Now there's only braised pork and sweet and sour fish left.
We finished almost all my favorite food.
Why are you still sitting here? Go to the kitchen now to cook for me.
You've eaten a lot already. Eat again later.
Later? There's no time left.
It will be the 15th day tomorrow. I still don't see Jichang at all.
You asked for this.
She came to the reconciliation meal. But then you doped her.
Fine. Now Yue'e has locked up Jichang at home. He can't go anywhere.
You're going to lose your teeth for sure.
Even you won't help me?
You're asking me to help you? You lied to me.
Since you're so resourceful. Tell me what to say to Yue'e.
Why are you showing me your teeth?
Are you happy I won't have any teeth for food soon? I'll tickle you.
Stop it.
I'll really tickle you.
I'll cook for you right away.
Move.
OK.
Now.
I'll cook for you while you still have teeth to eat.
Oh, God. From tomorrow on, I won't have any teeth to eat.
Since I still have them now, please let the sun to shine on them.
Sir, some bandits managed to rob a procession of birthday gifts.
So? How is that related to my bet?
They managed to pull it off because they used a sedative.
Sedative?
Gao Gui, I'm a government official. How can I resort to such a dirty trick?
Well, just pretend I never said it.
Stop. I'm a government official. You're not.
Gao Gui, I'm counting on you this time.
Here's the sedative. Once you get in, do what you're supposed to.
Remember to open the backdoor to let me in
so we can carry Jichang out together.
OK.
He's so efficient?
Gao Gui...Gao Gui.
Hey, why are you guys surrounding me?
Disperse...Officer Su is an honest man. You just want to dope us.
Did you have to climb through the doggie hole? You should use the main entrance.
Are you trying to defame me?
Qing Song, bring him out.
Yes, Mrs. Chen. Go.
Sir.
You've got nothing to say now?
I'll tell you the truth.
I got intel that you've placed your husband under house arrest.
I came here to investigate.
House arrest? Don't accuse me of that. I have my husband's consent. Hong Mei.
Only love you, Yue'e. Willing to be locked up forever.
Love you forever. Sign this and I'll believe you.
I don't believe Jichang would write that.
He signed it. Look!
Chen Jichang.
I don't believe he would write something so stupid.
Ask him to tell me to my face that he wrote this. Then I'll believe it.
What if you drag him away when he comes out?
Fine. I'll let Jichang stay here for another night.
I'll come again tomorrow to rescue him. Let's go.
Wait.
What?
You think this is your home? You think you can come and go at will?
What do you want?
Either through the doggie hole or over the watt
Aren't you tall enough? I can lend you a ladder.
Sir, I'm thin. I can get out through the doggie hole. But you...
Even if I were thinner than you, I still wouldn't use the dogging hole.
It's not befitting of my status. Don't be silly.
Of course I'll climb the wall. I don't need a ladder. I can manage.
This is really high. Gao Gui.
Sir.
Where are you? Get me a ladder since no ones around.
It's so late. Where will I find a ladder? Jump. I'll catch you.
You? Can you really catch me?
I'm strong. I'm sure I can catch you. Come on.
I'm going to come then.
Gao Gui...
Sir.
Are you OK?
Officer Su, what are you two doing here?
This is so indecent.
You two are crazy.
Why would we do something indecent on a main street? Get up.
Excuse me. Lend me your lantern. I'll return it to you tomorrow.
That Liu Yue'e is so sly. I will get my revenge.
Sir, Mrs. Chen knows our plan now. Is the bet still on?
Of course it is. I'll even bet my life on it.
For my reputation and Chen Jichang's happiness,
I'll take the challenge.
Gao Gui, what's the matter with your mouth?
When you jumped just now, you hit my mouth.
Must have been this jade pendant. It's so hard.
I'm sorry. I'll compensate you. Let's go home.
Chen Mansion.
Honey, let me go. I'm so hungry. I'll starve to death soon.
Honey.
I asked the servants to prepare vegetarian food for you.
Really? Open the door so that I can eat then.
I won't open the door.
What?
Do you know it really hurts me to lock you up here?
That's why I came up with a very special way to feed you.
You're so thoughtful.
Want some more?
Sure...
Mrs. Chen, the princess has sent someone. He's waiting in the sitting room.
OK.
Water...I'd like tea please.
The has princess ordered you to go to the palace right away.
This is your pass to enter the palace.
What's so urgent? What happened?
I guess the princess told the other ladies about you. They want to see you.
I'm beautiful and lucky. I'm the envy of a lot of people.
Please give me a moment. I need to touch up a bit.
Then I'll go to the palace with you immediately.
Xiao Qiao, fight harder.
Liu Shui, fight harder.
Xiao Qiao, I bet you'll win.
Liu Shui, don't make any concessions for him We put a lot of money on you.
Princess, Your Highnesses.
You've come?
Princess.
Yes?
Why did you summon me to the palace?
I didn't.
You didn't? But I was told that you did. Hares the pass to get in.
I didn't. I was wondering why you're here.
Look over there.
Good.
You cheated.
Liu Shui played the distraction trick, stupid.
Oh, no.
Lumin Club.
Really nice.
That's really nice.
Isn't this really spectacular?
It's OK. Help yourselves...
Drink this.
I don't drink; as I'm a Tao practitioner.
Eat the chicken then.
You must be hungry.
I'm vegetarian.
Master Chen may be young. But he's strict in his practice.
Forget them. Let's drink. Come on.
Su Dongpo.
Liu Yue'e, you've finally left the palace? Don't you think it's too late?
How dare you falsify an imperial order to lure me to the palace?
You're talking so softly. I really can't hear you. What did you say?
You lured me to the palace.
No, the sentence before that.
You falsified an imperial order.
Oh.
Honey, don't make that allegation.
What?
It won't hem to shush her. Chen Jichang is in Lumin Club now.
He's surrounded by seven girls. You've lost.
Leave your teeth behind please.
You wish. Everyone get out.
Let's get out of here.
Chen Jichang, come with me.
Hey, stop.
Don't think you can get away by dragging Chen Jichang away.
You want to fight me? How dare you!
Do I need to fear you?
I have the princess backing me. I fear nothing.
Is the princess above everyone?
Of course she is.
Is she even above me?
Who are you? Your Majesty.
Officer Su didn't falsify the imperial order. You've defamed him.
Your Majesty, defaming a government official
is a capital offence.
The offender should at least be exiled.
Actually I summoned you to the palace. As such, I'll spare your life.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I have a question.
What?
If a married woman yells at her husband all the time and hits him,
has she violated the virtue of a woman?
Of course.
She's even broken the rule against gossiping and jealousy,
one of the seven reasons to abandon a wife.
So can her husband abandon her then?
Of course he can. He can remarry too... Mrs. Chen, is Officer Su talking about you?
No, Your Majesty.
My wife is virtuous and nice. She's not that kind of person.
She is.
Actually this is just a misunderstanding.
Perhaps my wife was having fun earlier. She drank too much.
So she said something she shouldn't have said.
I drank too much.
That's why she misbehaved. She drank too much.
I drank too much.
I see. She drank too much. You must correct your mistakes then, OK?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Officer Su.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You had a bet with Mrs. Chen.
Do me a favor. Don't knock out Mrs. Chen's teeth.
Your Majesty!
What?
But Mrs. Chen appears to be mad.
Mrs. Chen, are you mad?
Not at all.
Since she's not mad, I won't insist on it then.
Dismissed.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
Wait What about me?
Thank you Officer Su for your mercy.
Good girl.
Goodbye, Your Majesty.
OK.
I won't hold you two up. We'll leave now.
Good boy.
Thank you for helping me, Your Majesty.
Otherwise I couldn't have beat that fiery woman.
Don't mention it.
Honey, please don't be mad at Brother Dongpo. You can be mad at me.
Fat Po got His Majesty to back him up.
He wanted to knockout all my teeth? I will get revenge.
Don't make people your adversaries.
You're my adversary. That Fat Po is my enemy.
Honey, I...
Tell me. Did those cheap women in Lumin Club touch, kiss or hug you?
Tortoise Fairy, please give me strength...No.
