[MULTISUBup]EP17/33 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 We weren't expecting a visit from Your Grace at this hour. Maternal Grandmother meant to greet you herself. But something came up at the estate. Please forgive the discourtesy. I meant to arrive before the Xu hour. But the heavy rain slowed us down. Our carriage got stuck in the mud. Enough of that. Take me to your maternal grandmother. - This way, please. - Mother, watch your step. XIANZHUANG You want me to spare those two vile women? They kept Rao and me apart for decades. They tried multiple times to turn us against each other. I would gladly see them put to death by a thousand cuts. No. Even if the Duchess yourself pleads for them, I will never forgive them. Your Ladyship, it's precisely for Rao's sake that we cannot openly have them sentenced to death. Noble Lady Wu'an just received her title. She's already drawn plenty of envy. If we hand Lady Heng'e and Lady Guo over to the authorities, it may feel satisfying for the moment. But it will also expose Rao to gossip. Your Ladyship, I know it pains you to see your daughter suffer. But if outsiders start questioning, mocking her background, saying her father was a gambler and she even killed someone… Then we may blame the world for it. My daughter did nothing wrong. Of course we know Rao is innocent. But outsiders may not be so forgiving. You must think of her future. It's best to bury this matter for good. I just saw Wei Heng'e. She's lost her mind completely. We could simply have her strangled. But after all, she's Old Madam Wei's own daughter and Rao's own aunt. If we kill her now, Rao's ties to the Wei family will be severed for good. Xianzhuang is too close to the capital. Word could easily get out. Let me take her. She'll do hard labor on the Lu family's northern estate and spend her life in exile. If we show her this mercy, the Wei family will be deeply grateful and repay Rao a thousandfold. As for Lady Guo… Since Duchess of Ying has pleaded for her, I'll spare her life. DEEP CLOUDS, TWILIGHT SEAS But Lady Guo… I'll deal with her myself. What do you intend to do with her, Your Ladyship? She'll serve at Zunshan Shrine for life, devoting each day to prayer and penance to atone for her sins. Noble Lady Wu'an has a high fever. Get the physician, now. - Yes. - Hurry! It's cold and pouring outside. Governess feared you might catch a chill. So she had ginger tea prepared. My Lord, you may not know how to do it. Let me. Leave us. Are you killing me? I don't know how much you've suffered, but I can imagine. Don't act like you know everything. How much do you really know? The mother you longed to see… She let you down. No matter how many people try to persuade you, you have every right not to forgive her. After all, they never had to suffer like that. And they have no right to tell you how to feel. But I want to ask you one thing. Will you give up your title as Noble Lady Wu'an? Never. I earned this title myself. I won't give it up for anyone. The title carries immense responsibility. Countless people under your rule depend on your protection. You can be angry and disappointed. You can grieve. But you only get tonight. What's in your mind? My birth mother is the Emperor's beloved Lady Li. Now I can really throw my weight around. Well, impressive. - What are you doing? - Try to put you to sleep. When my cousin was sick, Mother always did that. This feels awkward. Move away. My Lord, His Grace wants to see you. The physician is here. Give Her Ladyship cold medicine before she sleeps. Yes. DUKE'S RESIDENCE Luckily, My Lady took the medicine in time. Your fever's gone. Where's His Lordship? Tell me the truth. My Lady, His Lordship went to His Grace's quarters last night. He never came back. The servants said the Duke punished him. Do you realise you were wrong? WANXIANG HALL Give it to me. What did I teach you? Your father and uncles died fighting for our country! You're the Lu family's only hope to carry on our legacy! - Do you remember that? - I haven't forgotten! Your Grace. He's knelt all night and taken forty lashes. He can't take any more. Your Grace, please calm down. Don't hit him again. Please, Your Grace. Tell me. Yesterday, Qi Zhongkai led several censors to block His Majesty's carriage. Was that your idea? His Majesty moved ahead the Grand Review. That already violated protocols! You still dare lie to me? You left your duties behind. Where did you