01x18 - Episode 18

[bunniefuu]

♫ The falling snow ♫

♫ Is bitter cold ♫

♫ My sigh ♫

♫ Misted the path in front of me ♫

♫ The moonlight knows my intention ♫

♫ I just want to make a place
for me in your heart ♫

♫ I laugh and I cry ♫

♫ Quietly building a pond in my heart ♫

♫ I accept all the gifts from sorrow ♫

♫ I can't let down my regrets ♫

♫ I won't admit defeat ♫

♫ I slowly chew on
the bitterness of life ♫

♫ The fragrance remains
the same after the bleak winter ♫

♫ Awaiting spring
to color the way back home ♫

[The Double]

[Episode 18]

It's quite happening at Ye's Residence.

Why are you out here alone?

They are having fun,
but that has nothing to do with me.

Do you want to drink?

What do you mean?

To help you find the courage to talk to me.

I'm afraid you'll stand up
and leave mid-sentence.

Even if I do stand up and leave,
you can't finish my sentence?

Duke Su, how did you try your cases
in the past?

You don't have to make me put up an act
every time before you make a confession.

When we were at the Duke's Residence
interrogation chambers,

you didn't get to finish questioning me.

You may resume today.

You have a sharp memory.

Ask me anything.

No one tells the truth
without help from a little pressure.

If that's the case,

will you be accusing me
of threatening a noble lady in the future?

You can start a w*r of words any day,

but let me just have it for today.

What's your surname?

Ask me another question.

No, these are my rules.

- I don't have a surname then.
- What's your name then?

- I have no name.
- Where are you from?

The restless spirits of Qingcheng Mountain.

I am not Jiang Li.

I know.

You are just... a Little Leopard Cat.

I've known you for this long,
and you're still so impolite.

I'm pretty obnoxious, right?

Duke Su, you really are eccentric.

I don't care what the world thinks
about me, or how they criticize me.

The obnoxious names live on forever.

You should smile.

You took Tong Zhiyang down.
You should be laughing.

I'll treat you to this bao today.

It's white and fluffy,
the fillings savory and tender.

A mouth-watering delight
with delicious aromas.

Duke Su, do you think people only
cherish the things that they have lost?

Only fools do that.

I'm probably a fool then.

The moon is so beautiful tonight.

You are not a fool.

You have never trampled on a human being.

No matter how many regrets you have now,
you don't owe the past or the future anything.

That's why you dared to return
and find out what happened,

to move forward and seek justice.

Being all serious right now,
that does make you pretentious.

It doesn't matter. Today onwards,
I am once again despised by everyone.

The city of Luyang is nice.

It's late. The night duty is coming.

Go home then.

That's not my home.

Li.

For prisoners, it is important
to verify your identity.

But humans don't always
seek for clarity in everything.

Right now, all lights
are put on in Luyang City.

If you are a restless spirit,
you would long be reduced to ashes.

I will live on well.

[Ye Residence]

♫ Who wish for flower petals
to return to its core? ♫

♫ Rekindle hot tears
flowing into the heart ♫

♫ Who deludes themselves
into retrieving emotions? ♫

You're so good-looking.

♫ As I undress with no regrets ♫

♫ No water compares to the vast ocean ♫

♫ The right and wrongs
of a fleeting life ♫

♫ Not worth the pursuit ♫

♫ A formidable heart of iron and stone ♫

♫ Yet, it bows in sadness
for love and sorrow ♫

♫ Forgetting the preciousness
of the soul ♫

Duke Su, do you think people only cherish
the things that they have lost?

For prisoners, it is important
to verify your identity.

But humans don't always
seek for clarity in everything.

Right now, all lights
are put on in Luyang City.

If you are a restless spirit,
you would long be reduced to ashes.

♫ Departing but intending to return ♫

♫ Why insist on flying away then ♫

Go home?

I no longer have a home.

[Endless Joy]

Miss, the servant just came with news.

A woman requested that
you visit her at her residence.

- Who is that?
- Qiongzhi.

Qiongzhi?

It's the rouge shop in the city's south.

- Really?
- It looks good!

This color is nice too.

That color is particularly pretty.

I must try it then.

- It's almost done drying, right?
- Are you here to see Lady Qiongzhi?

Yes.

Her medicine is done cooking.

Have her drink it up later.

May I ask what disease is Qiongzhi down with?

Tong, wait for me here.

Qiongzhi.

