01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

[Shen's Restaurant]

[Yummy, Yummy? Yummy!]

[Episode 2]

Be careful!

[Yunshui Manor]

Vice Magistrate Lin, sorry.

Sir, sorry as well.

- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
- Get up.

Who are you?

Greetings, Vice Magistrate Lin.

I am Shen Shaoguang.

My family has a stall in Juxian Alley.
I heard that you had taken office.

Your food on the trip may not be good enough.

Thus, I made some pancakes with fillings
and delivered them here for you.

You delivered it to Vice Magistrate's face.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

You are Shen Shaoguang?

I'll give you another chance.

Restore the normal market price.
Don't do this again.

Reveal the mastermind.

Mastermind?

I know. It's my younger sister, Shen Shaoguang.

It was all her idea.

She said to hold an auction,
and then we can make a fortune.

Vice Magistrate, you know me?

I've become so famous that quickly?

Pancake Xi Shi*?
[*A renowned beauty from the Yue Kingdom]

All right. Go back now.

Don't inflate the prices again.

Otherwise, you'll be flogged.

What do you mean?

Don't you know what you've done?

Vice Magistrate Lin, I...
[Yunshui Manor]

Stop!

Aunt.

So, you betrayed your younger sister
in front of our ancestor?

I didn't.

Isn't he our ancestor?

I knew our family would definitely
love the pancakes with fillings.

So, he had a bad impression of me from the start.

Shen Gongcai, you always cause trouble
rather than achieve anything.

A'Ji, instead of complaining about me,

why not think of getting close to
our ancestor and sneak into Yunshui Manor?

I didn't think about it?

Well...

Do you have money?

- I'll buy some other food.
- What? All you can do is eat?

Mom and Dad are working in the inn's kitchen.

Get up; go and help them.

Sure, I'll go there later.

Now.

I'll go at once. I'll go.

Get up! Get up now! Get up!

You ruined my plan, and still won't help?

Shen Gongcai!

Did I say I wouldn't go?

Unbelievable.

It was a bad start.
[Yunshui Manor]

But our family loved this pancake
for three generations.

I won't believe it.

If I show up before the ancestor daily,
he'll surely notice me.

Here.

It's the latest flavor we developed
for the pancakes with fillings.

Salty and sweet options are available.

One coin each for the pancake.

First Blood!

Persist. The ancestor will eventually come.

Hold this properly.

The latest five-colored pancakes with fillings!

Don't miss this out when you pass by.

Buy now before they are sold out.

Opportunities don't come every day.

Such fragrant five-colored pancakes
with fillings.

Five-colored pancakes with fillings.

Double k*ll!

Aunt, you're amazing.

I want this pancake.

- It's delicious.
- All right.

- I want this.
- Don't push.

The night curfew is starting soon. Go home now!

Triple k*ll!

We'll close now.

He's coming.

Pancakes with fillings!

Freshly baked pancakes with fillings.

- Delicious and affordable.
- Young Master.

- Young Master.
- It's not expensive.

- I got up late. Why didn't you wake me up?
- Pancakes with fillings.

- Delicious pancakes with fillings.
- I'll prepare the carriage.

Delicious and affordable.

Defeat.

Our ancestor must dislike
these pancakes the most in the world.

[Xuanzheng Gate]

Vice Minister Zhang.

Vice Minister Zhang, please wait.

I'm Pei Fei, the newly appointed Imperial Censor.

I was ordered to register Vice Magistrate Lin
[Pei Fei, Imperial Censor, Imperial Censorate]

but I don't see his document
from the Ministry of Personnel.

I wonder if you could do me a favor.

How could the document not be given to you?

They're probably too busy.

Imperial Censor Pei, just wait again.

Vice Minister Zhang.

I share His Majesty's burdens.

I don't have time to deal with a document.

Imperial Censor Pei, if you keep pestering me...

Vice Minister Zhang.

It's Vice Magistrate Lin.

What do you need?

I've just taken office.

Without a register at the Imperial Censorate,
it might affect the evaluation.

