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 26]

We haven't seen each other

since we parted from Guangzhou.

Now, we both

work for Prince Ying.

We have to work in unison.

Nanying, that's not true.

I work for our country.

Prince Ying and I are friends.

I can't mix business with private matters.

Speaking of that,

I want to congratulate you on your promotion.

Over the years,

I have taken care of Prince Tan's hidden assets.

Prince Ying, I'd like to give it all to you.

Please give me a chance to work for you.

You're betraying your master for glory.

Why should I trust you?

I know one thing

from sixteen years ago.

What's that?

It was a long time ago.

I can't remember.

Black Dragon Bandits.

Yan's Trading Convoy will arrive at Piti Spring the day after tomorrow.

Yan's Trading Convoy?

It was a Yangzhou merchant

who escorted Kang's tribute.

It was a long time ago.

It doesn't make any sense to mention it.

Of course.

No one brings it up because it's not the right time.

I'm worried that the Yangzhou Cui family is doomed to ruin.

When the time comes, Yangzhou will be chaotic.

I'd like to guard Yangzhou for you.

After all, I'm the only one around you

who is familiar with Yangzhou.

You said you were Jinran's senior brother.

Yes.

Since you're Jinran's senior brother,

we're on the same side.

Thank you, Prince Ying.

I'm serving the Imperial Court.

It doesn't matter what official position I have.

You went straight to the Zheng family as soon as you arrived in Yangzhou.

You said they were involved in a case

and murder.

There must be a misunderstanding.

I won't know

until I look into it.

We will look into it.

Jinran,

you are the Inspector of Huainandao.

If you want to investigate a case in my area,

should you

think about me, the official of the Governor's Office?

Nanying,

do you want me to drop the investigation?

It's bending the law.

I won't ask you to do that.

She's just a woman who won the top beauty title this year.

It's a love killing

or a revenge killing.

I think

the Zheng family must be framed.

You have a point.

However,

I came to Yangzhou by water.

I found a batch of the Black Dragon Bandits' robbed goods

that they were selling to Yangzhou.

I followed the goods

to the house

and discovered Lady Huan's death.

It's different from what you think.

It is not an ordinary love killing

or a revenge killing.

Hexi Black Dragon Bandits were involved.

Nanying.

I'm afraid you can't suppress it.

[Long-lasting Benefits for Future Generations]

There was a murder.

From now on,

no one in the Zheng family is allowed to leave Yangzhou.

Inspector Zhang.

What about Zheng Wu?

Although Zheng Wu is suspected,

there's no further evidence.

He doesn't have to be imprisoned immediately.

From tomorrow,

he must check in at the Governor's Office every day

in case we have questions for him.

If we summon him,

he must go to us immediately.

Yes, sir.

Inspector Zhang, since you gave the order,

we will obey it.

Careful.

Mother.

Instead of suffering at home,

you should move here and enjoy the peace.

At least

you don't have to see

those nasty people.

I don't need to see your aunt.

But I still have to see my niece.

Shijiu.

My mother will move in here for a while.

Lady Yu.

Save it.

I can't even recognize you

as the legitimate daughter of the Cui family in that dress.

I am the legitimate daughter of the Cui family.

But you're Wu's mother.

You're nice to Wu.

But someone wants to kill him.

Tong.

Go and settle

the groom and the servants.

Yes, ma'am.

Lady Yu.

It's windy here. Let's talk inside.

Yeah, let's talk inside.

Let's go, mother.

Go.

That is to say,

you weren't at the scene

of Lady Huan's death.

But Lady Huan

was holding half your sleeve.

Someone framed him.

And it was an insider.

Who's the insider?

The person who attracted two elders

and set up the trap in the ancestral hall

was Lady Huan's murderer,

who set you up.

If it was a premeditated murder,

he took your sleeve

to frame you.

If it was manslaughter,

it was even more suspicious

that he carried your sleeve with him.

Lady Shijiu, thank you.

Zheng Si always saw me

as a thorn in his side.

If he hadn't framed me for the murder,

he would have done it sooner or later.

The important thing now is to find evidence.

Evidence...

Lady Huan never wore this kind of golden hairpin.

Were you trying to tell me something?

[Guan River]

What are you doing here?

Wake her up.

I have something to ask her.

What do you want?

She was the only one at the scene of the crime.

How did you know she was the only one there?

I'll explain later.

The important thing is to find out the truth.

Otherwise, you will take the fall.

Not only

will Clear Mind close,

but you will also die.

Duanwu.

Duanwu.

Yunxiu.

Why am I here?

Didn't I go to Riverside Alley to buy jewelry?

Do you remember what you saw?

Lady Huan?

I went to the Riverside Alley to buy jewelry.

Sir.

Where did you get so much jewelry?

It's from the Western Regions.

I mean,

your supplier.

Then, I heard someone shouting.

I'm going to report you.

Is that Lady Huan?

It sounded like Lady Huan.

I thought Lady Huan also came to buy jewelry.

What about the stolen goods?

What stolen goods?

Stolen goods?

She's fine.

I'll explain later.

Come with me.

What do you mean by stolen goods?

I'll explain later...

Black Dragon Bandits' stolen goods?

Why are the Black Dragon Bandits' stolen goods in the Zheng family?

I told you.

I don't have time to explain. Just come with me...

Lady Huan is dead.

Yan Zijing.

Do you think about anything

other than revenge?

If you don't want Lady Huan to die in vain,

come with me.

[Zheng's Mansion]

Si, you should work hard.

After the Cui family was destroyed,

your father has always pissed on me.

If Zheng Wu gets favored by your father,

We won't have a place

in the Zheng family.

You're a legitimate son.

I know.

As you know,

my father never liked me.

I don't have a chance to behave.

You have a chance now.

The Red Leaf Crown that was going to be given to the Empress Dowager was ruined.

Your father is anxious.

Tell this to your father.

Tell him that you will deal with the things

at home.

Mother.

Our family has such a secret.

Your father is wary of me.

But I know everything

that happened in the Zheng family.

However,

this matter

is too dangerous.

You can't do it in person.

You should find someone you can trust.

Someone I can trust.

Huan can be trusted.

But I can't let her know the truth.

Let go.

Mr. Wu.

You can't drink as much as I do.

You drink the most.

One, two, go.

Go home.

I found the person to do it.

About the scapegoat,

you're the right person, Wu.

Mr. Si.

The master wants to see you.

Tell me.

What happened?

It's all my fault.

I trusted Lady Huan

and implicated Wu.

Master. Zheng.

I'm here

to protect your Zheng family.

If you don't tell me the truth,

there's no need for me to stay.

I'll explain to you later.

You should explain it to Inspector Zhang.

Who are Inspector Zhang's origins?

He's from a famous family.

He's Prince Ying's sworn brother

and the Emperor's pet.

He's Prince Ying's sworn brother. Then...

Why did he turn you down

and go after the Zheng family?

Do you know

why he refused to be a Secretariat Drafter

and volunteered

to be the Inspector of Huainandao?

Because he found the tribute pearls fraud in Guangzhou.

And he found clues

to Kang's tributes.

Then, he traced it all the way to Hexi

and found the Black Dragon Bandits.

He came here

to find those things.

We are hanging by a thread.

But you're not aware of it yet.

Idiot.

You're dragging the Zheng family down.

Tell me the truth.

I told the truth.

Nonsense.

I left that to you.

How did Wu know that mansion?

How did your second and third uncles

find out so quickly

and accuse Wu?

Wu and Lady Huan have long been in collusion.

They invested in Clear Mind.

Father, you know about it.

Lady Huan is your lover.

I knew it.

I cut her off a long time ago.

I didn't expect her

to go to Wu after that.

Now, she's dead.

Which is great.

Where were you at the time?

I was with Steward Zheng.

If you don't believe me,

you can ask Steward Zheng.

Idiots.

You're both idiots.

All right.

They are not entirely to blame.

There's one more person.

Yan Zijing.

Yan Zijing...

Are you saying that they didn't want to take it away?

They wanted to ruin my big thing.

Only

the Zhenlang Pavilion

has rubies

in Yangzhou.

Seventy million mace

in three days.

Cash on delivery.

The Cui family was ruined by him.

Su Muzhe

used to be called Duanwu.

She was from the Yan's Trading Convoy.

But they don't seem to know each other.

Are you sure?

You better think about it.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu...

You...

Think of a way

to go up and rub the footprint.

Yes, sir.

Are you done with the scene investigation?

Yes.

According to the scene,

we suspect a man and a woman.

They didn't enter through the gate.

A man climbed over the wall and entered the front yard.

A man and a woman climbed over the wall and left the backyard.

According to the footprints on the scene,

the man was carrying something.

There should have been a third person.

A third person?

Someone in the alley

saw two strange women and a strange man

enter the mansion.

Now that we know there are three suspects,

we should draw their portraits

and put out warrants.

We don't know who the killer is.

We can't jump to conclusions.

Jinran, I hope you solve the case sooner.

I have something to do.

Excuse me.

He's weird.

The case of selling the stolen goods turned into a homicide case.

What do we do?

We must catch the murderer.

The three people you just found

are important.

We must find them first.

I, Bai Niao,

want to sue Su Muzhe, the owner of Clear Mind,

for murdering Lady Huan

to get the jewelry she invested in Clear Mind.

Here's Lady Huan's blood letter.

And I have a witness.

She saw

Su Muzhe lead someone

[Su Muzhe of Clear Mind] into the mansion where Lady Huan died.

[plotted my fortune and tried to kill me]

This is the Inspector of Huainandao.

Inspector Zhang is in charge

of the murder of Lady Huan,

who won the top beauty title at the Qionghua Festival.

Inspector Zhang, please punish the murderer severely

and have justice for Lady Huan.

Inspector Zhang.

I'll leave it to you

to find suspect Su Muzhe.

It's my duty.

[Clear Mind]

Su Muzhe of Clear Mind.

Come out and surrender.

Lady Shiqi?

Mr. Zhang?

What are you doing here?

Su Muzhe...

She's Duanwu.

Su Muzhe is Duanwu?

How is that possible?

Someone accused her of killing Lady Huan.

Duanwu didn't kill Lady Huan.

She must have been wronged.

Duanwu wouldn't kill.

How do you know she was wronged?

Yeah.

Who knows

if she's telling the truth?

Nonsense.

Silence!

The government has a process for handling cases.

I'll enforce the law.

Please calm down.

Let's talk inside.

[Clear Mind]

What happened when you came back from the desert?

Why did Duanwu change her name?

Since we came from the desert,

Duanwu has been a different person.

I know she suffered a lot

and went through a lot.

If you hadn't been here today,

I wouldn't have known

she was accused of killing.

Mr. Zhang, please trust Duanwu.

I'm sure Duanwu wouldn't have done such a thing.

But I have no proof

that she's innocent.

What happened between her and Lady Huan?

We met Lady Huan at the Qionghua Festival.

Duanwu and Lady Huan are like sisters.

Duanwu is very sad

about Lady Huan's death.

Zhang Jinran wouldn't have thought

that his clues were pointing to you.

Aren't you going to meet him?

He'll help you.

I didn't kill anyone.

I don't need his help.

Do you think

anyone cares about the truth?

I care about the truth.

I'll go back and look for evidence.

I'll look for evidence for you.

Yan Zijing.

It's all because of you.

Lady Huan is dead.

I got involved.

Isn't that what you want?

I didn't want to involve you in this.

You didn't want to involve me in this.

Okay. Let me ask you something.

What is Mr. Zhang investigating?

What do you know about Lady Huan's death?

You should tell me

what you see and what you know.

You are wanted in Yangzhou.

Only I can avenge you.

Only I can prove that you're innocent.

You're still doubting me.

Proving your innocence

and avenging Lady Huan

don't conflict with my purpose.

What if there's a conflict?

What would you do?

You told me

that people could only believe in themselves.

If I hadn't gone to Riverside Alley,

Duanwu wouldn't have been framed.

All I did was get her in trouble.

I couldn't help her.

I knew what was going on.

She was sued.

I can't bend the law.

I'll have to seal Clear Mind.

And she'll be wanted.

Mr. Zhang,

please clear Duanwu's name.

Don't worry.

Let me ask you one more question.

Where is Yan Zijing now?

My target is the Zheng family.

I won't allow the Zheng family to frame you

to get away with it.

Tell me what happened.

I'm the only one who can help you now.

You might be able to find clues in the homes with dogs

in Riverside Alley

or in places with wild dogs.

Lady Huan was under surveillance at the time.

She wanted to hide something.

She wouldn't have hidden the things too far away.

Okay, I'll ask Kang Ju to find it.

Ask Mr. Zhang to do it.

What Lady Huan hid could be important evidence.

Mr. Zhang is an official.

It's only useful if he looks into it.

[Clear Mind] Seal Clear Mind.

Why did you seal Clear Mind?

He's coming to you.

Aren't you going to see him?

You go.

He's an imperial official.

You are a suspect.

You don't see him

because you're afraid of getting him in trouble, right?

My master is not here.

I've told you many times.

Please leave.

Kang Ju.

Mr. Zhang.

No.

Inspector Zhang. Long time no see.

You're promoted.

Where is Duanwu?

I don't know.

I'm a stranger to her.

What she does has nothing to do with me.

What happened between you?

That's between us.

You've been through a lot together.

Don't you care about her?

I don't believe

Duanwu could kill.

I don't care what name she changed

or what she went through.

I'm telling you.

In my mind,

she's always Duanwu, who's not afraid of anything.

Find a chance and give this to him.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

[Yangzhou Governor's Office]

Zhang Jinran found two boxes of stolen goods

in a house.

The Black Dragon Bandits' stolen goods appeared in Yangzhou.

The Zheng family is selling the stolen goods of the Black Dragon Bandits.

Mr. Zhang came here for that.

The Zheng family was involved

in the tribute case.

The Zheng family.

Lady Huan.

Who is Lady Huan?

Here's your letter.

He doesn't love me anymore.

[Father]

[Si]

Zheng Zhixing.

Wait.

I've got someone at Zheng's Mansion.

As long as he comes out,

we'll catch him.

You can't go out, Duanwu.

Bai Niao went to the Governor's Office

and accused you of killing Lady Huan.

With Xu Nanying's help,

the Zheng family will blame you

for all their crimes.

What will you do after you catch Zheng Zhixing?

What about Lady Huan's innocence?

I know what to do.

Protect her.

Who's that?

Take me to Zheng Zhiheng.

Now!

Su Muzhe.

Ms. Su, you're really a heroine.

The government is looking for you everywhere.

But you came to me.

You, the Zhengs, sold the stolen goods and killed people.

I am innocent.

What do I have to worry about?

Selling stolen goods and killing people are serious crimes.

Who in the Zheng family are you talking about?

Zheng Si.

Si and I are brothers.

Watch your mouth.

If you are willing to help me,

I have a way to get him to confess.

Why should I help you against my brother?

If your father, Mr. Zheng doesn't want to give up his legitimate son,

who will take the fall?

Helping me

is helping yourself.

Ms. Su, what did you get?

Mr. Wu.

Wu.

Si.

Looks like you've been out all night again.

Inspector Zhang asked you to go to the Governor's Office to check in every day.

Did you go there?

Of course I did.

I went there.

And I heard something.

What's that?

It is said that the Huan family is broke.

They will sell all of Lady Huan's jewelry,

collection of calligraphy and paintings,

and even

secret letters.

Nowadays, in the city of Yangzhou,

All the young men from noble families who had dealings with her

rushed to the Huan family.

Is it funny?

I'm going to take a nap.

[Huan Zhen's Memorial Tablet] Lady Huan just died.

Her family is selling her stuff.

Lady Huan almost went to the Qionghua Festival

without jewelry.

They're trying to cheat money.

Yeah, you're right.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Lady Huan was noble and loyal.

It's hard to accept that she died at 24.

It's sad.

Our auction today is not for money.

We want the people of Yangzhou to gather

to mourn her.

This is the first item to be auctioned today.

It's a painting Lady Huan painted for her lover.

It's called Appreciate the Beauty of Spring.

Lady Huan had a lover.

I don't know.

She never mentioned it.

We don't know who her lover is.

But she went through a lot

and loved him deeply.

Lady Huan's lover

is from a famous family in Yangzhou.

They fell in love with each other at first sight.

They once sailed on the river

and played a song together.

And they read

and painted together.

They privately decided to get married

under the moon.

It's a pity

that she died,

but he didn't come to mourn her.

Appreciate the Beauty of Spring becomes their love token.

He's an unfaithful lover.

Who is he?

Yeah, who is he?

I have

a poem here.

Zheng invited me to a village.

Four mountains are fresh green.

The peach garden is beautiful.

Send peace and harmony to Zhen.

The last word of this poem

is Lady Huan's first name.

But

Zheng...

Zheng?

Is her lover a Zheng?

Zheng?

Who is he?

Zheng?

I'll look at other poems.

Show us.

Let's see who the unfaithful lover is.

Yeah.

Come on.

Huan.

Huan.

[Huan Zhen's Memorial Tablet]

I didn't expect you

to leave me so easily.

When I close my eyes,

you are there.

I want to die with you.

I wanted to take the imperial examination, become an official,

and marry you.

I want to tell the whole world

that you're my wife.

I didn't expect you

to die.

I swear by my blood.

If I'm unfaithful to you,

I'll be struck by lightning.

He swore.

Suspect Su Muzhe showed up at Lady Huan's residence.

If she resists, kill her.

Yes, sir.

[Good weather for farming]

Ladies and gentlemen.

This is not an auction.

I'm not selling anything

of Lady Huan's.

I'll take care of her funeral.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please do me this kindness.

Please leave.

Thank you

for coming to her memorial.

Please leave.

He's sincere.

Thank you.

Please leave.

Lady Huan.

You got me in such big trouble after you died.

Did you inform the government?

Yes. They're outside.

Who are you?

What do you want to do?

Lady Huan found

something wrong with the jewelry before she died.

Then, she left me a message

about your love for her.

Why don't I read it to you?

I have three regrets.

First, I ran into the wrong man.

Zheng Si is unfaithful.

Second,

I was tricked by him

into selling his stolen goods.

Third...

Nonsense.

Nonsense!

What do you want to do?

Zheng Si.

I have no support in Yangzhou.

If I get caught by the government,

I, Su Muzhe, want to take someone down with me.

No.

You are Su Muzhe?

Yes.

Lady Huan opened Clear Mind

with me.

I didn't expect Lady Huan to end up like this.

Why did you kill Lady Huan?

Why did you kill Lady Huan?

Say it!

I'll tell you.

I did everything.

I didn't mean to kill her.

She wanted to tell on me.

She's just a songstress.

Her life doesn't matter.

It's not a big deal.

The Huan family abandoned her.

The Zheng family also abandoned her.

No one cares about her death.

You're different.

Su Muzhe.

You have Clear Mind.

You have a bright future.

Let me go.

Let me go.

I won't ask the government to arrest you.

You go your way.

I go mine.

What do you say?

If I'm not going to clear Lady Huan's name,

I'll kill you right now

and sacrifice you to her.

Ms. Su, thank you for not killing me.

Thank you.

Su Muzhe.

You...

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu, help me.

Good-for-nothing. Get away.

Mr. Xu.

Arrest him.

Help me.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Arrest Su Muzhe, too.

Nanying.

You heard it.

Zheng Zhixing killed Lady Huan.

Someone reported her.

And she has Lady Huan's suicide note

and the stolen jewelry.

Why shouldn't we arrest her?

Jinran, do you want to bend the law?

Nanying, wait...

Mr. Xu, Inspector Zhang.

Just arrest me.

I am innocent.

Mr. Xu, Inspector Zhang,

please clear Lady Huan and my names.

Arrest Su Muzhe.

I will interrogate her.

Duanwu.

Where is the suspect? Lead the way.

Duanwu.

I know why you were avoiding me.

You didn't want to get me in trouble.

But you and I...

Inspector 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♪