Original subtitles

♫ In the stormy night ♫

♫ The dark hair of a charming woman is reflected in the flame of a candle ♫

♫ Shrouded by year after year of memories ♫

♫ I can do nothing but feign indifference ♫

♫ Outlining your cheeks ♫

♫ Together and apart, just like quicksand ♫

♫ I'm meant to make peace with myself ♫

♫ Rebuild or crumble ♫

♫ Drift away in the clouds ♫

♫ Driving away ♫

♫ Your dashing pretense ♫

♫ A drunken dream ♫

♫ A person I miss ♫

♫ Of course I know if it's real ♫

♫ Even if you're just by my side ♫

♫ I want to hold on to you but I can only play dumb ♫

[In Blossom]

[Episode 26]

When men fall in love, they can get away from it whenever they want.

When women fall in love, they are infatuated.

Miss Yang, you are too confident.

It's not about confidence. It's about trust.

Now that it has come to this, I don't think this is within your control anymore.

I've given you a choice.

It's best if you let go of him.

If you don't...

What if I don't?

Then, just drink this wine and die again.

It seems Your Highness has done a lot in testing me with this poisonous wine.

Miss Yang, you're indeed extraordinary.

How is it? How did you find the Snowy Jade Wine from the capital?

I drank it so quickly that I didn't even taste it.

How did you know there was no poison in this wine?

Your Highness, you are in an exalted position,

yet you are willing to sacrifice your chastity to capture the nation's enemy with Pan Yue.

How could a woman so righteous, brave, and fearless

poison an innocent person for love affairs?

I've always been curious.

What kind of woman could make a stubborn donkey like Pan Yue, so obsessed and loyal?

When I saw you today, I understood why.

Passionate, righteous, courageous, and resourceful.

I envied you for having Pan Yue at first. Now, I envy Pan Yue for having you.

I'm undeserving of such praise.

I was deliberately testing you. For that, I apologize to you, Miss Yang.

I hope that we can be friends, Miss Yang.

I hope for the same, Your Highness.

Your Highness, you are gentle and pure-hearted.

If I can be Your Highness's friend, that would be my honor.

[Xiuyun Clothier]

Here, Prince Consort.

Prince Consort.

You are so handsome and cool as if you had the sun and the moon in your arms.

The Xiuyun Clothier must follow all requirements of the Prince Consort

and prepare the wedding garment.

Yes, definitely.

Your Highness, what brings you here?

I happened to pass by, so I came to see the Prince Consort try his clothes.

This place recommended by Mr. Sun is indeed extraordinary.

What are you doing after this, Pan?

The person has been picked up and is in the carriage.

I shall follow your wishes, Your Highness.

You have worked hard today, Mr. Sun.

I'll send the Prince Consort home myself. You may leave us to it.

Yes, Your Highness.

Pan Yue?

Why is he with some other woman?

Were you comfortable during your stay at the Shangguan Mansion yesterday?

Her Highness just told me that some were finding fault with you at Fengya Garden.

Did you get picked on?

Do I look like someone who swallows her anger?

Instead, I was worried about you. When you were dealing with those in the palace,

did Her Majesty make things difficult for you?

Hey, you two.

You were just separated for one day, was it so difficult? Do you have to be so lovey-dovey?

Previously, you were separated for ten years. Didn't you get used to it already?

I'll never get used to being apart from her.

I really doubt you are the Mr. Pan I knew.

Let's get down to business.

Your Highness, we have found out

that the group of people has a mysterious stronghold in the capital.

Every year, they would send a large number of performers

from the Hundred Flowers Court in Heyang.

They are stirring up trouble in the imperial court.

It's true that their power cannot be underestimated.

When in the capital, you are under their influence.

You have to be extra cautious in every step you take.

Don't worry, we'll meet up with Qing Di right away, and come up with a sound strategy.

Investigate everything quickly, and find out the mastermind.

Yes.

This is the Third Mansion of Willow Street.

You two, please come with me.

Please, come inside.

Mistress, Mr. Pan and the others are here.

Miss Qing, what kind of dance were they performing? It was so unique.

It's called Dancing Among the Clouds.

It was arranged by me and Yunchang back then.

It's the Hundred Flowers Court's secret technique.

The key to this dance is on the waist, abdomen, and ankles.

Without years of practice, one cannot perform it.

I finally understand why the mastermind in the capital

wants to cooperate with the Hundred Flowers Court in Heyang.

This is my confidant, Yun.

When they come to pick her up,

she will leave clues along the way, and cooperate with you in secret.

Greetings, Mr. Pan.

Miss Yun, this journey is perilous.

