Original subtitles

Place it here.

Place it over there.

The tall one. Yes.

Be careful. That pot of flowers is rare.

Come and put it over there.

Father, I won.

I didn't expect you to improve so much

under Li'er's tutelage.

Under her tutelage?

I'm the one who's talented.

You're right.

You're obviously gifted.

Aunt Lu.

-Li'er. -You're giving me so many flowers.

Yes, they're in full bloom.

It's perfect for your place.

Li'er.

Uncle Yuanping.

Come on, have some tea.

This is my favorite.

Eating is all you know.

Well…

Li'er,

I'm so glad you've helped

Rui'er grow.

I never ever dreamed

that this no-good brat would be able to receive an honor at the palace.

My dear niece,

-I really don't know how to thank you. -Yes, Li'er.

It's really all thanks to you.

We're a family.

Don't say that.

Must the three of you

be so hypocritical?

-Jiang Jingrui! -Jiang Jingrui!

-What? -I'll beat you up. I…

Dear!

-What happened, Mother? -What's wrong, dear?

-My back. -What's wrong with your old back?

It's your back that's old.

Dear, come and I'll give you a massage.

Don't touch me.

-Dear. -Tong'er.

Let's go.

Come on. Quickly.

Let me see where it hurts.

-Where? -Down there.

What's the matter?

I heard

that Zhou Yanbang wants to be engaged to you.

Zhou Yanbang

has been spoiled since he was a child

and has no qualms about doing

whatever comes to mind.

Don't mind him.

Marquis of Ningyuan grounded him.

These days, his family has been working

on suppressing this matter.

Is that so?

But that's karmic justice.

Back then, Aunt Shuran was in a hurry to switch you out

with Jiang Ruoyao just a few days

after you went to Zhennv Hall.

It hurts!

In broad daylight, you're being lovey-dovey

and showing affection for each other.

How inappropriate!

-Yuanbai, what brings you here? -Yuanbai, what brings you here?

I should be the one asking you.

It's inappropriate to come here and flirt with each other

in broad daylight!

Yuanbai, I sprained my back.

Yuanping was helping to treat me.

She sprained her old back.

You're…

Yuanbai.

Yuanbai.

-What's wrong? -Last night, I overworked my old back.

Yuanbai.

Give me a massage.

Go.

Yuanbai, let me give you a massage.

Jingrui got first place in the Annual Exam

thanks to Li'er's tutelage.

We're here to thank her.

Do you want to crush me?

Be gentler.

Go home and massage your old backs.

Dear.

Come on. I'll massage your old back at home.

-Rui'er! -Coming.

-I'll go ahead. -Come, dear. Be careful.

Come on.

-Mother. -Be careful.

-Look. -Jingrui, let's carry her.

Your mother weighs almost as much as a sow.

How inappropriate!

Father.

Slow down.

I've been busy with work in the past few days.

I only heard about you getting first place

in the Annual Exam when His Majesty praised me.

I haven't even held a banquet to celebrate for you.

In thinking about your studies at the School of Integrity,

I've been negligent.

Father, you don't have to blame yourself.

I'm used to it after ten years in Zhennv Hall.

I don't think I should disturb you

with my affairs at the School of Integrity.

I was worried you wouldn't be able to cope with your studies

at the School of Integrity,

so I thought I'd be adding to your worries by asking too much.

I didn't expect you to be good not only at calligraphy,

but also at playing the guqin.

I'm so glad.

There was a girl at Zhennv Hall who was a guqin player.

I just learned from her.

Before she left, she left me her guqin and music score

to let me practice more.

I was scolded by the chief for delaying cleaning work a few times

because I was practicing the guqin.

You've suffered.

There's nothing to hide between a father and a daughter.

I have no secrets.

If you have any questions, just say so.

I know

you were engaged to Zhou Yanbang.

But that engagement became Ruoyao's later on.

I never asked you about your thoughts.

