[MULTISUBup]EP11/33 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 XIANZHUANG DEEP CLOUDS, TWILIGHT SEAS Lady Shou'an, she's here. Child, come closer. Let me have a good look at you. Go on! Mind your manners! I told you again and again to bring her here nicely and do not frighten her! Lady Shou'an, you had me seized at midnight. What do you want from me? What a lovely young woman. Beautiful and poised. You are even more like my granddaughter than Rao. But, child, you're always on guard, always wary. It shows how frightened and uneasy you are. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life walking on eggshells like this? I asked you here today because I want to make you a deal. What kind of deal? You took a place that wasn't yours. How can you ever live in peace? If you're willing to step aside, the Zhou family will compensate you. Everyone knows my eldest daughter married into the Huo family in Jiangnan. Although the Huo family isn't as powerful as the Lu family, they still live in luxury and possess a vast fortune. Huo Jue. Grandmother. The Huo family is open-minded. they don't ask about birth or rank. They only want a smart, capable woman who can handle great responsibility. From now on, she will follow you and do business across the country. The perfect woman is right here. What do you think? I wouldn't dare go against your wishes. I shall abide entirely by Grandmother's decision. You heard him. Once you become Huo Jue's wife, your enemies will become your family. You won't have to fear being silencedñ or losing your life. As for the Lu family, I have my ways. Once you two secretly switch places, I'll keep Jundai out of sight. As time passes, no one will question you anymore. Then this will all be behind us. What are you laughing at? Grandmother is even offering marriage to put your mind at ease. Lu Zhuo may come from a powerful family, but the higher the stakes, the colder his heart. If he ever learns the truth, he'll feel utterly humiliated. He'll be the first one to kill you. The Huo family trades far and wide. Keeping our word matters above all. I've personally agreed to this marriage. I'll treat you well from now on. Come south with me and leave the capital. No one there will know your past. You'll be free, wealthy, and safe. Better than living on the edge, isn't it? If you insist on being stubborn, no one can save you. Thank you for your kindness, Lady Shou'an. How merciful of you to spare my life. As for marrying into the Huo family, I'm not worthy of such an honor. You insolent servant! I'm the Huo family's eldest son. You think I'm not good enough for you? Huo Jue, mind your manners. A lowborn woman may become a noble wife, then die of a sudden illness at home, or die giving birth, or accidentally drown, or fall from a horse and break her neck. There are many ways to make a death look natural. Once I leave the capital, wouldn't my life be entirely in my husband's hands? Who would seek justice for a woman all alone? Lady Shou'an's offer only trades an immediate death for a delayed one. One means dying now. The other means dying next fall. Threats didn't work, so now you're tempting me with rewards. You even used your own grandson as bait. Lady Shou'an, you certainly bet big. You! You think too poorly of us! Who's trying to hurt you? Mother, I told you long ago. This woman is greedy, cunning, and impossible to reason with. - Why waste your breath on her? - Aunt. Mother, you're far too softhearted. Let me handle this. Who in the world would've imagined a lowly night-soil woman would dare impersonate my daughter? Such outrageous nerve! A-Chou, I'll give you one last chance. Kneel, beg forgiveness, and repent for what you've done. Then I'll spare your life. Did you hear me? Kneel before Lady Li and admit your wrongs! Wrongs? Your daughter was the one who made me take her place and tried to kill me time and again. What did I do wrong? The high and low have always had their proper place. You're nothing but a drab little sparrow, yet you keep trying to force your way into a phoenix's nest. You've schemed and stopped at nothing. You are simply too greedy. Nothing could ever satisfy you. That's why you've ended up here. Yet you still dare claim you've done nothing wrong. If I say you're wrong, then you're wrong. Don't you dare talk back to me again! How ridiculous. Wasn't Lady Li a wet nurse's daughter too? Slap her! Aunt. Don't lower yourself by arguing with an ill-mannered lowborn girl. I did nothing wrong. Child, why put yourself through this? Defying Lady Li is punishable by death! Do you truly want to die? Apologize now! What makes something right or wrong? The world isn't that simple. When it's cold and rainy, you fear the silkworms will freeze. When the sun shines bright, you fear the crops will dry out. Clouds harm the silkworms. Sunshine can hurt the crops even more. Even heaven can't always please the farmers. I'm only human. I just want to survive. I just want to live with dignity. As long as I haven't broken the law or killed anyone or set fires, I've done nothing that weighs on my conscience! So what I've done, what right do you have to call it wrong? Silence! I said silence! Do you hear me? No! Should I grovel before you and beg forgiveness? Would you really spare my life then? Since you wouldn't, why should I humiliate myself? In this life, I've knelt and begged more than enough. - You… - Bring it in. You have two choices. Leave the capital with Huo Jue, and never return for the rest of your life. Or I'll have you boiled alive. Then this ends with your death. I won't pursue your crime of posing as a noblewoman, nor will I arrest or punish your family. You decide. EARL OF CHENG'AN'S RESIDENCE Mother, you're still in the mood to tend flowers? The hibiscus you planted in the courtyard was completely ruined by those women in Father's study. Really? Mother! Grandmother kept Father in line before, so he didn't dare behave so shamelessly. But since her eye trouble left her confined indoors, he's become even more muddleheaded. Those flirtatious maids in the courtyard were bad enough. Last month, he even brought in two singers through the side gate. The whole household is in chaos. Children shouldn't speak ill of their father. Your father's affairs are no concern of yours. Look. Two flowers blooming on one branch. How lovely. There. I'll put it right here. Mother never seems to care about anything concerning Father. I truly don't understand. But you seem so happy today, Mother. Is there some good news? The best news ever. Lu Zhuo. I was just coming to find you! Something happened. Wei Rao… I know. Wait for me. I thought you had more nerve than this. Turns out you're nothing special. I hear your real father was a shameless gambler. Like father, like daughter. Dragons breed dragons, phoenixes breed phoenixes. Eagles soar, while rats burrow. Fine clothes and precious jewels can't hide the greed in your blood. It's already dawn. What are you still stalling for? Admit your guilt and surrender. I'll spare your life. My aunt always keeps her word. No one in this house dares defy her. Bow your head and confess! Don't you value your life above all? Even if you only delay your death till fall, at least you'll survive today. I only wanted to see how far a little sparrow like me could go, how high I could fly. Too bad I'll never get the chance. I've done nothing wrong. Kill me however you please. What a stubborn girl. Even now, you still refuse to give up. Or do you really think I won't kill you? Then boil me alive. A-Chou! Lady Li, Lord Lu is here. Perfect timing. He came here himself. That saves me a great deal of trouble. Let's see whether the Lu family really dares oppose me openly. Make her see sense! What are you doing? Let me go! Let me go! What are you doing? Lu Zhuo greets Your Ladyship. You seem to be in quite a hurry, Lord Lu. Where are you rushing off to? I heard Your Ladyship invited Wei Rao here for a visit. I shouldn't have disturbed you, but she's Grandmother's favorite granddaughter-in-law. Grandmother kept asking after her, so I came to take her home. I invited my own daughter here for a reunion. What's the rush? You really are newlyweds, so deeply devoted you can't bear to be apart for even a moment. Rao, come here. Your husband is here to take you home. Your Ladyship, what is the meaning of this? My late husband and I were once deeply in love. We thought we'd grow old together. But fate had other plans. A great battle broke out beyond Qiyang Pass. I lost my husband. Rao lost the father who loved her most. My husband died saving your father. So the old duke made a vow. One day, his heir would marry Rao to make up for her losing her father so young and repay what the Lu family owed the Wei family. We both know exactly who's inside that room. Lu Zhuo. My husband and I had only this one daughter. She was the treasure of our lives. And now, I'm placing her in your hands myself. Treat her well. I used to be spoiled and willful. My foolishness caused many trouble. Mother gave me a stern lesson last night. I deeply regret what I've done. From now on, I'll control my temper and be a proper, virtuous principal wife. My Lord, you're generous and forgiving. Please let go of the past and forgive me. Even pure gold has flaws. So does fine jade. No one is perfect. Rao grew up without proper guidance. So naturally, she became somewhat spoiled. From now on, I'll keep people by her side to guide and correct her at all times. She won't cause trouble again. She'll become a proper principal wife. The past is gone. What matters is what comes next. Now take your wife home. Live in harmony from now on. You can still make a fine couple. My Lord. Lu Zhuo. I know you're a man of honor who keeps his word. You would never break your promise or cast aside what is right. Isn't that so? My Lu family kept the promise and came for the bride. But did the Wei family keep yours? You broke faith first. You refused to board the wedding carriage. So don't dream of another chance in this life! Lu Zhuo! I used to be awful, but only because my parents weren't there to teach me. I never saw Father from the time I could remember. Mother couldn't stay by my side either. Who was there to truly guide me? I wasn't born this cruel. You hate how vicious and overbearing I am. I'll change. I swear I'll turn over a new leaf from this day on. I'll never harm the innocent again. I won't do anything you dislike again. Lu Zhuo, I'm not ordering you. Just take this as a mother's plea. Lu Zhuo! Mother, stop him! - Stop him! - Lu Zhuo, how dare you! Stop! Move! Careful. Lord Lu! Lord Lu! You can't take this woman! She's an impostor. She's been deceiving everyone. Move. You've seen the real Wei Rao with your own eyes. Your wife is standing right in front of you, yet you refuse to even look at her. Instead, you're holding that woman. Have you lost your mind? When I was gravely ill and near death, she came here in the wedding carriage for the lucky marriage. She married me and joined me in honoring our ancestors. She is my lawful wife. As for anyone else, they have nothing to do with me. You heard him, Mother. It's not that I refused to humble myself. That temptress has completely bewitched him. He doesn't care for me at all. I'm the noble daughter of an earl's house, Lady Li's own daughter, yet I'm worth less to him than a lowly night-soil woman! Mother, Lu Zhuo has humiliated me like this, and you still won't stand up for me? I'll hang myself with a rope later! Better that than live in shame for the rest of my life. Lu Zhuo. I tried to reason with you politely to preserve both families' dignity and protect your loyal family's good name. But if you truly anger me, I'll take this before His Majesty. Can the Lu family bear the consequences? Lady Li, is that a threat? Call it a threat or a kind suggestion. I don't care how powerful the Lu family is or how many victories you've won, Lu Zhuo. If you dare humiliate my daughter, I'll make you pay a thousandfold. This woman is an impostor and a murderer. Without my permission, no one can take her away! Quite the show of power, Lady Li. The Lu family's title was earned through real victories. Every honor we gained was paid for in blood. We won't be ruled by a woman of the inner court. Zhao Song. My wife, Lady Wei, freed tenant farmers and aided refugees. She helps the poor and those in need. Everyone in the capital praises her. A petition from the people was presented to His Majesty. His Majesty was greatly pleased. He issued a special decree granting her the title of Noble Lady. Her title is Wu'an. A Noble Lady? His Majesty made her a Noble Lady? Impossible! A woman of such low birth can't hold the same rank as a prince's daughter! Lu Zhuo, you deserve death! For her, you actually petitioned His Majesty for a title? Now, I'm here to take my wife, Noble Lady Wu'an, home. Who still dares stop me? Zhao Song, ready the horses! - You! - Make way! No! She can't leave! Mother, you promised to stand up for me! Kill her for me! Then Lu Zhuo must die too! - Mother! Mother! - Look at yourself! Take her away! Mother! Mother! Mother! Wretch! - Were you burned? - Grandmother. I thought we could use Aunt's authority today to force Lu Zhuo to take Jundai instead. But he actually secured a title for that woman. What do we do now? Are you all right? XIANZHUANG Easy. I won't let you fall. Thank you. You worthless fool! After all I've done fighting for you, you tossed me aside now! Any conscience at all? Her Ladyship is back. My Lord. I have something to tell you. If you didn't say it before, then don't say it now. Go back and tend to your wound. It's fine. Don't worry. After soaking it in cold water, some medicine will take care of it. How did you get hurt this badly? You… DEEP CLOUDS, TWILIGHT SEAS Wait. I'll do it myself. Were you burned? Getting out safely always comes at a price. That must hurt so much… It's nothing. Back when I worked for a living, I suffered far worse injuries. This is nothing. It doesn't hurt at all. It has to hurt. Don't pretend it doesn't. Look at you… - Fool. - Let me see. I'm really fine. Get out of here! - Master, spare me… - Why are you crying? Stop those tears! Make a sound, and I'll beat you to death. You worthless trash. How dare you insult me? Sooner or later, I'll tear you to pieces! Rao. Clean this up. Mother. Leave us. Remember this. No matter what happens, never let your emotions show. If servants see you lose your temper, they'll see right through you. Who would truly fear a master who's fierce outside but weak within? Especially those who serve you day and night. You must treat them even better from now on. Cruelty will only bring trouble later. Mother. You know how badly I've been wronged. I lost my temper. I know I was wrong. Now Grandmother despises me, and the Lu family has cast me aside. If Father were still alive, someone would storm the Lu Residence for me and demand justice. But now I have no one to rely on. Except you, Mother, there's no one else in this world I can turn to… Don't be afraid. I'll always stand behind you. Don't worry. What about your legs? Were your legs burned worse? Lift your robe. Let me see. I'm your own grandmother. There's nothing to be shy about. They're really just burns. They only look frightening. You… Mother. It's all that girl's fault. She's far too vicious. Sit. Sit down. We're family. No need for formalities. We agreed before that we'd only frighten her and make her leave the capital with Huo Jue without a fuss. As long as she never came back, and we appeased the Lu family, the matter would've ended peacefully. Why make things more complicated and let them spiral out of control? You… You lied to me? Don't tell me you really planned to lure that girl out of the capital and secretly get rid of her? Mother. I've never killed the innocent. That woman called A-Chou is a condemned prisoner. She's a murderer. I'm only sending her where she belongs. What's wrong with that? Grandmother. Zhou… Zhou Fu. You've changed. You're still injured. Go get some rest. DEEP CLOUDS, TWILIGHT SEAS Fu… You were once so proud and honorable. Cold on the outside, soft at heart. You couldn't even bear to harm a blade of grass. But ever since you entered the palace, your face isn't the only thing that's grown cold. Your heart has too. That's a human life. How could you…just have her killed? Mother, think about it. Think about where I went. I had to fight to survive. All the hardships I faced… The palace is strict, with eyes everywhere. I used your illness as an excuse just to spend a few days with you. You should understand how hard things are for me. As for that woman called A-Chou, she may mean no harm, but that doesn't mean she won't hurt us. As long as she's living as Wei Rao, she and Rao can never coexist. Would you really sacrifice your own granddaughter for an outsider? Didn't you notice that girl reminds me of someone? What are you saying? Back then, someone knelt right here in this hall, just as defiant, questioning me again and again. I still remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday. How could you have forgotten? I'm not saying you can't remarry. The capital is full of talented men. You can choose any of them, and I'll give you my blessing. But you mustn't marry into that gilded cage. Have you lost your senses? I want to be Empress! What did you say? They used to call me a wet nurse's daughter, too lowborn to be Empress. Now they call me an unfaithful widow, too immoral to be Empress. My husband died, and they openly and secretly bullied me and my fatherless child. They wanted me broken, crying every day. They can dream! The more they say I don't deserve it, the more I'm going to be Empress. Just watch, Mother. I'm going into the palace to carve out a place in this world for myself and my daughter! Zhou Fu! Mother, are you confused? How can you compare me to a murderer? That's not what I meant. I just… I… Impossible. It can't be. Then just say I've lost my senses. Mother, don't be too softhearted. I brought her here today and you used your authority to pressure her. But she wasn't the only one I wanted to test. I also wanted to test Lu Zhuo's intentions. If he'd agreed to my request, forgiven Rao, and taken her home at once, there'd still be room to fix this. But instead, his heart was hard as iron. So A-Chou absolutely cannot be allowed to live. My Lord, you saved my life. I don't know how I can ever repay you. Did you really need me to save you? Why would you say that, My Lord? I was trapped with no way out. If you hadn't arrived in time, I'd have been boiled alive and reduced to a pile of flesh. You've shown me such great kindness. I'm deeply grateful. Even a lifetime of devotion could never repay you. Liar. His Majesty always rewards merit fairly. Worthy men from the countryside can receive fine appointments. You tore up those contracts on the city tower, then won the people's hearts by helping those in need. Everyone praises your kindness and generosity. {\an8}His Majesty {\an8}would never leave such merit unrewarded. But that wasn't enough for you. {\an8}You even brought Qi Zhongkai and Han Liao as witnesses. What do you mean? You know exactly what I mean. Qi Zhongkai is obvious enough. He loses his head whenever he sees you. Everyone knows the Empress Dowager despises Lady Li. They've been enemies for years. {\an8}And Han Liao is kin to the Empress Dowager. {\an8}He's been watching you closely. If you'd truly died at Xianzhuang, {\an8}the Empress Dowager could've used it against Lady Li. {\an8}The entire Zhou family {\an8}would've been dragged into it. Unless Lady Li is truly a fool, she'd never kill anyone at Xianzhuang. {\an8}She was only trying to scare you. I truly pitied those refugees. But you, My Lord, suspect everything. So why did you still seek an imperial decree? Why not let them take me, sell me off somewhere far away, so I'd never trouble you again? Wouldn't you have peace forever? I wasn't trying to help you. I just didn't want that vicious woman into my house. Since you've taken her place, then hold on to it. If you dare give up halfway, I'll be the first to make you pay. No matter what, you saved me, My Lord. That makes you my benefactor. Whatever reward you want, I won't refuse you anything. In the name of repayment, you seek to mend old ties with me. And if you're lucky, you'd bear my child and secure your life. Well, well, Wei Rao. Am I part of your next move too? Then you underestimate me. I don't want false affection. Forgive me for disturbing you. I've never met a woman like you. I can never tell when you're sincere and when you're pretending. I can never read your heart. Let me remind you. Sweet talk and false affection will never win you a sincere heart. Only those who live in comfort and without fear can afford sincerity. All I learned growing up was how to beg and survive. If you want my body, or a smile meant to please you, I can give you both. But don't ask me for something I can't give. A sincere heart is too precious. I don't have one to give. What are you doing? His Lordship ordered us to redeem all the jewelry you pawned. He also said that now you're a Noble Lady, you shouldn't dress too plainly. He had the storeroom opened so you can choose what you like tomorrow. Lu Zhuo. Why are you so good to me? Bitao, you're Noble Lady Wu'an's favorite now. I suppose you've forgotten how Madam once helped you. Her Ladyship will suspect something if she wakes and I'm gone. I don't have time for your nonsense. Madam told me to remind you to watch that woman's every move. If she does anything unusual, report it to Madam first. What exactly is Madam planning? That's none of your concern. Madam will give you orders when the time comes. If you slack off even a little, your whole family will pay with their lives. DUKE'S RESIDENCE My Lady. My Lady, please save us! My Lady! Please save us! - Steward, go see what's happening. - My Lady! - What's going on? - So many people kneeling outside. What's so alarming? - Let's go see. - Please save us! Please save us! - My Lady! - Go tell His Lordship. Hurry. Please save us! Please save us! ‪My Lady! What's going on? - They're here to see Lady Lu, - Please save us! - No, to see Lady Wu'an. - Please save us! - Me? - Yes. Please save us! Please save us! My Lady! - Sir, please get up. - My Lady, please save us! My Lady, you kindly freed us from our contracts. Word has spread throughout the capital. At the foot of Mount Yaowang, over 300 farming families, more than 2000 people, have all benefited from your kindness. They all wish they could kneel here and thank you. But none of them can write, so they put their handprints on these bamboo slips. Every last one of them. They asked us to bring this to you. Please accept it, and take us under your protection. Yes, My Lady. Please take it. Please take it, My Lady. Please take it. They've all come to seek Noble Lady Wu'an's protection. Please, My Lady. Sir, I freed you so you could live as free people. I don't need tenant farmers, much less servants. Please, everyone, go home. - My Lady, please don't abandon us! - Please don't abandon us! - Please don't abandon us! - Please! - Please get up. I can't accept this. - I won't get up. Please get up. You freed them from the cruel Han family and made them free people. That was indeed an act of kindness. But the capital's nobles and powerful families see people and land as prizes to seize. Why would they let them go so easily? Once they lose their protector, they'll end up as something everyone fights over, and face an even worse fate. ‪Is there really no other way, ‪Your Ladyship? Don't forget, Whenever a countryman rises in power, families of modest means hand over their land and homes, gladly becoming tenants and servants. All they want is to be safe. They all come to you because they chose you to be their true protector. My Lady, please… Please take us in! ‪Please take us in! - Please take us in! - Please! - My Lady! - Please take us in! ‪Take us in! - Take us in! - Please! Please take us in, My Lady. ‪Take us in, My Lady. - Please don't abandon us. - Please take us in! ‪Don't abandon us. I can't help you. Find someone else. - My Lady! - My Lady! - Please! - Please save us! - Please! - Look. Still just a sheltered woman. Even if I gave them to you for free, would you dare take them? My Lady! Please save us! My Lady! Please take us in! - Please save us! - My Lady! - We have nowhere else to turn! - Please save us! Please have mercy, My Lady! Please save us! Please take us in! All right. You have my word. My Lady will be our protector from now on! My Lady is our protector! Please, get up. Thank you, My Lady! Let's go! My Lady is truly kind! We have someone to protect us now! Why did you suddenly change your mind? I refused because I can barely protect myself. I couldn't protect them. But then I realized something. We make our own fate. "We make our own fate"? What do you mean? I've seen it myself in the Lu family. Every great noble house has its own retainers. So a Noble Lady appointed by the Emperor can certainly have them too. What are you planning? I'll train the young and able into my own guards to protect me. As long as I live another day, I can protect them for another day. Every region needs officials to govern it. Rather than let corrupt officials hold power and make the people suffer, I would rather take that position myself. I know I can do better than any of them. No one ever taught you this, yet you figured it out on your own. You truly are clever. Watch your step. My Lord, My Lady, the Empress Dowager summons you. Wei Rao. Do you know your crime? The Empress Dowager must have a reason for summoning us privately. I fear Han Liao has already accused you before Her Majesty. You mean the Empress Dowager knows who I really am? Will you confess or not? I confess my guilt. I deserve death! Good. Confess your crime honestly, and name the mastermind. I may show mercy and spare your life. ‪NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‪IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW