Original subtitles

=Tigers Sniff the Rose=

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

=Episode 35=

(Ganlu Hall)

Your Majesty.

You look well today.

Do you...

Do you

want your grandson for company?

No.

Not today.

Bring me the brush and ink.

I'll dictate. You write.

(Tranquility Brings Wisdom)

I have borne our ancestors' burden

for 41 years.

(Imperial edict of succession!)

There has been much warfare,

yet the realm has grown more peaceful.

Floods and droughts persist,

yet the granaries have not run empty.

All this is thanks to my ministers' aid.

How could my meager virtue

have brought this about?

Crown Prince Mu Xun...

(It's the Crown Prince!)

He is the legitimate heir,

blessed with Heaven-given wisdom.

Why have you stopped writing?

I...

I thought...

Thought what?

You thought I'd name the Prince of Jin heir?

He's a spineless fool.

He's better off living in comfort.

This throne

is beyond his ability.

I confined the Crown Prince and cut off his allies

because

all of this

can only be given to him by me.

He himself

must not entertain such ambitions.

He is too calculating.

He needs years of hard lessons.

It will be good for him

and for Huai.

He can't even handle Wanyao.

How can I

possibly feel at ease

entrusting him with the empire?

I understand.

I'll continue writing.

(I mend my faults and grow cautious. He shall ascend before my coffin.)

(If Mu Xun succeeds to the throne,)

(given his temperament,)

(Prince of Jin, his own brother,)

(may not survive.)

(Chunhua may also...)

(I mend my faults and grow cautious. He shall ascend before my coffin.)

(Follow Han Emperor Wen's funeral rites. I entrust the realm to you.)

Bring it here.

(Follow Han Emperor Wen's funeral rites. I entrust the realm to you.)

Put it away.

This must not be disclosed.

Yes.

(He's fine now.)

Miss?

Why are you standing at the door?

Sir, your fever was awful yesterday.

Thankfully, it soon passed.

Perhaps the heavy rain all night

washed away your illness too.

Perhaps.

The clerk asked me to bring these over.

But he said there's no rush.

Wait until you've fully recovered.

I'm well enough now.

Read them to me.

But

Mr. Yang's maid brought medicine.

Why don't you drink it first?

All right.

Thank you, Miss.

Oh no. I brought the wrong things.

This isn't the right pile.

Sir, I'm sorry.

I'll be right back.

Miss, please watch over him.

Your Highness now bears the fate of the realm.

A small county like Lanyang

isn't worth staying for so long.

When did you find out?

Was it that night?

When I wrote on your palm?

That night,

I was certain it was you.

Before that, I only suspected.

Then why didn't you say so sooner?

Why so silent?

Scholar Yan,

aren't you usually so eloquent?

I thought

we would never meet again.

That you were still willing to see me

makes me very happy.

Happy?

Happy that you fooled me once again,

or do you have some other motive?

You knew

once the truth came out,

I would leave at once,

didn't you?

Back in Lingnan,

you had me completely fooled

just to make me take you away.

This time,

what do you want?

Now that you've lost your sight...

Your blindness is what you deserve.

I hope one day

that wretched tongue of yours

will be of no use either.

(Shendu Hall) Then...

When will you leave?

Today.

Prepare to depart.

Must you rush so much?

It's time to go.

Is it because

there's no reason to stay here anymore,

or because

Yan Shang finally knows who you are?

You've overstepped!

It's time to go.

(While I can still be ruthless.)

(County Office)

Leaving already?

Here, take this.

I'll go help.

All right.

Miss, sir, are you friends of our magistrate?

Yes.

Come back to Lanyang when you can

and visit our magistrate.

(County Office)

The magistrate is here.

Magistrate Yan.

What are you doing here?

♪Be the ferry where you wait for the sun♪

Farewell,

Your Highnesses.

There's no need.

You weren't here to see me off anyway.

Wanyao.

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

♪Let's conspire to grow old together♪ (County Office)

Yan Shang.

In Huai, officials are chosen

by looks, speech, calligraphy, and judgment,

with appearance ranked first.

Since you are now blind,

you should be removed as magistrate.

But your record is commendable.

I can make an exception for you.

Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.

♪Be the vow I make with all my heart♪ (County Office)

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

Go back to your duties.

