowly.

Put this over there.

All right.

-Mr. Shen. This way, please. -Put more there.

Mr. Shen.

All right.

My lady, Xiangqiao is here.

Xiangqiao.

Have a seat.

I…

You've had a hectic day.

Have a seat.

All right.

Open it.

My lady.

-Again, you're giving… -Take it.

Thank you, my lady.

This…

This is too expensive.

There's more to come.

What did I do to deserve it?

Well…

Thank you, my lady.

Xiangqiao.

You need to look after the flowers in this garden.

Dry weather lets heat accumulate in the body more easily.

Chrysanthemum dispels heat.

When you have time, pick some chrysanthemums

in the yard, and sundry them to make tea.

I know.

I was going to do that for you today,

but his lordship had a guest.

Madam Ji asked me to help out,

so I forgot about it.

Who was the visitor?

Everyone's running around for him.

It's Mr. Shen Yurong.

My lady.

I'm not that thirsty.

Is the Mr. Shen you mentioned

the top scorer whose wife just passed away?

Yes.

Mr. Shen is the recent imperial exam's top scorer.

His lordship thinks highly of him.

He is even invited

to Ms. Ruoyao's hairpin ceremony.

Is that so?

That's right.

It's a pity that his wife had bad morals.

She met with her lover behind Mr. Shen's back

and even wanted to escape after being discovered.

Guess what happened?

She fell off a cliff.

Serves her right!

Poor Mr. Shen, he was so devoted to her.

He didn't eat or drink for three days and nights

after hearing about his wife's death.

Mr. Shen

is so sentimental.

But maybe there is divine justice.

His Majesty values affection and loyalty.

In appreciation of Mr. Shen's devotion,

His Majesty even issued a decree to praise him.

I heard His Majesty

values him even more now.

It's a blessing in disguise.

I…

see.

-Mr. Shen-- -Xiangqiao.

Shouldn't you take care of the flowers now?

I'm not done talking.

It's all right, go.

I'll see you off.

-The bangle! -The bangle.

-My lady, I'll go ahead. -Let's go.

I'll tell you about it later.

Miss.

Miss.

What's wrong, Miss?

Tong'er.

The Mrs. Shen she just mentioned

whom everyone knows as a woman with bad morals

who had a lover

is me.

I thought it was an ordinary family dinner.

It's been a long time since we got together for a meal.

I was busy with the book compilation

and neglected my family.

My lady, thank you for your attentiveness.

Thank you also to Mother and Ruyun for helping out.

Here. Let's raise our cups.

May my son have a prosperous career ahead

and bring honor to our ancestors.

Xue Li.

Why is everyone's drinking wine, but you're drinking tea?

Mother.

I'm not feeling well today.

I'll drink tea instead of wine.

Just a sip.

Xue Li isn't feeling well.

There's no need to force her, Mother.

Xue Li.

Just do Mother a favor

and have a drink.

A grown son cannot be kept for long.

My son is ungrateful.

He always takes other people's other side.

We're a family.

Mother, don't talk nonsense.

Mother.

I was not feeling well

and offended you.

Today is a day of celebration.

We must be happy.

Who knew that the wine was drugged?

Shen Yurong brought me back to the room.

When I woke up…

Who are you?

Dear.

I once suspected

that Mr. Shen's mother and daughter set me up.

But I never thought

that Shen Yurong knew about it.

I understand, Miss.

I do.

I thought her ladyship was the most miserable person in the world.

Little did I know that you…

I was blind.

In the end, I even got my father

and brother

killed too.

All of these are blood debts.

The heavens' justice will prevail.

Those evildoers

must be punished.

All right, Miss.

I'll help you.

I'll surely help you.

Tong'er.

Tong'er.

Since the people who framed Jiang Li and I

will turn up at the hairpin ceremony,

we need to change our plan.

What will we do?

Showing up at the hairpin ceremony is not enough.

Tong'er.

