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♪

[Based on the novel The Story of Pearl Girl by Tan Tianyin]

[The Story of Pearl Girl]

[Epesode 10]

How did you become like this?

That's what I am.

I've never changed.

It means nothing to you.

But for us, it's a matter of life and death.

If it weren't for them who are tied here today,

it would have been us.

I understand.

You're a man on top.

You don't understand how we are.

I...

I understand.

You've suffered a lot.

You'll never understand.

We're not the same.

Someone.

Beat them.

Tomorrow...

I'll find another place to stay tomorrow.

Let's go.

Hurry.

Hurry.

This way.

Where are we?

There is a secret room.

So many treasures.

The master never miscalculates.

He left a way out.

Great.

The trading convoy is saved.

With cash,

we can participate in the official auction.

Yes.

We must take back

all the trading convoy's belongings.

But everyone knows what's going on with the trading convoy.

I think they will try every means

to undercut us.

Yeah.

Steward Zhao, go to Zhuobao House.

I don't think

they'll underpay us.

But we need to surrender part of our profits. Okay?

But...

I don't think Zhuobao House

can buy all these things.

Yeah, they can't.

You and Wei Yan go bid.

Remember,

I want

all those pearls.

If you'd handled it last night,

it wouldn't be like this today.

I could have made a deal with the merchants from the South Sea.

It's not enough.

They don't have to buy them all.

As long as we can get enough money to participate in the official auction.

Just have a look?

What to see?

See how the merchants in Guangzhou

divide the Yan's assets?

Use the Yan's money

to buy the Yan's Trading Convoy's things.

Is it reasonable?

Um...

Isn't that how it is now?

I don't accept it.

Wait.

I gave the blood-stained pearl to Duanwu

and urged her to leave the trading convoy.

But she wouldn't leave.

She also found out that Pang Song and Overseer Cao

stole the trading convoy's jewelry.

She lured them out.

I've kicked them out of the trading convoy.

Good.

She learned to be patient.

The Cui family raised money all over Yangzhou.

They even sold their stores.

They are determined to get the jewels sold by the government.

The delivery date for the tribute pearls is less than ten days.

They will do anything for that.

Duanwu wants to sell the treasures in the secret room

to participate in the official auction.

Do you want me to remind her?

No need.

Are we

betting too much this time?

Remember to take your medicine.

Master, careful.

Father.

Father.

It's all my fault.

See what you've done in Guangzhou.

It's a big deal that the tribute pearls were destroyed.

But you hid it from me.

Father, I wrote a letter to my brother.

If you want to die,

don't take the whole Cui family down with you.

Father, it's all my fault.

I thought we could replenish

the destroyed tribute pearls

to get the Cui family out of trouble.

But I didn't expect Yan Zijing to chase us.

Father.

I...

He's just a merchant in the Western Regions.

He's arrested, isn't he?

Yes.

Is there going to be an auction

of Yan's Trading Convoy's property tomorrow?

Yes.

- I... - From Hepu to Guangzhou,

he purchased pearls all the way,

but he didn't sell them.

Yes.

Okay.

Buy the pearls at all costs.

Father.

I've dealt with Yan Zijing so many times.

He wouldn't get arrested easily.

Now, all his property will be auctioned.

There is something fishy about it.

It has nothing to do with you anymore.

Look at what you're wearing.

You're a girl.

You should do what girls do.

Go home.

Change your clothes.

So what if I'm a girl?

Father.

Can't a girl do business?

A girl does business?

All you can do for the Cui family

is to go back to Yangzhou and marry the Zheng family.

If I marry the Zheng family,

who will help you?

Are you counting on your loser sons?

You.

Go change your clothes.

Father.

I won't get changed.

Change them.

I won't.

Change them.

I won't.

Master, please stop beating her.

Please stop.

Lady Shijiu, don't talk back.

Send Lady Shijiu back to her room.

Go.

Lady Shijiu, let's go.

Get out of here.

Master.

Master, calm down.

I have rented a house.

Are we moving over now?

Okay.

Are you still worried about Duanwu?

I never really understood her.

You are different.

She's right.

Everyone is different.

Don’t judge without suffering.

It's my fault.

Cui Jingchu has arrived in Guangzhou.

Let's get down to business.

Yan Zijing went from Hepu to Guangzhou.

From the Treasure Hunt

to purchasing pearls under the name of Feng.

Every move he made

was to force the Cui family into a corner.

The official auction

is not that simple.

These are all Yan's Trading Convoy's belongings

for this official auction.

