Original subtitles

♪Who gazes at the starry sky♪

♪Heading towards the shore in a fragile boat♪

♪I'm the master of my own destiny♪

♪My happy family is a thing of the past♪

♪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 were pierced through♪

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

♪Through the heart grows everything♪

♪Even if the dream is wandering♪

♪Smoothing out the surging waves♪

♪Breaking through the heart's tumultuous echoes♪

♪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♪

[Episode 5]

Mr. Shen.

Miss, what’s the matter?

Greetings, Mister.

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

Nice to meet you, Miss Qin.

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.

We're desperate.

Miss, don't let that dishearten you.

There's always hope.

Miss, please stand up.

Stand up first.

Stand up.

If you helped me out of this,

I would have married you.

Miss, listen.

Miss.

I'm just an ordinary man,

and I can't help you with that.

My marriage to Hua Zhi

is not yet finalized,

but in my heart,

I am already committed to her for life.

No matter what happened,

I will never betray her.

It's okay with me

to be a concubine of yours.

Miss.

Miss, stop this nonsense.

I'm begging you, Mister.

Miss.

You're embarrassing yourself, Miss.

Miss.

Please...

Are you alright?

Qin, Mr. Shen.

What are you two doing?

Hua...

Hua Zhi, you're back.

Zhi.

The ground here is all sandy,

and you might slip easily.

Please be very careful as you walk.

Mr. Shen has come to visit us,

and mother asked me to see him out.

But I fell down on Mr. Shen by accident.

Zhi,

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 I haven't got them back.

Let me hold your horse for you

No need.

I held it all the way here,

I can't take care of it.

You'd better get back home now.

I...

You don't need to com 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 won't

last long.

We're on our own now.

Besides,

we're basically

strangers except for that pre-arranged marriage.

You didn't strike me

as a shameless person before.

You just couldn't wait, huh?

Madam Xia,

Qin just wanted to ease your burdens.

Is that so?

Find a reliable man

to support the family,

and save us all.

Mr. Shen ran like a rabbit.

We can't count on such a man.

Still talking about men.

Save your breath.

It was exactly a man

who almost took all the money away

from us.

Yingzhen.

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

but still didn't get any money back.

And unfortunately,

she was even taken away by the spies

from the Seven Constellations Bureau.

Let's not talk about

whether we will get implicated.

It will be so lucky that

if she returns in one piece.

I have returned unscathed

without dragging any of us into that.

Zhi.

Hua Zhi.

You're back.

Are you alright?

Thank god.

I couldn't even help a little.

The credit is all yours, Mr. Zhong.

I have brought back all the books.

Not a single one is missing.

You should rest first.

Don't worry about other things for now.

Miss Zhi.

I've got something to say.

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 have let Chen Zhi get away that easy,

devious men like him

would have been robber us one day.

I want to let people know

that even if we're just a bunch of women,

we are not afraid of getting things escalated,

and putting up a fight with them

even though we get hurt for that.

If they take anything away from us,

I will not let them off without a scracth.

I will throw them into prison

and make everybody know.

From today,

no one will have the guts

to rob us like Chen Zhi did.

Grandma.

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

They did not trouble me.

Please, have a seat.

What is this?

It concerns many people,

I can't keep it to myself.

I've given it some thoughts,

and I'm gonna let you keep it.

Did you hide these away

on the day our house got raided.

Zhi,

You're an honest kid.

I didn't know you would do this.

Grandpa never ceased his literary work throughout his life,

and he was a man of integrity.

I can't save Grandpa,

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,

You've done a great merit.

Then I'll leave you to it, Grandma.

It's your rest time.

What do you think of Zhi?

Madam Hua.

I can't tell what she is thinking,

so I'd rather not say.

But the way

she deals with things

was just like that of my late husband.

She takes after you even more.

She's just as stubborn as her grandma,

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 all for you.

Did I scare you?

Did you make the ointments?

Shaoyao.

How do I use this?

Can you teach me?

Silly man.

Soft kitty, soft kitty.

The pain flies away.

How is Madam Hua doing?

She went through a lot these days,

I'm afraid she needs some times to heal.

She's been coughing a lot today,

bring the soup to her first.

Boli.

Come here.

This is for Boli.

Mom.

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?

We don't have money for that.

I'm speaking to my son.

Mind your own business.

Boli, we can have the porridge in our room.

Slow down.

Zhi.

Be careful.

Don't get your hand hurt.

Be careful.

Yingzhen.

Speaking of which,

Haven't Shen Qi

agreed to the marriage with Zhi?

And until now

they haven't sent anyone

to call off the engagement, have they?

I'm thinking

it can't be worse for us anyway.

