01x21 - Episode 21

[bunniefuu]

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 21]

["Heavenly principles shine like a beacon,]

[leaving nothing concealed." by Zhang Zai, Northern Song]

The serious matters are finished,

so can we

enjoy ourselves a little now?

Alright.

Then,

who will act as the brush today?

Everyone is entertaining the guests.

Then find

the most useless one.

No, don't!

No, don't!

These paintings,

created near the Women's Aid Society,

are all recent works.

Mr. Zhao,

this one

was painted this morning.

Why is this carriage parked here?

This carriage

seems to be delivering goods

for the Women's Aid Society.

What about

this big barrel on the carriage?

It's a wine barrel.

I wondered the same while painting:

Why would the Women's Aid Society

need so much wine?

Exactly.

It's a wine barrel,

but it might not actually contain wine.

What about the mark on the horse?

It's a branding mark.

It's a fish symbol.

This horse belongs to Yayuan Mansion.

Drop her down!

Drunken strokes, heaven's grace unfolds,

A rainbow's arc in beauty told.

Thank you, brush, for accompanying me,

In this quiet, peaceful sphere.

Mr. Luan, your literary talent

rivals that of Su Shi!

Hurry, give it a try!

Alright, no rush.

Let her go.

Drop her down.

Let her go!

Let me go!

Please, I beg you!

You ruthless b*stards!

Pull her up!

Let her go!

Stop writing!

Stop writing!

It's ink.

This person's hair, nose, and mouth

are all stained with ink.

The head was dipped in ink,

and there are slight bruises behind the ears.

This person was likely hung upside down for a long time before death.

[Elegance]

How is it?

Good.

[Elegance]
The ink breathes brilliance,

strokes dance with dynamic flair,

a masterpiece beyond compare!

Like dragons and serpents in motion,

peaks rise in countless forms.

Even

the wild strokes of masters Zhang and Huai

or the rebirth of the grass-script masters,

could hardly surpass this artistry!

Wonderful! Such elegance

is truly extraordinary!

I have learned so much.

This

is indeed my masterpiece.

Mrs. Xie!

It's ruined!

You wretched scum!

You ruined my masterpiece!

How dare you destroy my work!

Stop hitting her!

You ruined my masterpiece!

Stop it!

Instead of saving people, you're fighting!

Stop it!

Stop it!

You beast, stop this madness!

Scream!

Go on, scream again!

Don't worry.

We have plenty of tricks.

You'll all get your turn.

Sir.

Sir.

Bury her in the Pen Grave.

No...

No...

Somebody help!

Want to try something new?

You idiot!

You wretched scum!

You dared offend my esteemed guest?

I'll k*ll you!

Sir!

Spare me, please!

Sir.

Sir,

Madam has returned to the estate.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

Drinking ends here for today.

Everyone, disperse!

Mr. Luan,

why are you leaving?

My wife has returned!

Ma,

his lioness is back!

Gu,

I can now confirm for sure

that Zhao Ban is in Yayuan Mansion.

Take your men to find her immediately!

If you're late, it'll be too late!

Wan Fu, gather the team!

Surround Yayuan Mansion with all haste!

Are you still trying to run?

[Wu Mei]
There's no way out.

If you still have the energy

to say such pointless things,

why not think of a plan with me instead?

Those animals beat people to death in broad daylight!

You saw it with your own eyes.

How can you just stay here and do nothing?

You're such a strange girl.

Someone else died.

Why are you so anxious?

That dead person was my neighbor's sister-in-law.

How could I not be worried?

I don't want to die.

My family is still waiting for me.

Is that so?

I envy you.

Earlier,

why did you help me?

It was nothing.

I just did it.

My name is Zhao Ban.

What's yours?

We're dying people.

No need to exchange names.

There is a need.

If I escape,

I'll go to your family and let them know.

I have no family.

No one in this world cares for me.

I...

I'll care for you.

I know a few ways out.

If you can make it out,

consider it your fortune.

[Zou Ziyin, Daughter of Zou Mian]

Alright,

you may leave now.

I'll attend to you myself.

Come on.

Come on, dear.

Try the water. Is it warm enough?

It's fine.

Dear,

to think a few old books

brought in so much gold,

we owe it to the banned books of our dynasty.

Hey...

It's all thanks to my father!

Those connections of yours

were all introduced by my father!

Yes.

Other than the Zou family,

who else would dare run such a business?

Dear,

you should keep your feet warm.

Your Taixi acupoint

is cold and weak.

Didn't the doctor warn you?

It could lead to period pain.

Isn't it because of your incompetence?

Alright,

it's all my fault.

You need to be grateful.

Grateful!

Of course, I'm grateful.

Tonight,

I'll properly serve you, dear.

Don't think I'm not aware

of the tricks you use in Yayuan Mansion.

Officials just love that kind of thing.

I'm only accompanying them.

And I'm doing it all for Father, too.

Ban.

Don't be scared. It's me.

Ci!

How did you get here?

Su

asked me to come find you.

It's all my fault you're in this mess.

Thank you.

Don't say that.

Didn't you just save me earlier?

You deliberately smashed that wine bottle, didn't you?

This isn't the place to talk.

Come with me.

Alright.

What is this?

The sketches

of the two m*rder suspects involved in the Fan Building case.

I brought them just for you.

Don't die in confusion at someone else's hands!

Give it to me.

Dear.

You really care about me!

Here.

Take care.

[Notice from Kaifeng Court: Runaways Ci and Lu Sanzhen Wanted]

Where are you going?

That despicable m*rder*r

has already sneaked into Yayuan Mansion!

I'm going to skin her alive!

It's alright.

Don't be afraid.

This is Yayuan Mansion's account ledger.

[Yayuan Mansion Expense Ledger]

It contains evidence of the Zou family bribing officials.

Hold on to it for me.

Here's a map to get out of here.

Your dagger for self-defense.

You didn't mess around with any of this, did you?

My wife and child are in your hands.

How would I dare?

Rest assured,

they're already safe at home.

That's great...

But you've done too much evil.

I can't let you go.

Let's go.

You... you k*lled him.

They k*lled Yingying

and so many others!

The names on that red silk from the Fan Building

are all innocent women they m*rder*d.

I risked my life to sneak in here

just to get evidence of their crimes.

With this ledger,

we can uproot them completely.

No one wants to bring them to justice more than I do.

If you want revenge too,

then come with me.

[Yayuan Mansion]

Tie Chi, Fei Jian!

Here!

Take action!

Ban!

Ban!

Zhao Ban!

Ban, where are you?

Wan Fu!

The back mountain!

You, come with me to the back mountain!

Yes, sir!

This woman's death

isn't much of a concern,

but now we have to dig a pit for her.

Yeah.

If it were like before,

we'd just toss her into a ditch.

So much simpler.

Exactly.

Such a big scandal at the Fan Building,

you didn't hear about it?

What if we threw her in the ditch

and she wasn't completely dead?

If she came back to life,

that'd be trouble.

Now they've made it like this.

It's just a burial ground for dead women,

but they insist on giving it some elegant name,

something like "Pen"?

The Pen Grave.

Bookworms really come up with the fanciest stuff.

Alright.

Bury her already!

Why is there firelight over there?

Quick, go report it!

Don't move!

Officers!

We... we didn't k*ll this person.

We didn't k*ll her...

Who were you going to report to?

Lead the way!

It's right here.

- Let's go! - Go!

Someone's coming!

Quick!

An infiltrator has gotten in!

Bring everyone down here!

Catch that wretch!

Yes, sir!

Guard the door!

Why is he here?

I'll go draw him away.

Su is still waiting for you at home.

No way!

I'll go distract him.

Someone's coming from that side!

Quick!

It's me.

You know martial arts?

Just some basic wrestling from the markets.

I'm just a little stronger, that's all.

Help me deliver this ledger

to Lu Sanzhen

at Taoyuan Welfare Center.

I'll go draw them away.

No way!

Let's leave together.

Hand me the knife.

What are you doing?

You all have people waiting for you.

These useless fools,

they can't even find one person for me!

Remember this:

my name's Wu Mei.

Catch her,

and there's a 100 liang bounty!

Yes, sir!

Go!

Quick, run!

Go!

Ban!

I've prepared horses

at the back hill. Let's go!

Alright.

Move!

Be careful!

Is it there?

Yes,

it's right there!

Keep up!

Quick, get on the horse!

Alright!

Here!

You get on too!

Alright!

Catch her!

Ci!

Hurry!

Don't let her get away!

Ci, get on the horse!

Hurry!

- Catch her, quick! - Let's go!

You go first!

Go, quickly!

You must get the ledger to Lu Sanzhen!

Ci!

Don't hit her face!

We need to keep her face

to trade for money!

Ci!

[Notice from Kaifeng Court: Runaways Ci and Lu Sanzhen Wanted]

We've caught one.

Who...

who are you?

We're the No-Life Crew from the Stick Society.

Someone hired us

to capture you for bounties.

Su...

I...

I'm sorry.

Ban!

