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 15]

Yan Zijing, you've arrived in Wuling too?

Master Yan, please wait a moment.

He'll be here shortly.

He's coming.

Master Yue,

Master Eight isn't well. He'll see you later.

Oh my...

What an unexpected surprise!

Why buy so many herbs to ward off toxic air?

Wuling is full of toxic air.

Better safe than sorry.

Mr. Cao.

Leader, I found out.

Have some water.

That guy's name is Lu Zhen.

He's really had a rough life.

Just like I did when I was young,

he's suffered a lot.

You don't know what my childhood was like.

Back in my childhood...

Alright, let's talk about him.

Okay.

Originally,

his father opened a small restaurant.

Life was going well.

Then one day,

Heishan, one of Master Eight's men,

claimed he broke a tooth eating his baked flatbread.

Heishan forced his father to pay 100,000 mace.

That's outright extortion!

Indeed.

His father couldn't pay it,

and was driven to death over it.

But it didn't end there.

They even demanded Lu Zhen keep paying, with interest.

If he couldn't pay,

his descendants would have to keep paying.

Unless he sold himself as a slave.

But Lu Zhen's got a backbone.

He told me he swore at his father's grave.

In this life...

Keep your voice down!

He would never be a slave.

That's about it.

But they're giving out food and medicine here. People are living well.

It doesn't seem like what Lu Zhen described.

He said in the past,

Wuling was nothing like this.

But for some reason,

about half a month ago,

things suddenly changed with all the aid being handed out.

This place used to be like hell on earth.

If you went to the mines, you'd never come back.

Master Eight's stone mines?

Wait, you just said, half a month ago...

Why the change?

I don't know.

He just advised us to leave Wuling quickly.

I've got a bad feeling about Bafang Tower.

Remind everyone in the convoy

to be on high alert.

Don't worry.

I'll patrol at night.

I just took a look,

and it's not easy to leave Bafang Tower.

I'll check every exit of Bafang Tower.

I won't even let a dog door slip by.

I'll ask the Master when he returns.

Alright.

This way.

Master Eight!

Master Eight is unwell.

Say what you need to here.

I'm not feeling well,

and I'd hate to spread my illness to a guest.

May I ask who this esteemed guest is?

This is a wealthy merchant from the Western Regions,

Master Yan.

Greetings, Master Eight.

My family has had some trouble,

and I'm grateful to Master Yan.

He's willing to help me.

Today, I brought him here to see you,

mainly to...

I...

Master Eight,

he owes me ten million mace.

I hope you can lend him a hand.

With the friendship between us,

a mere million mace...

I'll lend it to you.

Look at that.

Master Eight is really righteous and generous!

I've heard that Master Eight is immensely wealthy in Wuling.

I came here on business,

and I have a box of jewels.

I wonder if you'd be interested.

Of course I am.

Master Yan and Master Yue are honored guests from afar.

Here,

have a taste of our Wuling hospitality wine.

Bring the wine!

This is indeed fine wine.

Master Yan, please enjoy.

Master Yan, you're so straightforward.

Name a price for that box of jewels.

I'll take them all.

Master Eight, you're truly bold.

But this box of jewels is already reserved.

If you still want it,

I can go back and prepare it,

and bring over some sketches and samples

for you to choose from.

Alright.

Is this poison reliable?

It's extremely potent.

Master Eight brought it from the Western Regions.

You saw it earlier.

Yan Zijing has quite a few jewels on him.

Among those rare treasures he carries,

the most valuable are Lingnan pearls.

If you could get Yan Zijing's jewels,

why would you need to guard

these mines so diligently?

Alright.

The Bafang Tower guards will take your orders for now.

It's the poison of the Black Dragon Bandits.

Looks like Master Eight

has always been connected to the Black Dragon Bandits.

I don't care about their connections.

Don't you know the state of your own health?

Back when Li Kui poisoned you several times,

your body was already at its limit.

Now, knowing it's poison, you still drank it?

Enough.

Wuling is too strange.

If I hadn't drunk that wine,

they'd definitely get suspicious.

No one knows this poison better than you and me.

A few days and it'll be fine.

Don't worry.

It's still poison, though!

Nothing ventured,

nothing gained.

Let's get to business.

I need you to help me

with three things.

First,

you personally lead people

and find a place to hide my jewels.

Second,

look for an opportunity

to get everyone out.

I have a feeling

that many things are already out of my control.

In this Bafang Tower,

there should be another force at play.

Why do you think so?

We were given poisoned wine as soon as we arrived.

If there was no past grievance,

why would it be so strange?

You're using yourself as bait to draw them out?

What's the third thing?

We've always known the Black Dragon Bandits steal goods and people.

There's a trail of goods,

but we can never trace the people taken.

I've heard

the Wuling Mines are under tight watch.

And Master Eight has ties with the Black Dragon Bandits.

What do you think

they're trading?

People?

Master Eight,

I came here

because the Cui family is on the brink of ruin.

I have to gather the tribute pearls' value

to save the Cui family from disaster.

Rest assured.

You are also one of the Cui family.

I won't kill you.

But I need you to stay asleep.

Rest well.

Master.

Master.

Supervisor Kang,

I need to speak with the Master.

The Master is already resting.

Resting this early?

If it's not urgent, let's talk tomorrow.

I feel that Bafang Tower

isn't very safe.

- Why don't we... - It's nothing serious.

The Master has his own plans.

Then...

Is Master Yan here?

The Master is already resting.

Master Eight sent me to collect

the jewels Master Yan promised earlier.

Let's discuss it tomorrow.

I'll be on my way, then.

Rest well.

Here's the thing.

Master Eight said

he'll buy all of Master Yan's jewels.

For such a big deal,

he still has time to rest?

Please let Master Eight know,

I miscalculated the accounts earlier.

All the jewels from this trip

have already been spoken for.

I'm afraid

there are no spare jewels left to sell him.

Then I'll let Master Yan rest,

and report back to Master Eight.

We'll await his decision.

Leader, something's wrong!

Thieves broke into the convoy.

All the jewels are gone!

Gone?

And the thief?

I have no idea.

Call the Master.

Master Shijiu,

Yan's Trading Convoy lost the jewels.

How did a thief get into Bafang Tower?

Bafang Tower is heavily guarded.

There's no way an outsider could enter.

Then how did they lose them?

Are you suggesting

it was their own doing?

Since Yan's Trading Convoy lost the jewels,

we're responsible.

Starting now,

seal off Bafang Tower. No one in or out.

Anyone who disobeys

will be killed.

Understood.

Master...

Master.

Continue.

All the most valuable jewels are missing.

Some of them were already paid for with deposits.

If we can't recover them,

we may face considerable compensation fees.

What should we do?

Once we leave Wuling,

we'll be in the Master's territory in the Western Regions.

There, things can be handled.

Yes.

The Master has faced far worse crises.

As long as he's here,

he'll turn misfortune into fortune.

Are you alright?

For no reason,

why did the Master suddenly fall ill?

It's nothing.

Where's Supervisor Kang?

Why isn't he here?

He went to find medicine for me.

It's alright.

Since Supervisor Kang isn't here,

I'll stay and look after him.

Let him rest.

You may go now.

You stayed back on purpose.

Do you have something to ask me?

What's wrong?

The convoy's jewels were stolen.

You have always been thorough.

How could something like this happen?

Local power holds sway.

Besides, I'm not feeling well.

It's fine.

I have medicine for the toxic air. I'll get it for you.

No need. Supervisor Kang went to get it.

Then I'll go find a doctor.

Come back!

You can't leave now.

What do you mean I can't leave?

Master Eight ordered

to seal off Bafang Tower immediately,

no one in or out.

We'll search everyone

until we catch this thief

and give Master Yan justice!

How did you know?

We were being watched as soon as we entered Bafang Tower.

Master Eight wants my jewels.

Now that the jewels are gone,

he won't let me leave.

It's that simple?

Search Yan's Trading Convoy

inside and out.

I want to see

where this petty thief could be hiding.

Yes, sir!

What are you doing?

All of you, stop!

Why aren't you chasing the thief?

Why are you searching the victim's place?

What kind of logic is this?

I am the logic.

It's up to the officials to handle this,

not you.

If something happens in Bafang Tower,

it's up to Bafang Tower's people to handle it.

You...

We searched everywhere.

It's all empty.

Where's the stuff?

How would we know where it is?

We should be asking you!

The stuff was lost here in your place.

We should be asking you!

Yeah.

Where are our things?

Hand it over!

Come on, speak up!

So, Yan Zijing,

a wealthy merchant from the West,

all your treasures

and Lingnan pearls are gone.

All of you, stay here

and protect Master Yan well.

Yes, sir!

Are you feeling better?

I'm fine.

The jewels probably weren't stolen by them.

Right.

And where's Supervisor Kang?

Is he

not coming back

until he catches the thief?

I sent him to hide the jewels.

You're unusually honest this time.

I know I can't hide things from you.

But...

Master Eight is connected with the Black Dragon Bandits.

I know.

You came to Wuling

just because of Master Eight.

And you brought Master Yue along

just to gain access to Bafang Tower.

But something unexpected happened.

But how would Master Eight know

there were colored jewels, Lingnan pearls,

among ours?

There's no way they could know that.

That's why I suspect

someone else

is behind Master Eight.

And it's well aware

of your trips to Hepu

and Guangzhou.

Could Wuling have already changed hands?

And the one behind this...

is Cui Shijiu?

Exactly.

Master.

Master.

How did it get this bad?

This doesn't seem like miasma poisoning.

Are you feeling better?

I was poisoned by the Black Dragon Bandits.

Poison from the Black Dragon Bandits?

When and how did it happen?

It's fine.

I'm used to it by now.

What do you mean?

I'll explain later.

Come here.

I'll tell you where the jewels are hidden.

When the time comes, take the jewels

and these people and leave first.

I've arranged for Zhang Jinran

to come and meet you.

And what about you?

Master Eight wants these jewels.

As long as he hasn't found them,

he won't harm me.

Heishan is watching me.

If I make a move,

it'll be hard for you all to leave.

Let's go!

Keep quiet.

Keep quiet!

Get down!

It's Supervisor Kang.

Go.

This way.

Supervisor Kang.

Move, quickly!

Hurry!

Mr. Zhang?

Mr. Zhang.

Duanwu!

Hurry!

Supervisor Kang.

- Quick! - Du Ming, move!

This way, hurry!

Let's go too, quickly!

Mr. Zhang,

I feel reassured with you here.

Yan Zijing is sick.

I can't leave him here alone.

Thank you.

Duanwu!

What's wrong?

Why didn't you leave?

How did it get so bad?

I'm fine. You go first.

I've taken the antidote.

I'll be fine in two days.

If Master Eight finds out

that everyone's left

and you're alone here...

Didn't I tell you?

Before he gets the jewels yet,

he can't kill me.

- And what about Cui Shijiu? - Listen to me...

Won't Cui Shijiu try to kill you?

She'd skin you alive if she could.

I told you,

I'll leave when Supervisor Kang returns.

You lie down first.

Duanwu.

Don't worry.

I'll find a way to buy us time.

You're burning up.

Master Yue!

- Master Yue... - Oh, Miss Duanwu!

Miss Duanwu.

Something terrible has happened!

Miss Duanwu,

what's going on outside?

Why have they surrounded my room?

None of us can get out.

What's going on?

Master Eight has hidden motives.

He wants to seize the jewels from our convoy.

Oh...

Who's spreading such nonsense?

Since we arrived at Bafang Tower,

have you ever seen his true face?

You haven't, have you?

There's definitely something fishy going on.

Now we're at their mercy.

I came to tell you

that you and I are in the same boat.

You need to listen to me...

This has nothing to do with me!

We're not in the same boat.

Fine.

Then think about this, Master Yue.

If Master Eight truly kills and steals,

what value

would you have to him?

The only thing waiting for you is to be silenced.

I'm not like you all.

With the years of friendship between us,

- he'd never kill me. - Fine.

Then don't be so hasty.

Miss Duanwu, if there's nothing else, please leave.

I'd love to leave,

but it seems to me

you're not feeling well.

You have a burning sensation in your chest,

and your throat feels tight, doesn't it?

You...

What did you put in the tea?

Poison.

You...

I tried to reason with you.

This was my only choice.

You've harmed me!

I...

I'll kill you!

If you want the antidote,

you have to listen to me.

You...

Fine.

Master Eight, Master Yue requests to see you.

Let him in.

I must see Master Eight.

Master Eight is resting. What's the matter?

I'd like to discuss a business deal with him.

It's about Yan Zijing's jewels.

Yan Zijing's jewels have been stolen.

Get out.

Who would be so bold

as to steal from Bafang Tower?

What's that supposed to mean?

Do you think it was us?

Of course not.

It was Yan Zijing himself.

His people couldn't have left.

You know where the jewels are?

Speak clearly.

Since it's business,

we should discuss the terms first.

You're asking for death.

Wait.

Cui Shijiu!

How...how are you here?

The Wuling Mines belong to my Cui family.

Why wouldn't I be here?

I'll do business with you,

but I need to know

how are you so certain

of where Yan Zijing's jewels are?

If I tell you where the jewels are,

will I still be alive afterward?

I, Cui Shijiu,

keep my word.

Then shouldn't we

first clarify the profit split on these jewels?

If I don't speak,

you won't get anything.

If you want me to lead the way,

then you'll have to pay for it.

Every inch of Wuling belongs to Master Eight,

especially those jewels.

Right.

The Cui family can dig up all of Wuling,

but how much time would that take?

The manpower, the resources...

With me, you won't need that.

Just give me enough people,

and I guarantee we'll find it tonight.

Eighty-twenty split.

You get twenty, I get eighty.

And that money

is what'll keep you alive out of here.

Fine.

Give me more men.

Right away.

But Master Yue,

if you're deceiving me at this critical moment,

there won't be a trace of you left.

Of course.

Let's go, lead the way.

Is it here?

We found it!

I told you it was here,

and you didn't believe me.

Dig faster!

Quickly, keep digging!

Keep going! Faster!

Over there, dig faster!

Are the poison effects kicking in?

Are you still feeling unwell?

Much better.

How did you get poisoned by the Black Dragon Bandits before?

They once held me captive

for eight years.

You little brat,

dare to run again?

Let's go!

Every moment, I wanted to escape.

Even if it meant breaking my bones

or fighting dogs for scraps...

I just wanted to see the sun again.

Kid, you think you can escape?

Let's see if you can survive this beating!

I did everything I could to survive,

even if I had to struggle like an animal.

Eight years of captivity,

escaping,

getting beaten,

locked away.

Just like that.

I'm fine now.

Master Yue has deployed all of Bafang Tower's men.

Rest easy.

Yan Zijing's jewels aren't just these.

Anyway, their lives are in our hands,

and the jewels are still in Wuling.

No rush.

Alright.

Cui Jia!

Not a single drop of your medicine

entered my stomach.

It's actually fun

toying with you.

Look, you even lured in a fat sheep for me.

Your father has raised

such a vile creature.

You dare plot against your elders?

Such disrespect!

You little girl

trying to act like a man?

Has Cui Jingchu run out of sons?

My mistake was not killing you.

You're back!

Didn't we agree on two days?

Why did you return today?

Your orders

had to be completed early.

And guess what?

I ran into Cui Shijiu this time.

Miss Duanwu,

see how obedient I am?

This counts as a contribution, right?

So, please, give me the antidote.

I'm nearly at death's door!

There's no antidote.

Please hand over that antidote...

There's no poison. What antidote do you need?

Who said no poison? I'm itching all over!

I'm telling you,

if you don't leave now,

it'll really be too late.

Go quickly!

Duanwu.

Supervisor Kang.

Leave!

They're all safe?

They're all fine, rest assured.

Where's the Master?

He's in his room.

I just came from his room,

and I didn't see him.

He was on the bed when I left.

Cui Shijiu...

Do you know where Master Eight lives?

Be careful.

Cui Shijiu.

So it really is you.

Why are you here alone?

Where's Yan Zijing?

Yan Zijing has gone missing?

It's your duty to keep an eye on him.

Why ask me?

Stop pretending.

Who else but you would want

Yan Zijing dead?

Nonsense!

Bafang Tower is full of traps

and heavily guarded.

Even if he had wings, he couldn't escape.

He once faked Wei Yan's death to trap me,

then used an official auction

to cheat my Cui family out of everything.

He left my family in massive debt.

If I caught him,

why would I hide him?

I'd have killed him outright!

I wouldn't wait for you to ask me.

Fortunately, my family has a century of foundation,

wealth amassed over generations.

You think

there's no one behind me?

Duanwu, let's go!

Duanwu!

Duanwu!

Wake up!

Wake up!

Hurry up, what are you dawdling for?

Still slacking off?

Get up!

Get up!

Dead. Dump him.

Move aside!

Hurry up!

Move it!

Cui Jia!

Honored guests,

cool your tempers in this mine

and serve Master Eight well.

Heishan!

You're too bold.

This is Master Cui Shijiu!

Here, it's Master Eight's domain.

I don't care if you're Master Shijiu or Lady Shijiu.

You'd all better behave.

Take them away.

Yes, sir.

Play it by ear.

Get out!

Keep moving forward!

Move!

Faster!

Supervisor Kang.

Stop stalling!

Move!

The Master might be here too.

Quick!

Keep up!

Move faster!

Quit dawdling!

Hurry up!

Get up!

Work!

Move it!

Get up!

Keep moving!

Cui Jia,

assign them some hard labor.

Yes, sir.

Get to work!

Hurry up!

Why are you dragging your feet?

Get up!

Get to work!

Move faster!

Get up!

Move! Hurry up!

Go!

Let me introduce someone.

This is our Master Cui Shijiu.

Treat him well.

Master Shijiu!

Cui Jia!

Master Shijiu...

Over here,

if you don't work hard,

you're as good as dead.

Take this!

Cui Jia!

Master Shijiu!

Alright.

I'm leaving.

So, even you end up here.

Cui Jia, you'll meet a bad end!

Master Shijiu!

Let go of me!

Get up!

Get to work!

Hurry up!

Move!

What are you looking at? Get to work!

Didn't you hear my order?

Supervisor Kang,

we need to find a way

to get these people out.

I'll go look for the Master after that.

♪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♪