Original subtitles

=Against The Current=

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

=Episode 7= (This drama does not correspond)

(to any real historical dynasty.)

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

Madam Feng, Lanxiang.

Wait downstairs.

- Yes. - Yes.

Shopkeeper Liu.

Go tell Young Lady Qian

to bring all the account books.

I'll question her after I've gone through them.

Yes.

(Su Plum Blossom Pastries)

Young Lady Qian.

Young Madam is already inside.

(How could a woman have such large feet?)

(Something's not right.)

(That's a man.)

Young Madam is going through the accounts very carefully.

She won't be down anytime soon.

Come sit with me.

What's wrong?

(Jinxiu House)

- Young Master. - Young Master.

We've been taking turns keeping watch for several days.

This morning, we waited for Young Madam to leave the residence

and followed her all the way to Jinxiu House.

We've checked out Jinxiu House.

Aside from the shop employees,

everyone coming and going has been a woman.

Nothing seems unusual.

We've been staking it out for days.

Let's go have a look around.

Let's go.

(Jinxiu House)

My period started.

I caught a bit of a chill,

and I'm not feeling well.

I'd like some brown sugar water.

Being a woman can be such a nuisance.

Go out

and have a bowl of fermented rice with brown sugar and egg.

Bring me a bowl too while you're at it.

Thank you, Madam Feng.

She really is young.

Pick whichever you like.

Do you know what this is?

The Four Don'ts Dolls.

And this one?

This one's called Don't Look.

This one

is called Don't Listen.

If you see something you shouldn't

or hear something you shouldn't...

You know what that means, don't you?

(Lin Jinqi is here, too.)

(If Lin Jinqi realizes I know,)

(I'll surely die.)

(If Zhao Xingtang realizes I know,)

(I'll surely die, too.)

(Jinxiu House)

This is the place.

You blind fool!

Watch where you're going!

My clothes!

I'm sorry.

And my fabric!

I'll pay for it.

I promise I'll pay.

Can you even afford it?

What's going on?

What are you doing here?

I...

Someone, come quickly!

This shop is mistreating me!

They're bullying a helpless widow like me!

They knocked me down, and no one's doing anything about it!

Look what they've done to me!

This is outrageous!

Just look what they've done to me!

If you don't settle this today,

I'm not getting up!

Everyone, come judge for yourselves!

This is outrageous!

(Now I can prove I wasn't there)

(and knew nothing about it, right?)

Don't touch my fabric!

Deal with this!

They're bullying me!

This shop is mistreating me!

Zijin.

What's going on?

It seems a customer is causing trouble in the shop.

A large crowd has gathered to watch.

Shopkeeper Liu has already gone to handle it.

Why don't you head back for today?

We can settle the accounts another day.

What a disappointment.

If you're this timid

and want to run at the slightest disturbance,

why did you come to see me at all?

Everything I've done

has been for you.

I'm a man. I don't fear what people might say.

But this world is especially harsh on women.

Even gossip can ruin a woman.

Wait until I've left,

then put on a show with Shopkeeper Liu

before you leave.

I know.

You're already dressed like this.

Even Shopkeeper Liu thinks you're a woman.

Who would suspect anything?

I'm leaving, then.

Go get your young lady ready.

Remember to clean up the bed

and leave no trace behind.

(Zhao Xingtang, Young)

My period started.

I'm unclean right now,

so we can't share a bed tonight.

Then I'll sleep in the side chamber.

With my condition,

sometimes I go months without a period,

and other times the bleeding drags on

for two or three months without stopping.

I'm afraid tomorrow, the day after,

the day after that, and even the next day,

we still won't be able to share a bed.

I understand.

♪My thoughts are like a red umbrella♪

♪Drifting through the rain♪

♪Held tightly in my hand, shielding me from hidden currents♪

♪Yet fate stains my sleeves with blood♪

♪Raindrops fall, one by one, into my dreams♪

♪If they should wake me♪

♪Hardship will always remain♪

♪Amid treacherous waters, few make it to the end♪

♪How could a thousand words soothe this aching heart?♪

♪With guilt in my heart, how could I ask to meet again?♪

♪May I be like a firefly awakening in the dark♪

♪Even if I only cast light on one cycle of bloom and decay♪

♪If only I could move someone's heart♪

♪I'd spend every dawn and dusk to see it through♪

♪May I be like a firefly awakening in the dark♪

♪Even if I only illuminate a single corner♪

♪If I could bring light to someone's eyes♪

♪I'd spend this life and call it courage♪

I don't want to paint anymore.

(Lin Zhaoxiang's Study) Before you've even arrived,

the fragrance of plum blossoms has already drifted in,

leaving me unable to concentrate.

On my way here,

I saw the red plum blossoms in full bloom,

so I picked two branches for you, Grandfather.

Sit.

His Majesty has summoned scholars from far and wide

to compile the Compendium of Literature,

but the chief compiler has yet to be appointed.

The two leading candidates at court

are Old Master Zhao and Grand Secretary Xie.

Your father is eager to make his move.

He wants to rally the scholars of Jiangnan

to build support for Old Master Zhao.

I've heard about it.

Your father alone

probably can't persuade the leading scholars to join him.

Do you think our Lin family

should help him or not?

We should.

Can you and the eldest daughter of the Zhao family

really not make it work?

The sooner a mistake

is corrected, the better.

I originally thought

that since our families are already related by marriage,

we've grown too close.

So we shouldn't help with this.

I was going to let your father make his futile efforts

and simply keep up appearances.

Since you've made up your mind,

then this time,

we must help.

Though you chose a military career,

you've earned your place

through your own hard-fought battles.

But Zhao Jin is one of His Majesty's trusted confidants.

We must never offend him.

I understand.

My Lady.

The bed has been warmed with incense.

You can rest now.

Young Madam, Lanxiang is still kneeling outside.

Then let her kneel.

Please show mercy, Young Madam.

In a few days,

it will be First Madam An's birthday.

You'll be going to celebrate her birthday.

If you fall out with the Lin family

over a mere maid,

it won't look good when the time comes.

Raise the curtain.

Do you know what you did wrong?

Yes.

Speak up.

Yes...

What did you do wrong?

I shouldn't have

gone out

without

Madam Feng's and Zijin's permission

to buy things

on my own...

And I certainly shouldn't have

been so careless

and bumped into a customer at the shop,

causing the shop to pay compensation...

I'll be generous

and let this go.

Pay back what the shop had to compensate,

and we'll consider the matter settled.

Yes...

Get up.

Serves you right.

Lanxiang.

Lanxiang.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

I'll help you back.

Let's go back.

We're almost there.

Lanxiang.

Lanxiang!

Lanxiang.

Here.

Easy.

Take care of Lanxiang.

I'll go get some hot water.

I've got everything ready.

Here.

You're such a dear.

You're truly a godsend.

Someone who's just been chilled can't be put in hot water right away.

You have to warm her up slowly with warm water,

and then gradually add hotter water.

All right.

Slowly.

Take small sips.

Thank you.

You've finally got some color back.

When you first came in,

you looked so pale. It was frightening.

I should be thanking you.

If it weren't for you,

I'd have been the one who went out with Young Madam today.

You're so cautious,

yet even you ended up like this.

With how scatterbrained I am,

I might've even lost my life.

I wasn't careful enough.

I acted too rashly.

Yingge.

Do you believe that?

I don't believe a word of it.

You really didn't remember.

Don't listen to what you shouldn't hear.

Don't say what you shouldn't say.

If Lanxiang says it was her fault,

then it was her fault.

How could our masters ever be wrong?

My mother always says

a close neighbor is better than a distant relative.

Today, I finally understand what she means.

Thank you for taking care of me.

I'm already acting like a young lady.

The water for my feet has gone cold.

Go

and add some hot water for me.

You little rascal.

Give you an inch and you take a mile.

If that's how it is,

then tomorrow night, you can bring me my footbath.

Me too.

Me too.

All right.

Tomorrow, I'll wait on both of you.

Who am I?

Mom.

Why did you come back all of a sudden?

Madam Feng gave me permission to come home for a visit.

Let me have a good look at you.

Let me see how you've been.

Your hands are freezing.

I'm a second-class maid now.

I don't have to do much hard labor,

and I get enough to eat every day.

