Original subtitles

♪The moon sinks, ripples dance, violet stars awaken♪

♪As time dissolves without a trace♪

♪Frosted memories scatter; silk cannot veil the past♪

♪Fate is drifting in silence♪

♪Let winds and sands accompany the road ahead♪

♪Looking back, joys and sorrows linger, no regrets remain♪

♪Breaking free from the depths of darkness♪

♪Like pearls of tears, we swirl with fate's embrace♪

[Adapted from "The Legend of Kunshan Jade" by Tan Tianyin]

[The Story of Pearl Girl]

[Episode 1]

During the Tang Dynasty,

the Cui family of Yangzhou established a pearl farm in Hepu,

supplying priceless

South Sea pearls.

However, due to the fierce waves,

the pearl divers seldom return alive.

The captors seize the divers, ruthlessly forcing them

to gather pearls.

Go!

For those who cannot dive...

Hurry.

Men are reduced to menial labor

while women are imprisoned to bear children,

- Hurry. - living as slaves for generations,

never to be freed.

I won't do it again.

Please spare me.

Hurry up!

Please release me.

Go!

Hurry!

Move!

You! Work!

Hurry up!

Faster!

Mealtime!

Hurry, mealtime!

Mealtime!

Mealtime.

Hurry up!

Come on!

Let's go.

Come on.

Hurry!

Hurry up and eat!

No need to split it.

Here.

Okay.

Split it.

No, don't...

Not enough?

Take it, go.

Go.

Duanwu.

Leave it to me.

I'll take it.

Just go fetch the food.

Split it.

You,

split it.

What are you waiting for? Take it!

Split it.

Let her go.

Duanwu is

such a stubborn girl.

Why don't you sleep with her now?

She has to go to the maternity shed someday.

Let me subdue her first.

Come on!

You will go to the maternity shed sooner or later.

You should stay in the maternity shed

to sleep with different men.

Why don't you bear

some children for me?

If you are injured,

I wonder how you will be able to dive.

Let me go home!

In the pearl farm, there's only one way to survive:

you must collect pearls.

I can't do it. I'm dying.

Dying?

You will die if you refuse to dive!

Do it!

If you don't train well now,

you won't survive in the sea.

No!

Do it!

I suggest you

train as much as you can,

or your only option will be death.

Do it!

Go!

Go!

Hurry!

Do it!

No...

I won't do it!

I want to go home! Let me go!

To survive here,

you must learn to hold your breath underwater.

Go!

Hold your breath!

Cui's Pearl Farm

is renowned for supplying royal pearls.

Gathering pearls is an honor for you all.

If you're thinking about secretly hoarding tribute pearls,

I suggest you drop that idea right now.

Even though pearls get corroded

by stomach acid within moments,

some think they're clever enough

to wrap pearls in fish intestines and swallow them.

Don't think I'm not aware of that!

And those hollow hairpins!

Raise your arm!

Check them carefully!

[Pearl Tower]

Steward.

According to Peng Wu,

this time the pearl auction has a distinguished guest from the West

looking to acquire large pearls at 15mm.

How many does he want?

As many as possible.

Besides,

if there are exceptionally large pearls,

a premium price will be offered.

Go to the pearl farm.

Open your mouth!

Wider!

Go, go!

Hurry!

Lady Eight, sorry!

Please spare me!

Next time, I'll definitely gather some pearls.

- Take him away. - Lady Eight!

Please spare me.

Yes.

Lady Eight.

Don't take me to the cage!

Lady Eight, don't take me to the cage!

- Please spare me! - Steward Cui is here!

Don't take me to the cage!

What's wrong?

Kneel down!

Kneel down!

Kneel down!

Is anyone willing to go to Despairing Cove tomorrow?

Despairing Cove?

- Despairing Cove... - It's dangerous.

Who dares to go there?

It's full of undercurrents there.

And sharks.

Steward.

Despairing Cove

is not just filled with undercurrents and sharks.

The numerous ravines are already

[Account books] piled with countless bones.

I... I heard

that many people lost their lives there.

