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 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 a novel with the same title in MIGU]

[Episode 8]

Just go to sleep.

When recovered,

just clean the blanket

and return it.

Just lie down.

Come on,

Be careful.

Gentle.

Does it hurt?

The way you lost your temper just now

was quite impressive.

Now you feel the pain?

Don't move!

I'll take off your bloodied clothes

and wrap up the wound with them.

The wound has been wrapped.

How is she now?

The dressing is changed. She's asleep now.

You should get some sleep too.

Do you think I'm getting senile?

I actually agreed

to let her go alone.

She's young and strong.

She'll be fine.

Don't get too worried.

Oh,

the tonic boluses we brought from home,

is there any left?

Yes.

Just not much.

They'll last a few more days for you.

I don't need them.

Send them to Hua Zhi.

Well...

She is young,

she has to recover fully.

Indeed.

She is thoughtful.

This trip,

I'm afraid it has hurt more than just her body.

Zhi,

it was all mother's fault.

Sister,

it was all my fault.

I'm sorry, to you

and to Hua Zhi.

Sister,

It's okay. It's over now.

Earlier today,

I was too proud

to say something nice.

Hua Zhi had her reason

to be unhappy.

Don't be sad.

Look at yourself,

are you acting like a young lady

from an official family?

You must be careful on the road.

If you can't catch up with them,

then let it be.

Trading is a lowly profession after all.

If you take it as a long-term plan,

I'm afraid

it is to degrade yourself.

Hua Zhi,

where did all these quilts come from?

Just lie down.

Why ask so many questions?

Give this to BoLi,

save him from being forced to reciting books.

Poor child.

Stop this nonsense.

You, an unmarried girl,

how can you

bargain with those merchants?

Don't ever

give me money again.

I won't take your money anymore.

Either way, it was my fault.

Just go to sleep.

When you recovered from the injury,

wash the quilt

and return it.

They are all domestic women.

They have no real abilities indeed.

But when something happens to you,

at least,

you'll have someone waiting for you at home,

worried about you.

Sometimes, the closer people are

the deeper the rift between them.

As if there's a sheet of paper between you two.

Only when the paper is torn.

can you see each other's true heart.

As long as you find the right star,

you can reach your destination.

Grandmother.

Zhi,

are you feeling better today?

Much better.

There’s something

I want to talk to you.

What if I don't agree?

Do you want to

get rid of your mother and Aunt Xia

and work on your own?

I want to take charge of the household and manage things.

But why?

I have an idea.

Perhaps it'll work.

It'll save us

and Grandfather and the others.

Tell me about it.

According to the Daqing Criminal Law,

volume 29, article 65,

apart from the ten abominations,

flogging, beating with sticks, penal servitude, exile, and execution,

can all be redeemed.

Depending on the severity of the punishment,

redemption can be made with money.

How much money is required?

200, 000 coins a year for penal servitude,

300,000 for a two-thousand-mile exile,

and 500,000 for a three-thousand-mile exile.

As for hanging and beheading,

that'll be 1.2 million.

Forty-three people,

half a million each,

21.5 million in total.

♪Soothing the surging waves♪

♪Only love brings light♪

Over twenty millions?

Hua Zhi,

I know that you're knowledgable

and you love the family.

But,

that number is...

I'll just be honest with you.

That's impossible.

Not to mention our current situation,

even back then,

by selling all our properties,

added with the salaries of the lord

and his sons,

we still couldn't

get so much money.

Yes.

Hua Zhi is too young

to understand the hardship of managing a household.

My dear,

nowadays, for a common family,

if the husband and wife work day and night,

they can earn up to 2000 per month.

After buying the food and clothing,

they'll have nothing left.

Making thousands is already quite a feat.

My parents' family gets by on

Just five-hundred a month.

Indeed.

Right now,

the whole family

needs to be supported.

And Bolin, Boli,

we need to raise them.

How can we possibly

save so much money?

Madam,

Hua Zhi means well.

