Original subtitles

Marrying off a daughter is supposed to be a joyous occasion,

and yet you cried.

The guests even mocked you.

Raised to be wed,

yet unaware of the pain of parting in the world.

Father, Uncle Shi Shu.

Dou Zhao?

Shi Ying!

How do you plan

to handle the aftermath of this?

Why are you asking me?

I was kept in the dark too.

How would I know what to do?

Spare me the act.

Ming couldn't have come up with a bold scheme

like replacing her sister as the bride on her own.

If the Marquis of Jining's family escalates this and takes it to court,

where will that leave our family's reputation?

In my opinion,

we should convince the Wei family to formally accept this marriage

and send additional dowry

to smooth things over.

That way, they won't blame Ming.

Shou Gu was supposed to marry into their family anyway.

Adding her dowry to Ming's is only fair, isn't it?

The audacity of you to even want a piece of Shou Gu's dowry!

Tell me the truth,

was this bride swap your idea?

I know you feel bad for Shou Gu, but Ming is also our daughter!

I gave birth to her.

How could I not do something for her?

Was I supposed to just let her kill herself instead?

Are you seriously trying to justify your shameless acts now?

This is all because you allowed it to happen!

How could you do that to Shou Gu?

Enough!

This isn't the time for us to fight amongst ourselves.

As the eldest daughter of our family, I trust Shou Gu to show magnanimity.

What matters now is to figure out

how we can salvage our reputation.

Shou Gu, since you knew about their relationship,

you should have told us sooner.

We could have made other arrangements.

She didn't want to marry him anyway.

She's got what she wanted now.

As for Ming, she's always been so obedient.

Who knows what made her suddenly fall for Wei Ting Yu?

Maybe someone here manipulated her.

I'm injured.

And none of you even bothered to call a doctor,

all because you're afraid of scandal.

And now, to smooth things over,

you're pinning all the blame on me?

Things have gotten out of hand,

and we have to explain to the Duchess of Jing tomorrow.

This is what we can do, you'll write a statement

saying your poor health makes it unlikely you'll have children,

so you voluntarily ended the engagement

to protect the Wei family's legacy.

If the Wei family causes trouble later,

we will compensate them

with Shou Gu's dowry.

It's only right since this is our family's fault.

That will also secure Ming's position.

When I refused to marry him,

you all forced me

with talk of family duty and parental authority.

Now that this has happened,

you're demanding me, the victim, to be the bigger person?

If we can't settle this today,

I'll take the marriage agreement to the authorities tomorrow

and let the people judge who's in the wrong!

-Have you lost your mind? -Nonsense!

Do you not care about our reputation?

Shut up!

That's enough!

Shi Ying, what are you...

All you care about is the family reputation.

You're blaming everything on my daughter,

ganging up on her

and forcing her to swallow this humiliation.

She's my daughter, not yours!

If anyone is to answer to the Wei family, it'll be me, her father,

not you!

And you,

after orchestrating such a shameless, disgraceful scheme

that dishonored our family,

you have the audacity to covet Shou Gu's dowry?

You're absolutely disgusting!

As elders of Dou family,

you keep claiming it's all for the family's sake,

yet all you think about is appeasing the Wei family.

Has any of you bothered to think about if this is fair for Shou Gu?

Fine, take care of it yourself!

Good! Stay out of it!

Shou Gu, let's go.

(Blossom)

(Episode 17)

Does it still hurt?

How about I call an imperial physician over to take a look?

It's fine.

You uncle has always prioritized the bigger picture.

He wronged your mother back then,

but I won't let anyone wrong you this time.

What happened today may seem like your stepmother's fault,

but in truth,

it's my years of indulgence

and your uncle's support

that gave her such audacity.

You don't have to sign the marriage agreement if you don't want to.

If you want to take it to the authorities, I'll go with you.

Don't worry about anything else,

I'll take care of it.

