Original subtitles

♪It makes no difference♪

♪Master, it's late♪

♪We must hurry on our journey♪

♪I want to become a loyal official♪

♪At a time like this♪

♪Why are the scholars♪

♪Still trying to be officials?♪

I think

it's the end of the road for you

after being a loyal official for so long.

What do you think,

Your Highness?

(Crown Prince, Zhu Yousheng)

In the past, my uncle, Duke of Ding,

and all 237 people of the Jiang clan

were framed.

All 53,000 soldiers of the Ding Army

were wronged and humiliated.

Today, I wonder how many will it be for the East Palace

and the capital.

You disregarded your father, the emperor,

and helped Zhu Youting seize the throne

just to clear

Ding Army's name.

You are even putting the blame

on Father and me.

I will kill any suspect.

(General of Cavalry, Song Mo) You think you're wronged?

Song Mo,

I pity you.

You took revenge on the wrong person.

I lost.

But you will also lose everything.

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

I'd rather die

than obey a traitor.

Sir,

I found it.

Congratulations, Sir.

You're halfway to your revenge.

He said

I took revenge on the wrong person.

(During the winter of the 27th year of the Chengping era,)

(while the emperor was gravely ill,)

(General of Cavalry, Song Mo, supported Lord Qing)

(to launched a night attack on the capital)

(by using the excuse of accompanying the emperor)

(to avenge Duke of Ding who suffered an injustice.)

Having more than 100 weapons is a felony.

Did you know that Lord Qing and Song Mo would start a rebellion?

The capital is getting dangerous.

The streets are filled with rebels and refugees.

(Marquis of Jining's Wife, Dou Zhao) Who cares about a crime

when in such a chaos?

Take them.

Yes!

Song Mo is a cold-blooded killer.

He murdered his father and younger brother back then.

Now, he has started a rebellion and attacked the capital.

Everyone is saying that Song Mo

is going to wipe out the city.

That was why I tried to escape.

(Marquis of Jining, Wei Tingyu) Ridiculous!

How dare a servant like you

gossip about affairs of the imperial court?

Beat him up!

This traitor, Song Mo,

is here to get revenge.

(Shadow Guard, Chen Jia)

(Court Eunuch of Ministry of Imperial Ceremony, Wang Ge)

After tonight,

Lord Qing will become the emperor.

General Song, you contributed the most.

We are here

to congratulate you.

Do you know

that what I did tonight

was to avenge Duke of Ding?

Once I meet His Majesty,

I will hand this over to Lord Qing.

His Majesty is having a conversation

with His Highness.

You shouldn't disturb him.

When the throne changes hands,

you will meet His Majesty.

Fine.

Ask him to come to me

when he becomes the emperor.

Everyone, heed my order!

Yes!

Move to the outskirts

and await His Majesty's orders!

Yes!

(A new emperor who couldn't ascend the throne)

(and the rebels who surround the capital's outskirts.)

(An impasse.)

(A chaos.)

(Marquis of Jining's Residence)

(At that time, I would never have imagined)

(that the seemingly stable residence)

(already had so many cracks within.)

From tonight onwards,

entertainment and repairs in the residence are halted.

The servants in charge,

go purchase a month's worth

of meat, vegetables, and fruit tomorrow morning.

Patrol the residence along this route.

Rotate in four shifts.

Assign blades and arrows to the ten men at the entrances

and have them guard there all day.

Put two more men

guard the duke, Ming, and the three Madam's chambers.

Yes.

Madam.

The duke and Lord Qing are relatives.

(Ms. Tuo) All the nobles

and ministers

are seeking an audience.

At such a crucial time,

Lord Qing's men are calling for enthronement.

(Dou Family's Second Daughter, Dou Ming) The officials would risk themselves

for the emperor. There are fence sitters too.

Everyone wants to drag Tingyu down.

I'm not meeting them.

But if I don't meet them,

I might offend them.

Carry it inside.

(Libation)

I am ill.

I'm seriously ill.

The duke is not meeting guests

to take care of me.

This is inappropriate.

Can propriety help you overcome this?

Nothing is greater than life and death.

With the coffin here,

you will have peace.

(Libation)

=Blossom=

(Adapted from the novel "Blossom" by Zhi Zhi)

=Episode 1=

Buy 100 kilograms of charcoal.

The duke and Ming like to write and draw.

Buy another 100 feet of paper.

Ask all the managers of estates and shops

to come to see me after lunch.

Yes.

Madam.

Here you go.

Madam, the miscarriage

almost killed you last year.

The priority now

is to take care of your health.

Don't overwork.

The wife of a big family has to take care of everything.

Serving my husband's family,

taking care of his concubines, illegitimate children,

more than 100 people in the residence,

and managing dozens

of estates and shops.

That's not counting the usual social activities.

The duke doesn't even ask you

about your illness.

Fifth Young Lady came from far away

and said she'd take care of you

but she was always not around.

You're not from the same mother after all.

- She's so heartless. - Ms. Tuo.

Madam, look.

It's not even spring yet

but the Yulan magnolias are in bloom.

It's my first time seeing Yulan magnolias in the snow.

My mother would be very happy

if she could see it.

If Seventh Madam were still around,

you wouldn't have to work so hard.

What's that smell?

The smell of herbs.

Someone's making herbal soup.

It seems like Ming isn't slacking.

She is making medicine for me.

Yes.

Don't talk about our mothers in the future.

Ming will feel sad if she hears it.

Yes.

I'm afraid the medicine is burnt.

Don't worry.

The physician said

she would die soon.

Once she dies and the mourning period is over,

I will marry you.

He is right.

Our marriage was decided by our parents.

There were never any feelings between us.

If they have feelings for each other,

he can marry Dou Ming

after I die from illness,

so the relationship between the Wei and Dou family

can be long-lasting.

Madam.

Let's go.

I'm afraid Father won't allow it.

Her mother and my mother

were close friends back then.

The relationship between my mother and Father

caused her mother's death.

(Mother...)

(Mother died because of her?)

I've been doing my best to manage the residence

but ended up helping my enemy instead.

The kitchen is on fire.

Get someone here.

Yes.

Don't worry.

Don't you know me well?

I will do everything I can

to marry you.

No one can separate us.

There's a fire!

- There's a fire! - Hurry!

- Hurry, there's a fire! - Someone!

What's that noise?

- There's a fire! - Hurry!

Someone!

Quick! There's a fire!

- There's a fire! - There's a fire!

Hurry!

Dear,

it's my fault.

Don't hurt Ming.

I'm not going to harm her.

But I want to thank both of you

for not letting me remain clueless.

- Sister. - Don't call me that.

I've never wanted love from you,

or you.

But both of you

even trample on my last bit of feelings.

How did my mother die?

It was before I was born.

But I heard the elders talk about it.

I don't know so much.

I will investigate this.

However, there should be an explanation

for what happens today.

You...

I, Dou Zhao, married into this family for ten years

and did my best every day

to manage the residence.

I've never let you, Wei Tingyu,

or Dou Ming down.

During the chaos of the capital,

I've been looking after the residence with my fragile body,

but they

were fornicating in the kitchen

and cursing me to die.

A heartless man cannot be relied on.

The daughter of an enemy cannot be a family of mine.

When this scandal and grudge is tried in court in the future,

all of you are witnesses.

From today onward,

I'm no longer the wife of the Marquis of Jining.

Master!

Master.

Madam left in a carriage.

Stupid.

Don't you think I know that?

I asked you to guard here. What did you do?

Why are you still spacing out?

Get our clothes here.

Yes!

If I knew this would happen,

I would've listened to my mother

to put poison in her medicine

to kill her.

Why are you still here?

If she goes to court,

we won't live a peaceful life from now on.

Don't worry.

She will never ruin the reputation

of my family.

Having talent and ambition

without any place to show.

Miss.

It's snowing heavily.

This isn't snow.

Ms. Tuo,

give them some food.

Thank you.

Thank you.

(The land is ruined and the empire will soon fall.)

(Everything is unexpected.)

(This ill-fated departure)

(is my farewell.)

The willow is born.

Spin the top.

The willow is green.

Play the diabolo.

The willow sprouts.

Hit...

Ms. Tuo.

I was young when Mother passed away.

Help me recall if there was anything weird.

The Old Master just became a palace scholar.

It was also your cousin's birthday.

The late Madam asked me to bring you

to tell your uncle this good news.

When I came back, the late Madam passed away.

Later, Wang Yingxue married into the family.

Look out!

Ms. Tuo!

(A groundbreaking long spear)

(and grey hair at a young age.)

(Song Mo?)

Miss, are you all right?

Miss.

Miss.

Do you hear me?

If you cry,

I'll send you to the devil, Song Mo.

He eats children.

I'm not crying.

Give me the rations.

Go home.

(He isn't as cruel as the rumours suggest.)

General, since you know the kids

don't even dare to cry when you're mentioned,

(Ji Yong, Monk Name: Yuantong) you should

kill less in the future.

It's a carriage from Marquis of Jining's Residence.

(Lu Ming)

The capital is in chaos.

Why do you come here?

I'm going back to my hometown.

You are so ill and you've gone through an arduous journey.

You can go to heaven

instead of your hometown.

Follow me to get warm at the temple.

Have a bowl of herbal soup.

Hold it.

How can we accept

(Lu Zheng) an unknown person now?

Lu Zheng.

Everyone, hear my orders!

Yes!

Move to the back hill of Wanfo Temple!

Yes!

I thought it was an enemy scout.

Sorry for what I did.

Lu Ming.

Fix the carriage and escort her to the temple.

Yes.

Miss.

I investigated it.

There're only money and clothing in the carriage.

It's difficult to travel in the snow

and you are very ill.

Anything urgent?

We shouldn't bother you

with the family trifles, General.

The general treated you with courtesy

and allowed you to rest here.

How dare you still hide things from us?

Is this a trap?

Lu Ming.

Miss.

You should know

that everything will be decided in a few days.

Being cautious is the only way to survive in a dangerous place.

We must know everything.

- General, I... - Ms. Tuo.

It's nothing important.

It's just

a family scandal, General.

The Marquis of Jining has been having an affair

with my half-sibling

while I am seriously ill.

I witnessed it today

and wanted to divorce immediately.

However, the imperial court had no one on duty

due to the capital's chaos,

so I had to

return to my hometown to report it to the officials.

I see.

I had

offended you.

You are too serious.

I am no longer the wife of the Marquis of Jining.

My surname is Dou.

I'm the fourth child of the family.

A man's indulgence can be spoken of

but a woman's indulgence cannot.

Getting to know a person early

and settle things quickly.

Miss Dou,

that's a blessing in disguise.

General, you will rule the new empire.

You have authority and power.

Why do you have a head full of grey hair?

I can see dejection in between your eyes.

Sir.

Sir.

I'm sorry.

A person who is dying

gave his life to the wrong person.

You are right.

A person who is dying

gave his life to the wrong person.

The sun is coming up.

Later, I'll have someone to escort you back to your hometown.

The sky looks weird today.

The Fire Star enters the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

It's a sign of chaos.

However, the meteor is bright.

The chaos of the capital

is indeed the reflection,

but the meteor...

There should be a blessing among the disasters.

Both of you are fated.

Master Yuantong, you overestimated me.

A weak woman like me

is just a passerby who avoids the blizzard

and gets a bowl of hot medicine.

How will I be fated with General Song?

What?

Is Lord Qing not going to give us an explanation?

General Song!

Even if you are almighty,

if you do this,

Lord Qing

will still kill you.

Whoever sits on the throne

is cold-blooded.

Duke of Ding sacrificed himself to guard the border for 15 years

but was accused of treason

and was punished with the annihilation of his clan.

His Highness hasn't ascended the throne yet

and is already trying to kill the one who helped him.

Are you not worried that the officials will be in fear?

General Song, you're overthinking.

If news goes out,

it's just a scandal

of Marquis of Jining's family.

It has nothing to do with Lord Qing.

Am I right?

(Granted by the Emperor) By Lord Qing's edict,

Song Mo became arrogant.

He abused favour and acted against reason

to kidnap

and eloped with Marquis of Jining's wife, Dou Zhao.

Wei Tingyu, you...

With both of them captured together, they will be executed

as the family's law.

Putting the blame on a woman.

Lord Qing is more shameless than his father, the previous emperor.

General Song,

if you hand over the jade seal

and commit suicide,

Lord Qing will leave your body whole.

Unfortunately,

I'm very petty.

I won't leave both your bodies whole.

Kill!

Madam,

please come with me to hide at the back hill.

Let's go.

When Lord Qing stopped me from meeting His Majesty,

I knew he was going to betray me.

- Sir. - I gave him a chance.

If he kept his promise to meet me,

I would spare him.

However, he went to Xishanxing Palace instead.

(Xishanxing Palace)

The elites of the Ding Army I deployed

did not go to waste.

How does killing me benefit Song Mo?

Even if he wants to rule the kingdom,

I can grant him the opportunity.

(Lord Qing, Zhu Youting) Kill!

Kill!

Lord Qing

is supposed to be dead by now.

You're just bluffing.

Take him down.

Sir.

(Qiguang Wanfo Pagoda)

Get ready for battle!

Kill!

Miss.

Be careful.

Ding Army is brave and excels in battle.

We have been surrounded now.

What should we do?

Don't worry. If your wife is dead,

Song Mo is just a criminal general

no matter how powerful he is.

Sir!

Miss, go quickly!

I'll kill you!

How can

a weak woman like you

kill anyone?

Ms. Tuo!

General.

General.

I didn't know about Wei Tingyu's plans.

I'm seriously poisoned

and going to die soon.

I'm just sorry

I can't avenge the Duke of Ding.

But I caused you

to get your name tarnished and your life in danger.

You saved me

last night at the outskirts.

I got you into this.

Let's go. I'll take you away.

Yuantong.

Master Yuantong.

Yuantong.

(Records of the Enlightened Age)

Go.

Go.

- Over there. - Let's leave together.

I'm not important.

A blessing in disguise. Both of you are fated.

Both of you can change destiny.

Go.

They are over there!

Catch them!

Hurry!

Look out!

(Don't be a woman.)

(Your happiness will be in others' hands.)

(Not only married couples in the mortal realm will change.)

(It's also the same for an emperor and his officials.)

(Being grateful in dawn)

(and killing them at dusk.)

(Records of the Enlightened Age)

(I've never had)

(a moment in my life)

(Records of the Enlightened Age)

(where I have a choice.)

You're finally awake.

You were entranced while reading

and hit yourself in the mirror.

This...

What?

Ms. Longevity.

Miss!

Ms. Longevity.

Miss.

(Dou Family's Mistress, Zhao Guqiu) You're awake.

Mother.

Ms. Tuo.

You are here.

Why are you being coquettish?

It's all my fault.

Madam begged Buddha to bless Master

into becoming a scholar.

I also went to make a wish.

I didn't look after you.

Become a scholar?

Is this

the eighth year of the Chengping era?

Yes.

But I've lived my life.

Just now,

the temple was full of Shadow Guards.

I died in front of the mirror.

Miss.

Zhuang Zhou dreams of the butterfly. The butterfly dreams of Zhuang Zhou.

It's just a dream.

You read a storybook until you were too immersed.

You hit your head and had a crazy dream.

The dream and you are two things.

(Records of the Enlightened Age)

Records of the Enlightened Age?

It was a storybook left by a hermit

for a fated person.

I think

you are the Little Zhuang Zhou who is fated to it.

Thank you, Master Yuantong.

Are you Yuantong?

Mo!

You are finally awake.

Mo!

I was so scared because you had a nightmare and couldn't wake up.

Thankfully, the abbot treated you.

(Duke of Ying's Wife, Jiang Huisun) How are you? Feeling better?

Mother.

I had a very long dream.

However, I forgot everything

about the dream.

That's good.

Everything in life

has the wisdom and virtuous appearance of Buddha.

But due to delusion and attachment,

they cannot attain realization.

Thank you, Abbott.

However, I think

I shouldn't forget the dream.

(On the day of becoming a scholar,)

(a man complains) (The Yulan magnolia wilts.)

(Records of the Enlightened Age) (ambition goes away with the wind.)

(Focusing on the bad times and regret not cherishing the good times.)

(Why does it feel like a defeat)

(after becoming a scholar?)

Ms. Longevity?

What are you looking at?

Is this storybook so nice?

He succeeded.

He succeeded?

Madam!

Madam!

He succeeded!

Master did it.

Seventh rank on the second tier.

That's great.

Shiying finally gets his wish

after studying day and night.

Who did you hear from

about your father's success?

I...

This temple is a good place.

Madam

also came to pray for Wang Yingxue's

family matters.

- Wang Yingxue? - Everything has come true.

(Father studied hard for many years)

(and finally became a scholar that year.)

(While the whole family was celebrating,)

(Mother fell ill suddenly.)

Mother!

What's wrong, Mother?

(After Mother passed away,)

(Wang Yingxue married into the family)

(and became my stepmother.)

Her mother and my mother

were close friends back then.

The relationship between my mother and Father

caused her mother's death.

Gao Sheng.

Prepare the carriage.

Yes, Madam.

Ms. Tuo, take her to Zhao Residence

to tell my brother the good news.

It's Zhangru's birthday as well.

- No. - Yes.

I haven't seen Father for a long time.

Why not invite Uncle and my cousin

to celebrate together?

Uncle is a vice censor-in-chief.

He has the power to impeach other officials.

His reports can be presented to His Majesty.

It will be good for Father

when he becomes an official.

How do you know all these?

That's a good thing.

I haven't reunited with Brother for a long time.

Go and invite my brother.

We can finally taste

the jar of wine I buried for Shiying

when I married into the family.

I must thank Buddha for the blessing.

Give it to me.

Slow down.

Ms. Tuo,

Father went to the capital for the imperial exam.

Does Wang Yingxue live in the capital too?

Yes.

Miss Wang's father was demoted

and her family was in decline.

They sold cotton and rice for a living in Chanxi.

When Master studied in Chanxi,

Madam asked Master

to bring some money to Miss Wang.

Ask Uncle to come immediately.

The sooner, the better.

Yes.

(What has happened cannot be rectified,)

(but I can still change the future.)

(Since the Records of the Enlightened Age)

(has fate recorded in it,)

(I can change its ending)

(since I've known it)

(while it is in my hands.)

(Mother,)

(no matter how hard and dangerous it is,)

(I will protect you)

(from anyone.)

Dou Shiying went away to study,

but he was cheating.

If you dare force my sister,

I, Zhao Si, will kill you

even if I have to sacrifice my life!

If you can't forgive me,

just grant me a white cloth to commit suicide.

If you want to die so badly,

take it.

♪Quiet as serene waves♪

♪I'm aware of the vast and turbulent world♪

♪Moving forward alone, the expectations of many are hard to bear♪

♪When the time comes, I will cast aside a lifetime of pride♪

♪To wear a flower stick for you♪

♪Or perhaps my heart yearns for the other side♪

♪Yet there's no place for me to go in the end♪

♪Your presence by my side is irreplaceable♪

♪Like a ship crossing the desolate river♪

♪That brings me through a chapter of my life♪

♪You are the light that saves me in the darkness♪

♪Having you is a blessing♪

♪My heart filled with warmth♪

♪By your side, I spend the rest of my life♪

♪Your presence by my side is irreplaceable♪

♪Where my heart yearns is where I will go♪

♪Breaking waves over the desolate river♪

♪The wind rises as my heart finds peace♪

♪You are the light that saves me in the darkness♪

♪Having you is a blessing♪

♪Only by being by your side♪

♪I can spend the rest of my life♪

♪Until the waves are all spread out♪

♪And the past sinks into the river♪

♪Always together, looking back♪

♪Only sighing at the commotion♪

(No animals were harmed in the making of this drama)

(Every medical behaviour involved and medicine used in the drama)

(is required by the story. Please don't try this at home)