Original subtitles

How long has Ms. Ruoyao been inside?

All day. She didn't even eat.

And she instructed me not to let anyone bother her.

The tip of scorpion venom needles are dipped into scorpion venom.

Using it as acupuncture can cause hallucinations.

If the person receiving the treatment can't handle it,

she will go completely mad.

I trust you, Ms. Situ.

It's useless for you to trust me. You must trust yourself.

If you can't handle the pain later,

I can't save you either.

Got it.

Why did you betray me?

This is bad.

She's starting to hallucinate.

Xiao Heng, help me hold her down.

I need to prepare another dose of medicine.

If she starts shaking, call me right away.

All right.

Now, you're trying to get Jiang Li.

Which one are you planning

to push out?

I'm just trying to help Ms. Jiang Li.

Besides, my marriage with Jiang Ruoyao isn't set in stone yet.

Go home now

and break off your engagement with Jiang Ruoyao,

then get back with Jiang Li.

Jiang Li, don't even think about taking him away from me.

I won't lose to you.

Not in the past.

And not tomorrow.

No, we must give her the antidote now.

Don't give up halfway.

She hasn't gone mad from the pain.

Her emotions have just been suppressed for too long.

Do you think she can handle it?

She can handle it even if it's a big challenge.

Shen Yurong!

Do you think no one will know

what you've done?

The heavens see everything. Every evil deed faces retribution.

I won't let you get away in this lifetime!

You can't even stay at the School of Integrity.

How can you fight against me?

Your hands are useless now.

You can't play the guqin anymore!

My hands!

We have to stop this now.

If we don't give her the antidote, she can't hold on much longer.

Li, look who's in front of you clearly.

Li!

Li.

Jiang Li.

Jiang Li!

Don't bite yourself.

You...

Foolish behavior.

Young Master, did you stay up all night?

Is it already morning?

Yes.

Young Master, you've been reading this page all night.

Remember.

You must let Jiang Li win against Jiang Ruoyao.

All right?

If Jiang Li wins, I'll bring you something delicious.

Xu'er,

are you still going even when your hand is injured?

I must attend Jiang Li's music exam.

At the competition later,

you will surely shine the brightest.

I've taken care of everything for you.

Please don't disappoint me again today.

Yes, Mother.

Why is his lordship like a young lady today?

He's taking such a long time to get changed.

Do you want to check on him?

I killed Xue Fangfei with my own hands.

I buried her myself.

The current Jiang Li is just Jiang Li.

No matter how much she resembles her, she's not Xue Fangfei.

Miss, do your best.

I believe in you.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Place your bets!

The wager between Chancellor Li's son, Li Lian,

and Chancellor Jiang's daughter, Jiang Li.

Fifty-to-one odds!

Ms. Jiang Li's team is performing exceptionally well.

Just one match is left. Why haven't the odds changed at all?

It's about capabilities.

How can the tables always be turned?

You must have bet

your whole fortune on Mr. Li

and just refused to admit it.

-Right. -Let's see who wins and who loses.

Sure. Go ahead and place your bet.

Decide and place your bets!

I'm placing mine here.

Come and place your bets!

JIANG LI, LI LIAN

-I'm betting on Mr. Li. -I bet on Mr. Li too.

-I'm placing my bet! -All right.

Messrs., your bets are noted.

-All right. -I'm placing my bet!

JIANG LI

ANNUAL EXAM, FOURTH DAY

-They're quite impressive. -Yes.

Ms. Jiang Li is in good form today.

This round is of utmost importance.

Exactly.

-What are you looking at? -Check them out.

Look at Ms. Jiang Li. She's determined to win today.

Did you see that?

Everyone looks at our motley crew

in a different light now.

Also,

many people regretted

placing their bets on Meng Hongjin and her team.

Today is the final round.

Everyone will be watching you.

You can do it.

Li Jin,

the motley crew across is watching us.

IMPERIAL ACADEMY

Do you think

someone will sabotage us?

With so many people here,

I don't think so.

Students, come and draw your lots.

Ninth, Liu Yuzhu.

Tenth, Wang Qingqing.

Eleventh, Jiang Ruoyao.

Twelfth, Jiang Li.

Please proceed with the exam in the order of the lots drawn.

We will test guqin skills today.

There are five examiners in total.

Apart from me, the other examiners are

Fairy Jinghong...

Fairy Jinghong?

Wasn't she Wangxian Pavilion's top performer?

She used to charge a fortune for a song.

I heard Fairy Jinghong is living a blissful life after retiring

from Wangxian Pavilion.

I didn't expect to see her here.

Court musician, Mian Ju.

MIAN JU

Mian Ju is a true master.

And he's quite frank.

This year's top scorer, Shen Yurong.

Look, it's the devoted top scorer, Mr. Shen.

Is Mr. Shen also skilled in guqin?

I heard his late wife was a talented guqin player.

Next...

Ms. Xiao, the next person hasn't arrived yet.

Should we wait for him?

He has always been unpredictable. It's better if he doesn't show up.

Let's begin.

The guqin exam starts now.

Ms. Xiao, you seem quite anxious.

Duke Su, Xiao Heng.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

-Duke Su. -Duke Su.

PROMOTE NOBLE MORALS AND IDEAS, EXTENSIVE LEARNING

Please go ahead.

They even invited Duke Su.

What a big surprise.

His insights are highly valued in entertainment houses here.

Which singer or instrument player wouldn't want his comments?

Don't forget how Little Taohong became popular.

Let the competition begin.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

IMPERIAL ACADEMY

Next student, Jiang Ruoyao.

It's "Wild Geese on the Shoal."

You can recognize it from just one note?

You're right.

It's the most challenging piece in the world.

No one ever dared to play it in the Annual Exam.

Your sister is truly extraordinary.

The song uses the grand ambition of a swan

to describe the spirit of a hermit.

The finger techniques are extremely difficult.

I didn't expect Ms. Ruoyao

to actually master it.

It's truly not easy.

Fairy,

you also gained fame in the capital for "Wild Geese on the Shoal," right?

Now that she mentioned it,

this student

sure resembles you in some ways.

Indeed, the younger generation truly has potential.

Did Fairy Jinghong tutor her in private?

IMPERIAL ACADEMY

Marvelous.

Even though Ms. Ruoyao is young and inexperienced,

she can play "Wild Geese on the Shoal,"

capturing the various forms of wild geese

and the graceful artistry of a hermit.

When we talk about this piece of music in the future,

we won't be reminded of you first,

but Ms. Jiang Ruoyao.

-She played exceptionally well. -Splendid.

-Magnificent. -Wonderful.

-She's incredible. -Yes.

Twelfth student, Jiang Li.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

Jiang Li is at a disadvantage in going after Jiang Ruoyao.

Even the heavens are helping us.

The heavens are helping us?

It could be a human deed too.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

Look at this guqin.

Do you like it?

Yes.

Father, this guqin must be expensive.

We already have one at home.

Just return this one.

I originally saved some money

to buy wine.

But after giving it a thought,

I decided to buy a guqin for my daughter instead.

You see,

you've been repairing and maintaining your guqin for years.

It's time for a new one.

I can't accept this, Father.

This guqin is too expensive.

If I knew learning guqin can be so costly,

I wouldn't have started learning.

Xue Li, don't say that.

You love playing the guqin.

Besides, mastering a skill

might bring you

some opportunities someday.

-Why isn't she starting yet? -Right.

Yes.

-What is she waiting for? -Why isn't she playing?

Could it be she doesn't know how to play the guqin?

Well, that would make sense.

Zhennv Hall doesn't teach guqin.

-Yes. -What's going on?

Be patient.

What is this?

Playing such an unknown tune

is embarrassing.

Can she even play the guqin?

After such a good performance,

this one is really a bit hard to listen to.

What piece is this?

Why haven't I ever heard it before?

She's playing

"Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms."

When I was traveling,

I heard this song.

It's an unpopular folk tune

that leaves a strong impression due to its sad melody.

But how can this compare

to "Wild Geese on the Shoal"?

There's a world of difference between them.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

Is this the unpopular folk tune you mentioned?

It's the same piece.

But the finger techniques and methods are entirely different.

The sound of your music

reflects the vastness of the world and the depth of humanity.

It's truly marvelous.

It's as if the music is alive.

SCHOOL OF INTEGRITY

The sudden shift in emotions...

It delivers such deep helplessness.

"Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms"

is a folk tune

expressing a woman's lament about her fate,

filled with sorrow and grief.

How can a young girl play this piece

with such understanding

as if she's experienced great injustice?

This piece sounds so sad that it brings tears to the listeners.

But Mr. Shen, why are you sweating so much?

The performance is captivating

and moving.

I am

at a loss for words.

No words can describe it at all.

No compliment can do you justice.

This "Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms"

is different from what I heard before.

Did you arrange it differently?

I was moved by the melody

when I first heard it,

so I added my own understanding

during practice.

I hope I didn't make a fool of myself.

At such a young age,

not only can you play, but you can also compose.

Truly, the younger generation is talented.

It's all good now.

-Jiang Li, you're incredible. -Amazing.

I never heard the piece you played just now,

but it left me completely spellbound.

You'll definitely win first place.

Li Lian and his team don't stand a chance at all now.

What if they placed their bets on Jiang Ruoyao?

What?

I was observing them earlier.

Li Lian and the rest didn't pay attention to their teammate.

They were more focused on Jiang Ruoyao.

I think they know

that the only way for us to beat them

is for Jiang Li to outperform Jiang Ruoyao.

To stop us from taking first place,

they're willing to help Jiang Ruoyao.

Who do you think they've bribed?

Mian Ju is a musical fanatic,

so it's unlikely they could sway him.

Fairy Jinghong is Jiang Ruoyao's teacher,

so she'll naturally be biased.

That leaves the other three.

Jiang Li's piece, "Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms,"

is the best in terms of technique, artistry,

and emotion.

I'm sure all of you agree with me.

While Jiang Li's performance was full of emotions,

"Spring Fading into White Pear Blossoms"

might be too melancholic.

I'm afraid others can't fully appreciate it.

"Wild Geese on the Shoal"

is clearer and more understandable.

The soul of music is like the human soul.

I think the latter has a broader meaning.

Nice.

I had no idea

there were levels to the soul of music until today.

Forgive me for being frank,

but what you said

is complete nonsense.

Mr. Mian Ju, since I was asked to judge,

don't make me conform to your views.

Everyone judges differently.

I won't argue with you,

so don't argue with me too.

Forget it.

I know you favor your own famous work.

But even without your vote, the result wouldn't change.

Ms. Xiao, don't you agree?

I'll cast my vote

for Jiang Ruoyao.

What?

Have I become deaf

or have you lost your mind too?

Jiang Li and Jiang Ruoyao are both your students.

Did someone pay you?

Mr. Mian Ju, watch your words.

The School of Integrity teaches guqin skills and techniques

to help students perform pieces more richly.

Jiang Li's music is indeed emotionally rich,

but her technique falls short.

Jiang Ruoyao's technique is more mature and stable than hers.

It's clearly the result of a long, diligent practice.

Our school encourages students

to thoroughly master their skills.

So

I vote for Jiang Ruoyao.

Your words clear up

a long-standing confusion for me.

I've wondered why the School of Integrity

has produced so many average musicians,

-but no masters. -You...

Duke Su, who will you cast your vote for?

I'm not a guqin player, but a guqin listener.

I cannot comment on techniques.

I can only tell you what I think.

There's only a one-word difference between guqin fanatic and love fanatic

and both were captured in Jiang Li's music.

Her piece tells the story of a betrayed lover of guqin

with a tragic end.

I pity this woman's sorrow

and admire her strength.

XIAO HENG

With my vote, I wish the guqin player

would get her revenge

and a bright future.

Great! As expected of Duke Su.

Finally, someone in the right mind.

Mr. Shen,

the result between the two of them is up to you now.

SHEN YURONG

What are you doing?

-Give it to me. -Well...

You've done enough for me already.

If I can't even keep the guqin you own,

how can I face anyone?

I won't take the Imperial Examination anymore.

We can still redeem the guqin after selling it.

I'm just a woman.

I only play the guqin as a hobby.

You have outstanding talent to serve the nation.

Don't worry about money matters.

The Imperial Examination is your way of realizing your ambitions,

so don't be silly, dear.

But you don't need to go to this extent for me.

I've failed my father-in-law's trust in me.

Buy me a good guqin after you pass the exam with flying colors.

-But... -Go and study first.

I'll be back soon.

TAIJI HALL

They say Mr. Shen is fair and just.

I wonder who you think is better.

Speaking of which,

I've been to Zhennv Hall at Qingcheng Mountain too.

It's desolate and lonely.

It's a pity that a poor weak woman

was once left alone in the mountains.

I buried her

with my own hands.

Xue Fangfei is dead.

She's dead!

MIAN JU, FAIRY JINGHONG

XIAO HENG, XIAO DEYIN

SHEN YURONG

RESPECT AND EMULATE THE EXCELLENT

You were amazing just now.

They were all shocked.

You're so incredible.

Ms. Jiang Li.

-Mr. Wang is... -Sure.

Congratulations on winning first place in guqin.

I thought you would be

by Ruoyao's side at this moment.

There's no need

to push me toward her.

We were actually the ones

who were engaged before.

Zhou Yanbang, stop being a flirt.

You're engaged, so don't flirt with others.

You should know about the engagement.

They were engaged before?

Actually, as long as you agree,

I can persuade my mother

to change back the engagement.

Who do you think you are?

Liu Xu.

I...

refuse.

You're amazing.

-Come on! -The results are out.

-The ranking is out! -She won!

-Jiang Li is in first place. -How can this be?

-How can this happen? -Move.

It's Jiang Li's team.

My hard-earned money!

My hard-earned money!

Did you read it wrongly?

Stop saying nonsense!

Ms. Jiang Li was sent away

when she was little.

She stayed at Zhennv Hall for ten years.

During those ten years,

she was unknown.

But after this battle,

her name shook the capital.

It sure is great news.

Congratulations, Chancellor Jiang.

You sure taught your daughter well.

I'm truly envious of you.

Yes, all of us feel the same way.

-Chancellor Li. -I'm so envious.

Victory and defeat are common in battle.

We both know that.

A wager is just a game between kids.

Li Lian is your second son.

Let's forget about him becoming a monk.

Jiang Yuanbai,

don't make my son look untrustworthy.

Then let him become a monk.

Which temple?

Don't forget to send word to my residence.

My wife is also a Buddhist.

She'll go there to pray.

Before offering incense,

don't forget to watch

both of your daughters

in case both of them fight.

Everyone, let's enjoy the show.

Two women fighting is quite a sight.

Chancellor Li, so which temple?

Let me know

when he takes his vows.

JIANG RESIDENCE

Who are you to win against me?

Ms. Ruoyao.

Ms. Ruoyao.

Open this door.

Ms. Ruoyao.

What's going on?

Everyone in the house knows that you're making a fuss here.

Losing a contest is one thing,

but don't lose your integrity.

Ms. Ruoyao locked herself in the room.

I can't persuade her to come out.

It's fine to lose a contest,

but now there are rumors everywhere

saying that Mr. Zhou wants to break off the engagement with Ms. Ruoyao.

Go now.

-Yes. -Yes.

Where did you hear that?

It's spreading among the female nobles.

They said Mr. Zhou

approached Jiang Li after the guqin competition

to set up a new engagement with her.

Ridiculous. How can an engagement just be changed?

Why didn't you talk to her?

She's always so immature.

She's making such a huge commotion at home

over some baseless rumors outside.

Where are her manners?

After studying guqin for so many years,

she even loses to a wild girl from Zhennv Hall.

Something is not right.

She spent so many years at Zhennv Hall.

Forget about practicing calligraphy.

How can those girls let her learn the guqin,

let alone learn it so well?

It's indeed fishy.

Go and find out

where the former Zhennv Hall's chief

is locked up now.

Do we want to find out who Jiang Li learned the guqin from?

Since she returned, something has felt off to me.

Maybe

she isn't Jiang Li at all.