Original subtitles

♪Listen to the rain falling♪

♪Let the rain wash away the bustle of yesterday♪

♪Looking at the red walls and green tiles♪

♪The clouds are floating♪

♪Laughing at the picturesque Chang'an♪

♪The years are as thin as snowflakes♪

♪A hero's life is like a sunset glow♪

♪Thousands of soldiers and horses come and go ♪

♪In the twinkling of an eye♪

♪The sound of the zither sings the best of the time♪

♪If this is a dream, may we never wake up♪

♪The land is splendid♪

♪But it cannot be compared to your eyes♪

♪We shall write a new chapter of our prosperous love♪

♪I'll stay with you for a lifetime♪

[Court Lady]

[Episode 7]

Indeed outstanding.

There is something big

happening in the mansion today.

A distinguished guest is coming.

We can use

this folding screen.

Alright.

You can leave first.

Yes.

Rou.

Chu Mu.

I have good news.

Wait for me outside.

Sister.

Mother has agreed.

Really?

Crown Prince.

Crown Prince.

I mean...

You're riding too fast.

I can barely keep up.

I have been so busy

and finally have some time to come out for a stroll.

Crown Prince.

I didn't ask you

to come for a hunt.

I know.

Father has an order.

There's an eagle there

I'm going to shoot it down.

Crown Prince!

Crown Prince.

Keep up.

[Mansion of Lord Han]

How magnificent.

Yes.

[Mansion of Lord Han]

It's great. [Mansion of Lord Han]

[Mansion of Lord Han]

They're so pretty.

[Mansion of Lord Han]

Rou.

Chu Mu.

Come with me.

Let's go.

The banquet is not ready yet.

Princess Consort invites Duke Cai and Master Sun

to have tea at the pavilion first.

Two ladies may have some rest

in the adjacent room

to prepare for the performance

later on.

Okay.

After you, Duke.

After you, Master Sun.

Please.

What good news?

Mother has accepted us.

How is that possible?

I told her

if she doesn't agree to our marriage,

I will become a monk.

You...

You're crazy, Chu Mu.

I am crazy.

Ever since I saw you,

I've been crazy for you.

Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Princess,

didn't you see General Lu

and Miss Sun

the other day?

I want to see that Sheng Chu Mu.

His father is always asking my father to marry me off to him.

I want to see what he looks like.

This Sheng Chu Mu,

everyone says that he's useless

and that he

is a lascivious good-for-nothing.

But Fourth Brother is always talking good about him.

Fourth Brother said

he knows the art of war

and is skilled at mounted archery.

If you want to see Sheng Chu Mu,

can't you just call for him?

If we call

for him directly, he'd be on his best behavior

in front of us.

We have to be dressed like this

in order to know the truth.

His older sister is Princess Consort Han

He will definitely come

to such a big event.

Let's go to the back garden to take a look.

Let's go.

Wait.

Wearing these clothes

and looking for a man in the back garden,

isn't it exciting?

Let's go.

Exciting, exciting.

This is great, Chu Mu.

Did you see it? Did you?

Indeed a beauty.

Don't push, don't push.

Big Brother.

Close the door.

He's the one peeking.

Chu Ling, Chu Jun,

aren't you going to greet her?

Sister-in-law.

Who's your sister-in-law?

No wonder Chu Mu said that

the both of you only know how to tease ladies.

Big Brother, you are...

Don't talk nonsense.

Don't speak out of turn.

Put it up there.

Put it up!

Sister-in-law,

don't imagine things.

Since he was young, Big Brother has been

brave and outstanding,

upright

and doesn't get close to women.

You taught him how to

lie without even

blinking, as well?

No.

What are you saying?

Put one up for yourself too.

I...

I shouldn't have said anything.

Do it longer then.

Four hours.

Four hours?

Okay,

don't punish them already.

They can't even stand still.

Sister-in-law is wise.

No.

I finally got some time

to talk to Rou

and I got interrupted by them.

They have to be punished.

Put it up!

Chu Mu.

Sister-in-law.

Big Brother.

If we continue like this,

you will miss out on something good.

What good thing?

Big Brother,

you've been so focused on becoming a monk.

You don't know about the biggest news of Chang'an City.

Put it up.

Did Big Brother let you put it down?

Big Brother.

Crown Prince is choosing a consort.

Either from the Lu family

or the Sun family.

No wonder.

On my way here I saw

Lu Yun Ji and Sun Tan,

each with a young lady.

Lu Yun Ji

wants his daughter

to be the crown princess?

How is that possible?

I'm surprised Your Royal Highness knows how to climb trees.

How do you know who I am?

I guessed from the way you're dressed.

Who are you?

Let me help you.

Humble commoner greets Your Royal Highness.

Get up.

I'm not climbing the tree for this eagle

but for this golden arrow that was gifted by His Majesty.

You haven't told me your name.

I'm just a commoner.

Your Highness would not be concerned with my name.

Or, do you want to reward me?

I'm kidding.

I don't dare to bother you with something so small.

Crown Prince.

Crown Prince.

You ran too fast.

What are you looking at?

This eagle is for you.

For you to realise your ambition and soar to greater heights.

How do I soar with this?

It's dead completely.

I'll stop joking around.

They're all waiting.

Let's go back.

Let's go.

This is dead.

Princess Consort Han asked you to come?

Yes.

Princess Consort said

she would like to know what else Lady Sun needs.

I don't need anything.

Please convey my thanks to Princess Consort Han.

My Lady, My Lady!

My Lady, something bad happened.

I walked past the corridor

and saw Lady Lu in the next room

taking out her dance outfit

and it's really pretty.

Compared to My Lady's,

it's really much prettier.

Look, how is this less pretty?

It looks so nice!

Lady Lu's dress is very colourful.

It's encrusted with pearls and tortoiseshell gems.

It's dazzling and stunning.

How can we meet His Royal Highness wearing this?

Father taught me what I should know.

Virtue is the most important.

The Queen is older so she might put more importance on virtue,

but the Crown Prince is young.

He might think other things are more important.

What do we do then?

It is not difficult

to complement Lady Sun's brilliance

with this dress.

Please.

Lord Han, didn't you say that you wanted to invite me

to appreciate two beautiful paintings?

Your Royal Highness taking time out of your busy schedule

is my daughter's deepest honor.

Crown Prince.

Duke Sun's daughter not only paints with meticulous detail

but is good at dancing too.

Your Royal Highness,

your humble servant's daughter

just learnt a new dance

today...

Your Royal Highness,

my daughter Ying Ying

knows that Your Royal Highness likes melodies.

So she specially wrote a new melody

and choreographed a new dance.

I wonder

whether Your Royal Highness would like it.

I shall not miss out on this.

Ying Ying.

Look, that's him.

That... That...

The No 1. Playboy of Chang'an, Sheng Chu Mu?

It was indeed great to watch.

For all you know, Master Sun's daughter

would be able to give Your Royal Highness a pleasant surprise.

Master Sun.

What does Your Highness think?

Considered remarkable,

but not much of a surprise.

Great.

You're really great.

You actually thought of sewing the flower

petals into the folds of the skirt.

It was only because of Lady Sun's light dancing

so that she was able to bring out this shower of flowers.

Use a hidden rope

to open the folds all at once.

The sewing skill

is really done on an expert level.

Thank you for your help.

We've admired the art and you've watched the dance,

Your Royal Highness, what do you think?

Both of you are just as good.

If it were me,

it would be hard for me to choose, too.

Brother-in-law, I know...

Sheng Chu Mu.

What are you muttering about?

No... Nothing...

Are you talking about me?

No...

If you're not,

then just tell the truth.

I...

I was just telling Brother-in-law

to choose Lady Lu

because she's pretty.

Nonsense.

How could you speak carelessly in front of Crown Prince?

He praised Lady Lu for being pretty

because he's young and

wears his heart on his sleeve.

He is not at fault.

Yes.

Lady Lu is not only pretty,

but the red mole on the back of her waist

is even more overwhelming.

It will be great if you can marry her

and see it every day.

How dare you.

Master Lu's daughter's

purity and innocence

shouldn't be seen by others like this.

Yes, yes, yes.

Chu Mu should have known better.

Hope Your Royal Highness won't mind.

Hurry and go apologise.

Chu Mu spoke without thinking.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Is it speaking without thinking or speaking nonsense and untruths?

I wouldn't dare to speak nonsense and untruths.

If Crown Prince doesn't believe me,

you will know once you have seen it.

Chu Mu!

Forget it.

It is also my fault.

I shouldn't have let him speak.

Sheng Chu Mu.

Please think before you speak.

You even saw the red mole on the back of her waist.

You skirt-chaser.

And you still want to marry me.

It's so sore.

Big Brother has no conscience.

He made us hold the bowls

and went over to check out what's happening.

Pour the tea.

I asked you to pour the tea.

Me?

I've never seen a maidservant as stupid as you.

Yes, you.

Pour the tea.

Among all the flowers,

Mother-in-law likes peonies the most.

It's not only beautiful and graceful,

and

it doesn't have a scent that attracts bees and butterflies.

I heard that Duke Sun's daughter

also likes peonies.

I will give this Peony flower

to Lady Sun then.

My daughter Ling Shu and I

deeply thank Your Royal Highness.

You may rise.

Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

It's really a good day today.

Mansion's band also prepared a play

and would like to invite Your Royal Highness to watch.

How about treating it as a time to digest your food.

What play?

Zhao Zi Long charging through the ranks of Cao Cao's armies.

Okay.

Let's go watch.

Well done.

Lu Yun Ji thinks highly of himself

and thinks lightly of other people.

He should be put in his place.

Let's go.

Clumsy.

I poured the tea for you

what else do you want me to do?

You...

Give me a massage.

Give you?

My neck still hurts. Who can do it for me then?

Newbie?

Just came today.

I am Xin...

Er.

Who are you?

Princess Consort Han is my sister.

You can call me

Master Chu Ling.

Oh so you're the

younger brother of the No.1 Playboy of Chang'an.

Another playboy.

Yes.

It is my first time meeting

such a daring maidservant like you.

I...

Princess!

Princess!

So you're here.

Why is there a man there?

Just now, he...

What happened?

He...

He... just now he offended me

and got knocked out from a slap.

Knocked out...?

Then... this... is...

This...

Let's go.

No, this, this, this...

Men should be concerned with their success

instead of women and marriage.

Crown Prince really likes this kind of plays.

Your Royal Highness is really a master in pen and sword,

You like dialogue-plays

and even action-plays.

Of course His Royal Highness is well versed in pen and sword.

But this play

put aside the fact that it has romantic cliches.

It's nothing compared to the depiction of war

and the excitement of sacrifice for our country.

General Lu has worked really hard

and thus was given the title of Duke Cai.

Your Royal Highness is so wise,

so I feel rewarded for all my hard work.

As vassals,

we need to be contented.

What do you think, Duke Cai?

Lord Han,

you are absolutely right.

Righteous Death!

Who is the guy acting as Zhao Zi Long?

He's Chen Ji.

Chen Ji.

The Queen has arrived!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You may all get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Mother.

Reporting to Mother,

His Royal Highness has given the palace flower to Lady Sun.

Duke Cai,

Ying Ying is very elegant.

There are good and outstanding families in Chang'an

with quite a few outstanding children.

I will keep a lookout for you later on.

Thank you

for your concern, Your Highness.

Mother, please have a seat.

The embroidery on this folding screen is really amazing.

Yes.

This folding screen

is much more exquisite than the one at Yicheng Palace.

It is more exquisite than the one I have.

Seems like the Mansion of Lord Han has a lot of nice things.

I prepared this for

Mother for your birthday.

Initially, I thought of

sending it to the Palace for you at the beginning of the month.

But we managed to finish it today.

I will get someone to send it over immediately.

It's rare for such filiality.

Who embroidered such good work?

One of Mansion of Lord Han's embroiderers.

She's called Fu Rou.

Her hands are so skillful.

She must be soulful as well.

Call her over. I'd like to see her.

Yes.

Commoner Fu Rou greets Your Majesty.

This peony is so beautiful and even looks full of life.

What is your secret?

Reporting to Your Majesty,

in order to show the flowers' beauty,

it needs the change of colours in the petals.

I dyed the silk threads

before beginning to embroider.

To make it look lifelike,

the concaves and convexes are important.

I followed the flow of the leaves

before using rolling stitches or turning stitches.

My family has been operating a dyehouse and embroidery workshop for generations.

These are all skills that are passed down.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

What is there to congratulate me?

Replying to Your Majesty.

During the Emperor's Imperial Examination Ceremony this year,

I saw

the New Entrants file in from the Upright Gate.

It's a piece of good news.

There's an old saying,

all the talents in the world are now under me.

His Majesty hopes that all the talents could be used by the Royal Family.

Hence Your Majesty would feel the same way of course.

Today, you have met someone with talent in embroidery and dyeing.

How could we miss this?

This is passed down within your family.

You are indeed suited to serve the Royal Family.

Directress Wen was ill over the years

and had just passed away not long ago.

That's fine.

If we can have you in the Service Bureaus,

replacing her position

and being in charge of the palace embroideries,

it would be putting your talent to good use.

Your Majesty knows how to put people's talents to good use.

It is this lady's fortune.

The only thing is that Princess Consort Han

might not want to let go.

It is for Mother to decide.

Aren't you going to thank her?

This is Her Majesty's kind orders.

Commoner

thanks Your Majesty for your kindness.

Get up.

Yes.

What kind of a joke is this?

Under Lu Yun Ji's urging

has made the Queen give the order already.

Fu Rou has to enter the palace.

No.

I'm going to tell the Queen now

that I will be marrying Rou.

Stop right there.

The Queen has just given the order for her to enter the palace

and you say you want to marry her.

Is this a marriage?

This is you fighting against the Queen.

If Mother gets irritated because of you,

not only will she be against your marriage,

she might even arrange a marriage on the spot.

Will you accept or defy her orders?

As for Fu Rou,

it goes without saying.

A better outcome,

she'd be locked deep in the palace without ever seeing the light of day.

As for a bad outcome,

you think about it.

Chu Mu.

Don't be rash.

If you're not thinking about yourself,

you have to think of the Mansion of the Duke of the State.

You have to think of your sister

and Fu Rou.

So is there no hope for me and Rou?

What are you thinking?

Fu Rou is not entering the palace to be a consort.

She's going in as a court lady.

She'll serve for three to five years

and come out well.

Three to five years?

Your brother-in-law will also take care of things from inside

and get her out as soon as possible.

Mother has always disliked the fact that Fu Rou is a merchant's daughter.

If Fu Rou really becomes a court lady,

her status will have gone up.

It will be easy for her to set her place in the Mansion of the Duke of the State later on.

Brother,

don't be in too much of a rush.

Think of Fu Rou's future.

Brother,

you have to think

clearly about the ramifications.

Why did Lady Queen Mother

draw the heavenly river between the Cowherd

and the Weaver Girl?

Maybe an unforgettable love

has to go through some trials.

Just like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl

or like Liang Shan Bo and Zhu Ying Tai.

If only we could become butterflies

and fly to the ends of the earth.

We'll eat pollen every day

and hatch a few caterpillars.

You...

Why are you saying such things even now?

When are you going to the palace?

The Queen's orders were

to go home to see my parents tomorrow

and enter the palace the day after.

Promise me one thing.

What?

There are so many temptations in the palace.

Don't forget me.

How would I forget you?

You're talking nonsense again.

If I could keep talking nonsense to you like this,

for a few days,

few months, few years, few decades

that would be great.

Chu Mu.

Let's go back inside.

Okay.

Chu Mu.

You...

Should go back now.

I'm staying tonight.

Don't misunderstand.

I don't have any other thoughts.

I will respect you.

I just want to look at you a while longer.

I'm afraid after you enter the palace,

it'll be hard just to see you.

Can I...

No, no, no.

Then now...

No, still no!

Why not? It's been so long.

Why not?

Just a kiss.

-Just a kiss. -Don't come over.

If you come over...

I'll poke you with a needle.

Just let me kiss you.

You... You said

that you would respect me.

You really can't!

Chu Mu.

I regretted it.

Sheng Chu Mu!

Sheng Chu Mu!

Why didn't you keep your word?

You're blushing.

Sheng Chu Mu! What are you trying to do?

This...

Sheng Chu Mu!

Don't come over.

You said

that you would respect me.

Sheng Chu Mu, stop it.

Sheng Chu Mu.

You...

You can't go back on your word.

You...

Don't come over.

Don't come over.

Hold it.

Just treat this as something

that will help us cross the heavenly river.

