Epi. 15
How is Jialuo?
She is sleeping.
But don’t worry.
She was crying just now,
her sadness should be released.
I'm too silly.
Jialuo is always with me,
but I didn't realise that she is abnormal.
You should blame me.
I was thinking that Jialuo was cheerful person.
She should be alright.
But I forgot that all issues happened at the same time.
She is always trying to look good
and doesn’t want to tell her grievance.
Therefore, she gets sick.
But, dad doesn’t have to worry.
Doctor said that
Jialuo is just having downtime now.
He has prepared prescription to nurse her health.
We let her relax more.
She will recover faster.
What about I bring Jialuo back to mansion to rest for two days?
This is not necessary.
Mansion is busy.
Just let her stay here.
I will take care of her.
Madame doesn’t have to worry.
Servants will come to mansion daily
to update us on old master and third mistress's status.
If there is any unusual thing happens,
I will report to you immediately.
It's my fault.
I was busy in the mansion lately.
No doubt I managed to get the power.
But my dad and Jialuo are sick now.
Kind people will have good fortune.
Please forgive me if I say something impudent.
Aren’t these all caused by second mistress?
Since she leaves now,
everything will be getting better in future.
I hope so.
Where is this now?
Ask them to stop for a while.
Stop.
There is a bakery shop at the front.
Biscuit there is Jialuo's favorite.
I go to buy some.
Thank you.
Thank imperial tutor for helping Jialuo on that day.
Here you are.
Why just stand here?
Let's go.
You have losed weight.
You have dark circles on your eyes too.
Seem like your life is not easy after married Yuwen Yu.
Thank for your concern.
There were many things happened in my maiden home lately.
Maiden home?
Seem like you treat mansion of Ningdu as your home now.
Of course not.
Palace is my real home in future.
You're right.
When you were married,
I was unable to accept the fact.
Therefore, I have acted on impulse.
It's over now.
Let's be friend again.
Those rumous saying that I support Yuwen Yong to marry Jialuo is unreal.
I accidently hurt your sister,
and thus broke our relationship,
I won't do this kind of silly thing again.
I understand.
Otherwise, you won't help Jialuo to solve her issue in Zhou's house.
I heard that you're close with Zhao gui recently.
Zhao Gui loves to oppose me intentionally.
Do you think I don’t know his recent move?
Then what do you know?
I know you provoke Zhao Gui
to send out the army to be duitiful to the throne.
and to eliminate me, the harmful imperial tutor.
Zhao Gui, is a silly guy. He thinks that he is general.
He is promoted as minister of affair by emperor now.
He thought he could learn from your father pitted against me.
Who knows that I'm playing with him.
If I'm not wrong,
your intention is to borrow my power.
If Zhao gui is killed by me,
Yuwen Jue will have no where to runaway.
At that time,
your stupid husband will inherite the throne naturally.
You got it right.
So, you want to stop me?
Why do I want to stop you?
You help me to eliminate enemy,
I am happy than ever.
Bore.
Just do what you want to do.
I will support you at the back.
But don’t forget that
once you become empress,
you have no reason to reject me anymore.
You want to eliminate Yuwen Yu?
Of course not.
At least not now.
You better don’t fall in love with him.
Otherwise,
I will be upset and can't sleep well at night.
At the moment you pushed my hand aside,
I knew that.
Body reaction is always telling the truth.
Even you married him,
you couldn't forget me also.
Let's go back.
Did imperial tutor do anything to you?
No.
But he already knew that I ultilised Zhao Gui to against the emperor.
What should we do now?
Just do what we want to do.
Since he is willing to borrow me his power,
I will use this chance to pursue my dream.
Why are you standing here? Go to look for them.
Yes.
Sir.
Madame.
Here you are.
You're back finally.
I heard that Jialuo was sick.
So you went to prime minister's mansion.
But when I sent people to pick you up,
I was told you have left much earlier.
I couldn't find you all around.
I was so worried.
Isn't it still day time?
What will happen to me?
As for you,
as a duke,
this is not proper to run in and out like this.
Other people may see that.
Many things happened in prime minister's mansion lately.
How can I rest assured?
If they see that, just let it be.
I don’t care.
Let's talk inside.
How is Jialuo?
Do you want me to get imperial doctor to have a look?
Thank you. Sir.
She is better now.
But you really don’t mind I always back to maiden house?
Dad scolded me that this was not proper.
Dad scolded me for that.
He asked me not to go back too frequent.
It's alright.
I don’t care about this.
If you want to go back and worry about gossip,
I can accompany you.
You want to eliminate Yuwen Yu?
Of course not.
At least not now.
You better don’t fall in love with him.
Otherwise,
I will be upset and can't sleep well at night.
Bore.
I'm thinking to cook a fish for you as dinner tonight.
Do you like it?
I like it.
I have never eaten home cook food for all these years.
If you can cook, that would be great.
Then why are you standing here?
Why not quickly go to fishing?
Sure. I will listen to my wife.
Quickly get fishing rob for me. Why still stand here?
Yes. Sir.
Quick. Quick. Quick.
I will go fishing now.
If he wasn't so good to me,
would I feel better?
Sir is actually a good husband.
He is.
But what a pity that I'm not a good wife.
Jialuo.
Eat.
You see dad.
Dad eats a lot and so I'm full of energy.
As for you,
you should eat more too and get well sooner.
Otherwise,
how can I go back to court without worry?
Eat more. Quick.
Eat.
That's right.
Dad.
I suddenly think of an urgent case.
I will be right back.
Jialuo.
Old master.
I think you better don't ask mistress to eat.
She eats in order to please you.
She eats now,
but vomits later.
She is suffering.
Go to have a look quickly.
Yes.
Old master.
What happened?
Madame Gao would like to visit you.
Madame Gao?
Which Madame Gao?
I have no idea at all.
She said her maiden surname is Lu.
She met you and young mistress in Luozhou.
She said she was ex-owner of Jade pavillion.
The ex-owner of Jade pavillion's surname is Lu?
Is she her?
Lu Zhen pays respect to master.
You're too polite.
Master Lu.
You're concubine of South Qi.
I'm older,
but I dare not receive this kind of protocol treatment.
Take a seat.
Please.
How is the emperor of Qi getting on?
He is fine.
Thank for your concern.
Actually Master shouldn't stand on formality.
I treat Jialuo as my sister.
We used to write to each other in these two years.
I know that your mansion has many issues lately.
I'm so worried.
It's just that I have a business trip to Murong
Therefore, I pass by here to visit Jialuo.
But I heard from steward that Jialuo was sick.
Yes.
She is still young but encounter a dramatic change.
She is unable to accept the spur of the moment,
and so she got a hypomelancholia.
We tried to cheer her up,
but it was not effective.
She has lossen her weight lately.
How come?
Master.
May I meet Jialuo?
Of course.
Jialuo always mention you to me.
She used to say she has a Sister Lu who is very excellent.
May be she will get well sooner if she meets you.
This is fate.
Master was attending a meeting with the emperor of Qi at that time.
It was just happened that my horse was injured.
So I bought my horse to town to look for veterinary.
Jialuo was buying horse there coincidentally.
Her clever look was exactly same as my young time.
She heard that my horse was injured,
and insisted to apply medicine on my horse.
She said that this was her dad's secret recipe.
After that, I only knew that
her dad was Master Dugu, who was very well known in the world.
You're right.
After being apart with your emperor in Luo Zhou,
it has been two years time.
I really hope that Qi and Zhou dynasties can keep the promise,
and do not have war again.
Otherwise, the commoners will be suffering.
That's right.
I have to thank you for giving porcelain shop to Jialuo.
This is nothing.
Jialuo is young.
But she already knows to use the price difference among Changan and Luozhou
to make profit and assist poor men.
It's not easy to meet someone who is kind and good to do business.
Therefore, I would like to help.
Although I just came to Changan,
I heard that Jade pavillion and Jici temple was well managed by Jialuo.
Master.
She has done so much of charity,
she will have a good return.
She should be able to get well soon.
Thanks for your blessing.
Welcome.
Dad.
Jialuo.
You see who comes to visit you?
Sister Lu?
What brought you here?
Because I miss you.
Jialuo.
You catch up with Sister Lu.
I go out now.
Sister Lu?
What brought you here to visit me?
Am I dreaming?
The incident happened was like what I wrote to you in the letter.
After Yong left,
I felt that I couldn't stand anymore.
Dad and sister take care of me carefully.
I feel that I am so unless.
I want to cheer up,
but I have no energy.
Sister Lu.
You're clever,
can you give me some advices?
I really don’t want dad worries about me anymore.
I know a place that can cure your illness.
You said that you have sold many porcelains.
You didn’t see any porcelain kiln, did you?
Actually, apart from chinaware,
Murong also bought celadon from me.
But it is not cost effective to deliver from Qi.
So, I setup a kiln by myself.
Do you see that?
Workers are busy to glaze the porcelian.
Come.
Sister Lu.
What are they doing?
They are rubbing the clay to make it even and soft.
So that the porcelain can be made perfectly.
I see.
Step on it is the best way.
Sister Lu.
What are they doing?
This is called clay moulding.
Do you want to try?
Me?
Sorry.
You see these porcelains.
After glazing,
they will sent to kiln to oven for three days three nights.
After release the heat,
it will become new porcelain.
Jialuo. Did you see that?
Although this is slightly rough,
the good point is it's young.
It won't be broken after dropping to the floor.
However,
this beautiful and solid vase is fragile.
Jialuo.
If you're the porcelain,
which one do you want to be?
I ….
You're clever.
It's not necessary for me to explain so much.
But remember,
human life is just like four seasons.
Once a season is over,
something will be changed.
Just like you.
You're going through spring to summer.
Although there is a change,
not everything will run smooth as desire.
You must remember that
different seasons will have its unique scenes.
Jialuo.
You were young last time.
Many things you didn’t have to worry at that time.
Even the sky was fallen down,
Master Dugu would settle for you.
But it is different now.
You're 16 years old now.
You have to take responsibility for something that you never think of.
I know you're upset and depressed.
These are normal.
Thinking back the time I entered to the palace,
I was depressed too and felt like dying.
Although someone comforted me at that time,
they couldn't understand my sadness.
Although I spoke it out,
they didn’t understand me.
You're right.
This is what I felt.
After that, I I thought it through.
When the clay mould is sent into the kiln,
suffer from heat and pain is its destiny.
So, I would just take it.
When I'm angry, I will scold people.
When I'm upset, I will cry.
If I don’t want to eat, I will not eating.
Anyway, I won't be starved to death.
After three days and three nights suffering in the kiln,
the finishing will be changed totally.
There will be another scenario.
Really?
Since when do I lie to you?
Sister Lu.
I don’t want to be the clay mould.
I want to be porcelain.
And I want to be the best.
Then you have to put more effort.
From choosing mud, washing process,
carving and heat release,
every step requires proper handling process.
Thank you Sister Lu for your advices.
I will go back and cry for once.
If I meet someone likes Sister Zhou again,
I will scold them like how imperial tutor did.
I won't bother about protocol anymore.
Anyhow, I'm prime minister's daugther.
I should bully others because I have powerful backing.
That's right.
Clever people will not only be hamble,
they will use their resources wisely.
Alright.
Go back and think about it.
If you want to help your sister to take care of Dugu family,
it's not easy like managing housechore and shopping.
Remember.
Your dad is a prime minister.
Every of your single action will affect Zhou and Qi dynasties.
This time, I'm coming to help you
because I want you to be safe.
So that Master Dugu can focus on his imperial job.
Otherwise, if Yuwen Hu takes the control,
Zhou and Qi dynasties will have war again.
Young mistress.
I'm alright now.
You see.
I'm feeling much better.
Wait.
You're happy now.
But I'm not happy.
What happened?
Compensation.
You forgot that you were swinging there happily just now?
You see, this is what you did.
You see my face. You see.
I'm sorry.
But you can send it for laundry.
That's right.
Laundry
I only have this set of presentable cloth.
This cloth costs twenty dollar.
It will be broken after twenty times of laundry.
