Original subtitles

=The Rise of Ning=

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

=Episode 7=

Lu Jiaxue sent me

to get rid of you.

(When a woman dies, that's the end of her story.)

(The end of the story...)

No!

Help!

A nightmare?

Sorry.

I startled you earlier today.

It's nothing.

How is your injury?

I'll be all right.

Let me see it.

How did you get that wound

on your hand?

Earlier today,

I got hurt while I was hunted.

Who was hunting you?

No idea yet.

Could you tell me

what your plan is?

Why are so many people

coming after your life?

When I was younger,

I worked in the dark.

There was someone

who lighted up the path for me.

And now, that person was killed.

So...

Should I keep investigating?

But you're going up against

someone very powerful.

What are you supposed

to fight them with?

Determination can move mountains.

Even an ant can shake the tree.

I get ahead of myself,

but there's nothing to fear.

Third Brother.

You have no fear

for kindness and grace.

I find that quality impressive.

But if you seek revenge,

it will bring harm to my Grandma,

mother, and the Luo family.

I won't allow that.

Someone once told me

the noble didn't complain about fate and the people.

It will be impossible for me to overlook

my grudge for the Luo family,

but I can assure you

that no innocent lives will get hurt.

(Luo's Residence)

Second Master.

Well? Did you find them?

No.

Fool!

So why did you come back?

Keep searching.

Remember,

keep a low profile.

Yes.

Mother, what brings you here?

How can I not be here?

Yining is missing.

I can't just sit and wait.

I am worried sick.

We'll inform you when we find her.

You'll inform me?

It will be too late.

We are all worried!

Mother.

Yuechan.

What is it? Toothache?

What happened to your face?

The pain cuts deep.

All right.

Go.

Mother.

She's been gone all night.

Instead of sending more men to look for her,

you order them

to keep a low profile

and draw no attention.

Haven't you heard?

Someone broke into Yuanjing Pavilion.

There was an assassin.

Yes.

What if

the bad guy has Yining?

What if she's been hurt?

She is waiting for her family

to rescue her.

You are being hesitant

and dragging things out.

This is as good as killing her.

Mother.

Be mindful of your health.

Forget about me.

Send more people and search!

I am filing a report!

Mother.

We must not do that.

If words got out,

it'd bring great humiliation to us all.

Humiliation?

At this point, why should we care

about mere humiliation?

My son.

I want my grandchild

to be returned to me.

Chengzhang.

You are her father.

She is your flesh and blood.

Mother.

That is exactly why we must be discreet.

She is the legitimate daughter of the Luo family.

If people found out

she was out all night,

there would be no way to salvage our reputation.

What about the reputation

of the Luo family's Madam?

I...

How did I end up

with a son

as heartless as you?

Fine. I'll kneel.

- Mother! - Old Madam!

- Old Madam! - Mother!

- Get the physician! - We need a physician!

(Luo's Residence) Seventh Lady is back!

Second Master, Seventh Lady is back!

Yining!

Mother.

I'm glad you are safe.

What happened to your hand?

It's just a scratch.

Where is Grandma?

Do you really care about her?

Where were you last night?

Luo Yining.

Do not forget

you are the legitimate daughter.

What if

people find out

you were out all night?

My dear, you are right.

Seventh Lady,

take your honor seriously.

There will be ill rumors about you

if people find out

you didn't come home.

Speaking of yourself!

You should be worried about Old Madam

instead of wasting your time babbling.

What does that mean?

Grandma is sick?

Where is she now?

In Muxi Hall.

Stop right there.

Don't you have any respect

for your own father?

You never answered me.

Tell me,

where were you last night?

You should behave better.

Unless

I get an answer,

you're not going anywhere!

Soldiers came to

Yuanjing Pavilion last night, claiming there were thieves.

I was going out for some fresh air,

but I was lost.

I was too scared to leave.

So, I spent the night in the woods.

That's all.

Second Master.

Yining has told us

where she went.

Allow her to visit

Old Madam.

