Episode 28
Mr. Hu.
It's you.
You venomous snake! I'm going to kill you!
I'm going to kill you! You're a venomous snake!
Is this how you treat your old friend?
You deceived me! You said that...
...Wu Wei Wen betrayed me and set me up.
But, he didn't adulterate the medicine.
He wasn't even the one who submitted the fake herbs!
On the contrary, in order to save me...
...he took the blame for everything.
Yet, what did I do to him?
I lied and got him killed.
But, if you didn't lie, you'd be the dead one.
I'd rather be the dead one.
Is that so? Do you really dare to die?
Mr. Hu, to be honesL...
...I can care less about your fate.
I don't care about Wu Wei Wen either.
To me, you all are as insignificant as ants.
Kill me then. -No, I can't kill you.
Even though you are nothing to me...
...you are very impoflant to another person.
Who?
Your daughter, Hu Yong Mei.
What did you do to her? -She's fine.
She's finding ways to save you.
She even came to beg me.
What do you want?
I decided to release you.
You should just kill me...
...just like how you got Brother Wei Wen killed.
But, I promised Hu Yong Mei to save you.
If you release me...
...I'll tell everyone the truth.
I want to avenge Wu Wei Wen.
You don't have the guts to do that.
If you say even a word...
...I'll turn Hu Yong Mei into a slave.
I'll torture her.
You... -I'm a man of my word.
Mr. Hu.
Survival is the most important thing.
Treasure your life.
Master, as you instructed, we closed down Gu Yue Pharmacy.
I can handle everything else.
But, I don't know what to do with this...
...statue of the God of Medicine.
So, I brought it back.
Please take a look.
I remember that...
...it was Wu Wei Wen who helped us to get this...
...when we opened the pharmacy.
This...
What's wrong? Master, what are you doing
You... What's wrong? Help!
Father! What's wrong? -Help!
Master. -Father, stop.
Master, please sit down. -Sit down.
Father, something must be bothering you.
Say it out. You'll feel better.
Father, I'm your daughter. What can't you tell me?
Let me help you.
What exactly happened?
I can't tell anyone.
Father.
Let's leave Jingyang.
Where can we go?
Anywhere will do. Let's leave this place.
Father.
Let's set aside what happened in the past...
...and go to a faraway place.
Let's forget about the past...
...and start a new life, alright?
Alright.
Father, Uncle Wu's soul in heaven...
...won't want to see you in this state.
Yong Mei, you don't know.
You don't know. I caused Brother Wei Wen's death.
I betrayed him.
Are you Hu Zhi Cun? -Zhou Ying.
Why did you say that you betrayed my father?
What did you do? -Yong Mei, let's leave.
You sold rosin instead of dragon's blood to Wu Family.
I did not. -After you got exposed...
...you falsely accused my father of dishonesty.
You cleared your name and made us your scapegoat.
Nonsense. My father isn't a person like that.
Say it before my father. Am I right?
Say it before my father! Why did you set him up?
No. It wasn't me.
Who else can it be?
Brother Wei Wen, I'm a scoundrel!
Father, let's go.
You can't go. Tell me clearly. -Father!
What exactly happened? - What are you doing? Let go!
I was forced to do that. - Who forced you to do that?
Tell me. Who forced you to do that?
No. It's my fault. It's all my fault. I'm sorry.
Let go of my father!
My father was set up. I'm sure you know the truth.
Why won't you tell us the truth?
Can you bear to let my father die with regret?
Let go of my father!
No.
I can't say it. -Why?
Go away! -Why can't you say it?
Why? -Go away!
Father, let's go.
Hu Zhi Cun!
Hu Zhi Cun! Come back! -Hurry.
Hurry, father. -You'd better explain!
Stop them! -Hu Zhi Cun!
Speak! Who threatened you? -Hurry.
What exactly happened?
Where did the fake dragon's blood come from?
Come back! -Let's go.
Go away!
I'll find you no matter where you go!
I must get to the bottom of this!
Father, it's alright now. We shook off that shameless woman.
It's all my fault.
I made a grave mistake.
Father, I don't know the truth behind that...
...case of the military supply.
