01x05 - Moving Into New House

[bunniefuu]

Young Master,

we've searched all forge shops in the city.

But we didn't find anything related

to the armaments.

Could it be that Xu Jinzhong destroyed

all the evidence after knowing

Head Armorer Dong was captured?

It's only been several days

since Dong Cangguan was captured.

Even if he managed

to destroy all the letters,

he couldn't have destroyed

the armaments.

He's anxious to sell them out.

So he'll definitely contact the buyers first.

People will leave trails,

and carriages will leave track marks.

So long he makes a move,

we'll definitely find out.

What do you mean

by saying people or carriages?

Carriage? That carriage.

This carriage looks familiar.

It's the Cheng Family's carriage.

Young Master,

what is it that's mesmerizing you?

It's snowing.

It's going to be the New Year soon.

Have we ever prepared

the New Year's goods

for our brothers in the army?

Prepare New Year's goods?

Prepare some dried fruit snacks.

This will also be

our first time celebrating

New Year's Day in the capital.

I thought Young Master

never celebrated any

of these reunion festivals.

Young Master, you haven't visited

Marquis Chengyang

since you returned to the capital.

Officials are starting to talk

in your behind.

I heard Marquis Chengyang presented

memorials requesting His Majesty

to invite you to return home

for a reunion on New Year's Day.

I'm not going.

(Cheng's Residence)

Mother, you're here just in time.

The auspicious hour has arrived.

We were just waiting for you

to start the offerings.

Shi, you must be freezing

in this cold weather.

It doesn't matter

when we perform the offerings.

Why must we insist on waiting

for the auspicious hour?

We dare not start with the offerings

if the elder of the Cheng Family

is not here.

Heaven and earth forbid

disrespectful and unfilial behaviors.

Mother, here you go.

We live close to here.

It only takes a few steps.

Why did we have to wake up so early?

The day is still so cold.

This is torturous.

We should be ceremonious

when moving into a new home.

We mustn't treat it so casually.

What's the matter?

I feel cold.

Shi.

(Marquis Quling's Residence)

The auspicious hour has arrived.

The auspicious hour has arrived.

(Marquis Quling's Residence)

It feels good.

This place makes me feel so good.

How sturdy.

This table is

so smooth.

Shi,

we've moved into such a huge house.

We must invite more guests

to make things merrier.

The Cheng Family

isn't a big household.

There are too few men.

So it's not lively enough.

Old Madam,

Master was only given the title of Marquis.

He hasn't been promoted yet.

Won't it be more glorious for you

to hold a banquet and invite the guests

when the Master is appointed?

I like the sound of that.

When he's appointed,

we'll receive more monetary gifts.

When that happens,

we'll hold the banquet

for three days and three nights.

I'll invite all of my friends

from the village

and show them

how great the Cheng Family has become.

Hu,

take me to my room.

I want to see how big it is

and see how many gifts it can store.

She's finally gone.

Help me sit.

I'm so exhausted.

I need to sit.

Sit in a proper manner.

You complained of being tired

because you waked up early only today.

You've been lazy

all this time.

Look at Yangyang.

She wakes up early to study everyday.

When has she ever complained

that she's tired?

Niaoniao just recovered

from her illness.

She should get more rest.

Mother woke Niaoniao up

before midnight.

So it's normal for her to feel tired.

Put Niaoniao aside.

I accompanied with Mother all day today.

It's more tiring

than a day's military drill.

How I wish I could go

and rest in my room.

Father,

you must get proper rest

for these few days.

It's going to be hard when you leave

for your expedition in a few days.

How did you know?

I didn't tell her.

Yangyang,

why don't you check your room?

You can tell me

if there's anything that you don't like.

Yes.

How did you know

about the royal court's military order?

Answer me!

I made a guess.

Father was granted a title and wealth.

Yet, he was not appointed to

any position in court.

Besides, Father doesn't look like

he was being ostracized

at court either.

So I'm guessing

His Majesty has arranged

something else for Father.

Father,

our family no longer lacks anything.

Decline it if you can.

It must be arduous. So it doesn't matter

if you don't go.

My daughter is indeed wise.

Rest assured.

It's not a w*r expedition this time.

We'll only set out after the New Year.

It's not a w*r expedition?

You're leaving after the New Year?

-Niaoniao,

-If so

your courtyard is over there.

You're not fully recovered yet.

So go back and get some rest early.

Don't get sick again.

How clever.

She takes after you.

You always protect her.

Young Lady,

I've never seen such

a beautiful courtyard.

This courtyard is really beautiful.

Miss Lianfang.

Young Lady.

Young Lady, look at this.

Young Lady,

it's such a huge courtyard.

Are they really letting us stay here?

Lianfang,

what's that pile of things?

I think they're some old things

Old Madam cleared out

from her courtyard.

She's piling them up here

before throwing them out.

Don't throw them out.

I have some use for them.

But these things look so old.

What can you do with them?

I'll tell you later.

You always compliment Yangyang

and yell at Niaoniao.

The more you're behaving this way,

the more she's unwilling

to listen to you.

Doesn't Yangyang deserve compliments?

Her birth mother is a useless fool

and an embarrassment.

But she never

complains or resents it.

She's neither inferior nor arrogant.

She only does her part.

But look at Niaoniao.

What's wrong with Niaoniao?

Yangyang has her Aunt to teach her.

But no one taught Niaoniao before.

I'm teaching her, am I not?

You don't need much effort

to teach Niaoniao.

She picks up very fast.

Once she understands it,

she'll learn very quickly.

So

one must marry an intelligent bride.

Niaoniao takes after your intelligence.

What's the point of being intelligent?

Being upright is the most important.

Have you forgotten about me?

I'm an upright man.

Niaoniao is intelligent like you

and upright like me.

So it's perfect.

What's that sound?

It's coming

from your daughter's courtyard.

I think she's trying

to destroy the house.

If she is, let her be.

Don't yell at her.

Don't agitate yourself.

Young Lady,

if your mother finds out,

she'll scold you

for having improper conduct.

There's nothing to be scared of.

You still have me if the sky falls.

Besides,

don't you want a swing?

I do.

All these are for building a swing?

Young Lady, you can even build a swing?

Of course.

When Grandmother renovated the yard,

I watched the carpenters do it,

and I even secretly helped

them several times.

Look.

I'll make two openings there

and fix them by wedging them

with a piece of wood.

When our swing is completed,

I'll build a rack

and grow vines on top of it.

How comfortable it will be

to sit on the swing and admire the moon

on a long summer night.

What are you doing?

Young Lady is building a swing.

Madam, look.

You're a lady,

not a carpenter.

If you spared your interest in reading

instead of pleasure,

I wouldn't worry about you.

Since you have time to play

with these useless things,

I guess the books aren't enough

for you to read.

I've instructed Qingcong

to borrow some ancient texts and books

from your cousin.

From tomorrow on,

you shall study in my room every day.

Just next door.

Mother,

I still don't know that many words.

Won't it be too soon for me

to study ancient texts?

No, it won't.

Your father said you're intelligent

and pick up very fast.

Naturally, you'll learn faster

and learn more than others.

If you're not willing to study,

don't ever think

about going out of the house.

Why did my mother

have that look?

Impressed with you.

You've done well.

Zhi!

You're finally home.

Watch your steps.

(Cheng Zhi)

(Cheng Zhi)

Mother.

My son,

you're home.

You're so heartless.

You're finally home, Zhi.

I missed you dearly.

(Anyone who doesn't know)

(he's your son would think)

(your lover has returned.)

Your attitude changed too quickly.

(Cheng Shaogong)

Beware. Mother is looking at you.

Who are you?

It doesn't matter who I am.

I'm afraid you'll be punished today

after reading a fortune.

Why would I be punished?

Stop scaring Niaoniao.

Niaoniao, I'm your brother.

Greetings, Second Brother.

Greetings, Third Brother.

(Cheng Song)

How do you know I'm your second brother

(Cheng Song)

and not eldest brother?

Just like third brother,

I read a fortune.

Just like third brother,

he knew who I was

without me saying a word.

Is there a need

to read a fortune for this?

Judging by your age and attires,

you're either Niaoniao or Yangyang.

But Yangyang is well-behaved

and wouldn't come out like this.

The truth is,

I didn't read a fortune on this.

I heard eldest brother is a genteel talent

from Mount Bailu

and he is now with the military.

While second brother is

a mighty military man.

Someone with such a frail body

must be third brother.

You

Shaogong has found a nemesis this time.

Niaoniao's eloquence is

no worse than yours.

Cautious.

Mother is looking at us.

No need to trick me.

Mother is

You haven't greeted Grandmother yet.

Niaoniao,

you should pay your respect to

your Third Uncle and Third Aunt.

Yes.

-Greetings, Grandmother.

-Greetings, Third Uncle.

Greetings

My lovely grandsons.

My child.

Are you Song?

Grandmother, I'm Shaogong.

I'm Song.

This is so comforting.

But our family doesn't have

enough men.

Zhi,

you must put in more effort.

Help yourself with more flatbread later.

You'll have more strength

to produce offsprings

for the Cheng Family

when you're satiated.

Mother, must you speak of this

in front of the youngsters?

You're so tall.

As expected

of the Cheng Family's male offsprings.

Niaoniao.

Greet your Third Aunt.

Greetings, Third Aunt.

(Sang Shunhua)

She's indeed as smart

(Sang Shunhua)

as what you wrote in your letter.

She behaves in a conceited manner.

While Yangyang is waiting patiently

for her elders in the hall.

She came out first

without having proper manners.

It's better for a young girl to be lively.

Is brother-in-law still

in the courtyard?

We should go inside

and not let him wait.

All right.

Old Madam.

Let's go inside.

Yes, of course!

Come, Zhi.

Come and have some flatbread.

I've prepared everything for you.

Buttermilk too.

I've prepared a lot of delicious food.

-You must help yourself.

-Yes.

Mother, take care.

All right.

Brothers,

do you have any strategies

to face Mother?

Honestly,

I made a knife pen that carves

three characters at the same time.

Do you really have such

a wonderful object?

Niaoniao, you mustn't keep it

for yourself.

Make one for each of us.

Tell me.

Well,

pretend you're ill

when she physically punishes you.

I have one.

When she starts scolding you,

lower your head

and pretend not to hear anything at all.

After she has reprimanded you,

lift your head and say,

"Mother, I'm sorry."

What else? Tell me more.

Also

Zhi.

- All right.

- Let's drink.

-Zhi.

-Mother.

My son,

I missed you so much.

Mother.

You do love buttermilk, don't you?

Here.

I've warmed it up for you. Try it.

All right, Mother.

Here, open your mouth.

Does Grandmother disapprove

of Third Aunt too?

Third Uncle requested

to marry Third Aunt himself.

She's the daughter

of the Master of Mount Bailu.

The truth is this marriage elevates

our family's status.

But Grandmother still doesn't think

Third Aunt is compatible

with Third Uncle.

I'm afraid only matching

a beautiful fairy

for Third Uncle

would make Grandmother happy.

Second Uncle

laid low for more than ten years

for the sake of the family.

But Grandmother has

no sympathy at all.

Everyone says

people are snobbish.

But who would have thought

some parents

would treat their children that way?

If parents judge their children

based on appearance and potential,

why should I respect them

as a junior?

Who are you criticizing

in secret there?

Mother,

I was asking Niaoniao.

We're obviously twins.

But why don't we look similar at all?

That's right.

Both of us are not as

pretty as Niaoniao is.

Niaoniao,

we've been apart for many years.

I've brought you many delicacies

and interesting things.

Don't just dote on Niaoniao.

Yangyang is also your sister.

There must be no fewer gifts for her.

It's getting late now.

I suppose it's time

for Old Madam to get some rest.

I'm still sober.

Why should I rest earlier?

Zhi and I have many things to talk.

Mother,

I haven't slept

because I've been on the road for days.

You should get some rest then.

Zhi,

I'll show you the way to your room.

It's all right.

I'll send Zhi myself.

My son.

It's done. You can come down now.

(Marquis Quling's Residence)

(Marquis Quling's Residence)

Careful.

Look.

Someone set off firecrackers.

(Virtue Flows Like Water)

Careful.

Hand it over to me.

All right. Align it to the left.

Perfect.

First Aunt.

Third Aunt.

Yangyang,

you can leave these chores

to the servants.

You should get some rest.

It's been a tiring day for you.

I'm not tired.

You're more tired than I am.

You trust me

and give me a chance to manage

the household duties.

I would naturally do my best

not to let you down.

I know your intention.

You should go and rest now.

Yes.

If Niaoniao is half sensible

as Yangyang,

I wouldn't have to worry.

Yangyang is making the arrangements

for this year's New Year's feast.

I was concerned she wouldn't be able

to manage the offering ceremony

at the ancestral hall today.

Surprisingly,

she made no mistake at all.

This is the behavior

of an unmarried young lady should have.

Just like what you said.

That enormous bridge.

Yangyang is clever and gentle.

Niaoniao is lively and smart.

They have their merits.

You can't always praise Yangyang

and belittle Niaoniao.

I'm not partial to either of them.

I was only complimenting

those who do well.

Yangyang is a sensible girl.

I'm willing to teach her

everything I know.

Niaoniao is smart too.

Why aren't you teaching her these?

She should correct

the bad behaviors influenced

by Madam Ge first

before learning business matters.

How can she learn to manage a household

when she doesn't have proper conduct?

Niaoniao, why don't we go

and watch firecrackers?

I have no interest

in watching firecrackers.

I should probably go back to my room.

The New Year is a day for reunion.

Please save

your proprieties for today.

Help yourselves with the drinks.

Zisheng has returned to the capital,

(Madam Chunyu, Ling Yi)

and Princess Yuchang is waiting to marry him.

I suppose

it'll be a double blessing

for Your Lordship this year.

All right.

Let's have a toast

for Zisheng's marriage.

Zisheng,

we were just mentioning your betrothal.

Come.

Take a seat beside me.

I come bearing His Majesty's decree

to come forward and reunite

with Marquis Chengyang.

Everyone, please feel at ease.

I stand here

to dine with you.

Princess Yuchang has arrived!

(Princess Yuchang)

Greetings, Princess Yuchang.

General Ling.

I still have some official matters

to attend to.

So I shall not stay further.

Zisheng,

there's no need to rush.

You still need to eat

no matter how occupied you are.

You can't handle your affairs

with an empty stomach.

That's right, Zisheng.

Princess Yuchang wants

to celebrate the Lantern Festival with you.

You mustn't decline.

Zisheng,

marriage should be dictated by parents.

Would we do anything harm to you?

Parents' orders?

Where's my mother now, pray tell?

She's

a nobody.

Your Highness,

I must make this clear to you

in front of everyone here.

The bride I seek is

to know she's the one

at the first sight.

My life and my heart will belong to her.

If I can't find such a woman,

I would rather not marry

in my whole life.

And Your Highness

is not her.

Excuse me.

(Xinghua Courtyard)

Young Master,

we've taken down all the lanterns.

The new servants didn't know better

and hung the lanterns

on New Year's Eve in the courtyard.

Madam had a great shock

that she clamored all night

about Gu City on fire.

She didn't even have her dinner.

You haven't taken your meal either.

Why don't I reheat the dishes for you?

No need.

I have no appetite.

Go

and bring all the lanterns

from Xu Jinzhong's forge shop to me.

Yes.

Is there anything unusual

about the forge shop's lanterns?

I do recall

other shops hanging lanterns too.

You're right.

But the lantern frame of other shops

is made from bamboo.

But every lantern

from Xu Jinzhong's forge shop

has a round iron ring fixed

at the bottom of the lampshade.

Ordinary lantern shops

don't have such forging skills.

The reason Xu Jinzhong's lanterns

are different from others is

that he made them himself.

Why would a blacksmith

like him make lanterns?

We didn't find any leads

in his secret room that day

because he had hidden the leads

in places we would overlook.

That is

the lantern used for lighting at night.

(There was a beautiful

whose face I can't forget.)

Your Highness,

it's cold.

Why don't you wait in the carriage?

To avoid me,

he rather comes

to a cold place like this

than stays in a warm place.

Why don't

we go inside?

Your Highness.

I'm not this accurate every time.

You left without having your meal

because of me.

I came here because I felt apologetic.

Putting that aside,

do you have any spare time

on the day of the Lantern Festival,

General Ling?

I made this lantern myself.

I'm occupied.

Whether you'll go or not,

I shall wait patiently

at the Lantern Festival Show.

(There was a beautiful

whose face I can't forget.)

Young Master,

this is the lantern

from Xu Jinzhong's secret room.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Young Master,

Princess Yuchang is completely besotted

with you.

Do you see what's written

on this lantern?

"There was a beautiful

whose face I can't forget."

I did hear

the lanterns at the Lantern Festival Shows

would usually be in pairs.

Did you say "in pairs?"

Xu Jinzhong is really an old fox.

He hid the lead in the lantern.

If the buyers wish

to correspond with him,

they will only need to leave

the other pair of lanterns.

This would allow them to communicate

without meeting each other.

We shall also go

to the Lantern Festival Show.

This room doesn't look like

a lady's room.

There's nothing else but books.

It looks rather shabby.

Father put a lot of effort

to find these ancient texts.

No amount of money can get these.

How are these shabby?

It has been an endless day for you.

You should get some rest.

Young Lady,

you're too sensible.

It'll only bring you

to your disadvantage.

Madam Xiao has sent your mother away

from Cheng's residence.

No one can protect you now.

If you don't fight for it,

you'll be suffering losses

in the future.

Mother returned to the Ge family

because she was at fault.

First Aunt treats me better

than she treats Niaoniao.

She's generous

with my food and clothing.

How is that a loss?

Do you consider this generous?

What did First Madam say?

First Madam said

we could take anything we need

from the storehouse.

She certainly knows

how to conduct herself.

We know Old Madam is more partial

to males than females.

The first chamber's sons have returned.

With Third Master being

Old Madam's favorite son.

Our Young Lady

has no position

in this residence anymore.

No one is taking charge

of the second chamber now.

There will be no place

for us in the future.

We must vie for everything.

We must first establish our authority.

So others wouldn't dare to humiliate us.

Come and see the interesting things

we've brought for you.

I'm afraid

you've brought your entire wealth here.

What should I give you in return?

But I'm sure you know

I don't have much money

from staying home

all these years.

How about I give you

my weaved grasshoppers

for each of you?

You can give it to Song.

Giving gifts is nothing more

than one's intentions.

I'm contented

that you have such intention.

Niaoniao,

come and take a look at this first.

What is this?

Bamboo texts.

I'm sure you find these more interesting

than the ancient texts

that Mother gave you.

If you learn from these,

you'll learn faster.

Song,

where did you find this treasure?

It couldn't be any better.

Song didn't like to study

back in the day.

Eldest brother especially made

these bamboo texts to teach him.

Our eldest brother carved

all the paintings and scripts

of the heroic stories

of the b*ttlefield himself.

Our eldest brother is so kind.

This bamboo text is also good.

When I first started studying,

Second Aunt said I mustn't be wasteful.

So she ordered me

to wash off the bamboo scrolls I used.

Then I would air them out,

dry them in the sun and by the fire.

I would stitch them together

with hemp thread to reuse them.

But everything split after several days.

That's absurd.

Our family doesn't lack money.

Father and Mother sent

trunks of money back home every year before.

There aren't many people

in the household.

It would still be enough

to eat a lavish meal every day.

How could she treat you ungenerously?

Rest assured.

If you need anything in the future,

you can tell me.

I will even pick stars in the sky

if you want them.

Niaoniao,

is this the bamboo scroll you mean

you've been reusing?

What about this writing desk?

That's my cousin's old desk.

It should be used by a child obviously.

You're all grown up now.

This is too low for you.

Is that so?

I never noticed.

You never noticed

because you're already used to it.

Let's put this aside for now.

I'll teach you how

to play with it in a while.

Eldest brother gave me

a writing desk in the past.

It's a rosewood writing desk

with qilins carved on four corners.

Since I'm no longer using it,

you can have it.

Thank you, Shaogong.

You're welcome.

I'll have someone send

it over right now.

You can spare the trouble, Shaogong.

Lianfang,

go and get it.

Yes, Young Lady.

Let me teach you how to play this.

Let me show you.

Be careful.

Lianfang.

Lianfang.

Where are you going

after making a huge display?

The Third Young Master is giving

a writing desk to my Young Lady.

He said he felt bad seeing

the state of her writing desk,

so he wanted her to study comfortably.

This writing desk is beautiful.

Lianfang,

my Young Lady wants

to custom make a writing desk too.

But I don't know anything

about the styles.

I wonder if you can take the trouble

and carry this writing desk

to my Young Lady's place

to show her the style.

We'll just make one similar to it.

You're asking the right person.

The Eldest Young Master custom made

this writing desk

for Third Young Master back then.

This style is rare.

Help her carry it.

Yes.

That's courteous of you.

Yangyang,

you've met the shopkeepers of shops.

If you have any questions,

you can ask them.

Thank you, First Aunt.

Lianfang and Changpu are fighting

in the courtyard.

You can do it.

First Madam.

Young Lady.

First Madam spent efforts in teaching you.

Why don't you invite her

to have some tea inside?

Spare the trouble.

It's no trouble at all.

Only when you're here,

does our Young Lady's courtyard

feel merrier.

Since Madam Ge left,

people in the household

have been treating us lightly.

No one is willing to come.

Young Lady has always been alone

without anyone to rely on.

She doesn't cry or complain.

Who can she talk to

when she needs to express her feelings?

First Aunt,

don't take what she said to heart.

You had a long day today.

You should get some rest.

I don't feel tired today.

So I'll come in for tea.

That's great.

Let's go. Don't just stand there.

You started it!

This belongs to my Young Lady.

Why your Young Lady owns this

while my Young Lady can't have one?

You should ask Third Young Master.

This belongs to my Young Lady.

It's now in our study room,

so it belongs to my Young Lady.

That's absurd.

It belongs to my Young Lady

You hit me first.

Yet, you still want to argue.

That belongs to my Young Lady.

What are you doing?

Stop it, Lianfang!

Who gave you the right to hit her?

Changpu, what are you doing?

What's wrong?

Changpu! Wake up, Changpu.

I didn't even hit her that hard.

Changpu, wake up!

Open your eyes!

Changpu!

Why hasn't Lianfang returned yet?

Shaogong's room isn't that far away.

Perhaps she's hiding somewhere dallying.

That's not possible.

Lianfang is certainly not

that sort of person.

She's always honest and responsible.

Besides,

you may not know this.

But if it weren't for Lianfang

who stayed to take care of me,

I wouldn't be able

to survive until today.

Ms. Qing.

Young Lady,

Madam asked you to head

to Jiuzhui Hall for questioning.

♪The beacon-fire has knocked

over the white snow♪

♪I caress the scars gently

from the past♪

♪Your back to the light,

your eyes contain the galaxy♪

♪I hum as the sun

and the moon mutter back♪

♪The light between your brows♪

♪Was put out and rekindled

by the secular world♪

♪The sky, the mountain, and the ocean,

whom do I part them for?♪

♪As I wake up from the blue sea,

stone steles stand like a mountain range♪

♪Under the lantern, criticisms were thrown,

the narrow door could not contain my feelings♪

♪The joys and woes of this mortal life,

we speak as we dream of the future♪

♪Both of us will be♪

♪In the sea of stars,

burning bright with our sincerity♪

♪Our sincerity♪