Original subtitles

=The Rise of Ning=

(Adapted from Wen Tan's novel "Chancellor Training Handbook" from Jinjiang Literature)

=Episode 3=

(Liuhe Tavern)

Chen Jiuheng, Vice Minister of Revenue,

was assigned to a disaster relief mission,

but he embezzled the funds.

His crime is unforgivable.

Take him away.

Master!

Young Master, you are finally awake.

Get up now.

It is almost noon.

Hurry and take your breakfast.

You must've drunk a lot with your seniors last night.

I will let some fresh air in.

Young Master, isn't that Seventh Lady?

Young misses.

Di Suite, please, sir.

Di Suite?

Bring the two misses there.

This way, please.

Who sent this?

I couldn't see that person's face.

Second Master,

this letter concerns Seventh Lady's chastity.

Perhaps

this is a false alarm.

Whether it is or not,

prepare a carriage. I'm going out.

Yes.

Young misses, how may I help you?

Is there a vacant room beside Di Suite?

There's this Ren Suite.

- I will take that. - All right.

Show them the way to the Ren Suite.

Young misses, this way, please.

Please.

Father has received the letter.

I'd like to see how Luo Yining

will react when Father shows up here.

Sir,

where is the Ren Suite?

Ren Suite?

This way.

Show him the way.

This way, please.

Welcome.

Sir, are you here for a drink or a performance?

I'm looking for someone.

Looking for someone?

(Ren Suite)

Young Lady,

Second Master and Young Master Jiang are here.

I doubt Seventh Lady can get away this time.

(Di Suite)

Father?

There you are.

Where is he?

Who?

What are you talking about, Father?

Come out!

Second Master.

What are you doing here?

Seventh Lady and I

came to Liuhe Tavern to try their new dishes.

Where is Mr. Jiang?

Mr. Jiang?

Why would I meet a man in private?

Don't try to hide it.

I knew

you arranged a meeting with Mr. Jiang

to call off the engagement.

Why are you here?

This noon, at Liuhe Tavern.

In the Ren Suite.

I asked to meet you?

Aren't you meeting Luo Yining

in the Di Suite?

Yilian,

I don't understand what you are talking about.

You sent someone to deliver a note to me.

(Meet me in the Ren Suite of Liuhe Tavern at noon.)

I know you are still mad at me.

Later, I will tell my mother

I won't marry another woman.

Even if I'm to marry the daughter of the Luo Family,

I will marry only you.

What nonsense are you talking about?

I'm not marrying you as a concubine.

Don't worry. I will be kind to you

despite your status as a concubine.

Father.

Why are you doing this?

Are you trying to disgrace me?

Mr. Luo,

Yilian and I sincerely like each other.

Please marry her off to me.

There's no need to tell me that.

I...

Father,

nothing is going on

between Mr. Jiang and me.

It's her!

She intentionally lured me here.

Yilian,

what are you talking about?

I don't understand.

It turns out that Mr. Jiang and you are in love.

I...

I sincerely support you.

Nonsense!

Support them?

Marriage isn't a reckless decision.

Do you have no respect for me?

Mr. Luo,

anyway, I'm going to marry one of your daughters.

Since you have already learned of the situation,

I will return to tell my parents

that I will only marry Luo Yilian

and no other Luo's daughter.

Father,

have you forgotten what my mother

has been through at home?

I'm your daughter.

Do you bear

to see my whole life ruined?

Father, I do not want to be a concubine.

Yilian,

although I can't go against my parents' decision

to take you as my principal wife,

I will never let you suffer.

Mr. Jiang,

I have already made myself clear.

Why can't you let me go?

Father,

if you insist on marrying me off as a concubine,

I will take my life right in front of you now.

- Yilian! - Yilian!

Yilian.

Father,

since you can't bear to see her suffer

and want to maintain the Luo Family's dignity,

there's only one solution.

That is to meet with Madam Jiang and cancel the engagement.

Fine.

The marriage between the two families is off.

I will pick a day to formally break off the engagement.

Listen.

Mr. Jiang,

you are going to marry a noble lady

and take the imperial examination soon.

Do consider yourself.

