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 24]

It's beautiful.

Everyone will be impressed.

Yeah.

Xue.

[Clear Mind]

Today is the opening day of the Clear Mind.

Lady Bai,

are you here to congratulate Ms. Su?

I forgot.

Did you get kicked out of Zhenlang Pavilion?

Xue.

Did you pay your respects to Lady Yu?

We don't have to do that.

We are all

shareholders of Clear Mind.

With your money,

Clear Mind shouldn't be running for long.

Nonsense!

I'm telling you.

One of our shareholders

is a Zheng.

Forget it.

Let's go.

Clear Mind's stuff is beautiful.

Yeah.

Let's come here again tomorrow.

This hairpin is delicate.

Master.

How can people be so shameless?

Bai Niao came here

and wanted to see you.

I mocked her.

Today is the opening day of Clear Mind across the street.

The street is crowded.

The shop is busy.

It makes our shop very deserted.

How do we do business?

How can they do business like that?

Master, don't worry.

I'll smash their shop.

What's wrong with you?

Their business has nothing to do with us.

If you are free,

count our inventory

and settle the accounts.

This table is dirty.

Clean it.

You never cared about that.

Master.

Do you feel like

you're facing a great enemy?

Facing a great enemy?

Nonsense.

People who buy ten-cash jewelry

are not our target customers.

Of course. The shop that sells ten-cash jewelry

is not our opponent.

What are you talking about?

Master, good for you.

By the way,

Zhang Jinran

will come to Yangzhou soon.

He was appointed as Inspector of Huainandao.

When he arrives,

he will be good for us

and Clear Mind.

Should we give him some clues?

He should know what to do.

He used to be a scholar.

Now, he's a high-ranking official with real power.

After all, he's still Zhang Jinran.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

[Clear Mind]

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

Do you have wine?

No. I only have tea.

Tea is good for you.

It can make you sober.

It's mine.

It's not yours.

I took a fancy to it first.

Did you pay for it?

I can pay right away.

Your opening day looks lively.

But it's not good for your business.

Most of your customers

are the common people.

If Clear Mind gives people the impression of being cheap,

the rich and noble families will give it up.

You should know

that jewelry is not just about beauty,

it's a symbol of status.

You're right.

Zhenlang Pavilion, Jubao House,

Baicaojing House, and Zhenbao House

are symbols of status.

If I want

to stand out among these jewelry shops,

I have to rely on these common ladies.

Clear Mind can please them,

they can also please me.

You have a point.

And your idea is very good.

We came to Yangzhou together,

but in such a short time,

you opened a big shop

opposite Zhenlang Pavilion.

And you're fighting with Yan Zijing.

Forget about my advice.

I underestimated you.

Thankfully,

we are both targeting Yan Zijing.

Yes.

If it weren't for Yan Zijing,

I wouldn't have opened Clear Mind.

But we are different.

Clear Mind is my business,

not my sword.

Have you forgotten your blood feud?

Have you forgotten Shrimp

and the dead of the trading convoy?

They are waiting for you

to avenge them!

That's why

I said

we are different.

Huan.

I brought you jewelry.

It's yours.

You won the top beauty title.

You can't retire.

It's a waste of your good years.

I know you're mad at me.

You know

how the Huan family is.

You won the top beauty title.

We'll make a difference.

In the future,

the Huan family will support you

at any cost.

It wasn't easy raising you

all these years.

When you were a baby,

I picked you up from the snow.

You can't be...

Ungrateful?

Did the Huan family do anything to support me in winning the top beauty title?

As for you raising me,

I've paid you back with all the money

I've made you over the years.

The jewelry

was mine.

Mr. Huan, please leave.

From now on, I have nothing to do

with the Huan family.

Huan, do you want to leave the Huan family?

Please leave.

Do you think

Clear Mind can be your support?

Dream on.

It won't take long for you

to come back crying and begging me.

Zhenlang Pavilion's colored stones

are gorgeous.

Mr. Yan, you're from the Western Regions.

You must know where to buy it.

I do.

If the Western Regions colored stones

sell well in Yangzhou,

would you like to sell them?

Of course.

Mr. Yan, we're counting on you.

Mr. Yan, you're generous.

Jades are fine and simple.

Pearls are elegant and noble.

Golds are brilliant and magnificent.

Western Regions colored stones are colorful.

But they are kitsch.

They are no match for Central Plains jewelry.

Mr. Zheng, you're right.

Have you heard

that Su Muzhe

opened a shop?

It's called Clear Mind, right?

It's inappropriate for a woman to open a shop.

It's a disgrace to the jewelry guild.

Anyway, she opened the shop.

And she's doing great.

Her customers lined up

all the way to my stop this morning.

Maybe she has a skill.

Mr. Zheng.

A woman

opened a shop in Yangzhou.

But she didn't inform us.

I don't think it's appropriate.

In my opinion,

we should cut off her gold and raw stones.

Let's see what she can do.

Yeah.

You have a point.

Yeah.

Clear Mind's shareholders are Zheng Wu

and some songstresses.

They can't resist the suppression of the jewelry guild.

When she opened her shop here,

she should have thought about that.

Are you going to help her?

I won't help her this time.

She doesn't want me to help.

If she wants to get a foothold here,

she has to go through this.

So she can grow.

Let's get to business.

The Black Dragon Bandits have been dormant since the last time.

They robbed once last month.

We haven't found

their base yet.

They will sell

what they robbed.

Only the Zheng family can help them sell their robbed goods.

What are we going to do?

I heard that Prince Ying

ordered a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager at Jubao House.

Have you found the escorts?

Yes, Master.

I found the best escorts.

You must be cautious.

Send the Red Leaf Crown to Chang'an safely.

Yes.

Master, Hexi got some goods.

They informed us to pick it up.

Prince Ying told us not to trade recently.

Why did they ignore it?

What should we do?

The cargo ship is about to arrive in Yangzhou.

If we don't pick it up,

it would be more dangerous.

Those goods

are dangerous.

Why didn't you just play the pipa?

Why did you follow the Clear Mind and change your plan?

You lost the top beauty title.

Do you know

how much it affects Baicaojing House's business?

Mr. Qin, ease up.

Shut up.

Are you upset?

Okay, I won't blame you.

If you go to your patron,

won't he blame you?

What's wrong?

He didn't see you?

You ended up losing everything.

We can't rely on the Zheng family.

The patron doesn't want to see you.

Even Zhenlang Pavilion doesn't invest in you.

What should we do?

Don't forget

that I opened Baicaojing House for you.

Watch your attitude.

You're like my own sister.

You should support me.

Let me see.

Let me see.

Does it still hurt?

Be careful.

Ask Xuanji to help you with your work.

Tomorrow,

I'll get you a good doctor to change the dressing.

You'll be able to play the pipa again in a few days.

As long as you can play the pipa,

Baicaojing House's business

will get better and better.

Don't be upset.

I didn't mean it.

I'm doing it for your own good.

You're like my own sister.

I love you.

As long as you're good,

Baicaojing House will be good.

Speaking of business,

Niao, I need more money.

Why are you asking me for money again?

I just gave you money.

Mu, spend more time on business.

If you have time,

go to Clear Mind

and look at their designs.

Hire some skilled craftsmen.

Baicaojing House's jewelry

is out of date.

You have a point, Niao.

That's why I need new designs and new goods.

Do you think I'm asking you for money for yourself?

It's for business.

Give me some money. I can make more money.

Go.

Don't worry, Niao.

I have a plan.

About the new goods...

What are you thinking about?

I'm telling you.

One of our shareholders

is a Zheng.

Who are you trying to set up?

Think of a way to tell the Zheng family

that Zheng Wu invested in Clear Mind behind their back.

He supported Lady Huan

at the Qionghua Festival.

I knew Zheng Wu had money.

If you hooked him, the top beauty title...

I'll shut up.

Don't be mad.

I'll do what you say.

Master.

Turn around!

Hero.

Please spare my life.

Don't move.

Please spare my life.

You...

I'll give you as much as you want.

Don't take that.

I'll be beheaded.

Please don't!

No!

Um...

Are you saying

that they didn't want to take it away?

Yes!

They smashed the Red Lead Crown

and left.

They wanted to ruin my big thing.

It's a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager.

It's trash now.

Master...

Master.

How many people know about this?

Only the escorts and me.

Don't

get the word out!

Get the best craftsmen

and remake it as soon as possible!

Master.

These red leaves

are the finest rubies from Tazi.

Jubao House used all rubies on it.

We're out of stock.

What?

We're out of stock?

Then, go buy it!

If Prince Ying gets angry,

the Zheng family can't afford it.

These rubies are rare in Yangzhou.

Due to the rampant bandits in Hexi,

there are few merchants.

I'm afraid only Zhenlang Pavilion has them

in Yangzhou.

Zhenlang Pavilion?

Western Regions colored stones are colorful.

But they are kitsch.

They are no match for Central Plains jewelry.

Mr. Zheng, you're right.

Go there.

Whatever his conditions,

promise him.

Yes, Master.

- Yes, Master. - Go!

What can I do for you?

What can you do for me?

I'm here to smash your shop. Get away.

I'll kill myself if you smash my shop.

Drop your hairpin.

I'm telling you.

I don't care if you die.

Do you think I don't dare?

Shou.

Go out and close the door.

I'll play with her.

Okay.

I'll give you one last chance.

Drop your hairpin.

Let's talk about it.

Here's the thing.

I was asked to do this.

I took the money to smash your shop.

If I don't smash it,

I'll lose my credit and my face.

And someone else will mess with you.

Right?

How about this?

You pick

some of the cheapest jewelry.

Put away

all the valuable jewelry.

Leave me with some cheap

and fragile jewelry.

So, I can take the money and look good.

You won't have big losses.

What do you say?

I'll close my eyes.

I won't see it.

Okay?

Really?

Absolutely.

Don't move!

I didn't move.

Duanwu worked hard to get everything here.

I understand.

If you want to smash things, smash this one.

This?

Will you smash it?

Miss, I...

I am the number one martial arts master in the world.

I'm a man. Right?

I need respect.

You want me to smash this.

How about this?

You

pick something

that is a little more expensive than it.

I'll smash that.

I'll make some noise.

So I can report it to my employer.

You won't have big losses.

Think about it.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

Stay safe.

Steward Zheng.

What's wrong...?

It's not a big deal.

Steward Zheng, what brings you here?

I want to talk to Mr. Yan about a big deal.

Unfortunately,

Mr. Yan is not here.

If you want to talk about business,

you can talk to me.

Can you call the shots?

Of course.

Steward Zhao, let's talk in private.

Please.

I want 30 top-notch rubies.

Steward Zheng, you came to the right person.

I can tell you that only Zhenlang Pavilion has them

in Yangzhou.

But they are expensive.

One million mace.

Steward Zheng, you must be kidding.

Seventy million mace.

Good things are expensive.

Since you cannot decide,

you can consider it.

In that case, I'll leave.

Take care.

Are you going to keep the store open?

What's wrong?

- Huh? - What happened?

Close your shop!

A woman wants to open a shop.

[Clear Mind] What's this?

- They should learn some lessons. - What is this?

A woman opening a shop

is an insult to the Yangzhou Jewelry Guild.

Steward Zheng.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

Mr. Qin.

How are you!

I heard that Zheng Wu is a shareholder of Zhenlang Pavilion.

A woman wants to open a shop.

He put in a lot of effort

to support Lady Huan at the Qionghua Festival.

Did they mess with rogues?

Ridiculous.

Parents are always in control of the family property.

The Zheng family will not invest in others.

He won't secretly support Clear Mind.

I'll tell my master about it.

We'll expose the Su's scams.

He's smashing hard.

Thank you, sir.

Sir.

I have a question.

You're the owner of Baicaojing House.

Why are you picking on a little shop

that just opened?

Mind your business.

Don't poke around.

Animal.

[Clear Mind] There are some shops on the east side of the city.

I'll go there tomorrow.

Remember.

Buy something.

Okay.

Duanwu.

What happened?

Yunxiu.

It's okay.

Duanwu, it's fake.

It's okay.

What about our jewelry?

Don't worry, Duanwu.

I put the jewelry away.

You went to buy gold and raw stones.

How's it going?

All the shops changed their minds.

Other shops refused to sell to us

as they knew we were from Clear Mind.

We must have been targeted.

What should we do?

Don't worry.

Let's clean it up first.

Close the shop, Yingtao.

Okay.

Ms. Su.

Have you encountered any difficulties recently?

The decoration here

is special.

Garuda.

Learn from Ms. Su.

She doesn't follow the usual path.

Mr. Zheng,

what brings you here?

I'm sorry you had to see this.

You opened your shop opposite Zhenlang Pavilion.

You came up with the idea of making jewelry out of mother-of-pearl.

Looks like you lost money.

But you became popular quickly.

You're smart.

I heard that the jewelry shops are going to join forces

to cut off your supply chain.

As a shareholder, I'm worried.

Mr. Zheng, don't worry.

Clear Mind

will think of a way.

How?

You have no advantage in gold or raw stones.

Now, you're suppressed.

Ms. Su.

How many months can you pay your rent?

I don't understand

what you mean.

Nothing.

I thought about

what you promised me.

And now you're like this.

I'm here to advise you.

If you can't run the shop anymore,

close it before it's too late

and give me back my money.

I don't want to lose all my money.

The jewelry guild is suppressing my Clear Mind.

As the largest shareholder,

you should be helping me

instead of mocking me.

Su Muzhe.

If you're not capable

and depend on me for everything,

why should you take 40% of the shares?

Why are you standing here today?

You're right.

I finally opened Clear Mind.

I don't want it to be like this.

I'll think of a way.

I don't have the patience for this.

Give back my money. It's five million mace with interest.

I'll come to get the money later.

Master.

I didn't see Yan Zijing.

Steward Zhao asked for 70 million mace for it.

I can't decide it.

I asked around at other shops.

Some shops don't have it.

Some are not good enough for the Empress Dowager.

Prince Ying has told the Empress Dowager

about the Red Leave Crown.

We have to make it

at any cost.

We've spent a lot

on the Red Leave Crown.

We have financial difficulties...

Those goods...

No.

Prince Ying has warned us.

He must have a reason.

We shouldn't act recklessly.

It's too late to cook the books

like we used to.

I'll talk to Yan Zijing.

See if we can pay later.

Master, I heard a rumor today.

It's said that Fifth Young Master is a shareholder of Zhenlang Pavilion.

He helped Lady Huan

win the top beauty title at the Qionghua Festival.

I knew it.

Clear Mind wouldn't have so much money.

Zheng Wu is stupid.

All he knows is to enjoy life.

He doesn't understand business.

He must have been deceived by that girl.

Neither of my sons

would give me a break.

Mr. Zheng,

it's an honor to have you here.

Mr. Yan, I'm flattered.

What brings you here?

I urgently need some rubies.

I asked around

and came to you.

We are in the same ship.

If you help me today,

I'll repay you later.

Don't worry.

I'll see you right.

I'm sorry.

I don't get it.

You were not interested in Western Regions colored stones

at the guild meeting the other day.

Why do you want so many rubies today?

Mr. Yan.

Do you want me to apologize to you?

No.

Do me a favor.

I'll pay you 50 million mace in three months.

Mr. Zheng, don't make fun of me.

You know the industry rule:

cash on delivery.

You're the guild lead.

You won't break the rules, right?

To be honest,

someone booked my rubies.

We have agreed on the price.

It's just that we didn't sign a contract.

Who booked them?

Forget it.

Since you're here,

I'll please you.

I'll break my contract.

I'll sell these goods to you.

But the price remains the same.

Seventy million mace in three days.

Cash on delivery.

If you can't pay me in three days,

I'll sign a contract with them.

They pretended it.

That man was foolish.

If he had been ordered to smash my shop,

he wouldn't have left so easily.

Yunxiu.

If I'm going out,

I'll leave Yingtao with you.

You should be careful.

If he comes again,

I won't let him go.

Duanwu.

If you're not in the shop,

I'll guard it for you.

I'm relieved to have you there.

Well.

These are the materials

damaged in transit.

It's a waste to throw them away.

Can we use them?

Look at this broken gold jewelry.

We can smelt it,

make a design,

and make it into new jewelry.

We can take off the jewelry on it and use it elsewhere.

This one is slightly damaged.

We can fix it.

Look.

Fill it...

There must be a lot of girls in Yangzhou

who have jewelry

that needs to be repaired.

We can

recycle their old jewelry and transform it.

Yingtao, put out a new sign tomorrow

saying that we recycle jewelry and reinvent the style.

By the way, buy some old jewelry.

We can use it as a raw material.

We can get through this.

Will it work?

Duanwu is always right.

Okay, I'll make the sign tomorrow.

Father.

Si.

It's late.

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

I heard that our treasure was ruined.

I have an idea.

Master Si.

How did you know about that?

Father.

I heard

you shut down a business

you had been running for a long time.

I'm worried that we have financial problems.

In my opinion,

we can ask others...

- Master Si, don't talk nonsense. - Come on in.

Father.

Yuqing.

Guard outside.

Yes.

Why are you here again?

Do you want to smash our shop again?

Yes.

I'll smash this shop

again.

Who is that?

I dare you to smash...

my shop.

Put down the broom.

Careful.

Your broom.

Duanwu.

He is the number one martial arts master in the world.

He came to smash our shop again.

You smashed my shop, right?

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Smash it.

Well.

Don't smash gift boxes today. Thank you.

Smash it.

Shou.

Go out and close the door.

I'll smash the shop

again.

Okay.

I can't do this.

It's not good to hit people.

Are you going to make a living from this for the rest of your life?

You don't have a wife or children, right?

My boss said

a man must have ambition.

Yingtao, I have a lot of work to do back there.

I'll get to work.

I'll leave him to you.

Okay, Yunxiu.

Miss...

My name is Yingtao.

Ms. Yingtao.

To be honest,

my cousin committed a crime.

I need money urgently.

But I don't have money.

I had no choice

but to agree with Mr. Qin

to do this kind of thing.

I...

How about this?

You hang out on the streets.

You must know a lot of news.

Help us to find out

who has jewelry that they don't want.

I'll ask my boss to give you a commission.

Miss, what do you mean?

Do you want me...

to become a good person?

I didn't mean it.

Then...

Let's go.

Where are we going?

Smash the shop.

Smash the shop?

There is a lot of waste wood in the backyard. You can smash it.

Ms. Yingtao, it's not good.

What do you tell your employer

if you don't smash it?

Yingtao.

Yingtao.

Yingtao!

Lady Xue, you're here.

What are you happy about?

Tell me about it.

Nothing.

Are you here to buy jewelry?

We have new ones.

I looked at the jewelry

I bought last time.

It doesn't compliment my complexion.

Do you want to return it?

You can return it.

Ms. Su told us

that the songstresses should wear the latest jewelry.

If you don't like it anymore,

you can return it.

We only charge a thirty percent depreciation fee.

Thirty percent?

That's too much.

If I put the jewelry I wore

in your shop,

there would be a lot of people rushing to buy it.

You want to charge me a depreciation fee.

If you think the depreciation fee is too much,

you can trade it for a new one.

It's worth 80% of its price.

In that way, you can buy new jewelry

for very little money.

Trade in old for new.

It's a good deal.

You mention Ms. Su

in every sentence.

Have you become an employee of Clear Mind?

Lady Xue, I came to Clear Mind.

I have to make a living from it.

Do you want me

to depend on you for the rest of my life?

All right. You're thinking about me.

Take a 20% depreciation fee.

Ten percent.

Lady Xue, I can't.

I think about you.

But there are rules in the shop.

I can't decide it.

How about this?

If you have any outdated jewelry,

you can trade it for a new one.

But you need to promote Clear Mind

among the songstresses.

With your reputation,

everyone will respond to your call.

If the price is good,

we'll give you a commission.

Yingtao.

You're so right not to be a songstress.

Forget it.

I'll think of it as supporting my own business.

However.

How much is the commission?

It depends on the price.

Okay. It's a good thing to wear new jewelry.

I'll handle it.

Thank you, Lady Xue.

Show me the jewelry.

Come here.

These are new pieces of jewelry.

♪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♪