Original subtitles

The Rise of Ning

Episode 18

[The Book of Rites]

You study very hard.

I've to study hard

and show it to my family.

Do you understand the content?

I know [The Book of Rites]

every word in it. [The Book of Rites]

But the whole passage

a difficult for me.

All right. Come over to take a break.

Hello, Wealth.

What's in it?

Mutton Tallow Cake.

Oh, no!

Where did you steal them?

I didn't steal them.

My mother gave them to me.

Your mother?

I thought she didn't let you eat snacks.

Maybe my effort worked.

It's hard for me to lose weight anyway.

Besides,

it's still hard for someone

like me to marry off even when I'm thin.

So she just gave up.

Don't look down on yourself.

You know,

you mustn't give up on yourself.

See, I'm a good example.

I'm not good at reading.

But I've got ingenuity.

I can't be an official,

but I can still win honor for my family.

You are warm and kind,

brave and generous.

I think you're a righteous girl.

Are you complimenting me?

Of course!

It's hard for you to get snacks,

but you brought them to me.

Aren't you a great girl?

Eat some.

You too.

Okay.

Is it yummy?

Yummy!

The exam is around the corner.

The top priority

is your study

at the moment.

Don't slack off on it.

Yilian lives close to Xuanyuan.

You'll urge him

to read.

Yes, Mother.

Shenyuan.

Mother.

Let me take care of Shenyuan.

I am sure

he eats, drinks and sleeps well,

and studies hard.

Studying matters a lot.

But your health is the first.

Never be fatigue and fall sick.

Yes.

Hairu,

why don't you

concern about my health for my studies?

It's unlikely for you

to study so hard that you become ill.

Or I need not be concerned over you.

I think I've studied very hard...

During this period

I'll make the arrangements myself

for your food and the items you need.

If you're short of anything,

just come to tell me.

Yes, Mother.

You may leave.

Yes.

The autumn civil service examination is approaching. Young masters will sit the exam.

From today on,

gather your strength

and work meticulously.

Don't be tactless.

No speaking in a loud voice.

No walking freely.

All of you should perform

your own duties.

If you disturb young masters to study,

I will bring you to account.

Have you kept it in mind?

Yes, we have!

I just told you,

yet you've forgotten.

Keep your voice down.

Lower the voice.

Don't forget.

Here is the food.

Eat some when you're hungry.

Thank you, Mother.

[Ten tactics]

Give it to me!

Quick!

You make me disappointed!

Young Master,

is Daoyan in trouble again?

He'll come to congratulate on my name being

added in genealogy.

He hopes I pass the exam.

The death anniversary

of my mentor is coming.

Daoyao asked me

to libate to him.

Your worried look

made me think something happened.

You've to

ask our men

to keep a close watch

over him.

You want to keep Daoyan from beating

the Drum for Complain again?

The appeal is right before the exam result coming out.

Better to be cautious.

We shall both redress

grievances and guarantee his safety.

Get it.

Get anywhere with the globefish poisoning matter?

Say it.

No progress of it for now.

But Miss Yining

came to send food to you.

Yet I refused to take them.

I'm feeling bad about it.

Young Master,

do you still plan to

study in the room and

not meet visitors?

Other young masters

do it like that.

I can't fall behind.

Actually, not many visitors come here.

Only Miss Yining

visits you a lot.

But it's good for you.

Because if your

one-sided love fails,

you'll be heartbroken in the end.

Make a pot of tea.

You want to drink tea?

It's for you!

You nag me on and on.

Aren't your lips parched?

Miss Yining, you're here again.

I bring some food for Shenyuan.

Is he still studying inside?

Yeah.

He got up early

in the morning to read books.

Is Mr. Shenyuan

still not going to see visitors today?

I guess so.

Then you take this Cordyceps Tendon Soup

to him to drink.

I'll go back.

Thanks, Miss Yining.

That's very kind of you.

Miss Yining, are you all right?

Miss Yining, are you okay?

Did you sprain your ankle?

Is it hurtful?

Let me see.

I'm fine.

Shenyuan,

why have you been avoiding me lately?

It's not like that.

I'm just busy with my studies.

That's not true.

You just don't want to drink the soup.

I've had enough

tonic soup.

Your health is poor.

You drink it.

It's not enough.

You read every day.

It takes much effort and is mentally tiring.

You've to drink tonics a lot.

I'll drink it later, okay?

I've already drunken tonics

Mother gave me.

You have to drink it

while before it's cool.

Look.

I got the formula personally

and these are the century-old ginseng

and angelica sinensis.

Okay, put it here.

I'll drink it myself.

I can feed you.

You know what?

Luo Shanyuan

has others serve him food.

They turned the pages for him to read

while feeding him food.

I'll make you enjoy the treatment like him.

Here.

Tasty?

Yeah.

You're having a nosebleed!

Hurry.

Why is your nose bleeding?

Shaoan!

Shenyuan's nose is bleeding.

Shaoan, hurry! Get water!

It hurts!

I see.

The soup

is too nourishing for you.

Yeah, don't force me to drink it.

I'll send Qingqu to get some medicine

to reduce your internal heat.

Wait for me.

Hang on.

What's the matter?

Don't go, please!

Any news about the poisoning case?

Poisoning case?

No news by now.

I'll tell you first

if I get it.

Okay.

Wait here.

I'll go get medicine.

Don't go!

Qingqu!

The exam is coming soon. [Crabapple Garden]

I guess young masters

are studying day and night.

Yeah.

We've been

focused on the matter these few days.

But everyone in the First Branch

and Bilian Pavilion

stays at their yards

and urges

young masters to study.

Mr. Luo Chengwen

will return home soon.

Everyone in the First Branch is busy.

Miss Yining,

what should we do for this matter?

Yining,

I also love eating it since I was a kid.

But they don't sell it very often in the capital.

Xuezhi,

get a footboy

to pick some loquats.

I'll make loquat cakes.

Miss Yining, are you making

it for Shenyuan again?

Lin Mao!

Lin Mao, what are you doing?

Why are you here?

Don't you know it?

No visitors are allowed to come now.

Someone will see you if you stay there. Come in.

What's this all about?

Hairu forces me

to read

in a new way.

Wealth,

you're getting thinner.

Only if I recite a page

of the book, can he gets a little bean cake.

So he gets thinner.

Poor goose!

Well,

I'll take Wealth away.

He's too...

Are you going to

take the chance

to stew and eat him?

What are you talking about?

I'm not that evil.

Don't...

Don't push me.

I'm trying to help him

yet you blame me?

Fine.

I shouldn't say that.

You are the kindest.

I'll leave him to you.

Take him away and look

after him well.

Okay.

Yixiu,

also,

you'd better stay at home lately

in case of running

into bad guys.

Bad guys?

The guy said

he didn't want to eat.

This kind of guy from the noble family

often tells the lie to fool girls.

Don't believe him.

Perhaps he

saw you bully me,

so he tried to

put in a good word for me.

All right, I'm taking Wealth away.

I'm leaving.

Bye.

Be careful.

Don't worry.

Where is Wealth?

How come Wealth is gone?

I guess I was concentrating

on reading,

so Wealth made the door open

and went out.

So you mean

Wealth is more clever than you that he should take the exam?

Hairu, you saw what happened just now, right?

Mao,

Madam Chen is snobby.

She is

polite to me in her manners.

But I can feel

she looks down

upon me.

She shouldn't look down upon you.

Just because a few

of her families are imperial academicians?

She despises you.

That's outrageous!

When we meet,

we'll nod to each other, that's all.

I won't take what she thought personally.

If I have more dealings with her,

she won't

be friendly to me.

Oh, I went to pray

Wenchang star for him in the morning.

I should give the lucky charm to him.

So forgetful!

Hairu,

what are you trying to say?

You'd better not keep a close relationship with Yixiu.

What are you talking about?

Hairu, it's not like that.

Don't you understand

what I'm talking about?

If you can pass the exam, that's fine.

If not,

give up your affection for her.

Hairu, Yixiu

is just a junior to me.

You know

I had good appreciation of the beauty as a child.

Yixiu is chubby

and doesn't love dressing up.

She is gabby

and gluttonous.

I won't like her.

You don't have to

describe her so harshly.

Please remember

she is just a junior to you.

And you're right.

You're skinny, but she's fat.

You two are not a good match.

Damn liar!

I squeeze your neck!

Yixiu,

I'm on my way to see you.

I'm startled.

What's wrong?

Who are you mad at?

Nothing. Forget about it.

What's the matter?

I made sweet loquat cakes.

Go eat with me.

Loquat cakes?

You make the most delicious ones!

Let's go.

Okay, let's go.

Haha, go.

[Virtuous]

Yining,

they're even more tastier than those of Six Harmonies Tavern.

That's the only food I can cook well.

Yixiu,

I'll take you

to Six Harmonies Tavern to taste

a globefish dish next time, okay?

Great.

By the way,

you told me

you loved eating the globefish as a kid.

But they rarely

cook it in Luo Mansion.

So when did you eat it?

Oh,

I ate it when I went back to the Chen family with my mother.

But that was many years ago.

I remember my grandfather held

a banquet for guests back then.

He invited a cook from the south

who could make

the globefish dish.

But my mother didn't let me eat it.

I ate some and she didn't see it.

It was so yummy!

I can't forget the flavor.

What's wrong?

Why do you feel down?

Don't you feel well?

No.

You like eating it,

so I'll make you more next time.

And,

I'll keep your mother from knowing

you ate these cakes.

Don't let her know.

Or I'll be scolded.

What are you thinking, Miss Yining?

I'm thinking

if she did that,

why would she do that?

My father got a divorce

with my mother for Concubine Qiao back then.

And my birth mother

had been living in her villa.

They don't have contacts.

What grudge would they have?

Right.

If it was for the right of controlling

family matters, she'd get rid

of Concubine Qiao first.

Yixiu's so kind to me.

Yet I was

playing the trick on her.

Miss Yining, don't blame yourself.

You just hope to find out the truth.

Yeah.

I need to know the truth.

Qingqu, please look for the cook

who made the dish

for the Chen family.

Yes, Miss Yining.

It's time to go to bed, Miss Yining.

The doctor told you

not to worry a lot.

It's bad for your health.

[Flourishing and Auspicious]

[Luo Chengwen]

[East Street]

Boss,

listen to me.

It's not that I don't want to pay you.

My money...

My money...

Since you don't have

money, you shouldn't stay in my inn.

Give me a few days' grace to pay you,

please!

Folks, please help me.

Put in a good word for me.

I don't mean to get behind

with the payments.

My money was stolen.

I...

When I checked in,

I had the money.

Cut the crap.

Don't waste my time.

You either give me money

or go to Yamen with me! [Yang Qinghua]

Can I pay you a few days later? [Yang Qinghua]

I'm good with needlework.

I'm sure I can make some money.

Then you've to go to Yamen with me!

Wait!

Sir, can I help you?

how much does she owe you?

I'll pay it for her.

Is this enough?

That's enough.

You're lucky.

You can go now.

Please leave, everyone.

No more watching.

Please leave.

Just leave.

Miss, please don't do this.

I'm Yang Qinghua.

Thanks for your kindness. [Fine Liquor Restaurant]

[Fine Liquor Restaurant]

May I have your name please?

I'll make the receipt of the money

for paying you back in future.

No need.

I'm glad to meet and help you.

[Liquor]

Now that you're penniless,

take the silver for use.

No, no.

Take it.

I can't take your money.

Please tell me your name.

I'll repay you.

Or

I'll kneel here.

Miss Yang, please get up.

All right.

I'll tell you my name.

You can call me Mr. Luo.

I live in Luo mansion, east of the town.

Should anything I can help,

please feel free to come to find me.

Thanks for doing me a big favor!

[Respect Hall]

Mother!

I pay respects to you here.

Chengwen,

just get up.

Chengwen,

I expect you to return every day.

It's been so many years.

I'm thrilled to see you come back finally.

You've had a long

journey to home.

It's okay.

I'm all right.

I've been transferred to the post in the capital

and can enjoy family union.

I feel so happy.

I know.

Mother, have a seat.

Lan.

Chengwen.

Yiyu and Yixiu

have grown up.

Father.

Good.

Oh, where is Shanyuan?

He's reading.

The autumn civil service examination is coming. I asked him to study hard

and come to see you at dinner time.

Good for him to study hard.

Chengwen, sit down.

Okay.

This is...

Greetings, Uncle.

This is Yining.

She came back from the villa.

You didn't recognize her, right?

Oh, Yining.

She's grown up

and more like her mother.

Yeah.

I also think

she is more and more like her birth mother.

It's better for you to return home.

With families here,

you can have them support you.

Right.

So I won't

go to the villa.

I'll spend more time with Grandmother.

Greetings! Mother.

Chengwen, welcome to home.

Chengzhang, we haven't seen each other for ages.

Chengzhang,

it's great you backed home early.

You brothers can leave and have a good chat.

Yes, Mother.

[Luo Mansion]

Chengwen,

you're working so late.

I've got tons of things to do.

Lan, what are you doing here?

I made

soothing tea for you.

You had a long day

on the road.

Over the past years,

you've managed household affairs,

looked after Mother,

and raised our kids.

You've made more contribution.

You flatter me.

That's what a wife should do.

After drinking the tea,

you'd better go to bed early.

I have some business

to deal with here.

I'll sleep in the study tonight.

Lan,

you can go to rest.

Then I'll leave you alone.

Chengwen,

please don't wear your body out.

Wait. Give me the light.

You may leave.

Yes.

Why did he do that since he just got back?

Mama Zhao.

I just feel wronged for you.

You've gone through

so much hardships in Luo family all these years.

You managed to ask the Chen family

to help transfer him back to work.

But after seeing you,

he treats you like an outsider

and doesn't care about you.

He's unconcerned to me

for so many years.

I'm already used to it.

But after all, he's promoted and backed to the capital.

It's helpful for the future of Shanyuan,

Yilian and Yixiu.

All I want is

they can have a prosperous future.

Other things

don't matter to me anymore.

Greeting! Mother.

No need to do this.

We're a family.

The etiquette of paying respect at home can be saved.

Sit down.

Thanks, Mother.

Have a seat.

For your return to the capital to take up your post,

the Chen family

took a lot of effort,

especially your wife.

She mediated in the matter

and dedicated to it.

Be sure to thank her.

I'll take your advice.

Chengwen,

being an official in the capital,

you've to always conduct yourself

in a cautious and meticulous manner.

Sure!

You've done a lot for the family

all these years.

Thanks for your dedication.

No need to thank me.

That's what I should do.

Madam,

a woman outside the gate

said she wanted

to repay money for Mr. Luo.

She insists on kneeling there

and refuses to leave.

Repay us?

That's interesting.

Didn't you ask her that

which Mr. Luo is it?

Could it be that lady?

Mother,

when I was on my way back home yesterday,

I saw a woman whose money was stolen

and she couldn't pay for her room and board.

The boss of the inn was almost

taking her to Yamen.

So I helped her.

Maybe she is

here to see me.

She keeps her word.

Let her in.

Yes.

Greetings, Mr. Luo.

Miss Yang,

this is my mother.

Greetings, Madam.

Mr. Luo did me a great favor.

I'm very grateful to him.

I came to repay the money and express my gratitude.

Miss, please get up.

Thanks, madam,

Come closer please. Let me watch you clearly.

She looks like her.

Very alike.

Miss, where are you from?

How did you come to the capital alone?

Madam,

I'm from the north.

My family

opened a herbal medicine shop.

But my parents passed away.

And the north is not safe now.

So after discussing it with my brother,

we decided to move to the capital.

But we met the mounted gangsters on the way.

I was separated from my brother.

After running away,

I came here alone,

trying to find out the whereabouts of my brother.

But the only money I had

was stolen.

Miss Yang,

you're penniless, so where did you

get the money to pay me back?

I pawned the

gold hairpin my mother gave me.

I must repay you.

Miss Yang

is really pathetic.

In that case,

we have to

help her find her brother soon.

Then they can

meet again.

I suggest

to let her stay at the mansion

for the time being.

She is alone

and has no place to go,

that's dangerous for her.

Exactly.

Miss Yang,

just stay here.

When your brother is found,

we'll send you to meet him.

I...

I can't accept your favor again.

Miss Yang,

my grandmother has let you stay,

so please accept it.

Thank you, Madam.

I'm good at needlework.

If you don't mind it,

I can embroider for your family.

It's improper.

You are a guest.

We can't let you do that.

You make arrangements for her, Madam Chen.

Yes, Mother.

Mama Zhao,

take Miss Yang to go to rest.

Yes.

Miss Yang, please.

I'll go with her.

Let me know if you need anything.

The Old Lady instructed

us to look after you well.

We dare not

treat you badly.

Thank you, Mama Zhao.

If I do something wrong,

please forgive me.

What are you looking at, Young Master.

Who is that lady?

I don't know. I've never seen her.

Maybe she's a new maid.

Young Master,

do you like her?

Nonsense!

She just looks familiar to me.

Let's go.

Miss Yang and my birth mother

look very similar.

Mr. Luo Chengwen

saved her

as she looks like Madam Gu?

So he took pity on her.

Miss Yining,

the worker in the shop wrote us a letter,

saying something happened

on the house during the renovation.

He asked us to check it.

I was going to ask Mr. Lin for help.

But Madam Lin

keeps close watching on him.

I can do nothing about it.

So I came back.

Right.

Uncle Lin

has to study hard.

Mother watches him closely.

I guess he has no time

to tend the shop.

I'll go check it.

[Six Harmonies Tavern]

The sun is down, and the coldness is in white.

White waves and the sea connect.

Connect... [Liquor]

Connect wood in lines above the river to live.

Live....

Qi An, it's your turn.

I didn't join it.

I dare not play the game with you.

After all these years,

you are still

the same as before.

When he can't answer it, he'll play a trick.

I didn't do that.

His sentence isn't well.

Yeah, Qi An is right.

I told you!

Drink three cups for failing.

Yeah.

Drink for tricking too.

Sure.

Drink it!

Living in Yu Valley,

why bother concerning the wordly matter?

Shenyuan, [Liquor]

that's a good one. [Liquor]

But you'll be punished for being late.

To our mentor.

Seniors, please sit down.

I'll drink three cups for the punishment.

Shenyuan, don't drink more.

The exam is coming.

He was supposed to study at home.

So it's doesn't matter for him being late.

Okay, I won't drink it.

Among our apprentice brothers,

Shenyuan is the

best in study.

He'll surely do better than us in the exam.

I remember Daoyan

won the first place in the exam three times.

Shenyuan,

how are you planing

to do better than Daoyan?

I'm no match for Daoyan in the exam.

So when I went to the exam,

I won the first place twice.

You won the first place twice?

I remember in the metropolitan examination

you came second place,

and cried for a month.

Really?

The one cried for a month

was not me.

It's Fang.

It was recorded in his admission paper of passing

the exam. Do you remember it?

Our mentor pasted our admission papers

on a wall.

I remember it.

Our mentor said the wall was the

symbol of his great achievement in life.

It's his death anniversary today.

He said it when he was still alive.

After his death,

we didn't need to visit his grave.

On every anniversary

of his death, we can

get together

and have a good drink.

But now

even our apprentice brothers

are separated in other places.

It's not easy for us to be together again.

I believe

we'll have a reunion one day.

Shenyuan will sit the exam soon.

I believe

he'll show us the admission paper

of winning the first place three times.

Right.

The past wrong doings cannot

be undone, but the important thing is to seize the future.

Shenyuan,

I know

no one can stop you

from doing what you decided to do.

But I'm worried official career won't be safe.

You bear the hope for all of us.

You've to protect yourself.

You can rest assured.

I will protect myself

and your guys well.

All right.

If our mentor is alive,

seeing us being sentimental,

he'll blame us again.

We shall listen to the mentor.

Let's get hammered tonight.

Come on.

Cheers!

[Liquor]

[Abundance with Joy]

Your mother's

death anniversary is coming a few days later.

Remember to do a ritual at the temple.

Uncle, don't worry.

I've already made preparations.

Good.

Too bad your mother died a long time ago.

She had no chance to see the good life

and enjoy the fortune here.

Uncle, you remember her

death anniversary every year.

We are siblings.

Our birth mother died long ago.

Our father didn't like us.

We helped each other

in difficulties as we were kids.

She took the responsibility

for looking after me. I love her so much.

My lord, we got the news.

Miss Yining went out

and is near us now.

This worker is so greedy.

He just wanted to ask for more money.

And even lied that there was

a problem with the house.

Miss Yining, why you

agreed with his request

and pay him more?

If we find someone else to start construction,

it'll take more time.

Uncle Lin has no time to tend the shop.

And I can't come here frequently.

Though the worker is greedy,

his workmanship

is fine.

Not everything is perfect.

I paid for it to save trouble.

Hands off!

Who is this girl?

Let me watch you clearly.

You drunkard!

Don't

bully her!

Our young master is the legitimate son of Duke Xu.

You wicked girl!

Don't curse him!

Go away!

There is

a tough girl with her.

Very good.

I'm warning you.

Don't come closer!

Or I'll be rude!

Be rude?

Show me.

You!

Go down!

Mr. Xu!

Help!

Save my life!

Go now!

Mr. Xu! Here.

Lord Lu.

Mr. Xu,

you teased a girl in broad daylight.

Will your father allow you to do this?

I'm innocent.

This girl

kicked me into the river for no reason.

That's why I want to punish her.

But it looks like

you teased

her first.

Lord Lu,

I was drunk

and wrong.

I offended her.

I'll

apologize

to her.

Just leave.

Miss Yining.

Won't you say thank you

to me since I helped you?

Thanks for helping me, Lord Lu.

I'm very

grateful to you.

Lord Lu,

you're busy with your task.

So I'm leaving.

I'm free now.

How about

playing chess with me?

I don't know how to play chess.

I can teach you.

[The fond dream disappears with catkins, and the sorrow is stronger than the wine.]

In the poetry banquet

the Luo family won fame

and Chen Daoyan got out of trouble.

You really

did a good job.

I don't get

what you mean.

I'm just a young girl.

I don't know about the cases you mentioned.

You flattered me.

Don't you understand it?

No.

I've lost the game.

You excel at playing chess.

You just said

you knew nothing about chess.

So I can't trust

what you said.

I dare not

lie to you, Lord Lu.

That's because you taught well.

It's getting late.

The chess game is finished.

I'm heading home now.

If I don't let you go back,

you can't return home.

You're a marquis.

Why do you force me?

Then you'll be every bit

as bad as the guy who just fell

into water.

You're glib!

How about

we make a bet?

I don't want to bet.

Then you've to await

Shenyuan to come to save you.

You're so good at betting.

Why should you openly bully me?

Looks like you know

a lot about me.

Check!

I'm not playing with you!

You must have cheated.

I can't even see.

I didn't cheat.

You did. Because you

guess right every time.

I told you.

I'm very good at betting.

But you don't believe me. So what should I do?

I was captive by that man back then.

So I pretended to love betting and could

bet it well. I wanted him to think

I was depressed and couldn't act against him.

And he'd let his guard down on me.

I didn't like to bet at all

and neither was I good at it.

Only one girl

played dice with me and lost every time.

She thought I was a highly skilled bettor.

♫ What is there to fear in the haze of uncertainty ♫

♫ In the heartbeat, there's a trace of light ♫

♫ I dive into the whirlpool following the threads of time ♫

♫ For you, for me, in pursuit of an outcome ♫

♫ I'd rather plunge into the flames just to break through the night's blockade ♫

♫ I'd rather fall revealing the fate that lies ahead ♫

♫ I'd rather bear no fruit just to become your support ♫

♫ What is there to fear in turning to foam ♫

♫ Love is a shared journey One day, we'll find our place ♫

♫ Even if I become tiny dust ♫

♫ I will still dance in my own brilliance ♫

♫ I'll navigate through endless doubts and calm the storms ♫

♫ For you, for me, to turn promises into amber ♫

♫ I'd rather plunge into the flames using my moment to light up more ♫

♫ I'd rather let go, allowing longing to fade ♫

♫ I'd rather bear no fruit as long as love stretches far and wide ♫

♫ What is there to fear in turning to foam ♫

♫ Love is you and me, side by side ♫