What?

You spent the night in the woods?

Seventh Lady.

You are a girl.

You never came home.

No one can prove your claims.

If words got out,

it'd paint a bad picture of you.

Not to mention there were thieves.

My conscience is clear.

I don't need to prove it.

Who else would spread it

if not you?

Seventh Lady,

don't simply jump to the conclusion.

Mind your manners.

You are taking this matter too lightly.

Your honor is important.

This is not just about you.

It concerns the reputation of our family.

I'll be honest with you.

Your Grandma fainted

because you went missing

last night.

She wasn't alone last night.

I was there too.

Father.

Mother, Mistress Qiao.

I went to Yuanjing Pavilion

to deliver the penzai.

I ran into Seventh Lady.

The soldiers surrounded Yuanjing Pavilion.

We couldn't move because there were thieves.

So, we spent the night in the woods.

Who gave you permission to go out?

I told you to never leave the courtyard

without my permission.

You delivered penzai to the merchant?

How could you stoop so low?

I make money

by earning a fee for delivering goods.

How dare you talk back at me?

Second Master.

Please calm down.

We should be glad Shenyuan was there.

Had Yining been there alone,

who knew what could have happened?

Since we have a witness,

the others can't make baseless claims.

What makes you think so?

Why were the two of them and not anyone else?

Yilian, Yiyu, and Yixiu

all came home on time.

But not these two here!

They wandered outside

and almost got into trouble.

The children returned safely.

It is unnecessary to overreact.

Lin Hairu.

You know what?

It's all your fault.

It's your way of educating

and spoiling them

that turns them into vagrants

with no regard for laws and manners.

How many times have I said it?

I told you to study and learn!

A family of merchants will never change.

A family of merchants?

What's wrong with my family?

You guys

rely on the money

of a merchant's daughter

for your daily necessities.

Is your meager salary

enough for our lifestyle?

You know the answer very well.

Lin Hairu, why you...

You...

I'm right here.

What's wrong with me?

Every coin we earn as merchants

is legitimate.

We do business

with honesty and trust.

How are we disregarding the laws?

Madam.

That is inadequate.

You are in no place to speak.

Second Master

barely rested for a moment.

Do you not care

about his health?

He only gave the children a warning

so they could behave.

What's wrong with that?

Yuechan.

It's all right.

I was blinded by my frustration for her.

Calm down.

- I was blinded by the frustration. - Take care.

I know.

Butler Bai.

Where is Butler Bai?

I'm here.

Lock this insensible girl

in the Ancestral Shrine.

Do not let her out

until she has reflected.

And this boy here.

Go outside and receive 20 strikes.

Don't you dare lay a finger on them.

Father.

I never wanted thieves

to break into Yuanjing Pavilion.

What if I wandered around

and ran into the thieves?

What about the family's reputation?

Third Brother didn't make a mistake.

We did what we did to keep ourselves safe

and the Luo family's reputation.

We did nothing wrong.

They are getting too rebellious.

Getting rebellious, aren't you?

No.

The first line of the family rule

is being filial.

Old Madam might still

be worried

about Seventh Lady's safety.

Indeed.

You can punish us

after we've visited my Grandma.

Let's go.

It's not worth it.

My dear, it's not worth it.

Physician Li.

How is

my Grandma's condition?

As I mentioned before,

if Old Madam Luo had another episode,

it'd be extremely dangerous.

There is nothing more

I could do for her.

You should prepare for the worst.

Physician Li.

Can't you think of another way?

Only Physician Du can help.

Physician Du?

Where is this physician now?

Physician Du was recruited into the palace

from Guangnan.

The Empress Dowager has been having heart problems.

Very well.

I'll wait outside the palace.

As soon as he comes out,

I'll bring him here.

A bunch of fools.

They couldn't even get rid

of the little girl.

It was a waste of money and time

to keep them.

Mistress Qiao, calm down.

Fifth Master Qiao

went to Yangzhou

due to the recent predicament.

He will bring the physician here.

If the trip to Yangzhou

fails to bring any good news,

I'll have a hard time.

He shall suffer as I do.

Fifth Master Qiao

will do his best.

He knows

you are the only one

he can count on.

Of course.

My little brother

wouldn't have made it this far

without the lands

and shops

I got from the Luo family.

He knows ever since

our eldest brother became an erudite

and the family head,

he's been seen as a nuisance.

Therefore, Fifth Master Qiao

will carry out his mission.

I hope so.

What about

Li Yinglong's stuff?

Qi An said it was acquired.

Young Master,

you should rest and heal.

Your injury is too severe.

Any news

about Physician Du?

He was secretly sent

to the palace last night.

And the ambergris he asked for?

We got one.

It is white and the finest.

It should have been Luzhou recently.

Even with our fastest horses,

it'll take two days to get there.

Forget it. I'll see to it myself.

Young Master, you mustn't.

All the gates

are heavily guarded.

Not to mention you are injured.

You must rest.

Old Madam's sickness can't wait.

Young Master.

Let me see it.

Your pass to leave?

Officer.

Longquan Trading House?

Yes.

My boss ordered me

to head south for goods.

I'll miss out

on all the good stuff if I'm late.

Please do me a favor.

Your bag.

Just some clothing.

Thanks.

Go on.

Cousin.

What do you need, sir?

I am terribly sorry.

You look strikingly similar

to my cousin

from behind.

Is that so?

I think

we may have met somewhere.

I'm sure you are mistaken.

I must be on my way now.

Send the words out.

Ask them to check

anyone with a sword wound on the back

and difficulty moving.

Yes.

(Yanxing Gate)

(Yanxing Gate)

Please wait.

May I know if Physician Du

is in this carriage?

Yes.

Young Lady, what do you need?

I'm Luo Yining, the daughter of Luo Chengzhang of Imperial Court of Judicial.

My grandma has heart disease.

She is in a critical condition.

Could we ask Physician Du

to examine her?

Physician Du is unwell.

He can't practice medicine.

We are terribly sorry.

But my grandma

is very ill.

No other healers could help her.

Physician Du is a brilliant healer.

We need Physician Du

to save my grandma.

I'll kneel if I must.

Young Lady!

Please stand up.

Physician Du

is in no shape to offer any help.

Please stand up.

I'll explain everything.

Do you know why Physician Du

is skilled at treating heart diseases?

Physician Du also suffers from a heart disease.

After days of toiling in the palace,

his body has taken a toll.

He can't even hold

a needle steadily.

If you don't believe it,

there's not much I can do.

Young Lady.

You should go.

Let's wait

until my master is awake.

Goodbye.

Let's move on.

Physician Du!

Physician Du!

Please save my grandma!

Physician Du! Please!

Xue Zhi,

head back and check on my grandma.

If she is awake,

find me at Physician Du's home.

What about you?

Go on.

Yes.

(Luo's Residence)

Physician Li.

How is my mother?

Registrar Luo.

I did everything I could

to slow down the disease.

But it won't hold for much longer.

My dear, take care.

Seventh Lady went out

to bring Physician Du here.

She should be back by now.

Physician Du

was ordered to treat the Empress Dowager.

The Luo family's influence

is dwindling.

We're not worthy of his help.

Yuechan.

I fear my mother

might leave us.

You are a filial son.

But fate has its plan.

The physician has made it clear to us.

Should we start preparing

Old Madam's funeral?

Without preparation,

rushing it

will further tarnish our reputation.

First Master is away for his job.

You are the family head now.

In a critical time like this,

aside from the funeral,

you must make an inventory

of Old Madam's land, real estate,

and shops.

You know what must be done.

Insolence!

My mother is still alive.

How dare you speak

of such a heinous action!

I meant no offense.

I pray to Buddha

for Old Madam's health.

I want her

to be safe and sound.

But I...

I only want what's best for you.

Madam Lin's words

were very harsh.

She claimed

you were living off the money

her family makes.