Do you remember how Li'er's hairpin ceremony was done?

Her ladyship didn't have a hairpin ceremony.

Then we will give a hairpin ceremony for Jiang Li.

We'll give her one?

Yes.

Jiang Li risked her life to save me.

Now that I've returned to the capital and Jiang Residence,

I must give Li'er the life she was supposed to have.

Ms. Jiang Li

was a distinguished woman.

She deserves to stand in front of everyone in the capital.

She deserves praise and blessings.

Tong'er, that's why

the hairpin ceremony that day

isn't only for Jiang Ruoyao,

but also for Li'er.

I will make Jiang Li return to her place

in a dignified manner.

But Miss,

that's too hard.

Ji Shuran will surely stop you.

No matter how hard it is,

we must do it for Li'er.

If Shen Yurong sees you this way again…

As long as I show up at the hairpin ceremony,

my identity as Jiang Li will be indisputable.

Even if Shen Yurong suspects me,

he'll never dare to make trouble in Jiang Residence.

The destinies of Jiang Li and I are intertwined.

She will help me

as she's looking down from above.

She'll make that person

meet me again

in the capital's most prestigious family.

I'm finally done.

I never thought

that pruning chrysanthemums would be so hard.

Look, all the sunny spots

are taken up by the small garden.

There's no sunlight elsewhere,

so it causes dampness easily.

Xiangqiao.

Do you know other places in the residence that get more sunlight?

Tong'er.

You came to the right person.

There's plenty of sunshine in the courtyard there.

Then let's put them there.

We're just drying chrysanthemums.

Or do you want to stop working

after receiving the rare,

one-of-a-kind white jade bangle?

That's nonsense.

Then let's dry the chrysanthemums together.

Wait, Tong'er.

Do you know how to do it?

Do it again.

Be elegant

when placing the chrysanthemums.

Stop.

What are you doing?

Are you slacking off?

I saw Lord Jiang.

I'm thinking of bowing to him.

My lord.

Get out of the way.

My lord.

How is Li'er doing?

-She-- -She's doing good.

You talk too much.

Stay out of this.

Yes.

She's doing well, but needs to dispel heat in her body.

That's why

we're drying chrysanthemums to make tea.

I dried them all.

Look.

No wonder they look ugly.

And you even dared to mention it.

Redo them.

Yes.

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

The new emperor just ascended the throne today.

The imperial court's affairs are complicated.

I'm just a bit troubled.

I just made sun-dried chrysanthemum tea.

It can clear the mind and brighten the eyes.

No wonder it has a pleasant smell.

It's good as long as it can relieve your fatigue.

Father.

Li'er.

Did you plant these thinly scattered chrysanthemums?

Yes, Father.

I planted these thinly scattered chrysanthemums.

Mother used to look after the flowers and plants with great care.

I didn't learn well from her.

Mother often said that chrysanthemums are proud.

It's elegant and upright.

Chrysanthemums stand out in the cold autumn,

like a gentleman.

Just like you.

Li'er.

I didn't think you'd remember this.

Where are you going?

We're going…

-there. -There.

There.

I don't think you need to go anywhere.

We actually want…

-to pee. -To pee.

Yes.

I also need to pee.

-Can you go now? -Yes.

-Well… -Let's go together.

-How can we go together? -Well…

Father.

They went to get some snacks.

Do you want to visit my courtyard?

No.

I need to go to the palace.

Then…

Father, can you help me

bring some snacks to Grandmother?

That day, I disturbed her.

I feel guilty.

It's not entirely your fault.

Forget it.

I'll sit with you for a while.

GAZEBO

Father.

Please taste

the premium chrysanthemum tea I grew myself.

Don't beat me!

Don't beat me.

Li'er.

Don't. I'll never do it again.

-Li.'er -I won't do it again.

What's wrong?

Li'er.

It's…

It's nothing.

All right.

It's all right now, Li'er.

Don't be afraid.

All right, don't be afraid.

I'm here.

Be honest with me.

When I was in Zhennv Hall,

sometimes I got beaten up and punished

if I didn't finish my work.

And I…

Let me see.

Right.

You're all grown up. You're a big girl now.

But you will always be my daughter.

How dare Zhennv Hall treat you so harshly!

Father.

I'm home.

As long as you come here often

for flower viewing and tea tasting,

I'd feel contented.

Li'er.

What is this?

I embroidered it at Zhennv Hall.

I didn't dare to show you before.

I'm afraid that you…

I'm afraid that you'd be ashamed of me.

Did Li'er embroider this for Old Madam?

Do you know what Li'er's life had been

in Zhennv Hall?

To get enough to eat,

she was forced to steal some insoles

and exchange them for money.

If word gets out about this,

people will ridicule the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family

for not even having enough to eat.

The person in charge must have withheld the money.

My lord.

I'll ask someone to teach her a lesson.

Dear.

Do you know she has scars on her body?

Scars?

She was beaten up at Zhennv Hall.

She has scars all over her body.

I've been busy with the hairpin ceremony these days,

so I neglected her.

I failed as a mother.

I failed to win her heart.

She doesn't tell me anything.

She told you instead

and you had to remind me.

I really owe her.

That is not what pains me the most from what I heard today.

She's afraid that I'm ashamed of her.

How could she think so?

This girl

keeps everything from me.

She just doesn't dare to get too close to you.

Since you mentioned the hairpin ceremony,

let Li'er attend.

We owe her so much over the years.

We can't break her heart again.

It's just that Li'er

never attended any banquets.

And no one taught her the rules.

I'm worried that she will make a fool of herself at the ceremony.

It will freak her out instead.

The daughter of the Jiang family

will have to meet people sooner or later.

Think about it.

If word gets out

about what happened to her in Zhennv Hall,

and we erased her name from the hairpin ceremony,

how would we clear our reputation

for poor parenting?

All right.

I'll make some preparations.

Thank you, dear.

Morons!

Madam Ji told you a thousand times

not to let Jiang Li meet his lordship.

You can't even handle something trivial.

What's the use of keeping you?

I wasn't aware.

It's Xiangqiao.

She covets petty profits.

Jiang Li gave her some money

and she helped her with a lot of things.

She was also responsible

for drying chrysanthemums.

I really didn't have the slightest idea.

If I knew, I'd surely stop them.

Xiangqiao.

Is this true?

Please understand, Ms. Sun, Madam Ji.

I only approached her

to gain her trust

and get information.

The chrysanthemum tea incident

would never have happened

if Tong'er hadn't followed me.

Madam Ji, don't worry.

After this incident,

Jiang Li will trust me more.

It will be easier for you

to do things from now on.

Madam Ji, Jiang Li gave these to me.

I was about to hand them over to you.

Keep them.

Yes.

If you can gain her trust,

this defeat isn't considered a bad thing.

If this happens again next time,

you won't just lose your monthly salary.

-All right. -All right.

Shameless.

You loathe me?

You wanted Madam Ji to punish me?

And what happened?

Instead of punishing me,

Madam Ji even let me keep my gifts.

You'd better watch out.

If Madam Ji punishes me again because of you,

I won't spare you.

Let me tell you.

If you speak ill of me in front of Madam Ji again,

I won't spare you.

You're probably just feeling guilty.

Don't think I don't know what you did in Jiang Li's room.

What did I do?

You're just jealous that I'm more likable.

I can please Madam Ji and Ms. Jiang Li.

But you can't.

Naturally,

these gifts are all mine.

-Madam Ji. -Madam Ji.

You're shameless!

-You… -What?

You always look bitter. Who would like you?

Nobody likes you, so you take it out on me.

If I look bitter,

then you have a flat face.

You…

When Madam Ji's around,

you always bark at me.

-You're calling me a dog? -Yes, that's right.

All right.

Then I'll bite you to death today.

-You mad dog! -I'll bite you to death!

You mad dog!

FANGFEI COURTYARD

Jiang Li has been home for several days,

but we haven't seen her come out.

Is she shy

or someone won't let her out?

You're so smart.

Mind your own business.

Li'er liked running around

when she was little.

Rui'er also liked playing with her.

But it's true that girls become very different when they grow up.

When Li'er was little,

her face was chubby.

She's elegant and graceful now.

If I run into her on the street,

I might not be able to recognize her.

If you have time to be concerned about your niece,

be concerned more about your son.

The Annual Exam will be held soon.

Judging from his laziness now,

I'll see how you explain to Old Madam

if he is expelled from school.

My lady.

Aren't you in charge of this matter?

Why are you leaving it to me now?

I want to be in charge and fix this.

-But who does he take after? -My lady, don't!

-Stop. You're making me mad! -Don't hit me.

Stop!

Miss, you're incredible.

His Lordship must have said something to Ji Shuran.

She sent so many supplements

and gifts today.

It looks so nice.

It's yours now.

Thank you, Miss.

It's a beauty.

Miss, a monster's over there.

You're a big girl and you're afraid of a tortoise?

Show mercy!

Jiang Jingrui,

son of your Second Uncle, his lordship's legitimate brother, Jiang Yuanping,

the most facetious person in the family.

Overdramatic, noisy, silly,

and undisciplined are his descriptions.

People call him Little Ruirui.

Show mercy!

Show mercy.

My dear little tortoise.

Are you all right? Did they hurt you?

It's fine.

It's all right.

Hello, Jingrui.

You are not Jiang Li.

Young Master.

What do you mean?

My cousin, what are you saying?

"Cousin"?

You call me your cousin?

Jiang Jingrui?

Little Ruirui?

That's more like it!

Your serious look just now

gave me goosebumps all over.

It sounded so cheesy.

You gave me this nickname

when you were little.

Your sudden seriousness

made me so uncomfortable.

I thought

I would never see you again.

You're not aware.

Ever since you left,

I had been crying every day.

I was devastated

and heartbroken.

I could only depend on the little tortoise.

Fortunately, Uncle Yuanbai has a conscience

and brought you back.

Thanks for your concern, Little Ruirui.

You're welcome. Have a seat.

You too.

But…

if you don't want to get kicked out again,

you have to be smart.

Thanks for the reminder, Little Ruirui.

Has Jiang Ruoyao given you any problems?

I haven't seen her since I got home.

But I'd been away from home for a long time.

Why would she give me problems?

Both of you like Zhou Yanbang.

-Zhou Yanbang? -Have you forgotten?

You and Zhou Yanbang were engaged since childhood.

After you were sent away,

the family replaced Jiang Ruoyao in the engagement.

Now you are back.

Jiang Ruoyao does not bear any grudges?

I think

we shouldn't attend the hairpin ceremony.

Think about it.

You and Zhou Yanbang can't be together anymore.

It doesn't matter how awful you feel.

You'll watch Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Ruoyao flirt in front of so many guests.

How would you feel? You will feel terrible.

Then you will complain.

And you'll embarrass yourself at the hairpin ceremony.

Tong'er, I'm tired.

Please see the guest off.

All right.

Let's go.

Remember that.

Hurry.

No need to see me off.

-My lady. Are you going out? -My lady.

Ruoyao's hairpin ceremony is in a few days.

I'll go out and get a gift for her.

It's dirty.

-It's dirty here too. -It's dirty here too.

My lady.

All coachmen in the residence

are out today.

Maybe another day?

You can also write down what you want to buy.

-We'll get it for you. -Right.

Xiangqiao.

Get me a carriage outside.

I…

I'm afraid I can't get one now.

Can you wait a couple more days?

Yunshuang, can you do it?

-I… -As long as you can do it,

it doesn't matter how much money it takes.

Yunshuang.

You're anxious about Ms. Ruoyao's event.

I'll get a carriage now.

Wait a minute.

Thank you.

Yunshuang.

I'll leave this place to you.

I have a task to do.

My rare pearl!

Look how happy you are. You can't even keep your balance.

JIANG RESIDENCE

ZHOU YANBANG

Look, I got you a large carriage.

It's so nice.

Mr. Zhou.

My lady.

On your head…

Thank you.

Xiangqiao, you still need to water the flowers in the courtyard today.

You don't have to go shopping with me.

-Tong'er. -My lady, I'll…

My lady.

My lady.

Who was that person?

It's Ms. Jiang Li.

Ms. Jiang Li?

Is that Jiang Li?

Yes.

Ms. Ruoyao.

JIANG RUOYAO

Yanbang.

What were you looking at?

I heard from the maid that your sister is back.

What's the matter? Do you want to see her?

How about I ask her to meet you later?

I'm just saying.

I remember you two were engaged.

How about you cancel our marriage

and get back to her?

Why are you mad?

Jiang Li has been in Zhennv Hall for many years.

She's ignorant and vulgar.

How can she compare to you?

Look, I even bought you

your favorite pastries.

I queued up for a long time.

Come on, let's go to school.

Don't be upset. Let's go.

My lord, I've dispatched secret guards to search Qingcheng Mountain.

The search will probably take two more days.

That's too slow.

We're short-handed.

We can only mobilize some of His Majesty's secret guards.

Do it.

I don't have to worry then, my lord.

Jiang Li is out.

She finally can't take it anymore.

-Continue following her. -Yes.

Tong'er.

I'll go and pick a gift for Jiang Ruoyao.

Go to the pawnshop and redeem something for me.

Got it.

Miss.

These are the famous and valuable goods here.

Have a look.

This is the calligraphy scroll given to us by Mr. Shen,

the recent top scorer.

It is worth its weight in gold.

Like gold dust.

Mr. Shen is not only good at calligraphy,

but also has a good character.

He will become a good official

who works for the welfare of the people.

Yes. His handwriting is clear and elegant, it's great indeed.

-You're right. -Look at this.

BY SHEN YURONG IN EARLY MAY

SHEN YURONG

Please take a look at this.

This is also a rare treasure.

Mrs. Shen?

But…

Mrs. Shen.

You…

This is obviously very valuable.

Who is Mrs. Shen?

-You have a taste. -Well…

Isn't she Ms. Jiang Li, who just came back?

It's really her.

We didn't see her last time.

She is really pretty.

Sir, I'm ready to pay.

Well…

Take care, my lady.

Miss.

Someone bought the civet pendant you asked me to redeem.

Who bought it?

Ms. Jiang Li went to the pawnshop to redeem this.

I informed the shopkeeper in advance,

as you instructed.

We'll take whatever she wants to redeem.

Who pawned it?

The owner said it was a married woman,

but he couldn't remember the details.

A married woman?

The shopkeeper said it was Duke Su.

He also said that he is now in the tea house.

How weird.

Why is he eyeing our things?

He is not eyeing our things.

He's targeting me.

Miss.

Miss, stay calm.

He's Duke Su.

We can't mess with him.

Why would the shopkeeper mention

that he's in the tea house?

He's inviting us there.

Not going

would be foolish and disrespectful.

Why retreat?

Besides,

I have to get the pendant back.

Sorry, I'm late, guys.

Have a seat.

You must drink as punishment.

Sure.

Three shots for me.

My lady, please stop.

The private room upstairs is taken.

You can't go in.

The dishes are served.

Please let the guest know

that Ms. Jiang Li is honoring his invitation.

I'm here.

-Sit here. -What a great day.

You're late today.

It's all right.

Come, sit down, please.

Greetings, Duke Su.

I wonder why you were looking for me.

The waiter said you were looking for me.

You asked the shopkeeper of the pawnshop to send a message.

I dare not refuse to come.

Besides, you're still holding the jade pendant my maid wants to redeem.

I don't have a maid's jade pendant.

The shopkeeper of the pawnshop told me

it belonged to a married woman.

Her name…

is Li.

You won't marry anyone else but him?

Yes.

Your mother left this when she passed away.

She said

it must be given to you when you get married.

It will keep you safe and make your life smooth.

Since you've made up your mind, take it.

Go. Remember, don't be shy to tell us

if you encounter difficulties.

You will always be my daughter.

Father.

Ms. Jiang Li.

Ms. Jiang Li.

This belonged to an old friend, who already passed away.

I can't tell you about it.

You've been in Zhennv Hall for years.

Where did this old friend come from?

Duke Su, this is personal.

All right. Then tell me.

Why did your old friend pawn it?

Madam Xue.

Your husband overworked himself.

He needs to rest.

It'll take at least three months for him to recover.

That won't do.

He'll take the Palace Examination in a month.

Is there any other way?

Caterpillar fungus nourishes the body well.

But it's not something

ordinary people can afford.

LI

Why this face again?

Ms. Jiang Li.

Where exactly is this jade pendant from?

The affairs of the deceased

is not worth mentioning.

Please return the jade pendant to me, Duke Su.

Tell me how much you want for it.

Do I look like I'm short of money?

What do you want then?

I haven't gotten the answer I need.

That day at Zhennv Hall,

I had no choice but to use you.

Please forgive me

and return the jade pendant to me.

Don't be so nervous.

Otherwise, I would think

this is a token of love given to you by your lover.

As I said before,

I do not know him.

How about this?

Tell me.

Where did Mr. Qin hide the evidence of his crime?

If you speak the truth,

I'll give it back to you.

All right?

Again.

I don't know Mr. Qin.

Stop horsing around, my lord.

Finding the evidence is more important.

If it's not found in Qingcheng Mountain, is there any other way?

Are you looking for what the man hid

when he burst into Zhennv Hall?

If I tell you

where it is hidden,

will you return my jade pendant?

Tell me about it.

It's in the backyard of Zhennv Hall.

How can you prove it?

He had fruit puree marks on his hand.

There is a tree in the backyard.

It was windy those days.

There were a lot of windfalls.

Those fruits are like mulberries.

They dye your fingers if you touch them.

You can't remove it for several days.

He dug that part of the land.

How do you know

he didn't get it somewhere else?

I stayed at Zhennv Hall for ten years.

I know very well that the fruits there are different from other places.

That's a good excuse.

I'm telling the truth.

Duke Su, please return the jade pendant to me.

What's the rush?

We will know the answer soon.

My lord, we found it.

I've been out for quite a while.

Duke Su, please return the jade pendant to me.

I have to hurry home.

Duke Su.

You really won't ask

how your lover is doing?

He's still in my hands.

It seems like

you're still suspecting

that I have a relationship with Mr. Qin.

Why?

Don't you?

That day, I had a knife put to my throat.

I already told you everything I know today.

Do you call that a relationship?

Is that greater than one's life and future?

Duke Su, where is your brain?

Did you

just call me brainless?

Yes.

You're brainless.

A woman's reputation matters.

There's no way you don't know that.

My shelter was broken into for no reason.

The intruder became the lover

and I became a lascivious woman.

While you're talking and laughing, my reputation is ruined.

What's worse is

giving a dog a bad name and hanging him.

Are you trying to force me to die?

I can't prove my innocence.

If you think

I have an affair with your criminal,

just head to Jiang Residence

and lock me up.

What's that look for?

Why?

My lord, is there something wrong with the look in our eyes?

Go back and get ten canes.

Why?

You gave me a filthy look.

Do you think I went too far?

I dare not say that.

It's fine to say it.

I also think I'm quite shameless.

But if I wasn't shameless,

I couldn't force the truth out of her.

Do we need to continue following her?

There's no need.