I'm going to sleep.

Is there anything you want to tell me?

Yes.

How did you know that there is a red mole

on Lu Ying Ying's back?

You held back for one whole night

to ask me this?

Answer me honestly.

It was one of Lu Ying Ying's close friends,

He Huan Huan's trusted subordinate who said it.

How do you know

someone else's trusted subordinate?

I don't know her.

Chu Jun.

Chu Jun is close to her. Chu Jun.

Then...

I should go now.

Rou.

I will get you out as soon as I can.

I trust you.

Lu Yun Ji,

I will not forgive you.

Oh right.

The palace attendants and Six Divisions have a lot of interaction.

Therefore, if you need anything

you can just let me, Yang Bai, know.

Yes.

[General Service Bureau]

Court Lady Zhong,

this is Directress Fu who is new.

Court Lady Zhong.

Once you enter the General Service Bureau, you're one of us.

The palace has six service areas and 24 directresses.

We have four directresses under the General Service Bureau,

divided into

Garment Embroidery,

Gold and Jade Goods,

Gift Brocades,

and Firewood for Food.

Since Her Majesty has appointed you as Directress

you will be in charge of one of the lines for Garment Embroidery.

Yes.

-Commoner thanks... -Still commoner?

Directress is a female court lady.

Rank Six.

You should call yourself Subordinate Official.

Subordinate Official thanks Court Lady Zhong for the advice.

I am the manager for the directress,

Li.

This is Shu.

She's one of the palace attendants

and is a maidservant sent here for Directress Fu.

There will be many things I'm unsure of.

Please do guide me along, Manager Li.

I will not hide anything I know

and be frank when I speak.

This is our roster.

Under the managers, there are leaders.

And under the leaders are many different maidservants,

doing different jobs.

Directress Fu,

these are my personal notes,

with all the likes of every consort and princess.

It will be helpful for you

when you do your work in the future.

Manager Li, you're really thoughtful.

Directress Fu,

it's getting late.

Rest early.

You have to learn palace etiquette early tomorrow.

It's my fault.

I got engrossed in talking and forgot about the time.

Directress Fu, hurry and sleep

so that you will have energy for tomorrow.

Court Lady Situ from the Etiquette Service Bureau

is experienced and has airs.

She isn't easy to get along with.

Thank you for today, Manager Li.

You're welcome.

We are all in the same position.

It would be easier to work as one.

I will go first then.

[Etiquette Service Bureau] It's all my fault.

[Etiquette Service Bureau]

I didn't wake Directress Fu up on time.

It's not your fault.

I stayed up too late last night.

[Etiquette Service Bureau]

Raise your arms.

Why are you only coming now?

This is the new Directress Fu.

It is her first day here...

The palace is the grandest place in the world.

Etiquette

is the most important thing.

You're late on your first day.

Rise.

How presumptuous.

What are you still standing there for?

Go and practice.

Yes.

Kneel.

Follow me.

Raise your arms.

Bow.

Do you think we're being too hard

on this Directress Fu?

Up.

I have been in charge here for so many years.

I have been able to train new consorts

and immature princesses.

What more for a directress.

Kneel.

Raise your arms.

Bow.

Up.

Alright.

We shall call it a day for now.

You may leave.

Yes.

Everyone can leave.

Go back and take a good rest.

Let's go.

It must be tiring.

Manager Li.

It was fine.

Court Lady Situ has served the Queen for many years

and was also the education official for the Crown Prince.

So now that she's in charge here,

everyone will have to suffer some hardship.

Manager Li, are you looking for me?

This is the embroidery that Consort Yan's palace had asked for.

They've been rushing us to do it many times already.

According to the rules,

the Directress has to send it personally.

Any later, Consort Yan may get angry.

Okay.

[Court Lady]

♪Who would pity those salad days♪

♪It's youth that warmed up the room♪

♪Dwelling on the frustrations naively♪

♪The pain made me forget about the sweetness♪

♪I can't stop thinking of you even when breathing♪

♪You're in my dreams, in my heart♪

♪I blamed our encounter and I blame myself♪

♪The pain of parting is a deep wound in my heart♪

♪The pain of parting is a deep wound in my heart♪

♪I missed someone when I was young♪

♪I was the one to blame, not her♪