- Are you aware of it? - Yes.

However, I'm willing to risk it for Miss Qing.

- When will they arrive? - According to the convention,

they will inform us two days in advance.

When the girls have rested and well adjusted,

someone will come to examine them and take them away.

If they don't pass the examination, the girls could be rejected.

If so, we will follow the plan. Notify me as soon as there is any news.

Don't worry, Mr. Pan.

Well, I will go back to Shangguan Mansion and wait for the news.

It's not easy for us to meet. Why don't you stay with me a little longer?

I'm afraid of being seen by others. People would be gossiping about you again.

Come, I'll take you somewhere.

Where?

Is this the peach blossom forest we went to when we were children?

Yes, a memory exclusive to you and me.

Pan Yue.

Pan Yue, I know you are here.

Pan Yue, come out.

Pan Yue.

Who did you fight with again?

Ze is looking for you all over the place.

No matter what nonsense others say, just ignore them.

It's not worth being angry with them.

Are my father and brothers considered as "others"?

The Pan Mansion is not my home. I won't go back again.

Alright. If you don't go home, I won't either.

We will stay right here.

When these peach blossoms wilt and bear peaches,

we will eat the peaches and plant the pits.

That way, we will get more peaches.

We will do that over and over again.

Soon, this little peach forest will become a big peach forest.

We will be the rulers of this mountain, and no one can bother us.

Before the first peach appeared, we would have starved to death.

Do you have a dagger with you?

[Pan Residence]

You say Pan Mansion is not your home.

Treat this as your second home

and keep all the annoying people and things out of the gates.

♫ Winter and spring, there is happiness ♫

♫ Day and night, what time is it now? ♫

♫ I wonder if I can go there in my dreams ♫

This is our home.

[Pan-Yang Residence]

Why is this still there?

Have you been taking care of this peach forest?

When you left the capital, I didn't know where you went.

I was always thinking you might come back here someday.

What do you think? Why don't we just stay here?

When these peach blossoms wilt and bear peaches,

we will bury the pits which will grow into more peach trees.

That way, we can get more peaches.

We will do so over and over again.

We will become the rulers of this forest, and no one can bother us.

You even remember what I said when we were kids.

Every word you say, I remember them all.

♫ It was not in vain to be carefree in this world ♫

Caiwei,

it's good to have you here.

♫ The ripples of your voice pluck my heartstrings ♫

♫ Fulfilling my long-cherished wish in the mortal world ♫

♫ Watch the misty rain and clouds on the riverbank disappear at dawn ♫

♫ There goes another year for the fallen hero ♫

Looks like Shangguan Ian is in bed.

He loves his sister dearly.

If he hears these rumors about me, he will definitely not let this matter slide.

Indeed.

I owe him an explanation, but I can't reveal the truth. Yet, I don't want to lie to him.

Yes. I feel so much pressure every time I face him.

- What's wrong? - There's sand in my eye.

Come, let me blow it for you.

Do you feel better now?

Here.

- Are you feeling better? - Prince Consort.

Since you are here, come in and have a seat.

- Ian. - Zhi, you don't need to say anything.

Pan Yue, we have been friends for more than ten years.

I see you as a confidant.

That's why I entrusted my dearest sister to your care.

And is this how you take care of her?

You don't have to accept her. You don't have to love her either.

But why did you abandon her after accepting her? Now, she is being ridiculed by everyone.

Shangguan Ian, I never gave up on her.

- Things are not what you think they are. - What is it like, then?

While becoming the noble Prince Consort happily, you are courting my sister.

Are you planning to make her your mistress for the rest of your life

so that she will have to forever live a secretive life?

Ian, you've misunderstood it.

In Heyang, we have always had a cooperative relationship in the county ya men.

We didn't do anything out of the line.

Moreover, having thought about it for some time, I'm over it. I mean it.

I sincerely wish him and Her Highness happiness.

Zhi,

I did not expect you to actually endure this much for him.

No...

Pan Yue, did you hear that?

For your sake, she gave up on her own happiness.

If you still had a shred of conscience, you wouldn't have treated her like this.

Ian, I really didn't endure anything. Everything I said is true.

You said you were telling the truth?

Then why are your eyes red?

- No, my eyes are... - That's enough.

I don't care how Pan Yue entices you.

Since I am your elder brother, I should make the decision for you.

Pan Yue, listen closely.

No matter what, you have to explain yourself to my sister today.

Otherwise, even if I sacrifice everything,

- I will... - Before the 15th day of the next month,

I will break off my engagement with Her Highness.

Do you mean what you said?

If I break my promise, you can take my life with your sword.

Shangguan Ian, since you regard me as a confidant,

then you must be aware of my character.

If I weren't left with no choice, I wouldn't have allowed things to end up this way.

Please give me some time. I will take care of everything.

By that time, I will give you a satisfactory explanation.

Good.

I trust you.

I'll be waiting for your explanation.

I know what you are thinking.

But he won't listen to anything we say now.

When the matter is over, we will apologize to him, and ask for his forgiveness.

- There is an assassin! - Charge!

You killed my father!

I want to take revenge on you!

It's so late, why is he not back yet?

Waiter, bring me a bottle of wine.

The wine in the capital isn't as good as Heyang's.

It's very strong.

I can tell that myself.

The capital's wine isn't as good as Heyang's.

Are the people here not as nice as those of Heyang?

You left without saying a word, and refused to say anything.

During the Lantern Festival, you said we are on the same side.

Does that not count anymore?

I'm arrogant and self-righteous.

Not only did I harm my friends, I couldn't even protect my dearest ones.

Anyone who comes close to me will end up badly.

You'd better stay away from me.

If I could, I would have left long ago.

But you know I can't do it.

I know you hide many things in your heart.

If you don't tell me, I won't ask either.

If you mean to tell me, I'm all ears.

Okay?

Put me down. I still have to close the door.

I can't sleep peacefully if the door remains open. Come on, put me down. Let me down.

Close the door.

Go to bed.

What's wrong with you?

- I'm fine. - Stop right there.

You are injured?

Let's go.

I'll attend to the wound.

Listen here, you will definitely...

Only when you are by my side do I feel like a human being.

♫ Your heart is troubled, your sigh filled with love and sorrow ♫

♫ You look back, your life's wish ♫

♫ For whom you are playing this tune? ♫

♫ I saw through the parting between life and death ♫

♫ The dream of reincarnation ♫

♫ I'm seeing you off again in my heart ♫

♫ I am still thinking of you in another life ♫

♫ How turbulent your love is ♫

♫ The pain of reincarnation ♫

♫ Tore apart the heaviness of the cage ♫

♫ I ring the bell of reincarnation ♫

♫ And look forward to embracing you again ♫

♫ The pain of reincarnation is a dream planted in the past life ♫

I've completed what you told me to.

Who is the woman inside?

She has nothing to do with this.

Master has agreed to see you. Three days later, at the entrance of Liu's Pawnshop.

A carriage will be there to pick you up.

Is he the one you've been looking for?

- I... - It's not my business.

I know.

I just think that he doesn't look like a kind person.

I want you to be careful.

What happened last night...

It was consensual. There's nothing much to say.

I know you're doing something dangerous.

Even if you are full of evil, and everyone in the world wants to kill you,

I don't care.

Because I like you.

No matter what you do, I will like you all the same.

I am Qing Di of the Hundred Flowers Court.

Welcome, Madam Wan.

Madam Wan, these are the carefully selected courtesans from the Hundred Flowers Court.

Please take a look, Madam Wan.

Well, take a few steps.

Enchanting acts.

Bewitching expressions.

Qing Di, you have trained them well.

Thank you for your praise, Madam Wan.

Shoulder, one chi and three cun wide.

Hips, two cun narrower than the shoulder.

Waist, the breadth of a hand's grip.

Great.

Differently colored eyebrows.

Unlucky.

If your mole had grown between your eyebrows, there would still be hope.

But your mole is on your temple.

That's a sinister position.

Other than this girl, I will take all the other girls.

Yun is the leading dancer of Dancing Among the Clouds.

Besides, she is more beautiful than anyone else. She is my chosen one.

Madam Wan, please bend the rules a little.

In previous years, I could have let her pass.

But face reading is popular in the capital this year.

Our guests are no exception.

I'll pick the girls up in three days.

If you can find someone to replace her, I will do another examination.

Farewell.

- Let's follow her. - No.

Why?

From the front door, the path is open in all directions.

There is a tea house across the river. The first floor overlooks the entire street.

If you follow her rashly, not only is it easy to lose her, you could be easily discovered.

I'll think of another way.

Our plans were foiled by destiny.

I never thought they would use this excuse to reject Yun.

Are there any other courtesans that could be used as a spy?

No.

This is a highly risky job. I can't entrust this to anyone else.

Let me do it.

You?

Yes.

Don't forget, I learned how to dance when I was a child.

I even performed for His Majesty and Her Majesty at the Mid-Autumn banquet.

As the saying goes, perfection takes years of practice. How can you do it now?

Miss Shangguan, Mr. Pan is right.

If you are not properly trained, others will see through it at a glance.

I do have a way.

But I have to trouble you to train me for a few days.

Maybe I can still muddle through.

Here's the thing. I remembered something.

Wasn't I collecting corpses in the Coffin House before?

Those unclaimed corpses were all buried by the Coffin House.

After Master went crazy, I continued to do it alone.

I would often encounter tomb robbers at night.

I was afraid of being harmed by them, and I wanted to protect the tombs.

So I thought of a way.

Ghost!

Ghost!

I'll scare you to death.

I lit up some green foxtail to make some smoke.

Finally, I put some iron pieces in my shoes, and walked on tiptoe in the grass

to make it look like I was above the ground.

But this is a performance,

and those sitting before you are high officials and nobles, not tomb robbers.

I'm worried that something might go wrong if you dance like that.

Stop looking down on me. Aren't carrying corpses and dancing both physical tasks?

- It takes more effort to carry corpses. - Okay, that's enough.

I won't let you go. It's too dangerous.

- You said you would always support me. - I did say that I would always support you,

but I also said I would protect you.

I can't possibly put you in danger without doing anything.

Pan Yue!

Yang Caiwei.

The good fortune of finding what I lost, I dare not ask it for a third time.

It was scary, and I've had enough of it.

Your luck is gone, but there's still mine.

Look what I've been through in the past 20-odd years.

I was even almost killed.

It's my turn to get some good luck.

- But... - Don't worry.

I will definitely be more careful.

Besides, aren't you here to protect me? Everything will go smoothly, right?

It's hard to lie forever. It's easy to cheat for a moment.

Let's give it a try.

Miss Shangguan, you will stay here for the next three days.

We'll practice hard and be as prepared as possible.

Yes.

Make up an excuse to explain it to my brother.

Don't worry.

Miss Qing, Shangguan Zhi will be in your care, then.

Dancing Among the Clouds was created by Yunchang and me.

It has swaying steps, and the dancer's figures are fleeting.

It's sensual but not obscene. It's hard to put into words. It's an exquisite dance.

Good, open up your hips.

Straighten your upper body. Pull yourself upward.

That's right.

Steady...

Steady.

This dance is not easy to learn.

Even those with extraordinary talents need to practice hard.

Get up and come again.

Stand up.

Come again.

Back then, Yunchang and I practiced for many days, until our feet went unbearably sore.

We could only put our feet in the snow to temporarily relieve our pain.

Miss Shangguan, are you okay?

I'm fine.

Dancing Among the Clouds is indeed a bit difficult.

You only have a few days to master it. It's really tough on you.

It's weird.

No matter how difficult this dance is, Yun can't be the only one to master it, right?

It's not that they can't master it, but I refused to teach them.

Why?

Since Yunchang's death, I no longer have the courage to do this dance.

If it weren't for Yun's extraordinary talent, and how similar she and Yunchang looked,

I wouldn't have taught her this dance.

Thus, except for Yun, Dancing Among the Clouds can be considered a lost art in this world.

Don't worry, Mr. Pan and I can definitely catch the mastermind behind the scenes

and seek justice for your friends.

Well, I'll try it again.

♫ Like the dew, we wait for the glimmer of light to greet the morning ♫

♫ How many looks do we need to affirm each other? ♫

♫ It's sincerity that fools me ♫

♫ But it's seriousness that traps you ♫

♫ The depth of the past is best left unexplored ♫

♫ How many more falls do I have to experience ♫

♫ Before I can face love and hatred with grace? ♫

♫ Don't ask if it's a moment ♫

♫ Of liberation or cowardice to let go ♫

♫ Perhaps it's a misstep into your heart, it's a hasty feeling ♫

♫ It's an unwillingness to be just a passer-by with you ♫

♫ Even if I were to die after a few intense struggles ♫

♫ I would have lived a life worth living ♫

♫ If grasses and trees are sharp blades, if mountains and waters are temples ♫

♫ It's good to be alive even for a short moment ♫

♫ I wish I could be worthy of the thoughts ♫

♫ And I wish I could be worthy of the love ♫

♫ Perhaps it's a misstep into your heart, it's a hasty feeling ♫

♫ It's an unwillingness to be just a passer-by with you ♫

♫ Even if I were to die after a few intense struggles ♫

♫ I would have lived a life worth living ♫

♫ If grasses and trees are sharp blades, if mountains and waters are temples ♫

♫ It's good to be alive even for a short moment ♫

♫ I wish I could be worthy of the thoughts ♫

♫ And I wish I could be worthy of the love ♫

♫ Be worthy of this love ♫