All language subtitles for [English] ENG SUB【灼灼风流 The Legend of Zhuohua】EP04 慕灼华借刘衍脱险，刘衍心中郁结难消（景甜、冯绍峰） [DownSub.com]

♪Roaming freely
through the cycles of time♪

♪In an ardent and liberated soul♪

♪Over thorny roads,
across treacherous heights♪

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave
life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars
in the dark night♪

♪And stride through fate's ups and downs,
leaning toward the sun♪

♪Moments turn into eternity,
fleeting years become forever♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead,
the light within never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream
to completion♪

=The Legend of Zhuohua=

(Adapted from "She Was Once
a Playful Soul" by Sui Yu Er An)

=Episode 4=

(This is a work of fiction.)

He's a nefarious demon
to Northern Liang

and the god of war to the Northern Chen.

Be that as it may,

some might think

his meritorious reputation
has surpassed the Emperor.

Lord Ding is scary.

He's like a tiger.

And worst, a giant tiger.

Young Lady,

you shouldn't get involved with him.

I think so too.

The capital sure
is a complicated place to stay.

There are dangers everywhere.

All we want is to make a decent living.

Miss, here are your dishes.

(Raising Tiger Is a Threat)

So who wants to answer?

I'll answer it.

He's Scholar Zong, who ranked second
in the literary examination.

Before Shen Jinghong arrived
in the capital,

he dominated the top of the list.

After that, he lost to Shen Jinghong
five times continuously.

Today, he still goes on the stage.

Leaving aside his literary talents...

(Wen Shizong, Scholar)

(Wen Shizong, Scholar)
he sure is mentally strong.

A tiger,

a fierce beast.

When raised, it becomes a danger.
So strive to eliminate it.

Mr. Wen has a point.

A sage has a compassionate heart,

and a virtuous person is righteous.

I, as a humble individual,

am only concerned
about upholding righteousness.

Thus achieving the utmost benevolence.

Why do we read

the books of sages and scholars?

It's learning how to serve the country

and share the Emperor's burdens.

- Nicely put!
- Well said!

- That's right!
- Mr. Wen, well said!

- Well said!
- Good!

To think a mere commoner

would dare to show such disrespect
to Lord Ding.

Perhaps,

he also knows
that the mighty tiger is injured.

The mighty tiger is injured?

How did it get injured?

Five years ago, at the Juma River.

Lord Ding faced off
against the Northern Liang Army.

He was trapped and surrounded.

Almost thirty thousand elite soldiers
were killed and injured.

And even Lord Ding's life
was hanging by a thread.

Fortunately,

First Prince led his troops
deep into enemy territory

and saved Lord Ding.

But it's said

that Lord Ding suffered serious injuries

from that battle.

So he handed over most
of his military power to First Prince.

How did Wen Shizong know

that First Prince and Lord Ding
aren't on the same side?

Don't they fear offending First Prince?

That was because you think too simply

and they overcomplicated it.

You know what?

They thought

Lord Ding lost the battle

because First Prince
obstructed in between

to seize power from Lord Ding.

They sure overthink this.

However, what the people know

about the war at Juma River

may not be the truth.

(Uncle seems to be paying attention
to this female provincial graduate.)

I'm only guessing.

During the battle in Yan City,

Lord Ding remained meticulous
and unparalleled

in his strategic brilliance.

But why did Lord Ding
become so ambitious and reckless

in the war at Juma River
three years later?

Young Lady, you're right.

How could someone's
skills possibly regress over time?

Look.

Lord Ding

already has such accomplishments,

why would he seek further recognition?

And what other recognition
he could seek?

That's my first point.

Lord Ding's understanding
of the people from Northern Liang

has reached a point
where he knows all strategies.

How could he easily

fall into the ambush

set by the Northern Liang people

in the war at Juma River?

That's my second point.

Yuan Chengming betrayed us!

We got ambushed!

There's one thing
that puzzles me the most.

It has already been five years
since that battle.

Yet why is there a rumor
still circulating among the people

that Lord Ding was greedy
for achievements, acted recklessly,

was arrogant,
and underestimated the enemy?

This is my third point.

I just can't figure that out.

Even a woman knows that.

Yet there's a bunch of ignorant fools

who constantly chatter
in front of Father.

Chen.

Young Lady.

Based on what you just said,

that means Lord Ding did nothing wrong.

He may not be greedy for achievements.

But there was a possibility
of recklessness.

I didn't know
you knew Lord Ding this well.

Oh, no. Not at all.

This woman's words are too one-sided.

Uncle, you lead by example,

unite the three armies.

You are a model in the hearts of many.

Speaking of which,

I came to watch Mr. Jinghong in action.

But he hasn't shown up yet.

Uncle,

who do you want to see today?

For

one small fry.

After hearing so many answers,

Wen Shizong's answer is still the best.

(Fang Zhiyuan, Scholar)
His answer is logical and well-founded.

You're flattering me.

I bet Shen Jinghong won't dare
to come anymore.

He definitely won't dare.

He wouldn't dare to come.

Since all of you miss me that much,

how can I disappoint all of you?

(Shen Jinghong, Gifted Scholar)

So it's him.

Young Lady, do you know him?

No, I don't.

Mr. Jinghong,
you took your time to show up.

You sure made us wait for quite a while.

I wonder what you have to say

about today's topic.

That's right.

Mr. Jinghong is meant
to be a Zhuangyuan.

I'm sure your insights
must be extraordinary.

Surely, you'll present us
with fresh perspectives.

- Yes.
- Indeed.

Tell us what you think.

Pardon me for making you wait.

Mr. Shen,

why were you late?

Don't tell us you were scared.

I had to help
an elderly cross the bridge.

That's why I was late.

Mr. Shen, are you joking?

I thought

you were joking, Fang.

Mr. Shen,

this place is for exchanging ideas,

not a place for joking around.

Wen, you spoke up just in time.

I have a question
I think you might be able to help.

Mr. Shen, please ask away.

The warm weather is changing
to the cold weather.

Wen, aren't you cold

from fanning yourself all the time?

You...

Wen, your literary talent
is exceptional.

Truly a master of both literary
and martial arts.

I feel inadequate in comparison.

Master of both literary
and martial arts?

The name Wen Shizong, indeed.
[*Wen, literary. Shi, soldier]

You bring shame to intellectuals.

Wen.

Juli, did you hear how he talks?

He's so mean.

From now on,

"Master of both literary
and martial arts"

might become a term of mockery.

Apart from anything else,

Shen Jinghong has a sharp tongue.

A perfect candidate
as an imperial censor.

His words sure are sharp enough.

Mr. Shen, since you're here
to answer the question,

why indulge in empty talk first?

- He's right, Mr. Shen.
- That's right.

- Answer the question.
- We're all waiting here.

Mr. Shen, hurry up and answer it.

Come on, Mr. Shen.

Since everyone is so eager,

I'll offer my humble answer.

Raising tiger is a threat.

The question is inappropriate.

That's quite audacious of you.

These topics are contributed
by masters of literature.

That's inaccurate.

Even in the literary world,
some deceive and steal fame.

(Use)

"Raising tiger as an asset?"

For the word "asset",

he uses bold and well-defined strokes.

This person truly has profound insights.

Astonishingly elegant.

Juli, bring me the brush and ink.

I want to answer the topic as well.

All right.

(Tiger)
"Raising tiger as an asset?"

What does that mean?

Since tigers are fierce,

how could they be an asset?

Mr. Shen, are you sensationalizing
your answer?

Ordinary people are timid.

So raising a tiger would naturally
be a threat to them.

His Majesty has no fear.

So naturally,
he can make use of the tiger.

But tigers are ferocious,

what if they hurt someone?

As long as the one who tames the tiger
possesses great wisdom and courage,

they can naturally subdue
the ferocious beast.

Just like Duke Huan of Qi,

who appointed Guan Zhong
who once injured him as his minister,

achieving prosperity and strength,

ultimately achieving hegemony.

Basically,

the fierceness of a tiger is its nature,

without a clear moral judgment.

It's the fear in people
that's misguided.

Being inadequate themselves,

yet speculating about His Majesty.

What purpose does this question serve?

- Well said.
- He's right.

He has a point.

(The Princess didn't come.)

(Man, Princess Roujia's Maidservant)

Why did Shen Jinghong

just leave like that?

Young Lady,

I thought you were preparing
to take the challenge as well.

Truly a person of remarkable demeanor.

It's just

a bit too good at flattery.

If no one opposes,

the one who holds
the top spot today is...

- Shen Jinghong!
- Shen Jinghong!

"Raising tiger as an asset"

manages to buy everyone's heart
all at once.

I'm really inferior compared to that.

Young Lady, don't say that.

You're quite skilled at flattery too.

You should improve your skills too.

Your flattery is too excessive.

Young Lady...

I won't take the challenge.

Wenzheng Parlor

might have some powerful backing.

Young Lady, I'm not that smart.

I really can't catch up to you.

That's all right.
You can take your time to catch up.

"Raising tiger is a threat."

It's too dangerous to come up

with such a topic.

Someone who dares to present this

must be someone with powerful backing.

It's also likely that the question

was given by someone's command.

No,

that's unlikely.

What benefit does it bring

to present such a topic?

Time to go.

(Wenzheng Parlor)

Even mantou at Wenzheng Parlor
is so expensive.

Next time, I won't buy it again.

- (This annoying person)
- Young Lady.

(is really difficult to deal with.)

Yesterday, I used Princess Roujia's
influence to scare him off.

I didn't expect him
to show up again today.

It's going to be troublesome.

Young Lady.

Don't get in my way.

Your Lordship.

I didn't expect

to run into you here, Your Lordship.

Sit down.

Put your cleverness to good use.

Lord Ding. Wait, Lord Ding.

The topic posed by Wenzheng Parlor
was quite audacious.

Earlier, I was puzzled
and couldn't understand it.

Suddenly, I have a sudden realization
at this moment.

You came to Wenzheng Parlor
but not taking the stage to speak.

This doesn't quite match

your pursuit of fame and profit, does it?

When the gods fight,
the innocent suffer.

I just want to climb the ranks
and get wealthy,

not get impacted.

Moreover,

now that Shen Jinghong
is a prominent figure in the capital,

it's difficult for others

to gain fame.

After failing to gain fame,

they might end up becoming "masters
of both literary and martial arts".

Did you catch up to me

just to talk about these things with me?

After all, I'm working for Your Lordship.

Drop the act.

Stop uttering nonsense.

Mu Zhuohua, will you ever stop lying?

You even claimed to be under me.

Are you even working for me?

I...

It was a misunderstanding.

Lord Ding.

Zhimo,

tell me.

What exactly is my uncle up to?

Did Zhijian

recruit that person too?

Fishing.

Over a small fry,

Uncle had to sacrifice to this extent.

He's truly yielding
for the greater good.

If it weren't for me finding out
about this person's whereabouts,

how would I know you're trying
to play up to me like this

for your own benefit?

You should keep
your ulterior motives away.

I won't use disloyal individuals.

Does pursuing one's own benefit

mean it's wrong?

Can't a woman strive for her aspirations

rather than being married off?

Lord Ding,

you proposed to allow females
to attend the examination.

But do you know that the female
provincial graduate in front of you

has already exhausted all her energy

just to arrive at Wenzheng Parlor?

Yes, a gentleman is truthful

and I'm often dishonest.

But is it wrong for me

to resort to any means

for the sake of survival?

You mentioned loyalty.

Look at the answer I prepared.

(Release the tiger back to the wild)

If one is reckless
for the sake of the country,

that is an act of unparalleled bravery.

A tiger's nature is brave.

Yet, it also serves the country
and the people.

Instead of keeping it captive,
why not let it return to the wild?

Keeping it around
puts other beasts under control.

Releasing it, it can deter threats.

This is how a tiger finds
its rightful place.

Aren't you reckless too?

Zhijian.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Escort them back.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Come on.

Butler Zhou.

Butler Zhou,

they're gone.

Butler Zhou,

what does Lord Ding mean by this?

Miss Seventh is indeed clever.

Follow them
and find out where she lives.

Let's go.

Let me see.

(Jishan Hall)

Please line up! Everyone has one.

Don't push! Everyone will have one!

Excuse me,

I just want something lightweight.

Can I have the one without cotton?

The price is already quite reasonable.

Besides, in a couple of days,

the weather will become chilly.

Don't you agree?

Yes, you're right about that.

I'll take two adult-sized ones.

All right.

Here you go.

For two adults, right?

Thank you very much.

Take care.

All right, next!

Mr. Tan.

(Father of Tan Lin of the Cangwu Army)

Oh, please don't address me that.

I'm a commoner.

I don't deserve to be addressed as such.

Why didn't you take
any children's clothes?

Hu...

Hu?

What's wrong with him?

Hu had typhoid fever.

He passed away

last month.

Why didn't you tell me?

Hu was Tan Lin's only child.

Go to you?

Why should I?

Didn't Tan Lin also die
after following you?

Your Lordship has elixirs.

Out of the thirty thousand soldiers
from Cangwu Army,

only you survived.

Before the expedition,

I was bedridden due to illness.

I told Tan Lin not to go.

But this child

insisted anyway.

I dragged my sick body
to your residence to beg you.

But what did you say?

You promised

to bring Tan Lin back to me
safe and sound.

But did he return safely?

Tan Lin was my only child.

Did you bring him back?

Did you?

Uncle.

Greetings, Uncle.

What brings you to Jishan Hall today?

I was passing by.

You can get back to your matters.

It seems Uncle
hasn't fully recovered yet.

Just like Father.

They all have troubled hearts.

I didn't expect
so many people would come for help

on the first day of the Jishan Hall
opening in the capital.

Next!

Your Highness,

the ledgers of Jishan Halls
from various regions

have been sent over.

Please take a look.

(Ledger)

All regions of Jishan Hall's

past year's expenditures of silver,

grains, wood, cloth,

paper, brush, and medicines

are all recorded.

We have provided aid
to more than three thousand people

and set up ten schools

with five hundred students enrolling
in the schools.

Your Highness,

the impoverished people
and students from humble backgrounds

who have received assistance

are deeply grateful to you.

There are countless poor people
in the world.

Jishan Hall merely helped
one-tenth of them.

Besides, I didn't do this alone.

So don't mention this again
in the future.

Yes, Your Highness.

We just set up
Jishan Hall in the capital.

So we are short of manpower.

You should recruit more people.

Yes, Your Highness.

We need more help
to teach children, write letters,

and do other heavy and arduous chores.

I'll put up more recruitment notices,

especially for teachers.

Currently, we have many children
in the side courtyard

who are learning to read and write.

Go home!

Father, please let me go to school!

Go home!

No! I don't want to go home!

Come home with me!

Father, please

let me go to school!

For what? We don't have money
to send you to school?

Come with me!

Let her stay.

You don't have to pay to study here.

A girl doesn't need to go to school.

She'll marry someone sooner or later.

She still has a lot of chores
to do back home.

I want to learn to read and write.

She stays. You can leave.

I want to give her a chance to study.

You're Princess Roujia?

You can stay at Jishan Hall.

You don't have to be afraid anymore.

Yes.

Take her with you.

Yes, Your Highness.

Come with me.

I saw a job advertisement here

and thought I'd give it a try.

I didn't expect

to be so lucky.

Your Highness.

(Young Shen Jinghong)

(Young Shen Jinghong)
When did you...

(Young Shen Jinghong)

Writing on sand is different

from writing on paper.

You don't need to be so frugal.

Jishan Hall has already helped me a lot.

Writing materials are not cheap.

So are you going to answer
your exams on the sand in the future?

Just come with me.

Next time, practice your writing
in the study room.

You're writing it wrongly.

It's been so long.

You've grown a lot.

It's been a while.

But Your Highness is still the same.

It still doesn't look right.

Your Highness,
it's been a while since you visited.

- We've missed you.
- We've missed you so much.

It's about time.

Time to go for your meal.

- Thank you, Your Highness.
- Thank you, Your Highness.

(Jiao)

I didn't expect

you would come and teach at Jishan Hall.

With the blessings of Your Highness

that I can come from that remote place

to the bustling capital city.

So I wanted to help others as well.

The metropolitan examination
is approaching.

You are meant to be a Zhuangyuan.

So focusing on your preparations
is important.

Please rest assured. It won't affect me.

I'll be waiting to see how you perform.

Your Highness,

Fuyun Temple will host a poetry event
the day after tomorrow.

May I be bold to invite Your Highness
to attend it with me?

Can I have the honor, Your Highness?

Considering the busy schedule
at Jishan Hall lately,

it shouldn't be a problem
if I have time.

Then I'll look forward
to your gracious presence.

(Flower Alley)

Young Lady, I'll go and open the door.

Young Lady.

Didn't Lord Ding tell you
to escort us home?

But we haven't reached home yet.

You're right about that.

Good intention always falls short.

It's not enough to just send you
to the doorstep.

Or you can have dinner before leaving.

Juli has excellent culinary skills.

What are you doing?

Yeah.

I'm just trying

to thank you for escorting us back.

Is there a need to wield your weapon?

Young Lady, don't be scared. I got you.

It's all right.

It's all right.

All right, then.

Now that

the sword is out of its sheath,

surely, you have something to say.

So speak.

Young Lady...

I hope you don't think

this will truly gain you favor
with His Lordship.

I advise you to be cautious

and not even try to take advantage
of His Lordship.

Although Zhimo looks fierce,

most of the time he's just trying
to intimidate people.

But I'm different.

I can really...

Young Lady.

I can really kill you.

That was terrifying.

Are you all right?

I'm fine. Young Lady.

I got you.

The people around Lord Ding

are indeed not to be taken lightly.

Let's hurry.

Don't forget the bag.

Young Lady, go inside first.

Mister, come and take a look
at these trinkets.

They are the latest trendy items.

(Where does this maidservant
get her strength from?)

(I almost couldn't hold out)

(and shame His Lordship.)

There, there. Don't be upset.

I'm going to tell Zhimo.

No, I'm telling Lord Ding.

You even want to tell on him.

Have you forgotten

how the public perceives Lord Ding?

They say he's not humane.

Young Lady. Young Lady,

what does "humane" mean?

You shouldn't listen to or speak
of inappropriate things.

Remember

not to spread such words.

You mustn't speak irresponsibly.

Do you remember that?

Yes.

A person like Lord Ding,

who has experienced life and death
on the battlefield

won't be fooled by my little tricks.

I never intended
to deceive him for long.

But, Juli,

I'm genuinely scared.

For a nobody like me,

I wouldn't want to die if I could live.

Forget it. As long as I can borrow
his influence

to solve my current problem,

it's already good enough.

So did you manage to borrow it?

Yes.

My Lord,

your health is not as good as before.

In the future, you mustn't get agitated
in any situation.

You must control your emotions.

The unresolved concerns are troublesome

but must be resolved.

Otherwise, how can I face

my 30,000 brothers again

after I die?

Also,

Zhijian once asked me something.

But I've been a physician for decades

and I've never heard of a medicine

called Revival Powder.

I know you attach great importance
to this matter.

I also indirectly asked
other imperial physicians,

and they all said

they had never heard of such a medicine.

Have you checked

all the medical records
of the Imperial Academy of Medicine?

I did, but there was no record of it.

Could Mu make it up?

How can the prescription be made up?

The proportions of the prescription

are supported by cases.

Then,

I'll leave it to you then,
Imperial Physician Zhao.

Zhimo,

help me see him off.

Please come this way.

Mu Zhuohua.

I didn't expect you to stay
at Flower Alley, Miss Seventh.

No wonder I couldn't find where you stay

even though I've checked everywhere
in the capital.

You really have a trick up your sleeve.

Butler Zhou,

I don't know what you're talking about.

I dare not probe

into your matters.

But after this,

you're going to sit
for the national examination.

So what should we do about the marriage?

Butler Zhou, you say you dare not ask.

But you ask anyway.

I dare not.

It's just that I need to report back
to my master.

Official Zhuang
is still waiting for news.

What news?

Is he waiting for me to achieve success
and return to my hometown,

or waiting for me
to serve the privileged

and rise to success?

Well... I...

I know you've been tailing me lately.

I'm sure you have questions too.

But you already saw what happened.

At the entrance of Wenzheng Parlor,

Lord Ding agreed

that I would work for him in the future,

which is why he instructed his people
to escort me back here.

If you can't even tell,

how can you gain trust

from Official Zhuang in the future?

In the past few days,
I've come to understand.

You're undoubtedly someone
who will achieve great things.

Of course.

Butler Zhou,

you're a clever person too.

I don't need to remind you more.

Between a mistress of a household

or the support of the imperial court,

I think

Official Zhuang knows
what's best for him.

Don't you agree?

Young Lady. Young Lady.

Do you think Butler Zhou

has really let us go?

Very likely.

Butler Zhou thinks

I'm working for Lord Ding.

So he naturally won't press us too hard.

Although my father
is the richest man in Jiangnan,

compared to these prominent figures
in the capital,

we're even less than ants.

Then will he go back
and say something reckless?

What Official Zhuang will hear

depends on
what Butler Zhou reports to him.

Juli,

go and bring out

the five silver ingots we got earlier.

Tomorrow morning, go to the inn

and give it to Butler Zhou.

Tell him to be careful with his words.

You can't, Young Lady.

You risked your life to earn this money.

Are you really going to give it
to Butler Zhou like that?

Yes.

Only after I give him the money

can I take the examination
without worries

and truly not be affected

by other distractions.

♪Unceasing love stalks my mind♪

♪Couldn't get over it♪

♪Memories touch the edges of our souls♪

♪Nowhere to anchor, lost in the expanse♪

♪We gaze at each other
in the drizzling rain♪

♪But you have gone without a trace♪

♪Leaving me all alone in the world♪

♪Like waves without a shore♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim
with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you
throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know, clearly I understand♪

♪We swear to stay together
in every lifetime♪

♪For this heartbeat,
I can suffer for aye♪

♪Never part ways,
we made this promise long ago♪

♪Love and hate entwined, unforgettable♪

♪Even if we are far apart♪

♪Two souls embrace in chaos♪

♪Impossible to erase, destiny's light♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim
with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you
throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Our minds occupied with each other♪

♪For this heartbeat♪

♪I can suffer for aye♪

♪Want to have one more glimpse of you,
even just for a second more♪