Original subtitles

=Blossoms of Power=

(Adapted from the novel, After My Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

=Episode 14=

(Gudu Garden)

Here.

- Kick it to me. - Brother, I want to play too.

Thank you, Brother.

Let me play!

Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu,

why is there bloody water?

What a tragedy.

One of the children is badly injured.

Nanny, don't panic.

I'll go take a look right now.

You must be Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

How did you get hurt so badly?

I am Qi Pei.

From Li County, Shunan.

My older brother owed gambling debts,

and was thrown into prison in Zenan District.

But he never gambles.

When I went to visit him,

he had vanished into thin air.

I sought help everywhere to no avail,

so I had to come to the capital to appeal to the Emperor.

As a result, I was hunted down all the way here.

Do you have any evidence?

The officials in Zenan protect each other,

and distort the truth.

The evidence I collected

was tricked out of me and destroyed.

They must have caught up with me.

Mo Yu, protect Qi Pei.

We'll go out together.

Yes.

There's tung oil in the water.

These deranged thugs

dare to commit crimes so openly!

Hurry.

Mo Yu, stay close to me!

Yes.

Come.

- Protect His Highness! - Protect His Highness!

- The guards are here! Retreat! - Hurry!

- Hurry! - Hurry!

- Protect His Highness! - Protect His Highness!

Imperial Guards, hear my command!

There are assassins in the courtyard. Arrest them all.

Don't let a single one escape.

- Yes. - Yes.

Go!

Commandery Princess!

Commandery Princess!

Qi Pei is a crucial witness.

Keep him safe.

Don't worry.

Everything will be fine.

Commandery Princess!

Commandery Princess!

Your Highness,

Commandery Princess went to Gudu Garden to care for the orphans,

and encountered a fire.

Where is she now?

How is she doing?

She was rescued.

She is not seriously hurt.

Who saved her?

I will reward them handsomely.

It was Prince Lie.

Drink your medicine.

The Duke's manor is heavily guarded,

yet you can come and go as you please.

It seems you are not only in good health,

but also highly skilled in martial arts.

We are destined to be husband and wife after all.

Naturally, I have no need to hide anything from you.

Drink your medicine.

Are you forcing me to feed it to you with my lips?

I never yield to threats.

I have been very restrained.

I don't want to offend you,

nor do I want you to despise me.

Xiao Huayong.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning, who always prioritizes the big picture,

abandoned me

to choose another.

But who else

is a better match for you than me,

who has a legitimate imperial descent

and a short life expectancy?

Legitimate imperial descent

can be changed.

Whether your life is short or not

can be orchestrated.

Get out.

Don't be angry, Commandery Princess.

It's my fault.

Get some good rest.

I'll handle the rest.

As for Changying,

you don't need to thank him in person.

Your Highness,

aren't you just making the Commandery Princess angry for nothing?

When I heard she was in danger,

I was worried sick.

And I blamed myself,

wishing I had been the one to save her.

I felt so powerless and anxious

that I lost my composure for a moment.

In all these years,

you've never been like this.

Are we returning to the palace?

No.

We're going to deliver a gift.

I happened to see her going to Gudu Garden today,

so I quietly followed her.

At least I could be a little closer to her.

I didn't expect to save her.

Changying,

knowing the road ahead is doomed,

yet still embracing it willingly...

I understand that feeling, too.

I won't try to persuade you anymore.

I couldn't anyway.

Changqing...

Your Highness,

the Crown Prince is here.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

We are brothers.

No need for formalities.

Your Highness, to what do we owe the honor of your visit?

Do you have any orders for us?

I just came from Duke of Wei's Manor.

The Commandery Princess asked me

to thank you on her behalf for saving her, Changying.

This is between the Commandery Princess and me.

You did her a great favor.

But men and women should keep their distance.

She wishes to avoid suspicion,

which is why she asked me

to thank you on her behalf.

Since the gift has been delivered...

There's no rush.

This is Commandery Princess's gift of gratitude.

My gift of gratitude

hasn't been delivered yet.

(Minister Song...)

This letter seems to be a secret missive from Noble Consort Rong

to win over court officials.

Noble Consort Rong is working so tirelessly

to gather trusted followers for you, Changying.

What a deep bond between mother and son.

But I fear it might carry the suspicion

of forming factions for personal gain.

Your Highness, you're incredibly resourceful,

but these letters are just about trivial family matters.

They hardly count as forming factions.

And Changying knows absolutely nothing about them.

Is that so?

But I have dozens of such letters in my palace.

