Subtitles By TVB USA
[Can't Buy Me Love]
Episode 1
After years of warfare
Emperor Taizong defeated the neighboring tribes
unified the country
and won the praise of the people.
Cheung On Street is bustling and prosperous.
Besides football, acrobatics and archery
the finger guessing game is a favorite pastime of the people
especially the one about the Princesses
exposing their willfulness and arrogance.
Marry the Princess? Bite your tongue!
Be a Prince? No thank you!
Third-rank status is hard to swallow!
Being married to a princess is a fate worse than death.
Among the Emperor's five daughters.
Princess Chiu Yeung is the most conceited and overbearing
which is why she remains single.
When will she get married?
Seven-star fruits, meaning a perfect pairing.
Seven-star cup for the cowherd and the fairy.
Blooming flowers bring good luck.
A pair of phoenix sewn on the robe
Brings a happy marriage.
With these lucky items
Chiu Yeung will find the ideal husband on Double Seventh Day.
These so-called lucky things
I have heard them all.
If saying them will bring me a husband
I won't have to pray for insight on this day.
Every word you say is a gem.
Greetings, milady.
But your sharp tongue will scare people off
including Mr. Right.
I believe in fate.
Only a virtuous girl is attractive.
So I arranged for you to meet the Grand Tutor in the study.
I'm afraid I'll have to decline.
To pray for a happy marriage
I have decided to spend three days at the temple during the Double Seventh Festival.
It's time, Princess.
Delaying me is like ruining my marriage.
Let's go.
You preach of non-interference.
So I won't trouble you with finding me a husband.
I'll manage on my own.
Everything is ready, go change.
[Cheung On]
We haven't been out in over a decade.
The eunuchs say Double Seventh is a lively festival.
Princess... Master, look!
Quiet down! You'll blow our cover!
We only have three days.
Tam Shun Kee's kites are the best?
Yes, buy one get one free.
I bet they have shoddy craftsmanship.
Granny Ho's candied haws are the best.
That's so childish! Not interested!
Madam Ching's windmills...
Take a spin, fortune will come...
That's stupid! Superstition.
You scared me!
Hairpins? They're ugly...
We're not allowed to go out so normally the eunuchs buy them for me.
Now I can choose my own.
Since you can't choose your husband
I'll let you choose a hairpin.
Thanks! I'll be right back.
Oh Princess, turn around, don't come to my house...
The mother hen...
- What are you singing? - The Princesses.
Married to a Princess is a fate worse than death.
The Tang Princesses are spoiled, arrogant and overbearing.
The Princes have no freedom at all.
They bow and scrape to stay alive
like a...
Eunuch!
What?
You're saying they're better off dead?
Quite right!
If you wish to get out of a bind you must do more charity work.
That's a lie, rascal.
Me? A rascal?
Why am I a rascal?
I learned from a master fortune teller.
You're a master fortune teller? Then I'm a fairy.
Fairy? Fine, show me what you got.
Your fortune lies between your brows. If it's clear and shiny it means you're wise.
Wrinkles mean you'll disgrace your ancestors.
Your eyes tell everything.
If they're not delicate, you'll squander your family fortune.
The brows stand for your siblings. Sparse brows mean they won't live long.
Unbalanced temples means you have more than one mother.
You'll die away from home.
- You look like a woman, you'll be injured. - Your bulging eyes mean you'll get sick.
You have a bucket head, mousy eyes
hook nose, uneven brows, fan-shaped ears, teapot mouth, long and short arms
chicken beast, dog stomach and bucket waist.
How dare you!
What are you doing?
Serving justice.
You pale-faced rogue.
Let go...
Rascal!
You started it.
I'll have you dismembered!
Rascal!
Bastard!
Master...
Dor Luk!
- I'll have the Magistrate punish you - I'll report you to the authorities.
- Go ahead! - I'll go now.
- Go on! - I will.
Don't blow our cover.
Don't pick a fight, the shop is opening.
- I'll spare your pathetic life. - I'll spare your pathetic life! Get lost!
Don't let me see you again.
I'll beat you up.
I'll beat you up twice.
I'll kick your butt.
Stop it, Dor Luk.
It's time, freshen up and pick up Dor Shau.
What happened?
I just went to the toilet. You're supposed to watch the stand.
That pale-faced rogue...
If I didn't have to pick up Dor Shau...
She'll never leave Cheung On Street alive.
Behave yourself!
You shouldn't tell people's fortune on the street.
He's so handsome.
He's so agile.
Green dragon on the left.
White tiger on the right.
Dor Shau?
Thank you...
Dor Shau.
What are you doing here?
We should be asking you that.
You're supposed to wait at the pier.
The boat came in early, I went for a walk.
Then why are you performing on the street? Do you need money?
No!
My benefactor.
Thank you, you're too kind.
Granny, you can't sell yourself to bury your husband.
Here, take this money.
Thank you.
The spirit of the Kams...
lend a helping hand.
If we don't go home, Mom Loi Hei will kill us.
Let's go...
Master Fook! Master Luk! Master Shau.
- Mom Loi Hei. - Mom Loi Hei.
Mother.
Dor Fook! Dor Luk!
Dor Shau, are you tired after your long trip?
No, Mother.
It's Kam's Gold's grand opening after the expansion.
When you're out of luck, gold is like iron
but when you're in luck, iron is like gold.
I pray that Heaven will bless us with enough business.
Good!
Madam Loi Hei...
Minister Law of the Directorate and Prince Weng are here.
Let us go see them.
Greetings, Prince Weng, Minister Law.
Madam Loi Hei.
Kam's Gold looks so much better after the expansion.
Nothing compared to the Directorate
but this is good enough for a civilian shop.
Kam's Gold is famous for it's craftsmanship
and Madam Loi Hei is famous for her keen eye.
I paid 1,000 taels earlier for a specimen
I'd like you to take a look.
Master Yin Chi's gold seven-tier bell pagoda?
I thought there was only one.
It's sitting in our house.
This is a fake, someone conned Minister Law.
Well? Is it worth it?
If she tells the truth, she'll embarrass him.
If she lies, people will say she's a fool.
She's damned either way.
The pagoda has six sides and seven tiers.
The coins underneath each tier
stand for luck and guard against evil.
The richly crafted eight-treasure gourds on top
stand for prolific and good fortune.
The eaves of the pagoda have wind chimes.
Each chime is a sound from Heaven.
That's why it is a rare treasure.
But this one is gilt gold, not real gold.
It's a genuine counterfeit.
Why do you say that? How can you tell?
With your eyes and ears.
Tell me.
First, use your eyes.
Real gold is soft.
If it's real gold
the gold thread that holds the chimes to the eaves will sway in the wind.
Gilt gold is actually copper.
Because copper is harder
the chimes don't move much.
Next, use your ears.
Chimes made from real gold are clear and melodious.
As you can hear, these chimes are not as crisp.
This is ludicrous!
Minister Law oversees the production of all gold vessels of the Palace.
You think he can't tell a counterfeit from the real thing?
Minister Law heads the Directorate.
Of course he can tell the difference between gilt gold and real gold.
I believe he's testing me.
There's nothing like putting one to a test.
Madam Loi Hei is insightful and honest.
You flatter me.
The Court intends to invite privately owned gold shops to make gold ornaments.
In addition to craftsmanship
credibility and financial capability are equally important.
To commemorate our expansion
we made a series of wedding gifts.
Feel free to comment, Minister.
It's gorgeous!
So splendid and imposing...
Each piece is original and meticulously made.
Kam's Gold is strong both in craftsmanship and finances.
I'm planning to buy a gold mine.
We'll run the mine as well as the shop.
With a gold mine, you won't be dependent on others.
That makes perfect sense.
I believe Kam's Gold is very qualified to produce gold vessels for the Court.
Her Highness, Princess Wing Ho.
Greetings, Princess.
Where's the Prince?
What are you doing here?
I'm doing the questioning
not the other way around.
How dare you leave the mansion without my permission!
- I left a- - Don't talk back!
I'm not...
You're sighing! Are you implying I'm wrong?
Don't be upset.
Any scratches?
No.
Hey.
Get up...
- Take him away - Yes, Your Highness.
This toy is fun but a bit scratchy.
Because we used riveting.
That's why the pattern is protruding.
If we use alternating gold and silver
it'll be even and smooth.
This is too heavy.
You'll need an instrument of torture for punishment.
Good point.
None are more famous than those from the Spring and Autumn Period.
Iron lotus, nail hammer, cangue and lock fetters and handcuffs
each designed for corporal punishment.
Alright... get me a set in gold.
No, get me four sets.
- I'm sure my sisters can use them too. - Great...
- You have a month. - Yes!
Hurry!
Hurry up!
Come on...
Grandma!
Grandma, it's Dor Shau!
Grandma!
I've been longing to see you.
Did you bring the dragon and tiger?
You bet!
- Green dragon on the left. - White tiger on the right.
Dor Shau, you're brilliant!
No, Dor Fook is brilliant.
He just closed a major deal with the Princess.
Dor Fook is our lucky star.
He's been working so hard
he's now one size smaller.
You're all brilliant except me.
I'm good for nothing, I amount to nothing.
Don't be so modest.
As the eldest, I must set a good example.
Right, Grandma?
Mom Loi Hei worked hard for the expansion.
She should get all the credit.
Where is she?
She went out this afternoon to discuss acquiring a gold mine.
Here she comes.
- Mother! - Mom Loi Hei!
- Mother!
You promised on the day Kam's Gold reopens after the expansion.
You would turn the shop over to Dor Fook
so he can be the manager and the heir to the family business.
Congratulations, Manager.
Congratulations!
It's just a title.
We'll do that later.
I'll hang onto the keys for now.
Dor Fook started at the shop in his teens.
He's been there for over 10 years
I want him to gain more experience.
I've waited years and years
I only want my eldest grandson to inherit the family business.
I want Kam's Gold to pass on for generations.
Why won't you hand over the keys?
I'm doing this for Dor Fook's own good
I want to train him better.
Grandma! Grandma!
- Mother! - Granny!
Grandma! Don't do this, Grandma!
- Grandma! - Don't act like a kid!
Grandma!
Ancestors...
Grandma...
Don't do this...
'You need oil to stir fry vegetables and no one listens to old people.'
Son and daughter-in-law, take me with you.
Don't do this...
- Get up. - Grandma!
Kam's Gold is my sister's' family business.
She entrusted it to me on her deathbed
until Dor Fook and Dor Luk can take over.
I have never forgotten that promise.
Then why won't you let go?
Dor Luk has been weak since childhood.
He's only interested in divination and fortune telling.
Forcing him to take over is counter-productive.
So I have decided to let Dor Fook take over
and that's why I'm racking my brains
and putting my eggs in one basket to expand
to earn the backing of the Directorate
and secure orders from the Imperial court.
It's hard to start a business.
Harder still to maintain it.
I only want to build a solid foundation for the shop
so Dor Fook's job will be easier.
Dor Fook just closed a big order.
That proves he has the ability.
It is precisely because of that big order
that I'm hanging onto the keys.
What he proved today is not his ability
but three mistakes.
First, we didn't use riveting on the biscuit case.
It was gilt gold.
Confusing the basic techniques is misrepresentation.
Second, all new items require a drawing
creating a mold, and complicated casting procedures.
We have never made instruments of torture before.
It's impossible to finish in a month.
That's breaking our word.
Third, you've been working at the shop for so long
but you still don't know the basic techniques and logistics.
That means you didn't pay attention.
I'm very disappointed in you.
What's wrong with you, Dor Fook?
You wasted Loi Hei's efforts to groom you.
You've made more than three mistakes.
You're also a failure.
You should think that over.
Let's eat!
I have the making of a scholar.
Asking me to sweat in front of a furnace
is a waste of my talents.
Scholar? We can tell.
I tried to make a mold.
But look... my hands are meant for the abacus and to sign contracts
I'm not cut out for pounding and hammering.
It's simply... a waste of my talents.
- We can tell. - We can tell.
Dor Fook!
What is it?
I just got word, Mom Loi Hei is irritable
because she couldn't buy the gold mine from Master Chan.
The gold mine?
She's been planning this for a long time.
Master Chan raised the price
He won't sell at one million taels.
No wonder she bit my head off.
She's doing this for the good of the shop
which is for my own good.
I'm so useless.
Don't say that, you can't be worse than me.
I'm heavy but weak.
I need to take medication every other day.
Hey! We're men!
We can't let Mother work so hard and do nothing about it!
I'm the eldest, I'll give Mom Loi Hei a present for Father.
I know!
That's right, a gold mine.
We'll snatch it for Mother...
Here we come!
Target: Master Chan.
Venue: Wan Loi Inn.
Strategy: Make him give in at all costs.
According to Uncle Wing
Master Chan's favorite color is gold.
He travels with an entourage
and tips generously.
Watch your step...
Gold sedan chair.
Thank you, Master Chan.
Chan... gold... it's him! Let's go.
Master Chan...
Hold on.
What do you want? To rob me?
Please sell us your gold mine.
I told you it's not for sale.
My Mother really needs it, please sell it to us.
A man should never kneel.
Family is worth millions.
We'll do anything for Mother and the family.
One million taels is a substantial amount.
One million taels?
Not enough? We'll give you one million and eighty thousand taels.
That's a generous number, please say yes.
Say no more, 100 thousand taels is our deposit.
On account of your filial love
Heaven would be enraged if I said no.
I thought that would be difficult. Turns out it's a piece of cake.
With this contract, the gold mine is ours.
Mother will be smiling from ear to ear.
The cost is worth it as long as she's happy.
Shall we play a drinking game?
You know what? Let's do a finger guessing game.
We'll order all 72 dishes.
Beat the Princess with a rod...
Good one.
Shut up! How dare you offend the Princess?
You again?
Want to pick another fight?
We're playing a game, what's it to you?
You must not bad-mouth the Princess.
Are you related to her?
Don't mind them, let's continue.
Beat the Princess with a rod...
Hey! What did you do that for?
You're being unreasonable.
Why did you slap me?
I should kill you.
A gentleman uses his tongue, not his fists.
But you're not a gentleman.
I don't want to soil my hands... fix them.
Take the stool.
You're a martial artist too?
You're not worth it.
Charge!
Finish him off!
Dor Shau!
Nice!
Dor Shau!
Good!
Dor Fook!
Help!
Dor Fook!
Come back!
- Dor Luk! - Help!
Help!
Help...
Embarrassing.
Sir...
Shut up, I'll pay for it.
Thank you!
So much for Fook, Luk, Shau.
This is not the end.
We will get even!
The call themselves Fook, Luk, Shau.
That's an insult to the deities.
How dare they disregard the law!
Oh, the head came off.
Serves you right for beating us up!
We'll skin you alive!
You deserve it!
Let's go!
Are you alright?
I'm fine! If I see you again
I'll have you dismembered and beheaded.
They were defenseless!
Normally we wouldn't sneak up on them but what they did was loathsome.
Master Fook, Master Luk, Master Shau.
- Mother. - Mom Loi Hei.
Where have you been all day?
We have a present for you.
Are you happy?
The gold mine you wanted.
We signed with Master Chan...
We bought it!
- Master Chan went to Changzhou? - No!
It says here the gold mine is in west Jiangnan.
Gold mines are in Raozhou, or Changzhou
Since when is there a gold mine in west Jiangnan?
- Who did you sign this with? - Master Chan.
Madam Loi Hei, Master Chan is here.
Here he is.
You must be Madam Loi Hei.
Master Chan, your gold mine-
I didn't want to sell it
but your sons begged me.
What kind of gold mine do you have in west Jiangnan?
Oranges and tangerines
1.5 million kilograms every year, sweet and juicy.
You mean fruits you can eat?
I didn't know there are fruits you can't eat.
You can't eat this!
That's true!
How can you laugh?
You sell fruits, what's the deal?
Why did you ride in a gold sedan chair?
Is that a crime?
Selling something bogus is a crime.
Why did you write 'gold mine' in the contract?
Because that's the name of my property.
I can't grow fruits in 'Gold Mine'?
My fruits are sweet and juicy.
You want to break the contract?
You still owe me 980 thousand taels.
We both have a copy of the contract.
You can't deny it.
If you're not happy, go to the authorities.
We always keep our word.
That's more like it.
Well?
After we deduct one million and eighty thousand taels
we barely have any cash left.
What about the land outside of town?
It isn't fit to grow paddy rice.
It's not worth much.
What about the houses on the east side of town?
We sold them to expand the shop.
Redo the calculations.
Maybe we can still afford the gold mine.
No need, we can't afford it.
We'll deal with that later.
Let's take care of the problem at hand.
That's easy, we have gold stock.
That's good!
When people find out our mistake
they'll think we're in financial trouble.
When word gets out, people will take advantage of us.
If I'm not mistaken
they'll cash in the gold option they have
and we'll have to sell the shop to pay them off.
Madam Loi Hei, people have rushed into the shop.
They want to cash in their option.
What?
Well? How did it go?
The Directorate sent someone over.
They're postponing the orders from the court.
Before Heaven crashes down, there must be a way.
Life goes on.
Don't fret, I'll save the day.
It's exquisite!
I met the late Emperor Li Yuan when I was young.
My heart is like a rock, it will not change.
Stop! We have heard enough.
You must be kidding, Grandma.
- At a time like this... - Don't interrupt me!
Hey!
This is a pledge of love between me and Li Yuan.
We were madly in love.
He gave me this wine cup when he left me.
- It has a dragon print - Let me see.
He said for whoever brings this cup to him
a wish will be granted.
But he's dead.
His son should fulfill this promise.
Trust me, take this wine cup to the Emperor.
That's the only way to save us.
Chiu Yeung, three days is up.
I came to pick you up.
Greetings, Lady Suen.
What happened to your forehead?
From bowing to the gods.
Your praying may be in vain.
The Tibetan Emperor Songtsan Gampo has asked for your hand.
Tibet?
It was Lady Wai's doing.
She convinced the Dowager
that the marriage is a blessing to the people.
She arranged the marriage of the other four princesses.
If she can marry you off
His Majesty and the Dowager will dote on her.
Satisfy her desire at the expense of my happiness?
She won't get away with it.
This wine cup has the dragon print
It belongs to the late Emperor.
He met with countless people
and made too many promises.
Please help me, I can't let Kam's Gold fail in my hands.
Loi Hei, you're not young anymore.
Why slave for the shop?
You have three sons, let them worry about it.
Madam Cheung.
Greetings, milady.
This is Madam Loi Hei from Kam's Gold.
You have three sons?
Chiu Yeung, Ngan Ping, and Tsui.
Greetings, Dowager, Lady Wai.
At ease! I'm glad you're here, Chiu Yeung.
Congratulations, Chiu Yeung.
You're getting married!
I don't want to get married.
Why do you say that?
What's wrong with the Tibetan Emperor?
I want someone with the smarts of Chukot Leung and Sunzi
Cho Chik's wit, Hong Yu's and Father's spirit.
Songtsan Gampo is nothing.
He's an Emperor.
Tibet is a barbaric state, they eat raw meat.
I'll send 100 chefs.
Songtsan Gampo already has an Empress.
He married a Princess from Nepal last year.
There's no guarantee he won't marry the Princess of Tuyuhun.
I'm Father's beloved daughter.
A Tang Princess will not share a husband with anyone.
Your father has numerous concubines.
That's precisely the reason my mother died from sorrow.
All women want their husbands to be faithful.
Who would want to share him?
Father met Mother during his visit down south.
He promised he'd come back for her
but she waited and waited
until she died of a broken heart.
Grandma took care of me until I was six
before Father finally kept his promise and sent for me.
By then Grandma was on her deathbed.
I was lucky to live the life of a Princess
but those dear to me were lonely and sad.
I was lucky you took good care of me.
Except for Father, you're the only one I respect.
If it becomes necessary to build diplomatic relations
at the expense of my happiness.
If you say it is so
I'll go despite my reluctance.
I don't mean to force you
but you're the only Princess who is still single.
There were prospects
but you rejected them for one reason or another.
Would you rather grow old and die alone?
One must get married.
A Princess must have her Prince.
The Princess found her Prince.
Greetings, milady.
Lady Suen, who is the man of her choice? What about the matchmaker?
Master Dor Luk of Kam's Gold.
He's tall, handsome and intelligent.