If you have any specific requirements,

it will guide us in searching for the right kind of pearls.

Large pearls over 15mm.

More than 15mm?

Steward.

To find large pearls over 15mm,

we need to seek out giant Tridacna clams.

I heard that giant Tridacna clams can crush a person to death!

No wonder we have to go to Despairing Cove.

- Want the rewards? - I can't go.

After all, it's extremely dangerous.

You will be rewarded.

How about the Manumission Document?

Nonsense!

I will beat you to death!

Lady Eight.

If anyone manages to find the largest pearl over 15mm,

they will receive a Manumission Document as a reward.

Manumission Document?

Give it a try?

Want to lose your life?

Our swimming skills may not even allow us to survive.

Yeah...

But that's about the Manumission Document!

Hurry!

Duanwu.

Come on.

Duanwu.

My third uncle went to collect scrap.

I have to leave soon.

Duanwu.

I've brought you what you wanted.

Why do you need the arrowheads?

Did they bully you?

It's okay.

My third uncle was drunk.

Duanwu, don't worry.

I'm pretty tough.

Take it to eat.

Thank you.

Duanwu.

Take care.

I'm not sure when we'll meet again.

My third uncle will take me away from the pearl farm.

Step aside.

Move!

Hurry!

Go!

Go.

Duanwu.

You want to earn the Manumission Document?

But Despairing Cove is a dangerous place.

And giant Tridacna clams primarily reside on the ocean floor.

It's full of undercurrents.

You may not survive

if you dive there.

Don't worry.

I know what to do.

Duanwu.

If...

If you leave,

how will I manage to live here alone?

If I can get the Tridacna pearl,

I will try

to take you away from here.

800 thousand maces.

Thank you.

Mister,

This golden hairpin

is adorned with dozens of Hepu South Sea pearls,

each perfectly round.

The rubies are equally vibrant in color.

The quotation is 500,000 maces; please accept this.

How dare you present such a thing?

Get lost.

Our things

are much better than these.

Please be patient.

Mister, please check my bracelet.

This bracelet is crafted from three strands of Hetian jade,

featuring a delicate texture

and a lustrous sheen.

My quotation is 800,000 maces.

It's valued at over 800,000.

Accountant Wei,

two million maces.

This Western Region merchant is quite wealthy!

It's like throwing money around!

Why didn't I bring some goods to sell as well?

In our Western Regions,

selling counterfeit goods means

losing your tongue and hands.

No!

Losing his tongue and hands?

Wait!

According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty,

selling counterfeit goods only results in 80 lashes.

How can you be so cruel?

Who are you?

I'm just a wandering scholar.

As merchants, we have our rules.

Based on your rules,

how can I save him?

As merchants, our only concern is business.

Master is here.

Master.

It's all about the money.

Master.

Wait, we are going to Despairing Cove.

Take more

to dive deeper.

Easy.

Take more.

Put it down.

You also want to go to Despairing Cove?

Don't you know your capability?

I told you to put it down!

Do you want to die before you earn enough for the pearl farm?

The pearl farm has always traded lives for pearls.

Stop being hypocritical.

How dare you talk back?

Drag her away!

Stop!

Release her!

Steward Cui...

Steward Cui...

Steward Cui issued the order!

Steward Cui ordered us to go to Despairing Cove.

Who dares to disobey him?

Mr. Peng.

Master Yan.

Since this gentleman wants to be accommodating,

please tell me your offer.

I have a priceless pearl

that has been treasured for three generations.

Three generations?

I wonder if it's worth his life.

Do they know each other?

Such a precious pearl!

A pearl that has been treasured for three generations?

Are you kidding me?

The pearls come from the rivers and seas,

hidden within oysters.

My pearl was obtained from the deep sea.

So it's extremely precious.

It's quite different from the ordinary pearls.

It's lustrous and smooth.

My grandpa treasures it highly.

This box is pretty delicate.

I'd like to offer 500,000 maces for the box.

But you may keep the pearl.

It's a pearl.

So what?

As a jeweler, you don't recognize its true worth!

Though it's better than ordinary pearls,

basically speaking,

it's still an inferior pearl.

