[MULTISUBup]EP7/33 嫁金釵 Where the Mask Ends |Tian Xi Wei/Yan An|杨龙执导|周末编剧|田曦薇、闫桉领衔主演|王一楠/尹文萱/毛林林/孔琳/恬妞/代高政/杨青/李佑川/潘珺雅等特别出演|优酷

‪ADAPTED FROM ‪JIA JIN CHAI‪, ORIGINAL NOVEL ‪BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY DUKE'S RESIDENCE LONGEVITY ‪-That's amazing. ‪-Right. Come. - Cheers. - Cheers. Come. - Try this. - It's delicious. Wonderful. Lady Xie, what do you think is the thickest thing in the world? I'd say some people's skin. No blade can cut it, no arrow can pierce it. How else could they commit so many vile deeds and still smile as if nothing happened, without a shred of shame? Lady Xie said she was too ill to come. But you asked her several times, and insisted her to attend. So that's Xie Hualou. She looks much thinner than before. Are you feeling better now? Don't you know what made Lady Xie ill? She had the misfortune of crossing a vicious, treacherous woman who nearly cost her life. From what she's saying, could it be her cousin-in-law? Don't go accusing people blindly. Attempted murder is punishable by hanging. Hualou, you mustn't let a moment of mercy allow evil to fester and bring more harm. It is still the seventh month, and the heat hasn't let up. I'm afraid the young ladies can't bear it. They've seen this entertainment many times. Why not let them take a walk and enjoy the grounds of the Duke's Residence? Heat? I'd say someone's hiding a guilty conscience. Her plot failed, and now she's ashamed. Old Madam Xie, why would you say that? Our Xie family has done everything to protect the Duke's reputation. We have no wish to shatter the jade vase in pursuit of a rat. Otherwise, I'd have gone straight to the Wei family and demanded justice. So why keep pretending you know nothing? Brother. What exactly is going on? From what I can see, something seems a little off. Bring it in. - What's going on? - What is it? Here comes a cool breeze. I've never seen anything like this before. Interesting. LONGEVITY It really does fill the hall with a breeze. It's so cool, my arms are getting chilly. Brother, you're brilliant. With this wind wheel, the room is filled with refreshing lotus fragrance. What a clever contraption. Brother, you've kept this well hidden. Only showing it to us now? This summer has been unbearably hot. And the ladies are all dressed formally for the banquet. Rao feared the ladies may fall victim to heatstroke so she had the finest craftsmen make it. The palace craftsmen have made seven-bladed fans before. - But… - It really is impressive. She is very thoughtful, always attentive to the smallest details. How unusual. Brother is always so stern. When have we ever heard him praise anyone? It seems he's quite pleased with his new wife. This spinning-wheel-style wind wheel was inspired by a farm winnowing fan. Farmers use its airflow to blow away the chaff, making it much easier to winnow grain. Qingtong told me Grandmother has been unwell in the heat, listless and weary with no appetite. So I asked My Lord to have someone make this. Thankfully, it was ready for the birthday banquet, so our guests won't have to suffer in the heat. I've seen a fan like this at a farm's threshing ground. I never knew it could be used this way. I wonder how all seven blades are linked together. What a good girl. Lu Zhuo, you've married such a devoted and virtuous wife. You must have earned this blessing in a past life. My dear, I must thank you as well. When the Lu family was in dire straits, you entrusted this blessed girl to our family. She is not only Lu Zhuo's lifesaver, also a blessing to our entire family. You're too kind, Old Madam Lu. She's still young. Such praise might bring her more fortune than she can bear. How many people ever get a second chance at life? Lord Lu owes it all to marrying such a blessed wife. Indeed. My Lady, the Xie family may attend the banquet too. {\an8}I'm worried… {\an8}THE XIE AND HAN FAMILIES ARE SWORN ENEMIES There's no avoiding them. I'll bear the consequences of Wei Rao's mistakes. But as long as Lord Lu cares about the Duke's reputation and wishes his grandmother to enjoy the birthday banquet, he will be my strongest shield. Move them to both sides. Come. On the Duchess's birthday banquet, even the slightest slip will be the talk of the town. Rest assured, Madam. That whole box of butterflies has been smothered to death. She'll disgrace herself before everyone at the banquet. Mother, I heard your granddaughter-in-law won't follow tradition this year. She plans to release butterflies for your birthday. Look, she even brought in a lotus vat. Soon, at this banquet, lights blazing, lotuses blooming, butterflies fluttering everywhere. Truly an ingenious and delightful idea. Butterflies? Open it! Hurry! The air holes in that bamboo box look far too small. On such an auspicious day, we mustn't let any living creature suffocate. Quick. Let them out at once. Hurry, let them out. Grandmother, if I may, please open it yourself. The butterflies really suffocated? A joyous day has turned into needless killing. It'll cost blessings and longevity. How awful! Exactly. They all suffocated in the box. That's a terrible omen. She should've just followed tradition. But no, she had to do something different. And look at the bad luck it's brought. The Duchess despises the killing of living creatures. She'll be furious. This is… a fire lighter? Bring it in. Those… Those aren't butterflies! Then why were you catching butterflies? Third Aunt, living creatures are meant to be free. Why catch them just to release them? Besides, butterflies may be beautiful, but the powder on their wings can be harmful. Butterflies left the dew-gathering maids with red and swollen eyes. I merely had them driven away. She refused to have it brought in openly. she meant for everyone to guess what's in the box. Cheeky move, I'll say that. Grandmother. This lamp is called Everfull. Everfull means may your years be ever full. May you live a long, healthy, peaceful life. You're awfully young to make such a grand promise. How can a mere lamp promise peace? There were meant to be 108 lamps, corresponding to 108 worries. Once they're burned away, Grandmother will be worry-free. And this one has… 60 lamps? Yes. Grandmother shall light it yourself. For each year you gain, let one more lamp be added. One year after another, until there are 108 lamps. That would be true and endless blessings. You sweet-talking child. Do you expect me to live past 100? I'd be an old fossil by then! - She's joking. - So it's a centennial lamp. What an auspicious sign. Far more than 100 years. Since ancient times, 108 has meant perfect fulfillment. It's called 108, but it wishes for a boundless longevity. What a thoughtful idea. Every wick on this lamp was made by Wei Rao from lamp paper and twisted by hand. It shows her heartfelt devotion. Mother was kind enough to spare me from most of the household affairs, so I had time to personally prepare this gift for Grandmother. Good. It's the least I can do. Grandmother, please light the lamp. All right. - It's beautiful. - It is. My Lord. General Qi and the Han family are fighting. Look. Han Liao, today is a joyous day for the Duke's family. Making trouble again? Get out of my way! You have a death wish? Stop. Lord Lu, forgive the disturbance. Zhuo, I had barely arrived when he came looking for trouble. I came to deliver a birthday gift on behalf of my mother, and got attacked the moment I arrived. Everyone here saw it. General Qi attacked me without asking. Lord Lu, is this how the Lu family treats its guests? So what if I attack? Back when we marched on Hutuo, you were supposed to back us up. When things got bad, you delayed and refused to dispatch troops almost cost us the war. - You deserved every blow! - Enough! A guest is a guest once they're through the door. For my sake, No fighting tonight. Don't make a scene. Out of respect for Lord Lu, I'll let this brute off. The Duke sent word. He wants you in the front courtyard to receive guests. The Marquis of Pingxi heard General Qi had arrived and wants you there to help with the drinking. Lady Rao came dressed for the occasion… - I… - I'll go now. Lord Han. My mother acquired a precious mirror from the Western Regions. She insisted I present it to the Duchess myself. I'll first pay my respects to the birthday lady, present the gift, and toast. Then I'll join you at the banquet. Please apologize to the Duke for me. Tell him I'll be there shortly. Rest assured, Lord Lu. I was also born into a noble family. My conduct reflects my family's honor. Causing trouble at a birthday banquet would only make me a laughingstock. At least I know how to behave, unlike some people. I'll show our guest the way. Lord Han, please. - Thank you. This way. - All right. DUKE'S RESIDENCE Lord Huo. Please inform Her Ladyship that Huo Jue, on Lady Shou'an's orders, has brought a Nuo opera troupe to celebrate the Duchess's birthday. Lord Huo, please have some tea in the hall. I'll report your arrival at once. - Let's go. - This way. Your Ladyship, a moment. I hear Lord Lu's old wound still hasn't healed. My family has a healer who's highly skilled at treating wounds. Her family's Dragon Bone Wound Powder is unmatched. Madam Liu. Yes! Madam Liu, pay your respects to Her Ladyship. Greetings, Lady… Lady Lu. What is it? Do you know this woman? Lord Lu was wounded fighting for the realm. His Majesty has asked about his recovery many times. Therefore, Lord Lu's health has always been overseen by imperial physicians. Only senior physicians skilled in medicine, acupuncture, and surgery with 20 years of practice are permitted to come here. Lord Han, may I ask where did you find this quack? And you dare bring her here so brazenly? What? Do you think so little of His Majesty's imperial physicians? Or do you look down on the Lu family? Or are you plotting to harm Lord Lu? You insolent old woman! How dare you stare at the noble lady? Forgive me! I wouldn't dare. Didn't you say Her Ladyship looked like someone you once knew? Look up and take a good look. Her figure does look somewhat similar. But the young woman I knew was just a night-soil woman. She was filthy, with matted hair and a dirty face, and wouldn't wash her face for months. No one even knew what she really looked like. Compared to this elegant young lady, she was a firefly beside the moon, a crow beside a phoenix. How could they possibly compare? That's not what you told me before! A what? Lord Han, what did you compare me to? My Lady, she said a night-soil woman. You… How dare you! How dare you compare me to a night-soil woman! There must be some misunderstanding. Guards, see them out! You filthy vermin! Your vile nonsense has deeply insulted me. If my maternal grandmother were here, she'd have torn your mouth apart by now! Bitao, throw this old beggar out! Yes. Someone, have Lu Zhuo come here! - Lord Han! - He brought this vile guest here. - Lord Han! - He can deal with her himself. - I only did what you told me! - You wretched thing. - Lord Han! - Lady Wei Rao! Lord Han! Even her wit and temper have style. What a shame she's married to that prude Lu Zhuo. Such a pity. Lord Han, I'll show you the way. There are many ladies in the garden. We mustn't disturb them. Wait here. There's no need to follow. What are you doing? I… This is outrageous! The mighty Duke's Residence is bullying a helpless old widow like me! You're hurting me! My lady has a kind heart. She knows you're a fraud with bad intentions, but she won't tarnish the Lu family's reputation for charity. Here. A bag of millet so you won't go hungry. And no more swindling people. Behave yourself. My Lady. Is everything delivered? Yes. Madam doesn't want to see that unwelcome guest. Go tell Dowager Lady - that my Lady went back to change. - Yes. Thank goodness she saw it. Thank goodness she understood. Seeing the begonia hairpin means seeing me. Madam Liu, please help me. I'll repay you generously for today's favor. It's mine! Don't take it! Give it to me! Let go! Good girl. Looks like I didn't teach you in vain. "If you make it big, don't forget me" was your very first lesson. When Madam Liu was 14, a wicked neighbor sold her to a brothel. Her working name was Begonia. Proud of her beauty, she thought highly of herself. Even there, she always had to outdo the others. She took every client she could to please the madam, all for fine clothes, good food, and a life of pleasure. Until her beauty faded and she fell gravely ill. The madam turned on her and tried to bury her alive. Only then did she finally wake up. She taught me my first song. She taught me to hide my face beneath grime and patiently wait for my chance to escape. You see, the people who taught me were either lowly courtesans, down-and-out scholars, some family's despised concubine, or wastrels who'd squandered their fortunes. They never fought each other over petty gains. And yet, they were also the ones who taught me so many valuable things. Like what? Lessons they only learned after being beaten down by this world. You need nerve before you can claim you're right. My Lady. I'm fine. I could barely eat at the banquet, and then I had to face Han Liao. My chest hurts a little. {\an8}It's stomach pain. You've been so busy lately, {\an8}always on edge and worrying too much. Let me help you back to rest. Your Ladyship. Your Ladyship. Lady Shou'an sent the Huo family's eldest son to wish Old Madam a happy birthday. He even brought a Nuo opera troupe. He's waiting in Jiangyun Hall. Understood. You may go. Yes. I got past Xie Hualou. I got past Han Liao too. As for Huo Jue… I'll get past him too. Lord Huo is Lady Rao's cousin. He knows her temperament and habits very well. I can find a way to send him away. Shall we? He's here for me. JIANGYUN HALL We won't need any of you here. You may all leave. JIANGYUN HALL GALAXY OF VERSES Rao. Brother Jue. It's been a long time. You do look somewhat like her. But your nature and manner differ greatly. The moment you spoke, I knew you weren't her. Bitao. My cousin brought a Nuo opera troupe for the birthday celebration. Go check if everything is properly arranged. Yes. Know how I saw through you at first glance? My little cousin was the proudest lady in the world. Ever since we were children, unless she needed a favor, whenever she saw me, she'd call me by name. She'd never sweetly call me "Brother Jue." After all, everyone doted on her. She had every reason to look down on the world. But you? A woman of the lowest birth, someone even ordinary people would go out of their way to avoid. You aren't even fit to hold her stirrup, much less take her place. You're just a cheap imitation, making a fool of yourself. The estate is packed with guests right now. Everyone is watching. So here's some friendly advice. Admit the truth before I expose you. Give back everything that isn't yours. Maybe I'll let you live. Who decides my life to be worthless? Who decides the fates to be rich or poor, the lives to be insignificant or noble? What gives anyone the right to decide? Virtue? Yet in this world, some people are rotten to the core and still live in luxury. Some commit every evil imaginable and are still made generals and lords! Heaven is blind. Heaven is unjust! It cast me into the mud from birth and expects me to rot there forever. No. Even if it's Heaven itself, it has no right. No one can beat fate! You were born lowly. How dare you covet what was never yours? If Heaven wants me in the mud, then I'll defy Heaven itself! I'll either win or die. I'm not even afraid of Heaven. You think I'm afraid of you? Don't keep fooling yourself. Leave the Lu family with me now. Give back everything you've taken. I ensure you a life of wealth and peace. You're… Lying. Back when I crawled on the ground, countless noblemen's boots trampled my hands. That's when I learned That look you get when you're lying. I saw through your lofty, hypocritical, scheming faces. Don't think your sweet talk can fool me. If you truly meant to spare me, you wouldn't have walked in here trying to humiliate and threaten me. If I believed you and walked out of here. I'd be dead in the street by tomorrow. Weren't you going to expose me? Go ahead! Take it all the way to His Majesty if you want. All of you shall go down with me. Anything else to say, Brother Jue? If not, I'll be back to the banquet. Stop! You're the bravest woman I've ever met. There's nothing you won't dare think or do. If you're willing to risk everything, what can I possibly do to you? Stay a little longer. Let's talk this through. You knew I was a schemer and a hypocrite. You should've been more careful. Too bad. I gave you my word, and I never break it. Huo Jue, kill her. This isn't the place. Then I'll carve a dozen cuts into her face and see if she still dares impersonate me. Han Liao didn't deliberately cause trouble, did he? Give who trouble? Her Ladyship isn't at the banquet. Her maternal family, the Zhous, sent someone. But Lady Shou'an rarely has dealings with the capital's noble families. Yet she specifically asked her cousin to meet her in Jiangyun Hall. Cousin? My Lord, please wait. I need to speak with you. JIANGYUN HALL Hurry. I've always admired you as a man who knows right from wrong and puts justice above personal ties. But you know fully well that Wei Rao pushed me. Why are you covering for her? Just because she's your wife, she can ignore right and wrong and twist the truth? Do you know that at the banquet, if I hadn't spared the Duke's family and exposed her in front of everyone, her reputation would've been ruined across the capital. What are you laughing at? That day, aside from Xie and Wei family servants, there was no one else in the pavilion. That's why Old Madam Xie only dared to make veiled accusations. That's the real issue. So you weren't protecting the bigger picture. You were simply weighing the risks. Wei Rao is the Duke's new daughter-in-law. She is my lawful wife. Family comes before outsiders. Even if she has made mistakes, you shouldn't use them as an excuse to stop me, unless you meant to provoke Wei Rao into losing control in public and making even more mistakes. So you're saying I'm an outsider, with no right to question your wife or interfere in your marriage? If Wei Rao is wrong, I'll correct her and counsel her. You needn't concern yourself with her anymore. I was wrong about you. Let's go. Don't blame me. Once we make it safely through tonight, I'll hand her over to you. You can do whatever you want with her. I'll go to the banquet first. Rao, follow the plan. Understood. I'll go ahead. JIANGYUN HALL Dowager Lady has asked twice already. Go to Jiangyun Hall and tell Her Ladyship must return to the banquet at once. Yes. Come on, come on! Place your bets! - Come on! - Place your bets! - I'm betting odd! - Bet on what? - I'm betting even! - Odd or even? - Even! - Odd! - Again! - I'm betting even! - Odd! - I'm all in! My maternal grandmother went home for the ancestral rites and couldn't make it to the banquet. She asked me to bring a highly skilled Nuo opera troupe to offer the Duchess blessings, good fortune, and long life. Wonderful. Lady Xie, look! They're performing a Nuo dance for blessings. She never returned to the banquet. Where else could she have gone? What a beautiful dance. ‪Her Ladyship! ‪It is Her Ladyship. Rao! Bravo! Bravo! - Bravo! - Bravo! As your granddaughter-in-law, I offer this dance to honor you on your birthday. May Heaven bless you with joy, harmony, and good fortune. May you enjoy endless blessings, long life, and perfect health. - Wonderful! - It's Rao! Rao was the one dancing. She really put her heart into this. She even kept it a secret from all of us. With such striking makeup, she looks like a completely different person. No wonder her dance was beautiful, yet her movements looked different from everyone else's. So it was Rao! Then I'll carve a dozen cuts into her face and see if she still dares impersonate me. You can't kill her and stain Jiangyun Hall with blood. There will be no hiding from it. Your tempers and manners are completely different. Even if you change makeup and clothes, anyone paying attention will see through you. We need a way to distract everyone so no one has time to notice. Brother Jue, you really are a cunning merchant. You're incredibly devious. A cunning merchant will do anything to make sure you get what you want. After all, years ago, I gave your mother my word. At the banquet later, you must be extremely careful. Don't make a single mistake. Rao can do this too? Forgive me, Old Madam. I slipped. I'm afraid I've spoiled everyone's fun. They say Nuo dance can connect mortals with the divine. Yesterday, I was blessed to see the Queen Mother descend upon Penglai to hold a lotus feast. She took a sacred lotus from Mount Taihua's Jade Well. Its bloom spanned 100 feet, its root as large as a boat. It was cold as frost and sweeter than honey. They say Peng Zu ate just one slice of its root and lived for 800 years. So I quickly plucked one lotus petal and hid it in my robe. When I suddenly awoke, I was on a boat, drifting through a lotus pond. But in my hand, I was somehow clutching a lotus. Really? What happened next? This is that very lotus. The Queen Mother knew our Grandmother was kind, generous, and compassionate. So she bestowed this sacred lotus upon Grandmother to bless you with fortune, health, and a long life. Wonderful! - Well said! - Wonderful! - Indeed. - Wonderful! Rao, you really went all out to celebrate my birthday. - What a sweet girl. - Indeed. You've made this old woman truly delighted. Come. Come, everyone. Everyone, raise your cups. Let's celebrate this night together. Cheers. - Cheers. - Cheers. Lady Rao's Nuo dance was quite something, wasn't it? Where's Han Liao? Han Liao? Right. When did that man sneak away? I didn't even notice. Thank you, Brother Jue, for bringing the Nuo dance as a birthday gift and making me look so good. Unfortunately, - the Western Region incense you gave me - It's fascinating. - is far too strong and gaudy. - I'll show you again next time. It's not really to my taste. It's you. Impossible. You clearly… How could it be you? Lady Rao organized the birthday banquet, and someone's jealousy got the better of them. They locked her in a room in the east wing. My Lord isn't at the banquet. I'm afraid a fuss would cause gossip. I had no choice but to ask for your help. Get out! My Lady. General Qi… Then… Where's Jundai? I accidentally broke the Han family's gift. He had his men carry it back just as it was. Maybe he borrowed that large chest. - You wretched thing. - Lady Wei Rao. Wait here. Don't follow me. My Lady, they are the Han family's men. Understood. JIANGYUN HALL - Come on! Hurry! - I'm betting even again. Odd. I'm betting odd. - I'm betting odd. - Even! - Open it! - Even! - Even! - Odd! What a wonderful night. - What's wrong? - This is bad. My dear, your granddaughter is truly the finest young lady in the world. You raised her well. Come, let me toast you. After tonight, who in the capital won't know this wonderful young lady has just married into your Lu family? Come. DUKE'S RESIDENCE You don't need to see me any farther. My child, you did very well. No one could have done better. Go on back. Grandmother. I hear a distant cousin has come from our hometown who looks so much like me. It's hard to tell us apart. With her here to keep you company, I can leave with peace of mind. But she's unfamiliar with this place and can be rather impulsive. Please look after her and keep her from stumbling into trouble. Don't worry. Go on back. First Aunt. Take care. DUKE'S RESIDENCE Let's go back. I'll go get the medicine and be right back. Who are you, exactly? ‪NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‪IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW