Mast! Lay down the mast!
Hurry up and get the rope!
Bow and stern face the banks! Quick!
Thousands of homes are brightly lit,
and the doors to them are wide open.
This is East Capital.
New wine from Sunyang Restaurant!
Welcome to enjoy it!
If you want to know what happens next,
wait until next time.
People from all over the world gather here,
and envoys from various countries come to communicate with the authorities.
[Riverside Code at Qingming Festival]
[Adapted from Ye Wenbiao's Novel Series of the Same Name]
[Episode 9]
[Adversity and difficulties shall be dealt with ways.]
[Or one shall not proceed. -Remnant Books of the Two Cheng Brothers]
Come and take a look.
May I help you?
Lady Zhang, what an honor!
What brings you
to our humble store today?
Please be seated.
Hurry. Serve tea and snacks.
Please be seated.
Just go about your business.
I'll look around.
- I'll try this. - Nice rouge.
- Yeah. - It suits you.
Get one.
Buyou.
What are you investigating here?
Manager.
Do you have
something called
Qibai Powder?
You're surely an expert. Please come with me.
The Qibai Powder is our unique invention,
featuring light color and scent.
Lady Wu from Wu's bao shop
recommended me this powder.
Lady Wu?
She uses my powder every day
and buys two boxes a month.
Would you like one?
That's right.
May I help you, Miss?
Manager.
Do you have any fine hand cream?
Of course. Please come in.
Just a second.
Look at your lips. They are peeling.
- Miss, here's our new arrival. - Try this.
Thank you.
No, thank you.
I don't apply this kind of stuff.
The color is reddish brown.
It's very natural.
No, thank you.
It's very moisturizing. Try it.
Please allow me to
introduce you to my wife.
Wen Yue.
We know each other.
What a coincidence, Yue.
It seems
that you have taken my advice.
Their hand cream is really good.
Wen Yue, she is...
I've already visited Lady Zhang today.
We also discussed about applying makeup.
It's good that you're here.
I need you for something.
- Let's go. - Okay.
Buyou.
You haven't finished your work, have you?
That's right.
Wen Yue, I still have work to do.
See you at home.
What kind of work
brought you to a rouge shop?
Go home first.
- I'll tell you later. - Buyou.
I think
you'd better go back with Yue.
After all, you are known to be a henpecked husband.
Don't get yourself into trouble.
I...
You bought groceries?
Then hurry home
and make food.
Don't you see that I'm busy?
Go home first.
All right.
Buyou, it looks like
you call the shots at home.
Why do you have so much to say?
Can't you see I'm working on a case?
Just go about
your business.
That was his wife?
I think so.
Zhao Mo.
Are you sure you're making ice?
It's done?
Stay back.
Where's the fire lighter?
Fire lighter.
It's lit.
Father.
Father.
It flew.
That was how
the Hat Demon managed to fly.
Lady Wu.
Who is it?
It's me.
Zhao Buyou from the Kaifeng Court.
Please come in.
Mr. Zhao, what brings you here?
I just came back
and haven't made any tea.
Please take a seat.
Where is Wu Ao?
He went to the store.
I have a few questions for you.
Your eldest brother Wu Xiang
was in charge of the accounts, wasn't he?
He was an addicted gambler.
I heard that he had lost a lot of money recently
which had cost you the mansion.
I have no idea.
But this is
the hard-earned money
you and Wu Ao made
by selling homemade bao
from day to night.
Don't you feel bad?
Lady Wu.
Can you lift your sleeves
and show me your arms?
You and Wu Ao went to the clinic,
claiming that your arm was burned.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
It was caused by the lamp oil.
As you said,
Wu Xiang died on the second floor.
How did I go upstairs with my disability?
Is it possible
that you got off the wheelchair
and walked upstairs?
You may not know.
But a person who rides a wheelchair
rarely gets her shoes and the hem
of her dress dirty.
