Original subtitles

What are you looking at?

I… The Ye family?

I'm Ye Mingyu from the escort agency,

not the Ye family's Mingyu!

Uncle Mingyu.

No one is stopping you from going back to the escort agency.

Let go first, all right?

I won't let go!

I'm not leaving her.

Go home.

Let go.

Go back.

-Go home. -Don't touch me!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I've failed you.

I've failed you.

I didn't protect you.

I didn't protect you!

Zhenzhen.

I miss you so much.

Can you come back and see me just once?

I think of you every day and every night.

I beg you.

Come see me…

See me just once.

Zhenzhen.

Lu Ji.

You…

He's my third uncle.

He has gone home.

Good job.

It has been a great day!

You're…

the cannon.

You're drunk.

Who says I'm drunk?

I'm not drunk.

I can't get drunk!

I can't get drunk.

I'm not drunk!

I can't get drunk.

You're almost smashed.

Xiao Heng.

Li.

You're so handsome.

How shameless.

Do you know you're good-looking?

Are you drunk?

I'm not drunk.

Xiao Heng, you're not a man.

You can't even get drunk!

Have you ever told the truth?

What about you,

Li?

After all that drinking,

you didn't tell the truth either.

Thank you, Duke Su.

Thank you, Duke Su.

Thank you, Duke Su.

Thank you, Duke Su.

Thank you, Duke Su.

Stand still.

I'll take you home.

Home?

I no longer have a home.

I advise you not to meddle with it.

Otherwise,

your family will fall apart sooner or later.

What a coincidence.

I don't have a home either.

Where did Jiang Li go?

It's late.

You don't know either?

After her ladyship went to Mr. Ye Mingyu,

she asked me to come back myself.

She didn't say where she was going.

How frustrating.

There's a storm raging

in the middle of the night with lightning and thunder.

Why aren't you worried?

Are you really her maid?

What's the use of worrying?

Worrying really works.

YE RESIDENCE

-Hurry. -My lady.

She's drunk.

Why did you let her drink so much?

Who gave you the right?

-Who are you? -I'm her benefactor.

Benefactor?

Master.

How are things

at the base?

Everything is fine.

Is everything also going well on your side?

You came a little later this month.

I'm just worried about you.

When you escaped from the nation of Dai,

you were ambushed.

I brought you here

and you can take charge now.

If you hadn't risked your life to save me,

I'd be dead by now.

Other than handling

the base's affairs this time,

I have something for you to do.

Please tell me.

We have a traitor at the base.

I need you to deal with it.

Who is it?

He's also from Dai.

CHU LAN

I still have your brother.

Do you not care about his life anymore?

I'm not sure

what you mean.

You've worked for me for years.

I'll give you one last chance.

Are you going to take my side

or Duke Su's?

I'll always serve you, of course.

-Where are they? -Above us.

-How many are there? -Three.

Are you sure?

They didn't bring their men from the capital.

They don't get along with local authorities

and have no reinforcements.

What language is that?

Dai Language.

Do you understand what they're saying?

Have some tea.

Where did they go?

Duke Su, since you're here,

why don't you come in and sit down?

It has been a while,

Xiao Heng.

It's him.

Since you're here,

you can forget about leaving tonight.

Let's see if you've got what it takes

to keep me here.

Watch out.

With your martial arts skills,

you're better off singing in the brothel.

You can't bear to kill her,

so I'm helping you.

Why?

Wu Lan.

Like your brother,

you're just nice to look at but useless.

My brother…

You betrayed the organization and me.

Why would I keep him alive?

Go see him in hell.

You're really heartless.

Surely Prince Cheng knows about tonight.

You don't deserve Prince Cheng's attention.

You even drank so much before seeing me.

Well, you don't deserve to be treated seriously.

Five against one?

As expected of Prince Cheng's subordinate.

-You're sinister enough. -All that matters is winning.

-Are we going to die here today? -What a jinx.

If we die together,

at least I'd have a companion.

Charge!

I knew you'd come.

Cut the nonsense.

I didn't come for you.

-You want to escape? -In your dreams.

Get them.

Thank you, General Biao.

What general?

I've paid back my favor to Xiao Minghan.

Let's go!

When Xiao Minghan's name is cleared,

remember to invite me for drinks.

It's a deal.

My lord, he got away.

Take the rest back for interrogation.

Yes.

Governor, our informant in the black market reported

that Lai Biao revealed the source.

As expected of the Jiang family's daughter.

She's quite capable.

She could even make Lai Biao speak.

Let them go happily…

-and return disappointed. -And return disappointed.

DAFENG PHARMACY

Do you still feel like vomiting?

I feel dizzy when I sit up.

Miss, I'll make you a pot of strong tea for your hangover.

I still have a lot to do today.

I don't have time to drink your strong tea.

Jiang Li.

Jiang Li, are you feeling better?

Let me see.

I feel much better.

Don't act tough.

You were so drunk last night.

You must feel sick today.

I had someone make you stomach-warming red bean congee

and refreshing perilla drink.

Thank you, Jia'er.

Do you have something to ask me?

What did you and Uncle Mingyu do yesterday?

We went to the black market in Luyang

to investigate Tuoluo flower's buyer.

If things go our way today,

the Soochow brocade case will have a result today.

Then…

What's this?

I can't get drunk!

I'm not drunk!

What's this?

What's this?

He's just…

a stranger.

A stranger?

Why did he tell me that he's your benefactor?

He just likes to talk nonsense.

Jia'er, don't take him seriously.

Didn't you say he's a stranger?

Why did you seem so familiar with each other?

I'll get ready and investigate the Tuoluo flower's origin.

Wait.

Can I go with you?

Jiang Li, wherever you go, bring me with you.

Ms. Jia'er, we have a problem.

Madam Zhuo wants to hang herself at the government office again.

Jia'er.

You have to stay in Ye Residence

and hold the fort.

You haven't sobered up either?

How did you win yesterday?

I heard Lai Biao can drink a lot.

No one in Luyang can drink more than him.

Don't bother.

He lost in the end anyway.

Look at how smug you look.

You look just like your mother when she was little.

Let's get down to business.

Did Lai Biao eventually tell you

who the buyer was?

The only buyer in Luyang

is Dafeng Pharmacy.

Anyone there?

DAFENG PHARMACY

-We need to get treated. -Stop shouting.

Patients have come knocking

one after another all morning,

but no one opened the door.

They probably went out.

Where did they go? Did they say when they'd be back?

Who knows?

They didn't even put up a notice.

They were around yesterday.

Did we alert people when doing the challenge,

so someone leaked the news?

Let's go to Lai Biao again.

There's no hurry.

Sir, can I borrow your stool?

Take it.

-Check carefully. -Be careful!

-Let's go. -Where are we going?

We started working so early in the morning.

Why don't you buy me breakfast?

Eat all you want. It's on me.

Sir, two orders of steamed buns.

Right away.

Why are they here?

This is bad. Shun is still in there.

You…

Ms. Jiang Li.

What a coincidence.

You brought so many men to the pharmacy early in the morning.

-Do you have a serious illness? -I'm fine.

I just heard people say

that someone was killed at Dafeng Pharmacy.

As the local official,

I rushed over before having time to prepare my carriage.

Are you two here

because you heard the news?

We're only here for steamed buns.

Uncle Mingyu, sit.

We got tricked.

-Don't act rashly. -Governor Tong.

The eight people in the pharmacy

were brutally murdered.

No one survived.

Eight people?

Eight lives?

Eight lives!

My goodness. Someone wiped them out.

What should we do?

We also caught a suspect.

Bring the person out!

I really came here to buy medicine.

I smelled blood from the crack in the door and climbed over the wall to check.

Who would buy medicine from the back door? Do you think I'm stupid?

Sit down.

Calm down.

Or not only will we fail to save Shun,

but we'll also be in trouble.

Who's your accomplice?

I was just passing by.

Ask the steamed buns seller if you don't believe me.

I knocked for so long and only went in because no one opened the door.

Take him back and interrogate him.

Who would do such a thing

in broad daylight in my jurisdiction?

How cruel, despicable, and insane!

I'm the one to blame.

I'm the one to blame.

Everyone,

I swear on my official robe

that I'll get to the bottom of this

and get justice for Dafeng Pharmacy's eight lives!

-Justice! -Justice!

I swear to fight evil

to the end!

LUYANG

Director!

Director!

Director.

Ms. Jiang Li.

The Office of Weaving and Dyeing has concluded its investigation.

We're in a hurry to return to the capital to report it.

What are you doing?

We haven't found out the Tuoluo flower's origin.

Our only lead,

people in the Dafeng Pharmacy, have been massacred.

Do you conclude cases so hastily?

Watch your words, Ms. Jiang Li.

I'm from the Office of Weaving and Dyeing.

I came to Luyang

to investigate the death caused by Soochow brocades.

We found out the Soochow brocades

carried Tuoluo flowers, which are highly toxic.

I have no right to investigate

where it came from.

-But the Soochow brocades-- -Ms. Jiang.

I've done my job.

What you're saying are poisoning cases.

You should turn it over to the local government office.

Ms. Jiang Li.

Please don't make things difficult for me.

-I… -Sir, let's go.

Is he leaving just like that?

BINGDE HALL

Could something have happened to Jiang Li?

My lady.

Jiang Li.

How did it go?

The lead is a dead end.

I'm sorry.

It's all right.

You've already done a great job.

If it weren't for you,

the Ye family

might not be able to hold on until now.

Jiang Li.

You've done all you can.

We'll take it from here.

Isn't it just money?

I think I know

how much Tong Zhiyang wants.

Madam Zhuo, how is Mr. Ye doing inside?

Governor Tong, please cut to the chase.

I thought about it for a long time.

We actually have a solution

for the Soochow brocade case.

What do you mean?

Someone high up appreciates Ye Shijie's talent

and wants to befriend the Ye family too.

It's a pity that he's so proud

that he can't tolerate being inferior to others,

so the higher-ups could only play some tricks

to make your nephew understand

that it's easy to break when you're too tough.

You've gone too far.

Please don't say that.

Madam Zhuo, you also understand

that the Ye family has been merchants for generations.

But Ye Shijie has no foundation in the capital's bureaucracy.

He's lucky

that someone admires his talent.

It's all right if he doesn't appreciate it.

But the Ye family should know better.

I'm just a woman. I don't understand what you mean.

All right.

Madam Zhuo.

I won't beat around the bush.

I don't know

why you suddenly

got involved with Ms. Jiang Li

and even brought

the Office of Weaving and Dyeing in through her.

But no matter what you do,

it'll just be all in vain.

After all, I, Tong Zhiyang am Luyang's governor.

We just want the truth.

Madam Zhuo, you're confused.

You have the truth all along.

Open your hand

and the truth will come to you.

Clench your hand

and you'll destroy the truth.

How much do you want?

Ten thousand taels?

One hundred thousand taels?

-Gold. -The Ye family isn't a gold mine.

We can't afford that much.

Madam Zhuo, think it over carefully.

This is today's price.

When the Ye family is desperate one day,

the price will go up.

As the saying goes, never give up until you fail.

As long as there's a chance of survival,

the Ye family will fight for it.

Your tea is too expensive.

The Ye family can't afford it.

He's trying to bankrupt the Ye family

and cut off Shijie's retreat.

We can't let him get what he wants.

Aunt Zhuo, let me think of another way.

How can we place the Ye family's burden

on a young girl like you?

Besides, any amount of money

is just a worldly possession to us.

But now, the Ye family…

Jiang Li.

Our family has been in business for many years.

What we see most is money.

We've seen many families

ruined by money.

It's hypocritical when others say money means nothing to them.

In the Ye family, we dare to say that.

So what if we're wealthy?

Family matters the most.

You're our family too.

How could I let you bear the burden alone?

I hid here secretly when I was a kid

and secretly learned how the shopkeeper bargains with customers.

Father taught me how to do accounts step by step.

But the thought of Father being safe

is worth it.

LIZHENG HALL

I'll work hard to get it back.

Let's go home.

SHOP FOR SALE, INTERESTED BUYERS MAY GO INSIDE FOR DETAILS

The fruits in this manor are the sweetest.

Knowing my craving,

my mother gave it to me as my dowry.

Madam Zhuo, this is all your dowry.

Why are you taking all of them out?