You thought for so long. That means they did.
No, I was too scared just now. I had to think carefully.
If they had, I would have told you the truth
What about you? Did you touch them?
No. Not at all. I didn't even look at them.
I focused on drinking tea.
You really didn't?
I really didn't. Please believe me. My wife is so beautiful. Shouldn't I be content?
The tortoise shell has really calmed me clown.
I'm worried that once you've tasted blood, you'll be addicted to it.
Then you'll insist on going.
What if you go and see another woman when I'm pregnant later?
I wouldn't dare.
You dare not. But you will.
Please believe me.
1 swear to God that even if you're old and toothless,
I will still love you like I do now.
If you can't eat, I'll chew the food for you and feed you.
I will shield you from the wind too.
Sweet talk. Sit down.
OK.
To be safe, I'll ask Qing Song to follow you around from tomorrow on.
What?
Su Mansion.
Liu Yue'e is usually so arrogant.
But when she saw His Majesty, she looked so timid. Serves her right.
You're so proud now.
If His Majesty hadn't helped you, you would have lost your teeth.
See if you'd still be laughing so heartily.
You're Mrs. Su. But you're siding with an outsider?
I spared your good friend. You still have so much to say? I'll tickle you.
No.
Apologize then.
Sorry.
Say you won't do it again.
I won’t do it again.
Remember that.
I will.
OK.
Actually I don't understand why you're always quarrelling with Yue'e.
She's not wicked.
But she says mean things. And she's annoying
But that doesn't affect us. At most we'll just see her less often.
But Jichang is the victim. He has to put up with her all day long.
He gets yelled at and nagged by her.
She just does it for his own good.
She loves him. That's why she scolds him all the time.
You're nice to me. You love me. But you don't yell at me.
You think I don't want to? I just don't want you to tickle me.
It's good you admit that.
I hope after suffering this setback,
Liu Yue'e will reﬂect on her own mistakes.
I hope they'll respect each other from now on and stop fighting.
Then they won't trouble you or His Majesty.
His Majesty was a bit funny today.
Given his character, he seldom takes the initiative to help.
Why did he do it?
Congratulations, Your Majesty. You've won a lot this time.
This is better than heavenly music. So have I aroused any suspicion?
No. I took bets on the bet between Su Dongpo and Liu Yue'e.
All the officials thought I was the banker. Who would think you're the real banker?
Everyone thought Liu Yue'e would win.
Even the princess put a lot of money on her.
Then I helped Su Dongpo to win at the eleventh hour.
They didn't anticipate that.
I became the biggest winner. Am I really smart, or what?
Your Majesty is really smart. You anticipated everything. I really admire you.
Jixiang, you've done a really good job. This is yours.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Wang Anshi, you refused to increase my allowance.
You think I can't make money myself?
Ten Miles Pavilion.
He said he would arrive between 1 and 3pm.
We've waited an hour and he hasn't shown up yet.
We've only waited for a while. Besides, it's not 3pm yet.
Really? Here he comes?
Wait. It's raining.
Open the umbrella. Come on.
Be careful.
Xiaomei.
Why is his voice different?
Xiaomei.
Brother Zhe, Sis Mi.
It's raining. Why are you two standing here?
Oh...because of you two. We miss you two so much.
Honey, have you forgotten that you wrote them a letter
and told them that we would be returning to the capital around this time?
Xiaomei, did you come to meet us?
Yes, I did.
A girl shouldn't leave home.
But you run around all the time. This is so improper.
Brother Zhe, I haven't seen you in a while.
You're still so handsome.
Stop talking. Let's go home. Get in the carriage.
What? Get in the carriage?
You're not walking home, are you?
Xiaomei, I'm back...
Xiaomen, someone's calling you.
Xiaomei.
I can tell from his voice that he's a jerk.
You're right.
We should hurry home for a family reunion. Let's go.
Xiaomei...Didn't she say she would meet me here?
Su Mansion.
Last time you came to the capital for a debriefing,
I was on a business trip in Suzhou.
We didn't even get to have a meal together. It's been years since then.
Brother Dongpo, the last time we met
was three years, five months and sixteen days ago.
It's been over three years? Time ﬂies.
Sis Runzhi, this is the first time we meet.
I'm sorry we missed your wedding banquet. This white jade bracelet is for you.
Really? Thank you.
A jade bracelet is for the wife of a younger brother.
You should give agate to the wife of an older brother.
You should know the difference. You must observe the rules and practices.
Brother Zhe, Sis Mi's gift is perfect.
A fortune-teller said I can't wear agate. I have to wear jade.
It's good you like it.
Thank you for being so considerate.
Thank you. Don't just stand there. Have a seat please. Have a seat please.
Mai, you're a kid. Only grown-ups get to sit.
Stand next to your mom.
OK.
Good. You can teach this naughty boy for me how that you're home. Please have some tea.
Sir.
Qin Shaoyou, you're back?
Yes. Mission accomplished.
Good. Let me introduce.
This is my younger brother Su Zhe. This is his wife.
Zhe, this is Qin Shaoyou. He's the teacher for Mai and Runzhi.
Officer Su, Mrs. Su, nice to meet you.
I saw you at Ten Miles Pavilion just now. You even shouted Xiaomei's name.
Right. Why did you leave just now when I was calling you?
I saw Brother Zhe after having been apart for a long time. I was too excited.
I didn’t hear or see anything. So you were the one behind me.
I see. When I saw you just now,
I thought Officer Su asked you to come meet me.
So you went there to meet your brother. Just a misunderstanding.
We didn't tell Xiaomei that you were coming back today.
Why would she go meet you?
On, I guess it's really a misunderstanding then.
That's the situation in Henan Prefecture.
Report.
Your Majesty...Your Majesty.
OK. Good job.
I didn't just summon you to the capital for debriefing
but also for a very important assignment.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I know you're knowledgeable and honest. The Imperial Exam is being held soon.
I'm appointing you Minister of the Imperial Exam.
You will set the exam questions.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
I will do my very best to select able and virtuous candidates for Song.
Officer Su senior, what about the silkworm farming industry?
I've sent people to different places to interview the local people there.
Around 80 to 90 percent are for running the business individually.
Only 10 to 20 percent are for collective farming of silkworms.
That's impossible.
Lots of silkworm farmers support the idea of collective farming.
How could it only be 10 to 20 percent?
Prime Minister Wang, what do you mean?
Your Majesty,
I heard that the prime minister wanted to launch this new policy.
So I asked around in Hejian Prefecture and Zhanding Prefecture.
I realized that
most of the silkworm farmers there support the idea of centralized farming.
They believed that collective management can improve production,
hence the income.
The places that Officer Su junior visited
are different from those Officer Su senior covered.
But Hejian Prefecture and Zhanding Prefecture
are important places for silk production.
How is it possible that
only 10 to 20 percent of silkworm farmers
support the idea of collective silkworm farming?
Officer Su senior, your younger brother is a professor in Chenzhou,
the secretary of Qizhou and a circuit court judge. He's a judge.
So he must be fair and impartial.
Officer Su has been opposed to my collective silkworm farming proposal.
1 don't believe these are careless or inadvertent mistakes in his report.
I think he tampered with the results.
Do you know what you're talking about? What would I gain from doing that?
Your Majesty, Officer Su senior is honest and decent. He would never do that.
Perhaps I didn't interview enough silkworm farmers.
That's why there's a discrepancy with what they said just how.
Can I be given a couple more days to work on this?
Then I'll submit the report again.
There's no hurry. Take your time to work on it.
Much obliged, Your Majesty.
Illustrated Wrestling.
I didn't intend to get Officer Su in trouble.
I did everything just to help him.
But I screwed up.
Could you please make him as merciful as you are
so that he'll forgive me?
You say you were helping me?
Officer Su.
Yes, I exaggerated the number of silkworm farmers
who want to run the business individually.
But I really did it to help you.
Cut the crap. Tell me the main point.
You've always believed that
the disadvantages of collective silkworm farming
outweigh the advantages.
If the report says that the people support the idea of collective silkworm farming,
you'll be embarrassed in the government.