I have to spend one dollar for each laundry.
Furthermore,
you know that I'm a casual worker here.
Pay given is based on number of working hours.
If I go to wash my cloth,
I have to go to the pond.
The whole process takes at least one hour, and I can't go to work.
So, this will cost three dollars.
And also, when I hang cloth to dry, I can't work also.
So, this will cost another one dollars.
If because of short of these three dollars,
and my sister becomes hungry and get sick,
I will have to spend another three dollar to bring her to clinic.
After all,
you have to compensate ten dollar to me at least.
Ten dollar?
Why don’t you go to rob?
Is your cloth worth ten dollar?
Shouldn't you compensate because you make it dirt?
You are cheating money intentionally.
Why are you so unreasonable? Well.
Stop.
I will compensate your lost.
Here you go.
You don’t have to pay so much.
I deserve it.
It's nothing to do with you.
This sachet pouch is made by premium silk.
About half meter.
And gold threads
It worths about fifty dollar.
Our mistress's sachet pouch worths more than fifty dollars.
Sending it to mortgage shop can get twelve dollars.
The extra two dollars is to compensate my time to mortgage shop.
Thank you.
Just now you were asking for ten dollar.
You have fifty dollar now.
Well. Chun Ye.
Let's go back.
Thank you. Mistress.
I really got myself into the dead end last time.
I used to be a reckless girl.
But I pretend to be birtuous and generous.
Therefore, I felt uneasy.
But now, I have made a decision.
Dad.
I just don't like second sister.
She has created so much troubles to hurt you and me,
as well as Dugu family.
But no matter how,
she is still my second sister.
So,
although I don’t really like her,
I will still be good to her.
That's right.
You're brave and free to express own feeling.
You're really my good daugther.
Mistress.
What happened?
The little girl, who asked for money this afternoon, come to mansion
and wants to see you.
Why is your house so far?
It takes me half a day to reach here.
My shoes are worn-off because of this.
You want me to compensate three dollars again?
Why are you looking for me?
Of course to ask you for compensation.
But I'm here to return something to you this time.
I, Xiao Dong is a clear and honest person.
The sachet pouch you gave was what I deserved.
But, there was a gold bean inside the pouch.
So, I returned it to you.
How do you know it is mine?
Else, who will be its owner?
I won't have this kind of luxury item.
I'm not greedy.
Here you go.
Speaking of which,
the sky is getting dark,
I need to go back to cook for my sister.
See you.
Wait.
Your name is Xiao Dong?
Which Dong?
Dong, the winter.
My surname is Qu.
So, my full name is Qu Dong.
Qu Dong
Dong Qu
Your hourly pay in kiln is three dollars per hour?
Why not you come to work at my home?
I will give you two thousands dollars a month.
You can bring your sister over.
Then you can save your meal expenses.
Three time six is eighteen.
Eigtheen time thirty is five hundred forty.
Compare to two thousands dollar.
It is a good deal.
But I would like to say clearly first,
I only go there to work.
I'm not selling myself to you as a slave.
Even I'm poor,
I can't let my future generation be slave forever.
You really think ahead.
Dad.
Xia Ge left.
I need a maid also.
Sister Chun Ye is good.
But she still needs to go back to mansion after all.
I don’t want to disturb her for long too.
This girl is Xiao Dong.
She can take over Xia Ge's job.
Why not let Sister Chun Ye to train her for a while?
What do you think?
Sure.
This girl is well-disciplined.
When she came in,
she only looked straight steadily.
She also takes care of her young sister well.
She is quite good.
I believe that your background isn't too bad.
Am I right?
You're right.
My family was a rich family in Yuan Zhou.
It was fallen when the former emperor conquered the west.
But it was no big deal.
Just let it be.
Sister and I can repute our family once again.
That's great.
I love your attitude.
Don’t worry.
Just serve our mistress nicely.
I believe your family will rise up again in future.
Then you have to listen to me in future.
Yes.
Seventy five.
Not like this.
Look carefully.
Thirty gold two thousand and twenty dollars.
seventy two.
Twenty seven.
This Xiao Dong is quick tempered.
But she is really smart.