go? Lu Zhuo. You're my most trusted eldest grandson. From a young age, you were upright and steady, careful in speech and firm in action. At thirteen, you followed me into the army. led a thousand horsemen into twenty thousand enemy troops, and still brought back their commander's head. You were a hero without equal. I may have lost three sons, but I still had you. You were my greatest pride, the Lu family's only hope. How could you? How dare you? If you still call me Grandfather, then tell me the truth. When you went after the bandits on South Mountain, who did you really do it for? I fought them to keep the people safe. There's no need to ask more, Grandfather. You won't tell me? Then I'll beat the truth out of you! - Stop! He can't take any more! - Stop! - Move! - Stop! - Please stop! - Get out of my way! I'll beat him to death! If my son did wrong, it's because I, as his mother, failed to educate him. Your Grace, punish me instead! Mother. - Move aside. - No. No… Someone, pull Mother away! - No! No! - Madam. Forgive us. - No! - Forgive us, Madam. Let go of me! Enough! Mother, how am I supposed to live? - Please calm down, Your Grace! - Don't hit him anymore. This is all my fault. Please don't blame His Lordship. What are you doing here? Go back. Traveling merchants are often harassed by South Mountain bandits. The northern army has repeatedly failed to stop them. His Lordship was upset when he heard. I was angry at the injustice, so I told him the men who abducted me as a child were also bandits from South Mountain. That's why His Lordship led troops against them. It's all my fault. I never should've told him. Please punish me as you see fit, Your Grace! You… Enough, enough. Even His Majesty took the censors' advice and returned to the palace. He didn't even punish the Lu family. So why are you so furious? Those South Mountain bandits have plagued the area for years, harming countless people. Lu Zhuo wiped them out. That's good for the country and the people. No matter how grave his mistake, a whole night on his knees is enough. Rao, help Lu Zhuo back. Hurry. - My Lord. My Lord! - Zhuo! - My Lord! - Zhuo! Enough. Your son is only injured. He's not dying. Stop crying! You're giving me a headache. You heartless old fool. If anything happens to Lu Zhuo, I'll never forgive you! I regret choosing the wrong woman for him. What do you mean? I knew at once who he was covering for. What he needs is a wife who can run his household and manage the family estate, a proper principal wife from a respectable family, not some celebrated Noble Lady or a beautiful, seductive wife. Even worse, she is someone inciting the husband to neglect his work and chase around her. I regret it now. I never should've arranged his marriage with a Wei daughter. My Lady. Let me take the medicine in. Rao caught a chill yesterday. Zhuo has plenty of people tending to him. You should go back and rest. Thank you, Mother. I don't want His Lordship catching my illness either. Thank you, Governess Miao. It's my duty. You needn't ask, My Lady. You're never satisfied. Have you forgotten when Lu Zhuo was dying, who kept her word and married him to save his life? He'd finally recovered, and now you've beaten him half to death. And you still fault his wife for being too beautiful? Have you forgotten how she risked her life to defend our family at the ancestral temple? You stubborn old fool! You… Women's logic. Thank goodness. You're awake! Thank goodness. Your wife is sick too. So I sent her back to rest. If you want to see her, I'll send for her. No need. There's still much to do at the barracks. Lie down. Come on, lie down. You nearly died last time. You've barely recovered, and now you've been whipped. The physician warned us again and again that you mustn't overexert yourself. You absolutely cannot get up. Do you hear me? Stay in bed. - Don't get up. - Exactly. Hopeless. Ignore that stubborn old man. What he needs is a wife who can run his household and manage the family estate, a proper principal wife from a respectable family, not some celebrated Noble Lady or a beautiful, seductive wife. Greetings, Noble Lady Wu'an. Was Zhuo punished because of you? SHIZHAI Uncle died young. So the burden of the Duke's Residence fell on Zhuo at an early age. And he's always been serious and reserved. He trains before dawn and studies at dawn. He works tirelessly every single day, yet never once complains. As his wife, it's your duty to stay by his side. How can you spend every day at your estate? Do you know what people are saying? Saying what? Your estate is full of male scholars. Some people say you're an unfaithful wife who's picking out lovers for yourself. Every prominent family in the capital knows about the Wei family's past. But you didn't watch your behavior. You even encouraged Zhuo to act recklessly. Do you know this is the first time His Grace has ever reprimanded him? What? Afraid I'll use my authority as Noble Lady Wu'an to have you seized and severely punished? I've always had a bad temper. And from now on, it'll only get worse. You can't afford to cross me. So stay out of my way. Go. Take good care of Lu Zhuo. I won't stop you from fawning over him. He earned that glory on the battlefield with his own blood! And you'll be the one to ruin it. Wei Rao, please leave my cousin alone. SHIZHAI ZUNSHAN SHRINE Your Ladyship, Noble Lady Wu'an sent back both the physician and the medicine. She's my daughter, all right. Once she digs in her heels, no one can change her mind. Your Ladyship, the palace has sent messengers three times. His Majesty keeps urging you to return. What's the rush? There's still one important matter I haven't dealt with. I'll explain it to him when I return. MAY THE FRAGRANCE ENDURE FOREVER After all the sins you've committed, no matter how devoutly you pray, why would heaven ever protect you? What? Here to mock me now that I've lost? Zhou Fu, do you really think you've beaten me? The first time I saw her, I knew she was that child. Then I had a wonderful idea. I'd make the two of them mortal enemies. I wanted to see which one you'd kill. You and Wei Jin were once engaged, but you'd barely even met. So why do you hate me this much? Back then, I came from a powerful family. In the capital, I was known for both beauty and talent. My parents searched far and wide and chose the most handsome and talented young man in the capital. I was overjoyed. Wei Jin insisted on ending our engagement. He made me the laughingstock of the capital. I was proud and headstrong. I tried to hang myself. To appease me, the Wei family offered me as the Earl's principal wife. I agreed at once. All I wanted then was to marry into the Wei family. I wanted Wei Jin to see what kind of woman he'd missed out on. I wanted him to regret it for the rest of his life. So you've resented me all this time. I thought you were the only one in the Wei family who was decent and kindhearted. You were always so good to me. Back then, you were both in newlywed bliss. How could you ever notice someone else suffering in silence? I regretted the moment when I married into the Wei family. Wei Jin was clearly handsome, and gifted in both scholarship and combat. Yet his older brother was a useless, lecherous fool. I'd been married less than three months, and not one of my maids escaped his advances. Disgusting. Shameless. A parasite obsessed with rank and status. Every time I saw him, I wanted to throw up! So you hated me even more. When you were pregnant, I once went to Wei Jin's study to bring him ginseng soup. Do you know what happened? A loving marriage? Faithful to each other? It's all a lie. All men are the same. Even the honorable Wei Jin was no exception. He threw you out, didn't he? I thought he'd expose me, call me shameless for seducing my husband's own brother, and ruin my reputation. But he… He simply walked out and quietly called my maid in. Afterward, he never told anyone. Instead, he went to my family's home himself and brought my mother back to talk some sense into me. You're insane. How could you do something like that? What if someone had found out? Did you ever think what would happen to you? You were the ones who ruined my life! Why should I let you live happily? I meant to take everyone down with me! But Wei Jin was too foolish, too honorable! He went to his older brother and gave him a stern talking-to. He warned him again and again to treat his wife well. It never even occurred to him that I had deliberately tried to ruin him. He was such a good man. Even someone as vicious as me couldn't bear to hurt him. But you… You! He died alone on the battlefield, in agony and despair. And you turned around and abandoned him, abandoned his daughter, and sought favor with the Emperor! If heaven won't punish a vicious woman like you, then I'll do it myself! I own what I've done. I won't deny it. If you hate me, come