Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitle brought to you by ❤️ Love Blossoms In Adversity 🌸 Team

"Solitary Flower Among the Thorns" - Curley Gao

♫ Who gazes at the stars in the sky ♫

♫ Heading towards the shore in a broken boat ♫

♫ This time, hold onto fate and never bow your head ♫

♫ Family relationships are also difficult to maintain ♫

♫ The fearless dream is waiting for someone to save it ♫

♫ The wind and rain gather and disperse ♫

♫ A lone mayfly sail sways ♫

♫ A solitary flower blooming among thorns ♫

♫ It's bright colors pierced ♫

♫ Yet the uncrossed border, it grew an outline that flew against the wind ♫

♫ All things grow through the heart ♫

♫ Even if the dream is confusing ♫

♫ Calming the raging waves ♫

♫ Breaking through the tumultuous sounds of the heart ♫

♫ Having the courage to resist ♫

♫ Embracing the chant of destiny ♫

♫ Only love brings light ♫

♫ Only love is wanton and sharp ♫

♫ All things grow through the heart ♫

♫ Having the courage to resist ♫

♫ Embracing the chant of destiny ♫

[Blossoms in Adversity] ♫ Only love brings light ♫

[Episode 5] [Adapted from a novel with the same title in MIGU]

Master Shen!

Young Lady, what's the matter?

Greetings, Master Shen.

My given name is Qin, and I rank second among my siblings.

So you are the second miss.

My mother said you are a good man.

I presume you know about what happened to my family.

We're in a really difficult situation.

It's really like being in a pit of fire.

Miss, don't let that dishearten you. There's always hope.

Miss, please stand up.

Stand up first. Stand up.

If you can help me out of this, I'm willing to repay with my body.

Miss, listen to me first. Miss.

I'm just an ordinary man, and it would be difficult for me to take that position.

My marriage to Hua Zhi is not yet finalized, but in my heart, I am already committed to her for life.

My marriage to Hua Zhi is not yet finalized, but in my heart, I am already committed to her for life.

No matter poverty, happiness, or misfortune, I will never let her down.

It's okay with me to be a concubine of yours.

- Miss! Miss, stop this nonsense. - I'm begging you, Master Shen.

- Miss! Miss, stop this nonsense. - I'm begging you, Master Shen.

Miss, you're embarrassing yourself. Miss!

- Miss. - Please...

Are you all right?

Second Sister. Master Shen.

What are you two doing?

Hua... Hua Zhi, you're back.

Sister Zhi, the ground here is all sandy, and you might slip easily.

Please be very careful as you walk.

Master Shen came to visit us, and my mother asked me to see him out.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a breach of etiquette.

First Miss, would you please walk him out for me?

Thank you for today. I got all the books back.

It would have been a disaster if it was too late.

- Let me help you lead the horse. - No need.

I led it all the way here. I can take care of it.

You'd better get back home now.

I...

You don't need to come here anymore.

There are so many people in this manor. You can't help every one of us just by yourself.

Maybe you can help for a while, but it will be an endless hole.

There is no other way but to save yourself.

Besides, there is no relationship between you and me.

You usually don't say a word but rush out without any hesitation.

You are faster than a rabbit, huh?

Third Madam, Qin'er just wanted to ease your burdens.

Is that so?

Then find a reliable man to support the family and save us all.

Master Shen Qi ran away so quickly.

He seems to be unreliable too.

Still talking about men. Save your breath.

It was exactly a man who almost took all the money away from us.

Sister-in-law, your girl Zhi is truly one of a kind if you ask me.

How did you raise such a silly girl?

She just stormed out to confront Chen Zhi.

She didn't get any money back.

And unfortunately, she was even taken away by the inspectors.

Let's not talk about whether we will get implicated.

It will be so lucky if she returns in one piece.

I have returned unscathed without dragging any of us into that.

Zhi'er.

- Zhi'er, you're back. - Are you all right?

You just got back.

I'm useless.

The credit is all yours, Uncle Zhong.

I have brought back all the books. Not a single book is missing.

You should rest first. Don't worry about other things for now.

Lady Zhi, don't blame me for saying this.

You've risked your life this time. What's the point?

We can't get the money back no matter what.

This was not for nothing.

