Episode 23
My dear!
My dear, have you heard?
I'm aware.
You're aware? -Wu Family of the east mansion...
...is going to adopt Wu Yu.
Wu Yu is broke already.
Why do they want them to adopt Wu Yu still?
You don't understand.
They might be broke, but their pawn shop and mansion...
...are still worth tens of thousand taels.
By becoming her foster son...
...Wu Yu will inherit these properties.
It's worth it.
Once Sister Zheng accepts Wu Yu tomorrow noon...
...and puts a stamp on the contract...
...the shares of San Yuan Pawn Shop...
...will be ours forever.
Brother Wei Shuang is so clever.
You're wrong. Of all four brothers...
...Wei Shuang is the least clever.
But, he has a clever wife.
The east mansion is rumoured to be haunted lately.
I told Bao Lai to forbid the servants...
...from talking about it.
But, if it still reaches Zheng's ears...
...we'll have more troubles.
What should we do?
Undue delay brings troubles.
I'm talking about the ghost in the east mansion.
Ghost? -It's a female ghost.
Someone saw her and said she is Zhou Ying.
Right.
I just performed divination. Earth is up and water is down.
This indicates the return of an old friend.
She's really the ghost?
That day, she said before she died that...
...she would become a ghost and return for revenge.
She even said to go to Bao Lai first.
Who are you?
My name is Wang Shi Jun.
I was weak-minded. I falsely accused the wife of my master.
I am unforgivable.
I came to surrender myself.
The ceremony of adoption shall begin now.
Dear ancestors of Wu Family...
...today, Wu Yu of the 5th generation...
...from the south mansion...
...shall officiallyjoin Wu Family of the east mansion...
was Wu Wei Wen's son.
From now on, his children...
...shall be descendant of Wu Family of the east mansion.
Mother, this is my birth profile. -It wasn't me!
Who is that? -Madam Ying, please spare me.
I was foolish. I was wrong. Please spare me.
Bao Lai, what nonsense are you saying?
She's over there.
Bao Lai, are you crazy?
Can't you see her? She's right there!
Can't you all see Madam Ying?
Bao Lai, you've gone crazy!
It wasn't you!
Madam Ying!
It's true that I caused your death.
But, I was told to do so by someone else.
I'm not the real murderer. Please spare my life.
He has really gone crazy. -Bao Lai!
If you tell them how you set me up, I will spare you!
Yes.
It was my aunt.
She told me to lure Wang Shi Jun to that room...
...and make him drink an aphrodisiac.
Then, I took you to that room too.
After you walked in...
...we locked the door from the outside.
Was I really having an affair? -No.
No. I lied about it.
Who killed Wu Pin?
It was her! -Stop!
Wan Er!
Come! Drag this madman out!
Drag him out! -Don't move!
Brother Wei Wu, this place is haunted.
Let's go back!
No. This is a serious matter.
I must get to the bottom of it!
Who are you?
I am Zhou Ying.
Are you human or ghost?
I'm a human.
You're alive?
If I die...
...no one will ever know that they set me up.
Liu.
How do you explain everything Bao Lai said?
Brother Wei Wu, Bao Lai has gone mad.
How can you believe him? - But, why did you...
Master! Mr. Zhao, the governor of Xi'an, has come.
Mr. Zhao.
Bao Lai was directed by someone to frame his mistress.
Wu Wei Shuang and Liu Wan Er threatened someone...
...to falsely accuse another and this resulted in death.
Seize all three of them. -Yes!
No, it wasn't me! Bao Lai is the culprit!
He's the one you should arrest!
How can you arrest me? -Of course you're responsible!
Wu Wei Shuang, you held my mother hostage...
...and forced me to admit adultery with Madam Ying!
Because oi you, Madam '(mg was drowned m death!
You killed Madam Ying!
Nonsense! When did I hold your mother hostage?
Isn't Sun Yong Quan your subordinate?
Weren't you the one who instructed him to do so?
Mr. Zhao, this is our family affair.
We will take care of it ourselves.
We shall not trouble you. Please free them.
Zhou Ying was falsely accused and killed.
If this is considered a family affair,“...
...what do the people need the governor of Xi'an for?
Mr. Zhao.
I'm still alive.
You...
Bao Lai has confessed about how he set me and Wang Shi Jun up.
Everyone in Wu Family heard it clearly.
I was planning to redress the injustice for you.
But, you came back to life and proved your own innocence.
However, we don't know who poisoned my husband yet.
I was framed and drowned in a pond...
...and the mastermind is still on the loose.
Mr. Zhao.
Please investigate and punish the murderer...
...to restore justice.
Rise. I came today for this case.
Come! Take all suspects and witnesses back...
...for an interrogation. -Yes!
No! I'm innocent! -Let go of my father!
Let go of my father! - Brother Wei Wu, save me!
Let go of me! -Sister Zheng! Save me!
Brother Wei Quan! Brother Wei Wu! Save me!
Let go of my father!
Mother! Father!
Why? -Mother.
Sister Zheng. -Wei Wen. Wu Pin.
You left me alone here and I don't know a thing!
What should I do?
Zhou Ying.
I wronged you. I made a grave mistake!
I'm sorry! -Mother, I'm alright.
Sister Zheng. -Mother.
I caused the miscarriage! -Sister Zheng.
I'm sorry! Please don't leave!
Mother, I'm really alright. It's a matter of the past now.
I'm sorry! We lost both your child and the pawn shop!
It's all my fault!
Early morning today...
...Wei Shuang made me stamp the contract with...
...the seal of Shiyi Hall.
I thought that...
...since we would become one family soon...
...I put a stamp on it.
I didn't know that they framed you.
You only received 2,000 taels?
They said that from now on...
...they will give me 2,000 taels of annual bonus.
Is it written in that contract?
But, Wu Yu and Wu Wei Shuang promised it.
They can't deny it, right?
They could even kill...
...for the 70% shares. Why can't they deny it?
We've lost everything.
How do we live on?
Madam Ying!
Chun Xing. -Madam Ying!
You're alive! Thank god!
Madam Ying is back. No one can bully Madam Zheng anymore.
Madam Ying.
I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine.
What if Bao Lai doesn't admit it...
...and she gets caught by Wu Family again?
I'll go to Wu Family and take her back.
That'll complicate the case. - I'm not afraid. So be it.
You're back.
How did it go?
Say something.
The truth has prevailed. You've proven your innocence.
Let's drink. -Sure.
Cheers.
I'm impressed. -Right.
We can finally explore the world again.
Let's pick a date and depart
Father, I plan to stay in the east mansion.
Haven't you settled everything with Wu Family?
I've only settled the grudges. I haven't repaid their kindness.
What did Wu Family do for you?
The happiest days of my life...
...happened in the east mansion.
I'm greatly indebted to Wu Pin and Wu Wei Wen.
I can't leave Wu Pin's mother alone...
...or let the family continue to stay broke.
But... But, what can you there?
Wu Family of the east mansion is no longer rich.
Do you want to starve to death with that old lady?
I can make money by running a business.
Is it possible to make money from business?
It's still about being observant and flexible.
We can make much more than performing on the street.
Forget it. -How can a woman like you...
...do business?
Why can't women do business?
Business is for men.
I can do it too. -No way.
Why don't you just return to Shen Family?
Come back to my suite.
You can climb trees, break bowls...
...sing and have fun every day. You'll be carefree.
You only know how to climb trees, break bowls...
...sing and have fun.
Wait. Zhou Ying, what's the meaning of this?
Are you looking down on me?
Why should I respect you?
Why are you two having a fight again?
Don't quarrel. Sit down.
Sit down.
Zhou Ying, let's make a bet. We'll bet on business.
If I'm better than you, you've to go back and be my maid.
You've to let me hit and scold you forever.
If my business surpasses yours...
...I want you to put on women's clothes...
...and walk from the south gate to the north gate while saying...
"I lost, even a woman is better than me".
Sure. Deal.
Uncle Si, don't leave. Stay and be our witness.
Sure. This is such an interesting bet.
I must see the result before I leave.
Let's drink.
What's wrong? Father!
I'm going to kill you! -Father!
Stop! Father, stop!
Uncle Si, please go on.
I falsely accused Madam Ying. You can even beat me to death.
Look. He says he deserves death himself.
Let me beat him up!
Father!
It's true that he tarnished my reputation...
...and almost caused my death.
But, he did it for a reason.
Someone threatened him with his mother's safety.
I only gave in because Sun Yong Quan claimed that...
...he only wanted to make you leave Wu Family.
If I knew that he wanted to kill you...
...I wouldn't give in even if my whole family will be killed.
Wang Shi Jun, even though you betrayed me...
...you're a filial son.
Since I escaped death, I'll forgive you for that.
Madam Ying, your forgiveness...
...makes me feel even more ashamed.
From now on, I'll do anything at all...
...for you.
What do you plan to do next?
Even though you've forgiven me, I'm too ashamed of my own deed.
I'll leave with my mother and make a living elsewhere.
I'm planning to rebuild the family business.
Are you willing to return and assist me?
I falsely accused you. -It's a matter of the past now.
Are you still willing to trust me?
Yes.
I hereby swear that...
...from now on, I will serve Zhou Ying for a lifetime.
If I ever betray her...
...I will be punished like this finger.
Ms. Yong Mei.
Zhou Ying isn't the one who killed Wu Pin.
In fact, she came back to life.
No way. -It's true.
This strange story is the talk of Jingyang now.
She was the one who poisoned Wu Pin.
It's true that Young Master Wu Pin was poisoned.
But, it wasn't her who poisoned him.
Who's the culprit then? -I don't know.
But, I heard that Mr. Zhao is investigating.
Still, there's no clue as he's been dead for too long.
This is probably another mysterious case...
...like the case of Shen Yue Sheng.
Who says there's no clue?
Clearly, Zhou Ying was the one who poisoned him.
No. She was...
No! It was her! She fooled Brother Wu Pin...
...Uncle Wu, Aunt Wu and everyone in Wu Family!
Now, she has fooled Mr. Zhao as well!
Ms. Yong Mei.
Ms. Yong Mei, Mr. Wang came.
Sir, they are here.
Are you Hu Yong Mei, Hu Zhi Cun's daughter?
Greetings, Mr. Wang.
I've learnt about your father's case.
The judge in charge of this case...
...happened to be my batch mate.
Please help us...
...and let my father return as soon as possible.
Mr. Wang, this is a token of appreciation...
...from Hu Family.
Ms. Hu, please rest assured.
Your father is alright.
He'll surely return home within 2 weeks.
Thank you, Mr. Wang. - Thank you, Mr. Wang.
Have you checked all the account books left behind by...
"Housekeeper Yang and the principal accountant?
What's our current financial situation?
Madam Ying, originally, including the salt, textile...
...tea, medicine, rice, oil and wine businesses...
...Wu Family of the east mansion possessed...
...7 companies and 78 shops...
...in Xi'an, Sichuan, Hubei, Zhejiang...
...and other places. But, these shops and businesses...
...were all confiscated...
...alongside the accounts receivable...
because of the case of the military supply.
All shopkeepers and employees were dismissed.
Go on.
Before this, there were a few military supply orders.
But, they were all cancelled.
The cash in the vault and all valuables in the rooms...
...were confiscated as well.
That means...
...we have neither money nor business now.
Yes.
My father and I still have a little more than 100 taels.
There are over 10 people in this household.
100 taels will only be enough for half a year.
Is it possible to take back the shares of San Yuan Pawn Shop?
I read the contract Madam Zheng and Wu Wei Shuang signed.
It's impossible.
Curse it.
By the way...
...when Wu Wei Shuang accused us of adultery...
...he mentioned one thing.
He said I stole Wu Pin's inkstone for you to pawn.
How did you get that inkstone?
It was Young Master Pin who handed the inkstone to me.
He told me to pawn it in San Yuan Pawn Shop...
...and hand him the pawn ticket. He also told me to...
...keep this matter to myself.
Why did he do that?
He didn't tell me and I didn't ask.
There must be a problem with San Yuan Pawn Shop.
Wang Shi Jun!
I'll take a look. -Go.
What are you all doing here? -Zhou Ying is here too.
"Madam Ying". -Madam Ying.
It's alright. -Madam Ying. I keep forgetting.
What are you all doing here? - We heard that both you...
...and Madam Ying returned. We want to come back as well.
Yes. -The school has been closed.
Why do you want to come back? - We can do accounting...
...run errands or manage the household.
We can be the cleaners, servants, cooks and guards too.
Yes. We can do anything at all.
Madam Ying does intend to restore the family business.
We're shod-handed as well. But...
We're no longer the same Wu Family of the east mansion.
We're very poor now. You can see it yourselves.
Are you worried about our wages?
If you let us come back and work together...
...we don't mind low wages or even no wages.
Yes. We all agree. -Right?
Yes. -Thank you.
So, are you willing to accept us?
I'll take all. -Hurray!
Let us restore Wu Family of the east mansion!
Madam Ying, feel free to instruct us.
Instruct what?
Instruct us to do works.
What should I let you all do? Let me think.
Our shop sign is written by the previous emperor...
...Emperor Jiajing.
Our fur coats are good enough to be...
...presented to the emperor directly.
When it comes to hookah, we are definitely the best.
Welcome.
Even princes in the capital buy our medicine when they are sick.
It's so expensive. -Good medicine is expensive.
Good bye.
Let's take a break.
We're almost done visiting every shop on this street.
Madam Zhou Ying.
My wife and I are very grateful for you did for us.
Hurry. Help him to get up.
Please stand up. -Have we met?
You saved me and my wife's lives. -I...
Right. How's your wife? Is she doing well?
Yes. -What about you?
I'm fine. We're now farming on your family's land.
We just harvested the wheat.
We have enough food for a year now.
What are you doing here?
I don't have any hobby. Farming is too exhausting.
So, I sometimes come here for hookah to relax myself.
Alright. I shall not take up your time. Go ahead.
Alright. My wife and I will visit you...
...to thank you in a few days.
Thank you, Madam Zhou Ying. -Goodbye.
Right. We still have an 8 acre land...
...at the foothill of Mount Beizhong.
Yes. I was even the one...
...who allocated land to the refugees.
We gave it away. So, it wasn't confiscated.
We rented the land for free.
If we take it back, we can make some money.
Mr. Zhao.
Do you like hookah too?
I'm just looking around.
By the way, I was about to visit you.
Why did you release Wu Wei Shuang and his wife?
You're alive. So, they merely attempted murder.
Of course I must free them after punishing them.
But, what about the fact that they killed my husband?
They claimed that they misunderstood you...
...and put all the blame to Bao Lai.
They claimed that they know nothing about Wu Pin's death.
What did Bao Lai say?
Bao Lai has gone mad. No matter what we asked him...
...he only said "it wasn't me".
We can't get any answer from him.
Did you investigate the letter Uncle Wei Wu received?
That letter accused me of poisoning Wu Pin.
Even if the sender isn't the real murderer...
...he definitely knows the truth.
I've investigated the letter. The letter isn't signed by anyone.
It isn't the handwriting of anyone in Wu Family either.
Enough. Don't worry. I won't let go of any clue.
But...
...a year has passed since Wu Pin's death.
Many people have left the east mansion.
I can't find more clues. - Thank you, Mr. Zhao.
Wait.
Madam Ying, you narrowly escaped death.
But, apart from proving your innocence...
...have you reflected?
Reflect on what?
If you had behaved properly and watched your conducL...
...you wouldn't get into trouble.
I hope that you can learn from this lesson...
...and practice decency as well as courtesy.
A woman like you should stop coming to a busy street like this.
What if I can't do it?
Madam Ying, where do we go now? -Let's go there.
Where? Do you know what place that building is?
A brothel.
You can't go to a place like that. -Why can't I go?
This...
Sir, am I seeing it right?
How can a woman enter a brothel?
She's hopeless and beyond salvation.
Let's go back. -We're here already.
Stay calm.
Let's go back.
Madam, are you lost?
No. -Who is she looking for?
Are you here to find someone? - I came to take a look.
Take a look?
What is there to see here?
There are things to see.
How much is it for a pot of wine? -2 taels.
How much do you charge if I want this lady to sing for me?
5 taels.
Isn't this Ms. Qian Hong?
How much is it if I want Ms. Qian Hong to sing for me?
Qian Hong is the most sought after lady here.
You need to pay at least 20 taels to make her sing.
20 taels?
Madam, you asked so many questions.
Are you here to listen to songs or sing for us?
What's so funny? Don't spout nonsense!
Let's sing nonsense then.
How many ladies do you have here? -17-18 ladies.
This is quite a big place then.
Well, my place is considered big in Jingyang.
But, compared to those in Xi'an and the capital...
...this is just a tiny brothel.
Young lady, let's drink together.
What are you doing? She's our young mistress.
Come here. Sit down.
Let's play. Leave him alone. -Right.
Where are we? A brothel!
There's no such thing as a young mistress here.
Come. Let's drink.
Who else wants to drink with me?
It's a misunderstanding. You're so skillful.
Should I find someone to sing for you?
No thanks.
I don't have enough money today. Next time maybe. Let's go.
Wait a minute. You haven't sung for us.
Ms. Qian Hong.
How much did you spend to redeem yourself again?
That's none of your business. - Someone can't seem to get out.
Shut up. Stop laughing.
Don't leave. -Enough.
What? She tried to redeem herself?