Original subtitles

The Rise of Ning

Episode 20

Xuanyuan,

How dare you!

Father, I didn't!

Father.

Xuanyuan only knows how to read books

and write articles all day.

He didn't prepare

these things at all.

So who did it?

Hairu,

did you prepare all of these?

Yeah,

I bought all the exam prep items

from Viewing Tower.

But these candles

aren't from there.

I prepared three sets in total.

Besides theirs,

Lin Mao also has one.

The ink, brushes, paper, inkstones,

and everything else are exactly the same.

I've got no ulterior motives.

But some people just think

what I prepared isn't good enough

and insist on

doing it themselves.

You've got some nerve!

The honor of our Luo family

was almost

ruined by you.

Father!

Xuanyuan didn't know anything about it.

He didn't do it.

He wouldn't do such a thing.

Recently,

you've been in a daze

and your studies have suffered greatly.

When I tested you on your lessons,

you couldn't answer repeatedly.

In the end,

you cheated by writing on your palm

to get by with me.

I warned you, Luo Xuanyuan,

but you're incorrigible!

I think

you needn't take the exam today.

Someone!

Take him to Quiet Hall

for family discipline!

Father.

I did it.

Yilian,

why did you do this?

It's all my fault.

I thought I was doing it

for Xuanyuan's sake,

but he knows nothing about it.

Father, punish me

if you must.

Do whatever you want to punish me.

Just don't let it affect

Xuanyuan's exam because of me.

Where are the items

your mother prepared for you?

It's...

It's in my room.

Go fetch it

and take it to the exam.

If you can't pass,

don't come back.

And you,

go kneel in the Quiet Hall.

If Xuanyuan doesn't pass,

you stay knelt down.

Yixiu.

I'm leaving now.

What if I don't pass the exam?

Isn't that something we've known for a while?

Yeah.

Oh, by the way,

why did you suddenly visit

the princess a while back?

Aright,

do you still

remember Han Zhao?

He's actually the princess' son.

He's the princess' son?

Why am I even telling you this?

Yixiu.

The reason I said that

to my sister before is

because someone

looked down on us for being merchants.

In the heat of the moment,

I let my guard down and spoke too freely.

I didn't mean to target you.

I really know I was wrong.

Where has Lin Mao

run off to this time?

I'll come find you after the exam.

Don't be mad at me.

I'm leaving now.

Forget it.

Even the Wenchang star can't save him.

[The Examination Hall]

Everything is ready.

Alright.

Don't worry, Mother.

That's good.

Don't be distracted during the exam.

Do your best.

You're just too soft-hearted.

He is just clueless about it all.

Years of arduous study, culminating in one exam every three years.

I don't really want to ruin him.

Although Luo Yilian's intentions aren't pure,

she's not very bright.

Her little tricks

can't fool you.

If she doesn't provoke me,

I won't cause any trouble.

But if she harms you,

I won't let her off easily.

[The Examination Hall]

Here I go.

Go ahead.

Do your best.

Alright.

Oh, by the way, Shenyuan,

I've remembered it!

I almost forgot.

What is it?

Come on.

Here, Shenyuan, quickly pick a branch.

Great!

This time you'll definitely win the top honor.

Thanks for thinking of it.

Keep it safe for me.

I'm going in now.

[The Examination Hall]

Luo Yining,

you were trying to harm Xuanyuan,

weren't you?

It's clearly you who wanted to harm Shenyuan!

You were afraid he'd outshine Xuanyuuan

and make you lose face in the Luo family!

You're talking nonsense!

I didn't do it.

Xuanyuan is the best.

Don't think

I can't see

what you've done

to Shenyuan's things.

I've heard quite a few rumors

about such tricks when

I was in the villa.

All I did was tamper with

what Lin Hairu gave to Shenyuan.

I didn't put anything in Xuanyuan's at all.

It was you who put that candle

with a note in Xuanyuan's exam basket,

trying to frame him.

So, you admit it?

I was just using your tactics

against you.

Did you

also collude with Lin Hairu

to deliberately suggest that

Father should check?

You always think

others are framing you.

Remember, evil deeds will rebound on the doer.

Think about it carefully.

[The Examination Hall]

Free at last!

Uncle Lin.

Shenyuan.

Aren't you tired after three days of exams?

Tired? Not a bit.

I feel like

I've been reborn.

Today, let's live for the moment and enjoy our drinks!