I believe

you will keep it secret.

You are right, Mr. Luo.

The two of you, come home with me.

Young Master,

we just witnessed a great show.

That was interesting, indeed.

Women don't have a say

in deciding their own marriage.

Seventh Lady is really something else.

She pressured Luo Chengzhang

to cancel the engagement with the Jiang Family.

Tactical and reasonable.

We should be discreet

when searching for evidence from her.

Understood.

Young Lady,

the marriage pact with the Jiang Family is off now.

Why are you not happy?

Father

treats me like a stepping stone

and insists that I marry into the Jiang Family.

But he won't do that

to Yilian.

Old Madam and Madam Lin are on your side.

Right.

I only have them.

I have to get my hands dirty

to protect Grandma.

Qing Qu,

do you think I went too far?

I'm doing something I once despised.

Before this,

I truly despised her dirty tricks.

But now,

I have become just like her.

She wouldn't have walked into your trap

if she hadn't harbored an ill intention.

Don't overthink, Young Lady.

Why are you so foolish?

Mother,

what should I do now?

What if... What if Father

punishes me?

Enough. Stop whimpering.

Mother...

Stop it.

Stop crying.

Lian,

do you know how dearly your father holds you

and how he hates the idea of you becoming a concubine?

Do you know that?

But you made silly mistakes.

And I have to

clean up after you.

Come.

Twenty strokes on her palm.

- Yes. - Mother.

Father didn't punish me.

Why are you beating me?

That's his own decision whether to punish you.

But you need to show that you are reflecting on yourself.

No, I won't.

Hold out your hand.

Hold out your hand now.

Beat her.

(Xingfang Abode)

What are you doing?

Yuechan,

what has happened?

Why was Lian

so bold?

It's my fault.

I failed to control her.

Before, she told me

that she and Mr. Jiang

had feelings for each other,

so I...

I didn't discipline her properly.

She has been losing weight.

It reminds me of

the days when I was missing you.

I couldn't see her upset,

so I didn't stop her.

But when I found out Mr. Jiang

was going to be betrothed to Yining,

I warned her

to break things off with him.

I was being careless

and failed to discipline her properly.

Please punish me, my dear.

How could I bear

to punish you?

Yuechan,

you are too kind.

But sometimes, kindness can ruin things.

You've been managing household affairs

while looking after Lian and Xuanyuan.

It has been tough for you.

My dear, it's not tough at all.

I have already

punished Lian.

She learned the lesson.

It's also my fault

that Old Madam fell sick.

I'm willing to chant scriptures 300 times

to pray for her well-being.

Fortunately, this matter is kept contained.

Besides, Mother's condition

is stable.

But

that's the last one.

My dear,

I will teach Lian properly.

She won't repeat the same mistake.

Yuechan.

You, Lian, and Xuanyuan

are the most important ones to me.

Don't worry

about Lian's marriage.

I will take care of that.

Mother.

Yining, you are here.

I investigated all the servants

and found that the person gossiping in Old Madam's place was

Yue from my abode.

What was your maid doing

in Muxi Hall?

Yue always tends to the plants,

so I sent her to Muxi Hall

to look after Old Madam's peonies.

She was talking nonsense there

and annoyed Old Madam.

Maids in your abode

are very reliable.

Why was she gossiping in Muxi Hall?

Something seems fishy.

Are you saying

that she was being used?

It must be Mistress Qiao.

I must go and confront her.

Mother, don't go just yet.

Please sit down and calm yourself.

Think about this. Mistress Qiao

went through all this trouble

just to set up your maid.

It's because she intended to rid herself of blame.

If we confront her now,

she will definitely pretend to be innocent

and make you look bad.

You have a point.

I can't fall into her trap.

But what should I do?

Who was talking to Yue at that time?

She said

it was an old maid

who served in Muxi Hall. She's called

Ms. Lyu.

By the way,

I had someone transcribe

Yue's confession. Take a look at this

and see if it's suspicious.

Ms. Lyu is strange.

Her topics seem to revolve

around the marriage between the Luo and Jiang Families.

She kept mentioning that Grandma holds me dear

and that I would marry as a principal wife.