The punishment your stepmother deserves,

the compensation you're owed

I will handle it impartially.

You've had a long day.

Get some rest.

Father.

Are you really awake now?

Yes.

I'm awake now.

I won't turn a blind eye again.

Young Lady, you're not really taking this to court, are you?

It was just an angry outburst.

I've been having an headache all day,

it's only fair Wang Ying Xue suffers a little too.

Dou Zhao.

I'll marry you.

Su Lan.

Go buy me a bowl of tofu pudding.

Yes, Young Lady.

How did you know the bride wasn't me?

The moment I saw her,

I just knew.

Dou Zhao,

marry me.

You don't have to compromise yourself in your family anymore.

I'll treat you well,

and I promise no one will ever dare mistreat you again.

Do you think this is some kind of game?

Just because Wei Ting Yu married my sister,

I'm supposed to find someone with a higher status,

greater influence,

and more prestige than him to marry out of spite?

I just want to live my own life.

Why bother competing with them?

What do you really want?

I don't want to get married.

Besides,

you and my uncle are mortal enemies.

He is him, and you are you.

These are separate matters.

For your sake,

perhaps I could tolerate him a little longer.

I'm not acting on a whim.

I've never been more serious.

I don't love you,

so I can't marry you.

You're lying.

-I'm not. -That's not what I see

in your eyes.

This is my mother's favorite magnolia tree.

In the eighth year of Chengping reign,

she hanged herself right in front of me.

My father was having an affair with Wang Ying Xue.

My mother's hopes for love

were as fragile as porcelain,

shattered in an instant.

My family even tried to use the Seven Grounds for Divorce

to pin false charges on her

to force her to give in.

I'm terrified

of love and marriage.

My Lord, I appreciate

that you care about me,

but...

No wonder

you rely on yourself for everything.

But I can tell

you're still withholding something from me.

Fine.

I'll tell you everything.

I once had a strange dream.

We were both shot through with an arrow and died together in it.

If our fates continue to intertwine,

I'm afraid...

That's why you've always been so afraid of me, isn't it?

I've had strange dreams too.

But a dream is just a dream.

No, it's not just a dream.

The mole behind my ear is proof.

But there's no red mole behind your ear.

No, there is.

It's really gone.

I know you've always covered it with powder,

but now

it's really gone.

If one day,

you possess the strength

to collapse the towering mountains

before you,

the river's course will change.

Dou Zhao.

What is this?

This is the imperial decree.

Throughout history,

countless women have suffered a lifetime of misery

due to marriages forced upon them by their parents.

Your attempt to for their right to choose is admirable.

By my decree,

Young Lady Zhao's marriage shall not

be bound by traditional customs.

She is free to decide for herself.

If the wedding has not been completed,

her engagement with the Marquis of Jining may be annulled.

If anyone pressures you into marriage again,

show them this.

You have the right to choose,

the right to refuse anyone,

even your father or uncle.

No one can force you anymore.

I do believe

the Nine-Layered Purple can thrive on its own.

But I also believe that

with someone to lean on,

it could grow even stronger.

You don't have to answer me right away.

Take your time to think it over.

If you agree to my proposal,

five days later,

tie a red ribbon on this magnolia tree.

I'll see it from afar.

If you intend to turn me down,

tie a white one.

And I will

never bother you again.

Goodbye.

(Marquis of Jining's Residence)

It's understandable that the newlyweds

would wake up a little late after their wedding night.

Ting Zhen.

Yes?

Come out for a moment. I want to tell you something.

You can just tell me right here.

-I... -Go on, tell me.

How come it's you?

How dare the Dou family pull such a stunt!

My elder brother had a bit too much to drink last night.

He's now resting.

Your Grace, if you have any concerns,

you can discuss them with me and Ying Xue.

You swapped the brides and deceived us for the dowry.

What else is there to talk about?

We're family now.

There's no need to be like this.

Who's family with her?

Is her name written on the marriage agreement?

That agreement will become evidence of fraud.

Mother.

Since the bride swap has already happened,

we'll own up to it.

As the saying goes,

sometimes fate works in unexpected ways.

As long as the children are happy,

isn't this act of goodwill

worth breaking a few old traditions?

It doesn't harm anyone.

Madam Wang, you think with your father as the Minister of War

and Master Shi Shu backing you,

you can rewrite the laws now?

Bride swapping and marriage fraud are punishable by flogging!

Your Grace, if you're serious about taking this to court,

shouldn't you be at Office of State Affairs right now

instead of yelling at us here?

The wedding has been held.

If you report us to the authorities now,

both our families' reputations

will be dragged through the mud.

Just tell us

how you want to handle this.

This marriage is null and void.

You will return the betrothal gifts, three times their value,

and we'll let this slide.

So, in the end, it's about money.

But isn't three times the value a bit...

Even if you're making outrageous demands,

that price is absurd.

Do you think our family's money grows on trees?

Go ahead and take it to the court then.

Did you forget that the Marquis of Jining

and my daughter have consummated their marriage?

And you have the nerve to come here making demands.

If the local authorities can't handle this,

I'll take it to His and Her Majesties!

Ting Zhen.

I swear before heaven and earth, the blame for this lies solely with me.

Ming had nothing to do with it.

Unbelievable. Is this coward really stepping up and taking responsibility?

I was the one who convinced Ming to go through with the bride swap.

Whatever compensation or punishment is required, I will bear it alone.

And I'll say the same before His Majesty,

Nonsense!

They're the ones at fault.

Why are you taking responsibility for it?

Now that's the kind of demeanor befitting the Marquis of Jining.

I promised I'd protect you,

and I'll keep my word.

Ming and I love each other.

I don't need any dowry from your family.

All I ask is for our families to amend the marriage agreement

and officially recognize our union.

Shi Ying, if you really love me,

could you carry me

out of the bridal sedan

and spin me around a few times on our wedding day?

I will.

At this point,

it must be so.

You... You're being stubborn again!

Did all your books and lessons teach you nothing?

People will laugh at you

for the rest of your life for marrying a marchioness like her.

Let them laugh if they want.

It's my life.

She is my wife, nothing will change that.

Your Grace, how do you feel about your own marriage?

Don't change the subject.

When I was Ming's age,

I too dreamed of someone who would love

and protect me for life.

It didn't happen for us,

but there's still hope

for the children.

Your Grace,

if you still remember the promise I made during the Dragon Boat Festival,

please come with me.

Father, I've wronged Zhao.

I'll go and apologize to her now.

No, it's my fault.

I'll go ask Young Lady Zhao for her forgiveness.

Young Lady Ming and Wei Ting Yu are coming here.

Young Lady, it's like he's become a different person.

He's taking responsibility for once, saying he's coming to apologize to you.

I don't have time for that right now.

Come here and look.

Is the red mole behind my ear really completely gone?

You've been checking it all morning. Have some water first.

Oh, by the way,

Wang Ying Xue took Lady Wei into her room earlier,

acting all secretive.

What could they possibly need to discuss in private?

Everyone's out for their own gain.

Right now, there's no better solution

than splitting the interests with Wei Ting Zhen.

These are all

my loansharking businesses in the capital.

All the associated government offices are eager to curry favor with my father.

Adding a little extra interest

won't disrupt the cash flow.

As long as you sign here,

half of the profits

will be sent to your residence every month

through various banks.

Madam, you're straightforward.

As for the marriage agreement,

we'll pick an auspicious time tomorrow.

I'll have my husband

invite a few princes from the Court of the Imperial Clan witness it.

That'll silence any gossip.

Don't worry.

She's my sister-in-law now.

I'll treat her well.

Thank you, Your Grace.

Ming, if you don't know what to say,

I'll apologize first.

My Lord, Young Lady Ming, please leave.

Young Lady doesn't want to see anyone.

Zhao, I'm sorry.

Young Lady Zhao,

Ming acted out of desperation

and broke your heart.

Please blame it on me instead.

Broke her heart?

Young Lady has Lord Song now.

She doesn't have time to care about them.

My wife and I owe you a great deal.

If our family can ever be of help to you in the future,

just say the word.

I will see it done to repay your kindness

in making our union happen.

Wei Ting Yu is a fickle and shallow man,

yet he's now genuinely devoted to Dou Ming.

Perhaps they really are fated to be together.

This is a banknote of 5,000 taels.

Keep it.

Father...

I know that everything that's happened over the years

can't be fixed with money,

but I don't know

what else I can do for you.

When you were born, I promised your mother

I would give you everything

and make you happy.

When you were little, you were always clinging to me

Whether I was studying or socializing,

you'd hang onto my neck the whole time.

But...

Ever since Gu Qiu passed away,

it feels like you've grown distant.

Every time I visit the estate...

-Grandmother. -What is this?

These are lotus root dumplings that Shou Gu and I made.

But they got all mushy as soon as they hit the pot.

Alright, let me try it.

What do you think?

This mushy lotus dumpling tastes even better than the proper ones.

Master, why do you never go inside to see them?

Sit.

I thought

their lives would be difficult without me.

But seeing how happy they are,

I've realized

I'm the one who doesn't belong.

Father,

I don't need the money,

but I do hope you can promise me something.

From now on, if anyone comes to propose marriage,

please turn them all away for me.

Shou Gu,

you have a long life ahead of you.

Don't punish yourself

because of my mistakes in the past.

Marrying the wrong man is the real punishment.

Besides, I have Grandmother, you, close friends,

and my businesses.

There's so much in this vast world,

so many fascinating, mysterious things

to see and learn.

That's the life I want.

It's not that I don't want to marry;

I just won't marry the wrong person.

I promise you,

from now on, your marriage

will be entirely up to you.

Thank you, Father.

There's another thing,

it's about Wang Ying Xue.

What has she done now?

Shi Ying.

Hand over the household management token to Shou Gu.

We just resolved Ming's problem,

and you can't wait to take away my authority?

Did Wei Ting Yu's heartfelt words

not remind you

of the vows you once made to me?

The letters and poems you wrote to me,

I've kept them all.

Fine.

Let's talk business then.

When those noble families failed to pay their taxes,

tell me, who took care of it for you?

When you couldn't balance the accounts,

who went door to door pleading for you?

It was me, Wang Ying Xue!

So why should I hand over the token to her?

Do you think

the sun wouldn't rise tomorrow without you?

I can manage just fine without you!

Madam, your capabilities clearly

go beyond just balancing accounts.

How else did you convince Lady Wei?

Even Shou Gu has found out.

Do you really think you can keep this hidden?

Loansharking is a grave crime.

You could get our family killed!

I didn't.

I didn't! She's framing me!

Gao Sheng overheard your conversation with Lady Wei.

Don't bother denying it.

All these years,

you made the household accounts look so perfect,

I really thought you were managing things diligently.

But now I see the truth.

Let's go see your father

and have him investigate how his own daughter

has been sabotaging him all these years!

No!

Shi Ying, please, no! I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

You can't tell my father.

No, you can't let anyone know!

All the money I earned over the years

has been spent on our family.

Shi Shu knows!

He knows everything!

Let's go ask him, Shi Ying.

You will stay in the side house and reflect on your mistakes.

From now on, Shou Gu will manage the household.

Not a single dirty coin will ever enter our family again!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door for us!

Open it! Open!

Where are all the geese

squawking from early in the morning?

Please calm down, gentlemen.

Please don't push, everyone.

Calm down.

No, no, no, I absolutely refuse to accept any betrothal geese.

Gentlemen, please, you should leave.

This is a recommendation letter from Prince Qing.

And I serve under the Crown Prince.

Master Dou, you and I value moral philosophy.

Such a rare bond.

I've been widowed for years,

and Young Lady Zhao is no longer so young herself. It would be perfect...

Young Lady Zhao is over 20 years younger than you.

Master Guo, this doesn't sound like moral philosophy to me,

it's more like

an old tree leaning over fresh blossoms.

You...

It's true I don't compare to you,

young and ambitious,

yet unable to take a proper wife

and have a house full of illegitimate children.

-What's that supposed to mean? -Exactly what you think it means.

-How dare you! -Screw you!

-Screw you! -Did you just hit me?

-You're dead meat! -Bring it on!

Master, Minister Liang is here to see you.

Invite him in.

Gentlemen, something has come up.

Minister Liang must have important matters to discuss.

You'll have to excuse me.

Minister Dou, my letter!

This is all your fault!

Minister Liang.

Shi Ying,

my fourth son is just the age to start discussing marriage prospects.

You...

Oh dear,

I think my migraines are acting up.

Excuse me, I must take my leave!

Come.

Bear with me.

I'm fine.

It doesn't hurt.

I'm much better now.

Master, what should we do with the geese in the courtyard?

Throw them out.

Just the sight of those beady eyes and flapping wings gives me a headache.

Tossing them out would be harsh.

Return them quietly at night.

Yes, Young Lady.

After the scandal with the bride swap,

they're taking advantage of our family's misfortune.

Why should we care about saving their pride?

Why get upset over those scoundrels?

I actually made you some goose soup

to help you cool down,

but then I realized a goose is also sharp-beaked and winged.

I'll just ask the kitchen to prepare something else instead.

No, keep the soup. If you made it,

it'll work.

-Did you burn yourself? -No, I'm fine.

It's really good.

Don't worry,

even if they send a hundred more geese, I'll send them all back.

Slow down.

Master, Lord of Haichang

is here to propose marriage.

Lord of Haichang?

Isn't he the one who's infamous for visiting every brothel in the capital?

Help!

-Stop right there! You're dead! -He's trying to kill me!

-You're dead! -Master! Master!

How dare you!

Master! Please calm down, Master!

-Calm down... -Move!

You rascal! The nerve of you to come here to propose!

Do you take my family for a brothel?

Master Shi Ying, why are you so mad?

No one wants Young Lady Zhao now.

I'm offering to marry her out of kindness.

Shameless brat! I'm going to kill you!

-Help! -What's all this commotion?

-Stop running! -Please calm down, Master!

Master Shi Ying is trying to kill me!

Stop right there!

-Master... -Help!

-Help him up! -Master!

You got carried away. You shouldn't have laid hands on him.

Lord of Haichang's family has been nobles for generations.

You can't just beat him up.

Those shameless fools think they can marry Shou Gu?

They deserve to be thrown out of the house.

You...

I'm sorry to have caused you trouble.

You think breaking off the engagement means freedom?

At least a marriage arranged by the family can ensure your safety.

If outsiders start scheming against you,

you'll see how dangerous it really is.

Forget it.

You've been wanting to see your grandmother, right?

Why don't you return to the estate and lay low for now?

It'll give us some peace and quiet.

Yes, Uncle.

Those lords are just a bunch of bottom-feeding scum!

Even Wei Ting Yu was better than them.

Everyone at Zhending Market knows me.

How dare bully you!

I'll gather my men and gut that lecherous lord!

Your uncle is a Grand Secretariat minister now,

yet he still has to send you away to clean up the mess.

Sending me away is perfect.

Better yet, don't ever call me back.

Times have changed.

Dou family is now a rising star in the court.

Your uncle might very well

be the next Grand Secretary.

Those he used to curry favor with

are now his equals,

or even trying to curry favor with him.