♪Not a single hour less♪

In a few days,

I'll send an imperial physician.

There's no need, Your Highness.

How dare you refuse me?

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

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

I wouldn't dare.

It's just that

Wenji sent imperial physicians several times.

It's no use.

The ones he found didn't work.

I may yet find someone who can treat you!

♪- Dusk lights fade, flowers bloom; - May time be free of pain♪

What are you laughing at?

♪You're the only one I need♪

I'm laughing at myself.

Your Highness stayed silent for days,

and the moment you spoke,

all you did was scold me.

You deserve it!

♪- Be my one and only in this world; - Be my one and only in this life♪

♪My last untouched innocence♪

When we parted that day,

I never dared hope we would meet again.

And yet,

in this life,

we must part once more.

A long road lies ahead.

We may never meet again.

I only wish you

health and peace, year after year,

and a long, blessed life.

♪- Burning bright as a song; - See how roses and green bamboo enchant♪

♪Be the vow I whisper again and again♪

♪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♪

♪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're lucky to stay in this world, let's return to when we first met♪

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

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

♪You're the only one I need♪

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

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

♪- Be my one and only in this world; - Be my one and only 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♪

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

♪You're the only one I need♪

♪By your side, through joy and pain♪

♪Is that eternity?♪ (Chengfu Gate)

♪- Till fireworks flood the town; - Till the lake is still and clear♪

♪The wind blows past us♪

♪- If there's still; - Some warmth left in this world♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

Yang Si.

Thanks for staying these past few days.

No need to thank me.

It wasn't exactly my pleasure.

Then thank you for your patience.

Forget it.

He was fine before. Look at him now.

Anyone would feel sorry for him...

Why should I hold it against him?

(I'm ignorant and know little, yet I've studied how rulers govern.)

(The principles are all laid out. None in history rivals your foresight.)

(Thus, humbly, I offer my limited thoughts and observations.)

(Though unworthy of Your Majesty's grace, I submit what may be of value.)

Once we're back in Sheng'an,

we'll seek a renowned eye doctor.

There may yet be a way.

Easy.

Don't splash them.

Yes.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Stop the carriage!

Doctor!

Quick!

Doctor!

Here!

Lay her down here.

Mother.

Thank you, Doctor!

Thank you, Doctor!

- Please, get up. - Thank you.

A miracle worker!

Mother.

Mother.

Sir, may I ask

what this elderly woman's illness is?

It's not an illness.

The weather has been suddenly hot and cold lately.

She was likely caught in the rain

and has overexerted herself.

Her breath has become disordered,

and Yin and Yang no longer harmonize.

That's what caused her fainting spell.

Lately,

I've seen many patients like this.

Yes.

That's right.

She was indeed caught in the rain.

Thank you, Doctor.

There's no need to worry.

She just needs to rest at home.

All right.

Dear!

Our stored herbs are nearly gone.

Let's buy more herbs in town soon.

Get some rest.

I'll go tomorrow.

You heal the sick, give out medicine,

and help the poor.

That's truly admirable.

May I ask your names?

You're too kind.

(Lin Dao, son of Prefect Lin Chuan; Liu Ruozhu, Chancellor Liu's daughter)

I'm Lin Dao.

My wife is surnamed Liu.

Lin Dao?

Is Yuezhou Prefect Lin Chuan your father?

Yes.

How did you know, Miss?

This lady

must be Chancellor Liu's daughter.

I failed to recognize Your Highness.

I was discourteous just now.

Her Highness is traveling incognito.

Please don't reveal her identity, sir.

Please, sit.

I understand.

Rest assured.

Sit.

I've heard that Chancellor Liu

considered Sheng'an's finest young men.

In the end, Ms. Liu chose Mr. Lin

as her husband.

Seeing you today,

I can say Chancellor Liu chose well.

I'm fortunate that my wife accepted me.

The Lin family has many officials,

and their Tianshui Library holds many books,

making it renowned among scholars.

You, too, are known for your talent.

Why not take the exams and serve?

Life is brief,

and everyone has their own aspirations.

The Lin clan has many sons.

It doesn't need me to enter civil service.

Your Highness is promoting the exams.

Scholars abound across the realm.

Huai

has enough scholars already.

I've never met a noble-born man

whose ambition was to practice medicine.

To be honest, Your Highness,

I loved reading as a child,

but I mostly read history and classics.

I paid little heed to worldly affairs.

Later,

I traveled far and wide with my books.

I saw what happened to local families.

If one falls seriously ill,

the family often spend all they have,

yet still lose their loved one.

That's when I realized

though a physician holds a humble rank,

they can save lives.

Our home has thousands of books,

but only the healing arts

can ease the people's suffering.

You are fortunate to have a wife

who'll travel with you through hardship, treating patients wherever you go.

Is that

your passion too, Ms. Liu?

I enjoy collecting old books,

especially books on music and Go.

I travel with my husband,

helping him treat patients,

and he searches for old books for me

without sparing himself any effort.

Unfortunately,

I cannot see.

Otherwise, along the way,

I could help you with so much more.

Ms. Liu, your eyes...

With Lin Dao's medical skills,

there's still nothing he can do?

He's done all he can.

But I've been this way since birth.

My father sought renowned physicians

but nothing helped.

My husband

had read every medical book in Tianshui Library.

We've traveled far and wide,

seeking remedies across the land.

Sadly,

none has worked.

This congenital blindness

is indeed beyond the reach of medicine.

Last year,

while staying in the Shu region,

I treated two patients who had been blind for a long time.

They regained their sight after acupuncture.

Unfortunately,

the same technique did not suit my wife.

I only made you suffer needlessly.

Don't worry.

Mr. Lin,

I'd like you

to see a patient.

Coming.

Who's outside?

Your eyes can't see,

yet you'll open the door to anyone?

Have you no sense of caution?

Donglang was fast asleep.

Why are you...

(Shendu Hall)

From what I can tell,

his blindness is from poison.

It blocks the eye channels.

First, needle the point,

then shield his eyes with healing gauze.

His sight may return. There's hope.

But this method of acupuncture

may cause him some pain.

What are the chances of success?

Thirty percent.

Even ten percent would be worth trying.

Please.

Your Highness decided for me

as if these were your own eyes.

They are mine!

Even your life is mine! Remember that!

(Shendu Hall)

Dr. Lin.

Yan Shang!

It's all right.

That's it.

How do you feel?

Can't you see even a glimmer?

No.

I'm sorry.

It seems this treatment

isn't right for you either.

Don't take it off.

Your Highness.

Thank you for your efforts, Dr. Lin.

I appreciate

your kindness.

I'll keep searching.

I believe there's a cure.

Mr. Yan,

sorry to disturb you so late.

We'll take our leave.

(Shendu Hall) Wait.

Dr. Lin, you've traveled for days.

Why not

stay here tonight with your wife?

Why don't you light the lamp?

The lamp oil

is where I can save.

But I don't like this!

I hate seeing you

grope through life in the dark.

Your Highness.

I've grown used to it.

In my daily life,

it causes me little trouble.

Not a word you say pleases me.

Not like when you wooed me, Yan Shang.

If that's all you have to say,

then don't say it.

I was doing it on purpose, actually.

I let the brush slip on purpose.

The truth is,

I knew you shouldn't come back.

But you did.

And I'm overjoyed.

When I woke this morning,

your hair

brushed against my face.

I was filled with joy.

The truth is...

I'm scared.

Because even in my dreams,

your face

is starting to fade.

If...

I could see you once more,

I'd remember it all.

Every detail of your face.

If...

If only I'd met Lin Dao sooner,

that would've been better.

He may not have cured your eyes,

but he cured your tongue.

(County Office)

Mr. Yan.

We'll take our leave.

Dr. Lin, Ms. Liu,

if you ever pass through Lanyang again,

please do visit my home.

Thank you for the kind invitation.

But

we'll visit an old friend in Youzhou,

then head south to seek ancient books

and treat patients along the way.

Yes.

We don't know when we'll return.

To have each other wherever you roam,

you needn't envy any other couple.

Your Highness and the Prince Consort, too...

Your Highness, gentlemen,

until we meet again.

Until we meet again.

(County Office)

Dear.

Let's go.

(Chengfu Gate)

(County Office)

You've gone to great trouble for me.

I have no way to repay you.

The Ghost Festival is on in town today.

I wonder if you two...

I'll pass.

Where's a good tavern in Lanyang?

I'd like a drink or two.

Yang Si.

What?

Do you want to drink me under the table?