She seems to be tempting Yue to retort against her by saying

that I'd actually marry as a concubine.

Yue also mentioned that Ms. Lyu

kept broaching the topic that Old Madam

was worried about your marriage,

which is why she responded to her.

Also, why did Ms. Lyu choose the moment

just when Grandma showed up to bring up this topic?

The problem is,

there's nothing

to nitpick

from this conversation per se.

They would only be punished

for gossiping about the master.

Do you mean

that someone

brided Ms. Lyu?

That's possible.

Qing Qu,

go and investigate Ms. Lyu.

Yes, Young Lady.

Ms. Qing Qu,

what are you doing here?

And what are you doing here?

I'm looking for Ms. Lyu.

I went to several places but couldn't find her.

Is she in this room?

Why are you looking for Ms. Lyu?

Young Master sent me to ask her

if Old Madam likes the plant

he gave.

Don't look at me like that.

Everyone in this residence

wants to please Old Madam.

Besides, Ms. Lyu is the only one

who's amiable.

Not just us,

but others also seek her help.

In that case,

Ms. Lyu is quite popular.

Indeed.

I also heard that Mistress Qiao

recommended Ms. Lyu's son for a job under her brother.

Really?

By the way, Ms. Lyu isn't here.

Then, I will try other places.

Young Master.

Have you got the message through?

Yes.

Young Master,

you helped Seventh Lady since you returned.

But she doesn't know this at all.

We won't have a chance to borrow

Old Master's paintings from her.

Are you purely trying

to help Seventh Lady?

Keep an eye on Li Yinglong.

Yes, Young Master.

It's oriental sweetgum.

Mistress Qiao is so cruel.

She dares to harm Old Madam.

Mistress Qiao.

Why are you afraid?

Even if they detained her,

as long as she doesn't admit it,

no one can accuse her.

You are right, Mistress Qiao.

Mistress Qiao, Madam Lin wants you

to head to Muxi Hall now.

Did she say why?

She only asks for you.

Second Master is there, too.

Tell her I'm coming.

Yes.

Father,

Grandma's health is an important matter in the residence.

We have been a scholarly family for generations.

We are well known

for being an example of adhering to ethics and rules.

However, someone in this residence

is spreading rumors,

causing big trouble.

I hope you can investigate this thoroughly

and give Grandma an explanation.

Of course.

However,

isn't Yue

the maid from Madam Lin's abode?

I heard she has been punished.

Why? Is there another story behind it?

There's another clue

I wouldn't dare to hide.

It concerns Mistress Qiao,

so I invited her here.

What does this have to do with her?

Whether it relates to her,

we will find out later.

Greetings, Second Master.

Greetings, Madam Lin.

Yuechan...

Yue!

Yue,

were you and Ms. Lyu there

when Old Madam fainted?

Yes.

But I didn't mean for that to happen.

Ms. Lyu brought up the topic.

She insisted on bending my ears about Seventh Lady's marriage.

I didn't want to respond to her,

but she kept talking,

especially when Old Madam came

to check on her plants.

I didn't. You are lying.

You were talkative. Don't blame me for that.

Ms. Lyu,

this bag of silver taels

was found in your room.

There are over ten silver taels.

How could a maid

have so much money?

Did you steal it?

No, I didn't steal it.

Or did someone bribe you

to pass the message to Grandma

through Yue

and cause her to fall sick?

That's not true. The money...

The money was given by my son.

He learns to do business outside

and has made some money.

- Your son gave you this? - Yes.

Why did this pouch

smell like oriental sweetgum?

I remember

Mistress Qiao's abode

uses this incense, right?

Father.

I'm wronged.

The oriental sweetgum

isn't exclusive to me.

Why are all of you

suddenly accusing me now?

If I have wronged you,

let me ask you this.

Is Ms. Lyu's son following

Fifth Master Qiao to learn to do business?

Is Fifth Master Qiao

your younger brother?

He is my brother,

but I have no idea

about his business.

But I heard

that you recommended Ms. Lyu's son

for a job under him.

What do you mean?

Father,

to get to the bottom of this,

we can ask a few people to find out.

There's no need to make a fuss

over something without evidence.

