Original subtitles

When people are down and out,

they're like falling leaves

who can't control

their fate.

The Duke Mansion has no place for such falling leaves.

But Li,

there are still

a lot of possibilities for you.

My lord,

breakfast is ready in the hall.

Ms. Jiang Li,

after you.

Where's Ms. Situ?

She left.

No live person stays overnight in my courtyard.

Then…

You were dead asleep.

It doesn't count.

Eat up.

Father, the pan-fried dumplings are done.

-Be careful. -It's so hot.

-Are you all right? -Xue Li, it's so hot.

Do you feel better?

Enough, stop fooling around. The porridge is getting cold.

-All right. -Come and eat.

Let's eat.

Your porridge is getting cold.

What's the matter?

Are you moved to tears just for a meal?

-I'm not crying. -Don't speak when eating or sleeping.

-Father. -Thank you.

-It smells good. -Want one?

I'll eat this one.

-Try this meat bun. -Try this meat bun.

The servants purposely went out and bought them.

-It is especially-- -Duke Su,

don't speak when eating or sleeping.

ANNUAL EXAM, FIRST DAY

Ms. Jiang Li.

You are so late.

I thought you didn't dare to come.

No way.

I remember the bet.

Good.

Mr. Li!

-Mr. Li! -Mr. Li!

STUDY AND THINK DILIGENTLY DAILY TO GAIN PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING

This year's Annual Exam will begin soon.

I believe all of you are well-prepared.

The rules are the same.

The team in the last place

will leave the School of Integrity and the Imperial Academy.

Good luck.

His Majesty appointed the Academy's Educational Commissioner.

This Annual Exam will be hosted by Mr. Shen.

Jiang Li.

Jiang Li.

What are you thinking about?

It's starting.

Mr. Shen,

can we begin?

Let's begin.

The first academic exam

begins!

Duke Su,

regarding the few days you asked,

it was Little Taohong who performed on stage.

What were the programs after that?

Mr. Xiao's "Butcher Sun,"

Mr. Zhang's "Tale of the Pipa,"

and Little Taohong's "Case of Jiu'er."

Got it.

-You may go. -All right.

My lord,

are you reluctant to leave Little Taohong's performance?

Investigate this lady.

Don't alert anyone.

Money has no legs,

but it goes away faster than everything else.

Once you've verified it,

I want you to stop the money from going out.

Yes.

Stop.

What's the rush?

He's going to the gambling den.

Why are you saying everything?

Today is the day of the Annual Exam.

The city's gambling dens have a wager between Jiang and Li.

Everyone is placing their bets like crazy.

Did you place your bet?

Of course. This is easy money.

Li Lian will surely win.

My lord, you are so generous today.

Since I can't support Little Taohong today,

I'll support Ms. Jiang Li.

WATCHING THE SEE AND SKY

The people who advanced to the final round

are Ye Shijie…

Do your best.

Li Jin.

YE SHIJIE

LI JIN

Please listen to the question.

The three rivers flow. Explain.

It's from the Tribute of Yu.

When the three rivers flow, Zhenze will be safe.

These are the three major rivers in the Lake Tai Basin.

Song River, Lou River, and Dong River.

Correct.

Ye Shijie gets one point.

YE SHIJIE

Next question.

It's from the Book of Han, Biography of Wei Xian .

Educating a child is better

than leaving him a fortune.

It's from the Book of Han, Biography of Xue Pingpeng .

Learning is the noblest of human pursuits.

This is from Master Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals .

Defeat oneself to defeat others.

Ye Shijie gets one point.

At this rate, the outcome is obvious.

Mr. Ye's academic skills are really amazing.

Next question.

Use a fake goal to mask your real goal until it's achieved.

In front of everyone, point west when your goal is actually in the east.

Explain.

No answer from either of you?

This is from the Book of Southern Qi, Biography of Wang Jingze ,

one of the 36 Stratagems.

It's easier to become careless when one is well-prepared.

Something habitual makes people lose vigilance.

The secret is hidden in public

and not in something concealed in private.

