SAY YES TO PIRACY ‣ " MONGREL "
ADAPTED FROM JIA JIN CHAI, ORIGINAL NOVEL
BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY
My Lady,
you've only been married a few days,
and your dowry attendant is already dead.
People who don't know the truth
may blame you for her death.
What do we do now?
My Lady.
What brings you here, My Lord?
You could've sent word through me.
There was no need to come yourself.
I remembered something important
I need to tell her myself.
Madam, His Lordship is here.
HERITAGE PRESERVED, GOODNESS PROCLAIMED
Open the door at once.
- No.
- My Lady.
We can't let her die here.
Put her on the bed.
Draw the curtains. Hurry!
My Lord.
My Lord, My Lady took her medicine
and just went to bed.
I need to speak with her. Leave us.
My Lord.
My Lady was in terrible pain last night.
She couldn't sleep all night.
She only just fell asleep.
Move.
My Lord. My Lord!
My Lord, why did you come to see me?
There's something I forgot to tell you.
What is it?
I failed to put the brocade away
properly earlier
and nearly startled you.
Please forgive me, My Lord, My Lady.
Grandmother said
the Wei family gave you many
rare fabrics from the palace
that can't be found anywhere else.
I'd like to see them for myself.
My Lord, the wardrobe was just searched.
It's quite a mess.
My Lord.
My Lord.
Let him look!
I once gave my heart to you, My Lord,
mand foolishly made a mistake.
Since then, you've loathed me
and always guarded against me.
I admired you, My Lord,
as a man who always keeps his word.
I vowed to keep my promise
and change my ways.
But you, My Lord,
still see me as a scheming thief.
Now I don't know what you suspect me of.
You barge into my room in broad daylight,
suspecting me and searching everywhere.
Go ahead. Search all you want!
After all, I'm just someone you despise,
someone who means nothing to you,
not even worthy of your respect.
That's not what I meant.
I was just curious.
I had my maid find the bridal booklet.
She left my undergarments in quite a mess.
I hid it because I feared
it looked improper.
That's why I kept it private.
There's more than
a bridal booklet in there.
There are also intimate wedding charms.
If you want to look,
then take a good look at everything.
If you don't look closely today,
and want another look tomorrow,
I may not even let you through the door!
BLISSFUL UNION
Who knew you would…
A lady should conduct herself properly.
It's broad daylight. Behave yourself.
What if someone saw you?
It would be scandalous.
Fine. I won't look.
Stop!
- You…
- What did you really come here for?
Even when sleeping alone,
you should stay properly
dressed and composed.
I came to tell you
about the Lu family's past,
so you wouldn't
give yourself away in public.
But now isn't a good time.
We'll talk another day.
Well done.
My Lord. Didn't you say
you had something important to discuss?
Why are you leaving
as soon as you arrived?
After making this trip for nothing,
Governess Miao will give me an earful.
BLISSFUL UNION
What kind of coin is this?
How come I've never seen one before?
Aren't you leaving?
I am.
Here, My Lord. Let me give you a hand.
DUKE'S RESIDENCE
You're on duty tonight?
Yes.
Governess Wu hasn't been seen
since this afternoon.
My Lady is angry.
She ordered you to find her at once.
Yes.
Governess Wu often drinks too much
and sleeps it off
somewhere cool in the garden.
Wake every maid and servant
on duty tonight.
Search the rockery, bushes, and pavilions.
Take lanterns and search every corner.
Go quietly.
Don't alert the front courtyard.
If Governess Miao finds out,
someone's bound to be punished.
- Yes.
- Yes.
HERITAGE PRESERVED, GOODNESS PROCLAIMED
My Lady, I've sent them all away.
I've tried again and again to stop you,
but you just won't listen.
If you keep putting your health
at risk like this,
I won't keep it secret anymore.
I'll tell the Dowager Lady
everything myself
and take 40 strokes as punishment.
Anything's better than living
in fear every day.
Let him look!
Something's definitely wrong.
Help me up.
Don't alert anyone.
My Lord.
That looks like Bitao, the lady's maid.
The woods out back are always deserted.
The maids and servants rarely go there.
Follow her.
Did you bring everything?
Yes.
LU ZHUO'S BIRTH DETAILS
Will this really work?
Back in my hometown,
when a marriage is troubled,
all you need is a lock of the wife's hair.
Tie it around
both birth charts and burn them.
It'll bind their fates together for life.
Nothing will ever break that bond.
Rest assured, My Lady.
This ritual never fails.
You and His Lordship
will live in perfect harmony,
loving and devoted to each other.
She's really that devoted to me?
She still hasn't given up.
- Are you coming?
- Coming.
The lady truly loves you deeply.
She's even resorted to some
old folk ritual.
In my humble opinion,
back at the Princess's Residence,
maybe she just lost her head for a moment.
Given how deeply she loves you,
perhaps you could forgive her a little.
Want to lose your tongue?
Does love excuse trying to k*ll someone?
That kind of love
is twisted and terrifying.
I want no part of it.
Tell Governess Miao tomorrow
to post more guards at night,
so she doesn't wander around
and catch a chill.
Then she'll blame the Lu family
for mistreating her.
Yes.
My Lady, they're gone.
How did you know His Lordship would come?
He was awfully suspicious earlier today.
I was just being safe. Let's do it.
Don't worry, My Lady. Guanzhu told me
a maid once quarreled
with the housekeeper.
In a fit of anger,
she threw herself into the well.
Servants have been forbidden
from coming here ever since.
Governess Wu was determined to harm me,
yet I have to cover
for her and the Wei family.
Otherwise, once the truth comes out,
I'll be held responsible too.
I was reckless
and caused all this trouble.
I owe you my life, My Lady.
She brought this on herself.
You shouldn't have to die with her.
Let's not speak of it again.
What I asked you to do,
is everything taken care of?
I only hope we can cover this up.
DUKE'S RESIDENCE
My Lord, it's time to wash and dress.
I'll do it.
My Lord.
Let me help you wash, My Lord.
Thank you.
My Lord.
The Dowager Lady and your mother
are here to see you.
Grandmother. Mother.
Zhuo. Are you feeling better today?
Grandmother, my wounds have fully healed.
Look.
Actually…
Grandmother, let me help you to your seat.
I've always been strong.
I've been in bed for over a month.
I can't stand lying around any longer.
Besides, at court
I still have urgent duties to attend to.
Nothing, no matter how urgent,
is more important than your life.
Unless Physician Zhao
personally vouches for you,
none of your military colleagues,
not even that young General Qi,
are allowed through this door.
Zhuo, back then, your father
left his mother and all of us behind.
If anything happens to you now,
I'll have nothing left to live for.
I might as well hang myself
so I won't have to see it,
rather than spend the rest of my days
drowning in grief.
Fate brought you into our family
to live in constant fear.
Such is the fate your mother and I share.
But look at her.
She's only been here a few days,
yet she's been running herself
ragged for you.
If you cared about her at all,
you wouldn't say something so heartless.
Dowager Lady.
Governess Wu, who came here with the lady,
has been missing since yesterday.
We sent every servant
in the courtyard to look,
but there's still no sign of her.
I just searched her room and
found all her money and valuables gone.
Grandmother.
Before I married,
my aunt feared I was too young
to manage a household,
so she sent one of her most
trusted governess to come with me.
I failed to keep her in line,
and this happened.
- Dowager Lady.
- Bitao.
Let her speak.
My Lady, why cover for her?
That woman knew she was sent by your elder
and never showed you any respect.
She drank, gambled,
and shirked her duties all day.
She even stole
your lotus seed soup every day.
When I caught her and scolded her,
she got angry and threatened to go home.
Yesterday was the servants' day off,
so countless servants came
and went through the back gate.
