[MULTISUBup]EP16/33 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 A-Chou. What else do you have to say? I have nothing to say. Guards! - Take her… - Stop! Brother Jue! Grandmother is still sick. How dare you disturb her? Something so serious happened at home. If she isn't here, things might end badly. I had no choice but to put that aside. There's no conclusion to this matter yet. Why are you in a rush to pin the crime on someone? Lady Shou'an. She forged the Longlife Lock. The witness has overturned her testimony, and the bribe is right before us. The crime of deceiving an emperor deserves more than a hundred deaths. Are you going to plead for her? It's difficult to judge an old case, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. She was right. The Longevity Lock was forged, but the clothes, shoes, and socks are real. Besides, even though the wet nurse and the guard are dead, there's still a possibility that they were silenced. As long as there are any doubts, we must investigate it. The truth must come to light. - Mother. - I don't want to talk to you. Look at all of you. Each and every one of you is so keen for her demise. What are you trying to do? Maternal Grandmother! She took my title and my identity! She's backing me into a corner. Mother. Listen. Maternal Grandmother must be too senile for her to say those words. Old Madam Wei, their judgment might be clouded, but you are wise. How could you entertain them in this farce? Are you going to take the word of a fickle wretch and a few strings of worthless coins to simply declare her guilty? She is the only offspring left behind by that dearest son of yours. Aren't you going to investigate this thoroughly first to give Wei Jin's soul some justice? Look. A girl as delicate as a flower. How could you? How could you bear to do it, Old Madam? I can't bear to do it. I can't bring myself to do it. But there's evidence. You call that evidence? He can forge one today, and they can forge something else tomorrow. Evidence is dead, but she is a living person. She mustn't be killed. No one touches her. Guards. Take her away for now. Once I investigate this thoroughly, I will make a decision. - Maternal Grandmother! - Lady Shou'an! She used her title as a noble lady to raise troops and gain support. She has 500 men now. If you don't strike before she grows too powerful, you will never get another chance in the future. An outsider has no right to question my decision. Huo Jue, go. Yes. My Lady, I have no choice but to put you through this. This way. This is serious. Any leaks bring trouble. Everyone, please stay here as guests and allow me to welcome all of you as the host. You betrayed me! I'm only going to ask you one thing. Grandmother only had a cold. Why did you burn such a strong calming incense? The physician told many times that she was to stay in bed to recuperate. The medicine and incense used were all based on the prescription. How is that my fault too? I hope you are telling the truth. - I'm really afraid… - Liar. You kept saying that everything you did was for my sake. You said you would do anything for me. Lies. I'm tired. You may leave. I know about many things, but I pretended to be blind. I pretended to be a fool. I kept covering for you, but I would never allow you to harm Maternal Grandmother. This is against humanity. You're on your own now. Indecisive and sanctimonious. I knew he couldn't be trusted. They are all liars. Rao. Aunt Yufeng, why are you here? Please sit. Let me get someone to serve you sugarcane juice. No need. I'm just a little worried about you. What do you plan to do next? That wretch has been captured. It'll be easy to kill her. What are you even worried about, Aunt Yufeng? Silly child. Although she was captured, once the news reaches the Duke's Residence, Lu Zhuo will never give up easily. He will never do anything with my mother around. Don't think you can rest assured just because you have evidence. Besides eating, a person's mouth can be used to accuse others. It only takes an instant to go against one's words. Don't forget. She's not some housewife you can push around. She is Noble Lady Wu'an, who is loved by the refugees. Just wait and see. If she hasn't returned by dawn, someone will rally the refugees to make a scene. When the time comes, even Lady Li will have no choice but to release her, in spite of her reluctance. She really shouldn't be given the title of a noble. She's such a nuisance. What should we do now, Aunt Yufeng? If you don't deal with the trouble at its roots, it'll only cause further trouble. XIANZHUANG Fu. You've always been bright and have a mind of your own. I've never interfered, but this time, you were too reckless. Mother, there was solid evidence. She was stumped, but you kept defending and protecting her time and again. Are you not afraid of upsetting Rao and hurting your relationship with her? I'm not afraid of anything. I'm just afraid that you, my daughter, will regret doing this. You think A-Chou is the real Wei Rao? I've seen many people in my life. The Wei Rao who grew up in the Earl of Cheng'an's Residence was born with a vicious and cruel personality. She's unlike you or Wei Jin. It's all my fault. She only turned this way without a mother to guide and counsel her. I've lived in the