Even I thought that was too much.

Besides,

if anything happens

to Old Madam,

you will need the wealth

to secure your future

by paying for favors.

What is it?

Do you want to live

at Madam Lin's grace

for the rest of your life?

My dear.

I only want you

to think about your own future.

(Du's Residence)

Young Lady, you can stop waiting now.

Please let me see Physician Du.

Master, take it slowly.

Yes.

♪South wind weaves a brocade tapestry of lives♪

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

♪The tea fragrance wafts along the long street♪

♪A bright heart will radiate the world♪

♪Family is the safe haven surrounding me♪

♪The moon may wane, but it becomes full when loved ones return♪

Why are you still here?

I made some five-grain soup.

It helps replenish one's qi.

Please let Physician Du have this.

You...

You are relentless.

When Physician Du feels better,

please tell him

there is someone

who needs his saving.

♪People far away catch the last wave♪

♪Palm lines and tree rings smile at each other♪

♪The clouds on the journey home roll and drift, shining brightly♪

Young Lady.

My master has been informed.

You may go now.

Young apprentice, where are you doing?

My master wants some carrots.

I'm going to the garden

to get him some carrots.

I'll do it for you.

Stay and take care of him.

You can count on me.

Master, you need rest.

It's all right.

Where is the girl?

She is getting you the carrots.

A girl as filial as her is hard to come by these days.

It's a shame

we've run out of ambergris.

Self-treatment is not possible.

She will only leave

with disappointment.

Physician Du.

Who are you?

Who let you in?

Physician Du.

I am here out of desperation.

Master.

Ambergris.

Yes.

Of all the ingredients in your prescription,

the fine ambergris was

the hardest to procure.

I am giving it to you.

If you get well

and practice medicine,

it will benefit the people too.

I doubt you only came

to deliver me

this precious gift.

Physician Du.

You are a brilliant healer.

I beg of you

to treat Old Madam Luo.

Are you from the Luo family?

No.

But please,

tend to Old Madam Luo as soon as possible.

Mister.

The injury on your back

seems very serious.

I'll be all right.

Young Lady!

You're finally back.

Physician Du is heading to the Luo's Residence.

(Luo's Residence)

I didn't expect Seventh Lady

to actually bring Physician Du here.

You've said enough.

Don't disturb the physician.

Physician Du.

How is my mother?

I've cured diseases like this.

However, everyone's body is unique.

Everyone has a different condition.

If Old Madam Luo

awakes

within the next two hours,

she shall be safe.

Physician Du.

You may rest in the guest room.

Very well.

We should go out.

Let Mother rest.

Father, Mother,

allow me to stay here.

Physician Du. Come with us.

Yes.

(Muxi Hall)

Seventh Lady, take some rest.

I will watch over Old Madam.

Grandma.

Grandma, won't you wake up now?

If you keep sleeping,

who can keep me company?

Grandma?

Grandma?

Old Madam.

Grandma?

I see you.

I still have some life in me.

I did my best to open my eyes

so I could

see you again.

Ms. Xu.

Bring Physician Du here.

Yes.

You've had enough sleep for one day.

Yes. Certainly.

You will be relieved to know

Old Madam Luo

has been stabilized.

She will be well.

(Jimo House)

Young Master.

At this rate,

you could lose your life.

Qi An and I

will need a new employer.

Is Old Madam all right?

She is awake.

Young Master, I don't understand.

You said that family was none of

your concern.

Take it easy!

Now you know pain.

You are heavily wounded.

Then, you gave away the ambergris

that was worth a fortune.

What is it you want to achieve?

Did you find out who those two thieves

at Yuanjing Pavilion were?

They worked for Fifth Master Qiao.

I bet

this is Mistress Qiao's doing.

Young Master,

what happened to you

and Seventh Lady?

She was at Yuanjing Pavilion

and saw me kill someone.

What do we do now?

Will she tell Old Madam?

No.

If she wanted to betray me,

she would've said it that day.

Young Master, you trust her a lot.

Thank heaven

that Old Madam got better.

Tonight,

Physician Du will stay to treat her.

Yining,

get some rest.

You've been through a lot.

I can manage.

All I want is for Grandma to be safe.

It's been a trying time for you.

You don't look too well.

Perhaps

we should Physician Du to examine you.

I'm all right.

Let him tend

to Grandma for the time being.

You are pushing yourself too hard.

Xue Zhi left you

at Du's Residence.

I've lectured her for that.

How could she

leave you there?

By the way,

I haven't

seen Qing Qu for some time.

She is away, running some errands for me.

Mother, don't hold it against Xue Zhi.

She only did as I ordered.

You only

have Xue Zhi as your personal servant.

That won't do.

I'll assign you

another servant.

Thank you, Mother.

That looks like

the hard labor servants from Bilian Pavilion.

Why are they acting all mysterious?

We should follow them.

Did anyone spot you

on the way here?

We took a detour around the garden.

No one saw us.

Wrap these up with clothes.

The sight of them brings gloom.

Yes.

Fate has a different plan for her.

Old Madam is tougher than expected.

Mistress Qiao, relax.

Given her old age

and waning body,

these will come in handy eventually.

Mistress Qiao is here.

Sneaking around

and up to no good?

Madam Lin,

I ordered the servants

to pack up the things

meant to be discarded.

Young Lady, Madam Lin,

these are meant for a funeral.

You didn't care when Old Madam

was sick.

But you're eager to hold a funeral.

What are you up to this time?

You misunderstood.

These were prepared

when she was ill.

Second Master

ordered me to prepare for the worst.

Should things

have gone badly for us,

the reputation of our family would be at stake.

But now,

Old Madam is safe and sound.

These items

are no longer needed.

I was told many noble families in the capital

have the same practice.

It's not my fault

that you didn't know.

It seems

we misunderstood Mistress Qiao.

Mistress Qiao

is so thoughtful.

It's my duty.

Old Madam is well again.

We are all relieved.

Thankfully, Grandma is safe.

Otherwise, I swear to find out

who plotted

the attack against me

at Yuanjing Pavilion.

I have no idea

what you're talking about.

The other day,

you said my pale yellow cloth jacket

matched the landscape

of Yuanjing Pavilion.

It seemed as though you were praising me,

but those words

were meant for assailants.

What assailants?

Actions leave traces.

Mistress Qiao, be mindful of your actions.

Xue Zhi.

Order them

to get rid

of these ill-fated items.

Grandma will get well

and live a long life.

Young Lady,

Madam Lin had a fight

with Second Master

over Mistress Qiao's funeral items.

It's pointless.

Whatever Mistress Qiao does

is what my father has in mind.

He would never resent Mistress Qiao.

Who cares?

We deserve some justice.

Young Lady,

Madam Lin ordered Song Zhi

to bring you

astragalus and peony root soup.

She said that

now that Qing Qu is away,

Song Zhi shall stay

as your servant.

How thoughtful of her.

The soup is too bitter.

I'll drink it when it's cool.

Young Lady, what happened to your hand?

Someone tried to kill me

at Yuanjing Pavilion.

Someone tried to kill you?

Who would do such a thing?

Mistress Qiao.

You must not tell anyone

about what I just said.

Grandma asked,

but I didn't tell her.

Mistress Qiao would go as far as

taking your life?

Nothing she does

will surprise me again.

Any news from Qing Qu?

Qing Qu found Physician Meng.

They will convince him to testify.

If we must,

we'll abduct him.

Young Lady, you can always

count on Qing Qu.

Xue Zhi.

Go to my mother

and ask for a few witty servants.

Tell them to keep an eye on Bilian Pavilion,

especially Bi Yi.

Young Lady, what's the play here?

I just told Mistress Qiao

that I knew

she sent those assassins

to take my life.

What is the worst fear for someone who has

committed a heinous crime?

She fears we might track down

the killers she hired

and use them as evidence to bring her down.