Uncle Lin, you did well on the exam.

What's it to you?

If I didn't do well, so be it.

I won't cheat.

Uncle,

the carriage is over there. Let's go.

Let's go!

[The Examination Hall]

[The Examination Hall: The Honor Roll]

[The Honor Roll]

Madam Chen, look over here.

Liu Jing

greets Madam Chen

and Miss Yiyu.

Mother,

am I really going to be

betrothed to someone from the Liu family?

Your grandmother

just mentioned it casually.

It doesn't count.

Let's wait and see the results of the exam.

I told you to hurry up.

There are so many people.

We can't even get in.

Aright, it's all my fault.

I'll let you

stand on my shoulders to see.

Okay.

The results are out!

Please step back.

Move a little more.

[The thirty-fourth one, Luo Xuanyuan.]

Xuanyuan passed!

Look! He's the thirty-fourth!

Great news!

Miss Yilian doesn't

have to kneel in the Quiet Hall anymore.

Xuanyuan hasn't

wasted all those years of hard study, at least.

Unlike Lin Mao,

who probably knew he wouldn't pass

and didn't even dare to come see the results.

[The twenty-first one, Liu Jing.]

Miss Yiyu,

I passed!

I saw it.

My mother said, once I pass the imperial examination,

I'll I'll propose to the Luo mansion.

I'll go back and tell my parents right away.

I'll prepare the betrothal gifts properly

and won't treat you with disrespect.

Please wait for my good news, Miss Yiyu.

[Jieyuan, Luo Shenyuan.]

Shenyuan!

Jieyuan! You've become the Jieyuan!

[Jieyuan, Luo Shenyuan.]

Fantastic, Shenyuan!

Okay, calm down.

Keep it down, keep it down.

I knew you could do it.

Hush now.

Shenyuan. Congratulations to Mr. Shenyuan.

Congratulations on coming in first!

Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Yixiu.

So this Young Master is the Jieyuan?

A true phoenix among men!

Thank you.

Young Master,

my daughter is still unmarried.

Master,

why not come back to the mansion with me?

Young Master, Young Master!

[Modest Like a Bamboo]

Passed!

Passed the examination!

Wonderful news! We passed!

Passed, passed!

Who passed?

Mr. Xuanyuan passed and ranked thirty-fourth!

Excellent!

Mother,

I bring you joyous tidings.

Congratulations, Mother!

Congratulations, Chengzhang!

And how about the other young master?

Replying to the Old Lady,

Mr. Shenyuan has also passed.

He... he passed too?

Mr. Shenyuan has won the Jieyuan in the examination!

Jieyuan?!

Take your time,

Speak slowly, one word at a time.

Louder, please.

Congratulations to Madam!

Mr. Luo Shenyuan has ranked first.

The Jieyuan!

Congratulations to Madam on this joyous occasion!

Congratulations to Mr. Chengzhang!

Congratulations, Mother!

Alright, stop smiling like that.

Your face won't get sore?

I've only heard about snatching brides

under the results board.

Seeing it with my own eyes today,

it is truly an eye-opener.

Fortunately, I ran away.

Otherwise, I might've been taken to some unknown family.

Let me wish you to

get a Shengyuan

and a Zhuangyuan.

More people will try to take marriage by force under the results.

But

I think someone will soon come to our mansion

to discuss marriage arrangements.

Then I'll have

a sister-in-law.

Why do you always

think about

these useless things?

Useless things?

Do you

plan to stay single forever?

If I can't marry

someone I love,

I won't marry at all in this lifetime.

Alright.

Then I hope Shenyuan

meets his true love soon.

Then

I can have an sister-in-law sooner.

Lord, there's only this unnamed grave

left around this Villa of Peach Blossom Haven.

Let's dig.

Do it.

My Lord,

by the looks of the body, it's definitely a female corpse.

What about the things I asked you to look into?

When Miss Yining stay at the villa,

it's true that her

personal maid did pass away.

Her name was Xu Mei?

Indeed,

she was called Meimei.

Let's bury her properly.

Tell everyone to

take a three-day break from all the farmland.

Yes, Madam Lin.

Congratulations to the Jieyuan.

Congratulations to you too!

Ruixiang, scatter the coins!

Okay.

Share

the joy of our Luo family!

Thank you, Madam Lin!

Thanks, Madam Lin!

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Lin!

Congratulations!

Thank you, Madam Lin!

Mine, mine!

Give me one!

This is mine!

Congratulations!

Thank you, Madam Lin!

Thank you, thank you.

Greeting to Grandmother.

Rise quickly, now.

Yes.

Shenyuan and Xuanyuan have both passed the exam.

This is indeed a great joy

for our Luo family!

Today,

we've prepared a feast.

We gather here to celebrate.

No one is allowed to miss it!

Thank you, Grandmother.

Don't thank me.

it's your father who

had this feast prepared.

Thank you, Father.

Mother, you're back from distributing the alms.

Congratulations, Mother.

Look at you, all radiant with joy.

How much wealth have you given away?

Not much, really.

But isn't it wonderful to

see Shenyuan doing so well?

Now, as the legitimate mother of the Jieyuan,

you should be happy.

Chengzhang, when you have time,

take Hairu to the temple

to fulfill our vows.

Yes, Mother.

Mother, you've spent so much.

How comes that?

You've made me proud.

Mother, please be frugal.

More exams

are coming up.

Don't worry.

As long as Shenyuan studies hard,

I'll distribute as much as I want.

Chengwen,

don't be too disappointed.

There are plenty of opportunities

in the future.

Yes, Mother.

Even though you've become the Jieyuan,

the journey of the imperial examinations has just begun.

Don't become complacent.

The Spring Examination and the Emperial

Examination are where true abilities are tested.

Yes.

Xuanyuan,

you also mustn't slack off.

There's still a chance in the Metropolitan Examination.

Yes, Father.

I've already spoken to Father.

Father has allowed you to stop kneeling,

but you must stay confined to

Bilian Pavilion and not go out.

I've heard about it.

Father must be very happy that

you've passed the examination.

No one in this mansion will dare to

look down on us anymore.

Xuanyuan, what's wrong with you?

Why aren't you happy after passing the examination?

Not at all.

I've only passed the examination,

how can it compare to becoming the Jieyuan?

Miss Yilian, are you alright?

Did Shanyuan become the Jieyuan?

Miss Yilian, it's Luo Shenyuan who

came in first as the Jieyuan.

Mother.

Kneel down.

It's just this time I didn't pass, isn't it?

I can take the exam again next time.

And there are plenty of people

who fail multiple times.

Why not compare to the best?

I always told you to study hard,

but you never listened.

Now look,

both of the Second branch's

sons made the list.

Only you didn't.

Lin Mao didn't pass either.

Are you comparing yourself to him?

What's his background?

The Luo and Chen families

are both scholarly families.

Your grandfather was a Zhuangyuan,

your father was also Jinshi in the exam.

Your brother

was incredibly intelligent since childhood.

Grandfather is grandfather.

Father is father.

And I am me.

No matter how clever my brother was,

he's already dead.

You unpromising good-for-nothing!

Always wasting time on useless things.

All you care about is martial arts

and military strategies.

Let me tell you,

from tomorrow,

I'll throw all

your junk out.

You'll kneel in the Quiet Hall

overnight as punishment.

Madam, please don't be angry.

Mr. Shanyuan will definitely pass the exam next time.

Next time?

If he fails again next time,

I will really

be embarrassed.

If Huaiyuan was still alive,

how could

anyone else take the place of the Jieyuan

I wouldn't have

lost all my face.

The rise of Luo Shenyuan

has become a surprise.

Now even the Old Lady

treats him with special respect.

When he had no status or title,

he always protected Luo Yining.

If he

becomes Bangyan or Tanhua in the future...

This road

is still long.

And who knows what will happen.

My head is aching.

So I won't attend

the dinner tonight.

Quickly go and tell the Old Lady for me.

Yes, Madam.

[Lotus Courtyard]

Lin Mao?

Where are you?

You're close with Shen Yuan.

Why didn't you join

his banquet today?

Hairu, please don't tease me.

I'm so upset about not doing well

on the exam that I can't even eat.

Why are you crying now?

Stop crying.

Number of people passing that exam is

rare as a phoenix's feather.

Just put in more effort next time.

I'll talk to Mom and Dad for you.

What makes me feel worst

is letting you down in front of

Mom and Dad.

I'm such a failure.

Don't lose heart.

Put more thought into your studies

from now on.

Let's eat.

I can't eat anymore.

Ruixiang,

go get some porridge and side dishes for him.

Hairu, please punish me.

Let me starve.

How can I do that?

You'll harm your body if you starve yourself.

Wait a moment.

I'm sorry, Hairu.

I'm sorry.

Hairu?

why are you back?

I just came back.

Happiness leads to sorrow.

I knew you couldn't possibly have changed your nature.

I was wrong.

I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!

Madam, Mr. Shenyuan has arrived.

Something urgent

at this late hour?

Shenyuan has come to humbly request that Grandmother

entrust me with that testimony from the past.

It's true that you become the Jieyuan today.

But there are still

the Metropolitan Examination and Imperial Examination ahead.

How can you

be so sure of your future?

I am confident that

I will not disappoint you.

Alright, sit down.

Yes.

Take a seat and talk.

Shenyuan,

what will you do if

I give you that testimony?

Grandmother,

I understand your concerns.

But I am not

a reckless person.

Now I'm in the family tree,

I will take the honor and

decline of the Luo family as my responsibility.

I will never let the Luo family

fall into danger.

I will also protect Yining.

And if

I still refuse to give you

that testimony?

If you didn't

want to give it to me,

you wouldn't

have talked to me so much today.

I know you've been

observing me these days.

I believe you must have already

made a decision in your heart.

Are you really not afraid of

danger or death?

Grandfather sacrificed himself to clear up

the wrongful case.

Someone must carry on his integrity and backbone.

You've kept the testimony safe until today.

I guess you've been

expecting someone like me.

Grandmother,

please trust me.

I will

fulfill Grandfather's last wish

while ensuring the safety of the Luo family.

Wenzhai,

he's your grandson.

He can't escape your blessings,

nor your curses.

Shen Yuan,

remember what you've said today.

Otherwise, I will feel sorry

to face your grandfather in the afterlife.

Grandmother, don't worry.

Shen Yuan

will keep it in mind.

[Jimo Court]

[Testimony]

What is the meaning of this, Mr. Song?

You know this already.

I won't accept rewards for no reason,

nor take ill-gotten gains.

The soldiers at the border are fighting bravely,

yet you enrich yourselves with the tea tax.

The lack of military funds threatens our country's foundation.

As the Deputy Minister of Revenue,

how can I stand idly by?

Don't be unappreciative.

I only seek a clear conscience.

[Testified by Sun Chengwu.]

The case of Li Yinglong accusing Chen Jiuheng

of embezzling disaster relief funds is

indeed a false accusation.

Wang Yuan and Song Yingshan's faction

smuggled tea for personal gain.

Chen Jiuheng reported

this to the Ministry of Justice.

However, Wang Yuan's faction applied pressure

and coerced Deputy Chen to destroy evidence.

Deputy Chen refused.

So Wang Yuan instructed his follower,

Li Yinglong,

to frame Deputy Chen for embezzling disaster relief funds.

This caused Deputy Chen and his followers to be

falsely accused and imprisoned.

This is a framed charge.

An unprecedented injustice.

Testified by Sun Chengwu.

It's actually Wang Yuan.

No wonder the Old Lady

kept this testimony hidden so tightly.

Young Master,

the road ahead

will be very tough.

Even so,

I will walk it to the end.

[Luo Mansion]

Miss Yixiu, we've been taking this walk for quite some time now.

Shall we head back?

Let's walk a bit longer, just a bit more.

He hasn't been out for days.

He may feel unwell.

Who's unwell?

Yixiu!

Yixiu,

it's been so long,

are you still upset with me?

I'm fat and ugly,

how dare I be upset with you?

I didn't mean it that way.

You're not ugly at all,

you're just a bit heavier.

What I meant was,

though you are a bit heavier,

I think

you are beautiful.

I think your plumpness

is charming, cute.

Even more adorable than the finest Mohele dolls.

How can you praise someone like that,

comparing me to a mud doll?

Yixiu, please forgive me.

As long as you

forgive me, I'll do anything you ask.

Anything, really?

Just tell me what to do,

and I'll do it.

Recently,

with the war going on, who

knows when it will end.

Even the inferior basil,

let alone the superior ones,

is hard to find.

I'll go look for it.

The border trade has been halted.

Where are you going to find it?

Don't worry!

I admit my mistake

with sincerity and action.

Wait for me.

Slow down a bit.

Young Master,

Qi An says that Daoyan is missing.

Go to the Drum for Complain Court.

[Daoyan]

[Drum for Complain]

Daoyan, you can't go.

Shenyuan,

I knew you'd come.

My mind is made up, don't try

to persuade me anymore.

I got the testimony yesterday.

The mastermind behind it all is Wang Yuan.

His influence in the court

is entrenched.

Just Drum for Complain

won't overturn the case.

Alright,

at least now we know who he is.

Daoyan, come back with me.

Once I enter officialdom,

I'll plan and then go to overturn the case.

How long will it take?

A year?

Five years?

Ten years?

It won't take that long.

Don't you trust me?

Of course I trust you,

but I can't wait that long.

I don't have much time left,

only two or three months to live.

What do you mean?

Over the past two years,

my cough has worsened.

I didn't tell you

to avoid worrying you.

Since fate has decided this for me,

I hope to fulfill my lifelong wish

before I die.

It's enough to

just bring attention back

to Teacher's case.

No,

I can't watch you

go to your death in vain.

Just let me go, Shenyuan.

Otherwise, I won't die in peace.

I only ask you for one thing.

After I strike the Drum for Complain,

spread the news

as widely as possible.

Do you understand?

Yes, I understand.

It hasn't been easy for you

to get to where you are now.

I'm truly happy for you that

you've passed the imperial examination.

If our master were still alive,

he would definitely be very pleased too.

From now on,

it's up to you to walk your own path.

Just be sure to take care of your safety.

[Drum for Complain Court]

[An ancient and unheard of injustice awaits to be cleared.]

Lord, should we capture him?

Young Master,

right now, Daoyan

is like a sitting duck.

Lu Jiaxue

won't let him off easily.

Should I still go and

bring Daoyan back?

You can't take him away.

His decision is to

never give up.

Order the Imperial City Division

to station men nearby.

No matter who tries to take him away,

follow that person

and bring them back to me.

Yes, My Lord.

Lu Jiaxue won't

make a move on him for now.

Why?

To Lu Jiaxue,

Daoyan is bait,

bait to lure us out.

In any case, we still

need to send brothers to

secretly protect him

just in case.

Understood.

Lord's intention is

to use Chen Daoyan as bait outside the gate.

Waiting for his accomplices to appear

before rounding them all up.

Assistant Minister Li,

we've been searching for so many years,

and now he's come to us.

We mustn't miss this chance.

Lord Lu's consideration is thorough.

And I am truly impressed.

However, the Imperial Attendant's orders are that

this matter

cannot be delayed or made public.

The sooner it's resolved,the better.

Otherwise, if the emperor finds out,

it will be troublesome.

At most, three days.

If no accomplices appear

after three days,

I will deal with him myself.

I'll take my leave now.

What?

Daoyan is striking the Drum for Complain.

He's been at it for a whole day,

claiming to seek justice

for the case of Mr. Chen Jiuheng from years ago.

Get the carriage ready, we're leaving now.

Should we go to

Jimo Court for Mr. Shenyuan?

How could Shenyuan

possibly stay in

Jimo Pavilion at a time like this?

Yes, Miss Yining.

Young Master,

Imperial City Division's

tailing us!

Let's go!

Move aside!

Get in the carriage!

Shenyuan,

why Daoyan

strikes the Drum for Complain?

He wants to reopen the case.

Even if it doesn't succeed,

It'll attract imperial attention.

I inquired about Mr. Chen's case

before.

I heard that it was our grandfather

who presided over the trial.

That's right.

The evidence used to frame our teacher

was flawless,

and the case was closed.

But our grandfather

believed in teacher's character

and held several trials.

Finally, Sun Chengwu

confessed the truth

and wrote a genuine testimony.

But on the night of the final trial,

the Ministry of Justice was set on fire,

and Sun Chengwu was killed.

How did you

come to know all these things?

After returning to the mansion,

Grandfather only met with the Old Lady.

I was hiding outside the window,

so I learned about that testimony.

Before his passing,

he told she to keep the painting safe.

That's how I knew

the testimony

was hidden inside a painting.

So,

when I just got back to the Luo Mansion,

you kept inquiring about

his Pine and Cypress Painting.

And secretly snuck into my private chamber,

all for that testimony.

And all the help and rescuing you did for me

were also for that testimony.

I admit that was part of my intention.

But I genuinely wanted to

help you too.

You're just a liar,

manipulating everyone

around you.

But I don't want to lie to you.

Alright.

After Daoyan's matter is settled,

we'll settle our score properly.

♫ 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 ♫