Original subtitles

=Against The Current=

(Adapted from He Yanshan's novel, Orchid Fragrance Fate)

=Episode 5= (This drama does not correspond)

(to any real historical dynasty.)

(The systems, culture, attire and other dynastic elements have been adapted.)

As long as Young Master is pleased,

surely she wouldn't dare offend First Madam

and Young Master.

I heard

Young Madam Liu on Taiping Street

had a maid beaten to death.

The authorities arrested Young Madam Liu

because the law says

masters cannot kill their servants without due cause.

She was sentenced to one year in prison.

What did the maid do wrong?

They say Young Master Liu took a liking to her.

Young Madam Liu has quite a temper.

In a fit of rage, she ordered her servants

to beat the maid to death.

Do you just hate to see me doing well?

Why else would you say such things to curse me?

I think you're just jealous that Young Master rewarded me.

You have to stay alive first

before you have a chance at a better life.

Have you been busy at the barracks?

I hardly see you all day.

I've been away for many years.

Now that I'm back,

there are inevitably social obligations to attend to.

Don't drink too much.

Take care of yourself.

All right.

I've obtained something important

and wanted to ask you

what you think I should do.

These complaints

were filed by victims accusing Young Madam

of making usurious loans

that drove them to ruin and tore their families apart.

(Defendant: Madam Zhao)

(Defendant: Madam Zhao. Witness: Chang Asan)

The Zhao family

only rose to prominence after Old Master Zhao entered officialdom.

They believe a woman's virtue lies in having no talent,

so they refuse to teach their women to read or write.

Zhao Xingtang may be a great beauty,

but she can't read a word.

And yet she resorted to such disgraceful dealings.

When your father insisted on this marriage,

I knew it was unsuitable.

Our families have different values.

How could we ever be a good match?

But your father said the Zhao family's eldest daughter

was Old Master Zhao's favorite granddaughter,

and Old Master Zhao was a trusted confidant of His Majesty.

For the Zhao family to agree to this marriage

was a blessing beyond measure for you.

My poor son...

I...

I...

Mother.

Father isn't entirely to blame.

Back then, Grandfather

also approved of the marriage.

What do you plan to do about this?

With Judge Zhou's help,

the victims have all agreed to settle privately.

I only brought these complaints for you to see

so you'd know what has been happening.

And what exactly

do you want me to know?

I remember Zhao Xingtang's dowry

was only 3,000 taels of silver.

But judging from the evidence we've found so far,

her usurious loans amounted to far more than that.

Do you have proof that Zhao Xingtang

used family funds to make those loans?

Huang Youzhi, the head shopkeeper of Rongbao Pavilion,

and Liu Dacheng, the head shopkeeper of the rice shop.

There should be others,

but I wasn't sure what you wanted me to do.

I was afraid of alerting Zhao Xingtang,

so I didn't investigate any further.

Those shopkeepers

can be dealt with later.

What matters most right now

is making Zhao Xingtang stop.

If Young Madam of the Lin family loses face,

then you lose face as well.

If the Lin family loses face,

we can't let this matter get any bigger.

You're right, Mother.

As for matters within the household,

you should stay out of them.

It will keep this from affecting your marriage.

All right.

Do you know what this is about?

Is everyone here?

Yes.

Since everyone is here,

I'll announce some good news.

(Wu Suan'er, Madam Qin's housekeeper)

Congratulations, Qingxiang.

Congratulations, Qingxiang.

Yesterday, Second Butler Yang from the capital

returned to Jinling with a message.

First Madam found him capable

and trustworthy.

She thought of Qingxiang,

who has served Young Madam faithfully all these years.

You're already twenty-two

and still unmarried.

So she agreed to Second Butler Yang's request

and betrothed Qingxiang to him.

When Second Butler Yang leaves later,

Qingxiang will board the boat with him.

They'll marry as soon as they reach the capital.

Qingxiang is my maid.

You wretched old woman.

How dare you do something so vile?

Who doesn't know Second Butler Yang

is already well into his forties,

a widower whose wife is dead?