I don't want to know either.
I only know that you are my father.
Even if you're wrong, you're still my father.
But, I...
I'm a scoundrel.
Father.
It's alright.
Once we leave Jingyang, everything will be over.
Really?
Hu Zhi Cun went home?
He caused the trouble and got Wei Wen killed.
Yet, he went home safely. Where in this world is justice?
I can feel that...
...he's very ashamed of what he did to father.
In fact, I'm sure he knows the truth.
Unfortunately, Hu Yong Mei took him away.
I couldn't get an answer from him.
Does it make a difference if we know?
Wei Wen can't come back.
Father had been an honest man all his life.
We can't let him die with a bad reputation.
Even if we go broke, we can't go broke because of dishonesty.
You're right. We'll visit Hu Family tomorrow.
Mother, what do you plan to do?
I want to question Hu Zhi Cun.
Hu Family made a foflune because of Wei Wen's help.
Even if they aren't grateful...
...they can't return kindness with enmity.
Mother, I've a suggestion.
Tomorrow, you can try to bring up matters in the past...
...to make him feel bad. Maybe he'll regret and repent.
Father, let's eat.
Alright.
Yong Mei.
Pour some wine for yourself too. Drink with me.
Alright.
Father, taste this.
Wei Wen and I...
...met when we were still very young.
There was once when we ran into bandits in Tongzhou.
I was slashed. I was dying.
Wei Wen carried me across 20 miles...
...to find a physician and save my life.
Then, when I ventured into fur and leather business...
...I lost all my money.
Wei Wen did not hesitate to...
...withdraw 200 taels from his money for restocking...
...for me to stafl anew...
...and to save me from despair.
Father, let's not talk about that today.
Alright. Let's not talk about that.
Let's talk about you.
Should I find a live-in son-in-law?
Let's not talk about that either.
I've no other demand.
I only want an honest and good person...
...who will treat you right.
But, remember this You must keep our money yourself.
I'm not getting married.
Silly girl, no woman can remain unmarried forever.
I'm not getting married.
The money I saved is kept in your mother's box.
But, keep this in mind. Don't do business.
Use the money to buy lands and collect rent for a living.
Nothing is better than...
...a peaceful and safe life.
Why are you suddenly telling me this?
There's no particular reason.
I might suddenly leave you one day.
So, it's better to advise you in advance.
That won't happen.
Yong Mei, you're all good...
...except for your stubbornness and willfulness.
You're too rigid when you face a problem.
From now on, remember to be moderate...
...and cautious.
Father, I will keep that in mind.
Alright.
Do you plan to go to Jiangzhe or Huguang?
I'll go wherever you want to go to.
I can't stay with you forever.
I want you to stay with me forever.
Alright. I'll stay with you forever.
Come.
Master, it's time to eat.
Master!
Are they expecting us?
I don't care. Let's go in. -Let's go.
Master.
What's going on?
Last night, our master hanged himself.
What happened?
Ms. Yong Mei! -Return my father to me!
Return my father to me!
Are you crazy! This has nothing to do with me!
What you said yesterday made my father kill himself!
You murderer!
Your father's death has nothing to do with me!
Ms. Yong Mei. -He caused our bankruptcy...
was well as my father's death and I haven't even made him pay!
I won't forgive you! I'm going to kill you!
Yong Mei, stop! -Go away!
Don't stop me! I'm going to drag her to hell!
Mother! Let's leave! - I'm going to kill you!
I'm going to kill you!
Zhou Ying! I swear that...
...I'll kill you one day...
...to avenge my father! -Curse you!
Ms. Yong Mei. -Ms. Yong Mei.
Are you alright? -I'm fine.
Why did Hu Zhi Cun hang himself?
He could have explained to us.
Yong Mei is all alone now.
How is she going to survive?
Mother, go back without me. -Where are you going?
I can't leave this matter at this. -But, he's dead already.
Hu Zhi Cun's death makes it even more suspicious.
Send my mother back.
Hu Zhi Cun hanged himself?
Why would he commit suicide if it wasn't because of guilt?
Why did he feel guilty if it isn't because...