So you changed the report and twisted the facts?
Yes.
The silkworm farming industry is the backbone of Song's economy.
This is particularly true in Hebei and Huainan.
There are more silkworm farmers than agricultural farmers in those places.
Do you know the chain reaction you've caused by doing this?
I know. But you and Prime Minister Wang...
Our political views are different. That's the norm.
But we will report the facts truthfully. He would too.
What you did is so pointless.
I'm so sorry. Please let me amend the report.
Today you've altered the report because you claim you wanted to help me.
One day, you may.
double cross the government or even betray the country for someone else.
I won't do that. Please give me a chance to make up for my mistake.
That won't be necessary. A person's acquaintances will influence him.
I don't want Mai to learn your improper tricks.
I won't let you see Xiaomei either.
How did you know about us?
Good question.
The day my younger brother came home, you and Xiaomei kept exchanging glances.
You think I'm blind?
You can fool other people. But you can't fool me.
I'm truly in love with Xiaomei.
Truly in love?
I think you want to get close to me. That's why you courted Xiaomei, right?
No, I can swear to God.
Forget about it. Cut the crap. I'll give you a choice.
Either you pack your things and leave or I'll ask someone to do it for you.
Your call.
Brother Dongpo really wants to boot you out?
It's fine. I can stay in Chancellor Temple for the time being.
Is it because he found out about our relationship?
Don't leave. I'll argue with him.
He will just insist on doing it if you argue with him.
I made a mistake after all.
Who doesn't err?
You had a reason for altering the report. Brother Dongpo is too stubborn.
He won't accept my explanation now.
The only thing I can do is get a position in the government.
Only then will I be able to marry you.
I don't want you to leave.
If love is ever lasting, it doesn't matter if we see each other clay and night.
Miss Xiaomei, Master Su wants to see you. But he only wants to see you.
Why did you ask me to come? Shoot.
Look at me. I said look at me.
Xiaomei, your brother is talking to you. You should look at him.
When did you and Qin Shaoyou start?
It doesn't matter when we started.
The point is when we got thwarted and by whom.
What did you say? When have I thwarted you? I'm only doing it for your own good.
Then you shouldn't throw him out.
You're still talk back?
Xiaomei, have you two...?
I'll ask you once again. You must answer me honestly.
How far has your relationship with Qin Shaoyou gone?
What kind of person do you take Brother Qin for?
Who asked him to stay here?
I did. He saved our lives. Hes Earned. So I asked him to stay.
I thought you had forgotten that.
Of course I remember.
But now I've learned more about his character.
He's basically a rascal. His conduct is poor.
Listen carefully, Xiaomei.
From now on, you are not allowed to hang out with him. You hear me?
What do you mean his conduct is poor?
You patronize prostitutes and don't come home.
Is your conduct good?
Brother Qin is at least faithful to me no matter how bad you think he is.
He doesn't frequent Lumin Club.
You know why? Because he's broke.
I knew you don't like him because he's poor.
How could you think that?
You're bedazzled by him so you can't tell right from wrong now.
You can't tell right from wrong. You're selfish, stubborn and unreasonable.
Enough. Don't point your finger at me or I'll twist it.
Both of you, shut up. Honey, sit down. You too, Xiaomei. Listen to me, Xiaomei.
The silkworm farming report has caused so much trouble.
Your brother is right to fire him.
But he's wrong not to let us see each other.
What do you mean I wrong?
I'm your older brother. I have the authority of a father over you.
I have the duty to protect you.
Anyway I won't let you be friends with such a bad person.
You hear me?
You have bad friends too. They can all be found in Lumin Club.
Xiaomei.
What did you say? I dare you to say that again.
Lumin Club.
Say it a hundred times.
Lumin Club...Lumin Club.
Stop it.
I'll smack you.
Cut it out please. Honey, Actually Xiaomei is right.
Sis Runzhi, you be the judge. Brother Qin and I are in love.
But he wants to break us up. Isn't he going too far?
I just don't want your life to be ruined.
You've already ruined it.
You're still talking back?
Enough. Stop arguing, OK?
