Original subtitles

The will-o'-the-wisp was man-made.

Those who were burned to death must have acted by order of someone.

Otherwise, they wouldn't say those things.

Investigate the whereabouts of the deceased before they died.

Find common ground.

Yes.

The will-o'-the-wisp is just a trigger.

The real show is yet to come.

Any news from the Jiang family?

Tomorrow is the family's ancestor worship day.

There's not much besides that.

Are you worried this will drag Ms. Jiang Li down?

I can go and keep an eye on her.

Come back here.

Did I tell you to go?

Focus on the actual business.

Why is his lordship so moody?

One moment, he asked me to deliver a message,

then stopped me from watching her the next.

The last time you delivered a message,

Ms. Jiang Li didn't come to thank him.

Of course his lordship is displeased.

That's not right.

Why do you seem to understand everything suddenly?

I've always been like this.

As for you,

maybe you've turned into a fool after being caned too many times.

GREAT VIRTUE CASTS A LONG SHADOW

Ancestors of the Jiang family, please bless our family continuously

throughout the year.

Li'er.

Jiang Li.

Where are her manners?

Yuanbai, this is against the rules.

YE ZHENZHEN'S MEMORIAL TABLET

Madam Ye,

you must be reunited with Jiang Li now.

Don't worry.

I'm indebted to her,

so I will help her get justice.

Li'er,

female family members can't join the worship.

You're breaking the rules. Get down here.

That's right.

Dear,

it's my fault for not telling her clearly.

Father,

I haven't seen Mother for a long time.

Please forgive me for being rude.

Li'er,

didn't you hear the elders?

It's one thing to act out at home.

But now, you are in front of the whole family and ancestors,

so behave yourself.

I just want to kowtow to my mother.

Please allow it, Mother.

It seems like

you are determined to break the rules today.

I just want to pay my respects.

Jiang Li.

Never mind.

Let her do it this once.

These are rules set by our ancestors.

Breaking them

will bring trouble to the family!

Dear,

someone has to teach her the rules.

If no one wants to be the bad guy,

I will do it.

Dear.

Jiang Li, get up.

Get up.

Get up.

This is inappropriate.

Get up.

Get up.

Stop bowing.

Let me go.

Get up.

Don't disturb my Yue'er!

Don't bother my Yue'er!

Don't disturb my Yue'er!

Get lost!

Hey.

How did she get out?

Guards!

Take her back!

-My Yue'er. -Quickly!

-My dear Yue… -Send her back!

My dear Yue'er.

Yue'er. My dear Yue'er.

-Come! -Move it.

My dear Yue'er.

My dear Yue'er.

Yue'er. My Yue'er.

Yue'er.

CONCUBINE HU

Dear, are you all right?

Let's go.

Let's go home.

Look at what happened.

Jiang Li, you are so brave.

Actually, I also think

it's unfair that female family members can't worship.

Who was that woman?

That's Concubine Hu.

Don't you remember?

When you were little,

you were very close to Jiang Yue,

her daughter.

Old Madam,

please spare this baby.

-Please. Spare this baby. -Concubine Hu used to be an intimate maid.

But she got pregnant before your mother, the legitimate wife,

which contradicted social norms.

Grandmother originally didn't allow her to keep the baby.

After all, if she begets a son,

the eldest son of the Jiang family would be borne by a maid,

which would be a disgrace.

But your mother was kindhearted,

so she saved both Concubine Hu and her unborn child.

For the sake of the child,

please spare her.

Concubine Hu was grateful for your mother's kindness,

so she never competed or caused trouble and was kind to everyone.

Less than two years later, your mother had you.

The harmony among the Jiang family's wife and concubines

became a good story among upper-class households.

What happened after that?

Everything changed

after your mother's death.

Jiang Yue accidentally drowned while playing in the rockery.

It took hours

before a passing maid got her body out of the water.

-Someone died! -Help!

Yue'er, get up.

Wake up. Open your eyes and look at me.

Look at me. I'll take you home, all right?

I'll take you home. Yue'er!

Yue'er!

From then on, Concubine Hu was heartbroken

and eventually had hysteria.

She wandered around the house looking disheveled.

There was no other choice

but to lock her in the woodshed in the backyard.

Yue'er!

But if she's locked in the woodshed,

how did she end up here?

That is the strange part.

On the day you were sent to Zhennv Hall,

Concubine Hu disappeared from the woodshed too.

Ji Shuran searched for her for a long time

-but couldn't find her. -No.

-Concubine Hu! -Concubine Hu!

Later on, guess where she went.

She's a madwoman with no carriage.

No one knows how she got here.

But according to Grandmother,

she keeps mumbling things like not dragging the Jiang family down.

Grandmother thought

it was risky to keep her at home too.

So she ordered someone

to tidy up this room and let her stay

as the grave keeper.

It seems like Concubine Hu is also a pitiful soul.

Since she was so close to my mother,

I should visit her often in the future.

You can't.

She's mad and can be violent.

Moreover, if you keep coming,

what if others see it?

They'll start gossiping.

It's fine. There will be opportunities to visit her in the future.

All right.

Tong'er,

do you find Concubine Hu a little strange?

Strange? How so?

Earlier, she seemed to be observing me secretly.

Especially after I confronted Ji Shuran,

her gaze was fixed on me.

Anyway, it was just strange.

Are you suspecting that she doesn't really have hysteria?

But why would a normal person pretend to be crazy

and guard dead people's tombs?

JIANG FAMILY ANCESTRAL SHRINE

Let's go.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

What happened?

Ms. Jiang Li, I'm really sorry.

The reins unexpectedly broke.

The horse also ran off.

Why did the reins suddenly break for no reason?

Maybe it's worn out. I'll find the horse right away.

Hurry.

What happened to you?

Ruoyao, my horse ran away.

What bad luck.

Jinhua, stay with her maid here.

Ride in my carriage and leave first.

Yes.

What's the matter?

Are you planning to go back later

and play the victim in front of Father and Grandmother?

You're always good at spinning tales.

I don't want to go back and let you accuse my mother

of damaging your carriage and plotting against you again.

In that case, thank you for the ride.

You should know

about my upcoming marriage to the Qi family.

I heard about it.

You ruined my engagement with Zhou Yanbang.

You must be happy now.

He is not a good man for you anyway.

You know nothing.

At this point,

do you feel any remorse towards me?

If I'm not mistaken,

it was you and Ji Shuran who tried to set me up first.

That's because you've been targeting us

since you returned.

If you

stayed at Zhennv Hall,

none of this would have happened to me.

I'd still be the only legitimate daughter.

It's all your fault. It's all because of you!

You said I've taken everything from you.

But have you ever thought

about who you took

all the things you have from?

Do you know

what kind of life I had at Zhennv Hall?

Why do I have to care about how your life was at Zhennv Hall?

Give me your hand.

Does it hurt?

I'm asking you if it hurts.

The pain I endured at Zhennv Hall

was thousands of times worse than this.

When I was eight,

did I really cause harm to your mother?

They framed me

and sent me to Zhennv Hall unjustly.

What's the matter?

Can't I return to clear my name?

I have no prejudice

or old grudges against you.

We were both young back then.

I believe it wasn't your idea

for me to stay at Zhennv Hall for so long.

Now that I'm back,

I just want to reclaim

what rightfully belongs to Jiang Li.

Nothing more.

If you insist on thinking

that I took everything from you

and keep pressuring me,

I can only tell you one thing.

You're a fool.

What did you say? Say it again!

-Of course I can say it again. -I…

Jiang Ruoyao,

have you gone mad from staying at a mansion?

As the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family,

you've shattered our sisterly bond

for such a worthless man from the Zhou family.

Think carefully about it.

Do you not regret it?

Calling you foolish now

is being lenient to you.

Just because you're taking the moral high ground doesn't mean

I will buy your story.

No matter what,

you owe me.

You must pay for what you've done to me.

What's the price?

Don't move. Behave and come with me.

Why did you knock her out?

Didn't you say we're only after money?

We could just ask her where the money is and leave.

-By delaying like this, if we get caught-- -She's the obstacle between us.

Without her, we could have been together long ago.

Think about it.

Before Jiang Li came back,

you were the prettiest and best guqin player in the capital.

I was also a handsome and talented young man.

But we've become like this now.

Shouldn't Jiang Li die?

Shouldn't she?

Are you planning to kill her?

In the deep mountains and forests,

who would know we are behind this?

Even if we were caught, no one would wash their dirty linen in public.

The Jiang and Zhou families will protect us at all costs.

Are you crazy?

This is a human life!

She's a troublemaker.

We won't have peace until she's gone!

Ruoyao,

I'm doing this

so we can be together.

Last night,

have you forgotten

what you said?

Ruoyao,

I finally got to see you.

Aren't you already married to Yu'e?

Why are you saying these things now?

Ruoyao, you know this clearly.

I was set up.

Besides, I've never stopped writing to you all this time.

I've never touched Jiang Yu'e.

You're the only one I love.

What's the use of saying all this now?

Do you know…

Do you know

that my mother wants to marry me into the Qi family?

How about…

we elope?

What?

Let's elope to a place far away.

To a place surrounded by green hills and clear waters.

We'll gather some money

and live a simple life there.

Away from the capital

and away from everyone and everything you dislike.

Just us.

But my mother is keeping a close eye on me now.

I'm afraid it will be hard

to quickly get money from home.

I can't bear to see you suffer.

I'll gather the money myself.

If necessary, I can work as a laborer.

In any case, I won't let you suffer.

You're from a prestigious clan, a scholarly family.

-How can you-- -So what?

I just want to be with you.

Ruoyao,

I suddenly remembered someone.

She should provide the money.

Who?

Jiang Li.

She has the backing of the wealthy Ye family.

If we kidnap her,

we can get a lot of money.

It'll be enough for our future.

You've wanted to kill her from the start.

Am I right?

You've been lying to me all along.

Ruoyao, trust me.

I won't harm you.

Ruoyao, believe me.

Ruoyao.

Ruoyao, you can't go.

If you go, it'll be over for us!

-Let me go. -Ruoyao, listen to me!

Ruoyao!

Why are all of you forcing me?

Jiang Li

must pay the price.

I invited you on the day of the palace banquet.

It's fine if you didn't come.

Why did you have to set me up?

I never intended to set you up.

That day, just like you,

I was also a prey who fell into a trap.

Stop arguing.

Jiang Yu'e has told me everything. You were behind all of this!

I don't know what you're saying.

You betrayed me.

It was you who made me end up like this.

You can't escape me.

Jiang Li,

you think you're a person of value, right?

All right.

Why don't we make up for what we failed

to do that night?

Zhou Yanbang!

You're the son of the Marquis of Ningyuan.

How can your mind be so muddled and dirty?

Can't you even figure out who really framed you?

Who do you think you are?

Who are you to lecture me?

If anything happens to me today,

do you think you can get away with it?

Even if the Zhou and Jiang families don't pursue it,

the Ye family will have my back.

If you, a patrimonial nobleman, end up in jail,

you'll ruin your reputation

and disgrace the Zhou family!

Jiang Li.

I almost fell for your deception again.

But you've reminded me of something.

After I'm done with you,

I'll cut the tendons in your feet and hands,

then cut off your tongue.

Finally, I'll gouge out your eyes.

Then you won't be able to speak, write,

or see.

How will you accuse me then?

Wait.

Zhou Yanbang,

are you not afraid of breaking Ruoyao's heart

by doing this in front of her?

Every daughter of the Jiang family fights for their own desires,

except for Ruoyao.

She desires nothing else.

You're the only one she wants.

No matter what I do,

she'll forgive me

as long as I coax her.

Her mother strictly controlled her since childhood.

She lacks drive.

She'll devotedly follow me

if I just coax her a little.

As for you,

you're so independent like a wild horse,

making people want to conquer you.

You're shameless.

Ruoyao forgives you

because she likes you.

And you're using her feelings.

Do you really love her?

If she wasn't Jiang Yuanbai's daughter,

would I be engaged to her?

No more questions, right?

Let's begin.

Let go of me!

Get off me!

Zhou Yanbang!

You brought this upon yourself.

I killed him.

I killed him.

I killed him.

I killed him.

Don't panic.

He's not dead.

Jiang Ruoyao,

you love

such a scumbag.

Once you're done crying,

we should hurry up and go home.

This matter might not be easy to handle.

Considering that you promptly knocked out Zhou Yanbang in time,

I won't hold you accountable

for bringing me here.

You need to figure out how to explain this to the Zhou family.

JIANG RESIDENCE

Madam Ji.

Madam Ji.

Has Ruoyao returned?

Why isn't she back yet?

Didn't she return with our convoy?

I find it strange too.

And even Jiang Li hasn't returned.

What?

Ms. Sun.

Ms. Sun.

All right.

What happened?

She said Jiang Li and Ms. Ruoyao returned together.

But they have blood on them.

What?

The daughter of a Chancellor

ridiculously tried to elope with someone.

Don't you care about your reputation?

Don't you even know you were being used?

How did I raise a foolish daughter like you?

Mother, what should I do?

What should I do now?

Why didn't you think about the outcome before you did this?

-I'm scared, Mother. -You brought this upon yourself.

-Mother. -Don't call me.

Starting today,

stay in this courtyard.

You can't leave without my permission.

Mother.

Madam Ji,

Ms. Ruoyao is scared right now.

She should be comforted.

Comforted?

She should think about what a foolish thing she's done.

I spoiled her too much in the past,

which led to her being so immature.

Now, let her reflect on her actions.

Go and pass on a message to Jiang Yu'e.

Remember. Don't let anyone see you.

Just say…

Yes, Madam Ji.

My son, Yanbang.

My son.

What am I supposed to do now?

I hurriedly went there

and saw Jiang Li leaving.

My husband was covered in blood

and was unconscious on the ground.

My poor son!

Jiang Li!

-Come out! -Mrs. Zhou.

-You can't go in. We must inform them. -Why are you stopping me?

-Don't stop me! Get out of my way! -Yes, Mrs. Zhou.

-What are you doing? -Chancellor Jiang.

Chancellor Jiang!

-My son almost died. -Mrs. Zhou.

It's because of Jiang Li.

She must come out and explain today!

Jiang Li!

-Calm down, Mrs. Zhou. -Jiang Li, come out here!

Or I won't leave today.

Jiang Li, come out!

Come out!

Have you found Jiuyue?

My lord, you know her.

She usually comes to see us.

When have we ever managed to track her down?

Why are you so anxious then?

Ms. Jiang Li is in trouble.

Ms. Jiang Li,

his lordship summons you to the main hall.

The Jiang family owes me an explanation.

My son,

a healthy man, was beaten like that.

If I hadn't arrived in time to treat him,

he might have died.

Jiang Li, tell us.

What on earth happened?

Father, after the ritual yesterday,

the carriage driver took me to a remote area.

By the time I realized it,

he had already disappeared.

Then…

Zhou Yanbang knocked me out, tied me up,

and took me to an abandoned house.

He tried to sexually assault me.

But luckily, Ruoyao arrived just in time and stopped him.

I sent Ruoyao to buy some things yesterday.

That's why she returned late.

She never mentioned seeing you.

See?

You lying little wretch!

It must be you

who tried to seduce Yan'er but failed.

And you're afraid he'd tell people,

so you tried to silence him!

If what you said is true,

how would you explain my injuries?

Did I do this to myself?

It's good that you confessed.

Father, Ruoyao was there yesterday.

Why not let Ruoyao come and ask her?

That'd be the best. I'll go and get her.

Remember what I told you.

Just say you don't know anything later.

I've taken care of the rest.

Mother, I don't want to go.

You were asking me what to do yesterday.

Now, you're scared.

Are you letting Jiang Li blame everything on you?

Do you want to protect yourself or not?

Show some courage.

Don't let Jiang Li outshine you.

Go and wash up.

Mother, you've been scolding me

since yesterday.

Am I really your daughter?

What are you saying?

