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]

[Episode 6]

Shopkeeper.

Young Lady,

why is it you again?

Not teasing you this time.

There are dozens of people in our family

waiting for their meal.

Even if you pawn yourself,

you can still not feed all people for long.

Don't worry.

Shopkeeper,

please do me a favor.

Add a bit more, please.

Alright, let me see.

Miss,

how about 120 Wen?

Thank you, shopkeeper.

Okay.

[Yongchang Pawnshop] This year's new rice!

Rice!

This year's new rice!

Baoxia,

whether you buy it or rent it,

get a table

and a chair quickly.

We won't return to the village, will we?

No, we won't.

I'll buy some red paper and ink.

After tomorrow, it's New Year's Day.

Guests, please come inside.

How about we go have a drink?

What is this for?

This young lady

looks quite charming.

I recognize her.

Isn't she the young lady

from the Hua family?

That day, when she got off

from the carriage of the Hua family,

I saw it very clearly.

I remember now.

It's the Hua family

that was subjected to home seizure.

Right, right, exactly.

The Hua family with four scholars.

It's her.

What is this for?

This is...

It turns out she is drawing Spring Festival couplets.

Spring Festival couplets?

What a pity!

My house's Spring Festival couplets for this year

have already been posted on.

Young lady,

just writing characters won't do, will it?

Exactly.

Do you have any other special talents?

Show them all.

Let us all have a look.

That's right.

Show it off a bit.

Sing a tune.

Do you know how?

With your little face

and petite figure,

can you dance or not?

Right.

Come and show us.

Let me have a look.

Let's go back.

I would rather starve to death

than suffer this humiliation.

There's no shame in making money through our skills.

Keep grinding.

Isn't that so?

Why be so shy

when you're out in public?

Exactly.

What can I say?

This, this...

[Ruifu Restaurant]

The New Year is approaching.

Spring Festival couplets?

What are these Spring Festival couplets?

Young lady,

write one for me to see.

How do you write the characters for "Spring Festival"?

And how do you write the character for "couplets"?

Why buy Spring Festival couplets if you can't read?

Scarce while you can.

You've got quite the sharp tongue.

Why bother listening?

I say,

write another one for everyone to see.

Yes, indeed.

Let us have a look.

Have a look, will you?

Write one, write one.

Write one, write one.

Write one, write one.

Write one, write one.

Write one, write one.

Write one.

Write one...

Excuse me, excuse me,

excuse me.

Where did this person come from?

Who is this?

Yes, indeed.

A modest tip for the brush.

I hope you will not reject this.

Where did this guy come from?

What characters would you like, Mister?

I'll leave it up to you, Miss.

Where should it be hung?

To hang it...

Just outside my study room.

What can she write?

Actually, it is quite well-written.

Not bad.

She really has some tricks up her sleeve!

Yes, indeed.

A good phrase.

Fine characters.

What a magnificent aura.

The brushwork even bears the style of masters.

You flatter me, Mister.

I am grateful for your generosity

in bestowing on me your brushwork.

I look up to your elegant style.

It's my honor to take it.

I was here first.

I was here first.

Me first.

Don't fight me for it.

Let me do it, let me.

I was here first.

Get out of the way.

Why the pushing?

Back off, you there.

I was here first.

Me first, me first.

What nonsense!

Why did you tear it?

After all,

it was bought with money.

Just joining in on the fun.

Just to take a look at the young lady.

The Hua family is so unlucky.

I, I certainly don't want to stick it in my house.

You dare?

But, you see,

if she would

agree to be my concubine,

then I could possibly

consider it.

That makes sense.

Forget it, I don't want it anymore.

Yes, getting involved with the Hua family

could only bring us a plague deity

instead of good luck.

Let's go.

I...

What's wrong?

Take a look at the floral cloth.

Look, look.

You try one.

Then I'll do it.

I'll sell this cheap.

Stop writing.

They're just bored

and playing tricks on you.

Come take a look at this!

They do it out of boredom; I do it for money.

Isn't this the best for both?

Are you going to buy it or not?

If you're not buying, don't get in our way

to look at the young lady.

Yeah, exactly.

Exactly.

We are still waiting for it.

Today,

I, Shen Qi, has learned another lesson.

You said the other day

that we have no relation to each other.

That's not the case.

I admire you

and respect you.

Since the first time we met at the coppersmith's,

it has been this way.

Even if you are not a member of the Hua family,

even if you are not a girl,

I still want to be your friend

and your confidant.

Of course, no problem.

Are you going to let her do business?

He is going.

Isn't this causing trouble?

Exactly.

Such deep affection and loyalty!

