Original subtitles

So Wong Yat-hin is my great-grandpa.

I said I know no Chu Shuk-kwan.

Could you do one thing for me?

If they failed to get married,

there would be no Wong Tai-mui!

You really want to drag me down with you?

You made me do it.

Chu Shuk-kwan...

Mr Wong Yat-hin.

Palatine?

I am here to tell you what happened that night when Miss Chu came to me.

I know it has been your desire to spend a night with me.

If you will do one thing for me, you'll get what you want.

Miss Chu, you are like a goddess to me,

as pure as an angel.

I dare not, and will not, violate you.

You really had not touched her that night?

My hands are full of blood.

All I asked was a chance for confession in front of my goddess,

for my peace of mind.

How would I have violated my goddess?

You are the bride.

Why did you take off the bridal hairpiece?

Yat-hin...

The auspicious hour is here.

Come help me change into my groomswear.

Here comes the bride...

They really make a perfect couple.

You will grow old together.

Congrats to you two...

Congratulations...

Shuk-kwan, congratulations!

You've finally found the right man.

Congrats...

It's done! They are finally a couple.

Don't forget to make babies!

Babies...

Time for the ceremony.

Bravo...

Brother Man-hong, look at Wong Yat-hin.

It's more like an execution to him.

Chu Shuk-kwan is a tough woman.

He won't have peace for the rest of his life.

Obeisance to heaven and earth.

Bridal tea.

Wong Yat-hin, you have me as your celebrant

You've married a lovely wife.

I deserve every bit of your obeisance.

Obeisance to the elders.

Obeisance to each other.

It's his wedding.

How come Great-grandpa has this look?

What are you doing?

So you think you've got what you wanted?

You think you are now a Wong?

I'll make you live like a widow forever!

You...

I won't touch you from today on.

Your bed will never be shared.

However, you don't need to worry,

every gardener, sedan-chair carrier

and male servant here

will be young and handsome guys,

so that you will find it hard to hold to your honour.

I'll divorce you once you commit adultery.

You'll be drowned for that as well.

Why? You know nothing happened between me and Palatine.

You think I refused you because of Palatine?

How naive!

Women mean nothing to me. Wife is replaceable.

No woman has ever won my heart.

I didn't want to marry you because no one could ever blackmail me.

You have done yourself in.

So you married me out of fear of Prince Man-hung?

You thought you're smart. You set me up to make me marry you.

You've underestimated me.

Mrs Wong, sit for a sad lonely life ahead.

Wong Yat-hin, I'll hate you for the rest of my life!

Rascal! Drop dead!

Oh no! I thought it's mission accomplished.

Now the marriage wouldn't be consummated,

I wouldn't have come into being!

Milady, the bird's nest is ready. Here...

It has been such stuff for days.

I am sick of it.

Take it away.

Milady, please forgive me for vexing you.

Don't see so highly of yourself, minion.

I've been thinking hard about it.

The straw effigy incident didn't harm but actually helped Prince Man-ho.

It's because I was too rash.

You mean...

Prince Man-ho was harsh and cut people no slack.

Though smart and capable, he has never won Sire's total approval.

Crown Prince's death gave him a chance to show off

his sibling bond and kind-heartedness.

Sire loved Crown Prince because he's kind-hearted.

Have I said something wrong again?

You've nailed it.

What worries me is that Man-ho will be named Crown Prince before my son is born.

Sire is here.

Take it easy.

What's the fuss?

It's unsightly if Sire sees...

No bird's nest for me! I am not worthy!

I have angered Sire with my wicked doings.

Just let me die for that!

Please, you have not eaten a whole day already,

and you've been crying non-stop.

Even if you don't care for your own wellbeing,

you should spare a thought for the baby.

Sire, greetings.

Sire...

Lady Yim, I didn't cry as hard when I was given thirty spanks.

Sire is here to see you. Shouldn't you be thankful?

Sire, greetings.

Lady Yim, is it because I failed to come, so you took it out on my child?

It never crossed my mind.

I hate myself for what I have done.

Though you have spared me the penalty,

I find myself no longer worthy of such delicacies.

I gave you leeway for you're young.

Are you repentant?

Yes, I am repentant. It's all my fault.

Then I'll give you a second chance. Come with me.

(Prince Man-ho's Residence)

Lady Yim did make a mistake.

I am always just and fair.

That applies to family disputes as well. A proper closure is needed.

Lady Yim, what have you promised me?

I said I would turn a new leaf.

I would apologise to Lady Shun.

Just forget it. We both wait on Sire.

What apologies?

Lady Yim is determined to turn a new leaf.

Mother, you can't deny her the chance.

Lady Shun, I did the wrong thing. Please...

Allow me to cut in.

Shouldn't Lady Yim show her determination by doing it on her knees?

Milady...