She can get along well with young mistress.
Sometime, young mistress doesn’t want to eat,
she will be there to count how much the dish costs
and convert to the number of month of her previous wages
and mention that this can support how many poor people's meals.
Then young mistress will be speechless,
and eat it all up.
That's sound good.
If you feel alright,
you can hand over to her,
and go back to mansion.
Yes.
Mistress.
How much do these worn out clothes worth?
This cart of clothes can buy one hundred eighty kg of rice.
The old men and children here don’t have to worry anymore in the winter.
That's good.
My dad can go back to imperial court,
and I can go to the hill to enjoy fresh air finally.
How is it?
Is temple of Jici more fun that capital?
What's wrong with you?
Just tell me frankly if you have anything to say.
Mistress.
I don’t think they will have no worry in this winter.
There is drought this year.
Last few years,
seven kilogram of rice was selling at five dollar.
It costs ten dollar this year.
After a period of time,
villagers finish their foods,
they will have no money to buy rice.
They will be cold and hungry.
It's not surprise that they come here to rob.
This temple of Jici is far from capital.
It's full of old folks and children.
Even there are some monks in temple of Fayun,
but they can't help much.
You're right.
Why didn’t I think of that?
What about ask them to move to capital?
Nope.
Capital doesn’t have so much of space.
They need to work too.
What about sending some guards here?
But if refugees are many,
this way can't help too.
What to do?
Dad.
At th end,
I have come out an idea.
There are bamboo forest behind Jici temple.
I recruited some strong villagers to cut the bamboo to make some baskets.
I promised to supply sufficient of foods for their family in the winter.
But they have to form a team
to go on patrol to defend Jici Temple everyday.
I also planned to buy them some weapons
and train them by using dad's method.
So, if robbers come,
they will know how to handle too.
Alright.
You can make your own decision.
Dad.
Did anything happen in the palace?
Yes.
I was absent for a couple of weeks,
the imperial court is in a mess now.
His majesty took the chance when I was absent
to promote Zhao Gui.
All of my authority is given to him.
However, Zhao Gui is a person who likes to show off.
He knows that His Majesty doesn’t like Yuwen Hu,
he stands out intentionally to against him.
Today,
imperial court was having serious quarrel.
The peaceful scene that I maintained painstakingly was gone.
Why is His Majesty so silly?
If you're not supporting him fully,
Yuwen Hu would have taken action against him.
Perhap he feels that I'm weak and not capable now.
But he still doesn’t know that,
if I wouldn’t have stopped him to fight with Yuwen Hu,
the outcome might be unpredictable.
This emperor has a mental problem.
He chased Yong away last time.
I was really unhappy.
He is now looking trouble for himself
He wants to fight with Yuwen Hu.
I wonder how many soldiers he has in his hand,
and the possibility for him to win this battle.
Once the war begins,
soldiers and commoners will be in trouble.
Qi Dynasty is always enermy of Zhou Dynasty.
When sister Lu left,
she told me that
she hope the political situation of Zhou dynasty is stable,
otherwise,
the peace of the world will be lost
and cause to a chao.
You can understand this principle.
But His Majesty is unable to understand.
Zhao Gui is a general.
He has the military power.
But it's strange too.
Zhao Gui normally doesn't flatter superior.
Could it be someone provoke him at the back?
Dad.
Why not send a spy to investigate?
Uncle Zhao is insolent,
his action is traceble.
Come. Please.
Bore is ambitious.
You dare to dream compare to your dad.
In term of ambition,
Uncle Zhao is greater.
You're general.
As long as you grab the good opportunity
and help His majesty to eliminate Yuwen Hu,
no one will above you but only the Emperor in the future.
His majesty always listen to my advice now.
I haven't taken action against Yuwen Hu,
because I still have a doubt.
If I'm the top apart from emperor,
what about your dad?
What about your dad?
Actually I'm doing this for my dad.
My father's health is not as good as last time.
Moreover, His majesty always suspcious to Dugu family.
I would like to let my dad to get away from the mess.
It will be good if he can retire in the position of imperial tutor.
It's more than enough to my dad.
Are you sure?
