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 2]

Not bad at all.

In the rising tower, jade pendants sway in the breeze,

while pearls glisten

under the stars.

Wonderful!

Bravo!

Presenting today's highlight:

a blood-stained Tridacna pearl.

It wards off all evil

and weighs five maces.

Its starting bid is three million maces.

Tridacna pearls are precious.

What does she mean by "blood-stained"?

This pearl hostess

speaks not a word of truth.

Pearl hunting is tough,

and so is selling them.

Mr. Zhang, you're truly a kind soul.

Mr. Peng, with your confidence and grandeur,

this treasure should go to you.

Mr. Peng, are you interested in bidding?

A blood-stained Tridacna pearl is indeed rare.

I'll offer two million maces.

The starting bid is three million maces.

Surely you jest, Mr. Peng.

Steward Cui,

what Mr. Peng means

is that this pearl is flawless,

and he's willing to raise the bid by two million.

Isn't that right, Mr. Peng?

I see.

Thank you, Mr. Peng.

Thank you, Master Yan.

However, this pearl isn't flawless.

Are you talking down your own item?

It has an extraordinary flaw,

the blood from a living person.

I obtained this pearl myself,

and the wound from gathering it won't heal.

As I said,

a Tridacna pearl, tainted with blood,

wards off all evil.

That's what makes this pearl so precious.

Tridacna pearls are rare for sure,

but can they really ward off evil after being tainted with blood?

Exactly.

It sounds made up.

I've brought you here

to see this pearl auction as promised.

Now, about our wager...

I was indeed overconfident.

Mr. Zhang, you're truly a man of your word.

I'm not really keen on this pearl,

but this box

isn't something ordinary folks own.

Thanks a lot.

Since you're so gracious,

in return,

I'll help you lend a hand to that pearl hostess.

The Tridacna pearl is one of the seven treasures of Buddhism.

An ordinary Tridacna pearl is ominous.

Gathering it brings misfortune.

But if it bears human blood,

it gains the power to ward off evil

and can truly be called a talisman pearl.

I am willing to bid

six million maces.

Six million maces?

However rare it is, it can't be worth that much.

Exactly.

No one's ever bid this high before.

What,

can it really ward off evil?

Can it really repel all harm?

- Can it? - Really?

Even if it could, it's still not worth six million maces.

Take the offer while you can.

Thank you for your kindness, sir.

But I'm wagering my life here,

not just a pearl.

Only six million maces?

Master Yan, such a price hardly honors

this one-of-a-kind treasure,

the Mermaid's Tear.

Steward Cui,

this pearl hostess of yours is full of lies.

One moment it's a talisman pearl,

and now it becomes the Mermaid's Tear?

In "In Search of the Supernatural,"

it's said there are merfolk beyond the South Sea,

living like fish in the water

and weaving tirelessly.

When they cry,

their tears become pearls.

Everyone,

Master Yan is an esteemed guest from the State of Kang.

Since he has bid six million maces,

this pearl should go

to Yan...

Steward Cui!

When the mermaid cries, her tears turn into pearls.

A Mermaid's Tear is worth a life.

Mr. Zhang,

I ask you to appraise it.

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

If you fail, you will die.

If this pearl is so precious,

then I bid

seven million maces.

Seven million?

Even if it wards off all evil, that's too high!

Mr. Zhang,

seven million maces is no small sum.

Thank you, sir!

This pearl, bid at seven million by Mr. Zhang,

now belongs to him!

This gold willow leaf isn't something an ordinary person can possess.

It seems I was presumptuous.

Steward Cui,

I hope

you'll keep your word.

Revealing his identity so easily,

he's unfit for bigger responsibilities.

It's precisely his sincerity and kindness

that makes him

trustworthy for this task.

Shall we continue with the original plan, then?

Yes.

By the way,

just now, I saw a woman

with a scar on her face.

Find her for me.

An old acquaintance?

Yes.

Mr. Zhang.

Greetings, sir. I'm Duanwu, a pearl diver.

Thank you, sir.

Duanwu?

As in early midsummer.

It's a fine name.

In early midsummer,

the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon rise to the southern sky

reaching the centermost position.

I didn't know that.

Mr. Zhang, I came here

to thank you

and express my gratitude.

Your kindness means the world to me.

It was just a small gesture.

To you, sir,

it may have been,

but to me,

it's of great significance.

Please don't misunderstand me.

I only want to say

that if you ever need my help,

I'll be there,

no matter what it takes.

Then I'll look forward to your assistance someday.

Until we meet again.

Until we meet again.

By the way,

this is actually my first time here.

Would you mind showing me around Hepu?

If it's an inconvenience, never mind.

That's not what I mean.

But to be honest, Mr. Zhang,

I've never been to Hepu myself.

As a pearl diver, I wasn't allowed to leave the pearl farm.

You've never left the pearl farm?

Well, in that case,

why don't you show me around the pearl farm instead?

Already getting cozy, those two.

Are you happy about winning the bet?

Of course.

Now I can finally leave the pearl farm.

So, what are your plans for the future?

I plan to take a close friend with me, leave Hepu,

and sell goods while traveling.

Just a small-time peddler?

No, a free and unrestrained

grand merchant.

Will Steward Cui give you a hard time?

I'll be careful.

By the way, Mr. Zhang,

where are you from?

Me?

Chang'an.

The faraway Chang'an?

Three thousand li

from here.

What's it like in Chang'an?

You've asked the right person.

In Banzheng Ward,

shops are filled with countless books and ancient texts.

And in Fuxing Ward,

you'll find the best-baked flatbread.

Baked flatbread?

If you ever go to Chang'an,

you must try the water basin mutton there.

In the West Market, you'll see Hu people

with high noses and deep-set eyes,

and Hu women are all skilled at singing and dancing.

Oh,

there's also this local custom.

We write our wishes on a wooden plaque

and hang it on a blessing tree. This way, the wishes will come true.

What does a blessing tree look like?

Unfortunately, there isn't one here.

Of course not.

No worries.

Sincerity is all that matters.

How about

we use this tree right here?

Come on. What's your wish?

Freedom.

I want freedom.

Alright.

"Freedom."

Is that all?

Make your wish first.

Then I'll put the plaque up there for you.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

[Freedom]

May your heart stay as clear as a mirror,

and may all your wishes come true.

Steward Cui.

Master Yan?

What brings you here so late at night?

I'm here for my 15-millimeter pearls, of course.

You may go.

Yes, sir.

The goods are ready.

But didn't we agree to complete the deal tomorrow?

I need to leave tonight.

So,

let's settle it now.

Why the sudden rush?

Steward Cui, don't play dumb.

Gold willow leaves aren't something ordinary folks can possess.

You should know that.

Otherwise, you wouldn't

still be here at this hour, waiting for news.

I can also tell you

that Prince Ying's sworn brother left the capital and headed south recently.

Although he's just a scholar at Xiuwen Pavilion,

it's said he's highly trusted by both Prince Ying

and the Emperor.

What's more,

his surname is Zhang.

Is he the man from today's...?

I didn't say anything.

I'm just a businessman.

To me, what matters most are money and safety.

But you brought him here.

What are you talking about?

Mr. Peng was on that ship too.

I only found out about this myself recently.

I've also heard

that Prince Ying

and Prince Tan are in fierce conflict these days.

Your family has always served Prince Tan, hasn't it?

Besides the 15-millimeter pearls, I'll also take

all the remaining pearls

from the pearl auction.

You think you can buy

all the pearls in the Pearl Tower with just this bit of gold?

Steward Cui,

who else but I

would dare buy your pearls now?

The quantity of the tribute pearls has already been submitted.

Yet Cui's Pearl Farm still has this much stock.

Does that seem reasonable?

Besides,

selling tribute pearls privately

is a capital offense.

Moreover,

I know more about what's happening in Chang'an than you do.

Recently, many unfamiliar faces have shown up in Hepu.

You know that, right?

As for their identities,

they're easy to find out.

If Prince Ying is really looking into this,

I'm not sure if Prince Tan will be implicated,

but the Cui family will probably end up as the scapegoat.

Come with me to get the goods.

You actually sold the pearls at such a low price?

How dare you!

Mr. Peng, given the current situation,

it's wise to trade pearls for gold.

I know

the profits from the pearl auction are meant for Prince Tan's big plans,

but safety comes first.

We control the entire sea around Hepu,

and we'll have pearl divers

for generations to come.

