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♪ Memories of the past are always vivid ♪

♪ They accompanied me to take every step ♪

♪ On the road ♪

♪ Going through heat and cold ♪

♪ The bumpy journeyhas rendered my longing ♪

♪ Rock solid ♪

♪ The same moonlightshines on our shoulders ♪

♪ Even if we are far away separated ♪

♪ We are close in our hearts ♪

♪ The wind blew away the past ♪

♪ I look for your distant locationon the starry night ♪

♪ In the ocean of faces ♪

♪ For you, my heart burns and races ♪

♪ Despite its turns and twists,fate is in my hands ♪

♪ May waiting convert regretsinto a happy ending ♪

♪ May solitary figuresfind right companions ♪

♪ And become a pair ♪

=Time Flies and You Are Here=

=Episode 4=

[The flowers and willows seen everywhere should be able to empathize with me]

[Commandery Prince Mansion]

Zhao Mao,

look!

What are these?

Let me tell you. Xie Xiaoman gave these to me.

Smell them.

This is the peach blossom shortbread.

It is said that during the Cold Food Festival,

women give this kind of pastry to men

as a token of love.

Do you think she fancies me?

Is she after my family's property?

No. No. I am not the Crown Prince.

What can she gain from me?

What's more, Xie Xiaoman is not that kind of person.

Zhao Mao.

Spit it out.

I haven't eaten any of them yet.

You bad horse!

You left none to me.

Come over.

Come over.

You, you are so bad.

Welcome to come again.

Come in, please.

- Sir, take care. - Please come again.

Mr. Li, (Little Zhangtai) nice to see you.

Come in, please. Come in, please.

- Take care. - OK. OK. OK.

Today is the Cold Food Festival.

(Zhu Yu, pet name Yanniang) I was wondering whether you would come.

But I still set time aside for you.

I actually didn't harbor much hope.

Except the academy and my home, in Wujiang Prefecture,

I have nowhere else to go.

You became Principal Yang's disciple two years ago.

Have you ever thought about when to take the spring exam?

On such a festive day, let's not talk about that.

I know you have a lofty character, dislike the officialdom

and have no interest in an official career.

But if you don't take the spring exam,

how could you get me out of this place being only a student of Yang Chidao?

I can help you out

even if I am not an official.

Yanniang, don't worry.

There will be other ways.

(Fragrant and Tender Beauty)

My lady.

Someone outside wants to see you.

Yanniang. Yanniang.

Congwen is still here.

Don't let him come here. Go help me stall him.

Yes, my lady.

Yanniang.

Squire Wang. Squire Wang. There is another guest in Miss Yanniang's chamber.

It's not convenient for her to see you now.

(Residence of the Su Family)

Lord Willow Twig, please identify the evil spirits and guard my home.

Good morning, Xiaoman.

What is she doing?

Ask Wick by yourself.

I'm preparing for worshiping the Goddess of Silkworm.

On the day of the Qingming Festival, an altar will be put up

and my lady will dress up as the Goddess of Silkworm.

You are so talkative.

Go mind your own business.

Mother.

Eat slowly.

Today I saw the servants of the mansion are all bustling about.

Wick said there would have a worship of the Goddess of Silkworm.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Our Su Chang Chi worships the Goddess of Silkworm

during the Qingming Festival every year.

First, we do this to pray for blessings.

Second, people can have fun.

Since Minggu cut her wisdom teeth,

she has been dressing up as the Goddess of Silkworm.

Dad.

I don't want to do that this year.

What nonsense are you talking!

Tomorrow, the Imperial Silk Manufactory

is going to come to inspect our Su Chang Chi.

Except you, who else will dress up as the Goddess of Silkworm?

Be aware of your duty.

You are the young proprietress of Su Chang Chi.

If you don't do this thing, who else will do it for you?

I...

[Great works go down in history]

Why are you unwilling to dress up as the Goddess of Silkworm?

(Wonderful music transcends time)Who wants to?

To do that, I have to show around in public all day long and face the others' judgement about me.

They always force me with Su Chang Chi.

They should be on the road now.