So, it's not valuable at all.

Don't try to deceive me.

I've seen pearls of good quality.

Besides the emperor's pearls in Chang'an,

mine is the finest available

in the market.

How about this?

Are you willing to make a bet with me?

I'll show you a place.

If the pearls there are inferior to this one,

I will pay five million maces for it.

Besides,

I will spare his life.

Master,

please spare me.

Otherwise, you'll have to give it to me for free.

A real man never

goes back on his words.

Sure.

What? Mr. Peng is unhappy with it?

Not at all.

Master Yan is a distinguished guest of the pearl farm.

Five million is not a small amount.

Duanwu.

Do take care.

I will, you too.

Take care!

Despairing Cove is just ahead!

Are you okay?

Duanwu, it's too dangerous here.

What if I can't return alive?

Duanwu.

What to do?

Stay here and wait for me.

Wait for me.

Give me your sandbag, hurry.

Be careful!

I'll be waiting for you, Duanwu!

Why did they venture into the deep sea?

They're diving to collect pearls.

Wide seas where fish and dragons cross.

High skies echo with the cries of gulls.

Amidst the shimmering waves,

the merman holds pearls in his palm.

Wonderful poem!

I'd like to show you

something interesting.

Bring me some fish blood.

Yes.

Watch carefully.

What's this for?

Sharks love blood.

How could you do that?

Since they are diving into the deep sea,

they are risking their lives.

Just for collecting the pearls?

Of course.

Pearls are valuable indeed.

But how can they be worth a human life?

If you can't accept this,

I suggest you go home early

to enjoy your calm life.

Where is Duanwu?

Where is Duanwu?

Duanwu!

Sharks are nearby. Let's go now!

Why hasn't Duanwu come back?

Duanwu!

If you keep shouting,

I will toss you into the sea to feed the sharks.

Let's go.

Duanwu is alive! She's still alive!

Hurry, pick her up!

Hurry!

One superior pearl.

Four small pearls.

Three superior pearls.

Good-for-nothing! Drag him away.

One large pearl at 15mm.

It's collected by Duanwu.

There is one even bigger!

Look, this one is the largest.

This is collected by Gou.

This is the largest pearl at over 15mm.

Thank you!

Please grant me the Manumission Document.

Okay.

Thank you!

I collected the largest pearl!

Did you make a mistake?

Nonsense!

How could I make a mistake?

No way!

This was collected by me!

I collected it!

Go away!

Lady Eight!

Go away!

Or I will lash you to death.

You changed it.

Steward Cui.

Go away!

- Drag her away! - I collected this.

Steward Cui!

Lady Eight!

Go away!

Drag her away!

I collected it!

I collected it!

I collected it!

Steward Cui!

Steward Cui.

After all, she collected one large pearl at 15mm.

How about letting Duanwu

be a pearl hostess at the pearl auction?

She has a pretty face.

Let her be a pearl hostess then.

Thank you.

You are lucky to come back alive.

Have the medicine.

I don't understand.

Why did you do that?

No reason.

Do you think you can really escape from here?

There is only one way to get rid of the pearl farm:

death.

Being a pearl hostess

is your only option.

Let Lala be the pearl hostess too.

Check the account books.

What do you think of the scenery?

Compared to the Western Regions,

it's not very satisfying.

It's been a while.

Mr. Peng is doing well.

Thank you.

Since we are following the right master,

I believe your pearl farm

will surely thrive.

Yeah.

And this is...

This is the distinguished guest

from the State of Kang, here to purchase the 15mm large pearls.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Cui Ding.

May I have your name?

I'm surnamed

Yan.

You look quite familiar to me.

Unfortunately, I don't remember if we've met before.

You have no idea.

The previous master of this pearl farm

is also a Yan.

Maybe you are distant relatives?

Mind your words.

I heard that the Yan family was executed in full.

Are you living in the Western Region?

His foundation is in the Western Regions,

but he also conducts business in Quanzhou and Yangzhou.

Just do business.

I pay for the goods and I will leave.

Is it really necessary to ask so many questions?