Correct.

Li Jin gets one point.

LI JIN

That's how my brother is.

He likes to make a comeback.

Next question.

It's from the Book of the Grand Historian,

-Volume 65. -Next question.

Thinness and transparency are the Tang jade cup's biggest features.

It usually has embossed patterns of clouds, plants, or people.

One point.

This is from Doctrine of the Mean.

Li Jin gets one point.

Last question.

Indecisiveness loses a battle. Explain.

From Spring and Autumn Annals Year 25, Duke Xiang .

If one is indecisive in playing Go, he won't win.

Ye Shijie and Li Jin get one point each.

The first part is over.

Li Jin is in first place. Ye Shijie is in second place.

This is bad. I didn't expect Li Jin to be so good.

The next question is about politics and economy.

Li Jin

has been influenced by Chancellor Li since he was little.

I wonder if he's more confident in this.

The final question about politics and economy will be judged by Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen, please go ahead.

This question is from His Majesty and I.

If a new emperor ascends to the throne and the Treasury is empty

and there is corruption within the government

as well as frequent droughts,

what is an effective method?

At the start of a new era, many things must be done.

New things can't be established if old things aren't abolished.

Having many issues isn't a problem,

but having people who neglect their duties is.

I think internal affairs must be dealt with and corrupt officials punished.

The dirty money should be handed over to the Treasury

then distributed to the disaster victims.

Li Jin, what do you think?

I think

resolving the drought crisis is crucial.

The corrupt officials shouldn't be punished first

to ensure smooth distribution of money and food for disaster relief.

Corrupt officials cannot be kept,

but they're the main force in distributing the relief aid at the moment.

If the crisis is not well-resolved

and the people's support is lost,

the emperor's position will be in danger.

Mr. Li's idea seems reasonable,

but it furthers some people's interest.

Even if the victims' problems are resolved by this method,

it's not a long-term solution.

Since these corrupt officials experienced the benefits,

they won't let go of them.

They'll take advantage of the crisis to make money because that's their nature.

In the end, the victims and the emperor will suffer.

Only corrupt officials in between will benefit.

Mr. Ye's vision is very good,

but it is practical.

In reality, I'm afraid it can't be implemented at all.

If you only seek integrity,

Mr. Ye,

there might be no official left.

Everyone knows about the principles,

but when it comes to execution,

it is much more complicated

than a theoretical discussion.

-Right. -He's the son of a Chancellor indeed.

He is seeing the problem more clearly.

Ye Shijie has no real-life experience.

He may lose.

This is bad. Why do I feel like Ye Shijie is going to lose?

No.

Ye Shijie

is going to win.

Why?

Why did His Majesty reward you with so many things?

His Majesty asked me today.

Am I not afraid that there will be no official left

if corrupt ones are punished during a natural disaster?

What does it have to do with rewarding you?

I said I witnessed when I was little

how my father was harmed by corrupt officials,

causing my family to be destroyed.

With corrupt officials around, the Treasury will have a deficit.

An empty Treasury means a lack of funds for disaster relief.

Lacking funds for disaster relief means people will die.

How can I be afraid of the lack of officials?

I'm willing to be a lone official than give in.

Mr. Li,

making money in a disaster

not only hurts the people

but also the emperor's dignity.

As an official, if you turn a blind eye to corruption

for convenience,

thousands of people will die in vain

in this world.

If this becomes a habit,

it'll be like the collapse of an ant hill,

which becomes uncontrollable.

Who will take responsibility

when the nation is exhausted of its money?

In terms of political strategy,

Ye Shijie wins.

Ye Shijie gets five points.

LI JIN, YE SHIJIE

Ye Shijie and Li Jin are both in first place.

Your performance today

was indeed incredible.

Your performance

is also novel and unique.

I'll continue looking forward

to your team's performance later.

I'll treat everyone to a meal today.

Let's have a feast

to celebrate Ye Shijie's first victory.

I've never seen Li Jin cornered.

It seems like the Li brothers were going all out.

I wanted to give everyone a confidence boost by winning,

but I didn't expect to only get a tie.

I was even so proud before.

I should apologize to you all.

Mr. Ye,

it was already difficult to get first place.

You're up next, Jiang Jingrui.

-Can you do it? -Don't doubt me.

My Go skills might not be the best, but I'm not afraid of anyone.

-You can boast after you win. -Just wait.

Give me your hand.

What do you want?

I want to borrow some luck.

Liu Xu, you too.

Why are you grabbing my hand?

Can't I borrow some of your luck?

Fine.

Everyone should do it.

Mr. Ye,

your hand.

What are you doing?

I just want to borrow some luck.

Even if you don't believe in this,

there's no need to spoil the mood.

All right.

I'll give all my luck to you.

Stand up. Let's do this together.

Together.

Let's hope I don't face Li Lian in the first round

and that I can get a high score.

-Come on. -All right.

One, two, three.

-Victory! -Victory!

Who does Shen Yurong think he is?

Isn't he just arrogant since His Majesty favors him?

How dare he reprimand you in public.

I think he doesn't…

I think he doesn't want to stay in the capital anymore.

You can't touch Shen Yurong.

Think about it.

He is from a poor family

and doesn't swear loyalty to the Li and Jiang families.

No one like him can still be an official.

He is alone, yet his career is stable.

And how can he easily make His Majesty like him?

Don't you find it weird?

No, Li Jin,

who is his backer?

Even if someone does something to him,

it won't be us.

The most important thing now is to get first place in the Annual Exam.

In the Go exam,

you must get first place.

Don't worry.

I've talked to everyone.

No one would dare to win against me at this time.

Jiang Li

will return to Zhennv Hall soon.

Li Jin.

ACADEMIC EXAM, FIRST PLACE: JIANG LI, YE SHIJIE, JIANG JINGRUI, LIU XU

JIANG LI

Yurong, there's a Go situation that I don't understand.

Help me take a look.

Ask your sister-in-law.

Sister-in-law?

Yurong, are you all right?

I'm busy.

Let's talk later.

Why did I think about her?

How could I

think about her?

The nights of Qingcheng Mountain

are piercing cold.

It's cold enough to see through everything.

Why were my loved ones so ruthless?

They made me stay on Qingcheng Mountain for ten years.

You lose.

I told you, you'd be fine.

Your Go skills aren't bad.

You lost to me on purpose.

You are playing a guiding game.

It seemed as if I won,

but you were the one who controlled the whole game.

You were deciding who would win.

Since you realized my intention,

it means your skill is up to a certain standard.

Of course.

Even if I haven't read my father's notes more than 100 times,

I've still read everything.

Your playing style is similar to mine.

However, your idea of being cautious

has given me a new understanding.

Speaking of which,

who did you learn your skills from?

I secretly studied Go notes

in Zhennv Hall too.

In that case,

we are both prodigies.

I heard there are many good players in the Imperial Academy.

Have you played against them before?

I don't need to play against them to know

that they play by relying on connections.

Even Li Lian can get first place.

That means no one dares to win against him.

If you meet them next time,

you must teach them a lesson.

Of course.

Little Backbone.

Jiang Li,

don't just talk about me.

You should think about your guqin exam.

Ji Shuran spent a lot of money

to make Jiang Ruoyao win.

Madam Ji,

Ruoyao's skills have improved by leaps and bounds recently.

She will surely get the top three in the Annual Exam.

Thank you, Fairy.

However, I want the first place.

I hope you can help me.

Fairy Jinghong?

She's not an ordinary person.

She's the best guqin player at Wangxian Pavilion.

She is even one of the main invigilators of this exam.

Yesterday's exam was really exciting.

I wonder how today's Go exam will be.

Yes.

Students participating in the Go exam, please draw lots.

The losing student will be eliminated directly.

The winners will advance.

Why don't I see Mr. Shen today?

Isn't Shen Ruyun his sister?

I think he won't participate

to avoid any suspicions.

Tao Cheng will play against Liu Lingzi.

Please give me a weak opponent.

-It hurts. -Can you not speak your thoughts?

If I don't say it out loud, how will the heavens hear me?

Li Lian will play against…

Not me.

-Zeng Qi. -Great.

Jiang Jingrui will play against…

A weak player.

Shen Ruyun.

Why do you always win?

I'm not playing anymore.

Mother, I'm not learning Go anymore!

Why did you make her angry again?

Yun'er is your sister-in-law.

Can't you let her win?

Jiang Jingrui,

go all out.

Do you want me to play viciously?

Crush her.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

Jiang Jingrui, you can surrender if you don't want to compete.

You can't win against me anyway.

In my opinion,

you should think

about where to cry later.

-What a joke. -Begin.

What's the situation now?

It doesn't look good.

The corners are being controlled.

The white pieces are dominating.

The situation is dire,

so why does Jiang Jingrui look so relaxed?

He is doing it on purpose.

He is setting up a trap.

Is that so?

The fiercer you attack,

the more flaws you have.

From now on,

it's my turn to attack.

Yun'er, you shouldn't be impatient when you play.

The fiercer you attack,

the more flaws you leave.

From now on, it's my turn to attack.

I thought Jiang Jingrui was just a fool.

I didn't expect him

to be preparing

for this move from the beginning.

He has been showing his weakness

in front of his opponent

and advancing by retreating.

While keeping his opponent calm,

he's changing

this cornered situation

in front of him.

DO THINGS CALMLY

Place it here.

You can move here.

I'm sure you remember the setup just now.

You only got distracted because your piece got captured.

Are you spacing out because I captured your piece?

If you place it here,

this game will be over.

That'll be boring. Place it here.

Ms. Xiao, he keeps disturbing me!

Quiet.

Jiang Jingrui's playing style

is not to win directly

but to let his opponent see hope

before guiding them.

In private games,

this is a way of guiding the opponent on how to play,

but in a match,

this is the most arrogant and cruel playing style.

Ruyun, don't give up first.

If you placed it in another spot,

you could block my attack.

Why do you always win?

What's the matter?

Do you want to flip the table?

Do it.

Go ahead.

You…

You…

Me?

She…

She…

-What's wrong? Why did she pass out? -What's happening?

Is she all right?

Congratulate me.

Order anything you want. I'll pay.

Ye Shijie wasn't proud when he got first place.

Why are you bragging when you get fifth place?

What do you mean?

I won many games

and even earned a high ranking.

I deserve to be praised.

Right, Little Backbone?

Don't be nervous.

I'll give you all my good luck.

And I wish you

victory tomorrow.

What's wrong?

Liu Xu,

how's your old injury?

Don't worry. I'm fine.

I'll stand up from where I fell down.

Thanks to all of you

for always patronizing my business.

This is on the house today.

Thank you.

-Leave it here. -Nourishing soup.

Let's see what it is.

Softshell turtle soup.

DELAYED FAREWELL

Yurong.

I was terrified.

I think Jiang Li is Xue Fangfei.

Don't speak nonsense.

How can someone resemble her so much in this world?

I've heard enough of this.

Don't mention it again in the future.

When I was playing Go today,

I felt

as if I was playing against Xue Fangfei.

Stop.

It felt scary.

I'm sure Xue Fangfei isn't dead.

-Do you think Xue Fangfei killed Jiang Li? -I said stop it!

I buried her

with my own hands.

Jiang Li is Jiang Li.

No matter how much she resembles her, she's not Xue Fangfei.

Do you feel afraid now?

When you and Mother took Wanning's gifts and plotted to harm her,

weren't you happy?

After she's killed,

you are afraid of ghosts now.

Mother forced me to do it.

I didn't want to do that.

If I didn't obey Mother,

she would commit suicide.

Stop showing me your guilty look!

I'm telling you.

Xue Fangfei is dead.

She's dead!

She died on Qingcheng Mountain.

Do you remember it now?

-I remember. -Louder!

I remember.

Get lost!

Mother!

DELAYED FAREWELL

After the guqin exam is over tomorrow,

I'll get back the money from my previous bet.

Don't show a long face.

All right, I'll share some with you.

After I get the money, I'll buy you many drinks.

I don't think so.

My lord,

what do you think?

Are you waiting for me to give you money for drinks?

No. My lord.

Forgive me for saying this.

Why did you place your bet on Jiang Li?

She will never win.

Ye Shijie and the Li family are tied.

Li Lian got first place in the Go Exam.

Jiang Jingrui only got fifth place.

Only Liu Xu and Jiang Li are left.

Forget that Meng Hongjin

always won the top three in the academy horseback archery exams.

Even if Liu Xu wins against Meng Hongjin,

she'd only close the gap left by Jiang Jingrui's loss.

In the last round, the guqin exam,

Jiang Li must get first place.

The Li family's team is sending Wang Qingqing.

She has been a palace musician's student for many years.

How can Jiang Li win against her?

Even if Jiang Li wins against Wang Qingqing,

don't forget that she bet on getting first place.

That means she must win against Jiang Ruoyao, who got first place

in the guqin exam for many consecutive years.

I'm afraid Ms. Jiang Li will soon return to Zhennv Hall.

Go and check

on her hands' condition.

-Yes. -I'll go.

Why did this man fall into the jar?

Have I

rushed this?

She's so disobedient.

ANNUAL EXAM, THIRD DAY

WORK HARD AND PERSEVERE FOR PROMISING PROSPECT

In this archery competition,

students will be assessed with the Heaven's Bow Technique

founded by the late emperor.

What is the Heaven's Bow Technique?

Students will shoot at balls

from a ball launcher with their bow.

The more balls they shoot, the more points they get.

We've always prepared for horseback archery.

Why did they suddenly change it?

The archery competition format always changes.

They shoot jars, targets, and balls.

You shoot on horseback sometimes

and shoot while running at times.

Since we are competing as a team,

we'll shoot while suspended midair.

The idea is still the same.

First group. Zhou Yanbang and Zhuge Pei.

Go to your positions!

-Zhou Yanbang will surely win! -Zhou Yanbang will surely win!

-Victory for Zhou Yanbang! -Victory for Zhou Yanbang!

Begin.

WORK HARD AND PERSEVERE FOR PROMISING PROSPECT

How is your hand?

I'm fine.

Are you anxious? Are you scared?

-Are you nervous? -Shut up.

Be calm, collected, confident.

I told you to shut up.

Liu Xu, you are the greatest.

Jiang Jingrui, will you die if you shut up?

The exam for the first group begins.

Get ready!

Launch!

-Victory for Zhou Yanbang! -Victory for Zhou Yanbang!

-Zhou Yanbang will surely win! -Zhou Yanbang will surely win!

-Pull harder and higher in the next round. -All right.

-Victory for Zhou Yanbang! -Victory for Zhou Yanbang!

Launch!

Mr. Zhou, you are amazing.

-Zhou Yanbang! -Zhou Yanbang!

-Zhou Yanbang! -Zhou Yanbang!

Next group, Meng Hongjin and Liu Xu.

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

Liu Xu,

I didn't expect you to participate in this competition.

If you fall again,

your hand might be crippled.

Just because of this country bumpkin girl's bluff,

is it worth it?

Mind your own business,

you shrew.

Go to your positions!

Get ready!

Launch!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

Liu Xu, are you all right?

I'm fine.

Liu Xu is usually fierce. What's wrong with her today?

Perhaps she has a fear of heights.

-Fear of heights? -Yes.

She will feel dizzy if her feet leave the ground.

Let's make her hang lower.

It's no use.

As long as she's suspended midair,

she will feel dizzy.

How do you know that?

When I was little, my family wanted me to excel in academics and sports,

but they discovered those who fear heights can't practice Qinggong.

Pull higher.

Launch!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

Liu Xu, surrender if you can't do it.

Don't embarrass yourself here.

Jiang Li, I…

You haven't lost yet.

It's not time to say sorry yet.

Who said I was saying sorry?

I want all of you to work hard

and pull me higher!

Aren't you scared?

I am,

but I want to win!

We believe in you.

-We believe in you! -We believe in you!

Come on!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Meng Hongjin! -Meng Hongjin!

-Liu Xu! -Meng Hongjin!

Get ready!

Launch!

How do you have the courage to compete for first place?

Because I can't accept it.

I can't accept being stuck in Zhennv Hall

and being trampled on at the School of Integrity.

I want to compete.

I want to break free from this stifling place.

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Come on! -Let's go!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

You're amazing, Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu, well done! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

Let's go! Come on!

-Liu Xiu! -I'm going too.

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

Mr. Shen! Ms. Xiao!

I am injured!

Where are you injured?

My butt is injured!

Someone shot my butt with a concealed weapon!

Why did they only shoot your…

butt?

I don't want this either!

It's all my fault for causing jealousy due to my appearance and talent!

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Where's the concealed weapon? -It's here.

-Liu Xu! -Liu Xu!

-Blood? -Liu Xu!

-My butt… -Liu Xu!

RESPECT AND EMULATE THE EXCELLENT

-I heard its rank is high. -Jiang Li's team is still one place lower

than Li Lian's team now.

Wang Qingqing, Prefect Wang's daughter, on Mr. Li's team,

got second place in last year's guqin exam.

Jiang Ruoyao was in first place.

Doesn't this mean Jiang Li must win against Ruoyao to get first place?

-Right. -Yes.

It seems like

an exciting fight between family members is about to begin.

ANNUAL EXAM RANKING

TAIJI HALL

The wager between Jiang Li and Li Lian

has become the city's hot topic.

I wonder if my niece, Ruoyao,

can still get a good result this time.

Consort Li, don't worry.

Ruoyao is my favorite student.

Her guqin skill has always been one of the best.

I don't think getting first place again

will be a problem.

I only wonder if your class

has any up-and-coming talents.

In terms of technique,

I don't think there's anyone who can compare to Ruoyao.

Ms. Xiao, have some tea.

Be careful.

Are you prepared for the competition tomorrow, Jiang Li?

If Jiang Li wins the competition tomorrow,

our team will win the wager.

Ruoyao, we are from the same family.

Help your family out and give her a handicap.

If I don't do my best,

isn't it a sign of disrespect for Jiang Li?

Jiang Li,

are you confident tomorrow?

It all comes down to effort.

It all comes down to effort.

Jiang Jingrui,

go home first.

I want to go out and take a stroll.

Remember to bring me some rice cakes if you pass by the shop.

Sure.

I'll go back first.

Duke Su, why are you looking for me?

Your hand.

You are the first person

that Situ Jiuyue failed to treat.

In the past few days, I've been practicing--

You were too impatient and failed at the last step.

Li.

You still haven't grown up.

It seems like you don't want to win tomorrow.

I will rest well today.

Duke Su, please let go and let me go back.

It's not embarrassing to owe me a favor.

Duke Su, please give me pointers.

Send a message to Situ Jiuyue.

Tell her this girl ruined her reputation.

-Let's go. -Duke Su.

Yes, my lord.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

RETURN OF THE CLOUDS

Xiao Heng! How is my reputation ruined?

It's you again.

Did you owe her in your past life?

Check her injury.

Couldn't you even wait two days?

What did you do again?

It didn't hurt anymore after you treated me.

I thought I was fine

and played for a while because I couldn't help it.

Do you want to win so badly?

Please help me, Ms. Situ.

The meridians of your hand are damaged.

If you want to fully recover, it'll take at least three days.

She only has one day.

Please find someone else then.

It turns out there's an illness that the best physician can't treat.

Look.

You scared her.

I'm the best poison expert.

Xiao Heng,

if you insist on treating her,

there's still a way.

But if she can't take it,

she will die.

Do you dare to take a gamble?

I ended up this way because I didn't obey your instructions.

However, I'm willing to take a gamble if it's useful.