All language subtitles for EP09_ The Legend of Zhuohua [WeTV]

♪Roaming freely
through the cycles of time♪

♪In an ardent and liberated soul♪

♪Over thorny roads,
across treacherous heights♪

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave
life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Promises made, heard and fulfilled♪

♪And it reaches far and wide♪

♪I will shine like stars
in the dark night♪

♪And stride through fate's ups and downs,
leaning toward the sun♪

♪Moments turn into eternity,
fleeting years become forever♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead,
the light within never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream
to completion♪

=The Legend of Zhuohua=

(Adapted from "She Was Once
a Playful Soul" by Sui Yu Er An)

=Episode 9=

(This is a work of fiction.)

Why did I end up here?

My Lord.

What… What brings you here?

Are you

digging up flowers?

No, I am repotting them.

Why?

Look at this, My Lord.

The flower pot Her Highness gifted me

is too valuable.

I have to put it away properly.

Do you know?

This pot could fetch
hundreds of taels.

But it is a very meaningful gift.

I dare not sell it,

let alone

casually leave it in the yard.

What if someone steals it?

So, I had an idea.

I will move the peony

into my earthenware pot

and store the pot Her Highness gave me

in a safe place.

My Lord,

is there a reason

you came here so late at night?

I have questions for you.

You played tricks

at the Floral Poetry Gathering today.

Shouldn't you give me an explanation?

My Lord.

I was just about to thank you.

Elaborate.

Take it easy, My Lord.

Be careful, My Lord.

I admit

that I deliberately misled them

into thinking

that you wrote the poem.

But I didn't think

you'd be so cooperative.

You even spilled the cup of tea
on purpose to get their attention,

and that's how I ended up
getting the top prize.

Are you saying
I shouldn't have been so cooperative?

My Lord,

you always say you wouldn't help me.

However,

your words are harsh,
but your heart is soft.

You are kind and handsome.

I am most grateful to you.

I chose the right master.

I did not help you for free.

I spilled that cup of tea

and soiled my clothes.

The clothes I wore

cost over a hundred taels.

A hundred…

Why don't you

give me this pot as compensation?

Your Lordship,

why don't I give you
this flower instead?

A peony of this species will sell

for at least hundreds of taels
per blossom.

Such a prestigious flower
is most suitable

for a noble figure
such as Your Lordship.

Please accept the flower, Your Lordship.

Furthermore,

I owe more than half

of the credit to Your Lordship
for today's win.

After all,

you helped me.

So splitting the reward

would be most fortunate.

The palace examination takes place
two days later.

Yet, you still have the time and mood
to tend to flowers.

Her Highness's pot.

Your Lordship's jade pendant.

Both of them will be mine.

I am confident

I can do well in the palace examination.

My Lord.

Did you buy this flower?

It was a gift.

What?

Someone actually gifted you flowers?

My Lord.

Dowager Empress
looked up Mu's background

but found nothing suspicious.

Thankfully,
Your Lordship was wise and foresightful.

You sent the Falcon Squad
to Jiangnan ahead of time

and erased all traces
of Mu Zhuohua's change of birthplace.

Juli. Juli.

The exam basket.

Let's check the exam basket again.

Young Lady,

you are not allowed to bring anything
into the exam hall of the palace exam.

Right.

I can't bring anything
into the exam hall of the palace exam.

What about my clothes?

The clothes
I'm supposed to wear tomorrow.

Check them again.

I've checked them…

Five times.

- Young Lady.
- You've checked them.

Are you nervous?

What?

Are you nervous?

Yes.

I… I am a little nervous.

Young Lady, come.

Follow me.

Third Madam.

Young Lady has done what you said.

Every day, she studies diligently

until late every day.

She works very hard.

Third Madam, please watch over

and bless Young Lady

for her success
in tomorrow's palace examination.

May she achieve top honors.

Mother.

(Memorial Tablet of Mother, Gu Yixiao)
I have ingrained your teachings

in my heart.

For over a decade,

I have studied diligently.

I am most fortunate.

Females are finally

allowed to attend the imperial exam.

Tomorrow,

I will be taking the palace examination.

I am sure

you must be proud of me.

Rest assured, Mother.

I am sure I will pass the exam.

Please await good news.

(The palace examination begins now.)

(Xuanzheng Hall)
(The candidates will now enter the hall.)

This year's examination topic is

"Govern by Inaction."

"Govern by Inaction."

(This topic assesses
both the candidate's)

(talent and ability)

(to comprehend
His Majesty's intentions.)

(It has been 24 years
since His Majesty succeeded the throne.)

(His Majesty has adopted
many benevolent policies,)

(allowing the state
to rest and flourish.)

(From this perspective,)

(many will focus on "inaction".)

(Inaction.)

(Inaction itself is a form of action.)

(Half a piece of paper left.)

(Half an hour.)

(What can I write?)

She is unlucky.

It looks like she will come in last.

She probably saw Father,

panicked,

and spilled the ink.

Father is merciful.

I'm sure he won't hold her responsible.

(That's not true.)

(The inkstone fell over by itself.)

(I didn't touch it.)

(Who did this?)

(Who did I offend this time?)

(What should I do?)

(Young Mu Ba)
Is she still studying?

Mu Xiaoqi always has her nose
in those books.

Wait for me!

What's the matter?

Still upset about what happened
during the day?

Don't mind what they say.

But, Mother,

they were insulting me.

What do they know?

Remember this, my child.

Women, too, must study

and seek their own pursuits.

Even if she is locked
within her chambers,

she cannot let herself

become a canary at the mercy of others.

You must remember my words.

Don't entrust your fate

to others.

Do you remember, my child?

Read.

(My sisters always
fought over clothes, fabric,)

(cosmetics, and jewelry.)

(I didn't want any of those.)

(All I wanted were endless books,)

(peace, and quiet.)

(If possible,)

(a lamp that never goes out)

(so I could read in the dark.)

(I still have
half a piece of paper left.)

(Things were tougher,)

(but I never thought about giving up.)

(Not to mention)

(I've come this far.)

Why is she still writing?

She might as well just give up.

She only has half a piece of paper left.

There's not much she can write.

A futile struggle.

She was the only one

who behaved improperly
in the entire exam hall.

With such demeanor,
it must've been a stroke of luck

that she got 17th place
in the metropolitan examination.

You're right.

If she drops out of 17th place,

that means we'll move up
in the rankings.

It's a good thing for us.

Right.

Did you continue to answer afterward?

Don't worry.

You had an accident,

but if you put your heart
into your answers,

I'm sure His Majesty will not blame you.

I think I did well.

You're still this positive

in the face of such an accident.

As expected of you.

We proceed to the second round
of the palace examination.

All the candidates
will wait outside the hall

while His Majesty summons
and questions the candidates.

Shen Jinghong has been summoned.

Mu Zhuohua has been summoned.

I, Mu Zhuohua, greet Your Majesty.

At ease.

Not bad. You are young,
yet your composure is extraordinary.

I thought you would have
burst into tears on the spot.

Never give up

until you're at the end of your rope.

Even when you're at your wit's end,

face life and death with a smile.

Oh?

Is this what you meant with your answer?

"Do one's best
and leave the rest to Heaven's will"?

Your Majesty is wise.

In a few words,

you've described
both the ways of humanity

and the truths of Heaven.

Good.

You are young,

yet you have achieved
a deep understanding of life.

This is impressive.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But you tainted your exam paper
during the palace examination today.

That is a serious offense.

You managed to submit
these few lines in the end,

but it is difficult
to convince everyone.

So I will give you another chance.

Use the notion
of "Govern by Inaction"

to expound on a strategy
for border defense.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do nothing

to accomplish everything.

Rule with peace, and the land prospers.

Alleviating concerns at the borders
by adapting to the circumstances.

Following the desires of the people

ensures success in all endeavors,

benefiting the populace
and spreading blessings to all.

In this way, the people remain loyal.

(By promoting education widely)

(and aligning the hearts of the people,)

(the nation attains clarity
in all matters.)

(When officials act righteously,
the people remain loyal,)

and the country will be united.

That is what I think.

Good.

So, are you implying

that we can unite the country
without waging war?

Wars are still inevitable.

Education builds
a strong and prosperous nation.

A strong nation is one that wins wars.

The purpose of educating them
is to prevent war.

War

is to make them listen

to reason.

Oh, you.

You've said everything.

(She passed this test)

(beautifully.)

Your Majesty,

will you summon the next candidate?

That won't be necessary.

I have decided.

Yan.

Your Majesty.

What do you think?

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Southern Chen is blessed
with many outstanding talents.

(I finally made it over that hurdle.)

(But that was hard.)

(Really hard.)

The palace examination
of the 24th year of Zhaoming.

First place in the first rank.

Shen Jinghong.

Conferred the title of Jinshi.

Second place in the first rank.

Sun Yunqian.

Conferred the title of Jinshi.

Third place in the first rank.

Mu Zhuohua.

Conferred the title of Jinshi.

Me?

Mu Zhuohua.

Aren't you going to thank His Majesty?

(Third place… I got Tanhua.)

His Majesty has declared a banquet
to be held at Xuanzheng Hall.

Congratulations to all the successful
candidates in the imperial examination.

Long live His Majesty,
for ten thousand years and beyond.

All of you are the future pillars
of Southern Chen.

In the days to come, you must always put

the state and the people first.

We will heed Your Majesty's teachings.

Everyone.

I drink to all of you.

Father.

The imperial physician
has advised you against drinking.

Let me drink on your behalf.

Very well.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

May Your Majesty be blessed
with eternal happiness and longevity.

May Southern Chen
be forever prosperous and peaceful.

Shen.

Your Majesty.

You are not yet married, correct?

My daughter, Princess Roujia,
is beautiful, compassionate, and virtuous.

She is always helping
the less fortunate.

It is solely to honor
her deceased betrothed,

Xue Xiaotang,

that she has remained unmarried
until now.

What do you think, Mr. Shen?

Is she worthy of you?

Father.

Putting aside the fact
that he is a few years younger than me,

he has already declared

that he will not marry

until he becomes a first-rank official.

With such ambition,

how could he willingly

become a powerless consort
to a princess?

Shen Jinghong.

Refusing to marry
until you become a first-rank official.

Does that apply

to a princess as well?

Your Majesty.

Marriage is simply
an embellishment of achievements.

With Your Majesty's gracious favor,

I became a Zhuangyuan
in the imperial examination.

I shall wholeheartedly devote myself

to serving Your Majesty
and the people of Southern Chen

to the best of my abilities.

So be it.

I suppose
this was not a favorable match.

Roujia,

if you meet a man you favor,
let me know.

I will see to it
that your wedding is grand and splendid.

Shen,

do you have feelings
for Princess Roujia?

Her Highness is benevolent and kind.

It is only natural for us to admire her.

But admiration and marriage

are two separate matters.

Do you not

admire Her Highness?

Admire?

You're right, Shen.

I admire Her Highness too.

Shen,

I have a question
and want to discuss it with you.

Ask away.

If someone doesn't seek trouble,

but trouble comes to them,

how should they deal with it?

Confront it

and resolve it.

Understood.

(There can be no wind in the hall.)

(The inkstone couldn't possibly
have knocked itself over.)

(Only someone close to me
could have done it.)

Tanhua Mu.

Lord Ding.

The banquet has just ended.

Are you leaving the palace already?

Yes.

It's late at night.

I'm afraid I'll get lost
if I return too late.

I am returning to my residence as well.

Come with me.

Oh?

All right.

I haven't had a chance
to congratulate you yet.

I should congratulate Your Lordship too.

Why?

To gain a capable assistant

such as myself.

When did you become my assistant?

However,

what happened today
could have put you in danger.

But you were able
to turn it into an opportunity.

Your courage is commendable.

I'm sure First Prince
would've been over the moon

if I hadn't been ranked.

Chen is not that kind of person.

Then…

What about the Second Prince
and the Third Prince?

They don't know you well.

Naturally, it matters not to them

whether you are ranked or not.

In that case…

Your Lordship was the one
who knocked over my inkstone

during the palace examination.

Yes.

Your Lordship won't look at me.

Is that because you are feeling guilty?

If I had been
any less composed or resolute

during the palace examination today,

never mind attending the banquet
inside the imperial palace,

I would've committed a serious crime
of impropriety

and be banned
from taking the examination for life.

One must be able to navigate
the treacherous waters of the court.

It is especially difficult
for women to hold official positions.

I deliberately knocked over
your inkstone

to test your character.

If you can't overcome
even this small obstacle…

Small obstacle?

This matter is as light as a feather

to Your Lordship,

but it is as heavy as a mountain to me.

As a woman,

I know how difficult it is for a woman
to take the imperial examination.

I endured and faced all the challenges
and difficulties on this path

only to seek freedom.

Beyond the realm of books
lies the vast blue sky,

where the sky is high,
and birds are free to fly.

This is the path that I seek.

You forcibly put me through
an additional test

simply because I am a woman.

Is this the fairness you spoke of

when you proposed to allow females

to attend the imperial exam?

I…

Your Lordship,

I just feel aggrieved.

You don't have to do this.

I was wrong.

Your Lordship.

Are you saying

that my future
will be like this lantern,

bright and clear?

On the contrary.

The path ahead of you

will not be easy.

What I seek

has already put me
in a great deal of danger.

When I first saw you,
I thought you were suspicious.

That was why
I tested you again and again.

I didn't expect

to involve you in past matters.

I have had my men

remove all traces of you changing
your birthplace for the imperial exam.

You need not worry about it anymore.

From now on,

you can stay away from me,
the whirlpool of controversy.

As long as you speak and act
with caution

and uphold your integrity,

your career as an official
should be stable and secure.

If you still wish

to work for me,

I will certainly do my utmost
to make sure you're safe.

However,

you should also be aware

that this path will not be
a ladder to success

but rather a steep
and challenging precipice.

