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 ]

[Episode 12]

So,

Yu Shi is in the Western Regions?

I think so.

Then we can meet him when we go to Western Regions.

I don't know.

I just saw that you

changed this to a weaving process.

It does make it better.

You're complimenting me?

You've been complimenting me lately?

I think you want to get beaten up.

Can't I compliment you?

You can.

It's scary that you praise me every day.

Scary?

Am I that scary?

According to an investigation of the births,

there are three women in Shaozhou

who are not biological and were adopted.

[Yue Yunxiu of the Yue family]

Yue Yunxiu.

The Yue family who asked Cui Shijiu for the pearls?

Yue Yunxiu was well-known in the jade carving business

in Shaozhou.

She is said to be very skillful.

People call her Jade Goddess.

It's them.

Yue family may have something to do with old times.

Yu Shi's Apsaras statue

can be copied only by a few people,

but Yue Yunxiu is one of them.

[Yue's Mansion]

My master would like to see the master of Yue family

and work with Yue family.

You're here on business

instead of proposal.

Who is to be married?

The master's daughter, Jade Goddess.

That's also OK.

Lady Shiqi is unrivaled

in jade carving,

known as Jade Goddess.

The master asked her to carve jade in public

to choose his future son-in-law.

The woman's skill is truly remarkable.

In full view of the crowd,

she was as free of distractions

as if no one was around her.

All she cared about was the jade

in her hands and her heart for it.

It was remarkable.

Who wants to see jade carving?

We've come to see beauty.

By marrying Jade Goddess,

I can have both beauty

and wealth.

It's worth it.

Only if you can marry her.

If I can't, I can see more of her.

I made this for my sister. Is it beautiful?

Yes.

The two of them make a pair.

Do you like it, my dear sister?

Look, your brother treats you so well.

Here, Zijing,

Let me put this on you too.

One for each of us.

Master.

What's wrong?

Lady Shiqi is truly transcendent,

like a rough diamond and unrivaled.

I'll give you 150,000 mace.

160,000.

200,000. 220,000.

240,000.

280,000.

300,000.

- 450,000. - 500,000.

I am Yan Zijing, from Western Regions,

and I ask your permission to marry her.

Western Regions?

My daughter is the world-famous Jade Goddess.

She can't be married to just anyone.

And since she is your precious daughter,

Master, please

take care of her

and don't let these fools steal her away.

This man is insulting us.

One must be sincere

in one's love for a beauty,

so I would give

all my assets

to have her.

Please don't exaggerate.

What I say goes,

what I do.

Master, what did you just say?

Offer the bride price.

Do you really want to marry Lady Shiqi?

You fell in love with her

at first sight or...

I don't care what you're after,

at this moment, please don't

- make fun of a woman's reputation. - Cut the crap.

Do as I say.

I'll marry her for all I've got.

Unbelievable.

What did you talk about in there?

Has Master ever been married?

I don't know.

He's rich and not young.

If he hasn't been married, then why?

I don't know.

He wants to marry Lady Shiqi

and asked me to offer the bride price.

What did you say?

Master wants to marry Lady Shiqi,

even if he has to dump all his money.

For a jade pendant,

you want to marry Lady Shiqi?

What if...

What if she's not your sister?

What if she is?

Can I stand by and watch her being sold?

If she's not, will you still marry her?

I can't care so much now.

It's the fastest way.

Whatever.

Anyway, the Yue family are not good people.

Did you find out anything?

The best jade carver in the Yue family

was its former master,

but he died too.

Then let what he owes me be carried on.

Anyone involved

in what happened back then

won't live well.

Sweetheart.

Dad.

You've improved your skills,

but don't overwork yourself

to the detriment of your health.

I enjoy it and don't find it hard.

Did you find a man of your choice today?

Why do I have to marry?

A woman must marry

when she grows up.

That's a truism.

But I feel good now

that I can carve jade

and stay at home with you.

Company with jade.

But I'm getting old.

You're not.

You and jade

are the most important things to me.

Others are not.

Sweetheart.

If you stray and don't marry,

others will gossip about you

and say

you're destined to be single. This is unlucky.

This will

also affect your Jade

as well as our family.

Then I can get married.

I don't care,

but he must allow me to continue carving jade.

Of course.

Of course.

My daughter is the world-famous Jade Goddess,

so who wants your skills to go to waste?

Sweetheart, don't worry.

I will make plans for you

to get your future husband

to support you in your endeavors.

[Everlasting]

Master Yue.

My master has heard of Jade Goddess in Shaozhou,

so he asked me to bring a gift.

Would you like to see it?

What is it?

Very valuable and unique,

of course.

How old is your master?

You may want to...

Not important.

He's good at caring if he's a few years older than her.

How many wives does your master have?

If his wife...

It doesn't matter.

If he has a big family, it'll be lively.

