Original subtitles

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 19]

[Song Residence]

Are these the betrothal gifts

from Her Ladyship?

Of course not, Madam.

These small gifts

are just to help calm Miss Song's nerves.

Her Ladyship said

Miss Song is well-educated and well-mannered.

She must have been frightened that day.

She's been thinking about her

and sent me to invite her

to stay at the Fanghua Hall for a few days.

Madam…

What?

No way!

She has neither an official title

nor an imperial decree.

How can she just go like that?

Absolutely not.

I don't approve.

If Her Ladyship has given the order,

then Yimeng should get ready

and go.

Master.

If she really goes,

doesn't that make her engagement

to His Highness official?

Didn't you oppose it?

Who runs this house, you or me?

I mean…

Go invite Miss Song to the palace.

Yes.

I-Is

such fanfare

really necessary?

Miss Song,

Her Ladyship said

whatever others get,

you should have too.

And what they don't get,

you should still be given.

Please.

[How to Not Marry a Prince – Day One]

My Lady,

[Fanghua Hall]

Miss Song is here.

I'm Song Yimeng.

Greetings, My Lady.

Yimeng,

come here.

You're

such a sweet girl.

I really like you.

Thank you for the compliment.

In the past, I used to think

if any girl liked Heng,

no matter if she was pretty or ugly,

no matter her temper,

I would

help him marry her.

But I didn't expect

Heng to have such good taste.

He fell for a kind

and lovely girl like you.

One day,

if I can no longer hold on,

I'll leave him in your hands

without worry.

My Lady,

I'm afraid I can't accept that.

I don't have feelings for the Seventh Prince,

and I never thought of marrying him.

To be honest with you,

I actually came

to the palace this time to ask for your help

in calling off the engagement.

Calling it off?

Why?

Do you believe those rumors too

and think Heng brings bad luck?

No, no,

that's not it at all.

I-It's

because…

because…

Even if I told you,

you wouldn't believe it.

Anyway, I can't marry him,

and I won't.

Please forgive me, My Lady.

Your marriage to Heng is no small matter.

It must be carefully considered.

[Moonlit Blossoms]

[How to Not Marry a Prince – Day Two]

Why haven't you taken a single bite?

You don't like them?

How could I eat them?

It looks like a feast.

And look over there.

It's like they're dressing me for fashion week.

Her Ladyship

is dead set on marrying me to Nan Heng.

If I eat, wear, and use these things,

won't I owe her big time?

No way.

I have to find a way to return the favor

and convince Her Ladyship that

I must not marry His Highness.

Her Ladyship is used to

all kinds of luxurious things.

How can you return her favor?

I have an idea.

My Lady,

it's time to take your medicine.

My future daughter-in-law is about to slip away.

What's the point of the regimen?

My Lady,

I heard that

Miss Song has been sighing in her room all the time,

looking upset.

If you don't come up with something soon,

this engagement really might

be called off.

Tell me.

If I pick a few concubines for Heng,

do you think Yimeng might change her mind?

My Lady,

are you trying to help

or making things worse?

You don't get it.

As long as

Chu Guihong

keeps chasing her,

she'll never see how great Heng is.

Once there's competition,

she'll see his worth.

Brilliant move, My Lady!

[How to Not Marry a Prince – Day Three]

My Lady.

I made

some tea drinks just for you.

Have a taste.

[Bubble Tea]

What is this?

My Lady,

it's called

bubble tea.

You can get it with half sugar, full sugar, or no sugar—

iced, with no ice, or at room temperature.

The base teas are black, green, or oolong.

There are flavors like osmanthus, rose, and crabapple,

and you can add things like sweet fermented rice balls.

You can try all of them if you'd like.

Bubble tea?

Not bad.

Yimeng,

as it happens,

I actually have something to discuss with you.

My Lady.

My Lady.

Aside from Miss Song Yiting, who's feeling unwell,

all the other madams and young ladies are here.

That's fine.

Greetings, My Lady.

Yimeng just brought some bubble tea.

[Black Tea Pudding, Jasmine Milk Tea, Misty Milk Tea]

Ladies, please take a seat

and enjoy it together.

Thank you, My Lady.

It's sweet and tasty.

Look at mine.

What does yours say?

Oolong milk tea.

What are matcha pearls?

It tastes good.

I haven't had it before.

Same here.

It's really good.

I've invited you all here today

because there's something urgent

I'd like to discuss with you.

My Lady,

you flatter us.

If you need anything,

just say the word.

Exactly.

Heng is my only son.

He spent years stationed at the border.

Now it's time

for him to get married and carry on the royal line.

Aside from Yimeng,

your daughters

are the most graceful and virtuous

in the capital.

All fine matches.

What does this mean?

My Lady,

hasn't His Highness already been engaged

to the eldest daughter of the Song family?

According to tradition,

a prince may have one principal consort

and up to two concubines.

Miss Jia,

are you engaged yet?

Guess she's not lucky enough to marry the prince.

Her fiancé is just about to send the betrothal gifts.

But I heard that

you're still shopping around.

You've basically

visited every matchmaker in the capital.

Are you lying

to Her Ladyship because you think His Highness

isn't good enough for your daughter?

Mrs. Song,

Miss Yiting is famous all over the capital.

Why don't you say yes?

My eldest daughter

is the prince's principal consort.

If my second daughter became his concubine,

wouldn't that be ridiculous?

Even if I agreed,

surely Her Ladyship wouldn't.

I agree.

What's wrong with two sisters

sharing a husband?

Oh right, Mrs. Liu,

I heard that

your daughter's birth chart is incredibly auspicious,

and she's a perfect match for the prince.

Why don't you seize

this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

My daughter's…

birth chart is indeed good,

b-but…

her grandfather just passed away.

She's still in mourning.

But if I recall correctly,

your father passed away over ten years ago.

Why do I feel that

none of you want

your daughters to marry Heng?

Is there something wrong with him?

No.

My Lady, you've misunderstood.

His Highness is brilliant and valiant.

It's not that my daughter

refuses to be his concubine.

It's just…

just that…

there's still Song Yimeng.

Yeah.

I-It's because of Song Yimeng.

Me?

Exactly.

Everyone in the capital knows that

Miss Song is rude, spoiled,

grumpy, and jealous.

If any other girl had to share His Highness with you,

she'd be tormented to death.

[Misty Milk Tea]

Yes!

Song Yimeng

is downright vicious.

She has done more wrongs

than you can count.

S-Song Yimeng

bullied people

and terrorized her neighbors.

Song Yimeng

kicked down widows' doors,

dug up graves,

and beat up the disabled.

Yes, yes, yes!

Exactly!

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

I see what's going on now.

So basically,

you're trashing me

just to get out of marrying Nan Heng, huh?

What trashing?

Heng?

What are you doing here?

The ladies

were just talking about your marriage to Yimeng.

I just caught a few fugitives

and gutted them

in the celestial prison.

I was passing by the Fanghua Hall,

so I dropped in to see you.

I heard that

you don't want to marry your daughters to me

because of my principal consort.

Well then,

since I'm here today,

if any of you are truly interested,

come up and let me take a good look at you.

If it feels right,

I'll

divorce Song Yimeng.

Why are you so quiet?

What are you trying to do?

I'm bored.

Just having a bit of fun.

What's your name?

I...

I'm…

the daughter

of Qiao Yue,

Vice Director of the Palace Library.

My name is…

Q-Q-Qiao…

So you're a stutterer.

So useless.

Maybe I should throw her in prison and have her executed.

Mother.

Mother.

My Lady.

This...

You.

Just now, I heard Mrs. Song say

your birth chart matches mine best.

What year were you born?

The…

the year of Renyin.

Renyin? Then you're a tiger.

But if you're a tiger,

that clashes with my sign.

If you marry me,

will I bring misfortune on you,

or will you bring misfortune on me?

I wouldn't dare.

You wouldn't dare?

Then you must've lied to Her Ladyship.

In the Xuanjia Army,

lying like that gets you gutted

and your heart boiled and eaten.

Please forgive us, My Lady.

Please spare us.

Some street fortune-teller

told me that!

I would never dare lie to you!

Weren't the two of you the loudest ones earlier?

Why so quiet now?

Say something!

Your Highness.

Please forgive us!

Please spare us!

Spreading lies and causing trouble—

the two of you should be thrown in prison

and have your tongues cut out!

My Lady.

My Lady, save us!

My Lady!

My Lady, save us!

I'll say it one more time today—

Song Yimeng

is marrying me because I begged her to.

Her honor

is my honor.

Anyone who disrespected me

has already died by my sword.

Anyone who dares disrespect her—

go ahead, try it.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

Please spare us.

My Lady, please save us.

My Lady, please save us.

My Lady.

My Lady.

What's wrong with you?

My Lady.

My Lady.

My Lady.

Mother!

My Lady.

Mother, what's wrong?

Send for the imperial physician.

Go!

Yes.

There's milk in it?

Mother has a weak stomach.

She can't take milk.

I made it for Her Ladyship.

I didn't know she couldn't have milk.

My Lady.

My Lady.

You should let the servants

prepare the medicine.

Sitting in the draft in the middle of the night—

if you fall ill,

are you going to blame me for it?

Her Ladyship fell ill because she drank

the milk tea I made.

I have to do something

to make up for it.

Did I

scare you today?

You're always either yelling at me

or threatening to kill me.

I'm used to it.

Can you not be so sarcastic?

In this palace, people are tricky.

You can never be too careful.

You may not hurt others,

but others may want to hurt you.

Soon after you got into the palace,

you prepared food for Mother.

That was a big mistake.

What if someone had tried to poison her?

What if they had framed you for it?

This is a romance drama.

It can't be so serious.

What did you just mutter?

Nothing.

I heard you loud and clear, Your Highness.

Here.

Your Highness.

This medicine

was prepared exactly as the imperial physician instructed.

Now that you've touched it,

if something goes wrong,

it's on you.

Thank you.

I said…

thank you.

Are you thanking me?

Are you out of your mind?

You're the one who's out of your mind.

Fine.

I'm just out of my mind.

That's why I thanked you.

Just take it as an insult.

Anyway,

you're not used to being thanked.

I've been insulted by plenty of people.

One more doesn't make a difference.

You said all those terrifying things

in front of those ladies today.

What if they took them seriously?

To them,

I'm just the murderous God of Death.

Then explain it to those

who misunderstand you.

Tell them the truth.

If I

explained it to you,

would you believe me?

They call me God of Death.

Isn't that what you think too?

The world insults and curses me.

And haven't you done the same?

If even you won't believe me,

why would I bother explaining myself to anyone else?

Was I…

a little too harsh on you?

Yeah, you were.

But...

it's fine.

Miss Song drew this painting herself.

Please make sure it gets to Mr. Li.

Well, well, Yunlong,

I didn't think I'd live to see

the day you caught feelings.

Why is it you?

Do I know you?

Lewd.

You don't know me,

and you're calling me lewd?

You showed up uninvited

and insulted me when you saw me.

I'm just telling the truth.

You were out there on the street,

arms around two girls.

I wonder

why such an upright guy like Mr. Li

keeps someone like you around.

Fine.

Guess I'm just unlucky to have run into you,

okay?

Yunlong,

let's go.

You forgot the drawing.

The drawing.

You…

you drew me this time?

A fine sword for a noble man;

a bamboo branch for a graceful lady.

May I ask,

what's your name?

The 73rd painting.

It's only…

It's only the third day of the month.

Miss Song Yiting, your hands

are surprisingly strong.

I like drawing.

I want to draw. I'm good at it.

What's it to you?

Stop beating around the bush.

Where is

Mr. Li?

I must see him today.

Chief

isn't here.

He's not here right now,

but he might come back later.

Yunlong,

go take Miss Song Yiting upstairs to rest for a bit.

Chief will be here soon.

Stop!

Second Master.

This is not appropriate.

What are you planning to do to Chief's

sister-in-law while he's not here?

You jerk.

Am I that kind of person?

Really?

Yes.

No!

Look.

Three days,

73 paintings.

She's obsessed with Chief.

If we let her

keep showing up like this,

she'll end up causing trouble for Chief sooner or later.

If Chief's in trouble,

I'll be in trouble too.

So in the end,

I made this mess,

and I have to clean it up.

So what's your plan?

I'm a pro

at breakups.

Miss.

Have a seat.

Shannai.

No need.

The things outside

are dirty.

Waning River Crescent is too shabby.

I hope you don't mind.

Don't get me wrong, Mr. Li.

I'm just really into cleanliness

and never eat outside.

It's not that I'm being picky.

No worries,

I get it.

You're someone who appreciates kindness.

I helped you once,

and you sent me 73 paintings

in three days.

I really do appreciate the thought.

As long as you like them.

But sometimes, when you go overboard,

it ends up becoming pressure.

You're elegant

and admired by everyone.

If you were in danger,

anyone would step in to help.

What I did

was not worth mentioning.

But

if you really want to thank me,

why don't we just have some tea together

and become friends?

After that,

you don't have to thank me again.

Sorry. I'm so sorry.

I went overboard

and made you feel uncomfortable.

I get what you're saying.

I won't send you

any more paintings.

Mr. Li,

I didn't send you

those paintings just to say thank you.

Like you said,

I sent you 73 paintings in three days.

Who does that

just to say thank you?

I like you.

But you're pretty, talented,

and from a powerful family.

You're like a cloud in the sky.

I have nothing to my name

and am always risking my life.

I'm like the mud on the ground.

We are so different.

You're way out of my league.

How about this?

Let's finish this cup of tea

and go our separate ways.

I see.

Mr. Li,

you're refusing me.

Falling petals want to follow the stream,

but the stream has no interest in them.

Love

can't be forced.

I'll drink…

this cup of tea.

Sure, I'm a cloud in the sky,

but since I like you,

you're hardly mud on the ground.

I'm just surprised that

someone as free-spirited as you

would care about family status.

You've lived a sheltered life.

How could you know how tough life is?

People in the martial world

don't get a monthly salary,

own land, or have houses.

Home is wherever we go.

You won't even drink from a cup here,

but I'm usually out there

surviving on whatever I can find.

I can drink this tea,

but it looks like you can't.

It seems you didn't get my point.

I...

I get it.

You don't get a salary,

but I can support you with my monthly allowance

from my family.

Land and houses are no problem.

Across all 36 prefectures of Great Jing,

the Song family has estates everywhere.

If you want to roam the world,

as long as you marry me,

my home will be your home.

No, wait,

how could I accept that?

I'd be living off a woman.

When two people love each other,

nothing else matters.

If you keep me happy,

who cares who pays the bills?

B-But what if I don't like you?

What if I'm not into you?

Then I'll make you fall for me.

You just said it yourself,

someone like me

is admired by countless people.

But

I'm not one of them.

Look at me.

I love freedom.

I don't want to be tied to anyone.

Mr. Li,

running a place this big

must give you little freedom.

You hit the nail on the head.

That's right.

I need to keep Waning River Crescent running.

Building a career

is my top priority right now.

Romance

just gets in the way of business

and making money.

A month has 30 days.

I spend five playing the qin,

five reading,

five painting,

five out with my friends,

and five with my parents.

The days I need you

add up to just five.

On those five days,

I'll pay you double your daily take.

You won't lose a cent.

[Three years ago]

I can run it for you.

But let me make it clear.

A month has 30 days.

I spend five traveling,

five playing the flute,

five feasting,

five visiting old friends,

and five…

I'm not telling you.

In short,

I can only stay here five days a month

to run this place for you.