And the pass our courtyard uses
for errands just happened to go missing.
- Maybe she slipped out in the chaos…
- Bitao.
Governess Wu would
never break the rules like that.
Don't make baseless accusations.
How could this be your fault?
Old servants in great households
bully those below them
and flatter those above.
If you're too strict with them,
they'll resent you.
But if you're too lenient,
they'll only take advantage of you more.
If she's gone, let her go.
Tomorrow, have Governess Miao
pick a few truly capable servants for you.
Thank you, Grandmother.
Come to think of it,
this is really my fault.
When His Lordship woke,
Governess Wu asked twice to return
to the Wei Residence with the good news.
But I refused her both times.
Had I asked the Dowager Lady sooner
and received permission for her to leave,
perhaps My Lady could've
been spared all this distress.
So that's what happened.
Grandmother.
It's tradition for newlyweds
to visit her family on the third day.
My illness delayed
that visit again and again.
Ever since my wife married
into this family,
she's barely rested while caring for me.
That's why I've finally recovered.
Now that I'm well,
I should take my wife
to the Earl of Cheng'an's Residence
to pay our respects.
It's only proper as their grandson-in-law.
I've long heard
my wife was raised
by Old Madam Wei herself.
They're very close,
and deeply attached to each other.
Rao is a devoted granddaughter.
She's been away from home so long.
She must miss her grandmother
and be eager to visit her family.
I…
As my lord wishes.
I can tell you're just
looking for any way to get out.
All right, then.
You'll visit the Wei family in seven days.
Send word to the Wei Residence.
Zhuo, though I've allowed you to go out,
don't overdo it.
Your health comes first.
Yes, Grandmother.
Grandmother, you've been so worried lately
that you've lost quite a bit of weight.
I've been terribly worried about you,
so I made these pastries myself
and added some honey.
The crust is nice and crisp. Try one.
You're very thoughtful.
But we haven't heard from Rao in days.
I don't even know
how her husband, Lord Lu, is doing.
How can I not worry?
Mother, don't worry.
Lord Lu may be gravely ill,
but our Rao has always
been blessed with good fortune.
Remember how that lost pearl
found its way back to us?
No matter how grave his illness,
Rao's marriage
was meant to ward off his bad luck.
Surely he'll recover.
The Lu family hasn't sent any news,
but that may actually be a good sign.
Yufeng, stop trying to comfort Mother.
Every physician said he's beyond saving.
They said he wouldn't make it
past the end of the month.
When I woke up this morning,
my eyelid wouldn't stop twitching.
I suspect the bad news
will come within a day or two.
We should all prepare ourselves.
Silence!
If your cursed tongue proves right
and my Rao truly becomes a widow,
I'll make you pay with your life!
Dowager Lady! Wonderful news! Great news!
Congratulations, Dowager Lady!
The Lu family sent word.
Lord Lu has finally recovered.
He'll soon bring the Lady Rao
back home for a visit.
- Really?
- It's true.
What did you say?
- Say that again!
- Wonderful! Wonderful!
He survived! He survived!
Heaven spared Lord Lu
and brought him back from the brink.
He's alive!
Good! Good! Wonderful!
Congratulations, Mother.
Why am I suddenly hungry?
Die!
Lady Rao…
You should all die!
- Why won't you die? You should all die!
- Lady Rao…
All of you should die!
THE JADE BOUGH FALLS
Every last one of you should die!
Just die! All of you!
Rao.
Are you all right?
Did you hurt yourself?
Good heavens!
All of you, leave us.
Yes.
Look at your hand.
Even if you're angry with a servant,
you can't hurt yourself like this.
Aunt.
Lu Zhuo isn't dead.
He actually survived.
Why didn't he die?
He was supposed to die!
He should've rotted away in the filth,
his flesh and bones decaying!
If he lives,
then haven't I outsmarted myself
and handed all the wealth and honor
of being his wife to someone else?
A lowly woman,
someone who emptied chamber pots
from house to house,
has suddenly transformed
into the rightful wife of Lord Lu.
What a joke.
Why? Why!
Rao, calm down!
I know how wronged you feel.
This is all Lu Zhuo's fault.
He was supposed to die, but didn't,
and that's what caused this whole mess.
I'll go to the Lu family
right now and show them
who the Wei family's true jewel is,
and who should be Lord Lu's wife!
You absolutely can't!
Think about it.
When Lu Zhuo
was gravely ill and near death,
the Lu family even reported it
to the Empress Dowager.
They welcomed the bride
into the family with great ceremony.
Everyone believes
the wedding cured a dying man,
and praises her as a woman
blessed with good fortune.
If you go to the Lu family now,
they'll learn that our Wei family
switched the brides
and dared marry
a lowborn girl to their heir.
Of course they'd be furious.
Our families would become bitter enemies,
and the marriage still couldn't be undone.
Even…
Even if your grandmother
learned the truth,
I'm afraid she wouldn't
forgive you either.
Aunt, are you saying
I should just swallow this humiliation
and let someone else
take my name and husband?
Am I to hide at this hot spring
estate forever, living as a shadow?
I'd rather die!
Rao!
Calm down.
I've already thought everything through.
Pack your things at once.
Come back to the residence
with me in secret.
When she returns to visit her family,
I'll have everything arranged.
You mean…
When that wretched maid comes back,
I'll set everything right
and undo this whole mess.
You'll take your rightful place
as Lord Lu's wife.
I knew it.
You're always the best to me, Aunt.
I know how much you've suffered.
Later, I'll personally help you get ready.
DUKE'S RESIDENCE
Your wife went to
see the Dowager Lady early this morning.
I suppose she kept her a little longer
with some last-minute advice.
So don't look upset when she arrives.
Mother, I won't.
My Lord, you've only just recovered.
You really shouldn't be going out yet.
While you're out,
you mustn't get chilled or catch a draft.
And you shouldn't drink at the banquet.
Alcohol will stir up your blood
and could seriously harm your health.
Enough.
WANXIANG HALL
DUKE'S RESIDENCE
The Dowager Lady kept me for a while.
Sorry to keep you waiting,
Mother, My Lord.
Rao.
You dressed so plainly
while Lu Zhuo was ill.
Today you look
especially bright and festive.
It's such a joy to see.
No need to delay.
Let's go.
Zhuo, you've only just recovered
from a serious illness.
You're still weak and short of strength.
Don't ride today.
Ride in the carriage with your wife.
No need.
My heart…
Mother has a point.
I'll do as you say.
Go on. Come back early.
Thank you, My Lord.
No need to see us off, Mother.
Please go back inside.
Her hands are covered
in calluses and scars.
No wonder she always wears gloves.
My Lord, Jewelers' Lane is just ahead.
You've cared for me so well
and stayed by my side.
I'd like to buy you some jewelry.
I couldn't go out before.
Today, you can pick whatever you like.
My Lord, forgive me
for not welcoming you sooner.
My Lord, please come inside for some tea.
Here.
- I can't accept this.
- Put it on.
A fortune-teller said
I lack water in my five elements.
Gold creates water,
so I should wear more gold.
I never cared
for such gaudy things before.
But now I want to share
my good fortune with His Lordship.
So I'll have to wear
much more from now on.
Bitao, you serve me every day.
Wearing gold can bring me luck too.
You hear that?
Bring out your finest pieces for My Lady.
Yes. My Lady may
choose anything she likes.
The heavier the gold,
the greater the blessing.
For His Lordship's health,
I suppose I'll have to bear the burden.
Let's talk business.
All right, all right. Business.
Lady Wei Rao is quite amusing.
I've been watching her manner,
her speech and bearing.
There's none of the shrewish temper
we heard about.
She's like a different person.
Why not invite my new sister-in-law in?
I'd like to meet her.
Business first.
That day, only after we beheaded
Xiahou Xian, Hutuo's Left Wudu Marquis,
did our army narrowly win.
But on the night of my surprise attack,
how was the plan leaked?
Did you find out?
You suspect…
No. That's impossible.
Besides us,
only a handful in the army
knew about the surprise attack.
They were either supervisors
trusted by His Majesty
or battle-hardened generals.
You think they secretly colluded with
Hutuo and leaked vital intelligence?
How could that be possible?
Lu Zhuo, you're being far too suspicious.
Am I really too suspicious,
or is someone secretly aiding the enemy?
- There's only one way to find out.
- How?
I'm making a grand visit
to my wife's family today.
Soon all of the capital
will know I'm still alive.
Just spread the rumor
that I seized a secret letter
from the enemy camp.
To pray for your good health, My Lord,
I had no choice.
How gaudy.
You…
What are you doing?
I picked all of these with great care.
These would look beautiful in my hair.
We'll keep this one.
Excellent choice, My Lord.
This gold hairpin is exquisitely crafted.
It's extremely rare.
You won't find another like it
in the city.
I was hoping to keep some
for myself for the future.
Now all my planning was for nothing.
So stingy.
Send everything else
to the Duke's Residence.
Yes. Yes.
Why aren't you leaving?
My Lady.
Farewell, My Lord.
Don't we still have
that gold necklace set with sapphires?
Send that to her too.
Yes, yes.
It's so heavy.
I hope it doesn't snap her slender neck.
EARL OF CHENG'AN'S RESIDENCE
You're home. That's what matters.
That's all that matters.
My Rao is home.
I'm so glad you're back.
Ever since you married,
your grandmother has missed you every day.
LOTUS ROOM
She often cries when no one's looking.
Her eyesight has worsened lately too.
She's taking medicine for it.
I've been a poor granddaughter.
I made you worry.
Rao, get up. Please, get up.
- Mother.
- Rao…
Let me help you sit down first.
Don't be sad.
Here. Easy now.
Mother.
On such a happy day,
and with honored guests here,
you really shouldn't cry.
We're all family.
There's no need to be so formal.
From now on,
I'll bring my wife back often
to visit you.
I hope you won't mind
having us around so much.
I'd be happier if you stayed a few days.
Begonia Court is always ready for you.
Everything inside
has been left just as it was.
It's carefully cleaned every day.
ORCHID ROOM
Dowager Lady.
Lord Lu is invited to the front hall.
All the guests have arrived.
Lord Lu, are you feeling unwell?
I felt fine when we left.
But I went to Jewelers' Lane
with Rao earlier.
Perhaps I overexerted myself.
I'm sure it's nothing serious.
Rao, come here. Come.
Come.
He's only just recovered
from a serious illness.
You shouldn't have made him
come all this way.
All this traveling
must have exhausted him.
Someone recovering from a long illness
shouldn't talk too much.
It drains his strength.
And I'm afraid some thoughtless guests
may even pressure him to drink.
Skip the banquet.
Rest in Rao's room instead.
That way,
I can spend more time
talking with her too.
I am feeling a little tired.
Thank you for your consideration,
Old Madam Wei.
Good, good. Take Lord Lu to Rao's room.
Make sure he's well looked after.
Grandmother.
Have some tea.
I was careless.
- It's fine.
- Why are you so careless?
Always so clumsy.
Quick, let me see. Did you burn yourself?
No, I'm fine.
Rao, being the wife
of the family heir isn't easy.
You must carry yourself
with more dignity from now on.
Come. Let's go inside
and get you cleaned up.
Mother, why don't I go with you?
I want some private time with Rao.
Do you have to come in and bother us too?
Go away. Come.
Rao.
Take good care of Grandmother.
Yes.
Rao, come on.
She comes from
such a humble family after all.
Look how timid she is.
She'd never dare stand against you.
But you…
If you lose your composure,
you'll only give yourself away.
No need to say more, Yufeng.
I know what I'm doing.
ORCHID ROOM
This is Lady Rao's room.
I'd like to rest alone for a while.
You may all leave.
That scent…
You may all leave.
Grandmother, is there something
you want to tell me?
Open it and see.
These are the farmlands and deeds
your father left you years ago.
And over a dozen shops
on the streets near Anshang Gate
and Hanguang Gate.
And there's more.
Over the years,
I've saved some private money for you.
Keep it all safe.
I already have my dowry.
Please keep these for yourself.
Silly child, everyone knows
what's in your dowry.
You can't use it freely.
Your mother-in-law
rarely manages the household.
The second branch
runs the Duke's Residence,
so they'll inevitably
have some control over you.
With these,
you can live your own life
without depending
on your husband for everything,
or asking the household for every expense.
You can spend it however you like.
You'll have much more freedom.
Rao,
I forced you into this marriage.
I truly wronged you.
And I've wronged my son who died so young.
You are
the only child he left in this world.
Lady Rao, the floor is cold.
Rao, get up. Please, get up.
The floor is cold.
You…
Mother.
LOTUS ROOM
Mother, what secret did you
and your granddaughter have to discuss
that you had to keep from both of us?
I remembered your brother
once gave me a jade pendant.
It was just sitting in storage,
unused all these years.
So I gave it to Wei Rao
as something to remember him by.
Are you jealous even of that?
And you're supposed to be her elder.
Rao, look.
Your grandmother really does adore you.
Rao.
Your cousin has deeply regretted
always bickering with you
before you married.
She often says that without you,
the house feels much quieter.
When she heard you were coming home,
she personally prepared
a gift for you and your husband.
She strung these pearls herself.
They aren't worth much,
but they're a token of sisterly affection.
Sadly, she caught a cold
these past few days
and can't give it to you herself.
She's terribly upset about it.
Thank you, Aunt.
You two cousins
have bickered since you were little.
You've only been apart a few days,
and that stubborn girl
has already softened.
Chan has always been proud.
It's rare for her to make the first move.
You really should
go visit her at Orchid Court.
It'll show there's no bad blood
between you.
Grandmother.
Seeing you cousins get along
puts my mind at ease. Go on.
Then I'll come back and keep you company.
Greetings, Lady Rao.
Bitao, Chunyan sent word
that Lord Lu finds
the porcelain pillow too hard
and the jade pillow too cold.
My Lady had a pearl-filled silk pillow.
Chunyan searched everywhere
but couldn't find it.
You used to keep all those things,
so she asked if Bitao could help her look.
Go take a look. Come back quickly.
Yes.
My Lady. Lady Chan was thrilled
to hear you were coming.
She sent me here especially to meet you.
This way, please.
A REFINED SPIRIT, A TRANQUIL MIND
BOOK PAVILION
Lady Chan is waiting inside. Please.
Wasn't my third sister
waiting at Orchid Court?
Why is she here instead?
Lady Chan has always loved books.
Even when she's ill,
she never puts them down.
Don't you remember, My Lady?
You'll see her once you go inside.
Why did you lock me in?
Open the door! Open it! Open the door!
Open this door!
Open the door! Open it!
Open the door! Let me out!
Open the door!
You fool.
All you had to do was tie her up.
and quietly switch places with her.
No one would've known.
But you had to make a spectacle
and bring lamp oil.
Are you trying
to draw everyone's attention?
Open the door!
Book Pavilion is secluded.
- Somebody help!
- Fires often break out here.
If a maid burned to death,
no one would think it strange.
Aunt, you know me best.
I've always been headstrong and ruthless.
She's just a lowly woman
who emptied chamber pots.
How dare she take what's mine?
- Open the door!
- I want her dead without even a grave.
Do it now.
Give it to me.
Open the door!
Open the door!
Help!
Help!
Help!
Help!
Somebody!
Is anyone there? Help!
Help!
NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED
IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW
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