If I let Chen Zhi get away that easy, then a Li Zhi or a Wang Zhi like him would rob us another day.

I want to let people know that even if we're just a bunch of women,

even if I have to go to the Security Department,

we will dare to fight back to the death.

Even if they blackmail and plunder, we will never let them take advantage of us.

They can only end up wearing shackles and a yoke and be shown off to the public.

From today, no one will have the guts to rob us like Chen Zhi did.

Grandmother.

It's good to see you come back safe and sound.

The Security Bureau Guards did not trouble me.

Have a seat.

What is this?

It concerns many people. I can't keep it to myself.

I've given it some thoughts, and decided to have you keep it.

[Plum Blossom Numerology]

Did you hide these away on the day our house got raided?

Zhi, you never concern yourself with anything.

I didn't know you would do this.

My grandfather never ceased his literary work,

and he was a man of integrity throughout his life.

I can't save him.

Saving these papers was the only thing I could do for him.

These are all marvelous works that can be passed down through generations.

Zhi, this is a great merit of yours.

Then I'll not disturb you, Grandmother.

What do you think of that girl?

Old Madam, I can't see through her, so I'd rather not say.

But the way she deals with things

is just like that of Old Master when he was young.

She takes after you even more.

She's just as stubborn as that old man,

and anything good about her takes after me.

You're right about that.

[Plum Blossom Numerology]

Shaoyao.

Shaoyao.

I bought you a lot of fun things.

Look.

There're more.

Shaoyao.

Or if there's anything you want, I can buy it for you.

Does it scare you?

Did you make this?

Shaoyao,

how do I use it?

Can you teach me?

Fool.

No pain, no pain. Pain will fly away.

How is Old Madam doing?

She went through a lot these days. I'm afraid she has made herself sick.

She's been coughing a lot today.

Bring the soup to her first.

Boli.

Come here. This is for Boli.

Mother, I don't want to drink that.

Boli, good boy. Have some porridge first.

Tomorrow... There will be nice food tomorrow.

Why do you lie to him?

Where will food come from tomorrow?

I'm speaking to my son. Mind your own business.

Boli, let's go back and have it there.

- Slow down. - Zhi'er.

Be careful. Don't get your hand hurt.

Be careful.

Sister-in-law, speaking of which, the Shen Family agreed to the marriage with Zhi'er.

And until now, they haven't sent anyone to call off the engagement.

I'm thinking it can't be worse for us anyway.

For Zhi'er's sake, if we try to go to them for help...

Third Madam, forget it. The Shen Family are unreliable.

Fine. Not enough oil and salt.

Anyway, no matter what happens tomorrow, all of the food we brought will be gone.

You always are a lone wolf. You can just see us starve to death.

We're already at this point and you're still thinking of relying on others.

We were a noble family in the past, it was wishful thinking for both sides.

Now that our Hua Family is in such a situation, who would want to be dragged in?

Could it be that our entire family will have to depend on marrying off the daughters?

Even if a princess is to marry, she will not bring along her aunts or nephews.

Third Sister-in-law.

Are you okay?

I'm fine, Sister-in-law.

Fourth Sister, there is nothing left to say at this point.

Hua Zhi is too proud to ask for help.

And now we two have to do whatever it takes for this family.

I've thought it through. Now there's only one way out.

Our parents both live in the capital.

If we don't ask them for help, how can we survive in the future?

Old Madam won't agree to this for sure.

But now she is lying in bed without the strength to get up.

Seeing that we are at the end of our rope,

I’m afraid this is the best we can do.

Zhi'er, I know you don't like this.

But I really didn’t know who to find to accompany me.

No worries. We can just stroll around the city today.

This is the first time I have to walk on my own legs

on this road back to my parents’ home.

In the past, my mother treated me like a little princess.

Even when it came to footbinding, she couldn't bear to wrap them tightly.

She couldn't bear to let those nursemaids to touch me

so she hugged me and cried.

She cried even louder than me.

And my father.

He always pulled on a long face, so my brothers were afraid of him.

I was the only kid who could sit on his lap

and pluck his beard, and he never got angry.

When I left for my wedding, they wanted me to be respected in your family,

so the amount of my dowry was quite eye-catching.

The length of the procession carrying the trousseau

was even longer than this whole street.

Zhi'er, tell me.

Where do I start to ask for their help?

Everybody knows about what happened to our family.

They will certainly be aware of that even though you don't speak up.

Well, how much money should I ask for?

If I ask for too little money, I'm afraid they'll feel uncomfortable

thinking about how I ended up like this.

Fourth Aunt, let's just go back.

Why?

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed.

No. We can't go back with empty hands.

You know better than anyone what Third Sister-in-law is like.

How about this? I'll just ask for 50 guan.

Use the money for the monthly allowance first to make them complain less.

The meal expenses and the costs of Old Madam's medicine can also be covered.

We still need charcoal.

Duo cried during their sleep because it was freezing cold.

I heard that.

Boli woke up in the middle of the night also because of the cold.

We're here.

[Wu Mansion]

Father. Mother. It's me, Yuniang.

Father. Mother. I'm Yuniang.

Please open the door.

Father. Mother. Are you two in there?

Father. Mother. I'm back.

Can you hear me?

Open the door.

Father. Mother. Open the door, please.

Yu'er.

- Mother. - Yu'er.

You...

You'd better leave.

Mother.

What did you say?

Your father is an official.

Not to mention as well as your brothers...

Yu'er.

You go back for now.

When the storm is over,

I will try to persuade your father and see what we can do for you.

Thank you, Mother.

Yu'er, are you still there?

Tell me if you need anything.

I will get you everything you need,

and I'll figure out how to send things to you after a while.

[Xia Mansion]

Where are the things I asked you to bring?

Madam.

How do I look?

[Xia Mansion]

Who is it?

It's Third Madam from the Hua Mansion.

The eldest lady is back. Why don't you report it to the master and madam quickly?

Let's go. We should head back.

Jin'e.

My Jin'e, you finally came back.

Mother.

Father.

- Come on in. - Come on.

Move.

Fourth Aunt!

You must feel unwell after having an empty stomach for so long.

Come, sit down.

I'll get you some water.

Zhi'er, don't.

It's not my stomach.

What's wrong then?

Why didn't you tell me? Does Uncle Pingyang know?

It is still in the early months of pregnancy.

And considering the current situation of our family,

I think it's not the right timing.

Zhi'er.

People say having something sour will help. Try it.

You're usually a very smart girl.

Haven't you heard about the story of the bitter plums by the road?

These haws are already out of season.

If they were tasty, none would be left for us.

These are called monkey hawthorn fruits. Their trunks grow the fastest.

The villagers all chop them down for firewood. And its fruits can be used as medicine.

Have a taste.

See. This is indeed what monkeys eat.

Have a try. It might help.

It's really delicious.

Is that so?

So sour.

You'd better spit it out. These haws are so sour.

I am the only one who has this blessing.

Enjoy more. I'll get you some later.

Don't run, you thieves!

How dare you steal my fruits?

The ones who stole my fruits are bound to be punished.

I'm just a lonely old woman and I rely on this orchard to survive.

A load of firewood is worth five wen.

A whole basket of haws is only worth three wen.

And it takes me four hours to go to the city and sell them.

How dare you steal my fruits? You are heartless.

I'm sorry, madam. We thought they were wild berries.

Madam, I'm pregnant.

Take my earrings.

I have a bad appetite because I haven’t eaten anything at home,

so she picked some fruits for me.

We'll leave now.

You're pregnant?

Wait.

Here.

Take it.

Zhi'er.

Why is life so hard?

Take the money back to them.

Mother, this is what you and father had in mind?

You're asking me to give this money to people from the Hua Family,

leave Duo'er and Ling'er behind to live alone?

Jin'e,

they are two beautiful children.

We were also painful for making the decision.

After all, they're related to the Hua Family.

You can go out there and ask around.

Nobody wants to have anything to do with the Hua Family.

Then why did you let me in to this family?

Just to kick me out as fast as you can?

Jin'e.

Be obedient.

Your father has pulled so many strings to get you back.

He's taking risks in letting you step in here.

Your father is just a little merchant in the Imperial Capital.

Mother,

how can I just care for myself?

Besides, maybe there's still hope for Boyu.

You don't need to say anymore.

Your husband is beyond hope of survival.

I have already found you a litigator.

You will make a clean break with the Hua Family soon.

I will take care of you for the rest of your life.

But if you want to bring your children to live here,

that is absolutely impossible!

Jin'e.

My darling.

Just say yes.

How can I watch you live a life so miserably?

Mother.

You're right.

But Duo'er and Ling'er are also my darlings.

Father. Mother.

I can't bear your form of kindness.

From now on, I won't set foot in here anymore.

Jin'e!

Madam, don't be upset.

They love you more than anyone else, but they have their concerns.

Of course. They have their concerns.

Everyone has concerns.

Only I'm the easiest. I can just say yes and beg for their mercy.

If it were in the past when I was not married,

as long as I could stay by their side,

I would say yes to anything.

But now,

I'm someone else's mother,

so I cannot step back and I must protect them.

I just didn’t expect that in their eyes

I was just a basin of water that was poured out.

Madam!

Madam!

You fool!

That is made of copper! Nothing expensive!

Let's go. Let's go buy some persimmons.

- Madam. - Take it.

Duo'er loves persimmons.

Let's go.

I've bought them.

Don't worry. I went to every single bookstore across the city.

- All the medical books that I can find are here. - How much did they cost?

It's nothing. You don't have to pay me back.

Either you tell me about the cost,

or you can practice at the martial camp three days in a row under my supervision.

Thirty guan, eight hundred and fifty-two wen.

Okay. I'll pay you back after I receive my salary.

You don't have to.

Okay, I will accept it.

Boss, the scar on your face seems to have faded.

Good girl. Shaoyao. Another bowl, all right?

How can you get better if you don't drink the decoction?

See? If you drink it, you can have candiedplums.

No. No.

- No! - Please.

- You will get better this way. - Hurry.

Drink it.

Shaoyao.

Shaoyao, are you okay?

Shaoyao, are you okay?

Give me the decoction.

Come on, good girl. Drink it and you'll get better.

Come on. Just one sip.

Take another sip. It's okay, be good.

It's all right. It's okay.

She said she didn't want to drink that. Are you deaf?

Xi'er, it's for her own good. If she doesn't try this decoction...

It turns out that this has been the way you have been treating illnesses over the years.

If she has to suffer like this just because of her mental disability,

I think it might be better for her to stay that way for a lifetime.

She is your sister.

You are naturally more qualified than me.

Go to the accounting room and pay one guan to the physician.

Send him off nicely.

- Yes. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Xi'er, now that you are here, spend some time with her.

I will not bother you.

It's cold on the ground.

Go back to your room and stay there.

Don't move. I will carry you back.

Is that all right?

Let me get your medicine.

Hold on tight.

Brother.

Where have you been all these years?

You've grown so tall.

Those medicines are useless for me.

I'm well aware of that.

You are proficient in medicine...

and you know about your sickness. Right?

No.

It's nothing like that, Yanxi.

I'm not sick.

I am...

I am scared.

What are you scared of?

I'm scared that if I grew up,

I won't remember Mother anymore.

If I don't remember her,

then no one will in this world.

I won't forget.

I remember Mother as well.

And I haven't forgotten her for even a day.

I heard you drove away the new physician I had hired.

She has to take the bitterness for her own recovery.

It's what she has to go through to stay healthy one day.

There's no other way.

She's suffered for ten years.

Must she suffer for the rest of her life?

Is it possible?

Are you just going to let her live her whole life in such a muddleheaded and crazy way?

Shaoyao is not mad.

Do you think I, a father, can harm my own daughter?

How did you ever regard her as your own daughter?

Staying by your side, even an animal can live a merrier life than she does.

You only see her as a disgrace to this family, an embarrassing burden that can only be hidden away.

You only see her as a disgrace to this family, an embarrassing burden that can only be hidden away.

And what about you? When have you ever considered me as your father?

Deep down, that man from Chenglu Palace is your only father?

I will deal with Shaoyao's illness.

I've heard it clearly someone cries every night in Consort Zhou's mansion.

There's more. Keep it between us.

When I passed by that place yesterday morning, I saw blood coming from the cracks in the bricks and tiles.

When I passed by that place yesterday morning, I saw blood coming from the cracks in the bricks and tiles.

I've heard that Consort Zhou was holding that girl from West Garden in her arms

when she set herself on fire.

Is that an omen that occurred because she didn't get what she wanted?

It's been ten years. Can you...

Your Highness.

Mother.

Mother.

Do you have something to say?

Shaoyao.

Mother. No!

Mother.

Xi'er, it's me.

Auntie Xiao, what brings you here?

I came to see you.

I just heard you calling out for your mother.

Xi'er, whatever you were dreaming about, there's no need to hide it.

Did you dream of your mother?

There's nothing unspeakable about this. You still miss her...

and you still can't let her go?

How can I let go?

It's been so many years since then, and I still often think of her.

If only I could have been closer to her back then,

if only on that night I had been by her side, perhaps all of this...

wouldn't have happened.

Even when she set herself on fire, she only took Shaoyao with her,

without leaving me a single word.

Perhaps she didn't want me as her son.

How could that be?

I have no children of my own, but I also know the pain of being pregnant for ten months,

giving birth and raising children, it tears a mother apart.

Your mother wouldn't have forgotten you.

It's just like you wouldn't have forgotten her.

Aunt Xiao, thank goodness you rushed into the fire that day and saved Shaoyao.

Your scars were caused by that.

We owe you a favor.

Anyone would have done the same.

Not to mention the bond between your mother and me.

Back then, I married your father without knowing anyone there, and I was just a concubine.

Back then, I married your father without knowing anyone there, and I was just a concubine.

Your mother treated me like her own sister

and never let me suffer the slightest grievance.

Xi'er, don't overthink it, and don't be cross with your father. Okay?

Xi'er, don't overthink it, and don't be cross with your father. Okay?

He has been worried about you all these years.

I said something that upset you at Shaoyao's place today.

I apologize to you.

We're family. No big deal.

Zhi'er, what are you looking at?

There's no more firelight over there.

The inspectors from the Security Bureau have actually withdrawn.

Probably they just quit since there's nothing suspicious about us.

Fourth Aunt, are you hungry? Is there anything you'd like to eat?

There're a lot of snacks that I want to eat.

Then tell me.

I want to eat the sour plums from Jin's.

They're sour and crunchy, and appetizing.

I'm sleepy now. Maybe I can taste them in my dreams.

Then let's go back to sleep.

I can't just wait for Third Aunt and the others to think about how to save our family.

Fourth Aunt is pregnant.

Uncle Zhong and Grandmother are sick.

They need a better living environment.

I have to give it a shot, even if it can only solve the crisis for now.

[Engagement Refusal Letter]

Madam Shen, thank you for your concern.

Old Madam has been much better these days.

Where is she? I'll go have a look.

This way.

You must be Madam Zhu.

Yes, Madam Shen.

Is Zhi'er at home?

Why haven't I seen her?

She went out early this morning.

What unfortunate timing.

Sister, I've come to see you.

You must have been suffering a lot these days.

You must find the state our place of living as laughable.

How are you and Minister Shen doing recently?

He's been worried about you all day and all night

and hasn't slept well recently.

Sorry for causing you so many troubles. My apologies.

[Engagement Refusal Letter]

A woman at my age has seen it all.

You have something to discuss with me today, right?

Our two families have always had a strong bond.

But fate plays cruel tricks. When...

It's nothing. Please continue.

What can I do?

We haven't met for a long time.

Can't I just come to see you?

I will keep in mind of what you said to me today.

Timing and Subtitle brought to you by ❤️ Love Blossoms In Adversity 🌸 Team

♫ Not one patch of land is uncultivated ♫

♫ Not one tea plant is left to wither ♫

♫ Rain falls from sky, birds eat insects, and chickens leave fertilizer ♫

♫ The heart and soul are used to irrigate the land ♫

♫ The tea leaves may be coarse ♫

♫ But the taste is of spring ♫

♫ Ah, for a happy future, we pluck a few ♫

♫ Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together ♫

♫ Not one patch of land is uncultivated ♫

♫ Not one tea plant is left to wither ♫

♫ Rain falls from sky, birds eat insects, and chickens leave fertilizer ♫

♫ The heart and soul are used to irrigate the land ♫

♫ The tea leaves may be coarse ♫

♫ But the taste is of spring ♫

♫ Ah, for a happy future, we pluck a few ♫

♫ Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together ♫

♫ Ah, for a happy future, we pluck a few ♫

♫ Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together ♫