Lady Sour (Vinegar Wife / 醋娘子 / Chuk Leung Ji)

It's lovely.

Kai Chun, it's late at night.

Big Brother, you don't have to sleep, we do.

That's why I played you guys a song to help you guys sleep.

Big Brother, it can help us sleep if it's good, but you're...

But I was playing very softly.

That's what you call softly?

Even Chang's in the Moon Palace had to cover her ears! Don't be such a pain!

Right, don't play music right at the door in the middle of the night,

or you'll wake everybody up. You can play in the morning, OK?

I'm eager to polish my skills and start making money. Don't you understand?

An amateur like you won't be able to make money anytime soon.

It won't make much difference. Just stop.

I won't stop, but I'll try to play quietly.

You're so stubborn!

You're a pain in the back!

Knock it off! What's that supposed to mean? Being blind is miserable enough!

I can't even play the flute to earn my own living?

Just hide in a cave and practise all you want!

Being blind doesn't make you a king!

I'm going back to my room!

Big Brother...

Be careful!

Hands off! Don't treat me like I'm blind! You guys are so heartless and ungrateful!

I'm going back to my room!

Where are you going?

This way, Big Brother!

Hands off! I'm going back to my room! Which way is it?

This was'!

Keep going straight, Big Brother! Watch your step!

There's a knot. It's tied to my room.

Hey, why are you crying in bed?

Men don't cry in bed after getting criticised. Shame on you.

Who said I was crying? I was just playing the flute in bed. Did I disturb you?

Is it necessary to practise that so painstakingly?

Once I set my mind on something, I go all out. I'm going to make it happen.

It's uncomfortable to practise in bed. Let me take you to a place tomorrow morning.

You can practise all you want without disturbing anyone.

Really?

We walked slowly enough and arrived right at dawn.

Although I can't see anything, the mountain breeze feels really good.

In this open area, you won't disturb anyone. Just play as loudly as you want. Sit down.

Sit right down?

Yes.

Are you ready? I'll start playing if you're ready.

For some reason, it sounds especially nice here.

It's not about the place. It's because I'm getting better.

Let me play again.

Listen!

What?

The black-naped oriole is singing along!

Right! The black-naped oriole is singing!

Of course. It can't resist my lovely flute music.

Since the bird is singing along, will you dance to my flute music?

I don't know how to dance.

We naturally move our bodies and dance to music when we're happy. Come on, dance.

Just knock it off, OK?

Don't be shy, there's no one here.

What about you?

I'm blind.

All right then.

What happened?

I was shaking my body too hard! My knees went soft!

Why shake your body? It's a slow-paced song.

It's a slow-paced song?

Be careful! There are two big rocks ahead! Step to the left! Right! Keep going...

Right, just keep going.

There's a big tree with many roots. Watch your step!

Walk slowly! There's a rock! You're good! Go to the left! Walk straight...

We've walked some distance. Are you tired? I'm so tired. Let's take a rest.

I don't need to rest. You know what? Carrying you reminds me of my first love.

What?

I used to carry my first love on my back all around the mountain when I was a kid.

Everyone knows I'm strong. Carrying you is no problem at all.

Really?

You bet. I can even run.

I'd rather go blind!

Brother Ching-yi,the water can't be too hot, so keep stirring to cool it down.

What's next?

Next, splash the water against the jar and mix the solid substrate.

This is called the pouring method.

After mixing the solid substrate with water, filter out the residue.

The first thing produced is called a first extract.

Premium quality first extract vinegar can be a tribute vinegar.

But not unless it's better than Sum Cho's vinegar.

What's next?

After the first extraction, repeat the steps.

Mix the solid substrate with hot water to make the second extract, and so forth.

But you can only make three extractions at one time.

What's next?

Next, pour the vinegar in jars for storage.

What's next?

Next, worship to the gods.

I've been worshipping the Vinegar Goddess.

The Goddess's grace will give us the power to beat Sum Cho.

Mom, besides blessings of the gods, quality is also very important.

Right, you can't just sit there and do nothing.

That's easy for you to say. It's time to go.

OK... Where are we going?

We're going worshipping.

How? Let's go.

Master Tung, everything's ready.

Dad, I've checked everything. It all looks good.

Wonderful. Go! Go!

Go!

It's half a month late, but we sold our land

to raise 100,009 taels for Brother-in-law Fu to bribe the officials.

We should be able to keep the royal title.

Of course. Madam Fu Lan's family knows many authorities.

We're relatives after all. It shouldn't be a problem.

We work so hard but they get everything. Not fair.

It's OK, as long as we can keep the royal title,

we'll be able to sell wholesale to Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang.

Small investment, big returns.

Dad, I'm not a kid anymore. You can teach me how to run a business.

Your dad is not an old man. You're planning to take over his business?

You should hurry up and have a baby. Your Dad and Grandma have waited so long.

Your Stepmom is absolutely right. Don't worry. Leave it to your Stepmom.

I'm not dying. Just do what you're supposed to do.

Have a baby, right?

The amounts of rice and yeast are adjusted according to changes in weather.

The weather wasn't like this when I was at Sum Cho.

I haven't figured out how much yeast is needed yet.

You can stop guessing.

The last batch was made according to the amount you used at Sum Cho.

Go ahead and make two samples. Add less yeast to my jar.

Add more yeast to Brother Ching-yi's jar. Then you'll know which one is right.

Kai Chun, this time you're not talking nonsense! Good job!

I'll go get more yeast. Be right back.

Hey, that's not how you stir! You didn't see how Ching-ching did it?

You've got to reach all the way to the bottom.

Right, I overlooked that!

Sun Ching-yi! Why are you two touching each other's hands?

I can't believe it! Even something like that makes you jealous?

Can't you see I'm stirring the yeast? What brings you here at this hour?

I came to give you the shoes I made for you. What, I can't come here?

Just leave them there.

Uncle is willing to take you in. Why stay here? You work till late at night.

Are you an employee or a slave?

Hey, that's enough!

First of all, you don't work here. Second of all, I heard you were divorced.

You...

What? This workshop is for staff only! Please leave!

Brother Ching-yi, tell her how I was accused of theft because of you!

Although we got divorced, we're actually...

Not related, right?

Madam So, actually we're working.

You can talk outside if you want. The door is over there.

You didn't see how she purposely touched my Brother Ching-yi!

Yeah right, but you know what? Brother Ching-yi loves working here,

because we stick together like a family. Right, Ching-yi?

Is that right? Is that right?

Stop arguing! This is a workplace! Just take it outside!

You hear that?

You too, Mom! Go outside...

Me?

I'm in charge in here! No exceptions! Go!

It's all your fault!

Why argue?

They're over 200 years old altogether. What were they thinking?

This isn't about age. All women get jealous. You know that, right?

Don't hit handicapped people! Get to work!

Come help me out!

I'm blind!

So what?

You get to work!

Be careful! You OK?

Give me a hand.

I already did!

Just sit down here.

Are you sure? OK? Yes...Come, sit down.

Why did you bring me here so late at night? So cold. It's high up here. It's slanted.

You can’t see, you know. I won't be able to save you if you fall off.

Don't tell me you're scared. I used to climb up here all the time.

I would sit here with Tsui Ngau and Chun Chu and talk about everything.

It's the 15th today. We can enjoy the moon.

Sour Ching, the moon tonight is big and round, isn't it?

Right! So big and round and beautiful! It's the 15th today.

That's wonderful.

Hey. What?

You think Sum Cho will get into trouble for delivering the tribute vinegar late?

It's hard to say. Chin Sheung is married to Fu Sum-yan.

Officials shield each other. I think they'll be fine.

Today my mom told me one jar of vinegar yields a 7 fen profit, which is a lot.

Since Sum Cho is not so organised while they're making tribute vinegar,

she said I should take the opportunity to sell vinegar.

I'm not sure about that. What do you think?

Miss Cho, I brought you here to enjoy the moon, not to talk about money.

You always ruin my good mood! Enjoy the moon yourself. I'm going to sleep.

You can’t go to sleep in a bad mood. Here.

Again?

You'll love it. It's upside down.

What do you think? Is it good?

I didn't know you were so talented.

That's flattering. It's not even been a month yet. I learn faster when I'm blind.

Sometimes I think the world is beautiful when I see with my heart.

Not only did you learn to play the flute, you learned a great life lesson.

You're much smarter than before.

Don't call me smart, call me sharp. I have sharp ears.

That describes me perfectly for I can hear though I can’t see.