Xiaomei, I agree that Qin Shaoyou shouldn't stay here as a teacher.
No appeal is allowed.
You hear that? Even your sister-in-law says so.
If you want to see Qin Shaoyou, you're free to do so. I can't lock you up.
But if you want to marry him, you must get our approval first.
That's right. Honey has stated the main point.
You two are ganging up against us.
Hey, where are you going? I'm not finished yet. Stop.
Look at her. What kind of attitude is that?
She's made me so upset over an outsider like Qin Shaoyou.
This is way too much.
Why are you so mad?
A girl tends to side with their love. Just let her see Qin Shaoyou.
What did you say?
They may not get married eventually.
You don't understand.
My oldest sister made a mistake marrying my cousin Cheng Zicai.
In the end she died.
I just know she's dead.
You and Brother Zhe have never talked about her.
What's there to talk about.
My oldest sister died because Cheng Zicai and his family tortured her.
Back then I was a little boy. She died so pathetically.
There was nothing I could do to help her. I was so hurt.
No wonder you're so concerned about your younger sisters marriages.
Exactly. You see what's happened to Damei.
Since she parted with Jichang, she's never happy. She never smiles.
Now Xiaomei is seeing someone too.
Of course I don't want her to repeat the same mistake.
She can blame me now.
I don't want her to come home crying in the future. Don't you agree?
No one thinks we should be together.
What should we do now?
I screwed up in preparing the report though my intention was good.
Now your whole family has lost faith in me.
Hey, Shaoyou, you're lucky this time.
What's the matter?
Come on. Take this.
Exam questions?
Yes. They're the exam questions for the upcoming Imperial Exam.
If you memorize them, I promise you'll become the top scholar.
I don't want it. Return them.
Why don't you want them? I spent a lot of money buying them.
How much did you spend to buy them than?
About 10,000 copper coins.
You can buy the top scholar post with just 10,000 copper coins?
Is that possible?
Of course it is. Otherwise I wouldn't have bought them.
Given my knowledge, I can score a high mark without cheating.
Don't be so stubborn.
If someone else buys the exam questions so they know the answers and you don't,
you'll fail.
Hong Si is right.
Come on. Listen to me. Take them.
Keep this for me.
What are you doing?
Officer Su won't let me be with Xiaomei
because I altered the report.
If I don't win in the Imperial Exam on my own abilities,
how can I hold my head up in his presence? How can I win his confidence?
But if you fail, you'll lose Xiaomei too.
I won't fail.
Su Mansion.
How did you get these exam questions?
A friend gave them to me.
I heard that these questions are widely circulated in public.
But I haven't read them.
I can be his witness.
I was there when Brother Qin received this letter.
He gave it to me immediately. He didn't read them.
I didn't even open it.
I want to prove to you that
I can to win the title of top scholar on my own.
I hope you'll regain faith in me.
This set of exam questions is widely circulated in public already.
I believe lots of candidates have read it.
For the sake of fairness,
I've decided to report that someone is selling the exam questions.
I believe there's something you don't know.
The person in charge of setting the exam questions this year
is called Su Zhe.
He's my younger brother. He's righteous and honest.
I don't believe he would sell the exam questions for such a petty gain.
I think someone just wants to cause confusion to gain an advantage.
Is that all? Goodbye.
Officer Su, it doesn't matter whether the exam questions are authentic.
I have a question.
OK.
Xiaomei and I truly love each other. Why won't you let us be together?
You know the saying: Once a liar, forever a liar?
As long as I'm alive, I will never let you see Xiaomei.
I will prove to you that I am true to her.
I'm true to Brother Qin too.
Officer Su, I will change your view of me.
Fine. I want to see how you perform too.
Goodbye.
Brother Qin.
Honey.
Yes?
I will you report this to the government?
This is just Qin Shaoyou's trick.
He's just trying to give me a good impression. I don't believe him at all.
Today's exam question had been set.
The topic was "Respect the Elderly like your Family"
in the form of a poetic essay.
But after discussing with the other two officials,
I've decided to set a new exam question.
The new question is: "Bamboo Poem" in the form of a poetic essay.
