Original subtitles

But I'm in a good mood today.

I'll join you for a while.

Mr. Li, what are you looking at?

Duke Su, please enjoy your tea.

We will

go ahead.

Is it still your treat?

Please help yourself,

Duke Su.

He's just a dog running errands for His Majesty.

What's there to be cocky of?

Let it go. There's no need to provoke him.

You can bear this insult. But I can't.

Do not provoke him.

My lord, can we really order whatever we want?

Go ahead.

All right.

Isn't the Ye family of Luyang rich?

You bought your way into the Imperial Academy.

This painting of mine

is by the former dynasty's artist, Li Zhaodao's original work,

Pine Shade.

It is priceless.

Everyone, take a look.

He indeed damaged this painting.

You're throwing your weight around

and being unreasonable.

I'm in a great mood today.

If you compensate me 3,000 taels of gold,

I won't pursue this matter.

This is extortion.

Who's that?

Ye Shijie,

the eldest son of Luyang's Ye family.

That means he's the cousin

of Ms. Jiang Li.

Correct.

I guess we've interrupted the Li brothers from watching the show.

I'm reporting you to the authorities today.

Take him away!

What are you doing?

Don't touch me!

Wait!

-Excuse me. -Jiang Li.

Jiang Li.

What?

-Don't go. -Hold this.

Ms. Jiang Li, why are you here to join the fuss?

Ms. Meng,

can I take a look at this painting?

Let me see it.

Let me take a look.

FIRST YEAR OF TIANBAO, SPRING LI ZHAODAO

Master Li's artwork is indeed valuable.

It's priceless for its interesting charm.

However,

this painting is an imitation.

What nonsense are you spouting?

-Is it? -It's really an imitation.

Look at this painting silk.

In the previous dynasty, they only produced

coarse and thin silk cloth.

But the silk fabric of this painting is pristine and delicate.

This is clearly dupioni silk.

Master Li from the previous dynasty

couldn't have used the dupioni silk of today.

This seal is also fake.

They seldom used stone seals back then.

A former dynasty's seal

would have unique traces of the seals from that time.

The ends of each stroke in the seal script

would be slightly thicker than the original one

and the color would be lighter, appearing yellowish.

But the ends of the strokes in this seal

are all smooth

and the color is reddish, which is obviously not right.

-She has a point. -It's an imitation?

-Yes! It isn't right! -I don't know.

It's reddish.

The color is off.

Give me back the painting.

Forget it. I won't argue with you anymore.

Whether you are talking nonsense or I was deceived,

I'll find out myself.

But even if this is an imitation, it has value.

-You damaged my painting. -She was deceived.

Pay me five taels of gold and I'll let this go.

-Dream on. -That's unreasonable.

-Exactly. -If it weren't for Ms. Jiang Li today,

I would have fallen for your trick.

Ye Shijie, stop spouting nonsense.

When did I try to trick your money?

-You're still denying it. -So petty.

Come with me to the government office.

Ye Shijie, you'd better not…

Mr. Ye,

this is probably a misunderstanding.

Having been deceived, Ms. Meng is already unfortunate.

-How about-- -Ms. Jiang Li, you don't need to help her.

She tried to trick me today.

If she doesn't face consequences,

she will trick more people in the future.

Today, I'm not fighting for myself.

I'm upholding a sense of justice.

Justice?

Everyone, take a look.

It was Ye Shijie who spoke disrespectfully to me

and made unfounded speculations.

-It was you! -He didn't!

-She slandered him. -He's slandering me!

You're slandering him and making a ruckus here.

You're shifting the blame.

-I… -She's even blaming him.

-Yes. -I can't live anymore!

-I don't want to live anymore! -That's enough.

Ms. Meng.

You can't live for this reason?

You'll experience more grievances in the future.

Won't you have to die 100 times then?

He is also at fault.

Mr. Ye,

you don't show compassion toward a lady.

All you care about is getting out of this.

That's not a gentleman's conduct.

Jiang Jingrui,

give me the money.

I'll buy this painting.

Take it and tear it up to vent your anger.

So no one gets tricked after this.

Here.

Who wants your money?

I'll just give this painting to you all.

Let's go!

What a busybody.

Who are you calling a busybody?

Jiang Li argued with people on the street to seek attention.

She doesn't have a Jiang family woman's manners.

I think

Ms. Jiang Li is quite courageous.

Ruoyao,

why don't we consider

teaming up with Ms. Jiang Li?

After all, she's your family.

What do you think?

You can team up with whomever you want.

Ruoyao.

Mr. Zhou.

I told you earlier

that your plan was too childish and wouldn't work.

If it weren't for Jiang Li,

I would have Ye Shijie under my control.

After I offered him some help,

he would only be grateful to me.

Li Lian,

they are in-laws.

If you don't come up with a plan soon,

Father will really get angry.

I got this.

Don't get yourself involved in these things from now on.

Meng Hongjin is the daughter

of Meng Youde, General of Proclaimed Dominance.

If she gets angry, she'd even dare to bite a dog.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

You've already done him such a huge favor.

You should discuss the Annual Exam with him.

-No rush. -There's no hurry?

Fine. Let's see when you start getting anxious.

Carry this box for me.

Ms. Jiang Li, his lordship wants to buy you tea.

Duke Su?

Did she do something wrong?

Mr. Jiang, he's just inviting her for tea.

Tea, I see.

Then I'll go with her.

Mr. Jiang.

His lordship is only inviting Ms. Jiang Li.

There's nothing Duke Su and I can talk about.

We'll go ahead then.

Excuse us.

Let's go this way.

This way.

-Jiang-- -It's fine.

Listen. I have a bad temper.

-Jiang Jingrui. -Have some tea with this, dude.

It hurts!

I'll go up now.

Duke Su, what brings you here again?

You're the second person who asked that question today.

Please have some tea.

I dare not.

I thought I was brought here to be interrogated.

Don't be so angry,

Li.

Duke Su,

the name "Li" was given by an elder.

We're not close enough for you to address me as such.

When a civet is caught by the tail,

it looks just like you do now.

I've had my tea.

I'll take my leave.

Duke Su, what's the meaning of this?

Why did you stand up for Ye Shijie earlier?

Ye Shijie is my cousin.

I must help him when he's in trouble.

I heard this year's Annual Exam requires students from both schools to team up.

Did you set your eyes on him?

If so, is there a problem?

Shen Yurong is in charge of the exam by imperial decree.

Do you think

you can make it under his watch?

If I can't,

so what?

Will you accuse him

of favoritism and corruption for me?

You're smart enough.

Ms. Jiang Li,

I heard a story before.

It's pretty interesting.

Do you want to hear it?

It's called Duke Huang of the East Sea.

Duke Huang from the East Sea gained divine power in his youth.

He tamed wild beasts in the mountains and was admired by many.

He thought he was unrivaled.

Later on, a big white tiger appeared in the East Sea.

Duke Huang went to subdue it but didn't succeed

and was killed instead.

Have you heard of this story?

Duke Su, are you trying to remind me

that the people I face now

are just young snakes and weak tigers

that I luckily subdued?

If I encounter a real fierce tiger in the future,

I won't escape death either.

Ms. Jiang Li, I rarely read people's fortunes.

But I'll make an exception today.

The path you're on

has a fierce tiger ahead and a cliff behind.

I advise you to pause

and think carefully before moving forward.

Who is the real fierce tiger?

You will find out in time.

Xue Li.

I have no choice.

She could crush us

like ants.

Duke Su, you've been an official for many years.

Have you ever killed a tiger?

What were you thinking when you killed it?

When I raise my blade and bring it down, I think of nothing.

I think of nothing but seeking justice.

Justice?

It's so ugly.

Try to make do with it.

What does my affairs have to do with you?

Maybe in the future, our methods…

will achieve the same result.

Ms. Jiang Li

stomped on the pastry you gave her.

Well done.

If you want to enjoy the show,

you must first support the actors.

Tong'er.

Tong'er?

Miss.

Miss, why are you back so late?

Something happened after school.

I got into an argument.

The family will probably hear it soon.

Let's make preparations.

Ms. Jiang, Old Madam sent a message

for you to go to Wanfeng Hall.

WANFENG HALL

As her mother,

you can just handle it yourself.

Why drag me into this?

Back then, I had always thought

Li'er should learn etiquette before attending school.

Li'er knows this.

But I'm worried she might not accept it willingly

if I were to handle this matter.

Old Madam, she listens to you.

I hope you can teach her our family's rules and values well.

Ms. Jiang Li is here.

Greetings, Grandmother.