Lady Shun, I did the wrong thing. Please forgive...

Ha Sim.

I am sorry.

Lady Yim, I don't think Lady Yim caught the words of apology.

Maybe you should say it out loud again.

Lady Shun, I did the wrong thing. Please forgive me.

Lady Yim, how understanding of you.

There's no feud between us sisters.

Please get up.

Alright, the case is now closed.

Lai Gong-Gong. Sire...

You've been so talkative.

I'm sure you've got it out of your system.

Sire, you are too kind.

Man-ho. Sire...

You're going to Guangdong tomorrow to summon the pirates to surrender.

Can you do it?

Sire, I won't fail you. I'll do my best.

I can put it in a pledge.

What pledge? I have faith in you, my son.

Once it's done, come back right away.

I want you to host the spring offerings for me.

Sire aside, only the Crown Prince can host the rites in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Thank you, Sire.

Sire, it's getting late.

Lady Shun. Yes.

Have a stroll with me. Yes.

I had never kneeled to Lady Shun since I was made a royal consort.

That hag had the nerve to take it.

I am no longer her maid!

Tung-suet, go eavesdrop on them.

See if she's badmouthing me in front of Sire.

Yes, Milady.

Let me ask you one thing. You have to be honest with me.

I'll hold nothing back from you.

Among the princes,

who do you think is the right one to be made crown prince?

May I keep it to myself?

You just said you'd hold nothing back from me.

They all have their own good points.

Man-hong, Man-leung, Man-chong and Man-sing are all smart and accomplished.

Why did you leave Man-ho out?

Do you think that I'll find fault with you mother and son?

Actually, I've wronged you two all these years.

Sire, your kindness comes in all sorts of ways.

Please do not say so. I've harboured no complaints.

Man-ho suffered from scarlet fever when he was three.

I was busy with going to war and I had not visited him even once.

The scarlet fever is infectious.

Your wellbeing comes first.

Though you had not visited him, I really bore you no grudges.

When I finally saw him again,

he's so altered I almost failed to recognise him.

He's blessed. He survived the fever.

Probably because of his brush with death at such a tender age,

he had a change of character upon recovery.

He became much more aggressive, so unlike his siblings.

That's why I gave him the short shrift.

However, he has become more mellow lately.

Sire, if you will straighten him out, I am contented.

Don't worry, I'll make up to him. I need to go now.

Sire, take care.

Sire, it really is a good idea.

To summon the pirates to surrender is a good test for Prince Man-ho.

It doesn't matter that much, compared to what's still bugging me.

Sire really said that?

It seems he blames himself for failing Prince Man-ho.

He said he would make up to him.

Maybe he'd do what you said, passing the throne to Prince Man-ho.

Sire had not seen Prince Man-ho for a year when he had fallen ill.

What?

Something still bugs him. What could it be?

Goddess Guan Yin,

back then I was Sire's favourite,

but other consorts gradually drew him away from me.

Then calamity struck.

To protect my place, I was forced to...

I never thought Sire would have this idea of passing the throne to Man-ho.

I really don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.

Mother, were you praying for my southbound trip?

Mothers never cease to worry about their children.

They ask for nothing but for them to be safe and sound.

I have been a worry to you since I was small

I had scarlet fever when I was three.

You took care of me around the clock.

Or I wouldn't have survived it.

You still have memory of your childhood?

I remember the fever.

However, I have no recollection of my life before that,

other than what you told me.

It's getting late.

Let me see you to your room for rest.

Alright.

(Jui Yi Hall)

Prince Man-ho wants to recruit us!

If we agree, we'll be incorporated into the Guangdong Navy,

to be stationed where we are, with families in tow.

Those who decline the offer will be given a severance pay of 30 taels.

We'll be made officials.

Chief, if we accept it, we'll be made 3rd rank martial officials.

Very generous terms indeed.

Scholar Suen, what good news you brought us.

I didn’t know Prince Man-ho could be so generous.

I didn't know you would become a turncoat either.

Drop dead...

I was overjoyed at your return. Yet you came back a traitor.

No...

Father, what should we do with this turncoat?

The Navy are our mortal foes.

They have killed so many of us.

Chief, three stabs with six holes.

I am just the messenger.

Scholar Suen, you've been with me for so long, you should know my mind.

How could you do such a thing?

No...

Father... Chief...

You alright?

He's spewing blood... Chief...

Hang in there...

He's...

He's fine now.

Thank you for saving him.

I thought you only knew about poisoning.

Do no harm unless you can undo the harm.

How come he would spew blood?

He has been in fights all these years.

His body has been wrecked by wounds big and small.

So many of his brothers were killed in the last engagement with the Qing troops,

so he's devastated.

Moreover, he's not young anymore.

He got too emotional and so he spewed blood and passed out.

Don't worry. Now that we are allies, I'll take good care of him.

Thank you indeed. Let me see you out.

Tsat, I owe you....

Ng, you died so tragically...I owe you...

I owe you all...

Chief, you've come to.

I just dreamed of our deceased brothers.

They are all famished ghosts in the netherworld.

I have failed them.

You said it's a dream. It's not real.

They are all resentful.

I failed to give them a good life when they were alive.

None of my brothers had a happy ending.

Don't blame yourself.

It's those Qing troops' fault.

They killed so many of our brothers and now they want to recruit us.

Kiu, hear me out...

Really, don't bother. I know what you are thinking.

None of us will agree to the offer.

I'll help Po-tsai kill all of them.

It is blood for blood.

Kiu...

Come on, you are still unwell. Have more rest.

Take a nap. Let me fix you something good.

It'll be ready when you wake up.

Say no more. Go to sleep.

Kiu...

How should I tell her? How?

We are brothers. I didn’t mean to beat you up.

You asked for it. How could you be a turncoat?

Alright, give him a hug.

I told you. I am just the messenger.

It's Wong Tai-mui's idea.

You saw her?

We were both captured by Prince Man-ho.

Don't worry, she's well-fed and well-treated.

She's a smart girl.

She fed Prince Man-ho the recruitment idea.

She said I must make you agree to it.

It's not possible.

She knew how much we hated the Qing Court.

How would she want us to surrender?

I couldn't read her mind. I don't know.

Scholar Suen, is Prince Man-ho good looking?

You can say so.

Miss Wusona, it's between me and Wong Tai-mui.

It doesn't concern you. So don't cut in.

I have yet to meet her, but it takes a woman to know a woman.

What are you hinting at?

She could change her mind so quickly

and there's only one explanation.

She's in love with Prince Man-ho.

Don't you listen to this Siamese woman.

She put a jinx on me, for she had a crush on me.

She can't wait to see us break up.

But she came back drunk that night...

Something's not right...

Poor you. A drunken girl is a...

You all shut up!

I have faith in her.

We've been through...

You two have never started.

What? Now you're ill at ease?

What? Do I look like I have qualms?

Yes...

No, I have to go to her to make her see.

Hunks are fickle.

You heard us fight last night.

Chu Shuk-kwan and I must have incompatible stars.

You are now a married couple.

It's just a lovers' quarrel. It'll blow over.

Let me ask you, why do you insist on bringing us together?

Let me ask you,

why won't you let me bring you together?

If I didn't have to bring you and Prince Man-ho together,

I would kick you busybody out.

Here we are.

Robertson.

Thank you.

Mr Robertson, here we meet again.

And he is...

Palatine, how come you are here?

Robertson has hired me as his butler.

It's to thank you for saving my life.

You are my first visitors.

Come in and have a look.

Come on...

It's beautiful!

Robertson, this is...

As you said, a man with a career needs a home.

I met Isabella at last year's Valentine's Day party.

You gave up the woods for a tree?

How stupid!

Prince Man-ho will be in Guangzhou tomorrow

What?

I love this tune so much. I've downloaded it to my hand phone.

However, if my great-grandparents fail to fall in love,

I can kiss going back to Hong Kong goodbye.

It's the 14th of February in a couple of days,

that's Valentine's Day.

So it's the first anniversary of you two meeting each other.

We're holding a Valentine's Day party.

Party?

You have yet to make Wong Tai-mui and Prince Man-ho fall in love?

One is ready, the other is eager.

What they need is a triggering point and then love will grow.

I meant to give Prince Man-ho a surprise.

If he's here tomorrow, I may not have the time for preparation.

My great-grandparents are actually an old couple.

They are married already.

What it takes is a romantic mood.

A Valentine's Day party?

You are holding a Valentine's Day party in a couple of days?

There's a Valentine's Day party here in two days.

I want you to come here.

What a coincidence.

I too want you to come to this party.

Really? Yes.

The gardeners we had were hardworking. Why were they replaced?

It's your brother's idea.

Hey, you...take the plant over there.

I don't get it.

The weather is cold, why make them work bare-chested?

Gardeners should be well-built. They have to move things about.

Don't you find it more pleasing?

Higher up still...

That's right.

Put it over there.

Give me a turn around.

Bravo...

Awesome!

Are you looking for an affair?

Yat-hin, you are home.

What do you think about these gardeners I just hired?

Are they good looking enough?

Are they hunky enough?

Do they meet your requirements?

So you have declared war?

Let me see how you will fight me.

Ditto.

Old Tsui, go to town to see who makes the sturdiest bamboo cage.

Order me a couple. Yes.

Steward Tsui, make it a dozen.

I dare you.

Yat...It's you again.

We are not related.

Why do you insist on being so nosy?

I am not being nosy.

It really concerns me.

Please, stop being so spiteful.

It's to your disadvantage.

Wong Yat-hin has a heart of stone.

How can I stop?

No one knows him better than I do.

Give him an inch he'll take a mile.

If you yield to him, he'll walk all over you.

You have a point.

An unequal relationship doesn't make a happy marriage.

A bond has grown between Wing-yu, Steward Tsui and I.

We do feel like a family.

It beats the brothel days.

There was nothing but treachery.

So you do want to make peace.

I can tell you both are just being spiteful.

Pride is the hardest thing to swallow.

Still, fighting me is better than ignoring or avoiding me.

Don't worry, you have me giving you a hand.

All it takes is a romantic spark.

That's why I mean to arrange a waltz dance for you two at the Valentine's Day party.

Think about it. Under the sparkling lights, with soft music around, you twirl and twirl

I thought it would take at least ten years to wipe out the pirates.

However, if this recruitment works,

the Guangdong waters will be free from pirates in a year...

The people can live in peace.

I am going to announce it to the troops within three days.

Man-ho, I used to admire your audacity.

However, you have turned into a coward.

Recruitment?

Recruitment without a fight means surrendering to the pirates.

It really breaks my heart.

I have ten strategies in store for wiping out the pirates.

Now they are rendered useless.

You cowered when we were fighting.

Now you glower when we are summoning them to surrender.

What?

Man-leung and I were sent here...

To assist me, not to thwart me.

If you two don't like it, feel free to go.

Man-ho...

Let's go!

What do you veterans think?

Allow me to thank you on behalf of the Chao camp.

We've been fighting pirates for so long, we are tired.

Half of us were battered.

If this recruitment works out... our men will not have to fight anymore.

I began my career when I was 20.

I've been fighting for 30 years.

It's about time I retired and went home to my family.

Soldiers should die fighting foreign invaders, not our own people.

That means you all think recruitment is the right policy.

Highness, instead of your military career,

you put the wellbeing of the people first.

Good!

Yes, the wellbeing of the people.

Highness, your speech was so touching.

You could hear us?

I could see you guys.

You was so animated.

Prince Man-hong looked so grim.

Siu-fu was on your knees and in tears.

What tears?

You were.

Ha Sim, how audacious of you.

I may kick you back to Beijing.

Then there's no one to wait on you.

Let me help you with the scarf.

Of course, Miss Wong would do a much better job.

Shut up!

Highness, Honourable Wong and Robertson here.

Uncle...

How come just you two here?

Where's Wong Tai-mui?

Highness misses her very much.

Don't let him know Wong Tai-mui is in town.

I mean to give him a surprise.

What? You have married a shrew.

You are too ashamed to ask me to be your houseguest.

Uncle, you are married? She is...

So please be Robertson's houseguest for a few days.

Once I have tamed the shrew,

we'll pay you a visit.

Good! You've met your match.

I can't wait to see how awesome she is.

Highness, I am honoured.

Let me show you your room. See if you like it.

You are too kind.

Highness, please.

Uncle, you are resourceful indeed.

Now there's a lovers' party with Western dance.

I am sure it'll melt the coldest heart.

Love will grow between Highness and Miss Wong.

Right!

I don't get it. You just said one thing was missing.

You two are so smart.

I am sure you can figure out a way to make Highness pick up dancing.

How difficult is that?

He knows Miss Wong will be in the party.

He sure wants to dance with her.

You still don't know His Highness.

He may want to, but he won't say it.

If we ask him, and if he says "yes",

that's like him admitting his feelings for Wong Tai-mui, right?

How stupid of you!

But if he won't learn to dance,

how can he dance cheek to cheek with Miss Wong?

Indeed.

Highness...

Do you have anything to tell me?

No...

I have something to tell you.

Mr Robertson said he's hosting a ball here.

I mean to make some acquaintance with the Westerners.

So I want to learn the Western dance.

Really? That's very good!

Good!

Honourable Wong, welcome.

Thank you.

The ball has begun. Let's go in.

Ha Sim, what's wrong with you?

Mr Robertson gave it to me.

He said this is what Western maids wear.

A maid's wear?

It's too tempting for Western masters.

How naughty of you.

I understand.

You have a date. It has lightened you up.

Shut up!

Siu-fu. Yes.

It really is something.

How grand.

It's more than grand.

There's will be a surprise later.

Right, a surprise.

Robertson, congrats.

Thank you very much.

Mrs Wong sure knows waltz.

Mrs Wong?

Does she have to smile so seductively?

Is that dancing or groping?

Do you have your husband in mind or not?

Yes?

Don't you forget we've had a formal wedding

You are a Wong.

If you leave the flower unattended,

it'll be picked by others.

Dream on.

Besides gnawing at your organs,

the Sacred Five will burst out from your body.

Po-tsai.