[Yummy, Yummy? Yummy!]
[Episode 8]
You can't swim. Why did you jump in?
Can you think of your safety first
before you try to be a heroine?
Of course, I jumped in to save you!
Don't take things too hard again. Understand?
Save me?
You thought I was trying to die?
No. I accidentally slipped and fell in.
No wonder.
I was wondering how you could swim back.
I've suffered then.
I risked my life for nothing.
Lady, what were you thinking of?
You can't swim,
but you still jumped in to save me.
So what?
Besides, there wasn't anyone around just now.
If you were suicidal and I didn't save you,
you would really be doomed.
Right?
Take care of yourself first next time
when saving others.
Relax. My mother had my fortune told.
I've a long life. I'll be fine.
See? Even when I rescue someone,
it's a swimmer like you.
Who's saving who?
I obviously saved you.
You can save me next time.
Where's the little fish?
Little fish, go home.
Go home.
Well... Lady, our tavern is nearby.
Do you want to go back with me
and change your clothes?
You're completely wet. It's easy to catch a cold.
- All right.
- Let's go.
[Yunlai]
Lady, we're almost there.
It's here.
You're from Yunlai?
Lady, please keep your voice down.
Don't let Manager Feng discover us.
Lady, I can't bring you through the front.
This hole's big enough.
If I can go through it, you also can.
Goodness. Lady, you're so thin.
This is my smallest outfit,
and it's still loose on you.
Come and sit here.
Make yourself at home. Sit.
Let me pour you some water.
If you're so thin, young men won't fancy you.
Never mind. Who cares what they like?
- Liking yourself matters most.
- Thank you.
Yes. Plump women are considered
pretty in this dynasty.
What's the use of being pretty?
Lady, you should eat more.
At least, you can defend yourself
if you're bullied by others.
Well... Lady, my mother calls me A'Yuan.
What's your name?
- You are A'Yuan?
- Yes.
I'm A'Ji. "Ji" as in "shepherd's purse".
Shepherd's purse?
Interesting. There's someone
named after vegetables.
I've an older brother, too. His name's Gongcai.
Gong...
Gongcai means dried lettuce stems.
I'm from out of town. We call them that.
Lettuce stems are tasty.
Lady, your family must love to eat.
We're in the food business.
Your cooking must be better than Yunlai's.
You've just met me. How can you judge?
I've confidence in Yunlai's standard.
Do you know? They can't cook at all.
But they merely plate their food on silver bowls,
golden bowls,
and secret-color porcelains as pretense.
They then charge exorbitant prices.
It's my first time hearing Yunlai
doing business like this.
Forget it. Enough about them.
They're the big earners.
Lady, where are you from?
I'm from the Shu region. It's wonderful there.
Fewer rules and more freedom,
compared to Yong'an.
Why did you come here then?
I owe people money.
I affixed a thumbprint on a lifetime indenture.
With just a single action,
I lost my commoner's status and became a sl*ve.
I can't go home now.
Me, too.
I can't go home either.
Lady. You, too?
You must miss home badly.
Yong'an's summer heat is unbearable.
It's not as cool as my hometown.
Our weather is also hot, but we've ways to cope.
Lady, have you been to the Shu region?
- I have been there!
- Really?
We have so many delicacies there!
[Jingzhao Prefecture]
Brother Hu, it's past noon.
Shouldn't we inform
Vice Magistrate Lin about lunch?
Just eat your food.
Does the dynasty's most promising young Vice Magistrate
need your concern?
- Eat more.
- Fine.
I'll eat my own food.
Young Master, let's eat.
[Yong'an]
Let them eat first.
They've started eating.
No one disrespected you
in the imperial court and palace.
Instead, those petty hard-to-deal-with devils
dared to eat without you there.
How disrespectful!
It's natural to be unhappy
to be surpassed by a junior like me,
but martial men wear their hearts
on their sleeves without hidden plots.