after me. Why did you hurt my child? You keep saying you never forgot Wei Jin. If he knew what you'd done, would he be thanking you for hurting his only child? He'd only hate himself for ever showing kindness to an ingrate like you. He'd want to kill you himself! Wei Jin… After all these years, do you really think I never once suspected Madam Chang? I chose not to investigate. That was the greatest mercy I could show you. Oh, please. You call that mercy? I saw through you long ago. You only dared bully a child. You never dared confront me. Because deep down, you're guilty, a coward, and utterly useless. Have you forgotten you have two daughters too? Before you did this, didn't you think of them at all? If the truth ever came out, what do you think I'd do to your daughters? M-My Shu is Prince Duan's wife. The married one is harder to get to for now. But you still have Wei Chan. A young, lively girl is bound to go out for spring outings. Maybe one day, she'll end up just like my Rao and vanish without a trace in the capital. If you hurt either of them, you'll kill Old Madam Wei! I don't want to go too far. I'll punish only the one truly responsible. Lady Guo, I never want to see you again. Zhou Fu, you have His Majesty behind you, and the whole world is on your side. But I still made a fool of you for sixteen years. Sixteen years apart from your daughter has filled her heart with resentment she'll never let go of. That sixteen-year rift between you can never be repaired! You think I've lost? You haven't won either. You've lost your daughter forever! That's victory enough for me! I may have wronged everyone, but I stayed true to the love I once had! Even after I die, I'll tell him that he was wrong about you and wrong about me… You were wrong about me. A wet nurse's daughter, a widow, could still become an imperial consort. Guo Yufeng, I don't believe what's broken can't be mended. I, Zhou Fu, as long as I'm still breathing, will win my daughter back and turn everything around. But you, you're already dead. No more chance for you. Grandmother, what did Mother do wrong to be sent away to a convent? She's managed the Earl's Residence all these years, and everyone there respects her. Didn't you always praise her as the most devoted daughter-in-law in the capital? Why would you suddenly send her to a convent for no reason? Please let Mother out. At the very least, please let me go in and see her! Father. Please, think of all Mother has done for this family. Put in a good word for her with Grandmother. - Father… - Get out of my way! Your mother spoiled you rotten. His Majesty spared me for failing to control my household and letting my wife commit such crimes. That's mercy enough. And you want me to plead for her? Do you want your father stripped of his office and title? What a disgrace to this family. How did I marry such a shameless woman? Grandmother, please. Your mother made a grave mistake. She had to be punished. I wish I could help you too. Dowager Lady, terrible news! Dowager Lady, Lady Guo… She hanged herself at the convent! - Dowager Lady! - Good riddance! - Death wipes away all sins. - Dowager Lady! At least she had some shame left! LOTUS ROOM I'm going to Mother… I'm going to Mother! Chan! You… you… You heartless man! No matter what she did, she was still your wife. You're beyond disgraceful! Shameless! Utterly shameless! Our earldom has endured for a century. How could I let a woman's crimes destroy our family's reputation? Now that she's dead, Lady Li won't blame the Earl of Cheng'an's Residence anymore. I did this for our family's future. Mother. We'll tell everyone that she died of a sudden illness. Even when we notify Prince Duan's Residence, we must keep the truth hidden. But Wei Shu is naturally a very perceptive child. Her… Her mother died so suddenly. How could we possibly hide it from her? Why are you still sitting here? Hurry and bring Chan back! - Bring her back! - I'll go right now! You… Don't worry, Dowager Lady. GRACE AND VIRTUE - Move! - Who are you? - Lady Chan, help! - How dare you seize people here? - Move! Hurry! - Lady Chan, help! Governess Zheng, what's going on? - Wei Rao got Madam killed! - Move! Hurry! Lady Li is the one who got your mother killed! - Never forget that! - What are you doing here? - Tell me! What are you doing? - Father! Wei Rao got Mother killed! And Lady Li from the palace was involved too! Tell me! Is it true? I'll tell you! I… I'll tell you! - Guards! Drag Lady Chan to her room! - Hurry! - Without my order… - Move! she is not to leave! - This isn't over! - Hurry! I'll tell Shu! - Shu is Prince Duan's wife! - Shut your mouth! - She'll avenge Mother! - Take her away! Now! She'll never forgive you! I will tell Shu! GRACE AND VIRTUE My Lord, the physician said you shouldn't be getting out of bed. - I'll get your medicine. - No need. Where's Wei Rao? These injuries were partly for her sake. She hasn't even visited me. Her Ladyship is in the storeroom. - I'll get her right away. - Wait. I'm this badly hurt, and she's still counting inventory? If I have to beg her to come, she won't mean it anyway. Forget it. I told you not to go, and you actually listened? Yes, My Lord. I'll go now. Wait. What will you tell her? I'll say your wound has gotten worse and you've started talking nonsense. I'll ask Noble Lady Wu'an to come quickly. Why are you still here? Heartless woman. Finally here to see your husband? Zhuo, are you feeling better? I brought you some food. I hope your wounds heal soon. Take it away. I made all of this myself. Please, Zhuo, just try a bite. It'll help you recover too. My Lady, His Lordship's injuries have gotten worse. He's been barely conscious. When I first came to the Lu family at seven, you'd often check on me, ask how my studies were going, and whether I needed anything. But as we grew older, you became distant. I only came because I was worried about you, yet you keep driving me away. What did I do wrong? His Grace even had you whipped. I know perfectly well who you're trying to protect. She's bad luck. Her father died the moment she was born. {\an8}Sooner or later, she'll get you killed too! Enough! How dare you speak ill of Wei Rao? My father died young too. Are you going to say I was born to bring death to my father? What utter nonsense. When you came to the Lu family, I treated you like my own sister. But I'm married now. If I'm sick, my wife will care for me. And if she can't, I have attendants and medicine servants. It's not for an unmarried lady like you to tend to me. Who let you in? Who taught you such manners? Governess Miao. Governess Miao! Coming! What can I do for you, My Lord? I'm usually away with the army. Didn't know the ladies were raised without discipline. One and the other alike. Ask Grandmother for permission. Tell her I'd like to borrow Governess Li and Governess Bai from her. Starting tomorrow, every young lady in this family will study etiquette at Wanqing Pavilion at the Shen hour. Train them like soldiers. No meals until they get it right. And cut off their allowances. Zhuo, my cousin. Especially the Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial. Copy each chapter 100 times. Then they'll learn some manners. Anything else to say? Good advice is never welcome. Kindness gets us nowhere. You keep taking her side. Then I have nothing more to say! When she drags you down someday, I hope you won't regret it! Where is she? My Lord, do you mean… I didn't ask about anyone. Suit herself. She brought medicine before, but His Lordship sent her away. Who knew she'd come back again today? I'll tell the gatekeepers not to let her in again. What His Lordship does has nothing to do with me. How could it not? Upsetting My Lady would be a grave offense. This is all your fault! How irritating. - Stop following us! - Well. Who has upset our Noble Lady Wu'an now? Fourth Aunt. Did you need me? Someone's been waiting outside for you a long time. I came to ask if you really won't see her. Rao. The Empress Dowager will return to the palace soon. It won't be easy for you two to meet again. Whatever's on your mind, why not ask her face-to-face? Don't bottle it up and make yourself miserable. I have nothing to say to her. Rao. Think it through. Don't rush your decision. I understand. Thank you. Then I'll quietly bring Her Ladyship in. You two can talk in Jiangyun Hall. That way, no one else will be disturbed. Let's go. JIANGYUN HALL Greetings, Your Ladyship. I heard you fell ill after you returned. It was only a chill. I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship. Rao. I won't let what happened to you go unanswered. Lady Guo and Lady Heng'e have both been severely punished. As for your adoptive mother who deliberately deceived you, and the maid Bitao. Please, Your Ladyship, hand them over to me. All right. I'll have them sent to your estate. You may decide what to do with them. Rao. I'm returning to the palace. Before I leave, is there anything else I can do for you? Your Ladyship, why did you marry my father back then? His Majesty wanted me as his consort. But people mocked me for my background. GALAXY OF VERSES They looked down on me and your maternal grandmother. I was young and proud then. I refused to be looked down on. You married him out of defiance? Rao, I don't want to lie to you. Your father was skilled in both scholarship and combat. He was famous throughout the capital for his looks. If I was going to choose a husband, he'd either be the most powerful man alive or the finest man in the world. I never cared what people said about me. But you're my daughter. I swear to heaven, every day your father was alive, I loved him with all my heart and was completely faithful to him. I understand. Rao, whatever you want, I will do everything I can to make it up to you. There is one thing I want. I ask that you grant it, Your Ladyship. BRIGHT AS THE STARS Snap out of it. Snap out of it! You disappeared for four whole days. Even an imperial decree couldn't bring you back. What other consort in this palace gets such freedom? Are you still angry with me? Look. Take a good look. Your eyes are swollen from crying. You already have spies around me, why bother asking? They're the ones who deserve to be punished. And you've already punished everyone who deserved it. They wronged you. I never did anything to you. I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with myself. I thought keeping Rao away from me would spare her from palace intrigue and let her grow up safe. I thought the Wei family would treat her well. But who would've thought that where I couldn't see, she'd suffer so much? I want to make the Wei family pay for every bit of her suffering. From now on, I don't care what anyone says. I'll keep Rao by my side and protect her. Let's see who dares lay a finger on her. Listen to yourself. You always blame everyone else. Are you yourself free of such bias? Enough. Rao is married now. Her husband will protect her. - Come here. - Come on, tell me. What do you want? Sit. What do you want? Write. - Write what? - A divorce agreement. Divorce? - Divorce? - Did I burn you? I'm asking why you want a divorce. Have you forgotten, My Lord? When we first married, we made an agreement. We'd be husband and wife in name only. A loving couple in public, but living apart in private. No beating servants or killing innocents. And you would fulfill your duties as principal wife. In front of others, I'd give you all the honor and respect you were due. After one year, we'd divorce and go our separate ways. We'd each be free to remarry, with no ties between us. If either of us broke our vow, we'd be struck by lightning and burned by fire, then suffer the blade. You swore it yourself, My Lord. That one day, if we broke our vow, we'd be struck by lightning and burned by fire, then suffer the blade. The year isn't up yet. Why are you so eager to divorce me? How could I forget? You have your eye on Qi Zhongkai. General Qi and I are only friends now. For now? What about the future? As for the future, who knows? Our marriage was decreed by the Empress Dowager. A sudden divorce could anger the Imperial Family. You said that yourself. Things are different now. Lady Li promised me she'd ask His Majesty to grant us permission. An imperial decree won't stop the gossip. Divorce won't hurt me. But it could ruin your reputation. People will surely speak ill of you and spread vicious rumors. and drag your name through the mud. - So… - Lu Zhuo. Can we just stay in this marriage? You're a true hero, and a true gentleman. You have the realm in your heart and the weight of it on your shoulders. You deserve a wife from a noble family, a gentle and virtuous woman, not someone like me, who defies every rule and does whatever she pleases. Who put these ideas in your head? You and I, are simply not right for each other. Perhaps I've failed you as a husband. That's why you cast me aside so easily. Wei Rao. I'm not a man you can just leave behind. Unless I agree, you won't leave the Lu family. The imperial decree will arrive any moment. Think whatever you want. You… Lu Zhuo. Lu Zhuo. Someone, come! Someone! - My Lord! - Lu Zhuo! - Lu Zhuo! - My Lord! - Lu Zhuo! - My Lord! ‪NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‪IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW