Original subtitles

=The Road to Splendor=

(Adapted from China Literature author Zhizhi's novel of the same name)

=Episode 23=

(Xie Residence)

You again?

If you're really that sincere,

go pray to a real Buddha at the temple.

Instead, every few days

you come throwing yourself at Miss Xie.

What do you think you're doing?

Sanniang.

Miss Xie,

I came here today

because I want an answer.

I don't want to be some caged bird kept for a man's amusement,

trapped on a lacquered perch,

expected only to bear children and repay his favor.

If you were in my place,

what would you do?

I know

I could never compare to you.

I've lived at the mercy of others since I was a child.

But now,

I don't want to endure it anymore.

Miss Xie,

please show me a way out.

For five years,

I haven't eaten a single grain of rice.

Even with vegetables,

I'm allowed no more than three bites per meal.

Aunt always says

a woman's marriage

is impossible to predict.

Who knows whether my future husband

will prefer a fuller figure

or a slender one?

If I'm kept thin now,

I can always put on weight later.

That's easy enough.

But if I'm allowed to grow plump,

losing the weight later

would be much harder.

Miss Xie,

do you know

how I've survived all these years?

Every day, I prayed to heaven

to give me a husband

who likes fuller women.

Then maybe

I could finally eat my fill.

My mother once told me,

a woman may be better off going through life unaware.

At least then, she can live in peace.

Once she sees the world for what it is,

there will be no end to her troubles.

Do you truly want to know?

I too was once treated like a prize to be bargained over.

Back then,

every step felt like walking on thin ice.

Every time I was weighed and judged,

I had to keep my eyes open

and be extremely careful,

or risk

being trapped for good.

Then how did you become who you are today?

Along the way,

I was fortunate to have Commander Zhao by my side.

But it wasn't until I broke free

from the walls of the inner household

that I saw how vast the world truly was

and understood what I truly wanted.

Marriage may change your circumstances,

but true freedom

is something you must find within yourself.

Go home.

This time,

I'll find a way to protect you from this.

Thank you, Miss Xie.

(Wanfang Garden)

You rarely come to visit me.

You must stay for a few rounds of cards before you leave.

Go find us a few more players.

Yes.

You wear those cat's-eye earrings

quite often.

I've noticed

you have so many beautiful hairpieces and jewelry

and wear a different one every day.

Why are you so attached to this pair?

Nothing gets past you.

My husband found these for me

when he came to serve in the capital.

They're a Western trinket he specially sought out.

He even said these earrings

would go perfectly with my favorite pomegranate-red dress

and flatter my complexion.

Something's on your mind?

Just now at the jewelry shop,

I saw the shopkeeper

wrapping up an identical pair.

He said Madam Wu had ordered them some time ago

and specifically requested

a pomegranate-red brocade box.

(Double Happiness)

What did you learn

at home?

I can read a little.

I've only studied women's texts

and learned a little painting.

No wonder.

Women who paint

do tend to have such delicate hands.

(Double Happiness)

Madam,

that's

Master's carriage.

Come closer.

Move!

Where is he?

Madam Wei!

Madam Wei!

Madam Wei!

Move!

Wei Donglin!

Wei Donglin!

Wei Donglin!

What are you doing here?

You scumbag!

Were you raised with no manners at all?

Weren't you supposed to be dining with your colleagues?

How did you end up in this seductress's bed?

I...

I haven't even gotten into bed.

Nothing's happened yet.

You...

Stop right there!

Dressed up awfully festive, aren't you?

Strip that shameless woman!

Madam!

Take it off!

You can't do this.

Please, don't!

My Lady!

My Lady!

My Lady!

You shameless wretch!

Do you even know your place?

Look at where you come from.

You truly are a born wretch.

You dare to laugh?

Then I'll give you something to laugh about!

I'd like to see,

without this pretty face of yours,

how you'll manage to seduce another woman's husband.

Madam Wei!

Please, don't!

Madam Wei.

If this gets out of hand,

it won't look good for you either.

Let go of me!

Lord Wei,

do you still want this woman or not?

Enough!

Who are you telling "enough"?

You raised your voice at me?

I didn't.

Since we got married,

you've never once shouted at me.

I...

And today, for some cheap woman,

you shouted at me!

My dear!

I... I didn't!

Fine!

Looks like you've made up your mind to be with her.

- No! - Then I'll give you both what you want!

I'll end our marriage!

No, you won't!

Let's see which of us can live without the other.

I can't live without you!

I can't live without you.

What great household

doesn't have a mistress or two on the side?

I'm lowborn,

and yes, I have no shame.

But you're different, Madam Wei.

You're a lady of standing.

If this scandal gets out,

you're the one who'll lose face.

How dare you talk back to me!

You've got some nerve!

My Lady!

This is no place for you to speak.

Apologize to Madam Wei at once.

I was wrong.

But this whole mess

isn't mine alone to answer for.

It's all because of your dear friend.

Young Madam Yu taught me everything.

Shut up!

Young Madam Yu is a lady of standing.

How dare you slander her!

You must have a death wish.

Madam Wei,

Lord Wei,

she's talking nonsense.

Just you wait.

When the time comes,

I'll settle accounts with both you and your niece.

We're going home.

Let's go.

Was she

the one you brought here?

Aunt,

how would I dare?

I only said those things

for Madam Wei to hear,

just to get her to leave.

That's why I spoke so recklessly.

Does it hurt?

In a city as dangerous as the capital,

without me,

you'd be dead already.

Cairong.

See that she gets some rest.

Without my permission,

she is not to leave this room.

Yes.

Young Madam!

Young Madam!

Young Madam!

What's the rush?

Madam Wei forced her way in.

I couldn't stop her.

Wanyi.

What brings you here today?

Young Madam.

(Wei Family Accounts) What I paid for writing supplies

3 months ago, your share of expenses for the literary gatherings,

and the travel money

I set aside for your father.

It's all here.

Today,

we settle everything between us.

Wanyi,

why are you saying this?

I was a little short with you the other day

because of the official post.

But

it's only because I see you as my dearest friend

that I speak so openly with you.

"My dearest friend"?

Then tell me, what kind of dear friend

plants a mistress in her friend's husband's bed?

Wanyi,

don't wrong me.

There's nothing false about it.

You came from humble origins.

Everything you have today

came through shady means.

Same methods,

same kind of woman.

Madam Wei,

don't look down on me.

Your mother-in-law prays in the shrine every day,

hoping for another grandson.

You can't give her a son,

yet you insist on making a scene.

Whose reputation do you think that hurts?

So you've finally dropped the act?

You call yourself my friend

while waiting to see me humiliated.

I can weather a scandal.

Can you?

The Yu family took you in once.

They can take in another woman just as easily.

I...

Oh, and one more thing.

I host literary gatherings

because I enjoy them.

You spend twenty taels every month.

Is it all just

so people will call you a talented lady?

If I were you,

I'd focus on holding on to your son.

After all, without his protection,

you're nothing.

(Wei Family Accounts)

Biao told me

Sen has been

planning to take the military examination.

Those who excel in the written strategy exam

can receive better appointments

even if their martial skills are only average.

But he

keeps skipping lessons.

He won't listen to me.

When you have time,

talk some sense into him for me.

Don't worry, Mr. Zhao.

He's eighteen now.

He's grown up.

(To Zhang, Minister of Personnel)

What's this?

I passed by the Ministry of Personnel the other day

and happened to see it.

So I brought it along.

(Shen Congsi is well versed in practical affairs.)

(I beseech Your Majesty to appoint him Anzhou Imperial Salt Censor.)

Mr. Zhao, I...

As for Sen,

if you don't want to get involved,

just tell me.

I understand.

(Shen Congsi is well versed in practical affairs.)

What did Mr. Zhao

mean by that just now?

So with Sen,

are you going to help him

or not?

He wasn't trying to control Sen.

He was warning me about Shen Congsi.

It seems Mr. Zhao

doesn't want to go against His Majesty's wishes

and intends to side with the reformists.

But the northwest's fate hangs on this.

We can't

just let this go.

We need to find a way to break the deadlock.

Miss Xie,

Madam Wei is here.

I threw away those cat's-eye earrings

from last time.

They really did

taint my jewelry box.

Tingyun,

if you ever need anything from me,

just say the word.

I'm grateful you don't think me meddlesome, Madam.

That's more than enough.

I didn't help you expecting anything in return.

A favor from me

is worth more than gold.

Are you sure you don't want it?

To be honest, that day,

when I tipped you off,

I wasn't plotting anything.

I simply felt sorry

for Miss Wu

and wanted to help her.

I didn't expect

you to be so refreshingly straightforward.

Then I won't hide anything from you either.

This time,

owing you a favor is the least of it.

Thanks to you,

I finally saw

just how ruthless Young Madam Yu can be.

It's just a pity

she can't see beyond what's right in front of her.

She tried to ruin me out of spite,

but if I ruin her,

I can bring down the entire Yu family's foundation.

By the way,

aren't you trying to secure

the post of Anzhou Imperial Salt Censor?

I can help you

get Yu Jingxiu

taken out of the running.

In that case,

could I trouble you

to put this man's name forward instead?

(Shen is good in practical affairs. I beseech to appoint him Salt Censor.)

Shen Congsi?

Isn't Commander Zhao overseeing the salt reform?

Why ask me to recommend someone instead of him?

I see.

Commander Zhao must not agree with you.

What he thinks

certainly matters,

but I can't give up

what I believe in.

I didn't realize

you had

such a mind of your own.

But

a woman should stand her ground.

Otherwise, one day

Commander Zhao

might just have a pair

of cat's-eye earrings made for you too.

No tea today.

Bring us some wine.

Allow me, Wanyi.

Sanniang,

bring out the best wine

we have in the house.

Today,

Wanyi and I

are drinking to our hearts' content.

For the post of Anzhou Imperial Salt Censor,

the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate

have submitted candidates

and reviewed them.

We now have our selections.

(I respectfully add Yu Jingxiu to the list.)

In addition to Commander Zhao's list,

(Shen Congsi)

I have

two more candidates.

They are

Yu Jingxiu, the top scholar

of the First Class,

and Shen Congsi,

a Third-Class scholar.

Shen Congsi?

Why have I heard

that his reputation is rather poor?

Some say

his talent has made him arrogant and unruly.

Others say

he has no respect for rules.

Your Majesty,

Master Zhao is here.

Master Zhao.

It's been a long time since he came to the palace.

That will be

all for today.

Court is dismissed!

Farewell, Your Majesty.

Shen Congsi is bold and forthright,

but above all, he is upright and incorruptible.

He gave others grounds for criticism

because of this essay.

His writing was admittedly rather provocative,

but in truth,

he was speaking up for scholars from humble families.

Prejudice can indeed blind people.

Your Majesty nearly overlooked a capable man.

You rarely come to the palace, Master.

Did you come merely to recommend a man?

Your Majesty chose

to reform the salt system

because the treasury is depleted

and urgently needs revenue.

You chose Zhao Ling to lead the charge,

no doubt because of his swift and forceful methods.

But

a sudden downpour can flatten young crops.

Such force can easily go too far.

I would advise

placing someone more moderate

at Zhao Ling's side.

If the two balance each other well,

Your Majesty can then

remain firmly in control.

Interesting.

Then I shall see

whether Shen Congsi

can truly

practice what he preaches.

Master Zhao.

If His Majesty asks you to choose later,

don't actually choose.

Don't let personal preferences

or grudges sway you.

Don't let emotion cloud your judgment.

Thank you, Master Zhao.

(Zhang Bo'an; Yu Jingxiu; Shen Congsi)

(Candidates for the Vacant Post of Anzhou Imperial Salt Censor)

Look over these names.

Tell me

whom you'd prefer to work with.

I believe

the decision is entirely Your Majesty's.

I was too eager for quick results before

and nearly overlooked a capable man.

I'd like to see

whether Shen Congsi

truly has what it takes.

We'll go with Shen Congsi.

You've handled your assignment well.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

This tea...

who sent it again?

I bought it.

I thought your sister-in-law sent it.

Mr. Zhao,

are you still upset about the appointment?

His Majesty didn't think much of Shen Congsi

because of all the rumors around him

and formed a prejudice against him.

I simply found a way

to clear up the misunderstanding.

And you, Mr. Zhao,

were rewarded as well.

You weren't doing it for me.

You sided with an outsider

and made it look as though you and I were divided.

Who's the outsider?

I'm serving His Majesty now.

At least officially,

I'm no longer a man of the northwest garrisons.

I know

you backed Shen Congsi

because you wanted the northwest

to have someone with no faction behind him,

so the salt reform

wouldn't fall under the civil officials' control

and threaten supplies and pay at the frontier.

But at court,

alliances can shift overnight.

If one day

the northwest and I find ourselves on opposite sides,

who will you side with?

I know.

But right now,

I'm doing everything I can to mediate

precisely so you never end up on opposite sides.

Mr. Zhao,

you've met Master Zhao.

Even a wise man like him

knew when to walk away

and become a monk at Tanshui Temple.

Being a powerful minister is no easy thing.

Serving an emperor is like walking on thin ice.

Right now,

you're His Majesty's favorite,

and he keeps making exceptions to promote you.

But the northwest

is still your true power base.

No one tears out their own roots,

unless

you mean to stand alone at court.

But throughout history,

how many men who stood alone ever met a good end?

Don't worry.

If that day ever comes,

I won't drag you down with me.

Here.

I wonder if you'll be able to stay tonight.

It's been a long time since you had my eggplant.

It's only going to be this busy for a while.

Give it another couple of months.

Once the salt reforms

are settled, things will be easier.

Once Miss Xie and Mr. Zhao are married,

we'll all live together,

and everything will be easier.

Zheng San.

Ready the carriage.

What?

You're leaving already?

Go on.

I'm off, then.

(Yu Residence)

I failed in this matter, Mother.

I couldn't secure the post for my husband.

Please punish me.

No one blames you.

The Emperor's mind is impossible to predict.

No one could have expected

His Majesty to appoint Shen Congsi.

Thank you for understanding, Mother.

Mother!

Don't stop me!

Mother!

Mother!

Young Master!

Drunk senseless in broad daylight?

What kind of servant are you?

Forgive me, Madam.

Young Master lost the appointment

and took it hard,

so he had a few drinks.

It's only one post.

So you didn't get it.

Your father can find another path for you.

There's no need for this.

Mother.

Mother,

let me take a post outside the capital.

At least I'd have some freedom.

Please?

He's had too much to drink.

He's talking nonsense, Mother.

Countless men study their entire lives

and never make it to the imperial court.

You can't fall behind.

Are you that afraid I'll drag you down?

You're already the daughter-in-law of a Grand Secretary.

What more could you possibly want?

Mother only says these things for your own good.

If it's all for your own good,

why can't you listen to her for once?

Why take your anger out on me?

Just because it's for my own good, I have to obey?

By that logic,

I should've listened to her years ago!

But I married you anyway.

Yu Jingxiu.

A few drinks

and you've completely lost your head!

Quick!

Take him back to his room.

Young Master.

It was a mistake...

and a missed chance.

Wait.

Who are you talking about?

What mistake?

What missed chance?

Who did you miss your chance with?

Ever since you came back from the northwest,

you've been a different man.

You know I've never been able to tolerate spices.

Yet at the first-birthday banquet,

you brought flatbread seasoned with them.

I was a fool.

How could I not have realized

someone else had also returned from the northwest?

That flatbread...

was her favorite?

Take Young Master back to his room.

Young Master.

That's all in the past.

What good will it do him to cling to it?

You're the Young Madam of the Yu family now.

You knew all along?

Even without Jingxiu,

in this family,

you still have me.

As long as you do as I say,

I'll make sure you're well taken care of.

Mother...

Mother.

Who exactly

is backing Shen Congsi?

The Anzhou Imperial Salt Censor

is certainly an important post,

but surely not important enough

to bring Master Zhao out of seclusion.

It's a woman.

Fu Tingyun.

Zhao Ling's fiancee.

So it's her.

But is she

a Fu or a Xie?

You've hit on the key point, Master.

Her identity is unclear,

and that's exactly

the weakness we can exploit.

Master,

the Yu family steward is here.

Madam Yu has an important matter

and sent me specially to deliver this letter.

Fifth Master Fu, she knows you wish to return to office.

And now

there is an excellent opportunity.

(To Fu Shichang)

Please tell her

that as for my affairs,

my son-in-law will handle them for me.

There's no need for anyone else to trouble themselves.

Surely you haven't heard?

The post of Anzhou Imperial Salt Censor

has been given to Shen Congsi.

He dared to deceive me.

Please report this

to Madam Yu.

Tell her

I will personally deal with that disobedient daughter of mine.

Young Madam.

The local gifts you asked us to send Ninth Young Lady

have been delivered to Xie's shop.

My brother got the post this time

thanks in no small part to her.

Fifth Madam! Young Madam!

Look who's back!

Tingzhuo.

Tingzhuo, you are back.

Mother.

You look thinner.

I've failed you, Mother.

I failed to make the honors list

and bring honor to our family.

Nor was I here to care for you.

Don't say that.

I'm just glad you're home safe.

As for the examinations,

there's no need to rush.

Let me.

Mother.

Take a seat.

(Yu Residence)

When Old Madam Fu was alive,

her greatest wish was to see you prosper in your career.

Now your daughter and son-in-law have risen to prominence,

yet they refuse to help you

even secure a single post.

How could Old Madam

possibly rest in peace?

You...

what exactly are you suggesting?

Doesn't your mother have an old servant

who's still alive?

Make sure someone dies over this.

Then we'll see if they still dare disregard you.

(Yunshe Hut)

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Dowager Lady Li of the Fu Family)

I, Li, an old servant,

hereby accuse Ninth Young Lady Fu,

Fu Tingyun!

The Fu family?

And the Assistant Censor-in-Chief, Zhao Ling...

The two of them eloped,

causing

Old Madam Fu's death!

Anyone who beats the Dengwen Drum

has to endure a beating first.

She's risking her life to make this accusation.

It must be true.

I, Li,

was Old Madam Fu's personal servant.

I beg you, My Lord,

to grant me justice.

This court will not tolerate reckless accusations.

Without solid evidence,

to accuse a high-ranking official in the capital

(Fu had an illicit affair with a man.) constitutes

(She abandoned her family and eloped.) malicious slander and disturbance.

(Old Madam Fu was devastated.) You should be punished with the cane.

My Lord, I beg you to judge fairly.

I've served

this household for fifty years.

My fifty years of devotion to Old Madam Fu

is evidence enough!

Ridiculous!

Take her away.

Twenty strokes.

(Order)

My Lord!

Even if I'm beaten to death today,

I will still seek justice

for Old Madam Fu!

My Lord, I beg you to judge fairly!

Fifth Master Fu

is such a devoted son.

He's mourned for seven years.

How could he have raised

such a heartless daughter?

Exactly.

The two of them actually eloped.

What a disgrace to the family.

(Fu Residence)

Even the cruelest parent wouldn't hurt their own child.

How could you sink this low?

You know better than I do

how Mother really died.

After she fell ill,

she clearly wanted to return to Huaying.

Why did she stay in the capital?

Wasn't it

to mourn here in the capital

and secure your future?

Shut your mouth!

You vicious woman!

I built a mourning hut and mourned my mother for seven years.

I won't let you defile my devotion!

Fine.

Then let's take this to court

and see who's really lying.

Stop!

Listen to me.

In the Fu family,

you have no say in anything.

Tingzhuo,

take your mother back to her room.

She's unwell and shouldn't be out.

If she leaves her room,

you'll answer to me.

You...

(Spirit Tablet of the Late Dowager Lady Li of the Fu Family)

I hear Miss Xie

is actually a Fu.

She's the Fu family's Ninth Young Lady.

She and Commander Zhao

were...

you know.

Old Madam Fu

was supposedly driven to her death by the two of them.

Old Madam's personal attendant

risked punishment for accusing her masters

and was beaten to death in court,

all to bring her grievance before the Chengqian Prefecture.

Just imagine

how outrageous their actions must have been.

Young Madam Yu, you're from Huaying County, aren't you?

Then you and Miss Xie

must have known each other for years.

Whether we know each other

isn't for me alone to say.

It also depends on whether she'd care to admit it.

The way you say that,

you clearly know something we don't.

Do tell us.

Miss Xie is here.

Miss Xie.

Madam Zhou, you ordered something from Xie's shop,

so I brought it over myself.

Right.

In a few days,

it will be the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday.

So I specially asked

Miss Xie

to procure a white-jade Guanyin from the South Sea.

I wonder what birthday gift

your household has prepared, Miss Xie?

Miss Xie is only a commoner now.

And she and Commander Zhao aren't even formally married yet.

So this imperial birthday banquet...

I suppose you won't be able to attend?

How kind of you all to be so concerned.

Having been recorded in the county gazetteer three times,

I was granted the honor of entering the palace

to celebrate the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday.

I've been helping the wife of Gandu Circuit's Regional Commander

prepare the birthday gifts.

I happened to have some free time today,

so I took the opportunity to deliver this jade Guanyin

and join you ladies for tea.

No wonder you've traveled so far and wide, Miss Xie.

Women like us who stay within the household

may preserve our reputations,

but we miss out on the wider world.

Indeed.

(Wanfang Garden)

They were clearly trying to humiliate you.

What they said wasn't entirely wrong.

I never expected

that in just one day,

the rumors would spread this far.

Your father

really went for the throat this time.

What does he hope to gain from this?

