Original subtitles

Jiang Li.

Jiang Li,

your letter is approved.

See where Mr. Shen has assigned you.

This time,

the Court of State Ceremonial categorized the reception.

Liu Xu, Shijie, and I are

with the Ministry of Rites,

responsible for reception along the way and the lodge.

"Music Affairs Division"?

Music Affairs Division?

This isn't right.

You play the guqin so well.

Yet they make you play ordinary pieces

with those musicians.

What's going on here?

Which part does Mr. Shen oversee?

Of course Mr. Shen oversees everything.

He and those at the Hanlin Academy are responsible

for compiling and organizing classics for Great Zhao.

This is the main focus of the alliance meeting.

Shen Yurong.

You're so afraid that I'm so close to you.

Are you afraid I'll find something incriminating

or that Wanning will go crazy because of you

and do something incriminating?

It seems like you will be the first

to slip up.

-Yes. -Of course.

Seriously?

BROADEN KNOWLEDGE WITH PROPRIETY

Yes, we must finish this.

Isn't she the Annual Exam top scorer at the School of Integrity?

What is she doing at the Music Affairs Division?

Shouldn't she be doing a solo?

Ms. Jiang Li,

you cannot touch this guqin.

It belongs to Ms. Xiao.

Where's mine?

You're just like them, it's over there.

I want to see Ms. Xiao.

Who's looking for me?

Ms. Xiao.

I heard from Mr. Shen before

that His Majesty wants to hear me play solo.

But I'm assigned to you.

With this arrangement,

isn't His Majesty's wish being ignored?

Ms. Jiang Li,

I know you won first place in the Annual Exam

and gained His Majesty's admiration, so you are proud and confident.

But look at these musicians from the Music Office.

They're all proud and confident too.

If you don't show some real skill,

you won't be able to convince them.

Mr. Shen knows your guqin skills are top-notch.

That's why he wanted you to come

and set an example for them.

Ms. Jiang Li,

could it be that you can't put aside your noble status?

We can't afford to have a sham among the skilled

in receiving the Great Zhao delegation.

But Ms. Jiang Li has a special status,

so she'll be excused this time.

Today, I need everyone here to bear

with Ms. Jiang Li until she catches up.

These are the pieces you usually play.

I just received the sheet music recently,

so catching up to everyone's level is challenging indeed.

But I don't want to drag everyone down

because I'm a Chancellor's daughter.

Ms. Xiao,

I'm willing to practice alone

to catch up to everyone's level.

In that case, do as you wish.

You may practice alone.

Ms. Jiang Li, you need to practice diligently.

If you fall behind,

I can't afford

to have Mr. Shen blame me.

Ms. Xiao, don't worry.

I won't let you down.

Great.

Help!

I… I've been bitten.

What happened?

I found Jiuyue.

Where is Jiuyue?

I wanted to go to the snake cave to catch snakes.

He insisted on following me and couldn't stop nagging.

He ended up getting bitten by a snake.

How dare you hit me?

Where's the antidote?

Trade your ten-year-old fine wine for it.

Fine.

Wen Ji said you were looking for me urgently.

Your brother is leading the Great Zhao delegation

and coming here for an alliance meeting soon.

You'll be reunited with him then.

That's great news.

Prince Cheng doesn't want us to be friendly with Great Zhao.

He'll definitely stop it from happening,

which could endanger you.

During this time, stay at the Duke Mansion.

You'll be safer here.

Is that why you asked me to come?

Are you that concerned about me?

There's one more thing.

What is it?

Save two people.

One has amnesia and the other is disfigured by a knife.

Xiao Heng.

Do you see everyone

as pawns?

After it's done,

you can have all the wine you want.

Wine?

That's two lives we're talking about.

How can that be enough?

What do you propose then?

Tell me.

For whose sake do you want to save those two?

You're struggling to answer.

Is it for Ms. Jiang Li again?

Will you save them or not?

Is this how you ask for help?

What do you want me to do?

I want you

to accompany me to catch spiders.

Show me your sincerity.

I thought you wanted to catch spiders.

-Are we catching them here? -Yes.

I'm not here to swim with you.

To catch water spiders, we have to catch them from the water.

Wait here.

Keep an eye on her.

Yes.

Why are you back?

While undressing, she was saying

that if I stay,

she'll tell Great Zhao's emperor that she was molested.

Xiao Heng!

It turns out you truly care about me.

If you don't want to save them, you don't have to toy with me like this.

I…

Xiao Heng,

haven't you toyed with me before?

The arrow is poisoned.

Only I can cure it.

If you want me to save you,

you have to offer yourself to me.

I don't do romance.

It's up to you to save me or not.

Is your refusal to indulge in romance

only meant for me?

So you're not going to save those two people then.

I can save them

as long as you offer your life in return.

Jiuyue, stop messing around.

Fine,

I'll stop.

As for those two,

I can save them or not.

Jiuyue.

Lu Ji,

keep her safe.

Yes.

HANLIN ACADEMY

Mr. Shen,

this is the budget for meals from the Court of State Ceremonial.

Please review it.

BANQUET EXPENSES OVERVIEW

Mr. Shen, this is the repertoire of the Music Affairs Division.

Please review this too.

Thank you.

The alliance meeting with Great Zhao is of great significance.

I'll need more help from both of you.

Please inform me promptly of any issues.

Yes.

Ms. Xiao, do you have something to say?

It's nothing urgent.

It's just that Ms. Jiang Li

has been absent from rehearsals for two days.

She said she was not well and might need more days of rest.

Resting is understandable.

But she's unfamiliar with the new repertoire.

If we wait for her to recover,

she might hold back the Music Affairs Division's performance.

If her health can't handle it,

it's better for her to get proper rest.

Shijie, why are you here?

Xiao Deyin said you're not well,

so I brought medicine for you.

Thank you, Shijie.

But how did you get sick

just from practicing the guqin?

Shijie,

I remember you mentioned before

that His Majesty wanted to hear me play "Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms."

That's correct.

But why did Mr. Shen place me in the Music Affairs Division?

He said he hoped you'd inspire the Music Affairs Division to work harder.

But following Mr. Shen's instructions, Ms. Xiao gave me new sheet music.

Instead of highlighting my strengths,

it exposed my weaknesses.

It's my fault for being too busy lately that I overlooked you.

I'll go and see Mr. Shen shortly.

I really don't want to stay in the Music Affairs Division.

If you do want to help me,

I have a solution.

HONGXIAO GRAND CEREMONY

Your thorough arrangement puts my mind at ease, Minister Shen.

There's something

I shouldn't trouble Your Majesty with.

But it concerns Jiang Li, the Chief Secretariat's daughter,

so I dare not make decisions on my own.

Go on.

Your Majesty wants Ms. Jiang Li to represent Great Yan

and showcase her guqin skills.

But the alliance meeting isn't like the Annual Exam.

Her performance in the latter would only affect herself.

It has been several months since the Annual exam,

and many things happened after that,

making her guqin skills unavoidably rusty.

I initially thought of letting her practice at the Music Affairs Division.

But she fell ill unexpectedly.

Forcing her

might not only be detrimental to the alliance meeting,

but also make the Chief Secretariat feel that my arrangements aren't good.

Minister Shen, what do you suggest then?

Let Ms. Jiang Li focus on recovering.

Your Majesty, Mr. Shen.

Upon hearing that my cousin was sick, I went to visit her.

Ms. Xiao gave Jiang Li a music piece that the musicians know well,

but was unfamiliar to her.

Jiang Li practiced day and night to not burden the Music Affairs Division

and fell ill.

She continued practicing in spite of that,

showing her dedication.

The alliance meeting is important.

Given Jiang Li's current condition,

even if she doesn't practice new pieces

and only plays "Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms",

she might not be as good as she was at the Annual Exam even if she recovers.

Your Majesty, please consider this.

Jiang Li just needs a few days of rest to recover from her illness.

She may not be as good as she was in the Annual Exam,

but Jiang Li is talented and devoted.

If we don't stick to the Annual Exam repertoire,

perhaps she could recite poems and play the guqin with Hanlin scholars

to create a new performance style,

highlighting each other's strengths and covering weaknesses,

which could be refreshing to the Zhao delegation.

How is that appropriate?

Minister Shen, calm down.

Minister Ye's proposal is intriguing.

Innovating has always been your forte.

Minister Shen, you might as well give it a try.

-Yes. -Yes.

Your pawn

always involves me like this unnecessarily.

That's her talent.

So tell me,

what does she ultimately want to do?

Perhaps Your Majesty should ask

Ms. Jiang Li?

I guess there are still things that even you can't figure out.

Interesting.

HANLIN ACADEMY

Isn't this Ms. Jiang Li?

Are you here at the Hanlin Academy

to catch the eye of some young master again?

I've told you before.

If you miss out on me, you won't find anyone better.

Your outfit today looks nice.

Did you have a blind date with someone inside?

I… I'm here at the Hanlin Academy to participate in compiling the classics.

As for you,

what are you doing here?

Mr. Shen summoned me.

Mr. Shen?

You two just made a scene in front of His Majesty

and you still dare to interact?

Aren't you afraid of gossip?

A clear conscience fears no slander.

Impressive.

Why did you ask me to come, Mr. Shen?

Didn't your cousin tell you?

Since you're in charge of this matter,

it only counts if it comes from you.

His Majesty has approved Ye Shijie's proposal.

Who would you like to perform with

at the Hanlin Academy?

Naturally, you…

have the final say.

In that case,

do it with Zhao Qi.

You seemed quite close just now.

It saves time in getting acquainted.

Can you choose someone else?

Didn't you say I have the final say?

Since you insist,

I'll follow your arrangement.

I'll go talk to Zhao Qi and start rehearsals tomorrow.

Baixue,

I remember my cousin, Jia'er,

gave me some silk and satin before.

There was a handwoven cloud brocade handkerchief.

Bring it to me later.

My lady, you should have used it earlier.

Such good material

should match a beautiful woman like you.

It's not for my personal use.

Then what is it for?

To please others.

I was actually looking forward to your performance.

Now,

I've become a part of this show.

I know you don't want to perform with me.

Neither do I.

So go talk to Mr. Shen and decline it.

Me?

-Yes. -Forget it.

If I offend Mr. Shen,

can I still stay at Hanlin Academy?

Besides,

this is also an opportunity to impress His Majesty.

Why would I decline it?

You must go.

Otherwise, your parents will find out about the lady you're keeping--

-Are you going or not? -Is that a threat?

I'm not just threatening you. There's also a bribe.

I heard you've been searching for this cloud brocade handkerchief.

Today, I brought you a top-notch one.

Take a look.

Will it catch the eye of your sweetheart?

Let me take a look.

This cloud brocade handkerchief is from Luyang.

It's hard to find in the capital.

How…

How did you get it?

My maternal grandmother's family is from Luyang.

Then

I'll reluctantly cooperate

with you.

Please replace me with someone else for Ms. Jiang Li.

We discussed marriage before.

If we perform together,

it'll inevitably draw criticism.

If you have a clear conscience,

why care about what others think?

Even though I have a clear conscience,

gossip is a fearful thing.

It's a tribute to Great Zhao.

I hope you can set aside personal emotions and prioritize the bigger picture.

Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen--

We don't have much time left.

Let's go inside and rehearse.

HANLIN ACADEMY

Yurong,

they're not even rehearsing.

What are they doing inside?

I tried to persuade him to replace me.

But he wouldn't listen.

Put on another act for me.

What? Again?

Does your sweetheart like that handkerchief?

I have even better ones.

I'll bring them tomorrow. You can let her choose.

Just this once, I won't do it again.

All right.

Go home.

All right.

Jiang Li,

are you doing this on purpose?

All along,

you must have planned this.

I planned this?

What scheme could I have?

It was Mr. Shen who asked me to come.

How would I know he wanted me to work with you?

You don't know?

Stop pretending already.

I made it clear to you before.