Ban!

- Ban! - Zhao Ban!

Ban!

Zhao Ban!

Zhao Ban!

Wen Yue,

Yao He, any news?

No.

Mr. Zhao!

Lady Wen!

Zhao Ban!

Ban!

She's not Ban.

She's not Ban!

Take care.

Judge Wan rescued this lady

in the underground maze.

He's still searching.

But this lady has seen Ban.

Where's Ban?

Ban

has already

escaped...

Where did she go?

It seems...

Help me deliver this ledger

to Lu Sanzhen

at Taoyuan Welfare Center.

She has gone to Taoyuan Welfare Center.

Taoyuan Welfare Center...

Let's go there.

Inform Inspector Gu for us.

Move! Let's go to Taoyuan Welfare Center.

[Taoyuan Welfare Center]

Sanzhen!

Sanzhen!

Why is it you?

Where's Ci?

Ci...

Ci was harmed by some people.

What happened?

Where's the ledger?

It's you!

Where's the ledger?

All you care about is the ledger.

You call yourself the head of this welfare center,

yet you show no compassion!

I disagreed to let her take the risk of sneaking into Yayuan Mansion,

but you insisted she go!

Now she's given her life for it,

and you couldn't care less,

feeling no guilt whatsoever,

just asking for the ledger straight away!

Do you even have a heart?

This is a woman's foolish feelings.

Everything we've done today

is for the ledger

to expose these corrupt officials' crimes,

bring them down,

and help suffering women escape misery.

We're all victims of this unjust world.

Without sacrifices,

how can we achieve justice?

Cold-hearted monster!

Where did you and Ci part ways?

In...

in the woods east of Yayuan Mansion.

What are you doing?

We should report this to the authorities.

If I don't come back,

please take care of Su for me.

Sanzhen...

Young lady,

thank you for treating my injury that day.

It was nothing,

Headmistress Chi.

It seems the ledger Ci found

is with you.

Hand it over.

What... what ledger?

I don't know.

Mr....

Mr....

Mr. He...

Ban...

What are you doing?

I told you, I don't have anything!

Well...

I didn't see anything.

Lock them both in the woodshed.

Get in!

- Be quiet! - Hey!

What's the meaning of this?

Mr. Shen!

Mr. Yang!

Aren't you afraid our families will report this to the authorities?

They actually locked us up!

Why do I keep ending up locked up everywhere I go lately?

What bad luck!

We turned Yayuan Mansion upside down

and found so many missing women,

but Ban wasn't among them.

Fei Jian,

register all the missing women's details.

Got it.

And Luan Hui...

where's Luan Hui?

Gu Zhen!

What are you doing here?

I came to help you.

You...

Don't worry.

My father doesn't know about this.

I came on my own.

Where to next?

Where is Zhao Buyou?

Boss!

Mr. Zhao has gone to Taoyuan Welfare Center!

He said Ban might be there!

Stop following me,

or face the consequences!

I'm coming with you!

Wait for me!

The Governor's daughter...

Head to Taoyuan Welfare Center!

Dear!

Dear!

There's trouble!

Yayuan Mansion has been raided!

Now all those shady dealings

at Yayuan Mansion

can't be hidden anymore, can they?

Dear...

you've got to find a way to save me!

Those absurd literary men's ridiculous nonsense,

you brought it on yourselves.

What does it have to do with me?

The ledger is missing!

You good-for-nothing fool!

You couldn't even safeguard one simple thing!

Wasn't it Father who told me

to record all the bribes we gave to officials?

I was just following orders!

My father wanted leverage against those officials.

Who told you to leave the ledger lying around?

If those documents end up in the court's hands,

it's a crime punishable by death for the whole clan!

I know. I hid it very well!

I don't know how it got stolen.

Who stole it?

It was that...

that...

that vile woman, Ci!

Come with me.

Is the Ci you mentioned

this woman?

That's right.

The ledger isn't on her.

Didn't you say she stole it?

Then where is it?

Didn't you say you went back to Yayuan Mansion to catch them?

Where are they?

If I hadn't foreseen you'd be unreliable

and sent someone to clean up your mess,

that Ci would've walked

right out of Yayuan Mansion!

You blind fool!

You blind fool!

- You blind fool! - Dear, stop hitting me!

She must have accomplices!

Yes, she must have accomplices.

The ledger is with her accomplices.

You need to leave now.

Hurry and hide!

Alright.

Find a way to sneak out of the capital.

Don't go back.

The farther you go, the better.

When all this blows over,

I'll send someone to find you.

Dear!

Dear,

but I can't bear to leave you.

If not for the bond we share as husband and wife,

I'd have already chopped you up on my father's behalf!

Very soon, the authorities will come looking for you here.

What about the ledger?

You useless fool!

What else can we do at this point?

I'll go find it myself!

Mr. He...

I'm sorry to have involved you.

It's nothing.

Thank you for helping me

keep the ledger a secret.

But why did you help me?

I didn't set out to help you.

I just didn't know how to react

at the time,

and I ended up locked up here with you

before I knew it.

Still,

Headmistress Chi did act rather oddly today.

Who would've thought she's the headmistress,

a cold-hearted courtesan with no principles.

You're not right!

She may have a temper,

but she's definitely a good person.

She herself was an orphan.

She can't bear to see these children

endure the same suffering she did.

To keep the welfare center running,

she travels everywhere performing.

She doesn't spend a single coin of the money she earns.

She's a good person.

Alright.

But given her ways,

I'm not comfortable entrusting her with the ledger.

The ledger...

Oh no,

I need to find a way out of here.

If she gets her hands on that ledger,

that would be bad.

Mr. He,

could you think of a way to help me?

You're locked up here.

Won't your family worry

if they can't find you?

I don't have any family.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. He.

I didn't know about that.

I apologize.

It's fine.

There's no need to apologize.

Then...

have you ever tried looking for your family?

I couldn't find them.

You couldn't find them?

They died...

right in front of me.

It's alright.

It happened a long time ago.

Here we are!

Quick!

Here!

Ban!

Ban!

Ban!

Zhao Ban!

Zhao Ban!

This way!

Ban!

Ban!

Ban!

Ban!

I knew you'd come here soon.

Mrs.,

my sister is named Zhao Ban.

I heard she's here with you.

Do you know her?

Your sister is safe now.

Rest assured.

Thank you!

You know us?

Of course.

You truly carry yourself with distinction.

I've always wanted to test your skills.

How do you know about me?

Enough talk!

Zhao Buyou,

Yao He,

go find Ban.

Got it. Be careful.

Zhao Ban!

Ban!

Ban!

Zhao Ban!

Zhao Ban!

Ban!

You search that side!

Alright!

Today,

I'm going to challenge you!

Zhao Ban!

Ban!

Let's split up and search!

Alright.

Ban!

Ban!

Ban!

Ban!

With your clumsy skills,

you think you can take me on?

Speak,

who are you,

and why are you targeting me?

I'm someone who lives in your shadow,

unable to see the light,

destined for a miserable end.

Living in my shadow?

What do you mean?

- Why would you... - Search inside!

She came looking for you?

Why is she here?

Who is she?

Zou Mian's daughter, Zou Ziyin.

Sneaking around and targeting the Zou family,

did you think I wouldn't find this shabby place?

Hand over the ledger from Yayuan Mansion.

Otherwise,

you'll end up

just like her!

Sanzhen!

I was the one who placed the orders these past few days

for you to go against the Zou family.

Now they've come to our doorstep.

You took my money.

You should resolve my troubles.

So many people risked their lives to retrieve it.

How could I possibly give it back to you?

You won't hand it over?

Fine.

Flatten this place!

Yes!

If you help me today,

we'll be even, and I won't trouble you again.

As for the orders, we'll discuss later.

Hurry up!

There's one more!

Ban!

What are you doing here?

We heard a noise outside,

got scared, and hid here.

Alright,

just stay here.

Don't make any noise!

Stay hidden and keep quiet!

Everyone, stay quiet!

Ban!

Remember this:

the secret to martial arts lies

in focusing all your energy

into your hands.

Imagine they're made of iron,

unbreakable.

Kaifeng Court is investigating!

Arrest everyone!

Arrest them all!

Yes!

Squat down, don't move!

Don't leave!

- Squat down! - Let's see who dares to touch me!

Mere Kaifeng Court,

do you know who my father is?

Take her!

You...

you must have a death wish!

Where's Ban?

Ban!

- Yao He! - Ban, where are you?

Yao He, I'm over here!

- Ban! - Yao He!

Move aside. I'm breaking in!

What?

You...

Hold on!

I'll take you to treat your injuries now.

What are you doing?

I'm taking you to get treated!

I... I'm fine.

Mr. He is still watching.

Put me down now!

Where are you going?

I need to find that ledger!

Hey, wait for me!

It's dangerous!

Oh, hey...

Stop struggling!

Move!

Let go of me!

Move!

Check every room thoroughly!

Don't leave anyone behind!

Dear,

I'm afraid this lady won't make it.