If this scandal really keeps me

from attending the palace banquet,

then from now on,

no one in the capital may want anything to do with me.

But that doesn't matter.

What worries me is that someone

may use this scandal against us

and get the Censorate to impeach Mr. Zhao.

The hearing is in three days.

Then let's go talk to Mr. Zhao.

My family caused all this.

I'm afraid it may jeopardize his career.

How am I supposed to face him?

Mr. Zhao,

someone from Chengqian Prefecture came with a summons.

They said someone from the Fu family

has filed a complaint against you

and you must appear in court

for a hearing in three days.

So I was the real target after all.

They're merely using the Fu family

as a means to get at me.

What about Miss Xie?

She had Zheng San

bring you a packet of herbs.

It's danggui, meaning return...

Mr. Zhao,

are we going back or not?

Something this serious happens,

and she still won't just say what she means.

Go to the herbalist's for me.

Buy a packet

of kushen, the bitterness, and send it back.

Huh?

And if she sends back a packet of red beans, meaning she misses you,

what will you send her then?

Why not just buy some gelsemium elegan?

Are you an idiot?

I...

Mr. Zhao just wants her to know he's hurt.

He doesn't actually want to break things off with her.

Honestly, you...

We'll go buy the herbs now.

Let's go.

Your Majesty,

I have a memorial to present.

Zhao Ling, Assistant Commander of the Capital Guard,

seven years ago,

lured a daughter of the Fu family into eloping with him,

causing Old Madam Fu

to die from the shock.

The Fu family's servant, Li,

risked her life to beat the Dengwen Drum and seek justice.

Such conduct,

which violates the most basic moral order,

must be severely punished.

I beg Your Majesty to judge wisely.

Is this matter

true?

Which Fu family?

Could there be some misunderstanding?

Your Majesty, I've been wrongfully accused.

Zhao Ling,

I recall your marriage to Miss Xie

was arranged by your elders.

When Miss Xie fell into trouble,

her mother entrusted her to my care.

I have the token to prove it.

If the marriage had the elders' approval

and there is a token to prove it,

how can this be called abduction?

Your Majesty,

the difficulty with this case is that

the servant

is already dead.

A life has been lost,

so the truth of what happened

must still be properly established.

Your Majesty,

I believe

this concerns the moral order of the court.

Though Commander Zhao is Your Majesty's favorite,

if these charges prove true,

he should be severely punished according to law

to uphold the standards of the court.

Commander Zhao,

you can't even manage your own household affairs.

What qualifies you

to serve as Assistant Censor-in-Chief?

The salt administration is vital to the state.

I beg Your Majesty to reconsider

and appoint a more worthy candidate

to oversee the reforms.

Grand Secretary Tian?

I

have disgraced the court.

Age has weakened me,

and I can no longer stand for long.

For me

to grow so feeble-minded...

I truly

have no face to remain at court.

Look at this mess.

See to Grand Secretary Tian first.

Set this matter aside for now.

We'll discuss it later.

Court is dismissed.

Farewell, Your Majesty.

My Lord.

Thank you, My Lord,

for helping me out back there.

Wasn't I

asleep just now?

How did I help you?

You were all making such a commotion.

What were you arguing about?

(Next Episode)

You two ungrateful, unfilial wretches.

You drove your grandmother to her death,

defied your elders,

one a eloped woman,

the other a libertine.

He is no libertine.

Nor is she a eloped woman.

On the children's Eight-Character Marriage Slip,

the most important thing is the parents' blessing.

What does "a parent's command" truly mean?

It means I bless my children and wish them happiness,

not that their happiness requires my permission.

You want the Eight-Character Slip?

Not unless the ancestral hall's plaque crashes down.

♪The past brushes by like a falling leaf♪

♪So light, yet my steps still pause for you♪

♪Through every rise and fall, our memories remain without regret♪

♪Carved into the rings of time♪

♪How I wish I could stay a little longer, but I can't♪

♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill my eyes with tears♪

♪Etched deep within my heart, yet buried without a word♪

♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

♪One promise for a lifetime, echoing long after we part♪

♪For one fleeting moment, I found you in the crowd♪

♪Without a word, you lit up half my life♪

♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

♪Kept close within my heart♪

♪From now on, no one else is worth waiting for♪

♪I turn away, afraid no one will ever come home to me again♪

♪If we can build our future together, no storm can chill my heart♪

♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

♪Still makes us want to believe♪

♪One promise for a lifetime, echoing long after we part♪