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 32]

With both witnesses and evidence present,

what do you have left to deny?

Let me ask you again.

Why were Xu Nanying's bribes

at your Baicaojing House?

Inspector Zhang,

it has nothing to do with Qin Mu.

I did it.

Yeah.

She did it.

I only lent her the place.

I didn't know what she was doing.

Bai Niao.

Do you know

that harboring bribes is a capital offense?

Lady Bai, clear your mind.

It's a capital offense.

Qin Mu.

Why did you lend your Baicaojing House

to Bai Niao for no reason?

Because...

Because she's like a sister to me.

I had to do.

You finally admit

that you think of me as a sister.

When you were a kid,

I took you to Yangzhou.

You were seriously ill.

I had no choice

but to sell myself.

I managed to get the money

to treat you.

When you grew up,

I supported you.

I hope you can bring honor to our family.

Father, Mother.

It's all my fault.

I didn't take good care of Mu.

Shut up.

When did you say that?

Isn't it embarrassing enough?

Do you think

I'm willing to be an orphan

that no one loves?

If it weren't a songstress,

we wouldn't be here.

Do you know

how much I've been through

to get to where I am today

because you are a songstress?

I'd rather you weren't my sister.

You'd rather I wasn't your sister.

Enough.

I need evidence.

I don't need

your nonsense.

Qin Mu.

Can you prove what you're saying is true?

I have proof.

I have proof!

She has an affair with Xu Nanying.

She's been taking bribes on Xu Nanying's behalf.

I put everything

in a ledger.

Inspector Zhang, please investigate.

Yeah.

I did everything.

I embezzled jewelry.

I had an affair with Xu Nanying.

I harbored stolen goods and sold them.

I, Bai Niao, did everything.

It has nothing to do with Qin Mu.

Inspector Zhang, I'm at your disposal.

Qin Mu.

You poisoned Yuanxiang.

I sentence you fifty cane strokes and a fine of three million.

You can't leave Yangzhou

until Xu Nanying's case is cleared.

Take him down.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

I'm innocent.

I'm innocent.

Stupid woman.

It's all your fault. You're killing me.

Stupid woman.

I'm innocent, my lord.

Move fast. Be careful.

Okay.

Tong.

How's it going?

It's almost done, Lady Shijiu.

There are only a few boxes left.

Put your goods down.

Who is Lady Shijiu?

It's me.

Inspector Zhang is investigating a case.

Please come with us.

What does it have to do with me?

We're here under orders.

Please come with us.

Lady Shijiu.

Don't worry. Take care of the shop.

Yes, ma'am.

Please.

Lady Shijiu.

What do we do?

Why did the jewelry in Zhenlang Pavilion disappear

after the auction?

Why did it appear in Baicaojing House?

I don't know.

Zhenlang Pavilion was an empty shop

when I took it over.

Are you saying

that Mr. Xu took away the jewelry?

Or did you bribe him with the jewelry

to get Zhenlang Pavilion back?

Lady Shijiu, you acquiesced,

right?

Cui Shijiu.

Do you know these South Sea tribute pearls?

Why were they in Baicaojing House

with Yan's Zhenlang Pavilion's jewelry?

The tribute pearls case was closed

in Chang'an.

I don't know where they came from.

These South Sea tribute pearls were all from Cui's Pearl Farm.

They are not

in Yan's Zhenlang Pavilion's manifest.

Cui Shijiu.

Can you prove where they came from?

If my Cui family had tribute pearls,

we wouldn't be where we are today.

That is to say,

those South Sea tribute pearls were there

before you took over Zhenlang Pavilion.

No.

I should say

before the Cui family's tribute pearls fraud case.

I have feelings for Zhenlang Pavilion.

That's why I bought it.

I don't know anything about those tribute pearls

and those goods.

Inspector Zhang.

Zheng Zhiheng has something to report.

Let him in.

Yes, sir.

Inspector Zhang.

Zheng Zhiheng.

What is it?

Cui Shijiu

wanted to buy the Zhenlang Pavilion from the government.

But Xu Nanying took the opportunity

to ask Cui Shijiu for all the goods in Zhenlang Pavilion.

I was there as a witness.

I can find witnesses to prove

how the jewelry

got from Zhenlang Pavilion to Baicaojing House.

I can confront Xu Nanying.

This box of tribute pearls has nothing to do with Cui Shijiu.

Inspector Zhang, please investigate.

[Grand Governor's Office]

Mr. Zheng, the master wants to see you.

Shijiu.

Go back to Zhenlang Pavilion first.

Go.

Don't worry. It will be all right.

The patriarch said

The master wants to see you and Lady Shijiu.

Wu.

For this woman,

the Zheng family lost a lot of money,

and Prince Ying lost Xu Nanying.

Tell me.

How am I supposed to punish you?

It was my idea.

It has nothing to do with Cui Shijiu.

Someone.

Punish him according to the family rules.

Master, please leave him alone.

He realized his mistake.

Hold him down

and cane him.

Wu, apologize to your father.

Apologize.

Say you're wrong.

Say it.

The Zheng family bribed Xu Nanying

with a lot of money.

But this money became evidence of Xu Nanying's guilt.

Cui Shijiu got Zhenlang Pavilion.

But she didn't make anything out of it.

Pig.

What do you think of the Zheng family?

Mr. Zheng.

It's none of his business.

Cane me if you want.

Cui Shijiu.

You are not my daughter-in-law.

I can't cane you.

But I underestimated you.

Xu Nanying is finished.

The Zheng family is finished.

What's in it for you?

If I didn't do that,

how will the Cui family...?

Shut up. It's all your fault!

Mother!

Wu.

Sober up.

She's been using you!

If you go on like this,

you will killed by her.

Master.

Please have mercy.

- Cane him! - Master!

Keep caning!

You will kill him, Master!

Master, please have mercy!

Senior.

Do you regret

coming this far?

I'm a prisoner.

I have nothing to say.

I didn't expect you

to call me senior.

The law comes first.

But we have a personal relationship.

Don't try to lecture me.

If you are not from a famous family,

how could you learn from our master

at a young age,

be appreciated by Prince Ying,

and be recommended to the Emperor?

You've always been better than me.

Now, you don't care that I'm your senior brother

and go after me.

You're

ungrateful.

I am ungrateful?

Prince Tan appreciated you.

But you left him and went to Prince Ying.

You succeeded easily

and gained the trust of Prince Ying.

How did you do it?

Switching sides is a taboo in life.

Why does Prince Ying trust you?

A wise man chooses a good master to serve.

Don't ask me about it.

You can

ask Prince Ying.

Looks like

you don't want to be honest with me.

Say no more.

In your current position,

you can't convict me.

If you want to convict me,

we'll talk about it when we get to Chang'an.

I can't convict you.

But Qin Mu, Bai Niao, and Cui Shijiu

have made a confession.

They have presented all the evidence.

I have written to the Emperor

to explain the situation.

Prince Ying can't do anything about it.

Senior.

Can you still be so calm

when you get to the Court of Judicial Review?

Jinran.

Jinran.

Jinran.

Jinran, don't go.

Please help me, Jinran.

I beg you on my knees.

Think about our master.

If he knows

we are against each other,

he will be upset.

Think about our master.

Jinran.

Jinran.

Jinran.

Jinran!

I know one thing

from sixteen years ago.

Yan's Trading Convoy.

Black Dragon Bandits.

Yan's Trading Convoy?

It was a long time ago.

It doesn't make any sense to mention it.

No one brings it up

because it's not the right time.

Then we'll die together!

[Zhang Jinran is going after the old case]

[Baicaojing House]

Mu.

Am I beautiful?

I won the top beauty title again.

I'll make a lot of money

to open a branch for you.

I'll find you a wife.

She's been like this since she got out of jail.

She's crazy.

She doesn't recognize people.

We don't let her out

because we're afraid someone will mess with her.

We can only lock her in the room.

I'm still the Top Beauty.

Qin Mu is ruthless.

Look at his sister.

He doesn't even care about her.

Get a loyal servant to take care of her.

Duckweed Society will pay for it.

Ms. Su.

She tried to destroy you.

But you want to take care of her.

Yeah.

I thank you for Lady Bai.

Have children...

This is

her punishment.

The one who should be punished

should not have gone far.

Hurry.

Go.

Stop.

Gadgets. Have a look.

Have a look.

Don't run!

- What? - Stop!

What do you want?

You...

Get him back!

Don't move!

What do you want to do?

Beat him!

What do you want?

I'll kill you!

- I'll kill you! - Help!

Beat him!

Beat him!

You're ruthless!

Out of the way!

Give it to me!

It's robbery.

I'll go to the officer!

Robbery?

We are just taking back what belongs to Lady Bai.

What's wrong with you?

She tried to destroy you.

Lady Bai will take her punishment.

You're scum.

You're ruthless to your sister.

You deserve to die!

Miss.

Miss, please leave something for me.

Leave something for me.

- Otherwise, how will I... - Go on beating him!

Die!

Help!

Help!

I'll kill you!

You're ruthless!

It's time to eat.

It's time to eat. Come on.

It's time to eat.

What do you want?

Get down.

Take this letter to Chang'an

and hand it over to Prince Ying in person.

I can't do it.

If you deliver it to him,

you'll be rich.

I'm framed.

As long as this letter is sent to Chang'an,

I will return to my post.

I'll promote you at that time.

Understand?

Remember.

Xu Lin.

You don't have to follow me to Yangzhou.

Mr. Xu...

Take this letter.

Don't appear in Yangzhou

without my summon.

Mr. Xu, is the journey dangerous?

The future is uncertain.

I need to be prepared.

You can save my life.

Don't expose yourself.

Yes, sir.

Xu Nanying asked Chang'an for help.

Your Highness, this is Xu Nanying.

Zhang Jinran is not loyal to you.

He's going after the old case.

I tried my best to maintain the situation in Yangzhou.

But he framed me.

I was put in prison for bribery.

It's quiet in the forest.

I'm afraid I'm in danger.

Please save me

to save Yangzhou.

There are many people in the Grand Governor's Office.

He wrote this letter.

He won't stop.

Yes.

Unless he has another way,

his letter will not reach Chang'an

before my memorial.

There's no point in him calling for help.

Maybe his letter meant more

than just a cry for help.

It's quiet in the forest.

I'm afraid I'm in danger.

It's quiet in the forest...

Forest... [*Lin]

Xu Lin?

Xu Lin didn't follow Xu Nanying

to Yangzhou.

Xu Lin disappeared after the case in Guangzhou.

After Xu Nanying went to Prince Ying,

he was promoted to Yangzhou.

But Xu Lin didn't follow him.

Does Xu Lin

have something on Prince Ying?

It can get Xu Nanying promoted.

It's possible.

In addition to calling for help,

the letter is a threat.

Mr. Zhang.

The messenger said that Prince Ying was about to have his fortieth birthday.

[Yangzhou Grand Governor's Office]

[Zhang Jinran, Inspector of Huainandao] He sent you the letter

inviting you to go back to the capital to participate in his birthday party.

And

I have interrogated Xu Nanying's officers.

Their confessions are pretty much the same as before.

Do you want me to catch his servants?

There must be someone weak among them.

Someone will confess under the caning.

There is no point in torturing his servants.

[Zhang Jinran, Inspector of Huainandao]

Xu Lin is the key to this.

Xu Nanying has just been taken into custody.

Prince Ying sent a letter to ask me to return to Chang'an.

It's a test.

We will encounter more obstacles in the future.

We're running out of time.

Send this memorial

to Chang'an

as soon as possible.

Yes, sir.

[Zhang Jinran, Inspector of Huainandao, Yangzhou Grand Governor's Office]

You used to compete with Prince Tan.

You said you wanted

to bring integrity and justice

to the country.

This time,

I'll practice integrity and justice.

[Zhang Jinran, Inspector of Huainandao, Yangzhou Grand Governor's Office]

How's it going?

Everything was sold.

We invested so much in it.

We lost more than 20%

by selling in such a hurry.

Money will come and go.

We can

make Zhang Jinran less stressed

and make Yangzhou's case

easier.

If something happens to me,

I can leave something for Duanwu.

Don't jinx it.

You must be healthy.

Well...

Master.

You are obedient.

You're more obedient than Duanwu used to be.

We're depending on others.

We should do something for them.

It's your turn.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

- Let's go. - They have a special offer for the opening.

Let's have a look.

Have a look.

Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet.

Lady Shijiu.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today is the reopening day of Cui's Zhenlang Pavilion.

To thank our new and existing customers in Yangzhou,

all products are half price.

Zhenlang Pavilion goes back to the Cui family.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please go in and have a look.

- We have a variety of styles. - Let's have a look.

Please go in.

Miss, do you have necklaces?

Yes.

- Please go in, Miss. - Please go in.

Please go in.

Have a look.

- Please go in. - Miss, have a look.

Please go in.

Lady Shijiu.

It's a good sign

that there are a lot of customers.

Have a look.

Zhenlang Pavilion is empty.

-It won't last long, - Have a look.

if we only sell these.

Right.

Please.

Take care of the customers.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

Are you waiting for Mr. Wu?

Mr. Wu was yelled at by Mr. Zheng because of you.

He was caned.

He's probably still recovering.

If we run Zhenlang Pavilion well,

maybe the Zheng family will accept you,

and Mr. Wu will be impressed by you.

I didn't do it for him.

Zhenlang Pavilion belongs to the Cui family.

Don't talk nonsense.

Modify those pieces of jewelry

and sell them.

Yes, ma'am.

Miss, come in and have a look.

We have new styles.

Come in and have a look.

[Clear Mind]

Let's see what Clear Mind will do.

Cui Shijiu!

Cui Shijiu,

you're really ruthless.

Why are you doing here?

You just got caned.

Why don't you recuperate at home

but come here?

Zhenlang Pavilion cost the Zheng family so much.

If I don't come and have a look,

my father won't leave me alone,

and he will hit me hard.

Don't worry.

I will manage Zhenlang Pavilion well.

I won't let others point fingers at me.

Shijiu.

Even if you run Zhenlang Pavilion well,

it's meaningless

to the Zheng family.

Don't forget our promise.

I have to go.

[Zhenlang Pavilion]

Your leg is not healed. Don't walk around.

Recuperate at Zhenlang Pavilion.

[Qin's Glass Workshop] Look, Yingtao.

It's beautiful.

The glassware I made in the past

was old-fashioned.

Mr. Qin, you have the best skills

in Yangzhou.

Only you can make my design

come to fruition.

It will be the first batch of glassware

made by Clear Mind.

I want it to impress everyone

and be the best glassware in Yangzhou.

Can we do it?

Of course.

Why not?

As long as you hang in there, there will be a turnaround.

People should live

with expectations.

You can be a thief all the time.

But you can't guard against thieves all the time.

The Zheng family is strong.

You'll be busy dealing

with their means.

They will destroy you.

I'm old.

I can't handle it.

I don't have the energy

and the mood.

Mr. Qin.

They are evil.

They bullied you before.

Now, they are bullying Ms. Su.

Who knows

who they will bully later?

It is not easy for Yangzhou

to prosper.

But it's easy

to ruin it.

We can't handle it.

You're right. We are normal

and weak.

We need to stick together.

The Cui family and the Zheng family

have been in jewelry industry for years.

When they're good, we're good.

When they're not good, we're not good.

Why?

They are industry leaders.

But they bully us.

We must work together

to fight them.

Mr. Qin.

I know we are weak.

We can't beat them.

I promise you

that if you join Clear Mind,

I will do everything to protect you,

so you don't have to be as scared as before.

Trust me.

I'm old.

I don't want to get into trouble again.

They will torture you.

I've been scared

all these years.

Father.

Mr. Qin.

I understand.

Mr. Qin.

I'm sorry to bother you these days.

Thank you.

I'll give you

the money.

Don't worry.

Thank you.

My name was not Su Muzhe.

Mr. Qin.

You can call me Duanwu.

I was a pearl diver in Hepu.

I went through a lot to get here.

I've known since I was a kid

that people make things happen.

You do it,

so you make it.

Maybe I'm stubborn.

Even if it's a dead end,

I will try to find a way

out of it.

If I hadn't tried,

I wouldn't have come this far.

I won't

depend on others.

I will

find my way by myself.

See you.

Wait.

This is a good place.

This is the perfect place for a glass workshop.

Let's tidy up this place.

Tidy it up, okay?

- Okay! - Okay!

Come on. Let's get to work.

Here. Duanwu.

Careful.

Careful. Let me.

Let me.

Probably...

Here.

Mr. Qin, look at this.

Here.

Here.

Supervisor Kang, give me a hand.

Let me.

Push.

Mr. Qin.

Mr. Qin.

How about it?

Ms. Su.

The kiln is good.

We can make glassware now.

Great.

- Great. - Great.

We made it.

Yunxiu, we can make glassware.

We made it.

That's great, father.

[Time is precious]

Mr. Wang.

Inspector Zhang.

I am here for Yangzhou Governor Xu Nanying's bribery case.

I was ordered to escort him back to Chang'an for trial.

You were ordered?

Mr. Wang.

You must have an imperial edict from the Metropolitan Secretariat.

Inspector Zhang.

You have written to impeach Xu Nanying.

But he's the governor of Yangzhou,

one of the highest officials in Southeast.

You've caused a lot of discussion

by arresting him in the Governor's Office.

Inspector Zhang, think about it.

I think

my impeachment

should have just gone to the Chancellery.

It shouldn't have been forwarded yet.

Mr. Wang.

How did you know I impeached Xu Nanying?

You have to know

that if the Chancellery leaks it out,

you'll be guilty of a crime.

Well.

If you have an imperial edict from the Metropolitan Secretariat,

I'll do as you say.

If it's just the Court of Judicial Review,

you'd better leave.

The Court of Judicial Review

and I, the Inspector of Huainandao, don't belong to the same department.

You!

Inspector Zhang.

What is it?

Inspector Zhang.

Mr. Xu doesn't feel good.

I didn't dare to make a decision.

Please go there and have a look.

Physician Lin, how is he?

His pulse is disturbed.

Give me some more time.

Can I take him back to Chang'an immediately?

I don't think so.

He could die on the road.

No!

I must

take Mr. Xu to Chang'an immediately.

Mr. Wang.

Are you taking Mr. Xu back for interrogation?

Or do you want him to die halfway?

Zhang Jinran!

I'm telling you.

If he dies in your prison,

can you afford it?

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Can you hold on

and go back to Chang'an with me?

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Wang.

He's seriously ill.

You'd better talk about it later.

Go.

Physician Lin.

How is Mr. Xu?

Inspector Zhang.

I'm afraid that Mr. Xu

was poisoned.

He won't die.

But he needs some rest.

He was poisoned?

Yes.

♪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♪