Original subtitles

♪Who gazes at the stars in the sky?♪

♪Heading towards the shore in a broken boat♪

♪This time, I'll hold onto fate and never give in♪

♪Family bonds are hard to maintain♪

♪Who will take me to the fearless dream?♪

♪As the wind and rain come and fade♪

♪A lone sail sways♪

♪A flower blooms alone amidst the thorns♪

♪Its petals are pierced by thorns♪

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

♪Everything grows through the heart♪

♪Even if dreams are lost♪

♪Smoothing out the surging waves♪

♪Breaking through the tumultuous sounds of the heart♪

♪Having the courage to resist♪

♪Embracing the chant of destiny♪

♪Only love brings light♪

♪Only love embraces the thorns♪

♪Everything grows through the heart♪

♪Having the courage to resist♪

♪Embracing the chant of destiny♪

[Blossoms in Adversity] ♪Only love brings light♪

[Adapted from the novel of the same name on cmread.com]

[Episode 13]

A gentleman should strive to cultivate his character and conduct,

keep his heart righteous, present himself with grace and dignity.

If you attract trouble,

you should reflect on your words and deeds.

We are all scholars,

how can you make such a shameless accusation

without any proof?

What are you angry about?

Stop defending yourself.

A well-known and learned scholar

would never go to her house.

Don't you understand

any of this?

Of what?

Gentlemen, think about it.

With our achievements and reputations,

maybe one day,

we will serve in the Court.

How can you go against His Majesty's will

and mingle with these criminals?

That's right.

Totally agree.

Right.

I'm not accusing her for no reason.

Look at those women

all posted up everywhere to hire a family teacher.

And yet, not a single man

showed up at their doorstep.

Given your flawed morality,

I'm afraid even if you wish to apply for the position,

you are nowhere near qualified

to be a teacher of the Hua Family.

Shen Qi.

He's just being ridiculous.

Who is the most renowned Confucian scholar

when it comes to virtue and knowledge

in the city?

It must be Mu Chengzhi.

Master Mu.

The very one who lectured at the Eastern Palace,

standing in front of the Lize Gate

and denouncing the officials.

with leaving his official cap behind when he left.

[Mu Chengzhi]

Fetch me a letter tube.

Sir, are you sending a letter?

I need you to go for me.

Master.

We've got a visitor.

Master Mu, wake up.

Who?

Who has got their belly full?

What are you talking about?

This is very bad.

A Security Bureau Guar sent a letter.

It has finally come to this day.

Go.

I need to bathe and burn incense.

Father.

I'm sorry I haven't been a good son for you.

Master.

You taught us so many things and we always respect you,

I did not expect a day like this.

Master.

Father.

Everyone will die someday.

I'd rather die in my pure soul

than collude with the baseness of the world.

I have lived long.

I study classic books and pass on exceptional teachings.

I have no regrets

in my life.

It's just a pity

to waste such fine pastry.

I'm not able to have another taste of it

after today.

Siduan.

Open the letter.

Yes.

Father.

[Study things to acquire knowledge]

This is an inkstone.

You must handle it gently.

Yes.

Master, Mr. Shen is here.

Master Mu.

Siduan.

Qi, no need for such courtesy.

Master,

Is there anything important today?

Why are all your students here?

Because father is going to teach us

the Classic of History today.

Right.

Today I come here

to ask for a favor.

And maybe I know what that favor is.

Are you sure?

It is Master Mu.

His beard is very long.

Young Lady.

It's kind of strange.

Our shoes were almost worn out

since we ran around paying visits to those scholars,

but even those who failed the exam turned us down.

How come Master Mu is willing to be our teacher?

I have the same question.

Why would such a famous Confucian scholar

would like to be our family teacher?

Let's go.

This way leads to the main hall.

I have a humble home,

please forgive me, we're not at our best.

This residence

is a tranquil place.

It's a good place to study.

We've chosen a room

that is sunlit and quiet

for your teaching.

I'll show you the room first.

If there is anything else you need,

feel free to tell us.

There's always a long queue.

waiting to buy your pastry.

It's quite difficult to buy it.

That would not be a problem.

If you like the pastry,

I can make a portion every day

and send it to your room.

That would be wonderful.

Master Mu.

I heard about your reputation long ago,

but I can only provide a simple place for you to teach,

so I didn't dare to come to you.

May I ask how did you know

that my family wanted a family teacher?

Today,

Mr. Shen,

paid me a hurried visit.

Shen Qi?

How many students do you have in total?

What books have they all studied?

There are seven students altogether

from our main family and branch families.

Four boys

and three girls.

There'll be girls in my class?

I fear I am not up to the task.

Master Mu.

A gentleman keeps his word.

How can you do the opposite?

This...

It's highly inappropriate

for boys and girls to study together.

The pastry...

This way, please.

Sir.

Master Mu

has already packed his packages

and moved into the Hua Family's manor.

Good.

If so,

she doesn't have to run around anymore.

Something doesn't add up, sir.

Master Mu

always stays in his academy.

I just don't understand

what exactly have you done

to pull this off?

Nothing special.

I just posted a notice

that said the Hua Family wanted a family teacher.

You have to seal the letter carefully more than ever

to such a famous Confucian scholar like that, right?

Zhi.

Master Mu

was invited by Mr. Shen.

It's a pity that you can't have him as your husband,

but we should still be grateful

for what he did for us.

Such a pity.

He's such a good man.

Even better than Uncle Pingyang?

I mean it.

You should at least send him your thanks.

Aunt Wu,

it's best for him

that I keep my distance from him.

I heard

Master will be having classes in a few days.

Duo can also learn how to read by then.

Duo, are you happy about that?

I can read,

but I've never been to school before,

nor met a teacher.

Why didn't we get to have such a good opportunity

to learn things when we were little?

I was so envious

to see those boys

going to school every day.

I remember

Ling even cried over this.

Ling studies everything

all by herself.

She can paint and write poems

better than those students

who study in the academy.

If back in the day,

she could have attended an academy...

Mother, let's stop here.

I don't want to go at all.

If everything is so great

about going to the academy,

why Bolin still doesn't want to go?

Wow, you figured it all out.

Do you know

what that teacher looks like?

They say

he's an old man

with a very long beard.

I won't go anyway.

Watch your tone.

I also know

we will hire a master of martial arts

since the family teacher is settled.

To teach whom?

Let's make it clear.

I'm not learning.

Silly girl.

You have to learn.

In case

we will run into some villains

like those from Zihuang Residence.

That would be amazing.

I'll be the first to sign up.

Rong thinks

that the master of martial arts

must be tall and handsome.

Hua Qin.

You are so annoying.

Alright, stop making a fuss.

Let's get to work.

Or we can't afford to buy flowers to wear for the Dragon Boat Festival.

Go back and sit down.

Look at my fancy work.

[Hua Mansion]

Brother.

Have you been having fun these days?

Zhi is too busy,

she's got no time for me.

Why is she so busy?

She's looking for the five teachers. [*five and martial arts sound the same]

What are the five teachers?

Duo told me.

The five teachers

mean the teachers who can fight.

I asked her what are the six teachers.

She couldn't answer.

Did she find those teachers then?

Brother.

You're highly skilled.

You can be the five teachers.

Then I can see you

every day.

She is just a little girl.

Forget that.

What are you doing here?

Isn't Master Mu having a class?

I... I...

God watches over the people

to see if they do things by following the moral principle.

Some people live long while others don't.

Go inside.

To see if they do things by following moral principles.

Some people live long while others don't.

One will lose life because of himself if he doesn't follow moral principles,

Look at this.

Impressive, isn't it?

Wuhu.

Look at this.

I'll do it.

Who's talking?

Master.

It's...

It's the birds outside chirping.

Speak up.

Master, the birds outside are chirping.

The birds are calling, aren't they?

It seems we need to find

a younger teacher.

Studying is inherently tedious.

It won't make any difference.

I differ.

When I was young,

my Grandfather taught me to read,

and I didn't find it boring at all.

Okay.

I will keep an extra eye on them anyway

in case they don't behave in class.

Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival.

Do you want to come here to celebrate it

and spend some time with Shaoyao?

I...

It's okay if you don't have time.

We're here with her anyway.

Thank you.

Your son?

Yes.

My son

has been skilled in martial arts from a young age.

Moreover, you all know him.

If you ask me,

Lady Zhi.

You don't have to look for anyone else.

Jizong is a perfect fit

to be your master of martial arts.

Since he's the guardian,

I'm afraid he won't have spare time for a side job.

I'll consider it.

There's one more thing

I want to ask you about.

Go on.

During this time,

you sell your pastry at major restaurants

and earn quite a lot of money.

The Dragon Boat Festival is coming.

We are all short of money to provide for the family.

My fellow guardians

complain about patrolling day and night.

And the monthly allowance isn't good enough.

They

are a bunch of bulky muscle men.

If they don't want to do their job

and quit,

So?

So?

There are all women and children

in the manor.

If someone gets hurt,

that won't be good.

How much do you want to increase?

Double it for this time.

This time?

It's getting cold.

It's not easy for them to stay outside.

And they also have to guard the gate at night,

in case thieves break in.

Be careful with the candles,

if a fire breaks out,

that would also be bad.

Guardian Li, you are quite considerate.

I'm just doing my job

as a guardian.

Moreover,

we will also need you

to cover the cost

of our winter coats and charcoal.

Fine, I'm okay with that.

You can leave.

Thank you so much, Lady Zhi.

Please be careful.

Is it settled?

Is it done?

It didn't go well.

I'm afraid we'll have to find a new employer.

She didn't give an inch.

No wonder her father didn't like her.

She deserves that.

Does she have

any better options

than us?

Young Lady.

What is that Li Gui here for?

He wants to secure the position for his son,

and let him be our master of martial arts.

Did you agree?

Any leads on that thing

I asked you

to ask around before?

I've asked about it privately.

Li Gui's subordinate guardians

only get 30 percent

of the monthly allowance

we paid them.

Li Gui and his son

have been pocketing the money.

They all have quite a few complaints.

But there are rules in this line of work,

they can't easily break them.

I also heard

that Li Gui's been acting defiantly.

He bullies those pushovers.

Madam Wu and Fudong

all had been there.

In the old days,

he was well-behaved

even though he could be snobbish sometimes.

Who knows he becomes such a thug

within such a short time.

But in the past,

the house was not full of women only

like now.

Young Lady.

I don't know if this is appropriate

for me to ask this.

Since the guardians are under the control of Li Gui,

then why don't you

just

kick them out?

You said it yourself, there are rules to the trade.

Those men

are subordinates of Li Gui.

If Li Gui is driven away,

do we keep them here?

If we keep them here,

who has the power to handle them

since we're just women?

If they were kicked out

and had no income,

they might put up a fight for that,

but we have no strength to fight back.

The other day, they came here

with all the weapons.

I knew they wanted us to hire them back again.

If I hadn't agreed that day,

they'd have done something bad to us.

So what do we do then, Young Lady?

We must hire a master of martial arts quickly.

Someone with good character and great martial skills.

He needs to be an intimidating presence to these men.

Hire him first

in the name of master of martial arts.

When the right time comes,

replace Li Gui and his son before they know it.

Right.

I'll go check on my Grandmother.

Young Lady, you haven't eaten...

Grandmother.

Zhi.

You've come at just the right time.

I have bad eyesight.

It's challenging for me to read these letters.

Read it for me, dear.

Okay.

Shuqi,

How are you doing recently?

It's been a long time since I saw you last time.

I miss you every single day.

I am disturbed by tedious affairs,

but I always long for the old times in the peaceful cottage.

We napped on a bamboo bed

and cast the books into the sky.

We played the zither and created poems together.

We burned incense and brewed tea

with peace in mind,

and stayed away from the worldly things.

All the vivid memories were like just happened yesterday.

Time flies, and now we're distant from each other.

my longing for you is beyond words. Take care.

Grandmother.

Was this letter written

by an old friend?

All the letters here

are written by the same person.

We've exchanged letters for forty years.

This is just a small part of them.

If all were brought here,

even a cabinet could not hold them.

Now that we have settled down,

you can invite this Grandma

to come over.

Does she live far away?

Read two more for me.

I'm happy hearing what she said to me,

and it eases my headache.

I received your letter yesterday, it brought me great comfort.

I had a few drinks and I got tipsy.

You need to find the right time to get drunk for your purpose.

I fanned myself sitting by the waterside,

looked up to the sky, and saw the clouds scudded in the sky.

What else can it be

to make one happier?

After my hangover, it suddenly occurred to me

that you once recited Yang Chengzhai's poem.

A pot of clear snow water broods the chill of spring.

Honey dripped on plum blossoms, adorned with dew for a meal

It was hot during the time.

There was no snow or plum blossoms.

So half-jokingly, we made a pact.

When the Winter Solstice comes,

we gather snow water together

and brew it with fresh plum blossoms.

You said that

compared to brewing tea with snow,

the flavor would be much better.

Mr. Zhong.

Are you sprinkling realgar?

Mine is prettier.

Wear my flower.

Wear mine.

Stop it, wear mine.

Come here. kids.

Everyone, come here.

Stop running around.

You'll have to wear jasmine flowers in a moment.

Come here.

Here.

I wish you to be healthy.

I wish you to be healthy.

I wish you to be healthy.

Come on.

Look at this flower.

Who made this?

I made this.

I didn't get the size quite right.

It turned out a bit too large.

I see this one is quite outstanding

among all these flowers.

Only you can carry it off well.

Let you put it on your head.

Looks great.

Grandmother.

I also want to put a flower on you.

You see?

You all tease me for fun,

right?

You look amazing.

Beautiful.

Madam Hua, Madams.

Fudong.

What delicious food

have you made this time?

This is baicaotou people will eat for the Festival.

I cut apricots, plums, perilla, and ginger into shreds,

mixed them with aromatic herbs

added salt to them, and got them dried.

I also made some wine lees with honey.

I will bring some to you, Madam Hua.

Fudong, you're getting better at it.

Such a talented kid at making food.

Then please make some more

and bring it

to Jing and Xian.

They both like it.

Will do.

Did Lady Zhi have her breakfast?

She is busy running around for all kinds of stuff

and hasn't stopped for a rest yet.

She has many places to go

to send out Baicaotou.

And she also set up sheds to distribute porridge.

She has gone out to check on the sheds again.

Miss Zhi must be so tired.

Madam Hua,

I came up with the porridge idea.

I thought we had gotten through

the hardest times,

and live a better life now.

Today is a festival.

We should do some good deeds for the poor.

It could also accumulate virtues for our ancestors.

Well done.

Since it is a good deed,

don't let Lady Zhi do it alone,

you all should go and lend a hand.

Take all the children with you.

Teach them to be kind to others.

Yes.

We two brothers

haven't seen each other for ten years, right?

You're always busy with state affairs,

and working all day and all night.

I dare not disturb you without anything important.

We're brothers.

don't say anything like that.

You are even nicer to people that you're not related to than to me.

Imperial brother.

If an outsider exceeds his bounds,

it would be impolite.

But you and I

have been brothers from the first day we were born.

If I still do not understand the rules,

then I would not be excused.

The son of Lord Ling has arrived.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Alright, please have a sea.

Yanxi.

The dishes have all gone cold.

Why are you sitting so far away from me?

Come over, sit by me.

Leave your seat.

Father, please forgive me. I didn't know.

It's Dragon Boat Festival today,

don't bring up any displeasure.

Are you trying to get under my skin

on purpose?

Xi.

Today is a festival for family reunions.

Sit here.

Keep me and your mother company.

What are you doing recently?

We hardly see you all day.

Finally, we can get together today.

Hurry up and come over here,

pour us some wine.

I have just come all the way riding a horse.

I'm covered in dust now

and didn't have time to change my clothes.

I won't sit by you then.

I'll be sitting there.

You are smart.

Find yourself a spot where can be seated alone.

You can join me

if you want

and keep me company.

No, thanks.

I'm afraid you will get dust on me.

Brother, you're getting better

at making jokes.

Yanxi.

You arrived so late today.

You'll be punished.

Your punishment is to pour wine for me.

Yan Xi.

These dishes

are what you've loved since childhood.

Eat more later.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sit down.

Imperial brother, you shouldn't have.

You see,

each of your sons here

is talented and distinguished.

They can serve you all day

at your side.

As for me,

he is my only son.

Now,

he can't even pour wine for me as a son.

My sons here

are no equivalence of

Yanxi alone.

If there's anything

I envy about you,

it's that you have a good son.

I remember

the Emperor Emeritus

said the same thing.

Your Majesty.

Xi's achievements today

are all thanks to your teaching

and upbringing.

It's not entirely so.

Lady Zhou, I know that

you're a beautiful and capable woman.

I suppose

Yanxi has learned a lot from you since he was little.

Right, Yanxi?

Imperial uncle.

I was young at the time,

I don't quite remember.

Bring some hot dishes here.

You are such good people.

Yes, good people.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's so generous of you.

The porridge smells really good.

I could smell it from afar.

Young Lady.

Madam Zhu asked me to deliver

the multicolored string to you.

Hua Ling,

come.

Shaoyao,

come here.

Show me your hands.

Here.

Why did you tie this string on me?

You don't know?

Wearing multicolored string can ward off evil spirits on this day.

Give me one more, please.

Okay.

Here you go, Young Lady.

Where is Xi?

Why doesn't Xi come home?

Don't worry about him.

He's quite comfortable

staying in the imperial palace.

He wishes he doesn't have to

go back home forever.

Changqing.

Yes.

Go prepare some wine and dishes.

I want to have a drink with Yanxi.

Yes.

Yanxi,

Don't take it to heart.

about what happened just now.

Your father and I have been like this since we were young.

We bicker.

I understand.

It's just that

I'm kind of upset today.

For this Dragon Boat Festival family banquet,

I invited the empress dowager to come several days ago,

but she told me

that she has been feeling unwell recently

and refused to even show her face.

Has the imperial physician made a diagnosis?

She lied to me.

It's because she still resents me

for what happened to the Hua Family.

I heard that those women of the Hua Family

have all moved back to the capital.

It made a stir

in the capital.

I've also heard about it

In the first half of the year,

They have been living

in the manor outside the capital.

and someone they managed to live by themselves.

Imperial uncle.

That manor was a royal reward,

so I didn't confiscate it.

I'm not blaming you for anything.

That manor

is a reward from the empress dowager

to Madam Hua of the Hua Family.

They two

have been close since their youth.

I dismissed Hua Yizheng and his son from their positions

and exiled them to the Northern Land,

who would dare to raise an objection?

I didn't know her informants

were so well-informed

and acted out so fast.

Then those women could survive this.

Yanxi.

Do you know

that secret letters are always sent out

from the empress dowager's Fengxiang Palace?

From last winter to this day,

there have been seven letters sent out in total.

I dare not investigate

the matters of the forbidden palace.

It doesn't matter.

I want you to look into it,

and do whatever you have to.

Feel free to ask around

in my Chenglu Palace.

or her Fengxiang Palace.

Will do.

Yanxi, do a thorough investigation.

Find out what's going on

between the empress dowager and the Hua Family.

Yes.

I regard her as my mother,

but I don't think

the feelings are mutual.

Yanxi.

Put everything else aside for now.

Prioritize this matter.

I need to know

what the empress dowager intends to do with her letters.

You are the only one

that I can entrust this to.

In such a vast imperial city,

do you truly have someone you trust?

Sir.

It's beyond my knowledge.

Well,

getting words out of a woman's mouth

is harder than

retrieving gold from a river.

And that page thing

you asked me to look into before?

Hasn't had any news until now.

And now we even have to investigate

that noble lady.

We must do it either way.

If we let the other people handle it,

then we won't know

what it will lead to.

Sir, look.

Isn't that Lady Zhi?

Are there plain clothes prepared in the carriage?

Yes.

You finally came.

Shaoyao has been waiting for you all day.

She was exhausted,

so I let her sleep.

It's my bad.

I can't bring her with me.

Shaoyao is lucky to be the few

in the world that

is happy and free.

Have you eaten anything?

It's home-cooked.

Fresh and hot.

Thanks.

I can take you home.

Don't bother.

In one shichen, [*one shichen equals two hours]

I will distribute all the porridge.

Mr. Zhong will come to pick me up then.

Go back home.

Wait a moment.

A multicolored string.

It can ward off evil and keep you safe.

Let me help you put it on.

You can go.

Brother, you're highly skilled.

You can be the five teachers.

Then I can see you

every day.

It's a long time ago and I was a busy man.

I have been

running around these years

and child servants came and went.

They're scattered all over the world.

I really don't know

which one are you referring to.

Your master of martial arts?

Did you find one?

It's even harder than

finding a family teacher.

I've tried the sleeve arrows

that you gave me several times,

but I always missed the target.

After I find a master of martial arts,

I will let him teach me.

Am I a fit?

You're so brazen.

Do you want a compliment?

I said before

if there's anything I could help with,

just ask away.

Now I see

you didn't take it seriously at all.

Then if you happen to know

any masters of martial arts,

could you recommend them to me?

I'd like to apply to be your master of martial arts.

Stop joking.

If you're short on money,

you don't have to pay

Shaoyao's living expenses for now.

You give up that much money

just because you don't want me to apply for the position?

It's not like that.

What I mean is

if you really mean it,

and want this job...

What?

That would be great.

I'm just a normal guy

born into a normal family.

It totally suits me

to be your family's master of martial arts.

I always have a feeling

that you were not born

to be a person busied with toiling,

and what's on your mind

is nothing about normal folk's concerns.

Are there any other conditions

to get this job?

Just tell me.

No need/

You can start tomorrow.

Good.

From now on,

I am at your disposal.

What now?

Change your mind?

Am I being too cruel?

You haven't had a proper rest

since day one I met you.

You know that, huh?

After what happened to your family,

have you rested properly even for a day?

I'm afraid we all

are meant to live a busy life.

Destined to live a life of toil.

This place

used to be a small workshop.

For stockpiling goods.

It's a bit shabby now,

but I'll make a refurnishment later.

It's fine.

When I was in the army,

the training ground was just a wasteland.

The grass was even taller than a person.

This way leads to the academy.

That way leads to the inner courtyard.

It's not that large here,

but we've got everything we need.

Perhaps living here

will be more convenient than living outside the city.

Yes, indeed.

I've heard

your family's manor outside the city

was bestowed by the royal family.

Yes.

It was bestowed by the empress dowager.

Empress dowager?

I didn't know you were related.

Maybe it goes way back.

Since I can remember things,

I've never heard that the empress dowager

had any relations with my family,

let alone offering any protection.

This house is not large.

Feel free to look around.

I'll go prepare a room for you.

Once it's ready,

you can make do for the night.

Don't bother.

I'll come to teach the children during the day

and go back for the night.

You'll need a place to rest.

So please don't turn me down.

The is not a big house.

You can look around

and get to know the place.

I've also told them about you.

You're here to teach them martial arts,

so please be comfortable.

Alright.

Who is she?

Young Lady said there's been a shortage of hands recently.

I hired her as our worker

from outside.

She used to do hard labor, carrying fruit.

But that job

was too hard for a girl.

So I bring her here to help.

What's your name?

I... My surname is Zhang.

I asked for your first name.

Not your surname.

Are you stupid?

Country girls don't have first names.

Right.

Before I met the Young Lady,

I didn't have one either.

I am Baoxia.

Nice to... meet... you.

Where did this little hen come from?

She clucks like a hen.

She's new.

Be nice.

I am being nice.

Let's go.

I'll take you to our room.

Look at that idle fellow.

Ignore him, just go.

Yingchun,

I've cleaned out a room

next to the academy.

But I'm really not

good at this kind of stuff.

Help me check the room

and see if there's anything else that is needed.

Okay.

We have a new master again?

Yes.

They've been short of hands in the kitchen recently.

I've hired a few girls from outside

to help us out in the manor.

I won't give them anything important to do.

They'll just be responsible for the needlework and laundry.

They are all honest and upright girls.

They're a bit clumsy,

but I can teach them.

I'll handle them, Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Yingchun,

you're getting the hang

of what you are doing.

It's been quite a few months after all.

If I still can't get it right,

you should send me away, Young Lady.

It's not right.

If the one who is doing this job

is Baoxia or Fudong,

they can't manage it because they're too fussy.

In the coming days,

you will have to manage more and more maids,

and that means you will be as busy as a bee.

I'm not afraid of being busy.

Young Lady, you are the brain of this family.

And I,

I'll be your executor

carrying out everything you need.

I almost forgot.

Go prepare some food.

Let's send it over to Mr. Gu.

Mr. Gu.

This gentleman is quite an eye candy.

So handsome!

So handsome!

This place should be

where Madam Hua lives.

Don't get too serious.

Forgive me, bro.

You are hired as the master of martial arts,

so I thought you must have got something.

How about a match?

Watch your attitude.

It might cost your job.

It's not up to you

whether I can keep my job or not.

My father is the chief of the guardians.

The safety of this entire family

relies on my father and me.

Is that so?

Sorry for being rude.

Cut it out. Do you want to do this or not?

Li Jizong, what are you doing?

Let go of him.

Lady Zhi,

I heard you've hired

a master of martial arts.

So I've come here

to spar with him.

It is his day one today,

and I have matters to discuss with him.

He has no time to spar with you.

Alright then.

Next time.

Are you alright?

Did he hurt you?

Don't worry,

he won't be staying in this family for long.

What happened?

Nothing.

It's just that

it's the first time

someone talks to me like that.

He's just a scoundrel.

No matter what he says,

don't take it seriously.

I mean you.

Ever since I was little,

they've always been pushing me

to do difficult and dangerous things.

But this is the first time

someone steps up for me

and asks me if I've been wronged.

Let's go.

I've brought some pastry and soup.

I am better than you.

At least Grandfather loves me.

Although the Hua Family has come down in the world,

you and Shaoyao

can see this place as your second home.

If someone bullies you

ever again,

don't be afraid to speak up.

Just tell me.

I won't let you

be treated unfairly anymore.

Why should I tell you?

Are you going to beat him up

and vent my anger?

There's always a way.

If we can't get physical, we can outsmart them.

If the Hua Family somehow is related to the empress dowager,

I'm afraid His Majesty

won't let them off.

What did the commander

tell you?

We've found leads.

The incense money and letters

have all been sent to Shanhua Temple.

Ms. Su

goes there to offer incense

every half-month,

and then she retrieves the letters.

The Hua Family

has everything to do with this.

The commander said

to investigate thoroughly,

he needed to be away for a while

and to infiltrate the Hua Family.

You know what?

We are not able to know

how long he'll be gone

for the undercover.

His martial skills are remarkable.

Rest assured.

Next door to us

is the residence of Lady Zhi if I remember it right.

We're separated by just a wall.

I saw her pass by

this morning.

She is so young,

how can you tell

she can manage such a big family?

How is everyone doing

with your work?

It's done.

Go take a rest.

Yes.

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪No tea plant is left withered♪

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

♪Using effort and sweat to water and nourish♪

♪The tea leaves may be rustic♪

♪But the taste is of spring♪

♪Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves♪

♪Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together♪

♪Not a patch of land is wasted♪

♪No tea plant is left withered♪

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

♪Using effort and sweat to water and nourish♪

♪The tea leaves may be rustic♪

♪But the taste is of spring♪

♪Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves♪

♪Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together♪

♪Ah, in the early spring, we pick the tea leaves♪

♪Ah, let's enjoy the abundant spring together♪