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 3]

[Ancestral Tablet of the Yan Family]

[Ancestral Tablet of the Yan Family]

[Yan]

[Yan]

We should have a drink today.

Cui Ding is still at large.

Where did he go?

A little pearl hostess

killed Peng Wu.

Cui Ding went after the suspect.

It happened so fast.

Our people couldn't keep up.

It's that little Tridacna pearl seller

called Duanwu.

Duanwu?

The first step has been taken.

There's no turning back now.

There's never a way back in life.

If there were,

you'd still be roaming the lands on horseback,

and me?

I wouldn't even dare to imagine.

We're not looking back.

We're looking ahead.

Peng Wu is dead.

The Pearl Tower has burned.

There's a shortage of tribute pearls

that the Cui family can't make up for.

So, what do you think

Cui Ding will do next?

He needs a boat now,

and I just happen to have one.

The boat

was set up in Hepu by you years ago.

When it comes to schemes,

no one compares to you.

I've dedicated my life to one thing:

keeping a clear mind.

That's why no one can match me.

The gold bullion is fake!

Yeah. You asked me to melt them down.

Turns out, they're all fake.

Yan Zijing, you actually dared to deceive me!

I...

What's that woman Shijiu doing now?

She's keeping an eye on things.

Go keep an eye on her for me.

We're making a run for it tonight!

Alright...

Steward!

You have to take me with you.

I've been loyal to you.

Don't leave me behind.

Fine, Cui Jia.

Leaving you now

would make me helpless.

Go quickly and come back!

Thank you, Steward.

Take you along?

No one will know if you kill and loot.

So it was truly that lowly slave, Duanwu, who started the fire?

It certainly was.

Useless fools!

It's our fault.

We failed.

Don't be angry, Master.

She's a mere pearl diver.

How could she burn down the pearl farm like this?

And where is Cui Ding?

Steward Cui is missing!

We've looked everywhere but can't find him.

Master, I was just with him.

He said he'd take me away.

Master!

Everyone in Hepu knows him.

He can't escape.

Making such a mess and still trying to run?

He can't get out of Hepu.

Search for him.

Alive or dead,

bring him to me!

Yes, sir!

Duanwu,

are you feeling any better?

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

You saved me again.

It was nothing.

What are you looking at?

It's so beautiful.

Yes.

On this trip to Hepu,

I've seen many grand sights,

things I'd never seen before.

The sunrise, the sunset...

But the most fascinating

was when I passed by the pearl oyster sea.

There was a group of pearl divers

jumping in and out of the water.

Mr. Zhang,

mermaids must dive deep to retrieve pearls,

splitting shells to find them.

There's actually nothing on the surface,

and mermaids wouldn't waste energy leaping out.

Then...

why are they doing it?

Mr. Zhang, you want to know?

Maybe they're avoiding man-eating sharks,

or maybe...

they're fighting among themselves.

I see...

they're avoiding the sharks.

How could they still turn on each other?

Without pearls from your farm,

would they not survive?

People only see

the brilliance of mermaids' tears,

but they don't know how many pearl divers lie buried beneath that glow.

Duanwu,

you must hate pearls, don't you?

I'm sorry.

There's no need to apologize.

None of this concerns you.

This night is too long.

The world has been turned upside down,

yet after waking from sleep,

everything remains the same.

How could it all stay the same?

After all,

you got the freedom you wanted, didn't you?

In this fleeting life like grass,

everything will pass,

and everything will get better.

Cherish it while you have it,

and remember the beauty of what's lost.

That way, in our hearts, maybe we can keep

a little something unique.

Then all of this...

can pass like that.

Mr. Zhang, you're a poet.

When you have a moment,

could you write a poem on pearl diving

and let the world know the hardship of it?

Alright.

I'll put my all into it

and write a good poem.

Thank you for your help, Mr. Zhang.

I'll take my leave now.

If you haven't decided where to go,

why not stay with me for a while?

I still have unfinished business.

If I stayed with you,

it wouldn't be the freedom I seek.

True.

I hope your unfinished business

is just to be a little seller.

A little seller.

Shrimp!

Any news?

Duanwu, Cui Ding escaped!

Everyone's searching for him now.

He escaped?

Let's go.

Duanwu, where are we going?

Look!

Give it to me!

Hurry up!

Line up.

Don't rush. One at a time!

Watch your step!

Come on, up!

Head that way.

You go over there.

Let's go!

Now that Cui Ding has escaped,

Hepu is in chaos.

Although Cui Shijiu is trying to control the situation,

she still couldn't suppress

The news about the burning of the Pearl Tower.