Donglang.

He can't drink.

I'll take you to a good tavern.

Come on.

Let's go.

Go.

(County Office)

Go on.

What about the Ghost Festival?

The Ghost Festival in Lanyang...

Are you okay?

There's nothing serious.

I just had a sudden headache.

It's gone now.

Did Dr. Lin botch the treatment?

We should have kept him here longer,

so he could try a few more methods

and put you through more suffering.

Then I'll go bring him back.

Come back.

Drive evil spirits away! Light the way!

Come see our latest scented sachets!

Sugar figurines! Come buy!

Sugar figurines!

Magistrate Yan!

Come again if you like them!

I'll take these two.

Scented sachets!

Freshly made sachets! Have a look!

Magistrate Yan, out for the festival?

Magistrate Yan.

Who's this lady beside you?

She's quite beautiful!

Here, take this lantern.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let's go.

Come on.

Drive evil spirits away! Light the way!

On your right,

there are little potted fruit trees.

They're made of bamboo strips and colored paper.

Lanterns made from mugwort stalks!

It's a shadow-puppet show.

Yes.

Hit him!

Well done!

Wonderful!

Wonderful!

We never tire of watching this!

Lanyang's lanterns are fascinating.

I've never seen these in Sheng'an.

What do they look like?

Like stars,

twinkling in the night.

They must be beautiful.

It's lively up ahead.

A rite for wandering spirits, it seems.

Let's go take a look.

Beautiful!

It's so beautiful!

(Chengfu Gate) Wonderful!

One more!

Wonderful!

Beautiful!

One more!

One more!

Beautiful!

Wonderful!

One more!

Another one!

That's gorgeous!

Wonderful! Wonderful!

So beautiful!

One more!

This is fascinating.

The living share a lively celebration,

yet it's all to comfort the departed

and guide the spirits to rest.

Yan Shang.

Have you thought about life and death?

I did when I was young.

I hoped my loved ones watched over me,

yet feared they might never find peace.

I no longer think about it.

Life lasts no more than 30,000 days.

We start naive, end frail and confused,

and face danger, worry, and illness.

The time we have to accomplish anything

amounts to only a few decades.

Every day we live

must be spent on something worthwhile.

Doesn't living like that wear you out?

The world is but a waystation,

and all things share one home.

In the end, everything turns to dust.

So we should live freely and fully while we can

and achieve what we set our minds to.

Once we're dead,

there'll be no chance to do anything.

What is it Your Highness wants?

There is much I want.

So no matter what,

I must live well

and pursue all that I seek.

Then I wish Your Highness

every success.

Then I thank you for those kind words.

Who is she?

Who is it?

Who?

Who is it?

Who is she?

Magistrate Yan,

we should find somewhere quieter to sit.

If we keep drawing this much attention,

I'm afraid

it could ruin your reputation.

As Your Highness wishes.

(Chengfu Gate)

When are you going back?

Would you like to hear the truth

or a lie?

The truth.

Princess Danyang

has no need to lie.

Tomorrow.

(Chengfu Gate)

All right.

I'll see you off.

I also have a lie.

Would you like to hear it?

All right.

I'm not going back.

Every day from now on,

and every night,

we'll stay just as we are now.

Together,

hand in hand,

sharing the ordinary chores of life.

And in the end,

we'll grow old and become

a couple with grey hair.

All right.

Tonight, is it that whatever I say,

you'll agree with me?

Yan Shang.

Come back to Sheng'an with me.

Your Highness.

I...

Yan Shang!

Yan Shang, what's wrong?

Yan Shang!

Yan Shang!

Yan Shang!

Yan Shang!

Your Highness.

Tonight,

you look truly beautiful.

Yan Shang.

You really are impossible!

I'm sorry.

I've kept you heartbroken for so long.

♪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♪

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

♪You're the only one I need♪

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

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

♪- Till fireworks flood the town; - Till the lake is still and clear♪

♪The wind blows past us♪

♪- If there's still; - Some warmth left in this world♪

♪You're the only one I need♪

(Next Episode Preview)

I've never mistaken anyone.

That is Magistrate Yan.

Don't let them hear you.

When we cook porridge for them later,

we'll just...

They clearly recognized you,

yet they're still keeping it from you

and plan to tamper with our food.

What do you think they're planning?

♪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.)