As long as Shijie and Mingxuan are safe,

I can bear to give up anything.

Ms. Li, get the broker.

Yes.

DATONG ESCORT AGENCY

-Miss, check out this fan. -This may look run-down,

but this door is made of fine mahogany.

This brick was made from an official kiln.

The owner needs money.

Look. These are good wood.

I think it's just so-so.

-It's a bit old indeed. -Uncle Mingyu.

-Come here, look. -It's old.

-Are you selling the escort agency? -Isn't this nice?

I don't have any business. What's the use of keeping it?

Are you trying to raise money for the family?

Aunt Zhuo is right.

To the Ye family,

family is far more important than anything else.

The Ye family is in trouble now and everyone is doing what they can.

Even someone junior in seniority like you from the capital is working hard.

How can I stand by and watch?

I suddenly remembered

how good it was when we siblings founded Lizheng Hall together.

But my eldest brother and his wife suddenly died

and I ventured out on my own.

I was young and reckless then.

Who's willing to admit defeat?

I couldn't swallow my pride in the end.

Uncle Mingyu.

It's not too late yet to go home.

It's more than ten years of resentment and anger.

The gap between us is too big. I can't go back anymore.

-You can go back. -I can't.

You can.

This is a deposit from the broker.

There'll be more money after the house is sold.

-Help me give it to Madam Zhuo. -No.

-Give it to her. -Give it yourself.

And these…

These…

are what I've saved from traveling around over the years.

Not much is left after opening the agency.

But these rare trinkets

can fetch a good price.

After I sell them,

give them the money too.

A song drifts over the trees to the clouds

as one dances in the moonlight.

What does that mean?

Nothing.

I just came up with an idea.

Fragrant and hot freshly-steamed buns!

Please enjoy your steamed buns.

You said you'd buy me a meal.

Is this all?

You sure know how to pick a place.

Don't underestimate the steamed buns.

These are the best steamed buns in Luyang.

The wrapper is white and fluffy with a fresh and tender filling.

Thousands of them are sold in a day.

What do you think?

Isn't it mouthwatering with a delicious aroma?

It's all right.

Go ahead. What's the matter?

Thank you…

for that night.

Does that mean

you remember what happened

that night?

I only remember

giving back this red cape to you.

I lent you a red cape,

so you're buying me steamed buns?

I'm also inviting you to watch a show.

I won't watch shows.

Come back.

PASTRIES

Xiao Heng.

Someone was so mad at me for watching a show at a teahouse

that she wanted me to drink to death.

Tell me.

What show?

You've eaten the steamed bun.

Shall we start the show?

Mrs. Ye, what's the meaning of this?

I'll be straightforward.

I admit that the Ye family lost this time.

This is all that the Ye family can afford.

Please be magnanimous

and spare us.

But Mrs. Ye,

I remember warning you

to seal the deal as soon as possible.

This price

can't keep the Ye family safe.

This is the key to the Ye family's vault.

The Ye family's heirlooms,

the last things for us to survive,

are in it.

I beg you

to do justice to the Ye family.

My lord.

The house where the assassins train was seized.

But those assassins

don't know where Chu Lan is.

-Should we use some methods? -There's no need.

These people

don't know Chu Lan's whereabouts.

What should we do then?

Wu Lan is dead and Chu Lan is on the run.

All the leads went cold again.

Is the seized house rented or purchased?

It's rented.

Actually, they change venues every year. It's not fixed.

Ask the landlord

who paid him the rent.

Yes.

My lord.

What's this?

Ms. Jiang Li's maid sent over some steamed buns.

She said Ms. Jiang bought them for you.

Where's the Surveillance Commissioner?

-Urge him for Ms. Jiang Li. -Yes.

My lord, do you think the governor will fall for it?

If we can't succeed in one go,

won't we be laughed at in the future?

That governor is greedy and lecherous.

He's also obsessed with opera

and often indulges in it with his subordinates.

Ms. Jiang Li is going to hit him where it hurts.

Wait and see.

It's tasty.

One-tenth of the Ye family's fortune

will then

be yours.

The Surveillance Commissioner received a tip

that the Ye family tributes to the imperial court are withheld.

Is that true?

I'm Ye Mingyu.

The tributes given by the Ye family were not withheld

but snatched away by Luyang's governor,

Tong Zhiyang.

He also imprisoned my staff, Shun,

who guarded the tributes.

Slandering a governor is a serious crime.

Is that true?

-I swear on my life. -Lead the way.

The Ye family has a batch of tributes for His Majesty,

but Luyang's governor, Tong Zhiyang, took them.

I heard the imperial court has Surveillance Commissioners

patrolling near Luyang lately.

Please pass this message to the Surveillance Commissioner.

The Surveillance Commissioner has his duties.

It's not worth coming to Luyang because of a tip.

Your plan won't work.

My plan won't achieve great results

if I work on it myself.

But if you help me,

it will turn out differently.

LUYANG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

Look.

These are the Ye family's tributes.

Where's the governor?

What move is this?

-Offering presents from others? -No.

It's called returning the items intact.

These are tributes for His Majesty

that Tong Zhiyang stole.

By the small window

I convey my grief

I received a tip

and came to investigate Luyang governor's tribute embezzlement.

Governor Tong, please answer in your official robe.

Tong Zhiyang is a governor after all.

He can just explain it to the Commissioner,

return the things, and say it's a misunderstanding.

It's not that difficult to resolve.

It's not difficult to explain it,

but the head of the Ye family must be the one to say

that he asked

the governor and government office to protect the tributes

instead of Tong Zhiyang taking them for himself.

So if Tong Zhiyang wants to live,

he'll have to beg the Ye family instead.

Everything will be easy then.

You stop while you're ahead.

You draw the line just right.

I learned it from you.

But once Tong Zhiyang's case is confirmed to be a misunderstanding,

who do you think will be blamed for letting

the Surveillance Commissioner come here for nothing?

If you want to eat this memorable and juicy steamed buns

in the future,

I'll buy all of them for you.

You didn't see Tong Zhiyang's face.

He was livid.

I'm telling you, Jiang Li. I've never felt so good.

Yes, wealth is good.

But he didn't realize wealth can kill too.

Don't they want money?

Let's give it to them.

Now that they've taken the fatal tributes,

they're going to get themselves killed.

So the Ye family does business

by not taking money we don't deserve.

I'll have to trouble you to deal with them next.

If Tong Zhiyang wants to clear his name with the Surveillance Commissioner,

he must help the Ye family clarify that we were set up

for the Soochow brocades,

then release Shun.

But if we spare them,

won't they cause trouble in the future?

He won't stand a chance.

If he has different ideas,

at least Li Zhongnan won't let him

continue being Luyang's governor.

Wonderful.

Won't we be killing two birds with one stone?

Uncle Mingyu.

You even sold

your escort agency

for the Ye family this time.

Why don't you take the chance to go home?

I'm on my uppers right now. Why go back to let them laugh at me?

Take a guess

at what Uncle Mingxuan said after I told him about your help

with my investigation.

He must have said I couldn't carry on with the escort agency,

so I lost every penny.

Uncle Mingxuan didn't say that.

Uncle Mingxuan said,

"Jiang Li, your third uncle

may usually be unreliable,

but he knows what's right and what's wrong."

He asked me to cooperate with you

and even secretly asked me

to give you the money he hid in his pillow

if the Ye family can't get through this.

He also wants me to tell you this.

He said the Ye family is broke

and asked you to get lost

and never come back.

Did he really say that?

When brothers are together, there's peace, happiness, and harmony.

When brothers gather together, there's profound peace and joy.

Go home.

If he really misses me that much,

I'll reluctantly do them a favor

and go home to take a peek at them.

HELP OTHERS AND MAKE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAPPY

Go and switch this to Mingxuan's favorite incense.

Yes.

-Wipe the table more. -Yes.

The plants will be here soon.

The Four Treasures of Study.

Clean them.

Ms. Li, they're not aligned.

No. A little lower.

Yes, Madam Zhuo.

She keeps repeating the same thing over and over.

Our home hasn't been this lively in a long time.

You. Straighten this up.

Uncle Mingxuan is coming back today.

Uncle Mingyu is home too.

The Ye family will only be livelier from now on.

How nice.

I used to think

our days would just be ordinary.

Only after this incident did I realize--

Jia'er.

Where's the brazier?

Make a big fire.

Great. I have to burn a fire now.

Got it. The fire girl is coming.

Good girl.

Mingyu, hang the lanterns.

Well…

Isn't Jiang Li not doing anything here too?

Why don't you order her around?

Jiang Li is different.

She's the Ye family's savior.

How can I bear to order her around?

Go now.

Stop grumbling.

I'll do it.

Madam Zhuo, Mr. Ye is back.

-Dear! -Mingxuan!

I'm back.

Stop. Start over.

Where's the brazier? Bring it over.

Put it here. Here.

Let your father cross over it and get rid of bad luck.

Why didn't you

bring it to me sooner?

I have to build up my emotions again.

So it's my fault?

What are you doing? Hurry back.

Come on.

Dear!

Mingxuan!

Dear.

I missed you so much.

-I missed you more. -I missed you even more.

I missed you even more than that.

-I missed you even more. -I missed you even more.

That's enough. There are two more people here.

Mingyu, you've done a great job this time.

Mingxuan, don't be so polite.

Mingyu, you didn't grow much

after being out for so long.

You're old now. Just beg for mercy if you can't stand it.

You're overestimating yourself.

-Uncle Mingyu. -Mingxuan.

-Jiang Li. -Uncle Mingxuan.

You helped the Ye family a lot this time.

I was even suspicious of you before.

Now, it seems like

I've been petty.

Please accept my apology.

Uncle Mingxuan, please don't.

If my mother were still around,

when the Ye family was in trouble,

she wouldn't stand by and watch either.

But even though we settled the problem this time,

the Ye family also

lost a lot of money and jewelry.

His Majesty valued Shijie and gave him an official position in the capital.

The jewelry can be considered a tribute from the Ye family.

Don't worry about it.

I was young

and was tricked by people.

I broke Grandmother and my uncles' hearts.

I'm still ashamed even now.

Uncle Mingxuan, Aunt Zhuo,

I'm so grateful that you're willing to give me a chance

to make it up to you.

We can't blame you for what happened before.

You were so young.

As elders, we should've understood your situation.

Now that I think about it,

we made you navigate the complexities of the Jiang family at such a young age.

Especially Ji Shuran. I…

I didn't mean to bring up what upsets you.

In the time I've spent with Jiang Li these days,

I only think she's gentle and lovely.

She won't commit matricide and fratricide.

Ji Shuran must have set her up.

Jia'er.

It's all right, Aunt Zhuo.

Who was right and who was wrong is already in the past.

What matters most is the present.

The top priority

is for Jiang Li to meet Mother.

Yes, Jiang Li should meet Grandmother.

Now?

Can Grandmother take it?

I can't take it that you're only

telling me about this now.

-Grandmother. -Mother.

Grandmother, what are you doing here?

Good girl.

Let me look at you.

Grandmother.

I'm so happy that you can visit me

while I'm still alive.

Grandmother, don't you blame me for what I did before?

You're the Ye family's granddaughter, Jiang Li.

Jiang Li, don't worry. The Ye family forgives you.

It's not that no one loves Ms. Jiang Li.

Other than your mother, Ye Zhenzhen,

you have so many loved ones who care about you.

You're not alone.

And you.

Have you messed around enough outside?

Since you're back,

help your brother out,

just like this time.

Brothers can overcome any difficulties when you work together.

Mother.

Son, come back if you're tired.

I'm always at home waiting for you.

Mother, this…

This is Mingxuan's fault.

He refused to lend me money.

If he had lent me money,

I would've come back after settling my affairs.

Mingyu, don't think I'm scared to beat you since Mother is here.

I think you need a beating.

You haven't come back for years. Have you had too much fun out there?

Stand still.

-You. Stand there. -You can't get me.

-You can't get me. -How dare you run?

-Mother, save me. -Stop.

-Mingxuan. -How dare you run?

-Mother, don't protect him. -Mother.

If Father and Xue Zhao were still around,

they'd probably also forgive me

for trusting the wrong person, wouldn't they?

It's a pity that the people who can forgive me

are gone.

Jiang Li, stop crying. You're home.

I'm home.