Original subtitles

♫ Who gazes at the stars in the sky? ♫

♫ Heading towards the shore in a broken boat ♫

♫ This time, I'll hold onto fate and never give in ♫

♫ Family bonds are hard to maintain ♫

♫ Who will take me to the fearless dream? ♫

♫ As the wind and rain come and fade ♫

♫ A lone sail sways ♫

♫ A flower blooms alone amidst the thorns ♫

♫ Its petals are pierced by thorns ♫

♫ Yet it turned into a pair of wings flying against the wind ♫

♫ Everything grows through the heart ♫

♫ Even if dreams are lost ♫

♫ Smoothing out the surging 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 embraces the thorns ♫

♫ Everything grows through the heart ♫

♫ Having the courage to resist ♫

♫ Embracing the chant of destiny ♫

[Blossoms in Adversity] ♫ Only love brings light ♫

[Adapted from the novel of the same name on cmread.com]

[Episode 19]

What's the matter, Lady Zhi?

Baoxia heard wrong. Everything is fine.

You all, leave us. Close the door.

Okay, as long as everything is fine. If you need anything, let us know.

Everyone, you can leave.

Zhi,

why didn't you have them report me to the officials?

Ms. Qin, now in this room, there are only the three of us.

If you're in any kind of trouble, just tell me. We'll figure out a solution together.

I'm not in any trouble.

It's just that I have done something unconscionable.

It was my own fault.

Baoxia, help her up.

What do you think they are talking about?

I guess that Ms. Qin is begging Lady Zhi to have her move back in.

What else could it be?

It's not that. At first, I heard Baoxia yell.

Could it be that Ms. Qin has stolen something?

- Steal? What could she possibly steal? - What is there to steal?

Ms. Qin, the idea of stealing the undergarment can't possibly be from you.

Who told you to do this?

It was Madam Hua Jing.

Madam Hua Jing? What does it have to do with her?

I'm telling you, if you try to slander others,

- I'll truly report you to the officials! - Let her finish.

She said that if I could give your undergarment to her,

you would become an adulterer.

An adulterer?

Don't let anyone hear us!

What could she possibly steal?

- Yeah, what is there to steal? - I have no idea.

What are you looking at? Don't you have any work to do?

Get back to work!

What you said is rather peculiar. What do you mean by that?

Who is that adulterer you were talking about?

Me, it was me!

Ms. Qin, just tell me the whole story in details.

If I can help you with it, I will help you.

But if you still try to hide something,

then whatever it is, you'll be suffering on your own.

Think carefully.

I'll tell you everything.

Zhi, everything was my fault.

I shouldn't have done that, Zhi!

So that's how it is.

She actually came up with such a malicious plan to harm me.

Young Lady is still unmarried.

If she really fell into the trap set by Madam Hua Jing and you,

how would she live for the rest of her life? You would kill her!

I can't let you get away with this.

I am now taking you to Madam Hua. You'll explain everything to her!

- Baoxia. - Come with me to see Madam Hua!

Come on, move!

- No, I can't! - I'm taking you to Madam Hua!

You'll see Madam Hua and explain everything to her!

No, I can't! I can't!

Zhi.

Madam Hua Jing said

that if I can't hand the undergarment to Mr. Yang,

she'll let everyone know about this. It's going to ruin my life!

Either way, my life is ruined.

Why do you have to make me humiliate myself in front of Madam Hua?

Besides,

the kids are still here.

Stop crying. We'll figure out a way.

What can we possibly do?

- I think I know... - Baoxia, stop her!

Mother. Mother!

Mother! Mother!

Get a rope!

Help!

Someone, help! Save my mother!

Mother! Mother!

Mother! Mother!

Mother, how could you do that?

You... You did such a shameful thing!

How are we going to face the others? Mother!

Qin, I've failed you.

You'll be at peace once I'm dead.

You've even given up on your dignity.

You've brought shame on yourself! And now you're afraid of being alive?

You'd have nothing to worry about when you're dead.

But what about Boli and me?

How are we going to live?

Mother!

Mother!

Mother, please don't die!

Boli?

I don't want you to die, Mother!

What did you call me?

Mother, please don't die! I don't want you to die!

Boli,

my darling!

Boli.

My child!

Zhi, my mother did make a huge mistake this time.

But all these years, life has never been easy for her.

I know it. I understand her.

If there's anyone who is kind to her, she would certainly fall for it.

Zhi, for the sake of Boli and me, please forgive her this time!

When did I say I won't forgive her?

My child...

Yingchun,

have you finished what I told you to do earlier?

The maids and guardians present just now have all been warned.

Boli just called Ms. Qin "Mother". Madam Qi can never know about this.

Whoever dares to mention a word will be kicked out immediately.

Ms. Qin, have you ever wondered

why Madam Hua Jing knew that right after you had been with Mr. Yang for a short while?

That was strange, indeed.

Usually, I can drink a lot.

But that day, after just one drink, I was drunk.

I'm afraid there was something in the wine.

That bad guy! He set me up.

That bad guy!

Sir, a maid asked me to give this to you.

- A maid? Where is she? - She's gone.

I asked who sent her here. She said you'll know.

Alright, you may leave.

[Qin]

To my surprise, that woman is quite capable.

She handled it so well. She really got it.

Where's the undergarment?

That girl is very cautious. I have no chance to do it.

I've let Madam Hua Jing down.

After I think it over, there seems to be no way out.

I've saved up a pouch of money and valuable stuff,

which is worth about a hundred guan.

The best plan for now is to leave.

If you are willing to come with me,

then at three quarters past Zi hour, I'll wait by the east courtyard wall.

She'll wait?

She has money?

Do birdcall three times, then I'll throw the pouch over the wall.

We'll leave together to become a couple.

I trust you wholeheartedly. So don't let me down.

The woman is getting old,

but the money is not.

At worst, I'll just kill her halfway.

A runaway concubine. Who'll be looking for her?

- Stop! - What are you doing?

We caught the thief!

- We caught the thief! - I'm not a thief! I'm a shopkeeper!

You're the one we're after!

You've got the wrong person! I'm not a thief!

I'm not a thief! I'm not a thief!

Please stop, I'm begging you! I'm not a thief!

Lady Zhi, I'm not a thief! This is a mistake!

You wretch! You set me up to fall into the trap!

You're blaming me? You bad guy!

I'll kill you... You bad guy!

You... You!

Yang Youde, you trespassed into our place and tried to steal things.

On your way fleeing, we caught you red-handed.

However, I won't report you to the officials for now.

It's getting late. I do not wish to disturb others.

Keep him in the woodshed until dawn.

Perhaps, by tomorrow morning, you will commit suicide out of guilt.

If he dies in the woodshed, the place will smell terrible.

Why don't we just throw him away?

Even though the Hua Family will have to take some responsibility for that,

we are the victims of the theft after all. So it's understandable.

Besides, our family has already committed huge crimes.

Having a thief die in our house is nothing, right?

- Exactly, it's nothing. - Right.

If you change your mind, tell me everything.

Otherwise, you'll die without even understanding why.

- I'll tell you! - Get him inside!

Yes.

Lady Zhi, I assure you that what I said is true.

Since it was Madam Hua Jing who set up the plan,

where did you get those aphrodisiacs from?

They were also given by Madam Hua Jing.

Her husband runs an herbal medicine shop, right? So she can have any kind of medicine.

Master. Master, something bad happened!

- Master! - Master, something bad happened!

- Open the door, Master! - Master!

Useless! Useless!

Master, we truly couldn't come here before.

Those officials came in and searched right away.

In the blink of an eye, they found all of the aphrodisiacs!

They said that according to Daqing Law,

people are strictly prohibited from selling those things in medicine shops.

Then they confiscated the aphrodisiacs and sealed the shop.

I heard there will be an interrogation in a few days.

The usual bribes that should be paid were all handled.

How come this happened at this very time?

Master, there's another thing.

I heard from the fellow across the street that early this morning,

he saw someone from the Hua Family entering the government office.

The Hua Family? Could it be them who are against me?

But how did they know about the things in our shop?

Master, you should look into this.

Our shop has never openly displayed those goods for sale.

We've always been secretly selling to our regular customers.

Nothing has ever gone wrong.

Master, I remembered something.

Speak up if you have something to say.

Several days ago, Madam came to the shop and asked for...

Useless! Why did you only tell me now?

Wretch!

She can't achieve anything! I'll skin her alive!

- Chengzu! - You can still eat?

Wretch! How dare you ruin my family's business!

My dear, whatever you have to say, please make it clear.

Why did you hit me without saying a word?

Your family is despicable.

Tell me who reported my shop for selling aphrodisiacs?

I have no idea!

You have no idea? Then I'll let you know it!

Now the shop is sealed off. The unsealing time is not determined yet!

The neighbors saw the officials coming in and going out.

Tell me.

Just tell me how I am supposed to keep running this business.

I don't know about that. I really don't know!

I get it! I get it!

It must be Hua Zhi. It must be her. It must be her.

If I lose my shop,

your family won't be able to cover the losses, not even by selling everything!

Wretch!

I've been supporting your life, yet you destroyed my family business!

Get out of the Song Family!

So, Grandmother has to keep taking these medicines, right?

Yeah, but she mustn't get angry.

If she gets angry, the medicine won't work well.

Young Lady, something bad happened! Madam Hua Jing is here again!

Shaoyao, take these to the kitchen and tell Fudong how to decoct them.

Madam Hua Jing seems to have gone crazy.

Several of us tried to stop her, but none of us could.

- Where is she now? - She went to Madam Hua's room.

Look at my face and my hands!

It's all because of Hua Zhi! This wretch made my husband beat me!

Madam Hua Jing, you only have yourself to blame.

Shouting at Madam Hua won't do you any good, will it?

What nonsense are you spouting?

- What are you doing? - Aunt Jing.

If there's anything you need to say, talk to me. Grandmother is not in good health.

So, are you afraid of having Madam find out about what you've done?

If you're capable of doing it, then why are you afraid of me exposing it?

Baoxia, call for help.

Hold on.

If there's anything to say, say it here.

In recent days, everyone in this household has been sneaking around and whispering.

Some were crying and some were making a fuss. What exactly happened?

And why are you all keeping it from me?

Zhi, tell me.

Grandmother, after Aunt Jing left, I will explain it to you.

Why?

Are you too ashamed to say it in front of me?

Fine then. I'll say it.

- Mother... - Shut up.

You shut up!

Move!

Mother, Ms. Qin took an aphrodisiac and had an affair with the owner of Yuexiu Tavern.

I caught them in the act.

In order to shift the blame, she tried to steal Hua Zhi's undergarment.

But unexpectedly, she clumsily failed to do that.

Your granddaughter is young but wicked.

She teamed up with Ms. Qin and set a trap to catch the owner of Yuexiu Tavern.

She tortured him severely to force him to falsely accuse my husband

of privately selling aphrodisiacs.

Do you understand what I said?

That is what your granddaughter did.

Grandmother, it's not like that.

Zhi, I never doubted your character and acts.

I just never expected

that my daughter whom I gave birth to and raised

could actually do something so despicable.

You are truly vicious.

If you really got what you wanted,

how would your niece live for the rest of her life?

I thought you didn't know that she is my niece.

Then why haven't you ever thought about my feelings?

I merely wanted a maid, someone who is worthless.

But she kept causing trouble, making me lose my dignity in the Song Family!

I lost my foothold!

If you didn't drag me down, how would I be suffering a lot in the Song Family?

What kind of life I'm living now?

You and you! All of you!

None of you will get away with this!

In this case, it was all my fault.

I shouldn't have spoiled you so badly.

I'm spoiled?

A crooked stick will have a crooked shadow!

Old woman, at this point, you're reaping what you sowed!

Take Grandmother to rest.

Yes.

Now, everyone in the Hua Family relies on you to save their lives, right?

Stop dreaming!

Don't you think that with your tricks and gimmicks,

you can regain everything you've lost?

You pushed me into desperation and then live happily here, right?

Since you're going to watch me die, let me tell you something.

My surname is Hua. As long as I'm alive,

I will curse you.

I will curse you, all of you.

For the rest of your lives, you will never have a reunion.

The old man should have been long dead.

And you should go to the underworld to pave the way!

What nonsense are you spouting?

How dare you!

Get out of my sight!

Get out!

All of you, just wait and see.

Grandmother!

- Grandmother! - Madam!

- Madam! - Call the physician!

You go get Shaoyao!

Madam!

Physician.

Miss Hua, forgive my directness.

Since your family faced the disaster, Madam Hua has been greatly grieved and angered.

Her health was severely harmed.

Even with good treatment, it's difficult to go against fate.

Physician, whatever you do, please save her.

I'm begging you!

Miss Hua, Madam Hua's last hour has come. No medicine can help her now.

If you insist on keeping her, you'll only cause her more suffering.

I take my leave.

Zhi, I'm sorry. I've tried every prescription.

I still can't save her...

- Let's get inside. - Hurry up.

Come on, let's get in.

She is too weak right now.

Ladies, perhaps you shouldn't go inside. Let her rest for a while.

Lady Zhi,

Madam Hua wants to see you alone.

Grandmother.

The physician said you should take some medicine and rest.

Then you'll be fine.

I will listen to you.

Take medicine and rest.

Grandmother,

I'm sorry.

I've been holding

this family seal for forty years.

Now,

I'm handing it over to you.

So I can feel relieved.

Grandmother,

if you want to entrust this to me, I will accept it.

But can you please stay with me for a bit longer?

I feel like

there're still so many things I don't understand.

I want you to teach me.

I would like that too.

But,

there will come a day,

when the impossible things and those difficult things...

I believe

that someday,

you will surely succeed.

I will.

One day, I will bring Grandfather and all the others home.

We will redeem them all.

Then we move back to the old Hua Mansion, cooking, doing embroidery...

I can already see that scene.

So many people and it's bustling.

Zhi,

I'm sorry

for making you carry a heavy burden.

Can you forgive me?

When I was at your age,

I had black hair as well.

Time flies. In the blink of an eye, my hair turned white.

Don't miss out on someone you fancy.

That day,

it was a sunny day.

I was riding a horse

and I saw your Grandfather.

He was so young.

What a pity.

I can't see him again.

My Zhi is so beautiful.

Grandmother!

Grandmother!

Grandmother, please talk to me.

Grandmother, please wake up.

Grandmother.

Grandmother!

Grandmother, please wake up.

- Madam! - Madam...

Madam...

Young Lady, just cry.

I don't have the time to cry.

Grandmother left so suddenly. I have to give her a decent funeral.

I also

have to take revenge.

Madam!

Madam...

That's not how you cut it.

Cut here. Look carefully before you cut.

Alright.

Never mind, let me do the cutting.

Go see where Duo has gone. Why hasn't she come back yet?

Let me keep you company a bit longer.

Mother.

Where did you go?

Mother, why is there a large wooden box at home?

I saw Grandmother lying inside and sleeping.

They even covered her with a lid.

Baozhu wouldn't let me see Grandmother. She wouldn't let me call Grandmother either.

It must be so cold inside that box!

Duo, let me take you to bed, alright?

But Grandmother...

Duo,

Grandmother has passed away. You'll no longer have Grandmother.

You need to be good. Don't make her worry.

Alright?

No, I don't believe you! I want Grandmother!

I want my grandmother... I don't believe you...

I don't believe you...

I want my grandmother.

I don't believe you... I want Grandmother!

Madam,

it's getting late.

Let me do this. You should get some rest.

Don't worry about me.

Go check on Boli.

He's been crying all day. He must be feeling bad.

Go.

Shaoyao, what are you doing here?

Aunt Qi...

Don't cry. Your hands are so cold.

Come on.

Aunt Qi, it was all my fault.

I'm so useless.

I thought... I thought I was capable enough, but I... I still caused the death of her

and I made everyone so sad. It was all my fault.

- Silly child. - It was all my fault!

How can this be your fault? It's not. Come here.

It's not your fault.

Don't cry. Don't cry.

[Hua Mansion]

[The memorial tablet of Madam Hua]

Madam. I'm so sorry. It was all my fault.

Stop there.

You left without a word. I'm surprised you can still come back.

Father.

Where are you going this time?

Today is Madam Hua's funeral. I shall offer condolence.

I took this condolence gift from the storeroom.

Consider it something I've borrowed. I will pay you back at market price.

You are not going.

Have you lost your mind? Are you aware of our current situation?

How can you visit them at this time? You'll get me in trouble!

Father, in this serious matter of life and death, is it necessary to avoid suspicion?

So you know it's a serious matter.

Both inside and outside the court, Lord Xian got his men everywhere.

Today,

who dares to offer condolence to the Hua Family?

Whether Lord Xian cares or not, I am not sure.

It is quite clear that you're using Lord Xian as an excuse.

Do you know why Hua Yizheng had his home raided and why his clan was exiled?

It was because he failed to pick a side between Lord Xian and Lord Hui!

How can you distort the truth like that?

He is loyal and upright.

He didn't want to see the princes fighting against each other and the officials forming factions.

That's why he suffered this calamity.

Right!

Back then, Lord Xian and Lord Hui both showed goodwill towards him.

He disregarded it all, insisting on being a fool who does not understand his own situation.

And the outcome?

Once he lost the emperor's favor, who would stand up for him?

Father, I have lived in this family for twenty years.

But I never knew that we are such a heartless and disloyal family.

When Master Hua fell into misfortune, you cut ties with his family completely.

If in the future, I also become that kind of fool who doesn't understand his situation,

you'll probably cut ties with me, won't you?

Well, you are lecturing me.

You want to be a decent man, right?

Then go and be one.

The Shen Family is a disgraceful one. We don't deserve someone as upright as you.

Get out!

I'm sorry.

Qi!

Qi...

I could hear you arguing with Father from far away.

What happened? Who in the Hua Family passed away?

Madam Hua. You don't know her.

I do know her.

She mentioned Madam Hua to me.

This must be so hard for Young Lady.

This is her first time taking charge of a funeral.

But she made everything so proper.

The world is a cruel place, isn't it?

No one came to this funeral at all.

Now our family has fallen. Madam Hua passed away.

And all the other people are hiding from us, not even stepping foot inside our house.

This is unacceptable. I'll go out and take a look.

Yingchun, go tell Young Lady that Mr. Shen is here.

The Shen Family?

Mr. Shen Qi is holding the condolence gift and he came here on foot.

Hua Zhi. I'm sorry for your loss.

You look so worn out.

Thank you for being here to offer condolence.

What needs to be thanked is much more than just today's kindness.

I fear I will never be able to repay your kindness in this lifetime.

Before the Hua Mansion was raided, I never imagined the world could be so cruel

and people could be so heartless

to the extent that I can't even believe it.

Now, I finally understand.

That's just the way the world is.

There are honest gentlemen like you and unforgivable villains as well.

Hua Zhi,

I shall take my leave.

Who is this?

They're clearly from a wealthy family.

The Empress Dowager arrives. Everyone, clear the way.

Who? Who's here?

The Empress Dowager?

Is it the Empress Dowager from the Imperial Palace?

Wan,

I never imagined our reunion would be under such circumstances.

♫ Not a patch of land is wasted ♫

♫ No tea plant is left withered ♫

♫ The sky drops rain, birds eat worms, and chickens leave manure ♫

♫ Using effort and sweat to water and nourish ♫

♫ The tea leaves may be rustic ♫

♫ But the taste is of spring ♫

♫ Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves ♫

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

♫ Not a patch of land is wasted ♫

♫ No tea plant is left withered ♫

♫ The sky drops rain, birds eat worms, and chickens leave manure ♫

♫ Using effort and sweat to water and nourish ♫

♫ The tea leaves may be rustic ♫

♫ But the taste is of spring ♫

♫ Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves ♫

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

♫ Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves ♫

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