Does your Master have any ailments?

That

doesn't matter either.

May I ask what is important

when your daughter gets married?

That is your master's sincerity

in the bride price, of course.

This will fully show

his sincerity towards my daughter.

That is sincerity.

My daughter is Jade Goddess.

It seems you are not choosing a son-in-law

but selling your daughter.

You...

Good women are rare.

Put it away.

Master.

Hello, Master Yue.

Master Yan, please take a seat.

Master Yan is such a good-looking

and talented man.

You're not only young and brilliant

but also rich.

Even in Shaozhou...

For the bride price,

you can name your price.

50,000 gold.

No problem.

I said 50,000 gold.

Master Yue.

I agree.

Perfect match.

Perfect match.

- Master Yan. - Master Yue.

I've heard that Miss Yue is an orphan

and was adopted by you as a child,

so where did you adopt her?

Someone gave her to me.

Does she

have any other relatives?

No.

This girl

had a terrible childhood.

She was uprooted and nearly killed.

Luckily,

I saved her

and raised her.

It wasn't easy.

Master Yan,

so about the bride price.

Do you think...

Master Yan, don't worry.

Although my daughter has no parents,

- her future happiness will be endless. - That's enough.

I don't care about that.

Do you really want to marry Lady Shiqi?

Can't I?

Why?

Because of her skill?

I have no shortage of artisans.

Then why?

What's wrong?

What do you have against the choice of my future wife?

What's it to me?

I'm just curious as to

why you want to get married so suddenly

and at such great expense.

In three days,

I'm taking her out of Shaozhou.

Do you know how much money the Yue family wants?

How can three days be enough?

Is that much?

I want more.

I've been out of Shaozhou just for half a month

and you do this.

What do you mean?

Master Zhou, you've misunderstood.

Many people like my daughter,

and the matchmakers are scrambling to introduce men to her,

so I have no choice.

I've already paid the bride price.

I want to see who is qualified

to compete with me.

Please wait at the door.

Just a moment.

Just a moment.

Come here.

Come here, please.

Master Yue...

I understand.

Lady Shiqi...

I know. I understand.

Now. Take the guest to Shiqi.

Now.

Please.

Let's go.

Master Zhou.

Don't just sit there. Eat some fruit.

Lady Shiqi.

I'm Duanwu from Yan's Trading Convoy.

Miss, please wait.

Lady Shiqi is soaking her hands.

That's all right.

Is that goat's milk?

Goat's milk?

Yes,

it is.

Poor people can't afford to drink it.

The master has prepared it

especially for Lady Shiqi.

Give it to me.

Lady Shiqi.

It's from my master.

Please choose well.

Lady Shiqi

doesn't like such gaudy things.

She has always worn only white jade.

I happen to

have white jade.

Please take a look.

Do you like it?

Thank your master for me.

Aren't you curious

about my master?

As long as he doesn't get in the way of my jade carving.

Did you cave all the jade

in this room yourself?

Good jade doesn't need to be carved.

This room is full of good jade.

Whether it gets better or worse

depends on the mind of the carver

and the compatibility of the jade.

You deserve to be Jade Goddess.

I've had

an eyeful today.

Feel free to look around if you like.

Really?

This is the Apsaras statue.

It's a replica,

a far cry from the real thing.

The real thing?

Where is the real one?

Can you show it to me?

With my father.

Lady Shiqi.

Master's gifts have been here.

Sorry to bother you. See you later.

Let's go.

The Cui family,

the Yan family, the Yue family,

my mom,

and Yu Shi.

What's the relationship between them?

Why does the Yue family have the Apsaras statue?

Did Yan Zijing know about it?

Duanwu.

Did Lady Shiqi take the jewelry?

Did she like them?

From the Cui family to the Yue family,

what did he marry Lady Shiqi for?

Huh?

Master.

Lady Shiqi took all the jewelry,

but her favorite is white jade,

and she only cares about jade carving.

Go to Accountant Wei

and give her all the best white jade

from the trading convoy.

All the white jade?

Now. Go.

About Master Zhou, I've made arrangements.

Good.

Let's go to Yue's Mansion.

Lady Shiqi.

Did you hurt your hand?

Recently,

my hand has been weak all of a sudden.

Weak?

It must be because you've been working too hard lately.

The master has been reminding you

to have a rest

and not to carve jade day and night.

It hurts your hands.

Come on, Lady Shiqi.

Time to soak your hands.

What is this goat's milk for?

Why do my hands always feel uncomfortable

after soaking them in goat's milk these days?

This goat's milk

is to condition your skin

and relax

your hands.

Moreover, Master has prepared it especially for you.

Lady Shiqi, don't you even believe in the Master?

Don't worry.

How long have you been using goat's milk?

A little over a month.

Over a month?

If Lady Shiqi was feeling sick,

why didn't you tell your father?

I told him,

but he said it was normal.

Lady Shiqi.

Look what I've brought you today.

Master has brought you two of the finest pieces

of white jade on the ship.

I hope you will be happy.

If there's nothing else, I'll see you later.

Let me take this for you.

Wait.

You...

What's going on?

Not matter.

[Everlasting] Master Yan.

Don't be angry.

Our master really doesn't know.

Master Yan.

- He... - Master Yue.

Why didn't you tell me that Master Zhou

was also courting Lady Shiqi?

Master Yan.

He's just a despicable dude.

He's not courting Shiqi

but bullying us.

But merchants don't compete with officials.

About this marriage, let's forget about it.

I'll stay out of your business

of selling your daughter.

Master Yan, wait.

You've paid the bride price,

and I've rebuffed the others.

Governor Zhou will not allow Master Zhou

to marry my daughter.

What will happen

to her if you withdraw?

Of course,

I love Lady Shiqi.

Good.

If you say so,

we can talk about anything else.

OK.

You know

I've raised her for 16 years.

She's like my own daughter.

If she marries you,

we'll never see each other again.

Give me 50,000 gold and take her away, as you said before.

You can bargain on the dowry and bride price.

Don't go.

You can bargain.

If I give you 50,000 gold,

what will be your dowry?

We have a dowry.

Just a moment.

It's a fine piece of jade.

You do love Lady Shiqi.

I'll take these boxes of dowry.

Let's make a note.

A note for the dowry?

You really don't have to

worry about Master Zhou.

Governor Zhou will surely

teach him a good lesson these days.

We should take this opportunity to finalize the marriage.

In three days, take Shiqi away.

Where can he find you?

What if he comes to you

after I've taken her away?

Don't worry.

He has something on me.

Duanwu.

- Duanwu, let's... - Come here.

Do you know where the clinic

that can test for drugs is?

Yes, I do.

Duanwu, you...

I'm fine.

I'll talk to you later. Take me there. Let's go.

Duanwu, this way.

- Come again next time. - OK.

[Shaozhou Inn]

Poison in the goat's milk?

Lady Shiqi and Master Yue...

Why did he poison her?

Jade Goddess is more valuable

when she no longer carves jade.

After Lady Shiqi's marriage,

she will no longer bear the name Yue,

and Master Yue won't let others have that.

In this way,

all his jades

can appreciate in value.

He's so evil.

That's his daughter.

I have to save her.

Save her?

Shrimp.

Meet me in the backyard with Loud tomorrow.

I'll find a way to bring Lady Shiqi out.

Do you understand me?

OK.

Master.

Come in.

What's going on?

I have a secret about the Yue family.

It concerns Lady Shiqi's safety.

Do you want to know?

Give me that.

If you want to know,

tell me what I want to know first.

What is the relationship between the Cuis, Yues, and Yans?

What do they have to do with my mom?

Who is Yu Shi?

You seem bolder,

don't you?

You dare to make a deal with me now.

Give it to me.

I know

the Apsaras statue in the Yue family.

The Apsaras statue in the Yue family?

How do you know that?

Please tell me what I want to know first.

Give it to me.

Why are you looking up the Lotus Terrace Apsaras statue?

Tell me.

You're fooling me with this.

What are you doing?

If you hate the Yue family so much,

why did you marry Yue Yunxiu?

What are you doing to the Yue family?

Whether it's the Cui family or the Yue family,

they all have to die.

What about Yue Yunxiu?

It has nothing to do with her.

She knows nothing.

This has nothing to do with you.

Master Yue is poisoning her.

It's Muscle Weakening Powder.

Master Yue is going to destroy her hand.

Master.

There's a man from Jinyang named Zhang Si wanting to see you.

Jinyang?

Has Shiqi's reputation spread this far?

But it makes sense.

Even the rich merchants of the Western Regions are courting her.

Of course.

Everyone knows

you have a Jade Goddess.

Let him in.

Yes, sir.

Come on.

Put the lid on.

Master Yue.

Mr. Zhang, what can I do for you?

Ten taels of pearls.

Ten taels of pearls?

What do you mean?

[Cui]

You're from the Cui family?

Go away.

I am asking them to find you.

You sent the pearls

so long after Cui Ding died.

It's too late.

I still have to go to Yangzhou

to talk to your patriarch.

That's enough.

Where are the pearls?

Where are the pearls?

Didn't you meet Lady Shijiu in Guangzhou?

How dare you mention that?

You've hired a guy of unknown gender

to work there.

She knows nothing.

Then what should we know?

What do you know?

I know that Cui's Pearl Farm gives you ten taels of pearls every year,

but you don't know

that Cui's Pearl Farm is suspected of fraud in tribute pearls.

His Holiness has already sent people to Hepu to investigate.

I don't know

if you are involved.

So you're not from the Cui family?