If you're too busy, I can personally get it
and deliver it to Imperial Censor Pei.

My subordinates are just too busy.

How could I trouble you with such a small matter?

Tomorrow morning,
I'll send someone to deliver the document

to the Imperial Censorate as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Magistrate Lin.

I've heard that you live far away.

You got up early for the imperial court.
Did you have breakfast?

Huh?

[Jingzhao Prefecture]

Whenever I go to the Ministry of Personnel,
Vice Minister Zhang always finds an excuse.

You invited me to share your carriage
and for a meal at your prefecture.

If others see this, they'll think we are close.

If anyone wants to make things hard for me,
they'll have to think twice.

I really don't know how to repay your kindness.

I also left my hometown to go to another place.

I can empathize with you.

Imperial Censor Pei, don't take it to heart.

Young Master. Imperial Censor Pei.

Thank you.

Imperial Censor Pei, please.

You like light-flavored food?

Not particularly.

I think it's unnecessary to bother about food.

Food is for filling my stomach.

If you're not used to this,
I'll get someone to buy something else.

No, no. I'm used to this.

I grew up in the countryside.

I'm very used to eating like this.

You helped me a lot today
and even treated me to a meal.

I should return the favor.

There's no need to be so polite.

No, no. I must insist.

You can't possibly refuse a meal, can you?

[Yunshui Manor]

Fortunately, Father bought Yunshui Manor
under someone else's name.

It wasn't listed in the confiscation inventory.
Thus, I could buy it back.


the Magistrate of Jingzhao,

he was imprisoned for selling official positions.

Everyone in the Imperial Censorate opposed him.

The Cui family was slandered.
They deserved the good merits.

Why did you pretend to treat Pei Fei sincerely?

He was mourning at home back then
and has yet to take up post here.

This matter is related to him.

If we talk about zodiac signs,
you should be a vengeful person.

How can you not be calculative?

You think he may be useful when you need
to probe the Imperial Censorate, right?

You two.

Must be cautious.

Father used to keep his books
and notes in the study.

Perhaps we can find some clues here.

Everyone outside has been taken care of?

Don't worry. I won't even let a mouse
get in here.

[Langhuan Chamber]

Father secretly built this hidden door.

Yunshui Manor was abandoned for years.
No one has discovered this.

What kind of ingenious lock is this?

Your father created this back then?

He found it years ago.

It seems to be from the western regions.

Only my mother and he knew how to unlock this.

They forbade me to play in here,
and always kept this place locked.

So, you also don't know how to unlock this?

It shouldn't be too hard.

There's no keyhole.

Excellent. Interesting.

[Congratulations for winning a free food tasting]

Aunt, you're amazing.

- You could even think of this idea.
- Isn't it because of our ancestor?

I don't believe he won't be tempted
by free meals.

[Jingsi Study]

Young Master, will a mere lock
from the western regions really stump us?

Don't worry. We'll figure it out eventually.

[Jingsi Study]

What is this?

[Congratulations on winning a free food tasting
at Shen's Restaurant]

Didn't you say even a mouse can't get in here?

I'm going to find them now.

Come back.

Shen's Restaurant?

That Shen family who was selling
the pancakes at the stall?

That's right.

If so, the way they write, fold things,
run their business, and talk...

Everything seems a bit strange.

They seem to want to draw my attention.

Could it be that someone discovered your secret?

[Minfu Inn]

I wrote and drew for four hours.

How could someone not be interested
in a free meal?

Aunt, should we give up?

Let's think of another way.

God, give me a miracle.

Tell me how I can get in touch with our ancestor.

How can I treat the Vice Magistrate to a meal?

These are all too expensive.

My monthly salary won't cover it.

"Holder of this flyer can enjoy a
free food tasting at Minfu Inn's Earth Room I."

Free food tasting?

Imperial Censor Pei,
where are you taking me to eat?

You just arrived in the capital and
are probably not familiar with Yong'an.

It's said that the best delicacies
in the world are in Yong'an,

and the best dishes of Yong'an
are in Juxian Alley.

We're going to a small restaurant
that's about to open in Juxian Alley.

Before it officially opens,
they're offering free food tasting.

Free food tasting?

Yes.

Did you receive that winning flyer?

You also know about this?

I was actually worried
about being short on money,

and inviting you to a free food tasting
might upset you.

Judging by your expression,

did you also keep that flyer and
thought of trying it one day, too?

This is great.

Let's go for the free food tasting now.

The curfew is starting. The ancestor won't come.

Yangyang, go to the kitchen
and tell your Grandpa not to heat up the dishes.

They have been reheated many times.

Let's eat them now.

Aunt, cheer up.

Grandma said that sighing
will let good fortunes slip away.

All right. The good fortune is back.

Is this the place for the free food tasting?

- Vice Magistrate Lin.
- Vice Magistrate Lin.

Please come in.

Here's to Mister Pei and the Vice Magistrate.
[Earth Room 1]

- Let's drink first.
- Come, come.

Cheers.

- Come.
- Cheers.

- We'll drink first.
- Cheers.

Vice Magistrate, why didn't you drink?

Vice Magistrate, isn't this a bit...

Vice Magistrate, we were indeed wrong
to inflate the prices.

Drink this cup,

- and don't hold it against us anymore, okay?
- That's right.

Forgive me. Someone* doesn't drink wine.
["Mou*" an archaic word for "I"]

- Vice Magistrate, let me say some sincere words.
- Aunt.

What is "Mou"?

It means "I".

People in this era like to say this.
It's more pretentious.

What is this?

You're boring.

This is a lobster.

It's the highest honor we offer to our guests.

- Try it.
- However...

we can't buy this ingredient here
and can only use steamed buns as a substitute.

How about it, Vice Magistrate? Give it a try.

- Yes, try it.
- Try it.

- Try it.
- Please try it.

- Lobster?
- Here.

Yes.

- Vice Magistrate, try it.
- Try it.

It's delicious.

You're not eating or drinking.

This won't do. You should drink.

- That's right.
- I don't drink wine.

We can't drink anymore.

Curfew is starting soon.

It's forbidden to leave
the house during a curfew.

I have to go back before the curfew.

There's even less to worry about.

Just stay here and drink.

- If you're drunk, stay here.
- That's right.

- Squeeze in with us.
- Just stay here for the night.

Vice Magistrate, you've to drink for my sake.

There's no official who doesn't drink, right?

- That's right.
- If you don't drink this wine,

- it means you haven't forgiven us, right?
- You haven't forgiven us.

I didn't mean it that way.

Drink this then. It's just one cup.

- Just one cup.
- Just one cup.

Seems like you're determined
to persuade me to drink this cup.

- That's not true.
- I'll drink first.

Look, she's drinking.

Excellent!

- Great alcohol tolerance.
- Let's drink together.

- Let's drink together.
- Come on.

Mister Pei, join us.

Vice Magistrate, when there's a first,
there's a second.

Let's drink again.

I don't have good alcohol tolerance.

You've good alcohol tolerance.

I'm willing to accompany you.

Great, come on.

Come on.

Vice Magistrate Lin?

Vice Magistrate?

- Vice Magistrate Lin?
- Vice Magistrate?

We finally touched the real person.

What are you doing?

This is the ancestor.

A'Ji and I found out

when there's a change in the night shift
in the backyard of Yunshui Manor,

there's a time gap when no one is guarding it.

If we can find the key
and avoid the curfew patrol,

we'll have a chance to sneak in
before he sobers up.

Start searching. He will sober up soon.

- Hurry up.
- Come on.

Be quiet.

Slow down.

It's okay. Keep going.

There isn't any.

There's none.

Can you two do this?

- Let me do it.
- A'Ji, you do it.

Does the head of the household
carry keys in this era?

Should we get his attendant drunk instead?

Maybe it's hidden inside his clothes?

What are you going to do to me?

Stop!

This isn't really a game, right?

Grandma.

Our ancestor didn't pick those things
to target us, did he?

Yes, that's right.
He's not really using this on us, right?

Grandpa said before Lin Yan married Lady Shen,
he was very ruthless.

Gongcai, wake up.

- What's wrong with you?
- Dad.

That easily frightened?

- Let's start with him, then.
- All right.

- Gongcai! Gongcai!
- Don't! Dad!

Wake up, Dad!

- Don't touch him.
- Dad.

Going through all this trouble
just to get me drunk.

How about this?

I'll k*ll one of you first to serve as a warning.

You'll be willing to reveal
your identities and motive, right?

No, no, no. Don't, don't.

Ancestor, Ancestor. Please have mercy.

Don't k*ll us. Especially not me, Ancestor.

Who's your ancestor?

- Dad. Dad!
- I'm sorry. We're sorry.

Please, I'm begging you.

- Spare my aunt.
- What's your motive?

- We're sorry, we're sorry.
- Aunt!

Vice Magistrate, please spare my daughter.

- Please don't!
- We don't have any motive!

- Vice Magistrate.
- I'll count to three.

- Vice Magistrate.
- No, don't.

- Three...
- No.

We don't have any motive.

Two...

Vice Magistrate.

One.

Actually, you're my fiancé.

A'Ji, are you crazy?

This is the ancestor.

When your grandpa told you about our ancestor,

did he say he had a fiancée
before he married into our family?

He didn't, but Mom loves to read
those romance novels. The plot is always like this.

The ruthless tycoon always has a
mysterious fiancée as a common plot.

I admit I'm taking a gamble.

It's over. Everything is doomed.

Don't panic first.

Judging by his expression,
did A'Ji guess correctly?

You said...

you're my fiancée?

Do you have any proof?

I know your real identity.

Qingyang, Cui Che.

Vice Magistrate, originally named Cui Che,
was from Qingyang County.

When he was eight years old,
his father committed a capital offense.

The Cui family was exterminated.

Only he was fortunate enough to be saved.

He changed his name,
registered elsewhere, and survived.

Continue talking.

The Cui family was exterminated.

You changed your name
and registered elsewhere to be safe.

But the family I was engaged to
was not the Shen family.

We were promised in marriage before birth.

The Cui family's tragedy occurred
when you were only eight years old.

It's not strange that you forgot my family name.

A pity that you lost your family at a young age.

You can't remember many things, right?

But please don't worry.

We are merchants who know best what to do.

Moreover, as your fiancée,
we're considered family.

How can we be family if we're not married?

Don't bother about this.

Anyway, no matter what,
we won't reveal your secret to anyone.

Think about it. We're betrothed.

If we harm you, we'll be implicated, too. Right?

Yes, that's right.

When you asked what our motive was,
we did have a request.

We hope you can let us stay in Yunshui Manor.

So, you wanted an excuse
to live in Yunshui Manor?

Yes.

You could have just asked.
Why go through all this trouble?

Vice Magistrate, are you saying...

Absolutely impossible.

I actually thought of this answer.

A dignified Vice Magistrate
who eats a free meal at others' expense,

yet doesn't allow others to do the same to him.

In that case, I'll use an
extreme method to stay at your place.

Mister Pei! Mister Pei!

Please get up and judge for me.

Vice Magistrate Lin had his way with me
and abandoned me.

Mister Pei, you must speak up for me.

- He abandoned his wife after being promoted...
- Shut up.

Young Master.

Do you want to die?

You touched my mouth.

We're not only a married couple in name,
we also had physical intimacy.

You must take responsibility for me.

If you don't let us stay in Yunshui Manor,

I'll go to the streets
and cry about your abandonment.

I'll count to three.

One...

Two...

Three.

Everyone, please judge for me!
Vice Magistrate Lin, he...

I agree.

You're kind, virtuous, and won't quibble
with a sly merchant like me.

I'm truly grateful.

You're a gentleman who values your promises.

I believe you won't go back on your word.

I also promise I won't reveal
anything I know to anyone else.

About our relationship,
not even a third person...

Not even an eighth person
in this world will know.

With important matters at hand,
this family is very suspicious.

I'll take them back and clear things up.

[Yunshui Manor]

[Virtue is Fragrant]

Yunshui Manor in this era
is different from the Shen's former residence.

- Yes, it's different.
- Can we really stay here for free?

I fear Vice Magistrate Lin
wants our lives instead of money.

Don't talk nonsense. You're scaring Yangyang.

- He's here.
- Here he comes.

Here he comes.

- Vice Magistrate.
- Vice Magistrate.

Others will gossip if you stay in
Yunshui Manor for now.

Although our families have a betrothal,
we're not married after all.

I really don't know what the basis is
for us to live under the same roof.

Are you going back on your word?

We've moved all our belongings here.

- You...
- No way.

I have to lug everything back?

I'm only worried that, without a proper basis,

my colleagues will notice
and impeach me for lacking morality.

How should Lady Shen and I
explain ourselves then?

I read "Dream of the Red Chamber"...

a book stating relatives can live together
as an emergency, even if they're not married.

Besides, we have many elders here.

You can tell outsiders that we are cousins.

We've fallen on hard times
and came to seek shelter here.

- Yes.
- That's right.

- We're relatives.
- Yes, we're relatives.

All right.

It can hold for a while.

Thank you, Vice Magistrate.

This rascal's deliberately guiding us
to propose to live as relatives

and made us feel like we're troubling him.

As expected of our ancestor,

he has the genes of a sly merchant.

You reluctantly took us in,
and we're also reasonable people.

How could the youngest Vice Magistrate here
have a fiancé from the countryside?

Calling us cousins is the best solution.

I know the rule. The 1st sword on shore
is to k*ll the beloved one.


[Get rid of a lover for success].

It means that I know you don't want to marry me.

You're not like an ordinary young lady.

You don't seem sad at losing your betrothal.

No.

I'm just putting on a brave face.

- She's sad. Very sad.
- Yes, very upset.

The west wing is ready.

Everyone, you can settle down there for now.

- Thank you, Vice Magistrate.
- Thank you.

Liu Chang.

Everyone. This way, please.

All right, fine.

Let's go and choose our rooms.

What about me? You're leaving?

Aunt, hurry up.

- Slow down.
- Hurry.

At least help me to carry something.

[Start Near to Go Far]

Lady Shen.

Vice Magistrate Lin.

Ancestors, we've offended you.

Please forgive us.

Lady Shen, I had no choice
but to use this desperate measure.

Who knew it would actually work?

That's right.

If we didn't say that,
Ancestor Lin would have k*lled us.

We were left with no other option
and were helpless.

But it was mostly A'Ji's idea.
She's the mastermind.

You brat.

Ancestors, we truly had no idea that

Ancestor Lin had a fiancée
before he married into our family.

It's best that you two discuss this
in the netherworld.

- What's the matter now?
- Is this the main point?

You can't even repent properly.

Ancestors, we'll find a way home soon
to end this absurdity.

We've offended you. Please forgive us.

Forgive us, forgive us.

We're really sorry.

Sorry, sorry.

- Sorry, Ancestors.
- I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

A'Ji, do you think such a big lie
might cause a butterfly effect?

Because we changed the past,
it might affect the future?

That would be bad.

We wouldn't exist then. Isn't that so?

- That's right. Well...
- There's no other way.

If we hadn't said that, there would be no future.

We would have been k*lled immediately.

Yangyang, come here.

- What's that sound?
- Someone seems to be there.

As expected.

What do you mean?

He's spying on us, as expected.

What do you mean?

I only understood "black".

It's "He".

[Permutations and combinations]

Young Master.

This family hasn't slept.

They're huddled together and muttering.

I can't quite make out what they're saying.

What do you plan to do with them next?

They went through all this trouble to get here.

They won't just stay quietly.

Wait for them to take actions.

Liu Chang, my parents did arrange
a marriage for me

but I vaguely remember
her family name was Zheng, not Shen.

Do you remember anything?

I joined the Cui family when I was young
but I was in the outer courtyard doing odd jobs.

I've never heard about these things.

Look.

I just taught him to make a guiding chariot,
and he's been busy with it all day.

Father, Mother. Father, I know how to make this.

Let me see.

This is so exquisite.

Good, not bad.

This guiding chariot can be used
for transporting goods during w*r

but it doesn't mean it's always a good thing.

Our Cui family must be good generals during wars,
protect the family and country.

- But we still hope...
- But we still hope...

- every day is like today. There's peace in the kingdom.
- There's peace in the kingdom.

We only need to be loyal subjects,

- protecting the people.
- Protecting the people.

All right, I won't say any more.

Your mother will tell you.

A'Che, we actually arranged
a betrothal for you today.

When you grow up,
you must treat the young lady well.

Why did you arrange a betrothal?

What's the use of a wife?

She can't make a guiding chariot for me.

A'Che, it's because we can't be with you forever.

Thus, we also hope you can have your own family.

Didn't you always want to be a great man?

A great man should be like your father,
accountable to friends, relatives, and family,

and live up to the expectations
of the people and kingdom.

Check thoroughly.

Don't spare the life of anyone!

Mother!

Young Master, calm down.

My leg seems to be broken.

I can't walk any more.

Search carefully! Leave no one alive.

Young Master, why don't you just leave me behind?

I'm just a servant in the outer courtyard.

The Cui family has always treated me well.

I can't let the last member of the
Cui family die here because of me.

- Shut up, Liu Chang.
- Search over there again.

Do you want to draw their attention?

We're not at a dead end yet.

Come, I will carry you.

A'Che, your father would never do such a thing.

You must survive, find out the truth,
and clear the Cui family's name.

But many years have passed.

You look very different now
from when you were young.

How did this family recognize you?

For the next few days, keep a close eye on them.

I'll also find an opportunity
to probe their background.

[Shaoguang's Food Notes]

[Salt-roasted lamb leg,
a must-try in Juxian Alley]

[Salt-roasted lamb leg from Yunlai Tavern]

"Thousand Emotions" - Bo Yuan

♫ A ray of afterglow from the hairpin falls
on the eyebrows ♫

♫ The wind sways,
the bell hangs under the clouds ♫

♫ Each single chime tugs the heart ♫

♫ True love can only be felt,
without being expressed ♫

♫ You’re the obscurity, you’re the clarity ♫

♫ Seeking stars in the fog,
seeing your shadow under the moon ♫

♫ Hesitant to speak, overwhelmed with emotions ♫

♫ Can our path ahead be without suspicions? ♫

♫ I mistook everything I saw as cold as ice ♫

♫ I let the dusk dyes my cheeks
red with embarrassment ♫

♫ Even holding my breath can’t stop ♫

♫ Exposing my burning heart ♫

♫ You’re the noise, you’re the silence ♫

♫ I implicitly embrace you into this life ♫

♫ Hesitant and unsure,
sincerity is hard to deceive ♫

♫ Worldly rules and taboos,
how can I give them up? ♫

♫ Rushing to you, I’m confused
and hopelessly addicted ♫

♫ I still regard it as a tryst ♫

♫ The heart stirs, the wind blows away
the lightest ripples ♫

♫ It’s the hidden place
for thousand entangled emotions ♫

♫ Saved enough of a lifetime,
I rush to greet you across the miles ♫

♫ From now on, the roaming heart
returns to its hometown ♫

♫ To draw near what seems beyond reach ♫

♫ To change life and death, we won’t ever yield ♫

♫ Perhaps the relationship is not ideal ♫

♫ But love will forever ♫

♫ Compensate for our mutual cherishment
and understanding ♫

♫ Saved enough of a lifetime,
I rush to greet you across the miles ♫

♫ From now on, the roaming heart
returns to its hometown ♫

♫ To draw near what seems beyond reach ♫

♫ To change life and death ♫

♫ We won’t ever yield ♫