Your Excellency,

there is some intelligence.

[There is suspicion of financial collusion between the Shen and Hua families]

From now on,

you don't need to send me

such unsubstantiated news anymore.

Yes, Your Excellency.

Go

and buy a pair of Spring Festival couplets.

It's for the New Year's Day.

Yes.

Please wait, sir.

Step back.

Could you tell me how to get to the city's pharmacy?

You don't recognize me?

You are the one who seized my house.

Then why do you ask me?

The Hua family bears the guilt; when I ask them,

either they dare not speak

or they just deceive me recklessly.

So I can only ask you.

Aren't you afraid of me?

No.

You're not afraid of me every time.

Our family is now as insignificant as ants.

You, the Seven-Star Bureau, carry out cases by imperial decree

and have been closely watching us.

You disdain to kill me

and are unable to kill me.

It seems

that your profit is quite substantial today.

Look,

along that alley,

turn left,

and when you see the stone lion, you're there.

I heard that Shen was engaged to you.

Now that the marriage is off,

you've started to appear in public

and given up on yourself.

If appearing in public

equals giving up on oneself,

then you, who cover your face all day long

and avoid people,

shunning even the daylight,

aren't the world's foremost

paragon of virtue and propriety?

I just saw Shen

coming to buy your Spring Festival couplets.

Truly a pair of ill-fated lovers.

Quite sigh-inducing.

I've long had no ties with the Shen family.

Shen bought it;

everyone in the city also bought it;

could they all be related to the Hua family?

Why are you in such a hurry to clear the connection?

You want to protect him, huh?

Do you hate me?

In private,

you and I are strangers.

In public,

you and my grandfather both serve as court officials.

Your Excellency enjoys the emperor's grace.

The Hua family bears the emperor's wrath.

I'm just uncertain about

whether this wrath will

fall upon your head or not.

What does these couplets mean?

Can't you read?

I only recognize half of it.

What do you mean you only recognize half?

I recognize the first half of the sentence.

It's a fine verse by Song Yanqing.

Descending Mount Song, my thoughts are manifold.

Accompanied by a beauty, our steps linger.

Among the pines, the bright moon is always like this.

When will you roam again?

With such a scene,

complemented by your latter half,

all elegance is lost.

Now without the bright moon or a beauty.

Your Excellency,

is your carriage broken?

Why does it travel so slowly?

Anyway,

you shouldn't have left the lady behind

and let her come back alone.

How come I can't make you understand?

It was she who asked me to return first

to bring you food.

You always blame me.

The lady has returned.

My Lady.

Move everything down.

My Lady, are you alright?

We've got everything for eating and using;

even the medicine for Madam Hua has been prepared.

So why are you still not happy?

Zhi,

These...

These...

All of these are earned by you?

At least there's no need to go hungry

on New Year's Eve.

Come.

Come on, hurry and move.

Madam Hua,

drink some more hot soup.

There's actually meat in today's soup!

Everyone, eat up.

In the past,

not even the family dog would eat it.

But now,

it has become a rare delicacy.

Boli,

there's meat today,

eat more of it.

It's really delicious.

Isn't it?

Now, just smelling this hint of

meat aroma

feels like ushering in the New Year.

Aunt Qi, have you lost your wits?

Tonight is indeed New Year's Eve!

Is it?

Then I didn't know

whether the lord and masters

would be able to have a warm meal.

I really want to have another reunion dinner.

Even if it's just a poor life,

as long as the family

is together, that's good enough.

Then let's eat up.

Don't waste Zhi's effort.

Eat up quickly.

Eat.

Eat.

Eat, eat.

Zhi,

you must be exhausted.

Aunt Wu.

I saved up five coppers today

to buy something for you.

What is it?

Fried plums.

(Jin's)

There is some candy for

Madam Hua's medicine left.

I tried frying the plums you brought back last time

with some sugar.

Madam Wu, please have a taste.

Delicious, Hua Zhi.

You try it.

It's too sour.

Delicious, I'm not kidding you.

Fudong,

You really have a knack for this.

Delicious!

If you ask me,

this is even tastier than

Jin's fried plums;

Those plums cost five coppers per pack.

Now you know they cost five coppers.

If Fudong puts her heart into it,

I'm afraid Jin's would have to close shop.

If Madam Wu likes them,

I could actually try to make some

according to Jin's flavor.

It's just that I don't know where these red fruits

come from.

To the east, three miles from this village,

there's a grove,

filled with red fruits.

If you go to pick them again,

remember to take some food along

to feed the old widow living there.

Okay.

With only an old woman and a child,

they cannot pick them,

or sell them.

That's why they're left until winter

to let us get such a good deal.

Now in this world,

there are truly many pitiable people.

And now there is

our big family included.

Come here,

Come.

Zhi,

right now,

do you have a moment?

Madam Xia, please speak.

You can leave for now.

It was only yesterday that I found out

what it means that the jingle of coppers

sounds like the music of immortals.

You know,

Ling's writing was counted as the best

in the mansion before.

Next time, bring your younger sister along

to write Spring Festival couplets together.

I won't go.

I thought it was something important.

It's a wonder you were also born into

a family of courtesy traditions,

even my two maids are ashamed to do

such an embarrassing act on the street.

Today, I will make things clear.

I would rather starve to death

than earn this filthy money.

Does having read a few lines of text

mean that one can live on air?

How did I give birth to someone like you,

a girl impermeable to persuasion?

You won't write it, will you?

Isn't there a ready-made one?

Mother,

this is my Early Spring Creek Journey painting.

Don't touch it!

You... You don't touch it!

What's this West Journey or East Journey?

After eating dust bunnies for so many days,

when has this thing

ever filled our stomachs?

You might as well give it to your elder sister

to sell for a good sum of money.

At least it will stave off hunger.

Give it to me!

You... you...

Give it to me!

You...

Today, I'd rather burn it

than sell it.

Fine.

Go ahead and burn it.

Burn it!

Burn it!

Go ahead and burn it!

If you have the nerve,

then burn it all.

If you don't put an end to this idea today,

I'm afraid that in the future,

you will focus all your attention on

these trivial matters.

Trivial matters?

You used to boast to everyone about

how talented I was;

no matter how I tried to persuade you,

you would not listen.

Today, you have finally spoken the truth.

You have never truly thought

that I had any strengths,

only taking me

to show off in front of others!

You...

Madam Xia,

today marks the end of the New Year's celebration.

After the festival celebration,

whether it's couplets or calligraphy,

most have lost their appeal.

I just took advantage of

the fanfare of our family's stall.

Once the novelty wears off,

I fear no one will show interest.

This is not a long-term solution.

Hua Ling need not get involved.

That wretched girl.

No matter how much we earn,

every copper counts.

The year has passed,

but what will we eat in the future?

There are as many ways to make money as you can imagine.

I'm just afraid you won't agree.

Zhi,

before I was married,

I was used to handling the abacus.

The trades I handled were much more

than the streets you have ever wandered through.

You, a young girl,

need not advise me.

It's just

that engaging in trade is considered lowly.

It's alright for a temporary fix,

but if it's taken as a long-term plan,

I'm afraid

it's resigning ourselves to a lower status.

If you says so, then it is so.

My Lady,

Mr. Shen has arrived.

Mr. Shen,

You have come.

Madam Xia.

The news I've just received

is that the Ministry of Justice has concluded the trial.

And the masters are without risk to their lives.

Heavens bless!

Following the conclusion,

the male members of your family will be escorted in batches

to be exiled to the north.

The side branches have already set out today.

In three days' time, early in the morning,

the masters

are to be escorted out of the city.

Outside the Wansheng Gate there's a Shili Pavilion,

all those who are exiled

will linger for a moment in the pavilion

to examine their identities.

If you wish to meet them,

then it shall be here.

But not many can go;

at most two or three people.

Otherwise, I'm afraid the officials won't allow the meeting.

Alright.

Thank you for informing me.

I will go and discuss it with Madam Hua at once.

Hua Zhi,

it's inconvenient for me to stay here any longer.

Three days from now, early in the morning

I will wait outside the bamboo forest

to take three ladies along

to Shili Pavilion for the meeting.

If there's anything you wish to send to them,

take it all along.

I've heard that

in the Northern Land, where water drips to form ice,

the snow has yet to melt in April and May.

My husband has always been sensitive to the cold.

Now, going up north in this season,

how will he endure it?

Let alone the Lord.

Zhi went shopping yesterday,

and I remember she brought back some fabric.

Yes.

Spring is upon us,

and I intended to have clothes made for everyone.

No.

Bring all that fabric here.

Make them into padded jackets.

Remember,

they must be made larger.

And bring those previously purchased by Mr. Shen

as well.

Take them apart,

take out the cotton batting,

and stuff it into heavy clothing.

Bring along a few maids

to buy more needles and thread.

The sturdier the better.

Yes.

Besides our own men,

the men from the side lines

must not be forgotten either.

Their families

are mostly without news.

There's not much they can prepare.

Within three days,

no matter what,

we must produce forty-three pieces

of cotton clothing.

No man from our Hua family

should freeze to death out there.

Yes,

Madam Hua.

Don't use up all the cotton batting;

lay it out thinly in three layers

and leave a layer inside.

Otherwise,

the masters won't freeze to death,

but we will all be frozen.

Do you understand?

Yes!

If we know

which ones are for the masters

I'll lay them out extra thick.

My sister,

you're confused.

The ones for the masters

are naturally sewn by the ladies.

When will it be our turn to do that?

The work we do

is mostly for the male relatives.

Yuzhu,

Honglei,

and Lianyou.

You three, come with me.

Yes.

Where are the people?

Don't you all have eyes?

Come and help quickly.

Madam,

what nice things

have you gotten again?

So much of it!

It smells so good!

Those masters

are about to set off.

Whether they can return is not certain.

We can't let them

go on the road on an empty stomach.

I went into town

and bought Zhang's roasted mutton,

Sheng's roast chicken,

and a few jars of Tusu wine.

Mother,

where did you get the money to buy all this?

I sold Yuzhu

and your

two maids.

What?

Lianyou and Honglei

have been with me for so long.

What gives you the right to sell them

without my consent?

Why are you all

staring at me like this?

These maids

were originally bought by me

and I hold their servitude contracts.

Now that we are driven to a dead end,

what's wrong with

selling them?

After much thought, I've come to an understanding.

Rather than suffering together,

with some stealing

and some running away,

it's better to hand them over to a broker.

The money earned by

selling a maid

can support an entire household

for half a month.

What are you all gathered here for?

Move it inside!

Fudong,

you belong to me,

not to Madam Xia.

Don't be afraid.

But my servitude contract

is still with Madam Xia.

My Lady,

I've been sold through several hands.

Luckily, I met a fine lady like Madam,

a Buddha-like mistress.

And that's how I've survived up till now.

If I were to be sold again,

I would surely not survive.

Come.

Let me do it.

Shaoyao,

are you happy today?

I've talked to father about it;

there will never be

a physician here.

Even they won't come anymore?

Even them?

If the physicians come,

I can at least argue with them.

If they don't come,

who can I talk to?

I...

The cat can't talk.

Yes, indeed.

Isn't it?

Aunt Xiao is so busy,

she probably doesn't have time to accompany you.

What about those maids then?

Are there anyone you like?

Then, after I'm done with my work,

I'll come to keep you company every day.

Okay?

How much time can I accompany her daily?

Mercy, please!

Spare my life!

Don't be afraid.

I'll go have a look.

Greetings to Your Excellency.

What's the matter?

These maids have been disrespectful to the former princess.

I've been ordered to rectify the household.

In what way disrespectful?

And whose orders are you following?

These gossips and discussions,

I wouldn't dare repeat them.

It's the Princess Xiao who really couldn't stand it anymore,

and thus she had me deal with it.

You can go now.

Yes.

Blood...

Boss,

that's Prince Ling's Mansion.

You can come and go as you please.

But if we get caught, then...

Then just don't get caught.

You go tonight.

Do as I say.

Yes.

[Hua Boyu]

Boyu is growing up so fast.

I don't know how long the clothes will fit.

Jin'e,

I still have some cotton padding left here.

Let's add it to Boyu's clothing.

The child can't catch cold.

Take it.

Where...

Where did this orange come from?

I went to town to shop yesterday.

I saw a vendor selling oranges.

I originally wanted to buy a few to take home.

But I was reluctant to spend the money.

I felt upset inside.

So I followed that vendor

and walked a long way.

Guess what?

From his load,

an orange fell out.

I quickly picked it up.

Back in the mansion,

who would fancy oranges?

Let's not talk about this.

Just eat it.

No, no.

Why would I eat it?

You foolish girl,

you think I don't know?

You are always with Zhi

sneaking around

and vomiting behind people's backs.

I'm experienced in that.

This is just

a matter of getting familiar with repetitions.

Quickly eat it.

Jin'e,

I really don't want it.

Fudong made me

quite a few fried red fruits.

They are enough to eat.

Duo is the youngest.

Let Duo have it.

She's losing her baby teeth.

She can't eat sour things.

Jin'e,

I truly won't eat it.

Thank you, Jin'e.

Not until you recite a passage from Mencius tomorrow

can you eat one.

They were brought out

of the mansion with difficulty.

After this,

I don't know if there will be any more.

Come in.

Huilan,

give it to Boli.

He is pressured to study all day.

Such a poor thing.

Yingzhen,

your Bolin is older than Boli.

So I have to give it to Boli.

It's alright.

He's a young fellow.

Even if he studies diligently all night,

it's just as it should be.

No need.

Take it.

Yingzhen,

how did you still keep some money?