We're not suitable.

Now, you're throwing yourself at me,

people might think we're getting back together.

How can I get married in the future?

Do you think you're the only one who minds?

There's nothing we can do now.

I don't have anything to say to you.

That makes the two of us.

Mr. Shen, I apologize for that.

Go home first.

Yurong.

I said, go.

Ms. Jiang Li,

what happened here?

Weren't you two rehearsing just fine earlier?

-Did you do this on purpose, Mr. Shen? -I did this on purpose?

I overheard the conversation between you and Zhao Qi this afternoon.

It seemed like you deliberately brought someone

who discussed marriage with me

to stir up trouble and make me pull out.

Ms. Jiang Li, you're mistaken.

Zhao Qi is a highly talented man among the Hanlin scholars.

If I didn't do this,

I would have let down your deliberate suggestion

to have Minister Ye propose ideas in front of His Majesty.

Mr. Shen, mind your words.

You were the one who tried to get rid of me in front of His Majesty first.

You were absent due to illness first.

I don't know how I ever offended you, Mr. Shen.

You've been suspicious of me

and targeting me all along.

Helping with the alliance meeting

would bring honor to Great Yan

and add glory to the Jiang family.

So I won't give up.

If you continue making things difficult for me,

it will reflect poorly on Great Yan.

Tomorrow,

I'll find another person for you.

Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Du.

-Can we talk? -What's the matter?

Mr. Shen assigned me to rehearse a program

with Ms. Jiang Li.

Congratulations, Mr. Du.

When you shine brightly in the alliance meeting

and please His Majesty,

it will be beneficial for your career.

It looks good on the surface.

However, why did you decline it with Mr. Shen?

I'm telling you this because you're my friend.

What seems good on the surface

often hides underlying tensions.

How so?

Let me put it this way.

Jiang Li is really evil.

She really eats people.

What? She really eats people?

It was just a metaphor.

I just want to let you know

that sometimes something appears to be a blessing,

but it's actually a bottomless abyss underneath.

What should I do then?

Jiang Li is coming to rehearse with me tonight.

Mr. Zhao,

could you give me some advice?

Mr. Shen is kind.

He understood my difficulty and changed his decision.

If you have difficulties too,

there's bound to be someone with no difficulties

among so many scholars in Hanlin.

I understand it now.

Thank you, Mr. Zhao.

Go

and ask Jiang Li for the pearl necklace she promised.

Yes.

RESPECT THE TRUTH

-Mr. Cheng, please come this way. -All right.

-Leave these here. -Then I'll go and see them tomorrow.

-I'll get going. -I'll go with you.

-All right. -Liu, take care.

Let's go.

What's wrong?

I craved cold drinks last night and mixed ice cubes in water.

Now, my stomach hurts terribly.

Come on, I'll take you to the physician.

No.

I couldn't hold it earlier.

I've already…

soiled my trousers.

You…

Mr. Shen,

I'll go home first to wash up and change my clothes.

Then I'll see a physician.

I might not be able to attend tonight's rehearsal.

I hope you can keep this a secret

and protect my reputation.

I'll take my leave now.

HANLIN ACADEMY

Ms. Jiang Li,

why do you…

My carriage broke down on the way.

I had to walk over, so I'm late.

I can begin now.

I found Mr. Du, a talented scholar

among the Hanli students, to perform with you.

Unfortunately,

-he-- -It's fine.

I know no one wants to perform with me.

I'm all soaked, but end up with nothing.

Mr. Shen, I must look foolish.

Jiang Li,

everything I said earlier was true.

I had no intention of playing tricks on you.

He really isn't feeling well today.

I'm not blaming you.

I'm blaming myself.

For so many years,

I've carried the stigma of matricide and fratricide.

The Eldest Princess questioned my identity,

my mother went mad, and my father is away from home.

It's no wonder you avoided me before this.

At this alliance meeting,

I just wanted to make a name for myself.

I didn't expect

that all of you

already see me as a jinx.

Take shelter here first.

Leave when the rain stops.

Put this on for now. You can leave when the rain lets up.

