Original subtitles

=The Rise of Ning=

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

=Episode 38=

(Duke Ying's Residence)

Very well.

Wang Yuan has been imprisoned.

He won't get away easily.

Finally,

you've helped Chen Jiuheng and Chen Daoyan

clear their names.

You've also

fulfilled your wish.

Thank you for trusting me

and helping me, Duke Ying.

We have to join hands

to bring the villains to justice.

It seems

you're not a simple person.

Do you know

I despise deceitful people?

If I have offended you,

please forgive me.

But why

don't I despise you?

I actually like you.

Otherwise,

you wouldn't have been able to bring Wang Yuan down.

You're young,

and you have great patience.

You have a bright prospect.

You flatter me.

I don't deserve such praise.

You predicted everything

and made the decisive move.

Stop the flattery.

Speak up.

Are you here to compliment me,

or for my daughter?

Go ahead.

Yes.

Old Madam Wei

wants you to stay for dinner tonight.

We can also have...

Sure.

(Huanjing Pavilion)

What are you doing?

You didn't make a sound

when you walked in.

Come take a look.

I drew you.

I want to hang this

by your bedside

so you can see it every day

and stop making foolish mistakes.

Have you recovered yet?

You thought about asking me after all this time.

It's healed.

I'm sorry.

Father told me

about your plans.

If Wang Yuan

hadn't hurt me and Father,

you would've kept hiding from me, wouldn't you?

I didn't want

to get you involved.

Duke Ying and I

took a risk this time,

so I didn't tell you

about the follow-up plan.

Father also told me

you'd apologize and kowtow to me.

You're really going to do that?

I'll do anything

as long as you're not angry anymore.

You want my forgiveness?

Look at what you did just now.

You lied to me when I wanted to help you up.

Does it hurt?

Young Lady, Third Young Master,

dinner is served.

You may proceed to the main hall.

Let's go eat.

Your Lordship,

will Wang Yuan lie to you?

Did he really keep it here?

Keep searching.

Yes.

(Studies on Du Fu's Poem Collection)

Your Lordship,

what's wrong?

Wang Yuan.

I didn't expect you

to have such remarkable patience

at this young age, Third Young Master Luo.

You're brave and intelligent.

Let me give you a toast.

You flatter me, Old Madam Wei.

That's a high praise.

Thanks to Duke Ying,

the plan succeeded.

Third Young Master Luo,

you're not engaged, are you?

Not yet.

That's wonderful.

What do you think

of Mingzhu?

Grand... Grandma,

are you trying to find a man

and marry me off

because you're tired of me?

Nonsense.

I just think you two would make a good match.

I think Yining

and Third Young Master Luo are a better match.

That's only because Yining

and Third Young Master Luo are siblings

who grew up together,

so

they seem

closer.

But

they aren't real siblings.

Mother,

it's rare for us all to gather.

Come, let's drink.

I'll give you a toast.

Just one toast.

I'll tell them to choose a proposal date

once I go back.

Why did you suddenly

bring this up again?

I promised you

that I'd propose to you

once everything is over.

I'm leaving.

(Luo's Residence)

Shenyuan

is intelligent,

brave, and strategic.

He's as sharp as...

As sharp as a tack.

Yes, that's right, my dear.

As sharp as a tack.

I'm too happy that I forgot.

By the way, Mother,

Shenyuan went through a lot,

so please...

Shenyuan

was concerned

that I might be too weak to handle the situation,

so he told me

beforehand.

Mother,

you knew about this earlier?

So

you punished Shenyuan...

To put on a show for outsiders.

Shenyuan,

you still let Yining

get hurt.

Yes.

I've already apologized to her.

You also got hurt yourself.

It's my fault.

Anyway,

bear this in mind.

All of you are the descendants of the Luo Family,

especially you and Yining.

Don't cause any more trouble.

I'm already old.

If anything

were to happen to you,

how would I carry on?

I will bear this in mind.

Shenyuan,

when I saw you

instructing your people last time,

I knew

you were exceptional.

I can't believe you own Liuhe Tavern.

Can we

have free meals afterward?

Of course. No problem.

Let's go there every day from now on.

By the way, Shenyuan,

shouldn't you refund all the money

we've spent there?

You're thick-skinned.

Ignore him.

Hairu,

am I really your blood brother?

Why don't you take my side?

Shenyuan is my son.

Of course,

my son

is more important.

Grandma.

Father. Mother.

I have a favor to ask.

What is it?

Why are you so serious?

I'd like to propose marriage.

That's good.

Which lady do you like?

It's Yining.

Which Yining?

To me,

there's only one Yining in this world.

You're here.

I suppose you've searched everywhere.

You won't find it.

Do you think

that by killing Chen Long, Chen Yang,

and everyone on the ship,

you could destroy all the evidence?

You've underestimated me.

If I die,

the profit-sharing agreement with your signature

will be presented to His Majesty.

Chancellor Wang,

do you think I'd believe that?

That agreement

has already burned into ashes.

It's a shame

that such important evidence is burned.

I was just involved in smuggling

and took a small profit.

It's not a crime worth death.

Do you think

you can stay clean in this matter?

Surrender it now.

Otherwise,

I will make you suffer.

Do you want to die with me?

Bring it on.

You're smart, Marquis Lu.

You won't be reckless

to destroy yourself with me.

What exactly do you want?

(Zhizhai Hall)

How many hours have passed?

Six hours, Your Lordship.

Six hours, I see.

That should be enough.

All right.

Go on.

I shall take my leave.

Marquis Lu,

I apologize.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

There are some military affairs to attend to.

That's important.

It's all right.

It's not urgent.

It's about a deputy general

who harbored bad intentions

and colluded with immoral merchants for personal gain,

which is against my values.

I've already sent

General Li to deal with it.

If he would come clean

and repent his mistake,

I won't punish him severely.

But if he doesn't,

he'll be executed

with no mercy.

Duke Ying, you're strict and generous

in managing your soldiers.

I'm deeply impressed.

Marquis Lu,

you should know

the imperial court is like a battlefield.

Fame, power, and wealth

are tempting traps.

A single lapse of judgment

can lead to grave mistakes. That can be forgiven.

What's truly frightening is

when one takes chances to commit crimes, even knowing it's wrong,

and continues down that dark path.

You're right.

That being said,

if there were a bright path

to choose,

who would take

the dark one?

All right.

Marquis Lu,

I appreciate

what you did for my family.

However,

we uphold different beliefs.

Let's not meet much from now on.

I wish you the best.

(Duke Ying's Residence)

Your Lordship,

I heard that Luo Shenyuan

plans to propose marriage to Duke Ying's Residence.

I won't give him that chance.

But Duke Ying's attitude...

Why don't you just give up?

In this life,

I will never let go of her again.

Your Lordship, Wang Yuan...

"Third Sister-in-law"?

Don't talk nonsense, Sixth Sister.

I heard

Third Brother would go to Duke Ying's Residence

to propose marriage.

In the future,

you'll be my third sister-in-law.

By that logic,

you're going to marry Sixth Uncle.

I should also

call you Sixth Aunt, right?

It seems so.

Why don't you try

calling me that now?

You've become naughty

after being with Sixth Uncle.

Sixth Sister,

when you marry and move to Lin'an,

won't we be able

to have fun together

like before?

No.

The Lin Family bought

him a residence in the capital.

After getting married,

we'll come back here.

The business

in Yanrong Pavilion needs to carry on.

We can still

have fun

and eat together every day

like we used to.

Sixth Uncle is considerate.

I'm really happy

to finally see a lovely couple together.

Of course.

I'm good at picking

a fine husband.

But I used to think

that you two were siblings.

Now, you're going to marry him.

Honestly, everyone

is a bit surprised.

Sixth Sister,

what should I do

now that our identities

have changed?

Yixiu.

What took you so long?

These osmanthus pastries are fresh.

I had to wait in a long line to get them.

Try them.

No.

Try them.

No.

It's really nice. Come on.

All right, then.

How does it taste?

Pretty good.

Why are you smiling?

Why did you suddenly ask this?

I understand now.

You're asking me

how to get along with a husband.

About this...

Well...

Did you both...

You did.

That's settled, then.

Why are you still asking me?

(Jimo House)

♪A glance at a fleeting bond makes it hard to know what's next♪

♪The paired shadows, who do they correspond to?♪

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

♪Your dream, my wish, intertwined together♪

♪To guard and follow, cautious in action yet hard to soothe♪

What were you doing just now?

What fragrance

do you use?

Fragrance?

I don't use that.

I didn't know

you had

a unique scent.

I should let Sixth Uncle

smell it, too.

Perhaps he can create

a fragrance for men.

That might be a great opportunity.

Are you done?

♪We walk side by side together♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead, we will hold hands and tread together♪

♪No regrets upon having you this life♪

♪A fate nurtured by two devoted hearts♪

♪Looking forward to a life together♪

(Caifu Abode)

Hairu.

Well, have the people

from the Lin Family who are for the wedding

been settled in?

We must make sure they're comfortable here.

Don't worry, Mother.

I've taken care of everything.

Also,

you've been busy

with Yixiu's wedding.

It must be tiring.

I'm really grateful to you.

Why are you so courteous to me?

Yixiu must feel uncomfortable not having

her parents by her side when she gets married.

Second Master and I

have discussed this.

Sixth Lady's dowry

can only be more than others.

The dowry

has been prepared

according to the highest standard.

Mao said

he'd give Sixth Lady the best

and wouldn't let anyone look down on her.

Right.

Grandma, Mother.

Ning, you're here, too.

Come and take a look

at your sixth sister's dowry.

Xiu,

you have to thank your second aunt.

She's done so much for you.

Look.

There are five carriages

of accessories and clothing.

Thank you, Second Aunt.

We're family.

There's no need to thank me.

Actually,

your mother prepared your dowry

a long time ago.

I didn't do much.

I didn't expect

there would be so much

gold and silver jewelry

aside from

those shops and estates.

It's nothing much.

They are just a small gesture

from your grandma and us.

Xiu,

you're getting married soon.

Fortunately, it's to the Lin Family.

They're a big family,

and everyone has a good nature.

You'll get along well with them

when you go there.

Besides, Lin Mao and you

truly love each other.

That puts my mind at ease.

I'm sorry to make you worry, Grandma.

Don't worry, Mother.

Mao said

he and Sixth Lady

would stay in the capital

after they were married.

They'll have time

to visit you often.

That's right, Grandma.

Sixth Sister and I

still need to run Yanrong Pavilion together.

Xiu

is getting married soon.

Only you

are left.

Grandma,

don't make fun of me.

(Sanjiu Apothecary)

Come.

Look at this.

Sanjiu Apothecary?

Why did you bring me here?

This is Shenyuan's apothecary.

I'm also one of the owners.

I should bring you to visit

your husband's shop.

What husband?

We're not married yet.

We will get married soon.

But when did you

become Sanjiu Apothecary's owner?

Shenyuan valued

my skills in medicine,

so he made me

one of the owners.

You brought me here

to show off?

Certainly not.

Didn't you say

you're having a headache lately?

I'm worried you might catch a cold,

so I have them prepare some medicine.

We came here to collect the medicine.

Thank you.

It's only trivial.

I just didn't sleep well.

You didn't sleep well?

Yixiu,

I know

it's more difficult for you

as the wedding day is approaching.

Other ladies

have their parents to send them off,

but your families aren't here.

Anyway, don't worry.

After we get married,

I'll treat you even better

and make up

for all your regrets.

I bid you farewell, Grandma.

I bid you farewell, Second Uncle and Second Aunt.

Yixiu,

once you marry,

you must get along well with your husband

and respect and love each other.

I'll remember your words.

Yixiu,

if Lin Mao mistreats you,

tell me.

I'll teach him a lesson.

Thank you, Second Aunt.

The auspicious hour has arrived.

The bride may get in the sedan chair.

The bride departs from home.

May harmony

endure forever.

♪South wind weaves a brocade tapestry of lives♪

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

Congratulations.

♪A bright heart will radiate the world♪

Here.

Sit.

Why so secretive?

What do you want to show me?

This is so cute.

Did you draw all these?

This is when you were five.

You climbed the tree in front of my door

to steal dates.

I wasn't stealing.

I was picking them in the open.

Fine. You were picking them openly.

Look at you.

Sitting here

and looking at me from behind.

Look at this.

In my paintings, you were peeking at me.

This is what you call a priceless treasure?

Isn't this

just a random drawing?

Can't you tell

where the priceless treasure is?

I can't.

It's the person in this drawing.

Smooth talker.

What is this?

This is my betrothal letter for proposal.

It contains my birth chart

and the records of all my properties.

I'm giving it to you.

Shouldn't this

be reviewed by parents?

Why are you giving me this?

So you have no objections?

Very well. Got it.

I don't have objections.

But I have three conditions.

Sure. Speak away.

First, I won't blindly follow everything you say or do.

Also, I'm not a wife who stays at home.

At home,

you should listen to everything I say.

Second,

do not visit brothels

or take concubines.

You can like

only me.

As long as you don't force me to take concubines.

Why would I

even do that?

I'm not foolish.

All right. What about the third?

Third,

do not keep a secret stash.

I've given you the betrothal letter.

I don't have any secret stash.

Luo Shenyuan, don't try to fool me.

I've known you long enough.

This slim letter

contains all your properties?

This is a betrothal letter.

Of course,

this is all I have.

Let me repeat.

First,

you'll take charge

of household matters.

I'll give you

all my properties.

This betrothal letter is the proof.

Second,

I'll never take concubines.

You're my only wife

in this life.

Third,

I have no secret stash.

Very well.

Since you understand,

when are you going to formally propose?

Right away.

(Duke Ying's Residence)

Duke Ying.

Shenyuan,

I was about to look for you.

Has Wang Yuan confessed yet?

He only ratted out some of the minions.

This old geezer

hasn't given up yet.

He's hoping

that Lu Jiaxue

will help him.

Are you saying

that Lu Jiaxue and Wang Yuan

are in cahoots?

That's unlikely.

Lu Jiaxue is a general

who earned credit from fighting wars.

He wouldn't defect to the enemy.

He may not

defect to the enemy,

but he was involved in smuggling.

Do you remember

Chen Daoyan's death?

You told me before.

Lu Jiaxue

was afraid that the reopening of Chen Jiuheng's case

would reveal his involvement in smuggling.

That's why

he attempted to eliminate all your seniors and juniors.

Back then,

you were trying so hard

to protect Chen Daoyan.

But

those villains were ruthless.

It's a shame

that Lu Jiaxue destroyed Wang Yuan's smuggling ships

using Yang Ling as an excuse.

All the evidence was gone.

Knowing Wang Yuan,

he'll definitely have a backup plan.

Backup plan?

Do you mean

if he does,

you want him to surrender

the evidence

to prove his collusion with Lu Jiaxue

to bring the latter down?

We'll have to see

if Wang Yuan is smart enough.

Interesting.

What brings you to me today?

I would like

to propose marriage to Yining.

My focus

is on Wang Yuan's case.

Unless this case concludes,

I don't want to be concerned

by other matters.

Understood, Duke Ying.

(Imperial Court of Judicial)

You may leave.

I don't think

you bring me here

just to watch you drink tea.

In the past, you were powerful.

Everything that happened in the capital

couldn't escape your monitor.

We both know each other well.

Just cut right to the chase.

The evidence is conclusive.

You can be convicted

of a crime at any time.

There's nothing much to question.

Then, why did you come here?

You're stalling time

to wait for Lu Jiaxue

to get you out.

But nothing has changed now.

Instead of sitting idly by,

why don't you make a move?

You should know this better than I do.

I don't understand what you're talking about.

It's fine.

As long as I hand over you to His Majesty,

it's a great merit for me.

However,

you'll be

under my control by then

without turning back.

What exactly do you want?

The name list of your faction.

Stand right there.

Why are you arresting me?

Move.

I want to seek an audience with His Majesty.

Come on and drink.

It's him. Take him away.

Scoundrel! Who are you?

Move.

Who ordered you to arrest me?

Let go of me!

Who sent you?

Let go of me!

It's him. Take him away.

Who are you?

Let go of me!

How dare you!

Let go!