I'm Zhang Jinran, a chancellor of the Institute for Advancement of Literature.

I put the seals

on these seized items myself.

But this official auction

is to raise money for the victims,

not a commercial auction.

So, we set it

as a blind auction.

Blind auction.

Blind auction.

Who dares to bid for it?

It's something from the Yan's Trading Convoy.

- Blind auction. - It's a bold auction.

We don't know

what's inside.

How can we bid?

Yan's Trading Convoy

is a merchant in the Western Regions.

There are a lot of rare treasures on their boat.

Of course.

These items are sealed.

You can't know what's inside.

Please

have a guess

and make your offer.

All right.

Everyone knows

that the Yan's treasures are valuable.

If you get them at a low price, you're lucky.

If you get them at a premium, accept it.

Let's make it easy.

We'll count everything

as one auction.

The highest bidder gets it.

All right.

Since it's a one-time deal,

I'll bid three million maces.

Three million maces.

There are good emeralds

and Nanyang pearls

of the trading convoy in these boxes.

It's worth more than three million maces.

We bid nine million maces.

We bid 10 million maces.

Eighteen million maces.

Father.

We bid

twenty-three million maces.

Twenty-three million maces.

It can buy a boatload of jewelry.

The price is sky-high.

The Yan's treasures are of extraordinary quality.

The Cui family raised 26 million maces.

How big the pearls are in there?

It's risky.

I'm not sure about it.

Right?

Yan's Trading Convoy.

Twenty million

and five and a half million maces.

Yan's Trading Convoy

is buying its own things.

The Yan's will lose a lot.

Their master killed a man. They deserve it.

Father.

I've dealt with them many times.

They're not that simple.

We should think twice.

Father.

The Cui's.

Twenty-six million maces.

The price is sky-high.

The Cui's is determined to get it.

Okay.

Does anyone

want to bid more than twenty-six million maces?

Duanwu.

Make a bid.

Otherwise...

Yan's Trading Convoy.

Yan's Trading Convoy.

We abstain.

Congratulations to the Cui's

for winning all the items at this official auction.

Wait.

Cui's.

You haven't signed the contract yet.

Father.

[Cui Jingchu]

Lady Shijiu, open them.

Yes.

Father.

Duanwu.

You are right.

The master was prepared.

Open them all.

Yes.

Open them all.

Yes.

It's all junk.

Um...

The Yan's

is speciosity.

Good thing I didn't bid.

The Cui's lost a lot of money.

They spent twenty-six million maces

on junk.

What's the use of those?

It's all junk.

Look.

There's nothing good.

Master.

It's all worthless stuff.

Father.

Um...

Father.

Father.

Father.

Father.

Father.

Amazing.

Yan Zijing.

What are you doing here?

Master.

We came at the right time.

Accountant Wei.

Yan Zijing.

It's you.

I was arrested for killing Wei Yan.

But Wei Yan is not dead.

I was released.

I didn't expect you to auction my stuff

just after I was arrested.

However, Special Envoy Xu

confirmed the validity of the contract.

I'll

take the deal.

The contract is finalized.

Cui,

pay for it.

Congratulations, Mr. Yan.

Not only did you have good luck,

but you also made a deal

by the way.

Special Envoy Xu, not at all.

My stuff

is worth a lot more than twenty-six million maces.

But

I accept it.

Congratulations, the Cui's.

Lady Shijiu.

I'd like to introduce you to my friend.

Mr. Shinawei.

Isn't it Mr. Shinawei?

My dear friend.

Mr. Yan, good for you.

Now, even if

there are pearls in front of the Cuis,

they can't buy them.

I'm flattered.

Mr. Zhang, thank you.

Are you satisfied

with this result?

The delivery date for the tribute pearls is coming.

The Cuis

cannot escape this time.

Make good use

of this chance.

Mr. Yan.

You make full use

of your talents.

And you never miscalculate.

Thank you.

I'm afraid

someone will not be able to sleep.

Mr. Zhang, you'd better plan ahead.

In case someone becomes desperate

and hurts the innocent.

Mr. Yan, thank you for the heads up.

I had my plans

before I got involved.

You...

Take care of Duanwu.

She's my person.

I will take care of her.

Care more about yourself.

In that case,

we can't let Zhang Jinran leave Guangzhou.

Yes.

Master.

Wei Yan is fine.

The matter has subsided.

Everything is back to the way it was before.

Master,

you're brilliant.

Accountant Wei.

You kept it from everyone for so long.

You did a great job.

Reward her.

Thank you, master.

Master.