Our Qingxiang

is a fine unmarried young lady.

Why should she marry some old man?

Are you

saying I've lost my judgment?

I wouldn't dare.

Qingxiang has been by my side since she was little.

I could never bear to see her marry so far away.

She's not marrying into some other family.

She'll still be part of the Lin household.

You can see her whenever you wish.

Or do you look down on our Lin family?

I wouldn't dare.

It's just...

Qingxiang's indenture is still with the Zhao family.

That's a small matter.

Send someone to speak with your mother

and ask her for the indenture.

Yes.

No matter how much we say, it's all pointless

unless

we ask Qingxiang whether she herself is willing to marry.

All right.

No.

I...

Qingxiang.

This is the dowry First Madam prepared for you.

Take a good look.

(Defendant: Madam Zhao. Witness: Chang Asan)

Tell your Young Madam

whether you're willing

or not.

I... I'm willing.

Qingxiang.

My Lady.

I'm willing.

Qingxiang.

I'm willing.

Since Qingxiang has agreed,

- Madam. - then...

Madam.

Madam.

Qingxiang has been with me since she was ten.

All these years,

we may have been mistress and servant in name,

but in truth, we've been as close as sisters.

Madam, I beg you to show mercy.

Please let Qingxiang stay with me.

I know you can't bear to part with Qingxiang,

but everyone must marry when the time comes.

Qingxiang herself is willing,

so we should grant her wish.

No, Madam.

She doesn't want this. Madam, I'm begging you.

She doesn't want this.

- Madam. - Hurry.

It's getting late.

See Qingxiang out.

Don't let her miss the boat.

Qingxiang,

this way, please.

Qingxiang.

Qingxiang.

Qingxiang.

Qingxiang.

(Spring Breeze Carries the Seasons)

Why is everyone so quiet?

Qingxiang left so suddenly.

Aren't you sad?

She's not my real sister.

Why would I be sad?

Besides,

now that she's gone,

we should all be happy.

A first-class maid's position is vacant.

They'll promote someone from the second-class maids, right?

Then a second-class position will be vacant,

so someone from the third-class maids will be promoted.

We're not Young Madam's people.

There's no chance we'll be promoted.

We'll be lucky if nothing bad happens to us.

Bad luck?

How so?

Didn't you see Young Madam today?

First Madam usually leaves the household affairs alone

and rarely says much.

But once she speaks,

Young Madam has no choice but to obey.

And we're First Madam's people.

My mother always says,

when the powerful clash,

ordinary people suffer.

Ji'er, Yingge, Xiaolian, and Lanxiang.

Young Madam wants to see you.

Coming.

Go on.

Eat it in secret.

Don't let those two see.

Young Madam is waiting.

Hurry.

Hurry, Lanxiang.

You four

were all carefully chosen and sent here by First Madam.

Even if you are First Madam's people,

you must still follow the rules of this household.

The first rule

is that you must not steal.

Whichever one of you stole something,

confess now,

and I may show you some leniency.

But if I catch you with the stolen goods,

don't blame me for showing no mercy.

I didn't steal anything.

I have no idea

what the others may have done.

Young Madam,

I swear I didn't steal anything.

Young Madam,

I didn't steal anything either.

And I never saw any of the other girls

take anything they shouldn't have.

I didn't steal anything either.

If you don't believe me,

you can search me right now.

That's not mine.

I've never seen that gold ring before.

Young Madam!

That's not mine.

Young Madam!

That's not mine!

Young Madam.

Young Madam.

I gave that ring to Zijin.

I never thought you'd steal it from her.

You've been caught with the stolen goods.

No!

Even First Madam

would never tolerate

a thieving servant like you.

Tie her up.

Young Madam!

It's not mine.

It really isn't mine!

Stolen goods

wouldn't be yours, of course.

Get up there.

Young Master sent someone to the tearoom for tea,

but you, a third-class maid,

went to Sanjue Hall to deliver it without permission.

Clearly, you've never had any regard for the rules.

These past two days,

you asked the servant guarding the side gate

to buy you pine nut candy and fashionable silk flowers.

You even sent one tael of silver home.

Clearly,

you're not the only thief.

Your whole family is a pack of thieves.

Young Master gave me that silver.

Who would believe you got two taels of silver

just for delivering two jars of tea?

Zijin has delivered tea plenty of times,

and she's never come back with so much as half a tael.

Are you saying you're more capable than Zijin?

Young Master really gave it to me.

He can vouch for me.

Young Master has gone to the Garrison.

Do you really think

he'd abandon his official duties and rush back

for a worthless servant like you?

Even if Young Master did give you that silver,

what about this ring?

Did Young Master give you that, too?

That ring isn't mine.

That ring isn't mine.

Young Madam, don't waste your breath on her.

A greedy,

dishonest servant like her

should be beaten to death.

Beat her!

Young Madam!

Young Madam!

Young Madam!

I've never seen that ring before.

I've truly never seen that gold ring before!

I didn't steal it!

I didn't steal it!

I didn't steal it.

I didn't steal it...

I didn't steal it...

I didn't steal it...

Young Madam!

It was my fault.

I didn't mean to do it.

Young Madam, please don't beat me to death.

Young Madam, please don't beat me to death.

I didn't mean to do it.

Please, Young Madam, don't beat me to death.

Please don't!

(Young Madam Liu of Taiping Street)

(had a maid beaten to death.)

(Young Madam Liu of Taiping Street)

(had a maid beaten to death.)

(The authorities arrested Young Madam Liu.)

(They said that under the law.)

(I heard)

(Young Madam Liu of Taiping Street)

(had a maid beaten to death.)

(The authorities arrested Young Madam Liu.)

- They said that under the law, - (They said that under the law...)

masters cannot kill their servants without due cause...

Young Madam Liu was sentenced to one year in prison.

One year in prison...

Did that really happen?

I believe it did.

You may escape death,

but you won't escape punishment.

Lv Ji'er conspired with her family

to steal Young Madam's belongings.

Young Madam has ordered

the entire family to be taken away and sold.

No!

No!

Young Madam, have mercy!

Young Madam, have mercy!

Please, no!

Please spare us!

Don't sell the whole family to the same household.

Otherwise,

they may join forces and cause trouble for another family.

We were wrong!

We truly were!

- Have mercy! - Move!

Move!

Move!

Father!

- Move! - Father!

Move!

- Move! - Move!

This is what happens

to those with wicked intentions who betray their masters.

Young Madam ordered

you should all take a good look

and remember this well.

Have you seen clearly?

Yes.

- Yes. - Yes.

You are

Lanxiang's parents?

My father is Xu Wanquan.

My mother is Xue Guihua.

My name is Xu Lanxiang.

Now that you're serving in Young Madam's courtyard,

you must follow her rules.

Otherwise,

you won't be the only one to suffer.

Your parents will suffer as well.

Do you understand?

Yes.

Go back.

You in the back, keep up.

Let's go. Come on, let's go.

I was so absentminded.

I'd been meaning to give her the sachet I just embroidered.

But when I saw her today,

it completely slipped my mind.

All right, enough.

Young Madam was clearly making an example of them.

You can't go and cause more trouble for Lanxiang.

If I'd known life in the residence would be this difficult,

we might as well have married her off early.

You may be willing to marry Lanxiang off to just anyone,

but I'm not.

Then what do we do now?

Just sit around and wait?

I've been thinking.

We should put up some money

and ask someone to help make arrangements,

so we can at least exchange messages with her.

Then hurry and do it.

We can earn the money back slowly.

As long as our child has a good life,

I don't mind how hard I have to work.

Then it's settled.

Lv Ji'er and her family have all been sent away.

But they're servants of the Lin family.

Their indentures...

Indentures?

Didn't First Madam say

that for such a small matter,

we only need to send someone to inform her?

But...

What are you afraid of?

If she can dispose of a maid from my Zhao family,

why can't I dispose of a few

servants from the Lin family?

My Lady.

First Madam is here.

It's First Madam of the Zhao family.

Mother?

First Madam.

Mother.

Mother.

What brings you here?

Is something the matter?

(An Moli, Zhao Xingtang's Mother) Listen to you.

(First Madam of the Zhao Family) Can't I visit you without a reason?

I'm simply a mother

who misses her daughter.

Your hands are still cold.

Why hasn't your uterine chill improved?

Drinking tea alone won't help.

You need to take your medicine properly.

You're already twenty-three.

You can't keep acting willfully like a child.

You know very well

why I developed this uterine chill.

You married me into the Lin family

without caring whether I lived or died.

Why say all this now?

Go on.

What did you come here for?

Your father said

your husband hasn't visited us once since he returned.

He's worried the two of you are at odds again,

so he asked me to come and see you.

He told me to remind you

to rein in your temper

and not damage your relationship with your husband.

Your father also said

Old Master favors our branch of the family

not because of that good-for-nothing brother of yours,

but because of your husband.

You may not have had an education,

but you certainly know what the books say

about a husband being a wife's whole world

better than anyone.

You follow it far better

than my well-read mother-in-law.

Isn't that simply

the fate of women like us?

What if I refuse to accept that fate?

Your father said so,

and I feel the same way.

You should have a child as soon as possible.

Only then can you keep your husband's heart.

I can't have children.

Then choose a pretty maid.

Once she gives birth, send her far away.

Raise the child by your side,

and the child will be yours.

- It's getting late! - Just like your own.

If there's nothing else,

you should hurry home.

Everything your parents do

is for your own good.

You need to listen to us

and do as we say.

My Lady.

Make preparations.

We're going to Jinxiu House tomorrow.

My Lady.

In this world,

not all parents

consider what's best for their daughters.

I can only rely on myself.

(Jinxiu House)

(Qian Shaoze, Zhao Xingtang's Cousin)

Why are 600 taels missing?

The accounts are correct.

I had 600 taels sent to Qingxiang.

It's her first time in the capital.

She doesn't know anyone there.

Having some money on hand

will make things easier for her.

With 600 taels,

you could buy plenty of maids like Qingxiang.

Do you think a maid who can read and keep accounts

is so easy to find?

But didn't you

buy Qingxiang for ten taels back then?

Even if I were lucky enough

to find another maid who can read and keep accounts,

could she be like Qingxiang,

who grew up with me

and has always been utterly loyal to me?

There can never be another Qingxiang.

I was wrong.

Six hundred taels it is.

We'll just earn it back later.

Zijin is no help at all.

What am I going to do about the accounts from now on?

Let me show you something.

Six years ago,

I had this pair of mandarin duck seals carved

from the tianhuang stone in my dowry.

I gave you the raised-carving duck seal,

and kept the recessed-carving mate for myself.

From now on, I'll calculate the accounts and money

that Zijin brings back for you.

(Gold) You only need to look for this seal.

Whenever I receive them,

I'll stamp them with my own seal.

Then you'll know I've received the money?

You're the clever one.

I thought it would be a few more years

before we'd have any use for these seals.

I didn't expect they'd come in handy so soon.

Just hold on a little longer.

Once we've saved enough money,

we can leave the Lin family.

(Spring Breeze Carries the Seasons)

How long has First Madam been here?

About 15 minutes.

I said I'd send you to her

as soon as you returned,

but First Madam said there was no hurry.

She had nothing else to do, so she'd have some tea and wait.

Nanny, do you know

why First Madam is here?

Stop looking so miserable.

If it's not because I went out,

it must be because I took it upon myself

to dispose of Ji'er and her family.

That's exactly why.

Go fetch Xiaolian and Lanxiang.

Have them wait outside the hall for orders.

Hurry up.

Yes.

Madam.

The silk shop received a new shipment,

so I went to have a look.

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

It was my fault.

Our Lin family has never forbidden our daughters-in-law from going out.

But from now on, take a few more maids with you.

With only Zijin by your side,

those who don't know better

might think the Lin family mistreats you.

You're right, Madam.

I'll remember that.

Lv Er and his family were caught stealing.

Since you've already sent them away, so be it.

I really had no other choice.

People like that can't be kept on.

I've managed this household for many years.

Lv Er and his family always did their duty

and never caused any trouble.

Yet that changed under your management.

Servants are like mules and horses.

Manage them well, and they'll be docile and obedient.

Manage them poorly, and they'll become unruly and hard to handle.

You

are still too young.

I'm partly to blame as well.

I've taken things easy these past few years

and left this entire household

for you to manage on your own.

I think

I'll take back the household authority tokens for now

and shoulder the burden for a few more years.

Madam Feng, please bring me the tokens.

Madam.

I'm young and inexperienced.

If I've done anything poorly,

please teach me,

and I promise I'll correct it.

If you take back the household authority tokens,

how can I

face anyone after this?

Look at you.

I'm doing this for your own good.

This will give you time to rest

and restore your health.

Jinqi is the eldest grandson.

Old Master and Old Madam

are both eagerly awaiting a great-grandson.

Madam.

Yesterday, my mother

also spoke to me about having a child.

She said Grandfather had written

and mentioned the matter of an heir as well.

I thought about it all night.

Early this morning,

I went to the shop and bought some new silk

to give to Xiaolian and Lanxiang.

Xiaolian, Lanxiang.

Come in.

- First Madam. - First Madam.

From today onward,

the two of them

will be second-class maids

and serve by my side.

These two pieces of silk...

One is for Xiaolian,

and the other is for Lanxiang.

Take their measurements

and make each of them an outfit.

Dress them nicely.

If Young Master is pleased,

I'll be pleased, too.

Madam.

Are you pleased with the fabric I chose?

I've always trusted

your taste.

I'm glad you're pleased, Madam.

Thank you, First Madam and Young Madam.

You just got back.

You must be tired.

Get some rest.

I won't stay any longer.

Yes.

Take care, Madam.

Make the arrangements for these two as I just instructed.

Yes.

Now that you're second-class maids, you'll

share a room with just one other person.

But Young Madam hasn't promoted anyone

to fill Qingxiang's position yet,

so there aren't any vacant rooms for now.

This room happens to be one person short,

and Yingge is quiet,

so I'm afraid you'll have to make do here for now.

I'm used to living here.

I'd rather not move.

Me too.

If either of you catches Young Master's eye,

you may soon have a room of your own.

Then you'll have whatever you want.

You have half the day off today.

The tailor will come by later

to take your measurements.

Tomorrow morning,

report to Young Madam for instructions.

=Against the Current= (Next Episode's Preview)

Do you want to know what happened afterward?

What happened?

When I saw the storyteller out,

she told me everything.

Later, Second Master Yang killed the adulterous pair

with a single stroke.

Then, fearing the scandal would spread

and disgrace his family,

he killed several of the older maids and young maids in the household, too.

Yang...

♪Spring slips from the branches once more♪

♪Flowers bloom unseen, as they have before♪

♪All the joys and sorrows come and go♪

♪While loss leaves winter in the heart♪

♪Though all the world may fade♪

♪Time rolls on as countless lives rush by♪

♪Night winds wander through the halls of long ago♪

♪No page could hold the longing words can never show♪

♪Every joy and sorrow in this fleeting life♪

♪Fades into the past as new wounds rise♪

♪While whispers of perfume linger beneath the eaves♪

♪Let the cold wind rage, let the wild rain fall♪

♪Let sorrow spill like shadows over all♪

♪Let love fall to pieces, let old anger burn away♪

♪Let the past die with yesterday♪

♪One last fire, one last cup of wine♪

♪And silver moonlight to guide me through the night♪

♪Let beginnings fade as endings come to call♪

♪From this endless dream, there's no return at all♪

♪Let the cold wind rage, let the wild rain fall♪

♪Let sorrow spill like shadows over all♪

♪Let love fall to pieces, let old anger burn away♪

♪Let the past die with yesterday♪

♪One last fire, one last cup of wine♪

♪And silver moonlight to guide me through the night♪

♪Let beginnings fade as endings come to call♪

♪From this endless dream, there's no return at all♪