Zijin even shares with us

the pastries Young Madam doesn't finish.

I'm wearing the new padded jacket you made for me,

so I haven't been cold.

Good.

It's cold outside.

Come inside.

Get some rest first.

I'll make you some steamed egg custard.

Mom.

I have to hurry back.

You just got home. Why are you leaving already?

Did something happen?

Yesterday, I went out with Young Madam

to her fabric shop.

I accidentally spilled something

and ruined a customer's fabric.

But Young Madam was generous

and didn't punish me.

She only asked me to repay what the shop paid the customer.

The wages I've saved aren't enough,

so I came home to see you.

Don't worry.

Listen to me.

Whatever happens, don't be afraid.

The money your father and I saved is yours, too.

If anything happens, just tell us.

How much

do you need?

Take it.

That's enough.

Take a little more.

Here, take it.

If I get into trouble again,

I can come home for money

and see you again.

If I don't need money,

I won't have a chance to come home.

Don't talk nonsense.

There won't be a next time.

May the wind carry those

careless words away.

Mom.

Have you and Dad been well lately?

Yes.

We're both doing well.

Very well.

Don't worry.

If anything comes up,

go to Xiaolian's mother.

Tell her

to pass a message to me.

Remember?

Keep the money safe.

Now go back.

The road isn't easy to travel.

Your duties come first.

Don't upset your master.

♪The wind blows past distant hills♪

Go.

♪Whose oil lamp burns tonight?♪

Go.

Look at me, forgetting again.

♪Ripples stir across my brow♪

I embroidered this for you.

It's pretty, isn't it?

It is.

I kept wanting to choose an auspicious day

to give this to you.

Since you came home today,

today is an auspicious day for our family.

Take it.

Replace the old one.

The Chinese New Year is almost here.

I'll change it on Chinese New Year's Day.

I'll wear the new sachet in the new year.

Mom.

Young Madam has sent someone to fetch me.

I have to go.

Go on.

Young Master.

I've brought her.

Young Master.

Come take a look.

This is the Cold Mountain Painting my father acquired.

Ever since Grandfather received the Cold Mountain Painting,

he's been unable to put it down

and has copied it over and over.

This is his best copy.

I thought it was the real one.

I heard you taught your father to read.

I was often ill as a child

and used to recite sutras with the monks at the temple.

That's how I learned to read.

What is this?

(Diamond Sutra)

The Diamond Sutra.

If Young Madam finds out you can read,

what will happen to you?

And what will happen

to your parents?

I'll end up worse off than Ji'er.

My parents will also be sold off by Young Madam,

just like Ji'er's parents.

Be my ears

and eyes.

Everything you hear

and see while you're with Zhao Xingtang,

report it all to me.

If you do this well,

I guarantee

your whole family will be safe.

(Diamond Sutra)

♪Spring slips from the branches once more♪

As servants of the Lin Residence,

we should naturally serve Young Master with all our hearts.

♪All the joys and sorrows come and go♪

You may go.

♪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♪

♪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♪

Young Master.

What if Young Madam

doesn't take Lanxiang to the banquet?

She is proud and haughty.

For an occasion like a birthday banquet,

she would never allow herself to lose face.

Once she learns I won't be attending,

she'll not only take Lanxiang,

but Xiaolian as well,

to win First Madam An's favor

and help her

keep up appearances at the banquet.

Young Madam is certainly calculating.

But she can never outmaneuver you, Young Master.

Now

the trap is ready,

the bait is set,

and we have our informant.

All that's left is to catch our prey.

What did you say?

Say that again if you dare.

Young Master said

he has important official business to attend to tomorrow

and won't be able to attend the banquet.

He asked me to inform Young Madam.

If Young Madam has no further instructions,

I'll take my leave.

All of you, get out!

You should leave for now.

You can't go in right now.

Young Madam is furious.

Nanke came over and said

Young Master won't be able to attend

First Madam An's birthday banquet tomorrow.

Young Madam was so angry

that she threw a scalding teacup

straight at Nanke.

He's a fool, too.

It was as if he couldn't feel the heat.

He didn't react at all.

He even bowed before leaving.

That only made Young Madam even angrier.

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

The main gate is the only way out.

♪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♪