Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔ Jin Xin Si Yu ✾ Team @ Viki.com

♫ Wearing peach blossom makeup, I boil tea over the stove ♫

♫ With a pure heart, I embroider the brocade of time ♫

♫ On the short paper, affection flows in the silent moonlight ♫

♫ I only wish that by my side, is my love ♫

♫ Cool autumn wind blowing, I gaze far leaning against the railing ♫

♫ Sunset glow over the green hill, in formation wild geese are flying ♫

♫ Covering a thousand miles on horseback, for whom is he longing ♫

♫ He returned home in dreams ♫

♫ I will never forget that you held my hands ♫

♫ In your warm palms, we braved winds and waves ♫

♫ Unexpectedly, after we traveled so far and turned grey-haired ♫

♫ I am still by your side ♫

♫ Hearts burning, we look into each other's eyes ♫

♫ Feelings overflowing, they don't need to be hid ♫

♫ No matter how time passes and life changes ♫

♫ Together, we will grow old ♫

[The Sword and the Brocade]

[Episode 23]

[Xianling Pavilion]

The embroidery girls are getting better and better with embroidery,

and the embroidery patterns are getting more and more ingenious.

Indeed.

You look much healthier now.

I guess your life in the Mansion of Xu has become better.

Great Madam is nicer to me now.

My relationship with His Lordship

has improved a lot.

Yes.

I trust that everyone has a soft spot.

Your kindness to them will be reciprocated eventually.

By the way, Teacher I've made a new discovery about my mother.

Go ahead.

I found Young Madam Ou's cuff pattern to be similar to the pattern

on the fabric that day.

Young Madam Ou?

Why is the Ou family related to this?

I don't know why.

But I want to continue investigating no matter how slim the hope is.

I want to look for clues in the Mansion of Ou.

But I'll catch their attention if I visit them rashly.

What do you plan to do?

Since you've brought this up, you must have already formed a plan.

I heard they invited you over to pick embroidery patterns.

Yes, they did.

Do you mean...

[Marquis Jingyuan's Mansion]

[Marquis Jingyuan's Mansion]

Master Jian, you're finally here.

Young Madam is waiting for you.

This way.

Vice Minister Ou's room is right ahead.

Oh no. I left an embroidery sample in the carriage.

You're so careless. Go fetch it.

You need to hurry up.

It's all right. We can go there first.

Young Madam, Master Jian is here.

Greetings, Young Madam Ou.

When I heard that Master Jian of Xianling Pavilion

had extraordinary skills, I thought they were exaggerating.

But then I saw the embroidered wrap you made for Madam Ning,

I realized you live up to your reputation.

Thank you for the compliment.

I feel greatly honored.

I invited you here to pick some unique embroidery patterns

so I could have a few new outfits made.

Did you come here alone?

An embroidery girl came with her, but she left to fetch the embroidery sample.

Master Jian, spare the formality.

Take a seat.

Yes.

Young Madam Ou, Master Jian.

The embroidery samples are here.

You may take a look.

It's so beautiful.

I've asked around to gather information.

Marquis Jingyuan and Ou Lixing won't be in the Mansion of Ou

on the day I visit Young Madam Ou to show her the embroidery samples.

We need someone to cooperate with us to make the plan work.

I'll arrange a maid to dress like you.

She'll bring the embroidery samples at a later time.

[On the Rise]

Tomorrow is the birthday of Official Zhao from the Ministry of Personnel.

Prepare a present.

Yes.

It's me.

This is not a good place to stay. Go.

[The Picture of Emperor Wu of Han's Spring Outing]

Lady Luo.

[On the Rise]

Thank you for helping me.

But why are you in the Mansion of Ou?

My birth name is Ou Yanxing.

I'm the illegitimate son in this family.

Lin is my mother's surname.

I do business outside the home all the time

and I have no wish to take advantage of the Ou family's clout.

So I adopted the alias Lin Shixian.

I see.

I didn't mean to keep it from you.

It's just...

It's just that I had a dispute with my father over my mother's death back in the day.

Then I left the Ou family.

I rarely come back.

I just went to Xianling Pavilion and heard that you and Master Jian had come here.

So I came to have a look.

But I don't understand

why you snuck into my brother's room.