Greetings, Mother.

Li'er, Yu'e said

you argued with Ms. Meng in public today.

Is that true?

Yes, it is true.

Do you know Ms. Meng's father is the General of Proclaimed Dominance?

Yes, I do.

-Then-- -In that case,

why did you still confront her?

Your actions will put your father in a difficult position.

Mother,

I don't know how this has anything to do with Father.

Li'er, you may not be aware.

The General of Proclaimed Dominance and Chancellor Li are close.

Although they don't seem to interact much,

they have deep connections.

In the imperial court,

Chancellor Li and your father often have different opinions.

Your actions have now escalated

the tension between them.

Chancellor Li?

Who is the real fierce tiger?

You will find out in time.

The Jiang family has always had strict family rules.

The most taboo is stirring up trouble.

But that doesn't mean

our children should hide

when they make mistakes or face issues.

But in the capital, the officialdom is complex

and people are complicated.

Your father has a hard time navigating around it.

Li'er, you were reckless this time.

Grandmother, please don't be mad.

It was also my fault for not keeping an eye on Jiang Li.

She is straightforward

and may clash with other students.

I'll make sure to step in and stop her next time.

You're indeed wrong.

Your sister is new at the School of Integrity.

She's not familiar with the rules there.

You should have watched out for her.

How could you leave her alone?

Old Madam,

it's also my fault that Li'er got into this trouble today.

What if Li'er stays with me for a few days

to learn the rules?

I want her to quickly learn

the ways of the capital.

There's no rush.

We still need to listen to Li'er's side.

Grandmother,

I did nothing wrong today.

Years ago, I made a mistake and was sent to Zhennv Hall.

Yet Father was accused of mistreating me.

I lacked education and was careless.

But people gossiped badly

about Father instead.

By chance,

I recognized that the painting was fake today,

which disproved the rumors of my ignorance

and restored Father's reputation.

Moreover,

knowing the painting was fake but not exposing it would be dishonest.

Although I didn't deal with it perfectly,

I didn't harm anyone's dignity.

If I just kept quiet about it,

that'd tarnish the Jiang family's reputation.

If you put it that way,

you've also considered the bigger picture.

Grandmother,

no matter how eloquent Jiang Li is,

it doesn't change the fact that she got into an argument in public.

Where are her values as a Jiang family member?

She almost got into a fight with someone back then.

Onlookers were pointing fingers at the Jiang family.

When others were criticizing the Jiang family,

you just stood by and watched?

I…

I only heard about it.

By the time I arrived, the crowd had dispersed.

Yu'e, don't take rumors seriously.

How could you relay this to Grandmother?

The rumor is already so unpleasant.

Imagine how much of a spectacle you made of yourself at the time.

I also heard

that the person Meng Hongjin tricked

is Ye Shijie, the eldest son of Luyang's Ye family.

They're related.

So it's no wonder she defended him fervently.

Since they're family and both studying in the capital,

why has Jiang Li never mentioned him

after returning home all this time?

It seems like our family is deliberately distancing ourselves from relatives.

Li'er, were you in contact with the Ye family

even before you returned?

I've never met Ye Shijie.

If Ruoyao hadn't informed me now,

I wouldn't have known he was my cousin.

I didn't expect to unknowingly help a relative in distress.

Grandmother, even if my birth mother has passed away,

we're in-laws with the Ye family.

Our relative was in trouble.

If I turned a blind eye and let my cousin be taken

to the local government office,

what would people think

of the Jiang family's upbringing

as well as Father

if this matter spreads?

Why are you dragging Father into this?

That's right.

You may not know this, my sisters.

A Ministry of Rites official

disrupted his elder brother's funeral when drunk.

The censors reported it

and said he disregarded familial relations.

Out of anger, His Majesty gave him ten floggings.

Being an official, it's not easy for Father.

If this matter were blown out of proportion,

what should we do then?

Yu'e, in saying I made a spectacle of myself earlier,

was I the one who looked like a fool and who were the spectators?

Li'er has a point.

We owe Li'er a lot

over the last ten years.

I understand

if you resent the family.

I just hope you can forgive and forget.

After all, you have the Ye family blood in you.

If you're close to your cousin,

there's no need to keep it from us.

Keep it from you?

Are you saying I'm not being honest?

I always believe whatever you say.

Grandmother!

Grandmother.

Grandmother.

Aunt Shuran.

Aunt Shuran,

I was with Jiang Li when the incident happened today.

I can testify for her.

Jiang Li didn't intend to hide anything.

At first,

she didn't know the people who were arguing.

She only found out after I told her.

Whether she made a spectacle of herself or not,

you can open the door, Aunt Shuran,

and hear what people are saying.

Everyone

who was there

praised Jiang Li.

Ms. Jiang Li's reputation outside

is great.

I know you're close with Jiang Li.

You'd naturally take her side.

But as a lady,

we should always watch our conduct.

It's admirable for Jiang Li to stand up for justice.

But for a lady to interfere in men's affairs in public

is not elegant and reflects poorly on our morals.

It reflects poorly on morals?

Yu'e, you're even reasoning out today.

Can you win against Duke Su too?

What does this have to do with Duke Su?

Grandmother, you're not aware.

He praised Jiang Li endlessly.

After the matter was resolved

and we were about to leave,

Duke Su personally sent someone

to invite Jiang Li for tea.

What did he say to you?

What did he say?

Nothing much.

He just complimented me.

Duke Su said, "Like father, like daughter."

He also sent his regards to Father.

Since that's the case,

it seems today's incident was not Li'er's fault after all.

All right.

Now that everything is clear,

you can all go back.

The children are young

and are afraid of tarnishing the family's reputation.

We've disturbed you from resting.

We'll get going now.

We won't disturb you.

Grandmother, I'll take my leave too.

Grandmother, I'm going too.

I was worried at first.

But it seems Li'er is quite clever.

Duke Su sure is useful.

No wonder you told Tong'er

to let me mention Duke Su in front of Grandmother.

One praise from him

outweighs 100 criticisms from Ji Shuran.

Did Duke Su really praise you?

-No. -You even dared to lie about that.

If Duke Su finds out later, he'll surely hold you accountable.

He won't have the time.

Mr. Ye, Mr. Li requests to see you.

-Mr. Li? -Yes.

I wonder what brings you here, Mr. Li.

I just heard about Meng Hongjin

trying to trick you today.

Mr. Ye, you're neither obsequious nor arrogant, a true gentleman.

That's why I came here

to make friends.

You're too kind, Mr. Li.

In the past, you only focused on studying the classics.

I'm afraid you don't know the ways of the capital.

There are all kinds of people here.

Without a strong support network, one may fall victim to schemes.

I'll be frank. I really admire you.

If you're willing to be our friend,

we'll ensure your safety.

From now on, apart from the Imperial Academy,

the whole capital city

won't dare to offend you anymore.

Are you suggesting that we team up for the upcoming exams?

Yes.

Those at the Imperial Academy

aim to be successful and become officials.

Once they achieve that,

navigating political circles becomes a skill.

Mr. Shen is wise

to reform the system,

giving us a chance

to learn how to become officials here.

Think about it.

If you join us and we get first place and meet His Majesty,

it'll not only secure your future but also let you study without worries

and help you take care of any unnecessary troubles.

What do you think?

There's no rush.

You can give me an answer tomorrow.

I'll take my leave now.

YE RESIDENCE

Ms. Jiang Li.

Yes?

The Annual Exam is approaching.

I heard you still haven't formed a team.

Thank you for your concern.

It's indeed true.

We were betrothed once,

so our fates were intertwined.

I'm impressed with your experiences.

It's a pity if someone as talented as you are is expelled

right after entering the academy.

Emotionally and logically,

I should lend you a hand.

Have you asked Ruoyao's opinion?

If you're willing, I'll persuade Ruoyao.

SURPASS VIRTUE AND KNOWLEDGE

Mr. Zhou,

aren't you

teaming up with my other two cousins?

Now, you're trying to get Jiang Li.

Which one are you planning

to push out?

Or are you just being greedy

and wanting both of them?

I'm just trying to help Ms. Jiang Li.

Besides, my marriage with Jiang Ruoyao isn't set in stone yet.

How about this?

Go home now

and break off your engagement with Jiang Ruoyao,

then get back with Jiang Li.

When that happens, you can naturally

form a team.

Jiang Jingrui,

you're going too far.

I just said

what's on your mind.

Go home and ask your parents

if they'll let you break another engagement.

Jiang Li, let's go.

Ignore him.

SURPASS VIRTUE AND KNOWLEDGE

Mr. Ye!

Is my favor a grievance?

What do you mean?

I helped you.

Yet you keep avoiding me.

What are you afraid of?

-That I'd want you to return the favor? -What do you want?

Buy me some tea.

I refuse.

I'll wait for you at the tea house after school.

I heard about how you taught Meng Hongjin

a lesson yesterday.

So?

I thought you were useless like them,

who bully the weak and fear the strong.

I didn't expect you to have some guts.

It makes me want to get to know you better.

I'm Liu Xu.

If you face any trouble at school, just mention my name.

I'll protect you.

Thank you.

I heard you haven't formed a team yet.

Me neither. How about we team up?

The two of us?

With your dim-witted cousin?

Our chance of winning is slim.

What if we add Ye Shijie?

Ye Shijie?

From the Ye family of Luyang?

Yes.

He does have some knowledge.

But is he willing to join our team?

I'm not sure.

But we should give it a try.

Miss. This way, please.

I waited for an hour.

FORBEARANCE

A lady should dress up before an appointment.

I'm already quick enough.

Consider the tea on me.

Have as much as you like.

Cousin.

Let's stick to formalities.

We are a family.

But why do you always keep me at arm's length?

Ms. Jiang Li, you're a high-born lady

and I'm a merchant's son.

I don't deserve

to be called your cousin.

Why?

Remember what you said

when Grandmother came to fetch you

from the capital years ago?

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO

Jiang Li. Little Jiang Li, it must be hard on you.

Come here and let me hug you.

Come, go home with me.

I won't go anywhere. This is my home!

Isn't my home also your home?

No, you're not my family!

Li, how could you say such a thing?

My mother is standing right here.

I'm the Jiang family's daughter.

I don't want to be a merchant's family member.

I'm not going with you.

Jiang Li, you should come with me.

-Come home with me. -No!

Mother.

Mother.

Mother!

After Grandmother reached home, she fell seriously ill

and had to recuperate for a whole year.

Father took this to heart for many years.

And now, you're here claiming kinship.

How can I trust you?

Is this why the Jiang and Ye families stopped keeping in touch?

Would we dare to keep in touch?

What are you doing?

Shijie, let me explain first.

There's something I've been keeping to myself for many years.

I've always wanted to tell Grandmother myself

-but never had a chance-- -I don't need your excuses.

It's not.

I may be young back then,

but I wasn't a heartless person.

In front of Grandmother and all of you,

I thought what I did protected

the Jiang family and my father.

Little did I know, I was just naive

and unknowingly manipulated.

Tong'er, tell me everything you know.

I want to know

Li'er's situation with the Ye family then.

During her ten years at Zhennv Hall,

her ladyship always regretted

what she did back then.

Look, your mother's there.

Mother, what's wrong?

Li'er.

Li'er, you're here.

Li'er, tell me.

How have I been treating you?

You are very nice to me.

I've raised you since you were little.

I've always favored you.

Even Ruoyao wears hand-me-downs from you.

However,

how can I withstand

the idle gossip from outsiders?

What did they say?

I…

I…

Mother, what's wrong?

Ms. Jiang Li,

your maternal grandmother is here to pick you up.

There are rumors outside

that Madam Ji mistreats you.

Such things

really break Madam Ji's heart.

That's why Madam Ji fell ill

from such slander.

Could there be some misunderstanding?

Don't blame me for being harsh.

What kind of household is the Ye family of Luyang?

They're merchants.

Do you think they genuinely want to take you back?

They just want to control you

and leverage his lordship's official position

for their business in the future, right?

People say it's hard to be a stepmother.

If you go with that Ye family,

it will confirm the slander

against Madam Ji.

Those are gossip!

They're just trying to push Madam Ji to die.

Mother, don't be angry.

I won't go anywhere.

The Jiang family is my home.

I won't let anyone bully Mother.

This is heart-wrenching.

I was still little then.

I foolishly believed their words

and viewed the Ye family as evil people.

How was your life in the Jiang family afterward?

How did your stepmother treat you?

She was meticulous indeed.

She's always kind to me in public and private.

If I didn't want to study, I didn't have to.

I didn't have to practice calligraphy if I didn't want to.

If I didn't want to do embroidery, I didn't have to.

She even covered up my mistakes

and allowed me

to become more and more arrogant at home.

You mean…

Destruction through flattery.

That's just your side of the story.

You're telling me all this now

because you want to reconcile with the Ye family

and not offend the Meng family, right?

So you're upset with me because of this incident.

Are you blaming me

for not sending Meng Hongjin to the authorities

and giving her a way out?

Isn't that what you did?

I didn't want to give her a way out.

It's just that in the capital,

there are various powers at play.

Even though the Ye family is wealthy,

lacking officials in the family

makes you vulnerable.

In a joint state-private business,

officials have authority over merchants.

Giving Meng Hongjin a way out

is also for your own good.

If you kept pushing and causing a fallout,

the Meng family would seek a death warrant.

You're a smart person.

You were just upset yesterday.

That's why I dare to remind you of this.

I understand that.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have let her off this time.

What is the meaning of this?

I never like owing any favors.

This is my gratitude for your help yesterday.

Your way of expressing thanks

is indeed characteristic of the Ye family.

You're a family of merchants.

But I am not.

If my desire to uphold justice becomes a transaction,

wouldn't I also become someone like Meng Hongjin?

Return it in another way.

What do you have in mind?

Team up with me

and help me pass the Annual Exam.

Well…

It shouldn't be difficult for you, right?

To be honest,

Li Lian approached me.

Li Lian, the son of Li Zhongnan?

Yes.

Do you know the relationship between Meng Hongjin and Li Lian?

Do I need to know?

Meng Hongjin's father, General of Proclaimed Dominance,

has a close relationship with Li Zhongnan.

The two families have deep ties.

Perhaps Li Lian and Meng Hongjin are already acquainted.

We can't speculate about this.

When did Li Lian approach you?

It was after Meng Hongjin caused trouble.

That makes sense.

What do you mean?

I'm guessing he said that if you joined his team,

similar incidents wouldn't happen to you again.

How did you know?

In that case,

Li Lian was behind Meng Hongjin's plot.

Shijie,

their original plan was to use Meng Hongjin to give you a hard time,

then come to your aid

when you're helpless against Ms. Meng.

They just want to recruit you.

But they didn't expect me to show up.

Are you telling me this

to form a team with you

so you can pass the exam?

I want to establish myself in the School of Integrity.

But what I want most

is for the Ye family to know

the real Jiang Li.

When I was little, I was deceived

and broke Grandmother's heart.

The truth is…

family

is most important to me.

Thank you for the tea, Shijie.

Jiang Li.

I'll join you.

Has General Meng's side been taken care of?

Don't worry, dear.

We sent clothes to Mrs. Meng.

They also gave gifts in return.

The issue between Li'er and Meng Hongjin is considered settled.

I originally thought Li'er would get picked on at the School of Integrity.

I didn't expect her

to have such courage.

Dear,

you have always been cautious in court.

Descendants of high-ranking officials and nobles study

in the School of Integrity and the Imperial Academy.

The argument between Li'er and Meng Hongjin is not a concern.

But I fear that if we let this go,

it might cause trouble with nobles in the future

and drag you down.

You're being overly cautious.

It's just a dispute among younger generations.

As a Chancellor,

I wouldn't be bogged down by such matters.

Li'er had a unique experience.

Don't you remember

why we brought her back initially?

When some matters are talked about,

they can reach His Majesty's ears.

Dear, you worry too much.

If Li'er makes a big mistake,

I will certainly discipline her.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

Come here.

Did Ye Shijie really agree to join our team?

You seem to care about him a lot.

I'm just concerned about you.

Don't go.

Did he agree?

You can ask him yourself later.

Jiang Li!

I've been asking around all the morning.

Everyone at the Imperial Academy has formed teams already.

Now, apart from you, me, and Ye Shijie,

we're short one person.

We must get someone from the School of Integrity.

Aren't you the one who caused trouble on the first day of school,

got into a fight,

and even slept in class?

The one who ignores me,

the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Liu Xu?

Jiang Jingrui.

Jiang Li, even if we need to fill a spot,

we shouldn't pick her.

Jiang Jingrui.

Jiang Li, don't blame me for not warning you.

If you want to pass the Annual Exam,

choose your team member carefully.

Bringing in someone who talks big

but lacks substance

will only bring trouble.

But don't worry, Ms. Liu.

I'll surely do everything I can to make up for your shortcomings.

What shortcomings?

We're classmates.

I won't make it obvious.

Jiang Jingrui, have I been too nice to you?

