Episode 16
Mother-in-law...
Your daughter, Xiaoxuan, is such a thoughtful girl...
...for arranging such a spectacular dance.
My daughter, Xiaoxuan, has no other special talent...
...except that she has loved dancing since young.
I hope she has not embarrassed herself in your presence
Definitely not! She dances so well!
She had already been dancing.
She has surely planned all these for your sake
Great! Great! Great!
Great!
Xiao-Xuan! Come here!
Come here with Xue-Er to meet your mother
Is there something wrong? You're so quiet
Xiao-Xuan, what's going on?
Xiao-Xuan pays her respects to Mother
What did you say?
What exactly is going on?
Lift up your heads! You...
Reporting!!!
The 2nd Prince is here!
Mother.
Greetings to the 2nd Prince
It's okay.~Thank you!
2nd Prince, this Madam Jiang.
She is also my in-law, and she just arrived today
Greetings to the 2nd Prince
I'm so fortunate to meet you...
...while I just arrived in the capital.
Mrs. Jin, Mrs. Jiang
It was not easy for the 2 of you in-laws to meet
and i'm sure you didn't expect mecoming here without prior notice.
2nd Prince, you must be kidding
This is my son, Jin Yuanbao.
Jin Yuanbao greets the 2nd Prince.
The young and talented detective, Jin Yuanbao.I have long heard of your fame
And this should be the bride that wasdecreed by the Emperor to marry him.
That's totally right
This is my daughter-in-law, Jiang Xiaoxuan.
Xiao-Xuan, today is your mother-in-law's birthday
in the honorable presence of the 2nd Prince.
You better mind your words and actionsand make sure the birthday banquet proceeds smoothly.
Yes, I will
This is my nephew
and also the housekeeper of the Jin Manor, Liu Wenzhao.
Liu Wenzhao greets the 2nd Prince.
Liu Wenzhao?
You seem somehow familiar to me.
Have we met somewhere before?
I saw you standing from a distanceseemingly trying to avoid meeting me
I did not understand why you stared blankly.
It was rather discourteous.
I wouldn't dare.
I was just aware of my lowly statusand did not dare to approach you.
Why don't you stay by my sideand take care of my needs and wishes?
Your wish is my command
2nd Prince, this way please.
2nd Prince, after you.
In-Law
We are not close with 2nd Prince.
His sudden visit makes me suspicious.
No matter what
we are having a birthday celebration today.
As long as we do not make any mistakes it will be fine.
Liu Wenzhao...
I have waited for news from you for so long
I am eager to hear it.
I heard that Madam Jiang would be here.
The Jin-Jiang union was decreed by the Empress Dowager.
When they meet, we don't know what they will come up with.
That's why I came here personally.
My sudden visit
is making you unhappy, right?
I wouldn't dare.
My glorious ambitions, carefully planned over the years
would not be possible without the cashor the weapons store of the Jin family.
You, a dejected man, said you would help me.
I saw potential in you and your convictions
and entrusted this mission to you.
Too bad it doesn't pay off.
Are you limited in your capability?Or has your loyalty been divided?
I, Liu Wen-Zhou, am absolutely loyal to your Highness
I wasn't done talking.
Liu Wen-Zhao, did you think that I would be hesitant to punish due to my compassion
as you are just a lowly chief steward?
Why have you not taken any action?
2nd Prince, the security at the weapon store has been very tight
I wouldn't try to do anything without a solid planor they will be alerted to our intentions
This matter has wide implications.
I beg your Highness to give me more time
You better bring me...
...Jin Yuanbao's head within this year.
The Jin's weapon store and the armies...
...must get within my grasp, or else when the Emperor dies...
...the Crown Prince assumes the throne, and I will stay a lord.
And then you... will die!
Who is it?
Miss, what did you overhear just now?
I didn't hear anything
And what did you see?
No, I didn't see anything
She is just a servant girl in the manor. She won't say anything
Even if she talks, no one will believe her.
I will not say anything
I told you about people leaking secrets, didn't I?
You have not forgotten, have you?
Didn't you want to demonstrate your loyalty to me?
Did anyone ever tell you...
...you shouldn't look into the eyes of someone who is about to die?
Do you believe in this old wives' tale?
look at her, look at her
She's dead, all evidence is gone.
Get rid of her body somehow. I'm going back.
Why don't we...
...go tomorrow instead?
I don't care anymore. it's a dead end at any turn
Greetings to my Mother
Come closer to mom
Why did you hit her?
Qi-Lin
this slap was what I deserved
You are absolutely right.
You did deserve this slap that i've given you
I would never have thought...
...that my daughter would be soshameless, daring and reckless!
And who are you?
You made a big appearance at the banquet today.
Too bad that your manners...
...are those of a common and uncivilised girl.
It's such a joke that my in-law
could not see through your false pretences
Did you really think that you could flyas high as the majestic phoenix?
Mother,
I have indeed been reckless.
I did not wish for this political marriage.
That's why I ran away without permission.
if you think that this is such a shameless thing
i have no choice but to admit my shame before you
are you trying to lecture me with some big principles of life
I will not talk crap with you
Since you are the daughter of the Jiang family
whether you like it or not, you have to use your marriage as a political tool
Tonight, you will return with me to the old manor and stay there
Tomorrow, you and this girl
will return to your rightful places
Since I have already taken steps till this point in time
I will not return to take my original place in the family
You wouldn't dare to do anything, isn't it?
I don't dare?
This is a marriage by an imperial decree. If it is discovered as an identity fraud, our family and relatives will be executed
If you expose this fraud
it would not be of any benefit to you
You are taking all the lives of the Jiang family to threaten me. How dare you!
My own life as well
You are such a child with your childish ramblings
Such identity fraud!
Both our families were kept in the dark on this.
I would only have to poison this girl in secret
this girl who stole my daughter's place in this marriage
what will be left is you, Jiang Xiao-Xuan
and even if I have to tie you up, I would, to keep you in the Jin Manor
till the day you die there
Do you dare to do so? If you really dared, why didn't you say anything earlier today in the presence of all?
Isn't it because you were afraid of the 2nd Prince?
Xiao-Xuan has told me
This arranged marriage is to solidify the Crown Prince's power and influence in the Emperor's courts
No matter how you all fight for power in the Emperor's courts
I have already danced and met the guests
I have even met the 2nd Prince
If you wish to poison me, it's your choice, but I'll see what happens to you after that
Which family are you from?
Your mannerisms are uncivilised, and your speech is tactless
I'm sure you are not from any of the big and well-known families
You stole my Xiao-Xuan's affinity to this marriage
and enjoyed a good couple of days as a result
it would have been best for you if you left in peace
after poisoning you to death
I, and your mother-in-law, will enter the palace
and explain the details of this incident to the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince
In view of the big picture, the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince
will certainly understand and forgive the faults of the Jin and Jiang families
At the end, we will still be in-laws
Mother
You can poison her if you want
and to lock me up is a simple feat to you
both of us are on the same boat. none of us can escape now
however, with the appearance of the 2nd Prince today, and the revelation of his ambitiousness
he has seen Qi-Lin and her face is imprinted in his mind
don't you think that he will make a big deal out of this if all goes according to what you have said earlier?
and in addition
if the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince has found out about this matter
even if for the sake of their own face, they choose not to mete out punishment on us
will they still trust the Jiang family?
after learning a bit about the politics in the Emperor's courts
did you think that you can shake us down? we who have weathered the storms of politics for such a long time
the Jin family, and the Jiang family
have maintained their power and influence through all these decades
how is it possible that we would be trapped by the actions of immature girls such as yourself?
Your mother did not mention anything after that
it should be counted as a soft yield from her, don't you think?
I don't know
after all, her mind and thoughts are deep
although she told me all about the throne, the Crown Prince and the other Princes, and the ascension to the Emperor's throne
it was pretty scary when I heard it
but when I told her the consequences, she was stunned by it and could not say anything more
although what you say is true
but these people who have grand schemes in their mind can turn around at any juncture
after all, the two of us are too insignificant to matter
and she is only my step-mother
for her own benefit, she would have no qualms about sacrificing me
my mother is also not my biological mother
but she sees my life as more important than hers
Alright, the choice of either a left or right turn brings you to the same destination
I just refuse to believe that we cannot triumph over these step-mothers
Mrs. Jin will still have a banquet tomorrow for your step-mother, so we'll see each other at the banquet
where did you go at such a late hour?
I went out with Xue-Er a while ago to chitchat for a bit
at such a late hour, you would still go out and chat with her?
I don't want to tell you. In the future, your dinner time will be managed by me
why? I'm not even sold to you as a slave!
by marrying me, you have sold yourself to me!
where are we going at such a late hour?
you are going for a walk with me, and chat with me along the way
do you know how many guests I have met today?
I don't know.
A few hundred, I tell you
the time that I spent at each table was at least 15 minutes
and don't tell me about that 2nd Prince who came totally uninvited, whom I had to accompany
And so, my life is wasted on these 2 things for these 4 hours
and so, you have to compensate me
why should it be me when it comes to compensation?
Isn't it your mother's birthday banquet?
so, am I supposed to call my mother out to walk and chat with me?
And I hold her by the waist, take her hand in mine and speak words of love. Is that proper?
Not proper at all. Exactly, so let's go!
Yuanbao...
if anything happens to me
that forces me to leave
will you leave with me?
from where do we leave?
from the Jin Manor, of course
you are so dumb, what trouble could you create?
it takes some level of intellect to commit bad acts
what if... what if something happens...
then i will leave with you and bring along my mother
you women...
always think of impossible situations
are you going to ask me next, if you and my mother fall into the water at the same time, who would I save first?
I didn't think of asking you this
that's good
so which is it? see! see!
you can choose not to respond
You know I can't swim.
If that really happens, please save my mother before me.
Okay?
really...
i'm talking about this to you seriously
there is no such what ifs, okay?
such a lovely night
don't spoil the mood anymore
come! let's watch the stars!
Xue-Er, look! The night sky is so beautiful tonight!
ever since I came to the Jin Manor,
you took care of all my needs
but I had never given you my thanks for what you've done for me
the little things and services that you do for me everyday, i shall make no further mention
but when I was in the deepest pit of despair, it was you
who made me believe that there are still good people in this world who are trustworthy and loyal
and allowed me to regain happiness in my daily life
such deep feelings of gratitude
will always be deeply carved upon my heart
Xue-Er
I'm not as good as that.
on the contrary, I have to thank you
i wouldn't be afraid of being laughed at for saying this
besides you, there have been no other person who was willing to take the medicine that I brewed
please do not say such words like only I am willing to take your medicine anymore
what you have given to me, is far greater than this
i have to leave now
yes yes yes
it's quite late now, and the air is getting more humid, you should get going
you have to take good care of yourself
you are such a great person
the Gods would certainly bless and protect you
yes yes yes
my mother has also told me that a silly person has his own good fortune
Please turn around.
Turn around.
thank you so much
real!
this is real!
Xue-Er actually embraced me!
I cannot chase after her now, it would be too greedy of me
getting an embrace from her is good enough
although Xiao-Xuan is not my biological daughter,
I have always treated her as if she were my own.
Xiao-Xuan has excelled in all areas from young,
except that she loves to play tricks on people
there was one time that the magistrate's wife came to my house
She left my sight for a moment.
She'd hidden under a gown, and asked me...
"Mother, can you guess who I am?"
Xiaoxuan,
do you remember how I replied?
When children grow up, they don't listen.
Don't blame me for exposing you here.
As a mother, one never forgets what their children were like in their youth
At that time, I said: "Stupid girl...
No matter what you'll wear...
No matter what display you put on,
you'll always be the Jiang's silly girl
If you dare pick up outsiders' vulgarities,
be careful that I don't tear off your skin.
Xiaoxuan...
...wasn't that what I said?
Xiaoxuan!
Was that what I said?
This child Xiaoxuan...
has always had excessive ideas.
This girl has too many ideas.
Always wants higher and more.
No matter the consequences.
I fear for anything she comes up with.
The position as the young madamof the Jin Manor isn't easy to achieve.
Some would be happy with it...
...but some might keep wanting more.
I'm afraid my daughter can...
...unfortunately not enjoy it.
In-law, a toast to you.
That you may be healthy and happy.
When I just listened to you...
...it was like listening to my own mother.
But now Xiaoxuan has married into the Jin family,
I think you don't need to worry anymore.
She does completely match the Jin standards.
And I'm the one to judge, aren't I?
As you say.
It seems I worried too much.
Your man cares about you.
I am greatly relieved.
I still have to thank our in-law.
You have taught Xiaoxuan well.
Ever since Xiaoxuan entered our household...
...she's taken care of many things.
We are satisfied, and others are not.
That the second prince suddenly visited us...
...says enough.
You also know our family is connected to the crown prince...
...and not to the second prince.
He suddenly appeared to congratulate us.
I really don't know what was the real meaning of that.
This action of second prince...
...seems like a demonstration of force.
Correct.
We have this Jin-Jiang connection now.
He can't do anything about this marriage.
Your preaching to Xiaoxuan just now...
...made sense.
We can't make any mistakes in this union in marriage.
You're right.
The Empress Dowager helped achieve this union.
Suppose anything goes wrong, we can't explain...
...to her or the crown prince.
Xiaoxuan...
...I'm still worried you'll ruin this with your temper.
None of us is gonna like that.
But seeing you now, I think you got the point.
That your childhood sister is here...
...living with you now is also fate.
You must take good care of her.
You two are like the two grasshoppers on one rope.
If anything goes wrong,
neither you nor her will escape it.
Today at the main hall, you behaved like a wooden puppet.
Truly embarrassing.
Madam...
Mother here, I just wanted to... - Forget it.
From now on, you don't have to pay attention to anyone's facial expression
today, at the meeting hall, you were acting completely unlike yourself
Really useless
listen closely, I don't care how much grief you experienced in the past, or how much adversity
Since you are married to me now, from now on...
I will not allow you to pay any attention to other people's expressions, alright?
Ok, Ok, I understand.
Other than my facial expressions, that is.
Alright, that's enough. The tiger just left...
...and the monkey is still alive.
Let's go. Everybody has already gone in.
Let's go -You're finally smiling
I'm always smiling..
Xiaoxuan, the birthday feast you created was really great.
Everything was well put together
It really reflected our Jin family resident's reputation
Even more impressively, you only spent 20,000 silvers
I had no idea that you were such a great asset to this residence
Thank you for your praises, Mother
Actually it's all because Cousin,
Changfeng, and Xue'er helped me out.
Gu Changfeng?
How can that fool be of any help? He's akin to congee
Hey, don't call him a fool!
In the end, wasn't it he who helped out?
All he did was fix his own mess
Enough now. What Xiaoxuan said is right.
Don't call him names
Even if you were brothers, you have to have mutual respect for each other
Huh? Are you talking about me?
It appears that these couple of days have tired you
Being stuck in the house all day must be stuffy
How about I release you from your duties for a couple days
Why don't you go to the West River Villa?
While you're there, you can help me collect rent
Mother, don't want us to relax?
Then why are you having us collect rent?
We have so much help around.Why you need us to collect payments?
You're the master of the Jin household.You need to learn some more things.
We're not even lacking staff
Ok, stop talking so much.Retrieve that rent and come back.
Mother, sinceyou want us to learn about household matters...
how about you let us go to the east?
If we don't endure some hardship,how will we learn that life is not easy?
You can go. I wasn't raised to live a life of hardship
In this life, aren't there still some people that suffer unnecessarily?
Even the Emperor can not have everything he wishes.
Not to mention us,
She is right. To understand the suffering,you must be in their shoes.
Otherwise Young Master Jin...
will never grow up
It's decided. You're going to the East
Alright mother,
we'll help you collect the payments
How about just us two go?
No guards or anything.
Oh mother, how about we bring Xue'er along?
No! Why would we bring her? Just the two of us is fine!
What's wrong with that?
They're two grasshoppers on one rope.
Let her go.
Xue'er is going too?
Then I have to go prepare too.
The climate in the mountains is unpredictable.It's best to take medication along.
You're also going? The four of us now?
You dare to!
I...
I dare to.
Pack all those four blankets.
They're all silk.
This isn't my usual tea set, is it? Where's the other?
If you take this, how am I gonna drink tea in the countryside?
You want me to use this? Go get the original set!
Are these all freshly picked? Yes
I don't want any of these.
Pick the fruits again when you go out tomorrow morning.
Pack those up. Go. Yes
Wow! Jin Yuanbao, we are going for just three days. Why do you have to bring along so much stuff?
What's wrong?
I need all that to feel comfortable.
How am I wrong?
Fine, Young Master.
You can take everything in the whole room with you then.
How about you carry a bed too?
Hey, good idea! I'll do that next time!
I'm warning you. You can only take one bag with you.
You can bring a bigger bag, but it has to be one!
But I'm not gonna let you bring two bags.
You said it. - Yeah.
What are you doing? Hey!
What are you doing, Jin Yuanbao?