Is that right, Princess?
We love each other, I must marry him.
He lives outside the palace, how did you meet him?
It's my fault, I beg for your forgiveness.
No, it's my fault.
I snuck out with Ngan Ping during my retreat
I met Master Kam at the temple fair.
Love at first sight?
He's firm like a bedrock and I'm strong like a reed.
I must marry him, please help me.
What? Marry a Princess?
Marry a Princess in exchange for a contract?
That's prostitution!
I haven't agreed to it yet.
No doubt a Princess is formidable
but we have creditors at our door.
If we're reduced to having nothing but four walls
that's like killing all of us.
Which is worse? Kill us all or marry a Princess?
It's my fault we're in this sad state.
This is the only way to save Kam's Gold and the family.
I'm the eldest, let me do it.
But you're married.
A Princess can't be that bad.
At least no Prince has been killed so far.
But I can't sit back and do nothing!
I'll get a divorce and marry her.
No!
Mother, let me do it.
No, I'm older, let me do it.
I know kung fu I can take corporal punishment better.
You'd be better off dead.
Let me do it.
I can't watch you commit suicide.
A martial artist is not a coward.
Granny, Mom Loi Hei, say something!
Loi Hei, you run this household
I'll let you decide.
Since we don't have a consensus
let Heaven decide for us.
Same as usual, we'll draw lots.
The long one stays, the short one goes.
Dor Luk, you go first.
Dor Shau will get the remaining lot.
It's God's will.
Dor Shau, you'll meet the Princess in the Palace tomorrow morning.
Yes, Mother.
- Son - Yes, Mother?
You led a simple and frugal life at Shaolin.
I've been waiting for you to come home
only to make your life more difficult.
I'm really sorry.
It's Heaven's will, don't blame yourself.
No, it's man-made.
I rigged the lot.
I know, you broke the lot in half.
When you said 'same as usual'
I knew I had to lose, same as usual.
When we were little, whenever we fought for a toy.
You always made us draw lots
and I always got the short one
because you wanted me to yield.
You want me to bear the responsibility
and take Dor Luk's place
but you need to consider his feelings
and want him to think it's fair
so he won't feel guilty, and be happy.
Do you blame me?
You were indebted to his mother for saving your life.
I will take after your benevolence
and repay a kindness shown to me by others.
We'll do this together.
Dor Fook can take over Kam's Gold
and Dor Luk can live a long healthy life.
- Oh my God... - What is it?
- What's going on? - What is it?
What happened to your face?
Bug bites?
What did you eat?
I woke up like this.
You can't meet the Princess like this.
- Oh my God! - What now?
- Dor Luk is gone! - What?
He left a note.
- He ran away from home? - Let me see.
By the time you read this
I have gone to a far away place.
Don't worry, Dor Shau's rash
is from a lacquer tree oil I put on his face.
They'll go away in a day or two.
Dor Shau is talented and good looking.
He'll bring honor to the family.
Let me handle the thankless job of marrying the Princess.
Kam's Gold needs Dor Fook.
Mother Loi Hei needs Dor Shau.
I'm good for nothing, I amount to nothing.
I'm glad I can finally be of use to the family.
I have no regrets.
The Dowager is holding a banquet in Master Kam's honor.
Make sure you get your story straight.
Right! We mustn't give her reason to suspect us.
That's Kam Dor Luk.
Greetings, miladies.
At ease! Raise your head.
I'll report you to the authorities!
You rascal!
The Princess's voice sounds familiar.
Let go, rascal!
I'll ask the Magistrate to punish you.
The pale-faced rogue?
- Beat him up! - Okay!
Right! Serves you right for ambushing me!
Chiu Yeung, you know him?
I'd sooner marry a pig than marry him.
Then you'll have to marry Songtsan Gampo.
You said Tibet is a barbaric state
and they eat raw meat.
His ambassador is right outside.
Either you marry the barbarian
or the fellow inside.
You don't have another choice.
He's crazy, I can't marry him.
Who cares what he is?
You're just using him.
And you farted!
Stop! Look at me, rascal.
It's your blessing I'm making you a Prince.
How dare you throw that at me!
So what if I did?
Subtitles By TVB USA