Please don't blame her.

Zhi,

you are too young to...

Let her speak.

Indeed, if you ask me for the money now,

or to provide

a way to make this fortune at once,

I can't do that.

Let alone you,

not even the Goddess of Wealth

can conjure up this kind of money.

But there is still a way to go.

As long as the goal is set,

I'll figure out a way to reach it.

What way?

Hua Zhi,

This is nothing like the last time.

Last time, you relied on your courage.

But now, not to mention thousands,

only for this month's food,

you can't conjure them up.

This morning, when I made porridge,

there was not a single grain left.

Baoxia,

take Yinzhu and Chanlu,

get the carriage and go to downtown,

to buy everything we need

for this month.

The rest of the money, by 20% of the old standard,

give it to the servants as their wage.

Yes,

I'll get the carriage

and set off immediately.

Go.

Where does this check

come from?

Oh my,

that was ten taels of silver!

How can you

just so easily

give it to the servants?

Quickly call them back!

Not just them.

Grandmother, aunties,

even the younger ones will all receive a monthly allowance.

There will be more next month.

From now on, we will have pocket money.

That uh...

You,

you can't do this.

Hurry up and apologize to your auntie,

and ask her to take charge again.

Quickly.

Grandmother,

As long as I'm in charge of this family,

I'll assure you we have enough to live.

Three months.

If I fail,

I'll hand the account book

back to Aunt Xia with both hands.

It has cleared up.

Yesterday it was cloudy.

Perhaps last night,

the wind blew the clouds away.

Hua Zhi,

come here.

Grandmother,

I have said what needed to be said.

As for other matters,

I truly don't know at the moment.

I wasn't going to ask more questions.

Since I've allowed you to be in charge,

the result and consequences

will be your responsibility to bear.

However, there is one thing

I need you to make a decision about.

The marriage with the Shen family?

My granddaughter is so smart.

Grandmother,

please write a letter for me

to break off the engagement.

From now on, we will make our own way

without relying on other people.

And I will take a good care of my family

in my own way.

This letter,

I will not write for you.

I will personally take you

to the Shen family to break off this engagement.

Girl,

Let's go.

Grandmother,

I'm not skilled at driving a carriage.

You might find it bumpy.

That's fine.

For dinner,

I'd like an extra bowl of rice.

Before, our carriages

were always covered.

The window was tiny, and it felt stifling sitting inside.

But today,

I get this wide view.

My mind is also broadened.

[Shen Mansion]

Madame Hua comes to visit.

Okay, just a moment.

We should stay away from them.

How could you let them in?

What do you know?

The two of them,

everyone knows who they are.

If they kept standing at our door,

we'd be in trouble.

Dear,

I can't see them myself.

Later,

Whatever they want,

just send them away.

I...

What's the fuss?

Mother.

Mother.

Are they man-eating tigers or what?

An old women and a girl

have scared you to this state.

If you want to hide, then hide.

I’ll meet with Madam Hua.

Alright.

My friend.

Madam.

Madam,

this must be your eldest granddaughter.

Indeed.

Madam, many blessings.

My old friend,

My son is still at work.

There're only us

left at home.

We apologize for any neglect.

Your son has been promoted.

His Majesty relies heavily upon him.

Naturally, he's too busy to meet guests.

This is good, though.

Without the men,

us girls

can do the talking the way we want.

Please.

Living in the manor

must be hard for you.

If you need anything,

I'll send them to you.

Or you can

carry them back using that a cart.

Life in the manor is humble indeed,

but with my granddaughter here,

We have everything we need.

I have heard about it.

Hua Zhi has been selling couplet on the street

In this imperial capital,

words have spread everywhere.

I've also heard about it.

Thanks to your grandson.

He's truly an upright

and kind-hearted child.

Back then, our lord

arranged this engagement.

He didn't choose the wrong person.

Shen Qi is preparing for the imperial examination next year.

Now,

he's been studying hard.

This engagement...

The engagement,

let's cancel it.

My friend...

I apologize for the intrusion today.

We shouldn't be here.

But I feel that

we should finish what we started.

The day you went to the manor,

was due to emotional ties,

but I can't pretend like nothing happened.

Nowadays, our two families are worlds apart.

This marriage

is inappropriate.

Today, I'll make the decision on behalf of our lord,

to annul this engagement.

Our families have been friends for generations.

It is us

who let you down.

It's just that times have changed.

However, there's one more thing.

The betrothal gifts you sent to us

along with the betrothal letters

back when we arranged the engagement

have all been confiscated.

Now,

we can't pay you back.

Let's not mention it.

Debts must be repaid.

We can't pay you back now,

it doesn't mean we won't be able to in the future.

Hua Zhi.

Please, take a look.

Is anything missing?

With embarassment, I have

written this IOU.

Please keep it safe.

[IOU]

My friend,

you're going to embarrass me to death!

A debt is debt,

has nothing to do with our friendship.

Zhi.

We won't disturb you any longer.

Take good care of yourself.

Please don't see me out.

Hua Zhi is here?

She came to break off the engagement.

Shen Qi!

Hua Zhi.

Mr. Shen?

I just wanted to tell you

a gentleman's word is his bond.

No matter what my grandmother,

Father,

or mother said,

I, Shen Qi, will keep the promise,

never to leave or forsake you.

Mr. Shen,

it's not like that.

It's my own decision to break off the engagement.

No one is forcing me.

You don't want to marry me?

Shen Qi,

you are a truly good person.

No matter who in the future

ends up marrying you,

she'll be counted as lucky.

Thank you for your generous help,

and for buying my couplets.

Thank you for coming after me

to say those words to me.

All these,

I will remember for the rest of my life.

Hurry back now.

Miss Zhi,

then, from here on,

are we

still friends?

Of course.

I'm leaving now.

Let me do it.

I can handle it.

Boss,

no wonder the girl from Hua family

doesn't want the wedding wine anymore.

She broke off the engagement with the Shen family today.

I kept watching her all the way.

Shen Qi

was limping along after her.

The two were inseparable.

I don't know what they said,

but they ended up crying.

She cried?

No, him.

A grown man

crying over a young lady.

That really is...

Boss,

since you have ordered that wine,

I believe it's important.

I think keeping it in the shop

Is inappropriate.

So I let them

bring it back.

Fudong's pastry gets tastier everyday.

I've been spoiled.

You try.

Delicious!

Hua Zhi,

you really gave me a scare today.

What on earth happened?

Where did all this money come from?

The wedding wine Uncle Pingyang prepared for me，

I pawned it.

This is half the money.

You take it.

This is your dowry.

What use is it when the marriage is called off?

This money,

I'll keep it for you for now.

Let me know when you need it.

Okay,

whatever you say.

Zhi,

is it worth it,

for this family?

Aunt Wu,

catually, I'm not that selfless.

I've just come to understand,

rather than hiding,

It's better to move forward.

I want to protect those I love,

and do what I want to do,

not just for you all,

nor for Grandfather.

It's for me.

Only by taking this step out,

can I walk further.

The farther I walk, the happier I feel.

Perhaps one day,

I will attain true freedom.

Without relying Grandfather,

I'll still be able to travel around,

to explore the world.

When that time comes,

you must write to me,

and tell me

what the mountains and oceans are like.

Alright.

Let's not talk about the far future.

Just tell me about your current tasks.

This wine money,

will be spent in less than half a year.

Livelihood,

where exactly is it based?

Right here.

No, no.

Why not?

Aunt Wu said it is delicious.

Bolin and Boli both said the same.

I just fumbled through it myself.

It's nothing presentable.

We don't need

to be that presentable right now.

Wait until there is a grand banquet for us to serve,

then you can worry.

Since you said so,

I'll give it a try.

If it doesn't work...

It’ll be okay.

