Original subtitles

=The Rise of Ning=

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

=Episode 8=

(Luo's Residence)

Ms. Xue Zhi.

What's got you in such a panic

so early this morning?

Third Young Master,

Seventh Lady was exhausted last night.

She woke up

with a fever

and started spouting nonsense.

She refused to let me call Physician Du,

worried that Old Madam...

Understood.

Bring Physician Du over

from Muxi Hall discreetly.

Yes.

Don't let others know.

All right.

I'll go with you.

Bring a wet towel.

Yes.

Don't go.

Physician Du.

It's you.

Please take a look at Seventh Lady.

Yes.

How is she?

Has she been exposed

to cold water recently?

Yes.

And with these last few days

of her being in the rain

to ask me to treat Old Madam Luo

and overworking herself.

I am at fault too.

I'll prescribe some medicine.

Once she takes them,

the cold and fever

will subside.

Thank you.

That's great to hear.

There is one thing, though…

Xue Zhi, take good care of her.

Yes.

What's your relationship with this lady?

Why did you say

you weren't part of the Luo's Residence?

It's complicated.

It's not a story that can be explained in a few words.

I hope you understand.

Seventh Lady considers me

her third brother.

So if there's something important

you feel is necessary to share,

do tell me.

From her pulse,

there's something concerning.

She was born

with a weak constitution.

I suspect that during her birth,

her mother might have taken

a large amount

of labor-inducing medicine.

She was likely born prematurely.

Labor-inducing medicine?

I've heard that Madam Gu

had a difficult labor,

and that led to her early death.

But only her old servants

might know the full details

of that time.

That complicates things.

This weakness originated from birth.

I'll need to know exactly

what medicine was used

to help

treat her thoroughly.

So, what does that mean?

At present,

she seems no different from others,

but when it comes time for her to give birth,

it will be high risk.

And as she ages,

her health will continue to decline.

Thank you, Physician Du.

Please rest here for a moment.

Also,

please don't mention any of this

to Seventh Lady,

so she won't worry unnecessarily.

I take my leave.

Go find the old servants

who served Madam Gu

and bring them to me

if they are still in the capital.

Young Master, what are you planning now?

Just go.

Understood.

Young Lady.

Young Lady, you've finally woken up.

You had me worried sick.

My illness hasn't

alarmed Grandma, has it?

No.

Third Young Master discreetly

brought over Physician Du.

He only left after your fever went down.

Not even Madam Lin

or the others know yet.

Seventh Lady, Physician Du has arrived.

You must be

Song Zhi, the one sent by Mother?

Seventh Lady, I'm here to serve you.

Before I came,

Madam Lin specifically instructed me

to serve you

with all my heart.

I shall do

anything you ask

and shan't question anything

you don't want me to do.

A clever one.

Bring Physician Du in.

Yes.

Physician Du, please come in.

All right.

Physician Du.

No need for formalities, Young Lady.

It seems you've recovered well.

This is a new prescription.

After taking it, you'll be fine.

Old Madam

is also stable.

I'll come every three days

to administer acupuncture,

so you need not worry.

Physician Du.

I cannot thank you enough.

If there's anything you need,

don't hesitate to ask.

I will do everything I can.

It's my duty as a physician to heal.

You need not burden yourself.

Thank you.

Song Zhi, see Physician Du out.

Yes.

Yes.

Physician Du, this way.

Young Lady,

Physician Du truly has the heart of a healer.

Physician Li mentioned

that one of the ingredients

in Physician Du's prescription is top-grade ambergris.

It's rare and priceless.

A few years ago, the palace was in urgent need

and paid a fortune to acquire it.

That precious?

And we haven't even paid for the consultation.

Where did the ambergris

come from?

Xue Zhi. Xue Zhi.

Young Lady,

the servants we sent out

just reported that Bi Yi suspiciously

left the residence.

She claimed she was buying fabric,

but instead headed to the east side of the city.

But Mistress Qiao's usual

fabric store is on the west side

at Liujin Fabrics.

Are those servants reliable?

They are from Madam Lin's family in Lin'an.

Good. Let's go have a look.

Young Lady,

you've just recovered.

What's wrong with you all?

Our mistress

is furious.

She wants Fifth Master Qiao to punish you.

We didn't expect that little girl

to be so feisty.

Look at this cut she made

on his hand with the scissors.

Who wants to look

at your useless filth?

You can't even handle a little girl.

You all had better

leave the capital at once!

As fast as possible!

Yes.