Of course not.

I'm here to investigate the Cui family.

Then who are you?

The Institute of Literary Studies' bachelor, Zhang Jinran.

I've been ordered by Prince Ying

to investigate Cui's Pearl Farm and tribute pearls.

Please.

You...

We have nothing to do with Cui's Pearl Farm.

Then how do you explain about ten taels of pearls?

It's all normal business.

We supply Cui's Pearl Farm with fine jade every year,

and Cui's Pearl Farm gives ten taels of pearls to us every year.

Normal business?

These pearls are tribute pearls.

When it comes to tribute pearls,

I must investigate properly.

It's...

I...

I really didn't know they were tribute pearls.

How did I know that Cui Jingchu

dared use these tribute pearls to cover his debt?

You should investigate him.

I don't know the inside story.

Do you really not know

or are you pretending not to know?

Master Yue.

Think carefully before you answer me.

I really don't know.

This time, Cui's Pearl Farm is suspected of tribute pearl fraud,

so the court's deficit from previous years needs to be made up.

Since you receive ten taels of pearls from Cui's Pearl Farm every year,

you need to pay this money.

How much?

Not much.

40,000,000 mace.

The Prefect's Office will give you

the official paperwork later.

It's...

It's going to wipe out

the Yue family.

They're killing me.

So it depends on whether you want

to keep your money or your life.

Tribute pearls can be made good,

but if they involve something else,

it's too late.

Master Yue.

You really need to think about

what fine jade you have to make

every year to make up

for this ten taels of pearls.

When you do, feel free to come to me.

Looks like Zhang Jinran really is Prince Ying's man.

[Yue's Mansion]

Duanwu.

Mr. Zhang.

Why are you here?

I just came to Shaozhou

but didn't expect to run into you again.

Mr. Zhang, I really have something to do today,

so let's talk about it some other time.

Why is Mr. Zhang at Yue's house?

I have something to ask Master Yue.

Is Mr. Zhang investigating the Yue family?

What have you found out?

Did you know about the Yan family in Yangzhou?

What did you find out?

The Yan family was the newest jeweler in Yangzhou

and traded with the Western Regions

to bring in a lot of novelty jewelry.

Their unique styles took Yangzhou by storm.

Within a few years,

they had made a name for themselves in the Yangzhou jewelry industry

and might overtake established jewelers like the Cui and Zheng families.

They also helped the two countries make friends

by trading with the Western Regions and helping the State of Kang

to bring gifts to Tang.

[Yan] The Yan family

would have become the hottest in Chang'an if they had succeeded,

but the gift was shattered

in public during a ceremony

at the Imperial Palace.

After an investigation,

it was discovered that even the tribute jade was a fake.

The Emperor was furious

and blamed the Yan family,

but at that time, no one in the Yan family had survived.

The case

became an open one.

Is the gift the Lotus Terrace Apsaras statue?

Yes.

So

the Yan family is the former owner of Cui's Pearl Farm?

That's right.

Please spare me for your mother's sake.

How dare you mention my mother?

I also know a secret.

Your sister is still alive.

I am Yan Zijing, from Western Regions, and I ask your permission to marry her.

Do you really want to marry Lady Shiqi?

Can't I?

Why?

Do you really have nothing to do with the Yan family in Yangzhou?

They've all been executed.

No one survived.

What do I have to do with them?

If you'd taken care of it last night,

it wouldn't be like this today,

and I'd have succeeded with the merchants from South Sea.

It wasn't enough.

Wasn't enough?

Duanwu?

Duanwu?

Have you found something?

Mr. Zhang.

Thank you

for telling me so much,

but I'm really in a hurry.

Let's talk about it some other time.

Duanwu.

My hand.

My hand.

What's wrong with my hand?

Why can't I feel my hand?

My hand. Look at my hand.

Why can't I even hold a carving knife?

My hand.

My hand.

What's wrong with my hand?

- Does it hurt? Let me see. - My hand.

Why can't I even

- hold a carving knife? - Come with me.

- I'm going to my dad. - Lady Shiqi.

- I'm going to my dad. - Lady Shiqi.

- Lady Shiqi. Yue Yunxiu. - Gonna go to my dad.

Look at me.

I'll take you to the best medical hall in Haozhou.

Don't be afraid.

Let's go.

Come on.

Master Zhou's jade has arrived.

It's all fake.

[Testimonial] A coward.

He told us all about his work with the Yue family

and easily wrote the testimonial

before we did anything.

Mr. Yue.

My good son-in-law.

You are flattering me.

I have come today

to ask you about one thing.

Please speak.

A few days ago, I wanted to buy

the White Jade Lotus Cup

for Miss Yue.

I thought it was worthy

of the name Jade Goddess,

but

I was deceived.

Who would be so bold

as to deceive Master Yan?

You.

♪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♪