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 29]

Such a lavish spread today!

Please sit down first.

Wipe your hands.

What does Master Zheng say?

This Yan family

really has a deep blood feud

with the Cui and Zheng families.

Back then, Cui and Zheng joined forces

to take over the Yan family,

leading to their massacre by the Black Dragon Bandits.

So,

do you still want to kill Yan Zijing?

That's always been the way.

Business is naturally bloody.

Business...

Over a single Red Leaf Crown,

costing my brother's life,

consuming millions from our family fortune,

and being involved in the smuggling scandal,

almost couldn't escape.

So, I don't believe

your father would remain unmoved.

He's always been cautious.

He said he's just testing the waters

to see if Yan Zijing came for the Black Dragon Bandits.

Wu,

if the Yan family truly was framed and destroyed

by the Cui and Zheng families,

do you think Yan Zijing will let this go

now that he's back in Yangzhou?

The Cui family

is a lesson from the past.

He must die.

I didn't expect Ms. Su to actually keep your word.

Count it.

There is five hundred thousand mace,

not six hundred thousand.

No need to count.

I've sold off everything from Clear Mind.

I sold all the jewelry.

This is all the cash we got.

Not a penny more.

I never compromise.

What I want is six hundred thousand mace,

not a penny less.

In partnerships, profits and losses are always our own responsibility.

No business always makes a profit.

You've been in the business longer than me.

You should understand this better than I do.

What you're saying doesn't concern me,

but let me tell you,

if it's even a penny short,

I will make sure you will never stand

in Yangzhou again.

When have I ever stood in Yangzhou?

Clear Mind has been reduced to this today.

Do you think I feel good about it?

When all the jewelry shops suppressed Clear Mind,

what were you doing?

Did you lift a finger?

You didn't.

How do you have the nerve to ask me for six hundred thousand?

Who was it that made such a promise?

Who turned Clear Mind into this?

How do you have the nerve to sit here?

How do you have the nerve to bargain with me?

Even if you force me to death,

I still have only five hundred thousand mace.

My life's a wreck,

not a penny more.

Meeting someone as shameless as you,

I've truly opened my eyes.

Fine.

I'll consider myself unlucky,

but from now on,

don't let me run into you in Yangzhou again.

Sorry, sir.

We only sell jewelry.

We don't buy jewelry back.

Sir,

these shabby pieces,

I'll sell them for a hundred thousand mace.

That won't work.

I can't make that decision.

How about eighty thousand?

Sir, the rules here are strict.

I can't go against them.

Perhaps you should try asking elsewhere.

Take care.

You ran into Yingpeng?

How dare the Black Dragon Bandits enter Yangzhou?

They even dared to collude in Chang'an,

let alone Yangzhou.

This is the Yan family's glassmaking technique.

Yan Family Glass?

Duanwu,

it's late.

What are you looking at?

The Persian glassware from Jubao House

is the finest in Yangzhou,

worth a fortune.

But their supply

still depends on Persia.

I was thinking,

if Clear Mind could make glass,

our own glass,

even if it's just for accessories,

even if

it's just these glass hairpins,

then we could break

Clear Mind's

lack of foundation,

and from then on,

our supply wouldn't be controlled by others.

But Jubao House excels at glassmaking,

and they're the only one in Yangzhou.

If we also start making glass...

Duanwu, are you trying to revenge on the Zheng family

for Lady Huan's death?

Clear Mind has become so bad,

and I can't escape the blame.

It's all because I was too hasty.

A heart like a clear mirror

is what helps one go far.

Let me tell you

why I want to make glass.

This is the Yangzhou jewelry map Mr. Zhang gave me.

It includes all the techniques and jewelry

from 67 jewelry shops in Yangzhou.

But look here,

before, in Yangzhou,

there were glass workshops,

not just Jubao House alone.

Like Qin's Glass Workshop.

Mr. Qin...

So...

We can ask Mr. Qin to help us!

If we do that,

it will be the best solution.

So, you're not trying to shut down Clear Mind,

but using this opportunity

to have Zheng Wu completely withdraw.

After that, there will be no more ties with them.

Duanwu, you really think ahead.

But with Zheng Wu pulling out,

we're left struggling.

And soon, we have to pay back

Xue Liniang and the others.

What do we do about their money?

We will definitely repay them.

First, give them the IOU.

Xue Liniang and the others

are reasonable people.

They've worked hard to earn that money.

That's why I am anxious.

Then this time,

we're betting everything to survive.

Let's take a chance,

one last chance.

Go!

We need them alive!

There's someone in the forest. Let's go!

Hurry!

It's a trap!

Retreat!

Yes!

Find an exit!

Protect the Master!

Master!

Master!

Master!

Master!

Master!

Hurry!

Go!

Go!

Hurry, go!

Go!

Hurry!

Master!

Go!

Go, retreat!

Gee up!

Gee up!

Lady Shiqi!

Lady Shiqi!

Lady Shiqi!

We're in trouble.

There are traps set all around Zhenlang Pavilion.

We need to hide here for now.

How did you get in?

You're badly injured. Go to the medical hall.

Don't let Duanwu see you.

- Help us out! - Hurry up and get out!

There are traps outside. I'm begging you.

What happened, Yunxiu?

Duanwu...

What's going on?

Duanwu!

We found the Black Dragon Bandits.

It was an ambush.

Now Zhenlang Pavilion is surrounded.

Can we rest here for a while?

Yunxiu, take him to the back room.

Alright.

Yunxiu, wait.

Alright.

Useless!

How could you let him get away?

It should have been a success.

But who knew Yan Zijing had left people

on the outside?

But although Yan Zijing escaped,

he was severely wounded.

From now on,

send people to watch all herbal shops and medical halls in town.

Write down anyone who buys medicine or calls for a doctor,

especially those related to Yan Zijing.

Not a single person should escape notice!

When I was waiting around Zhenlang Pavilion,

I saw Lady Shiqi from Clear Mind leave.

It looked like she was headed for the medical hall.

Impossible.

Su Muzhe and Yan Zijing

have a grudge that can't be resolved.

If there's enough profit at stake,

any hatred can be temporarily set aside.

No matter where Yan Zijing is hiding,

letting him go is asking for endless trouble.

We can't afford to waste any time.

Wu,

it's time to call on Mr. Xu.

Now that we've made our move,

there's no turning back.

Go.

Use this.

I'll handle it. Apply the medicine first.

[Clear Mind]

Mr. Xu,

bandits broke into Jubao House, killing and wounding innocents.

They're suspected to have fled to Clear Mind.

Please investigate.

Search!

Su Muzhe,

Mr. Xu is investigating the case.

Hurry up and come out to meet him!

Search!

What are you doing?

What's going on?

Nanying,

You came without saying a word?

In the middle of the night,

what are you doing at Clear Mind?

We are all men.

What do you think I'm doing here?

But what about you?

Bringing so many soldiers,

looking into a case?

Today, Jubao House was attacked by bandits,

and there were many casualties.

The Governor's office is carrying out a city-wide manhunt.

There's word

that the bandits might be hiding in Clear Mind.

That's why I came to search.

Nanying, what are you talking about?

Yangzhou has always been peaceful.

How could there be bandits here,

killing so many people?

This matter must be thoroughly investigated!

I, too,

must fulfill my duty as Inspector.

I'll report it to the court.

A few bandits

are not worth troubling the Emperor over.

Search!

Nanying!

Nanying,

wait...

Oh,

what's going on?

Muzhe,

You're suffering from such severe chills.

Why are you out here?

Well...

Greetings, Mr. Xu.

Greetings, Mr. Wu.

What happened at Clear Mind?

Why are there so many people here?

Just now, Mr. Xu said bandits broke into Jubao House

and killed quite a few people.

He said the suspects fled to our Clear Mind.

So, he brought soldiers to search.

Jubao House...

They fled to my Clear Mind?

Oh, they're at Clear Mind...

If they are here,

then, Mr. Xu, please search.

A search will help us feel at ease.

Yes, Nanying.

Why haven't you even put your clothes on properly?

Carry on with your search.

Jinran,

you're now the Inspector of Huainandao.

You serve the imperial court.

Your health is important.

Look at you, working day and night.

It's getting late.

Then,

I won't bother you further.

Won't you search?

Ms. Su, you don't seem to be feeling well.

In a couple of days,

I'll have someone

bring over some medicinal prescriptions

Thank you for looking after me, Mr. Xu.

Thank you.

I have some urgent matters to attend to.

Farewell.

Take care.

Let's search somewhere else!

Yes, sir!

Retreat!

Mr. Xu,

we...

Come by often, Mr. Xu!

Zheng Wu,

would you like to stay for a while?

Your performance today

was really impressive.

Mr. Zheng,

rest up early.

Let me escort you back. It's cold outside.

Take care.

Mr. Xu, please wait!

[Clear Mind]

Mr. Xu...

Yan Zijing must be here at Clear Mind.

Who ordered you to kill Yan Zijing?

Now you've made such a big scene.

Am I someone the Zheng family can command?

Mr. Xu,

you and the Zheng family both serve under Prince Ying's command,

Helping each other is only natural.

From now on, you need to think things through more carefully.

There aren't many young men left in the Zheng family.

Retreat!

I'll follow Mr. Xu's advice!

Everyone's gone.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

You called me here today

just to help Yan Zijing?

He found the Black Dragon Bandits on the outskirts of Yangzhou.

The Black Dragon Bandits injured him.

I have no reason not to save him.

You're just giving yourself

a reason to save him.

I'm not trying to dig into your wounds.

What happened when you both set off from Langhuan Dockyard?

What happened after that?

What happened when your convoy was ambushed?

Why did you and Yan Zijing

fall out?

Back then, I made an agreement with Yan Zijing

to meet at Piti Spring.

He would lure out the Black Dragon Bandits,

and I would lead my men to eliminate them.

But when I arrived,

I didn't find any of you.

Later, I heard

that near Langhuan Dockyard,

the Black Dragon Bandits had ambushed your convoy.

But when I got there,

the place was covered with bodies.

I even saw that among Yan Zijing's guards,

there were our native people

and also Sogdians.

You must have recruited warriors and were about to leave.

Mr. Zhang,

back then...

Wait, did you just mention

there were Sogdians?

There were no Sogdians in the convoy.

That's impossible.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Could it be that the Black Dragon Bandits

disguised themselves as guards and infiltrated the convoy,

planning to do something sinister?

Duanwu, the convoy guards want to kill us!

Run!

Run, Duanwu!

Shrimp!

The convoy guards want to kill us!

They've all left?

Why would there be Sogdians in the convoy?

I don't know.

Supervisor Kang,

I've never hidden anything from you.

I just want to know

what exactly happened in the desert.

So many people died in the desert.

We were fully prepared.

We meant to use the convoy to lure out the Black Dragon Bandits,

but who would have thought

that they would cross the border,

disguise themselves as our guards, and ambush us?

Do you know why Yan Zijing

shot that arrow at you?

Because at that moment, Li Kui's arrow was already aimed at you.

In a split second, he had no other choice.

He didn't want you to know that it was the Black Dragon Bandits,

that it was Li Kui who killed Shrimp,

killed Cao Da,

and killed everyone in the convoy.

♪As time dissolves without a trace...♪

If you had known...

♪Fate drifts in silence...♪

what would you have done?

If you had known,

would you still be the same Su Muzhe now?

If we hadn't kept this from you,

what would you have done?

That's something Yan Zijing himself may never achieve in this life.

How could he possibly

let you do it alone?

He threw you away at Langhuan Dockyard

because he wanted to protect you.

He didn't want you to fall into danger.

He'd rather you hate him.

At least, he'd never hurt you.

I've always been by his side,

and I know how much pain he's in.

But you've never known

that hating you hurts more than hating the Black Dragon Bandits.

Why did you make decisions for me?

Did you never believe in me,

or did you never believe in yourself?

Foolish!

Who told you to do this?

How are you acting so impulsively,

like Zheng Si?

If he truly is a remnant of the Yan family,

shouldn't we make a move?

Originally, we could have dealt with him in secret,

but now you've exposed the entire Zheng family!

So what?

Father,

since he's an enemy of the Zheng family,

just kill him!

We must kill him, of course.

Those who are already in the ground

should be wiped out completely.

But Zheng Wu, remember this:

Never let the Zheng family be harmed!

I understand.

Be careful!

Thank you.

How did I end up here?

Where is Kang Ju?

The wound has been treated.

I'll go heat the medicine.

Wait a moment.

Why are you saving me?

Don't you have something to say to me?

Thank you.

That's all?

Don't worry.

Once I'm healed,

I'll leave Clear Mind immediately.

Just stay at Clear Mind.

It's safe here.

How is it?

The same.

I'm the same as him.

I can be abandoned just like Zheng Si can.

What's wrong?

Have you found Yan Zijing?

Is he dead?

No.

What are you doing?

Hey...

Are you crazy?

What fine designs!

Why are you burning them?

What do you mean by this, Cui Shijiu?

Just because I didn't manage to kill Yan Zijing?

Is he that important to you?

Were you with me

just to kill Yan Zijing?

Yes.

Mr. Wu.

What?

Bai Niao's invitation.

Lady Shiqi,

hurry and go after Fifth Young Master!

The Cui family is already gone.

If you anger him,

what will you do in the future?

The Cui family is gone,

and Father is dead.

Yan Zijing is the one who started it all.

But Zheng Wu isn't innocent either.

He's the one who stole

the Pearl Lotus Terrace the Cui family worked so hard on.

He's the one

who destroyed the last pillar of the Cui family.

Does he think

I've forgotten?

But before,

didn't you desperately help him?

Of course, I had to help.

Without him,

how could I take revenge on Yan Zijing?

You see,

he doesn't care at all

about me from the ruined Cui family.

He knows

that without him,

I can't survive in Yangzhou.

But he also knows

that for him and me,

it's all just mutual use,

a game of pretense.

[Clear Mind]

How did it go?

What did you say to Duanwu?

I... I didn't say anything.

We have a prisoner alive. I'll interrogate him.

Come back!

What did you really say to her?

I told her

that Shrimp and the others' deaths have nothing to do with you.

Oh...

Why did you tell her that?

Zhang Jinran has already found

that the Black Dragon Bandits infiltrated our convoy,

and he's already told Duanwu.

How could I hide it?

Duanwu is no longer the pearl diver from before.

She will have her own choices.

You saw it yourself.

Although she hates you,

she can't let go of you in the end.

You can't let her live her life

with that hatred toward you forever.

Don't take it too much to heart.

She's already let go.

Why can't you?

What's up?

Ms. Su,

Last night, Yan Zijing was severely injured.

What happened?

What happened isn't important.

What matters is

that we don't know where Yan Zijing is hiding now.

I'll ask you just one thing.

Are you willing to join forces with me to draw him out?

Not willing.

The smuggling case

almost ruined Clear Mind for good.

Last night,

Mr. Xu came and searched Clear Mind.

It must be related to this case.

I don't want to get involved.

I advise you not to either.

Su Muzhe,

are you afraid now?

Have you forgotten the reason you came to Yangzhou?

Yes, I'm afraid.

Cui Shijiu,

you're different from the Cui family.

Don't let revenge cloud your judgment.

Don't trap yourself in it and get stuck.

Su Muzhe,

do you still hate him?

I see.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for saving me yesterday.

It's alright.

There's no need to say that between us.

How did this happen?

What exactly are you investigating?

The century-old Zheng family,

colluding with the Black Dragon Bandits,

openly smuggling in Yangzhou,

who's supporting them behind the scenes?

After the incident,

the Governor's office hastily closed the case,

pinning the blame

on the now-destroyed Cui family.

Who's behind this?

What do you think I'm investigating?

Are you trying to say

that behind the Zheng family

is Prince Ying?

Since you figure out this,

are you planning to change your course

or stick to your original purpose?

In this life,

I believe only in the law and justice.

I wonder

if you believe in me.

[Cao Da's Memorial Tablet; Shrimp's Memorial Tablet]

[Loud's Memorial Tablet; Wei Yan's Memorial Tablet]

Why are you up?

I'm already feeling much better.

♪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♪