palace for many years and have been away from my daughter. But her grandmother and uncle are at Wei Residence. She also has servants to serve her. There's no way they didn't recognize her. You said she was unlike me. Does A-Chou feel like my biological daughter instead? She's like you and unlike you at the same time. Mother, hearing you say that confuses me even more. She is decisive and confident. Her ambitions and shrewdness are qualities that resemble yours. But she is smarter, more benevolent, and cares more about others than you do. These qualities are like her father, Wei Jin. Mother. Are you that sure? Meet that child alone. Have a good chat with just the two of you. Mother. Let me… Let me think this through. Why are you even hesitating? Why do you keep avoiding this and walk around in circles? Being afraid of a child is unlike you, is it not? This isn't like you at all. - Who is it? - My Lord! My Lord, something has happened to Noble Lady Wu'an. Lady Li abducted her while you were escorting His Majesty. Didn't you submit the evidence? We told them everything, but no one believed us. She said the Longlife Lock was fake. That animal, Lv Lun, went against his word and betrayed Noble Lady Wu'an. Lady Shou'an tried to stop them, but I'm afraid it will be futile. Tomorrow at dawn, they will execute Noble Lady Wu'an. - Zhao Bai. - Yes. Gather the men and head to Xianzhuang. Zhao Song. - Lead the army back to camp. - Yes. Wei Rao, wait for me. I will be there. It's heavily guarded here. How did you come in? I am Lady Li's dearest daughter. Do you think the imperial army can stop me? Her indenture contract was burnt… but I still have her parents and siblings. They are her close ones after all. I'm sure she can't disregard their lives and swear loyalty to you. It's only natural. You need to forgive her. Am I right, Bitao? Oh, I've been talking away. You must be hungry. Let's eat first. What? Are you afraid that I might poison you? You're not the only victim here. Yes. I did grow up in a rich background. But Grandmother is old. She can't take good care of me. The servants fawned on the powerful and looked down on the weak. They bullied me for having no parents to rely on. They kept finding ways to take things away from me to line their pockets. I'm just going to share this with you. Someone called Governess Luo gave me less food when I was sick. She told Grandmother that I needed to fast for the sake of recovery. When I recovered, I lured her to the pond in the garden. Then, I pushed her into the pond. Why are you telling me all this? I know you hate Mother. I hate her too. She left me alone in the residence. I was very lonely and afraid. Everyone sided with Third Sister and bullied me. I won't take that silently. All of those who bullied me and took things from me must pay. I've never said this to others. Because they won't understand. But you do. You understand. After all, you have it rougher than I do. You are alone with no one to rely on. No one has ever loved you. The result has been decided, and our identities are confirmed. I don't really need to kill you. As long as you promise me to leave the capital and never return, I can beg Mother to spare your life. Bitao. This is the Double Cavity Pot. XIANZHUANG There's a hidden mechanism inside that can help Rao get her wish. You know what to do. You fool! You can't even do such a simple thing? You are not doing anything wrong. Everyone has to look out for themselves. You are not the one who decides my fate. Don't feel guilty. You mean it? As long as you promise me, I won't trouble you. Let this cup of wine be our pledge. It's a promise. I've never seen someone as stupid as you. A few words from me, and you trusted me completely. Did you know what you drank? It's poisonous wine! You fool! XIANZHUANG We have imperial orders to seal off the manor. No one can enter this place without being summoned. My Lord, please don't cause us trouble. What if I insist on doing that? Rao! Rao! Rao, wake up! Don't scare me, Rao! Rao! How did you… Rao! Don't scare me. Rao! Rao… You murderer! Return Rao to me! Return Rao to me! No. Lady Wei Rao wanted to poison Noble Lady Wu'an, but something went wrong. She ended up drinking the poisoned wine instead. Noble Lady Wu'an has nothing to do with this. Lady Wei Rao was the one who brought the poisoned wine. You can just test the wine. You traitorous servant! You'll die a cruel death! Lady Li! Lady Li! Lady Li! I am Rao's aunt. Seeing Rao die such a tragic death devastates me, let alone you, her biological mother. Lady Li. You must avenge her. Kill this woman. Kill her! Did you do this? Yes. It was her! She did it, Lady Li! Why are you hesitating? Kill her right now! I did it. She tried to kill me with poisoned wine. I only returned the favor. I did it. You… You… Noble Lady Wu'an, this has nothing to do with you. How could you admit it? I've suffered injustices for 16 years. I walked a long, long way alone. I've suffered so much. I thought I finally found my mother, and everything would start to go well for me. No one would ever bully me again. But my mother tried to kill me. Aren't you going to kill me? Do it now! Do it, Lady Li. I beg you to kill her. Do it, Lady Li! Hurry, Lady Li! Let me do it! I'll kill you! - I'll kill you! - Stop her! What are all of you doing? Don't you have a heart? Why didn't you kill her? Why didn't you kill her? Kill her! Rao! Rao! Rao! Rao! This is… How did this happen? How did things come to this tragedy where no one stands to win? All of you are muddled! Muddled! Lady Li! Are you going to see Rao die such a tragic death without avenging her? Are you not going to kill this woman? What's going on? Lu Zhuo, what are you trying to do? This isn't the place to talk. We'll speak in the hall. Bring him here. DEEP CLOUDS, TWILIGHT SEAS Do you recognize him? The bandits' vice leader who ruled South Mountain for 20 years. A ruthless killer who stops at nothing. They rob traveling merchants, yet the imperial court fails to catch them. Their bounties have been posted at the castle gates all year round. That head just now belonged to the leader, Fushan. As for this… Tuhu. 16 years ago, you said a man carried gold up the mountain and hired you lot to kill someone. Every favored servant of the Wei family is here. Who was the one… who hired you to kill? Him! I remember the man has a mole near his chin. It's him. I'm sure. He paid us to kill a man and a woman. Speak. What do they look like? Many years have passed. I don't remember. That man was limping. I think he was a cripple. As for the woman, she was soft and delicate. She also spoke with a Yingchuan accent. Yingchuan accent? Liu, Rao's wet nurse back then, was from Yingchuan. The guards lost Rao and were flogged 40 times as punishment. Hence, all of them had difficulty walking. Take him away. Speak. If you are not going to be honest, your head will roll. No matter how rich you are, you won't be alive to enjoy your wealth. It was Lady Heng'e. She forced me to hire them. What nonsense? Don't make things up! I didn't do it! It's not me! I'm sure Lv Lun was bought off. Lu Zhuo's pulling out everything to save this killer. How can it be me? Lady Li. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. Trust me. You didn't? I didn't. I dare not. - I dare not. - You wretch! Heng'e. What did you do? What did your brother do to offend you that you threw away all conscience? Speak! Lv Lun. When Wei Rao was kidnapped back then, was Wei Heng'e really the mastermind? It was Lady Heng'e who bought the wet nurse off and stole the child. My wife found out about this. She wanted to blackmail her for some money, but Lady Heng'e was more cunning. She found that my wife had once falsified fiscal accounts and used it to blackmail us instead. She forced us to get rid of Lady Rao. How? She wanted us to drown her in quick lime water. You can't bring yourself to do it? I'll do it. Give her to me! How dare you! Both of us were avaricious, but we never intended to harm anyone. Throwing a child into boiling limewater is something even a beast can't do. But if we did not do that, we had no explanation for Lady Heng'e. I had no choice but to be ruthless and left the child on the mountain at night. Next, I went to an orphanage to find the body of a child who died of illness - and report back to Lady Heng'e. - Shut up! So what if you didn't do it yourself? If I hadn't gone to the mountains that night, the child would have been frozen to death. Later, Lady Heng'e brought a girl back and said she was Lady Rao of the Duke's Residence. As for how she found the girl, I really don't know. I really don't. Everyone. Is that so hard to figure out? Wei Rao and Jundai do look very much alike. There can't be such a coincidence in this world. However, Wei Heng'e treated Jundai like her own child and didn't hesitate to kill with a sword for Jundai's sake. Who else, besides Jundai's own mother, would do that? Old Madam Wei. Wei Heng'e is your daughter. You should know Jundai's origin better than anyone else. The child? That illegitimate child? You gave birth to the child? Yes. I gave birth to her. Blame yourself for being biased. Brother fancied Zhou Fu, and you allowed him to turn down his original marriage to marry her. However, I loved Sun and agreed to marry him, yet you said he was just a poor scholar. You forced me to our ancestral home on the outskirts to get an abortion. I would never do that. I did everything I could to keep her alive. Hard as it is, you chose this road. Back then, I did give a chance to that unfaithful man, but he said he would rather take the money than you. You. You disgraceful and immoral wretch. You actually dared to bring this wretched child back into the house. Why shouldn't I do that? Why shouldn't I? When Wei Rao was born, the whole family celebrated. What about my daughter? A wretched child. I hid away in the remote countryside. I didn't even dare call a midwife. When Jundai was born, I had to bite off the umbilical cord myself. It was so unfair to my child. Tell me why! How could you be so unfair? I won't accept this! I won't stand for it! So, you took away Wei Rao and even tried to kill her. She is your niece. She is your brother's only child. If you had even the slightest decency, you wouldn't be so cruel. Lord Lu. You were born with a noble status. You're virtuous and upright. Good for you. My Jundai isn't as fortunate as you. She wasn't born as the heiress of the Duke's Residence. A cuckoo lays its eggs in another bird's nest to ensure posterity. If I hadn't done what I did, Jundai would have stayed in the rural area forever and become a lowly illegitimate daughter. Without the status of a noble and protection from her family, there wouldn't be a future for her. For the sake of my own child, I can't care about anything else. Actually… Actually, I never planned to kill Rao initially. If anyone is to be blamed for all this, then it's your fault, Zhou Fu. My fault? At first, I had intended to give Rao away to be raised by others. But you just wouldn't let her go. You ordered the imperial army, searched the city and question everyone to find her. If you hadn't pushed so hard, the wet nurse wouldn't have panicked and pleaded with me to send her back home. I would never have been so ruthless as to hire someone to kill Rao. Wei Heng'e. You are at fault for everything, and you're still trying to blame someone? - You animal! - Oh my. You're an animal! What did I do to have such a selfish and heartless daughter like you? I spared you in the beginning, and that ended up harming my granddaughter in the end. Rao… I've let you down. I'm so ashamed. Too ashamed to face you. Mother. Calm down, Mother. After all, Heng'e was the one who was blinded by her selfish motives and acted recklessly. You're not to be blamed. Her judgment was probably clouded because she loves her daughter too much. Mother. Old Madam Wei, forgive me for being blunt. If you really cared about your granddaughter, she would never be kidnapped. You would never confuse her with the fake Wei Rao. After all, an impostor can never be the real person. Perhaps no one in the Earl of Cheng'an's Residence has truly cared for her. They are completely different. Their personalities are like night and day. I've never gotten her wrong. Not once. You're her own flesh and blood. How could you make such a huge mistake? It's my mistake. I was drowning in the pain of losing my son and neglected Rao. Bitao. The one who asked you to swap the Lifelong Lock, was it really Wei Heng'e? What Lifelong Lock? I've never swapped something called Lifelong Lock. All of you. Don't celebrate too early. Back then, it was snowing. The child was abandoned on the desolate rear hill. Perhaps she was already frozen to death. Perhaps that child didn't survive. Jundai is a fake. This woman might not be the real thing either. She didn't have any evidence. She's just an impostor! My Lord. We must never show mercy to a vicious woman like her. Don't worry. I have my own ways to make her speak the truth. My Lord, if you punish her severely, it would appear that I am abusing my position. You are my wife. I'm willing to let you wield my power and influence. Let's see who dares defy me. And who dares object to me? I do have something to ask Aunt Yufeng. Why did you ask Jundai to poison me? And why did you kill Jundai in the end? What did you say? I tried to kill Jundai with poison? How did this come about? Aunt Heng'e is a daughter married out. She has no absolute power in Wei family. Buying off a wet nurse and a guard was easy, but swap Jundai into the family was rather difficult. Grandmother could not make a sound decision after losing her son. She lay in her bed all day. All of Wei Residence was under your control, Aunt Yufeng. If she brought in an impostor, how could it fool you, the lady of Wei Residence? You had many close servants in your courtyard. Were they all blind and couldn't recognize anyone? Unless… Old Madam Wei, every servant in Wei Rao's chamber was replaced after the incident. Am I right? Lady Li, Back then, His Majesty's love for you made him furious. He blamed our Wei family for failing to look after the child. We nearly lost our noble title. So all the servants were scapegoats. They were either sold to faraway places or banished to the estate. When Jundai returned, those who served her were taught by the Old Madam to prevent any mistakes from happening again. Or, we can't explain to the imperial court. Replacing all the previous servants for no reason. Obviously, you were up to something. Aunt Heng'e. Only Jundai and I were in the room. Why would I do something so foolish to poison her there? Think carefully. Who told Jundai to come to my room with the poisonous wine? Who, once again, would see Jundai and I cut each other down? On the surface, the person is helping you and Jundai out of trouble but really, he's leading you step by step into the deep end. Guo Yufeng. It was you? You were the one who incited Jundai to poison Wei Rao? It was you who killed my daughter. I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you, Guo Yufeng! Give me back my daughter! Give her back! Let me go! - Give her back to me! - Lady Guo. What's in it for you if Wei Rao and Jundai destroy each other? What did Jundai do to you that you wanted to kill her? If Wei Rao had been poisoned to death, when the truth is revealed, and Lady Li comes to know the facts, she will be beside herself with grief. If Jundai was killed, Wei Rao would die by her own mother's hands. Lady Li abandoned her own daughter and then took her life. by what right will she ever stand in the world? The moral conduct of an imperial consort is there for everyone to see. The position and power she possesses will all go down the drain. Kill the daughter first, and then get rid of the mother. I've seen many schemes on the battlefield, but I've never seen such a nefarious psychological ploy. Guo Yufeng. It is not Jundai you are after. Not even Wei Rao. What you truly seek is to destroy my very soul, isn't it? How clever of you. Let me ask you then. How did you know that I was trying to poison Jundai instead of you? Because you let Bitao to pour the wine. She has been by my side every day. She might betray me, but she is kind and will never intend to kill me. My Lady, I've let you down. I swapped the Lifelong Lock. I did it when you headed to the Wei Residence. The real Lifelong Lock must be in the hands of Governess Zheng in Lady Guo's chamber. Search her chamber. Guo Yufeng. You deserve to die a cruel death! You've been using me all this while. When I was blackmailing the Changs, she purposely rushed in and foiled my plan. I was forced to kneel and beg her. I had to give up many of my assets so she promised to help me keep secrets. So it was all a setup, all your game. I, the poor Wei Rao, and Jundai were all living inside your trap. You and your daughter. One is selfish and greedy, while the other is arrogant and brazen. Blame yourselves instead. I actually envy you. That daughter you've never raised and educated actually turns out to be so intelligent. She even found you a heroic son-in-law, who will take the greatest risk in the world for her. Go against an imperial decree. Refuse to meet His Majesty. For her, he even wiped out a whole bandit's hideout. If he were late by just a little, just a little bit, given your vicious personality, your daughter would surely die in your hands. What a pity. What a huge pity. I'll rip you apart! Why do you hate her so much? Why don't you ask your mother what she did? Shut up. Your ears mustn't be sullied by the words of a crazy woman. Seal her mouth shut. - Stop her from spouting nonsense. - What? Are you afraid? Afraid I'll expose your daughter in front of everyone and shame her? A woman who abandoned her husband and daughter. Everyone in the world knows what she's like. Wei Rao will see her true colors sooner or later. - Shut up! - She can't hide it from anyone else! What can't I admit? I have never feared the tongues of others. Guo Yufeng. You hate me so much and took revenge against me. Isn't it because of your marriage agreement with Wei Jin? He willingly turned down the agreement to marry me. It's all the man's fault, yet you took out your hatred on me. It's all my fault. I pitied you back then and allowed you to marry into the Wei residence. I thought I could save your life and stop the others from badmouthing you, but I didn't expect you to hold a grudge instead. Save my life? You ruined my whole life! Do you think everyone wanted to marry your banal, perverted eldest son? Taking another glance at him makes me sick! Don't forget. Your family was the one that went back on your promise and voided my marriage agreement. It was your dotage and folly that allowed Zhou Fu into this family. That was the cause of everything that happened today. If you have a grudge, just come at me. - Why would you hurt the innocent children? - Zhou Fu, you are smart, cold, and consumed by the desire for power. You think you're above everyone and invincible. A woman's greatest weakness is her children. You are a mother, after all. If your daughter dies, you will feel pain. If you were a little more careless, she would die by your hands. That kind of pain is a pain that tears at your heart and bones, so unbearable that you would rather be dead. Every other form of revenge pales in comparison. I am above such petty retaliation. Guards! Take her away! Lady Li loves her daughter too much. That's why she was misled. Even then, she never really had it in her to do it. You have always been the daughter she loves dearly. Is that so? Mingzhu. No. Rao. I am your mother. Mother… Mother. Then how could a mother not recognize her own child? If it were possible… I would rather you never gave birth to me. Rao. Rao! GUANYUN HALL Rao! Rao! Rao! Rao! Don't push her too far. Get yourself together! Listen to Lu Zhuo. All right. I won't push her. I won't. Go with her quickly. Bring her back safely. All right? Had you known how it'd end, you wouldn't have done it. Mother! - You useless thing! - Stop it! Get lost! You sickly wretch! Mother! Where are you going? What's scaring you? Afraid I'll end it all? I won't. Even if everyone hates me and abandons me, I won't take my own life. - Come back with me. - No! I'm not going back there. I want to be back to my own place. You don't even know where you are going. You won't arrive anywhere like this. - Let go of me. Let go! - I'll take you there. Let go of me! Let go! Lord Lu! Why are you still so foolish? I've never loved you. Not even a day, an hour, or a minute. I've always been using you! You are just the same as Han Liao and Qi Zhongkai. You are just a stepping stone for me. You knew it exactly yet you still rushed headlong into it. Then you are a fool. If you have even a bit of dignity, you should stop clinging to me. What are you doing? I knew you were a cold woman. You can never drive me away. No matter what you say, I will take you back tonight. - We're going home. - Let go of me! Let go! ‪NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‪IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW