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 bow down♪

♪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 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 embrace the thorns♪

♪Everything grows through the heart♪

♪Having the courage to resist♪

♪Embracing the chant of destiny♪

[Blossoms in Adversity] ♪Only love brings light♪

I have found the mastermind behind it.

It is the son of Prince Ling,

Gu Yanxi.

He has been leading the northern army for years,

and is now with great military power under his command.

He covets the capital city,

aspires to seize the heir's position.

Do you have any evidence?

I have the letters

between Gu Yanxi and the traitors.

[Gu Yanxi]

Who is behind the private weapon-forging case?

Him,

Gu Yanxi.

Beat him.

I will ask you one more time.

Who is the true mastermind of private weapon-forging?

Him,

Gu Yanxi!

Very well.

Go on, don't stop.

The night is young.

Hua Zhi,

You went out for too long today.

Let's finish this and get you to bed.

Does this look good?

Hua Zhi,

Madam Yu just mentioned,

your grandmother seems to have known...

Hua Zhi,

Hua Zhi!

Your grandmother is waiting for you in the main hall.

Madam,

Hua Zhi is here.

Grandmother, I hope you are well.

Everyone, leave.

Kneel.

Where have you been?

Who accompanied you?

Old Zheng Street.

I went alone.

I went to the coppersmith and bought something.

I am rather curious,

What is so important?

The Shen family is coming tomorrow to finalize the betrothal,

yet you sneaked out at dark

to buy that thing.

Show it to me.

On New Year's Eve,

you brought a crow into the house?

Throw it away!

Yes.

I'll do it.

Usually,

I'd turn a blind eye,

and let you do what you want.

I blame your grandfather.

Back when he was travelling around as an imperial censor,

he insisted on having you by his side.

You spent your childhood away from home,

with no one to discipline you.

Nowadays,

you're turning more and more willful and reckless.

Without telling your parents,

you actually sneaked out.

If something were to happen,

It's not just you who would be affected.

It's your grandfather,

father,

and the reputation of the entire family.

By tomorrow,

even the reputation of the Shen family!

Madam,

Don't get angry.

She has always been like this.

It's not like we only found out today.

You lock yourself up all year long,

doing your weird crafts in the house.

Apart from your grandfather,

among the entire family,

who do you even pay respect to?

You do go to the library a lot,

but have you ever read a word of the Lessons for Women?

I have not.

If the betrothal isn't settling already,

I'd marry off your sister instead.

So the others wouldn't say

we have failed to educate our girls.

Easy, sister,

Madam Hua wasn't serious.

Your daughter

didn't cause any trouble.

Even if she did,

She'd still be married off with glory.

The Shen family is in no position to be picky about her.

Look at yourself.

Are you acting like a lady,

like the daughter of an official?

You're only interested in

astrology and business.

I'm sorry.

Please punish me, Grandmother.

Go ponder your mistakes in the ancestral hall!

Copy the Lessons for Women a hundred times.

I will.

Madam,

let me take you to get some rest.

You all may go.

I'll wait here for the lord to return.

Get a brazier for Hua Zhi.

Yes.

[Remain Uncorrupted]

[Lessons for Women]

Auntie Yu,

It was not easy for me to get this.

Luckily, I have you.

Let me help you with it.

Silly Auntie Yu,

Grandmother won't check my homework.

She always forgets about that.

I don't mind she scolding me.

Soon,

she won't be able to do that again.

I'll be married within this year.

How can you speak of marriage

as if it's nothing special?

Getting married or not,

I will still be me.

And the life goes on as usual.

Look at this.

Isn't it delicate?

Hua Zhi,

You think of marriage too simply.

Uncle.

Marriage, well

the most important thing about it

Is meeting the one destined for you.

But in my opinion,

worrying about it does no good.

[Hua Pingyang, The fourth son] It all depends on God's will.

What are you doing here?

As soon as I got back,

I heard that Hua Zhi

is kneeling in the ancestral hall.

The news spread fast.

Have some more while it's hot.

Knee pads?

This is delicious.

Darling, come on, try one.

It's so cold at night.

Let's go.

Let the girl

endure the punishment by herself.

Get him out.

Yanxi's handwriting,

I taught him stroke by stroke.

Other than me, no one knows better

about what his handwriting looks like.

Nowadays, even Qi Ruhai is unwilling

to tell me the truth.

Alright.

All of you, leave.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Yanxi,

you heard it all, right?

Your uncle has taken your side.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Why did you become distant with me?

When you were a child, every time you saw me,

you'd be hopping

to my side with joy.

Now you're kneeling so far away from me.

I've grown up.

I am aware of the difference between an emperor and his followers.

Do you have to

make me sad?

Uncle...

Come on, get up.

All these years in the freezing land,

it must be difficult for you.

Uncle, I've been guarding your Empire.

That bit of hardship is nothing.

Yanxi,

about the problems today,

do you know what caused them?

Uncle, please enlighten me.

Prince Xian, Prince Hui,

they're no match for you.

At the age of three, you were held

in the arms of the late Emperor and Empress,

cherished like a rare treasure.

This is known to everyone in the court.

Qi Ruoai attempted to frame you

because he knew that

I have no choice but to doubt you.

What are you doing, Yanxi?

This blade,

was bestowed upon me by Your Majesty.

I heard that one with a disfigured face

cannot be appointed as the crown prince.

Today, I am using this blade

to fulfil your wish,

and to repay the grace of being raised.

Yanxi,

You don't need to do this.

As your Uncle,

will I ever distrust you?

If you trust me,

I trust you as well.

I'm willing to leave the North

and join the Seven-Star Bureau,

to be under your command.

Yanxi,

I was right about you.

Whether you are in the North

leading troops to guard the border,

or taking charge of the Seven Constellations Bureau,

you'll always be

the only one I trust.

Now as you have accepted the position,

you shall start working now.

Get this done for me.

I shall obey the decree.

Your Majesty,

The Empress Dowager invites you

to Fengxiang Palace for tea and a chat.

The Empress Dowager

is always so well-informed.

[Hua Mansion]

Coming!

Do it!

By imperial command, raid the house!

Those who disobey will be executed on the spot!

Those who hide things will be executed as well!

Be alert, all of you!

If any of them escaped,

[Yuan Qi, Deputy Supervisor] you'll die!

Go!

Yes, Sir!

My God!

What has happened?

How dare they?

Quickly go find the children!

Protect them at all costs.

What crime has my family committed?

Minister Hua is found guilty,

affecting the entire family.

We are ordered to confiscate all family property.

The Empress Dowager showed mercy,

spared women and children.

Arrest them.

Yes, sir!

I am protected by the imperial edict.

Don't you dare touch me.

Then,

please.

Move.

[Lessons for Women]

Stop!

Hurry up!

Hurry!

Stop right there!

Freeze!

Hua Zhi!

Bao Xia.

Hua Zhi, run!

Just run!

They're arresting people everywhere!

Grandfather must be in trouble.

Don't!

Are you blind?

We're here to confiscate, not to kill.

Yes.

Sir,

Such a small matter as confiscation,

we won't trouble you with it.

We have taken care of everything.

How come he looks so familiar?

What is this place?

This is the library.

Go take a look.

This...

This is nothing special.

The view is better from higher up.

[Library]

- Go. - Stop!

Move, quickly!

[Library]

Sir,

This is Minister Hua's study.

Shall we confiscate the things in here?

His Majesty's own words,

get all writings and letters authored by Hua Yizheng,

leave not a single word.

Yes, Sir!

Search this place.

Move aside, don't get in the way!

It's her.

Why aren't you crying?

And why don't you run?

The Emperor owns the world.

What's the use of crying?

And where could I run to?

Yes,

you have nowhere to go.

Wipe it off,

don't dirty my things.

Is this your place?

It belongs to my family.

I borrowed it for calculations and to read stars.

You can read stars?

Then how come you didn't foresee

this great disaster of your family?

People are foolish.

They do not know what goes around comes around.

The lifespan of mortals,

compare with the sun, moon, and stars,

is like dust to the ocean.

The emperor sits high above.

He will not show pity to the Hua family,

and the stars will not, for one person,

or the downfall of a clan, a nation,

show any abnormalities.

So, you have accepted your fate?

It's good.

Without all the wishful thinking,

there will be no disappointment.

I do not accept my fate.

If there truly is a mandate from heaven,

grandfather wouldn't have been charged.

He wanted to be an honest official,

not to deceive the people,

nor the emperor.

You all know that he's innocent.

And yet, why was he convicted?

Sir,

It's done.

All suspicious books and papers

have been collected.

Good.

Take her.

Yes, Sir.

Hua Zhi.

All of the Hua family are here.

Every male over ten years old

is going to the Ministry of Justice for identification,

then detained for trial.

There are a few left here.

Don't miss any.

Hua Bolin has just turned nine.

He is exempt from punishment.

Boyu is also nine years old!

He is!

Your steward told me

that in last month,

Hua Boyu has just celebrated his tenth birthday.

Mother, no!

Boyu!

Boyu!

Boyu, Boyu!

- Mother! - Boyu!

Boyu! Boyu!

Boyu!

Mother, mother!

You wicked creature,

shameless bandit!

May you not die a good death!

Boyu.

Boyu!

Move.

- Mother! - Boyu!

- Boyu, Boyu! - Mother!

Mother, Mother!

- Boyu, Boyu! - Mother!

Pingyang, Pingyang!

Pingyang, Pingyang!

I will go with you. Don't frighten her.

Move.

Don't be scared.

Take good care of yourself.

Pingyang!

No, Pingyang!

Madam Yu.

Pingyang!

The Hua mansion is now seized.

You have fifteen minutes

to gather your food, clothing and belongings.

After that, you shall leave.

What was bestowed by the royal family

isn't a part of the confiscation, right?

There is a manor granted by the Empress Dowager,

five miles ouside the East City Gate.

Leave them two carriages

with two horses.

Eh... Are you sure?

The order was to seize their property.

Was it you who received the order,

or was it me?

Yes, Sir.

Thank you.

Leave them two carriages.

Listen, all of you.

One carriage for people,

the other for luggage.

Follow me to the manor.

Pack only what's useful.

Think carefully about what to take.

Now, go pack up.

Hua Zhi,

Hua Zhi,

Listen to your grandmother,

let's go pack our things.

Go.

Hurry up, move on.

Let's hurry, come on.

Let go.

Let's go!

Mine, mine!

You wretched girl!

You robbed me!

You, stop right there!

Concubine Zhou, how daring of you!

You, stop right there!

Give it to me.

Give it back to me.

Zhegui,

Where are the new socks I made for Boli?

Where are they?

Hurry up and find them!

And also,

hand warmer, longevity lock,

and the pastry box.

Boli loves pastries.

The pastry box that he likes.

And...

Books!

Boli's books,

they are the most important.

And...

Madam,

I've packed everything.

Let's hurry up and go.

There's no time left.

Let go of me!

Madam!

Don't follow me.

[Library]

[Plum Blossom Numerology]

Grandfather, you're already busy with work

yet still made great efforts in writing.

When retirement comes,

you'll likely lose yourself in writing.

But, the books can wait.

Why don't you just take a rest?

Life is like a fleeting moment.

I'm afraid there's not enough time.

Zhi, look,

these inscribed words

are from the pre-Qin period.

Even after thousands of years,

they will still shine brightly.

But the ones who wrote these books,

I'm afraid,

even their bones have turned to dust.

One day,

[Plum Blossom Numerology] I, too, will turn to dust.

But by that time,

If my manuscripts

still exist,

I'll know that I hadn't lived in vain.

[Plum Blossom Numerology]

Hua Zhi,

Hua Zhi?

Hua Zhi, Hua Zhi,

Hua Zhi!

I thought I wouldn't die.

But aren't we all alive?

We have all survived.

Hua Zhi,

even pots and pans have been smashed.

How are we

gonna eat?

Please take us with you.

Don't leave me behind.

You've always been with me.

We'll live together,

all of us.

There's not much left in the house.

I've packed some for you.

Clothes, jewelry...

There was also some money in the box,

I've grabbed it as well.

Yingchun,

these books on the floor and the shelves,

we're taking them with us.

Baoxia, help me.

Fudong,

there are two carriages outside,

go get one and load it up.

Miqiu,

go find some ropes and tie these up.

Hua Zhi,

what about the things in the attic?

You worked hard making them.

Leave those.

I'll go check on Mother and the others.

Let's work.

Where's mother?

Hua Zhi,

she won't let me in.

Mother?

Mother!

Madam!

What are you doing, Mother!

Does it hurt?

My husband has been taken away.

How could I live alone?

Rather than living in disgrace,

It's better to die.

Grandfather and Father

may not be subjected to execution.

Even lowly creatures cling to life.

How can you seek death?

Don't try to placate me.

What happened just now,

you saw it.

I've thought about it.

In the best case, they'll be exiled,

and the worst, a slow and torturous execution.

Even if they survive,

They won't be coming back.

Back when everything was fine,

how much time did Father spend at home?

And how much time he spent with you?

From my childhood to this day,

I've seen you and my aunties

more often than I have seen him.

In such a huge family,

which woman isn't living by herself?

My husband has been arrested,

how can I live by myself?

Mother,

if Father truly cares for you,

how would he keep you ignorant,

not knowing any outside affairs?

Even a farmer's wife knows how to farm,

and you can't even hang yourself properly.

If he truly loves you,

why did he take in Concubine Shen

and Concubine Qiu?

And my little sister Rong,

how would he even have her?

You are just a decoration of his career,

used to perfect

his reputation for being incorruptible.

Chan Lu,

take good care of her.

Yes.

Madam,

it's alright now, Madam.

[Resolute and determined]

Chanlu,

take Bolin over there.

Yes.

Sister,

you really shouldn't have done that.

Think of the children,

why don't you?

Us women,

what do we live for?

For the children, right?

Bolin is so little,

and Hua Zhi has yet to be married.

And Rong,

she's your child too.

If you died today,

this life of yours would be in vain.

Bach then,

when I married into the Hua family,

this marriage was below my status.

My husband,

marrying him was like marrying a stone.

I mean, what's the difference?

But all these years,

I've been enduring this bitter life.

Because,

ever since I had Boli,

I've had something to look forward to.

I desire nothing more.

Sister,

You have better luck than I do.

Don't do silly things again.

Did you hear me?

Sister,

I was being stupid.

Pack everything properly.

Where is Hua Zhi?

Why is she not here?

She's the only one missing.

Where's the other carriage?

Why is there only one left?

Where is it?

I had Ying Chun take it to the library,

to get the books.

Why are we taking those waste papers?

Where will we put our luggage then?

Bring it back now!

We still need to study.

Not just us,

also the kids.

Lands and houses are easy to acquire, but once we lost those books,

it would be hard to get them back.

We'll set off once the loading is finished.

[Sealed by Seven-Star Bureau]

Madam, after you.

It's them, it's them!

What is going on?

They used to be so arrogant.

Look, look.

Never thought they would end up like this.

Exactly.

Take a look.

The women from such a wealthy family

are really pretty.

Take a look.

True.

Yeah. Look, look!

Look at their sorrowful faces.

Raise your heads!

Don't act like homeless dogs,

and let the others laugh at you.

Let's go.

Don't be afraid,

we have each other.

Save your tears.

From now on, there'll be a lot of things

you want to cry about.

[Shen Mansion]

[betrothal letter]

You, oh you.

You must have counted them for hundreds of times.

Father is back!

Father, what happened?

Hurry,

take down these red silk cloths!

Take all of them down

and burn them!

All these things,

put them in the storeroom!

They must never be seen by anyone again.

Father,

has something happened in the court?

Father,

[betrothal letter]

Grandfather,

This is the betrothal agreement between me and Hua Zhi.

Hold your tongue!

From now on,

you're not allowed to speak a word of that family.

You all,

go gather the servants and tell them

that about Shen Qi's betrothal,

they must keep it secret.

Whoever dares to mention it,

will be beaten to death.

Go.

[The East Gate]

[Zihuang Residence]

Take a look behind us,

see if they're still tailing us.

I just did that.

The imperial guards turned back when we left the city.

There were two men from the Seven Constellations Bureau

following us from far away.

But now I can't see them.

They won't come this far.

Madam,

What is this place?

Many years ago,

the Empress Dowager gifted this place to our family.

I used to come here in the summer when I was young.

So this is the Zihuang Residence.

I heard you mention it a lot.

None of our family have been here.

I'm just not sure

if there's

enough space for all of us.

So... Boli needs to study.

He hates to be disturbed.

He's going to need a quiet room.

There's a small room in the back.

It was my bedroom.

And here is for having tea and relaxing.

At least we have somewhere to stay.

I,

can barely walk now.

Come on, let's get in.

Let alone a bed,

there isn't even a blanket here.

Yeah,

we have nothing here.

How are we gonna live in this place?

This is not a place for human.

You can take my room then.

We can sleep anywhere.

Madam, don't worry.

Don't worry.

Xiuer, Yinzhu,

where are you?

Get those bloody servants

in here!

Madam, madam!

Where are they?

How come there're only two of you?

Madam,

the maids and concubines

have left on our way here.

We're the only ones left.

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪A tea plant never grows old♪

♪The sky drops rain, birds eat worms, chickens leave manure♪

♪Effort and sweat to water and nourish♪

♪The tea leaves may be rustic♪

♪But the taste is of spring♪

♪Ah, joy in the clear spring, pick a little♪

♪Ah, enjoy the abundant spring together♪

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪A tea plant never grows old♪

♪The sky drops rain, birds eat worms, chickens leave manure♪

♪Effort and sweat to water and nourish♪

♪The tea leaves may be rustic♪

♪But the taste is of spring♪

♪Ah, joy in the clear spring, pick a little♪

♪Ah, enjoy the abundant spring together♪

♪Ah, joy in the clear spring, pick a little♪

♪Ah, enjoy the abundant spring together♪