Original subtitles

=Tigers Sniff the Rose=

(Based on the novel of the same name by Yiren Kuikui)

=Episode 7=

(Zhang Renjing)

(Yu Cheng'an, Zhang Renjing)

(Yu Cheng'an, Zhang Renjing, Xu Mianmian)

(Luling, Yu Cheng'an, Zhang Renjing)

(Luling, Yu Cheng'an, Zhang Renjing, Xu Mianmian)

(Luling, Yu Cheng'an, Zhang Renjing, Xu Mianmian)

The good times are almost here.

What do you mean?

In a few days,

Sigui Garden in Jinchang Ward

will host the Peony Festival.

Didn't you know?

I know.

(Five Days Before the Peony Festival)

(Sigui Garden)

Sir,

are you here to see the black peony?

You're too early.

They won't bloom for a few more days.

Thank you for letting me know.

♪A rough-cut gem, held close to heart♪

♪Lean bamboo bones, yet mountain-bold♪

♪Books bear no blade♪

♪Yet tens of thousands of scrolls can pierce the sky♪

♪My body is the furnace, flames reach the clouds♪

(Young Yan Shang)

Mother, there's a well hidden here!

Didn't Brother say he was thirsty from walking?

♪Winds gather, then drift apart♪

Come, Shang.

I'll draw some water for you both.

Here, have some.

Thank you, Mother.

♪In all I do, I have no regrets♪ (Young Yan Dalang)

Mother,

when will the black peony bloom?

(Xie Jinghui, Yan Shang's Mother) We've come a little too early.

But even without the famous flowers,

just look around,

the garden is so peaceful, with clouds reflected in the water...

It's beautiful all the same.

♪Who'll wait with me for the boat home?♪

Mother, look! A butterfly!

♪By noon, the mist will lift♪

♪Rivers will bend♪

♪I'll take the open road and journey home♪

♪With rosy clouds, I bid the moon goodnight♪

♪And trade my old robes for new♪

Xu Mianmian.

Luling.

Luling...

Greetings, sir.

So early in the morning,

and you're already strolling through the garden?

You certainly know how to enjoy yourself.

Something's troubling me.

I'm just wandering around.

Since you're in no hurry,

would you care to play a game of Go with me?

I'd be happy to.

But we have no Go board here,

nor any stones.

Let the mind be our board and our thoughts the stones.

Who needs physical pieces?

Would you care to join me

for a game of Go without a board?

(He's here for me.)

(Who is he?)

(Why me?)

In that case,

I'd be honored.

Upper 6-3, corner approach.

Upper 8-3, pincer attack.

Upper 7-4, diagonal move.

Upper...

8-4, attachment.

So young, yet you play by the book.

Upper 7-6, jump.

Judging by your clothes,

you're preparing for the imperial exams.

I imagine you're hoping to pass with flying colors.

Am I right?

Upper 4-2, jump.

To tell you the truth, sir,

I came to the capital

not to seek fame or office.

Upper 5-2, diagonal move.

Then why?

Upper 3-7.

I came to right

a terrible wrong.

Upper 8-5, hane.

Young man,

do you realize

that in Sheng'an,

wolves are in power,

and injustices are

far too many to count?

Upper 6-5, peep.

Then I'll right one if I can.

Well said.

You know there's a tiger on the mountain,

yet you head straight toward it.

What courage!

Upper 7-5, connect.

Careful, sir.

3-9.

That's an excellent move!

Upper 3-2, net.

Got you!

Greetings, Chancellor Liu.

My respects, Chancellor.

Forgive my earlier discourtesy.

I meant no disrespect.

You two, honestly!

Your timing couldn't be worse!

The game was just getting interesting.

Never mind. Let's go.

Young man,

don't forget,

you and I still have

an unfinished game.

Yes.

Scissors.

What are you grinning about?

Was I smiling?

Scissors.

Ever since you went out,

you've been grinning to yourself.

Did something good happen?

Did you see your sweetheart?

What sweetheart?

I don't have one!

What do you like about Yan Shang?

No!

I was thinking about Liu Wenji.

Then what do you like about Liu Wenji?

I'm not even sure if it's love.

I suppose love means always wanting to see someone

and never wanting to leave when you're together.

How did you know exactly what I was thinking?

You like him.

But does he like you?

I don't know.

But I could ask him.

Ask him?

How would you do that?

Liu Wenji invited me to the Peony Festival.

I could ask him then.

But

I haven't asked for your permission yet.

If you say no, I won't go.

Go if you want to.

I won't be the villain who keeps two lovers apart.

But

you should know

life is already hard enough for women.

Don't give your heart away too easily.

Your Highness, you're teasing me.

If the day ever comes

when my dear Chunhua gets married,

I'll give you the grandest wedding send-off.

Every young woman in Sheng'an

will envy you.

No!

I won't marry.

I want to stay with you forever, Your Highness.

Don't be silly.

How sappy!

Your Highness, why have you embroidered so many fish?

What bad luck!

This year's imperial exams

are fast approaching.

You must focus entirely on your studies.

Class dismissed.

Thank you, sir.

(Upright Heart, Sincere Intent)

Yan Shang.

Yan Shang?

What's got you so lost in thought?

I've been thinking about an unfinished game of Go.

The imperial exams are almost here,

and you still have time to think about Go?

This morning, at Sigui Garden in Jinchang Ward,

I happened to meet an elderly gentleman.

We played a game of Go.

Later, I heard someone call him

Chancellor Liu.

Chancellor Liu?

What was he doing at Sigui Garden?

Well, there's something you two don't know.

Sigui Garden

was once the residence of the late Chancellor Ma.

Scholars often held literary gatherings there.

I hear Chancellor Liu often attended them in his youth,

reciting poetry and discussing philosophy.

But nowadays,

the garden has changed hands several times.

The place remains, but the people are gone.

Perhaps

Chancellor Liu was feeling nostalgic.

Yan Shang.

You really are lucky.

You met someone so influential just by taking a stroll.

I see.

Oh, by the way,

there's a rare black peony in Sigui Garden.

Every year during the Peony Festival,

people from all over the capital flock there.

After the Rebellion of the Seven Garrisons,

nearly all the capital's famous temples and gardens were destroyed.

But the black peony at Sigui Garden miraculously survived.

That's why the festival has grown so popular.

Nobles gather there every year.

Even...

Even Grand Princess Luling

attends in person every year.

I hear

she even has her own private pavilion in the garden.

Someone like Grand Princess Luling

also enjoys flowers too?

Wei Shu,

she's certainly not there for the flowers.

Haven't you two heard?

The Grand Princess

often uses festivals as an excuse

to choose new male favorites

and have secret rendezvous.

She's a Grand Princess.

Doing such things in secret,

isn't she afraid of putting herself in danger?

She takes guards everywhere she goes.

She's surrounded by attendants inside and out.

Besides,

who in Sheng'an

would dare lay a finger on her?

Last year, some fool

barged into her private pavilion

to present his writings to her.

Unfortunately, he was hideously ugly.

A real eyesore.

The Grand Princess was furious.

She immediately had her guards drag him out

and beat him to death.

A man's life was taken just like that,

and no one dared question it.

At this year's festival,

I wonder how many

handsome young men she'll choose

to become her male favorites.

Feng Xianyu,

how did it go with your writings yesterday?

I...

Yesterday, I...

Mr. Zhao.

Writings, Writings!

At least you have decent writing to show.

But me?

My essays are complete rubbish!

My father would break my legs if he had to read another one!

You're being too modest, Zhao.

(Zhao, Student at the Imperial Academy) Just look at me!

Do I

look like I'm being modest?

If my father hadn't forced me,

(Upright Heart, Sincere Intent) I'd never have set foot in this academy!

He gained admission through family privilege

and had his elders looking out for him.

What more could he ask for?

(Peony Festival...)

(The Grand Princess attends every year...)

(Private Pavilion...)

Mr. Zhao!

(Upright Heart, Sincere Intent) Mr. Zhao!

Mr. Zhao, wait!

What is it?

Could we speak in private?

Come on.

What do you want?

Why all the secrecy?

A man of your standing, Mr. Zhao,

shouldn't have to worry about a few essays.

Unlike me.

Apart from writing,

I have nothing to offer.

If you're interested, Mr. Zhao,

I could provide you with a few essays

to present to potential patrons.

You'd do that for me?

You're not giving them away for free, are you?

Nothing gets past you, Mr. Zhao.

I've been rather

short on money lately.

As for the cost of writing materials,

I wonder if you'd be willing

to cover my expenses?

Then we have a deal!

Well... Didn't see that coming.

Our teacher's always praising your talent.

Who knew you'd be practical enough to do something like this?

Even a gentleman needs money.

Nothing to be ashamed of.

So tell me,

how much?

That much?

I could buy myself a top courtesan for that!

It might be expensive for others,

but for someone like you,

it's just the cost of a few banquets.

Fine.

I'll pay.

But let's get one thing straight.

Those essays had better be good!

And write plenty of them!

Rest assured, Mr. Zhao.

Thank you.

I'll be off.

It's a deal.

(Two Days Before the Peony Festival)

Sir.

Young man.

(Sigui Garden) We meet again.

You certainly are eager.

The black peony won't bloom for another two days.

I have nothing else to do,

so I thought I'd enjoy the garden while it's quiet.

By the way,

I've heard

Grand Princess Luling has a private pavilion in the garden.

Which one is it?

Whenever the Grand Princess comes to see the flowers,

she takes over Jifang Pavilion.

To tell you the truth, sir,

I haven't found anyone willing to back me lately.

When the Grand Princess arrives,

might I request an audience?

Sir,

you mustn't.

The Grand Princess forbids anyone from disturbing her during her visits.

Last year, a young man knocked on her door seeking an audience.

She wouldn't even open the door.

Her guards came out and beat him half to death!

Thank you for the warning, sir.

Wenji.

Wenji.

You're back.

An old servant just delivered a chest.

He said

his master was surnamed... Zhao.

Shang.

These money...

I wrote some essays for him.

This is my payment.

You...

Are you short on money?

Why didn't you tell me?

I could've lent you some!

We're friends. There's no need to talk about loans.

I'm not short of money.

I just need more of it.

Living in the capital is expensive.

You should save your money too.

If I'm not mistaken,

you had a lovestruck look on your face just now.

I asked Chunhua

to go to the Peony Festival with me in two days.

So you've got two happy occasions coming up!

Congratulations!

What two occasions?

Passing the imperial exams

and getting married.

What could be better than that?

Shang.

As for the imperial exams,

I can study hard and earn my success.

But marriage is another matter.

Even if I truly wanted to marry her,

I'm afraid

my father would never approve.

After all,

she's only a...

She's...

Whether you two end up together

ultimately depends on what you want.

It's too early to talk about that.

I need to go out.

Don't wait for me for dinner.

Shang.

Where are you going?

To see what it's like to spend a fortune.

This money

should be enough to buy your freedom.

I can't accept something for nothing.

Please tell me what you want.

It's nothing difficult.

All I need is for you

to do me one small favor.

(Sharpening scissors! Kitchen knives for sale!)

(Get your scissors sharpened!)

(Come take a look! Beautiful patterned cloth!)

Sir.

Need your scissors sharpened? Or want a kitchen knife?

Sir,

how much is this little knife?

This one?

Fifty.

Young man,

take a look at this one.

Fine craftsmanship, quality steel.

Only three hundred.

No, thank you.

Sir.

I'll be straight with you.

This knife may be cheap,

but after just a few uses,

the blade will probably go dull.

When it comes to knives,

it's worth paying more.

It may cost a little extra,

but it'll last you for years.

Thank you, sir.

Once will be enough.

All right. Thank you!

Take care.

(Get your scissors sharpened!)

Captain! It's me! It's me!

It's me!

So you're already awake, Captain.

I was just wondering

how hard I'd have to slap you to wake you up.

I've crawled out of piles of corpses.

I never sleep that deeply.

You think I need you to slap me awake?

Of course.

What is it? Spit it out!

Well, well!

Her personal handkerchief.

Smells lovely!

Congratulations, Captain. You've gotten your wish.

That little minx actually said yes?

Rest assured, Captain.

Xu Mianmian simply didn't appreciate your sincere feelings before.

Once I explained everything,

she was filled with regret.

That's why she asked me to deliver this embroidered handkerchief

as a token of her affection.

At least she knows what's good for her!

Xu Mianmian also asked me to tell you

that she'd like to meet you at Sigui Garden in Jinchang Ward

to satisfy her longing for you.

But...

if that little minx wants to be with me,

why meet in a garden?

There's something you should know, Captain.

In two days, Sigui Garden

will host the Peony Festival.

It's quite a spectacular event.

The garden has secluded pavilions hidden among the flowers and trees.

A secret rendezvous there...

Wouldn't that

add a little excitement?

You're getting me all worked up!

You sly devil!

You scholars have all sorts of tricks.

You know how to have fun.

Good.

Good.

You've done a fine job!

From now on, your recommendations,

your official career...

Leave it all to me!

It's my honor to be of service, Captain.

Good!

(One Day Before the Peony Festival) (Bright Virtue)

(Virtuous and Learned) (You go ahead to the dining hall.)

(I'm going back to my dormitory.)

(All right.)

(See you tomorrow.)

(Thank you for your hard work, sir.)

(All right.)

(Let's go.)

(Hurry to the dining hall.)

(Wait for me.)

Sir.

I'd like to request a day off tomorrow.

What for?

I've heard

there's a Peony Festival in Jinchang Ward tomorrow.

It's one of Sheng'an's grandest events.

I'd really love to see it.

I was hoping...

I'd say

you're not really interested in the flowers.

You're hoping to find a powerful supporter, aren't you?

Fair enough.

The annual Peony Festival is a fine opportunity

for scholars like you to win the influential officials' favor.

Very well.

You may go.

Thank you, sir.

When you left,

the prince and I had just gotten married.

Now three years have passed,

(Liang Lingyi, Princess Consort of Jin) and I still haven't borne him a child.

Wanyao,

of everyone in Sheng'an,

I think you're the only one

who truly understands my suffering.

I don't understand.

But...

You were married for three years without having children too.

I've never intended to bear children for anyone.

I'm afraid you've misunderstood me.

Even if your husband is gone,

you shouldn't say things like that.

You're a princess of the Huai Dynasty.

Remarrying would be easy for you.

Besides, you're still young.

Don't worry. You can still have children.

Then let's hope you're right.

Have you heard?

The Peony Goddess at Sigui Garden

is said to grant prayers for children.

Cailian.

Put these away.

Yes, Your Highness.

The Peony Festival is tomorrow.

Why not come with me?

I'll pray for a child,

and you can draw a fortune for love.

Thank you for the kind invitation.

The festival will be crowded.

I'm not used to crowds.

All right, then.

You should think carefully

about what a woman's life is really for.

If you change your mind,

send someone to the Prince of Jin's residence

to let me know.

All right.

Let me see you out.

No need.

Your Highness, Yang Si is here.

What does he want this time?

Did I say you could come in?

How did you get in here?

Well, nobody told me I couldn't.

I know this residence like the back of my hand.

I could find my way to you with my eyes closed.

Well? What do you want?

The Peony Festival at Sigui Garden in Jinchang Ward is tomorrow.

I... I'll take you.

Not interested.

Why not?

If you're not going with me, who else would you go with?

That man named Wei Shu?

You're too late.

I'm going with the Princess Consort of Jin.

What are you going with her for?

To pray for a child.

(Besides, you're still young.)

(Don't worry.)

(You can still have children.)

Shang.

How's my ironing?

Is it smooth enough?

Looks good.

You're not even looking.

Wenji.

Get some rest.

I'm going for a walk.

At this hour?

Aren't you going to bed?

I can't sleep.

(Auspicious Blessings Fill the Streets)

(Fragrances Shop)

Your Highness.

It's time to rest.

I can't sleep.

You go get some rest.

I'd like to stay up a little longer.

If you don't leave,

you'll have to drink with me.

Your Highness,

that day Shang came to the residence,

I was the one who invited him.

Why did you invite him?

Were you trying to drive Yang Si mad?

How was I supposed to know he'd run into Yang Si?

You've had trouble sleeping for years.

The only time you slept well was in Lingnan.

So I thought

perhaps it was because Shang was with you.

He's always been good with words.

I thought if I invited Shang over

to keep you company like he did in Lingnan,

perhaps you'd sleep better.

You silly girl.

Where do you get these ideas?

(Princess Danyang's Residence)

(Princess Danyang's Residence)

What's he doing here?

Yan Shang.

I'll go bring him in.

Your Highness.

In the middle of the night,

lurking outside my residence...

What mischief are you up to?

I couldn't sleep tonight.

So I decided to take a walk.

I must've wandered farther than I intended.

So,

you just happened

to end up here?

I suppose so.

And why did you invite me inside,

Your Highness?

It's a long, dull night.

I summoned you to tell me a story.

What kind of story would you like to hear, Your Highness?

I thought you'd ask me why,

or fly into a rage

and storm off.

Your Highness,

it's cold at this hour.

Drinking could harm your health.

Why are your hands so cold?

Can't you afford warm clothes?

I was in such a hurry to get here,

I forgot to put on a cloak.

Don't try to make me pity you.

If your story is good,

I'll give you that cloak

as a reward.

You certainly have plenty of cloaks, Your Highness.

Go on.

Tell me

whatever you wish.

Then I'll tell Your Highness

a story about a venomous snake and a hornet.

Once upon a time,

there was a venomous snake.

It was being chased by humans.

At its most vulnerable moment,

it encountered a hornet.

One crawled on the ground,

while the other flew through the air.

Their paths should never have crossed.

But unexpectedly,

the hornet suddenly swooped down

and stung the snake viciously on the head.

Did the snake die from the sting?

No.

Its fate was far worse.

The hornet's venom remained inside the snake's head.

Day after day, year after year,

it suffered constant, burning agony.

And so,

the pain lasted ten whole years.

Unable to bear the pain,

the snake searched everywhere for the hornet.

It searched for many years.

But one crawled on the ground,

while the other flew through the air.

How could it ever find the hornet?

And yet,

fate had other plans.

One day, the snake

crossed paths with that same hornet.

The very one that had stung its head.

The snake invited the hornet to travel with it.

Sure enough,

the hornet hadn't changed its ways

and tried to sting the snake again.

But this time, the snake didn't flee.

Instead, it willingly offered up its head.

Just as the hornet plunged its stinger into the snake's head,

the snake thrust its head

beneath the wheel of a passing carriage.

The snake's head and the hornet

were crushed beneath the wheel.

They were both dead.

That was a terrible story.

You're not getting that cloak.

What was wrong with it?

Even if the snake killed the hornet,

it wouldn't cure the pain in its head.

Such revenge would accomplish nothing.

And worse still,

they both ended up dead.

There are countless ways to kill a hornet

and take revenge.

Why sacrifice its own life to do it?

Don't tell me

such foolish stories again.

You're absolutely right, Your Highness.

(But if one day,)

(I get the chance to kill my enemy with my own hands,)

(what does it matter if it's foolish?)

Your Highness.

I must leave.

(Next Episode Preview)

Seal off the entire garden!

Until that filthy wretch is caught,

no one is leaving!

There's been a murder in the garden.

Aunt! I heard someone was killed in the garden!

Aunt, I really can't stand the sight of blood!

Let her go! Let her go!

You're the best!

♪Be the ferry where you wait for the sun♪

♪Be the blue silk that catches your tears♪

♪Be the sleeve we held, worn by dust and years♪

♪Let's conspire to grow old together♪

♪Let me be a captive beast bound by the same lock as you♪

♪- Through trails of mud and blood; - let grief drown in your eyes♪

♪Soar with the wind; plunge into hellfire as one♪

♪Burning bright as a song♪

♪See how roses and green bamboo enchant♪

♪Be the vow I make with all my heart♪

♪If we say forever, then forever it shall be♪

♪Not a single hour less♪

♪However deep the snow, I'll wait if you're there♪

♪We'll be gods above, or wandering souls♪

♪In heaven or the underworld, you're all I need♪

♪If we can stay, let's return to the village of our first meeting♪

♪- May time be free of fear; - boats rock♪

♪- May time be free of pain; - lights fade, seasons turn♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

♪Sharp winds or fierce rain, nothing can break us♪

♪Be mine in this world; be mine in this life♪

♪My last untouched innocence♪

♪If only we could return to the village where we first met♪

♪Stay by me; help me forget the frozen dream of last night♪

♪Fireflies glow, flowers kiss our lips; just us, through dawn and dusk♪

♪- May time be free of fear; - boats rock♪

♪- May time be free of pain; - lights fade, seasons turn♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

♪By your side, through joy and pain, is that eternity?♪

♪Till fireworks flood the town♪

♪Till the lake is still and clear♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

(No animals were harmed or mistreated in production.)