Father, you're worrying too much.

I've never liked Zhou Yanbang.

Not in the past, not now,

and not in the future.

If he comes to you to change the engagement…

Like you said,

it was him who proposed it.

I didn't initiate it.

Besides, I've already refused.

Are you bringing it up now because you don't believe me?

No.

Fine, let's not talk about it.

I'll throw you

a celebration banquet another day.

You should be rewarded for making the Jiang family proud.

Thank you, Father.

All right. I'll go ahead.

Miss.

Look.

I can only rely on myself.

If I hadn't made a name for myself

in this Annual Exam,

I wouldn't have surpassed this

and would be blamed instead.

You got first place this time.

His Majesty will personally reward you

and you've established your reputation in the capital.

It'll be easier for you to do things in the future.

Her ladyship will surely be pleased as she watches over us

from above.

Consider the possible dangers when you're safe and be prepared.

It's not the time to rest easy.

I'm afraid the real danger lies ahead.

Idiot!

Father,

I just randomly mentioned becoming a monk.

They didn't take it seriously. Why are you being serious about it?

Besides, if I really become a monk,

our family will be dishonored.

Honor?

So now you're thinking about our family's honor.

What have I been relying on in the imperial court all these years?

Honoring my word.

You've made a mess before,

so swallow the consequences today.

But Father,

you can't really let me become a monk, can you?

Why not?

Jiang Li was stuck in Zhennv Hall for ten years

and still managed to get first place.

Look at yourself.

I hired teachers for you for over ten years

and what do I get?

You've accomplished nothing.

Yes, Father. I know I'm wrong.

I'll study twice as hard

and never be left behind.

It's too late now.

Everyone in the capital

knows about your bet now,

so I can't protect you anymore.

Stay in the temple.

If you do well and when the matter dies down,

I might have a chance to get you out.

You can take the chance to change your cocky ways too.

Take him away.

Father.

Wait.

Father. Li Jin.

Plead for me.

Li Jin, plead for me.

Li Jin. Father!

I don't want to be a monk, Father.

I haven't gotten married yet.

I haven't given you a grandson yet, Father.

Don't let me become a monk, Father.

Why are you laughing?

I just feel pity that my beloved brother

can't understand your good intentions.

It's just a show for Eldest Princess.

For the sake of Eldest Princess' ambition

as well as Prince Cheng's,

our family even sacrificed a son.

If they succeed in the future,

our family will be the most meritorious one.

When did you realize this?

A son of a distinguished family

betting with a girl in the street

is so absurd and ridiculous,

but you didn't stop it.

From that moment on, I thought

you must have another reason.

Tell me.

What would you do next if it were you?

Why are we going around a big circle

to make a fuss about Ye Shijie?

If we go

straight to Luyang

and take drastic actions,

won't the Ye family

soon come under your control?

Don't give me any more trouble.

Why can't you even handle a little girl?

I thought the Li brothers could deal with her,

but I didn't expect Zhou Yanbang to be charmed by her.

If she even wins Jiang Yuanbai's heart,

it'll be too late.

A wild girl who spent ten years in Qingcheng Mountain

fooled you as soon as she came back to the Jiang family.

Now, she got first place in the Annual Exam

and she almost overturned the School of Integrity.

As the stepmother who raised her since she was little,

don't you think there's something fishy about this?

I know you're trying to say

that she's not Jiang Li.

I'm not that stupid.

To check on this, I've especially looked into the person

who wants to kill Jiang Li the most.

Were you the chief of Zhennv Hall in Qingcheng Mountain?

Do you want to be released?

Who are you?

The Chief Secretariat's wife sent me.

What does she want from me?

I have a question for you.

If you give me a satisfactory answer,

Madam Ji will get you out.

What's the question?

Look who this is.

Isn't she Ms. Jiang Li?

Look carefully.

She stayed with me for ten years.

I could recognize her even if she was burned into ashes.

When Liu Yuanfeng disclosed the scandal

of Zhennv Hall in front of His Majesty,

Jiang Li was his witness.

Zhennv Hall's chief hates her to the core.

If her identity is fake,

she surely wouldn't help her hide it.

She's clearly Jiang Li,

but she's just very cunning

and hides herself well before everyone.

In that case, she can't be kept around.

What else can I do?

Do you remember the Shen family's case?

Do you mean Madam Xue?

Madam Xue was caught in adultery, fled to the mountains,

and ended up dead.

A woman's greatest fear is to lose her virtue.

They're being summoned to the palace in a few days, right?

If she lost her virtue in the palace,

it would be difficult

even for Chancellor Jiang to cover up in front of His Majesty.

Chancellor Jiang favors her now,

but you don't have to be angry.

Raise her reputation first

and she will naturally fall badly.

This is the palace.

I'm afraid it'll be hard to clean up if things get out of hand.

What do you take me for?

I won't harm your husband.

With me in the palace, you can rest assured.

JIANG RESIDENCE

Greetings, Grandmother.

His Majesty is granting us a banquet at the palace.

As the Jiang family got first place in the Annual Exam,

we should dress decently,

especially you.

It's your first time entering the palace,

so you should dress up carefully.

I especially got items

from some of the most famous shops in the capital

for you to choose from.

Grandmother,

I'm entering the palace to be rewarded in the name

of the Jiang family.

You can decide what you want me to wear.

Look at you.

You're passing the buck to me.

Fine. I'll decide for you.

You won first place,

so you should dress with elegance and dignity.

This silk is plain but elegant

with a soft texture.

If it's made into a dress,

it'll suit your temperament.

What do you think?

I really like it.

Thank you, Grandmother.

Ms. Zhang, show them the way out.

Yes.

You grew up in Zhennv Hall,

but your bearing is like your birth mother's.

You look like a noblewoman.

Thank you for the compliment, Grandmother.

Everyone praises you outside.

How can we be stingy with compliments at home?

I'm so happy to be able to see you

as you are today.

After ten years of separation,

I didn't expect you to develop

such a good character and skill.

I dare not let you and my father down.

Good. You're a good child of the Jiang family.

I'd like to say a few more words.

Since you're the Jiang family's child,

you must share the family's prosperity and loss.

The palace is not like home.

Be careful in everything.

Take care of yourself

and your sisters.

The world is full of deceitful people.

If anything happens,

don't keep the grievance to yourself.

Come back and tell me.

All right. I got it.

What are you doing?

Mother, I'm not going to the palace banquet.

His Majesty is hosting the banquet.

You can't just not go.

His Majesty wants to see the first placers.

I'm just a sidekick.

It doesn't matter whether I go or not.

Ruoyao,

you just lost in this year's Annual Exam.

Why react this way?

I've been practicing the guqin

day in and day out for years,

but what's the point?

In the end,

I was outshone by that wild girl from the mountains.

Either I'm not cut out for it

or it was a mistake for you

to make me learn it!

So what if you lost once?

It seems like I've pampered you so much

that you can't accept any defeat.

You must go to the banquet whether you like it.

You've already embarrassed me once at the Annual Exam.

If you dare to embarrass me a second time,

I'll consider I never had a daughter like you.

Watch her get changed.

Yes.

Miss,

you won first place and will meet His Majesty in the palace.

It's all going on as you expected.

You said

you wanted to enter the palace to lure out the one behind Shen Yurong.

How would you do it?

Through Shen Yurong, of course.

Although I don't know the person's background,

I'm certain

that the person has a high regard for Shen Yurong

and that's exactly what I want to use to force the person to show up.

But you don't even know if the person is a man or a woman.

How can you force her to show up?

It's a woman.

-A woman? -Shen Yurong

said he had no choice when he killed me.

I was just the daughter of a petty official

and my father and brother had no enemies.

The person who used Shen Yurong to kill me

was most likely targeting the position of the top scorer's wife.

She must be from a noble family who fell for Shen Yurong

and regarded my life as nothing more than an ant's.

No matter what, she must be an important person.

You must be very careful.

Don't worry. I'll be careful.

Shijie.

Shijie.

I just did some errands

and happened to be passing by.

Are you going to the palace?

Yes.

I'm also on my way to the palace banquet.

Why don't I take you there?

Don't worry about it.

My family arranged for a carriage.

Right. I'll see you at the palace entrance.

Shijie, are you here to pick me up?

That's so nice of you.

Jiang Li is here too. Let's go together.

Father already got a carriage for us.

Shijie has a carriage ready.

It's a good time for us to catch up.

-Let's go. -Jiang Jingrui.

It's fine. Let's go.

JIANG RESIDENCE

BENEFITTING THE PEOPLE

Ye Shijie!

What's wrong?

Why are you staring at Jiang Li like that?

I know.

-You must like… -I…

her soft as a feather and light as smoke outfit.

I don't.

Stop denying it.

Look.

Your frowning face is turning red.

I'm sure you want to make

a feathery, smoky outfit

out of this feathery,

smoky fabric for yourself.

No, I'm just a little nervous.

All right.

I understand.

It's natural

to be nervous

the first time you go to the palace.

I thought I was the only one

who was so nervous that I couldn't sleep.

HENING GATE

We've arrived.

HENING GATE

Xue Li, I'm going in.

Go in without worry.

I'll wait for you outside the palace.

Actually, you could come with me to the palace.

You're the top scorer who'll be rewarded in the palace.

Why would I go in with you?

Mother is already upset that I insisted

on seeing you off here today.

You're the wife of the top scorer.

If you don't come with me, who else can?

I know.

It's just that I don't know the rules of the palace.

I'd be doing you a disservice if I were rude.

Xue Li, we're married, so we're one now.

I know.

It's getting late. Go and come back early.

I'll wait for you here,

my dear top scorer.

HENING GATE

HENING GATE

Jiang Li, you're here.

Did you guys plan to come together?

Jiang Jingrui and I came together

and Shijie brought us along.

I see.

But doesn't Ye Shijie live in the opposite direction?

How did he bring you along?

You know quite a lot about Shijie.

Why don't I ask Jiang Jingrui to take you

to Shijie next time?

What nonsense are you talking about? Come on. Let's go in.

Ms. Jiang Ruoyao is here.

Ruoyao.

You look great today.

I thought you were only interested in the guqin first placer.

I didn't expect you'd pay attention to my outfit.

Don't say that.

I've always paid a lot of attention to you.

I'll take my seat.

Ruoyao, let's take a seat first.

Don't make Mr. Zhou upset.

So what if he's upset?

Who do you think you are?

Can you meddle in our affairs?

Yun'er.

What's wrong with you?

Why have you been so listless lately?

It's nothing.

What are you looking at?

Those are the seats of Jiang Li and Liu Xu.

They haven't arrived yet.

They must be putting on airs because they got first place.

Yes.

It's good if she doesn't come.

What did you say?

Nothing.

His Majesty and Consort Li have arrived.

It's my first time to see Consort Li.

She looks so much younger than my mother.

Yes.

She used to be the late emperor's consort.

Why else do you think His Majesty took her as Consort Li

in spite of all the opposition?

Lower your voice. Do you have a death wish?

-Greetings, Your Majesty, Consort Li. -Greetings, Your Majesty, Consort Li.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Since ancient times, scholars have been meeting friends through the six arts.

You are among the best in them.

Today, His Majesty is hosting a banquet

to encourage scholars to study diligently

and reward the top placers of the Annual Exam.

Annual Exam top placers, greet His Majesty.

Are you Ye Shijie?

Yes, I am, Your Majesty.

Good.

The Ye family of Luyang has produced

such outstanding talent.

It's obvious that you're dedicated to your studies.

Your Majesty, you're too kind.

I can only work hard

to improve the people's livelihood and live up to Your Majesty's grace.

Well said.

The Ministry of Revenue is currently discussing

the transfer of additional personnel to ensure people's livelihood.

Today, I'm appointing one too.

You'll be the Ministry of Revenue's Vice Director.

I'll order the Ministry of Personnel to issue an appointment order tomorrow.

All right. Thank you, Your Majesty.

I heard that Ms. Jiang Li,

who lived in isolation for ten years in Zhennv Hall,

managed to win first place in this year's Annual Exam

and made a name for herself in the capital.

That's you, right?

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You're so well-versed in your speech and unflappable.

I heard that you were in Zhennv Hall for ten years.

I'm very curious how you did it.

Zhennv Hall may be in the mountains,

but it nurtured my soul and my character.

There are many recluses in the mountains.

It's just that ordinary people

can't see them because they're blinded

by worldly things.

I left home at a young age and was quite a loner,

but I was free of distractions and naive,

which made me catch the attention of an expert

and learn some things.

Living in such a desolate place

didn't make you give up

and you never forgot to improve yourself.

That's rare.

Come on. Present the gifts.

The four of you are the nation's pillars,

so I shall reward you.

These jewels and jades are for you.

Your Majesty.

These are rare jewels and jades, Your Majesty,

but I'm not interested in them.

I'd like to ask Your Majesty to exchange them.

It's the first time someone has refused gifts from me.

I don't dare to refuse.

It's just I don't know how to appreciate them.

The jewels and jades are bound to get dusty in my possession,

which is why I ventured to speak out.

What do you want then?

I'm obsessed with knowledge.

I once read Mr. Shen's "A Treatise on Men's Servitude."

His comments are brilliant in analyzing current issues

and they're widely circulated among the literati.

I'm incompetent,

but I have great admiration for Mr. Shen's literary skills.

It's just that I don't dare to seek teachings due to social norms.

Today, I'm asking Your Majesty to grant me permission

to be mentored by Mr. Shen in the future.

With a mentor, I'm sure I'll gain more knowledge in the future.

Ms. Jiang Li is so bold.

I wonder if she has taken a liking to Mr. Shen.

You don't say. They make a good couple.

Don't talk nonsense.

What's the matter, dear?

I went to the market to buy groceries today.

The greengrocer,

who usually comes rain or shine, didn't show up.

When I asked,

I learned that his family was sparse

and his only son had gone off to serve in the army.

So even though he was old,

he had no choice but to do corvee.

In the end, he died of exhaustion.

What a tragedy.

People's lives are hard.

Thank you, dear.

What's the matter?

There are questions on the subject of corvee in the Imperial Examination.

I was at a loss for ideas.

Thanks to you, I'm inspired to write about it.

No wonder you said you were naive.

No one else would dare to request that.

Even if there are social norms,

there's no harm in pursuing knowledge.

"A Treatise on Men's Servitude" is well-written indeed.

It can't be written by those who are unconcerned about the people.

Only after reading this article

did I realize Minister Shen's talent to serve the nation.

And as a woman, it's rare for you to be so keen

on pursuing knowledge.

I approve. Minister Shen.

Mr. Shen,

His Majesty is calling you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I want you to give Ms. Jiang Li serious guidance.

Don't be sloppy.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I have a question for Ms. Jiang Li.

Mr. Shen, please go ahead.

"A Treatise on Men's Servitude" was written when I was a scholar.

It has been years

and I've forgotten about it.

May I know why you like it?

Maybe it's because you were not yet an official

when you wrote it.

An ordinary commoner's intentions are pure.

"An ordinary commoner's intentions are pure."

Let's make an effort together, Ms. Jiang Li.

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

Your Majesty is having a good time today,

so I've had more drinks.

But I can't hold my liquor

and I'm getting dizzy now.

It's all right, Your Majesty. Don't worry about me.

I'll accompany you to rest first.

His Majesty is leaving.

-Goodbye, Your Majesty. -Goodbye, Your Majesty.

Mr. Shen.

-Please drink. -Please go ahead.

Mr. Shen.

It was rude of me

to ask for your guidance and disregard the fact

that you're still mourning your late wife.

Please forgive me.

It's all right.

You've already given me two fine lines of judgment.

The word "judgment" is unlucky

as if it were a judgment on you.

My wife is dead,

so my life has already been judged.

Are you missing your late wife?

She used to play the guqin by my side,

but now it's all just a mirage,

so how can I not be sad?

Eldest Princess has arrived!

-Greetings, Eldesst Princess. -Greetings, Eldesst Princess.

I didn't expect to see Eldest Princess today.

His Majesty is busy with national affairs tonight,

so he told me to come and enjoy with you.

Don't be so formal.

I'll have a toast with you all.

Rumor has it that she's not to be trifled with.

We must be careful.

HENING GATE

Mr. Shen.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Did you have a drink with a lady just now?

Your Highness,

a student from the Annual Exam gave me a toast.

A student?

I heard on the way here

that a studious lady wants you to be her teacher.

I wonder which lady has such an eye for talent.

Who is she?

Could it be her?

Your Highness,

I'm Chancellor Jiang's daughter, Jiang Li.

So you're Jiang Li.

Your looks

are surprising.

Play some music.

Mr. Shen, enlighten me

on the meaning of "play the guqin by my side"

and "it's all just a mirage."

Please protect my dignity at the palace banquet.

You know

I love to toy

with your dignity the most.

Are you waiting for me here?

Why do I think Ms. Jiang Li

and Mr. Shen's late wife

look like twin sisters?

I've never met Mrs. Shen.

I wonder why Your Highness would say that.

But as it happens,

all my sisters are here today.

Everyone knows that Mr. Shen loved his wife as much as his life.

So

do you think she looks like your late wife?

There are a lot of people who look alike in the world.

I dare not offend people.

I've long heard that a girl dared to make a bet

with the young master of the Li family in this year's Annual Exam.

But now that I've seen her, she's really something.

Perfect timing.

We've had our fill of wine,

so let's have some fun.

I'll verify whether

you're the real thing or not for His Majesty.

I've heard that Ms. Jiang Li is good not only with the guqin,

but also with archery.

Can you show your skills to us?

Your Highness, you got it wrong.

I'm not good at archery.

I see.

Then I'll have to find you a good target.

It's no fun with something that's not alive.

We've all seen enough of them.

Pick a live target to play with.

Who should I pick?

Your Highness,

I request to be the target of Ms. Jiang Li.

Shen Yurong, you're really something.

Except for me, all of them are students from the two schools.

They're still young.

If any of them offends Your Highness,

I hope you won't make things difficult for them

for my sake.

Fine.

But it's no fun for Mr. Shen

to be involved with the arrow without an arrowhead.

Guards, give me an arrow with an arrowhead.

Mr. Shen, hold it up.

Miss Jiang, shoot the jug.

If you hit the target, I'll reward you.

What's this?

On the way back, I found it interesting,

so I bought it for you.

I wanted to surprise you,

but you saw it first.

Your Highness,

there is no problem for sober archers to hit a live target.

But at the banquet today,

Ms. Jiang Li already had a few drinks.

I'm afraid--

Who are you to interrupt when I'm talking?

Ms. Jiang Li,

what are you waiting for?

Mr. Shen's hands are sore from holding it up for you.

What if I miss it?

It's just for fun to entertain Her Highness.

Ms. Jiang Li,

don't worry whether I live or die.

Focus on the target.

I'll count to three.

Together, let's release

the thumb that's pulling the string.

Remember. Don't hesitate.

Xue Li, close your eyes.