For Zhi's sake,

if we try to

go to them for help...

Madam Xia, forget it.

We can't count on them now.

Fine.

You just won't listen, huh?

Anyway,

we will run out of food

within no time.

You always care little about others.

you can just see us

starve to death.

Wake up.

We're on my own now.

We were a noble family in the past,

of course the Shen family wanted to be in-laws with our family.

But now look

where we end up?

Nobody wants to be dragged into this?

Do you wanna get back to your fancy usual life again

by letting your daughters get married?

Even if a princess were to marry,

she wouldn't bring along

the whole family with her.

Jin'e.

Are you okay?

I'm fine, Jin'e.

Yuniang,

there're few choices left for us

after all that happened.

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,

we can't even survive tomorrow.

Madam Hua

wouldn’t agree to this for sure.

But now she is

lying in bed

without any extra energy.

We had no other choices,

I’m afraid this is the only way.

Zhi.

I know

you don't like this.

But I really don’t know

who else can I turn to as my company?

No worries.

We can just hang around

in the city today.

It's the first time that

I walk on my feet

on the way to my parent's 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.

And she didn't want those nursemaids

to bind my feet,

so she did that herself in tears.

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.

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'd feel bad

and worry about my condition.

Aunt Wu.

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 Jin'e is like.

How about this?

I’ll just ask for fifty strings of cash coins.

Use the money

to pay the monthly allowance first

to make them complain less.

The meal expenses,

and the costs of Madam Hua's medicine.

It should make do.

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.

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.

Mother.

Yu.

You...

You’d better leave.

Mother.

What did you say?

Your father

is a government official.

And

your brothers...

Yu.

Go home.

When things come down,

I'll take to your father

and see what we can do for you.

Thank you, mother.

Yu.

Are you still there?

Tell me if you need anything.

I...

I will get you everything you need,

and I'll figure out

how to send things to you

after a while.

Did you bring it?

Madam.

How do I look?

[Xia Mansion]

Who is it?

It's

Madam Xia from the Hua Mansion.

It's me, Jin'e.

Go tell my parents.

Let’s go.

We should head back.

Jin’e.

My Jin’e, you finally come back.

Mama.

Papa.

Come on in.

Come on.

Move.

Aunt Wu.

You must feel unwell

with an empty stomach for so long.

Come, sit down.

I'll get you some water.

Zhi, don't.

It's not my stomach.

What's wrong then?

Why didn't you tell me?

Does Uncle Pingyang know?

It is still young.

Not to mention

the current situation of our family.

I think it's not the right timing.

Zhi.

People say

having something sour would help.

Try it.

You're a smart girl.

Haven't you heard about

the story of the bitter plums by the road?

These red fruits are already out of season.

If they were tasty,

none would be left for us.

These are called hawthorns.

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.

You didn't mention people would eat the fruits.

Have a try.

It might help, you never know.

It's really delicious.

Is it?

So sour.

You'd better spit it out.

These red fruits are sour like crazy.

Just let me enjoy it.

Enjoy more.

I'll get you some later.

Don't run, you thieves!

How dare you steal my fruits?

I spent my life

taking care of the grove.

I'm just a lonely old woman

and this is all I have.

A load of firewood

is worth five wen.

A whole basket of red fruits

is worth three wen only.

And it takes me two hours to the downtown and sell them.

How dare you?

You are heartless.

I'm sorry, old lady.

We thought they were wild berries.

Old lady.

I'm pregnant.

Take my earrings.

We don't have food at home,

and I've got bad appetite.

So she picked some for me.

We'll leave now.

You're pregnant?

Wait.

Here.

Take it.

Zhi.

Why is life so bitter?

Take the money back to them.

Mama,

how could you?

You're asking me to give the money to those women

and leave my own children,

and live in stealth by myself.

Jin'e.

They're so little and cute.

Making the decision also tears our heart apart.

After all, they're the Huas' blood.

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?

Just kick me out since I'm one of that family.

Jin'e.

Please.

You father has pulled so many strings

to have you back.

He's taking risks

letting you step in here.

Your father is just

a little merchant in the Imperial Capital.

Mama,

How can I

just care for myself?

Besides,

maybe there's still hope

for Boyu.

Don't have any false hope.

Your man

is beyond hope of survival.

I have already found you a lawyer,

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 those Hua women

to live here.

I will not allow that.

Jin'e.

Mama's darling.

Just say yes.

How can I

watch you live a life

so miserably?

Mama.

You're right.

But Duo and Ling

are also my darlings.

Papa.

Mama.

I'm afraid

we have disagreements.

From now on,

I won't set a foot in here anymore.

Jin'e.

Madam.

Don't be upset.

They love you more than anyone else,

but they have their struggles.

Of course.

They have their struggles.

Who doesn't?

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 can say yes

to anything.

But now

I am a mother myself,

I cannot step back,

I must protect them.

I was just surprised that

they didn't even

see my kids as their family.

Madam.

Madam.

You fool.

That is made of copper.

Nothing expensive.

Let's go.

Let's go buy some persimmons.

Madam.

Take it.

Duo loves persimmons.

Let's go.

I've bought everything.

Don't worry.

I went to every single bookstore

in and outside the city.

All the medical books that I can find

are here.

How much does it cost?

It's nothing.

You don't have to pay me back.

Either you give me a number

about the book cost,

or you can practice at the martial camp

three days in a row under my supervision.

Thirty string of cash coins, eight hundred and fifty-two wen.

Boss.

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, alright?

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

See? if you drink it,

you can have candied plums.

No.

No.

No!

Please.

You will get better this way.

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.

It's for her own good,

If she doesn't try this decoction...

So all these years

this is how you've been treated her.

If she has to suffer like this

just because of her mental retardation.

I think it might be better

to stay that way

all her life.

She is your sister.

You're in a more rightful position

to make the decision for her.

Go to the accounts room and pay a string of coins to the doctor.

Send him off.

Will do.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Xi.

Now that you are here,

spend some time with her.

I will leave you two to it.

It's cold on the ground,

go back to your room.

Don't move.

I will carry you back, okay?

Is that alright?

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 understand medicine

and you know about your sickness,

right?

No.

It's nothing like that, brother.

I'm not sick.

I am...

I am scared.

What are you scared of?

I'm scared that

if I've grown up,

I won't remember mama anymore.

If I don't remember her,

then no one will

in this world.

Silly girl.

I remember mama.

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 get healthy one day.

There's no other way.

She's suffered for ten years.

Must she suffer for the rest of her life?

Or what?

She can't keep living her life

like a madwoman

for the rest of her life.

Shaoyao is not crazy.

Would a father

harm his own daughter?

Have you ever

seen her as your 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.

And what about you?

When have you ever

considered me as your father?

Deep down, that man from Chenglu Palace,

that's your only father.

I will deal with

Shaoyao's illness.

I've heard it clearly

someone cries every night

in Princess Zhou's mansion.

There's more.

Keep it between us.

When I passed by that place yesterday morning,

I saw that the cracks between the tiles

were oozing blood.

I've heard

that Princess Zhou

was holding that girl from West Garden in her arms

when she immolated herself.

Is that

because she didn't get what she wanted,

an omen occurred?

It's been ten years, can you believe it?

Your Highness.

Mother.

Mother.

Do you have something to say?

Shaoyao.

Mother.

No.

Mother.

Xi.

It's me.

Aunt Xiao, what brings you here?

I came to see you.

I just heard you calling out for mother.

Xi,

Whatever you were dreaming about,

there's no need to hide it.

Did you dream of your mother?

You can say it.

You still miss her,

you still can't let 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

in the old days.

If only on that night,

I had been by her side,

Perhaps all of this

wouldn't have happened.

Even when she immolated herself,

she only took Shaoyao with her,

without leaving me a single word.

Perhaps

She didn't want me as a son.

How could that be?

I have no children of my own,

but I know how hard could it be

when it comes to pregnancy.

It tears you apart.

Your mother wouldn’t have forgotten you,

it's just like

you wouldn't have fotgotten her.

Aunt Xiao,

Thank goodness you rushed into the fire that day

and saved Shaoyao.

These scars on your body.

We owed

you that.

Anyone would have done the same.

Not to mention the bond between your mother and me.

Back then

I married to 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.

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 apologige.

We're family.

Don't be.

Zhi.

What are you looking at?

There's no more firelight over there.

The spies have actually withdrawn.

Probably

they just quit

since there's nothing juicy about us.

Aunt Wu, are you hungry?

Is there anything you'd like to eat?

There's millions of things

that I want to eat.

Go on.

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 the adults

to think about how to save our family.

Aunt Wu's pregnant.

Mr. Zhong and Grandma 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 Called-off Letter]

Madam Shen.

Thank you for your concern.

Madam Hua 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 Miss Zhi at home?

Why haven't I seen her?

Zhi.

She went out early this morning.

What unfortunate timing.

Older sister.

I've come to see you.

You must have been suffered a lot

these days.

You must find it miserable

for us to stay in such a place.

How are you and your husband 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 trouble,

my apologies.

A woman at my age

has seen it all.

Today,

you must have come here for some reason.

Our two families

always have a strong bond.

But who knows?

When...

It's nothing.

Please continue.

Nothing special.

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.

♪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♪