I don't know what her connection to the Fan Building case is.

She told me she's the one who placed the orders,

but I doubt it.

She also said

she lives in my shadow.

Where are they?

Buyou!

Buyou! Wen Yue!

- Ban! - Buyou!

- Are you alright? - Wen Yue!

You're not hurt, are you?

I'm fine!

I need to meet Inspector Gu!

I need to meet Inspector Gu...

Ban,

are you alright?

I'm fine.

Inspector Gu,

this is the ledger the embroiderers and I

risked our lives to retrieve from Yayuan Mansion.

They said it contains evidence to bring down the Zou family.

[Yayuan Mansion Expense Ledger]

♪I see misty rain over countless homes♪

♪Standing on Chaoran Pavilion and gazing afar♪

♪I see beautiful spring water and flowers♪

♪Standing on Chaoran Pavilion and gazing afar♪

♪I see misty rain over countless homes♪

♪Countless homes♪

Well...

You're fine?

You...

Are you really fine?

I'm fine, really.

Zhao Ban!

You've become so daring,

venturing out alone into danger.

What if something happened?

I was already very cautious, okay?

Those people are too devious!

That's just an excuse!

Why are you so harsh?

Can't you show some concern for me?

What's going on?

Buyou, Wen Yue...

The moment he got back,

he started scolding me,

- criticizing me, pointing fingers... - Buyou!

Stop always defending her!

What if something really happens to her?

Wen Yue,

why didn't you tell me about something this big?

I had to hear it from the Office of Justice!

Buyou was worried you'd get anxious like this

and insisted on following us.

Then wouldn't you be in danger too?

Your sister just got frightened.

Can't you comfort her a little?

Exactly! He never comforts me!

Enough about it.

I know all about the crimes

Luan Hui committed at Yayuan Mansion.

He's worse than an animal!

Speaking of Luan Hui,

now the authorities can't find him anywhere.

Where could he be?

Exactly.

Dear, what are you thinking?

I'm thinking...

if I were him, what would I do?

Kaifeng Court has already investigated

most of the people present that night.

Ban,

you said

that night at Yayuan Mansion, aside from those two corrupt officials,

there was a foreigner with the surname Cui?

Yes, that's right.

Although he looked

no different from us,

it was clear he was a foreigner by the way he spoke.

He had a lisp.

Yes,

when those foreigners speak,

it sounds like they have a lisp.

What nonsense is this?

Father,

how do you even know such things?

Your grandfather and I...

No,

when your grandfather and I were young,

we often saw foreigners

at the palace, bringing gifts.

Oh, right. Father,

If you heard

a foreigner speak now,

could you still understand them?

I could still recall a few simple phrases.

Do you know

where in this city we might find them?

The Reception Hall for Envoy!

You'll definitely find someone named Cui there.

Then that makes things easier.

[Fashion in Song Dynasty]

[Song Dynastypedia]

[How the Revolving Lantern Works]

[Narrator: Xia Meng]

Did you notice

the revolving lantern made for me by Mo?

It may seem like a simple toy,

but its craftsmanship is quite refined.

[Axis and Wheel]

A revolving lantern has an axis with a wheel on it.

The wheel contains cutouts or images of people or animals.

When a candle is lit beneath the wheel,

the rising hot air

causes the cutouts or images

to rotate with the wheel.

Their shadows are cast onto the lantern cover,

creating the illusion of horses galloping

and people chasing each other,

which is how the revolving lantern got its name.

Are you amazed

by the brilliance of the Song people?

♪Freezing rain lingers for months♪

♪Followed by cold snow♪

♪Through boiling waters and raging flames♪

♪Chase eastward along the Bian River♪

♪Time flows day by day, month by month♪

♪Feign joy with drinks before the camps♪

♪Stagger home after the drinking games♪

♪Such is the state of the world♪

♪In the years of displacement♪

♪Heads are bowed to the ground in poverty♪

♪Burning desires unveil sorrow and joy♪

♪Despair everywhere♪

♪Hidden within the painting♪

♪A lifetime feels so long♪

♪Yet life itself is so short♪

♪Seeing mountains first as mountains, then as more♪

♪Dreamlike, yet not distant♪

♪Parting the clouds reveals a clear yet cold sky♪

♪Oh, the mortal world♪

♪A lifetime feels so long♪

♪Yet life itself is so short♪

♪Seeing mountains first as mountains, then as more♪

♪Dreamlike, yet not distant♪

♪How painful it is to see unrest beneath prosperity♪

♪Whoo, whoo♪

♪How brief a sweet dream is♪