Woman! You're hurting me.

All right. Let me go.

Let go.

Come on. Let go.

It hurts.

Let go, girl!

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

Mr. Ye,

you're here.

She really kills subtly.

What happened to you?

It's nothing.

Ye Shijie.

I didn't expect you to reject Mr. Li

and join this team of worthless people.

Are we worthless people

or are you a motley crew?

What did you say?

Meng Hongjin, can't you even express yourself clearly?

I don't want to talk

to motley crews like you.

Ye Shijie,

there's still time to join us

if you leave them now.

You'll surely get a part of His Majesty's reward.

I'm thankful that Mr. Li thinks highly of me.

But I've already said yes to Jiang Li,

so I can't do so.

Haven't you heard

about Jiang Li's dirty deeds at the Zhennv Hall?

Aren't you worried that being with a tainted person like her

would tarnish your reputation?

Meng Hongjin,

the people here are sensible

and what is taught here is virtue.

It's shameful of you to spread rumors and cause trouble.

Apologize.

Apologize!

What a joke.

Why should I apologize to you people

who are about to be expelled from the school?

Ye Shijie, even if you're capable,

they'll only drag you down

if you team up with them.

You might be disappointed this time.

We'll be judged based on the team's performance.

With Mr. Ye here,

we won't be that far behind.

Is that so? How about a bet?

If you're eliminated,

Ye Shijie,

publicly kneel and apologize to me.

Meng Hongjin, are you out of your mind?

Are you imitating Jiang Li for speaking out for justice?

Her father is a Chancellor. What about you?

Meng Hongjin, listen here.

If you keep being unreasonable,

my iron fist might land on a woman.

I know you won't dare to agree.

What a bunch of cowards.

I'll make that bet with you.

-He agreed. -Yes.

Since it's a bet,

then the condition should be mutual.

If we're not eliminated,

then you

will kneel and apologize to Jiang Li.

What's the matter?

Are you scared?

Not at all.

You just provoked me.

Here's a new bet.

If you're eliminated,

all of you

will kneel and apologize to me.

-Apologize! -Apologize!

This is between us.

It has nothing to do with them.

Don't go too far.

Weren't you just standing up for justice earlier?

What's the matter?

Can't you bear seeing your cousin kneel before me?

Shijie.

Since you involved us all,

how can we exclude the Li brothers?

If we get eliminated,

we can kneel.

But if we're not eliminated,

you and the Li brothers

will kneel and apologize.

How bold!

We won't bet with you if we're not bold.

This time, you've dragged the Li brothers into this bet.

Our bet is so grand that we could start

a betting counter here.

You're a bunch of lunatics.

I don't want to argue with you.

Why do I hear someone talking about me?

It's…

Mr. Li is here.

Mr. Li.

You have no idea

how out of line they are.

They wanted to bet with us.

And if we lose, we must all kneel to them.

Meng Hongjin,

you're really good at playing the victim.

We're all fellow students.

There's no need for all this kneeling.

It wouldn't sound good if word got out.

Mr. Li, you are reasonable.

However,

you should manage your teammate.

I just learned

that this whole bet started because Ms. Jiang Li stayed at Zhennv Hall.

So it's not really anyone else's fault.

Since everyone is so eager to bet,

let's do it this way.

Both of our teams will compete.

If you lose,

Ms. Jiang Li will return to Zhennv Hall herself.

Return to Zhennv Hall?

Meng Hongjin started this.

Why should Jiang Li go back?

How about this?

If we lose,

I, Li Lian, will become a monk.

Jiang Li.

From now on, you are me

and I am you.

No one can make decisions for us from now on.

No one can easily send us away.

Everything started at Zhennv Hall.

I'll take you away from here

and we'll never come back.

Mr. Li,

this is between Ms. Meng and me.

There's no need to involve you and others.

Mr. Ye,

if you change your mind and join my team,

the bet just now

will be canceled.

You've been an official for many years. Have you ever killed a tiger?

What were you thinking when you killed it?

When I raise my blade and bring it down,

I think of nothing.

There's no need to cancel it.

I'll accept

the bet.

Good.

A promise…

Must be honored.

PROMOTE NOBLE MORALS AND IDEAS, EXTENSIVE LEARNING

UNYIELDING DEDICATION, EXPLORE THE RATIONALE AND NATURE OF THINGS