With Uncle holding power, Father managing the money,

and the bride swap scandal,

I'm practically

easy prey in the eyes of outsiders.

Shi Ying finally showed some backbone this time.

But this isn't just

a matter of your marriage,

it's a question

of whether Dou family sides with the Crown Prince or Prince Qing.

Everyone at court is watching to see where the Dou family stands.

Perhaps even His Majesty

is waiting to see where Dou family's loyalties lie.

Then don't pick either of them.

Stepping back to observe isn't a bad idea.

Only by seeing the full picture can you plan your next move.

You're talking about marriage like it's military strategy.

If His Majesty really has this much time on his hands,

why not stage another bride swap?

I'll take Shou Gu's place this time.

Grandmother, these raisins are so sweet.

Try some.

-Sweet, right? -Grandmother is healthy and happy now.

Try it.

Everything seems to be going in a better direction.

Young Ladies, Old Madam,

please enjoy some tofu pudding.

Tofu pudding?

It tastes like Lin Restaurant's.

And it's still warm.

Lin Restaurant?

Isn't that shop in the capital?

How did you get these?

Lu Ming brought them over.

Why are we doing this tofu pudding training every day?

Why so many questions?

His Lordship said we must master our riding skills.

To travel a thousand miles without breaking the tofu pudding.

The point is to strengthen our core.

Yes, sir!

My Lord, are we going to eat the unbroken tofu pudding ourselves?

Dream on.

You eat the broken ones.

Send the unbroken ones to the estate.

Impressive. Two birds with one stone!

If Lu Ming brought them, that means they're from Lord Song.

-Sweet, huh? -Mine's savory.

I'm sure even savory tofu pudding taste sweet now.

Just eat, will you?

Even if it's savory in your mouth,

it's sweet in your heart.

What flower is this?

You seem to treasure it greatly.

I do believe it can thrive on its own.

But I also believe

that with someone to lean on,

it could grow even stronger.

Shou Gu.

Tending to the flowers all by yourself, huh?

Grandmother.

Shou Gu,

when I was wandering around this courtyard alone,

I'd also find myself thinking about

the one who played that melody that night.

Grandmother,

what are you talking about?

I'm talking about the person on your mind right now.

Tell me honestly,

when Song Mo gave you that imperial decree,

what were you thinking?

How did you know Song Mo gave me an imperial decree?

Did you think living in the manor

made me deaf and blind?

I have my eyes and ears in the Dou's Residence.

Who are they?

Don't change the subject.

Just tell me what you thought about that.

When I first heard him say that,

I was shocked.

Then, I found it utterly unbelievable.

We were practically strangers,

yet he's done so much for me.

I don't know how to repay him.

You see, he didn't ask His Majesty

for a decree for himself,

he asked for one for you.

He could've asked His Majesty grant him your hand in marriage,

but instead, he only asked for your freedom to choose.

That shows just how genuinely he cares for you.

With someone like him protecting you,

I can finally feel at ease.

A simple matter of marriage,

yet it's caused such a scandal across the entire capital.

I've granted her an imperial decree.

Are you telling me

there isn't a single man in all the land worthy of her?

Your Majesty,

I have promised my daughter

I will not interfere in her choice of a husband.

Fine.

Take your time to decide.

Don't bother coming back to your duty until you pick someone suitable.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Come and have a look!

Fresh veggies! Fresh veggies for sale!

Minister Dou,

are you alright?

This is strange.

He's even escorting me home?

The fearsome man has suddenly turned nice.

What on earth is he up to?

This is a disaster. I used to rebuke the Dou family for scheming,

and now I'm the one with an agenda.

How am I ever going to change his impression of me?

Looks like the fireworks factory on the outskirts of the city exploded.

-Song Mo! -Young Lady!

Song Mo, I like you. But I'm even more afraid of losing you.

If you fear the Seven Grounds for Divorce,

I'll write you Seven Promises instead.

I'll respect any decision you make

and protect you.