I give you this jade pendant

as a gift for your achievements
in the imperial examination.

Think of it as an amulet.

May it keep you safe.

Did this jade pendant

go to war with Your Lordship?

Yes.

This is too valuable.

No matter what path you take,

with a heart like yours,

you'll be able to swim
against the currents

and see the mountains from the peak.

I will remember your teachings,
Your Lordship.

♪Roaming freely
through the cycles of time♪

We will both serve in court
as officials henceforth.

You need not speak so humbly anymore.

Thank you.

♪Over thorny roads,
across treacherous heights♪

♪With whom do I travel along?♪

♪I'm willing to brave
life's twists and turns♪

♪For the well-being of people♪

♪Still embracing the original innocence♪

♪Despite the long journey ahead♪

♪The light within never dims♪

♪Because someone is waiting for me♪

♪And they will shape the dream
to completion♪

Juli.

I'm back, Juli.

Young Lady!

You're finally back, Young Lady.

Did His Majesty
appoint you as an official?

Juli,

there's something I want to tell you.

I scolded Lord Ding today.

You scolded Lord Ding?

Then…

How did you come back in one piece?

You…

Did you come to see me one last time?

Oh, no…

Don't worry, Young Lady!

If something happens to you,
I'll never live alone!

Zhijian and Zhimo are outside.

I'll get them,
and I'll fight them until the end!

Calm down.

I was messing with you.

Do you really think
I would be able to make it back

if Lord Ding was upset at me?

Put away the lantern.

Young Lady,

you're telling me His Lordship admitted

he was wrong
for knocking over your inkstone,

and he apologized to you?

Yes.

I was stunned

when he apologized.

A person of his noble status

actually bowed and apologized to me.

That is hard to imagine.

Not only did he apologize,

but he also gave you this jade pendant
to congratulate you.

Then again, Young Lady,

I don't think
this jade pendant is worth much.

His Lordship is too stingy.

Juli,

this is proof of His Lordship's courtesy
and kindness towards the lower-ranked.

This is priceless.

He helped me settle the matter

of changing my birthplace
before I even asked.

He is so nice.

He is not like
the other rich and powerful at all.

That's true,

but His Lordship has a lot of enemies.

It's dangerous to stay by his side.

Young Lady,

are you sure you want to keep
relying on His Lordship?

Back then, I didn't have a choice.

Now, he has given me a choice.

I can choose to stay away from him

or join him.

But…

I don't know what I should choose now.

Is it really that difficult
to make a choice?

You joined him to stay safe.

Of course, your safety is your priority.

You're right.

It's more important to stay alive.

That reminds me.

How's the search for a residence
on the north side of the city?

I found a place.

Madam Lu said

we could rent the residence
next to Zhuque Street.

Lots of elder imperial physicians
live around that area.

But the residence is too big.

The rent is a little high.

How much?

Fifteen guan a month.

It's daylight robbery.

That is quite expensive…

But we have to rent it.

The residence in my mother's memories

must be around the north of the city.

Juli, money is not a concern.

I want to find my mother's origin.

I can't let her stay
like a rootless water weed.

Yes.

Money is not a problem.

I'll figure something out.

(Mu Zhuohua, a Yanzhou native,)

(achieved third place in the first rank)

(in the 24th year of Zhaoming.)

This is to certify
that she has been appointed

to the position of Seven-Rank Editor
in the Hanlin Academy.

I thank His Majesty.

Congratulations, Editor Mu.

Here is a full set
of your official garment.

Please report for duty
at the Hanlin Academy

in your uniform in two days
to begin work.

Thank you. Please accept this.

Well…

I have other matters to attend to.
I shall take my leave.

Juli.

♪Unceasing love stalks my mind♪

♪Couldn't get over it♪

♪Memories touch the edges of our souls♪

♪Nowhere to anchor, lost in the expanse♪

♪We gaze at each other
in the drizzling rain♪

♪But you have gone without a trace♪

♪Leaving me all alone in the world♪

♪Like waves without a shore♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim
with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you
throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know, clearly I understand♪

♪We swear to stay together
in every lifetime♪

♪For this heartbeat,
I can suffer for aye♪

♪Never part ways,
we made this promise long ago♪

♪Love and hate entwined, unforgettable♪

♪Even if we are far apart♪

♪Two souls embrace in chaos♪

♪Impossible to erase, destiny's light♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Clearly, our eyes brim
with muffled affections♪

♪For a hug, we burn our life♪

♪Searching for you
throughout the long journey♪

♪Clearly you know♪

♪Clearly I understand♪

♪Our minds occupied with each other♪

♪For this heartbeat♪

♪I can suffer for aye♪

♪Want to have one more glimpse of you,
even just for a second more♪