Original subtitles

=The Rise of Ning=

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

=Episode 9=

(Muxi Hall)

You want to matchmake Yiyu and Cheng Lang.

Yes.

I figure Cheng Lang is

young and successful.

He has a good background.

As for Yiyu,

she's reached the marrying age.

The two of them can be together,

it will be a good marriage.

He comes from a good family.

But there are things

you don't know about him.

Are you concerned that Cheng Lang

isn't the son of the principal wife?

But he passed the Imperial Exam

at such a young age.

He also has Marquis Lu's support.

Having a son-in-law as outstanding as him

will greatly benefit our family.

It doesn't matter who his mother is.

What matters is the personality.

When Cheng Lang was young,

he was often mistreated by his older brothers.

Then, he gained Lu Jiaxue's support.

Do you know

how he took revenge

on his two older brothers?

One died in an accident.

The other is hiding in a foreign land.

What happens here

is beyond our wildest imagination.

Lu Jiaxue

is too cunning and unpredictable.

He became Marquis Anbei

at such a young age.

Ever since Cheng Lang started working for Lu Jiaxue,

the connections he has

have been too complicated

and dangerous.

Our precious Yiyu

is the first granddaughter meticulously nurtured

by our own hands.

I could never bear

to marry Yiyu off to a family

that even we cannot fathom.

Lan,

ever heard of this saying?

"A good woman deserves a good match."

Erudite Liu's firstborn, Liu Jing,

is a brilliant and upright person. He is a true gentleman.

Madam Liu is very fond of Yiyu as well.

Isn't this

the perfect match

we are looking for?

However,

the Liu family is only lower rank six.

Liu Jing

will attend the autumn examination this year.

I believe

he will return with success and fame.

Indeed.

I should've been more mindful.

Xue Zhi.

Bring me a brazier.

Why do you need it?

Burn them all.

Stop standing there. Get the brazier.

Young Lady, what is this about?

There are things we must burn

to find closure.

Song Zhi.

Get rid of this brazier.

Yes, Ms. Xue Zhi.

My kite fell there.

Could you pick it up for me?

Are you listening?

Could you please fetch the kite for me?

If you won't help me out,

I'll get the kite myself.

You can't see?

Are they

locking you up in here?

Who are you?

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

I'm giving you medicine.

What medicine?

Did my oldest brother send you here?

Let go of my hand.

You went blind

at such a young age.

You deserve pity.

But it's no reason to throw your life away.

This is

the eye medicine

my healer friend

prescribed for you.

Apply the medicine every day.

I also brought

a basket full of delicious food.

There is a bouquet of fragrant plantain lily.

That's all for now.

I must get going.

I'll show you my paper cutting.

This is the West Lake.

There is a small boat on this lake.

There are two people onboard.

Can you see this?

How much can you see?

I can't see it.

But I have no need to.

I know

one is Mei,

and the other is me.

Who says so?

It's a father and his son.

It's not you and me.

Could you make another one

with you and me in it?

You're always asking for things.

What's in it for me?

What do you like?

I like...

I like clay dolls.

Can you make one?

Not at the moment.

But I can always learn.

Very well. I'll be waiting.

Don't break your promise.

Young Master.

Cheng Lang is Lu Jiaxue's nephew.

Did he come here

just to visit Old Madam?

There's more to it.

Li Yinglong confessed.

They are here for the testimony.

Young Master,

you can't be making

paper cutting.

They could find the testimony.

What then?

It took us years

to find nothing.

There's no way they can find it now.

What if

they are smarter than you?

If he were so smart,

I could use him to take point.

Is it your plan to use him

to bait Old Madam into taking action?

The peonies are

blooming very well this year.

Make sure

to deliver a few pots to Seventh Lady,

Old Madam,

and Madam Lin.

Understood, Young Master.

By the way,

the old maids usually

paid us no attention when we delivered flowers there.

Now, they are eager to deliver

the flowers.

They even praise you for being thoughtful.

Perhaps your sincerity

has moved them.

Old Madam views me differently

because of Seventh Lady.

Did you think it was the flowers?

Young Master.

Why is he

staring at us?

We are not crossing paths

with him.

Relax.

Wait, gentlemen.

How may I assist you?

Could you tell me where Tingfeng Pavilion is?

Go around the hill

and turn left.

Then, follow the path.

Thank you.

That was close.

I thought

we'd been compromised.

He is here for the testimony.

Keep a level head.

(Tingfeng Pavilion)

Are you here for the lesson too?

The Luo's Residence is renowned for its knowledge.

Sir Qiu's fame crowns the capital.

Since I'll be staying for a few days,

I shouldn't miss out on this chance.

Are all men of the Luo's Residence

so hardworking?

(Ten Tactics of Warfare)

Shanyuan, are you interested in military tactics?

Do you enjoy studying military tactics too?

Serving and defending the nation

is the best display of manhood.

It's a shame

my mother won't let me learn martial arts.

She only wants me to score the exam.

Is it because of the dying wish

of Old Master Luo?

His literary work

was held in high regard.

Perhaps it's the reason he wished the descendants

could make a name for themselves the same way.

When he passed away,

only my grandma was with him.

My grandma never mentioned

any dying wish.

Perhaps this is

her wishful thinking all along.

You are the legitimate son of the principal wife.

Old Madam Luo must favor you over everyone else.

Maybe she simply doesn't want you on the battlefield.

To my grandma,

Luo Yining is more important

than all of us siblings combined.

Seventh Lady?

What makes her

so remarkable?

Nothing remarkable.

She knows how to be clingy

and please my grandma.

You must be

the Third Young Master.

Cheng Lang.

This is Madam Lin's younger brother.

It's my Uncle Lin Mao.

My apologies.

Who was that?

No idea.

So,

is Third Young Master attending the lesson?

He is not worthy to be here.

Seventh Lady.

Young Master Cheng.

Where are you headed?

I am going to visit my grandma.

I am

also headed there to greet her.

Shall we go together?

Please.

I notice

that you visit Old Madam Luo

several times a day.

You are truly

a filial granddaughter.

I grew up without a mother.

My grandma raised me.

It's natural

that we are closer.

Mind the stairs.

Much appreciated, Young Master Cheng.

Yining is acting so intimately

with a man.

This is unacceptable.

Grandma is not fond of him.

She will never agree

to let them see each other.

You have nothing to worry about.

She wouldn't let Mother

mention Young Master Cheng.

Are you sure she's not fond of him?

Are you saying the Grandma disagrees

so you wouldn't be

Yining's competitor?

You can't be serious.

I'm tired. Let's head back now.

(Haitang Abode)

Young Lady.

Young Master Cheng almost

gave me a heart attack.

What was that about?

Does he have feelings for you?

Nonsense.

He is not a righteous person.

I think

he is probing around.

Probing for what?

Welcome back.

Third Young Master sent the flowers.

Leave it here.

I'll use them for my florist art.

Dismissed.

Yes.

Stop standing there.

Why don't you join me?

Third Brother, your handwriting is great.

It'd be even better

if the others

could see this.

I don't care much about

what the others think.

Are you writing an article?

I came at a bad time.

Sorry for disturbing you.

I didn't expect you

to understand this article.

When I was in the side yard,

Grandma hired a female teacher

to teach me how to read and write.

I was curious to learn more.

So, I asked.

Third Brother,

have you thought about attending the Imperial Examination?

How may I assist you?

Cheng Lang has been acting strange ever since he came.

I think

he has an ulterior motive.

Indeed.

Do you know what he's seeking

in our home?

Could you tell me

if he will hurt Grandma

and the others?

I assure you

I won't allow that.

It's a relief

to hear you say that.

Who's there?

Old Madam,

there is a man in black lurking about.

A man in black?

Butler Bai says

he spotted someone

in the guest room.

Young Master Cheng is our guest.

He couldn't search the room.

Does Second Master know?

Butler Bai came to Muxi Hall first

to report it.

My fear

has come true.

Do you think

Young Master Cheng came here

for that document?

Cheng Lang is Lu Jiaxue's nephew.

I know very well

how Lu Jiaxue

achieved a meteoric rise in his career.

Cheng Lang's sudden visit today

raised some suspicion for me.

Wenzhai. Oh, Wenzhai.

How am I supposed to overcome the predicament

you left me with?

Old Master lived a righteous life.

It was that quality

that earned your faith in him.

Tell Butler Bai not to spread the word.

Keep an eye on the surroundings.

Yes.

(Luo's Residence)

According to Mistress Qiao,

Young Master Cheng

is any young girl's

most sought-after future husband.

People have been eyeing him

as soon as he arrived in the capital.

On top of that,

Marquis Lu has high expectations

for his nephew.

Plenty of people can't wait to curry favors

with Marquis Lu through him.

In terms of background and level of talent,

Young Master Liu

is definitely overshadowed.

A woman's marriage is usually

the decision

of the family elders.

Even if I say no to this,

there's nothing I can do.

I think you deserve better,

Yiyu.

I can't shake the feeling...

I can't shake the feeling

that you two get along just fine.

Mind your words.

What makes you think so?

Don't be silly.

Marquis Anbei can get

all the teachers

he needs.

Why must he come to our residence for the lessons?

Even if our grandma knew

his family elder,

we had never seen

any of the grandsons

visiting us over the years.

It doesn't seem natural.

I think...

What is it?

Maybe he is here

because you two shared a past?

Don't be ridiculous.

Young Master Cheng is here.

I must get going.

Dismissed.

Yes.

You look immersed.

First Lady was too clumsy.

How could Fifth Lady just leave?

People will get the wrong idea

if they are seen alone.

Young Master Cheng

would go to great lengths

to accomplish his goal.

Is there a deity living inside

the flower bud?

But you startled me.

The flower fell into the water.

I doubt the deity will talk to me again.

Then, I've made a terrible mistake.

How do I make it up to you?

Inform the staff

in the courtyard

to be more mindful of their words

and actions.

If anyone asks anything,

they must say nothing.

Understood.

Yining.

Are you here

to admire the lotuses?

Or perhaps

you came here

knowing Young Master Cheng has been

visiting the pond?

How do you know

Young Master Cheng comes here

to admire the flowers?

I must visit Grandma.

You must excuse me.

Come.

Is it going to work?

Have some faith in me.

With good digestion,

you can digest anything.

You're going to lose weight for sure.

Try it out.

Let's go.

Come here.

Yilian has been

visiting Yiyu a lot lately.

I wonder what they talk about.

Yiyu...

Yiyu.

Yixiu.

What are you doing in the kitchen at this hour?

Nothing.

Just taking a walk.

Mother wants me to walk more.

Don't steal from the kitchen.

Yes.

Let's go.

How are you so strong?

Are you hurt?

You need to go on a diet.

Come up.

Is it wrong for a girl to be chubby?

Yining says

it's all right

as long as I am healthy.

She does

make a good point.

Good health

is the basis of a proper life.

However,

you may be chubby,

you are somewhat

adorable.

What do you mean

"somewhat adorable"?

All right, I must go now.

Finish the medicine.

Fine. I'll drink it.

Is this adequate?

Don't worry, Yiyu.

It's well hidden.

No one will ever find out.

We can't stop Grandma from favoring Yining.

You are on your own.

Did you have another nightmare?

You've been having nightmares

ever since you fell into the water.

Qing Qu's treatment

improved

the condition.

Why are you

having more nightmares lately?

I'm all right.

When Qing Qu is back,

I'll get better after having

some tranquilizing decoction.

Yining! Yining!

Where is the box

I hid at your place?

Calm down.

I hid it in my study.

Xue Zhi, bring it here.

You know what?

My mother was invited by Madam Liu

to watch an opera.

This is my golden opportunity

to have a decent meal.

Young Lady, you can't eat too much.

Madam Chen

will get your measurements again.

It's all right. I have a solution.

The lotus leaves look healthy.

Have the servants get a few lotus leaves.

We'll have sticky rice chicken tonight.

Yining, join us.

I have to check the ledger.

Forget the ledger.

Food is the people's top priority.

Let's go.

The lotuses are growing well.

Young Lady.

At ease.

Who do you serve?

Why do you need the lotuses?

Sixth Lady,

we were ordered by Madam Chen

to deliver these to Second Young Master Cheng.

She says

the usual flowers are too corny.

She ordered us to

deliver the lotuses to his room.

Very well. Go ahead.

Hold on.

Why would Young Master Cheng's room

need so many lotuses?

There isn't a pond in his room.

There isn't enough space.

Some were requested by First Lady.

When did Yiyu become

interested in lotuses?

We have no idea.

Xue Zhi.

Get that leaf for me.

See? The biggest one.

I bet it will make the sticky rice chicken delicious.

Yes.

You look troubled.

Are you not feeling well?

Indeed. I feel a bit under the wind.

I should head back to my room.

You're like a sick kitten.

All right.

Xue Zhi, escort her back.

I can

get the leaf myself.

I'm heading back now.

Go on.

Xue Zhi.

I want some lotus buds too.

However, don't get them yourself.

I noticed

the other maids did a great job plucking the buds.

When Yiyu

leaves the courtyard,

get one lotus bud from them.

But aren't all the flowers

the same?

Why would you take

one that has been picked?

I think

Yiyu has other plans

for the flower buds.

Go on.

We'll find out soon.

Yes.

(Haitang Abode)

Young Lady.

Should I get some mung bean soup

from the kitchen?

It should keep you refreshed.

Sure.

(February 27, payment of account, five bolts of cloth)

Young Lady,

this is the flower bud I secretly took

from First Lady.

What are you looking for?

Young Lady, why are you taking apart

the nice flower bud?

I never put anything in the bud

after I took it.

Why is there a note

inside the flower bud?

"Inside the dice, the red bean is placed."

"I wonder if you know this intense yearning in my bones?"

I knew something was amiss when Yiyu asked

for lotus buds.

I didn't think

she'd be as bold

as to send love poems

like in those romance novels.

It is wrong.

How could she have done this?

There will soon

be an engagement with the Liu family.

Young Lady,

we should inform Old Madam.

If I were the one

to tell Grandma,

Yiyu would hold a grudge against me.

If I don't tell Grandma,

who knows what trouble

Yiyu might get herself into, given her temper?

We must keep this

between us.

No one else can find out.

Forget ever seeing

this note.

Young Lady,

should we really ignore this?

What if people find out?

I don't want Grandma to be worried.

Besides,

it's best

to stop Yiyu

without Grandma

ever learning about this.

Yiyu is not a vile person.

She is merely being used

unknowingly.

You know how she treats you.

Are you still going to help her?

I don't want Grandma to be worried.

If anything goes south,

Yiyu won't be the only one affected.

All the unmarried maidens of the Luo family

will have a tarnished reputation.

Well?

Young Lady,

this is Second Young Master Cheng's response.

(Your radiant robe emanates the elegance of jade.)

He likes my outfit.

Bring me the ink and brush.

Young Lady,

it's best we stop writing the letters.

If Madam Chen finds out,

a death sentence will be the least of my worries.

Besides, Second Young Master Cheng

isn't really

going to marry you.

After all,

you are meant to marry Young Master Liu.

I don't get it.

My parents

insist on me marrying him.

I am the best in terms of talents, beauty,

and bearing.

Cheng Lang and I

are the match made in heaven.

Besides,

it's not like

he's not interested in me.

Otherwise,

why would he answer my letters?

In any case,

stay out of this.

Keep this between the three of us.

No one else must know.

Is that clear?

But...

Enough. Bring me the brush.

Yes.

Young Master.

Luo Yiyu is bold enough

to send you secret love letters.

It seems she is truly

in love with you.

Have you ever learned anything useful

from her?

She told me

Old Master Luo

spent the most time

in Yixin Abode.

After he passed away,

Yixin Abode was never repurposed.

Old Madam Luo often

goes there alone.

Does that mean the testimony

is hidden in Yixin Abode?

It's possible.

We'll sneak in and search the place.

Luo Yiyu may be

the legitimate daughter of the first wife,

but she is not as favored

as the second wife's daughter

by Old Madam Luo.

Luo Yiyu doesn't know much.

We can't learn more from her.

Get rid of these flowers.

Yes.

When is Cheng Lang coming out?

Yiyu.

What are you staring at?

Yining? What are you doing here?

What are you looking for here,

Yining?

Out of all our siblings,

you are the best

at needlework.

This lotus embroidery

is remarkable and lifelike.

Why not add a poem on it?

I have an idea.

"Inside the dice, the red bean is placed."

"I wonder if you know this intense yearning in my bones?"

How about that?

Don't you like it?

I quite like it.

It sounds very smooth.

However,

yearning won't make a difference.

You're lucky I found it.

Who knows what might happen

if it's someone else?

How did you find out?

I'm doing this for your own good.

You...

Are you in love with Cheng Lang too?

Is that why you're coming after me?

I barely know him.

I barely talked.

Be careful with your words.

Do you really think

Cheng Lang is worthy of your love?

What do you mean?

Young Master Cheng

ordered his servants

to get rid of this.

But I saw it and retrieved it.

You can't afford to let the others

see this.

Your mother, grandma,

and sisters

would all be in trouble.

Yiyu.

We are siblings who share the same root.

We thrive and fall

as one.

The others may not understand it,

but how can someone as smart as you

not see it?

I got carried away.

Please don't tell anyone.

Don't worry.

Your secret

is safe with me.

Just make sure

you don't make the same mistake again.

(Yixin Abode)

(Yixin Abode) Fire! Fire!

Xue Zhi, where is the fire?

It's Old Master's study.

Fetch water! Put out the fire!

You too!

Hurry up!

Don't just stand there!

Get the basins and buckets!

Yes!

Unbelievable!

Old Madam, careful.

Old Madam.

Be careful.

Old Madam!

Butler Bai,

what happened here?

Why is there a fire?

I don't know.

Second Master!

Mother, get to safety.

Leave it to me.

Safety?

Put out the fire now!

Butler Bai, don't just stand there!

Get help! Put out the fire!

Yes, sir!

How did it happen?

Take care.

How did this happen?

Who set the place ablaze?

Father.

Go to Haitang Abode

for safety.

The fire is too big.

We can't go in

until it's put out.

I'm not going anywhere!

I need to see this fire put out.

I must go inside

your grandpa's study.

His belongings

are still inside.

Calm down.

Mother?

Grandma, please calm down.

Mother, don't you worry.

I will do my best

to restore Yixin Abode.

The house can be rebuilt.

But the sentiments

and thoughts for your father

were lost for good.

I have failed your father.

Old Madam, Second Master,

we found

a dead body inside.

Who is it?

Not one of us.

Bring it here.

Inform the authority at once.

Yes.

Why was it Li Yinglong?

He meant to threaten Marquis with the testimony.

And where is it now?

He got it.

The whole beam fell on him.

Had I gone there,

there would've been

two burnt corpses.

I recognize his thumb ring.

I could tell it was him

based on his moves.

Young Master.

Perhaps losing the testimony

is a silver lining.

It landed right on the wound.

The healing wound

is torn up again.

Old Madam

seems devastated.

Was the testimony

inside the study?

No.

If it were in there

the whole time,

Old Madam

would've fainted.

She made use of the fire to elude a threat.

It was a ploy.

Young Master.

Aren't we supposed to bait her into exposing

the testimony's existence?

Why did you act first?

Old Master aided my master.

I can't put the Luo family in danger.

You did it for the Old Master,

not Seventh Lady?

Of course!

But you went out of your way

to forge a statement,

move Li Yinglong's body

into the fire,

and get hit

by a beam.

Was it all necessary?

Hey,

just treat the wound.

Stop asking so many questions.

Lu Jiaxue

isn't so easily deceived.

The thief

and the testimony must be burned!

Only then will he spare

the Luo family.

Treat the wound.

♪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♪