The priority now is

for your grandma to wake up soon.

Father,

perhaps someone is secretly plotting this.

It may seem unintentional,

but in fact, everything is well-planned.

I'm innocent.

It's my fault for not disciplining the servants.

But I would definitely not

commit such a ridiculous mistake

to harm Old Madam.

Perhaps Seventh Lady

still holds grudges against me

for what happened back then.

Still, you can't

slander me.

You seem guilty.

You won't stop bringing up the past.

You know very well

what the truth is.

Enough.

Father,

we must adhere to the family rules.

Grandma's safety is at stake.

Please investigate this thoroughly.

It's far-fetched

that Mistress Qiao

egged on Ms. Lyu.

However, Mistress Qiao

failed to discipline the servants.

She should be held accountable for this incident.

Mistress Qiao

is to be confined for a month.

Well.

That's all for this matter.

Father,

I'm afraid it's inappropriate for Mistress Qiao

to continue managing household affairs.

This matter

may be pursued

when Grandma wakes up.

Second Master,

I also think it's inappropriate.

We must give Old Madam an explanation of this.

Mother is seriously ill.

We can't disturb her

over a trivial matter like this.

As such,

I will hand over the authority

of the household management to you.

What did you say?

I say I'll hand over the authority of the household management to you.

All right.

Second Master...

Yuechan,

sort out the ledgers.

Once Mother wakes up,

hand over the keys

to Madam Lin.

Listen carefully, everyone.

If anyone dares to gossip

or spread rumors in Muxi Hall

to disturb my mother again,

they will be punished with fifty flogs without mercy

and sent to the farm.

Yes.

(Caifu Abode)

Mother, stop pacing.

Yining,

pinch me.

Is this a dream?

Did your father really give me the authority to manage the household?

It's true.

Oh, heavens.

I can't believe

this will happen to me

at this age.

Mother,

I believe you are more than capable of managing the entire residence.

Honestly, I had never thought of

competing with her over the years.

But I didn't expect her

to bring harm to Old Madam.

Besides, she even tried to frame Caifu Abode.

I'm not incompetent.

I just think

the competition

is pointless.

Since we have a new head,

new rules should be established.

♪South wind weaves a brocade tapestry of lives♪

♪Begonias lean on each other in front of the turquoise pond♪

♪The tea fragrance wafts along the long street♪

♪A bright heart will radiate the world♪

Grandma,

you are awake.

Is this a dream?

No.

I'm watching you.

Help me sit up.

Slowly.

I want to get up now

to ask your father.

I want to ask him if

he was out of his mind

to agree to marry you off as a concubine.

Grandma,

the Jiang Family intended to take me as a concubine.

But Father personally went

to turn it down.

Really?

Yes.

Finally, your father

is behaving like a father now.

Think about this.

The legitimate daughter

of the Luo Residence

is going to be someone's concubine?

If this gets out,

we will become a laughing stock.

Shame!

Grandma,

don't always believe in everything you hear.

You can wait for me

and explain it to you,

all right?

All right.

You must be thirsty.

Grandma,

Ms. Lyu from your abode

isn't honest.

I have sent her away.

Mistress Qiao failed in her duty

to keep the servants in check.

Father has handed over the authority of household management

to Mother.

He favors Mistress Qiao very much.

I can't believe he changed his mind.

Wonders never cease.

You have always worried that Mother is

on the downtrodden side in this residence.

Given the current situation,

Father can't deny it.

If Hairu takes control

of the household management

and handles this job perfectly,

it would be a crutch for her in the future.

That's very good.

Yes.

Mother is frank

and sincere,

and she cares about you.

That's more reassuring.

My Yining has really grown up.

You are no longer the little girl anyone can manipulate.

That's right.

If Mistress Qiao hadn't gone overboard,

I wouldn't have been so harsh on her.

Ning,

I'm concerned about you.

You have endured so much alone.

Sweetheart, listen.

Let the past be the past.

Before your mother passed on,

she told me

that she only wanted you

to have an easy life.

Grandma.

Ning, sit here.

Ning, dear,

I only hope you can

have a peaceful life.

Find a fine man

who cherishes you,

and to have children by your side.

Even if I were to die tomorrow,

I have no regrets.

Grandma,

don't talk nonsense.

I would rather not marry

and stay beside you

to take care of you.

My sweet girl.

(Chengjing Hall)

Get up.

Previously,

Madam Lin has been

looking after me.

That's why the household management

was temporarily entrusted

to Mistress Qiao.

From now on,

this authority

should be returned to Madam Lin.

Having a concubine to manage household affairs

is simply ludicrous if people find out.

In the future, all the ledgers

and expenses

must go through Madam Lin.

All the maidservants,

if you need anything,

you must report to Madam Lin.

Yes.

Get up.

Hairu,

it will be a tough task for you.

I will try my best

not to disappoint you, Mother.

Hairu,

since the keys have been passed on to you,

we can dismiss the meeting.

As you entrusted me with the task,

from today on,

I will establish new rules for you.

What do you think, Mistress Qiao?

You are right, Madam Lin.

I shall do as you say.

Let's begin with daily greeting practice.

You may start the daily greeting practice

once your confinement ends.

Daily greeting practice?

You are right.

I should've done this earlier.

But I'm weak,

and Chengzhang is concerned for me,

so he permitted me to skip it.

Mistress Qiao, you are weak

because you lack exercise.

This is Madam Lin's daily routine schedule.

Please follow everything on it closely.

At three-quarters past the Yin hour,

the concubine must prepare water for washing up.

Three-quarters past the Yin hour?

The sky is still dark,

and the rooster hasn't even crowed.

Madam Lin wakes up at the Mao hour every day.

If you don't wait at the Caifu Abode earlier,

do you expect Madam Lin to serve you instead?

Starting from Mao hour, the concubine will assist the principal wife

with washing up, getting changed, and having breakfast until the latter retires for the night,

and the former is free to return to rest.

When the principal wife is attending to household affairs,

the concubine must wait upon her,

serving tea, filling empty cups, massaging, and fanning.

When the principal wife goes out on a carriage,

the concubine needs to follow her on foot.

When the principal wife scolds the concubine,

the latter must kneel and listen to her and not talk back.

Without the principal wife's permission,

the concubine is not allowed to leave the residence or meet any guests.

Madam Lin...

This is too much, Hairu.

I believe Mistress Qiao has predicted this day would come

when she chose this path back then.

I was too generous to her,

and that made her forget

how to behave like a concubine.

My dear,

have you forgotten it, too?

Whatever.

Do you have any objections, Mistress Qiao?

No, I don't.

Keep the book well.

You can study it carefully

while you are being grounded.

Ms. Li.

Yes, Madam Lin.

Bring all the ledgers to my room

first thing in the morning.

Don't miss a single ledger.

Yes, Madam Lin.

(Caifu Abode)

Yining, thank you so much for today.

I finally can get my resentments off my chest

after being oppressed by her over these years.

I'm also happy for you.

What do you want to eat? I will order the kitchen to prepare.

What else do you want?

I can bring them to you.

Mother, there's nothing I want.

But I have a favor

to ask of you, Mother.

What's it?

I want to send Third Brother's allowance to him.

Third Brother,

are you studying?

Why are you calling me that?

You are also Father's son.

Naturally, I will call you brother.

Do you not like it?

Seventh Sister.

How's Old Madam?

She is out and about.

This time, I came here

to bring you this month's allowance.

Mother is in charge now,

so you will receive a sufficient amount from this month onward.

That's very thoughtful of you.

A favor for a favor.

Mother is fair.

If anything is lacking here,

just tell Mother.

I will. Thank you.

I will take my leave.

It seems Seventh Lady

has noticed we helped her.

She keeps calling you brother just now.

So?

Young Master,

why don't you take this opportunity

to borrow Old Master's paintings?

You are indeed a daft...

Young Master.

Get ready for tonight.

Where are we going tonight?

Bring the tea.

Young Lady,

what do you mean by "a favor for a favor"?

Do you really think Shao'an went to see Ms. Lyu that day?

Did he purposely tell me that?

But why would he do that?

I'm not sure.

But the person in Jimo House

isn't an enemy.

From now on, I will treat him as my brother.

(Luo's Residence)

(Haitang Abode)

Young Master,

I found the late Emperor's handwriting on this painting.

Will it be here?

If you were Old Master,

would you put it here

when everyone knew you were good at painting trees

and the late Emperor even left his inscriptions on them?

You have a point.

Are you sure Seventh Lady won't come back now?

She always serves at Muxi Hall at this hour

until the Xu hour.

Just in case, let's make it quick.

Yes, Young Master.

You must be tired, Young Lady.

Didn't you say she should be serving in Muxi Hall now?

This is unexpected. What should we do?

Young Lady,

Old Madam is concerned about you,

that's why she didn't let you serve her.

It has been tough for you these days.

Please rest early.

I wonder

if they have found Physician Du.

Second Master and Madam Lin should be working on it.

Hopefully, they can find him soon

and heal Grandma.

Well,

let's go to Mother's abode tonight.

Tell the kitchen to send almond soup over.

Yes, Young Lady.

They mentioned Physician Du just now.

Send someone to look into it.

Yes, Young Master.

Let's continue.

(Bilian Pavilion) Let me out!

- I can't stay here anymore. - No.

It's late at night. Also, you are under house arrest.

You can't leave the room.

I want to see Father.

He hasn't come here

ever since I was grounded.

This has never happened before.

Young Lady,

Mistress Qiao told us

to endure even more during a time like this.

She can endure, but I definitely can't!

Young Lady, you are no match for Luo Yining.

If she finds leverage against you...

How can I be no match for her?

Father has always doted on me

and treated me as a legitimate daughter.

Also,

my brother, Xuan, has bright prospects.

Father has placed all his hope on him.

What does Luo Yining have?

Aside from the sickly Grandma,

does she have anything better than me?

Young Lady, keep it down.

If this gets out,

you will be deemed disrespectful.

Yes, you are right.

You are far better

than her in every way.

It's just that

Mistress Qiao doesn't want you to be bothered by her.

Mother has overestimated Luo Yining.

The more you all think highly of her,

the more I want to take her down a notch.

Young Lady.

Spread this

around the Haitang Abode.

What's this?

Don't smell it.

Don't act clumsily.

Also,

don't let my mother

find out about this.

Mother.

You are here, Yining.

I heard you were still busy at this hour,

so I brought you some almond soup.

Daughters are sweethearts.

I didn't know I would have such fortune now.

I can't understand how Mistress Qiao managed

the accounts all these years.

If any of my shopkeepers

made accounts like this,

I would've kicked them out.

Mother, did you handle accounts before?

I used to help my father

manage a dozen shops before I got married.

When I was a kid,

every time I read or wrote,

my head would hurt.

But I was elated

to use the abacus and do accounts.

Are you going to finish all those ledgers tonight?

They are only part of it.

Butler Bai said there was another chest of ledgers outside.

Mistress Qiao has been managing the household for years.

It's impossible to finish crunching all the numbers in just a few days.

How about you teach me?

Perhaps

I can help ease your burden.

You are intelligent.

You will pick it up quickly.

Also, I need a helper.

♪It's complicated but I'm not afraid♪

♪There's light in my heart♪

♪Following the river of time♪

♪I dive into the whirlpool♪

♪For the sake of you and mine♪

♪In search of an outcome♪

♪I'm willing to risk my life♪

♪To break the chain of nights♪

♪I'm willing to fall into the abyss♪

♪In order to reveal the fate♪

♪Forget about the outcome♪

♪Let me be your shoulder to lean on♪

♪Even if things go south, so be it♪

♪Love is a voyage with you by my side♪

♪The dust eventually settles♪

♪No matter how fragile and trivial I am♪

♪I will dance and shine bright♪

♪I overcome all kinds of doubt♪

♪And obstacles♪

♪For the sake of you and mine♪

♪Committing to my promise♪

♪I'm willing to risk my life♪

♪May my existence shine on more♪

♪Let go of everything♪

♪Let the longing fade♪

♪Forget about the outcome♪

♪As long as it fulfills the vastness of love♪

♪Even if things go south, so be it♪

♪Love is you being by my side♪