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 40]

Apprehend her.

Yes.

Kill him!

Protect the Emperor!

Protect the Emperor!

Your Majesty.

I left the Shen Pavilion without permission.

Please punish me, Your Majesty.

Yanxi.

You should get a reward.

The Security Bureau

found out and removed the fire caltrops.

It's another credit of yours.

I dare not claim the credit.

It wasn't the Security Bureau Guards

that spotted the fire caltrops.

Then who spotted that?

It was you.

Come here.

Tell me.

How did you know?

The sulfur smell of those fireworks was too strong.

Once they explode,

countless people will get hurt.

I wanted my fire caltrops to kill

those who had it coming.

You are a spy of the Zhao Empire, right?

But you are good.

You turned my trusted officials against me

and deceived my people.

Even the Security Bureau

couldn't find anything on you.

If you had behaved yourself

and served as the Dubhe Envoy,

I might have let you live a few more days.

You are too impatient.

You are right.

I am from the Zhao Empire.

What a coincidence.

You are not the only one who remembers

everything about the battle at Kushui River.

I too can never forget it.

My father.

My elder brother.

My uncle.

They were all killed

by your soldiers.

My mother and I went to the battlefield

to search for their bodies

for three days and three nights.

Our fingers were even bleeding,

but we never found the remains of my family.

After a while,

my mother starved to death.

I followed the refugees to the Capital

and served under Emperor Huai.

I was raised as a spy.

As long as I can avenge my family,

I'm willing to do anything.

She is actually a spy of the Zhao Empire.

The spies who trained with me

entered your country one after another.

And they were killed

without anyone noticing.

Many of them

were hunted down by the Security Bureau.

And me?

I am different.

I am the best of those spies.

I made it into the Imperial Capital

and I even entered the Palace.

I was just a step away

to have you killed.

At that battle,

you were not the only one who was grieving.

The families of those soldiers and civilians

who died in that war also grieved.

And you,

to satisfy

Emperor Huai's endless ambition,

have started wars with us again and again.

Have you ever considered

the well-being of the people from both realms?

What about my family?

Do you mean

their deaths don't matter?

I don't care what Emperor Huai wants.

I just want to avenge my family.

Blood will have blood.

You are way out of your league

and don't know what you are doing.

Is that so?

If Gu Yanxi hadn't been here in time,

you would be a cold corpse by now.

You must be scared, right?

Back when I trained as a spy,

I often wondered

what the mighty Emperor of Daqing

was like.

How truly fearsome

and formidable could he be?

Until I met you.

Only then did I realize

you were nothing

but a weak and paranoid old man!

You not only are aged,

but you are also a coward.

You are afraid of your courtiers' criticism.

You are afraid of your own siblings and offspring.

You are afraid of your own people.

You are so afraid

that you drive everyone away.

Even Gu Yanxi has turned his back on you.

You know too well that I am a charlatan,

but you still want to use me.

There's one thing you don't know.

Even your own son...

Just a lowly wench!

How dare she talk so much nonsense

in front of the Emperor?

You are just useless.

You just stand and watch her causing a stir here?

Dump her somewhere.

Yes.

This is good.

That's how a royal heir should carry himself.

However,

the spy doesn't matter.

Now I really wonder

why you saved me.

Your Majesty, you misunderstand me.

It wasn't just about you.

If there had been an explosion,

you wouldn't be the only one dead.

During the chaos,

many people would die

in Daqing and the Zhao Empire.

Guards!

I don't want to see her again.

As you command.

She saved your life, Your Majesty.

I have divined for you, Your Highness.

You

are destined to be a true dragon.

The supreme throne

will soon be yours.

And I am willing

to be your follower.

This poison is called green stone.

He will be killed within fifteen minutes

after he takes it.

It will be the Longevity Festival in a few days.

Your Highness.

You must seize the opportunity.

Your Majesty.

Father.

Father.

Uncle.

Stop right there.

Gu Yanxi, the Commander of the Security Bureau,

poisoned His Majesty and wanted to rebel.

Kill them!

What are you all standing there for?

I am the only crown prince.

The future Emperor.

It wasn't them.

It wasn't them.

His Majesty only had one drink tonight.

And that was from Lord Hui.

Since when a mere eunuch

gets to doubt me?

His Majesty is still alive.

How dare you all defect?

If he really is

a regicidal and patricidal usurper,

would you still serve him as the new Emperor?

Shut up.

Shut up!

Listen to me.

Those who assist me today

will be credited greatly.

You will enjoy

endless glory and wealth once I become the Emperor.

This is the antidote.

Please keep it, Your Highness.

When the time comes, place it in your mouth

and it will neutralize the poison of the green stone.

This evil witch.

Seize him!

Nobody moves.

Or I'll kill him.

Stand back.

Stand back.

Uncle.

Uncle.

Imperial physician.

Bring the imperial physician!

Uncle.

Uncle.

I will definitely hunt down

the remnants of Lord Hui and Haoyue's faction.

I'll keep the peace.

Uncle.

I realize it now.

I don't hate you at all.

Growing up,

I have always regarded you as my father.

When I was in the northern land,

I would often think of you.

Because I knew

that one day

you would summon me back

to your side.

I know that it was you

who asked Qi Ruhai to frame me.

I also know that you need me.

Daqing needs me.

So I came back.

This is my destiny.

Don't worry.

As long as I am the Commander of the Security Bureau,

I will always be a sword

that guards you and Daqing.

Yanxi...

The...

The royal heir is...

What should we do now?

People will know soon.

When the day comes,

it will cause great chaos

across the land.

Empress Dowager is here.

You don't need to worry.

The Gu Family still

has a royal heir left.

We

are grateful for the Emperor's grace.

Congratulations.

Please pack up your things

and depart for the Capital.

Great news!

They are so lucky.

Up.

Pingyu.

Is it because we have a new Emperor?

Don't talk nonsense.

Pingyu.

Can we really return to the Imperial Capital?

I never thought

we could be released so soon.

I bet

it was all thanks to Zhi.

She said she would bring us home.

I just knew

she could make it happen.

Boyu.

Your mother must have prepared

lots of good food and drinks

for the two of us.

I think

Jin'e wants Boyu back.

But you? I am not sure.

Let's go.

Time to go home.

We need to tell Father

about this.

Let's go.

Wait.

The Emperor has already pardoned us.

Now

we are no longer prisoners.

Mr. Hua.

I am

a blundering boor.

I have offended you a lot in the past,

but I know you are magnanimous,

so please forgive me.

Officer.

Just say it if you want anything.

Could you do me a favor

when you go back?

Please take my letter to my family.

It's been several years

since I have last seen them.

I don't even know

what my child looks like now.

Alright.

How about this?

Write down what you want to say,

then have Boyu transcribe it into a letter.

And we will surely deliver it for you.

No problem.

I'll write it down right now.

Please help me too.

I want that too.

Please help me.

Please also deliver a letter for me.

Count me in.

Everyone.

Each of you write down

what you want to say.

We will take it to your family, okay?

- Okay. - Thank you.

Your Majesty, you are distracted.

Yanxi.

A few days ago,

I have absolved the men of the Hua Family

and they are permitted to return.

It's been so many days.

They should have arrived by now.

Mr. Shen.

Your Majesty.

You've come just in time.

Playing Go gives me a headache.

You can play with His Majesty.

I still have things to do.

I'll leave now.

What makes you so hurried?

Don't you know?

The men of the Hua Family will return today.

I'm going to greet them with Hua Zhi.

Why didn't Hua Zhi tell me about it?

You're not part of the Hua Family.

Why should she tell you?

See you later.

We will see them soon.

How come they haven't arrived yet?

That's wonderful.

They will be here soon.

Why haven't they come yet?

Wait a little longer.

How do I look?

Very beautiful.

I don't want to look good.

I want to look proud.

Ergui.

Don't be nervous.

Zhi will surely

explain everything to Pingyan for you.

Thank you.

But I don't need Zhi to explain for me.

I will

do it with Madam Xia together.

If you ask me,

you are all rebellious now.

Why?

Heavens treat us well because we are rebellious enough.

Anyway, even if my husband

doesn't come back home ever,

I couldn't care less.

I feel the same.

It's the best

if none of them comes back.

Spare us the annoyance.

Right?

Exactly.

Why haven't they arrived yet?

I'll wait here with you.