How's that?

Wait,

is that how you treat feelings?

Can money fix everything?

Can your money buy company

or true affection?

Money is just a worldly thing.

If money can solve matters of the heart,

why not use it?

What I want is you

and your heart.

Love not weighed down by money

is the purest love of all.

L-Let me think.

Let me think.

Mr. Li.

Think it over.

I'll wait right here…

for your answer.

[Chuyun Palace]

My Lady,

you sent for me?

Yimeng,

come here.

My Lady,

are you feeling any better?

I made some snacks just for Heng,

but he left in a hurry

and forgot to take them.

Go catch up to him.

Give them to him for me.

Isn't this

something Eunuch Yang should do?

But look around.

In this entire hall,

is there anyone else?

My Lady,

isn't that a little too obvious?

Good girl,

since you know what I want,

go chase after him now.

But

My Lady,

His Highness and me…

w-we...

Since drinking the milk tea yesterday,

I've been feeling so uncomfortable.

Fine, I'll go.

I'll go right now.

I heard you made a scene in the Fanghua Hall yesterday

and scared those noble ladies half to death.

Song Yimeng is my principal consort.

How could I let people speak ill of her?

Judging from your tone,

the marriage with the Song family

is already set in stone.

Uncle, why does this matter concern you so much?

Regarding the enfeoffment,

it's clear that His Majesty has revived the old rule

from the previous dynasty just to target you.

Yet the Eighteenth Prince runs to the Song Residence every day,

showering Miss Song Yiting

with attention and gifts,

showing no restraint at all.

I have my own plan for the enfeoffment.

As for Nan Rui,

although I don't know Song Yiting,

I doubt she thinks much of Nan Rui.

Miss Song Yiting may not care,

but her mother, Madam Zhou, clearly does.

My view remains the same:

rather than letting Miss Song Yiting marry someone else

and strengthen another force,

you should marry both Song sisters.

A wife should be chosen for her virtue,

a concubine for her looks.

We need to get a firm grip on the Song family's power.

My answer

hasn't changed.

Absurd.

Good.

A wife should be chosen for her virtue,

a concubine for her looks?

Good?

[A Dream of Qingning, Episode 22, Scene 12]

Nan Heng!

Instead of staying at home,

what are you doing here?

If I hadn't followed her here,

I wouldn't have known you two

were so shameless!

Song Yiting!

He is your brother-in-law!

He used to be.

But from now on,

he'll be my husband.

I'll let you be his principal consort,

but keep this in mind:

the one he loves most

is me.

That's not true.

That's not true!

What I choose to do

is none of your concern.

Get out!

Oh no.

That toxic scene

is coming.

[Iconic Scenes in the Script]

[4. The Sister-in-Law and the Brother-in-Law's Affair]

[Immoral]

It's so late,

and Mr. Li still hasn't given an answer.

Guess that's a no.

My Lady,

just let it go and look ahead.

The world is vast.

There are millions of good men out there.

You're sure to meet someone better.

Oh no.

You left your handkerchief on the table.

Something that personal must be retrieved.

Please wait here.

I'll go back and fetch it.

Qianyu?

This is...

Qianyu Moon-Cleaving Blade.

As soon as Chief is gone,

someone starts slacking off.

Has Song Yiting left?

Relax.

I watched her leave with my own eyes.

We're drowning in work,

and you're sitting here drinking?

I do brain work,

not grunt work.

What did you do?

Helping Chief get rid of Song Yiting.

Never mind.

My amazing face

and unmatched charm

are heaven's gifts

and my lifelong curse.

Seriously?

Miss Song Yiting likes Chief.

He wears a mask.

It's not about his face.

And it sure isn't about you.

Qianyu Moon-Cleaving Blade is missing.

It was stolen.

Who's got the nerve

to steal from Waning River Crescent?

Yunlong, after them!

No need.

[Come to the garden of the Song Residence at noon tomorrow. Yiting]

Come to the garden

of the Song Residence at noon tomorrow.