Qiongzhi!

Second Lady Jiang.

The water is over there.

Help yourself.

What happened to you?

I wanted to find you as soon as possible.

However,

I can't get up.

Is there any news?

Second Lady Jiang, you are of nobility,
but you are not from the Xue family.

The more you know,

it's all just entertainment for you.

Get rid of the word nobility.

If it is as you said, that human lives
are for my entertainment,

then I shouldn't even be human.

Why bother?

This m*rder case that happened long ago,

when the gavel came down,

those who should die,
and those who shouldn't were all dead.

Should this case be overturned,
all the dark and filthy will resurface.

Your luxurious clothing...

will get dirty too.

In this world,

there has to be someone who dares
to return and find out what happened,

and moves forward to seek justice.

Magistrate Xue...

is not dead.

Really?

A few days ago,

some Huaixiang officials came to Xihua Brothel.

Cuizhu? Where is Cuizhu?

- Magistrate Feng.
- Cuizhu.

Magistrate Feng, you're late!

- Why not...
- Have Cuizhu come here.

Cuizhu... Cuizhu...

Cuizhu is feeling unwell today.

We have three new ladies here.
They are all pretty good.

Ning Lian, Yu'er, hurry.

- Coming!
- Come, Magistrate Feng.

Get away from me.
We only want Cuizhu today.

These people have been here once.

My dear sister Cuizhu hosted them.

They paid handsomely, but...

According to Cuizhu, as those three were drunk,
they just...

What are you doing?

What are you doing? Let me go!

Let go!

Cuizhu my girl, do you miss me?

Please don't, Magistrate Feng.

Let me go!

Please, Magistrate Feng.

Let me go!

Let me go!

- Let me go!
- Don't move.

I beg you, let me go!

No!

Cuizhu.

Cuizhu!

Don't touch me! Don't touch me!

It's me. Cuizhu.

These animals.

I'll go and report this.

Don't.

Don't, Miss. I still need this money
to treat my mother's illness.

Don't go.

Two days ago, those three came again.

Everyone didn't dare to host them.

The madam asked us to draw lots.

Just draw it. Think of it
as saving money for our family.

I'll go.

After Magistrate Xue was put on death row,
he wasn't ex*cuted immediately.

The execution is six months later.

Now, it's almost time for his execution.

That is all I can get from them.

It's all right.

My little, unworthy life wouldn't
be able to wait till the day of justice.

Justice will come.

You have to wait, and see,
with your own eyes...

what ending awaits those men.

Qiongzhi, I will return to Huaixiang
to seek justice for you

and overturn the case for the Xue family.

I want to, with my own hands,
capture these lowly beasts,

peel their skin and drink their blood.

I swear to you.

You just wait. You must live on well.

The Xue family is fortunate
to have a friend like you.

Second Lady Jiang,

do you remember the drawings in this box?

Xue Zhao is not an ignorant fool.

This drawing is not some leisurely doodles.

It's just that I am not smart enough
to figure out what he left me.

[Entrance, Top cave entrance, Bottom cave
entrance, Main bridge to mining area]

Xue Zhao's last work.

I'll leave it to you to solve it.

Wait, Qiongzhi. I'll go get the physician.

Miss,

I know my condition well.

When I first arrived at Xihua Brothel,
I've sought death countless times to no avail.

Now I know.

The heavenly skies kept me alive...

to await your arrival.

Miss, you must remember what you promised.

Seek justice, for people like us.

All right now. I'll get you some medicine.

Zhao.
[Zhao]

I'm coming to you.

♫ Withered flower, so white and flawless ♫

♫ Where is it going to paint
a picture of love? ♫

Qiongzhi.

Qiong... Qiongzhi.

♫ Under the sunset
a crow returns to its nest ♫

♫ Wishing the twilight clouds
could carry its message ♫

[Zhao]

♫ I'm willing to follow her home ♫

Master Su, I asked the house owner.

Chu Ian's rent is paid annually, in gold.

Gold bars?

If so, investigations would be easier.
Not the imperial court-casted gold bars.

- It's scrap gold.
- Paid in grains of gold?

There seems to be a gold mine around.

That can't be. There were land disasters
two years ago in the south.

The imperial court closed down all mines.
Luyang's mining ban has yet to be lifted.

There can't be any gold mines around.

The imperial mine could be closed...

Private mines? Oh, my heavenly skies.

To privately mine the imperial gold mines
is as guilty as treason.

We still don't know where the gold mine is.

They can't hide.
They won't have much manpower,

and mines that can be accessed immediately
are mostly open-pit sand gold mines.

Wen Ji, look along the downstream
of the closed imperial mines.

Yes, master.

Li, I picked out some fine satin for you.

Li!

Li, come eat some melon seeds.

Li!

Li, this pot of flowers
is as beautiful as you are.

I'll put it in your house. Would you like that?

Where is she?

Nothing serious will happen, right?

She won't think too much and end up like you...

to hang herself, hit the wall,
or jump into a lake, would she?

How scary!

This cannot be it. We have to
find someone to check on her.

Wait. Why are you all looking at me?

I'm clumsy and tongue-tied,
don't know how to comfort others.

Let's just draw lots then.

Li, where are you going with your sack?

I have important things to do.

Tell me, what is going on?

Tell me, what's happening to you?

Let me leave.

Hold on, Li.

I saw you looking so distracted today,
I knew something had happened.

Just tell me. There is strength in numbers.

♫ If there are no happy memories ♫

When I was at Zhennyu Hall,

I met this young lady.

If not for her, I wouldn't be alive.

She then died of illness.

Before she died, she told me her father
used to be the Huaixiang county magistrate.

He was framed and passed away suddenly.

She was trapped in Zhennyu Hall,
unable to hold her father's funeral.

She said, should I go back someday, place some
flowers on her father's grave on her behalf.

This way, both of them
can meet again in the next life.

After that, I had someone ask around,
and found out her father was not dead.

Instead, he was imprisoned in Huaixiang jail.

You want to look into
her father's case of injustice?

Jia'er,
do you think I shouldn't care about this?

The Li I know wouldn't ask me this.

As long as it is to seek justice,
she will stand up for it.

Tell me when are you going. I'll come with you.

I'll pack my things right away.

Jia'er, Second Uncle just came home.

You're still handling the faltered business.

You have to stay here in Ye's Residence.

Huaixiang...

- I go on my own.
- Don't you treat me like an outsider!

It's fine if it was anywhere else.

But Huaixiang...

I'm worried.

What do you mean?

The Ye family used to have
a store in Huaixiang.

After the magistrate's position
changed hands...

Tax inspection!

Your store didn't pay anything
for occupancy tax last month.

Why, does the Ye family wish
to rebel in the Huaixiang territory?

Sir, our occupancy and
passing tax were all paid together.

Here, we still have
the tax receipts that you gave to us.

Hold on, sir. I'll get it for you now.

How dare you forge tax receipts?

It seems like you would like us
to cuff you up today, huh?

Come, cuff him, and take him away.

Sir, sir!

I'll pay those taxes right now.

It was such a calm, peaceful region,
now it's all rotten and corrupted.

That was why our business couldn't go on,
and we withdrew the business.

Now that you're going there,
no matter what, I must accompany you.

Jia'er shouldn't go either. I'll go.

Uncle, you're eavesdropping!

If I weren't eavesdropping, I won't even know
that you both, one plans to go alone,

another is following to cause trouble.

Do not underestimate me, I'm going.

You better just stay at home.

Although I couldn't get into the escort agency,
my escort's skills are still sound.

I can protect Li, no problem, but if
you're coming too for the adventure,

when something happens, who should I save?

- You...
- Jia'er,

you should stay at Ye's Residence.

I don't know how to tell Second Uncle
and Second Aunt about this properly.

You have to help me.

All right, leave the family to me.

If anything happens to you, tell me anytime.

Huaixiang is not far away.
I will come immediately to the rescue.

All right.

Let me first say thank you then.

We found it, Master Su.
Sure enough, it's a sand gold mine.

I walked down the Dong Mountain waterway,
and saw it within three miles of walking.

Is it not secluded at all?

Not really.

They are working in the name of
mining sand and earth.

During the day,
it seemed to be just digging sand.

The workstations are cleverly designed.

It was scattered along the river.

The very first station is right next
to the sealed imperial gold mine.

Guess what?

The mine is open.

So they are not just digging for sand gold,
they are also mining the imperial gold mines.

That's impossible.

Never mind the open-pit mining
of placer gold, to open up new mines...

Do they have that many laborers?

Where is the imperial gold mine?

- In Huaixiang.
- Huaixiang?

Are you surprised?

That Xue Huaiyuan, who was jailed for being
greedy, used to be the county's magistrate.

What a coincidence.

When was the sand mine built?

About half a year ago.

Six months ago, Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned.

The sand mine was built.

You are saying this has to do
with the Xue family?

They can mine for placer gold themselves.

But anyone who wants to mine
the sealed imperial gold mine

in the territorial borders of Huaixiang,

no matter how deep the capital's connections
are, it wouldn't be able to reach the ya men.

What's so difficult about that?
If you can't reach it, just buy it over.

That lowly Governor from Luyang
just sucked up to his superiors.

What if no one can buy it?

Then just...

What you mean is...

Li Zhongnan was embezzling from the imperial
gold mine, and framed Xue Huaiyuan for it.

Looks like the deaths
of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao

is not solely caused by offending Wanning.

They were afraid that Xue Huaiyuan
told this to his children,

and so they silenced them both.

Seems like I need to go to Huaixiang.

Master Su, you are suddenly going to Huaixiang,

do you need to inform Second Lady Jiang first?

Is there a need to report
my movements to anyone?

It doesn't hurt to tell her.

[Huaixiang]

Pity us.

Give us something to eat.

Do a good deed.

[Lu Family Fruits]

[Shop For Let,
Come in for further inquiries]

Daddy, I want to eat this.

Dried fruit preserves!
[Fruits]

Sure.

Fragrance sachets!

- Come pick one.
- Dear Sir.

See if you fancy anything.

- Which one looks better?
- I want to eat this.

We want this.

All right.

- And this one.
- I want! I want!

Children, come back!

Come back to class!

Children. Listen to your teacher.

Go back to class now.

After class, Uncle Xue will
give you sweet treats, all right?

All right! Thank you, Uncle Xue.

- Go back now.
- Time for class!

There will be sweets after school.

Come back in.

Here. Time for class.

Hurry up.

[Li Residence]

Go, go! Stay away!

In these past six months,
what happened to Huaixiang?

[Sifang Guest House]

Let's take a break here.

Final call, no changes!

Come on! One, two, three! Six, small!

- Owner!
- Coming.

Shop owner!

Isn't this a guest house?

Why is it like a gambler's den?

You're an outsider, you better don't say that.

These bookmakers are all
from the district county.

Final call, no changes!

Eleven, big!

I'm done gambling!

Don't go. Where are you going?
Let's get on playing!

I have no money. I really have no money.

Don't you have a house deed?

You can put it up as a mortgage.

No money? What are you doing here then?

No money, right?

You can't do anything. This happens every day,
you can't keep up with it.

Fine. I want two rooms.

That would be ten liang.

Ten liang?

Aren't you doing daylight robbery?

I have to pay 70% to the county,
Otherwise, I can't even run my business.

I...

Let's go.

I know a place.

I believe we can find somewhere quieter.

Look at these kids running.

How fresh this is. Bring some home.

Can you find a guest house here?

Third Uncle, the courtyard
beside the bridge should be empty.

Go and ask them.
See if we can stay there for a while.

How did you know about it?

I'm just guessing.

Come, Shun.

[Hongxiao Year Twelve Third Month Sealed
by Huaixiang District County]

Miss Xue, I got this gift for you.

It's my heartfelt sentiment, please accept it.

All right.

You're spying on others again.

Shut up.

I have to see which boy
is it who our Li fancies.

I've watched Li grow up since she was a child.

Now and then, people are coming to
propose to her, yet Li rejected all of them.

What kind of a person does she like?

How's that your business?

Aunt Chunfang.

Li!

Thank you, Li.

[Hongxiao Year Twelve Third Month Sealed
by Huaixiang District County]

Madam, may I ask why is this residence sealed?

I have no ill intentions.

I only want to ask
about Magistrate Xue and his family.

Get in now.

You guessed correctly.

There is a spare room to accommodate people.

- Shun, go and clean up.
- Yes, Miss.

Unload all the luggage from the boat.

- Yes, master.
- Go now.

Let's go to the district county.

Why are we going there?

The Huaixiang today that I...

My friend described was completely different.

We have to get down
to the source of this ailment.

I'd like to see what kind of a person
is in control of the district county.

We've just arrived and are already
heading to the district county?

Won't that cause some alarm?

I have a favour to ask of you then.

Place your bets now!

Go away, go away!

Who is this?

You're such an eyesore here.

Mister, everyone can place their bets.

Why are you meddling with their affairs?

I'll bet more than him.

Come! Come and bet!

Quiet!

Watch and learn.

You... You're looking for trouble!

Come at me, tough guy.

Everyone, take him down!

Look, you broke so many things,
and hurt many of my men.

Take him back and punish him!

[Huaixiang District County]

How can that old drum still make any sound?

Who's that? Non-stop hitting the drums.

[Feng Yutang]

Disturbing my dreams.

Get that person on their belly,
and give them twenty paddle strokes.

[Peace for the people brings benefits]

- Is... Isn't this Xue...
- Magistrate Feng,

I am the daughter of the imperial court's
Secretariat Director and Grand Preceptor,

Jiang Li.

You are obviously the daughter
of the convicted minister,

how dare you pretend to be
the daughter of a court official?

Guards, take her down.

How presumptuous!

I dare you to touch me,
and your head shall fall.

Magistrate Feng, you better think it through.

You are betting your life with me today.

You have no problem
torturing ordinary, powerless women.

But if you dare slander the daughter
of the Secretariat Director,

get ready to die without a grave to your name.

Are... Are you really...

I don't know who Magistrate Feng
is mistake me for,

but my father is the imperial court's
Secretariat Director.

If any harm comes my way, the whole of
Huaixiang county will pay for it.

That's the end for you too,
a seventh-rank official.

I didn't know people
could grow to be so similar.

Pardon my ignorance.

Please forgive me, Second Lady Jiang.

Why did Second Lady Jiang come to the county?

Can I help you in any way?

- You detained my men.
- What happened?

It's that guy who caused troubles
in the gambling den.

Gambling den?

- Your Honor, magistrate.
- Gambling den?

There are no brothels or gambling dens.

Huaixiang is a land of the pure and innocent.

The one who caused trouble at the guest house.

I know of that person.

He is quite overbearing.

He destroyed the entire guest house.

But since Second Lady Jiang came to get him,
we have to hand him over.

For sure.

Yet he destroyed the guest house,
if there's no form of compensation,

that would be a little too unreasonable.

- So...
- Tong.

Magistrate Feng cares so much for his people.

- You really are a responsible official.
- Take it.

What to do?

As the local magistrate, all I worry about
every day are the affairs of the people.

Go and let him out.

As Second Lady Jiang is visiting Huaixiang,
why did you not tell me in advance?

The county is small.
Apologies for the lack of hospitality.

How about this?
What are your plans next?

I can cover all the expenses.

No need for that.

I came to learn to do business from my uncle.

I didn't ask for my father's help,

so there is no need for Magistrate Feng
to make arrangements for me.

Great, how great.

Second Lady Jiang came from nobility,
yet never stopped at self-improvement.

You are a role model to all of us.

All of you, come here.

Look at your way of making money!

These are all new officers,
need straightening out.

Sir.

Second Lady Jiang, I'm so sorry.

Everyone who works in ya men
are somewhat rash and foolish.

You just do whatever without thinking!

It just so happens that I am new here,
I can't control them well.

So... So...

Third Uncle,
it's all right now. We better get going.

Thank you, Magistrate Feng.

Hold on.

Second Lady Jiang, if anything happens,
come to me as soon as possible.

I will take care of it for you, Lady Jiang.

Thank you.

Keep a tight eye on them for me.

Everyone who works in ya men
are somewhat rash and foolish.

You just do whatever without thinking!

In these six months,

one of their greatest pleasures
was to t*rture Magistrate Xue.

[Huaixiang District Office]

Look where you're walking!

Are you all right, madam?

♫ If there are no happy memories ♫

♫ How can we traverse
the forbidden land of sorrow? ♫

♫ Two cold and unfeeling bodies ♫

♫ Holding hands, can we
get through the snow season? ♫

♫ In the cold wind, in the long night ♫

♫ Embracing the remaining warmth ♫

♫ The depth of the sea, unfathomable ♫

♫ Can it bury yesterday's sighs? ♫

♫ Continue to love,
cherishing it with my life ♫

♫ Continue to live,
even with only a glimmer of hope ♫

♫ Whether in sorrow or joy,
I believe in you ♫

♫ I'd rather be trapped
in the world's extremes ♫

♫ Continue to live,
exhausting all courage ♫

♫ Continue to love,
until the breath runs out ♫

♫ Traversing half a lifetime
of loneliness, just to meet you ♫

♫ After the hardships,
never to part again ♫

♫ After the hardships,
never to part again ♫