Who am I doing this for?

Yao'er,

be good and do as I say.

I'm doing this for your own good.

I've already spoken to the Qi family.

Once we take care of Jiang Li,

your marriage will be arranged.

When you're married to the Qi family,

you'll be well taken care of.

Ruoyao, tell me.

Were you there when Yan'er and Jiang Li were together yesterday?

What did you tell them, Jiang Li?

Yesterday, the carriage driver took me to a remote place.

Mr. Zhou tried to sexually assault me.

It was you who arrived just in time and saved me.

Ruoyao, tell us.

What exactly happened yesterday?

Li'er, even if you fear punishment

for hurting Zhou Yanbang,

you shouldn't pin it on your sister.

Even if Zhou Yanbang tried

to assault you as you said,

why was Ruoyao there?

Do you think Yanbang

brought Ruoyao to harm you?

Mother.

Father. Mother.

Ruoyao saw that I hadn't returned after so long.

She was worried about me, so she went searching for me.

Later on, she was concerned I might be in danger

and saved me.

If it wasn't for Ruoyao,

I would've been harmed.

I watched Ruoyao grow up.

She would never hit Yan'er.

It must be you making up lies

to avoid punishment.

Enough. I don't want to hear it anymore.

Mrs. Zhou, please calm down.

Mrs. Jiang,

I came here first to ask for an explanation

out of respect for our family ties.

Or I would've reported this to the authorities.

As her parents,

are you letting this girl argue her way out here?

If that's the case,

let's go to the government office.

Let's all wash our dirty linen in public.

Maybe then

you'll give a proper explanation.

Li'er, I'll ask you one more time.

What exactly happened between you and Mr. Zhou?

Father, I already told you the truth.

Fine. Keep denying it.

Now, my son can't even move at home

and might not survive.

In that case,

why should I save your reputation?

Guards. Take her to the government office!

-Yes. -Yes.

Wait.

What else do you have to say?

I don't want a pitiful person's reputation

ruined at the government office.

What nonsense are you spouting?

I've said everything I needed to.

I'm waiting for Ruoyao to speak.

Ruoyao, why are you still silent?

We're sisters.

Regardless of the reason,

you saved my honor yesterday.

I'll never forget this kindness.

You've always been brave.

Even if you were wrong about someone and trusted him by mistake,

it's not a big deal.

The real mistake is covering for him

and living in fear.

Li'er, stop pressuring your sister.

She really can't lie for your sake.

I'm not pressuring her.

I'm just waiting for her to speak up.

She's old enough.

Must she rely on her mother for everything?

She needs to discern right from wrong on her own.

She can't let people control her life forever.

What are you saying?

Are you trying to drive a wedge between us?

You've been wronged for so long

and didn't even realize it.

Whenever you face any trouble since you were little,

you always hide in your room and wait for people to comfort you.

A few words and you're easily swayed,

willing to be manipulated.

Do you really know what you want?

Having no opinions of your own, you won't live freely.

Ruoyao, do you understand what I'm saying?

Her mother strictly controlled her since childhood. She has no opinions.

She'll be devoted to me

if I just coax her a little.

Ruoyao isn't feeling well.

-Ms. Sun. -Yes.

Take her back to her room to rest.

Yes.

Ms. Ruoyao, come.

Let's go back and rest.

-Let's go. It's all right. -Jiang Ruoyao.

Are you going to hide in your room again?

Do you want to live like this for the rest of your life?

How deceptively persuasive.

Guards! Tie her up and report to the authorities!

-Yes, Mrs. Zhou. -Let's go.

Father,

what Jiang Li said is true.

I was there yesterday.

I was the one who accidentally hit Zhou Yanbang.

What nonsense are you talking about?

I'm not talking nonsense.

Jiang Ruoyao, do you know what you're saying?

I do.

Zhou Yanbang threw his weight around

and tried to sexually assault Jiang Li.

I couldn't bear to see her be defiled,

so in a moment of desperation,

I accidentally hit him too hard.

Everything I say is true and I'm willing to take responsibility.

Ruoyao, you…

Chancellor Jiang,

you must seek justice for our Yan'er.

Justice?

Shouldn't we also ask the Marquis of Ningyuan

to seek justice for my daughter, Jiang Li?

Don't you want to report this to the government office?

Let's go together and get to the bottom of this.

You…

All of you…

The Jiang family…

You…

-Mrs. Zhou. -Get a physician.

-Mrs. Zhou. -Yes.

-Mrs. Zhou. -Mrs. Zhou.

Mrs. Zhou.

-Mrs. Zhou. -Go back to your rooms.

Mrs. Zhou.

Mrs. Zhou.

Wait.

Why didn't you reveal

that I was the one who took you to Zhou Yanbang?

If I revealed it,

I'd force you into saying you don't know anything.

You still set me up.

Making you speak the truth,

revealing Zhou Yanbang's true colors,

letting you see the situation, and not be deluded.

Is that setting you up?

Enough with your smooth talk.

You must be very satisfied now, right?

You walk away unscathed

while making Mrs. Zhou hate me even more.

Jiang Li,

since my Hairpin Ceremony,

you've stolen my spotlight,

taken my man, and snatched everything away from me.

After all this time, why do you still oppose me?

If you hadn't come back,

I wouldn't be

this miserable, selfish,

cold, and incompetent!

If I hadn't come back,

you wouldn't have turned out this way and that.

You've said that to me so many times.

Can it do anything?

Is it really because of me

that you've become

someone you don't even like?

If things had gone smoothly for you

and you married Zhou Yanbang,

the despicable person you love,

wouldn't you be scared now?

Are you going to hide again?

You refuse to admit your mistake and hide when you're scared.

People out there are ruthless

and extremely exploitative.

How long can your little room protect you?

Stop talking already!

I made you tell the truth

to clear my name.

But not every word was insincere.

I told you. You have courage.

When Zhou Yanbang was in trouble,

the Qi family is more powerful than the Zhou family,

yet you still held on to your old sweetheart.

It shows you're not heartless.

But that shameless man Zhou Yanbang

is unworthy of you.

Jiang Ruoyao, think carefully

about the kind of person you are.

No one really cares

what Jiang Ruoyao is truly like.

She did everything for her daughter.

But she never considered

that she had almost pushed her to the brink.

It's truly sad.

Ms. Jiang Li, someone is here to see you.

Where's Jiang Li?

Greetings, Vice Director Ye.

Her ladyship went out to handle some matters.

Some matters?

I came as soon as I heard about the incident with Marquis of Ningyuan.

Did Mrs. Zhou take her away?

The matter has already been resolved today.

There's no more problem with Mrs. Zhou.

So why did Jiang Li go out?

You don't need to tell me.

I think I know.

I remember the last time you treated me to a meal

was in Luyang for some steamed buns.

This time, you're really generous.

That day, you defeated Tong Zhiyang,

but you weren't happy.

What about this time?

Can we have a drink?

Do you think I won this time?

Winning or losing isn't important.

But you can't skip a meal.

Do you know

every move I make?

A chess player

always knows where his pieces are.

Do we have a chance to switch roles?

I'd like to play chess too.

I want to compete

with those people in the capital of Great Yan.

Using which pieces?

Me?

You dare to say that,

but I dare not.

But I do wonder

if a woman like me

could ever see a bigger world.

Enough talk.

I should thank you

for today's feast.

I am happy today.

But I must say,

I can't drink much.

Just this one cup.

If I offend you,

please don't send me away.

I won't go that far.

By the way,

Situ Jiuyue is not in the capital.

It might take some time to find her.

I thank you on behalf of Magistrate Xue.

Are you already drunk with one cup?

No.

I'm just sleepy after the commotion

this morning.

I'd like to take a nap.

Then sleep.

It's uncomfortable to sleep everywhere else.

But the place you picked

sure isn't bad.

I'm glad you like it.

I have something for you.

What is it?

If you need help, blow this whistle.

My men will come to protect you for me.

Does that mean

you will always

have someone watching me?

You could see it that way.

Take it.

I just don't want my chess game to end prematurely

because someone

took my pawn.