I got lost.

I saw you clearly and you didn't look lost to me.

It's just that my clothes got a little messy.

So I looked for a room to tidy up.

I didn't know that was your brother's room.

There must be a good reason for your action.

But you hesitate to tell me the truth because of my identity.

I understand.

But with every disadvantage comes an advantage.

If you tell me the truth,

perhaps I'll be able to help you.

If I still don't tell him,

he will probably investigate the matter.

I can't risk getting Master Jian involved.

I came for this.

I didn't meet with you at Ci'an Temple that day because

my mother was murdered near Ci'an Temple.

This fabric is a clue to the killer's identity.

You're saying your mother was murdered

on the day we were supposed to meet up.

I didn't see you that day

and figured you had a change of plan at the last minute. So I left.

I never expected this to happen.

It's all my fault.

If I had waited longer or done a thorough search around there,

things would have turned out differently.

Don't blame yourself.

This has nothing to do with you.

I saw Young Madam Ou wearing an outfit with the pattern

on this fabric the other day.

So I came here in search of clues.

You mean

the killer could be a member of the Ou family.

I don't mean to defend the Ou family.

But this uncommon embroidery pattern isn't exclusively owned by the Ou family.

It was originated in Japan and circulated widely among the pirates.

Many things with this embroidery pattern have made their way into the capital.

I think the Xu family deals

with this embroidery pattern most often because they have fought the pirates for a long time.

The Xu family?

He is a member of the Ou family, after all.

I can't believe everything he said.

Thank you for informing me.

Please keep what happened today between us.

We're involved in the death of Lady Luo's mother.

Now she suspects the Ou family.

We can't sit by.

I need you to investigate

and see if other members of the Ou family visited Ci'an Temple that day.

Yes.

Lady Luo dared to venture into the Mansion of Ou alone.

She is out of the ordinary.

Lady Luo is intelligent, courageous, and kind-hearted.

She is not an ordinary woman.

Yanxing.

When did you come back?

Lixing I came back today.

We are brothers. Don't be formal around me.

You've become thinner.

You must have suffered outside the home in the past year.

If Concubine Lin were still alive, she would worry about you.

If she were still alive, I would spend every day with her

and our father to perform my filial duties.

I'm sure you wouldn't want that.

You jest.

Why would I not rejoice in the reunion?

It's good to see you back.

You can help me handle household affairs.

Father has almost forgotten that you are also his son.

Father wants to see you.

Go now.

Shiyi, have you found any clues?

Have you made any discoveries?

Young Madam Ou said she was the only person in the Ou family

who owned this embroidery pattern and she didn't know anything else.

We were in a very dangerous situation earlier today.

Young Madam Ou almost suspected me.

We must never do that again.

If the Ou family catches us, we'll be in danger.

Actually, I almost got caught earlier.

Mr. Lin Shixian saved me in time.

Mr. Lin?

Why was he in the Mansion of Ou?

Lin Shixian is his alias.

He is actually the second son of the Ou family.

Ou Yanxing.

I've known Mr. Lin for a long time.

But I didn't know he was a member of the Ou family.

But now that he saw you, didn't he suspect you?

He did suspect me.

But he has saved me multiple times since we first met.

I trust him.

So I told him about my mother's death.

Since he helped me today, I'm sure he won't expose me.

Father.

You have been away from home for over a year.

Now you're back,

you don't even want to see me?

That's not true.

I came to you the other day,

but I noticed you were in a bad mood.

So I left.

I know.

I know you still hate me.

But your mother passed away long ago.

It's time to forget the past.

Forget?

Shortly after you promised to marry my mother as your legal wife,

you married another woman to become the head of this household

and made my mother your concubine.

You made her die of depression.

Now you expect me to forget that

and let all that pass.

I had no choice.

I was forced to do that.

Forced?

Did anyone force you to marry another woman?

I failed your mother.

But I've given you and your mother special treatment all these years.

My conscience is clear and I...

I didn't treat you poorly.

You made my mother die of depression.

You can never make up for her suffering.

I've done everything for the Ou family.

Keep in mind that you're a member of the Ou family.

You'll come back to the family sooner or later.

You're so certain that I can't give up this identity?

The Ou family is yours,

not mine and my mother's.

Fengping Grains recently sold some rice at low prices.

I heard you talked them into doing this.

You should give more thought

to whether you belong to the Ou family.

Young Madam, I don't have the heart to leave you.

Get up.

You've served me for so many years.

I don't have the heart to let you leave, either.

But if I don't marry you off,

Wang Yu won't let you off.

Stop crying.

Today is a good day for you.

Crying will bode ill will.

Here is your indenture.

Keep it well.

I'll give you fifty tael of silver as your dowry.

Save it for future use.

Don't let your husband know about the money.

Remember that men are not necessarily reliable.

It's good to keep some money for yourself.

Young Madam, you have made such a thoughtful plan for me.

But what about you?

If Young Master finds out you have sent me away,

he won't let you off.

Don't worry.

I'll tell him that you caught a disease

and retreated to a farm for recuperation.

He is heartless in nature.

He'll gradually move on.

All right.

It's getting late.

Leave before he returns.

Go now!

You have shown great kindness to me.

I'll repay you in my next life.

Take care, Young Madam.

Baizhi, take care.

Jinlian, I'll leave Young Madam in your hands.

Don't worry, Baizhi.

I'll take good care of Young Madam.

All right. Go now.

Go!

Go!

Go. Go.

Go.

Baizhi.

Let me carry it.

Come on!

[Ci'an Temple] Your Ladyship, we've paid this place multiple visits in a period of one year.

But we've found nothing.

I'm afraid that monk is not here anymore.

Now that I know the Ou family owns the embroidery pattern,

I have to come here for verification.

I want to know if the members of the Xu family

were the only ones present that day.

Let me do it.

- Thank you. - Qingming.

[Stateliness]

Enjoy.

Thank you.

Let me do it.

Qingming, where have you been in the past year and more?

After we met a year ago, you disappeared.

My master and I are nomadic monks who stayed here temporarily.

After I met you that day,

I followed my master on his trip all around.

We came back this year at the invitation

of the abbot of Ci'an Temple.

I see.

Thank you for informing me that day.

Monks don't lie.

I simply told you the truth.

To be honest, I came here for my mother's death.

I happen to have something to tell you about this matter.

You asked me questions and I answered them that day.

But I forgot to tell you one thing.

You may tell me now.

I not only saw a woman before your mother suffered the tragedy,

but also heard the muffled sound of a man talking to that woman.

I couldn't hear him clearly.

But I could tell they knew each other well.

A man?

Do you know who he was?

I only heard his voice. I didn't see him.

Please think back carefully.

Did you really not receive anyone

except the members of the Xu family?

As far as I know, we didn't receive anyone else.

If you still have doubts, feel free to ask

other people in the temple.

Thank you for being honest.

Dongqing.

This fruit is sweet.

Have a try.

It's so sweet and delicious.

This matter has become even more complicated and confusing.

A man suddenly entered the picture.

Who is that man?

What's his relationship with that woman?

Why did the killer murder my mother?

Did my mother see anything she was not supposed to see?

[Mansion of Xu]

Shiyi.

Lingkuan, you're back.

By the way, Shiyi, after you asked me

about the incident in Ci'an Temple, I asked the servants.

Someone in the temple saw Concubine Qiao leave for an hour.

Maybe she saw something.

You can ask her.

Concubine Qiao.

Was Concubine Qiao the woman Qingming saw?

My Lord, you're here.

What's on your mind?

Is something weighing you down?

No.

My mother's death anniversary is around the corner.

So I recalled some past events.

Speaking of which, I never talked to your mother.

But she must be a remarkable woman because she raised

a daughter like you.

My mother came from a family of scholars.

Because her family went downhill, she had to become a concubine.

She might have been ordinary, but she was strong.

We lived in destitution back in Yuhang.

I embroidered clothes and put them up for sale.

But some people haggled to lower the prices and take advantage of us.

I figured that earning a little money was better than earning nothing.

But my mother wept and held her ground,

refusing to sell my works at lower prices.

She said I pulled all-nighters to make those embroidery works

and she'd feel bad for me if she sold them at lower prices.

Come here.

Since your mother's death anniversary is around the corner,

we should commemorate her in the tradition of the Yuhang people.

Thank you.

My Lord, can I hold a memorial service for my mother at home?

Do as you please.

Thank you.

About my mother...

I not only saw a woman before your mother suffered the tragedy,

but also heard the muffled sound of a man talking to that woman.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

What are you looking at?

Dongqing.

[Memorial Service] Don't fiddle with these things.

Her Ladyship prepared these things.

This is terrifying.

Her Ladyship is not holding a normal memorial service.

How is it not normal?

Her Ladyship has been hung up on

her birth mother Concubine Lv's accidental death.

[Birth mother Lv's tablet] She even brought back the spirit tablet.

Dongqing, don't say that.

It could draw that kind of stuff here.

I wouldn't lie to you.

There were two brothers in Shaoxing

who killed someone out of jealousy.

The victim's family held a memorial service like this.

Then those brothers acted as if they were possessed.

Guess what happened.

What happened?

On the first day, those brothers started to lose hair.

They soon had bruises all over their bodies.

Three days later, they felt unbearably itchy

and ulcers covered their bodies.

And on the seventh day, they died from rotting internal organs.

Isn't it scary?

- Dongqing. - Your Ladyship.

You should be back working, not babbling nonsense here.

Your Ladyship, I heard it from others.

I won't babble again.

When a person's conscience is clear,

he or she doesn't frighten easily.

I am not superstitious.

Even if the memorial service draws supernatural creatures here,

they'll only revenge themselves on those who hurt them.

Lianfang, am I right?

Yes.

Your Ladyship, you're absolutely right.

Ghosts are nonexistent.

They are tricks played by magicians to deceive people.

As long as we stay decent, we don't have to fear them.

[Birth mother Lv's tablet]

[Memorial Service]

Your Ladyship, I feel under the weather.

I'll excuse myself.

Feel free to leave.

You are dismissed.

If His Lordship hears you gossip behind his back,

he'll be displeased.

Let me do it.

What's wrong, Madam?

I...

I'm losing hair, Xiuyuan.

It's all right, Madam.

I...

I don't usually lose that much hair.

Madam, you're overthinking this.

You probably combed it too hard.

You always lose that much hair.

I don't always lose that much hair.

On the first day, those brothers started to lose hair.

They soon had bruises all over their bodies.

Three days later, they felt unbearably itchy

and ulcers covered their bodies.

So itchy.

I feel itchy all over, Xiuyuan.

- So itchy. - Madam, what happened to you?

I feel itchy. So itchy.

- Madam, you... - Hurry up and prepare a carriage.

Prepare a carriage. We're going to Ci'an Temple.

Yes.

So itchy.

[Fortune Stick 39]

[Fortune Stick 39]

[Interpretation of Fortune Stick 39]

Worried, frightened, restless.

Haunted by nightmares and ghosts.

Snow falls to block your path.

Worship the gods and do good deeds for protection.

Can you help me overcome this fate?

I'm afraid this fate is the result of your own wrongdoing.

What goes around comes around.

It's the way of nature.

Please help me overcome this fate.

I'll pay as much as you wish.

If you truly regret your action,

then face the objects of the dead

and recite Buddhist texts

at 11 o'clock in the evening.

Do this for 49 days

and you may avoid disaster

and start a new life.

Have you brought the things?

Yes. Rest easy, Madam.

Put them here.

Bless me. Bless me.

Keep her away from me.

Don't let her come to me.

I intend to repent.

[Birth mother Lv's tablet]

Your Ladyship, your plan worked.

Concubine Qiao feels guilty as you expected.

What has she done?

I heard from the maids that Concubine Qiao believed her loss of hair

was caused by a revengeful ghost.

She even scared herself into feeling itchy.

Later on, she went to Ci'an Temple and prayed for fortune.

Did the fortune teller inform Concubine Qiao as I ordered?

Don't worry.

He informed her as you ordered.

Surprisingly, Concubine Qiao didn't do anything

related to Concubine Lv after the fortune teller informed her.

Instead, she ordered Xiuyuan to go to Chunxi Garden

and take the jewelry of late Her Ladyship.

Yuanniang?

Your Ladyship, did we go after the wrong person?

Maybe Concubine Qiao is unrelated to your mother's death.

We went after the wrong person.

But this doesn't mean we made an effort in vain.

Concubine Qiao believed the fortune teller.

She fetched Yuanniang's objects and recited Buddhist texts.

I'm afraid Yuanniang's death is related to her.

Marquis Yongping's Mansion seems peaceful.

But it's actually a dangerous place.

My illness feels suspicious.

No medicine can heal me.

Before Yuanniang died, she told me her illness felt suspicious.

Nanny Tao said she believed Yuanniang was murdered by someone.

Did Concubine Qiao really murder her?

It's a no-brainer. She must have done that.

We should tell His Lordship right now.

Even if we are right, this is a serious matter

and Great Madam favors Concubine Qiao.

If we accuse her without concrete evidence,

we'll only achieve undesirable results.

We need to give this matter some further thought.

Your Ladyship, you wanted to see me?

Nanny Tao, I heard that He's Clinic offered

an effective medication the other day.

It reminded me of the fact that Yuanniang had been taking

the medication of He's Clinic.

But why was she still bed-ridden all the time?

Your Ladyship, you should know she had a cold womb.

After she married into the Xu family, she had trouble conceiving.

Then she took the medication of He's Clinic and conceived Zhun.

But Zhun's premature birth left her with illness.

Fortunately, the medication helped her conceive her second child.

But she had a miscarriage.

After that, she became frail and no medicine could heal her.

Are you saying Yuanniang's illness was originated in the miscarriage?

Yes.

Was there anything wrong with the miscarriage?

She suspected that someone played dirty to cause the miscarriage.

But her investigation led nowhere.

Then she died with regrets.

About Yuanniang's medication...

Physician He of He's Clinic prescribed the medication himself.

She trusted Physician He very much.

And I oversaw the whole process,

including the acquisition and boiling of the medication.

I always tried the medication before she took it.

The medication was not poisonous.

Besides, it took effect after she took it.

I think there was nothing wrong with the medication.

She was ill-fated.

If she weren't frail, Qiao Lianfang wouldn't have had the chance

to seduce His Lordship.

Concubine Qiao often came to the Mansion of Xu before Yuanniang fell ill?

Yes.

Qiao Lianfang is the niece of Great Madam.

So she often visited the Mansion of Xu.

Qiao Lianfang took pains to fawn on Great Madam and His Lordship.

Your Ladyship, if you hadn't married His Lordship,

Qiao Lianfang would have become

the wife of Marquis Yongping.

Your Ladyship, what made you ask about this?

I heard people talk about the medication.

It reminded me of Yuanniang.

Oh, there is one more thing.

From now on, I expect you to relay the Luo family's messages to me,

instead of making plans with my maids in secret.

If His Lordship knows what you did, he might punish you

for harboring ill intentions, which is bad for you.

I'd never do that, Your Ladyship.

I swear I'd never do that.

You must be mistaken.

Even if you told me to do that, I wouldn't do that.

I'm just reminding you that trouble arises from action.

Zhun will suffer if we give way to internal conflict.

After all, no individual can stay unharmed if the whole group is in distress. Am I right?

Yes, Your Ladyship.

You may leave.

Yes.

How did it go, Your Ladyship?

The interested party is suspicious.

Concubine Qiao is very likely to have murdered Yuanniang.

Your Ladyship, you were framed at Xishan Villa.

Concubine Qiao gave a puppy to Zhun to make him ill repeatedly.

Although we have no concrete evidence,

but they must be related to Concubine Qiao.

If she also murdered the late Her Ladyship,

then you and Zhun are in a very dangerous situation.

For the sake of Zhun and myself, I must find evidence to prove

Concubine Qiao murdered Yuanniang.

I must make her pay for her crime.

[Virtue of Modesty and Patience]

You haven't gone to bed.

My Lord.

What's the matter?

[Birth mother Lv's tablet]

Due to the memorial service, I need to keep my mother's spirit tablet for 49 days.

I'll send it back to the Luo family after the memorial service is over.

Yeah.

Your mother's spirit tablet can't be placed in the Luo family's ancestral shrine.

How about this?

You can keep your mother's spirit tablet here forever if you want.

Can I?

You are my wife.