This is Garden of Eloquence by Liu Xiang from the Han Dynasty.

Exactly.

Dear, you should include Garden of Eloquence in the compilation.

My father mentioned

he was very interested in Garden of Eloquence.

But most of it has been lost now.

He said if someone could collect and recompile it,

it would be a great merit.

GARDEN OF ELOQUENCE

I remember it has 20 volumes,

but most of them are lost.

I didn't expect you to collect so much.

It took me quite an effort

to gather these fragments.

That's why I plan to compile them into a book.

This way, this classic can be passed down through generations

and benefit future generations.

Mr. Shen, you're really amazing.

Ms. Jiang Li, you're too kind.

But you

were able to recognize Garden of Eloquence

with just these fragments.

That's quite surprising.

Mr. Shen, you're different from what I imagined.

How so?

I thought

those favored by His Majesty would be skilled in social interactions.

I didn't expect you to rely on your knowledge.

You truly have remarkable qualities.

I'm just following the principles in the book.

An official should follow the six righteous paths.

Being humble and diligent, progressing daily in virtue,

recommending the virtuous and talented tirelessly and upholding the law.

The book says there are six righteous and six unrighteous paths.

Following righteous paths brings honor, while the other disgrace.

A virtuous official follows the righteous paths and avoids the other,

thus ensuring stability and good governance.

Mr. Shen,

if a person acts righteously but also commits unrighteous acts,

is this person still righteous or not?

All things follow the laws of heaven and earth.

If one goes against their conscience,

no matter how many good deeds they do,

they will face divine retribution.

I believe

you're a person who acts uprightly.

Ms. Jiang Li, the rain has stopped.

I'll take my leave.

Thank you

for not minding talking with me.

I'll take my leave now.

I'll return your clothes after washing them.

HANLIN ACADEMY

What gross encounter did you have

to torture yourself like this?

Duke Su,

why are you here?

Your clothes

look terrible.

Come with me.

HANLIN ACADEMY

Does it fit?

Why don't you have women's clothes at your place?

You already know my background.

Don't you know why?

They say you don't like women.

But why?

Women are wonderful.

They're caring

and considerate.

What about you?

You're not getting any younger.

You're the one who's getting older.

I actually feel quite good

living alone these days.

No emotions to worry about

and free to act.

You're the one who truly fits that description.

Thanks for the compliment.

But there's something I need to remind you of.

Getting close to Shen Yurong is a risky move.

I have to do it.

I want to face him

just like he faced Xue Fangfei in her grave.

I need to find his weakness

to clear Xue Fangfei's name.

What weakness?

I haven't found it yet.

Over time, he will eventually slip up.

Have you considered the consequences?

Xiao Heng,

you can be more frank.

Eldest Princess' retaliation could cost me my life.

And my all-or-nothing gamble

might also be a path to my own destruction.

Admitting it

means you're afraid.

Having fear is a good thing.

I actually feel quite relieved

after saying it out loud to you.

Do I also have a therapeutic effect?

Anyway, I have nothing to lose.

Have some chicken.

Has Jiuyue returned?

She was here. But she left.

Don't worry about Magistrate Xue and that young lady.

I remember them.

But you know what she's like.

She is too willful.

I'm sorry to trouble you.

You have to promise me one thing.

No matter what plans you make in the future,

don't get yourself caught up in them.

You have nothing to lose.

But it may not be the same for me.

All right.

It's burned.

Yurong, where were you?

At the Hanlin Academy.

Compiling the classics has been very hectic these days.

Stop pretending.

Your sister told me everything when she got back.

Tonight,

were you with Jiang Li?

No.

You still don't understand the seriousness of this matter.

Have you forgotten the suffering our family went through?

Father,

I will avenge you.

After taking revenge on this corrupt official,

there will be others who would oppress us.

Unless you become an official,

not only will you fail to take revenge,

but you'll also bring trouble to our family.

Don't worry.

I will study hard

and become a top scorer.

Then I'll be a good official

and eradicate all corrupt ones who mistreat the people!