...there's something behind the case of the military supply?
You still believe that Wu Wei Wen is innocent...
...and that Hu Zhi Cun is the only guilty one?
There's no other explanation.
I understand your feeling.
But, the case of the military supply has been closed.
As far as I know, the punishment...
...is already very lenient.
If I were you, I would not further complicate the matter.
If I were you, I would get to the bottom of it.
Unfortunately, I'm a woman. I can't investigate personally.
Alright. I'll help you to ask...
...and try to give you a detailed answer.
Thank you. I shall excuse myself.
Mrs. Wu, have you recovered from the injury?
Yes. I'm fine now.
Thanks for the concern.
You're not allowed to sleep here! Get lost!
Ms. Hu, please get up and get some rest.
Ms. Hu, don't you have relatives?
I do have relatives. I have a lot of relatives.
But, ever since my father got involved in...
...the case of the military supply...
...they cut ties with us.
I'm surprised you came to mourn for my father...
...even though you've nothing to do with us.
Ms. Hu, did you father say anything to you...
...before he left you?
He did not say anything or leave behind any word.
He came back already. Why did he commit suicide?
Because someone pressured him.
Who?
Zhou Ying from Wu Family of the east mansion.
Why did she pressure your father?
She said my father falsely accused Wu Wei Wen...
...and forced him to tell some truth.
My father already promised me...
...to leave Jingyang together.
But...
...because of what she said...
As far as I know, it was Wu Wei Wen...
...who masterminded the adulteration of military supply.
Your father was just implicated.
How can she blame it on your father?
It's too unfair to my father.
Ms. Hu, my condolences.
Where do you plan to move to?
I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay here.
Why? -I must kill her...
...to avenge my father!
Bai Shi, how are you? -I'm fine.
Mr. Li tried his best to stop them from demoting you.
But, the prince wouldn't give in.
So, please make do with this unfair treatment for now.
It's not really unfair.
I didn't do a good job in my investigation.
I deserve punishment.
Recently, the prince has been making purchases...
...for the Depaflment of Internal Affairs...
...directly through Shen Family of Jingyang.
Do you know why?
As far as I know, Shen Family of Jingyang...
...has merged their business with Long Sheng He.
I see.
The empress dowager doesn't even have money to build a garden.
She needs to take from the navy's expenses.
These nobles are so good at making money.
They need tools to make money.
So, the prince chose Shen Family.
Since you're back to Jingyang...
...you can investigate Shen Family and Ming Li.
Even though they got lucky this time...
...we must catch them red-handed next time.
By then, I'll find a chance...
...to have your position restore.
Anything else? -Have you heard that...
...Hu Zhi Cun committed suicide?
Why? -I don't know.
He didn't leave behind a will.
But, before he died, he vaguely revealed that...
...Wu Wei Wen was wronged.
This case was tried 3 times.
Wu Wei Wen's statements were consistent.
There were witnesses and evidences as well.
I dare to guarantee that Wu Wei Wen was not wronged.
But, Wu Family of the east mansion...
...isn't satisfied with this result.
Who are left in Wu Family of the east mansion?
Two widows.
Even the most unforgivable criminals...
...are good people in the eyes of their family members.
This is normal.
But, many parties were involved in this case.
It's not a good idea to reinvestigate at a time like this.
If Wu Family of the east mansion continues to complain about it...
...you may take drastic measures to suppress them.
Madam Ying, the weather is good this year.
The cotton yield is very high.
Look. Cotton of this quality...
...can be sold for at least 100 coins per catty.
After returning the money to mother...
...and redeeming our land...
...we can make at least 20,000 taels this year.
Mrs. Wu.
Mr. Zhao, are you looking for me?
Regarding what you said that day...
...I've inquired and sought information.
What's the result? -It's been confirmed that...
...Wu Wei Wen is guilty of adulterating the military supply.
My father won't do anything dishonest.
Mrs. Wu, human heads are unfathomable.
Perhaps the Wu Wei Wen you know and the real Wu Wei Wen...
...are not the same person. -That's impossible.
This case was investigated by important court official.
If you still don't give up, you might get into trouble...
