Love of Nirvana (2024) s01e13 Episode Script

1
♪Flower petals have fallen,
piling as high as mortal mercilessness♪
♪Gone with the wind,
as if it has never existed♪
♪I ask for more time♪
♪To rewrite our stories♪
♪We travel together in joys and woes♪
♪Blood bathes this entangled destiny♪
♪For the next reunion
in the troubled times♪
♪We tread a treacherous path♪
♪To find each other♪
♪Wars and bleakness,
the bright moon shines upon the city♪
♪I will offer my bravery♪
♪Fighting relentlessly♪
♪All for no regrets♪
♪In this life-and-death battle,
I will not back down♪
♪Withstand enduring time♪
♪Someone at the end of the world
never leaves♪
♪I brave the grim haze
to be with you once again♪
=Love of Nirvana=
(Based on Xiao Lou's novel of the same name)
=Episode 13=
Ziming.
Young Master,
look out for this dagger.
Split up and ask around.
Be thorough.
(Harvest Rice Shop)
Come on, take a bite.
Easy there.
Such a big bite.
It's good, right?
Yes.
It's good.
A big bite for you.
Big one.
Miss Jiang.
Ayan.
Come.
I just brewed some hot tea.
Try it.
All right.
Here.
These are the oranges I planted.
Try it.
I won't hold back then.
Sure.
Over the past few days,
we've covered
every corner of Nanling,
inside and out.
The rice prices at
all the major shops are normal.
Nanling is a lot calmer
than it seems.
But the calmer it is,
the stranger it feels.
It's like someone is pulling
the strings behind all of this.
Shaojun,
who in Nanling
could possibly have
that kind of power?
Those in the thick of it
often miss the big picture.
Why don't we hear what Ziming thinks?
We might need to start
with the families and friends
of those craftsmen.
See if we can find
any flaws in their story.
What's wrong?
Are you feeling unwell?
No,
I might have caught a chill
on the boat earlier.
Have something warm.
It'll warm you up.
All right.
What's that over there?
Is that rice?
How could there be rice
at this time of year?
That's Zizania grass.
The stalks can be used for cooking.
It's tender and delicious.
The seeds, called manoomin wild rice,
can be used to make cakes
or porridge.
You can eat that?
Let's go gather some and try it.
All right.
Come on.
Your Lordship,
I've heard there are crabs
in the water over there.
We'd like to go catch some.
Go ahead.
Be careful.
Careful.
Miss Jiang,
this isn't the season for crabs.
You don't get it.
His Lordship just likes
hearing pleasant things.
His Lordship is very good to you.
Is he not good to you?
What good is someone else
being nice to you?
They're kind to you today
and take their kindness
back tomorrow.
What really matters is that
you are good to yourself.
Miss Jiang, you're very carefree.
You must not have
experienced the feeling
of having your fate intertwined
with someone else's,
sharing a deep connection.
Once you've felt that,
you'll know how terrifying
it is to be alone.
I'd only ever heard my master
talk about wild rice before.
This is my first time seeing it.
Look at this.
Miss Jiang,
what is this?
This is manoomin wild rice.
In times of famine,
poor people use it
to fill their stomachs.
All these in the wetlands over there
have been harvested.
Ci, are you saying there are people
suffering from famine in Nanling?
The last time I had porridge
at the rice shop,
I found it strange
that they used old rice to make it.
What's wrong with old rice?
Nanling is known for its
rich harvests of fish and rice.
This year's rains were plentiful,
so crops have increased.
If that's the case,
why are the rice shops selling old rice
instead of fresh rice?
Old rice is meant for reserves,
and it doesn't taste
as good as fresh rice.
But the rice shops are charging
fresh rice prices for the old rice.
Small business owners
might grit their teeth
and buy the old rice,
but poor families
can't afford to pay fresh rice prices
for old rice.
That's why they have to
harvest manoomin wild rice
to survive.
How large did you say
that wetland area was?
It stretches for about 5 kilometers.
If all the manoomin wild rice in that
ten-mile stretch has been harvested,
it means a lot of people in Nanling
can't get enough to eat.
But where are they now?
Looks like the problem
isn't with the production
but with the rice shops.
Sanlang, you're right.
I'll investigate
the major rice shops,
and you look into where
the starving people have gone.
What do you think?
Sounds good.
Your Lordship,
with so many hungry people in Nanling,
I'd like to help with
the investigation as well.
Ci,
you did well this time,
but the case is complicated,
and the road ahead is uncertain.
I can't put you in danger.
Stay at Changfeng Estate.
Don't add to trouble.
(I made this for you.)
I've found out that out of the eight
rice shops in the city,
three are controlled by Second Master,
two by Fourth Master,
and the remaining three have investments
from all the family branches.
They're stealing the people's food.
These clans are heartless!
The truth isn't clear yet.
Why are you getting agitated?
That grain is the lifeline
of the people.
I don't believe that they
aren't making a profit.
Your Lordship,
even if there's something on
with the rice shops,
it might not be connected
to the weapons case.
Under what circumstances
would a rice shop
have no fresh rice to sell?
If it's not due to a poor harvest,
then perhaps
They've run out of money.
Your Lordship, are you saying
the rice shops are broke,
so they're passing off
old rice as fresh?
If the treasury is empty
and they can't afford fresh rice,
they'd have no choice but to bring
in old rice from surrounding granaries
as a temporary fix.
Do any of the clan members
control the granaries
in the north, south, east, or west?
The clans control
the eastern and western granaries.
You two, head to those
granaries immediately.
If I'm right,
the rice stored there
has definitely been tampered with.
Yes, Your Lordship.
My Lord.
I couldn't help it.
It's too cold out there.
You'd better have found something.
I've managed to track
a few Changfeng Guards,
but there's still no sign
of the Yan Sisters.
The weapons case is
at a complete standstill.
Do you think Pei Yan
still has the focus to search
for the Yan Sisters?
Keep watching.
We can't afford to let our guard down.
However,
I've uncovered something else.
Speak.
You asked me
to look into Jiang Yuan
from Internal Affairs Bureau
and Zhao Wu he mentioned.
Godfather,
Zhao Wu
I found out
that Zhao Wu was an attendant
responsible for guarding
the palace's water gate 20 years ago.
He was executed for dereliction of duty.
20 years ago
The palace's water gate
That's right.
A little over a month ago,
someone spread the word
that Zhao Wu had a wife and children
before he entered the palace,
and his descendants
have been living in Nanling ever since.
Nanling
Just over a month ago
Around the time of
Madam Rongguo's birthday banquet.
It was the Yan Sisters!
That night, while I was on duty,
I saw two maids taking
Prince Qi away by force.
Zhao Wu had a wife and children
before he entered the palace.
I don't feel comfortable
to let Pei Yan go alone.
Keep an eye on him for me.
Return to the Pei Residence
and reflect on your actions.
Without my order,
you are not allowed to leave.
His Majesty didn't punish
Pei Yan at all.
He's obviously protecting him.
If the Pei family is involved,
I will put justice before family ties.
His Majesty suddenly visited
the Pei Residence at that time.
Could it have been for this?
That's too much of a coincidence.
Teng Rui once said
he saw the Yan Sisters
taking Prince Qi away.
But how could two assassins
break through
the heavily guarded palace?
I suspect
they must have escaped
through the water gate
that Zhao Wu was guarding
and fled the palace.
Are you saying
Zhao Wu helped
the Yan Sisters escape?
It's hard to say
whether he let them go or not.
The water gate
is usually guarded
by 20 Imperial Guards
and one servant.
If Zhao Wu wasn't killed on the spot
and was instead executed
later for dereliction of duty,
he might have been
the only survivor at the time.
Have you looked into
Zhao Wu's background?
Zhao Wu was from Shuzhou.
Before entering the palace,
it's said he had a family
and left descendants,
but he lost contact with them
after entering the palace.
Zhao Wu's descendants have
been living in Nanling ever since.
His Majesty might have grown wary
of the Pei family because of this.
If Zhao Wu left some kind of secret
with his family,
it could very well
be connected to the Yan Sisters.
Send people to track down
Zhao Wu's descendants.
Yes, My Lord.
Speaking of which,
when is your spy
going to steal the annotated book?
Or did she refuse
and storm off again?
As the Deputy Commander
of the Light Guard,
how could I entrust
such an important task to anyone else?
You're the perfect choice.
Great,
looks like it's fallen on me again.
Where are you going?
To find something to eat.
I'm hungry too.
What are you looking at?
So this is manoomin wild rice cake.
It's not like it would ever
catch your fancy.
It's your Lord Pei
who kept you out of this.
Why are you taking it out on me?
I grew up in Jiang Village.
I know how important
a meal is to ordinary people.
So many people are starving now.
How could I just sit by and do nothing?
Do you know
why Pei Yan had me
investigate the famine
while he looked into
the rice shops himself?
The Pei family's influence in Nanling
runs deep and wide.
Pei Yan isn't sure whether
the famine is connected
to the Pei family in Nanling,
so he has to keep control
of the rice shop investigation.
Are you saying
that His Lordship is
investigating the rice shops
to protect the Pei family,
not to help the starving people?
What about you?
Would you give it your all?
What are you doing?
You've taken my cake,
so now you owe me.
Give it your all
to find those starving people.
Miss Jiang, what are you really up to?
What could I possibly be up to?
While you have
all your attention on the case,
I'll take the opportunity
to retrieve the clay cat.
How does that Shameless Cat
manage to hide things so well?
Clay cat?
It's a candy cat.
Shameless Cat.
Happy now?
You're messing with me again.
You won't touch Pei Yan's things,
but you didn't hesitate at all
to rummage through mine.
That clay cat was mine to begin with.
What's wrong with me
looking for my belongings?
On the other hand,
your motives aren't pure.
You didn't come to Nanling
to investigate the case,
and you definitely
aren't giving it your all.
You're used to planning every step,
so you wouldn't do anything
that doesn't benefit you.
Miss Jiang, you're right.
But even someone like me
has a truth they want to uncover.
And the price of that truth
is far heavier
than you think.
Forget it.
Since none of you are willing to help,
I'll investigate on my own.
There's one thing you got wrong.
I have
given it my all.
(Nanling, a deserted temple
in the west of the city)
Move along!
Go lie down there.
Those famine people are being held here.
How did you find out?
When I saw a flaw,
I just followed the trail.
Why are they being held here?
Maybe to keep them quiet,
or maybe
to protect
the carefully maintained peace
in Nanling.
Was it the Pei family who did this?
Hard to say.
Food's here!
Don't fight for it.
Move!
Let me tell you,
all of you better behave
and stay right here.
Act like good dogs,
and I might
reward you with a meal.
But if any of you dare to
run around and complain,
I'll kill you!
Stop fighting!
What are you fighting for?
Get back!
You beggars,
if you keep fighting, nothing to eat!
You little beggar!
I
Take this!
Take this!
- Don't hit my brother!
- Take this!
You little beggar!
Stop! Stop right there!
Stop!
Come here!
Give it back!
Wuxia,
are you all right?
Come.
Get up.
Let me see.
It's all right.
Let's go.
I have a way to sneak in
and find out what's going on.
Sir
Go away.
Please
Don't affect my business.
Go away.
Sir, just give me
- Sorry.
- Just a bite.
Go away.
Go away.
Go away.
Go away.
Vegetables!
Vegetables!
Fresh vegetables!
Stand still.
I knew something didn't seem right.
This is better.
Commander Wei,
sometimes
there's no need for bloodshed.
An indirect approach
can work just as well.
Sir,
could you spare some food?
I have no food to spare.
Please spare us some food.
We're starving. Please.
I don't have any.
Anything will do.
- Go away.
- We'll take leftovers.
I got nothing.
Can we have this?
You can have this.
Share it with the lady.
All right.
Thank you.
Get out of the way!
Get out of the way!
Only fight when it's necessary.
Who says you could beg for food here?
Sir, we've been starving for three days.
Could you spare us some food?
You're starving, huh?
No problem.
Come with me.
Let's go.
Didn't you say you'd give us food?
Food?
You filthy beggar,
you're dreaming.
You'd better stay put.
Don't even think about leaving here.
Who are you people?
Why are you keeping us locked up here?
Why are you asking so many questions?
I'm sorry, sir.
Sir
Sir
We're sorry, sir.
Please forgive us,
we won't do it again.
We're sorry.
Keep a close eye on them.
Yes, sir.
Don't go anywhere.
Didn't I tell you?
Don't use force
unless absolutely necessary.
So, putting yourself in danger
is your way of gathering information?
I know
you don't like
being in this miserable state.
But aren't these unusual times?
Be a little more understanding.
I never imagined
a fire
would destroy everything.
My parents and children are dead.
Now it's just me and my husband,
wandering the streets.
We thought
Nanling was a prosperous place
where we could find some food.
But who could have known
the heavens would be so cruel?
All we want is a full meal.
Why is it so hard?
Save your strength,
or you'll starve to death.
If there's anything to blame,
blame your bad luck
for ending up in this living hell.
It's a bread!
Sir!
Sir!
Sir!
Sir!
I beg you!
I'm starving!
Please spare me some food!
Sir,
I'm begging you.
I just ask for a bite.
Sir,
give it to me.
Give it to me.
I just want a bite.
If you want this,
you'll have to answer my question.
Whoever can answer my questions
gets this flatbread.
Give me a bite.
Who locked you all up here?
I know!
I know!
They're working for Governor He Zhenwen.
The leader is named Zhao Da.
How do you know that?
I used to work at
Zuihong Pleasure House.
I've seen Zhao Da drinking
with the governor's son, He Yonglin.
Why did they lock you all up here?
There were
many poor refugees in Nanling.
At first, no one cared about us.
We couldn't afford rice,
so we survived by
gathering manoomin wild rice.
But a few days ago,
these men suddenly came
and locked us all up,
saying that a high-ranking official
was visiting Nanling,
and they didn't want him to see us.
Sir,
I beg you.
Sir,
spare me some food.
Do you have more, sir?
Give it to me.
I have no more.
Sir
Are you scared?
In times of famine,
people even resort to
eating their own children.
After a long time of being starved,
they no longer see
themselves as human.
The words you said to them
are nothing more than
scratching an itch through a boot.
How do you know that?
Now that we've uncovered the truth,
let's get out of here.
We can't help her.
There are too many people here.
She's sick with syphilis.
Let's take her with us.
Two people missing will
already draw their attention.
Bringing her along
will be even more obvious
and tip them off.
Then you go.
I'll stay behind.
No way!
But if we don't save her, she'll die.
You don't even know her.
There are so many people here,
you can't save them all.
Saving one is better than none.
Besides,
she's a witness.
You and His Lordship are
working hard on this case.
Once you have both
the evidence and a witness,
the governor of Nanling
won't be able to deny it.
If I stay behind,
I can help you
coordinate from the inside.
Since when did you become so indecisive?
Go now.
Go.
Adapt as the situation changes.
Got it.
(Light Guards)
(Rice Store)
(Nanling, Granary)
There's a nice tavern up ahead.
Let's get a drink.
Come on.
Your Lordship,
I've looked into it.
Many of the grain sacks
in the eastern granary
are filled with sand and stones.
Your Lordship,
the rice in all eight of the major
rice shops is old stock as well.
(Pei Ying, butler of the Pei family)
Well, they did switch it.
(Western Granary)
My Lord?
What are you wearing?
What's the matter?
An Cheng took Changfeng Guards
to investigate the Yan Sisters
and went to the outskirts.
It seems they've found
a lead on the Yan Sisters.
My Lord,
they left in a hurry.
If you don't go now,
it'll be too late
once they catch the Yan Sisters.
Go to the deserted temple in the west
to protect Jiang Ci.
Now!
What did you say?
Pei Yan
went to the western granary?
Where is He Zhenwen now?
He's missing.
Useless!
If they find the starving people,
they might
trace it back
and uncover the embezzlement.
We can't let them find out.
Take some men
to the deserted temple
in the west of the city.
Pass my command,
leave no one alive.
Yes.
I found out Zhao Wu's wife
and children used to live here,
but it looks like the house
has been abandoned for some time.
Let's report back to His Lordship first.
Yes, sir.
A woman
who doesn't know martial arts.
(Western Granary)
Your Lordship,
Deputy Commander Yi has
taken all the Light Guards
to the deserted temple in the west.
Let's head to the deserted temple.
Yes, Your Lordship.
(Do Good and Spread the Way)
Here.
Have some water.
Have some more.
Search the place!
We have to go.
Pei Yan must not find out
about these starving people.
Kill them!
Wei Zhao!
(Jiyun Temple)
Look everywhere.
My Lord.
Where is Jiang Ci?
We didn't see Miss Jiang
when we arrived.
Any signs of the starving people
leaving the temple?
This temple connects to multiple roads,
but there's no trace in any direction.
She wouldn't surrender without a fight.
She must have left some kind of clue.
Wei Zhao!
You wretched maid!
How dare you deceive me!
How do you know I'm a maid?
I work for the Commander
of Light Guards.
If you dare kill me,
can you afford to offend Light Guard?
(Light Guards)
Nonsense.
Kill her.
Go ahead and try.
Commander Wei is here under imperial
orders to oversee the Nanling case.
If anything happens to me,
can you bear the consequences?
If this girl really has
such a high connection,
we probably shouldn't kill her.
Take her,
and anyone else still alive,
with us.
Yes, sir!
Looks like Sanlang's men were too late.
They couldn't stop them from
killing those starving people.
My Lord,
Lord Pei is here.
Sanlang.
There are nearly a hundred
starving people here.
The assassins didn't have time
to kill them all,
so they took them away.
In their rush,
they had no time
to clean up the scene.
There must be traces left behind.
I'm sure Miss Jiang
left a clue as well.
Ci was here?
Miss Jiang and I
accidentally discovered
the starving people.
She stayed behind
to coordinate from within.
How could you let Ci?
Saving the people matters now.
Whatever punishment you want to impose,
I will accept it all after this.
Tong Min,
search the place.
Yes.
Search for clues.
Dark Night Orchid.
Once this flower gets on you,
or on the soles of your shoes,
it's very hard to clean off.
Even if you manage to wash it away,
soaking it in white vinegar
will still make it reveal itself.
Yifei,
prepare some vinegar.
Yes.
♪Pluck a red bean, cherish you♪
♪Deep within♪
♪A flower of affection blooms
without fading♪
♪Forever in love♪
♪Fold a kite, let it fly with the wind♪
♪Into sweet dreams♪
♪The beautiful moments we shared
last through time♪
♪We never leave each other♪
♪My love sees
the sun rising and the moon setting♪
♪Your face stays vivid in my mind♪
♪Two hearts bound to each other♪
♪Like flowing water,
love and hate continue♪
♪I only wish for your unwavering heart♪
♪You are still there when I turn back♪
♪As passionate as we first met,
I hold your hands through eternity♪
♪Time cannot separate us♪
♪Our longings go on♪
♪My love sees
the sun rising and the moon setting♪
♪Your face stays vivid in my mind♪
♪Two hearts bound to each other♪
♪Like flowing water,
love and hate continue♪
♪I only wish for your unwavering heart♪
♪You are still there when I turn back♪
♪As passionate as we first met,
I hold your hands through eternity♪
♪Time cannot separate us♪
♪Our longings go on♪