01x29 - Episode 29

[bunniefuu]

♫ Flowers falling by the river again ♫ ♫ Turning the clear waves red ♫

♫ Sparrows singing in celebration ♫

♫ Calm years pass by the silent bustling city ♫ ♫ Sitting at home ♫

♫ No one knows love's outline like I do ♫

♫ If one day the river breeze blows again ♫

♫ I won't be a mere reflection in the mirror ♫

♫ Dreams can shatter; Memories remain ♫

♫ Rich fragrance A*DS; Light ink writes ♫

♫ In the deep red windows lies mundane dust ♫

Are You the One

[Episode 29]

Come on. This is Lord Huaiyang.

Greetings, Lord Huaiyang.

Father, I want to ride the big horse.

Alright. Take him to play.

Mr. Cui. There's no need to worry.

You should learn from me,

with family by your
side, enjoying the blessings of concubines.

The imperial edict has been issued.

If you don't go, that wouldn't be proper.

What if the Emperor misunderstands
that I kept you here in Beizhou?

What would we do then?

My memory isn't great,
but I seem to recall saying that

I only worry that if you want to send me away,
you won't be able to.

Mr. Cui, I'm not trying to send you away.

I'm thinking of your well-being.

Even if you go to the Palace as per the edict,

you can still find a way
to take a concubine later.

You're incredibly resourceful. When it comes to emotions,

why don't you know how to adapt?

-Help!
- Jinyan!

Help me!

- Help me!
- Someone, hurry!

Save me!

Help!

Help me! Someone, help!

Save me!

Father, hurry and save me!

Save me, save me!

Help me! Help me!

-Help me!
-Let go, let go!

Help me!

-Are you alright?
-I'm fine. I'm fine.

How bad are the injuries?

My Lord, don't scare me.

How badly is the Lord hurt?

The Lord fell from his horse.

His whole body is injured.

The most severe is this leg.

His left leg is broken.

Even with the best medicine
in the world to cure him,

he might be limping

for the rest of his life.

Mr. Cui.

Your leg got hurt from saving Jinyan.

You are my son's benefactor,
and the benefactor of my family.

If you're crippled in the future,
I'll make you a crutch.

If you're paralyzed,
I'll take care of you for life.

My Lord,

I appreciate your kindness, but I'm

about to marry Princess Wuhua.

Naturally, I will spend my life with her.

-What are you doing?
-Slow down, slow down.

Don't worry about me.

I just need to move a bit,

but my leg is numb.

It hurts so much it's gone numb.

Then don't move.

No way.

I've had many injuries.

Even if this leg is shattered,
I can't delay even for a moment.

I must go to the capital.

I can't disappoint the Grand Empress
Dowager's decree.

Absolutely not, My Lord!

With a little bump on the road,

if something goes wrong,
you might never get out of bed again.

And...

And...

A lifetime without descendants.

Princess Wuhua is of noble status.

Being with a cr*pple like me

would be a huge sacrifice for her.

If the Princess doesn't mind,

even if I lose these legs,
and I can't consummate the marriage,

can't consummate the marriage,

I have a sincere heart for the Princess.

For the rest of our lives,

we will love each other, never parting.

If the Princess is willing to care for
the Lord by his bed for the rest of her life,

then the Lord will surely...

soon be able to walk with a crutch.

Everyone in the world will praise the Princess
for her virtuous character.

This is a serious matter.

It's up to the Grand Empress Dowager
and His Majesty.

Your health is important. You should rest in Beizhou

to avoid
worsening your injuries on the road.

I will report your condition truthfully.

-The Grand Empress Dowager will not blame you.
- Yes, yes.

Then my princess...

Forget it.

How considerate of you.

Right now, nothing is more important
than health.

Rest well at my mansion.

Lord Zhao, if you can cure his illness,

use any herbs in the house.

I will do my best.

Then rest well.

We'll leave now.

Alright.

Let's go.

Sorry, I can't escort you further.

With your skills,
to save a child from falling off a horse,

even if you couldn't escape unscathed,
it shouldn't have ended up like this.

Push me up a bit. Push me up. I'll lean.

I didn't expect that

such a small fall
could almost end my family line.

Wasn't I helping you?

Why do this to yourself?