Are you cheating to me?
I dare not.
Don’t blame me for over concern.
You come to pursuade me for several times.
Anyhow,
I'm not sure whether you represent yourself,
or represent the whole Ningdu mansion.
Madame's idea is also my idea.
Sir. You're here.
Sorry for not greeting you from far.
Master Zhao. Please rise.
Madame would like to keep low profile,
therefore, she handles it alone.
Master Zhao. You don’t have to worry.
As long as you work hard to serve His Majesty,
Ningdu mansion is always your support, irregardless you win or lose.
I can rest assure after hearing your promise.
Bore.
I didn’t mean to blame you.
You can let me do this kind of job in future.
Just tell me what you would like me to do and say.
I can step up to do it for you.
Why do you insist to step up?
Isn't it because I don't want you in dilemma?
After all, what I do now is to usurp the throne from your brother.
I know.
But you think of it,
it's not make sense that wife works hard at the front,
but husband does nothing at all.
Am I right?
Moreover,
I don’t really hope Jue to be emperor anymore.
Franckly speaking,
I personally feel that Jue isn't a good emperor.
You see.
Father-in-law took rest for few days,
the imperial court was in the mess.
Furthermore,
Yong is our brother after all.
But he was treated by Jue badly these few days.
I'm afraid, he will do that to me one day.
No.
I believe that when you take the throne,
you will do better than him.
Bore.
You really have confidence in this matter?
Of course.
I, Dugu Bore, will never fail.
Your Majesty. Prime Minister Dugu requests an interview.
Bore.
I have told you many times.
Father-in-law.
I told you not to intervene into politic.
Why do you provoke Zhao Gui?
Dad.
What you did is blind loyalty.
Can't you feel how Yuwen Jue treat you?
I want you to tell Zhao Gui and stop his doing immediately.
I'm now madame of Ningdu.
I don’t need to report to you for what I do.
You…
Please forgive me for unfilial.
But it is decided, there's no turning back.
If I stop now and give up in halfway,
not only me alone,
the whole Ningdu Mansion will be in trouble.
Don’t you know if war begins,
not only imperial court will be in a chao,
many generals and soldiers will be killed because of this battle?
Why do we need such an emperor?
For the sake of Dugu,
it's not a big deal to sacrifice some people.
You…
Father-in-law
Don't be irritable.
Sir.
Bore is silly.
Could it be that you're also silly as her?
Anyway,
I will do what Bore says.
Okay.
Bore.
Listen carefully.
If you still insist to do it and refuse to listen,
I'm not your father anymore.
I won't watch you to make trouble to harm family members helplessly.
I definitely won't let you destroy our Dugu's reputation
which was built up by five generations.
Father-in-law. I ….
Dad.
You're the person who refuse to accept the fact.
Reputation?
Is reputation important in this turbulent time?
Bore.
Well.
It's good that you don’t recognize me as daugther.
If any bad thing happens in future,
I won't drag in Dugu family too.
Bore.
You shoudn't say so much.
Alright.
Father-in-law.
Sir.
If I knew this much earlier,
I wouldn't have Bore to marry you.
Dad.
Where were you going?
Why do you come back late?
Jialuo.
If dad goes to confess to His Majesty,
to inform that your sister is going to betray,
What do you think?
No. Definitely no.
Sister is your daugther after all.
You say no instead of asking me the reason.
Could it be that you have know that your sister has intention to betray?
I ….
Why do you hide the truth from me too?
It's not that. Dad.
Listen to my explanation.
I know sister is not doing proper.
But sister said that I was too young.
She didn’t want me to know too much.
Furthermore,
I thought she has discussed with you.
I'm sorry. Dad.
I really didn't mean to hide the truth from you.
Do you agree what your sister is doing?
Initially, I thought His Majesty is a kind person.
He ultilised you to fight against Yuwen Hu,
but at the same time, he promoted Zhao Gui.
He didn’t bother about his brother Yong at all.
Instead of continue letting him to emperor,
I rather my brother-in-law replaces him.
At least brother-in-law will trust you fully.
I got it.
You may leave now.
Dad.
Will you….