I want to lure the snake out.

Understood.

Young Lady, I should get you

some balm for the cut.

Never mind.

This cut will heal

in a matter of days.

I am tired.

Go and see if

Grandma

needs anything.

And inform me at once.

Who's there?

(Yao Zhinian) What do you want?

Who are you people?

(Lu Jiaxue) Let me go!

What do you want?

(Cao Ping) What do you want?

What do you want?

(Lin Sheng)

(Bai Meng)

Currently, there are five people

with enough power to command

the Imperial Guards.

Who did you meet

at Yuanjing Pavilion?

Was it Yao Zhinian?

Or perhaps...

Was it Lin Sheng?

Why you...

I'll make you pay

when I make you my prisoner!

You framed Vice Minister Chen.

I doubt you've experienced the suffering

he went through.

Chen Jiuheng?

Who was he to you?

I get it now.

Making me a wanted fugitive,

capturing

and releasing me

was your doing.

You were using me as bait

to find the mastermind

of Chen Jiuheng's case.

You realized it before it was too late.

Life or death?

It's up to you to decide.

Sir!

I am only a lapdog.

Spare me.

I'll tell you everything I know.

Sir!

Have mercy, sir.

Who were you meeting?

Lu Jiaxue!

I was meeting with Lu Jiaxue.

I knew it.

But Lu Jiaxue

was only a nobody

all those years ago.

Why were you meeting him?

Yes.

Sir,

Sun Chengwu and I

both worked for

Governor Song Yingshan.

But later on,

Chen Jiuheng found out

we were smuggling tea leaves.

Lu Jiaxue,

despite his low rank,

secretly proposed a plan to Song Yingshan.

And then,

Chen Jiuheng was sent to the south of Yangtze River for disaster relief.

Those people in high places set him up

and framed him for corruption.

Those people?

Aside from Song Yingshan and Lu Jiaxue,

who else was involved?

Sir.

I know nothing about the dealings

between those people.

The ledger.

What about the ledger?

This is the secret ledger

I hid away.

All of Song Yingshan's transactions

were recorded in this.

Sir,

the ledger is encrypted.

As for who the money went to,

I have no idea.

Yes.

Lu Jiaxue!

Lu Jiaxue can decrypt this.

Back at Yuanjing Pavilion,

what else did Lu Jiaxue tell you?

Sun Chengwu left a testimony

at Imperial Court of Judicial.

The place was burned down in a fire,

but I think

the testimony

must have somehow existed.

How can you be so sure?

I had dealings with then-Minister

of Imperial Court named Luo.

He had a bad temper and was stubborn.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been

forced to resign.

Sir.

I've told you everything I know.

Have mercy.

We only know

the former Governor of the National Army,

Song Yingshan,

and the current Marquis Anbei Lu Jiaxue,

were all involved.

Li Yinglong and Sun Chengwu

were insignificant.

Three months ago,

Song Yingshan's whole family was charged.

Song Yingshan

died in prison.

It was Lu Jiaxue who reported

Song Yingshan's

ten major crimes.

Lu Jiaxue

was even engaged

to his granddaughter.

And soon enough,

he's standing on his corpse.

He is definitely

cruel and vile.

Who is backing up

Lu Jiaxue?

Whoever it is, their position

must be higher than Song Yingshan.

A position

even Lu Jiaxue can't thwart,

it's someone he must rely on

and serve.

Song Yingshan is dead.

Whoever is backing up Lu Jiaxue,

we must find them.

The attack in Yuanjing Pavilion

must have alerted Lu Jiaxue.

Keep a low profile

when you operate.

Understood.

What is your plan, Young Master?

Lu Jiaxue knows the testimony

is kept in the Luo's Residence.

We must find it

before he does.

With the ledger and the testimony,

we will have a better chance

of winning.

But we haven't found the testimony in Seventh Lady's .

It's likely with Old Madam Luo.

She is bedridden.

We must wait for an opportunity.

♪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♪