Sorry.

I will show you the best pearls.

I want the large pearls at 15mm.

I have all kinds of pearls.

But I heard

a batch of Persian pearls was brought in from Persia recently,

and they are also quite good.

It seems that South Sea pearls

are devalued.

Hepu South Sea pearls

have been designated as royal tributes for three consecutive years.

How can Persian pearls be compared to them?

Please.

- Please. - Please.

[Pearl Tower]

Can I make it?

I'm also worried about it.

How can you sell the pearls with your long faces?

I'm telling you,

all the guests here are distinguished!

If any of them are fond of you,

you'll have a wealthy life.

Understood?

Yes.

Duanwu, what are you doing?

Come on!

My brother thinks the Hepu tribute pearls are fishy.

That's why he sent me here to investigate it.

This is the best chance.

So lively.

No matter why Master Yan

took us here,

let's just observe the situation.

The Cui family's South Sea Pearls have been tribute pearls for three years,

gaining great fame.

It's reasonable that they are wealthy.

Indeed.

They have a thriving business,

but the amount of tribute pearls is decreasing.

That's unreasonable.

Are you saying that the Cui family is selling tribute pearls privately?

Or what?

They make the auction so mysterious.

Let's go have a look.

She looks nice.

Buzzkill!

Let's go.

Thank you.

Not a big deal.

Duanwu, come on!

Steward.

For this auction,

all the pearls have already been allocated.

Only this most precious giant pearl remains.

Who do you think should be the final pearl hostess?

When choosing a pearl hostess, it's not about looks or figures.

It's about their sales skills.

Who wants to be the final pearl hostess?

Me!

Let me.

Me!

The price of this pearl is five million maces.

Who can sell it?

Well...

Five million...

Steward Cui, I'd like to have a try.

All of them dare not to do it.

Why do you think you can make it?

This giant Tridacna pearl

was collected by me in person.

I want it to showcase its true value.

Do you know

what the highest price for pearls has been in recent years?

Yes,

four million maces.

But since Steward Cui

said it's worth five million maces,

that's its true value.

What a silver tongue!

Want to be rewarded again?

Steward Cui,

if I can sell it for five million maces,

I only want two Manumission Documents.

One for me,

the other for Lala.

What a clever girl!

You are so clever

that I almost forgot that you were a pearl diver.

Seven million maces.

You will have the Manumission Documents.

Sell it for seven million, and you're free.

If you fail, you will die.

Still confident?

Steward Cui.

Steward...

So eager to show off?

Duanwu.

Does she think some wealthy guest will be fond of her?

Who will pay so much for her?

Duanwu.

Seven million!

Who can pay seven million maces?

Seven million?

Isn't it easy to buy her freedom as well?

This pearl is so pretty.

Indeed.

I think mine is also beautiful.

Look at her dazed face.

I wonder how she will sell it later.

Seven million? She won't make it.

Yes.

I wonder

how she will sell it.

She's not capable at all.

She knows some tricks only.

Later,

let's dance well.

Of course.

Rest assured.

Here comes the next batch

of pearl hostesses.

That pearl.

That one.

That one.

I like that one.

♪Life flows like a boat, navigating joys and woes♪

♪Longing for distant shores♪

♪Aware this moment may tear my heart apart♪

♪Better to roam alone♪

♪Many depart, none return♪

♪How can we resist gazing at each other amid the blooms?♪

♪Your face glows like lanterns in the night♪

♪Love fades on the stone bridge, yet bonds remain♪

♪How can we endure the binds of longing?♪

♪Like a grand dream, a lone cup of wine♪

♪May this world hold♪

♪Both sorrow and warmth♪

♪To hide a broken heart away with laughter and tears♪

♪A debt across time awaits♪

♪A simple tale unfolds♪

♪Nothing compares to soft rice and sweet tea♪

♪May this fate intertwine♪

♪Half in regret, half in longing♪

♪Radiant memories tint your gaze♪

♪The world's bitterness♪

♪Still accompanies my dreams♪

♪Drifting afar on the shore of your life♪

♪Quietly watching over you♪