Have you forgotten

your promise to your father on his deathbed?

How difficult was it to get to where you are now?

What do you think

Her Highness would feel if she found out

you were associating with Ms. Jiang Li,

who looks like Xue Fangfei?

They are not the same person.

Mother, stop mixing them up.

Is that the point?

Does my opinion matter?

The point is Her Highness believes she's Xue Fangfei.

Think about your grand ambitions.

Think about how our family

got our good life now.

Yurong,

do not play with fire.

Mother, you don't need to remind me.

I know the path

I must take better than anyone.

My lord,

you won't believe it.

Being poisoned

felt quite fascinating.

I saw so many beautiful women around me.

I just hugged them all.

Then I…

Then let Jiuyue catch another snake to bite you again.

Don't.

I was just joking.

Is she drunk?

How much did she drink?

It's wine with a venomous scorpion. Too strong.

Perfect.

Keep her confined at the mansion

until the Zhao delegation arrives.

Wen Ji,

take her to her room.

Lu Ji,

come with me to the liquor shop.

-Yes. -Isn't Lu Ji holding her?

Let Lu Ji take her inside.

Now that you're no longer poisoned, you can continue watching over her.

I…

You…

Don't.

Let me out!

Guards!

Somebody!

Am I not a person?

Stay there.

Before the Zhao delegation arrives,

you're not going anywhere.

How dare you?

I have never been locked up since I was a child.

You'd better let me go now.

Or else…

Or else…

Or else what?

Wen Ji,

what do you want?

I've already prepared myself.

Don't think you can poison me again.

Anyway,

you're not stepping out of the Duke Mansion today.

Wen Ji, how dare you?

Just stay put.

Don't think about leaving.

I need to go to Ye Residence.

Didn't Xiao Heng ask me to treat Magistrate Xue?

I'm going to treat him. I want to go now.

Do you think I'll fall for that?

You'd better get this straight.

Xiao Heng even went spider hunting with me

to make me treat Magistrate Xue.

And you should know

what Jiang Li means to him, right?

If Magistrate Xue isn't treated in time,

it'll be all your fault.

Then

you won't just get caned a few times anymore.

You are…

I'm here to treat Magistrate Xue.

You can't come in.

This is trespassing.

I can report you to the authorities.

Vice Director Ye,

we're here on Duke Su's orders

to treat Magistrate Xue.

Ms. Jiang Li also knows about this.

Do you work for Duke Su?

You know him, right?

Can I go in now?

No.

Jiang Li didn't tell me about this.

Let me inform her first.

You don't need to bother with this.

I get it now.

He doesn't like Xiao Heng, right?

Watch your words.

Can you be more subtle?

His lordship just doesn't want to stoop to his level.

Guys,

please watch your words.

Stop beating around the bush.

-Are you letting me in or not? -No.

No?

Ye Shijie, don't provoke her.

She will--

Keep an eye on him.

I'm going in to do the treatment.

Stop right there!

It's wise to listen.

You…

You…

Don't touch him!

You're welcome.

His illness

is tricky to cure.

Wait.

Where did this quack come from?

Who gave you the permission to touch Magistrate Xue?

Where am I?

I'm the only one who can treat his illness.

But it can't be cured in one day.

If the poison--

If the treatment is too strong,

it could be fatal.

So I will come once a day from now on.

If you have any questions,

you can just ask Jiang Li.

Wen Ji,

take him outside.

The next treatment is highly toxic, so you'd better stay away.

I'm not leaving.

Do you think you don't look pathetic enough?

Give me the antidote! I can walk myself out!

Can you give me the antidote first?

What's the rush?

She'll give it to you when she's done.

Wen Ji!

Give me the antidote!

Find Xiao Heng.

Catch it.

Don't just stand there! Find his lordship!

The antidote.

Open your mouth!

His lordship is at the wine shop.

Just surrender now.

You're no match for me.

Do you think you can last until Xiao Heng gets here?

Him?

He's no match for me…

We can only take our chances.

What are you planning to do?

That seems to be effective.

But why do I feel

that I'm also…