Young Lady,

should we report this to the authorities?

These people

are ruthless murderers.

We can't report it yet.

If we do,

Yuanjing Pavilion incident

will come to light as well.

Then should I call

Third Young Master and Shao'an?

Don't go just yet.

He's just been injured.

Third Young Master is injured?

When did this happen?

Don't worry about that now.

Just do as I say.

Understand?

Let's go.

Stop!

Don't move!

Stop!

Mercy!

Don't move!

Young Lady,

they've confessed.

Why not take them back to Luo's Residence

and confront Mistress Qiao?

Be patient.

I have my plans.

Find a place

to lock them up for now.

Sweetsops.

Sweet and sour sweetsops.

Only folks

in the rural areas enjoy these fruits.

They're small and sour.

Who in the capital would buy them?

Young Lady,

do you remember

when you used to love

picking sweetsops at the other estate?

Sweetsops.

Sweet and sour sweetsops.

Take a look at my sweetsops.

That old woman is so old,

yet she still hawks her goods

on the streets in the harsh weather.

Stop the carriage.

Miss, would you like to buy some sweetsops?

Ma'am,

why not let me help you sell these sweetsops?

All right.

♪South wind weaves a brocade tapestry of lives♪

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

Lucky fruits for sale.

Sweet and sour lucky fruits.

Take a look at the lucky fruits.

(Wonton) Miss, have a look.

One for long life and happiness.

Two for blessings and prosperity.

Give me two.

Young Lady, you have skillful hands.

You even taught her a clever sales pitch.

Sticking the character on the fruit

seems a bit forced still.

It would be better

if it grew on the fruit

itself.

How could that be possible?

You could place the character on the fruit

while it's still growing.

When it matures,

the character

will be imprinted on it.

Young Lady,

that's a novel idea.

But as a daughter of Luo's Residence,

you'll never need for anything.

Why would you need to sell fruit on the streets?

Life is unpredictable.

Who knows

what the future holds?

Just like how my mother was born

into the esteemed Gu family

and married into the Luo's Residence,

yet now…

Young Lady, don't dwell on these things.

How's the investigation into the people

from Yuanjing Pavilion going?

I am incompetent.

After we left,

the imperial guards searched for suspicious individuals

and found a man and a woman nearby,

but they failed to capture them.

A man and a woman?

On the day

we met with Li Yinglong,

I vaguely

saw a woman at the scene,

but she was taken away

by the men in black.

However, it was too chaotic

at the time,

so I didn't pay much attention

to her.

Many ladies from various families were present that day.

Has there been any news

of a missing lady or one that returned late?

There were no such reports.

If she was from a noble family,

they would not report it.

Understood.

I'll send someone to investigate.

Forget it.

These people

are either Li Yinglong's accomplices

or remnants of Chen Jiuheng's faction.

They won't cause any trouble for now.

The real issue

is Sun Chengwu's testimony.

Marquis, do you think

what Li Yinglong said

about Old Master Luo

hiding a testimony

is true?

Better to believe it

than not.

Uncle,

what brings you here?

I heard that ever since you returned to the capital,

you've been frequenting pleasure houses

and hardly staying at Cheng's Residence.

Where else would I find you

but here?

Uncle,

is there a reason

for your visit?

I've heard that your grandma

and Old Madam Luo were acquaintances.

They grew up together.

They still keep in touch.

In that case,

shouldn't you pay a visit to Luo's Residence?

Of course.

Do let me know what you need me to do.

Li Yinglong said

Luo's Residence has the testimony.

Go to Luo's Residence and find that testimony

for me.

Understood.

Wait.

Where did you get that thing?

This?

An old woman

was selling it on the street.

It's just a common fruit from the countryside,

but the name caught my attention.

She called it a "lucky fruit".

The lady I brought it for likes it,

so I bought it to amuse her.

This fruit isn't just

any ordinary fruit.

Its meaning is auspicious.

Buy one for longevity and good fortune.

Move aside.

Move.

Where's the person

who cut this character?

Right across the street.

Where did she go?

Young Master, where are you going?

I'm going

to check on Seventh Lady.

You've injured yourself,

and you're rushing to check on her.

Shao'an, you've been

very talkative lately.

Next time Shopkeeper Zheng goes to Dianxi to restock,

you can go with him.

Then you'd miss out on some good news

I just found out.

Quit the suspense and tell me.

It took our men a long time.

It turns out that all of Madam Gu's

old servants have left the capital.

But a servant woman

married a farmer named An.

Her husband is a gambler.

He couldn't resist the temptation here,

so he forced that An

to move back here.

Where is she now?

Coincidentally,

the man is currently detained in a gambling den.

Mr. Li from the den

knows Shopkeeper Zheng.

Mr. Li said that An

would surely be there today.

Let's go.

Please, sirs,

have mercy

and release my husband!

If you want to live, pay up.

Or we'll take a pair of eyes

as per the rules

and let you both go.

No!

Mrs. An,

there's a way

to save your husband.

You used to serve Madam Gu

from Luo's Residence, didn't you?

No.

I…

I don't know any Madam Gu.

Then forget it.

Proceed as planned.

Dear!

Dear! Save me!

Save me!

Who are you people?

Why are you asking

about Madam Gu?

What do you want to know?

Never return to the capital,

or your lives will be in danger.

- Understood. - Understood.

Escort them out, and keep a close watch.

Yes.

(Should I tell her the truth?)

(East Street)

Young Lady, it's getting late.

We should head back.

Yes.

It's time to head back.

I've never appreciated

the capital's night before.

It's actually quite beautiful.

I feel a bit reluctant to leave.

That's a cute lantern.

(Lanterns)

You're still not fully recovered.

You shouldn't have snuck out of the residence.

Aren't you doing the same?

I just happened to be passing by

and saw you.

Shao'an.

Thank you.

Physician Du already told me

everything.

That ambergris is worth a fortune.

You really are full of surprises.

I didn't mean to hide it from you.

Since the incident at Yuanjing Pavilion,

I don't even know

which one is the real you are anymore.

Are you my third brother from Luo's Residence,

quiet and unassuming,

or the Third Young Master capable of obtaining something

as rare as ambergris?

Everyone has

their own secrets,

just like how every lantern shines

with a different brightness.

(Back then,)

(Madam Gu and Second Master Luo)

(had marital discord,)

(so she moved to a side yard for some peace.)

One day while out,

she was abducted

by bandits.

(We searched everywhere for her.)

(But by the time we found her,)

(she was already pregnant.)

Mrs. An,

think carefully before you speak.

I swear it's true.

(At the time, Madam Gu was afraid)

(the Luo family would find out,)

(so she took inducing drugs)

(to force the birth of the child prematurely.)

(She gave birth before the baby was full-term.)

Young Master.

What we heard at the gambling den today

must never be spoken of.

I understand.

Madam Gu was kind to me.

She was already extremely unfortunate,

marrying the wrong man

and being abducted.

No matter what,

I must keep this secret for her.

But what if

Seventh Lady finds out one day?

She will never know.

Understood.

(So, we're not really siblings.)

Young Lady, you're awake.

Xue Zhi.

What kind of person

do you think my third brother is?

I don't care what kind of person he is,

as long as

he means you no harm.

He's been very helpful to me.

Oh, right. I overheard Shao'an

mentioning that it will be

Third Young Master's birthday in a few days.

But

since he's never been favored,

he's never celebrated.

Poor him,

not even on his birthday.

His birthday.

Luo Yixiu! You!

Why can't you control

that mouth of yours?

Still eating! Come back here!

Hairu, I'm sorry!

Give me that Fugui! Quickly!

This is the fifth time now!

Do you know how much trouble it took

to get those books?

And now it's all ruined!

Hairu, I promise

Fugui won't misbehave again!

As if I would believe you! Hand it over!

Hurry up!

Did you hear me?

Get back here!

Hairu, stop chasing me!

Stop right there!

Why are you here?

Why are you here?

Did you get caught stealing food?

Did it cause trouble again?

Why do I even need to lose weight?

Eating is one of my greatest pleasures in life.

Without it,

what's the point of living?

Fugui just runs around

and makes a mess,

but it doesn't have any other flaws.

Can you really judge someone

entirely based on one little flaw?

Being a human is hard.

Being a goose is hard too.

I read in an ancient medical journal

that women

who gain weight

might not

just be eating too much,

but could have digestive issues.

Fat?

Do I look fat?

I'll look into it

and come up with a solution

for you.

You'll help me?

Of course.

We've been through tough times together.

Trust me.

Fine.

In return,

I'll keep an eye on Fugui

and make sure it doesn't cause trouble.

So, it's settled.

We'll help each other. Deal.

Deal.

Yining, it's you.

Yining, why are you here?

I want the two of you

to help me organize a birthday banquet.

(Jimo House)

Is Third Young Master here?

Coming.

Third Young Master.

Does Seventh Sister need something?

Third Young Master.

She's craving

your loquat liquor

and asked me to have you

deliver two jars to Haitang Abode.

Alright.

I'll have Shao'an send them over.

Third Young Master,

my lady insists

that you deliver them personally.

All right.

I take my leave.

Seventh Lady is really something,

having you run errands in person.

Your back injury just healed.

To get that ambergris,

you pushed yourself,

returning in just one day and night.

Young Master...

It's fine.

I've pretty much recovered.

Young Master, you spoil her.

She's asking for two whole jars of liquor.

Is she hosting a banquet or something?

Besides,

today is your birthday.

It's not right to have you running around.

Mother passed away

on this day.

I've never celebrated my birthday.

You know that.

Now, what was I doing?

Right, getting the liquor.

(Haitang Abode)

Seventh Sister.

Wishing Third Young Master

a long and prosperous life. Evergreen like the pine and cypress.

The birthday boy is finally here.

You're here at last.

I was about to faint from hunger.

Shenyuan.

Now that you're a year older,

you should be more generous.

Thank you, everyone.

But I've never celebrated

my birthday.

We're not throwing a big celebration.

We'll just eat and drink

as usual.

No need to worry.

Look, you've brought

my favorite loquat liquor.

Let's have a few drinks together.

This goes with this.

This goes with that.

That's the best way to enjoy the flavor.

Your knowledge of spices is more

meticulous than my medicine mixing.

Of course.

Different ingredients

require different spices

to bring out

their full flavor.

Third Brother.

This is the first time I've called you that.

Since it's your birthday today,

I'll give you

my freshly prepared secret blend of spices.

May it enhance your appetite

and make everything more delicious.

Thank you, Yixiu.

Shenyuan,

considering you didn't pay

for the last meal you hosted,

I wasn't even going to come.

So, don't expect any birthday gift from me.

Uncle,

I was wrong.

I apologize for the offense.

Fine.

Your attitude

is sincere enough.

I'll send you my

secret crafted healing salve later.

If you get injured,

it's far better

than anything

you can get

from an apothecary.

Thank you, Uncle.

I'll down this cup in respect to you.

Wait!

What fun is it just drinking?

We should play a game.

What's this?

A drinking game.

We'll pass the spoon around and spin it.

When it stops,

the person holding it

can ask a question

to the one it points to.

They must answer truthfully.

If they can't answer,

they drink.

If they answer,

the questioner drinks.

How about it?

Sounds good to me.

Show us how it's done.

I'll demonstrate.

A few days ago, I caught you eating braised lamb

at the waterside pavilion.

What's your waist size?

That's inappropriate!

Fine.

If you won't answer, then drink.

All right.

My turn, right?

You…

You came to Luo's Residence but didn't study.

Does your family know?

No, they don't.

They don't?

You're awfully confident about that.

Fine, I'll drink.

I'll make sure

you drink half a jar!

Have you ever resented the Luo family?

I used to.

And now?

It doesn't matter anymore.

No need.

Ask what you want.

Do you have anything you cherish?

I suspect that during her birth,

her mother might have taken

a large amount

of labor-inducing medicine.

But by the time we found her,

she was already pregnant.

Seventh Sister,

even if you weren't part of Luo's Residence,

you'd still be my seventh sister.

Have you had too much to drink?

What do you mean, not part of Luo's Residence?

She's Seventh Lady of Luo's Residence.

She's not.

Yining's temperament is different

from the rest

of Luo's Residence.

Third Brother is right.

Third Brother is right…

Are you drunk already?

Don't sleep here.

I'll help you to the bed.

Third Brother,

I know

you'll risk everything

to accomplish your goal.

Your will is as firm as a rock, unshakable.

But

could you promise me

one thing?

Please don't let harm come

to you or those of the Luo's Residence.

All right.

I promise you.

Then, I won't pry

into the secrets

you keep anymore.

I only hope that you can pursue

your goal

through the right path.

So you'll be able

to protect yourself

and those you hold dear.

All right.

I will remember that.

♪Sorrows concealed behind brows, past memories need not be pursued♪

♪Your dream, my wish, intertwined together♪

What were you all doing?

Why did you report to me

in the middle of the night?

Seventh Lady wouldn't let us stay.

She said it was a birthday celebration.

I was worried

since it was so late,

so I gathered my courage and went to check.

Birds of a feather flock together indeed.

You two, go stand guard outside.

Don't let anyone see this.

Yes.

Rui Xiang,

inform Madam Chen

that the Sixth Lady and Seventh Lady

were up late

and are resting together.

Yes.

You two, wake him up.

Yes.

Sixth Master Lin.

Sixth Master Lin, wake up.

Don't touch me!

Sixth Master Lin.

(Haitang Abode)

Why is there a bump

on the back of my head?

Did you hit me?

It wasn't me.

Shenyuan, was it you?

I never hit anyone.

It wasn't me either.

Is this all we're having for breakfast?

Want me to set up a grand feast

of rare delicacies? Ginseng and abalone, perhaps?

Paired with 60-year-old pear blossom liquor?

Mother.

No need.

Eating this won't hurt.

My sister truly is a fairy.

So thoughtful and considerate.

Right.

Second Aunt is the kindest person in the residence.

The porridge here tastes better

than anywhere else.

Of course.

Not only is my sister gentle,

but she also handles finances expertly.

Not just Lin'an,

but the entire capital

couldn't find another

like her.

Of course.

Mother wears the most

fashionable clothes and accessories.

We can't compare

to her.

Right, Third Brother?

She is indeed the finest.

Don't flatter me.

I've caught you all red-handed this time.

If you don't behave from now on,

I'll deal with all of you.

Young Master, bad news!

You've finally returned.

Li Yinglong is dead.

Young Master, please punish me.

You and I have been through life and death.

There's no need for this between us.

But my arrow has wasted

everyone's efforts

for so long.

Li Yinglong was the only witness.

Li Yinglong was too cunning.

He feigned unconsciousness to escape

and wanted to harm someone.

If he'd managed to escape,

it would've alerted

all the tavern's guests.

I know.

Qi An had no choice.

If only we could find

that testimony.

But we don't know

when Lu Jiaxue will

make his move against Luo's Residence.

When two enemies meet,

we'll respond as needed.

We've made it through all these years.

There's nothing to fear.

(Luo's Residence)

(Cheng)

Cheng Lang. Welcome.

This way, please.

Turn here.

Slowly. Slowly.

Slowly now.

Turn.

Turn.

Grandma,

you snipped it off again.

Why do I bother with these silly things

when my eyesight

is so poor?

Grandma,

you always say I have no patience,

but I think you're just as impatient.

Are you trying

to make me angry

now that I'm feeling better?

Old Madam,

the second son of the Cheng family

has come to pay his respects to you.

The second son of the Cheng family?

I see.

Have him wait in the main hall.

Yes.

Grandma,

who is the Second Young Master of the Cheng family?

If I remember correctly, his name is Cheng Lang.

As in Lu Jiaxue's nephew?

That Cheng Lang?

You know him?

I don't.

Yixiu merely mentioned him once

when we were watching the play

at Yuanjing Pavilion.

Cheng Lang's grandma and I

hail from the same clan.

When we were young,

we were very close.

Then, she married far away,

and we lost touch.

I wonder why this Cheng Lang

has suddenly come to visit.

Young Master Cheng,

your grandma and I are distant relatives from the same clan.

So there's no need

to be so formal.

We're all family here.

These are my four granddaughters.

They're all younger than you.

Why don't you get to know them?

Pleased to make your acquaintance.

My grandma often speaks fondly of you, Old Madam Luo.

When she heard

of your illness,

she grew quite anxious.

However, due to her age,

it was difficult for her to travel.

Though I've come

to Luo's Residence to study,

my primary purpose was

to visit you on her behalf.

Oh,

she really shouldn't have worried so much.

I've already

recovered,

thanks

to my granddaughter Yining.

She sought treatment for me

and made sure I drank my medicine

every day.

The paper-cut screen

in your room

is exquisite.

Surely it must be the work of a master.

This fine work was made

by my youngest granddaughter too.

She's always loved paper-cutting.

Seventh Lady has skilled hands indeed.

My uncle also enjoys paper cutting.

It's just

a little hobby of mine.

Nothing worthy of praise.

I've met

First Lady before.

We crossed paths briefly

at Yuanjing Pavilion.

Young Master Cheng,

your grandma and I shared many memories

growing up together.

It feels like it was only yesterday,

but now our hair has turned white with age.

Now,

you all are the age we were back then.

But now you have us,

Grandma.

Right?

Right.

It is my blessing.

Young Master Cheng,

you've traveled a long way to be here.

Why not stay with us

for a while?

As you wish, Old Madam Luo.

♪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♪