Of course you can.

By the way, I've made soup.

I'll tell Dongqing to bring it in.

Sure.

[Birth mother Lv's tablet]

Zhun!

Zhun, slow down!

- Zhun! - Mother, I'm scared.

Be careful not to fall, Zhun.

Slow down, Zhun.

You shouldn't have come out at this late hour.

Mother!

Slow down, Zhun.

Mother!

Mother! Mother!

Mother!

Your Lordship. Your Ladyship. I'm really sorry for bothering you at this late hour.

Zhun heard a superstitious rumor

from some senseless servants the other day.

It scared him.

He couldn't sleep well tonight.

He kept calling for his mother.

It's fine. You may leave.

Yes.

- Zhun, what happened? - Good boy, don't cry.

Why are you crying?

I dreamed of you abandoning me.

I was left alone outside, cold, and hungry.

Nobody paid me attention.

Why would we abandon you?

You just had a nightmare.

Nightmares are not real.

Come here.

Sleep with me.

Don't be afraid.

Lie down.

Come here. Good boy.

- Good boy. - Good boy.

♪ There is a rooster ♪ Close your eyes.

♪ It can fly ♪

♪ It has been bought with three copper coins ♪

♪ It has been brought here from Sichuan ♪

♪ Its feathers are in all colors.♪

♪ And they vary in length ♪

♪ It has been dipped in the liquor ♪

♪ It is really rare ♪

♪ Here is a rooster ♪

♪ It can fly ♪

♪ It has been bought... ♪

♫ Moisten the brush with drops of moonlight ♫

♫ And paint your portrait ♫

♫ Extract the notes from the Chinese lute ♫

♫ And compose your tune ♫

♫ Silver and golden threads of the splendid attire ♫

♫ All mirror you in a way so clear ♫

♫ I feel lucky to find you after so many life experiences ♫

♫ Light up a lamp of mutual love ♫

♫ And I will guard you from a distance ♫

♫ The words you whispered into my ears ♫

♫ Are all expressions of your love ♫

♫ Pushing my horse to gallop through the four seasons ♫

♫ And feasting my eyes on all the beautiful scenery ♫

♫ I whispered my favorite place is being in your arms ♫

♫ Let's stay with each other forever ♫

♫ And listen to the insects' chorus in this moment ♫

♫ Let our hearts be close ♫

♫ And let me kiss you between your eyes ♫

♫ We mustn't doubt each other, ♫

♫ And must be steadfast in our commitment to each other ♫

♫ Let's welcome the daybreak together ♫

♫ And wait for the wind to rise ♫

♫ In the rain of March ♫

♫ And the sunshine of July let's count stars ♫

♫ Let's enjoy the spring scenery ♫

♫ Draw a picture of autumn and appreciate all the beauty ♫

♫ Even if we are thousands of miles apart ♫

♫ Our hearts will stay connected ♫

♫ Even if our hair turns gray one day ♫

♫ We will be together ♫

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔ Jin Xin Si Yu ✾ Team @ Viki.com

♫ In the cold darkness of midnight, a sigh is heard ♫

♫ Who picked up the paintbrush to draw loneliness? ♫

♫ In my life, I can draw everything but lovesickness ♫

♫ The mountain city is waiting for the rain ♫

♫ I am waiting for you to pass in my memory ♫

♫ The sky is in a more lonely color than your face ♫

♫ The wind rises and the candlelight flickers ♫

♫ The thin clothes can't stand the cold days ♫

♫ Full of twists and turns, fate is untold ♫

♫ I ground my thoughts into ink ♫

♫ But I still can't sketch your contours ♫

♫ How could the ink and paper exhaust our stories? ♫

♫ Who picked up the pen to disturb the heart ♫

♫ Who visited to remind me of the past? ♫

♫ If feelings can be kept in mind, but cannot be confessed ♫

♫ I won't escape from whatever end ♫

♫ In the dim lantern light, with you there is me ♫

♫ Who picked up the pen to set free lonely tears? ♫

♫ Whoever visited my life, only you stayed every day ♫

♫ If the moth doesn't fly into the fire ♫

♫ How can it be said to be persistent? ♫

♫ Coming to the end of your story, there is me ♫