Your Lordship,

Wang Yuan has confessed

Vice Minister Li and those officials.

Could the next one be...

Let go!

Let go!

Who are you to arrest me?

Quiet.

What are you trying to do?

What are you doing?

Let go of me right now!

Why are you arresting me?

Let go of me!

Well, well. Lu Jiaxue.

You should be losing your patience by now.

(Wangyue Hall)

Young Master,

Lu Jiaxue enters the palace as expected.

We've driven him to the corner.

He went to the palace now

to save his own life.

Do you mean

he's going to accuse Wang Yuan

to keep himself safe?

Will His Majesty believe him?

This is a scheme for years.

He certainly has a backup plan.

It won't be easy

to bring him down.

By the way, Young Master.

I also heard that Duke Ying

was summoned to the palace.

When?

Not long after Lu Jiaxue went.

Young Master, why did His Majesty

summon Duke Ying

if Lu Jiaxue was there to accuse Wang Yuan?

Lu Jiaxue enters the palace

not to save his own life

but to ask to marry Yining.

Hold on, Duke Ying.

Marquis Lu,

what's the matter?

Oh, right.

I forgot to congratulate you.

It's a big merit

to accuse Wang Yuan.

But to my surprise,

you and Wang Yuan

are connected in that way.

Please pardon me.

I've already explained this

to His Majesty.

Wang Yuan tried

to get me on his side for the smuggling business.

I pretended to collaborate with him

to gain his trust

with the aim

of thoroughly investigating all the officials

involved in smuggling.

Besides,

I've already surrendered all the profits

from Wang Yuan's smuggling business.

Can't I

still earn your trust?

As the matter stands,

does my trust even matter?

It seems you have

some misunderstanding about me.

That's why you rejected

His Majesty's marriage appointment.

I don't understand

why you would choose

my daughter

out of so many noble ladies

in the capital.

Because I truly like Yining.

I want to marry her and treat her well.

Unfortunately,

Yining and Vice Minster Luo

have been engaged for a long time.

We can't accept your proposal.

Are you aware that deceiving the Emperor

can lead to the execution of your entire clan?

Duke Ying,

you and I

know about the engagement.

If you don't believe me,

you can go and ask around.

Their wedding

will be held next month.

Duke Ying.

When did Yining

become betrothed to you?

When she was in the Luo's Residence,

my grandma arranged

this marriage.

We were still young,

so no one mentioned it.

Now that she's grown,

we can bring it up again.

So

this is what you told Duke Ying to say.

You put Duke Ying

at grave risk

for your own benefit.

If Yining finds out

what kind of person you are,

would she still marry you?

Well, I don't get it.

The crime of deceiving the Emperor

is too serious

for Duke Ying and me.

If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave.

(Huanjing Pavilion)

Yining.

Father,

for what urgent matter did His Majesty

summon you to the palace this morning?

His Majesty appointed a marriage to you.

A marriage?

Why would His Majesty do that?

Who am I appointed to?

Let's talk inside.

Yining,

there's something

I've wanted to ask you,

but I didn't.

You have to tell me the truth.

You rarely met

Lu Jiaxue.

Why does he always pester you?

He and I

met when I was in the side yard.

At the time,

I thought we truly loved each other.

But in fact, I mistrusted him.

Do you still have feelings for him?

No.

Are you sure?

I am.

In that case, I have no worries.

Here's the thing.

Today, Lu Jiaxue

accused a criminal

and requested a marriage with you from His Majesty.

His Majesty

appreciated me

and asked for my opinion.

I told His Majesty that...

I said...

What did you say?

I said Luo Shenyuan and you

have been betrothed to each other.

That's great, Father.

But

does that mean deceiving the Emperor?

Right.

But it was an urgent situation.

I know

you don't like Lu Jiaxue.

I can't

watch you jump into a fire pit.

Did His Majesty believe what you said?

Yes.

Luckily, I reacted smartly.

I told His Majesty

that you were in the Luo's Residence,

and Old Madam Luo

arranged a marriage for you both

when you were kids.

But you were too young,

so nobody knew about it.

However,

that's too easy for Luo Shenyuan.

I wanted to test him more.

♪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♪