What are you up to?
"What am I doing"?
Didn't you say that I could only take one bag? Only one.
Men!
Pick up this bag for me.
I...
Changfeng.
Xue'er, you're here.
Do you want me to help you?
No, I'm happy with you just standing there.
Oh, let me make an introduction
Look at what I'm bringing. A curtain to block out the sunlight.
The mountains are too sunny
Your skin is so delicate
Such intense sun, what if you get sunburned?
With this you don't need to be afraid. Also
Floor mat. The scenery at the roadside must be especially beautiful
You'll want to enjoy the scenery.
I can lay this on the ground for you.
Then you'll have a panoramic view.
Blankets!
Bringing this. Bringing this. Bringing this. Bringing this.
Bringing this. And this!
Changfeng...Ãnd this!
Am I that fragile?
Furthermore, I'm not having chest-problems, right?
No, but you'll have to sit in the cart real long.
Besides...
...mountain air is really fresh and clean.
But the temperature of it is much lower.
So, in case you catch a cold...
...and are short of breath, you'll have a chest-problem.
There's one more thing.
Look at this pillow. This is more comfortable than any other.
And this one. Dun-dun-dun-duuuunn
Don't take any more.
We can't not take this one. This one is very important.
What if you fall ill?~Changfeng!
Don't take it!
Can you all move faster? Pick up your legs!
Hey! What nonsense...!
How is it? Is there enough rooms? You come down first
Changfeng, I'll help you.
Hey, don't help him. Let him do it.
Hey, are you holding a grudge against Changfeng?
So what if I like picking on him?
Changfeng, why you messing around for so long?What are you doing, huh?
Hurry up and bring all your stuff up!
I'm coming.
Don't wait for him anymore. Let's go.
Wait! Wait for me!
I'm a little hungry.
Let's Changfeng make something to eat.
Can't you do it yourself?
I don't do such things.
Why don't we starve you?
Changfeng, stop the cart. Alright!
Make something to eat. - Alright
Hurry up, I'm starving.
Okay, I'm taking it out.
The fresh air is really stirring my appetite.
What's wrong?
Hurry up, I'm hungry here.
It seems like...we forgot the food.
When we left, weren't you bringing out all the food?
You were so anxious to leave and everyone was rushing me.
I might have forgotten it.
What did you say?
You really...you forgot it?
Stop bugging Changfeng all the time!Just do it yourself!
Shut up!
Aunt Wang cooked it all for us last night.
Fresh herb rolls, steamed buns, fruits, vegetables, rice!
Why didn't you forget yourself?!
You also eat fresh herb rolls?
If Aunt Wang makes them for me I eat them, yes!
Don't be angry Young Master. I brought this, no worries!
Look, sweet licorice root.
It's delicious. Try it.
I want you to eat it. Isn't it sweet?
Didn't you say there's nothing a real man can't do?
There's a river over there.You men go and catch us some fish.
Do you know who I am?
Aren't you Jin Yuanbao?
What's so special about you? Go!
My medicinal herbs aren't for grilling fish.
So what? Let's go catch fish, come on!
How silly!
That one, that one.
Quickly.
you may pretend to be dashing
Over there!
I've caught a fish!
Really?
Wonderful!
and melt my heart into soft cotton candy
you may laugh like a fool sometimes
you may change your mind all the time
but only I learnt about your unruliness
You must be hungry. Take this.
Thank you. This mushroom is pretty good. Try some
moonlight in front of the window
Look what I found!
I found a lot of mushroom out there
The color looks really good. It'll be delicious when cooked.
This one is for you.
Here's another pretty one for you.
bright moonlight, heart skips a beat
this is a good time for perfect happiness
a heavenly couple
an earthly pair
Why don't you guys trust me?
It's really good to eat. I'll show you.
Changfeng, these mushrooms are poisonous!
quickly spit it out!
entering the future holding you tight
I will never let you go no matter what
Disgusting!
You're speaking nonsense.
Look!
Shooting Stars!
Make a wish!
holding hands setting out to the end of the world with you
who cares if the sky falls
moonlight in front of the window
cuddling up to your shoulder
I raise my head to the bright moon, missing you I lower my head
bright moonlight, heart skips a beat
this is a good time for perfect happiness
a heavenly couple, an earthly pair
the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd will never forget each other
No matter how beautiful the heavens, it cannot surpass your feelings.