We can collect

as many pearls as we want in the future.

Mr. Peng,

you're an invaluable aide to Prince Tan.

Caution is what keeps us thriving.

It's an honor for my family

to have Prince Tan's trust.

As long as the court doesn't question the quantity of the tribute pearls,

we'll still be able to make a fortune.

Please don't be upset, Mr. Peng.

Shall I send over that pearl hostess from the auction?

I'll make the arrangements.

Have Lady Eight dress up Duanwu

and bring her here.

But that Mr. Zhang said...

I agreed to let her go,

but what Mr. Peng does is out of my hands.

By the way, tell her

Mr. Zhang is here waiting for her.

Duanwu!

Listen,

I got the Manumission Documents.

We'll leave in two...

No, tomorrow.

We'll leave tomorrow.

Alright.

Duanwu.

Come with me.

I promise I'll get you out of here.

What's this about?

Mr. Zhang and his people are leaving tomorrow.

He said he needed to talk to you.

I've seen Mr. Zhang.

He didn't mention anything about this.

Don't ask questions when you shouldn't!

You must always be fully prepared.

Some things can be useful

when the time is right.

That Mr. Zhang is obviously a well-read man.

He's gentle, polite,

and poised.

You'd better

keep your temper in check in front of him.

Don't offend this important guest.

Understood.

Go on.

Go up there on your own.

Lala,

serve me well,

and there'll be plenty of rewards for you.

Lala!

You're finally here.

Duan... Duanwu.

- Duanwu, don't blame me! - Let's go.

- Let's go! - I didn't want this to happen!

Come with me!

The man who got the Manumission Document is dead.

There's no way out for us.

Come with me.

Lala,

convince her to join us,

and I'll take both of you to Chang'an.

Let's go!

Little pearl hostess, you do have some charm.

Serve me, and you'll have a good life.

Come on. Stop resisting.

You cheap slave!

How dare you, a harlot,

hit me?

Die!

Quick, kill this insolent slave!

You wretch, how dare you offend Mr. Peng!

Someone's killed!

Someone's killed!

Hurry. Come with me.

Come on. Let's go!

Let's go, now!

Help!

Someone's dead!

Hurry.

What happened? Why the panic?

Sir, Peng... Peng Wu is dead.

What?

Duanwu killed him.

Lady Eight is helping her escape!

Go after them!

Yes, sir!

Hold on.

Kill them on sight.

Understood.

I'm coming with you.

Let's go that way!

Don't let them get away!

Hurry.

Get over here!

There's movement here!

Duanwu!

No one's here.

Let's check over there.

Come on.

Everything is set.

They're waiting for your command.

Have you found her?

Yes.

She's a Accountant on the farm

and also keeps the books.

Her name is Lady Eight.

Bring back a ledger,

and bring her back too.

Father!

Father!

[Pearl Tower]

Fire!

Come put out the fire!

Come on. This way.

Come put out the fire!

Hurry and put out the fire!

Over here!

Let's go that way!

Stop right there!

Stop running!

Hurry.

I didn't kill him.

Duanwu did!

Everyone's just looking out for themselves.

- Duanwu, you're no different! - Let's go.

Come on!

If you don't leave, you'll die here too!

It was a nice building.

[Pearl Tower] It's a shame to see it burn.

Everything the Cui family has touched

is tainted.

[Pearl Tower]

Stop right there!

Stop running!

Stop!

Over there!

Come back!

They're over there!

Go after them!

Let's go!

Hurry.

Freeze!

Come on!

Stop right there!

- Freeze! - Don't run!

Stop running!

Stop right there!

Freeze!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop running!

Stop!

Stop running!

Freeze!

Come on.

That way. Let's go!

Stop running!

Hurry!

Stop them!

This way!

- Stop! - Come on!

Don't let them escape!

This way!

Freeze!

Hurry!

Stop her!

Hurry up!

Faster!

The boat's here. Get on!

Why are you helping me?

Because I'm your mother!

Now go. Hurry!

Wait. What did you say?

I don't understand.

- Wait! - Get on the boat, now!

Just do as I say!

What trick are you trying to pull?

Sweetheart,

I really am your mother.

Your adoptive father's surname is Wei.

He later had a daughter named Xiazhi.

Before you were taken to the pearl farm,

you were supposed to leave with them.

I arranged everything

so they could take you away,

but you were still captured and brought to the farm.

It's an honor to be a pearl diver.

You'll have food, drink, and a comfortable life.

What more do you want?

Take her away!

I tried everything I could

to help you escape,

but nothing worked.

My dear daughter,

it's my fault.

This was the only way I could protect you.

Sweetheart,

I'm so sorry.

My dear daughter...

Stop there!

Come on!

Don't leave!

Stop right there!

Hurry!

Hurry!

This was left by your father.

Keep it safe, and go find him in the Western Regions.

Remember, sweetheart,

go to the Western Regions to find him.

- Shrimp, hurry. - Duanwu.

Get your sister out of here.

- Duanwu. - I'll hold them off.

- Let's go, Duanwu! - Wait!

Wait, hold on!

Come with me.

Come with me!

I'll hold them off.

Come with me!

I'll hold them off!

Come with me.

Come with me.

Come with me.

If you don't go now, it'll be too late.

Come with me, please.

Alright,

I'll go with you.

I'll go with you.

- Let's go. - Hurry!

They're up ahead!

Stop them!

Hurry!

Stop them!

Stop right there!

Duanwu, hurry!

Duanwu!

Come on!

Stop them!

Hurry!

Catch her!

Over there!

Stop right there!

Hurry!

Stop!

Hurry, Shrimp!

Row the boat!

Hurry!

Hurry!

Hurry!

Row the boat, Shrimp!

They're right over there!

- Leave! Go! - Stop there!

Go now!

♪Snow flies over distant mountains. How many tears have travelers shed?♪

♪Two stars shine bright, facing each other from afar♪

My dear daughter,

survive.

You must survive.

Don't go.

♪Broken, yet never destroyed♪

♪The purple star, without regret, shines on the lake♪

Yu,

I'm not leaving.

If I leave, you're coming with me.

You're pregnant.

Return to Hepu first.

I wonder if the master and the others are...

They'll be fine.

You must take care of our child.

Yu!

Steward Yan has returned.

He said everyone in the Yan family had died,

and that the Cui family owned the pearl farm now.

What should we do, Lady Yan?

Lady Yan!

Are you alright, Lady Yan?

♪Life is just love, hate, and desire on repeat...♪

Listen up!

This pearl farm now belongs to the Cui family!

Defy us,

and you'll end up like this!

Do you hear me?

♪Meetings and partings are beyond our control♪

Lady Yan, why did you do this?

This is the only way

I can bring her into this world safely

and protect her.

I don't want her to end up a pearl diver.

She was born on the fifth day of the fifth month.

I'll name her Duanwu.

Please,

promise me you'll take good care of her.

- Rest assured. - Rest assured.

Duanwu.

Duanwu.

♪New years grow from withered memories...♪

Your name?

My name is Zhaohua.

Your name? Speak up!

My... My name is Duanwu.

♪Guarding your final light♪

♪A mortal life can be summed up in just a few fleeting words♪

♪Fierce winds and rushing rain cannot quench my flame♪

♪Alas, love and hate will both find their end♪

♪Why count gains and losses along the way?♪

♪Alas, life always leads to death♪

♪May we meet again someday♪

The pearl...

Duanwu,

I think someone picked up the pearl

Lady Eight gave you!

Let's go.

The ledger has been delivered.

This pearl farm in Hepu is a den of filth and corruption.

This ledger

should make a fine gift for Prince Ying.

Prince Ying and Prince Tan are locked in fierce conflict.

If Zhang Jinran could truly expose

Prince Tan's embezzlement of the tribute pearls,

the Cui family would be doomed.

This is just the beginning.

Did you find the person I asked you to locate?

Not yet.

Leave two people here

to keep looking.

Understood.

Is the illness acting up again?

It's nothing.

Put it out!

Hurry. Get more people to help!

Yes, sir.

Hurry!

Duanwu didn't start this fire.

The Pearl Tower and the pearl farm caught fire at the same time.

Someone must have planned this in advance.

There's more fire over there!

How are the books?

The counting house burned down.

The account books are probably all destroyed.

Good.

It's better they're burned.

How should we explain this to the master?

Steward Cui,

Master Shijiu's ship is about to dock.

What's she doing here?

Could she be here for her dowry?

That girl

always dresses like a man.

I doubt she's here for a dowry.

She's here to deal with me!

[Cui]

This year, the farm produced 43 Qizhen pearls

and 2.3 sheng of small pearls.

Among the tribute pearls, there are ten Qizhen and nine Babao pearls.

We also have 5.3 sheng of smooth pearls

and 11.2 sheng of rolling pearls.

- Altogether... - I recall

that last year, we had 56 Qizhen pearls

and three sheng of small pearls.

Among the tribute pearls, there were 12 Qizhen pearls and 12 Babao pearls.

Why is there so much less this year?

[Ledger]

Cui Ding really treats Cui's Pearl Farm

like it's his own,

scheming at every turn.

Master Shijiu,

with so many merchants attending the pearl auction,

there isn't a dock available right now.

I ask for your patience, sir.

Outrageous!

How dare you make my master wait?

I wouldn't dare,

but...

Just dock.

Dock the ship.

But there are small boats everywhere.

Sink anyone who stands in the way. I don't care if they live or die.

Get moving. Stop bothering my master.

Why are you still standing here?

Hurry up and do it, now!

Duanwu!

We're safe, Duanwu!

Wake up, Duanwu!

Duanwu?

Hold it here.

Move this finger down.

Yes, grip it tightly here.

Lower your hand a bit.

Sit up straight. Relax your shoulders.

You moved it there again.

You made the same old mistake.

How many times have I told you? Should you have moved it here?

Three ge from the old stock

plus three ge newly collected.

What's the total?

You are lucky

to come back alive.

Have the medicine.

You must always be fully prepared.

Some things

can be useful when the time is right.

Who sent this?

When we were rushing to escape the fire,

someone bumped into me.

Later, I found this ledger in my bag.

This ledger

details the pearl farm's harvest,

but it's vastly different from the tribute pearl records.

What should we do next?

We have material evidence

but no witnesses.

Anyone could've written

these accounts.

Now that the Pearl Tower is destroyed,

the pearl farm could use this opportunity to cover up their crime.

Cui Ding has probably figured out your identity, sir.

Who could be pocketing the money

from the private sale of tribute pearls?

I doubt Cui's Pearl Farm

would have the nerve to commit this crime alone.

Cui Ding is definitely a key player.

Keep a close watch on Cui's Pearl Farm.

Yes, sir.

That ship is heading straight for the docks,

and there's a small boat in its path.

This is not good.

Duanwu, wake up!

A ship's coming our way!

Stay back! There's a boat here!

Duanwu, wake up!

[Cui] Don't come any closer!

Stay back!

Duanwu!

Stay away!

[Cui]

Help!

Is anyone there?

Someone's fallen overboard.

- Du Ming, rescue them!

Yes, sir.

Greetings, Lady Shijiu.

Outrageous!

How dare you keep Master Shijiu waiting this long?

Master Shijiu, welcome to Hepu.

Please forgive me

for being late.

I heard you'd be getting married soon.

Have you come to prepare your dowry?

I see that you're here on behalf of the master, Master Shijiu.

Are this year's tribute pearls ready?

They were all prepared

and stored in the Pearl Tower.

But there was a terrible fire today,

and now the Pearl Tower is nothing but rubble.

It was truly a man-made disaster.

There was a defiant slave on the pearl farm named Duanwu.

She secretly seduced Peng Wu,

and somehow,

she not only killed him

but also colluded with Lady Eight

to burn down the entire Pearl Tower!

May I ask, Steward Cui,

have you caught them?

We're working on it.

Once Duanwu is caught,

everything will come to light.

I don't care about the truth.

Not a single pearl

can be missing.

But how could I possibly get so many pearls now?

Even if we have to cut you up and sell the pieces,

the job must be done.

Otherwise,

I'll throw you into the ocean to feed the sharks.

Would you prefer that, Steward Cui?

Sir,

there's a problem with the gold leaf.

It's fake.

This was left by your father.

Go find him in the Western Regions.

Duanwu,

you're awake!

You finally woke up!

Duanwu, we've made it.

Mr. Zhang saved us.

We're on his ship now.

He said he knew you.

Duanwu,

come on.

Drink this.

By the way, Duanwu,

Lady Eight left this for you.

She was the one who told me to wait for you by the shore.

♪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♪