We may never see them again.

Do you feel sad?

I didn't have that wishful thinking anyway.

He is so good at study.

He is bound to become the principal graduate in the future.

How could he marry into our family?

If he eats your peach blossom shortbread,

- If he comes to know... - Alright, come back to reality.

Didn't you say that you would go work in the Commandery Prince's Mansion?

They are all gone.

Will you still go?

No, I won't.

I'll look for other jobs.

I heard that by copying the "Thousand Character Classic"

and selling them to the children who just started learning,

one can earn 10 copper coins on each sale.

But my handwriting is not beautiful.

Ten copper coins.

Why don't you tell my mother and ask her to redeem your land?

No, I can't ask you to do that.

Today you'll have the last lesson before the Qingming Festival comes.

The teachers and the Principal have agreed to

give a new round of tests after the Qingming Festival.

Get prepared, all of you.

Why?

Test again?

Stop making such a fuss.

It's very indecent!

Old Gao.

Don't be so grumpy.

Aren't you gone?

Why are you back?

I like playing the game of go with you.

Take a seat.

Get started, everybody.

(Student Wang Weicheng)

Hey! Go away! You heard me!

So bossy.

Get started, everybody.

You make a move first.

What is on His Highness's mind?

His just made a Ferghana Horse pull the millstone.

- I just can't understand. - When can the horse stop pulling the millstone?

- It will have to pull the millstone... - According to Wang Er of the mill,

that will last till the Lesser Fullness.

This is a waste of the fine horse.

His Highness's thoughts are not for you to guess.

Go. Go. Go. Hurry to do your work.

Put things back where they were. Exactly where they were.

I am also a fine horse.

I walk to and for every day.

I spent all my time for moving.

All right. No more complaint.

Hurry to go.

Chop-chop.

The test papers used by Jingnv Pavilion last time have been saved.

As for this make-up exam,

Principal Yang is worried that there might be trouble again.

So he decided to give a test on Discourse on Politics.

The students of the Jingnv Pavilion can decide whether to take it

and the test is not compulsory.

The test will last one day.

Just prepare for it.

Don't think about cheating.

In the coming couple of days,

Xingzhou will help tutor the Discourse on Politics in my mansion.

You must come.

Jingnv Pavilion doesn't need to take the test.

So I don't want to go.

Besides, who is Xingzhou?

It is Ziyan's courtesy name.

My courtesy name is Zhanzhi.

You can call me Senior Brother Zhanzhi.

Zhanzhi is also fine.

Anyway, you are working in my mansion.

Keeping me company while I study is also your job.

If you don't come, I will fire you.

You...

What did you say last time?

You said, "I want to continue working here.

Please don't fire me, Your Highness."

Are you threatening me?

I'll go.

No.

We'll go.

We'll go.

Claim!

(Learning is the basis of a career, reading books is the basis of learning)

What do you want to do exactly?

Are you unwilling to work for him

or unwilling to go over lessons with him?

I want to do neither.

But,

But I have no choice.

I will go to the Commandery Prince's Mansion after school.

I will do my work first.

When will you arrive?

I'll go meet you.

You will really go?

In my opinion, I only need to ask my mother

to redeem the land for you.

It is different.

I have promised Mr. Liangji

that I'll save money to buy back the land.

And he agreed.

(Books) I have made the calculations.

I can only earn 10 copper coins

by selling one piece of handwritten "Thousand Character Classic".

But I can earn 50 copper coins

by working in his mansion for half an hour.

Moreover,

I did something wrong.

Since I promised to do it, I must do it.

But you mustn't tell uncle.

If my mother finds it out, she will paddle me again.

Go ahead.

Bite it.

Bite it.

Bite it.

Right. Right. Right.

Don't run. Bite it.

Bite. Bite. Bite.

Bite it.

Boyang, lower your voice.

Got it.

Bite it.

Bite it.

Right, there you go. Bite it.

Bite it. Bite it.

Xiaoman.

We are kind of bound by destiny.

His Highness gave up leaving.

And you happen to be back.

Xiaoman, you have been working in our mansion for quite some time.

The Commandery Prince's Mansion is influential and big.

We can't let you do the odd job all the time.

How about signing a contract?

In the days to come,

you shall come to work four of the seven days per week.

I will pay you on a monthly basis.

Hongsu.

Hongsu.

("The Commentary of Zuo") Go find out whether she signed it.

Yes, Your Highness.

(Contract with the Commandery Prince's Mansion Prepared by Liangji)

(Signed by Xie Xiaoman)

All right.

You have signed it, Miss.

From now on, you'll be one of us.

So let's just call each other sister.

My name is Hongsu.

I am His Highness's maid.

I guess I am several years elder than you.

You can call me Sister Hongsu.

If you have any problems in the mansion later,

don't hesitate to tell me.

Don't be scared.

OK.

Mr. Liangji.

Stop the young lady from working.

His Highness said that Miss Su would be here soon.

Then they will dine inside together.

Minggu is coming?

Then I'll go meet her.

("The Commentary of Zuo")

The Duke Ling of Jin didn't rule benevolently.

He levied heavy taxes to pool money for the carving of his walls.

Hanchen.

Could you lend Zhao Mao to me for several days?

He shot at people from a terrace with a slingshot

to see how they would dodge the pellets.

Well, I am talking to you.

When his cook failed to do the bear paws thoroughly,

he had the cook killed.

Boyang.

Hanchen is reading.

Don't disturb him.

He is reading?

Only a fool will believe that.

I know him very well.

The test on Discourse of Politics,

(Soaring noble spirit)as its name suggests,

requires students to comment on political issues

and put forward countermeasures.

It attaches importance to detailed analysis, solutions to problems

and convincing arguments.

If you want to get Grade A in the test,

you must give your own insighful views.

This time,

the students of the Jingnv Pavilion will also take the test.

So I guess the teachers

won't make out questions about irrigation works or tax laws.

I guess they will set questions about

The Four Books and the Five Classics

like the article "Misconduct of Duke Ling of Jin"

read by Hanchen just now or like the topic "On Dogmatism"

set in the fourth reign year of the Xining Period.

Emperor Wu of Jin subdued Eastern Wu being dogmatic

while the dogmatic Emperor Fu Jian failed to suppress Eastern Jin.

Duke Huan of Qi became the top hegemon resorting to Guan Zhong stubbornly

while King Ji Kuai of Yan lost his throne trusting Zizhi arbitrarily.

Why did the same doings lead to different results?

Also, there may be questions about "Faults of Qin" by Jia Changsha.

It is a famous article passed down from ancient times.

What matters the most is presenting the argument.

First, the argument must be new and unique.

Also, the argument should be presented in a powerful, concise,

trenchant and sophisticated manner.

Let's take "Faults of Qin" as an example.

This article consists of three parts.

Part I describes how the State of Qin grew stronger

throughout the reign from Duke Xiao to the First Emperor.

Part II writes about the crisis caused to Qin

by the Second Emperor's wrong policies.

(Variorum of The Doctrine of the Mean)

Part III depicts how Qin dealt with its military issues

and political issues in the crisis.

And...

Boyang.

Why did you wake me up?

I was dreaming about a cricket.

Read this again.

Taste it.

All right.

Let's call it a day.

It's finally over.

I am so tired.

I have to go back quickly for the cricket fight.

Hanchen.

(Soaring noble spirit)

I'll be off.

Hurry to go.

Go quickly.

Meet me after you get changed.

I'll wait for you in the coach.

So you really know the tea ceremony.

Of course.

I have learned it since childhood.

How come I don't know?

You are capable of so many things.

But I am capable of none of them.

Every person is born to assume their own responsibilities.

Your responsibility is to grow up properly

and to marry into a decent family.

However, my responsibility is to become a carefree prince

who is Jack of all trades, but expert of none.

You don't like this?

It doesn't matter whether I like it or not.

I am a member of the imperial clan.

My food, clothes and daily needs

all come from the taxes paid by the populace.

Nobody wants to hear me say "I dislike it".

They only want to see a virtuous and flawless prince.

If I believe in the Taoism, they'll be more satisfied.

Watch the clouds rise

and don't scramble for gains.

This is why you left the capital and came to Wujiang Prefecture.

Because there is no freedom for you there.

There is no so-called freedom in this world.

The men of letters made it up to deceive naïve girls like you.

Like the tea I offered you,

the tea leaves gather and disperse in a fixed way.

This doesn't sound like you.

How come?

You don't seem to be a person who believes in destiny.

I must say the spring water of Wujiang Prefecture is not as good as

the clean snow water of the capital.

You used to make tea with the snow water?

When I lived in the capital, my family always made tea

with the clean snow water collected in winter.

My elder brother and I ever dug out

the jar used by our mother to store the snow water.

You must miss your brother a lot?

Mr. Liangji.

Miss Xie.

You listened to the Discourse on Politics so attentively.

Why?

Though Jingnv Pavilion doesn't give us a test about it,

I think it is very interesting to listen to it.

Since you are so interested in it,

you should go with me to Taiping Tavern tomorrow

to listen to the debate about statecraft.

What about my work then?

Accompanying me to listen to the debate is your tomorrow's work.

About the Cuju ball game held on that day, I was wrong.

I owe you an apology.

I am sorry.

From now on, I'll do my utmost regarding the Studio of Artlessness

You can rest assured.

It is late now.

Go back early.

I heard you still live in your uncle's home.

If you go back too late, he will worry.

Besides,

I accept your apology.

See you tomorrow.

(Gorgeous Building Propitious Pavilion)

What took you so long?

See you in Taiping Tavern at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Also, the peach blossom shortbread is very yummy.

I like it very much.

You gave Zhong Ziyan the peach blossom shortbread?

Did, did he figure out the whole thing?

I gave it to him.

I gave it to the manservant

and especially mentioned it was for Zhong Ziyan.

But, Zhao Xiaoqian said he would also go to Taiping Tavern tomorrow.

And he asked me to go with him.

Xiaoman.

Could you replace me to dress up as the Goddess of Silkworm tomorrow?

I can't.

You can.

You know I have an appointment with Zhong Ziyan tomorrow.

Also, my mother said that

the personnel of the Imperial Silk Manufactory would come.

There must be someone dressing up as the Goddess of Silkworm.

But if I agree to do it, auntie will be angry with me.

No, she won't.

I'll talk to her.

I ensure you my mother won't give you a hard time.

But I also want to watch the debate.

You surely do.

Fine. Fine.

I'll take your place.

I am only a common girl.

Even if I don't go tomorrow, it won't make a difference.

But you must remember to apologize on my behalf tomorrow.

No problem.

Just leave it to me.

"Faults of Qin"

(Studio of Artlessness)

Hanchen.

All is set for tomorrow's debate.

Are you sure you will take Xie Xiaoman with you?

Yes.

You see she is a little beef-brained.

I have to teach her so that she won't bring disgrace to me.

Why do you care so much about her?

Don't you think a wooden-headed girl like her

is very cute?

Well,

tomorrow my mother will take A'Yun to visit our folks in hometown.

They will pass by Wujiang Prefecture.

Because they are traveling with other people,

they will only stay here for about two hours.

So, tomorrow, I won't go to Taiping Tavern with you.

You won't go?

All right.

Remember to ask Mr. Liangji

to prepare some tonic food for your mother.

Your mother is bringing up A'Yun alone.

It's not an easy thing.

I got it.

Then I'll be off.

What do you think? Do I look good?

You look beautiful.

The first course is Fried Quail with Flowers and Pork Kidney.

The second course is... Not everyone is here.

Take them away.

You may all withdraw.

The two sirs taking part in the debate are here.

Your Highness, when will the debate be started?

Let's wait for her to arrive.

Do you think that I applied the powder evenly today?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

My lady, what's on your mind exactly?

Why did you refuse to dress up as the Goddess of Silkworm

and let the naughty girl Xiaoman take your place?

Don't say such words about Xiaoman.

She is my cousin.

You said this about her first.

Now you changed your mind.

Nonsense!

(Budian Curtains)

Come on, A'Yun.

Don't pamper her all the time.

She is a big girl now.

But she doesn't know how to behave.

You see,

(Zhong Ziyan's younger sister Zhong Yun)she didn't greet you.

Don't criticize A'Yun, mother.

It has been a long time since we met last time.

It's natural that she doesn't feel close to me.

(Zhong Ziyan's mum Mrs. Zhong) Why am I

putting myself through so much?

Because I hope our family can foster another principal graduate.

Well, mother.

These are the silver I have earned recently.

Take them.

I am not short of money.

You only need to take good care of yourself.

Mom.

The Commandery Prince is generous.

You have nothing to worry.

So take them.

Keep them well.

Mrs. Zhong.

It's not early now.

Let's set out.

We are coming.

You must study hard while serving the Commandery Prince.

Do take care of yourself.

Stop eating. Let's go.

You promised to buy me the milk cake.

Why do you like eating so much?

Mum.

It's not like we can't afford that.

Let's buy it for her.

You go buy a piece of milk cake and take it to her.

Hurry.

People are waiting for us.

Such a willful girl.

You leave her alone.

Don't pamper her.

Let's go. Hurry.

My lady bought this for you.

It's the milk cake.

Thank you, Miss.

Your brother and I study in the same academy.

Xingzhou is very famous in our academy.

The teachers like him a lot.

All people are impressed by his learning.

Today I gave you the milk cake as a goodwill gesture to your brother.

So just enjoy it.

Yan'er, work hard in your study.

Don't care about us.

I can manage our family well.

You take care of yourselves as well.

Goodbye, Miss.

Xingzhou.

I know your life is not easy.

I also know that you have studied so hard

just to make your mother and family live a better life.

I know that you don't feel good being the prince's school companion.

In the future... What does it have to do with you?

It is indecent for you to eavesdrop on us.

Today I will let that go.

In the days to come, please don't cross the line again.

Why did you talk to my lady like this?

Sir, where are your manners?

The Commandery Prince is still

waiting for your cousin in Taiping Tavern.

You'd better hurry.

Do you mean that

the Commandery Prince wrote the letter to Xiaoman?

What letter?

Your Highness.

Well.

What time is it now?

It's already over 6 p.m.

Where is she?

I have sent people to find it out.

I am afraid that Miss Xie won't make it here today.

She is still in her dwelling now.

Your Highness, you indulged her so much that she forgot her position.

She is only a maid.

Get the horse ready.

Let's go to the Residence of the Su Family.

(Residence of the Su Family)

Thank you. Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thanks. Thanks.

Many thanks.

Thanks. Thanks.

Welcome. Welcome.

Lord Chang.

Greetings. We're waiting for you.

Mr. Meng, greetings.

[Invitation Chang Huaipu Grand Supervisor of Wujiang Silk Manufactory]

Lord Chang.

Madam Su.

Lord Chang, go in, please.

This way. This way.

Come in, please.

Hurry.

Greetings, Lord Li.

Welcome. Welcome.

Congratulations to you. Congratulations.

Hold the balance arm.

Cut the wick.

Spread the flower powder.

Cut the wick.

Senior school brother.

Today you are dressing up as the Goddess of Silkworm?

Minggu is not available today.

So I took her place.

I did this without prior preparations.

Please don't laugh at me.

Okay. I won't.

Why are you here today?

The Grand Supervisor who came today is my father's old friend.

So I came to visit him.

How are you progressing with your Discourse on Politics?

I have no clue at all.

It doesn't matter.

Like what I said back then, just say whatever you like.

My lady.

It's time for us to make appearances.

You look so beautiful today.

Put on a good show on the stage in a while.

If you have any problems with the Discourse of Politics,

you can come to me at any time.

I am

always available.

The divinity resides in the silkworm.

We farmers worship the Goddess of Silkworm.

We plant mulberry trees to raise silkworms.

Thanks to the goddess for bestowing the silk cloth on us.

She did a very good job.

Yes.

(Crouching Stone Pavilion)

You broke your promise.

Did your School Brother Li teach you this?

If a person doesn't honor her words,

I don't know what he or she can achieve?

If the carriage, big or small has no yokes, how can it travel?

It's just a few words.

Everybody is capable of that.

All guests came at the invitation.

You came without being invited.

You committed the sin of trespassing on others' property.

Trespassing on others' property?

All right.

All right.

The Commandery Prince of Julu is present here.

Greetings to Your Highness!

School Brother Li, you are only a commoner.

How could you ignore the etiquette and not kneel down before me?

Is it because your father is an official of the third rank?

Your Highness came without being invited.

Did your blood of the imperial clan give you the authority?

You humiliated all people present.

How could you do this?

Humiliate?

I am afraid you don't know what is the real humiliation.

Today is very important for Su Chang Chi.

Why are you making a scene here?

I am making a scene?

Then you tell me why you didn't keep our appointment today.

And why did you give me the peach blossom shortbread?

It's not for you.

What did you say?

I said that the peach blossom shortbread was not for you.

So stop causing trouble here.

Liangji.

Here.

Take her to my mansion.

You...

Zhao Xiaoqian.

You... Xiaoman.

Sorry that I have to do this.

Today His Highness is... I'll talk to you later.

Guards, take her away.

Be gentle. Don't hurt her.

School brother.

What, what are you doing?

Let go of me.

Xiaoman.

Let go of me.

Let's talk about it.

Help me go back.

Mother.

Ma'am.

Su Wei.

What is going on?

When did Xiaoman offend the prince?

He defied human and divine.

Lord Chang.

The Commandery Prince of Julu kidnapped the common girl.

I beg your Lordship to lend me the army.

Well... (The Commandery Prince's Mansion)

You signed the contract in private.

But you dare not tell others.

Why?

Do you think it is a shame working in my mansion?

Say something.

Since Your Highness thinks I did something wrong, I'll kneel here

till you are not angry.

Good.

Then tell me

what is the wrong thing you did.

I was wrong to sign the contract with Your Highness in private.

How dare you!

Xiaoman.

His Highness is pissed now.

You'd better give in and apologize.

I won't.

Right.

I was wrong to have stood His Highness up.

But His Highness bullied us using his power

and caused trouble to Su Chang Chi.

This is not my fault.

Open the gate!

(Fresh and Gentle Wind)

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Our mansion got besieged.

Xingzhou.

Go ask Arms Instructor Qin to lead the army into the city.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Shuntian Gate Wang's Zuiliuxiang Noodle House]

[The Commandery Prince's Mansion]

The prince is young and ignorant.

Are you the same, Lord Qin?

I don't care about that.

[Yamen] I only know that the imperial clan ordered me

[Yamen] to protect His Highness.

So, whether His Highness is young and ignorant

or experienced and prudent, I'll have to protect him.

Congwen.

The Commandery Prince of Julu is a member of the imperial clan.

Don't mess up with him.

♪ Ask the moon whether it has seen ♪

♪ The other end of the earth ♪

♪ Your feelings fluctuatelike the moon's wane and wax ♪

♪ Have they ever been the same? ♪

♪ Carried by misty clouds,the moon came into your eyes ♪

♪ As a substitute for me, it appeared ♪

♪ Cast our eyes over the bustling street ♪

♪ Don't shed tears when we part ♪

♪ Since our parting,I have been recalling your look ♪

♪ Every night,I miss you too much to sleep ♪

♪ In my heart,I stored our affectionate past ♪

♪ As time went by, it faded like smoke ♪

♪ In my ears, rings your old whisper ♪

♪ Every night,I look forward to meeting you again ♪

♪ On the day we brushed past each other ♪

♪ We got tied by a permanent bond ♪

♪ Since our parting,I have been recalling your look ♪

♪ Every night,I miss you too much to sleep ♪

♪ In my heart,I stored our affectionate past ♪

♪ As time went by, it faded like smoke ♪

♪ In my ears, rings your old whisper ♪

♪ Every night,I look forward to meeting you again ♪

♪ On the day we brushed past each other ♪

♪ We got tied by a permanent bond ♪