I naturally believe

what you say, Changqing.

But will others

believe it?

As for this gift from you,

Changying and I are deeply grateful.

We accept it.

Changqing.

Whatever you two brothers intend to do,

I won't interfere.

But as for my woman,

no one is allowed to lay a finger on her.

Farewell, Your Highness.

Didn't I say it?

We are brothers.

No need for formalities.

Changqing,

these letters can't convict us.

Why let him threaten us?

The Crown Prince usually just holds back.

Even without these letters,

he would have other ways

to make you back down.

You just have to steer clear of him for now.

However...

However what?

He came in such a hurry today

and even used letters to threaten us.

This shows that his marriage with Zhaoning

has hit a snag.

Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths?

So he hasn't won Zhaoning's heart either.

The omnipotent Crown Prince

is also just suffering from unrequited love.

Young Master,

the witness sent by the Commandery Princess

has been settled in.

Make sure he is well taken care of.

There must be no mistakes.

Rest assured, Young Master.

Li County is under Shunan's jurisdiction.

I absolutely refuse to believe

that under my father's governance,

such a despicable crime could happen in Shunan.

Yes, I don't believe it either.

But

why are you packing your bags?

I'm going back to thoroughly investigate this matter.

You're investigating?

Isn't the imperial court sending someone?

Within the imperial court,

there are many who covet Shunan's military power.

I know this better than anyone from my years in the capital.

This case is murky.

If someone uses it as a pretext,

manipulating the case behind the scenes to target my father,

by the time the court finishes investigating and makes a final ruling,

it will be too late. I must find out the truth first.

Young Master,

I'll go with you.

No need.

I'll go alone and return quickly.

Stay at the manor and cover for me.

And protect the witness.

Young Master,

please be careful.

Vice Minister of Imperial Observatory,

(Receiving the Mandate and Establishing the Foundation)

I ordered you to choose an auspicious day for the royal wedding.

Do you have a result?

Replying to Your Majesty,

based on astrology and birth charts,

I have selected a highly auspicious date for the marriage.

Please take a look, Your Majesty.

Excellent.

Huayong,

Zhaoning,

one month from now.

This date is indeed an excellent choice.

What do the two of you think?

Your Majesty,

a few days ago, I

was frightened at Gudu Garden.

I beseech Your Majesty to postpone the wedding for me.

Regarding the incident at Gudu Garden,

as to who set the fire,

Prefect of Jingzhao has already ordered a thorough investigation.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning, you need not worry.

Your Majesty,

I am feeling extremely unwell.

I have already asked the imperial physician to help me recover.

I truly cannot get married right now.

Your Majesty, since that is the case,

let's wait until the Commandery Princess feels better.

Marriage is a major event. There is no need to rush it right now.

Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.

Very well.

I respect your wishes.

Once Commandery Princess Zhaoning has recovered,

Minister of Rites,

Vice Minister of Imperial Observatory,

choose another auspicious date.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

(Ningze Prefecture, Zenan District)

Officers,

the vegetables are quite fresh.

I picked them this morning.

Wash them and deliver them to the magistrate's office for us.

You're new here, huh?

Who told you that you could set up a stall here?

Officers, please have mercy.

This is my only way to make a living and feed my family.

Cut the crap.

Get out of here.

You...

What gives you the right?

Why kick my things and chase me away?

I have no one to rely on, and my life is worthless.

You won't let me do my only job!

How will I survive?

Arrest this unruly peasant!

Hold on!

In broad daylight,

even if these vendors are at fault,

as officers of the imperial court,

how can you abuse your power to bully people like this?

Who are you? You dare meddle in the affairs of the magistrate's office?

I am but a humble scholar.

Though I am an outsider residing in Zenan,

I absolutely cannot stand by and watch you

bully the commoners like this.

There are so many troublemakers today.

Take them all back.

- Let's see if you're still this cocky - How can you arrest people?

when we get to the magistrate's office.

What are you doing?

I'm here to help you.

Who asked for your help?

Let go.

Move.

Hurry up.

Faster.

What are you looking at?

Walk faster.

Why were you

causing trouble on the street

and obstructing official duties?

Officer,

I ran out of travel money, so I set up a stall to get by.

I was just acting on impulse earlier

and offended you officers.

I admit I was wrong, okay?

Don't play dumb with me.

Speak.

What's your name?

Cui Ergou.

Cui Ergou.

And you?

Lin Tieniu. I am traveling here for my studies.

I was overcome with righteous indignation.

That's why I spoke up to help. I didn't mean to cause trouble.

How many people are in your families?

I'm the only one in my family.

Back home,

I have a bedridden elderly father.

Do you have any relatives

working in the government?

- No. - No.

Anyone in the military?

- No. - No.

You two

blocked the road with your stall

and obstructed official duties.

It's not a major crime.

We'll lock you up for three days

as a warning to others.

Cui Jinbai, I'm begging you.

I admit I really shouldn't have pestered you just to avoid the princess.

You have your future, your reputation.

Don't want any of that anymore?

Could you stop pestering me?

Is this all you have to say to me?

Yes.

Then could I trouble you

to actually listen to what I'm saying?

I have read extensively since childhood.

My family's teachings, the Four Bonds, the Three Principles and Five Virtues

have long been etched into my bones.

I also resent myself.

Why have I become so absurd and ridiculous?

I've tried to cut all ties with you.

But I can't do it.

Are you crazy?

I am crazy.

You're the one who made me lose my mind.

To be reckless

and willingly so.

Why don't we take care of business first?

Let's investigate this so-called wrongful imprisonment.

If you were coming over to help me,

why didn't you bring a few more people?

Without His Majesty's decree,

or official documents from the imperial court,

leaving the capital secretly is already a serious crime.

If I brought people here and made a big scene,

would I be helping you or harming you?

You two,

we're short on cells right now.

You didn't commit any major offenses.

So we're releasing you early.

You can leave tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night? Why so soon?

What? You want to celebrate the Chinese New Year here?

Why would they let us go so easily?

Could it be

they have an ulterior motive?

Just sign and fingerprint this, and you can go.

(Prisoners: Lin Tieniu, Cui Ergou) (Guard on Duty: Zhao Wu)

Hurry up down there.

- Make it quick. - Hurry up.

You guys in the back, hurry up.

Move it!

Put some back into it!

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

Move!

Go, go, go!

Move it! What are you looking at?

Hurry up!

Keep moving!

Hurry up!

You in the back, hurry up!

Let me tell you something.

You'd better behave.

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

Stop dawdling!

Hurry up, you guys in the back!

Stop slacking off! Hurry up!

I wouldn't dare!

I'll never do it again!

I'll never do it again!

See that?

That's what happens when you try to escape.

You'd better work hard.

If anyone dares to run away,

you'll be in for it.

Move!

You guys, over here.

Grab your tools here.

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

Mister...

Where are you from?

Mister,

how did you end up here?

Looks like we won't get anything out of them.

Don't worry. We'll find another chance.

You there.

You.

Yes, you.

Take off your shirt.

Come work the forge.

Sir,

let me do it.

First time I've seen someone volunteer for this.

My family used to run a blacksmith shop.

I've been forging iron since I was a kid.

I'm not used to mining anyway.

Alright, you're up.

Take off your shirt.

Get to the forge.

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

Stop dawdling!

Get to work!

Hurry up!

Put your back into it!

Move!

Move faster!

(Duke of Wei's Manor)

Your Highness,

the Crown Prince has sent another letter.

Read it.

"Day after day,

thoughts of you linger in my heart.

The mountains are green, the sky is high, and the road is long.

Yet there is no one to meet after dusk.

A...

A moment apart,

and my spirit fades."

Your Highness,

you'd better read it yourself.

(How can a slight unfurrowing of brows erase the pain in my heart?)

So mushy.

Your Highness,

Jin Shan says there's an urgent matter.

He must see you in person.

Did something happen to Lin?

Your Highness, Young Master

can't leave here without permission,

so he secretly went to Zenan District to investigate.

Before leaving, he said

if there's no news from him within five days, he might be trapped.

He also said you are the only person in the entire imperial capital he trusts,

and that we could ask for your help.

Hurry up!

Sit down.

This should be more comfortable.

Does the wound on your back hurt a lot?

It's nothing.

Just a flesh wound.

It just looks scary, that's all.

Come on, get up and eat!

Get up!

It's mine!

It's mine!

Leave some for me!

Eat up.

They capture people for slave labor

and won't even give us a full meal.

Those beasts.

We still have to work tomorrow.

Try to eat something.

I have no appetite.

I really didn't expect

that in Shunan's territory,

someone would dare to illegally open a mine,

forge weapons,

and enslave prisoners.

These are capital offenses strictly forbidden by the court.

Shunan's terrain is complex and extremely difficult to control.

For them to operate in such a place

on such a massive scale,

the forces behind them must be formidable.

Right now, conserving our strength is what matters.

You should eat something.

I really have no appetite.

You're injured.

I practice martial arts year-round, so I get injured often.

I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it.

Don't make a big deal out of it, okay?

In front of me,

you don't have to be the flawless Young Master Bu.

Here.

Everyone knows

that I, Bu Shulin, am a playboy.

I spend my time drinking, partying and fooling around.

I'm ignorant and incompetent.

Take a good look for yourself.

You, ignorant and incompetent?

You were summoned to the capital by imperial decree at age nine.

You were essentially a hostage.

Your every move

influenced the court's judgment of Shunan.

Yet, at such a young age,

you navigated alone among nobles,

civil and military officials,

and even around His Majesty.

You never brought the slightest trouble to Shunan.

I know

you have your own responsibilities to shoulder.

This responsibility

is both admirable

and heartbreaking.

If you don't want me sitting next to you,

I can move further away.

Get some sleep.

I'll keep watch for you.

Your Highness,

Bu Shulin has gone missing in Zenan.

Commandery Princess followed him.

I'll go, too.

No. You haven't fully recovered yet.

Also, we still haven't found the mastermind

behind the assassins who attacked you at the lantern festival.

I'm afraid those people

will try to harm you again.

I've ordered Zhao Zhenghao to keep investigating

the connection between those assassins and Li Yanhui.

Prepare the carriage. We leave now.

Yes.

Come here.

You memorized all the routes here?

The scale of this place

far exceeds a normal mine.

The illegal forging of weapons is undeniable proof.

We need to escape quickly

and get the word out

to wipe out this den of thieves.

But the paths here go in all directions.

I can't believe you remembered them all.

My brilliance

is already known to you.

So there's no need for me to hide it anymore.

If we start from here,

we only need to take out two guards.

Avoid the main mine shaft and armory on the west side,

and leave through the east passage.

This is the shortest route.

Your brilliance

is on par with mine.

We're quite a match.

Let's go.

Someone's escaping!

After them!

Hurry!

Catch them!

Hurry!

Hurry!

There they are!

Catch them!

Over there!

There are too many of them!

You go first.

No, we leave together.

Listen to me.

Go!

Stop!

Don't run!

Stop!

Get him!

- That's for running! - That's for running!

Here you go, sir.

Your horse is ready.

Who are you?

I am

(Tang Juan, Magistrate of Zenan) Tang Juan, Magistrate of Zenan District.

Magistrate of Zenan District?

Guards,

arrest this fugitive.

Throw him in prison

and interrogate him thoroughly.

Yes, sir.

(Zenan District Office)

The Crown Prince?

His Highness must have followed Commandery Princess here.

Wherever he is, and whatever he thinks or does

have nothing to do with us.

We need to focus on our business.

Prefect Yu.

(Yu Zao, Prefect of Zenan) This man is Marquis of Shunan's heir.

How should we deal with him?

Since he already knows about the mine,

we can't give him the chance

to spread the word.

Silence him?

But he's the heir of the Marquis of Shunan.

In Marquis of Shunan's Manor,

he is the heir.

In the Zenan prison,

he's just a death row inmate.

I understand.

Prefect Yu, Magistrate Tang.

The daughter of Duke Wei,

Commandery Princess Zhaoning has arrived.

She is already in the front hall.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning?

Why is she here?

What are you waiting for?

I'll get it done immediately.

It seems someone can't wait.

If you kill me,

have you thought about the consequences?

You must know who I am by now.

If I die in your Zenan prison,

do you think you can get away with it?

Do you think your superiors

will step up and take the blame

or will they throw you under the bus immediately

as a scapegoat to appease the Marquis's wrath

and cover up all their crimes?

It's not too late to stop now.

No matter what you say,

this engagement

must be broken.

You are bullying me again.

♪A wall that collapses at a single push♪

It doesn't matter if some things

take a little longer.

I'm willing to wait.

♪I've hidden so many words♪

♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

♪So never uncover♪

♪The sand that slips away with one grasp♪

♪The flower that withers after one bloom♪

♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

♪Every answer I gave♪

♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes when I hurt you♪

♪How hard it truly was?♪

♪The wounds that healed with just a little comfort♪

♪The lies made whole with a single embrace♪

♪Pretending to be brave as if I'd never been hurt♪

♪It's a shame I never could♪

♪Give you a moon in return♪

♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

♪Never knowing I was lost♪

♪Why don't you take me away?♪

♪Lead me out of this endless game of hide-and-seek♪

♪You'll never♪

♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

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