The contents of the essay must follow
the poetic mood of Qiao from Odes of Wei.
The exam starts now.
I heard that the exam questions were leaked.
Did you investigate that?
We completed the investigation already.
There are 20 to 30 exam questions circulating in the public.
They were all said to be the exam question for this year.
I've perused them.
Most of them are not really the exam questions.
Only one of them is close to the real question.
I believe the unscrupulous merchants just guessed it right by chance.
The exam questions weren't leaked.
People were selling false exam questions to make money.
Those merchants are really unscrupulous.
Our Imperial Exam system is strict.
The chance of a leak is extremely slim.
But to ensure that the exam is fair,
it was a good idea to change the exam question.
Your Majesty, the rumor of a leak was discovered early
so the exam questions were amended before the exam took place.
Our colleagues have marked the papers. Five of the candidates have been selected.
Good. Prime Minister Wang, pick a date to hold the Hall Exam.
I will pick the top scholar myself.
Chancellor Temple.
Please let Brother Qin win in the exam.
Please help him be on good terms with Brother Dongpo sooner.
Then we can get married soon. Please also“.
Xiaomei, you're asking for so many things. What should Buddha do for you?
Everything.
Have you forgotten that Wang Pang is sitting for the Imperial Exam too?
I remember.
It's fine. I will marry Shilang
whether he becomes the top scholar or not.
But if Shaoyou doesn't become the top scholar,
then Xiaomei can't get married.
This will be troublesome.
Sis Damei sure knows me well. I prayed for my future brother-in-law too.
You stuttered. I don't believe you. Sis Runzhi, what did you pray for?
Me? I prayed for Honey and Mai to stay healthy and good.
What about you, Sis Mi?
I prayed for my husband's health and safety too.
Hey, look.
Why do people bring their title deeds for houses and land when they pray?
This is a practice in the capital.
It's called "catching the son-in-law at the announcement".
What's that? That's so bizarre.
The wealthy people bring their title deeds for houses and land here
to show Buddha how much they have
and that they're of equal social and economic status
with the newly qualified scholars.
The day the result is announced,
they'll take the title deeds to recruit the successful candidates
to be their husbands,
and see who will agree to marry them.
Sometimes there are too many of them.
So they'll grab the successful candidates in the exam.
What if the candidate is already married?
He can choose to leave his wife and marry another girl.
But some of them aren't tempted. They won't desert their wives.
Brother Qin and I are devoted to each other.
I believe that even when he becomes the top scholar, he still won't desert me.
You two have great faith in your loves.
I believe Buddha will bless you two. You will be able to get married.
Your Majesty!
At ease.
In the Hall Exam today,
the five of you will be tested by His Majesty.
Then His Majesty will decide your positions and pick the top scholar.
OK. Princess Shouan will ask the first question.
You're free to answer it.
How much do mutton and pork cost per catty?
Mutton is sold at 96 copper coins a catty.
Pork is sold at 72 copper coins a catty.
Good. Next question. Name the city gates of the capital.
Zhuque Gate.
Shanlishui Gate.
Shangshanshui Gate.
Kaiyuan Gate.
Tongtian Gate.
Correct.
Your Majesty, both Wang Pang and Qin Shaoyou
have answered seven questions correctly.
It's a draw.
Well? But there's only one top scholar. Princess, any ideas?
When Emperor Tai Zu encountered the same problem,
and couldn't decide who should become the top scholar,
he ordered the candidates to wrestle to decide who would win.
Your Majesty can follow that.
That's a great idea.
Your Majesty,
traditionally, the government favors literature over martial arts.
If we suddenly adopt that as the standard to select the top scholar,
that will be a violation of the traditional system.
I agree. Wrestling is just an insignificant skill.
If we base the top scholar selection on that,
it would be inappropriate.
Says who?
If a top scholar is all-rounded, it would be much better.
Your Majesty, since there's a precedent, I believe this is viable.
See? You hear that?
They are equal in terms of literary talent and the discussion on current affairs.
There's no point testing them further.
Let wrestling determine life and death... No, determine win or loss...
No, determine who will become the top scholar.
Let the test begin.
So you're an expert.