Original subtitles

SHEN RESIDENCE

A bet?

Yes.

Not only did she say whoever loses must kneel and apologize,

but the loser must go back to Zhennv Hall too.

Such boasting makes me wonder

if she's lost her mind.

At first, I was worried

that she might be Xue Fangfei

coming back for revenge.

But now, I feel relieved.

With a brain like hers,

she's not like Xue Fangfei

apart from her appearance.

She's so arrogant.

She even dares make a bet with Mr. Li.

Doesn't she know their capabilities?

That's enough.

I don't want to hear it.

Yurong,

what's wrong with you lately?

You're always unhappy.

It's nothing.

I've got my hands full at the Hanlin Academy.

I'm just a little tired.

Go and study.

Don't tell me you're worried about Jiang Li.

Shen Ruyun!

Don't be insolent.

What did I do?

Mother wants me to ask

if you want

to move back to your room.

After all,

it doesn't seem right to live in the study.

I'm good here.

Yurong,

you locked your room

and wouldn't let anyone clean it.

You can't go on like this.

How about you give me the key?

Mother and I can clean Xue...

We'll throw away all her belongings.

Then you can move back to your room.

Get out.

The situation has been tense lately.

Just wait a little more.

I'll buy your freedom.

Lonely Gentleman.

You...

Get dressed before talking to me.

Duke Su,

did I commit any crime?

I'm tired of hearing that question.

Is the Bureau of Salt and Iron out of money?

You can't even buy a girl's freedom.

What did you say?

I don't get it.

Zhiyan, pour some drinks.

You work for him?

What do you want?

What are you doing?

Stay away from me!

Where did Judge Kong channel

the money embezzled from the Bureau of Salt and Iron?

I don't know.

I may be his brother-in-law, but I don't know anything.

Why waste time talking to him?

I thought we were here to try out our new torture device.

What is this?

That's a good question.

It's something that would turn you into a eunuch.

But it's only one strike for a real eunuch.

With you,

I might have to put in some effort.

What do you want?

Drinking in a brothel

and giving yourself a pseudonym like a woman.

Lonely Gentleman,

you will be completely free from sensations

and desires after this.

I'm not married yet.

I don't have any children.

Fine, I'll tell you.

In my first year, my brother-in-law wouldn't let me touch any money.

Later on, he thought I was honest,

so he let me transport money.

After getting the money, we'd deliver it to the theater.

Who did you give it to?

I don't know.

No!

I really don't know.

These are the secrets of the Kong family.

If they're revealed, their family will be ruined.

He won't tell me.

Give him a piece of paper.

Write down the days

you went to the theater.

If there's any wrong detail...

You'll have no chance to have children.

All right. I'll write them down.

Good job.

I'm not after the money.

Taking this money will make things easier for you.

Besides, you deserve the money.

I still owe you for your kindness.

If Ms. Yu hadn't saved me back then,

I would have died long ago.

I became your informant

because I hope we can find General Xiao

and Ms. Yu's true cause of death.

My father died in battle and my mother passed away from illness.

It was confirmed eight years ago.

What else is there to investigate?

Others believe it, but do you?

The more you know,

the faster you die.

I don't believe

you're this heartless.

Come upstairs and take a seat.

Come on.

Mr. Lin, come and catch me.

Come and have fun.

Come.

You're hurting me.

GREAT YAN MILITARY CAMP IN NANJIANG

Father, I want to go with you.

Xiao Heng,

we're going to battle,

not military training.

Then you'll be in grave danger.

Don't worry.

I'll bring the Longwu Army with me.

Wait for my return.

Mother.

Heng'er,

time to go to bed.

No.

I want to be with Father.

Heng'er, be good.

Go to bed.

Mother, please.

Let me go with you.

When I return,

I'll sing songs for you.

I'm not going to bed.

Peng Guang.

PENG GUANG

General.

Bring Xiao Heng to General Xiao tomorrow

at the Duke Mansion.

Yes.

Xiao Heng, come.

I'm not going!

Let me go.

Father.

Mother.

Father!

Father.

Father.

Father, wake up.

Get him out of here.

Father.

Let me go.

Let go!

Father!

That's enough!

Grandfather,

my father would never lose to them.

There's definitely something fishy about this.

We must look into it.

An official dies for his memorials, an officer for his battles.

Dying in battle is the fate of a military officer.

Father's cause of death is unclear.