-Don't worry. I have a plan.
-What's the plan?

Let me tell you. This is a real injury.

If you don't take care of it,
you might really end up limping.

At the cost of the leg injury,
I managed to cancel the marriage.

It's worth it.

You did all this, yet she won't appreciate it.

I'm doing this out of my own volition. It has nothing to do with Miantang.

Let me tell you. Don't tell her.
If you tell her...

Alright, I won't mention it to her.

You know.

Cui Xingzhou has finished the
imperial business, and the decree has arrived.

Why hasn't he left yet?

Why not persuade him
to hurry up and head to the capital

and marry the Princess without any worries?

Lu Zhong.

- Sister.
-Is this the new physician you mentioned
for the escort agency?

Yes, this is him.

If you think he's talking nonsense, and is a
fake physician,

we're short of a punching bag.

Ms. Liu, does your hand still hurt?

I went to great lengths to make that medicine.
Are you still using it?

-Go on with your work.
-Yes.

You really don't need to tell me these things.

He is the dignified Lord Huaiyang,
about to marry the Princess.I am just a common woman.

Even if I meet him,
I can only congratulate him.

- He stayed here for you.
- My Lord, that's too much of a burden.

He has legs.

I neither restrained him,
nor broke his leg with a stick.

If you want him to change his mind soon,

you should use your brain
and persuade him with your words.

Ms. Liu, I have one more favor to ask.

Where is He Zhen?

Do you really want to see her?

I still have unfinished business with her
that needs to be resolved face-to-face.

You know.

He Zhen hates those who use power
and influence to oppress others.

If you come with a grand carriage and horses
like last time,

she will probably avoid you completely.

Alright, I'll follow your advice.

[Kiln]

Listen to me.

Take some dry food with you before you go.

Dry food?

[Refinery, Kiln, Mist]

Is anyone there?

Is anyone there?

Which way is north?

North.

North.

There's someone.

There's someone! There's someone!

Where is Shopkeeper He?

She's inside.

Here, take the pastry.

Here, here.

Oh, no.

Lord Zhao.

What is this?

An apology.

No need.

Well...

Is this a rare item?

You know?

Why?

How... How much is this?

I'll compensate you.

No need for compensation.

I ran away from marriage,
disgracing your family.

We're even now.

You're too generous.

As you say.

If there's nothing else, just go back.

Wait.

It's not a rare item?

You scared me! Wait, wait.

I have one more thing to ask of you.

What is it?

It's all my useless best friend's fault.

He wants you to pass on a message.

To Liu Miantang?

No. Go and say it yourself.

I have no standing in this.

I don't know what to say.

No.

Lord Huaiyang excels in horsemanship.

He deceived you, so he lost his fortune,
and fell from his horse.

Paralysis is also possible.

The manager of Lord of Beizhou told me this.

I didn't hear it from Zhao Quan.

Miantang.

What do you think?

It's done.

Last month, the escort agency had a profit of twenty taels of gold,

and thirty bolts of silk.

You're really doing math?

- Bye.
- Where to?

To the kitchen.

Could it be you're making
a tonic for Lord Huaiyang?

Such good news boosts my appetite.

I'll go and make more dishes.

Father.

Today, you have a letter.

Who sent it?

No idea. It only says it's to you.

What does the letter say?

Father. Father.

It's my fault.

Let me tell you, Su.

Our Qingying is now married to the Qian family of Nanyi,

a top-ranking wealthy family.

Even the Go board is made of jade.

Compared to them,
you are even less than a Go piece.

Since Qingying is well married,

our family can now safely seek to marry Ms. Liu.

- You...
- Enough.

The second branch, go out.

- Father.
- Father.

Let's go outside first.

Why did you leave without a word back then?

I previously had an appointment with Ms. Qiao.

I was weak at the time,

but I was also worried about
causing Ms. Liu distress due to Ms. Qiao.

Thus, I waited until Ms. Qiao was married
before coming to apologize.

Debts. Debts.

A prominent Beizhou family like yours
wants to marry my granddaughter.

What, are you willing to lose your dignity?

Yes.

Sincerity can't just be about words.

Father.

I heard that Mr. Su is a heavy gambler.

Recently, he incurred a huge debt,
and was chased by creditors,

so his family fled Beizhou without even a word,
disappearing like that.

- We...
- Our family has just recovered.

If Miantang marries him,
won't it be a loss of her and the money?

A misunderstanding.

A huge misunderstanding.

I took on debt to help a friend.

Leaving Beizhou that day

was just to clear all the debts.

Stop talking nonsense.

I've already investigated thoroughly.



It couldn't have been repaid in a few days.

My family is wealthy with ways
to generate income.

We have 3,000 mu of good land and
have recently purchased several estates.

All our assets are
documented with official seals.

Uncle, if you don't believe it,

I can show you the documents anytime.

Since when did I have a nephew like you?

Master Qiao, you should think carefully.

If you miss this chance,

you might delay your granddaughter's future.

Father, this matter is not that simple.

Grandfather, since you understand
my intentions,

please return these betrothal gifts.

First, read this letter.

Does the letter's content match the truth?

You were deceived in Zhenzhou,
becoming the mistress of a noble.

He wanted to sever ties with you.

And you even followed him to Xizhou.

W-Who sent this letter?

Tell me. Is this true?

What about Qiao Xian?

Does he know about this?

He's your uncle. What did he do?

It's all my fault.

Uncle only learned about it later,

and the details are not as you imagine.

Where is the man in the letter now?

He... He's serving in the northwest.

Jerk! Qiao Xian was in the northwest at the time.

Why didn't he deal with that scoundrel?

Why didn't he break that lecher's leg?

I've already severed ties with him.

You can rest assured.

How can I rest assured?

How many people know about this?

If word gets out in the countryside,
your reputation will be ruined.

How will you handle it?

I'm not afraid of rumors.

As a woman, how can you
not care about your reputation?

I only fear that my family will worry excessively,

and make unnecessary plans for me.

Mr. Su

is sincere about marrying you.

If you still care about me,

you should marry him.

Grandfather, do you only care about reputation?

You should marry,
and Mr. Su happens to be a good match.

Is it really possible for the man
in the letter to marry you?

Absolutely impossible.
I would never agree.

You should return these
betrothal gifts promptly.

According to the laws,
the certificate comes first.

Before the gifts, both sides
should sign the marriage certificate,

or it's considered a forced marriage.

What?

Then I'll take care of these matters for you.

Good.

Good.

The marriage certificate comes first.

Afterward, the Su family sent my colleagues to
list all the land and property deeds,

matching each with the official seal.

The Su family is indeed very wealthy.

Mr. Qiao Xian had nothing to say about it.

It seems it won't be long before the
Qiao family will have double happiness.

The Emperor couldn't keep her back then,
and I couldn't do anything to her.

But now she's marrying
someone named Su?

I don't know who this infatuated man was,

who stopped the wedding procession
out of fear of...

Forget it. I didn't say anything.

You have a past, and His Majesty has concerns.

However, Xingzhou, the Su family

really does spare no expense for Ms. Liu.

I also spare no expense.

Has she looked at me more than once?

Now, to marry for money,
is she still Liu Miantang?

If what you say is true,

there's no need for me to show you their marriage certificate.

Whose is it?

You should be familiar with this.

A few years ago, Ms. Liu married in the capital

by order of her parents and a matchmaker's
arrangement with a marriage certificate.

Today, the Su and Qiao families...
Where are you going?

Where are you going?

Get up. You're still injured.

I need to clarify this. Why are you holding me?

You need to calm down.

She is currently awaiting marriage,
and is not seeing anyone.

This cannot be her own idea.

She is thinking of a solution. Right?

Right.

Marriage is a serious matter, not a joke.

I've reviewed the marriage certificate.

It's not parallel prose nor in proper form. It's indeed hasty.

Don't worry. I will not approve it hastily.

Don't rush.

Hurry back and sit down. You're still injured.

My leg hurts.

Have you thought it through?

Lu Zhong has bought the house for me.

I'll apply for a female household registration,
and move out tomorrow.

Will your grandfather agree to this?

He will never agree.
So, we will act first and report later.

Your grandfather will only think
you're leaving because of marriage.

If he thinks that way, that would be ideal.

The Su family suddenly had so much land,

and Grandfather received
an anonymous letter.

Uncle, don't you find it suspicious?

Moreover, the letter is not about a merchant
in Lingquan Town, but a noble in Zhenzhou.

This is what my grandfather fears,

so he's been pressured to force me into the Su family.

This is all aimed at me.

Therefore, I won't let the Qiao family
be involved.

If absolutely necessary,

you can seek help from Lord Huaiyang.

No need. He should be heading to the capital soon.

Lord Huaiyang is still in Beizhou. I heard he might not marry the Princess.

He has his life.

My matters should not trouble him.

[Auspice and Fortune]

My Lord, everything is as you expected.

Prince Sui's people have come to Beizhou.

Put this in the inner room.
[Laixi Courtyard]

Careful. Be careful with this. These are all jewels and treasures.

- Be careful.
- Don't worry.

- Move it over there. That room.
- Why isn't she staying at home?

- Come on.
- Why move out?

Come on.

Inside.

- Everyone, thank you.
- Thank you, Sister.

- Thank you, Sister.
- Thank you, Sister.

Thank you, Sister.

Is Ms. Liu at home?

Ms. Liu?

Is Ms. Liu at home?

Is Ms. Liu at home? I'm from the house next door.

My wife made some pastries,
for the neighbors in the alley.

Since you're already here,

why pretend to be a neighbor, and beat around the bush?

How did you know?

It's not a merchant who trapped me,
but a noble.

Only a few people know this secret.

With a bit of thought,

I could guess who sent the letter.

Within a month,
giving away three thousand mu of fertile land

is something only Prince Sui
in the kingdom could afford.

Let me guess.

If I were really forced to marry Mr. Su,

I fear that once the procession leaves Beizhou,

I would be drugged and taken to an unknown estate

where life and death are controlled
by Prince Sui.

At that time,
even the reigning Emperor could do nothing.

Am I correct in my guess?

Ms. Liu speaks heavily.

Though I do work for Prince Sui,

I am only passing through Beizhou
for official business.

Keep with your story.

As instructed by Prince Sui, this trip
is to resolve past grievances with you.

What happened is already in the past.

Prince Sui is magnanimous and forgiving, and
wishes to clear up misunderstandings with you.

Ms. Liu, please open the door.

Ms. Liu, don't forget
that you still have family in Beizhou.

Some situations cannot be resolved

by establishing a female household.

Go.

I'm not interested in the pastries you brought.

Go back to where you came from.

Go, everyone.

Search all over. Hurt them if you have to. Just keep them alive!

Yes!

Over there!

Inside!

Lord Huaiyang.

What are you doing here?

An old friend moved.
I'm here for a housewarming.

There are many people here.
It's very lively. No need for a housewarming.

But you need me.

They're chatting already.
Why are you standing there?

Go!

Move aside!

Your archery skills are good, Lord Huaiyang.

Ms. Liu. You flatter me.

Cui Xingzhou!

- Protect the Lord!
- Protect them!

- Don't move!
- Be still!

Move and you'll be k*lled!

- Don't move.
- My Lord.
- Stop.
- Don't move.

- Quickly. Don't move.
- This...

Spare my life, Lord Huaiyang.

Let me tell you.

The Lord of Beizhou has already declared

anyone from Huizhou would be k*lled.

If he doesn't go to the capital,

he will present to the throne,
and place the blame on Prince Sui.

It seems I can't marry Mr. Su

nor reconcile with Prince Sui.

How the grudge between Prince Sui and Ms. Liu
should be settled is up to you.

Yes. You tell me how you want to deal with them.

Please, Ms. Liu, have mercy and spare my humble life. I...

As for how to deal with them, I believe
Lord Huaiyang must've had a decision in mind.

I'm just pained that my courtyard
has been ruined beyond recognition.

Got it?

Yes, Madam.

Madam, goodbye.

Let's go.

My hands, my hands.

[Laixi Courtyard]

Your soldiers are more sensible than you.

Do you mean they all call you madam?

I mean they all disappear promptly
and efficiently.

- Can you still stand?
- I can stand.

But I'd like a seat.

My Lord, the carriage has arrived.

Safe travels, My Lord.

It truly bothers me.

Cui Xingzhou.

You said that the local ruffians
want to steal your woman.

I lent you the manpower
just to make a show.

Why didn't you tell me
it was Prince Sui's people?

I already told you to be cautious.
Why did you offend Prince Sui again?

- You...
- Now you can only go to the capital.

Come. Come here.

Now you...

His Majesty. Prince Sui. Really?

My Lord. My Lord!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, why don't you light the lamp?

Light the lamp so we can see things
more clearly in black and white.

[From Chancellor Liu Donghai]

Grand Marshal Shi.

You're well-versed in rites.

Tell me.

Can Shi Yikuan

be honored at the Imperial Ancestral Shrine?

The shrine belongs to the imperial family.

In the past century, only nine founding heroes
have been honored there.

Other meritorious officials must have
made significant contributions to the state

to be buried there with the honor of a lord.

Mr. Shi has helped you ascend the throne,
and is your father-in-law,

but he lacks extraordinary merit.

Forgive me for speaking frankly.

He doesn't deserve his position.

Submitting three petitions is shameless.

If Your Majesty agrees,
I'm afraid in the future,

even a minor official, while he's dying,
would want to enter the shrine.

Minister Shi thinks highly of himself.

He's a good move to checkmate Prince Sui.

Your Majesty, what are your plans?

He wants honor.

I'll give him honor.

[Minister's Mansion]

It's the Empress's procession.

It's Xueji.

It's Xueji.

It's Xueji.

She's back.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

We're all family, No need for formalities.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I prepared some gifts for you to choose from.

They are good for other sisters, but isn't the
reward from Your Highness a bit light for me?

Don't.

What's wrong?

However high she flies, she's still our sister.

Insolent!

Father, I...

Get out!

Yes.

I'm Shi Yikuan.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Leave!

- Yes.
- Yes.

You're acting like an Empress now, so powerful.

Your sister spoke rashly,
but she was right about one thing.

Even if you're honored,
never forget your family.

Always work for the Shi family.

I shall never forget.

Have you forgotten what I asked of you?

I sent you letters,
but you didn't respond to any.

I'm not asking you to k*ll or rob,

just for a nominal title
to be honored at the imperial shrine.

The Emperor is your husband.

It's just a word from you.

Why haven't you acted?

Because I don't want to agree.

What?

Father, you're already the Grand Marshal,
trusted unconditionally by His Majesty.

With more merit, rewards will come naturally.

Why rush for a nominal title now?

What do you know?

I understand Father resents Prince Sui,
and Prince Sui is deeply suspicious.

But His Majesty just dismissed Minister Lu.

If you're made to be enshrined now,
Prince Sui will be displeased.

The Shi family will become everyone's target.

If His Majesty wants to eliminate
Prince Sui's faction, who can he rely on?

The clean, upright officials in the Censorate?

He has to rely on me.

If you act like this,
how are you different from Prince Sui?

Don't forget you wouldn't be in
this position today if it weren't for me.

Without me, you'd be nothing.

No wonder rumors say you're not favored
in the Palace.

No wonder.

With your wooden face,
I'm annoyed just looking at you.

Instead of arguing, why don't you think about
how to speak for me?

[sign]

"A Lifelong Promise" by Cai Ziyi

♫ The boat drifts,
bringing back the sunset ♫

♫ When we reunite, we still joke
about the cause and effect ♫

♫ Who passed by, the crab apple
falls with a turn ♫

♫ Loving rightly but choosing wrong With joys, sorrows, partings and reunions ♫

♫ Everyone travels far,
seeing clouds and snow ♫

♫ Always hard to stay, yet easy to part Crossing spring waters and autumn trials ♫

♫ A couple under the moonlight,
can stay together ♫

♫ Long hidden in the eyes,
flickering in and out ♫

♫ Let go of the flowers blooming
in the yard last night ♫

♫ Let go of the waves in the stream
in half a lifetime ♫

♫ Let those dust and chaos go on endlessly ♫

♫ My lifelong wish is to reach the sky and many more ♫

♫ Everyone travels far,
seeing clouds and snow ♫

♫ Always hard to stay, yet easy to part Crossing spring waters and autumn trials ♫

♫ A couple under the moonlight,
can stay together ♫

♫ Time flows as we dream through four seasons ♫

♫ I wish to accompany you on this long journey forever ♫