♪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♪

Stop!

Stop the carriage!

♪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♪

♪I don't know when I will return♪

♪There is a long and vast distance between the earth and the sky♪

♪I finally reunite with you, guarding my love and suffering the pain♪

Father.

♪You appear in my dream during the long night♪

Go greet your grandfather.

♪If I am brave enough, no pain can wear me down♪

♪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♪

♪Only love brings light♪

Wan.

I'm back.

Because of me being outspoken,

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Hua] His Majesty was enraged.

And thus we went through this calamity.

I had no regrets at first.

I was just exiled to the northern land.

It was nothing.

However,

Wan,

you're the one

I'm most sorry for.

I didn't know the last time we met

would be the last time of our lives.

Fortunately,

it won't take me

too long

to reunite with you.

When I come to find you in heaven,

you can blame me as you want.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Hua]

Both of you came here with me.

Do you have something

that you want to say to her?

Madam Hua.

We brought you

new pastries from the Hua's.

Please have a taste.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Hua]

You are a smart child.

Be true to yourself.

Do you like that master of martial arts?

If one day,

you have your answer,

no matter who that is,

just come tell me.

Grandmother.

You asked me

if I already knew

the answer.

But back then, I was still naive.

I knew very little

about love.

I also didn't have the courage

to expose my feelings.

So I didn't even dare

to tell you his name.

But now,

I have found the answer.

Rest assured.

From now on,

I will no longer be alone.

Mr. Yan.

You don't have to answer me right now.

I only hope you can think it over

and be true to yourself.

Whenever you have the answer

and figure it out,

you don't have to tell me.

You know

who you should tell.

Madam Hua.

I have told my answer

to Hua Zhi.

At that time, you wanted me to be brave.

But I hesitated,

wavered,

and hurt her feelings.

We both wasted so much time.

From now on,

I will cherish

every second and every moment

that I spend with her.

I criticized

the Security Bureau,

which ruined my family.

Now,

the Commander of the Security Bureau

is with my granddaughter.

You never know what will happen next.

I once said

the Security Bureau disregarded the law,

lynched people and treated them like animals.

And it has become a scourge of Daqing.

What do you think of that?

In fact, that day,

I heard everything you said behind the curtain.

Taking charge of the Security Bureau

was not what I wanted in the first place.

But as the Commander,

not for a single day did I ever forget

what you said.

The Security Bureau now

is no longer the one

that you criticized.

If you don't believe it,

you can go see for yourself.

I think that's not necessary.

The one that Zhi chooses

must be a good man.

Everything you do

is under the watch

of the people.

These years I have also heard

the reputation of the Security Bureau.

Today,

please allow me to address you not as 'Your Highness',

but rather as 'son'.

Son.

The only wish

of mine

is for you to treat Zhi well.

I surely will.

[Wedding]

[Hua Mansion] Give that to me.

How about this?

Help me out here.

- Be careful. - Okay.

Slow down a bit.

Is this okay?

Can it go a bit more to the left?

A bit higher.

- Good. - That's right.

Tie it up well.

Rest assured.

Hang this in the inner hall.

Alright.

Here you go.

Help me hold this.

How does it look?

It's a bit tangled up.

Is it straight?

Straighten it out a bit.

Maybe a bit higher?

Go a bit right.

You can do it better.

Good, that's about right.

Okay.

Done.

Is it good?

Yes.

Here.

Your Highness.

Let us do it.

No worries.

I can do it.

Shen Huan.

Shaoyao.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Where have you been these days?

I haven't seen you.

My brother prepared many books for me.

I haven't finished reading them yet.

Why are you reading books?

I...

I am preparing for the imperial examination.

And then?

Then...

Then...

If I pass the exam,

I'll tell you then.

If you can pass...

What if you can't?

Then you won't marry me?

Shaoyao.

Are you silly?

Do I like you

because you are well-read?

Do you like me

for the title of county princess?

No.

Then why are you avoiding me?

I asked Zhi and Yanxi.

If two people want to get married,

as long as their love is mutual,

nothing else matters.

Shaoyao.

I understand now.

You do?

That's good.

Zhi is about to do the ritual.

Let's go.

Be careful.

Thank you.

Well.

Of course, I am the best.

Wait.

[Wedding] Yanxi.

I want to hold our wedding

in the Hua Mansion,

not following the royal customs

but folk customs.

Is that okay?

Of course.

Since I became your master of martial arts,

to me,

your home has also become mine.

Why don't you go to the central hall

but come to me?

Hua Zhi,

since when have you followed the rules?

Come in.

Sir.

What's the matter?

A noble guest has arrived.

Changqing.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Yanxi. Zhi.

No need for formality.

I come here today

as Jian of the Hua Family.

You left the Palace without a word.

That's not a good thing, you know.

I just came to see you

and give you gifts.

Then I will leave.

On behalf of the Gu Family and the Empress Dowager,

I bestow this regent seal

to the Commander of the Security Bureau.

This chest contains the Grand Preceptor's robe.

It's specifically tailored

to a woman's figure.

On behalf of the Court,

I invite Hua Zhi to the Palace

to continue instructing me.

Grandmother taught me

to knit this true lover's knot.

It's not very well made.

But it's my gift to you anyway.

Thank you.

Zhi,

the auspicious time is approaching.

I should go.

Your Majesty.

These are wedding sweets.

They bring good fortune to the child who eats them.

Grandmother has forbidden me from eating sweets recently.

I'll eat them behind her back when I get back.

Changqing.

You can have one when we are back.

Yanxi.

What do you think of His Majesty's invitations?

Whatever you choose,

I will support you.

However,

we might think the same about this.

Life is short.

In the Court,

Hua Zhi the Grand Preceptor won't make much difference.

But I only live once

in this vast and beautiful world.

Wherever you go,

I will go with you.

[Wedding]

The bride and groom hold the true lover's knot together.

♪When all the lights were taken from the world♪

♪You are my only shimmering star♪

♪You save me with everything♪

♪Protecting me by my side♪

♪Refusing to give up♪

♪Never give up♪

♪Just to seize♪

♪The light of hope♪

♪We're like walking in the opposite direction♪

♪We keep missing each other day and night♪

♪Destiny keeps us wrapped around its finger♪

♪Twilight is the sun's gentleness bestowed upon the moon♪

♪They permeate into each other♪

♪If you nod, I'll never look back♪

♪I will go against the flow of time to be by your side♪

♪I once had a rift in my heart♪

♪Waiting for you to light up my world♪

♪When all the lights were taken from the world♪

♪You are my only shimmering star♪

♪You save me with everything♪

♪Protecting me by my side♪

♪Refusing to give up♪

♪Never give up♪

♪Just to seize♪

♪The light of hope♪

♪When all the lights were taken from the world♪

♪You are my only shimmering star♪

♪You save me with everything♪

♪Protecting me by my side♪

♪Refusing to give up♪

♪Never give up♪

♪Just to seize♪

♪The light of hope♪

[Hua Mansion] Tomorrow, ask the accountants

from all our shops and restaurants to come over.

I need to tell them something.

Will do.

It's true.

You are really capable

when it comes to managing business.

Zhi is at leisure now.

Now I have to

shoulder the responsibility.

Madam Xia.

This is the ledger for this month.

As usual,

just report the numbers to me

once you settle the accounts.

Yes.

Come with me to the accounting room.

Qin, you're here.

Mother.

Madam Xia.

Enjoy yourselves.

Once we collect the money for this month,

I will help you purchase the teahouse

on Wasp Lane.

There's no need to tell me all this.

It makes my head ache just hearing it.

Anyway,

I have given you

all the money of my family.

Spend it as you wish.

This is your money after all.

You have a share in it too.

Alright then.

I'll go to the accounting room

and do the counting properly.

Go ahead.

Bolin.

My clothes got torn.

It needs mending.

Have you seen my mother?

Which one?

Any of them would do.

Aunt Qi is teaching at the academy.

Ms. Qin is with Aunt Xia.

She's busy.

I have to go.

Grandfather.

Grandfather.

Well, everyone is busy now.

You did wrong here.

The calculation is wrong.

Find the mistake yourself.

This is not correct.

Nianqiu, I come to settle the accounts.

Fudong?

Fudong.

What brings you here?

Where is Mr. Bai?

He needs to look after the kids at home.

Can't leave them alone anyway.

Fudong.

Yingchun.

Why are you here today?

To settle the accounts.

Oh, apologies.

We should call you Madam Bai.

You are teasing me again.

How is Zhiming Restaurant doing?

It's alright.

Yours are way better.

It's alright?

The profits

are so substantial this month.

Yes.

That was because Shen Huan

created several new drinks.

They were popular.

And he is quite energetic.

During the day he directs puppet shows

and runs a theater troupe.

And at night, he can still make new drinks.

I think

Baoxia is the most blessed one

among us all.

Ling has sent a letter to Jin'e.

Jin'e said

that we could read it too.

It says

Mr. Zheng will soon

be reassigned back to the Capital.

Ling is reluctant to leave the children at the academy

and even cried several times.

It's best if they come back.

Nowhere can compare with the Imperial Capital.

How so?

Yuniang and Pingyang

have been traveling around with Yuan.

They are

at the Dongting Lake these days.

I don't understand why they'd take

such a little kid outside.

They said

that they want to raise a girl like Zhi.

Which maid brewed this?

Where is Ms. Qiu?

Where has she run off to?

Stop.

Ms. Qiu is helping

at Huilan's academy.

She is busy with important matters.

Ridiculous.

I'm not used to this taste.

Ask her to brew it for me.

Seriously?

You don't like it?

Brew it yourself.

Grandfather!

- Bolin. - Hua Bolin.

Father!

- Mother! - Why are you running?

[Hua Yizheng's Expostulation] Grandfather's books have been printed.

And they're selling like crazy in the Directorate of Education.

I barely managed to buy one.

I'll show it to Grandfather.

Go!

Those manuscripts

were saved thanks to Zhi.

Now,

they have been printed into books.

I want to send one to her,

but I don't know where she is.

Yeah.

It's all thanks to Zhi.

Yingzhen.

Whatever you say goes.

It was my fault just now.

Come.

Let's sit down.

Are you serious?

You don't care about Boli's studies,

but care a lot about

these orphans' homework.

I don't have to worry about Boli.

Ergui is taking care of him.

If you ask me,

I want him to go outside

and exercise every day

to build a strong body.

These carefree days of youth

will come to an end one day.

As for these children

from the orphanage,

if we don't care for them,

then no one will.

Please go

and return the homework

to those children.

Ask those who got

the second grade to see me.

Fine.

Madam Qi.

Come on.

Go!

Go for it!

You can do this!

Children.

Stop for a moment.

Come here.

Claim your homework.

Don't rush.

Liao Hongxue.

Here.

Li Fengfeng.

Here.

Mingjing.

Madam Qi said

those who got the second grade

need to go find her.

Those who got the first grade

can get a pastry.

We can have pastries.

Go for your pastries.

I want one too.

Me too.

I'm going to get a pastry.

Ms. Qiu, I got the second grade.

Don't cry.

Later,

I will go with you to see Madam Qi,

okay?

Those who got the second grade

can also get a pastry.

Let's go.

I can have a pastry too.

I will take one.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

No need for formality, Shaoyao.

County Princess.

Mr. Shen.

Why don't you stay at the Imperial Medical Bureau

but come to the Palace today?

Is it a letter

from Zhi and Yanxi?

Let me read it.

I hope this letter finds you well.

It's been a while and I miss you a lot.

Say 'Shaoyao is the best'

and I will show it to you.

Shaoyao is the best.

You are the best, Shaoyao.

Come on, I want to know

where they are now.

[We're at sea and safe.]

♪Who gazes at the stars in the sky?♪

♪Heading towards the shore in a broken boat♪

Another day at sea

and we can dock again.

Yanxi.

Will you get tired

of sailing like this every day?

Every day is unknown.

How would I get tired of it?

When I was little,

my grandfather always told me

that I can live my life better and better

only when I have good judgments.

As long as I find the right path,

no matter how hard the journey is,

I will reach the destination.

Then we are lucky.

Not only did we find the right path,

but we also found our companion.

Tell me.

If we keep

sailing like this,

will we reach the end of the earth?

What would it be like?

I don't know.

But no matter where you go,

I'm always by your side.

♪Only love brings light♪

♪Only love embraces the thorns♪

♪Only love brings light♪

♪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♪