...on top of failing to prove Wu Wei Wen's innocence.
Mrs. Wu, I have another advice for you.
Even though Wu Family of the east mansion is broke...
...you are still the young mistress of...
...a famous family.
You should abide by their old rules.
Mr. Zhao, are you trying to tell me that...
...I should stay home and manage the household again?
That is the right thing to do.
But, only me and my mother-in-law are left.
If I don't come out and work, how do we survive?
I know. You want to say that...
...reputation is more important than our lives.
But, I don't want to die yet. I still have many things to do.
Good bye.
Young Master Xing Yi.
What's the matter?
Something isn't right. Normally, in this seasom...
...cotton farmers would flock over to sell us cotton.
It's already the 15th of the 8th month.
Yet, none of the cotton farmers came.
Could it be that the cotton isn't mature yet?
But, that's not the case.
Go and investigate quickly.
Mr. Tong from Wuhan will come in a few days.
We need to have cotton to sell to him.
I've checked. Our cotton matured the fastest.
We can harvest in a few days.
Madam Ying, Shen Xing Yi came to see you.
It's about time indeed.
Invite him over.
I'll welcome him.
Mr. Shen, please come in.
Madam Ying, Mr. Shen came.
Mr. Shen, please take a seat.
It feels much better to come in from the front door.
Mr. Shen, how may I help you?
I heard you bought cotton 3 months in advance.
Yes. -How much did you buy?
Not much. 800,000 catties. -800,000 catties?
Are you asking for trouble? -Why?
Do you know that storing 800,000 catties of cotton...
...is very risky? -Is that so?
What should I do? -I can help you.
Thank god.
How do you plan to help me? - Sell all the cotton to me.
No problem.
That's fast.
I'll sell the 800,000 catties of cotton...
...for 120 coins per catty.
What? Did I hear it correctly? 120 coins per catty?
Do you know that the price was 60 coins per catty last year?
But, the cotton grew out of this year's land.
You're taking advantage of the situation.
The cotton is mine.
I'm the one who has the final say in the price.
65 coins.
120 coins per catty. There's no room for negotiation.
Don't do this to me. I'm really trying to help you.
We're friends.
There should be room for negotiation between friends.
Yes. But, friendship is one thing...
...and business is another.
Don't forget that I saved your life.
Of course I remember. -70 coins.
120 coins.
Zhou Ying, you're not the only one in Guanzhong...
...who has cotton.
Let's g0!
I'm really the only one who has cotton in Guanzhong.
That won't do.
Wu Family of the east mansion paid the deposit.
All the cotton across this land is theirs.
Have you decided?
Young Master Xing Yi, it's true that more money is good.
But, I signed a contract with Wu Family of the east mansion.
I need to sell all of my cotton to them this year.
If I sell to another, I need to compensate them...
...with 100 coins for each catty I sell.
Mr. Village Head!
Think about it carefully.
Is there anyone who hasn't sold his cotton...
...to Wu Family of the east mansion?
They ordered all the better quality ones.
All? -All.
Stop. -Stop-
Put down the palanquin.
Mr. Shen, how may I help you?
I offer 70 coins per catty.
You can make 5 coins extra per catty.
120 coins.
75 coins.
Zhou Ying, what exactly do you want?
I want money. -I already offered 10 coins extra.
Isn't this enough?
It's not enough. -How much do you want?
Alright. Since we're friends...
...I'll sell it to you at 150 coins per catty.
That's too much. -Too much?
Quit doing business and go home for monkey business.
Lift the palanquin.
Madam Ying is back!
Stop. Put down the palanquin.
Madam Ying. -Xiao Wu.
Shopkeeper Tong has arrived. He is staying in Yunlai Inn.
Yunlai Inn?
That tiny inn? -Yes.
Shopkeeper Tong has always been modest.
Let's visit him now. -Madam Ying.
Are you going to meet him like this?
Is there a problem?
Tong Jing Fu is a famous merchant.
He handles at least a million catties of...
...fur and cotton per year.
He's very hard to please. Master had to meet him personally.
If you go to him like this, he might refuse to believe you.
I get it.
I need to look more like the leader of a rich family.