Grandfather, are you really going to turn a blind eye?

Victory and defeat are common in war.

I don't understand.

I don't understand how you can be so heartless.

No wonder Father always said

you were unhappy with him since he was little.

Even now that he's gone,

you refuse to seek justice for him!

You're heartless!

I hate you!

MEMORIAL TABLET OF THE LATE GENERAL WHO ASSISTS THE STATE, XIAO

-Hurry up. -Come.

-Quickly. -Hurry.

-I said, quickly. -Hurry up.

Look how handsome he is.

He sure looks handsome.

-Just look at his appearance. -You're right.

-He's so good-looking. Look. -Yes.

He has an impressive demeanor.

I really like this gentleman.

Mother.

Mother.

-Madam Yu! -Mother!

Mother, what's wrong?

Madam Yu.

Mother.

Mother, are you all right?

-Qing'er. -Mother.

-Madam Yu. -Get me dressed.

Is it pretty?

Yes.

Heng'er, your father gave me this hairpin.

It's my most cherished possession.

Come.

Put it on me.

Mother,

you look beautiful.

TOMB OF GENERAL XIAO FROM GREAT YAN

Mother, Father's cause of death is unclear.

They refuse to listen to me.

Heng'er, you're still a child.

You'll understand many things

after you've grown up.

Your father was an upright man.

He has always taken pride in you.

So from now on,

you shouldn't always cry and make a fuss.

Otherwise, your father and I

would feel heartbroken.

I hope you can grow up

safely and happily.

Can you do that?

My lord,

the interrogation is over.

His theater visits are quite regular.

Shall we go to the theater tomorrow to check?

Sure.

My lord, this is a significant clue.

Aren't you pleased?

His lordship is not in the mood today.

Let me tell you something interesting then.

Ms. Jiang Li and Li Lian made a bet.

If Jiang Li loses, she has to return to Zhennv Hall.

If Li Lian loses, he has to become a monk.

I was surprised when I heard it.

I didn't expect Ms. Jiang Li to be triggered by your provocation.

Is she risking everything or overestimating herself?

Whether she's a toothless tiger or a fierce one,

we'll find out soon enough.

FANGFEI COURTYARD

Miss,

is your wrist hurting?

What's wrong?

Why are you crying?

Miss,

I heard about your bet with the Li brothers.

I'm worried sick.

I just hate that I couldn't do anything to help you.

It's all right, Tong'er.

I'm quite confident.

Miss, are you really not afraid?

When raising a blade and bringing it down,

just think of nothing.

I must meet His Majesty and be rewarded.

Is it because you want to tell His Majesty

about the injustice you and her ladyship suffered?

It's still not the right time yet.

Only when I get first place

will Ms. Jiang Li be truly back in the capital.

Everyone will like me

and won't dare do as they please.

Also, I want to know who's behind Shen Yurong.

Miss, are you saying

someone is instigating him?

Xue Li, I have no choice.

She could crush us

like ants.

I'm certain of it.

And this person has immense wealth

that can help Shen Yurong rise steadily.

Although I don't know who this person is

or why she's targeting me and my family,

instead of doing everything to find out,

it's better for me to use myself as bait

and lure that person out.

The imperial palace banquet is a good opportunity.

When I stand up there,

that person must look towards me.

PRINCESS WANNING'S MANSION

CLOSE TO WISDOM AND BENEVOLENCE

What are you writing here?

Your Highness is pressing on my sleeve.

What are you writing?

It's an unnamed inscription

that I've liked practicing lately.

Does Your Highness want to write?

I'll hold the brush for you.

I'll try it.

CLOSE TO WISDOM AND BENEVOLENCE RESPECT AND ASPIRE FOR VIRTUE

Yurong,

is there anything interesting out there recently?

Your Highness,

when practicing calligraphy, you must clear your mind.

You're spouting nonsense again.

Yes.

It's my fault.

Do as you please.

Have you heard about the bet

between Mr. Li Lian and Ms. Jiang Li?

I don't pay attention to these things.

Isn't Ms. Jiang Li the one

who tried to commit matricide and fratricide?

How is she?

Is she beautiful?

I forgot.

Yurong, you must have been too busy lately.

Even your memory is foggy.

Didn't you meet her twice?

First, at the Hairpin Ceremony.

-Another time at the Jiang... -I've never paid attention

to irrelevant people.

That's true.

You only need to pay attention to me.

But Ms. Jiang Li tried to commit matricide and fratricide.

A woman like her

made a bet with Mr. Li Lian.

Who do you think will win?

Naturally, Mr. Li will win.

You're lying.

You wrote it wrongly.

I'll write another one for you.

There's no need.

You're not clearheaded now.

-What's the point of writing? -We can surely write another one well.

I said forget it. Didn't you hear clearly, Shen Yurong?

I'm no longer in the mood to clear my mind with you.

How can a man who can't even lie

coax me?

I'm incompetent.

Do you think my anger will subside

with an apology?

Meixiang.

Stop looking like you're wronged in front of me.

Go out and help me bet

on Jiang Li to win.

That's ridiculous!

She's becoming more and more disobedient.

She even dares to make such a bet.

The powers in the capital are complex.

How could she understand it all at once?

If it weren't for Old Madam's insistence,

we should've let her stay home for another year.

She's already in the School of Integrity.

There will be more troubles in the future.

I didn't realize what could happen.

I really didn't expect this.

Dear, forget it.

Don't be too harsh on Li'er later.

Young people are always impulsive.

It's inevitable.

If she admits her mistake,

we can slowly guide her later on.

If she could admit her mistake,

we wouldn't have sent her to Zhennv Hall.

I want to see

if she has truly repented

in the past ten years!

Dear.

Dear.

Dear,

don't be angry.

He's coming.

My lady.

Don't help me up.

My lord, she has been kneeling all day and night.

Please talk to her.

Father.

What are you doing?

I made a mistake,

so I must accept punishment.

Why did you do it

when you knew it was wrong?

Because as the daughter of the Chief Secretariat,

I shouldn't embarrass you.

My dignity is not something that's easily lost.

But what about your own dignity?

You made a bet

and it's with the Li family.

If you lose,

you'll become a joke!

Father,

all I want is to study quietly.

But the Annual Exam's rule at the School of Integrity changed.

If I don't form a team for the exam,

I won't even have the qualification to participate.

I just entered the School of Integrity

and have no friends.

My sisters have their own ideas as well.

I finally found someone to form a team,

but the Li brothers were trying to snatch him away.

Their attitude is terrible

and their words are contemptuous.

They said...

They said...

What did they say?

They said that if I couldn't continue to study in school,

I'd have to kneel and apologize.

That is out of line!

You don't need to worry.

I'll surely handle it for you.

Father,

Chancellor Li can't do anything to you in court,

so he's using me to provoke you.

If I withdraw,

what about your dignity?

Don't worry about these things.

I'll talk to Li Zhongnan tomorrow

and cancel this bet.

The bet has already spread in the capital.

If you deal with it for me, you'll surely be criticized.

I don't want you to be humiliated in front of Chancellor Li.

Father,

I'm all grown up.

You've protected me for many years.

Let me take a gamble now.

I accepted this bet,

risking my fate

and the honor of being a daughter of the Jiang family.

Father,

please help me.

Jiang Li,

I'm giving this guqin to you.

Since Father has spoken,

I'll help you.

If there's anything else you need help with,

feel free to let me know.

The guqin you've used can definitely help me win.

You can have this music score too.

It's too bad I don't play the guqin,

so I can't help you much.

I'm already grateful

for the thought.

Time is running out.

Jiang Li,

you need to prepare quickly.

Madam Ji,

we've sent good things to her.

Are we really going to help her?

Yes.

Why not?

She wants to soar high, right?

Then we'll let her crash and burn.

What a bunch of hypocrites.

I thought Uncle Yuanbai would scold you harshly.

But in the end, he quite supports you.

Everyone has grievances.

Father is also human.

I'm really curious.

What are you good at?

Do you also play the guqin?

I learned a bit at Zhennv Hall.

Your sister can't even afford decent jewelry

and you're spending money to repair her guqin.

I'll give my sister jewelry in the future.

Mother, don't worry.

But if this guqin isn't repaired soon, her skills will worsen.

It'll be too late then.

I knew it.

You don't care about me and your sister at all.

We might as well be dead!

Mother, what are you doing?

Why are you being unreasonable?

Leave me alone!

You call that learning a bit?

You clearly play very well.

-My lady. -What's wrong?

My lady.

Is your wrist hurt?

See a physician. I'll get one.

There's no need.

I'll go to the physician myself.

No.

I'll accompany you.

My lady.

It's all right.

Let's go.

Your fingertips are just scratched.

It's not so serious.

Tell us properly.

She's a Chancellor's daughter.

I'll hold you responsible if she's not cured.

But she has an old injury on her wrist.

An old injury?

Yes.

The old injury wasn't treated properly and now there's a new one.

It's a bit troublesome.

But don't worry too much.

With daily acupuncture for a few days

and the medicine I prescribed,

along with proper rest and no strenuous activity,

playing the guqin

and riding horses won't be a problem later on.

Sir, how long will it take to fully recover?

At least a month, I'd say.

Can't it be faster?

We're treating an injury.

It's not child's play.

It needs to be done step by step.

Thank you, sir.

Please prepare the medicine.

All right.

DIVINE TECHNIQUES

Why do you have an old injury?

I got injured from working hard day and night at Zhennv Hall. Why?

I mean,

you knew about your wrist injury.

Why did you make a bet with the Li brothers?

-I even bet... -So

are you just going to stand by and watch?

That's not what I meant.

No.

I'm serious.

I'm really serious.

My father was one of the top chess players.

After he joined the officialdom,

my mother thought playing chess would affect his career,

so she forbade him from playing.

But I learned a few tricks from him

since I was little.

I'm confident

I can handle it.

Let's go home and play.

You even know how to play chess?

Why do they teach everything at Zhennv Hall?

It makes me want to go there too.

Young Master,

could you please check if the medicine is ready?

My lady needs to take it.

Of course. I'll go and get it.

Is it ready yet?

Miss, how can you play the guqin with your wrist like this?

There's always a way.

Let's take care of the others first.

Is your son sick?

He seems to have it bad.

Xu'er,

I have some free time today.

I can play with you.

I must prepare for the exam. Don't disturb me.

Pigs might fly today.

She's really overestimating herself.

Jiang Li.

What is it?

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

Because I can't accept it.

I can't accept being stuck in Zhennv Hall,

being trampled on at the School of Integrity,

and being hidden away at home

just to marry a good husband.

I want to compete.

I want to break free from this stifling place

and fight for justice.

There's nothing to hide about it.

Now I know

why you managed to convince Ye Shijie.

You have a determination.

Only you

can persuade such a proud person to join us.

I told you. I want to win against Li Lian.

Shijie also deserves His Majesty's reward at the palace hall.

This time, whether it's for me,

for him,

or for us,

I'm going all out.

Me too. I'll give it my all.

What's wrong?

I fell off a horse before.

I didn't want to ride again.

Now, I want to try again.

Liu Xu, don't worry.

I'll ride with you.

Let's get used to riding on horseback first.

It's all right.

No rush. Take your time.

Your thumb ring is loose.

Don't you know that?

Duke Su?

You were following me.

To you,

am I such a lame person?

This place is usually for hunting.

As for you two,

it's quite dangerous to barge in like this.

We couldn't find anywhere else.

Duke Su,

what did you say about Liu Xu?

What's loose?

This friend of yours deliberately wore a loose thumb ring

because of an old thumb injury.

What she doesn't know is that

if the ring doesn't stick to the skin,

the ring will rotate

due to friction with the arrow shaft when shooting.

Before the arrow leaves the bow, its direction is already off.

A slight deviation can lead to a huge difference.

How can you shoot accurately?

That's really impressive.

Do you know archery?

No.

A bow and arrow are light weapons.

It's good for women to learn it for self-defense.

Get off the horse and stand here.

Hold this for me.

-I never said I wanted to learn it. -Do as I say.

Hold the bow's center with one hand.

Hold it firmly

without looseness.

Pull the string with your thumb.

Just like this.

Remember the position of your thumb pulling the string.

I'll guide you to pull the bow once.

When holding the bow, hold it tight.

Or you'll be giving a chance for your opponent to kill you.

Focus on the target.

I'll count to three.

Together, let's release

the thumb that's pulling the string.

Remember.

Don't hesitate.

One, two, three.

I really hit it.

Try it yourself.

-What's wrong with your wrist? -It's nothing.

How is an injury like that nothing?

How are you going to take the exam?

I'm already treating it.

Duke Su, you don't have to worry.

The physician said it'll take at least a month to fully heal.

Can you wait that long?

And you say you're not spying on me.

I was just passing by.

Jiang Li, what's wrong?

Come to my residence today

if you want to be completely healed.

What's wrong with your wrist?

Don't worry.

It's nothing serious.

I was wondering why Duke Su came to give me some pointers.

So you know each other.

I even heard he invited you to his residence.

You're not going, are you?

The Annual Exam is in three days, right?

Yes.

Duke Su is a strange person.

Although he helped us today,

who knows what he's thinking?

It's best not to provoke him.

All right.

Miss,

why don't you rest for a bit?

You can't rush it with your wrist injury.

We're running out of time.

You still have Ms. Liu, right?

See if any of them can play the guqin

and swap with you.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

Please relay a message.

Duke Su told me to come.

His lordship asked you to come yesterday.

He waited all day.

He doesn't want to see any visitors today.

I arrived late

and made Duke Su wait.

Today, I will wait for him instead.

Close the door.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

DUKE SU'S MANSION

Ms. Jiang Li,

follow me.

Wait.

-What's wrong? -My legs are numb from sitting too long.

I can't stand up.

RETURN OF THE CLOUDS

Duke Su, you're in a good mood today.

But I didn't come here

for roast meat.

Since you're not hungry,

wait first.

The physician hasn't eaten yet.

SITU JIUYUE

Let me introduce you

to the best physician in the land.

I'm not the best physician,

but the best poison expert.

Xiao Heng,

why did you just bring someone here

for me to heal?

Do you want to break my rules?

I won't break your rules.

I'll do it on her behalf.

You'll do it on her behalf?

Who is she to you?

What's the rule?

Xiao Heng hasn't told you, right?

If you want me to heal you,

you need to gamble with me first.

If you're willing to heal me,

I'd naturally take that bet.

Fine.

You're straightforward.

My new venomous spider happens to need someone to test its poison.

If you win against me,

I'll heal your hand.

What if I lose?

You'll give your life to me.

How do we do this?

Among these two spiders, one is poisonous, the other is not.

Pick one.

Sometimes,

staying alive requires luck.

Or even if I save you this time,

you might not live long.

Let me remind you.

One of these is highly poisonous.

If you pick the wrong one

and it bites you,

you might not survive.

Shall we start?

Wait.

-Are you scared? -You said I need to bet on a life.

But you didn't say it had to be my own.

This is the life I'm betting on.

I introduced a physician to you.

You're repaying kindness with enmity.

If anything happens to you,

I will take my own life in return.

You'll die with me?

Xiao Heng, I'm warning you.

This spider is truly poisonous.

What are we waiting for?

Let me carefully pick

which one is the venomous spider.

Is it this one?

Or is it this one?

Open it.

Open it.

It's not poisonous.

Xiao Heng.

Then I'll pick this one.

Open it.

You won.

This is not poisonous.

It looks like my hand gave you luck.

Get out.

I need to do the treatment now.

What a shame.

You can't die with me.

Can you walk quickly?

How did you guess?

When you look at him, I can see affection in your eyes.

So what?

Aren't you the same?

He isn't the one I love.

If you dare to lie to me,

I'll kill you.

Women shouldn't easily show affection.

Otherwise, they'll lose the first round.

You speak as if you've lost before.

Give me your hand.

Your meridians are in disarray.

Ordinary methods won't work. We can only fight poison with poison.

But this method is intense.

You'll endure immense pain,

mental turmoil,

and sleepless nights.

I trust you, Ms. Situ.

You're quite bold.

No wonder Xiao Heng came to beg me for you.

You and Duke Su seem well-acquainted.

We saved each other before.

Give me your hand.

DUKE SU'S MANSION

Did you stay up all night?

Are you worried that I'd poison her?

How is she?

The poison hasn't completely dissipated yet.

Give it two more days

and she'll fully recover.

Xiao Heng,

I never imagined

that you would care so much for a woman.

She's the actress I want to groom.

If her hand is crippled, how can she continue with her act?

Xiao Heng,

have you developed feelings for her?

Stop asking me such questions.

You'd better not let me find out you're lying to me.

Lu Ji,

bring Ms. Jiang Li home.

She's asleep.

Do you want me to carry her back

or throw her over my shoulder?

Send a message to her maid.

Yes.

How are you feeling?

Thank you for getting me a physician.

I will repay this favor

in the future.

You can't repay

my favor yet.

What do you mean?

When people are down and out,

they're like falling leaves

who can't control

their fate.

The Duke Mansion has no place for such falling leaves.