What about the tribute pearls?

Cui Shijiu announced publicly

that the tribute pearls are intact.

That Cui Shijiu...

stays calm amid chaos.

She truly has some skill.

She's now ordered a full-scale hunt for Cui Ding,

dead or alive.

Whether Cui Ding set the Pearl Tower fire or not,

the Cui family must answer to the court.

Someone must bear the wrath

of the Emperor.

Master Kang, all the merchants on board

have been transferred to other ships, only...

I haven't served the Cui family all these years for nothing,

just missing that box of gold.

Yan Zijing,

don't let me see you again!

The Cui family...

you can all wait for death!

Steward Cui,

we meet again.

Yan Zijing!

As chief steward of the Cui family,

shouldn't you be staying put in Hepu?

Where are you going, huh?

I'm handling some business for my master.

The Pearl Tower was burned,

Peng Wu was killed,

but as chief steward of the pearl farm,

you sold the tribute pearls privately

and ran off with the money.

Yan Zijing,

you tricked me with fake gold bullion!

I was helping you, Cui Ding.

No...

I should call you... Yan Ding.

Who... who are you?

I'm from the Yan family of Yangzhou.

[Yan]

[Yan]

So you're still alive!

I'll go have a look outside.

Duanwu, I'll go with you.

No.

No matter what happens out there,

stay here and wait for me.

If I don't return for a while,

take the first chance you get

and escape immediately.

Be careful, Duanwu.

Master Yan,

I was only following orders back then.

Spare me, please.

Killing my mother was "following orders" too?

The Cui family forced me to do it!

All my family was in their hands!

You're still spouting nonsense.

Spare me, Master Yan!

I have proof of the Cui family's illicit tribute pearl sales.

I'll give it all to you!

Now that the Pearl Tower is destroyed,

Cui Shijiu is busy saving the tribute pearls.

If they can't deliver,

the entire Cui family won't escape execution.

The Cui family is already beyond saving.

Yan Ding,

you should worry more about yourself.

Yan Zijing,

so you planned all of this!

Today,

I'll use your life

to honor the fallen souls of the Yan family.

Duanwu!

Return my blood-stained pearl, and my mother's life!

Give it back!

Move aside! Give it to me!

Why do you say it's yours?

It was left to me by my mother.

Your mother?

Lady Eight of the pearl farm...

Lady Eight of the pearl farm was my mother!

Give it to me!

Then have your mother come take it.

She's dead...

How can she take it if she's dead?

Give it to me!

Give it to me!

It's mine!

It's mine!

It's in my hands now,

so it's mine.

Still trying to run?

Your mother was always merciful...

Please, spare me for her sake!

How dare you mention my mother!

Mom...

Mom, don't go!

Open the door!

Mom...

Stay here.

Open the door!

Yan Ding, you betrayed the Yan family. May you die a miserable death!

Let's go.

Yes, sir.

You're right.

My mother was always merciful.

Fine.

I won't kill you.

I'll let you go.

Thank you, Master Yan!

Thank you!

Master Yan,

would you lend me a small boat?

I said go, so go! Stop babbling.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

This is the place you know best.

And it's filled with creatures you know well.

Yan Zijing, I know another secret!

If you kill me now,

you'll regret it!

What secret?

Go on, let's hear it.

Your younger sister is still alive.

Where is she?

Let me go, and I'll tell you.

Steward Cui, you're so full of tricks.

Do you think I'd believe anything you say?

Then you'll never know the truth.

Then I'll shatter your bones

piece by piece.

Let's see if your bones are stronger,

or your will.

Drag him away.

What's the punishment for theft on a merchant ship?

Toss her overboard.

Is that girl, Duanwu, still alive?

Yes, she is.

But she's on the brink of death.

What's wrong?

Nothing, just curious.

Let her go.

Shouldn't we punish her for a full day and a night?

If she dies,

who'll help me uncover the blood-stained pearl's secret?

If she dares speak rudely again,

tie her up.

Alright.

Who goes there?

Stop!

Grab her!

Stop!

Don't run!

Stop!

Don't run!

Grab her!

Don't run!

Stop!

Don't run!

Stop!

Grab her!

Stop!

Don't run!

Stop!

Don't run!

Stop!

Stop!

Don't run!

Chase her!

Don't run! Stop!

Don't run!

Stop!

Where you'll run to!

Stop!

Quick!

It's mine...

It's my blood-stained pearl...

I avenged your mother's death,

and this is how you repay me?

I'm begging you...

Give it back to me.

What did you say?

I'm begging you... give it back to me!