At the official auction,

Steward Zhao

did a great job.

Steward Zhao, what reward do you want?

Just say it.

Master, I'm old.

I hope you'll agree to let me retire.

Steward Zhao, you've been traveling with me

all these years.

Even when the trading convoy was in trouble,

you never left me.

I appreciate

your effort.

Master.

Kang Ju.

This is a store in Yangzhou.

Steward Zhao, I'll give it to you.

I hope you go home

and enjoy your retirement.

Thank you, master.

You're welcome.

- Great. - Great.

- Great. - Great.

Yan's Trading Convoy

is always fair in meting out rewards and punishments.

This time,

Duanwu did a good job.

From now on,

Duanwu

will be the assistant for our trading convoy.

- Great. - Great.

Duanwu is amazing.

Thank you, master.

I'll do my best.

However,

we always value

the law of the jungle.

Tell me about it.

When did you discover it?

You're smart.

If you wanted to get rid of someone,

you wouldn't leave so many holes.

That's right.

But it's not enough.

What else?

It was not a Nanyang pearl in Shinawei's hand.

It was a Hepu South Sea pearl.

I've been collecting pearls and dividing pearls since childhood.

I know the differences

between Hepu South Sea pearls and Nanyang pearls.

In Guangzhou,

you have the most Hepu South Sea pearls.

So, I guessed

you hired Shinawei.

You have a good eye

and a good brain.

Master, what do you mean?

I'm complimenting you.

Complimenting me?

What's wrong?

I was surprised

you trusted me so much.

If I had sold

all your property and your jewels

and left,

you would have lost everything.

I'm smart.

You have a good eye

and a good brain.

If you want to say I'm an old fox,

just say it.

However,

you can call me anything you want.

Business is war without swords.

Winner takes all.

Got it?

Master, you need to take your medicine.

Master...

You dishonored our family.

Special Envoy Xu.

Mr. Cui.

Special Envoy Xu.

Your Cui family

has had one accident after another.

But you haven't delivered the tribute pearls.

What are you going to do with it?

The Cui family weathered bumps.

Business is war without swords.

No general wins all the time.

Not to mention businessmen.

Mr. Cui, it seems that you know

that no one can win all the time.

In that case,

why don't you admit

that you burned the Pearl Tower

and ruined the tribute pearls?

By the way,

pay the compensation to the tribute pearls.

Most importantly,

handle the matter of the Pearl Lotus Terrace quickly.

I'll give it to Prince Tan.

Prince Tan will intercede for you

so that the court won't hold the Cui family accountable.

Our Cui family lost a lot.

To collect tribute pearls,

I sold some stores.

I'm afraid

we can't afford the compensation.

Well.

Mr. Cui.

You're in big trouble.

Why are you still thinking about your money?

Zhang Jinran has got

your Cui family's ledgers.

He doesn't need to do anything else.

As long as you can't hand over the tribute pearls,

he'll open a case.

By then,

your family's lives will be at stake,

not to mention your money.

Tribute pearls fraud is a serious crime.

It's not just about our Cui family.

The Cuis has no worthy successors.

I'll tell you again.

If something goes wrong,

only the Cui family will be blamed.

If you want to die,

I'll leave you alone.

A girl is a girl.

Think about it.

Go home.

Xu Nanying.

You...

Look what you've done.

Father, don't believe him.

He's on the same ship with us.

He won't report the matter about the tribute pearls.

Even if he calmed it down for his own safety,

would he

leave us alone?

Father, he...

Someone.

Send Lady Shijiu back to her room.

Don't let her go out.

Yes.

Shijiu, get up.

Your father forgave you.

Did you beg him?

What did you give him?

The rest of your dowry?

Shijiu, don't worry about it.

I...

Why?

Mother, you're his main wife.

Do we have to be humble

just because I'm a girl?

Even his concubine walks over you.

Mother.

Shijiu.

I know you've been through a lot.

It's not your father's fault.

It's not easy for him.

It's all for the Cui family.

I can't

let the Cui family be without a son.

Okay.

I don't blame my father.

It's all my fault.

Mother.

I'm telling you.

I, Cui Shijiu,

will let my father

think highly of us.

I, Master Shijiu, swear.

Mother.

Why?

I did everything I had to do.

I couldn't help my father.

I couldn't save you.

I couldn't save myself either.

Lady Shijiu.

Lady Shijiu.

You haven't had any water all day.

Don't drink wine.

Why don't you eat something?

I abandoned the stable mindset as a girl

a long time ago.

I worked hard

and fought my way

out of those sons.