I have plenty of ways.

Yingchun, Baoxia,

pick hawthorn berries every morning,

pluck stems and select the best.

Yinzhu will be in charge of rinsing.

Chanlu, Miqiu,

remove the seeds, also pick off the bad ones.

Zhegui is responsible for the firewood.

Fudong will do the cooking.

Finish your work before taking a rest.

The weather is still cool.

Washing fruits with cold water,

why don't you ask

your own maids to do it?

Fine,

Yingchun, Baoxia,

you two will be in charge of rinsing.

And you pick the red berries.

Starting from today,

anyone who does a good job will be paid double,

and if you make mistakes, your monthly pay will be halved.

Everyone, get to work!

Yes.

She's so young,

but so good at giving orders.

Let her be.

Think it as children playing house.

I'll get a few days of leisure myself.

Once she encounters difficulties,

she will realize

how hard it is to support a family.

Such a large amount of cash,

I wonder where she got it from.

I'll tell Baozhu to ask her later.

About this money,

If it comes from an improper source,

we could be in troubles.

I,

just have these endless worries.

Let's go.

and get

some more sleep.

Where is the hemostatic medicine?

Let's go,

I'll take you to find some.

It hurts so much!

When all these berries are rinsed,

my hands would be frozen off.

This is a smart way!

Stop, stop, stop!

Baoxia,

you're spoiling them!

The fire is too strong!

The honey is burnt!

My job used to be preparing pens and ink for Boli.

I have never done this sort of work!

Forget it

just get some rest.

I'll make the fire myself.

That would be the best.

Thank you, Fudong.

Hua Zhi

has been wasting food in every way possible.

It tastes as good as always.

What's good about it?

It's so sour!

No, no!

It's too sweet!

You'll get sick of it when you have a bit more.

Why are you all idling around?

Where are the red berries?

Hua Zhi,

I just went for Yinzhu and Chanlu.

They said the work given by Madam Xia

hasn't been finished yet.

So they haven't come back yet.

There's no one picking the berries.

Then I'll deduct a day's wage for everyone.

Yingchun,

from today onwards,

you no longer need to rinse berries.

You'll be the supervisor.

If anyone slacks off,

or makes any mistakes,

report it to me.

Baoxia,

come with me to pick berries.

Boss,

people from the branches of the Hua family

have all been escorted out of the city.

According to what you said,

the person we're looking for should be around 17 or 18 years old.

I've questioned

all the young ones among them.

None of them

has been to Prince Ling's Mansion as a child.

If that scholar boy is not among those exiled,

he must be one of the servants.

Now most of their servants have been disbanded.

Trying to find him

is probably like looking for a needle in the sea.

Huazhi has been back for two days.

I wonder if she has recovered.

What a coincidence!

Why are you here?

I remember you.

You're that soldier.

So I shouldn't be here, huh?

I can't listen, can I?

On the way back that day,

you seemed restless.

Did you encounter any trouble afterward?

Not at that time.

But now there's a lot of troubles.

Is that so?

Then, is there

anything I can help with?

Yes, there is.

I still have so many berries

to pick.

It seems you ultimately couldn't get off the ship.

Did you think through?

Get off the bed?

All thanks to your good words.

I'm now temporarily in charge,

steering against the wind.

Right now it's just small matters.

In the future, I must venture into danger.

He's not a soldier?

So, does he sell ships,

or beds?

Miss,

you're picking berries here?

Madam Lin.

Fudong has made some snacks.

Take them.

They're very soft.

You're offering us more tasty food?

This...

Just hurry home and have a good meal.

I'll bring you more in a few days.

Thank this lady.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go home.

Thanks a lot.

Do you know them?

They're all struggling to make a living.

How can I not help them?

Her daughter and son-in-law both died of illness.

Baoxia,

let's go.

How come you girls

are working out here?

Where are the male servants?

They all ran off.

The old and the young ones,

all of them?

What do you mean by asking that?

Are you coming to work for us?

I can't afford to pay you.

In that case,

when you can afford to pay me,

let me know.

I'll come over immediately.

It seems that your trip to the capital

didn't get you a suitable job.

You're right.

Working as a hatchet man,

I don't like that.

But don't worry,

I'll survive.

There's still a long way to go.

Things will eventually go your way.

Then I also wish you

a smooth sailing.

I'm leaving.

Let's go.

Hua Zhi,

Judging by that scar on his face,

I don't think he's a good man.

I disagree.

Yinzhu,

Madam Xia has

so much work for us to do.

Yet you have the time to do extra jobs.

I'll go right now.

Zhegui,

come here.

Madam Xia said

anyone who wants to help can come.

Okay.

Is there something special?

The ladies

always need to be taken care of.

Do I

have to tell you every detail?

Chanlu,

Your monthly wage

is paid by Hua Zhi.

Yingchun,

please don't make it hard for me.

My contract

was sighed with Madam Xia.

Fudong,

Madam Xia said

Madam Hua wants japonica rice porridge for lunch.

She wants you to make it now.

Alright.

I'll make it now.

It's still early, no rush.

Hua Zhi,

I heard from Yinzhu

that Madam Xia complained about there are too many maids here.

She's annoyed by all the noises.

She also said,

"those bitches

spend all day in the kitchen,

stealing our food".

She said she wants to sell a few more of us.

Hua Zhi...

How very strange,

the girl in charge brings me the meal.

I have another favor to ask.

I sure need to be more attentive.

I anticipated as much.

Tell me about it.

Grandmother,

first, try this pickled vegetable.

It's light and refreshing.

Fudong picked these from the backyard,

and figured out how to make them delicious.

Such a clever girl.

She's from your quarters, isn't she?

If you want to say something,

just say it.

Grandmother,

I want the maids' indenture contracts.

Otherwise, Fudong

will be sold by Madam Xia.

How can that be allowed?

Why?

I don't know.

Don't know...

Hua Zhi,

you called all of us here

for what?

Boli hasn't finished studying yet.

Wait until Madam Xia is here,

you'll know.

Hua Zhi,

we each manage our own businesses,

but you,

are reaching your hand into my pocket.

Madam Xia, don't worry.

No one can take advantage of another today.

Hua Zhi,

for such important things,

it's better to let Aunt Xia keep them.

Mother, don't worry.

We don't need them anymore.

All of your indenture contracts are here.

Since we lost everything,

all the maids, concubines,

we've been supporting each other.

We all witnessed that.

You've had a tough time these days.

I'm aware of it all.

Now, since I am in charge,

I won't be doing nothing anymore.

No matter it's Madam Hua,

or Madam Xia,

or me,

we can control your actions,

but not your feelings.

If deep down, you

hate this place

and don’t want to work,

we have no reason to keep you.

Hua Zhi, please,

don’t sell me!

I will never be lazy again.

Yes, please,

don’t sell us.

We will work harder!

Please don’t sell us

Don’t sell us!

Don’t sell us, Hua Zhi!

When did I

say that I was going to sell you off?

I'm holding these contracts

because I want to set you free.

Really?

Zhi, you...

What are you even talking about?

In this world,

we're all equal.

No one is born to serve others.

They're just unlucky to end up like this.

If they could gain their freedom,

who would wish to be a servant?

I will keep my words.

I...

I...

I have worked so hard

to discipline these girls.

Now, finally,

they're not running away.

You...

With just a few words,

you've given all that away!

Madam Xia, then from now on,

you don't need to work that hard.

But

if you release the maids,

who'll comb my hair,

and who will dress me?

Hua Ling, you have so much skills.

You can draw,

and you can embroider.

Are such simple tasks

like getting dressed and doing hair,

so hard for you?

Baoxia,

give these to their owners.

Everyone, come and get yours!

- Where's mine? - Mine?

Take this, this is yours.

Is this really mine?

You silly girl!

You...

Have you lost your mind?

You all...

♪Ink falls on the rice paper♪

- This is yours. - Yours.

Slow down, slow down

Take it easy.

Look, this is yours.

Concubine Qin!

It's yours, it's yours!

This is yours.

Take it.

Throw the contract into the fire,

and let it burn into ashes.

From now on, all of you

are free to come and go.

I also promise you all,

I will never report to the authorities.

If you want to leave, leave quickly.

If you want to stay

you can consider yourself as a hired worker.

I'll still pay you monthly.

But everyone must think carefully.

This relates to your future.

I don't want you to regret.

♪Speak with courage♪

The future is not gonna be easy.

We are all in the same boat.

Only by working together,

can we find a way to survive.

Baoxia.

You...

You!

♪If the lone boat doesn't drift♪

At my age,

today I have witnessed

something extraordinary.

Hua Zhi,

well done!

♪ Through trials, you have come ♪

♪ Only with you does my world ignite with fireworks ♪

♪ Finally, flowers blossom in the depths of my heart ♪

Hua Zhi, I've made up my mind.

I won't go anywhere.

I want to be with you.

I, I won't leave either!

I'll still working in the kitchen,

okay?

Okay.

♪Speak with courage♪

♪If time could have colors♪

♪My story would surely be colorful♪

♪ Chase the light, go on ♪

♪ Walk on, stubbornly ♪

♪ Go on ♪

Miqiu,

are you leaving?

Hua Zhi,

I'll never forget about your kindness.

But I...

Get up.

If you're leaving,

do you have a place to go?

My brother lives in Yongzhou.

He owns a piece of land there,

and my mother is there too.

Good.

Go to Yingchun.

She'll give you some money.

Be careful on the road.

Hua Zhi,

Hua Zhi...

If you want to go, just go.

Why are you crying?

Ridiculous.

Go.

Here.

Yingchun,

you want to leave too,

right?

What are you talking about?

You've always been smarter than us.

Even if not as a maid,

you'll still have a good future.

But, what else can I do?

Get married.

You're pretty.

You can marry a farmer, or a fisherman.

You'll never get starved.

If you can marry a merchant,

perhaps in the future,

you'll get rich.

Yingchun,

I'll take my leave.

You should hurry up and get ready too.

Take care.

Is a bright future

just marrying a good man?

Yingchun.

Hua Zhi,

I've been wanting to ask,

these days,

we keep rinsing and frying berries

for what exactly?

I was gonna tell you later.

Baoxia and the girls don't know about this yet.

When Fudong

finalized the recipe for fried-berry,

we'll start to sell them in the city.

Hawthorn berry,

everyone in the city knows what it is.

But no one eats them.

How could anyone

be willing to pay for them?

Just make it delicious.

They'll be paying.

Hua Zhi,

waht about the next?

A tower begins with a heap of bricks.

We start from selling berries,

then expand the business step by step.

So,

from now on,

the whole family will be running a business together?

If poor people want to get rich,

working is a better idea than farming,

and business is better than working.

If we want to save Grandfather,

this is the only way.

Running a business is just like fighting a war.

In the past, you all

worked only in the house.

But from now on, you must become leaders who command troops,

to win battles.

Together, let's carve out a path

in the imperial capital.

Alright,

I'll do this with you.

And me!

Here.

Baozhu,

Baozhu, my clothe is torn.

Madam, just leave it there.

I'll get the needle and thread as soon as these berries are ready.

Yinzhu, come and help.

Coming!

Come on, come on,

try these.

What do you think?

Is it good?

Really delicious!

So good!

Delicious.

This is delicious, Madam!

Little girl,

smart move.

Stealing all my maids.

Madam Xia?

At night,

I always hear you coughing.

Ms. Su has poor hearing.

I'll sleep here for the next few days

to look after you.

♪Don't worry about a patch of land♪

♪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♪

♪Don't worry about a patch of land♪

♪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♪