It's in my hands now,

so it's mine.

If you want it back,

then you'll have to earn it yourself.

Let her go.

Duanwu, you're back!

Duanwu...

what happened to you?

Duanwu...

The blood-stained pearl was taken.

Cui Ding was captured by Yan Zijing.

They look like enemies.

Yan Zijing probably won't let Cui Ding go.

Who is Yan Zijing?

Yan Zijing is the owner of this ship.

He owns a ship this big...

He must be powerful.

Duanwu,

what should we do?

Are you cold?

Let's get out of here. Come on.

Duanwu...

How can I get my blood-stained pearl back?

What, have you thought it over?

No stealing, no robbing.

That pearl is mine.

You're too weak right now.

That's why you can't protect what you want.

No matter how angry or hateful you feel,

swallow it down.

Alright.

Alright.

Then tell me,

how can I get back what's mine?

First of all,

that pearl isn't yours.

It's in my hands now,

so it's mine.

Second, I'm a businessman.

I'll sell it for the right price.

Besides, this pearl is priceless.

An ordinary person could work their entire life

and not earn a tenth of its worth.

I could redeem it.

With what?

I can work for you.

I'll keep your accounts,

or...

I can dive for pearls.

I'll do anything,

as long as you return my blood-stained pearl.

Alright,

one million,

and you can redeem it.

Five hundred thousand.

Two million.

Then one million.

Three million!

Three million...

Three million, deal.

You have three months,

no extensions.

Wait...

Three million is no small amount.

Let me join your merchant team.

I'll earn three million as fast as I can

and disappear from your sight.

You?

I don't keep idlers on my ship,

nor useless people.

Right now,

you're only fit to be a servant in the lower deck.

When you manage to climb up to the main deck,

then come talk to me.

How can I reach the main deck?

Figure it out yourself.

[Yan]

Careful.

Let's go.

Careful.

Hurry up.

These two beds are yours.

Remember,

the master likes cleanliness.

That's your servant uniform.

Wait.

Mister,

how can I get to the main deck?

I don't know.

But I can tell you this:

the master decides based on his mood.

Is there room for two beds?

Here's one.

And then...

This is...?

We can finally get a good night's sleep.

We've received news.

Ever since Cui Ding disappeared from the pearl farm,

Zhang Jinran has set out for Guangzhou.

So giving him all those clues wasn't for nothing.

In a few days, we'll surely meet in Guangzhou.

By then, let's see how skilled

this young scholar really is.

And that girl?

Are you planning to keep her with you?

What do you mean by "keep her with me"?

Servants stay in the lower deck.

That little girl is quite interesting.

I rather like her.

You're taking this seriously?

Well, it makes sense...

You're of the age to marry, after all.

I get it.

No, it's not that.

You see, she usually argues with you,

even scolds you. It's quite amusing.

This ship is always so lifeless.

Sometimes being overly stubborn

isn't a good thing.

You want to help her?

Help her? Why?

In this world,

you have to rely on yourself to survive.

And that's what you call not helping?

Kang Ju...

well, have you checked today's new goods?

Yes, I have.

If you're really that idle,

go check them ten more times.

Duanwu.

Both of you...

Shrimp.

You're new here, right?

Why didn't you go eat earlier?

We're bringing some food for you.

Here.

Duanwu, big bread!

Thanks.

And you are...?

This is Duanwu.

And I'm called Shrimp.

We're new here,

and don't know the rules.

Please look after us.

I'm Hu.

I'm Xiu.

I'm Loud.

What did you say?

I'm Loud.

He says his name is Loud.

With that tiny voice, he calls himself "Loud"?

He was frightened as a child,

so his family gave him this name,

hoping he'd get better soon.

Don't worry. You'll be alright!

On a ship this big,

we're the only servants here?

We're just the servants responsible for cleaning.

There are also boatmen,

washers, cooks...

all in different rooms.

There're plenty of people here.

Dear Hu,

Dear Xiu,

and Loud.

So, what do my younger partner and I

need to do?

Just stick with us

and keep this ship clean.

One thing to remember:

the master likes cleanliness.

At all times, in all places,

keep everything clean and tidy.

Does the master ever come down to the lower deck?

No, he doesn't.

Then why do we clean so thoroughly?

It still has to be clean.

Hurry up and eat.

Eat quickly, then let's get to work.

Let's go.

Thank you.

Get a move on!

Shrimp,

there are too many eyes on this ship.

Go find out

what those three do exactly.

Who's on the lower deck, middle deck,

and main deck?

We definitely can't escape on this ship.

We need to know everything to protect ourselves.

♪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♪