Unlike those overly polite types
with many hidden motives.
It's really not easy.
But you seem to be confident.
You've a strategy to control them, right?
It's useless to control them.
I want to convince them.
I feel like a piece of duckweed here
without any sense of belonging.
- Hungry?
- A bit.
Shall I cook for you?
But I've nothing much here.
I made some lard over there.
A'Yuan, you know how to eat lard?
Doesn't this dynasty dislike eating pork?
How did you make this?
When you don't have money,
it's not bad to eat any food.
Lambs and pigs are my four-legged treasures.
They always say, "Pork is pungent and cheap.
I won't eat it."
What? Are they nobles if they don't eat that?
Does it raise their wages?
A'Yuan, do you have soy sauce?
- Soy sauce?
- Yes.
This afternoon, Vice Minister Fang
of the Ministry of Works
will review the capital's road budget
for repairs.
Who's willing to help them?
What's going on?
Who cooked this?
The rice is half-cooked.
Cheng Hu.
Isn't this Younger Brother A'Yan?
My apologies. I had a fall recently.
My legs are not in good condition.
I've a sore back and can't do this job.
Don't you know the proprieties?!
You dared to address
my young master by his name?!
What's wrong if I call him that?
I'm a rough man.
Besides, the Vice Magistrate is younger than me.
He could call me "Uncle".
That's right.
Cheng Hu, do you know
what my relationship with Chancellor Meng is?
How dare you demand that I call you "Uncle"!
You...
You're Chancellor Meng's...
But, Vice Magistrate,
I heard you weren't from a noble family.
Of course, I'm not.
I'm merely privileged to serve alongside him.
Are you mocking me?
Yes.
I mocked you.
If you think I'm related to him
but still looked down on me, I'd have respected you.
A pity you are not.
Is this your integrity?
I know...
you doubt my abilities due to my youth
and resent following me.
But have you thought of this?
The Jingzhao Prefecture is now a hot potato.
No noble scion will work here,
or they quit within days.
You want to make achievements in the capital?
Fine.
Make your choice.
If you want, leave now.
I'll offer you money and not stop you.
Or unite and work with me with the same mind,
and earn the rights to call me
Lin Yan as your brother.
I swear, as long as I've prospects,
I'll let you fight for a family business.
Everyone is here?
Perfect. I brought food for everyone.
Aunt.
They're all hot.
I guarantee if you eat these,
you'll fall in love with our food.
Come, help me with these.
These are lamb skewers and chicken cutlets
bigger than your faces.
Eat it while it's hot.
Here, take this.
- Here.
- Smells good.
Why hesitate? Quick, eat while it's hot.
Don't be polite. Hurry.
Vice Magistrate, I saw you using harsh words
followed by appeasing them.
Perfect.
Eat and discuss. The mood will be better.
Everyone, I'm from Vice Magistrate Lin's family.
Call me "Aunt" if you like.
Look at how hard you work every day.
Everyone, eat now. Eat while it's hot.
Don't be polite.
Pick up your chopsticks. Quick.
Quick, hold it. Eat while it's hot.
I'll pour milk tea for you.
Here.
Cheng Hu, you're 37 years old, poor, and single.
I can't promise you'll get married
but I can secure your livelihood.
I petitioned and received approval
to raise our monthly salaries.
- Really?
- Second Master Xu.
Second sons are often neglected.
You're one of them, too.
But by year's end,
there'll be promotion opportunities.
When you go home,
who'd dare to look down upon you?
I'll strive for each of your aspirations.
Heaven will witness what I said today.
Listen, everyone.
Listen!
I won't dare say
that Vice Magistrate Lin is flawless.
- But he's willing to change his perspectives. If...
- What does that mean?
It means putting himself in your shoes
to address your real needs.
You've worked here for years.
You know how rare that is.
If you follow him, he won't shortchange you.
Enough. Pick up your chopsticks now.
The food's getting cold!
Quick, pick up your chopsticks.
Brother Hu...
Why stare at me?
Eat!
Here. I'll pour milk tea for you.
I smelled it long ago!
Vice Magistrate, you haven't eaten, right?
Sit. Let's eat together.
Take a seat.
Come. Sit down, too.
Vice Magistrate.
- Please eat.
- Brother, try this.
Let me mix it for you.
What... What is this?
These are cold skin noodles.
It's made from rice milk.
Rice milk?
Let me try.
Don't touch it.
Let me mix it for you.
You must mix it evenly.
It's done. Try it.
I'll help myself then.
Delicious!
- So chewy!
- Tasty, right?
- Everyone, try some!
- Try some.
Here.
If you like this, our restaurant will be opening soon.
Go there and eat.
- All right.
- All right.
Aunt, your cooking skill is really good.
We've benefitted
from Vice Magistrate's blessings.
- That's right.
- We've never tasted such snacks!
Vice Magistrate, your family is so kind.
Eat this.
The food's ready.
- We can eat soon.
- All right.
What's this?
A rabbit!
It's gone.
If I have the opportunity,
I'll cook for you again.
Smells great.
Is it ready?
- Try it.
- All right.
Let me try it.
So fragrant. Tasty!
Such humble ingredients become special
after being mixed with others.
What's its name?
There's no name.
I can only afford cheap grains.
But with soy sauce and lard for aroma,
even the husks shine.
I think it's the treasure of poor people like us.
Why not call it "Paupers' Joy"? How is it?
Only you can say that. Eat quickly.
A'Yuan, your injury...
It's fine.
It's all right.
Chun Yan! Chun Yan, are you in there?
Chun Yan!
sl*t!
Why's the door locked?
Lady, I must go out to work now.
Wait a while before leaving.
But you'll need to exit the way we came from.
They call you "Chun Yan" at Yunlai?
I hate that name.
Just call me A'Yuan.
My family called me this when they were alive.
All right.
Lady, it's time for me to go.
You can wear the clothes and leave.
We're unlikely to meet again.
The clothes are not worth much. Don't fret.
I'm leaving first.
A'Yuan...
I'm leaving.
Forget it.
It's just a chance encounter.
Is there a need to meddle?
Here, Vice Magistrate.
Our family is opening a restaurant.
We've been busy cleaning the shop.
I only had time to cook a bowl for you.
It's secretly for you. I didn't give any to them.
Thank you, Aunt.
Young Master Liu, what's wrong with your throat?
Unwell?
I'll make honey water two days later
and bring it here for you.
- Honey water?
- Yes.
- Honey water for throat...
- Aunt.
I would like to discuss something with you.
Is it urgent? If not, let's talk at home.
I must return to the shop.
Only Jianshe and Shaojie are there.
They can't decide about the renovations.
I can't take care of both sides.
Both are them are useless.
That's right.
Actually, it's... not that urgent.
All right, fine.
Vice Magistrate, take your time to eat.
I'm leaving first.
After work...
No. After finishing your work,
remember to bring the food boxes back.
- All right.
- I'm going back now.
- I'll see you off.
- No need, Vice Magistrate. Please stay.
Eat now. I'm leaving first.
- I'm leaving, Young Master Liu.
- Aunt, take care.
About breaking off the betrothal,
Young Master, why can't you tell Aunt Li?
Don't tell me you've been bribed by this meal
and it gave you a feeling of a family?
You might even think about
going along and becoming a real family.
Enough. Who allowed you to eat this?
I'll tell them.
[Yunshui Manor]
Why did you come here then?
I owe people money.
I affixed a thumbprint on a lifetime indenture.
With just a single action,
I lost my commoner's status and became a sl*ve.
I can't go home now.
Aunt!
Grandpa and Grandma keep fighting
about the renovations.
What should I do?
Aunt, why are you ignoring me?
Aunt!
Be good, Yangyang.
Vice Magistrate.
Your mother delivered food to me.
I brought this back after work.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Vice Magistrate.
Lady Shen...
Yangyang, can you take the boxes to the kitchen?
All right.
- About the betrothal...
- Vice Magistrate, I've something to tell you...
Vice Magistrate, what did you say?
I didn't catch it.
Go ahead first.
Vice Magistrate, if someone voluntarily signed
a lifetime indenture
and become a sl*ve,
how can they regain their commoner's status?
I fear one would have to wait for a pardon
or perhaps, marry an official.
Her husband can change her registration record.
What's wrong?
You said someone voluntarily signed
a lifetime indenture and became a sl*ve?
If she's a commoner selling herself,
she must first go to the Market Office.
The registrar will verify her identity,
confirm her parents' situation,
set up a public bond and issue the document.
Only then can she be a sl*ve.
Merely signing a lifetime indenture is invalid.
Thank you, Vice Magistrate.
I'm going out for a while.
Let's talk again when I'm back.
Vice Magistrate!
Where's my aunt?
She just left.
But Grandma said Aunt is unhappy.
She wants me to watch her
and stop her from wandering around.
Why is she unhappy?
Because of you.
Me?
Aunt said you were her last hope.
It's also gone now.
I saw her secretly crying several times.
Last hope?
But earlier, she didn't seem eager to marry me.
Yangyang, did she guess that
I intend to break off the betrothal?
What? Vice Magistrate, you want to break it off?
But it probably doesn't matter, either.
This isn't her first canceled engagement.
Don't adults always say,
"Awkward at first, familiar the second time"?
Do you know what breaking off a betrothal means?
Of course, I do!
Why am I asking a child?
You wretched trash!
You wretch!
Dodge? Let's see if you still dare to dodge!
Useless creature!
How dare you dodge!
Shouldn't you be grateful to me?
Filthy creature!
I'll beat you to death!
I should beat you to death!
[Yunlai]
You piece of trash!
I'll beat you to death! Beat you to death!
Useless creature!
It's your blessing that you caught my attention.
You dare to resist?
Listen, everyone in your family is dead.
No one is backing you. Understand?
Besides, I own your lifetime indenture.
I should beat you to death! Beat you to death!
Beat you to death!
You shameless wretch!
Are you trying to show off?
I'll show you what I'm capable of!
- Manager Feng.
- I'll...
Why are you so furious?
Don't harm your health.
Lady Shen, what brings you here?
This young lady lent me a set of clothes.
I'm here to return them and happened to see
that she displeased you.
Children misbehave, but we can't just use rods.
If you truly dislike her, sell her for silver.
Or let me take her
and teach her some manners for you.
I was wondering why she grew bold lately.
Turns out she met Lady Shen
and thought she had backing.
Manager Feng, what are you talking about?
Am I considered a backer in front of you?
Her boldness comes from knowing
your masculine virtue and high integrity.
You won't stoop low to quarrel with a mere girl.
If she makes you so furious, why keep her?
The neighbors say you consult fortune tellers.
If you believe in mystical signs, why choose her?
What?
Frankly, Manager Feng, I know some physiognomy.
Her blade-sharp nose, sunken marriage aspect,
and vicious glare
are definitely husband-k*ller signs.
Lady Shen, let me be clear.
This wench's lifetime indenture
is with Yunlai Tavern.
She definitely can't leave.
It's inappropriate for a lady like you
to watch me discipline her.
Why don't you go back first?
You shouldn't say this, Manager Feng.
People should heed bad omens.
Enough. Don't say anymore.
Chun Yan is a commodity bought by me.
Her life or sale is my decision.
She'll bring bad luck to whoever I sell her to.
As long as I own her,
she can't bring bad luck to me.
Your family's opening
a restaurant at Juxian Alley, right?
I advise you to mind your own business.
Stop meddling in other matters.
Please leave.
Please leave, Lady Shen.
You wretch!
You dare to involve others?
Lady Shen, you wouldn't have dealings
with this wench, right?
That's why you're here today
to say this nonsense.
Just wait and see!
Take care. I won't see you off.
[Yunlai]
This is Yong'an. People can be traded as goods.
Who can I protect?
You wretch!
You dare to involve Lady Shen?
Trying to find someone to back you?
Do you really wish to die?
Come here. I'll beat you to death!
- You wretch!
- Stop!
Get up.
Manager Feng, let me tell you.
This young lady and I aren't just acquaintances.
We're friends.
She told me she signed
a lifetime indenture to become a sl*ve.
She's a commoner. The process requires
verification by the Market Office's registrar.
After confirming the parents' situation,
a public bond is set up and a document is issued.
Only then is she considered a sl*ve.
A mere signed lifetime indenture is invalid!
What nonsense are you spouting?
What's wrong? Afraid to admit it?
Take the lifetime indenture
to the Market Office for verification!
You...
You wouldn't dare.
Because you know, without a full process,
you're coercing a commoner into sl*very!
Manager Feng, for a small tavern,
you're too bold.
I thought you just illegally
expanded into the back alley.
I didn't imagine you'd also engage
in trafficking kidnapped commoners!
Say more lies and I'll rip up your mouth!
You persecuted another commoner. A double crime!
Give me A'Yuan's lifetime indenture.
Guards!
Lock the gates.
Let's see how you two can leave today.
The people from Jingzhao Prefecture are here!
Keep a close watch on them.
- Understood.
- Understood.
Vice Magistrate!
Aunt!
Didn't you say I can seek your help
if I've difficulties?
I'm going to Yunlai Tavern.
If I don't return, bring some people
to arrest them for ill*gal expansion.
You can get evidence with a surprise inspection.
You're a new official.
You need more achievements.
Don't be afraid.
Manager Feng, Yunlai Tavern's
back alley expansion violates
the Market Office's regulations.
So, it the enlisted Cheng who's here to visit.
Enlisted Cheng, is there a need to be so strict?
Listen, all these years,
nothing had happened, either.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?!
Besides, who says that nothing happened?
In April, the bookshop caught fire.
If your tavern's goods hadn't blocked
the alley and delayed the rescue,
would the fire have burned so fiercely?!
A bunch of nonsense!
The bookshop workers.
The bookshop workers are here.
Come here! You! Come here.
Tell him. Did that happen?
Speak the truth.
Speak!
N-No...
If you doubt me, ask others.
You all.
You all! Speak!
- Tell him, is it true?
- No...
Is it true?
I don't know...
Are you sure nothing happened?
- Vice Magistrate.
- Vice Magistrate.
Vice Magistrate.
It's the Vice Magistrate.
You arrived on time.
Your officer slanders us and blames Yunlai
for the delayed bookshop rescue.
I've been falsely accused, Vice Magistrate.
You must uphold the law.
The Imperial Guards' record states that due
to Yunlai blocking the alley during the April fire,
it delayed the rescue.
Three people were burned to death.
If these three people in the netherworld
hear your denial,
will they crawl from hell to demand vengeance?
No. That...
Manager Feng, you believe in ghosts and gods.
Aren't you afraid?
It's... impossible!
That... That clutter blocked the alley
but there were no deaths!
He's the only one.
He didn't escape in time
and only burned his arms.
Isn't this an admittance?
Is there a need to lie? It's pointless.
You...
Vice Magistrate,
do you know who's backing our owner?
Vice Magistrate, it's best that you show mercy.
Who's the backer for your owner?
Could it be that Manager Feng
wants to reveal the relationship of the backer
with the owner to bend the law for personal gains?
I...
I understand now.
So, the bookshop's fire in April,
did Yunlai Tavern use this method
to cover it up? Isn't that so?!
There's a backer?
No wonder no one dares to testify against you!
- Vice Magistrate.
- Break down the door!
- Proceed!
- Understood!
No! Wait!
Well... You...
- Release them!
- Vice Magistrate!
Don't move!
Halt!
Stop! Stop!
You! Out of my way!
As for you!
Get lost!
How bold!
You can't recognize the Vice Magistrate
and still dare to be violent?!
Scram! Get lost!
Vice Magistrate, it's a misunderstanding.
Today,
Lady Shen, that pancake seller at Juxian Alley,
tried to abduct my sl*ve.
Hence, I merely detained them temporarily.
- You bullied her?
- I...
I... I wouldn't to dare to bully Lady Shen.
He bullied you?
Yes.
Vice Magistrate, I wasn't abducting her.
Manager Feng tricked a commoner.
What nonsense are you spouting?!
Continue.
A'Yuan was a commoner.
Manager Feng tricked her into affixing
her thumbprint on a lifetime indenture.
She didn't even go to the Market Office.
Right, A'Yuan?
The Market Office?
I've never been there.
See, Vice Magistrate? A'Yuan never went
to the Market Office. She's still a commoner.
Manager Feng can't detain her.
Manager Feng, is what they said true?
This...
Give me the lifetime indenture.
I'll count to three.
Three... Two...
Fine.
[Lifetime Indenture]
Buying commoners as sl*ves
requires bribes. The process is complex.
You're afraid of hassles.
Seeing that this young lady is naive,
you casually made her affix a thumbprint
on the fake indenture to make her a sl*ve forever.
Manager Feng, do you know your crime?
Destroying this fake lifetime indenture now
won't suffice.
Do you mean this lifetime indenture is a fake?
It's ill*gal.
You were illegally imprisoned. You can sue him.
Feng Li,
when I first arrived penniless in Yong'an,
you kindly bought me noodles.
In the end, those noodles cost a tael of gold.
I had no money to return to you.
So, you tricked me into signing
the lifetime indenture.
I didn't expect this to be a fake.
Feng Li, I'll sue you to death!
Feng Li!
- Sue me?
- Feng Li! Spit it out! Give it back to me!
Spit it out! Give it back to me!
Sue... me?
Is the paper tasty?
I'll burn more for you in the future
till you've eaten to your fill!
A'Yuan, you're free.
Let's go.
You dare to stop those I released?
You can leave.
Let's go.
[Shaoguang's Food Notes]
[Lard Rice]
[Yes, it's Yong'an survival food.]
Timing and Subtitles brought to you
by Love @ First Pancake
Team @Viki.com"Where to Go" - Wang Weiyi
♫ Like a sunken boat in a dark current
not a single night fire is seen ♫
♫ It’s hazy ahead,
light and darkness intertwine ♫
♫ Sadly, the heart was with toyed by fate
several times and left hanging in the air ♫
♫ Falling into a fog, I pursue in confusion ♫
♫ If not for the thoughts stirring the heart,
creating conflicts ♫
♫ How could I know it’s unpredictable? ♫
♫ Had I known it would bond us,
we should never have met ♫
♫ The pain won’t stop until it ends ♫
♫ Persistently walking deep inside,
I realize how thick the fog is ♫
♫ Who knows where to go? ♫
♫ Passing through the mortal world,
looking back at the dream ♫
♫ Is it still there? ♫
♫ Like a sunken boat in a dark current
not a single night fire is seen ♫
♫ It’s hazy ahead,
light and darkness intertwine ♫
♫ Sadly, the heart was with toyed by fate
several times and left hanging in the air ♫
♫ Falling into a fog, I pursue in confusion ♫
♫ If not for the thoughts stirring the heart,
creating conflicts ♫
♫ How could I know it’s unpredictable? ♫
♫ Had I known it would bond us,
we should never have met ♫
♫ The pain won’t stop until it ends ♫
♫ Persistently walking deep inside,
I realize how thick the fog is ♫
♫ Who knows where to go? ♫
♫ Passing through the mortal world,
looking back at the dream ♫
♫ Is it still there? ♫