Besides, I saw Qibai Powder on the shelf of your dressing table.
Lady Wu from Wu's bao shop
recommended me this powder.
Lady Wu?
She uses my powder every day
and buys two boxes a month.
Would you like one?
It's so high up there. How do you reach it?
Do your brothers get it for you
every time you use it?
Judging from your expression,
I think I got it right.
That night,
You and Wu Ao came home
with the night watchman.
Xiang, we are back.
Xiang.
Xiang.
That was
how you hid the truth
about the m*rder.
Am I right?
Mr. Zhao.
Is it true
that you investigators only care about
the effect and not the cause?
I don't know about others.
But I believe
that there must be
a cause to every effect.
I would like you
to tell me about the cause.
Will you?
This is the old mansion
where my parents and I lived back in the day.
They made bao here
while Wu Ao and I played hide and seek in the yard.
Then we lost the mansion
and our parents died.
Wu Ao and I
were entrusted to Wu Xiang.
Wasn't Wu Xiang your brother by birth?
No.
He was our cousin.
He was nothing but a hooligan
who indulged in bad habits.
He made me pretend to be paralyzed,
making and selling bao
in a wheelchair for a living.
He said
that it would help us win the sympathy of diners
to make more money.
His method really worked.
Later,
the land price of Yanglou Street doubled.
I made money
and managed to buy this mansion back.
The money you made from Wu's bao shop?
But you know what?
Once we got better off,
Wu Xiang intensified his control over Wu Ao and me.
He was out there flirting with ladies.
Back home,
he even laid his hands on me.
Wu...
Wu Ao
has always been frail and sickly.
He was no match for Wu Xiang.
Every time he tried to defend me,
he ended up getting beaten up.
Wu Xiang started betting big
after he had money.
Actually that night,
he lost a fortune.
Give it here.
Xiang, please.
Give it here.
Give it here.
Give it to me.
Please.
Give it to me.
Please.
Give it here.
Give me that.
Xiang, please stop.
Spare Wu Ao and me.
Get lost.
Give it here.
But if we let him sell this mansion,
Wu Ao and I would have nothing to hold on to.
Go away.
That night,
Wu Ao struggled
to protect the property deed.
I'll strangle you!
I'll strangle you!
I'll strangle you!
Wu Xiang almost
strangled Wu Ao to death.
I was so scared.
I didn't know what to do.
I...
I just stood up
and held up the oil lamp.
I'll strangle you!
I ended up k*lling that evil man.
So it was the oil lamp.
Lady Wu.
I really understand
your immense courage to protect your family
at such a critical moment.
Thank you
for your trust.
Will you come with me to the Kaifeng Court?
Let's go to Inspector Gu
and tell him
everything that has happened
to seek a lenient punishment.
Are you okay?
Life hasn't been easy for her.
Don't be too harsh on her.
Rest assured.
I heard everything.
You surely know
how to solve cases.
Well.
Let's grab a drink somewhere.
Tell me
what I should do to be like you.
Okay?
If you really want to learn,
be humble.
You're in trouble.
Help me.
Wan.
Go back first.
Okay?
Let's call it a day.
Go back.
All right.
Zhao Buyou.
I'll go back now.
Go ahead.
Wen Yue.
I was helping with the case.
It was work.
I was looking for clues back there.
You get it, right?
Zhao Buyou.
You didn't come home last night.
Explain yourself well
or I promise you won't be able
to even hold chopsticks, let alone have dinner.
I can explain.
Wen Yue.
I have a witness.
I swear.
Zhang Qiniang of Yanglou Street wanted to solve
the Hat Demon case
and offered a huge payment.
And I was like,
"This is the type of case I like."
So I took on the job.
Why did I do that?
Because I wanted to make money
to buy you a mansion.
So you're saying
that you did it for me?
Of course, I did it for you.
Do I need you to make money?
Now you're ambitious
about supporting the family.
Zhao Buyou.
Did you like Zhang Qiniang's rouge?
Oh, please.
I bet she likes how you peel
those iced lychees.
How about I hire a cart for you?
Pack your stuff
and move in with your Qiniang.
I will be happily free.
I was solving a case.
Why would you say that
to make Inspector Gu envy me?
Keep it to yourselves.
Don't drag me into this.
We've been married for so long.
Doesn't she know me?
Aren't we a couple?
Yeah, I wonder.
But we're a couple.
We've been a couple for over a decade.
How come we're...
[Dagger]
Let go.
You just sold me out.
Let go.
Someone paid you
to k*ll Zhang Qiniang.
I bet
this person also hired Xiao Yishui.
He
kept you in the dark
lest you run away again.
So he came to me
and asked me to help him
uncover the truth.
And I
took him
to meet someone
at midnight yesterday.
[Fan Building]
Gentlemen, please come in.
Long time no see.
Your Excellency.
We'd like to consult you
[Commander Tao of Imperial Guard Department]
about something.
Enough.
Leave us alone.
Thank you, Commander.
Thank you, Commander.
So boring.
It's the same every day.
Well...
Why are you still here?
Me?
He's with me.
He's from the Kaifeng Court.
He met you when he was working
at the Office of Justice
back then.
He really admires you.
He insisted on tagging along today.
Look at him.
So fair-looking
and well-mannered.
Come here.
Let me look at you.
I...
Come on.
Hurry up.
Well...
Your Excellency.
How dare you!
I am Gu Zhen's buddy.
Today, we're here to ask you
some questions.
Just answer
our questions.
Do you hear me?
Zhao Buyou.
You...
You...
I...
I like it.
Your Excellency.
You know what's happening
in the city much better than we do at the Kaifeng Court.
So
we'd like to
inquire about a woman.
We're here to drink.
Forget about women.
What a bummer.
You're right.
There is a woman
called Zhang Qiniang.
Have you heard of her?
Tell you what.
Zhang Qiniang's
foster father
is not someone we can mess with.
Her foster father is...?
We ran out.
Give it to me.
Let him...
I'll do it.
I'll go.
Hurry up.
- Zhao Buyou. - Buyou.
Hurry up.
Your Excellency, I'm back.
He's gone?
What was that?
If you hadn't stopped me,
I would have slapped him.
Tell you what?
Zhang Qiniang's foster father
is Mr. Zou
from the South.
Also,
he even has informants
in our Imperial Guard Department.
[Bath House]
Inspector Gu.
Do me a favor.
Don't tell my wife
what happened tonight.
Do me a favor, too.
What is it?
Don't tell Wan Fu
what happened tonight.
Once he learns about it,
everyone in the Kaifeng Court will know.
I thought...
Okay, you have my word.
So Zhang Qiniang is backed by the Zou family.
The person who gave the commission
appeared again.
So did the Hat Demon.
This is quite interesting.
Do you want to make 100 liang of gold
or not?
Of course, I do.
You are
the worst.
You caught me by my weak spot.
From what I know about your family,
you have what it takes to make the money.
Do you really think
I'm an ordinary citizen?
You have three days
to decide
if you will k*ll
Zhang Qiniang.
To wash off the rouge,
we used quite some soap
and wood ash.
Actually...
He wanted to
help you find the person who issued
the commissions
but didn't have a clue.
That's why he approached Zhang Qiniang
to see if she had any enemies.
The Hat Demon case happened right then,
obviously
targeting Zhang Qiniang.
We both thought
these two incidents were related.
Therefore,
he agreed
to look into the case for Zhang Qiniang.
Got it, Inspector Gu.
It's so hard for you officials to work on cases,
not to mention
that my husband
is just an ordinary citizen.
Zhao Buyou.
Do you feel
deeply wronged?
Just a little bit.
Do you feel great about yourself?
Just a little bit.
What's so great about you?
It's so simple.
Why didn't you just tell me?
Not in front of him.
You wanted me to misunderstand
your relationship with Zhang Qiniang.
What are you trying to hide?
Nothing.
Nothing?
There's nothing between us.
If you had made it clear,
would I have been jealous?
Is that what a couple would do?
Zhao Buyou.
You don't know me at all.
So tell me.
Tell me so that...
I'm going to cook.
We're not done here.
Inspector Gu.
This commission is for me, right?
Yeah.
Deal.
Wen Yue.
Wen Yue.
I don't quite get it.
She took on the mission
and grabbed the groceries.
Is she mad at you
or not?
Inspector Gu.
You are still single.
I'm afraid
you don't get this.
Don't you see?
Two women
fought for me.
So this is a battle
between two women to win you over.
Go home.
Does Zhang Qiniang
really like me so much
as to destroy my family?
Zhao Buyou.
Let me remind you.
At this point, you have
two days left.
Master.
The meeting with all the elders is in two days.
Everything is ready.
Please take a look.
Are those old men
so eager to see me
because they miss me?
I'm afraid it's because
the land prices plummeted
due to the Hat Demon case.
Those old men
got anxious
and wanted an explanation from you.
I'm too bored to see them.
Talk to them on my behalf.
Understood.
What if
your foster father asks about it?
Do you know how this quail soup is made,
Commander Kang?
It's stewed with the tongues
of hundreds of quails.
There's nothing you don't know, Commander Kang.
Does my foster father
have to know such a trivial matter?
No, he doesn't.
Whoever talks too much
and upsets my foster father
would be upsetting me as well.
I dare not.
Of course, I know
why my foster father
sent you to work for me.
Commander Kang,
please speak nicely of me.
Please rest assured, Master.
I dare not speak rashly.
You scared me and I lost my appetite.
Since you're so talkative,
this stew
is the best for you.
Have it when it's warm.
It won't taste so good once it turns cold.
Your sister-in-law cooks...
So well.
The last one.
Wen Yue, this cinnamon-vine soup is so nice.
Want some more?
That's enough.
I'm stuffed.
Buyou.
I heard you caught the real culprit.
It was Lady Wu.
Does that mean
Sun Bo has cleared his name?
I'll go
to the Kaifeng Court and ask Inspector Gu.
Okay.
Dig in.
I'm also stuffed.
Enjoy the meal.
You're going to the Kaifeng Court again?
I'll go with you.
I'll go
wherever you go.
What's wrong?
Got a problem?
I was assigned a job.
I have to figure out
what's going on here.
Let's go together.
I'll take you there.
The weather is dry. Be careful of fire.
Are you sure this is the place?
They say all the errand boys live here.
They must pass by from here.
So we can't miss him if we wait here.
It's only been one hour.
Why are you hungry again?
You ate a lot.
But you're hungry, too.
Don't even think about it.
I bought this for Bo.
You...
Where did you get this?
You never make plans
about your pocket money.
I bought it on the way.
I'm going to eat it.
Here we go.
Take a bite.
I can't enjoy it alone
when you're so hungry.
Thank you, Ban.
Only one bite.
Zhao Mo, you...!
Spit it out!
Spit it out!
Excuse me.
- Sorry. - Are you okay, miss?
I'm okay.
Are you looking for
someone?
We're looking for Sun Bo.
Sun Bo?
I don't know him.
We're looking for the errand boy.
Yi.
You got visitors.
Please wait here.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Who is it?
Bo and I rented this room together.
That's his bed.
It's 300 wen per month.
We split the rent.
It's very affordable.
Why don't you sit down?
No need.
Where is Sun Bo?
He must have suffered in jail these days.
He left for errands.
You just missed him.
He's working right after he got released?
Is everything fine?
Did he
suffer in jail?
Who doesn't suffer in jail?
But people like us
can't afford to be fragile.
How many jobs
have he missed these days?
He's rushing to make money.
So where did he go?
Somewhere around Mahang Street,
I suppose.
Then we'll take our leave.
Take care.
Sorry for the trouble.
We're off.
I thought we were
living a hard life.
But I saw Sun Bo's place and realized
that it was incomparable.
Bo's family used to be quite wealthy.
Next time you see him,
don't ask him so directly.
It would hurt his feelings.
Do you really see me
as an insensible fool?
Aren't you?
So what should I do?
Give me the rest of your money.
I'll buy him a gift on your behalf.
It should be something
he can use now.
What else
can I do?
Go back and watch our father play.
Buyou and Wen Yue went to see Inspector Gu.
Our father is left alone.
Don't let him lose everything.
Go ahead.
I'm off.
Wait.
Hold it.
Here.
Take this with you.
Just in case you run into him.
Do you have anything more practical here?
This one.
Hat Demon.
The Hat Demon is back!
Run!
Run!
The Hat Demon is here.
The Hat Demon. Run!
Run!
Isn't that Commander Kang working for Zhang Qiniang?
How did he become like this?
It's him.
It's him.
He's dead.
The Hat Demon k*lled someone again.
Another man down!
Stay back.
The Hat Demon is moving.
Stay back.
Didn't they catch the culprit?
I thought it was a fraud.
There's black smoke.
It looks different from the Hat Demon last time.
Be careful.
It may k*ll someone else.
Stay away.
I don't mind if you temper with my vegetables.
But if you touch my pine tree,
I swear I'll k*ll you.
Why are you here?
Well...
How's it going with the case
of the Wu family?
She confessed.
She said
it was all her doing
and Wu Ao was innocent.
What about Wu Ao?
We let him go.
Why did you let him go?
Lady Wu already said that...
Wait.
My wife is here too.
She insisted on tagging along.
Tell her as well.
Wait.
Wen Yue, come here.
Inspector Gu
wants to analyze the case.
Join us there.
I can hear you.
Inspector Gu.
Louder, please.
Why did you let him go?
Wu Qiao said
that she did everything on her own
and Wu Ao was innocent.
I have neither witnesses
nor evidence.
What did she say
about the Hat Demon?
Wen Yue.
About the Hat Demon,
Wu Qiao said
that it was all her doing.
But
she couldn't clarify
any details I asked about.
I only know for sure
that Lady Wu k*lled Wu Xiang
on a whim.
Meanwhile, Wu Ao
could be an accomplice.
However,
they have nothing
to do with the Hat Demon.
The Hat Demon case is a cover for their crimes.
Their whole family knows.
That's why I let go of Wu Ao.
I did it to see
who he would meet in private.
Brilliant move.
You old fox.
He did well.
It's like setting a bait.
Wen Yue.
Buyou.
What's wrong, Mo?
Easy.
That...
- That... - Easy.
What is it?
The Hat Demon?
Zhang Qiniang barged into our house
with a group of people.
I didn't invite her.
I didn't.
This is impressive.
So impressive.
Look.
The color.
Exactly.
So luxurious.
Two horses!
Is she
a fairy from heaven
or
a lady from the palace?
So luxurious.
Laoba.
Don't you say you know many big shots?
Do you know Zhang Qiniang?
Qiniang?
Well...
Back when I was in the Lord's Mansion,
we often drank together.
She's a lady from the palace.
The Zhao family are said to be relatives of the royal clan.
Now I believe it.
Me too.
- Right? - Seriously.
These are gold bars.
Buyou is here.
Buyou.
Buyou, you're back.
- Yue. - Buyou.
Buyou, what's going on?
Talk later.
Talk later.
Move. It's my home.
He's my brother.
We are neighbors.
It looks better now, right?
So beautiful.
After your trimming,
it actually has a classy vibe of the royal family.
Lady Zhang, you flatter me.
Your presence
brings such an exuberant vibe to my humble residence.
Father.
Shhh.
Buyou.
We're admiring flowers.
I recall a poem by my friend.
This mundane life is too short to spare me joyful moments.
Who would hold on to wealth over one genuine smile?
Holding the wine cup, I persuade the setting sun
to cast its brilliance on the flowers a little longer for my friends.
Great verses.
Father.
I'm flattered.
Put the verses aside
for a second, please.
Lady Zhang.
What are you doing at my house?
Why did you decorate our house like this?
Because
I'm going to live here.
What's that attitude?
We're having a guest.
What's the fuss?
Exactly.
Lady Zhang.
I'll plant and grow
whatever flowers you like.
Really?
Yeah.
Can you teach me?
Of course.
That would be great.
Then I don't have to hire a horticulture consultant.
No need.
That's great.
Mo.
Help our father into his room.
Back to my room.
Wen.
I bet you can tell.
Lady Zhang
must be an amazing lady
who appreciates both the refined and the popular
and knows all kinds of art.
I happen to have some calligraphy and painting
under my bed.
I love calligraphy and painting.
Really?
Hurry up.
Okay.
I'll get them.
- Okay. - Let's enjoy them.
Hurry up.
Father.
Father.
Lady Zhang, let's cut to the chase.
What do you want?
Buyou.
You said you would help me catch the Hat Demon.
But this Hat Demon is getting out of control.
Even my housekeeper
fell victim to it just now.
Tell me.
Is it going to be my turn next?
I'm so scared.
You don't look like someone who would be afraid.
Exactly.
Only a fool
is scared of nothing.
I'm in the light
while my enemy is in the dark.
I can't be at ease.
Now I get it.
You wouldn't think
that my wife and I somehow made a Hat Demon,
would you?
That's hilarious.
She thought we did it?
How could it be us?
If it were me,
I would also suspect that.
Yeah.
We appeared when the Hat Demon showed up.
It's quite suspicious.
I just love how straightforward you are, Yue.
If it's really just a coincidence,
then you're sent to me by fate.
Yue, Buyou.
One is brave and the other is wise.
When I'm with you,
I'm sure
that the Hat Demon won't dare to pick on me.
Buyou, Wen Yue.
I caught the Hat Demon.
She's my sister.
Let me in.
What happened?
I caught the Hat Demon.
[Fashion in Song Dynasty]
[Song Dynastypedia]
[Working Class in Song Dynasty illustrated by Lin Jiachuan]
Is there anyone who doesn't know
about the various occupations
in the Song Dynasty?
[Technical Personnel]
There were various factories.
So the number of technical personnel continues to grow.
And the entertainment industry
prospered
[Celebrities]
with various forms of performances.
There were also tabloids in the Song Dynasty.
[Journalists]
It was trendy to be a journalist.
If we went to the Song Dynasty,
[Boatman/Doorman/Storyteller/Errand Boy]
there should be many available jobs.
♪Had it not been for the auspicious sign, who would stir such resentment?♪
♪Granting both glory and ruin, riches and poverty alike♪
♪How could one defy the heavens beneath a conical hat?♪
♪Who would carry a satchel and make a wish?♪
♪As bonds shatter, the plot unfurls, and the dagger emerges♪
♪The chill pierces to the bone, suffering without cause♪
♪It cannot be severed, yet remains entangled♪
♪Not whole, nor complete♪
♪Looking up, the flowers bloom, but the moon wanes♪
♪The one I loved most has gone, never to return♪
♪Neither seen, nor scattered♪
♪If I linger between close and distant, I accept it willingly♪
♪Could it be you?♪
♪The one who once roused me, yet left things unresolved♪
Welcome to our World! Where we serve you cookies to ensure you get the best viewing experience on our site.
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
01x09 - Episode 9
Watch/Buy Amazon
Set during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), the series follows the story of the Zhao family in Bianliang city.
Set during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), the series follows the story of the Zhao family in Bianliang city.