I finally got some attention from my father.

How could I accept to marry the Zheng family?

How could I accept it?

Lady Shijiu.

Zheng Zhiheng is a rake.

I don't want to live on the Zheng family.

I don't want to live in a mansion forever.

After all, it's the Zheng family.

You can live a life of abundance and comfort.

But I don't want to.

Tong.

I know.

I grew up in the Zhenlang Pavilion.

I can read the ledger.

I can identify jewelry.

I am better than my brothers in every way.

Why can they do the wrong thing

again and again?

Now, I'm of the age to get married.

I have to hand over the Zhenlang Pavilion to others

and stay in my room.

Why?

I don't want to be like my mother.

I don't want to.

I'm going out.

Help me.

Help me.

Lady Shijiu.

I just heard outside the master's room

that he had the Pearl Lotus Terrace delivered.

He was going to the capital to give it to Prince Tan.

When the master goes to the dock

to pick up the Pearl Lotus Terrace,

I'll get you out of here, Lady Shijiu.

No.

Master Shijiu.

Pearl Lotus Terrace.

Then...

Then,

if Zhang Jinran doesn't have our ledgers,

and we pay the compensation,

the Cui family will get through this, right?

Yes.

Okay.

Okay.

Special Envoy Xu.

Our Cui family admits

that we ruined the tribute pearls.

We'll prepare the Pearl Lotus Terrace for Prince Tan.

Special Envoy Xu, please intercede for the Cui family.

We only need a few days.

I won't let Zhang Jinran leave Guangzhou.

Now you know you have to fight hard.

Why should I trust you?

Because the Cui family doesn't want to die.

Buns.

Freshly made buns.

Thank you.

Use this.

I want this.

Master, here she is.

Mr. Zhang.

What do you want to see me about?

You must be interested in the Hu people's market.

I want to take you around.

Do you want

to see me about something?

I'm going back to Chang'an tomorrow.

I want to say goodbye to you.

Du Ming.

Go to the East Market

and get some of my favorite osmanthus lotus root cakes.

Osmanthus lotus root cakes?

Since when do you like osmanthus lotus root cakes?

You have important things to do.

Don't worry about it.

Have a taste.

Here are some candied fruits.

They are tender and sweet. Have a taste.

Candied fruits?

It's like a Coral Pearl.

- I have something for you. - Murder.

Run. Murder.

Out of the way.

What's going on?

Murder.

Don't run.

Chase.

Out of the way.

Help.

Murder.

Help.

Mr. Zhang.

Duanwu.

Run.

Duanwu.

Run if you can.

Out of the way.

Stop.

Out of the way.

Out of the way.

Stop.

Out of the way.

Out of the way.

- What are you doing? - Stop.

Out of the way.

Out of the way.

Stop.

Duanwu, come on.

Go.

I didn't expect this

to happen.

I'm sorry.

Mr. Zhang, it's all right.

It was unexpected.

You told me

you had something for me.

I found this in Lady Eight's room...

Mr. Zhang, be careful.

You immoral couple.

Despicable pearl diver.

You started everything

at the pearl farm.

I should have sent you to the maternity shed

and let you

suffer.

I should have put you in the Despairing Cove

and let the sharks eat you alive.

Cui Jia.

And Lady Eight

betrayed the pearl farm

for you.

I shouldn't have killed her.

I should have caught her

and skinned her alive.

I should have

let her suffer.

Cui Jia.

Long time no see.

But I don't think

I'll ever see you again.

Duanwu.

I'll kill you.

I'll avenge my mother.

I'll kill you.

Duanwu.

Duanwu.

He will be punished for his evil deeds.

He killed my mother.

He killed my mother.

The Cui's Pearl Farm doesn't hand over enough tribute pearls every year.

As long as it's exposed,

they will die. Listen to me.

Duanwu.

You have to believe there's justice.

Mr. Zhang.

There's no justice

in this world.

There's no justice in this world.

Trust me.

I'll catch him.

Trust me.

They won't get away with it.

Calm down, Master Shijiu.

I didn't expect her

to be so ruthless.

If I catch her,

I'll kill her myself.

Master Shijiu, don't worry.

I'll catch her myself.

I won't spare her.

Duanwu, trust me.

I'm sure I'll bring them all to justice.

The Cui's Pearl Farm doesn't hand over enough tribute pearls every year.

They can't turn the situation around

this time in Guangzhou.

There is no way back for them.

I went to Lady Eight's room

to gather evidence about the Cui's.

I found this.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

♪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♪