It's no big deal for us to suffer a little.

Even if we have to beg, we'll survive.

This

silver I saved up painstakingly

must be used first for the men.

They say a poor family must make for a rich journey.

With high mountains and long roads,

they at least

should have some money by their side.

So,

I was thinking

to sew this silver

inside their clothes

and send it to them.

You have some, too?

The other day,

Zhi gave them to me.

That's all we two,

mother and child, have.

Then,

should we

let them know?

Absolutely not.

Madam Hua

asked us to hand over money before,

but we tightly clutched onto it.

But now,

if others find out,

what should we say then?

Huilan,

I'll follow your advice.

Your Highness,

you really are a kind person.

Every wrong has a perpetrator, every debt has a debtor.

You must absolutely

never come to me.

Absolutely...

Is this the Hall of King Yama?

Spare my life!

Spare my life!

Chen Qing,

go outside and keep watch.

Don't let anyone in.

Yes.

You, you are...

You are the son of Prince?

Since you recognize me,

you must be someone from our mansion.

What is your name?

Your Highness, please spare my life.

I, your servant, am surnamed Dong.

I work in the mansion's kitchen.

Why were you in my mother's courtyard,

burning paper, lighting incense,

and even spilling dog blood?

I...

I have wronged the princess...

I has grown old,

and next year,

I will have to leave the mansion.

But over these years,

I have had nightmares every night,

fearing the princess' wronged spirit

might come to claim my life.

Having no other choice,

I resorted to such despicable acts.

Explain it clearly.

How have you wronged her?

That day,

it was the Lantern Festival,

when the mansion was filled with people everywhere;

it was bustling until late at night;

only the Princess' residence

was quiet and deserted.

I, I

stole a few silver items.

With nowhere to hide them,

I came to the outside of the princess' courtyard,

intending to bury them there first

and dig them up later

to sell.

But then I suddenly heard

a loud noise from the courtyard.

Just like...

Just like a small firecracker had gone off.

Immediately after,

flames erupted in the courtyard.

I heard the princess crying for help.

When the fire had just started,

no one was aware.

I originally wanted to run to the courtyard entrance

to see what was happening.

Put out the fire!

But I saw

quite a few people coming over.

I was scared to death then,

I could only run away.

Later, I heard that

the princess couldn't escape alive.

I kept thinking afterward,

if I hadn't run away at that time,

whether it would...

Later, there was a heavy rain,

and only then was the fire put out.

The princess' residence

was burnt to a pitch black.

I feel guilty in my heart.

After some days had passed,

I went to pay respects with incense and candles.

However, I saw

a layer of white frost

on those pitch-black tiles.

That must be the princess' restless spirit.

She...she has shown her spirit.

I will let you go today.

But there's one thing.

Think carefully about the past event.

If you remember anything,

pull this signal banner,

and someone will bring you to see me.

If the clue is useful,

I will reward you handsomely.

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

I'll keep it on my mind.

Guards,

take him out.

The first bow.

The second bow.

The third bow.

[In memory of the late and venerable Mrs. Zhou]

The family expresses gratitude.

Wipe it off.

Your snot has dripped onto your clothes.

Here you go.

I came with Censor Hua.

I just now at the memorial hall

watched for a long time.

All those officials were pretending to cry,

only you were truly shedding tears.

I really can't understand that

the princess is such a good person,

but except for you, a child,

there's actually no one

willing to shed tears for her.

You...

recognize her?

That night,

I got lost in the garden

and blundered in here.

The princess not only did not blame me

but also sent an old nanny

to escort me out.

My mother has always lived alone

with no nanny by her side.

You are mistaken.

Is she your mother?

That child could come to Prince Ling's Mansion with Hua Yizheng.

Either she's really a child servant,

or a young relative of the Hua family.

She should be about eighteen or nineteen years old now.

She had seen that so-called nanny.

Boss,

I have sent him away.

These days, I will have Monkey

keep a close watch on him.

The Hua family's men are exiled today.

When do they set off?

At Mao hour.

Yingzhen,

I asked Bolin for a pair of shoes.

you must bring them to Boyu.

The child's feet are tender;

walking such a long distance,

he surely can't endure.

Thanks a lot.

Good, handle it carefully.

Yes, Madam.

Once Mr. Shen's carriage arrives,

Huilan, Jin'e,

You two accompany me.

Yes.

Yes.

You troublemaker!

Before, I used to turn a blind eye

and overlooked things as they were.

But today,

you dare to openly go to

bid farewell to Hua Yizheng.

Do you insist on dragging down your grandpa

and father until they die before you're satisfied?

♪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♪